>>2732490
“I said that I would,” you reply coolly. “When I give my word I keep it.”

“I used my fingernails,” Valentina shrugs. “But yeah, they're all dead. Very, very dead.”

“Very good,” the king nods curtly. “I take it you will remove yourselves from my city today?”

“That is the plan,” you confirm, “though not because of our little spat yesterday. It isn't in the habits of most warriors to stay too long in one place.”

“Because you attract trouble?” the king fumes.

You shake your head. “Because it reminds us too strongly of when we had a home.”

While the king is still trying to process that thought, you turn to leave. “Your city was quite hospitable, and so your people have my gratitude. A man in black from our organization will arrive some time soon to collect the payment as discussed.”

“You don't handle the money?”

“Of course not,” you sigh. “We are warriors, not aristocrats. We may only own what we can carry.”

“It's our way,” Valentina shrugs, agreeing with you immediately.

After excusing yourselves, you head out for the road away from Skansen... still a beautiful city in spite of your less than wonderful experience with its ruler.

>Find a ferry to take you back to Fumaiolo, heading downriver it should be much quicker that way.
>Take your time and head back by foot, you'd like to speak with Valentina about her fears.
>Other?

>>2732491
>Take your time and head back by foot, you'd like to speak with Valentina about her fears.
>Try to find that unknown presence again on the way

>>2732491
>>Take your time and head back by foot, you'd like to speak with Valentina about her fears.

>>2732491
>Take your time and head back by foot, you'd like to speak with Valentina about her fears.

>>2732491
>Take your time and head back by foot, you'd like to speak with Valentina about her fears.
Valentina is not a fan of boats.
>other: spend the rest of your budget and go shopping for some food supplies and other necessities to pass as human travelers. Pots, pans, knives, backpacks, ropes, that sort of stuff. Two women with nary a traveling pack between them would look suspicious to those familiar with the road.

>>2732491
>>Take your time and head back by foot, you'd like to speak with Valentina about her fears.

>>2732519
>>2732491
I'm down with this. The expanded inventory space and disguise aspect could carry over on our future missions.

>>2732491
>Take your time and head back by foot, you'd like to speak with Valentina about her fears.

>>2732491
>>Take your time and head back by foot, you'd like to speak with Valentina about her fears.

>3d10, best of three
This will be for how good your disguising-job goes.

Rolled 4, 6, 1 = 11 (3d10)

>>2732678
I apologize in advance

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

>>2732678

Rolled 8, 10, 8 = 26 (3d10)

>>2732678

Rolled 1, 8, 10 = 19 (3d10)

>>2732678

>>2732691
Noice

>>2732678
And I need a second vote for how to approach Valentina:
>As a higher-ranked warrior. Impress on her the need to get herself in order.
>As a friend. You're concerned that she might get hurt or killed by refusing to use her yoki.
>As her Princess. You want to see her live up to her potential.
>Other?

>>2732704
>As her Princess. You want to see her live up to her potential.

>>2732704
>As a friend. You're concerned that she might get hurt or killed by refusing to use her yoki.
>By all rights she should probably be higher ranked than we were prior to our incident.

>>2732704
>>As a friend. You're concerned that she might get hurt or killed by refusing to use her yoki.

>>2732704
>>As her Princess. You want to see her live up to her potential.

>>2732704
>As a friend. You're concerned that she might get hurt or killed by refusing to use her yoki.

>>2732704
>>As a friend. You're concerned that she might get hurt or killed by refusing to use her yoki.

>>2732724
Supporting

>>2732724
>>2732704
I like the idea that we're humbling ourselves compared to her. That would go well with
>As her Princess. You want to see her live up to her potential.

>>2732704
>As her Princess. You want to see her live up to her potential.

>>2732704
>>As her Princess. You want to see her live up to her potential.

>3d10, DC 18, critical 24
>being the princess she admired as a child gets you best of four

Rolled 7, 5, 5 = 17 (3d10)

>>2733012

Rolled 9, 8, 3 = 20 (3d10)

>>2733012

Rolled 1, 4, 4 = 9 (3d10)

>>2733012

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

>>2733012
That 20 looks good.

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

>>2733012

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>>2733012
You decide that your disguises can use some work. A close inspection would reveal that you aren't carrying any of the things which you might expect travelers to possess. So it would be fairly obvious that something is seriously amiss with you and Valentina.

So you decide to spend a little more of your discretionary budget to complete the illusion.

In a small shop you find two large leather backpacks... which you buy, of course. Into those you pack various objects to give the illusion that they're fuller than they really are. You also find a small sling-style pack, which you think may actually be able to use once this operation is over. That bag as well goes into your leather backpack.

“So, do you think this will actually work?” Valentina asks you.

You shrug. “It should add to the illusion somewhat.”

“Alright,” she nods in agreement. “Just save a little for a nice dinner, yeah?”

“It's a plan,” you agree. “But before we leave, there's something I want to tell you.”

“Is that so?”

You nod. “I am worried, Valentina. About your unwillingness to tap into your yōki.”

Valentina's expression darkens somewhat. “You do realize what you're talking about, right? You do understand?”

“I do,” you insist quietly. “And while I sympathize, I also know better than most the sort of potential you're refusing... and the sort of power that we may some day have to face. Were it not for the similar potential I awakened within myself I would be dead, or worse.”

“And what would you have me do?” she presses, more defensive than angry you think.

“Practice with it when you get the chance,” you suggest. “Listen, I have faith in your self-discipline. Really. I know what it must have taken to ever have come back... you're stronger than you give yourself credit for, Valentina.”

“A day will come when your potential is needed, to save your own life or that of another warrior... I want you to promise me that you'll do what you can to be ready for that. Please.”

Valentina's expression gradually softens. “I... I can't promise you perfection. But if you're really concerned, I guess I have no choice but to try and do as you ask.”

“Take it slowly,” you insist. “You know your body, better than anyone. You will know what you can get away with, and what is too big of a risk.”

After fixing her hair, Valentina seems ready to leave Skansen and head out onto the road south.

>3d10, taking the third roll

Rolled 2, 7, 5 = 14 (3d10)

>>2733462

Rolled 7, 2, 7 = 16 (3d10)

>>2733462

Rolled 10, 8, 4 = 22 (3d10)

>>2733462

Rolled 1, 8, 1 = 10 (3d10)

>>2733462

Rolled 6, 9, 3 = 18 (3d10)

>>2733462
Here we go.

Rolled 1, 2, 5 = 8 (3d10)

>>2733462
sorry

>>2733511
that'll do princess. that'll do.

>will update a bit later today

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>>2733626
Thankfully the road is well-traveled and clear of any obstructions or narrow passes where bandits could lay an ambush. Which is part of why you make such great time on the way south, nearly making it to the outskirts of Fumaiolo despite the late start.

“Let's bed down for the night,” Valentina suggests. “Look for a place to set a fire.”

You find a nice little hollow near to the road, one that's clearly been used for this in the past. There's already an ash bed where people have set fires, and you quickly set to work laying a few rounded stones in that bed so that Valentina can lay a few pieces of wood she's cut using her fingernails.

