>>2455383
>Head for the bank first

>>2455383
Head to the bank, the safest place for your money.

>inb4 the bank gets robbed

>>2455383
>Look for someone selling home security

>>2455383
>>Head for the bank first


>Your only love is alchemy, now and forever, till death do you part.
Seabass boner says otherwise!

>>2455383
>>Head for the bank first
>>2455418
Yeah, we got targeted last time because of our visible money.

>>2455383
>Head for the bank first

>>2455383
>Head for the bank first

File: Dwarven Banking Conspiracy.jpg (313 KB, 1920x1004)

313 KB JPG

>>2455393
>>2455418
>>2455425

You decide to head for the bank first. Carrying around this much money at once isn't a good idea. The bank is conveniently situated behind the bazaar, in an unassuming domed building, much like the Dome of the main governmental office. Unlike most of the banks in the mainland, this one is entirely under human manage instead the usual joint venture with dwarves. There are one or two dwarves that maintain the vault but the tellers are all human.

The interior of the bank is separated into three distinct parts. A teller's counter is on the left flank and leads inside to the underground vault (courtesy of the dwarves) one the right flank are small cubicles for one-on-one service--mostly for opening new accounts or applying for a loan (though you've never had much success before on account of your low and irregular income). Between the two there's a waiting area with sofas and a table, though most are on line to withdraw or deposit money.

Above, an enormous crystal chandelier hangs down from the dome, reflecting the sunlight from the stained windows into a million pieces. Your Elf is quite taken with the sight, walking with her head upturned so that you have to pull her back before she collides with another person.

You don't actually have an account with the bank yet so you can either wait on line to make an account with the teller, or sit down and speak face to face with a banker.

>Sit down and relax, you'll meet with a banker and do this right
>Get on line, you don't have all day

OOC: Not feeling to hot today, so the updates will be a little slower than normal. Bear with me.

>>2455463
>>Sit down and relax, you'll meet with a banker and do this right

>>2455463
>Sit down and relax, you'll meet with a banker and do this right

>>2455463
>Sit down and relax, you'll meet with a banker and do this right

>>2455463

>Sit down and relax, you'll meet with a banker and do this right

>>2455463
>Sit down and relax, you'll meet with a banker and do this right

>>2455463
>Sit down and relax, you'll meet with a banker and do this right
OOC: don't feel pressured to stress yourself, slower is better than never, even if you have to come back another day

>>2455469
>>2455472
>>2455473
>>2455474

You pull your Elf to one of the sofas and take a seat next to her. There's a massive scrying orb built into the table in front of you as large as an antique globe. News from around town and around the world pass through its interior like summer clouds. Images of distant places in the mainland accompanied by a pleasant female voice speaking directly into your head.

You can focus in on a particular story by just touching the orb and concentrating, but none of it particularly interests you. It's mostly the same old news about joint-stocks and how the market price of troll hearts have been going up (no one needs to tell you that). There is one story about a local break-in that catches you eye--someone got into Lord Fontain's estate last night while he was away but it doesn't look like anything was taken. No one even got a look at the perpetrator, despite the fact that the house was guarded by over two dozen of Fontain's own men. They claim they were all trying to put out a fire when the break-in was thought to occur, but the house shows no sign of any damage. The culprit is still at large and has been nicknamed "The Mirage" for this daring exploit.

Your Elf is completely enthralled and can barely sit still. She keeps touching the orb with a cautious finger and then recoiling when its magic affects her and then trying again.

Your thoughts return to Nina as you wait but you slowly pull them away. When was the last time you could just sit back and relax? You finally have money to spend, money literally in the bank (or soon about to be), you should take this opportunity to reflect on how far you've come. You, the orphan slum rat they said was going to starve to death before his 10th birthday. They said you wouldn't amount to anything. All that awaited you was a short life of hard labor.

You close your eyes and smile. You did always have trouble with authority. The money in your purse is just a beginning. Soon you'll have enough to apply for an Alchemy license. Then you'll be able to sell through the official channels, maybe you'll even apply for a job with Chimia. 50 sovereigns doesn't seem so impossible anymore and it's all thanks to Toad. First the apartment and now this, you owe him more than you can repay.

A heavy-set man approaches you--one of the bankers from his colorful, gold-inlaid robes and someone who's clearly not happy to be working on a Saturday. "May I help you?" He says, but in a tone that actually says "What's someone like you doing here?"

"I'd like to open an account." You say.

"Do you have any money?" He says.

"I have enough." You say, slamming your purse on the table.

"Ah! Of course! Right this way sir, right this way. I do apologize. Terribly sorry about that, we get all kinds here you know, never can be too careful." He says, gesturing toward a cubicle. You grab your Elf (who's still busy poking the orb) and follow the banker.

1/2

>>2455623
"What kind of account were you thinking of?" He asks, once you're seated.

"Whichever one will get me access to the vault." You say. "I want my money safe."

He laughs. "Of course, there's no safer place than our bank for your money. Indeed, we pride ourselves in three things: honesty, integrity, and especially security." He says, giving you a broad smile.

There's an explosion behind you followed by a shrill scream. "This is a robbery! Everybody on the ground! Right now!"

You look back at the banker. He looks at you. Your Elf is still staring at the chandelier.

"Everybody on ground!" Another explosion. More screaming. The voice is familiar somehow. You peek over the cubicle wall. There's three of them. All wearing masks, but you recognize them instantly--it's the bastard that stabbed you and next to him: the pair of adventurers that you helped a few days ago: the man who gave you the gem and the girl you whose life you saved.

God damn it.

>Stay hidden and don't get involved
>Try and speak to the man, what the hell is he doing robbing banks?

>>2455418
YOU WERE RIGHT

>>2455629
>>Stay hidden and don't get involved
see if you can put your bag under something
Also make a mental note to check if we are cursed.

>>2455418
this is your fault.

>>2455629
>Try and speak to the man, what the hell is he doing robbing banks?

>>2455629
>>Stay hidden and don't get involved
Unwarranted heroics is a good way to get stabbed again.

>>2455629
>Stay hidden and don't get involved
We can belt out the verbal beatstalldown if they try to accost us in particular, but don't go picking fights.

But seriously? They shouldn't have earned anything from the phoenix ashes. I can't imagine they did some sort of long con, so I'm guessing stabby guy did it behind their backs and convinced them to dirty their hands. Not that we're in a position to care.

>>2455629
>Stay hidden and don't get involved

>>2455657
Also picking a bank is a terrible idea, because there will be guards and the rich people don't like when their money gets stolen.

>>2455638
>>2455646

You're not going to make the same mistake twice. You drag your Elf to the floor (who doesn't seem to understand what's going on) and remain there.

The robbers work quickly, forcing the tellers to empty what they have on hand. The guards seem mysteriously absent, usually in the case of a robbery like this, they'd teleport in with a full anti-magic squad--which is why only the craziest would attempt to rob a FTA bank. Instead the robbers fill up their sacks without a care in the world--not even bothering to take money from the patrons or break into the vault-- and as quickly as they come, they disappear.

