Rolled 3, 5, 4 = 12 (3d10)

>>2657933

Rolled 6, 9, 4 = 19 (3d10)

>>2657933

Rolled 7, 4, 9 = 20 (3d10)

>>2657933

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1.29 MB JPG

>>2657933
“Would it be wiser to slow?” you ask. “Wait until cover of darkness?”

Thorbold shakes his head. “No, speed is our best defense now. If the pirates are watching then slowing down just invites trouble. But if we keep our speed up, they'll leave a longship like Snekkja alone.”

“Not worth their time,” one of the other sailors insists. “Cogs are far slower and carry more goods, and make more attractive prey.”

“Which is why their raids are irregular,” you realize. “No doubt these people would rather make a living an easier, safer way... they only strike as an opportunity, when the risk of piracy seems worth it.”

“That's right,” Thorbold nods in agreement. “Least that's the way I always understood it.”

The Snekkja glides on through the evening, until Thorbold calls you back to the rudder.

“What do those silver eyes of yours see?” he asks you, nodding back towards the horizon.

You squint for a moment. “One ship, about the same size as ours. Single mast, square-rigged... a longship.”

“Damn,” he grumbles. “I hoped I was imagining it.”

“Those are our pirates?” you ask.

He nods. “Aye, that'd be them. They must be more desperate than I figured.”

“With the clipper ships keeping an impossible pace for them to catch...” you guess.

He slaps his forehead. “They're putting the cogs outta business, leaving longships the only prey they can catch.”

“How far back are they?” you ask. You figure that the way to estimate it is based on the height of the mast relative to the horizon in the distance, but you're not exactly familiar with the details of how to actually take that and make a meaningful guess out of it.

“Not as far as they were when I first sighted them,” Thorbold admits. “She must be a new ship, she's spilling less wind than our tired old sail.”

“Then they're likely to catch us?”

Thorbold nods.

>Then I suggest you ditch the cargo meant for the destroyed village. Give them a low-risk opportunity.
>Then I suggest you get as much wind out of your sail as you can. I can't help you by fighting them.
>Allow them to get close. I can't kill them, but no rule of the Organization protects their little boat.
>Other?

>>2657968
>Then I suggest you ditch the cargo meant for the destroyed village. Give them a low-risk opportunity.

>>2657968
>>Then I suggest you ditch the cargo meant for the destroyed village. Give them a low-risk opportunity.

>>2657968
>>Allow them to get close. I can't kill them, but no rule of the Organization protects their little boat.
I don't want to ditch the supplies. That's still lost money for the crew if we ditch them.

>>2657979
Has a good point, changing my vote (>>2657975) to
>Allow them to get close. I can't kill them, but no rule of the Organization protects their little boat.

>>2657968
>Allow them to get close. I can't kill them, but no rule of the Organization protects their little boat.

>>2657968
>Allow them to get close. I can't kill them, but no rule of the Organization protects their little boat.
>>2657968
>other: besides,this technique of mine can also be used to manhandle men "without killing them". The only problem is that if anyone dies, they'd be quick to blame it on the witch as a convenient scapegoat.

>>2657968
>>Allow them to get close. I can't kill them, but no rule of the Organization protects their little boat.

>3d10, best of three
>this will determine what Noel has to work with

Rolled 7, 9, 2 = 18 (3d10)

>>2658010
I don't how how well Noel can think with her fists.

Rolled 8, 10, 10 = 28 (3d10)

>>2658010

Rolled 5, 10, 8 = 23 (3d10)

>>2658010
we got this
>>2658012
Damn, we super got this.

Rolled 2, 6, 4 = 12 (3d10)

>>2658010

>>2658012
WELL THEN. ROYAL CLAYMORE DIPLOMACY IS A GO.

>>2658012
Apparently noel has a shoelace, a stick of gum, four paperclips, a sliver of copper and a wooden plank to work with. And a fist.

>>2658010
“The Organization has rules to protect all human lives,” you mutter, almost more to yourself. “Even those of criminals and murderers. If I take even a single life my own is forfeit.”

“But human property? Not covered by the rules.”

“What are you thinking?” Thorbold asks you suspiciously.

“What cargo are you hauling to Ostia?” you press.

“Honey, liquor, fine ceramics, tapestries,” he rattles off a list of high-cost goods that have utterly no relevance in the given situation. “Some salted meats, flints, and chain shot.”

You pause, not believing your luck. “That last one, repeat it again.”

“We have a small crate of chain shot meant for the fort at Ostia,” Thorbold repeats.

“Why didn't you say so sooner?” you demand. “Where is the crate?”

“Near the keel,” Thorbold tells you as you push past him. “Why? We don't have any cannon.”

“We don't need a cannon,” you insist, flexing your biceps.

Thorbold stares at you in disbelief. “No. You're not serious.”

“I'm serious.”

“There's no way you can throw a cannon-shot hard enough to work.”

“Either you give me that cannonball,” you press, crossing your arms, “or you lose the ship to pirates. Your call.”

Thorbold shakes his head. “Must be outta my damned mind... Sig, fish out the crate of shot. Let's let the girl give it a whirl.”
>1/2

>>2658037
Chain shot, you wonder to yourself. They have chain shot and Thorbold didn't offer it over immediately. You shake your head. This is literally perfect.

The crate contains a dozen cannon balls, each sized for an eighteen-pounder by the look of them. Each has a split through the middle, with about three feet of chain concealed in a cavity at the center of the sphere.

Perfect.

“Let them get closer,” you insist. “I don't want this shot to drop low.”

It takes about a half hour for the longship behind you to close the distance, but eventually you can see the pirates hastily preparing their assault on deck. They mean to pepper your ship with arrows at a distance, then close in to kill anyone who survived the onslaught.

>Throw it now.
>Wait for the ship to get closer.
>Other?

>>2658056
>>Throw it now.
>>Wait for the ship to get closer.

Throw when you are comfortable that you can hit them.

>>2658056
>>Throw it now.
Even if we miss it's a statement of intent.

>>2658061
Supporting.

>>2658056
>Throw it now
>other: Aim for their newly minted sails. They can't catch up when they have holes in their sail.
We can't have any eye witnesses talking about some woman with monster like strength throwing cannonballs like they were mere melons or the equivalent of an ancient football.

>3d10, dc 17, critical 23
>best of three

Rolled 5, 3, 7 = 15 (3d10)

>>2658095
SHE WINDS UP FOR THE PITCH...

Rolled 7, 1, 3 = 11 (3d10)

>>2658095

We're so fucked.

Rolled 1, 9, 10 = 20 (3d10)

>>2658095

>>2658103
>>2658105
Oh ye of little faith

>>2658105
Good save.

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>>2658105
the /k/ommando with the clutch!

>>2658105
>>2658106
Blessed be /k/ripple!

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>>2658105
Clutch save by /k/ommander again!

>>2658095
“How are you going to...”

“Just watch,” you sigh, taking up one of the rounds and spinning the free half around by its chain.

You spin it faster and faster, until the chain is nothing more than a whistle and a blur in your hand. The crew instinctively crowd towards the bow to stay clear of you, all except for Thorbold who ducks down and holds onto the rudder handle. Then you release the chain shot with a flick of your wrist, sending it spinning in a lethal arc towards the pursuing longship.

A few seconds later you watch it tear through the sail, raising a foamy white splash in the distance and leaving an obvious hole in the longship's sail.

The sail flutters slightly but it's still functional, and the whole crew sends up a cheer.

“They're still keeping up!” Thorbold shouts as an arrow buries itself into his ship's rudder. “Eyes up!”

A second arrow hits the deck near your feet, and a third sizzles as it hits the water nearby.

“Was that one on fire?” you realize aloud.

“They're gonna try and set our sail alight!” one of the sailors cries.

“More like they mean to kill us and take any cargo that floats free of the wreckage,” Thorbold realizes. “Damn cowards.”

>Throw a second shot, aim for the mast.
>Throw all of the shots in succession until the sail is a rag.
>You have rags, alcohol, and flints. Two can fight with fire.
>Other?