By the time it's fully dark, you have the fire going cheerfully.

“We're being watched,” you mutter to your partner.

She nods silently, drawing her hand in and readying a barrage of nails.

In a flash, you dart away from the fire and grab hold of your stalker, slamming him back-first into the dirt near the fire.

“Well, that was a lovely greeting,” Tomas stares up at you, his hands raised in front of his chest in a defensive posture. “I've missed you too, Noel.”

“Your handler?” Valentina asks, staring at the man in confusion. “What are you doing creeping around in the shadows?”

“Trying to gauge the mood,” Tomas insists.

“Okay, why?” you repeat the crux of Valentina's question.

“I have something for you back at Fumaiolo,” he explains. “Something you've been waiting for, along with news. So believe it or not, I came out here to find you.”

“By horseback?” you muse. “Huh. That's strange.”

>Give us the news, then. Don't be cagey.
>Valentina and I will be along in the morning.
>Did you bring this thing you have for me?
>Other?

>>2734769
>Give us the news, then. Don't be cagey.

>>2734769
>>Give us the news, then. Don't be cagey.

>>2734769

>Give us the news, then. Don't be cagey.

>>2734769
>well out with it, what is your surprise?

>>2734769
>other: sneaking around at night to meet up with us in the middle instead of waiting with Valentina's handler in Fumaiolo. That's odd even for you.
>Give us the news, then. Don't be cagey.
>other:.... we missed a spot in Skansen didn't we.

>>2734769
“If this is about Skansen, I take responsibility,” you begin.

Tomas stares at you. “I fail to see what this has to do with anything, Noel.”

“Oh,” you reply, now confused yourself. “Then what is the news?”

“You... may wish to sit,” Tomas tells you. You exchange a glance with Valentina and take a seat by the fire, while Tomas finally sits up and dusts himself off.

“I had wanted to surprise you with this, when I returned your sword,” Tomas continues, “so first of all thank you for ruining my fun.”

“Any time,” you roll your eyes at him. “What's the surprise?”

“You've been making an impression,” Tomas informs you. “The Organization has taken your successful mission in Skansen as well as my own reports into consideration and seen fit to increase your rank.”

“Oh?” you shrug. “So who will I have to avoid from now on? Because if it's just Luciana, she already hates me.”

“Well, if that is your concern it's more than Luciana you should be concerned with,” Tomas tells you.

“Oh, come on already!” Valentina snorts. “All this talking's gonna put me to sleep, what's her new rank already?”

“Well, Number Thirteen,” Tomas begins, only for Valentina to correct him.

“Nineteen.”

“Not anymore,” Tomas insists. “Your new number required some changes to your equipment.”

“What is my rank now?” you press.

Tomas stares you dead in the eye.

“Congratulations, number Seven.”

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>>2734865
>that new rank number
That's so fucking sketchy. I don't know whether that's lucky or un-lucky.

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17 KB JPG

>>2734882

>>2734891
Also, may be nice to say at this point that I'll be back in the evening tomorrow for an update or two each of SSQ and Claymore.

>>2734865
How the fuck did we get such a big boost?
I don't trust this shit as far as I can spit
Also who did we loose and how?

>>2734891
in all seriousness, that's quite the promotion.
>Valentina going from rank 19 to rank 13
Well that new promotion's gonna motivate her to practice.
>Noel getting promoted from 13 to 7
That number has quite a hefty history given what Noel has witnessed since becoming a claymore. Also, that means we're bound to be noticed by #1.

>>2734865
Well then.

>>2734899
Noel's first partner was the current #7 of Noel's Generation. She died hunting an AB with Noel, which gave Noel the "Bad Luck" nickname. So that spot has been empty for quite some time with no claymore of the current generation strong enough to fill in that slot.

We should try to use our white fist with our feet, a kick like that could hit even harder
OR use it to sweep someones feet out from under them, literally

>>2734986
there's bound to be a section on kicks in our monk book. we just haven't read the book up to that point yet. Still pissed that we failed to teach Valentina the most basic Monk signs.

Kek lucky seven, Even MORE irony.

>>2734865
>We both shot up six ranks for dispatching a few weak youma
This is sketchy as hell.

>>2735313
they did have a sensor Claymore shadowing our move during our time in Skansen. I think it was the sensor claymore watching how Noel and Valentina fucking destroyed a group of yoma in a country where no weapons are allowed that prompted the promotion. Without using their swords.

You also have to remember, of all the 25(?) ranked claymores in the current generation, only Noel and Valentina have developed gimmicks/abilities that lets them fight without having to use their swords. Which is very telling about the Claymore demographic in their ability type and whether or not they're reliant on their swords.

If the org were to send claymores to Skansen in King's Islet, they would have to bend knee to the king and play his political game BEFORE getting to the yoma. Sending in Noel (who could diplomance on even ground with any royalty) and Valentina was basically the best solution in the Org's pov.

>>2735575
It was the best solution, no argument there. But the rank is supposed to reflect general combat ability, not a mission-specific gimmick.

>>2735313
I'll just point out, from Noel's perspective it's more likely to do with the battle of Anren. That turned a lot of heads. Similarly it would also be reasonable to assume that they'd been underestimating Valentina.

>>2735610
If that was about Anren, why did Valentina shot up as much as us?

No you don't get a free pass just because you're the QM

>>2735621
There IS a reason for everything including that detail in particular, but because I'm the QM I can't just go around telling you what that reason is, now can I?

>>2735649
Because you're the QM, you could decide that noel grew a six foot cock and traveled the countryside crushing yoma 'neath it's mighty girth.

You just don't *want* to. Probably.

>>2735662
Mate, Quit being a cunt. Also the QM has the right not to tell the players shit because otherwise it'd ruin the story.

>>2735668
I didn't say he couldn't, that was >>2735621

>>2735621
it might be the fact that under Noel's leadership, Valentina showed more spine and confidence in herself.
When you think about it, Valentina was at rank 19 because she was pretty much afraid of her own powers and only used it as a last resort. Then she met Noel and finding out that Noel was the lost princess pretty much gave her a confidence boost.
That's my guess in reading between the lines. Also, I can't help but notice that during the diplomacy scenes, Valentina keeps on butting on Noel's tail end statements alike a hanger-on or a yes-man.

>>2735649
Of course you can't just spoil things. But telling the players not to have shadowruns also spoils things.

>>2735610
>be org handler
>send your claymore off to some town where there's a voracious eater (aka Awakened being)
>chuckle because you thought at her rank, she's bound to come running back and ask for reinforcements
>Go to your client
>she handed your client her black letter
>jokewenttoofar.jpg

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>>2735938
>be Tomas
>expect your Claymore to play it safe and call for backup
>instead she duels an awakened being for six days, forces a draw, and damages her supposedly undamageable sword

>>2736596
Tomas just loves the shit we do doesn't he?

>>2736596
>be org handler that is not tomas
>hear that Tomas sent his claymore to this bumfuck town
>expects Tomas's claymore to play it safe
>instead hear that she solos an Awakened being to a draw
>how the fuck did she survive that?
>raisedeyebrows.jpg

>>2736596
That little shit really does like us, doesn't he?
i bet he even actually mourned like he said he did

>>2736866
I will trust him when he does something trustworthy

>>2735938
Best version.

