>>2874443
>sign language communication only

>>2874443
>Lead with your fists, wait to draw until you're obliged and try using the principles of this 'iai' technique you've read about when you do so.

>>2874443
>>Lead with standard swordsmanship, save your specialty for a surprise attack at a range too close for the awakened being to dodge.

>>2874443

>Lead with standard swordsmanship, save your specialty for a surprise attack at a range too close for the awakened being to dodge.
Shhhh...
Only dreams now.

>>2874443
>Let Serana lead, you want to see her in action and determine her capabilities and limits before you commit to a strategy.

She's higher ranked, and the wombo combo is invincible.

>>2874450
I'm going to make a ruling on this: Serana has had about a day to learn. She can't make use of sign language yet, her previous attempts at communication have relied on tracing letters on Noel's skin with her fingertips specifically for this reason.

>>2874443
>Lead with your fists, wait to draw until you're obliged and try using the principles of this 'iai' technique you've read about when you do so.

>will wait a few more minutes for a tiebreaker

>>2874443
You forgot to tweet, king, on mobile so I can't vote

>>2874443
>Lead with standard swordsmanship, save your specialty for a surprise attack at a range too close for the awakened being to dodge.

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

>>2874531
That's weird. Could have sworn that I'd posted it, the pattern is always thread up, archive, twitter, then discord.

Rolled 4, 7, 8 = 19 (3d10)

>>2874553

Rolled 9, 3, 4 = 16 (3d10)

>>2874553

Rolled 4, 7, 4 = 15 (3d10)

>>2874553

>>2874553
You decide that this awakened being can't have seen your specialty as anything but a really hard punch, at least not at this early stage in the fight. Which gives you a definite advantage going forward in that your White Fist will come as a surprise to her.

That means getting in close, and staying close, for as long as it takes to find a single clear opening where you can hit her in the head, or under the arm. Either one will let you attack her vital organs, either with the intent of causing a concussion or by striking against her ribcage hard enough that the force transfers through into the widest part of her lungs. Either could be effective.

You give a nod to Serana, and make your attack in unison. She moves to the right, so that her left arm and her sword are between her body and the enemy, and you take the left side.

“Attacking me in unison?” the awakened being practically moans. “Good, good!”

She parries your strike with her wrist, your blade catching in the thin gap between two plates of chitinous armor that are rapidly growing from her forearm.

“What's wrong!?” she crows, kicking Serana violently in the ribs and sending her through the nearest wall before using her arm to sling you down the street towards a crowd of her thralls. With a twist of your wrist you manage to wrench your sword free before it's pulled from your own grasp. “If you want to get inside me you'll have to try harder than that, little Claymore!”

“Stop...” you grunt, swinging your sword in a wide arc to slaughter the formerly human men who rushed recklessly forward to... you hope... try to kill you.

“... talking!”

The awakened being's body has changed shape by the time you've struck down your would-be attackers. Her entire body is covered by those same plates, which don't quite slide over each other at the edges, and her hair seems to be matted into long, tendril-like formations not unlike writhing snakes.

You can only guess whether her internal structure has changed at all, but from what little you know the inner organs of an awakened being don't actually disappear. You just can't be sure where they are within her body or what might be lying behind those armored bands that now comprise her body.

Serana emerges from the ruined house she crashed into, shaking her head to clear it. She sees where you are, and watches you carefully for cues.

>Continue with the plan, engage in close quarters while looking for a lung/head shot.
>This will be a new strategy... throw your blade and charge in after it with White Fist.
>Sheath your sword and try leading with White Fist, at least until you know more about her transformation.
>Other?

>>2874609
>>Sheath your sword and try leading with White Fist, at least until you know more about her transformation

>>2874609
>Sheath your sword and try leading with White Fist, at least until you know more about her transformation.

>>2874609
>Sheathe your sword, use white fist.
>go for the neck and her adam's apple/voicebox. shut this bitch and her innuendos before she drives you insane and soils your memories of your mother.

>>2874609
>This will be a new strategy... throw your blade and charge in after it with White Fist.
Proverbial balls to the wall

>>2874609
>>This will be a new strategy... throw your blade and charge in after it with White Fist.
I'm hoping the surprise factor is worth something.

>>2874609
>>Sheath your sword and try leading with White Fist, at least until you know more about her transformation.

>3d10, DC 17, critical 22
>best of three

Rolled 2, 6, 6 = 14 (3d10)

>>2874661

Rolled 9, 1, 8 = 18 (3d10)

>>2874661

Rolled 7, 4, 8 = 19 (3d10)

>>2874661

And caught up! Now I can participate.

>>2874661
You decide to change pace, and after rushing the awakened being again you raise your sword... only to abruptly sheath it as you sidestep her retaliatory punch. Then you land a perfect blow against the base of her neck, forcing yōki into the flesh around her vocal cords and probably causing massive hemorrhaging.

But more importantly, after coughing up some blood, she realizes that she can't speak.

“Good!” you smirk wickedly. “Suck on that you awakened whore.”

The twin insults of your destruction of her voice and your cheap taunt draw her ire to the point that she thrusts her fingertips into your shoulder, pushing you away with all of her focus solely on killing you. Which leaves her blind to Serana's maneuver.

Your partner takes the awakened being's back and raises her sword to take her head next.

The awakened being's eyes widen in surprise as the segments of her body split open, and dozens of muscular tendrils burst from her neck, back, and chest. These tendrils lash at both of you with an eldritch strength born of pure fury, breaking your left collarbone and smacking you through a wall. You end up on the opposite side of a polished hardwood bar, where the now-broken taps spout lukewarm beer onto the floor.

Gross.

You eventually stagger back out through the hole you made in the wall to check on Serana's condition, and find that she's badly bloodied. But from the look of it she's not lethally wounded, just pierced through in several nonvital places.

A grunt of pain escapes your lips as you use your own muscles to force the two halves of your collarbone into position so they can start knitting back together. Which they do immediately.