"I assure you sir, that kind of thing is not common." Says the banker, still hiding under the table. Only once the coast is completely clear does he come out and take his seat. To his credit, he's more composed than you are about the whole thing (but not as much as your Elf, who's simply returned to admiring the chandelier). "And of course we're insured for any losses by the Free Trade Authority. So you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Now if you'll just sign and seal here, we can take your first deposit. It's 10 sovereigns minimum as I'm sure you know." He says, offering you a quill.

Strange. The guards still haven't shown up.

>Well if it's insured you don't see the harm--even if that robbery seemed strangely easy
>Absolutely not, your money is safer in your own hands

>>2455689
>Absolutely not, your money is safer in your own hands

>>2455689
>Where. Are the guards?
>Absolutely not, your money is safer in your own hands
Shit, that smuggler dude really DOES have the whole city in the palm of his hands.

>>2455689
>Well if it's insured...
>Although I wonder what happened to the guards.

Okay, so here me out on why I'm still going with it.

Something fishy, here. Clearly. If we noticed all this in-universe, then it's not too much of a logical leap to presume that there was some kind of setup at play. Something that maybe the bankers or whatever is in on. I say we play naive, put in like 15 Sovereigns, and then see if we can go over their heads somehow. Like waaaaaay above their heads. We play this right, we might be able to get a seriously massive patron, client, or clients thanks to saving the right people a lot of money.

>>2455689
>>Well if it's insured you don't see the harm--even if that robbery seemed strangely easy

>>2455703
>>2455698
it doesn't matters if the money gets stolen, because its insured. they will return the money to us, yes or yes. their business depends on that.

>>2455689
>"Where are the guards?"

>>2455714
>yes or yes
let me tell you about bank defaults....

But more seriously, what happened just now and with Toad is an indication that at any point, the ones in power can do away with the law and walk all over it.

>>2455710
has a point though, playing dumb IS an option.

>>2455710
>We play this right, we might be able to get a seriously massive patron, client, or clients thanks to saving the right people a lot of money.
what? i don't think it makes sense. could you elaborate mor? because at best, the patron doesn't deposit their money in the bank, and at worst, nothing happens and we become an enemy of the bank or don't get our account (and become more prone to being stabbed again)

>>2455727
ok, you are right on that. We could invest the money in some business, but i don't feel the money is safe with us, considering our luck so far.

>>2455739
I mean that I'm thinking if someone like the FTA or whatever passes for paladins or whatnot gets wind that 'hey this local bank along with some local scumbag guys are trying to scam you super hard', then they're gonna come down on the bank like the wrath of a fucking angry god.

We COULD do that without paying into the scam, true, but I'm concerned that it might cause this fuck to complain about the blatant robbery and how it cost him a sale and he might describe us to the wrong pair of ears. So, my plan is to assuage him by pretending it's whatever and then working subtly (as in not just asking the nearest person) how to contact whoever oversees them at the FTA or someone sufficiently high enough to be out of the smuggler's mitts.

>>2455689
>>Well if it's insured you don't see the harm--even if that robbery seemed strangely easy

>>2455767
Continuing on that, if they're grateful enough, they may reward us with a one time sum of cash, regular funding and investment to allow us to expand and for them to diversify their interests, or a continuing contract for potions for whatever reason.

That's my logic.

>>2455689
>Where are the guards?
>Go over the contract with a fine toothed comb to find out the EXACT circumstances of this 'insurance'
This wreaks of a setup, and where there's a setup there has to be handy contractual loopholes. If teller throws a stink politely remind him the bank was LITERALLY just robbed so you want to be damn sure your money is as safe as can be.

But at the end of the day
>Well if its insured...
Because going home with a large amount of money is a good way to get stabbed, and these thieves know EXACTLY where Seabass lives.

>>2455767
Seems like the best plan. Supporting

>>2455739
We could do a few "subscriptions"

>Get a weekly set of stuff from reagents guy, as well as first dibs on the next new find he has. Also buy that Basilisk Eye so at least it's not in hard cash.

>Buy a fuckton of books. Those are really hard to fence. Pay booklady to teach the elf how to speak Common, too.

>A damn good lock. So good that even if they just break the door instead, the lock can be used on a better door later. A fireproof lockbox, too, keyed to a password rather than a key that could be stolen from us.

>....under-armor, I guess.

Honestly that still wouldn't spend a lot, but that's all I got. Besides moving out and asking who wants to come with.

>>2455689
>well, if it's insured

don't deposit all of it though. How much do we have again?

>>2455767
or ...maybe its not a scam? although considering how this quest has gone, i'm probably wrong

i'm not against going with the proper authorities to tell them what happened, but maybe the robbery was caused by some disgruntled workers/guards that were not paid enough or whatever. I mean, the thieves didn't steal from the customers, they went directly for the institution's money. That's a message for the bank itself.

>>2455782
this is very optimistic. like incredibly so. why would someone in power would want to hire a no name alchemist that doesn't have his licence? from his point of view, WE are the ones trying to scam him.

>>2455789
if i recall correctly, we are depositing the minimun to have an account, and the rest is in the house/ with us.

>>2455810
It's only one of a number of possibilities. Like I did say, they could just pay us a lump sum, which would still be nice.

>>2455784
>>2455788
+1

>>2455727
>>2455784
So this is either systematic insurance fraud or false advertising, either way the blood gem gave us a one-way ticket into this web of intrigue.
>>2455767
Is it possible for paladins to be corrupt?

>>2455689
>>Well if it's insured you don't see the harm--even if that robbery seemed strangely easy

>>2455710
>>2455714
>>2455775

That robbery felt strangely easy. "Where are the guards?" You say. The banker stands up and glances over the cubicle.

"Huh. That's odd." He says. "Ah there they are." He points toward the entrance. A group of ordinary spear-toting guards filter through, laughably late and begin questioning the tellers and patrons.

"Isn't the anti-magic squad supposed to come in cases like this?" You say.

"Yes, but since those damnable--do pardon my language, sir--adventurers started coming in, they've had their hands full and their premiums have gone up. The vault wasn't touched and we've been given specific instructions not to bother them unless it is." He shrugs. "That's policy I'm afraid."

Something still smells fishy here. You wonder if it's in anyway connected to Toad or the break-in at Fontain's house. And the appearance of the scoundrel that stabbed you and the man that gave you that gem in one place makes the whole thing 10 times as suspicious.

Probably something you can ask Toad about later, he's better at noodling these things out than you are. For now you decide to deposit the minimum 10 sovereigns to open the account, leaving you with 3 in your pocket and 13 still at home.

The banker also informs you of a promotional offer (likely something he just made up to counter the robbery): an extra 5% interest per month if you have at least 10 sovereigns in the account. It's something normally offered to larger accounts (he makes that point very clear) but he's willing to make an exception in your case. The extra 5% brings the interest to a modest 20% per month. Which, according to your calculations would double your money about every 4 months.