>>2736596
Would be mad if they had ninjas eaves dropping on us and we didn't notice.

>>2734865
Number... seven? Did he just say those words?

Valentina you can understand, if she's really been holding back substantially you could see her being promoted. Six is quite a substantial jump but you've heard rumors of faster rises through the ranks in the past... and ultimately, a jump within the teens still doesn't represent crossing that much of a threshold. But to jump from the low teens to the mid single-digits isn't just skipping ranks.

To be made a single-digit warrior is a milestone in any warrior's career. The single-digits are marked out by special hilts on their swords, increased danger in their missions, and by being assigned to the remote inner mountainous regions. They're also expected to come to the aid of other warriors on tough assignments, and to lead in hunts for suspected awakened beings... like the one which claimed Emma's life years ago.

“You... you're joking, right?” you ask.

Tomas shakes his head. “I only tell you what the Organization wants me to tell you. I wouldn't joke about something this serious, it comes straight down from the executive committee. Your sword is back in Fumaiolo, you will see it yourself tomorrow.”

“If you don't believe me now you will then.”

“Congratulations!” Valentina claps you on the shoulder. “Guess all your hard work's paying off, huh? A single-digit... hey, I wonder if you'll get to meet the other single-digits now?”

“You may have that occasion,” Tomas shrugs. “Though I would be careful about our current number One... at this rate she may just take an interest in you, and I wouldn't want that. Truth be told I've always had a soft spot for you... number seven.”

It sounds so... wrong.

>Then I will do my utmost to fulfill my new responsibilities.
>Tomas, how long has the Organization been spying on me?
>Nine I could maybe believe... but Seven? What happened?
>Other?

>>2738251
>>Nine I could maybe believe... but Seven? What happened?

>>2738251
>Nine I could maybe believe... but Seven? What happened?

>>2738251
>>Nine I could maybe believe... but Seven? What happened?

>>2738251
>>Tomas, how long has the Organization been spying on me?

>>2738251
>Nine I could maybe believe... but Seven? What happened?

>>2738251
>>Nine I could maybe believe... but Seven? What happened?

Another single digit awakened on a AB hunt that turned out to be an abysmal and wiped out half a dozen claymores.

>>2738492
I was thinking the weird lady who wants to murder/steal special abilities got uppity.

>>2738499
Her murderboner probably just got activated

>>2738251
>Tomas, how long has the Organization been spying on me?

>>2738251
>Nine I could maybe believe... but Seven? What happened?
>...Did something happen to the other single digits? >>2738492

>>2738251
>Nine I could maybe believe... but Seven? What happened?
>That's the issue. My big jump in ranking is exactly what I'm afraid of. I learned much about Number one, from her twisted mindset to her obsession with killing other claymores for their abilities.
>other: this doesn't feel like a promotion, more like a setup for a sacrifice.

>>2738251
>Then I will do my utmost to fulfill my new responsibilities.

>>2738251
>>Then I will do my utmost to fulfill my new responsibilities.

>>2738251
>Nine I could maybe believe... but Seven? What happened?

>3d10, DC 18, critical 22
>best of three

Rolled 9, 7, 9 = 25 (3d10)

>>2738989

Rolled 9, 4, 8 = 21 (3d10)

>>2738989

Rolled 5, 6, 6 = 17 (3d10)

>>2738989

>>2738989
“What happened?” you ask sternly, realizing that there's no way of explaining such a dramatic rise in rank other than some disaster among the single-digits. Something equally dramatic must have opened up several ranks above you.

Of course, the more honest question should be 'who died'.

After considering your demand for a few moments, Tomas relents. “Your assumption is correct of course. There has been some... drama among the single-digit warriors.”

“Who?” you ask. “And how?”

“There was a mission in Shukzan,” Tomas begins to explain, “which went poorly. I'm sorry to say that the Organization received Olivia's black envelope, and so we sent Serana.”

The bottom drops out of your stomach in an instant when you hear her name.

That was what you'd feared.

“... how?” you manage to repeat.

“I'm afraid the misfortunes do not stop there,” Tomas continues. “Though it may serve as some small consolation that Olivia did not awaken, at the very least. The black envelope was a trap sent by the awakened being who killed Olivia, meant for Serana.”

And so Serana was killed as well? Two single-digits in such a short time... what is going on? Are the Organization's top fighters being targeted?

“I can see what you're thinking Noel,” Tomas tells you. “Serana was not killed... however she has been severely maimed and her prospects of recovery are bleak. She has been lowered in rank to number Nine, meaning that instead of being promoted to Nine as the committee intended you skipped straight to Seven.”

With the momentary panic abated somewhat with the news that Serana at least survived... you're left with only the death of Olivia. Olivia, who treated you so immediately as a friend, a warrior who would cheerfully give anything for her comrades' sakes. Whose greatest regret was in failing to help her friend... a woman who deserved better.

Another friend who you have somehow managed to outlive. Who you will never see again.

She suspected this when she gave you her pommel, but you'd dared to hope that it wouldn't come this soon. You were a fool.

Again.
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 7, 6, 10 = 23 (3d10)

>>2739020
Damn

Rolled 10, 8, 1 = 19 (3d10)

>>2739020

Rolled 4, 5, 5 = 14 (3d10)

>>2739020
Olivia... you knew. Yet you had to keep sacrificing yourself... god dammit, can't you be selfish for the slightest bit?

Rolled 3, 3, 5 = 11 (3d10)

>>2739020
Noooooooooooo

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>>2739020
>olivia's death

>>2739020
Rest in piece olivia, we hardly knew ya

>>2739020
She knew this was coming, that one day her own self-sacrificing nature would lead to her death. She even suspected that it would be before you had a chance to see her again, which is why she left you with a memento... no, she entrusted you with it, the same way she allowed you to claim part of her dear friend Saria's sword. The same way you shouldered Emma's burdens when you lost her.

The weight not of the dead, or of their trinkets, but their will and their memory.

“Why couldn't you just be selfish once?” you mutter.

“Hm?” Tomas muses, having apparently missed the content your low utterance.

“Nothing,” you insist quietly. “It was nothing.”

“Well, your sword is ready for you to collect it,” Tomas wraps things up. “Sorry to have been the bearer of bad news.”

“It's fine,” you lie. “That is one of your roles, after all. I know better than to shoot the messenger.”

It's only after Tomas has excused himself into the darkness that your composure starts to slip.

“I'm sorry,” Valentina apologizes, moving to sit next to you. “I... heard what you said. About Olivia. Were you friends?”

“Are you sure you want to be so friendly with me now?” you ask her, a trace of bitterness creeping into your tone. “Every warrior I grow close with dies.”

“That's not your fault and you know it,” Valentina shuts you down immediately. “Do you know why I'm so content to just follow your lead so much of the time? Have you ever given it any thought?”

“I've... noticed,” you admit. “But I never wondered.”

