>>2512788
>I'll be fine

>>2512788
>I'll be fine

>writing

"I'll be fine" You say. "It's nothing I can't handle"

"Really?" She asks.

"Really" You reply.

"Well, if you insist..." She says, as she leans in and gives you a big hug. "Keep it up, sir. You're doin' just fine"

"Thanks..." You reply.

"Now, I've gotta go warn the kitchens that you're up and about" She says, as she hops towards the door. "See ya!"

"Later" You reply.

Lola shuts the door behind you, and you put on the clothes she laid out. It does look pretty good... maybe you should get her to do this more often.

When you're all dressed you head down to eat breakfast. The Devil family is already here, along with everyone else. Carrie is here as well with Elizabeth... it looks like she's on orphanwatch this morning...

>Head over to Madelaine

>Head over to the Devils

>Go see how Liz is doing

>Other

>>2512918
>Head over to the Devils

>writing

You go over and sit with Fran, Cheska, Lily, and Daisy.

"Yuu!" Lily exclaims, as she hops out of her chair.

"Good morning, Lily" You say, as you sit down and heft her up into your lap. "Sleep well?"

Lily nods, as Coral flits over and into your collar.

You let Lily tell you all about the trip here while you wait for your breakfast, with storytime ending as soon as it arrives. Cheska is oddly quiet through all of this.

When Lily finishes eating, she wipes her mouth and gives you a big hug. Then she hops off of you and grabs her sister, the pair of them going to bug Carrie. From what you hear Carrie told them she'd give them a tour of the castle, and now they're demanding she deliver...

"Girls, don't bug the staff too much" You say.

"Kay" Lily says.

"It's not trouble" Carrie says, as she finishes off her own breakfast. The tiny Serpid coiled around her stomach finished a long time ago, having swallowed her entire meal all at once like she usually does.

While the devils drag Carrie out of the room, you consider what you want to do after breakfast.

You know that Fran said she wanted to talk... but you don't really feel like dealing with whatever she has to say just yet.

So for the most part you want to go see your mom, maybe talk to Belladonna about some stuff, or go train yourself...

>Go see Altea

>Talk to Belladonna

>Train

>Other

>>2513077
>Train

>writing

Slow tonight

>>2513161
Hopefully it picks up soon

You get up from the table and say bye to everyone.

"Where are you off to?" Fran asks.

"I'm gonna go practice some stuff" You say. "I'll be back... later"

You head out and grab the Rook from the front of the manor, riding it back down to the training yard.

With all these new problems, you find it comforting that there's at least one you know how to solve... You do some warmups by hitting a training dummy with your blades and spells for a bit, just to get a feel for everything.

Your body is still you, that's for certain. You strike the same, move the same, breathe the same.

With the warmup out of the way, you throw yourself headlong into what you're doing. Figuring you might be here a while, you focus on-

>Your spells

>Your blade

>Your technique

>Other

>>2513243
>Your spells

>>2513243

>Your spells

>>2513243
>Your technique
>Specifically Speed

Can't rely on quick Yuu next time something big happens. Gotta make that reaction and movement automatic.

>writing

You put away your blade, put some distance between you and the dummy, then hold out your hand and make it rain.

Stronger? Faster? Sharper?

Next time you won't need to get within ten feet of Mahron. You'll annihilate him without ever taking a step.

You spend an hour improving what you're currently capable of, making your spikes sharper, bucklers stronger, disruptors faster, and flares stickier.

Then you start augmenting them, working on ways to make them more effective aside from just strengthening them.

The first thing you do is find a way to make your seekers more accurate. It's hard to aim them as they are, simply because they're not fired directly from you. You shoot them in a direction and hope it's the right one...

You figure out a way to mark a location and make your seekers go to it, using either your blade or a bolt to leave the mark.

After practicing with that for a while, you realize that you're starting to run out of energy.

Instead of taking a break like you normally would, you feel frustrated. What can you hope to accomplish with limits like this? If only there was a way to break them...

You suddenly recall that Terry wrote something about unlimited power on Raven's stomach. It's not much of a clue, but it hints that such a thing is possible...

>Go back and read the note again

>Work with what you have

>Other

>>2513439
>Work with what you have
>Other
Try to come up with ways to include our spells into close range sword fight

>>2513439

>Work with what you have

>>2513439
>>Work with what you have

>>2513439
>Work with what you have

>writing

You decide to stop with the spellcraft and work with your floating blade for a bit, working into your regular attacks and figuring out better ways to move it around.

The best way to use it, at least you think it's the best way, is to hit with it either right before or right after a normal attack. That way your opponent is forced to guard one, and hopefully fails to guard the second.

After beating the shit out of the training dummy for a while, you step back and admire your work.

You let the blade float around while you catch your breath, stopping when you realize something.

The blade.

Unlimited power.

"Of course!" You exclaim.

The blade doesn't use your soul. You just funnel soul into it from your surroundings.

What's stopping you from casting spells that way? Not only would it let you completely ignore your reserves, but it would mean being able to cast them from anywhere.

You're excited to try it out...

>Give it a go

>Stick to basics

>Break for lunch

>Other

>>2513551
>Give it a go
UNLIMITED POWAH

>>2513551
>>Give it a go
Maybe we should get some more blades if this bears fruit

>>2513551
>>Give it a go

>writing

>>2513580
have we tried making a Soul lightning spell? cause i wanna go full Palpatine

You hold out your hand and focus on the space just beyond it. It's difficult to make the energy move without a focus...

The crystal in the mageblade must make it easier, but you're trying to do this without it.

The energy comes together slowly, and you eventually gather enough to do a thing.

...

The energy releases as you realize you don't really know how to make it do anything. Like how the crystal makes it easy to gather, the emitter makes it easy to use...

You take a breath and start focusing again. This will take a while, but you're determined to see it work...

>1/2

You keep at it for a long time. By the time you start to get a little tired, you can turn the energy into a simple. Weak bolt.

It doesn't serve a purpose yet, and it takes effort to do, but it's a start. Heck, even your mageblade took a lot of effort when you first picked it up, and now you can use it without even holding it.

You're trying to speed up the process of gathering the energy together when someone enters the training yard.

"They told me I'd find you here..." Frederick says. "That was this morning, mind you. Have you been here all day?"

"Yep" You reply, wondering why Frederick's come looking for you. But you figure he'll tell you eventually. "Check this out"

You fire the indirect bolt at the dummy, and Frederick doesn't look all that impressed.

"I'm assuming that wasn't a show of your spellcasting power, though I didn't see any outward signs of spellcraft from you" He says.

"I'm using soul from the air to cast spells indirectly" You say. "It's difficult, but the possibilities are endless"

"Have you eaten today?" He asks.

"I had a big breafast, so I figured I could wait a bit before lunch" You say.

He raises an eyebrow, nodding towards the sky.

...

The sun's going down. How long have yo been at this?

"I was about to peruse the town for eateries. Join me" He says. That didn't sound like an offer or a question, but you're free to refuse either way.

>No thanks

>Sure

>Other

>>2513771
>Sure
>Other: What did you do when you hit "The Wall" for the first time?

Yuu clearly needs advice in...a lot of things right now.

>>2513771
>>Sure

>writing

>>2513771
>Sure

You take a breath, looking around the yard between Frederick and the half destroyed training dummy.

"Sure" You say.

He waves for you to follow him, and heads out of the yard.

"I am told you fought Mahron" He says.

"I did" You say.

"Did you win?" He asks.

"I did" You say again.

"Then I must ask why you feel the need to train so badly that you shrug off everything else" He says. "That is the attitude of a man who has lost, and feels he must become stronger"

"Because I didn't win" You say. "I borrowed power from a place I shouldn't have, otherwise things never would have gone so well"

"And now you hope to become stronger so you don't have to borrow this power" Frederick says. "Tell me about it"

You inform Frederick of the process used to gain the ability to defeat Mahron, and how you hope you don't have to use it again...

"There is a downside to this?" He asks.

"I've lost all the abilities I gained, but I can still feel these other versions of me tugging my brain between them" You say. "They dulled my happiness when Cheska got her heart back, and I feel so much anger whenever I think of fighting Mahron, and I feel lost whenever I have to make a decision"

"These things are hurdles. Overcome them" He says.

"I don't know how" You reply.

"These connections, can you explore them?" He asks.