>>2658141
>>Throw a second shot, aim for the mast.

>>2658141
>>Throw a second shot, aim for the mast.

>>2658141
>>Other?
Can we put a hole in the boat to make them start taking on water and sink?

>>2658141
>Throw a second shot, aim for the mast.
>other: Aim for the top half of the mast.
As tempted as I am to throw them a burning comet, we're trying to keep our record of human kills at absolutely zero.

>>2658150
A miss would mean human casualties (both lethal and non-lethal). Any survivors and eye-witnesses can alter their alibi and make it seem that Noel intentionally tried to kill them but missed due to luck. It's the intent to kill that tells the Organization that a claymore's gone Rogue.

>Throw all of the shots in succession until the sail is a rag.

>>2658177
you forgot to link it.

>>2658141
>Throw all of the shots in succession until the sail is a rag.

>>2658182
Cheers

>>2658141
>>Throw a second shot, aim for the mast.

>>2658141
Ignore this:
>>2658150
Changing my vote to
>Throw a second shot, aim for the mast.

>>2658141
>Throw a second shot, aim for the mast.

>3d10, dc 19
Best of three.

Rolled 4, 6, 9 = 19 (3d10)

>>2658223

Rolled 3, 10, 4 = 17 (3d10)

>>2658223
>>2658225
Goddamn /k/ripple, The fuck did you sacrifice for your rolls?

Rolled 7, 6, 7 = 20 (3d10)

>>2658223

>>2658228
Noice.

>>2658223
You have the range, your shot just pulled to the left a little because of the spin you put on it. And now that you consider it, this amount of power may not even be enough for the shot to shatter its way through the mast. If it's anything like the Snekkja's it's thick oak, and won't make this easy for you.

So you allow yourself to draw on just a little bit of yōki this time. Just enough to change the color of your eyes.

This time the chain is a howling shriek, with a moaning undertone as the links of the chain itself start to give way under the force of the spin. When you release the second shot it leaves a trail of briny spray in its wake before curving slightly upwards and to the left from the momentum of its own rotations, as you had predicted.

The mid-section of the trailing ship's mast disappears in a cloud of splinters, and two fountains of water a hundred yards apart rise in the distance where the two halves of the shot end up crashing back into the sea. The rigging and sail collapse into the water, still attached to the hull at points, initiating a frantic scramble for the pirate crew to cut the tangled mess away and save their ship.

After a moment of stunned silence the crew of the Snekkja burst into frantic cheers, and you feel yourself rocked as someone claps you on the shoulders and tries to shout over the din.

Really, you can't even pick any words out.

It takes you a total of ten days to reach the port of Ostia, where the elated crew of the Snekkja disembark into town with barely enough time for Thorbold to give them instructions on when to be back.

“Well, seems I owe you young lady,” he chuckles. “That was quite an interesting trip!”

“A little too interesting if you ask me,” you shake your head with a smile. “Thank you, Thorbold.”

“Don't mention it,” he shrugs. “Now then, let's see about the next leg of your trip.”

“That won't be...”

Thorbold raises his hand. “I told you I'd do it, and I'm as good as my word.”

You nod. “Very well. Where do we go from here?”

“Over to the mouth of the river,” he tells you, pointing into town. “There's a separate harbor just past the canal at the far end of the seaport.”

>So what will you do now? Head back to port in Tarsus?
>You ever consider retiring, old man?
>Tell me, what is the passage upriver like? What should I expect when I get to Fumaiolo?
>Other?

>>2658250
>>Tell me, what is the passage upriver like? What should I expect when I get to Fumaiolo?
Time to gather intel.

>>2658250
>>Tell me, what is the passage upriver like? What should I expect when I get to Fumaiolo?

>>2658250
>So what will you do now? Head back to port in Tarsus?
>other: ...your crew are gonna start rumors and drunken stories about what I did to that pirate ship aren't they?
>Before I go, tell me, what is the passage upriver like? What should I expect when I get to Fumaiolo?

>>2658250
>>So what will you do now? Head back to port in Tarsus?

>to reach the port of Ostia, where the elated crew of the Snekkja
>>2638996
> take you as far east as the Skerries.
???

>>2658286
I skipped a step. Shit.

They were supposed to stop at the Skerries and take a vote as to whether to go on or turn back through the pirate stomping grounds.

It's been a VERY long day.

>>2658291
Well they made it through pirate grounds without a fuss with an interesting pirate encounter. It's been pre-ordained as canon already.

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>>2658291
RIP

>3d10, taking the third roll

Rolled 6, 7, 8 = 21 (3d10)

>>2658312

Rolled 2, 8, 2 = 12 (3d10)

>>2658312

Rolled 2, 4, 4 = 10 (3d10)

>>2658312

>>2658318
well this bodes ill.

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>>2658318
>>2658319
Nah, man, its just someone laughing.
Ni, shi, shi! :P

>>2658250
“What can I expect going forward?”

Thorbold shrugs. “Slower speeds, mostly. River's slow but the current can be strong in places. Without the wind at your back it's rowing most of the way.”

“And Fumaiolo?” you press.

“The town's built up on both sides of the river at a narrows. They pretty much control all trade going both ways,” he tells you. “They collect their taxes and it makes 'em rich. That's why I don't do river trade.”

“But it must still be lucrative enough,” you point out. “Otherwise nobody would do it.”

“It is,” he admits. “But that's mostly because it's so much safer, not because the profit margins are any good. The 'real men' still do their business at sea.”

“I see,” you nod. “Anything you can tell me about Fumaiolo itself?”

“Can't go there,” Thorbold shakes his head. “My first wife runs the most popular pub with the sailors going through. I wouldn't be able to not bump into her if I ever sailed there myself.”

“Is the pub any good?” you ask.

Thorbold grumbles to himself, ushering you towards a building by the canal. “Frustrating thing is it's one of the best.”

Inside you meet with an official of the river trading company that's affiliated with the company Thorbold does business for, and Thorbold asks him about the weather.

“Onshore wind is weakening after that storm,” the officer of the river trading company informs you. “So much of the traffic going up-river is by oar. It should take two days, maybe three if the winds continue to weaken.”

>I have some time. That's fine.
>I can walk there by dinner tomorrow night.
>Maybe a horsecart would work better?
>Other?

>>2658352
>>I can walk there by dinner tomorrow night.
Alright, no more boats.

>>2658352
>>I can walk there by dinner tomorrow night.

>>2658352
>I can walk there by dinner tomorrow night.
>other: Thank Thorbold for what he did. Wish to him that whatever he has between his wife, we hope it gets better for both of them. oh and Noel will also say hi to Mrs. Thorbold for him.

>>2658352
>>I can walk there by dinner tomorrow night.
>>other: Thank Thorbold for what he did. Wish to him that whatever he has between his wife, we hope it gets better for both of them. oh and Noel will also say hi to Mrs. Thorbold for him.

>>2658352
>I can walk there by dinner tomorrow night.
>other: Thank Thorbold for what he did. Wish to him that whatever he has between his wife, we hope it gets better for both of them. oh and Noel will also say hi to Mrs. Thorbold for him.
KEK.

>>2658376
Thirding >>2658352

>>2658352
“I could walk there faster than that,” you tell Thorbold quietly before turning your attention back to the merchant. “Thank you for the information, I think I'll have to plan an alternate means of transportation.”

“Sure thing,” the man nods, still a little confused at your sudden loss of interest.

“Well, that's unfortunate,” Thorbold sighs. “Sure I can't try another option that's not walking?”

“You kept your word,” you shake your head. “And better than that, you brought me all the way here instead of only going as far as the Skerries. Whatever your rationale, it worked to my advantage, so thank you for all of your help.”

“Not a problem, miss,” Thorbold insists, offering you a firm handshake. “Happy travels.”

“Same to you, Thorbold,” you reply. “May your seas be calm and the winds always in your favor.”

And with that, you and the ship-captain who brought you here walk out of each others' lives.