“Well, I'll explain it to you,” she presses. “Once you told me who you are I realized what a lousy job you do hiding it. You carry yourself differently from the way we common-born warriors do, there's a dignity and confidence there even when your mouth is shut. And when you do open your mouth you're forceful, assertive... but never aggressive. You're not angry or compensating, like some of the rest of us, you're just used to being naturally in control.”

“And that... well, it inspires me,” Valentina admits. “It makes me want to show you my best. From what I can tell you tend to bring that out in people?”

You're silent for a moment. Emma certainly felt that way... you relied on each other for strength, you always knew that. But with Olivia, she seemed to take a liking to you after seeing the results of your battle against Saria. Did she, a warrior with the most selfless form of support ability you've ever heard of, see that same phenomenon at work?

Was it simple gratitude, or acknowledgment of something else?
>1/2

>>2739076
Eventually, you answer Valentina's question with a subtle nod.

“Then you should understand that those people you got close to,” Valentina continues quietly, “even if you were the cause of all their deaths? They probably never regretted it.”

“So yeah, mourn. By all means, I won't tell anyone and I won't hold it against you. But I will hold it against you if you stop being the person they wanted to be close to.”

“Valentina...” you mutter, words failing to capture the feeling swelling within your heart like a river after a storm.

>Try not to cry.
>Cry a little.
>Cry a lot.

>>2739080
>>Cry a little.

>>2739080
>>Cry a little.

>>2739080
>try not to cry
>do cry a little

>>2739080
>Try not to cry.
>fail
>Cry a lot.

>>2739080
>Don't cry

>>2739080
>>>Try not to cry.

>>2739080
>Cry a little.


So Olivia and Serana who was number three are hit. Honestly this seems like an Abyssal one Machination or our psycho number one setting shit up.

>>2739080
>Try not to cry.
>Cry a little.
>Cry a lot.

>>2739080
>Try not to cry.
>Cry a little.
>Cry a lot.

>Cry a like a bitch.

>>2739080
“Here,” you insist quietly, turning to lean back-to-back against Valentina. “Let's get some rest.”

After several long minutes, Valentina speaks up. “Are you crying?”

“Yes,” you admit quietly, seemingly to her surprise. “I can allow it when it's not for myself... but even so I'd still rather you not see it. Please try to understand.”

Despite your even tone, which even impresses yourself given how the tears already sting at your eyes, Valentina seems to grasp the situation. You're allowing yourself to cry for them, to mourn their memories... but at the same time you have certain standards you insist on maintaining even if it's just to maintain an image in front of a single friend who's watching.

That is often what life is like for a princess.

“Okay. I won't bring it up again.”

“Thank you.”

>>2739080
>>Cry a little.

>>2739080
>>2739203
>cry
>hug the shit out of Valentina

>>2739080
>Cry a lot.

>>2739203
>>Cry a little.

>>2739203
By sunrise the fire has burned low, so a few cups of water are sufficient to extinguish it for good.

True to her words, you and Valentina make no effort to talk about last night at all. Instead you simply get back to walking in silence, following the path winding above the river all the way to Fumaiolo, which you reach before midday.

At the inn, you meet with Katarina in the bar.

“Welcome back,” she greets you. “I've got some packages for you.”

“Can I have my clothes back?” Valentina asks.

“Of course,” Katarina nods curtly, motioning for one of her helpers to go and fetch all of the packages. Eventually that assistant returns with two uniforms, along with a pair of large wrapped packages that can only be claymores of the design the Organization issues.

No boots in that package for you, so you get to wear your Hazari riding boots for a while longer... which is some relief to you, and a clear source of jealousy from Valentina. Your hazari deel will have to go in your shoulder pack of course, which should rest nice and flat between the blade of your sword and the curve of your back. It will simply demand the addition of a little bit of spring steel to the leather strap of the bag.

“Thank you,” you nod subtly to Katarina. “Do you mind if we rent a room for one more night?”

She shrugs. “Not at all. You wanna eat with that room too?”

“You can expect us for dinner,” you nod in agreement, taking one of the swords and pulling back the cloth wrapping. The pommel has a slightly rounded end... this must be yours.

You head for the room Katarina gives you the keys for, and immediately set about changing.
>3d10, higher is better

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

>>2742103

Rolled 6, 8, 9 = 23 (3d10)

>>2742103

Rolled 3, 5, 9 = 17 (3d10)

>>2742103

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

>qm roll

>>2742130
Something catches your eye while Valentina is pulling her top off... the estigma which runs from the base of her throat down past the top of her breeches.

You reach out and touch it with your fingertips, causing your partner to start and flail wildly to get the shirt off over her head and onto the floor. “What the hell!?”

“Hold still,” you insist, backing her against the wall and tracing the length of her estigma a second time. “It's like it's healing... not quite healed, like a scar, but no longer an open wound.”

“Yeah, it's been like that since I had that...” she begins, before suddenly frowning. “Come on, you know how this goes. It closes up a bit when you partially awaken.”

It closes up... a bit? Not all the way? And does that mean she has a basis for comparison with other partly-awakened warriors whose stigma more closely resemble hers than yours?

>Show her your own stigma for comparison, see what she thinks about it.
>Ask if she knows anyone else like the two of you, this is a natural point to ask her about it.
>Try and avoid her notice for now, at least until you have a better idea of what's going on.
>Other?

>>2742130
And in case anyone was wondering, the QM roll was to see whether Valentina is ticklish.

She is.

>>2742147
>>Show her your own stigma for comparison, see what she thinks about it.
>Ask if she knows anyone else like the two of you, this is a natural point to ask her about it.
>Then again the amount of closure might be dictated by how close you were when you partially awaken. I was so close to the end The Awakened being I killed saw what I would have ended up like if I went all the way. You didn't get that close did you?

>>2742147
>>Show her your own stigma for comparison, see what she thinks about it.
We're basically in this together, I don't particularly see the harm.
>>2742153
kek

>>2742159
Let's go with this.

>>2742147
>Show her your own stigma for comparison, see what she thinks about it.
>other: trace her stigma again, while tracing your own, try and get a feel for the difference in stigma wounds

>>2742167
hahaha, let's do this too.

>>2742159
>>2742147
This is also a good one for exploring.

>>2742153
but the real question is: Is Noel ticklish?

>>2742174
WE HAVE TO FIND OUT!

only for science obviously, .... *cough*

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>>2742179

>>2742194
>>2742179
Science is the surface reason for touching Val's stigmata
the true reason for the tickling: for getting back at her for laughing at the "pink princess" joke

>>2742147
>Show her your own stigma for comparison, see what she thinks about it.

Technically we fully awakened, if only for an instant. But she only partially awakened.

>3d10, best of four
>higher is better

Rolled 1, 2, 4 = 7 (3d10)

>>2742664

Rolled 1, 3, 8 = 12 (3d10)

>>2742664

Rolled 6, 5, 10 = 21 (3d10)

>>2742664

Rolled 5, 9, 10 = 24 (3d10)

>>2742664

>>2742147
>Other?
Make sure there's no peeing tom around first.

>>2742928
I want out of your realm.

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>>2742928
>>2742996

>>2739139
If I were a serial killer claymore who wants to get other powers for the sake of power I would spare Serana because her ability is a weaker version of Saria's Earthbreaker. Olivia's insane cancer inducing regen power is a one of a kind so I would kill her for it. Then I would disguise the murder as an awakened being attack.