"I... maybe" You say.

"Try that" Frederick says. "The quickest way to overcome internal troubles is to look within and understand them. If these emotions you have come from without, then discover what fuels them. When you know that, then you can take that fuel away and they will stop burning"

>It's worth a shot

>I'd rather not...

>Other

>>2513922
>>It's worth a shot

>>2513922
>It's worth a shot

>writing

"It's worth a shot" You say with a shrug. "Got any other advice?"

"Take breaks when you train" He says.

"That's... sort of obvious" You say. "I got kinda caught up in what I was doing today, but I usually do"

He shakes his head. "When people keep at the same problems for hours at a time, they tend to try and force the same solutions over and over" He says. "Stop. Step back. Breathe. Eat. Try again. You will have fresh eyes, a new perspective, and will try things you had not considered"

"I'll try that next time" You say.

"Good. On another note, your footwork has gotten sloppy" He says.

"I wasn't really practicing footwork there. Just trying to work my second blade into everything" You say.

"You should always focus on every aspect when you train. It is easier to form good habits than it is to break bad ones" He says.

"Were you watching me?" You ask.

"Only for a short while in the morning" He says. "I did say that was when I was told to find you"

"Why not say something then?" You ask.

"You did not want to be disturbed" He says.

"And how did you know that?" You ask.

"Do you remember seeing anyone else enter the yard?" He asks. "It was not by chance that it stayed empty all day. It was plain even to the common soldier that you wished for some solitude"

"That bad, huh?" You ask. "Maybe I'll have to make my own training area somewhere..."

"I would not go that far. Just try to be more aware of how you appear to others. You are a prince now-

"Yeah, yeah. I'm a prince and a lord and everybody's watching" You say.

"You do not enjoy the scrutiny of the public?" He asks.

"I don't like suddenly not being allowed to do things just because people might think badly of me" You say.

"Then you are more like the King and your uncle than you know" He says.

>Ask about the King

>Ask about your other uncle

>Other

>>2514058
>Ask about your other uncle

>>2514058
>>Ask about your other uncle

>>2514058
>>Ask about your other uncle

>writing

"My Uncle... his name was Albion, right?" You ask.

"Indeed" Frederick replies. "The middle child, between your mother and the late queen"

"How am I like him?" You ask.

"Albion always resented his position. He liked to fight, but not to kill. He liked to learn, but not to study. He enjoyed the freedoms that being royalty gave him, but the pressure suffocated him" He says. "As a prince, just about every path was open to him... but there were few acceptable places where he could follow them"

You arrive at a small eatery in town, and Frederick waits until you're seated to continue.

"I'm sure you've noticed as well. You can be anythig you want, as long as you're a part of the military, the ruling class, or an institution of respect" Frederick says. "Albion decided to reject it all, and the night after his sister married Dein he disappeared. Most believe he boarded the cross ocean airship under a disguise, but few know for certain"

"And what would you have told him?" You ask.

"Find a release" He says. "Pressure can kill you if you allow it to. It can lead you to do things you may regret. Find what eases you, and indulge yourself from time to time"

"What would you suggest?" You ask. "What do you do?"

"Myself?" He asks. "I read, I take long baths, I hunt, and occasionally take a woman into my bed"

"I've never heard anything about that" You say.

"Nor will you, aside from now. And I ask that you not repeat it" He says. "The woman whose company I enjoy knows how to be discreet, otherwise there would be scandal"

You tilt your head. "Are first knights not allowed to..."

"No" He says.

"Ah..." You say.

>So I find myself a good looking ninja?

>I already read a lot...

>Any other ideas?

>Other

>>2514197
>>So I find myself a good looking ninja?

>>2514197
>I already read a lot...

>writing

"So I find a good looking ninja?" You ask. "I mean, I already read a lot"

"That would not be wise. The only ninja I know of are in the south, and they are notoriously hard to find. Perhaps when you have no pressing duties here" He says.

"That... that was a joke" You say.

"I am aware, and was attempting to build off it" He says.

"Oh... sorry, it's just... you said it with that same serious attitude, so I couldn't be sure" You say.

"There's a reason why I don't have a reputation for being a comedian" He replies. "And as for books, you research. That is not going to relieve anything"

"I don't have the time for that kind of stuff" You say.

"Make time" He replies. "As the sole person capable of destroying the Legion's weaponry, your importance cannot be understressed. If you cannot focus, then you will-"

Frederick stops as a waitress comes by to bring you food, not wanting to continue the tense conversation with her here. She puts a pair of meat pies down on the table. They smell delicious.

He continues as soon as she's gone "If you cannot focus, you will die" He says. "It doesn't matter what you do. Find some way to clear your head"

"I'll... try" You say.

"Good" He says. "Now eat. I'm told the tourtiere here is delicious"

>Tour... whatnow?

>Ask how he became first knight

>Ask why he's suddenly so interested in your wellbeing

>Other

>>2514351
>Tour... whatnow?
>Is it some sort of pastry good?

Let's talk about food. Nothing says relaxing like talking about food.

Also lmao the first knight is corrupting the prince, imagine mom's reaction to Frederick's suggestion of bringing a woman to bed.

>>2514361
This
Food is great

>>2514351
>>Tour... whatnow?

>writing

"Tour... whatnow?" You ask.

"Tourtiere" He says.

"Tour-tee-ay" You say. "What is it?"

He picks up his fork and points it down at the small pie in front of him. "This is" He says.

"So it's some kind of... meat... pie?" You ask.

He cuts it in half with his knife and takes a chunk out of the middle with his fork. "Yes" He says.

You poke it a few times. "What's in it?" You ask.

He shrugs as he puts the fork in his mouth. "Depends on what's available"

"Th-they wouldn't put human in this, would they?" You ask. "I mean, as far as availability goes, there's plenty of dead people after the siege-"

"Just eat it" He says.

You cut it open like he did, taking a chunk out of the middle and putting it into your mouth. The crust is salty, like butter, but the meat tastes kinda like... you're not actually sure what it tastes like.

"Are you sure there's no human in this?" You ask.

Frederick squeezes his eyes shut, and calls the waitress back over to ask what's in the pie. She informs you that it's a mix of deer brought in by hunters, and pork from the town's pig farm, as well as potatoes.

"Satisfied?" He asks.

"Is there a problem, my lord?" The waitress asks.

"He is just being overly paranoid" Frederick replies.

>It is a valid concern

>Let it go

>Other

>>2514463
>It is a valid concern

>>2514463
>Let it go
>Other
>>Well jokes aside, you're very interested in my wellbeing right now.

This is not exactly what I had in mind lol but it works.

>writing

"It's a valid concern" You say. "But I'll let it go. Thank you, miss"

The waitress, who appears to be a sort of satyr, blushes and curtsies before heading away.

"So what's with your sudden interest in my well being?" You ask, as you take another bite.

"The King sent me to lend my expertise to the front" He says. "As First Knight my duty is to the King, the Queen, and their children first, the realm second, and other members of the royal family third. The royal family includes you"

"Makes sense" You say.

"And I should add that your survival and mental stability are important to this movement, which makes it beneficial to the realm" He says. "But that's just icing on the cake"

"Cake sounds good... do they serve cake here?" You ask.

Frederick appears to think you're joking for a moment, until you flag down the satyr waitress again.

Apparently they don't normally serve cake here, but she says she'd tell the cooks to make one for you. She seems really nervous about serving you, like you'll decide to have this place demolished if she fails to please.

"Don't worry about it" You say. "Can you recommend a place around here that does serve cake?"

She lists off a few places, but they're all kinda far...

You decide not to bother for now. Maybe you can convince Fran to bake a cake to celebrate Cheska getting her heart back...

"She seems nervous about me..." You say, as the waitress walks away.

"Most would be" He says. "You're their Lord. They don't know your temperment yet, but they've all heard about your ferocity on the battlefield. Most men who are beasts out there tend to stay beasts when they come back. Give it time. Word of your kind nature will spread"

>Anything else you want to ask Frederick?

>>2514579
Ask how he became First Knight.

>>2514579
Has anyone really been far as decided to use even go want to do look more like?

>>2514614

>>2514626
should just say

>writing

"How did you become First Knight, anyway?" You ask.