The road to Fumaiolo is well-known in this region and heavily traveled, so few people give a lone woman walking the path north any more attention than any of the rumbling carts laden with various wares even despite your brisk pace. A few more tend to notice as you press on through the evening dim, and as you flit like a shadow around the edges of one campfire around the next you think you unintentionally spook a few of the smaller groups of travelers.

By noon the next day you're getting very close to the outskirts of Fumaiolo, and watching the river all morning has made you glad that you decided to walk. Had you taken a boat you'd have hardly gotten out of port by now, the winds are so calm.

You stop to eat a small baked roll with a smear of butter on it along with some smoke-cured bacon, eating the whole thing in one sitting with a small cup of bitter coffee before moving on towards the town. Sure enough, you can see it from a hillside near the river's course just an hour or two before the locals should be sitting down to dinner.

>Head into Fumaiolo proper, secure a means of transportation into Skansen.
>Find that pub Thorbold mentioned and get a small meal. The bacon and roll weren't enough.
>You should try and scout the area for the other warriors who are supposed to be here.
>Other?

>>2658413
>Find that pub Thorbold mentioned and get a small meal. The bacon and roll weren't enough.

>>2658413
>>Find that pub Thorbold mentioned and get a small meal. The bacon and roll weren't enough.

>>2658413
>Find that pub Thorbold mentioned and get a small meal. The bacon and roll weren't enough

>>2658413
>You should try and scout the area for the other warriors who are supposed to be here.

>>2658413
>Find that pub Thorbold mentioned and get a small meal. The bacon and roll weren't enough.
Man, Noel's appetite is starting to reach human levels of appetite. This ain't normal among claymore standards, even if you compare with Valentia

>>2658413
>>You should try and scout the area for the other warriors who are supposed to be here.

>>2658413
>>Find that pub Thorbold mentioned and get a small meal. The bacon and roll weren't enough.

>>2658429
When people say stuff like that it makes me think I'm fat. That's a light breakfast by any standard I swear.

>>2658413
You decide that you're still a little hungry, so you head down to the middle of town where there's a long stone-lined berm with a few cannon pointed out over the river, probably for revenue purposes: if a ship tries to sneak through these narrows without paying a tax they might even be fired on.

“Hey,” you interrupt a porter while he's carrying a load of what seem like potatoes from the waterfront onto town on a cart. “I heard there's a really good pub here. Popular with sailors when they put in for the night?”

“That'd be the Salty Heid,” the porter tells you immediately. “Up the street on your right.”

“Thank you,” you nod gratefully. “I appreciate you stopping to tell me that.”

“I appreciate your appreciation,” the porter replies before going back to his task.

The Salty Heid is right on the water, just past the built-up berm that constitutes the soft blockade of the river, what turns out to be a series of white buildings with slate tiled roofs. One of them is probably an inn with rooms for travelers, while the other is just a restaurant and pub with an open poured concrete deck facing the river with tables set out in the sun.

“This really does seem nice,” you realize, walking inside.

The main room is dim, warmly-lit, and wood-paneled, with a faint smell of smoke and hardwood and a bit of a crowd. These are all working people: traders and fishermen mostly, with a little group of locals that have brought fiddles and wind instruments which they're in the process of tuning.

“There a menu?” you ask the young woman behind the bar.

“There is,” she confirms, handing you a leather-bound folio. “Let me know when you're ready, ma'am.”

After looking through it, you pick two things listed as primi: two small, lightly-fried cakes of freshwater crab meat, pine nuts, and ground cereals, and a fillet of a small local river fish wrapped in a leaf and steamed with vegetables and spices.

They're both absolutely delicious, and despite the fact that it barely constitutes a small meal between the two of them you're left absolutely satisfied.

A few minutes after you finish your meal, you glance up to find an older woman standing by your table.

“So you're the one Sheila mentioned,” the woman muses thoughtfully. “I'm Katarina, I run this place.”

“A pleasure,” you reply, offering your hand. “Noel.”

“I see you're Hazari,” Katarina continues. “Mind if I sit and have a chat? Not often we get folks in here from that far.

>Sure.
>Actually, I'm meeting someone.
>Other?

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>>2658491
Forgot my image.

>>2658491
>Sure.

>>2658491
>>Sure.

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>>2658491
>Sure.
>other: Thorbold says "Hello", He's still alive if yer wonder'n, saved his ass from pirates on his latest trip.

in other news:
> two small, lightly-fried cakes of freshwater crab meat, pine nuts, and ground cereals, and a fillet of a small local river fish wrapped in a leaf and steamed with vegetables and spices.
>2 crab cakes and a fish fillet with high class seasoning.
Since when did Noel gain that much of an appetite since becoming half-awakened? iirc she used to eat only 3 bites of oats, half a mango, 1 strip of bacon, and half an egg before calling it a day.

>>2658494
pic related would also be fitting for >>2658250

>>2658491
>Sure.

>>2658507
Used to be. But she gets the pangs sometimes, and a nearly "normal" meal every few days should be considered the norm from here on. That, or larger snacks than in the past every so often if she's exerting herself.

>>2658491
>>Sure.

>>2658491
>>Sure.
She seems nice.

>>2658520
so then what's the 'appetite" for a claymore (if there is an average statistic recorded by the org in the first place)?

>>2658531
a half to a whole of a chicken breast every 3 days going by Claire.

>>2658491
“Sure,” you sigh, gesturing to the empty bench across from you in the booth.

“So, how'd you come into town?” Katarina asks, watching you carefully. “Fancy looking Hazari outfit, you must have come by ship?”

“Longship as far as Ostia,” you admit. “I made my own way from there to here.”

“No wonder you found your way here,” she replies. “Hungry people have a habit of doing that. See, I like you, Noel. I don't know why, but you remind me of that one-time husband of mine.”

“And you like me because of that?” you ask, raising an eyebrow.

“It didn't really work out,” she admits. “But it's not cause I didn't like the guy. He loved good food, good company, and a good challenge... he just wasn't the type to settle. We separated so that he could keep up his business sailing, and so I could buy the Heid.”

“You remind me of him. Can't say why.”

“Thanks, I guess,” you shrug. “Thorbold is doing well by the way.”

Katarina's eyes twinkle ever so subtly, and for a moment she looks at least ten years younger. “Is he now? So it was the Snekkja you took from the west?”

“It was,” you nod. “It was an... eventful trip.”

“Snekkja is twenty-three years old this year,” Katarina informs you. “Most longships only last twenty to twenty-five years. You can't repair them effectively after that.”

“He doesn't seem ready to settle,” you shrug.

“Wouldn't expect him to,” Katarina admits. “Don't think I'd recognize him if he ever did.”

“So what's this about, really?” you ask.

“I wanted to make sure that you weren't into any... less than savory business,” Katarina tells you. “Single traveler from the far end of the world, dressed as well as you are, big old bag of gold. If you were doing something illegal in this town, I'd warn you about sticking around too long.”

>Thanks, but my business is completely legitimate.
>I'll only be meeting someone here, staying the night, then moving on.
>I'm a silver-eyed warrior, just passing through your town.
>Other?

>>2658565
>>Thanks, but my business is completely legitimate.
Just a Perfectly Legitimate Businesswoman, nothing to see here.

>>2658565
>Thanks but i'll be moving on soon.

>>2658565
>>I'm a silver-eyed warrior, just passing through your town.

>>2658565
>>I'll only be meeting someone here, staying the night, then moving on.

>>2658571
>>2658578
No, no outing ourself.

>>2658578
>>2658565
switching to
>I'll only be meeting someone here, staying the night, then moving on.

>>2658565
>I'm a silver-eyed warrior, just passing through your town.

>>2658565
“Don't worry about it,” you sigh. “Believe it or not I'm here to meet someone, then we'll be moving on to Skansen together in the morning.”

“I see,” she nods thoughtfully. “Meeting someone. A business partner?”

“Of sorts,” you shrug. “It's more what you'd call a diplomatic effort. Not illegal, of course, but expensive and sensitive.”

“Sensitive?”

You nod. “Very much so.”

“Well, I can't say that's reassuring,” Katarina chuckles. “But when it comes right down to it, it's not my business.”