>>2742147
Your fingertips trace the length of her stigma once more, causing her to squirm slightly as you test its edges. Then you cross her belly back and forth, testing the strength of her abdominal walls on either side of where the wound lies. Eventually you come to a conclusion: Valentina is extremely ticklish.

Beet-red in the face, Valentina stares resolutely away... until you start to remove your own shirt.

“What are you... no, wait, you don't have to...” she begins stammering.

You silence her with a glare over your collar. “Shut up for a moment.”

She shoots a sidelong glance at you, eventually peering at your own scar. “What is this?”

Valentina prods at the spot where your stigma used to be. Her touch is far less gentle than your own, probably because she's been so stunned by what she's seeing.

“I wanted to get your opinion,” you admit. “Until I saw yours I had no basis for comparison.”

“I've never seen this,” Valentina admits. “It's not healing... it's healed. It's just a scar left.”

“Awakened beings don't still have scars,” you add for the sake of clarity. “And from what I've seen their eyes and hair return to their previous color.”

“Yeah, you're clearly one of us,” Valentina replies. “But your stigma is healed far more thoroughly.”

“One of us?” you repeat. “So there are other warriors like us?”

Valentina sighs deeply, pulling on the top of her uniform. “There... are. But Noel, I promised them that I wouldn't talk about it. We didn't make an exception for something like this.”

“Sorry.”

“I understand,” you admit. “Is there anything you can tell me?”

She considers the question carefully. “Mentioning their names would break my promise... but you know our number two, and you know to be afraid of the number one, right?”

You nod in confirmation.

“Well, that leaves seven single-digits including you, right?”

“That's how the math works,” you confirm.

“Well, one of the remaining six single-digits is like us,” Valentina confirms. “You figure out which of them that is and ask her, and she'll explain everything.”

>So... all you have to do is narrow down the candidates. It's not one or two, and you don't get the impression it's the new number nine.
>Suggest to Valentina that it may be simpler for her to simply tell this single-digit warrior that you're like them and you want to talk.
>Ask her if there's some way to discern which one it is... like a secret handshake or something.
>Other?

>>2743318
>>So... all you have to do is narrow down the candidates. It's not one or two, and you don't get the impression it's the new number nine.

>>2743318
>Ask her if there's some way to discern which one it is... like a secret handshake or something.

>>2743318
>Suggest to Valentina that it may be simpler for her to simply tell this single-digit warrior that you're like them and you want to talk.
I personally would be glad to deduce it on my own, but we players don't have enough info on the single digits.

>>2743318
>Ask her if there's some way to discern which one it is... like a secret handshake or something.
If Valentina confirms or denies to the above,
>other: We'll have to make our own secret handshake then. And I know just the perfect code to use.
>So... all you have to do is narrow down the candidates. It's not one or two, and you don't get the impression it's the new number nine.
If all else fails,
>So... all you have to do is narrow down the candidates. It's not one or two, and you don't get the impression it's the new number nine.

>>2743318
>>So... all you have to do is narrow down the candidates. It's not one or two, and you don't get the impression it's the new number nine.

>>2743318
>>So... all you have to do is narrow down the candidates. It's not one or two, and you don't get the impression it's the new number nine.

>>2743318
"Omg just tell them about me then Valentina."

>>2743381
In with this, I suppose

>>2743367
>>2743456
This would be a lot easier, support?

>>2743456
supporting this

>>2743381
>>2743318
You know what? I'm changing my vote to the simple solution.
>Suggest to Valentina that it may be simpler for her to simply tell this single-digit warrior that you're like them and you want to talk.

So a thought occurred to me:
>How non-standard is Noel's gear compared to the org standard? Her sword for all intents an purposes is now a custom made claymore.
Will the other claymores be jealous?
>How did word spread about Noel's new nickname so fast among the organization? Is it as simple as word of mouth rumor or is there some ye-olde forum board where claymores and org staff leave notes on it?

>>2744272
Her sword is a deeply personal piece of kit yes, but her Hazari riding boots while personal are not out of line with other warriors. The Organization is not so tight with its regulations as to deny specific footwear to warriors who may demand different specifications, such as the level of waterproofing or how well it works on snow or sand. Her backpack is an oddity, but not one most of her peers would bat an eye at.

That sword though.

IC Noel isn't even totally sure how the handlers get around as quickly as they do. But as she herself noted rumors spread far quicker than facts, and the same holds true for warriors.

>>2744416
>Reforged Demascus pattern Quillion using the original quillion metal mixed with blade metal
>Sigils of Olivia and Emma engraved onto the sword alongside Noel's own sigil.
>Blue hilt wrappings to denote single digit ranking
>Standard pommel replaced with Olivia's personal pommel
yeah I can see how much of an eye catcher it will be. Are we gonna see other claymores be visibly envious/jealous?

>>2744416
...has anyone ever just asked?
"Hey tommie boy, how you zip around like that, huh?"

>3d10, best of three

Rolled 7, 2, 5 = 14 (3d10)

>>2745202
I apologize

Rolled 6, 8, 9 = 23 (3d10)

>>2745202

Rolled 7, 3, 9 = 19 (3d10)

>>2745202

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>>2744966

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>>2745202
“I might be able to narrow down the list of possibilities,” you admit, “but it would be far easier if you just told the single-digit in question to contact me when she gets the chance. That gets around the question entirely.”

Valentina pounds her fist into her palm. “See, now I'm wondering why I didn't think of that!”

“It will be far slower than simply telling me,” you sigh, “but short of that, it's the best I can think of.”

“Then I'll do exactly that,” Valentina agrees. “So look forward to hearing from her at some point.”

“Thank you,” you nod in gratitude. “So, I guess I should take a look at the new sword?”

“I'm surprised you haven't already.”

You unwrap the blade, its weight and heft completely familiar in your hands, even natural. The blade itself is unchanged, and the wooden hilt is now blue-stained wood as you already have accepted would be true. The pommel is still Olivia's, bearing a small facsimile of her emblem in silver wire inlay on the rounded end... you can't help but feel a pang of some emotion there which you quickly bury with practiced efficiency.

But it's the crossguard that really catches the eye. The silvery metal of Saria's blade fragments run through it in wavy veins, one of which is carefully marked with a small emblem in gold wire inlay, and this hardened metal makes up the flattened terminal ends which will be striking the tough hide of your targets... hopefully for many years to come. The golden metal of Emma's crossguard makes up the majority of the visible surface, and in one spot bears her emblem in much the same way that Olivia's old pommel bears hers.

It's impossible not to touch the emblem lightly with your fingertips.

“It's beautifully done,” Valentina's offhand remark snaps you out of a near trance. “These new parts... they came from other warriors' swords?”

“That's right,” you admit, sliding the blade into the retaining clip on your backpack's strap. “Emma's crossguard which broke at Anren, the sword once carried by Saria who broke that crossguard used to reinforce it, and Olivia's pommel.”

“It... says something about you,” Valentina nods approvingly. “Something good I think. You're a remarkable woman, Noel.”