Watching the awakened being's tendrils moving, you begin to get the impression that her entire body is comprised of nothing but these tendrils, her segmented exoskeleton, and her formerly-human innards.

The question is whether that should change your strategy.

>All-out White Fist assault, cause as much internal damage as you can until those tendrils can't defend her internal organs.
>Draw your sword and throw it, use that to cover your charge and possibly give you a few more options when you get to her.
>As much as you hate to phrase it this way, you need better penetration. Try to focus your White Fist into your fingertips for a reckless charge.
>Other?

>>2874731
>>All-out White Fist assault, cause as much internal damage as you can until those tendrils can't defend her internal organs.
Hitting her just so she couldn't talk was pretty amusing.

>>2874731
>>Draw your sword and throw it, use that to cover your charge and possibly give you a few more options when you get to her.

>>2874731
>>All-out White Fist assault, cause as much internal damage as you can until those tendrils can't defend her internal organs.

>>2874731
>Draw your sword and throw it, use that to cover your charge and possibly give you a few more options when you get to her.

>>2874731
And here I thought hentai tentacles are supposed to be violating women. but here the hentai tentacles is the woman instead! how does one violate a being of hentai tentacles?
>other: Try focusing your White Fist into the sides of your palm for chops instead of punches.
>other: Turn the tables and spout innuendos at her instead. Like the tentacle whore she is.
>Draw your sword and throw it, use that to cover your charge and possibly give you a few more options when you get to her.

>>2874752
I like this.

>>2874731
>>2874752
Sure, I'll back this

>3d10 for tactical sword throwing action
>dc 17, crit 23
>best of three

Rolled 10, 2, 4 = 16 (3d10)

>>2874783

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

>>2874783

>>2874731
>All-out White Fist assault, cause as much internal damage as you can until those tendrils can't defend her internal organs.

Rolled 6, 1, 3 = 10 (3d10)

>>2874783

Rolled 9, 6, 1 = 16 (3d10)

>>2874783

Rolled 10, 4, 5 = 19 (3d10)

>>2874783

>>2874787
>>2874788
jesus anons, one at a time please. the mediocrity curse is hitting us full force.

>>2874795
I'm not an anon, anon.

Rolled 1, 6, 7, 10 = 24 (4d10)

>>2874783
>QM roll

>>2874805
oh dear

>>2874805
that better be Serena covering our asses.

>>2874808
Chill, it's a 4d10.
So only mildly worrying.

File: serana_inspiration.png (1.06 MB, 944x884)

1.06 MB PNG

>>2874805
With a mighty windup and a swift prayer, you hurl your sword at the awakened being... who simply dodges your attack a second later.

Well fuck.

That was going to be so cool if it worked, but now you don't have a sword.

Then a blade embeds itself through the left side of the awakened being's chest, bursting through a gap in her armor somewhere between her shoulder and her nipple.

“Gah!” the awakened being gasps in pain. “Normally I'd be fine with you playing with my ti...”

Serana sweeps her blade... no, she sweeps your blade past the awakened being's head as she ducks out of the way, just barely avoiding decapitation.

>Punch the awakened being.
>Pin the awakened being.
>Punch the sword.
>Other?

>>2874820
>>Punch the awakened being.
Gahaha, did she just regenerate her vocal chords just to make another innuendo?

>>2874820
>Pin the awakened being.

>>2874820
>>Punch the sword.

>>2874820
>Punch the sword.

>>2874820

>Punch the sword.
>Other: "If you have time to talk then fellate this claymore you sword slut!"

>>2874820
>Punch the sword.

>>2874837
anon please. so undignified

>>2874837
HA! YES!

>>2874831
I'm gonna rule that's kind of out of character. The timing is inappropriate mostly, and if Noel were to make a comment after landing a devastating hit it'd be a quick one-liner.

>>2874820
>>Punch the sword.

I'm kinda worried that when you guys 'punch the sword' it's just gonna be a shitload of those tendrils breaking out and lashing everywhere.

>3d10, best of four

>>2874820
>>Punch the awakened being.
ONE PUNCH LET'S GO

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

>>2874863

Rolled 7, 10, 5 = 22 (3d10)

>>2874863

Rolled 7, 2, 3 = 12 (3d10)

>>2874863

Rolled 5, 2, 2 = 9 (3d10)

>>2874863

Rolled 10, 1, 2, 8 = 21 (4d10)

>>2874863
QM roll

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

>>2874863

>>2874872
aaaah, the phantom 4rth die

>>2874872
As the awakened being's focus shifts to Serana and she turns in place, you focus as much yōki into your legs as possible and kick off, dashing forward with reckless speed. But instead of punching the awakened being herself your yōki-encased palm meets the blade of Serana's sword right where it's meeting her back, and your right hand grasps the hilt. One pulls towards you, the other pushes away with explosive force.

The result is a lot of blood. You nearly lose your hand from the middle of your palm to your fingertips as the edge cuts deep enough to crack bone, but the effect on the awakened being's body is worse. The bony armor plates crack as they're pushed out of the way, and bright blood sprays everywhere and covers the left side of your face as the blade severs something vital.

“Ah...” the awakened being moans in something approaching ecstasy. “I felt that... so deep inside...”

Then your own sword passes cleanly through her neck as Serana lands the finishing strike against your shared foe.

The head rolls across the ground as the body collapses.

“Well, this is awkward,” the awakened being muses. “You there, slaves!”

The formerly-human thralls don't heed her words.

After you've retrieved Serana's blade and exchanged your weapons, you notice that the thralls are closing in. But they're not attacking you.

Instead they seem more interested in the awakened being's discarded body.

“No, I'm down here you imbeciles!” the awakened being calls out. “Come here and pick me up already!”

They're still not listening... and if they're about to start doing what you think...

You're just going to have to slaughter them all before that happens. There's a limit to the sort of disgusting things you'll put up with, and that screams straight past that limit and across the proverbial horizon.

Between you and Serana, the thralls don't last long.

“Say,” the awakened being's head addresses you. “I don't suppose you could be convinced...”