"Believe it or not, I was a hostage in the palace when I was younger" He says. "My family rules the Kazui peninsula on the south side of Lubars"

"You mean the chunk of land coming off the bottom of the country where Kazubran is?" You ask, as you take another bite.

He nods. "They rebelled against the crown, hoping to gain independance, or restore... something. Gods I don't even remember anymore" He says. "Needless to say they lost, and after surrendering I was sent to the capital to ensure their good behaviour"

"That... sucks" You say.

"It did, for a time" He says. "But Albion, Altea, and Valerie were always kind to me, and the First Knight at the time decided to train me himself after seeing my own potential. I became strong, and Valerie was forever a close friend. So it was little wonder that, upon her coronation, I was her choice for First Knight"

"So you were trained by the First Knight, and now you're trying to train me..." You say. "Is there something I should know?"

"Daria is rather fond of you, but alas her knight will have to come from elsewhere" He says. "You have duties of your own that are not easily put aside"

"Good to know" You say. "I don't think I could handle your job"

Frederick smiles. "But she did want me to tell you that she misses you, and she's sad she couldn't come" He says.

"Yeah, well... alright, I miss her too, kinda" You say. "Next time you see her, tell her that she could have been here if she wasn't constantly shirking her studies"

He chuckles. "Perhaps I'll do so with a painter nearby. Eternalize her reaction to that for the ages" He says.

"Do it. I'll even hire them for you. Maybe I'll keep that painting in my room" You say. "Anything to be rid of the hundreds of paintings of Graumer..."

"Deal" He says, finishing off the last of his pie. "I shall inform you of when I'll be going back to Leon. Would you like me to choose the painter, or do you have a preference?"

"I'll let you choose" You say. "I'm assuming you know more about painters than I do. Get someone who can really capture that grumpy, pouty face"

Frederick pays the waitress and tips well, then the two of you head out.

"As much as I've enjoyed our talk, I must return to my other duties" He says. "Think on what I've said"

"I will" You reply.

He gives you a firm handshake, and a pat on the shoulder, then heads his own way.

It's a bit too late to go back to training now... you'll have to pick back up where you left off tomorrow. For now you'll head back to the manor and-

>Try to figure out how the sync is really affecting you

>Check in on Raven

>Sleep

>Other

>>2514712
>Check in on Raven

>>2514712
>>Check in on Raven
Don't forget that bucket

>writing

You go back to the training yard and grab the Rook, since it's so close by. From there the ride back to the palace, leaving the Rook on the bridge so you can head inside.

Everyone seems to be elsewhere, so you give a friendly hello to the maid at the door and go to the kitchens. There you acquire a wash bucket and a towel, filling the bucket with water and grabbing a meal for your "guest" before heading down t the dungeon.

Raven is in her cell, laying on the floor chucking a rock at the ceiling and catching it as it comes back down.

"Good evening" You say.

"Oh, finally decided to show up?" She asks. "And you brought the bucket. Good boy"

You feel strangely good as she calls you that... there's no way it came from you, so it must have come from the sync. The question is: just why the fuck does hearing her say that make that other you so happy?

"Well, you asked for it..." You say, opening her cell and heading in. "Sit up"

She immediately levers herself up. "And food. Perfect" She says.

You hand her the plate and she digs in. "Have you given any thought to my proposal?" She asks.

"Proposal?" You ask. "What proposal?"

"Forgotten about it already?" She asks. "I was going to teach you not to be such a prude, remember?"

"Oh yeah..." You say.

"Well?" She asks.

>Just what would this training entail

>I could give it a trial run

>I think I'm good

>Other

>>2514773
>>Just what would this training entail

>>2514773
>I could give it a trial run

>writing

Last post for the night

"Just what would this training entail?" You ask.

"I'll be getting you used to the female body. Easing you into things so your brain doesn't tap out whenever you see boobs" She says.

"My brain does not tap out whenever I see boobs" You say.

She raises an eyebrow, eats another few bits of her meal, licks her fingers, then lifts up her shirt to expose one of her breasts.

You look away involuntarily, and she throws the rock she was tossing around at your head.

"Ow" You say.

"In a fight, that may have been a knife, or an arrow, or a spell" She says. "We've been over this, hun"

"Yeah, yeah" You say. "I get it, now would you put your shirt back on?"

"Of course" She says with a smile.

Raven goes back to eating, leaving you to think about what's happened.

"A trial run, maybe" You say. "If I don't like it, you never bring it up again"

"That goes without saying, doesn't it?" She asks. "You could tell me not to bring it up right now and I'd do it without having to make a deal, and- why do I have to keep reminding you of your hold over me?"

"Maybe you secretly enjoy it" You say.

"Perhaps... I wouldn't put it past me. This Angel's got issue's, baby" She says, as she finishes off her food. "So?"

"So?" You ask.

"We doin' this or what?" She asks.

"Alright... just once" You say.

"Whatever you say, baby" She says. "Now, what to do..."

Her eyes scan the room, settling on the bucket with an interesting smile. She then takes her arms out of her sleeves and pulls her shirt down, revealing the writing still covering her stomach.

"Don't look away" She says. "Wash me"

"I... what?" You ask.

"Wash me" She says again. "No tricks, no attempts at seduction. I'm just going to lay back, and you can wash this writing off my body"

She lays back onto the ground and shuts her eyes, undoing her pants and pulling them down a little as well to give access to the whole message.

You swallow the lump in your throat as you try to decide what you want to do. You can feel that same part of you that jumped for joy when she praised you straining all of your thoughts. You have to hold yourself in place, lest it take over and have you try to lick the ink off.

Your resolve proves strong enough to resist that urge, but not to banish it. You grab the bucket and bring it over, wetting the towel and wringing it out before taking a breath and applying it to the Angel's soft skin.

"Mmmmm... Good. For a second there I thought you were gonna leave me like this" She says, shifting herself and settling back. "And the water's nice and warm, too. I'm pleased"

You feel another surge of elation, and stop wiping as you wrestle control of yourself back from the person trying to steal it. Again you can fight them off, but only enough to keep yourself sane.

You have to figure this out soon. You don't think you can handle much more of this...

That's all for tonight!

Next thread will be tomorrow.

As always I'll be sticking around for question/suggestion time.

>>2514889
Thanks for running

Yuu is in hot water huh

Random off topic thought.
We know the demons have spellbombs. And we loves kids...
Do you think they'll start having kids explode in our faces eventually?

You continue working the cloth across Raven's midsection, wiping away the note Terry left written there.

Raven rests her head back on her arms, keeping her eyes closed with a contented smile on her face. She might be enjoying this a bit too much...

But despite the fact that you would rather have said no to this, it's all you can do to appease the bit that's frothing at the mouth for more. It drags every one of your thoughts back to the topless angel, making it impossible to just focus your mind elsewhere so you can get this over with, all the while forcing you to guard yourself against its attempts to throw you at her.

While fighting against all this, your head feels like it's full of syrup. Your thoughts form sluggishly, and there's an odd pain at the back of your head.

When you put your hand on Raven's breast to lift it up so you can wipe off the message underneath, you almost lose the fight. As soon as your hand touches her skin the urge to grab, rub, squeeze, and suck boils your brain, making you violently shake your head just to stay on task.

You roughly wipe away the last bit of ink, chucking the towel into the bin, standing up, and turning away so you can catch your breath.

Your head starts to cool down, and the pain in your neck recedes as soon as you're finished.

Just when you think you might have beaten it, Raven gently hugs you from behind.

"Such a good job. I don't think I've been this clean in a long time" She says. "What say we extend this lesson and you can clean the rest of me off, too?"

Your breath catches in your throat, as your head starts to heat up again. That same, annoying part is screaming 'YES YES YES YES' in your brain, so loudly that you have to bite your tongue so you don't accidentally say it out loud.

"Something wrong? You look a little flushed" Raven says.

"It's nothing" You reply.

"Alright" She says. "So is that a yes, or a no?"

>Yes

>No (Go figure out what's happening in your brain

>No (Go get some rest)

>Other

>>2516652
>>No (Go figure out what's happening in your brain)
I really don't think Raven is a good idea to explore this with.

>>2516652
>>No (Go figure out what's happening in your brain

>writing

"Nope. I'm good" You say, pushing her hands off of you and stepping away, you turn around and walk backwards out of the cell. "I'm just gonna go do... a thing- wow you're still topless. I don't know why I didn't expect that"

You exit the cell and shut the door. Raven looks confused.