“Thank you for your discretion,” you reply calmly. “I noticed you had rooms here as well. Are any of them for rent?”

“For one night?” Katarina asks to confirm.

“One night. Maybe two people, I don't know what my associate's plans are.”

“I can arrange something,” Katarina nods. “We have a few rooms open.”

“Thank you.”

>Wait here at the Salty Heid. Whatever warrior is supposed to meet you will be able to find you.
>I will return once I meet with my associate.
>Other?

>>2658616
>>Wait here at the Salty Heid. Whatever warrior is supposed to meet you will be able to find you.

>>2658616
>Wait here at the Salty Heid. Whatever warrior is supposed to meet you will be able to find you.

>>2658616
>I will return once I meet with my associate.
I don't want to spook the patrons and Katarina with the presence of our not so subtle claymore associate.

>>2658616
>>I will return once I meet with my associate.

>>2658616
>Wait here at the Salty Heid. Whatever warrior is supposed to meet you will be able to find you.

>>2658507
Noel is cute CUTE

>>2658616
>>Wait here at the Salty Heid. Whatever warrior is supposed to meet you will be able to find you.

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>>2658616
“Then if you don't mind I would like a room prepared,” you suggest. “I will meet with my associate after that point.”

“How will you meet with this... associate?” Katarina asks you out of curiosity.

“I know where she's most likely to be waiting,” you explain cryptically. “Should be easy enough.”

“Alright then, if that's how you want to do it,” Katarina shrugs. “It's odd, but so long as it works.”

You soon find yourself ushered into a cozy second-floor room overlooking the river, complete with two beds and a separate washroom far nicer than anything you'd find in Hazaran's provinces. There's even running water and a flush toilet, technologies expensive enough to engineer that no town in Hazaran short of the Capital would even bother.

How far behind has your home fallen since your father's death?

Two hours pass, and the sun has gone down completely, when you hear a knock at your door.

“It's unlocked.”

In steps a man in black with a long beard and a pointed felt hat. “I hope I am not interrupting.”

“It's fine,” you assure the handler. “I assume you're here with my first partner for this mission?”

“And your only partner,” the man informs you. “Valentina, it's fine. This is the warrior we were here to meet.”

A familiar face framed by silvery-white hair leans in through the door frame, her hand finally leaving the hilt of her sword as she recognizes you. “Noel?”

“Valentina,” you nod, setting your little book aside on the nightstand. “Good to see you well. Come in before anyone sees you.”

The duo do as you ask. “What are you doing out of uniform, Noel?”

“The thought occurred to me as well, Thirteen,” her handler admits.

“It was totally ruined in Anren,” you admit. “It would have been hard to travel this far by ship covered in that much blood.”

“Purple or red?” Valentina inquires.

“Both,” you summarize.
>1/2

>>2658703
“I would ask how you met, but I hardly find it relevant,” Valentina's handler comments. “Your mission is simple, infiltrate the King's Isle in the Skansen archipelago, eliminate any yōma you find.”

“Sounds good,” Valentina nods enthusiastically. “I like simple.”

“Hand me your blade.”

Valentina does as ordered. “You will get this back when your mission is complete.”

“Hey!” Valentina protests. “What's the big idea, Joseph?”

“The King's Isle has a prohibition on weapons of all kinds,” you sigh. “So no claymores. I thought your handler would have told you this already, it was the reason you and I were selected.”

“No!” Valentina insists, bordering on pouting. “Must've just slipped your mind, right?”

“I intended to inform you at the same time as your partner for the mission,” Joseph explains calmly. “Though I see there was no need.”

“Yeah. Clearly.”

“So this is what it looks like from the outside,” you mutter quietly.

“Thirteen, I understand that your handler provided you with the mission funds?” Joseph asks.

You nod in confirmation. “Spent a decent chunk of it to get here, but there's plenty left. If I'd taken the clipper we might have needed to stretch it by the end of the mission.”

“Hey, nobody told me we had a discretionary budget either!” Valentina complains. “Any reason why that is?”

“Because you would have eaten it already,” Joseph insists.

“I need to eat,” Valentina insists, crossing her arms indignantly. “I need to keep my strength up. My specialty doesn't exactly sip yōki, after all.”

“The mission starts tomorrow morning,” Joseph concludes, stepping out the door with Valentina's sword. “I will be along when the two of you are finished.”

Valentina makes a rude face at her handler as he shuts the door, before turning back to you. “Well then, guess we should turn in?”

“Two beds,” you observe. “Take it or leave it, I mostly just payed for the illusion of normalcy anyway.”

“Thanks,” she nods, quickly kicking off her boots and lying on the topsheet. “Wake me up for breakfast before we go, okay? I know you probably don't need to eat, but I'd like to. And I hear this place is great.”

“Yeah,” you mutter. “Will do.”

>>2658717
And that's where I have to call it for the weekend. Archive's up, twitter and the discord are where they always are, links will be provided if anyone wants or needs them.

Thanks for playing, hope you enjoyed the read, and we'll get to the mission with Valentina next week when I hopefully won't start the thread exhausted.

>>2658722
It was a lot of fun. It was funny to see Valentina get jerked around by her Handler. Well, until I realized that that kind of shit probably gets a Claymore killed.

>thread will resume on Sunday at the usual time, barring anything unusual coming up.

>Resuming tomorrow at 10am PST

>>2673900
You awaken the next morning feeling well-rested, but somewhat ill at ease due to the simple presence of an unfamiliar warrior in your room with you. While Valentina certainly hasn't given you any reason to mistrust her it's really more a matter of trust in general: another warrior, when you have no clear read on their personality or intentions, can prove to be a danger. You're all damaged in some way, and depending on the individual that sometimes means unusual aggression or mood swings.

It's entirely possible that Valentina could suddenly decide she hates you, for reasons known only to herself. That's certainly the way it happened with Luciana.

But for now, you decide to toss a pillow at her.

“Whuzzappenin...” she grumbles, rolling off the mattress and onto the floor with a heavy thump.

“Hey, that wasn't nice!” Valentina accuses you from the floor.

“Would you rather I let you sleep through breakfast?” you ask in response.

“... I didn't say that.”

“Then get dressed,” you tell her, tightening the sash around your deel. “I'll be waiting.”

You head out of the guest rooms and return to the little inn by the river where you've spent the night, and you give the girl on hand to take breakfast orders the number of your room.

“What will you have?” she asks cheerfully.

“Spiced green tea,” you order, “one egg, scrambled, two slices of bacon, tomatoes and peppers, a half potato scone... and does that sign say 'scallops'?”

“It does,” she confirms with a nod. “It's the local specialty for breakfast.”

“Then I'll have two,” you tell her. “If I recall correctly they're fairly sizable in Ostia?”

“They're a mouthful each.”

You nod with a calming smile. “Then two certainly sounds like it will be enough.”

Your meal and tea are just arriving when Valentina finally turns up, now fully dressed. Unlike your uniform hers is sleeveless, probably adapted to look more suitable for the warmth of the southern coast.
>1/2

>>2676433
“Is this seat taken?” she asks as a joke.

You take the opportunity to maintain an appearance that you're not together, and gesture to the empty seat across from you. The waitress puts the plate down... a scrambled egg with black pepper and a little salt, two perfectly-cooked strips of bacon that have just started to crisp, two grilled cherry tomatoes and some strips of grilled yellow peppers beside them, half of a flat potato scone that's been lightly fried until crisp on the outside, and two scallops in herby butter. An odd combination to your sensibilities, but if the locals swear by it there must be something to it.

“That looks good,” Valentina muses. “Can I have the same, but half again as much?”

“So... an egg and a half?” the confused serving-girl asks.

“She means two eggs,” you shake your head, trying and perhaps failing to hide your amusement.

>So, Valentina. I think we should arrive at Skansen separately, then meet near the “King's Islet”.
>We'll travel together on foot. I'd like to get a better feel for my new partner on this mission.
>We'll go by horse, and you'll go disguised as my servant. Neither of us will draw attention that way.
>Other?