>Destroy the head before it even finishes its sentence.
>Explain yourself to the head first: that you hate to see a fellow warrior like this.
>Burn everything. Burn it all to the ground, then if possible burn the ashes.
>Other?

>>2874961
>Destroy the head before it even finishes its sentence.
>Burn everything. Burn it all to the ground, then if possible burn the ashes.

>>2874961
>Burn everything. Burn it all to the ground, then if possible burn the ashes.

>>2874961
>bright blood sprays everywhere and covers the left side of your face
Shit are we infected now?
>Destroy the head before it even finishes its sentence.
>Burn everything. Burn it all to the ground, then if possible burn the ashes.

>>2874961
>>Destroy the head before it even finishes its sentence.
>>Burn everything. Burn it all to the ground, then if possible burn the ashes.

>>2874961
>Burn everything. Burn it all to the ground, then if possible burn the ashes.

>>2874961
>>Destroy the head before it even finishes its sentence.
>>Burn everything. Burn it all to the ground, then if possible burn the ashes.

>>2874961
>>Burn everything. Burn it all to the ground, then if possible burn the ashes.

>>2874961
>Shut the head up. Stick a sword hilt through it's mouth or something. Or kill it.
>THEN BURN everything to the ground. We'll deal with the pesky head later.
>destroy the head last.

>>2874972
White Fist is enough yoki concentration to destroy the contaminant, and any single digit could purge the contaminant effortlessly even if fluid transfer (ie through an open wound) actually occurred.

Humans aren't so fortunate.

Dear lord. don't tell me this thot is gonna be the God of War equivalent of Mimir the talking head, except with sex jokes stuffed in every sentence.

>>2874961
>Destroy the head before it even finishes its sentence.
>Burn everything. Burn it all to the ground, then if possible burn the ashes.

>>2874989
Not really, most people are voting to kill her head and burn everything. Why keep a hindrance and annoyance on our hip?

>>2874996
I'd say burn it and move on.
If she wanted to be heard the townsfolk would not be in such a state.

Rolled 10, 8, 2 = 20 (3d10)

>luck roll

>>2875018
“I'm sorry,” you interrupt the head, before putting your sword through it with a single, powerful thrust.

Seeing a warrior reduced to that... this whole mission leaves you feeling sick. Every single aspect of it.

Serana soon joins you, glaring down at the corpse.

“Help me start a fire,” you tell her. “I'll join you once my hand finishes regenerating.”

Your partner nods, then walks towards a badly-damaged building to collect fallen timber. She smashes it apart with her sword, leaving it in splinters about the size of your arm.

You start to turn your attention to the issue of cleanup and containment of the situation. Thankfully, either by subconscious effort or dumb luck, your riding boots are spotless. Unfortunately the top of your uniform and most of Serana's clothes will need to be destroyed, and your weapons will need to be washed and then heated over a pyre. Given what you know about the material this should not cause a problem, and you will be able to sense the yōki...

… the yōki?

“Hey, Serana!” you call out. “I can't sense the yōki in her blood anymore!”

Serana, who has been trying to strike a flint against the edge of her sword with one hand, glances up at you. Then she shakes her head slowly, before returning to her task.

You honestly can't blame her. This whole place should be scoured from existence if for no other reason than to cover up what happened here. While you do believe that the purge was justified given the threat and the state that you found the people here in, you can't guarantee that everyone else in the world will see it that way.

“Here,” you insist, taking off your top and tossing it onto the pile of wood Serana has made. “Let me lend you a hand.”

She stares at you with a flat gaze.

“Don't give me that look.”
>1/2

Damn, so even if we did kill the thot first, the townsfolk (mainly all the men) will have to deal with the trauma that they murdered their wives (or let their wives be murdered) and have been fucking a monster for several weeks. That's some heavy trauma to carry for a muggle.

>>2875026
You manage to find two dresses locked away in some of the nicer homes in this now deserted town, which have survived the events here without being covered in blood or any other bodily fluids. They don't quite fit in terms of length, but given that Serana's uniform had to be destroyed to be on the safe side you'll take what you can get.

The only question now remains how you intend to clean yourselves: there's fresh running water nearby in a creek, and one of the empty buildings has a bath and sauna room that hasn't been coated with blood and guts inside. Or you could go your separate ways, or at least try to. For some reason Serana doesn't seem to want to stray too far from you.

>Try to insist on bathing separately.
>Use the heated water before burning that building down.
>Burn it all down and bathe in the stream.
>Other?

>>2875026
God damnit

I suggested that we not kill anyone until we got the Awakened Being first, to see if the effect would expire with her. But no, no one else wanted to try that.

>>2875044
>>Use the heated water before burning that building down.

>>2875044
>>Use the heated water before burning that building down.

>>2875046
To be fair anon is half-right. Even if you'd managed to completely heal them and remove the awakened being from the equation, they've DONE some shit. It's also not clear IC that they could live without her given the results of your experiments.

>>2875044
>>Use the heated water before burning that building down.
Might as well.

>>2875044
>Burn it all down and bathe in the stream.

>>2875036
>>Use the heated water before burning that building down.

>>2875044
>Use the heated water before burning that building down.

>>2875044
Which will let us hide the half healed stigmata we have from half awakening?

>>2875057
onsen steam censoring.

>stepping out for a moment, will write when I get back

Rolled 6, 1, 8, 1 = 16 (4d10)

>qm rolling

>>2875110
3d10, best of four

Rolled 2, 5, 10 = 17 (3d10)

>>2875120
quick hide our scar!

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

>>2875120

Rolled 10, 6, 9 = 25 (3d10)

>>2875120

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

>>2875120

>>2875120
Using wood from the neighboring house you fire up the bath, and heat a large amount of creek water to fill it. When the bath is finally ready, you take the lead and finish removing what's left of your uniform. But as Serana follows suit, you catch a glimpse of something that catches your eye.

It's Serana's stigma, which she tries clumsily to cover as if in hopes that you won't notice. She's absolutely not subtle about it.