"So just uhh... enjoy the rest of your meal, and I'll be around" You say, pausing at the stairs for a moment, adding "Later" before bolting up and out of the dungeon.

You stop about halfway up, pressing your back into the wall to catch your breath.

That was bad. That was very, very bad. Frederick was right, you need to figure out just who the hell these other versions of you are, and why they're affecting you the way they do.

So you head the rest of the way up the stairs, up and up and up to the roof, stopping briefly to let someone know that you're not to be disturbed while you're up there.

The terrace is empty, and the air up here is nice and cool. You calm yourself down and head to the rail, looking out over Lutain while you get your breathing under control. The lights in town have all come on as the sun sets, and you can see people still out in the streets, even as they're patrolled by coalition soldiers.

"Discover what fuels them, and you can take that fuel away..." You say, repeating what Frederick said earlier. "That might be easier said than done"

There's two connections to explore. You'll get to both eventually, but you'll start with-

>Fast Yuu

>Mageblade Yuu

>>2516772
>>Mageblade Yuu

>>2516772
>Fast Yuu

>>2516772
>>Fast Yuu

>writing

The faster "you" was the first one you synced with, so you figure you'll try him first.

...

Now how do you actually do this?

You try meditating on the strange emotions you feel, but get nothing out of it.

"Maybe..." You say, looking down at the city. "Maybe I just run"

You step back, getting a running start and leaping over the railing. You didn't really plan anything past that, but you know you're capable of something. You feel like you haven't really tested yourself lately, you've just been fighting.

The first actual test of your strength in a long time came in the form of Mahron, and what did you do? You didn't strive to beat him. You didn't try to push your limits. You stole strength that didn't belong to you, and now you're paying the price.

You step off of a springboard, making further steps to bring you to the rooftops near the manor instead of the ground. With the leaping start, you quickly gain speed as you dash across the tops of buildings across your town.

The connection with the other you feels stronger now, like it's responding to the wind whistling in your ears. You catch glimpses of a life that isn't yours, faces you've never seen before, and events that never took place.

Your life, your worth... it's all based around how quickly you can move from place to place... but why?

You know there's only one thing that can bring those answers. You need to strengthen the connection, and to do that you need more speed.

>Roll 1d100 with focus

Rolled 10 (1d100)

>>2516875
Focus

Rolled 85 (1d100)

>>2516875

>>2516875

Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>2516875

Rolled 24 (1d100)

>>2516918
whoops

>writing

Rolled 23 (1d100)

>>2516875

You get to the edge of the rooftops and use your springboards to clear the town walls, getting yourself out into the fields surrounding Lutain. Now that you're clear, you start moving energy through the wind emblem to use that same technique you tried on the night of the siege.

Like this you can feel the connection strengthening further. Details become clear, and events are put into sequence.

This "you" diverges from who you've become almost right off the bat, running from the Inquisitors at Bell's run rather than getting knocked out and captured.

He ran, and ran, and ran until he was thoroughly lost and near starved. Then he happened across a camp, full of people who are familiar to you.

You see Carthac, Cheska, the wolf... a Legion camp, probably just before they went to atack Sherton.

He spent the night among them. They fed him and gave him new clothes, then gave him a job as a messenger. It was a job that he took to well.

This version of you spent months running messages for the Legion. He became fast because he was running just about all the time. The Legionnaires respected him for that, even rewarding him with praise, good food, and even sex.

He continued his duty, not knowing much of anything about the world around him, nor what sort of things he was delivering, right up until he was sent to bring something to Mahron.

Mahron took his message, and ordered him killed on the spot.

The connection breaks suddenly, snapping you out of your focus and causing you to stumble. You're moving so fast that you trip and tumble for several feet, landing flat on your back.

He died there. You felt confusion, fear, anger. A million questions left unanswered as his head was removed.

You lever yourself up, giving yourself a quick check to make sure nothing is injured. Now the anger you feel whenever you think of Mahron makes sense. It's a childish sort of anger that makes you want to lash out without purpose.

And now that you know moer about this other "you", you can better control the things he makes you feel.

You might have run a bit far while you were focusing, but luckily you stuck close to the walls. You start jogging back towards the gate, so that you can-

>Work on Mageblade Yuu

>Go see your mom

>Get some sleep

>Other

>>2516968
>Work on Mageblade Yuu

>>2516968
>Go see Lianna.

>>2516982
This

>writing

You get back to the gates, and the soldiers on watch look troubled.

"My lord... was that you who jumped over the wall a minute ago?" One of them asks.

"Yep. Just going for a bit of an evening jog" You say.

"O-over the wall?" The other asks.

"I'm very enthusiastic" You say, as you head inside. "Keep up the good work, men"

You head past them and go back to the manor. It takes a little while... maybe you should have stuck to running laps around the building.

"Sir?" The maid at the front door says. It's one of the younger maids, a Canid with big pointy dog ears who looks to be about 13. "I thought you were on the roof"

"I went for a jog" You say.

The maid looks back inside, then at you, one of her ears flops over as her confusion grows. "B-but-"

You put a hand on her head and give her a little pet. Both of her ears flop down and her tail starts wagging.

"You didn't miss me. I went out another way" You say.

"There's another way?" She asks.

"Yes... kinda. I mean, if you count straight off the roof as an exit" You say. "Is the Priestess awake?"

"I believe so" She says, shutting her eyes and enjoying her pets. "She should be in her room"

"Thanks!" You say, giving her head a couple quick pats before heading inside.

You reach Lianna's room, and the Priestess is right where the maid said she'd be. She's sitting quietly, embroidering something into a piece of clothing. There's a teapot on the table with a couple of cups, but none are filled.

>What ask?

>>2517042
Whatcha doing?

>>2517042
>>Ask her how the church views relationships between boys and girls, particularly given our own position in society. What's considered appropriate and how do we approach this?

>>2517042
Talk to her about borrowing the power of other Yuus and the side effects of it

>writing

>>2517052
followed by
>>2517075

"Good evening" You say, as you enter the room.

"Good evening, my lord" Lianna says. She doesn't turn her head to you, but you can tell that she's paying attention to you by the way she's stopped what she's doing. "What brings you here at this hour?"

"I was hoping to talk to you about something..." You say. "Mind if I shut this?"

"Of course" She says, putting the garment aside and sitting up.

You close the door and sit across from her. As always she keeps her eyes closed with a pleasant smile on her face.

"What would you ask of me?" She asks.

"Oh... well... for starters, what were you doing when I came in?" You ask.

Her smile widens slightly, and she grabs the garment she'd put away. "Embroidering the Trinity onto my new robes" She says. "Alice offered to do it for me, but I find embroidery to be a relaxing, rewarding task"

"Isn't it difficult?" You ask. "How do you know you're going straight and stuff?"

She hold up the robe, showing off the work she's already done. The three white lines are perfectly straight, perfectly sized, and perfectly aligned. "I am not without senses, my lord" She says.

"You work by feel?" You ask.

"It is easier with 3 limbs than it would be with 2" She says, her tail swishing about beside her. "But I assume you did not come to talk about embroidery... though if you did I would be happy to indulge"

"No, you're right" You say. "There is something else..."

"Shame... I do love to share my crafts" She says. "Would you like a cup of tea? I'm getting the feeling that this topic might call for it"

"Sure" You say.

She nods, standing up and feeling her way through pouring you both a cup of tea. It's an interesting process to watch, as everything is done by feel. You offer to help, but she says it's fine.

"Now, what troubles you?" She asks once you both have a full cup.

"Well..."

>1/2

She listens quietly as you explain the problems you're facing, taking the occasional sip of her tea, but otherwise remaining focused.

"That is indeed a rather unique problem" She says once you're finished. "At least, I have not had a person come to me for issues with other versions of themself before"

"Here's hoping this is the only time" You say. "It hasn't been fun..."

"So you left the manor in order to learn more about this other Yuu" She says.

"I don't know if I'd call him that... I'm pretty sure he had a different name" You say.

"Did it help?" She asks.

"Kinda... I know why it reacts to different things now, but I don't know how much that will actually help yet" You say.

"Have you tried to trigger it? Find out if it is easier to push back now?" She asks.

"I have not..." You say.