>>2676437
>We'll travel together on foot. I'd like to get a better feel for my new partner on this mission.
She seems adorable.

>>2676437
>>We'll travel together on foot. I'd like to get a better feel for my new partner on this mission.

>>2676437
>We'll travel together on foot. I'd like to get a better feel for my new partner on this mission.
>other: Also, we're going in incognito. I have a spare pair of plainclothes in my bag. a swordless claymore is gonna draw attention.

>>2676437
>We'll travel together on foot. I'd like to get a better feel for my new partner on this mission.

>>2676437
>We'll travel together on foot. I'd like to get a better feel for my new partner on this mission.
>other: Also, we're going in incognito. I have a spare pair of plainclothes in my bag. a swordless claymore is gonna draw attention.

>>2676437
>We'll travel together on foot. I'd like to get a better feel for my new partner on this mission.

>>2676437
>We'll travel together on foot. I'd like to get a better feel for my new partner on this mission.
>other: Also, we're going in incognito. I have a spare pair of plainclothes in my bag. a swordless claymore is gonna draw attention.

>>2676437
>We'll travel together on foot. I'd like to get a better feel for my new partner on this mission.
>We should also get a feel for eachother's abilities, if we're going to be fighting together, How does a sparring session sound?
>Also, lets go in ingcognito. I've found it makes our job a lot easier, especially regarding collecting information. People are a lot less hesitant to spill the beans if they think you're normal. They'll even say things that they wouldn't think of under duress.

>>2676437
“I have a set of clothes in our room,” you tell Valentina quietly as you wait for her food. “You can wear those to keep from arousing too much suspicion.”

“You think that's necessary?”

You can't help but shrug. “It may be. Either way it doesn't hurt to keep that option open for now... besides, I haven't exactly got a uniform to change into even if I wanted to.”

“Fair point,” she muses. “Not often the Organization takes one of us for dead only to find out they were wrong.”

“I won't complain,” you shake your head. “I'm just glad to prove them wrong.”

You slow down eating your own breakfast, waiting until Valentina's meal arrives to finish your scone and peppers. She wolfs down her plate with the same fervor you saw from her last time you shared a meal, although she looks at you strangely when you snag the last corner of her second potato scone.

The serving-girl whisks away the empty plates and you leave the right amount of coin on the table.

“So what sort of clothes?” Valentina asks. “Like yours?”

You shake your head. “No, something a lot less dignified. Well made but it's all peasant clothes.”

“Aw,” she groans. “I'd kill for something nice to wear instead. We'd look so much better as a team that way.”

“We could pretend you're my servant,” you taunt her.

“Ew, no,” she sticks out her tongue in protest.

“Then we'll travel together on foot,” you decide aloud, “gives us a better chance to get to know each other along the way.”

“Makes sense,” Valentina agrees. “Though I have to ask... what's with the fancy clothes anyway? Do you plan to pass yourself off as nobility?”

“If it comes to that,” you admit.

“Why do you get to be the one with the fancy clothes, the high-class cover story, and the money bag?” Valentina asks. You don't get the impression it's a complaint, mind you, but she does seem curious at the difference in how you're being treated on this mission and the way she's been dealt with: no discretionary budget, no nice outfits to blend in, and her handler barely told her anything useful prior to meeting with you and Tomas.

>I've had some experience with nobility. Just trust me on this one, Valentina. (Deflect for the time being)
>My uncle is the military governor for the district around the city of Baiko. (Offer a believable lie)
>... can you keep a secret, Valentina? Because I'm not just ANY 'Noel' from Hazaran. (Place some trust in her)
>Other?

>>2676537
>My uncle is the military governor for the district around the city of Baiko. (Offer a believable lie)

>>2676537
>>My uncle is the military governor for the district around the city of Baiko. (Offer a believable lie)

>>2676537
>I've had some experience with nobility. I'll explain further once we're on the road, but for now, trust me when i say i can handle pretending to be one.

>>2676537
>... can you keep a secret, Valentina? Because I'm not just ANY 'Noel' from Hazaran. (Place some trust in her)

I want to believe in trust

>>2676537
>I've had some experience with nobility. I'll explain further once we're on the road, but for now, trust me when i say i can handle pretending to be one.

If she seems trustworthy, throw some hints at her. If she doesn't, then go with uncle military governor lie.

>>2676537
>I've had some experience with nobility. I'll explain further once we're on the road, but for now, trust me when i say i can handle pretending to be one.
supporting this.

>>2676537
supporting this: >>2676556

>>2676556
She's definitely the dumb lovable type, and i love her already.

>>2676537
>I've had some experience with nobility. Just trust me on this one, Valentina. (Deflect for the time being)

>>2676563
Hell, i love practically every new character king's introduced so far come to think of it...
Bro monk, bro merchant, bro general, bro blacksmith, bro sailor, they just keep coming.

>>2676563
a lovable big eater on first impression. but what of her wit and character?

>>2676537
>>I've had some experience with nobility. Just trust me on this one, Valentina. (Deflect for the time being)

>>2676577
character, i'm guessing she's a decent if overly-curious person with a proper set of morals.
Wit is probably lacking despite how curious she is. Don't underestimate her, though.

>>2676537
>I've had some experience with nobility. I'll explain further once we're on the road, but for now, trust me when i say i can handle pretending to be one.

>>2676579
i'm also guessing her flaws come into play during battle, especially regarding how she paces herself.
she's probably going to get herself into trouble more than once, and we'll have to end up saving her when she overextends.

>>2676537
>>I've had some experience with nobility. Just trust me on this one, Valentina. (Deflect for the time being)

>>2676537
>>... can you keep a secret, Valentina? Because I'm not just ANY 'Noel' from Hazaran. (Place some trust in her)
Gotta have faith

>>2676537 #
>>I've had some experience with nobility. Just trust me on this one, Valentina. (Deflect for the time being)

>3d10, best of three
>already writing

Rolled 9, 2, 4 = 15 (3d10)

>>2676620

Rolled 1, 7, 1 = 9 (3d10)

>>2676620
Noel can't into bluff.

Rolled 6, 6, 9 = 21 (3d10)

>>2676620

>>2676620
You decide to keep your identity to yourself, but at the same time you don't want to go so far as to lie to her directly. That would be contrary to the goal of 'building trust', which is what you'd like to happen if Valentina proves to be as... pleasant a person as you suspect she might be.

“You'll just have to trust me,” you sigh. “I have some experience with nobility.”

After a few moments Valentina shakes her head. “Alright then, I guess any 'experience' you have is more than what I've got going for me. So I'll follow your lead.”

“Thank you,” you nod. “Now, shall we?”

“Sure,” Valentina agrees.

After a brief stop at your rented room you put the finishing touches on the illusion.

“What are you doing?”

“Your hairstyle is too fussy for a commoner,” you insist, quietly undoing her work and pulling it into a loose ponytail. “There, much better.”

You carefully pack her uniform into the bag and hand it to her.

“Thanks,” she nods, slinging the bag over her shoulder. “So how do I look?”

“Almost normal,” you shrug. “But without some yōki suppression pills I think it's as close as we'll get.”

“Then let's get going.”

The two of you walk quietly for much of the morning, heading up towards the base of the Cerces mountains where you'll find Skansen. The way is well-traveled and the weather is better than comfortable, it's actually beautiful. The skies are clear and the air is crisp, and there's a pleasant smell on the breeze.

“So,” you muse. “Do you mind if I ask you a question?”

“Sure,” Valentina replies. “But on one condition.”

“Which is?”

“I get to ask one back.”

You nod. “I agree to your terms.”

>How did you get involved with the Organization?
>Your ability... what does it actually do?
>You mentioned your life before being a warrior. Where are you from?
>Other?

>>2676698
>Your ability... what does it actually do?

>>2676698
>>Your ability... what does it actually do?

>>2676698
>Your ability... what does it actually do?
>We were all selected due to having some ability which allows us to fight unarmed, after all.

>>2676698
>>Your ability... what does it actually do?
Time to share fisticuff tips.