>Let her try to hide it. Don't confront her about being half-awakened at all.
>Reassure her that you're in the same boat, and that she's not alone.
>Make it a point to show her yours. Let her decide how to deal with that knowledge.
>Other?

>>2875134
>>Make it a point to show her yours. Let her decide how to deal with that knowledge.

>>2875134
>>Make it a point to show her yours. Let her decide how to deal with that knowledge.
If she engages she engages.

>>2875133
bah, you had to show me up :P

>>2875134
>>Make it a point to show her yours. Let her decide how to deal with that knowledge.

>>2875134
>Make it a point to show her yours. Let her decide how to deal with that knowledge.

>>2875134
>Make it a point to show her yours. Let her decide how to deal with that knowledge.

>>2875134
>>Make it a point to show her yours. Let her decide how to deal with that knowledge.

>>2875134
>Grab her arm and pull it away, taking a nice long look.

obviously the other vote won, but imagine if we did this

>>2875134

>Make it a point to show her yours. Let her decide how to deal with that knowledge.
>other: DO THE STIGMA PHYSICAL INSPECTION.

I hope Queen rolls to see if Serena is ticklish.

Rolled 5, 8 = 13 (2d10)

>qm roll

>>2875164
is the 2d10 on purpose? or were you going for a 3d10?

>>2875164
The bath is made from finished wood and built entirely aboveground, about as wide as most porcelain baths are long and twice as long as that. Serana has positioned herself against the far side, facing away from you. Her hands are placed on her shoulders, so that her upper chest is covered despite being out of water.

So for the first time that you can remember, you make it a point to show off your body for someone.

You step into the water, and instead of sitting next to Serana you take a few steps to stand across from her. This gives her an intimate view of your abdominals and the scar running down your front where your stigma should be, before you sit across from her with your arms spread wide across the back ledge of the bath.

Serana stares at you in shock.

“See something over here you like?” you joke with a smirk.

But then your jovial mood falters when you notice that Serana is crying silently as she stares at you.

You're immediately concerned. “Are you okay, Serana?”

She slowly and deliberately crosses the bath and presses against you, face buried into your shoulder as she quietly sobs... apparently in relief.

She must have thought she was the only one, ever since she was maimed by Ella.
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 10, 10, 5 = 25 (3d10)

>>2875205

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

>>2875205

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

>>2875205

Rolled 2, 10, 5 = 17 (3d10)

>>2875205

Rolled 6, 8, 10 = 24 (3d10)

>>2875205

File: yiss.jpg (70 KB, 600x720)

70 KB JPG

>>2875208

File: warm and comfy.gif (999 KB, 500x268)

999 KB GIF

>>2875208
no tears Serena. Only WAFF and hugs.

>>2875208
Noels gonna carry that weight.

>>2875226
Noel is channeling the yuri of the original series

>>2875227
Noel is going to carry this whole damned island on her back if she has to.

File: 174336_9.jpg (14 KB, 630x630)

14 KB JPG

>>2875227

File: should not want.jpg (14 KB, 276x400)

14 KB JPG

>>2875232
>platonic yuri confirmed before Noel finds a boy to engage in platonic het
when will Noel find a boy!?

>>2875240
Two girls so far.

>>2875243
Gotta catch 'em all.

>>2875240
I mean, we had the trader that we rode with and the elder monk grandpa bro.

Rolled 4, 5, 1 = 10 (3d10)

>>2875205
3rd

>>2875252
anon pls.

File: 1419912686833.gif (220 KB, 320x238)

220 KB GIF

>>2875240
>"platonic lesbianism"

File: 1528196298359.jpg (10 KB, 184x184)

10 KB JPG

>>2875261
Queen pls. Where is the designated Raki expy?

>>2875261
Lewd Noel confirmed?

>>2875273
Wholesome.
Wholesome only.

>>2875272
>designated Raki
Not here it seems. Or we just keep not taking the plot threads that allow us to meet him.

>>2875276
He's laughing at platonic. Platonic and wholesome are more or less the same. This can only mean a lewd queen.

>>2875261
>>2875273
this is a christian server.

>>2875205
Your hands find the back of her head and her shoulder as she curls up on herself, body wracked by silent sobs she must have been holding in all this time. At first, you simply allow her to cry until she stops shaking.

“I'm sorry I joked about it,” you apologize quietly. “I should have known you might have felt that way about it. But you're not alone, Serana. I know there is at least one more like us too.”

NO STIGMA.

She traces the question hurriedly across your skin. “It's an unusual situation, as far as I can tell. We still don't really know what determines the details like this but it may be that I came closer to fully awakening than anyone else has.”

You know that's a lie, but you're not ready to tell the truth just yet. Hopefully Serana will take this as an explanation for why you can't help replace her arm as well, solving two problems at once. Because as much as you want to help her, you still have unanswerable questions about how your arm would react to her body given that you were never fully human to begin with. The fact that Serana is actually half-awakened herself might help her adapt to the new limb, or it may make matters worse.

When you meet another defensive type half-awakened warrior you'll address the matter then.

“When you're feeling a bit better we'll talk more,” you decide, releasing your embrace on your fellow warrior. “Turn around, I'll wash your back for you. It can't be easy with one arm.”

With some hesitation, she obliges.
>1/2

File: Spoiler Image (250 KB, 550x700)

250 KB PNG

>Mutual back washing
Wow lewd.
Next they'll be holding hands. Degeneracy!

>>2875297
MODS
BAN THIS DEGENERATE.

>>2875299
:D

File: 1534971700469.jpg (69 KB, 1024x1024)

69 KB JPG

>>2875304

>>2875283
Once you're both clean of any dried blood, sweat, or mud, you and Serana dry yourselves and dress. The look of civilian dresses with scraps of Organization uniforms and two large swords must be completely absurd, but that's hardly an issue. Then you burn the house you bathed in, along with every other building in the valley and all of the bodies. Even the vegetation is scorched to dirt in places where too much blood fell.

When you leave town the remnants are still burning.