"There is only one way to learn..." She says. "It may be difficult, but I imagine that you would have tried an easy solution by now, yes?"

>Try it

>Maybe some other time...

>Other

>>2517182
>Maybe some other time...
As in, when we're alone or at least with someone we'd be less wary of offending

>>2517182
>Try it

>>2517182
>>Try it

>>2517182
>>Maybe some other time...
She gave us an idea lets just bs maybe find out what she plans to do when the church is finished.

>>2517182
>>Try it

>>2517182
>Maybe some other time...
The only thing we know about speedy Yuu is that he wanted to lash out violently in a tantrum when he thought of Mahron, and may be the one responsible for the lewd streak.

Neither of them are something to try to hone in on to a blind priestess.

>writing

>>2517205
The lewd streak was completely part of her plan.

"Maybe it's worth a try..." You say.

"I'll be right here" She says. "I'm... not sure if that will help, but lean on me if you must"

You take a breath, and turn your thoughts to Mahron. That same rage fills you... but as you thought, it's easier to control. You understand it now. You know why this other you hates Mahron so much...

But he is not you, and you will not let him rule your emotions.

You go through some other thoughts, seeing what sets it off... Cheska doesn't, neither does Carthac... You think of that feeling of being rewarded, and it responds in kind. It feels kinda good... you feel sated, and warm...

You shake your head to try and get rid of the warmth but it sticks like glue. You end up downing your entire cup of tea in one go just to keep focused.

It works... kind of. It's definitely easier to fight off anger and pain than it is to stave off the good feelings. The anger is something that you want to go away, while the warm feelings you can only halfheartedly fight off...

You notice that Lianna is much more appealing than she did a second ago... her lips looking nice and soft, coming away moist as she takes a sip of her tea...

You shake your head again as that train of thought starts to go straight off the rails.

"Is it working?" She asks.

Her sudden concern catches you off guard, and you let out an involuntary yelp. You'd forgotten she was still paying attention to you...

Your reaction surprises her, making her gasp and almost spill her tea. You lean out and hold her hands steady, not wanting her to scald herself because of you.

...

Her hands are nice and soft too... and when you went to grab them you might have gotten a little too close...

Does she always smell like this? It smells kinda good... makes you wanna do... something...

"M-my lord? Is everything okay?" She asks.

>Leave

>Keep going

>Other

>>2517285
>>Other
"The... other me was apparently a lot more interested in women. I'm kinda struggling with that desire."

>>2517285
>>Other
Apologize and back off.
Just got caught up in the other Yuu is all.

>>2517300
I'll second this.

>>2517285
>>Let go of her hand and back off
Just fleeing the room anytime this pops up will just make weird rumors spread

also, i'll back this >>2517300

>>2517300
This

>>2517285
>>2517300
Will go with this one.

>>2517285
>>2517300
This is alright. Vocalizing it may give her a chance to pass some wisdom for suppressing lust.

Downside is that we're not cutting off the lewd feelings at the pass, meaning we're probably going to suffer from the other Yuu's influence for the remainder of this conversation.

>>2517315
But that aint necessarily a bad thing, if we just keep running from these feelings were gonna have to start straight up avoiding women.

>writing

>>2517321
The really big issue right now is we have no real idea of where acceptability lies in relationships, particularly for the nobility. Yuu doesn't know anything and we have no guidance. I'm pretty sure the line is crossed and obliterated from existence if we take Raven up on what she wants us to do, but no idea where it stops before then. Needs to be solved though before a Raven bad end.

>>2517321
It's a risk. Before this point Yuu has had to focus all of his willpower in order to not mount Raven on the spot.

Carrying on a conversation while still a bit hot & bothered may carry a lot of the other Yuu's personality. This could go down a strange road pretty fast

"C-can I be honest?" You ask, as you hand gently carresses the back of hers.

"Always" She replies.

"I think this other version of me had a different sort of interest in women, and it's affecting me worse than I thought it would" You say.

"Ah..." She says, her face still unreadable. She puts her teacup down and takes your hands in hers. "Tell me about it"

She lets you keep touching her hands as you describe the relations the other Yuu had with the women he knew. How it was basically all sexual, and that's making you see women more in that way than you used to. Even a kind, pure woman like her is sparking no small amount of desire in you.

"And how do you feel about women?" She asks.

"Me...?" You ask.

"Yes" She says.

"Well... I think they're cute, and soft, and I like it when they're happy because they all have such nice smiles" You say.

"And before this 'sync'... did you ever think about sex?" She asks.

"I... is that important?" You ask.

"You said yourself that these things are affecting your emotions and views, not creating them" She says. "If we want to understand how your desires are being changed, then we must first talk about what they were in the first place"

"I... I think I get it" You say. "And yeah... I kinda did..."

You tell her about your own desires, how they've never been this strong, but they've always been there. You've always known there was more to do with a girl in bed than snuggle. You've always wanted to touch, kiss, and do other things...

"And yet you haven't" She says.

"No..." You say, still playing with Lianna's hands. "Well, with a few exceptions..."

"What has stopped you?" She asks.

"I dunno... it's another level, isn't it? After you... do something like that, things change. I don't want things to change. I like them the way they are" You say.

Lianna leans in, her tail coming out to feel out the borders of your head as she gives you a kiss on the forehead.

You've calmed down significantly as you've been talking. All of the focus you've been putting on your introspection made it easy to ignore the other 'you's desires as they weakened to a more manageable point. But they have not disappeared... or maybe they have, and this is all you now.

>Ask if she's had this talk with others before

>Continue the discussion

>Thank her and head out

>Other

>>2517433
>>Continue the discussion

>>2517433
>>Continue the discussion

>>2517433
>Continue the discussion

>>2517433
>>Ask if she's had this talk with others before
>>Continue the discussion

>writing

"You're taking this all much more gracefully than I expected... have you had this talk before?" You ask.

"The problem you have might be unique, but its root is something you share with all young men and women" She says. "So yes, in essence"

"That helps..." You say.

"So from what I hear, you have these same desires but you are afraid that acting upon them will change the way things are" She says.

"Yes..." You say.

"It is good that you know how to show restraint, but there is a saying in old Antolian that goes "No bottle can fill forever"" She says. "That is a rough translation, of course. But it essentially means that if you bottle these things up, you will overfill"

"Frederick said the same thing earlier... it was a different topic, but same idea" You say, still feeling Lianna's soft hands. "He suggested I... 'find a woman who can be discreet'"

"I... cannot argue with him" She says.

"I was hoping you might have a different solution..." You say.

"Many people are relying on you for many things, and they will only lean harder in the coming months" She says. "With so many people wanting so much, it would do you a world of good to find a person who is content with just your company. It does not have to be an explicit relationship, just one you can escape to"

"Now I've just gotta find someone like that" You say.

"And I wish you all the luck in the world" She replies.

You take a breath and let go of her hands. The strange warmth has receded to a more manageable degree, and you're having a much easier time thinking clearly.

The desire is still there. Now that you've recognized it, you doubt it will ever go away. But it feels more like it's a part of you now, not some foreign entity. And now that it's like that, it's much easier to control.

Looking across at Lianna, the desire is still there... but you're not fighting tooth and nail against the urge to tackle her where she sits. It's a nice improvement.

>Anything else to ask?

>>2517542
>Are priestesses of the Trinity celibate?

>>2517542
I think we're good here. Finish our tea and head out.

>>2517542
Thank her for her time and head out

>>2517542
>>You don't think a future wife would object to someone discreet now? I don't really want to close that door.

>>2517548
I'd sign on to this too if it was acceptable behavior. That or one of the maids. A lot less dangerous than most options. Way way less dangerous than Raven.

>writing

>>2517542
Is it time to make Cheska our concubine?
NO MAKE NAMAKI OUR BEDWARMER

>>2517571
I'm no expert but I'm pretty sure Cheska is looking for more than a fling.

>>2517571
>>2517576
I agree. I don't think either one is appropriate for a temporary mistress. My opinion is if we do this, it should be someone who we can trust and who is not going to be damaged by this. And who isn't going to damage someone else down the road. Cheska and Raven can be eliminated due to the former and latter reason respectively.

"Is that sort of thing... acceptable?" You ask. "Like... if I get married in the future, my possible wife won't be mad?"