It's a good deal but you're not sure if it's worth locking almost half your money in a bank for it.

>Take the deal, you'll come into more money soon anyway
>Refuse and go for the standard 15% rate

>>2455841
>>Take the deal, you'll come into more money soon anyway

>>2455841
>>Take the deal, you'll come into more money soon anyway
i see no problem with this. but just to be safe, lets ask him if there are some other conditionals regarding that extra 5%. (and also read the contract when he gives it to us)

>>2455841
>Refuse and go for the standard 15% rate

>>2455841

>>2455854
This

>>2455841
>>Take the deal, you'll come into more money soon anyway
Lets read the contract with care. Devil is in details

>>2455854
>>2455856
>>2455861

You take the deal. You don't immediately need the money anyway and after reading through the contract you don't see any issues to simply withdrawing the money if you really need it (other than nulling the promotion). There's also something about a joint account for married couples that garners an additional 5%, but that obviously doesn't apply to you.

You sign the contract with your thumbprint, the banker seals it with some cipherous ink and then takes your money and personally puts it into the vault.

"Thank your for doing business with us Mr. Sondheim. Is there anything else I can help you with today?"

>See about getting a loan--they've always rejected you in the past, but now that you have an account they might be more lenient
>See about any investing opportunities
>Your business is concluded for now, it's time to go shopping!

>>2455841
>>Take the deal, you'll come into more money soon anyway
And its not like we don't have any experience of living hand to mouth, we'll be fine. Also large amounts of unsecured money = stabbity stab.
But
>Go over the terms of both contracts with a fine tooth comb

>>2455894
>Your business is concluded for now, it's time to go shopping!
Don't think we should time in this bank

>>2455894
>>See about any investing opportunities

>>2455894
>>See about any investing opportunities
Since we're here already. Then shopping!

>>2455894
>Your business is concluded for now, it's time to go shopping!

>>2455894
>Your business is concluded for now, it's time to go shopping!

>>2455894
>>Your business is concluded for now, it's time to go shopping!
we shall invest later. when we have more than 10 miserable sovereigns.

>>2455904
>>2455921
>>2455924
>>2455935

You shake the man's hand and head out, still feeling a little shaken by all that's happened. First Nina and then the robbery, you're starting to think you might be cursed.

But you still have money in your pocket! 3 sovereigns and 7 silver pieces. Where should you go first?

>Home security
>Get lunch from Rose
>Visit Gunter
>Return that insect book to Mam

>>2455894
>Your business is concluded for now, it's time to go shopping!

>>2455954
>Home security

>>2455954
>>Get lunch from Rose

>>2455954
>>Return that insect book to Mam

>>2455954
>Home security

>>2455954
>>Home security
We keep half of our savings in our house, and we got burglarized by the same gang that robbed the bank.

>>2455954
>>Home security

>>2455954
>Home Security
Locks. NOW.

>>2455689
>>Well if it's insured you don't see the harm--even if that robbery seemed strangely easy

>>2455954
Locks, then somewhere we can buy partitions for our beetles which allow them to sense each other but don't allow them to fight, for maximum profits.

>>2455954
>Home security
We also need that Elvish dictionary

>>2455966
>>2455989
>>2455991

After just experiencing both a near fatal stabbing (which is healing quite nicely) and a robbery in the space of just a week you decide that priority number one is home security. You head into the bazaar with your Elf in tow.

It's Saturday and the stalls are more crowded than usual. Mothers with children in their arms fiercely negotiating the price of radishes and cabbage. Blushing young couples holding hands for the first time and feeling the first raw nerve of love. Old beggars walking around with their cups jangling with charity. There's a man yelling on a crate about how the reptilians are in a grand conspiracy with Viceroy Antipater, offering him sexual services in exchange for protection.

There's a group of men dancing in the middle of the street to the cheers and applause of a small crowd. In the distance you can hear music, you can see flower petals floating in the air, you can smell fried flesh--which reminds of you Nina's chicken. You wonder how Franklin is doing on his "date".

You arrive at a section of the bazaar that mainly supplies adventurers with weapon, armor and other equipment. You're not familiar with any of the merchants here, never needing their services. But you should be able to find what you're looking for here.

>Look for a personal weapon, something you can keep at home since you don't have a license to carry one in public
>Look for a good lock
>Look for traps--the best defense is a good bear trap snapping a femur in half.

>>2456077
>>Look for a personal weapon, something you can keep at home since you don't have a license to carry one in public
>>Look for a good lock
>>Look for traps--the best defense is a good bear trap snapping a femur in half.
>Lockbox.
At the very least, they should have trouble lugging around a lockbox AND the elf

>>2456077
>>Look for a good lock
>>Look for traps--the best defense is a good bear trap snapping a femur in half.
although a weapon seems like a good idea, we should first learn how to use them. Let it be a sword, knife, or some other contraption. Otherwise its more dangerous to us than to an attacker.

>>2455954
>Home security.
If there's time afterwards we should exchange the insect book for the Elvish dictionary.

>>2456077
>>Look for a good lock
>>Look for traps--the best defense is a good bear trap snapping a femur in half.

>>2456077
>Look for a good lock
>Look for a personal weapon, something you can keep at home since you don't have a license to carry one in public
Maybe a crossbow? Don't need to be particularly strong.

>>2456077
Look for as many locks as you have entrances to your apartment, and then look for a camouflaged lockbox, one that looks like something distasteful, like beetle droppings or whatnot.

>>2456077
>>Look for a good lock

>>2456106
Hide the valuables under the bug pit?

>>2456083
>>2456106
+1
>>2456077
>Get an alarm or messaging system.

>>2456085
>we should first learn how to use them.
What about a concealed carry? Those shouldn't be hard to use. Leia should get one too.

Ah fuck, I missed the start of the thread.

>>2456077

>Look for a personal weapon, something you can keep at home since you don't have a license to carry one in public
>Look for a good lock

>>2456117
yeah, whatever it takes
we've got a huge target on us and we have a spoiled rich kid, a seamstress landlady, a traumatized elf, and an oft-absent badass friend, none of whom can really be counted on to protect our pad

the corruption in this town runs deep, we have to hunker down and bunker up

>>2456118
the point isn't that they are hard to use, but that we don't know how to use them properly. I don't mind getting a weapon for us and the elf as long as we also get some classes to learn how to use them.

>>2456135
I agree that weapons are not advisable at this time, especially if in lieu of locking down our living quarters.

File: 1522780837714.png (178 KB, 350x342)

178 KB PNG

>>2455383
>OP using some of my pics
Neat.
What does our elf look like, OP? What's a physical description of her, from her hair length and color to the color of her eyes?

>>2456077
>Look for a personal weapon, something you can keep at home since you don't have a license to carry one in public
>Look for a good lock

>>2456077
>Look for traps--the best defense is a good bear trap snapping a femur in half

Inb4 we break Nina's leg with our traps.