You head back along the road towards the city, though this time there is no sense of urgency. Once there you can report the success of your mission and call for resupply.

“So how are you feeling?” you ask her. She traces her response onto your shoulder.

BETTER.

“Good,” you nod. “From what anyone can tell this situation comes about when a warrior begins to awaken but pulls themselves back. In your case, you probably pushed too hard to heal your wounds when you were maimed. Am I wrong?”

Serana shakes her head and taps against your shoulder again.

CORRECT.

“You may find that you can push yourself further now without ill effect, and your control may have improved,” you inform her. “In addition to a slight increase in the total amount of yōki you have available. You'll have to re-learn your limits.”

HOW MUCH.

“It used to take me fifty percent to use White Fist while moving,” you recount, “but now I can do it with about ten percent. How much of that is my own practice with the technique and how much is the transformation I can't say.”

DO THEY KNOW.

>I don't think so.
>I assume so.
>Only partly.
>I have no idea.

>>2875332
>I have no idea.
With hints of
>I assume so.

>>2875332
>>I have no idea.

>>2875339
yeah, this is good

>>2875332
>>I have no idea.
"Chances are though, they know."

>>2875332
>>2875339
+1

>>2875332
>I have no idea

>>2875320
>>2875304
>Serena finger tracing on Noel's body to communicate with Noel can be misinterpreted as being handsy with Noel.
>being extremely huggy with Noel to the point where Noel is practically her living emotional crutch
All of these signs could easily be mistaken as Yuri by the other single ladies.

>>2875332
>I assume so.
But
>only partly.

>>2875332
>I am not sure, but there were to many coincidences for them to not have at least an idea
>tell her how you, after the incident, we're suddenly paired with other half awakend warriors

>>2875356
>>2875332

This I can support.

>>2875332
“I don't know,” you admit, “but the signs point that way.”

HOW SO.

“Well, this is the second time I've been paired with another half-awakened warrior on a two-person mission,” you shrug, the argument sounding fairly obvious to your own ears. “Either there are far more of us than I could possibly have anticipated at first, or it's not due to random chance.”

Serana seems to consider your reasoning for a few moments, before motioning for your hand. She stops you in place, and stares you straight in the eyes.

TO WHAT END.

>To eliminate us.
>To evaluate us.
>To introduce us.
>There's not enough evidence to say.

>>2875372
>To evaluate us.

>>2875372
>To evaluate us.

>>2875372
Explain further.jpg on "To introduce us".

>>2875372
>To evaluate us.
I'm sure they have some nefarious goal in mind

>>2875372
>>To evaluate us.
>"If we're this successful, chances are they'll try for more. But both you and I know it's risky and can backfire."

>>2875372
>>To evaluate us.

>>2875372
>>There's not enough evidence to say.
I don't want to just assume something. But if I had to pick I'd probably go with evaluating.

>>2875372
>>To evaluate us.
>>To introduce us.
And evaluate how one half awakened reacts to another.

>>2875372
>>>To evaluate us.
>>"If we're this successful, chances are they'll try for more. But both you and I know it's risky and can backfire."

>>2875372
>To introduce us. From what I've heard, they've tried the twin system where they select twins and have one of them serve as an anchor while the other fully awakens. It backfired horribly. So now they're testing out Half-awakening. We're probably the first test case subjects in the single-digit class.

>To evaluate us. We're likely the first successful cases of half-awakened warriors in the single digit class. So they'll likely try to introduce all kinds of stress tests to ensure that half-awakening is the better option than the previous twin-system

>>2875372
>To eliminate us.

>>2875372
“If I had to guess it would be to evaluate us,” you offer. “From what I can tell the Organization has always been interested in improving the abilities of its Warriors by encouraging techniques that could be considered unusual.”

EXPERIMENTS.

“In our case it would be more like opportunism,” you suggest. “If they know, and if they're arranging these things intentionally. But I don't like reading into intent where there's little evidence to support such assertions.”

“Whatever the case, please never tell anyone about us,” you summarize. “Until such time as the Organization's hand is shown we should play our own carefully.”

AND HIDE THIS FROM THE ORGANIZATION.

“Yes,” you assert. “And even if I disagreed with that point, I have no right to make the decision to reveal our existence on behalf of the others like me.”

It seems that Serana takes that statement as the final settlement of this issue.

For the rest of the afternoon you walk in relative silence until night falls, and you settle in for the night.

Serana leans against a rock, and continues to read the book you loaned to her.

>Offer to help her practice.
>Light a small fire.
>Get some rest.
>Other?

>>2875472
>>Offer to help her practice.

>>2875472
>Offer to help her practice.
Serana is a good girl

>>2875472
>>Offer to help her practice.

>>2875472
>Light a small fire.
These two aren't mutually exclusive. the light can help her read, and Noel can help Serena practice her sign language.
>Offer to help her practice.

>>2875472
>>Light a small fire.
>>Offer to help her practice.

>>2875488
>>2875489
It's a lot more fun to practice signing in the dark.

>>2875472
>>>Light a small fire.
>>>Offer to help her practice.

>>2875472
>Get some rest.

>>2875472
>Light a small fire.

>>2875472
>>Offer to help her practice.

>will write in a few minutes

>>2875472
You gather a few twigs and sticks that you find on the ground, along with some relatively dry grasses, before clearing a spot near where your partner is seated that's mostly small stones and gravel. There you start a small fire, sheltered from the breeze, giving off a little warmth and a little light to read by.

Serana gives you an appreciative nod, but watches carefully as you begin to slowly form signs with your left hand.

YOU. DESIRE. TALK.

After checking one of the pages in your book, she returns a series of slow hand signs of her own.

PLEASE. PRACTICE. ME.

You nod.

AGREE. START. PAGE. FOUR.

THANK. YOU.

You shake your head at Serana with a smile.

NO. ME. PROMISE. YOU. THINK. BACK.

She narrows her eyes as she reviews several of the signs, then begins to realize that “THINK BACK” can be combined as “REMEMBER”.