"Ahh... so that is your other issue" She says. "You do not know the way other people look at these kinds of relationships"

"I really don't..." You say. "I figured they were kinda taboo, from the way everybody always tiptoed around the subject"

"It is... delicate" She says. "People are not always comfortable talking about these things, but for the most part you are free to... well... enjoy the company of women"

"Even though I'm the lord here?" You ask.

"And that is where it complicates" She says. "You tread the line of scandal in your position. But as Frederick said, you should be fine if you are discreet"

You talk with her about it for a while longer, learning a bit more about the do's and dont's. For something that pretty much everyone does in their life, sex is a very complicated subject...

Maybe the other you had the right idea. Just find a camp full of purple eyed demons and wade into the pile.

...

Not that you could or would do that. By now the Legion knows you, and you can't imagine that they'd just continue their orgy if you were to show up...

"Satisfied?" Lianna asks.

"I think so. Thank you" You say.

"I am always here" She says. "Well... not for long. But when the church is finished you will know where to find me"

"Oh. One more thing" You say. "Are priestesses celibate?"

"We are not allowed to take lives or bear children, but otherwise we are free" She says. "Right now, though, I must get to bed. This has kept me up long past my own bedtime"

"Oh, sorry..." You say.

"Do not apologize. I am merely returning the favor for all you have done for me" She says, as she stands up and places a hand on your cheek. "We can talk more tomorrow, if you'd like"

You stand as well, pulling the priestess into a tight hug. "I'd like that" You say. "And thanks... for everything"

"I am glad you came to me with this, rather than leaving it alone" She says as she hugs you back.

You stand still and enjoy her warmth for a moment, not really wanting to let go, but knowing that you'll have to leave...

With a deep breath you let the priestess go and take a few steps back. You bid her goodnight, thank her again for her help, and leave her to get her rest...

>Go work on mageblade Yuu

>Go talk to Fran

>Go to sleep

>Other

>>2517625
>>Go work on mageblade Yuu

>>2517625
>Go talk to Fran
Let's get it out if the way

>>2517625
>>Go work on mageblade Yuu

>>2517625
>>Go work on mageblade Yuu

>writing

You feel better now, but there's still some unresolved issues... mainly the second version of you that you synced with.

Off hand, you know he had something to do with Raven. It took everything you had to not jump on her after she took off her shirt, and you had to- HAD to please her in some way to appease it.

It was more than simple desire. You've never feltanything like it before, and that makes it dangerous. So you head back up to the roof.

Figuring that running helped you figure out the first one, then focusing on your mageblade will get you closer to the second...

So you pull out your mageblade and get to work.

You let your head go blank and put all of your focus on the blade, feeling the connection grow stronger as you do so.

It feels... hollow, thoughtless, slow. Not like yor usual meditation, but more like someone who's had their head scrubbed out. The back of your neck starts to hurt, and your body feels warm as you focus yourself on the task at hand...

Without the need to think, your blade becomes stronger... but if you're not thinking, how do you get anything done?

You pull yourself out of that strange headstate, and feel everything else come back into focus as your brain slowly reboots.

That was weird, and more than a little scary. You need to explore this connection to find out why it effects you, but plunging into that strange state of mind frightens you...

>Go back in

>Leave it be

>Other

>>2517685
>>Leave it be
lets do that later with somebody overseeing us

>>2517685
>Leave it be

>>2517685
>>Leave it be
>>2517687
Agree with this.

>>2517685
>>Go back in

>>2517685
>Leave it be
At least for today. Pick that shit up tomorrow after we've slept on it. Also, I think Namaki might be totally okay with the whole, "Non-commital, discreet fling" kind of thing.

>>2517685
>other
Oh, maybe this Yuu is one that she successfully got her tentacle boon into

>writing

You shake your head, slapping your cheeks and focusing on the cool breeze to bring your head back to speed.

That was weird. That was scary. You think you might want someone to supervise you, maybe even have you restrained before you try that again.

You put your mageblade away and head back inside. You'll just have to deal with this in the morning, and avoid Raven until you do.

Once you're inside you decide to go grab a late night snack. There's plenty of fruit in a cooler in the kitchen, so you grab an apple and eat it as you stroll through the halls.

It's a peaceful stroll... right up until Elizabeth comes flying around the corner, completely naked and soaking wet. She tries to slither past you, but you scoop her up at the expense of getting your clothes wet.

"Hey there tiny gal, where the heck did you come from?" You ask.

She wraps around your torso, further soaking your shirt and hiding behind you as a maid comes around the corner.

"Oh, I'm so sorry sir!" The maid says. This is the one with 4 arms, but her name escapes you. "I was trying to bathe her but she freaked out and slipped away..."

"It's no problem. I was about done with this shirt anyhow" You say, taking a bite of your apple.

>Ask if she knows where you can find Fran

>Tell her you'll take it from here

>Head for bed

>Other

>>2517741
>>Head for bed

>>2517741
>Ask if she knows where you can find Fran

>>2517741
>other
Ask if she knows where you can get a romance novel real quick.
A REAL one, not that 'heaving bosoms' stuff

>>2517741
>>Tell her you'll take it from here

>>2517741
>Tell her you'll take it from here
"I happen to be an expert on getting Bath Haters to take baths."

>>2517741
>>Tell her you'll take it from here

>writing

Liz rattles her tail as the maid comes closer. Just from her body language you can tell that it's not a playful rattle. It's more like a 'get away before I bite you' rattle.

"I can take it from here, if you want" You say, reaching behind you to pat the frightened Serpid on the back. "I could use a bath, and converting bath haters is what I do best"

"Are you sure? I'd hate to trouble you with this" She says.

"I'll be fine" You say. "But, if you want to help... I recall someone saying that you're pretty good with a pen and a brush..."

"I am" She says. "Did you need something painted? A self portrait perhaps?"

"Nah, I'm looking to design a crest for myself" You say.

"I can do that" She replies.

"Cool. I'll talk to you in the morning" You say. "Come on, Liz. Let's go get clean"

"Good luck, sir" The maid says. "She's... kind of a handful"

"Nonsense. I'll get her in there and playing around in no time" You say.

You head off to the baths, staying decent while you change into a bath towel, then pulling your shirt out from under Liz's coils.

When you step into the bath, Liz climbs up your body to keep out of the water.

"You sure you don't wanna come in? It's nice and warm" You say, cupping some in your hand and holding it up so she can see.

Liz's little tongue flicks out, and she touches the water in your hand.

"See? It doesn't bite" You say.

You see her testing it with her tail, looking curious about going further down... until a sudden splash spooks her and she scrambles up on top of your head.

Turning to the source of the splash, you see Madelaine's head pop back out of the water. She shakes her hair off and pulls it back out of her eyes. "Whatup?" She asks.

>You scared Liz

>Haven't seen you in a while

>Just relaxing. It's been a long day...

>Other

>>2517780
>>You scared Liz

>>2517780
>>You scared Liz

>>Just relaxing. It's been a long day...

>>2517780
>Just relaxing. It's been a long day...
>Haven't seen you in a while

>>2517780
>>You scared Liz

>writing

"You scared Liz" You say.

She looks up on top of your head. "Ohhhhhh... I was wondering who you were talking to" She says. "Sorry kid. Didn't see you there"

You sigh and start trying to coax Liz down from your head. "So what were you up to today?" You ask. "I didn't see you at all"

"That's because I didn't go to the training yard" She says, as she leans back into the edge of the bath. "I was hangin' out with Storm and Michaela. They came here as part of the group the Holy Order sent"

"Storm's here? Why hasn't he come and said hello?" You ask.

"He doesn't think you like him" She says.

"Whaaat? Why would he think that?" You ask. "We bonded over at the stronghold. I thought we were friends..."

"Tell him that" Madelaine says, stretching out and putting her arms behind her head. "So what's up with you, grindin' things out over at the 'yard all day?"

"Just working through some frustrations" You say, finally getting Liz to come down and test the water. "I had to have the sex talk like twice today, and between them I explored the life of an alternate version of myself"

"See it sounded like something completely normal, then it just went way off" She says. "What was that like, anyway?"

"Weird" You say. "He was me... we both came out of that same cave, but we went different ways after that. He started running massages for the Legion and having lots of sex with promiscuous demons until Mahron had his head chopped off, and I'm... me"

Liz splashes the water a few times, before climbing lower down your torso to dip most of her lower half in.