>>2456346
I agree, traps are more likely to hurt friendlies around our abode, unless there's some kind of magic discrimination or enemy check.

>>2456077
>Look for a personal weapon, something you can keep at home since you don't have a license to carry one in public
>Look for a good lock

>>2456077
>>Look for a personal weapon, something you can keep at home since you don't have a license to carry one in public
>>Look for a good lock

>>2456083
>>2456085
>>2456086
>>2456092
>>2456098
>>2456106

You decide to browse for anything that catches your eye, going from to stall to stall chatting with the merchants for their advice. You wish you had talked to Toad before this, but to your surprise you find him rifling through a bucket of broken mechanisms and gadgets, next to one of the stalls, while sucking as usual on his pipe.

"Toad!" You wave at him. He looks up at you, then at your Elf and frowns, but comes closer.

"Seabass. Never thought I'd see you this part of the market." He says.

"Same. Well I'm surprised to see you here now, so soon after--you know."

He nods. "Don't worry about it." He says. "It's done. You did good." You sometimes wonder if he can read your mind. "You looking to buy something?"

"After what happened I figured I should at least buy a lock. Any recommendations?"

"Layers." He says.

"Layers?"

"Biggest mistake people make is they put all their eggs in one basket. It's stupid. You want layers. Get a lock, a lockbox, a decoy lockbox, a weapon and at least two traps."

"I' don't have a license to carry a weapon." You say.

1/2

>>2456426
He pops the pipe from his mouth and dumps the ash. "Here get this." He picks up a pump-action watergun. "Fill it one of your weird alchemy things. You don't need a license for that." You take it. It's basically a toy. It has a leather pouch to hold the water and a hand-pump on the bottom to pressurize it. You could easily adjust it to hold something more volatile, slug juice or maybe some failed perfumes. The pump could also be replaced with something a little more oomph.

"How much?" You ask the merchant. He doesn't even bother looking in your direction, he seems too busy downing whatever sorrows he has with a bottle of ale.

"A silver piece." He says.

"You can do better than a silver piece Shortstack." Says Toad.

"God damn it Toad. You see a fucking church sign on my stall? No? It's cause this ain't a fucking charity."

"Shortstack." Says Toad. "How's the wife?"

Shortstack sighs. "Fine! Fuck! Half-off. Half-off everything, just take it." He says.

"Ease up on the drink, Shortstack." Says Toad.

"Fuck you. Stop smoking." He says, taking another swig of his bottle. "Fucking hypocrite." Toad actually smiles, a rare occurrence.

"Here get this too." Says Toad, picking up a simple bolt lock that even you could break. "You pair this with...this." He says, handing you a small blue gem suspended in a vial of clear glass. The gem is not unlike the one Franklin has, just smaller. The moment you touch it, it gives of a shock that makes you yelp and then makes a booming noise like thunder that echoes through the entire market. "What you do is, you set this up with the lock. It's an easy in so they'll go for it first, then when they try to break in it'll zap 'em and make that noise. 99% of the time they'll be made and run. Believe me, it works."

He also shows you an assortment of lockboxes. "This is your second line. Not the lock itself--that's a big mistake. No one in their right mind picks the lock in the house, they just take the whole box and sort it out later. So you set up a decoy. Decoy has a good lock and you hide it just well enough so they feel good when they find it. Course, it has nothing inside. Except maybe a tracker. You hide the real thing in plain sight--my favorite is in the toilet. Few thieves will even think to look in the shitter."

You decide not to ask how he obtained this extensive knowledge of thief psychology but instead take his word for it.

"You might get something for her too." He says, flicking his pipe at Leia. "Can you fight Sylvan?" He asks. Your Elf shakes her head and looks down, wringing her hands.

"Hey you know her dialect? What is that? I've been trying to figure it out since I bought her." You say.

"Sylvanshine." He says. "From the north. But my guess is this one didn't grow up there. Did you get her checked for magic? Better lock that down as soon as you can, before you wake up one morning as a frog."

2/3

>>2456429
You hadn't considered that. As an Elf she should have a higher propensity toward magic but if so, she could've escaped ages ago--if not you, at least when she was kidnapped.

"You know magic Sylvan?" Asks Toad. Again she shakes her head and wrings her hands even harder. He grabs her face and brings it close to his own, blowing smoke into her eyes. "You lying to me Sylvan?" He says. She tries to shake her head, but Toad holds it firm.

"Toad you're hurting her." You say.

"No." She says. Her voice is small and weak. "I-I promise. M-my old master took away my magic. He took away my magic." She touches her belly and you remember the long thin gashes that ran across it and you realize now that those were the scars of an arcane operation. There are more humane ways to lock away magic, such barbarism isn't even done to animals.

"Toad." You say. Toad grunts and releases her and she runs over to you, hiding behind you.

"Get her checked." He says. "She might be lying. They're all liars." He says, spitting at the ground and then looking at his feet, hiding his eyes.

----

On Toad's advice, Shortstack's generous discount and your own budget you end up buying the following:

(Choose from below)
>the waterpistol (half-silver)
>the bolt and shock trap (2 silver)
>a decoy lockbox with a strong magical lock (6 silver)
>a pair of mateflies, once attracted, they can be used as trackers (3 silver)
>a small dagger that your Elf personally picked out (2 silver)
>general purpose padlock (3 silver)
>a small crossbow with a dozen bolts (1 soverign)
>a small guard dog (4 silver)
>a ward necklace, it generates a shield whenever you're in danger (9 silver)

OOC: Gonna take a quick lunch break

>>2456431
>>the waterpistol (half-silver)
>>the bolt and shock trap (2 silver)
>>a decoy lockbox with a strong magical lock (6 silver)
>a small dagger that your Elf personally picked out (2 silver)
>general purpose padlock (3 silver)

>>2456431
>a ward necklace, it generates a shield whenever you're in danger (9 silver)
>the bolt and shock trap (2 silver)
>general purpose padlock (3 silver)
>a small crossbow with a dozen bolts (1 soverign)

>>2456431
....What's out budget again?
>general purpose padlock (3 silver)
>the bolt and shock trap (2 silver)
>the waterpistol (half-silver)
>a decoy lockbox with a strong magical lock (6 silver)
>a pair of mateflies, once attracted, they can be used as trackers (3 silver)
>a small dagger that your Elf personally picked out (2 silver)
I really wanna get doggo as well if we have the funds, but then again that's one more mouth to feed so maybe later.

>>2456431
>the waterpistol (half-silver)
>the bolt and shock trap (2 silver)
>a decoy lockbox with a strong magical lock (6 silver)
>a small dagger that your Elf personally picked out (2 silver)
>general purpose padlock (3 silver)

>>2456431
>>the waterpistol (half-silver)
>>the bolt and shock trap (2 silver)
>>a decoy lockbox with a strong magical lock (6 silver)
>>a pair of mateflies, once attracted, they can be used as trackers (3 silver)
>>general purpose padlock (3 silver)
>>a small crossbow with a dozen bolts (1 soverign)
>>a ward necklace, it generates a shield whenever you're in danger (9 silver)

I don't remember the silver/gold ratio. This might be too expensive, but I like to expand defense, especially because our likelihood to earn is going to grow. Right now I suspect our stash is being raided at home. I think the dog has maintenance costs, and I don't want to give the elf a weapon.