She then begins to mimic the signs she sees on the page you told her to find.

“Fingers straighter,” you correct her on one of them. “With that finger bent it looks too much like the word for combine.”

“Move your fingers a bit more slowly, and more dramatically,” you correct her again. “Bigger and slower movements are easier to understand, even if you only do it once or twice. Better than doing it five times too quickly to make sense of it.

“That's a J-shape that's supposed to look that way to me, not you. You had it backwards.”

Each time you correct her Serana immediately adjusts, and in the hour or so before her arm eventually slumps to her side you manage to push your way through several dense pages of signs. And impressively enough she seemed to have retained most of them... while she was fully awake, that is.

The next time you see her after this mission you have no doubt you'll be able to hold a conversation, especially since you took a few moments to explain to her where to find Vigilus and how to form the hand signs to relay your message introducing her.

It vaguely occurs to you... you have two friends now. And a mother, though you would never speak of her to anyone for obvious reasons.

It's an unusual feeling as you drift off to sleep.

Unusual, but nice.

>>2875590
And that's where we leave off for the night. Thanks for turning out, hope you had fun, and see you next time! Keep an eye on twitter and/or discord and you'll see me announce when exactly that will be.

But for now, sleep beckons.

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>>2875590
>>2875595
This thread is full of Wholesome WAFF.

>>2875595
I wanted to test a few more yoki theories and autopsies on the infected humans.

>>2875641
Never go full organization.

>>2875595
Thanks for running.

Signing sweet nothings all over her body when?

>>2875655
I wasn't I was going full austist Dr. Mengele

>>2875205
>Her hands are placed on her shoulders, so that her upper chest is covered despite being out of water.
>Her hands
>hands
>plural

Oh dear.

>>2875736
The results of a last-second revision regarding the depth of the water in question and how someone trying to hide their upper chest and the base of their throat would do so in that situation.

>>2875745
Question how does our control stack up to Olivia's?

Would it be possible to use her technique but improve it so we can both give, take back, or even drain yoki at a touch?

>>2875745
It's okay queen, we still love you.

IC, do you suppose Noel has any interest in meeting her mother again? She doesn't really have the freedom, but she probably has a lot of questions.

Hell, I have a lot of questions.

I am also very curious to see how much humanity and love is left in her and how much she intends to share with Noel.

Noel bonding with her long lost mother is something I both want and don't want, or at least know would probably not play out with a happy ending or go as planned.

I also want to be proved wrong.

>>2875752
Less a matter of control per se, more one of a specific technique and of Synchronization. Olivia had a genuine gift for what she did.

>>2875806
Well, yeah. Noel clearly has questions, most of which are similar to what you guys would want to know. And as for "how much humanity and love is left in her", Sabela herself would be interested to know that as well. Abyssal Ones are complicated individuals.

>Will pick up on Sunday at the usual time
Until then, if anyone has any non-spoilery questions I'll answer them.

>>2884622
Has Serana more or less mastered her new technique yet?

>>2884727
No. She can do it, but at this point it wouldn't be as accurate or efficient as she expects from herself.

>>2884622
Wasn't there suppose to be a 3rd claymore with us?

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>>2886043
>yfw "Yes, there was."

>>2886043
Tomas was speaking under the assumption that the Organization wouldn't send just two warriors given the circumstances. And if she knew of another warrior Serana would have told you so when you asked her if she knew any other details of the mission.

To the surprise of everyone involved, the Organization really did just send a team of two to do the work of four or five.

>>2886246
Which might mean that they totally know we're half-awakened

>>2886246
What about that Elsa girl? A number 18?

>>2886356
She was the local warrior in charge, not a warrior assigned to the hunt. She didn't even know why Serana was in her territory.

>>2886424
When do we go on a mission where upon arrival some foot soldier accidentally the Yoma because they had rifles.

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>>2887172
Why not a hunting accident?

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>>2875590
It does not take until noon for you and Serana to reach the city of Vaila after having wiped the seaside town of Arbrau off the map. You take an hour or so to eat a quick and unspectacular meal at an inn, before Serana silently informs you that her assigned post is in Shukzan: the mountainous region to the immediate west of your home district of Cuilan.

That's actually not a bad situation. It means that your trip back to your own respective regions not only follows the same path for a few days, it runs through the city of Daria. If you wished, you could even stop in to see Father Vigilus if you wanted to... assuming you aren't accosted along the road by one or the other of your handlers and pressed immediately into another mission.

>Suggest to Serana that the two of you can remain here in Vaila until the Organization can resupply you.
>Suggest that you head out together, and travel at least as far as Daria as companions.
>Suggest heading out at different times, then meeting on the outskirts of Daria in a few days.
>Other?

>>2892708
>Suggest heading out at different times, then meeting on the outskirts of Daria in a few days.

>>2892708
>>Suggest that you head out together, and travel at least as far as Daria as companions.

>>2892708
>travel together to Daria
>go shopping at Daria. we need to subject Serena to fashion shopping. get gher clothes that fit AND look stylish/cute for sn one armed claymore.
we must indulge our patritian tastes

>>2892708
>Suggest that you head out together, and travel at least as far as Daria as companions
Travel buddies for the lonely road.

>>2892708
>Suggest that you head out together, and travel at least as far as Daria as companions

>>2892708
>Suggest that you head out together, and travel at least as far as Daria as companions.

>>2892708
>>Suggest that you head out together, and travel at least as far as Daria as companions.

>>2892708
>Suggest that you head out together, and travel at least as far as Daria as companions.

>>2892708
>Suggest that you head out together, and travel at least as far as Daria as companions.

>>2892708
“Serana?”

Your fellow warrior glances at you from across the table, her interest apparently piqued.

“You're heading back the same way as me,” you point out. “Why not travel together, at least as far as Daria? I wouldn't mind speaking to the old Father again myself.”

“Well, 'speaking' that is.”