>>2676698
>>Your ability... what does it actually do?

>>2676698
>Your ability... what does it actually do?

>>2676698
>You mentioned your life before being a warrior. Where are you from?

>3d10 best of three
>I came up with a late reason to roll

Rolled 10, 9, 7 = 26 (3d10)

>>2676762

Rolled 1, 5, 7 = 13 (3d10)

>>2676762

Rolled 7, 6, 8 = 21 (3d10)

>>2676762
She's gonna lie about her ability and if we roll low we'll think she's telling us the truth? or be unable to parse it out?

>>2676769
On fire lately dude.

>>2676773
In this quest and Guide's Sekirei quest, yeah.

>>2676769
Damn.

>>2676762
“So, what does your ability do?” you ask. “We were both selected for this mission because we have unusual styles, so I want to know what yours does.”

“I can harden and extend my fingernails,” Valentina informs you, stopping just short of demonstrating on the spot when she apparently thinks better of it. “I have a little trouble slashing with them and it's easier to just pinch them off rather than retracting them, but in a straight line they're pretty deadly. It's easy to put one between the gaps in a yōma's armor, and at close range it's hard to dodge them.”

“Alright, good to know,” you nod. “That's the sort of ability I expected you'd have. And your question?”

Valentina walks quietly for a few moments, weighing her options. “Same as yours.”

“I can concentrate yōki in an aura around my fists,” you explain, before taking a moment to clarify. “I mean, around the outside of them. So when I punch it's like I'm punching a few inches past the surface.”

“Which means it goes through armor,” Valentina realizes. “That's pretty vicious. I was sure that... nevermind.”

“What, that with the way I carry myself I wouldn't be punching yōma to death with my bare hands?” you ask jokingly. “If anything, I hate being covered in blood. My way there's much less of a mess.”

“Certainly more 'elegant' than my technique I guess,” Valentina offers.

“You may have a point, though I won't pretend that it's necessarily any more effective,” you admit, thinking of the unfinished nature of your White Fist technique. “Your 'claws' may be like how and awakened being fights, but awakened beings can be very effective fighters.”

“Like an awakened being, you say?” your temporary partner replies... and you sense an unexpected tension there. Sparing her a glance you find that Valentina's muscles have subtly tensed, and that the fingers of her right hand have spread somewhat apart. Her steps are more measured and careful, her gaze is resolutely avoiding yours.

You can't be positive of course, and you could always have just touched a bit of a nerve. After all many Warriors aren't fond of awakened beings for obvious reasons. Hell, this “response” you think you've noticed could all just be in your head. It wouldn't be the first time you've leapt at proverbial shadows.

>Are you okay, Valentina? You seem tense. (Feign ignorance)
>Have you ever fought an awakened being? (Change the subject)
>It's okay. I suspect we're actually alike. (Defuse with honesty)
>Other?

>>2676799
>It's okay. I suspect we're actually alike. (Defuse with honesty)
>other: so what put you at the brink? I had to deal with a 6 day deathmatch with an awakened being who was apparently former #7.

>>2676799
>It's okay. I suspect we're actually alike. (Defuse with honesty)

>>2676799
>>2676805
I think this is good

>>2676799
>It's okay. I suspect we're actually alike. (Defuse with honesty)

>>2676799
>It's okay. I suspect we're actually alike. (Defuse with honesty)

>>2676799
>>It's okay. I suspect we're actually alike. (Defuse with honesty)

>>2676799
>It's okay. I suspect we're actually alike. (Defuse with honesty)

>>2676810
>>2676812
this honestly

>>2676799
>>It's okay. I suspect we're actually alike. (Defuse with honesty)
Gotta trust each other.

>>2676799
“It's okay,” you assure Valentina quietly. “I'm starting to suspect we're more alike than the Organization even realizes.”

Gradually, it seems to dawn on her what you're implying and her posture seems to relax a little bit. “Is that so? Come to think of it your appetite has definitely improved since the last time we saw each other. Instead of eating like a bird I'd say you eat more like a squirrel or something.”

You nod. “Yeah, guess there's a correlation there. Second question... what pushed you to the edge?”

After a few moments, Valentina chuckles grimly. “I didn't even make it to my first mission. I was testing my limits while I was on the way, and I found them... took every ounce of strength I had to pull myself back.”

“And when did you start to...”

“That's not how this works,” Valentina chides you. “What happened in Baiko?”

“So you've heard rumors,” you mutter. “I fought for six days in Anren, working myself down to the last drop of my yōki. So even when I let go of all my restraint for an instant, I couldn't maintain it for longer than a single punch and reverted.”

“You cheated,” Valentina frowns.

“I... stacked the odds in my favor,” you reply. “And it worked. It was that or be tortured into awakening fully, or dying.”

Valentina gestures for you to continue your question. “When did you start to suspect what had happened?”

“When the hunger pangs started,” she explains. “But since nobody had ever gotten a basis for comparison I got away with it.”

“Because your ability 'uses too much yōki', is that it?”

She nods. “That's my explanation and I've stuck to it.”

>Have you pushed yourself since then? I haven't really had much chance to test myself.
>Do you know of any others with... 'similar experiences'? (Test her trust)
>Well, it's good to know I have someone along who can handle herself.
>Other?

>>2676884
>Do you know of any others with... 'similar experiences'? (Test her trust)

>>2676884
>Well, it's good to know I have someone along who can handle herself.
We've reached the first step of trust. Let it solidify for a time. We can strengthen it later.

>>2676884
>>Have you pushed yourself since then? I haven't really had much chance to test myself.

>>2676884
>Well, it's good to know I have someone along who can handle herself.
I agree with >>2676901
this guy

>>2676884
>Have you pushed yourself since then? I haven't really had much chance to test myself.

>>2676884
>>Well, it's good to know I have someone along who can handle herself.
Steps.

>>2676884
>>Well, it's good to know I have someone along who can handle herself.

>>2676884
>>Well, it's good to know I have someone along who can handle herself.
We gained some trust, pushing further seems a little risky.

>>2676884
“Well, it's good to know I have someone along who can handle herself,” you sigh, deciding to leave things as they are for the time being.

After a few minutes more of walking, it becomes apparent to you that Valentina has other ideas.

“I have a question for you,” she pipes up.

“And that would be?” you ask, unsure as to where she's planning to go with this. “Go ahead, ask.”

“I can't shake the feeling like I've seen you before,” she insists. “I know you said you were from the Capital, but I can't help feeling like there's more to it than that.”

“And your question?” you press.

“Who were your parents? Were they merchants? Petty nobility?”

>Lie, tell her that you never knew your parents. Insist that you were an orphan.
>Lie, tell her that your parents were merchants.
>Lie, tell her that your parents were local political figures.
>Your father was the Mad King. You never knew your mother.

>>2676998
>>Your father was the Mad King. You never knew your mother.
She'll never believe us.

>>2676998
>Your father was the Mad King. You never knew your mother.

>>2676998
>>Your father was the Mad King. You never knew your mother.
I just want to see her reaction.

>>2676998
>>Your father was the Mad King. You never knew your mother.

>>2676998
>Your father was the Mad King. You never knew your mother.

>>2676998
>I'll tell you if you don't go blabbing to everyone about it.

>>2676998
>Your father was the Mad King. You never knew your mother.

>>2676998
>Your father was the Mad King. You never knew your mother.
Noel can't bluff for shit.
Valentina would have a pretty hard time to swallow it. But then again, Valentina knows the effects of having yoma flesh inside a human's body and the logic of red hair turning into pink hair after becoming claymore'd isn't that hard to work out.
>YOU WILL NOT BLAB ABOUT THIS TO OTHERS. ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO SUPPORTED SIGMUNT. Got it?

>>2677041
this.
we'd better make i clear she shouldn't go spreading around information that might make our life difficult.
well, moreso.

>>2676998
>>Lie, tell her that your parents were local political figures.


honest scrubs

>>2676998
After a few moments of internal debate... you decide to show your proverbial hand and let the coins fall where they may.