>>2456431
>>All of the above

>>2456431
>the waterpistol (half-silver)
>the bolt and shock trap (2 silver)
>a decoy lockbox with a strong magical lock (6 silver)
>general purpose padlock (3 silver)

>>2456431
Honestly everything here is useful.
>the waterpistol (half-silver)
>the bolt and shock trap (2 silver)
>a decoy lockbox with a strong magical lock (6 silver)
>a pair of mateflies, once attracted, they can be used as trackers (3 silver)
>general purpose padlock (3 silver)
>a ward necklace, it generates a shield whenever you're in danger (9 silver)

>>2456431
>the waterpistol (half-silver)
>the bolt and shock trap (2 silver)
>a decoy lockbox with a strong magical lock (6 silver)
>a pair of mateflies, once attracted, they can be used as trackers (3 silver)
>a small dagger that your Elf personally picked out (2 silver)
>general purpose padlock (3 silver)
>a ward necklace, it generates a shield whenever you're in danger (9 silver)
In the close range of our house the crossbow won't be very useful takes too long to reload in close quarters if we miss. if we go with the shock alarm we won't need the dog.

>>2456450
>>2456457

Currency is very simple:

10 copper coins = 1 silver
10 silver = 1 sovereign/gold

You have 3 sovereigns and 7 silver

>>2456473
ahem
>>2456176

>>2456431
>Everything

>>2456431
Dog needs to be fed and walked and I’m not sure landlord will appreciate it. Crossbow could get us in legal trouble.
Also it sure if weaponising elf without restoring her magic would work in our or her favour as she’s unlikely to be able to overpower anyone physically and being armed could turn her into threat to be neutralized rather than loot... although if she could sneak it around it might be worth it

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>>2456501
She's petite, shorter than you, with short golden hair (which you recently cut and adorned with a red ribbon) and large green eyes.

Pic related is quite close, but for the eye color and the fact that she's not a child

>>2456532
>it sure
Not sure*

However if we want to turn her into bodyguard, I guess it’s a place to start.

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>>2456536
Kinda difficult to find elves with short hair. How's this?

>the waterpistol (half-silver)
>the bolt and shock trap (2 silver)
>a decoy lockbox with a strong magical lock (6 silver)
>a pair of mateflies, once attracted, they can be used as trackers (3 silver)

...
a small dagger that your Elf personally picked out (2 silver)
...

As much as I would like to trust her.No.

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>>2456536
>>2456550
I got a long golden haired, green eyed one with a ribbon.

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>>2456536
>not a child

>>2456550
>>2456556

Stealing these for future threads. Non-lewd elves are hard to find.

>>2456574
lewd

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>>2456574

>>2456471
Also I think this is the best plan

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>>2456565
>>2456574
I will say it's also pretty hard to find any pics of elves with scars.

The consensus seems to be everything except the dog (because of another mouth to feed), the crossbow (because of the expense and small space) and the knife for the elf (because you don't trust her).

All that will cost you 23 and a half silver leaving you with 13.5 silver.

Is everybody OK with this?

>>2456632
Eeeeeh.
>I dont want the necklace. But it looks like many people do.

>>2456632
The knife is fine, the crossbow and dog are not

>>2456632
Das ist gut

>>2456632
yep

>>2456632
>>2456431
>the waterpistol (half-silver)
>the bolt and shock trap (2 silver)
>a decoy lockbox with a strong magical lock (6 silver)
>a pair of mateflies, once attracted, they can be used as trackers (3 silver)
>a small dagger that your Elf personally picked out (2 silver)
>general purpose padlock (3 silver)
>a ward necklace, it generates a shield whenever you're in danger (9 silver)

>>2456632
Yeah, do it.

>>2456650
This

>>2456636
look it from seabass' perspective. you just got stabbed and this thing can shield you from that.

>>2456632
yeah.

>>2456632
I rather trust the elf, but I don’t want to make her a target until she gets some fighting lessons. Maybe teaching her, or allowing to learn, about acid and venom would be more conducive to her safety. And ours, assuming something drastic doesn’t change her allegiance.

>>2456632
I'm okay with that, but I'd still get the knife.

>>2456457
>>2456473
Well in that case, I'll amend to
>>the waterpistol (half-silver)
>>the bolt and shock trap (2 silver)
>>a decoy lockbox with a strong magical lock (6 silver)
>>a pair of mateflies, once attracted, they can be used as trackers (3 silver)
>>general purpose padlock (3 silver)
>>a ward necklace, it generates a shield whenever you're in danger (9 silver)

>>2456700
She's a slave, even if she's 'demure' and 'sweet' there's still the chance she'll slit our throat in our sleep.
Listen to Toad, don't trust the elf. Go ahead and treat her well, but don't trust her.

Laden with your new home security system, you conclude that your business here is done. You're especially exciting about the waterpisol, if you can fit an atomizer at the end you should be able to spray non-lethal components at enemies--your failed perfumes would work well, a few of them cause temporary blindness or intense nausea. Or you could just fill it with slug juice, though that's more likely to make mess.

You the ward necklace on immediately--you don't plan on getting stabbed again and place one of the mateflies into the decoy lockbox, as per Toad's instructions. You ask Toad if he wants to join your for lunch but he declines, mumbling something about business. His outburst with your Elf spoiled the mood somewhat and she now has a newfound fear of him.

It's now well past midday. You think you can run two more errands before you have to head back--that is if you want to get home before dark.

>Exchange that useless insect book at Mam's bookshop
>Head to Gunters to see his stock
>Have lunch at Rose's noodle stand
>Head to the temple

>>2456718
>Exchange that useless insect book at Mam's bookshop

>>2456718
>Exchange that useless insect book at Mam's bookshop
Gonna need that dictionary

>>2456718
>>Exchange that useless insect book at Mam's bookshop
>>Have lunch at Rose's noodle stand

>>2456718
>>Exchange that useless insect book at Mam's bookshop
that dictionary

>>2456714
She can strangle us in our sleep or poison us as it is. Trust we’ve already placed in her has so far not been misplaced.

>>2456746
She's a malnourished stick figure, she ain't strangling anyone. And where's she going to get the poison? I figured we keep a pretty close eye on our alchemy ingredients and we'd know if she stole something.
Don't make any future attempt easier by giving her something sharp and pointy to stick us with.

>>2456718
>Exchange that useless insect book at Mam's bookshop

>>2456718
I feel outnumbered here, but I am loathe to exchange our insect book. Perhaps we can find an insect primer that will help, and pick up the Elvish dictionary.

Aside from the bookstore I don't care where else we go.