>Thank you. I appreciate it, Valentina.
>So are you. We all are, in our own ways.
>So were they. And that's why I did it.
>Other?

>>2745681
>So were they. And that's why I did it.

>>2745681
>>So were they. And that's why I did it.

>>2745681
>So are you. We all are, in our own ways.

>>2745681
>So were they. And that's why I did it.
>you're a remarkable woman too Valentina.
>other: Caress the crossguard. try not to lost yourself in the nostalgia. Lose yourself in the nostalgia.

>>2745681
>So were they. And that's why I did it.
>other: caress and trace the patterns with a nostalgic look.

>>2745681
>So were they. And that's why I did it.

>>2745681
>>So were they. And that's why I did it.

>>2745681
>So were they. And that's why I did it.

>>2745681
“So were they, and that's why I did it,” you explain. “They deserve to be remembered.”

“They deserved a lot of things,” Valentina adds. “Well... I guess we'll be going our separate ways then?”

“Probably,” you acknowledge. “I've enjoyed getting to know you, Valentina. Really.”

“Same,” Valentina admits. “You're not quite what I imagined... but in a way, you're even better. I'm really glad we got a chance to work together.”

“Let's do it again some time, okay?”

“Of course,” you agree immediately. “But you have to promise me one thing.”

“And that is?”

You give her a quick embrace. “Don't get yourself killed.”

After a moment of stunned silence, she returns the gesture. “Yeah. It's a promise.”

>>2746273
And this is where I'll be pausing until tomorrow, since there's a logical break here anyway.

>>2746273
So she's totally dead right guys?

>>2746470
God fucking dammit anon.

>>2746470
I won't say anything about any specific characters but I've given serious thought to this, and at a certain point killing off TOO many named characters keeps people from getting attached to any of them, which means killing them loses any meaning. There's also a tendency to get numb to deaths when every single person you meet gets killed.

Which isn't a guarantee that Valentina is "safe", but it should illustrate the balance that I feel needs to be struck here.

>>2746722
From my perspective as a player, i don't want to see a character die unless they deserve it, or if they really, really should, probably because of the story requiring it somehow.

That said, i also want the threat of someone dying to be real.
So i suppose the ideal would be being able to trust that your QM *will* kill a character if you fuck up hard enough, but knowing that he won't as long as you're really, actually trying, unless the story demands it.

>>2746722
>There's also a tendency to get numb to deaths when every single person you meet gets killed.

Well that sounds pretty Claymore-ish. Also 40Kish.

>>2746876
I honestly feel pretty similarly. I think people kind of feel like Claymore is going to be high-lethality by necessity, where Noel's backstory (unknown mother, dead father, dead best friend) and the deaths of Saria and now Olivia feed into that perception.

>>2746955
i would hope that the threat potential is somewhat higher than in SSQ, but certainly not at SOMNIUS levels or anything.

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>>2746961

>>2746955
it's gonna be high drama all around.

As far as the current canon character deaths go:
Saria's death (despite being backstory) was done well in a tragic light. Saria was stronger than Noel by a long shot, yet she died in a sacrificial play that kept Noel alive in the end.

You did pretty well with how you handled Olivia and her death. You gave us about 2 days for us to endear to her "motherly" personality and preference for selfless sacrificial moves due to her life long goal (saving Emma by killing her) all the while dropping hints that she'll have a high chance of not making it due to how she operates and how her lifelong goal has been completed.

That said. Given Noel's track record of friends/comrades (Saria died on the hunt despite being stronger than Noel in the backstory, Olivia also died despite being stronger than Noel offscreen in-quest), Valentina as a character and the need to know if she's alive will now leave a pretty big impact on the playerbase perception of the quest as the third friend Noel has made among claymores.

>>2746952
That's somewhat claymore-ish, but at the same time it's darker than claymore. Also in canon claymore I find it somewhat surprising that the ratio of on-screen character deaths and the characters left alive by the end of the quest is leans towards the "many of Clare's friends are alive in the end".

>>2746722
We'll be the judge of the balance you're trying to illustrate the next time Valentina appears or gets mentioned IC. First friend's death can be forgiven as backstory, second friend's death is a tragedy, Third friend's death however will cement the pattern.

>>2747071
>that quest bingo game.
If I applied that bingo game to Claymore Quest, I would say Queen did a pretty good job blocking any of the potential bingos. The best I can do is getting 2 away from a single potential bingo, many other spaces have been either shot down by the tone and format of the quest or by Queen himself officially weighing in on a statement.

>>2747287
You mixed up Saria and Emma anon.
I agree though. The first death was a backstory, the second one established the stakes and tone, but a third one would likely be too much unless the palyers are to blame.

It can also be pretty jarring if the characters who get screen time are basically doomed despite surviving for a long time defore they entered the story. I had this problem with GoT. It's like the characters lose all the survival ability they had the moment they are written into the plot.

>>2747394
>GoT
gonna need to explain that quest anon. abbreviations won't cut it for some of them.

>>2747409
I meant the Game of Thrones.

>>2747394
>I had this problem with GoT
Thank you. It's frustrating being the only one of my friends and coworkers who feels that way about it.

>>2747422
from the second hand accounts and impressions of GoT that I'm hearing, it sounds like a one giant snuff series that has transcended from literature form into a grotesque tv show with Medieval fantasy as the backdrop. Should I try it or is it too much of a hassle?

>>2747432
I can't tell you about the TV show, I only read some of the books.
The grimdarkness in the books is tiring.

>>2747432
I wouldn't bother with the books because they're never going to be finished, and the show has the same problem I'd personally have had with the books.

A story can be driven by two things: by the plot, or by the characters. If your background setting is way more interesting than the actual plot, then we have a problem because why are you not involving the setting more heavily in the story rather than whatever dumb plot you're working with? And if you're trying to drive a story with characters you have to do a better job than GRRM does at making some of them at least tolerable. He never really gets CLOSE to "compelling".

>>2747480
I'd argue, but I've read world of Ice and Fire more times than the actual series, I own both. You're totally right

There will be a delay until the afternoon, couldn't quite get the update ready since I also have to set up the new region Noel is assigned to.

>>2747737
I wonder what kind of culture kingdom we're going to patrol now?

>>2747737
Wait we gotta change region? That sucks!

>>2748020
I don't have the pic on my phone, but it's not that far of a move.

>>2748042
Did you update the map?

>>2747854
A kingdom full of thots!

>>2748161
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wlglg1er89lxkjb/begone_thot_sfx.wav?dl=0

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>>2746273
You are Noel Tiberius di Hazaran, now ranked seventh in the Organization.

The death of your friend Olivia, as well as the maiming of Serana and her demotion to ninth, have led to a meteoric rise into the single digit ranks. The day you learned of your promotion and got your sword back, the same day you parted ways with Valentina, was a week ago. You rented a horse in Fumaiolo and instead of being paid back for your deposit, you put that coin towards buying a horse of your own when you reached your new assigned region. It's a stocky colt, a well-bred highland beast that would be doing just fine on its own were you to turn it loose, but which tolerates your presence equally well for the time being.