“Listen carefully,” you tell her in a stern tone, which your father used to reserve for only the most serious occasions. “I will only tell you this once, and will never speak of it to you again. Are you listening, Valentina?”

“I am...” she replies, “but where's this going? It's like you're getting really serious on me here.”

“My father was the Mad King,” you tell her calmly, but firmly. “I never knew my mother. When my father was killed I had nowhere else to turn, so I was recruited into the Organization.”

There are a few more moments of silence, and your companion walks slowly along as she thinks about what you said. “So... you weren't just any 'Noel' after all... Noel Tiberius di Hazaran. Your hair used to be such a vivid shade of red. I remember that, the one time I visited the Capital with my own father before my parents were killed. I remember he took me to see the King give a speech from the palace balcony, that his daughter was there.”

“It must have been a long time ago,” you sigh. “Forgive me, but I have no memory of that day. There were many crowds, and many proclamations and speeches.”

“Funny,” Valentina chuckles. “How two people could be in the same place on the same day and have totally different memories of it.”

“Well, I asked my question and got my answer. Fair is fair, right? I owe you one answer.”

>Do you know anyone else in our... UNUSUAL position?
>How is it you came to be a warrior? I've told you my story.
>How do you feel knowing who I am? As a Hazari, as a warrior, as a person?
>Then I'll hold on to that for a later date.

>>2677155
>>Do you know anyone else in our... UNUSUAL position?

>>2677155
>How is it you came to be a warrior? I've told you my story.
An origin for an origin. A story for a story.

>>2677155
>>How is it you came to be a warrior? I've told you my story.

>>2677155
>How is it you came to be a warrior? I've told you my story.

>>2677155
>How do you feel knowing who I am? As a Hazari, as a warrior, as a person?

>>2677155
>>How is it you came to be a warrior? I've told you my story.
It's only fair to trade origin stories.

>>2677155
>How do you feel knowing who I am? As a Hazari, as a warrior, as a person?

>>2677155
>Do you know anyone else in our... UNUSUAL position?

>>2677155
“A story for a story,” you offer as a response. “How did you come to be here?”

After a few moments, Valentina speaks. “My story may not put me in any danger now, but it is pretty... personal.”

“You don't have to answer.”

She shakes her head. “No, you put a lot of trust in me just now. So I owe you an honest answer about who I am, where I come from. I'm from the area around the Dari pass, not too far from where we first met actually. We were farmers, and my father taught me to hunt. The other villagers liked to joke that I was the son they'd never have.”

You would laugh at the mental image of a much-younger Valentina crawling all over the mountainsides chasing rabbits to try and be a skilled hunter like her father, were it not so obvious how painful these memories are.

“I was away when the bandits came in and killed everyone, out hunting rabbits with the little bow my father made for me.”

“You survived by chance?” you ask.

Valentina gives you a look that you can't quite place, a mix of pride and regret. “I didn't just survive. By the time night had fallen there were still a few in what was left of my home town.”

“I killed them, one at a time. All six of them, fully grown adults.”

“You killed them?” you ask, not quite believing it yourself.

“I was angry, yes,” she explains. “But... it didn't help. None of the people they murdered came back because of it, and getting revenge didn't heal the pain in my heart.”

“It wasn't long after that when the Organization found me.”

“A little girl who could take down six fully-grown men, like a hunter among rabbits,” you muse. “I can see why they'd be interested in someone like that.”

>I'm sorry. I brought up bad memories... let's move on.
>Do you ever hold what happened against other humans?
>Let's get as many more miles in as we can before nightfall.
>Other?

>>2677264
>>Do you ever hold what happened against other humans?

>>2677264
>>I'm sorry. I brought up bad memories... let's move on.

>>2677264
>I'm sorry. I brought up bad memories... let's move on.

>>2677264
>I'm sorry. I brought up bad memories... let's move on.
>other: There was a set of characters etched into a smooth flat rock in the path the dari pass. do you know anything about it?
Since Valentina was a local of the Dari Pass, she might know something about it.

>>2677264
>>I'm sorry. I brought up bad memories... let's move on.
>>other: There was a set of characters etched into a smooth flat rock in the path the dari pass. do you know anything about it?

>>2677291
and for those who are clueless about what I'm talking about I'm talking about an event way back in thread 1 when we were walking to that monk Monastery .

>>2677264
>>>Do you ever hold what happened against other humans?

>>2677264
>>I'm sorry. I brought up bad memories... let's move on.

>>2677291
>On the opposite side are large, deeply-set characters of some sort. At least you think they're characters, they don't match anything you've seen before. Deep vertical lines of a mostly even height, with unusual legs and arms protruding from them or striking them through. Whatever this object was it's broken now... but what confuses you is the fact that the break has been work so much since the time when it was broken. That, and its location is strange.

“Where in the goddess's names did you come from?” you mutter in the dark, your fingers tracing over the unreadable letters.

>dice+3d10 for Valentina recognizing what the hell you're talking about

Rolled 10, 2, 6 = 18 (3d10)

>>2677366

Rolled 5, 6, 4 = 15 (3d10)

>>2677366

Rolled 7, 6, 8 = 21 (3d10)

>>2677366

File: moel.png (61 KB, 400x260)

61 KB PNG

>>2677380
have a moel for your contributions

>>2677383
cute as shit

>>2677366
“Sorry for bringing up such memories,” you apologize quietly. “That must have been... difficult for you to speak of.”

“It happened a long time ago,” Valentina replies... though it's more as if she's reminding herself of the fact. “I'm still not a fan of bandits though, so I'd prefer avoiding them altogether if it comes up.”

“I understand,” you nod. “But I have one last question then, since you're from Dari.”

“I'll answer it,” she sighs, “though I'm all out of energy for asking more questions myself. So I'll have to just save my own for another time.”

“When I was in the pass, not long before we met,” you begin to explain your story, “I found a slab-like stone, with what looked like large engraved characters. Ones I couldn't read.”

“I didn't learn to read until I joined the Organization,” Valentina admits. “But what you're talking about sounds like a runestone.”

“A runestone?”

Valentina nods. “Up in the mountains we find things like that every now and then. My mother said it was because giants used to live in Hazaran before us, but my father always insisted that other people lived in Hazaran, before there ever was a Hazaran or any Hazari to live in it.”

“Either could be true,” you admit. “As far as I am aware the official records of the Hazari kingdom only goes a few centuries back.”

“Who knows,” Valentina shakes her head. “We can't possibly say for sure if nobody wrote it down.”

You continue walking for the rest of the afternoon, only stopping to buy a quick meal at a roadside grill. The sun eventually goes down, and Valentina quietly starts a fire.

“Wish I had my sword to lean up against,” she grumbles.

>3d10, best of three

Rolled 2, 10, 3 = 15 (3d10)

>>2677473
bandit senses...TINGLING

Rolled 5, 4, 3 = 12 (3d10)

>>2677473
lean against each other~

Rolled 1, 6, 2 = 9 (3d10)

>>2677473

oooph
poor rolls

>>2677473
“Here,” you insist, turning your back to Valentina.

And so the two of you sleep for a few hours, propped up against each other back to back. Eventually you head out, just before dawn. By the time when others would be trying to find breakfast you can see a great lake before you, stretching out towards the mountains.

“That's Skansen?” you ask, staring at a series of islands on the far side of the lake, sparkling in the morning light.

Valentina nods. “That's right. Skansen is a series of islands in the lake, naturally protected even before they were built up.”

“And are those what I think they are?”

Your partner narrows her silver eyes in the direction you're pointing. “Warships? Since when...”

“Warships,” you repeat, your suspicion having been confirmed. “Why is it that a city like this has its own fleet of warships, sailing around a lake?”

“It's strange,” Valentina agrees. “Ostia I'd understand... have they brought these ships up from there?”

“Is the river deep enough for that?” you wonder aloud.

“They may have deepened it in some parts,” Valentina suggests. “Or maybe their current king is just crazy enough to maintain a fleet that can't even sail out of this lake.”