>>2456761
What reason would she have to hurt us? We have done nothing but treat her kindly and she in turn has demonstraded affection for us so why are you suspicious?

>>2456722
>>2456724
>>2456725
>>2456736

Since you went to the trouble of bringing the insect book with you, you may as well actually return it. You leave the bazaar and head into Mam's small unassuming bookshop. As usual, Mam is sitting in the back poring over some obscure tome.

You take a moment to mentally prepare yourself. You always feel nervous around Mam.

"Mam!" You say, waving hello.

"No returns." She says. She doesn't even look up from her book. "You can exchange it if you want for something of equal value."

"How...how did you know?"

"I knew when you bought the book that you'd be coming back." She says. "Leave it here, if you want to exchange it." She glances at your Elf, who seems to want to say something. She keeps looking from you to her and then back to you. You place the book on the counter. "Did she use the cream?" Asks Mam.

"Yes. She's been using it every morning. I think it's helped a lot, thank you."

She something in Elvish to Leia, much too fast for you to follow. Your Elf merely nods in reply. "Leia." She says, flushing slightly.

"Leia." says Mam. "Fitting. Well go about your business." She says waving you off. You turn to peruse the shelves, but your Elf remains and begins to chat with Mam. Their speech is far more complex than what she normally uses with you. Lots of words you've never even heard.

>Leave them, look for some books
>Have your Elf search with you, you don't like her chatting with Mam
>Try and listen in discreetly

>>2456718

>Exchange that useless insect book at Mam's bookshop

>>2456781
Because she's a SLAVE. A slave with trust issues herself that has a traumatic past, I wouldn't put it past her to try to off us at some point and make an escape attempt.

>>2456781
She has been heavily abused and likely is suffering from severe Elfen PTSD. As a person with a mental disorder, I can't bring myself to completely trust anyone who suffers from traum induced mental disorders, especially one whose life we have complete control over.

>>2456795
But we clearly don't treat her as one

>>2456797
She may not trust us completely but I don't think she would try harming us either

>>2456791
>>Have your Elf search with you, you don't like her chatting with Mam
That old witch is going to fill our slave's mind with progressive ideas.

>>2456791
>Have your Elf search with you, you don't like her chatting with Mam

>>2456791
>>Leave them, look for some books

>>2456807
I don't think she would try harming us either, however, there is a chance, and being wrong has serious consequences.

>>2456791
>Leave them, look for some books

>>2456791
>>Leave them, look for some books

>>2456791
>>Leave them, look for some books
We can ask her about it later

>>2456791
>Leave them, look for some books

>>2456791
>Leave them, look for some books

>>2456797
While I definitely see your point I think she's much more likely to become unhealthily attached to us as the first person to show her real kindness (basically Stockholm syndrome). Which is more a risk to her and possibly our friends than us.
Given how she's been acting I get the impression she's much more likely to try fleeing than fighting should she gain some more confidence.

>>2456791
>Try and listen in discreetly
Can we just listen in? Don't think we should try hiding it

>>2456791
I mean we can always ask about their conversation but it would be better not to mess with her trust as we can not know what they are talking about

>>2456837
I trust the ranger with the djinn in his pipe who has a life debt to us over our slave. I very much would like what you wish to happen to be, but I'm risk averse. I think we should test her Leia-lty thoroughly and over a long period of time. When mentally dominated people become freed, they sometimes go really hard in the opposite direction and seek revenge on any symbol of oppression, which in this case would be us.

>>2456811
>>2456822
>>2456823
>>2456829
>>2456831
>>2456832

You see no harm in it and you can always ask her about it later if you need to. Instead you move through the rows of books looking for anything that catches your eye. You find that Elven dictionary again, it's worth a little more than the book you returned, but you don't think Mam will make a big fuss.

You also find some instructive children's books. They're meant to teach little nobles to learn how to read and write. A much gentler and more efficient method than the way you learned: poring over a dense old alchemy text and pestering the head Sister (the only one in the orphanage who could read and bothered to teach you) on the words you didn't know. They're surprisingly inexpensive, just 2 silver for the set. Perhaps you should buy them to teach Leia. Though you wonder the utility of teaching a slave to read and write. Maybe she could help you as an assistant in addition to her chores. She does have a lot of idle time and a scribe would let you focus more on the experiments then on tedious transcription.

Finally, although you weren't planning on buying any more books on your craft (you still haven't finished the ones you bought last time) you end up wandering to that section anyway and find a book called "Toxins and Tonics" which describes the manufacture of various poisons and their antidotes.

>Get the dictionary
>Get the set of children's books
>Get the book on toxins
>Look for something specific (write-in)

>>2456867
Na, Toad has his own issues. You are just making excuses to justify your own paranoia.

>>2456903
>>Get the dictionary
>>Get the set of children's books
>>Get the book on toxins

>>2456903
Fuck, I want all three. But I don't want to spend all our cash on books, either.

>Get the dictionary
>Get the book on toxins
Maybe if we learn to read and write in elvish, we can switch over to that for our notes and she could STILL help us later on as a scribe and assistant.

>>2456909
>>2456910

Note that the bug book was worth 6 silver so each of the books is worth that amount.

>>2456914
(and you have 13.5 silver left, so you can't buy all three)

>>2456914
So swap the bug book for the dictionary and buy the book on toxins?

>>2456903
>>2456914
>>Get the dictionary
>>Get the set of children's books

We can save toxins for later.

>>2456905
Ha.
I'll admit to paranoia without qualm.

>>2456922
can*

>>2456903
>>Get the dictionary
>>Get the set of children's books

>>2456903
Look for something about concoctions to put in the watergun?

>>2456903
>Get the dictionary
>Get the book on toxins
An educated slave is a dangerous slave

>>2456922
If they each cost 6 and we return the insect book isn't that only 12 silver?

>>2456943
See
>>2456928
I made a mistake

>>2456903
>>Get the dictionary
>>Get the set of children's books
>Get the book on toxins
If we have the cash now why not. All will come in useful at some point in the future.

>>2456953
I'll vote for all 3.
Knowledge is power.

>>2456903
All 3 for me please

>>2456903
all three

>>2456962
>>2456959
>>2456923
>>2456909

You decide to buy it all. And why not? All of them will be useful at some point and one can never have enough books. You bring them to the counter and a welcome and bizarre sight. Both Mam and your Elf are smiling. Your Elf smiling is a rarity but Mam's small, quiet laughter, mostly in her eyes like Toad, is almost an absurdity. You wonder what it was they were talking about as you hand over the money. She hands it back.

"These two are free." Says Mam, rapping the dictionary and the set of children's books with her knuckle. She wraps the three books in some paper and hands them to you.

>Ask her why they're free
>Don't question it just take it and go

>>2456996
>>Don't question it just take it and go
Well damn, look at that. She's obviously doing it for the elf but I'm not complaining.

>>2456996
>Ask her why they're free

>>2456996
>>Don't question it just take it and go

Gift horse, mouth. Don't look into it.