Now, you are in Cuilan.

The mountains here are often just as high as the highest in Hazaran, but the peaks make up more of the total area of the region. That means they feel less prominent, but there's less room for cities like the Capital and hardly anywhere to grow things other than what you'd call marginal land.

The cold is brutal here, especially at night, and there's very little to remind you of what life must be like in the foothills on either the dry side or the wet side of the mountain peaks... which either way, fall outside your purview now. And much like Hazaran there are wide swathes of terrain that have nothing more than a few scattered homes and small villages, though without the denser concentrations of your homeland.

All things considered it's nice out here, in a humble sort of a way.

“I see you are enjoying yourself,” a familiar voice interrupts your musings.

“I was, Tomas,” you sigh, glancing at your horse as he grazes on the stubbly grasses nearby. “What do you want?”

“There's a mission lined up for you,” he explains. “Towards the north.”

“Isn't that Valentina's region?” you ask.

"It was until recently,” Tomas reminds you. “But the new number nineteen is out responding to another situation at the moment.”

“And Laura's not available either?” you grumble.

>3d10, best of three
>there will be another update a little later this evening

Rolled 8, 1, 2 = 11 (3d10)

>>2748794

Rolled 7, 4, 1 = 12 (3d10)

>>2748794
Here's hoping Valentina doesn't die.

>>2748794
Everything is horse

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

>>2748794

>>2748799
>>2748800
>>2748813
A roll not above 20? In Claymore quest? WHAT MADNESS IS THIS!?!

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>>2748813
>>2748800
>>2748799

>>2748818
>tfw Noel's first mission is one where a situation has gone fubar'd because of shitty dice.
>welcome to the single digit life
The suffering never ends.

>>2748802
except these rolls, which are horseshit.

Well, unfortunately I'm exhausted and won't be able to finish what I started. Should be able to get out an update tomorrow morning though, so that's where we'll have to pick up.

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>>2749265
“Laura has concerns elsewhere,” Tomas replies. “Were I in your position I would focus solely on your own mission.”

“Fair enough,” you sigh, stretching your arms... though you can't help but feel that you missed an opportunity just now, it's hard for you to think of what that might have been. “I assume you intend to give me some further details to work with?”

“I do,” Tomas agrees with a nod. “This mission will take you across the border into Sakia, where we have reports of a yōma that has been attacking some of the farmsteads there.”

“That's not all there is to it, of course,” you guess.

Tomas simply laughs at your deduction. “Correct, of course! This is a strange incident, since our report also indicates that no humans have been killed... yet.”

“No fatalities?” you ask, incredulous. Usually for there to have been a report to the Organization there would have to have been one or two corpses... fear for one's life has to outweigh fear of the Organization and its warriors, the fear of you. So either these people aren't afraid of you for some reason, or...

“What are these 'farmsteads' growing?” you demand.

“Ah, that truth is for you to discover yourself,” Tomas smiles. “Though I have my own private thoughts I wouldn't wish to give you false information, and the request did not specify.”

Whatever it is they're growing out there in the highlands of Sakia, there's one thing that must be true: there has to be a lot of money in it. Ever since “civilization” became the new natural state of man, fears of economic loss have replaced his fear of death as the primary motivator for most of the time. And while you do want to know what they're growing that's so special, you're also keen to learn why it is a yōma would be threatening it rather than simply eating all the people living in the region and moving on.

>I'll be sure to record all the relevant details of the situation before exterminating the yōma.
>I'll confess, I'm not sure what the Organization expects me to do. Any thoughts on that, Tomas?
>What you SEEM to be implying is that you want me to interrogate the yōma before killing it.
>Other?

>>2750327
>What you SEEM to be implying is that you want me to interrogate the yōma before killing it.

>>2750327
>What you SEEM to be implying is that you want me to interrogate the yōma before killing it.

>>2750327
>What you SEEM to be implying is that you want me to interrogate the yōma before killing it.

>>2750327
>>What you SEEM to be implying is that you want me to interrogate the yōma before killing it.

>>2750327
>I'll confess, I'm not sure what the Organization expects me to do. Any thoughts on that, Tomas?
>other: Overt operations or incognito?

>>2750451
support
request for more coin.

>>2750327
>>I'll be sure to record all the relevant details of the situation before exterminating the yōma.

>>2750327
>What you SEEM to be implying is that you want me to interrogate the yōma before killing it.

>>2750327
“What you seem to be implying is that you want me to interrogate the yōma before killing it,” you realize aloud, your eyes narrowing somewhat at the notion. “Would that be incorrect?”

“Of the current single-digit warriors, it's my luck to get one who understands the concept of discretion,” Tomas nods once. “You're not wrong. While the committee is expecting a precise report of your observations, their unspoken goal is no doubt to understand the reasons behind this yōma's unusual behavior.”

“Were one to manage the successful interrogation of a yōma, that would produce the sort of information desired.”

“Of course any yōma must understand that a warrior cannot allow it to leave alive, so threats of death would hardly achieve the desired result,” you point out.

“I have every confidence that you can determine an effective means of coercion,” your handler insists with a smile. “Remember, we'll be counting on you Noel.”

“Wonderful,” you grumble. “Alright, where should I report?”

“The client is a ranch owner by the name of Byron,” Tomas informs you. “Take the road into Sakia until you reach a fork, then bear left. The nearest town is called Acerrae.”

“Understood,” you nod, whistling for your horse.

The beast of burden, which you've named Alysheba in honor of the horse your father purchased as a yearling for you when you were a child just learning to ride, is a hardy breed similar to the sort of animal you can find in Hazaran: a cross between the stout mountain-horses and riding breeds of the northern steppes. In this case however the stock probably draws from Karluk and Cuilan, instead of inner Hazaran and Sakia.

The result is a small, sturdy animal with the grace and agility of much taller breeds, one which will be pleasant to ride all day but which will also be sure of foot on the rougher paths of the high mountain passes. Alysheba happens to be a bay, with dark primitive markings on his neck and head and dark feathering around his hooves, a fine animal that cost you a fair bit of the leftover coin from your mission to Skansen.

“Hey,” you greet him, gently rubbing his forehead. “You ready for a long ride?”

Alysheba snorts and bumps his head against your shoulder. You're not sure he actually understood any of what you said, but he seems well-rested and in good health. So you hurl yourself up into the saddle and give his ribs an encouraging kick, charging towards the higher passes of Cuilan.

>3d10, taking the third roll only

Rolled 3, 5, 1 = 9 (3d10)

>>2750723
Pet the hors

Rolled 6, 4, 3 = 13 (3d10)

>>2750723

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

>>2750723

How strange, if Noel was a regular claymore then any animal she would approach would react with fear and loathing. But since she became partially awakened (technically fully awakened but the transformation ran out of power half-way through), this is the first case an animal reacted with something other than fear. it must be the fact that she's not leaking the smell of yoma from her estigma.

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>>2750723
You're aware of being watched as you ride high into the mountains, following a fast-flowing river that's cut a valley along a modest slope deep into the Cuilan. The real question is why you wouldn't have expected this given the terrain and the wide open spaces. With only a single traveler on horseback the only remaining factor is whether or not there is a more tempting target further up the trail or behind you... if not, you'll almost certainly be attacked either tonight or tomorrow night.