"See? What did I say. Not so bad, right?" You ask.

Liz splashes you.

...

>Splash her back

>Ask if Madelaine's had the sex talk

>Other

>>2517819
>Ask if Madelaine's had the sex talk

>>2517819
>>Splash her back

>>2517819
>Ask if Madelaine's had the sex talk

>>2517819
>>Ask if Madelaine's had the sex talk
Let's run this while thing to the ground

>writing

"Have you ever gotten the sex talk?" You ask, as Liz starts playfully splashing water everywhere.

"Ooooooh yeah" She says. "I got it like 5 different times from 4 different people with 7 different messages"

"How does that work?" You ask.

"Well first Meyu tried... and failed. The gist of his talk was 'I'll gut any boy that touches you'" She says. "Then Gerard gave it a go, but Gerard is Gerard so that failed because he's a manwhore. Then the woman I walked in on Gerard with felt so bad for him that she explained it to me. Then Meyu tried again. Then I finally got it in a way that made some sense from Zaine"

"Zaine does seem like the sensible one in that group... maybe I should talk to him too" You say.

"He's been a good father figure" She says. "I'm sad that he's been away from his own family for so long, but glad to have him here"

Liz gets confident enough to leave you and try to swim. Like Emi she seems to be a pretty strong swimmer, but she quickly starts to struggle and you have to pull her out.

"There, there, Liz. We'll teach you how to swim properly one of these days. For now just stick close, okay?" You say.

Liz does just that, clinging to your torso out of fear. The fear passes quickly though, and she's back to playing.

"So what's up with you that you're actually going out looking for people to give you the talk?" Madelaine asks.

"I dunno... I like girls, but there's apparently a lot I don't understand" You say.

"Ah..." She says. "Yeah, I know that feeling. Seems kinda pointless now though. Not like I could ever 'explore the blah-blah-blah' given that every eligible guy I know is spoken for..."

You tilt your head.

"Well Derrick's with Marybell now, and Storm's with Michaela" She says.

>So Derrybell is official now?

>I'm a guy too...

>Storm and Michaela?

>Other

>>2517851
>Storm and Michaela?

>writing

>>2517851
>>So Derrybell is official now?
>Storm and Michaela?

>>2517851
>>So Derrybell is official now?

"Storm and Michaela? Really?" You ask.

"Yup" She says. "It was actually kinda annoying... they were all lovey-dovey when I was hangin' out with them. Like I get it, you guys love each other. But do you think you could dial it back a bit?"

"Huh..." You say. "I wonder when that happened"

"Who knows" She says with a shrug. "I haven't seen them since..."

"Since the stronghold?" You ask.

"Nah. They were in Leon. I went to visit them before I left for the Hunter's camp" She says.

"Oh yeah" You say. "Heyyyy. I was in Leon for months!"

"Tsk tsk, and you never went to visit him once?" She asks.

"I'm a prince. He should have visited me" You say.

Liz splashes you, and you shake off your hair and give her a stern look. She just giggles silently and goes back to playing.

You sigh. "So Derrybell's official now, huh?" You ask.

"Sounds like it" She says. "Also, Derrybell? Really?"

"It works" You say "Or would you prefer... uhh... Merrick?"

Madelaine snorts. "They're dating, Yuu, not trying to take over the world with trading cards" She says.

"Really? Because there's already a shadow realm for them to banish people to" You say.

Madelaine starts laughing, and you join her. "I love that neither of us knows what the hell we're actually talking about, but we understand it all the same" She says.

"I don't know about you, but I get the feeling that we'll both be disappointed once we actually do understand" You say. Liz is done playing now, and she curls up in your arms and goes to sleep. You should probably take that as your cue to get out...

"Yeah... it'll probably just be something stupid" She says. "It'd be nice to understand though..."

"One day" You say. "Once the Legion is done, we'll hit the rest of the ruins, crack open that portal, and see what waits on the other side"

Madelaine whines. "But I wanna go nooooowwwwwww..." She says.

You chuckle. "I'm gonna hit the hay. You comin'?" You ask.

She raises her eyebrow with a sly smile. "Inviting me into your bed?" She asks. "Awfully forward of you"

>Sure

>You wish

>No

>Other

I'll be leaving this one up for the night. Thread will continue tomorrow/today.

Yadda yadda questions and suggestions time.

>>2517888
>ill have you know im a great cuddler

>>2517888
>Other
>I'll have you know im a great cuddler

This works and while I doubt this is a route lock, I'm not sure Yuu is in a good headspace to start relationships right now

>>2517888
>>Sure
"Because cuddling is fun. Although apparently I have to be discreet now or something, even if I'm not actually having sex."

>>2517889
this

"I'll have you know I'm a great cuddler" You say.

Madelaine lets out a breath. "I'm not interested in cuddling" She says. "I just spent all day with the holy couple, having entire conversations with them while they were this fucking close to making out"

"Yikes" You say. "Get a room, right?"

"Right?" She asks. "Anyway, I am ready to ex-fucking-plode right now. If you're serious about this, like really serious, then know that I ain't cuddlin', and I sure as hell ain't sleepin' anytime soon"

You swallow, suddenly feeling very nervous.

"So yeah... that was probably TMI, but that's the deal" She says. "Serves me right for not sayin' anything, what do you say there? 'Hey, you mind not suckin' each other's faces while I'm sitting right here'?"

"Something like that..." You say.

She waves you off, and starts to get out of the bath. "You had to be there..." She says.

"Where are you off to?" You ask.

"Bed" She says. "I'll probably go scream into my pillow for a while, then... who knows?"

You watch Madelaine head to the lady's room and take a breath. It kinda sounds liek she's having the same problem that you are...

You could... help each other out. That's what friends do, right?

>Yes Madelaine

>No Madelaine

Leaving this post up to clarify the last vote.

This isn't a route lock or relationship thing. It's a big Madelaine flag, and nothing other than that.

>>2517928
>No Madelaine

>>2517928
>Yes Madelaine

>2517928
>no Madelaine

>>2517928
I mean, it'll be helpful, if not just to clear Yuu's head... and Madelines enough of a tomboy/bro to where, even if we don't go down that route, i don't she her being bitter looking back on it, at worst she maybe will tease us, or perhaps it'll end up an in-joke? But Yuu remaining pure until we lock in is just, maximum fluffiness and romance...

Gaaah, i don't know!

>>2517928
>>2517940
>>2517928
>>2517940
Ask her for tips or something, she might introduce us to masturbatation and that could help... or make it even worse
>>2517943
I feel you my man, on one side it feels like something Yuu would do right now b/c of the hornines of the other Yuus and his own, it’s feels like a pretty huge decision even thought smiley said it isn’t

>>2517928
>>Yes Madelaine

>>2517928
>>Yes Madelaine

>>2517928
>>Yes Madelaine
They both need this

>>2517928
>No Madelaine

>>2517928
>>No Madelaine
I guess... Go with the ask the ask her for tips thing

>>2517928
>>Yes Madelaine

>No Madelaine
I wouldn't mind just route locking into Cheska rn.

>>2517928
>No Madelaine

>>2517928
>No Madelaine

>>2517928
>>Yes Madelaine

>No Madelaine

>>2517928
>No Madelaine
I'd like to clear the air a bit with Cheska after talking to Fran first. It's a bad move to sleep with Madelaine while we're still not clear on how involved/hurt Cheska might be.

>>2517928
>Yes Madelaine
So this is what it looks like when all the lurkers find the post form.

>>2517928
>No Madelaine

I want my red devil

>>2517928
>>No Madelaine

>>2517900
>>No Madelaine

>>2518126
I truly doubt that he'd write angst and drama after clarifying that the vote isn't aa route lock or anything more than two frustrated teens going at it. And secondly I also doubt he's going to make anyone find out unless we tell them

And I forgot to vote.

>>2517928
>Yes Madelaine

I rather have this then real titty monsters cause we were too beta to nut up

>>2517928
>Yes Madelaine

>>2518023
>>2518126
>>2518137
>No Madelaine

>>2517928
>>No Madelaine

>>2517928
>Yes Madelaine

>>2517939
>>2517966
>>2517977
>>2517996
>>2518023
>>2518101
>>2518106
>>2518124
>>2518137
>>2518156
>>2518237
>>2518462
>>2518285
>>2518512

We gotta a lot of lurkers

>>2518529
Can't speak for the others but I can't really help since I'm from EU. Smiley usually hosts from 3-11 AM my time.