>>2456996
>>Don't question it just take it and go

>>2456996

You decide not ask about the source of this alien generosity, and instead just take the books and go before she changes her mind.

You've done all the shopping you came to do, your errands are finished and you still have all your silver. Maybe you should break for lunch now and then head home, or you could also visit Gunter's shop to see if he has anything new in stock.

>Visit Gunter
>Head to Rose's noodle shop
>Just head home, you don't want to run into Nina by accident.

>>2457016
>Visit Gunter

>>2457016
>>Head to Rose's noodle shop
Time for lunch with the elf. She'll be glad she doesn't have to cook.

>>2456996
>Don't question it just take it and go
The fact that she's not trying to kill us with her eyes shows that Leia is saying good things about us, yay.

Also I refuse to believe that Seabass doesn't have SOME ability to read the mood, romantic pursuits aside.

>>2457016
>>Head to Rose's noodle shop

>>2457016
>Visit Gunter
We have MONIES TO BURN. We can go for noodles to finally round off the trip

>>2457016
>Head to Rose's noodle shop

>>2457016
>Visit Gunter

>>2457016
>Head to Rose's noodle shop

NOODLES.

>>2457016
>Visit Gunter

>>2456996
I reckon the elf relayed her impression of us after her misadventure earlier.

On that note, did we tell Toad about the robbery? We should do so at earliest convenience, it might be relevant information to him.

>>2457021
I like this, gives us time to tidy up the pad and get security set up tonight without having to worry about dinner and dishes.

>>2457021
She's the slave man, we bought her for cooking mainly

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>>2456536
How this. I imaged Leia looking like pic related.

>>2457064
Also might want to buy something interesting to make some money

>>2457016
>Head to Rose's noodle shop

>>2457064
I know, which is why it's a break from cooking.

>>2457021
>>2457026
>>2457028
>>2457040

You're starving and you're sure your Elf is too. You can grab dinner at Rose's and get home in time to set up the defenses and maybe catch up on some reading.

As you approach Rose's stand, your Elf brightens and actually walks ahead of you. She must've been looking forward to this even more than you were. But the moment you sit down, that anticipation is quickly and quietly obliterated.

Franklin is sitting on one of the stools. With Nina. The sight of them twists a knot in your stomach, but it's not until you see the third member of their party that you feel like vomiting. It's Lawson.

You stand up to leave, but Rose sees you before you get up. "Well, if isn't my favorite customer! Seabass!"

Naturally their heads all turn. "Sondheim!" Says Franklin.

"Seabass?" Nina turns to Franklin, giving him a nasty glare. She turns back. "What are you doing here? I thought you were staying home?"

Lawson doesn't say anything, just smiles and slurps his noodles, watching you and Leia. Rose has already has placed a bowl in front of your Elf and she's chowing down. You can hardly leave now without looking silly

>Excuse yourself and leave anyway
>Corroborate whatever lie Franklin fed Nina as best you can
>Ask what they're doing with Lawson

>>2457110
>Corroborate whatever lie Franklin fed Nina as best you can
We'll look even more silly if we drag Leia from her food, might as well roll with it

>>2457110
>>Corroborate whatever lie Franklin fed Nina as best you can
>Just needed to get some things for an order, believe it or not.

>>2457110
>Corroborate whatever lie Franklin fed Nina as best you can

>>2457110
>>Corroborate whatever lie Franklin fed Nina as best you can
Best not to throw the kid under the bus.

>>2457110
>Corroborate whatever lie Franklin fed Nina as best you can
Or just go "muh paranoia" and point at the stab wound.

>>2457110
Fuck I knew it

>Corroborate whatever lie Franklin fed Nina as best you can

Something something finished book and needed a new one to not waste time

>>2457121
Supporting

>>2457110
Tell them you were gonna stay in and read books, but decided to head out and get some stuff you remembered (point to stitch wound, they should get the idea)

>>2457121
Yeah supporting this - show the book of toxins as proof if need be

>>2457165
this will most likely make Nina sad or have her remember all the blood and will have her shut up. Let's hope the rest will leave us alone.

>>2457174
Supporting

>>2457120
>>2457121
>>2457122

You settle in. Letting the discomfort wash over you in a wave. "Just needed to pick up a few thigns." You say, trying to be as vague as possible and hiding your bags so she doesn't look inside and foil the lie immediately. You gesture to your wound for good measure. "How about you?"

"Oh." She says. "Same I guess. I wanted to buy some new fabrics and I had some stuff to do at the Dome so I asked Franklin...Franklin didn't invite you? I told him to let you know if he saw you."

You glance at Franklin who is now sweating. He gives you an imperceptible nod. "Oh, he did." You say. "No he did. I said no, because you know, work." You say.

Nina seems satisfied and returns to her meal, she even looks a little a happy. Franklin however looks positively ecstatic. He's actually beaming at you, that's first time you've seen any emotion other than derision on your behalf.

"Well, well." He says, clearing his throat. "Where are my manners? Sondheim, this is Mr. Idomean." He says, gesturing to Lawson. "He's the son of Viceroy Antipater."

"Please, call me Lawson." He says, flashing his teeth. "And we've met before, haven't we Sebastian?" He says. Franklin looks between the two of you, incredulous.

"You know Sondheim? May I ask how?" He says.

Lawson doesn't say anything, just keeps smiling. "Should you tell them or should I?" He says.

"Tell us what?" Says Nina.

What game is he playing this time?

>Don't say anything, let him speak
>Make up some lie, keep it civil (write-in)
>Expose him as the scoundrel he is

>>2457198
>>Don't say anything, let him speak
shit

...Okay, what's with this guy, again?

>>2457198
>>Don't say anything, let him speak
Want to see where he goes with this then we can expose him

>>2457206
He is the one that hates us and shits on us every chance he gets + he attacked us at Gunters

>>2457198
Ugh I really hate characters like Lawson. At best they're a yardstick for how far you've come later in the game. Most of the time it's shit like this which is to just smack down the vibe and remind you your character sucks right now.

That being said >Let him talk. Nina and Franklin should have our back regardless of what he says.

What are the exact rules on voting QM? I never seemed to figure those out.

>>2457198
>We occasionally run into each other when I'm out buying ingredients.

>>2457198
>Don't say anything, let him speak

>>2457218
Write-ins are always allowed, but some special choices will require an additional write-in (as here).

I generally take the highest voted choice but will try to incorporate popular input if it makes sense. For dice, we do a best of 3 1d20 vs a hidden DC. Unless it's loot in which case I take the first roll only.

>>2457198
>Don't say anything, let him speak

>>2457198
>>Don't say anything, let him speak

Giving him the initiative to shit all over us is bad, but then again I can't think of anything right now.

>>2457198
>Make up some lie, keep it civil (write-in)
We can just lie by omission
>"We had a little encounter at Gunters"

>>2457205
Switch to >>2457221
>let him speak

>>2457209
>>2457216
True. I wonder if he'll reveal why he's such a dick if we throw him a bone.