Serana immediately nods in agreement, seemingly happy at the prospect of having a companion at least for the next few days. While many of your kind are solitary by nature, others secretly crave some form of camaraderie, or even just basic 'normal' human interaction. Those who seem the most distant are often the most lonely as well, and seek out every chance to spend time with their peers. For Serana even that is difficult now thanks to her injuries.

Of course she'd agree to travel with you. If she can't count you as a close companion no one else in the would could be either.

WANT. THAT.

“Then it's settled,” you declare, setting aside a few coins for your meal. “Let's buy you a new outfit.”

She stares at you like you've lost your mind.

“Don't give me that look,” you sigh. “Of course I'd insist on something like this. I can't afford to be seen dressed like this, I have an image to protect you know.”

LIKE. STEAL. DEAD. MAN.

“Exactly,” you assert. “There's a reason that's how we look after all. So let's change that, shall we?”

NECESSARY?

The question was more delivered by her expression than anything else, but the message was clear.

“Let me have this.”
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 6, 5, 8 = 19 (3d10)

>>2892844

Rolled 5, 6, 3 = 14 (3d10)

>>2892844

Rolled 4, 4, 8 = 16 (3d10)

>>2892844

Rolled 4, 7, 7 = 18 (3d10)

>>2892844

>>2892848
Nice.

Rolled 2, 7, 10 = 19 (3d10)

>>2892844

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>>2892887
=)

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>>2892844
You lead Serana to a nearby store, and immediately set to work.

You've never liked red, at least not brighter shades. It reminds you too strongly of an old custom by which whores self-identified to potential customers by wearing bright reds. In more conservative circles, particularly among the wealthy and devout, those negative attitudes persist... though you could hardly say that's true from one end of the world to the other. There are plenty of places where reds are considered perfectly fine. But as a general rule, it's safer to simply not invite such unwanted scrutiny.

Yellow is a problem as well, as you feel it might well clash with her silver hair too much. You pass by several cute pieces in such shades.

“Here, try this,” you suggest.

“No, that's not right,” you declare almost immediately. “This one? No, this. Better cut for your figure.”

Blues, greens, and neutrals are your remaining options, and neutrals seem to be where you'll have to look to find something Serana can wear while riding. Other colors simply don't come with split skirts for the purpose. Eventually you make a series of coordinated decisions: a creamy-colored split skirt that comes down to just below her knees, a blouse of the same fabric with dress-like sleeves that settle around her shoulders, and a coffee-brown kirtle fitted through the bodice that hangs looser around her hips. It's a rather appealing combination, but not flashy or fussy: a good fit for her, you think.

A dark reddish-brown cloak draped over her shoulders gives the impression of protecting her from the wind and weather while disguising her missing arm, and a pair of riding boots complete the outfit.

You nod to yourself, quite satisfied. “That should do.”

Now, for yourself... riding trousers and a nicer top are completely adequate. Somewhat boyish from the waist down, but it's hardly your fault that women's clothing isn't designed for strenuous riding.

Serana makes an attempt at giving you a stern look, but seems a little too flustered by how you've chosen to dress her for it to really work. She must not be used to this sort of thing.

“There,” you declare. “We should blend in at least a little better now.”

YOU. THINK?

“Well then, time to find you a horse...”

Serana gestures at her stump.

Oh. That might actually make it harder.

>Rent her a horse. You have faith in her ability to manage.
>She can ride with you on Alysheba.
>You can both walk just fine, Alysheba will pass for a pack animal most places.
>Other?

>>2893005
>You can both walk just fine, Alysheba will pass for a pack animal most places.

>>2893005
>She can ride with you on Alysheba.

>>2893005
>>She can ride with you on Alysheba.

>>2893005
Which dress in pic related is serena wearing?
Coconut filling? Mocca filling?
>She can ride with you on Alysheba.
>other: but Serena is the one in front riding Alysheba handling the reins. We'll teach her how to ride a horse.

>>2893005
>She can ride with you on Alysheba.

>>2893005
>>She can ride with you on Alysheba.

>>2893039
You can puzzle it out from the descriptions and the assumptions that anything above the knees is considered inappropriate for a lady and anything with a full-length sleeve would only serve to draw attention to Serana's stump.

>>2893005
>She can ride with you on Alysheba.

>>2893005
>She can ride with you on Alysheba.

>>2893039
I think it's Almond

>>2893088
considering what >>2893053 said, it's either that or it's Sweet Maripan.

>>2893115
I considered Marzipan, but it has no loose kirtle and no boots.

Hey Queen does Noel have one of those "Opinions/relationship" pastebins like Riku does?

>>2893168
There is a pastebin in the works, I think Queen posted the first iteration of it in the last thread.

>>2893005
“Do you know how to ride at least?” you ask.

Serana nods in the affirmative.

“Then you should have no problem,” you assert. “I'll ride with you on Alysheba in case you have any difficulty.”

Serana seems taken aback, and begins gesturing.

WHY?

“Because I want you to know that you can do it,” you insist firmly. “Also I outrank you.”

TRUE. NOT. TRUE.

Only technically partly true, is that it?

“Do you think that I am mistaken?” you press with a wicked grin. “Go on, tell me I'm wrong to have faith in you.”

Serana stares for a moment at the floor to your side, but then shakes her head.

“Then let's go get my horse and we'll get on the road,” you declare.

Alysheba seems impatient, already spoiling for a ride even as you're seeing to his tack. But if he expects to be taking orders from you he's about to be surprised.

“Let him give the back of your hand a sniff,” you tell Serana calmly. “This is the first time you've met after all. Can't expect him to take to you immediately.”

Serana follows your instruction, and Alysheba seems to get the hint as you glare at him over your partner's shoulder.

“You need some help getting into the saddle?” you ask.

Serana cocks her eyebrow. Alright, fair.

With some difficulty, Serana hoists herself up by the saddlehorn using only her left hand. Which is a reassuring way to start.

You try not to make too much of a show of climbing up behind her.

“Right, let's see how you fare.”
>3d10, best of three

>>2893088
>>2893115
It's almond.