>>2517928
>>>No Madelaine
>>2518536
I have the same problem.

>>2517928
>>Yes Madelaine

>>2517928
>Yes Madelaine

>>2517928
>>Yes Madelaine

the votes are just as conflicted as yuu probably is right now, now that's what i call immersive

in all honesty though, no matter what we choose, things are going to be awkward tomorrow probably

>>2517928
>>No Madelaine
Kind of odd to put it this way, but I kind of feel like we have too close a relationship to mess with it this way when it's not really serious.

Adding a few things since I have time. Had to rush earlier as my window is really narrow for these overnight events.

>>2517943
I'm kind of on the fence about Madeline's emotional involvement. The shared history at tower and so forth leads me to believe we are opening up a box that should not be open if we aren't serious about doing it. I'm still in the camp of if we're going to do something casual, we should go with someone where we are not doing harm. Someone who has no particular expectations that we will not be leading on with it. I think it's a really bad idea to sleep with anyone on the waifu list unless we are pretty serious about her.

>>2518126
Cheska's feelings will never be resolved until routelock and I am honestly disinclined to involve Fran in this given her close connection to Cheska. We're way better off with neutral parties to discuss issues we have. I pushed to discuss this with the priestess earlier for a very deliberate reason (aside from her being a viable non waifu option herself). She has no one in this fight. Everyone else is biased and will be upset if their person loses.

File: worry.gif (111 KB, 294x233)

111 KB GIF

You know, I think I might actually be changing my mind closer towards 'no'. I'd be more inclined to stay with my original 'yes', but...it feels wrong to do this kind of thing while Yuu isn't 'completely' himself. Him being affected by another Yuu makes me kind of iffy on it now. It's a little like him being a little drunk, in that his mindset isn't what it typically would, and should, be.
Sure, they might both be horny teens, but it'd probably be best to save it for when one of them isn't under mind-altering effects.

"Last chance" She says, looking back before going into the lady's room.

"I'm good... sorry" You say.

"Your room's next to mine, right?" She asks.

"Y-yeah... why?" You ask.

"Then I'm sorry too... in advance" She says, leaving before you can ask what she means.

You shrug it off and get out, heading to the men's room to dry both yourself and Elizabeth off. You get yourself dressed again, then wrap Liz in a towel and head out into the hall.

The four-armed maid who was on Liz duty is waiting out there for you.

"There you are, sir" She says. "You actually managed it..."

"It was pretty easy" You say, handing off the tiny snake. "And now she's all clean and ready for bed"

"Thanks... trying to wash her without getting soaked was just not working..." She says, as she lets the Serpid wrap around her arm.

"See, there's your problem" You say. "You've gotta bathe with her. Otherwise she'll think something is wrong. If you're in the water, then it's obviously not so bad"

"It sounds simple in hindsight, but at the time I was just trying to get it done..." She says

The maid thanks you and heads off, letting you head to your room. Once you get there you throw on your pajamas and hit the bed.

You don't think sleep will be coming easily tonight, but you'll give it a shot...

...

What is that noise?

...

Oh gods... you can hear Madelaine grunting and groaning from the other side of the wall. Is this what she apologized about?

You try to ignore it, and fail miserably. If she hadn't told you how she was feeling then you probably wouldn't react to this... but she did, and it's very hard not to picture what she might be doing over there.

"God damnit..." You say.

>Go bang on the wall

>Cover your ears with a pillow

>Sleep elsewhere

>Other

>>2519507
>>Sleep elsewhere

>>2519507
>Cover your ears with a pillow
Tough through it, buddy.
You can do it.

>>2519507
>>Cover your ears with a pillow

>writing

You groan and cover your ears with a pillow, trying your best to tune out the noise and the imagines that come with it.

It's difficult.

It's very difficult.

But eventually you start to drift off, letting go of the pillow that you've been holding tight over your ears...

"Ungh! Fuck! Fuck! Come... on!" Madelaine cries.

She sounds frustrated... about as frustrated as you are having to listen to this while you're trying to sleep. With a sigh, you get out of bed and go out into the hall. You decide to grab a midnight snack, then maybe find somewhere else to sleep.

When you get to the kitchens you fix yourself a sandwich, grab a glass of water, and head to the tea room. Normally you'd eat in the dining hall, but the tea room has comfier chairs.

It seems you're not the only one who had that idea. Gerard is here, reading a book and sipping something from a cup.

You decide not to disturb him, taking a seat by the window and biting into your sandwich.

"Well if it isn't the prince himself" He says, looking up from what he's reading. "What brings you here at this hour?"

>Hungry

>Can't sleep

>Madelaine is noisy

>Other

>>2519636
>Can't sleep

>>2519636
>Madelaine is noisy

>>2519636
>>Can't sleep

>>2519636
>Can't sleep

Jeeze, Mad's such an amateur. Trying too hard at it. You gotta go for skill over brute force.
Then again, I guess it WOULD be harder to pull off without the convenience of porn.

>writing

"Can't sleep" You say.

"Been there" He says, taking another deep sip.

"What is that... tea?" You ask.

Gerard swallows and takes a breath. "Kurn" He says.

"Corn?" You ask.

He shakes his head. "Koo-roll the 'R'-n" He says. "Kurn"

"Koorn... Kurn... what is it?" You ask.

"Very alcoholic" He says. "I keep a bottle of it in Betsy, have a couple sips whenever the night gets rough"

"Is it good?" You ask.

"It's an acquired taste, like most alcohol" He says. "I'd offer you some... but it's expensive and I don't have much left"

"That's fine. Last time I tried alcohol I got a wicked headache the next morning" You say.

"Oh?" He asks.

"Partied with some northerners" You say. "And I had to fight in the tournament that day too..."

"With the northerers? Ooo boy, that was your first mistake" He says. "I've met children from the north who could drink me under the table"

"Yeah. I learned that the hard way..." You say.

>Ask why he can't sleep

>Ask him about your problem

>Other

>>2519740
>>Ask why he can't sleep

>>2519740
>Ask why he can't sleep

>>2519740
>Ask why he can't sleep

>>2519740
>Ask him about your problem
This is a better chance for the talk if we don’t want Fran intervention

>writing

"So why can't you sleep?" You ask.

"You really wanna know?" He asks.

"I wouldn't have asked..." You reply.

"It's because the redhead in the next room never learned how to masturbate" He says. "Gods be damned, that girl doesn't know what a lost cause feels like..."

"So you're on the other side of that, huh?" You ask.

"Ah, a kindred spirit" He says. "Any idea what's gotten into her?"

"Apparently spending the day around Storm and Michaela was a bit too much" You say.

Gerard nods. "I told her she should have brought me along. I could tell the words 'get a room' would need to be said just by lookin' at those two" He says. "When did you hear about that?"

"In the baths" You say. "She was pretty frank about it all. Even offered to uhh... let me uhh... join her..."

"Did she?" Gerard says. "So what are you doing here?"

"I... didn't really want to" You say. "I mean, I did want to... I just didn't think it was proper"

Gerard takes a sip. "Alright, kiddo. I'm gonna give you one piece of advice. Man to man. Propriety is a bunch of bullshit" He says. "Nobody is gonna thank you for staying squeaky clean and never touching a vagina until your wedding day. Trust me"

"Well that's..."

"Trust me" He says again. "What they will thank you for is havin' some actual experience, and not going stir crazy from keepin' it in your pants"

"I'm not going crazy..." You say.

"Says the guy who spent the whole day wailing on training dummies" He says. "You're a man now, kid. You've fought the fights, you've faced death, and you've killed more than your fair share of people. It's time you learned to live like a man off the battlefield, too"

"I'm still not really sure..." You say.

"Come on, man" He says, whining a little. "Take one for the team. Please. I swear if I have to listen to that silly girl fail to get off one more fuckin' time I'm gonna fashion a bag full of wooden cocks, bust down the door and start throwing them at her until one hits the mark"

>You'll survive

>I kinda want to see that, actually...

>Maybe I could check in on her...

>Other

>>2519893
>Maybe I could check in on her...
Well, when you put it like that...

>>2519893
>I kinda want to see that, actually...
>Maybe I could check in on her...