>>2457198
maybe a bit of insolence to rile him up?
"Say what you will Lawson, I will sit here and enjoy Rose's noodles and nothing you say can ruin that. I would prefer to go unmolested this time though."

>>2457251
Switching to >>2457253

>>2456867
I'm also going off history. Slaves tended to run much more often than fight.

>>2457198
Ignore the inquiry, and speak to Nina about getting her to sew up a beetle box for you. You know, one with compartments that let pheremones through but don't permit fighting.

>>2457287
Don't think he will shut up if we ignore him but rather try to start shit

>>2457198
>Still looking to buy another mans pride and body?

>>2457198
>Let him speak
If we could just be as blase and incredulous as possible without actually saying anything that would be great.

>>2457328
>>2457198
Shit, changing to this.

>>2457328
>>2457253
I think that as long as we get to roast him I don't care

>>2457205
>>2457209
>>2457216
>>2457231
>>2457237
>>2457247

You're curious where he's going with this, so you let him talk. "The usual?" Asks Rose.

"Yeah, thanks Rose." You say. The others are waiting for you to speak, but you don't say anything. They eventually look back at Lawson, who's smile just seems to broaden. He tilts his chin and sniffs in that annoying way.

"We're old friends." He says. "Or we used to be. My father started the orphanage that Sebastian grew up in, after the war in Eastmarch. So much tragedy." He says, staring directly into your eyes. "So many parents dead."

"I didn't know you were an orphan Seabass." Says Nina. Her voice is full of the pity you despise.

"Yes, it was in that orphanage that we first met. What was it, almost 20 years ago now?" Says Lawson.

"17." You say. You wish you could disagree and expose him, but everything he's said so far is true.

"Seventeen." He nods. "Time does fly. I visited that orphanage nearly every day while my father was there."

"You?" Says Franklin.

"Oh yes." Lawson laughs. "My father was busy with the reconstruction efforts so I occupied myself in whatever way I could find. Sebastian and I used to play together all the time. Right?"

You don't actually remember much from that time. You were only 6 years old but Toad says that it's more likely kind of mental block, a self-defense mechanism born of extreme stress. It could be true. At least, everything else he's said so far has been true.

>Admit that you don't remember
>Agree with him for now
>Deny the claim, true or not, you refuse to believe such a thing.

>>2457363
>Admit that you don't remember

>>2457363
>Admit that you don't remember

>>2457363

agree with him for now, move on to beetle compartments

>>2457363
>>Admit that you don't remember
Must not have been that important.

>>2457363
>Admit that you don't remember

>>2457363
>At least, everything else he's said so far has been true.
>>Admit that you don't remember
>inb4 gaslighting

>>2457363
>Admit that you don't remember

>>2457363
>Admit that you don't remember
>Lots of kids there Lawson, like you said. Lots of parents dead.

>>2457363
>Agree with him for now

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>>2457363
Wasn't our slave around and witness to this cunt beating on us last time?

>>2457363
>>Admit that you don't remember
>"It's possible. Had a lot of bad memories I tried to repress, though. I eventually tried to stop thinking about those years at all."

>>Admit that you don't remember

if we're going to admit we don't remember, we'd better be nonchalant as fuck, because otherwise we look weak as all hell

>>2457437
this

>>2457437
Yup.

>>2457363
>I don't remember.

>>2457374
>>2457375
>>2457382
>>2457383

It's hard to talk about your past. You've spent nearly your whole life trying to avoid that very subject, that's why you moved out here in the first place. But whether it's true or not, being friends with Lawson is just something beyond your imagination.

"My memory from that time is...not great. I don't remember. Are you sure it was me?" You say.

"You don't remember?" And briefly, Lawson's facade slips. His eyes narrow, wrinkles and blue veins appear on his bald head but the mask comes back on before anyone can notice. "Of course, it was a traumatic time." He says, softly. "And of course it was you! Don't you remember that time we found that old alchemy textbook under the basement?" He laughs. "We both swore we would learn its secrets and become master alchemists."

That was one of your most cherished memories, and he just poisoned it.

"Well, well, I suppose you've readily accomplished that dream, Lawson." Says Franklin.

"Oh we should give credit to Sebastian as well. I did have a lot of help after all, but Sebastian did it all on his own." He says. "It's really quite remarkable, how an orphan was able to rise out of his station."

You want to leave. You want to smash your bowl of noodles in this bastard's face, but you restrain yourself. That's what he wants, probably. For you to make a scene and look asinine in front everyone.

"I still can't believe you never told me you were an orphan." Says Nina. "Is that why you visit the temple every month?"

"It's not something I like to talk about." You say.

"M-master." Your Elf has finally finished eating and has noticed Lawson.

"It's alright." You say.

"What is it?" Asks Nina.

"Nothing." It is alright. You won't be manipulated, you'll remain calm and finish your meal. You'll be composed. You won't give Lawson the satisfaction.

"Anyway, Sebastian, I heard that you got hurt recently. Are you OK?" God if only you had an opportunity to punch him.

"I told him about the burglar." Says Franklin. "I still don't understand why Lord Fontain has allowed all these so called "adventurers" to roam in our town. I mean the reptilian threat is one thing, but these men attract undesirables--most of them are undesirables."

"He must have his reasons." Says Lawson.

"Forgive me, I know you said you don't like talking politics." Says Franklin.

Lawson waves his hand. "I just hear so much of it at home. But Sebastian, Franklin here tells me that you're now working in restoratives? You know my father has been quite interested in those of late--it's part of the reason he brought me here from the South. You should come work for me."

And there it is. The trap he's been building up to this whole conversation.

>Absolutely refuse, you work for yourself
>Counter with the fact that you're not licensed
>Do what he doesn't expect: agree

>>2457480
>A newbie like me? I would't dare risking blamshing your father or your name like that my dearest friend. Maybe once I get it down, It'll come back and see you.
>Smile

>>2457480
>Counter with the fact that you're not licensed
>Besides we'd end up being tied down to one product if we worked for him, freelance means we get to experiment

>>2457480
Why are we maintaining this charade?
Why shouldn't we bring up our previous encounter?

>>2457486
Supporting
+ not licensed

>>2457480
Tell him that you enjoy the freedom of being your own boss. But you will keep his offer in mind when you change your own mind. Thank him nonetheless for wanting us to work for him.

>>2457480
>Do what he doesn't expect: agree
revenge is a dish best served cold.

>>2457502
Because we are a powerless nobody and need people to ignore us.

>>2457480
>Counter with the fact that you're not licensed
Hilariously if he's truly dedicated to this act we might get a licence out of him.
Then the trick would just be careful ensuring we don't know end up indebted.

>>2457480
>>Counter with the fact that you're not licensed

>>2457480
>Absolutely refuse, you work for yourself

>>2457513
no no no no no, that's playing into his hand. He will make our life hell, more then he already did.