Unfortunately you failed to notice until too late in the evening... there's no time to gather a feed bag for Alysheba to keep him walking through the night, so you have to content yourself with letting him graze for a while near the path. Fortunately there's enough grass nearby, but you have to sacrifice the last few hours of daylight to stay with him as he eats his fill. Then, as darkness falls, you hitch him to a low tree stump and set a fire in a hollow at the base of a nearby boulder.

No sleep comes, and so you're still awake when you hear the sound of soft leather soles crushing gravel and grass underfoot.

>Extinguish your fire. Your sight in the dark will be better than that of your attackers.
>Alysheba is still saddled and the moon is out. You can take your chances on the trail.
>The raiders are expecting an easy mark. Make it clear you're not and they may leave.
>Other?

>>2751013
>Extinguish your fire. Your sight in the dark will be better than that of your attackers.

>>2751013
>Extinguish your fire. Your sight in the dark will be better than that of your attackers.

>>2751013
>Extinguish your fire. Your sight in the dark will be better than that of your attackers.

>>2751013
>>The raiders are expecting an easy mark. Make it clear you're not and they may leave.

>>2751013
>Extinguish your fire. Your sight in the dark will be better than that of your attackers. The sound that echoes from the hollow will unnerve them.
>other: change your voice and eyes, drag your sword on the ground at random intervals.

>>2751013
>>Extinguish your fire. Your sight in the dark will be better than that of your attackers.

>>2751013
>>Extinguish your fire. Your sight in the dark will be better than that of your attackers.

>3d10, best of three

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

>>2751379

Rolled 8, 8, 6 = 22 (3d10)

>>2751379

Rolled 9, 6, 8 = 23 (3d10)

>>2751379

>>2751416
Well done, anon!

>>2751454
ty

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88 KB JPG

>>2751416
You quickly kick out your little fire and scoop up a few embers into a little tinder pouch, where they smoulder and smoke, before grabbing Alysheba by the reins. You pull him along parallel to the trail for about fifteen minutes, staying among the trees just downslope from the exposed pathway, before reaching the edge of a cold, glacial lake. Here you pile a few handfuls of tinder and some small sticks, before dumping the smouldering leather pouch into the middle of it. The dry tinder catches almost immediately, and you quickly lead Alysheba back towards the road before hopping into the saddle.

With a little luck the raiders will head towards the now very visible campfire by the lake, giving you even a little more time to get away from them before they figure out that you've given them all the slip.

Pressing on for a few hours you eventually tie Alysheba up again and don't set a fire this time, instead taking an hour or two to rest in the dark.

When the sun rises you set out again along the trail, stopping in at a small wayside building.

“Anyone here?” you call out, knocking at the wooden door.

A few minutes later a young man arrives at the door, staring at you with a stern glare. “We don't serve your kind here.”

Ignoring the obvious, you press on. “I don't need your service. What I want is to ask how far to the col along this pass?”

“Five hours by horse,” the man replies. “So it's best to get going, yeah?”

You're starting to think that maybe he has a point. “Thank you.”

The man's glare softens somewhat at the courtesy. “Yeah, well. Good luck, I guess.”

Several hours later you start to understand why he said that... the cold is bitter, and there's no grass growing here for Alysheba to graze on.

>Backtrack, take some time to prepare a little better to clear the high pass.
>Push onward. Slowing down increases your chances of getting caught by the weather.
>Other?

>>2751846
>Push onward. Slowing down increases your chances of getting caught by the weather.

>>2751846
>>Backtrack, take some time to prepare a little better to clear the high pass.

>>2751846
>>Push onward. Slowing down increases your chances of getting caught by the weather.

>>2751846
>Push onward. Slowing down increases your chances of getting caught by the weather.

>>2751846
>>Push onward. Slowing down increases your chances of getting caught by the weather.

>3d10, best of four due to competence and lack of opposition

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

>>2752185

Rolled 10, 2, 2 = 14 (3d10)

>>2752185

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

>>2752185
We got this.

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

>>2752185

As it turns out, the weather fucking hates Noel.

>>2752403
Makes sense, we are a princess

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159 KB JPG

>>2752185
The weather you were fearing begins to materialize as you press onwards towards the col, and despite your skills at riding it takes you every minute of the five hours you were told to reach the highest point in the pass, right on the shoulder between two great peaks. The air is thin and there's nothing to shelter you from the wind, but the worst part is what you find here at the side of the road: a checkpoint. Mostly low earth and stone walls with a single tower, nestled around a natural outcropping, with tiny windows designed to handle the stresses of the high winds this place must get in the spring and winter.

“All the way up here?” you mutter, riding past a small group of travelers with a trio of packmules... probably locals from one side or the other, seemingly carrying dried foods and hay. “The government here must be strapped for cash.”

“You'd best not think of running the checkpoint either miss,” one of the travelers rolls his eyes. “They'd skin us alive for trying, and we're the ones feeding them ingrates.”

“So it's a permanent station?” you ask.

The man nods. “Except in the dead of winter, where livin' up here'd be suicide, yeah.”

Well... you suppose you'll be through here fairly often, so while you could just disappear past the checkpoint you'd rather not get on the locals' bad side. Otherwise they'll be on the lookout for a pink-haired warrior next time, and they will spot you.

And so even as the weather grows worse around you, you're obliged to wait and watch for the line to process. But in doing so you burn another hour just waiting before you get to check yourself through.

“The fee's five gold per horse,” the officer insists blandly. That's not awful, so you hand him the tiny gold coins without complaint. “And I need to see your travel papers.”

Those... aren't a real thing, so far as you're aware.

“I don't have any,” you reply simply.

“Well, you need them,” the officer insists. “Otherwise we'll have to confiscate your horse and hold you here until we can verify your identity.”

“And how much will it cost to arrange for these papers?” you ask, sensing a trap in progress.

“One hundred.”

That clearly can't be legitimate. How do they even intend to 'verify' your identity out here in the middle of nowhere with no written sources to check your details against?

>Point out the glaring hole in their scam, see what they say for themselves.
>Offer thirty and “your silence” instead, suggest they take the money.
>Carefully explain to them what happens when the Organization blacklists you.
>Other?

>>2753261
>Point out the glaring hole in their scam, see what they say for themselves.

>>2753261
>Point out the glaring hole in their scam, see what they say for themselves.

>>2753261
>Carefully explain to them what happens when the Organization blacklists you.

>>2753261
>Carefully explain to them what happens when the Organization blacklists you.

>>2753261
>>Carefully explain to them what happens when the Organization blacklists you.
I'm okay with intimidation and threats.

>>2753261
>Point out the flaws in their scam.

They don't seem to know we're a Claymore yet, and I don't want to let them know so easily.

>>2753326
>>2753261
bleh. changing and locking in my vote.
>Point out the glaring hole in their scam, see what they say for themselves.

>>2753261
>Point out the glaring hole in their scam, see what they say for themselves.

>>2753261
>>Point out the glaring hole in their scam, see what they say for themselves.