>>2893168
Nothing formal. I posted some greentext at one point, but not all the characters whose opinions will matter have been introduced yet.

Rolled 7, 6, 5 = 18 (3d10)

>>2893221

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

>>2893221

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

>>2893221
oh the tease. Noel's having fun.

Rolled 2, 4, 2 = 8 (3d10)

>>2893221

Rolled 9, 2, 2, 9 = 22 (4d10)

>QM roll

>>2893280
Horse pls.

>>2893221
It's a good thing that Serana wasn't lying about being able to ride, at least at a basic level. She's nowhere near the level of a Hazari woman practically born carrying her own saddle, but she's competent. All you really need to do is reach around her waist to suggest a specific position for her to hold the reins in, and push the outsides of her thighs and knees to give her a better idea for how much pressure to use when guiding Alysheba with her knees alone.

Properly choked up on the reins for the use of one hand and more aware of what she's doing with her legs, Serana spends the rest of the day steering your horse towards Daria.

“You did well,” you smile as Serana gracelessly tumbles out of the saddle, not due to exhaustion but entirely due to having presumably never done this with the use of only one arm. You're there to catch her though, keeping her from tumbling to the ground. “Told you so.”

You tie up Alysheba where he can graze, and fetch him some water in a skin to drink from. Meanwhile Serana lays out her cloak at the base of a tree, relying on the clear night skies and the bright moon to light your impromptu camp.

>Suggest reading through the monk's book before trying to catch some sleep.
>Suggest a brief sparring session, relieve a little stress and make yourselves a bit more tired.
>Just 'talk' to Serana for a while. You know hardly anything about her.
>Other?

>>2893316
>Just 'talk' to Serana for a while. You know hardly anything about her.

>>2893316
>Suggest reading through the monk's book before trying to catch some sleep.

>>2893316
>>Just 'talk' to Serana for a while. You know hardly anything about her.

Get to know our second friend some more

>>2893316
>>Just 'talk' to Serana for a while. You know hardly anything about her.

>>2893316
>>Just 'talk' to Serana for a while. You know hardly anything about her.

>>2893316
>>Just 'talk' to Serana for a while. You know hardly anything about her.

>>2893316
>>Just 'talk' to Serana for a while. You know hardly anything about her.
Gotta practice that sign language.

>>2893316
>Just 'talk' to Serana for a while. You know hardly anything about her.

>>2893316
>help her practice her talk by holding a regular conversation. But this time we're quizzing her memory in sign language while helping her practice.

>>2893316
“It occurs to me...” you begin hesitantly, settling in against the trunk of the tree next to her. “I know nothing about you, Serana. I'd like to change that.”

Serana nods quietly.

YES.

“So... tell me about yourself,” you prompt her vaguely. “If you had to tell me what's important about you, other than your sword style and abilities, where would you start?”

After a few moments and a quick check of your book, Serana begins her reply.

I WAS.

She pauses, trying a few different combinations of finger movements... a word that requires both hands. Eventually she reaches out with her left hand in a specific position.

You consider that position carefully, then match what you think the right hand position and movements should be.

SLAVE?

Serana nods.

YES.

“I'm sorry to hear that,” you apologize quietly.

LONG. TIME. OLD. THOUGHTS.

ORGANIZATION. PURCHASED. YOU?

YES. 10. YEARS. OLD. I THINK.

Which means she was a slave even younger than that. “Hereditary slavery, then?”

Serana nods quietly and makes a sign that you complete.

FATHER?

She nods, and makes another sign.

OWNER?

She nods again.

It paints a grim picture of her childhood, an especially vulnerable child bought by the Organization for some reason. Was it simple availability, or because she showed some promise? You might have to ask someone more familiar with those sorts of decisions to know, at the age of ten you doubt that Serana was in much position to ask questions.

You notice that Serana is trying to get your attention.

YOU?

>Lie. You don't remember much about your childhood.
>Half-truth. You were someone important, and you want that to remain a secret.
>Truth. You were an honest-to goddess princess. Still technically are.
>Other?

>>2893398
>Truth. You were an honest-to goddess princess. Still technically are.

>>2893398
>Truth. You were an honest-to goddess princess. Still technically are.
>Other: Reply the answer in sign language.

>>2893398
>>Truth. You were an honest-to goddess princess. Still technically are.

>>2893398
>>2893401
Seconding this

>>2893401
This one here.

>>2893401
Yeah, this.

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

>QM roll

>>2893453
nooooo Serena hates us!!!!

>>2893462
i find it more likely that she just doesn't understand...? Or I'm hopin' anyway

>>2893398
MY NAME...

You gesture to Serana to extend her palm, and trace the letters across it. With each part of your name her eyes widen a little bit more.

NOEL TIBERIUS DI HAZARAN.

She gestures at you, making a strange gesture that's not any word you recognize. Instead of trying to puzzle out her meaning and what she might have done wrong, you close your hand around hers.

“Yes,” you clarify. “That means I was a princess... and I still technically am.”

HOW?

“There was a coup,” you explain, not knowing if either of you actually know the hand signs for that word and preferring to complete this part of the discussion without any misunderstandings. “I never knew my mother and my father was the 'Mad King' who was deposed by the current ruler. I was stabbed through the gut during the same uprising.”

“That was when the Organization found me.”

NOW. YOU. FIGHT.

You nod once.

YES.

Strangely, it seems like Serana chuckles quietly at something. She can't actually laugh you think, but the way she shakes slightly makes you think this particular kind of wheezing is what passes as a laugh for her in this state.

ME. LISTEN. ACT.
YOU. THINK. HIGH.

She offers you half a gesture, which you complete.

STRATEGY.

She then reaches for your palm.

WE'RE A GOOD MATCH IN A WAY, DON'T YOU THINK?

>Yeah, I think we do kind of compliment each other.
>No. We work well because we're equals.
>Is that really how you think of yourself?
>Other?

>>2893482
>>Other?
We work well because we're a good team.

>>2893482
>>No. We work well because we're equals.

>>2893482
>>No. We work well because we're equals.