“And they called my father 'mad',” you grumble. “We may be dealing with more than just yōma here, keep your eyes open and let me do the talking.”

“Yeah, sure,” Valentina agrees, some hesitation in her voice.

>We should find horses, to be seen arriving in Skansen in an appropriate manner.
>If we find a ferry we can go straight to this 'King's Islet' from this side of the lake.
>Let's find a ferry to take to one of the other islands first, get our bearings.
>Other?

>>2677533
>>Let's find a ferry to take to one of the other islands first, get our bearings.

>>2677533
>>Let's find a ferry to take to one of the other islands first, get our bearings.

>>2677533
>>Let's find a ferry to take to one of the other islands first, get our bearings.

>>2677533
>Let's find a ferry to take to one of the other islands first, get our bearings.
>other: find a newspaper to read at one of the ferry ports, ask the locals about the political climate. We'll need to know exactly what political stunt they're trying to pull.
I think I know why the Org wants Noel and Valentina to go incognito into King's Islet to find Yoma. Their King has a case of "Witch and Yoma Paranoia"

>>2677533
>Let's find a ferry to take to one of the other islands first, get our bearings.

>>2677552
All weapons are banned, so not a fear of Yoma, but humans.

>>2677533

>Other: This might be a good time to get Valentina in on the Monk Sign language.
Both Valentina and Noel can study and practice in on it for secret communication. If Valentina is having a simple peasant backstory, sign language might be a plausible addition.

>>2677561
fear of humans means fear of assassins. And Yoma make quite the perfect assassin.

>>2677533
>>Let's find a ferry to take to one of the other islands first, get our bearings.

>>2677577
Oh boy, didn't realize I was sharing a thread with the gold medalist in reaching.

File: Sodermalm.jpg (170 KB, 1600x910)

170 KB JPG

>>2677533
“Let's find a ferry to one of those islands,” you suggest. “Get our bearings.”

“Good idea,” Valentina nods in agreement.

Near the lakeside you find a small port, with one large clinker-built ship laying at the small dock. That would probably be your ferry judging by its size and construction.

You quietly pay the fees and board, and the boat carries you to one of the four main islands that make up 'Skansen'. As the ferry slowly sloshes its way across the lake you get a better look at one of the warships as well: a schooner you think, low slung and fast with two masts and angular sails. Its deck is lined with eight rows of cannon, one on each side, with two smaller cannon facing fore and two facing aft.

“She's got beautiful lines,” you comment as the cannon-laden schooner passes in the opposite direction.

“I'll take your word for it,” Valentina groans, head hanging over the rails. “Goddess alive I hate boats... I hate 'em so much.”

“This too shall pass,” you sigh, patting Valentina on the back.

Eventually you reach land, and Valentina practically throws herself at it. You however admire the colorful buildings and ornate architecture... something like this could only be found at the Capital, and not nearly with such a wide array of colors. It honestly looks more like something that's been painted onto a canvass rather than a city where people actually live and work.

“This place is amazing,” you realize.

“Yeah,” Valentina nods, getting her legs back under her. “I keep forgetting, if you've never really been east you're not used to actual paint colors.”

“We should get you something to eat,” you suggest. “Something... light. Easy to digest.”

“That I won't just throw back up?”

“Exactly.”

>Find a nicer restaurant, you can afford to treat yourselves before the job starts in earnest.
>Find something discreet and unassuming, someplace with simple food and decent people.
>Find someplace a little rougher, someplace you could pick up rumors of local events.
>Other?

>>2677612
>>Find something discreet and unassuming, someplace with simple food and decent people.
Places like this often have the best food, IMO.

>>2677612
>>Find something discreet and unassuming, someplace with simple food and decent people.

>>2677612
>Find someplace a little rougher, someplace you could pick up rumors of local events.

>>2677612
>>Find something discreet and unassuming, someplace with simple food and decent people.

>>2677612
>Find something discreet and unassuming, someplace with simple food and decent people.

>>2677612
>other: "Valentina, for what it's worth, I've had it worse. I had to endure 10 days on a Longboat."
>Find something discreet and unassuming, someplace with simple food and decent people.
>other: Get Valentina in on learning the Monk sign language.
>other: ask for a newspaper. If they have any.

>>2677612
You quickly settle on a place that seems to do a steady business with dockworkers, fishing crew, and a few people who are clearly there specifically to eat rather than out of any convenience... the way they're all dressed makes it clear who is who. And as it happens you made a good choice.

The mildest fish on the menu simply steamed with some rice is Valentina's order, while you take something a little spicier in a light batter with cold noodles. It's actually quite nice, the cooling noodles combined with the warming spicy fried shellfish.

Having stabilized Valentina's condition you make a second stop, buying her some clothing that will look a little less out of place next to your own. A simple blouse with a sash to go over her trousers actually goes a long way.

“There,” you nod. “How does that work for you?”

“It's nice, thanks,” she nods. “You have a good eye after all these years... I haven't dressed myself since I was a kid.”

“Don't mention it,” you shrug. “Besides, I could hardly afford to be seen with you dressed as you were.”

“And there it is.”

The two of you wander for a few hours, listening in on conversations as you pass and trying to figure out where people with rumors would end up spending their time talking about said rumors...
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 8, 10, 9 = 27 (3d10)

>>2677666

Rolled 4, 9, 10 = 23 (3d10)

>>2677666

Rolled 6, 3, 7 = 16 (3d10)

>>2677666

>>2677670
We find out a shit ton, apparently.

File: Noel drinking a whiskey m(...).jpg (154 KB, 440x611)

154 KB JPG

>>2677670
classy /k/ommando deserves a martini.

>>2677692
are you drawing these pictures specifically for this?

>>2677666
In the market, you overhear a conversation that pulls you in immediately.

“No way, he'd get crushed against a real fighter,” a younger man insists to a greybeard who looks old enough to be his father. “You're nuts, old-timer.”

“I think you'll be surprised,” the old man smirks. “Sure other fighters have got quicker hands, but that's not... can I help you two ladies?”

“What are you talking about?” you ask.

“You mean you don't know?” the younger man asks. “That's a shock.”

“Not everyone is here for the betting, Lance,” the older man points out, stroking his beard. “Though by the look of it you've come a long way to be here.”

“Betting?” Valentina asks.

The old man nods. “Betting. The high-class snobs... sorry, meant no offense to the present company.”

“None taken,” you shrug. “Go on.”

“The high-class types have their own vices,” he continues. “Horse racing, cards, that sort of thing. Half the establishments on King's Islet are gambling houses, the other half is bars, inns, and restaurants.”

“And brothels,” the younger man adds.

The older man frowns, wagging a bushy eyebrow at his junior. “We don't speak of such things in front of ladies, Lance. You know better.”

“Yeah, sorry.”

“Anyway, the rest of us have more... how should I say it... base endeavors to bet on.”

“You're talking about a fight ring,” Valentina realizes.

“The one in Skansen's the biggest this part of the world.”

You exchange a knowing glance with your partner. If there's an organized underground fighting ring in Skansen, one of the biggest operations like it in the world by the sound of it, then you can bet there will be yōma embedded in among the fans and possibly even some of the fighters. It seems coming to the market was the right call.

“If someone wanted to 'get in on the action', as it were,” you smile carefully at the older man. “When and where would the next fight be taking place?”

>>2677702
I'm a hack photoshopper. these were already made by the time the quest's 2nd thread started. and yes.

>>2677715
And as I'm really hitting a wall here, it's time to call it quits. Thanks for stopping by, and see you next weekend... unless you also follow SSQ in which case see you tomorrow.

Thread question: Valentina is for...

>>2677722
Memes

>>2677722
bosom buddies with Noel.

>>2677719
they look great
>>2677722
.. being friends with

>>2677715
>fight ring
>an organized underground fighting ring in Skansen
>mfw king just sent us to Mortal Kombat Island.
YOU ABSOLUTE UNIT.

>>2677722
bathing, Hazari style.

>>2677722
Best friends.

>>2677730
we don't even know their breast sizes /k/ripple.

>>2677722
Eating big meals with.