>>2988835
>I can take you to the border, from there I need to head inland to locate another Warrior.

I'd like to keep her alive, she might be an asset later.

>>2988835
>>I can take you to the border, from there I need to head inland to locate another Warrior.

>>2988835
>I can take you to the border, from there I need to head inland to locate another Warrior.

>>2988835
>I’ll escort you all the way.

>>2988835
>>I am heading for Cuilan to meet my handler. I can't escort you any further.

>>2988835
>>I can take you to the border, from there I need to head inland to locate another Warrior.

>>2988835
>I can take you to the border, from there I need to head inland to locate another Warrior.

>>2988835
>I can take you to the border, from there I need to head inland to locate another Warrior.

>>2988835
“I can escort you as far as the border,” you offer, “and I can help you secure a horse to carry what items you managed to escape with. But from there I must turn northwards, towards the mountains.”

“Why in the world would you want to go there?”

“Because that puts me in more familiar territory, where there are more possibilities for re-establishing contact with the Organization,” you explain carefully. “My own handler will expect me to be in or around Cuilan, and I am familiar with the warrior assigned to Hazaran. I also have more contacts there who I can trust to contact the Organization on my behalf.”

She shakes her head, clearly unconvinced. “Do you not believe that your message got through the first time?”

“I can't be sure,” you admit. “And while I could deal with the Inquisition and their guns fairly easily, an unsuspecting Warrior might not be so fortunate. That is my biggest concern at this point.”

“What about your human handlers?” Mrs. Gambino asks skeptically.

You shrug. “What about them?”

After a few hours of traveling, Mrs. Gambino takes out a bag of coins from the hastily-packed leather bag she left her home in Lanerk with during a brief pause. She then hands it to you.

“This is the rest of the payment,” she informs you. “Since things got complicated, I thought you might want to take this now.”

>That makes sense. I'll take it to the Organization so that you can stay hidden.
>No. Tell me where you're heading and someone will be along to collect the money.
>Other?

>>2988835
>I can take you to the border, from there I need to head inland to locate another Warrior.

>>2988961
>That makes sense. I'll take it to the Organization so that you can stay hidden.

>>2988961
>No. Tell me where you're heading and someone will be along to collect the money.
Protocol must be followed to some degree. Besides, she might need it more than she will. And she should hopefully be safe past the point we part ways anyway.

>>2988961
>>No. Tell me where you're heading and someone will be along to collect the money.

>>2988961
>>No. Tell me where you're heading and someone will be along to collect the money.

>>2988961
>That makes sense. I'll take it to the Organization so that you can stay hidden.


If she might be our asset I'd prefer the organization not know where she is.

>>2988961
>That makes sense. I'll take it to the Organization so that you can stay hidden.

>>2988961
>That makes sense. I'll take it to the Organization so that you can stay hidden.

>>2988961
>>No. Tell me where you're heading and someone will be along to collect the money.

We're still at an even split: I'll wait a few minutes for a tie breaker and see where we stand then.

>>2988961
>>No. Tell me where you're heading and someone will be along to collect the money.

>>2988961
“I can't do that,” you sigh, pushing the bag away. “Take this with you. Tell me where you are going and I will direct an agent to collect the money from you later.”

“Why not?” she demands. “Why do you have to know where I'm going?”

You press against the bag as she tries to push it back at you. “We warriors are explicitly prohibited from handling payments. It's one of the few hard and fast rules of our Organization, and I do not actually know what the penalty for violating this rule is. Nobody has ever done so before.”

The woman's shoulders slump, and she finally accepts the money. “Very well, I'll take this with me. What information do you need to find me?”

You hand her the book that the monks gave you. “These are my personal notes. Please write it as small as possible, on an unused page if you can find one.”

She takes the book and finds an inkpen, before writing a few words on one of the pages at the back of the book. It's a name and two lines, one seemingly a street name and house number with the second naming a small town.

“There,” she sighs, handing you the book back.

At the end of the day you settle in for the night, starting a small fire and seeing that Alysheba can graze to feed himself. Mrs. Gambino sleeps restlessly, while you tend to the fire. You half expect to see Tomas emerge from the darkness with a new mission and some sass for you, but for the first time he fails to appear when expected.

The one time it would be convenient for you, naturally.

The next morning you lead her to the outskirts of a town just over the border of Bretonne, and you give her time to go into a trading post for about a half hour. Eventually she re-emerges, and walks to a nearby stables to retrieve a horse.

“Well, this is it,” she sighs. “Thank you for your efforts, and for getting revenge for me.”

Not for avenging her husband... she's barely spoken of him, and you also recall that the two men were arguing with each other. You get the sense that there was something else going on here, but at this point none of that actually matters anymore. And you're disinclined to even ask.

“Best of luck,” you bow slightly. “And try to keep a low profile from now on, at least until this business with the Inquisition is resolved.”

“I will,” Mrs. Gambino bows in response. “Thank you.”
>1/2

File: CLAYMORE_MAP_3rd_Update.jpg (161 KB, 1375x707)

161 KB JPG

>>2989103
Her departure leaves you at a crossroads, both literally and figuratively.

You can head northeast into your home territory of Cuilan and simply wait to be met by Tomas, which is arguably what you would have done after a successful mission with no complications. Then there's another option, which is to head into Hazaran and send a message from Baiko which would be quite a long trek out of your way.

Then there's a third option, which is to track down Laura and have her send word through her own handler. If you could do this, then you might be able to get the information disseminated faster and get someone to collect money from Mrs. Gambino.

>Head to Cuilan and hunker down, wait for Tomas.
>Head to Baiko, contact Marshal Noventus and get a message out.
>Head into Hazaran, try to find Laura.
>Other?

>>2989153
>>Head into Hazaran, try to find Laura.

>>2989153
>Head into Hazaran, try to find Laura.

>>2989153
>Head to Cuilan and hunker down, wait for Tomas.

>>2989153
>>>Head into Hazaran, try to find Laura.
because this interests me the most

>>2989153

>Head into Hazaran, try to find Laura.

Not showing up at the usual spot would let Tomas know something's up. Which works to our advantage somewhat.

>3d10, best of three to pick up rumors

Every time someone mentions Laura, I think of Laura Bodewig from IS...I don't know if this is a good thing or not.

Rolled 9, 6, 2 = 17 (3d10)

>>2989199

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

>>2989199

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

>>2989199

File: southern_reach.jpg (82 KB, 800x532)

82 KB JPG

>>2989199
You barely cross over into the southern reach of your Kingdom, which is usually referred to rather simply as “the southern reach”. It sits at a fairly high elevation and gets a significant amount of rainfall, moreso than the inner Tarsus highlands or any of the lands north of the Spine of the World which runs from the Hazaran mountans to the Cerces massif.

Autumn here tends to be among the most dramatic sights in all of Hazaran, with masses of trees turning color all at once set to the backdrop of snowy peaks beyond. But today the peaks are mostly obscured by thick clouds.

It's been two days since you parted ways with Mrs. Gambino, and you find yourself in a border town. The folk here are nominally Hazari, however they would likely be equally at home in Bretonne or Noroit as their ancestors were subjects of both those other nations at various points.

You decide to stop in at a small crossroads settlement, its buildings mostly logs with thick clay plastered over them that has been dried and painted in various colors. Most of which, you'd hazard a guess, are the sort of rusty reds and oranges that are easily obtained from the earth itself.

“A Claymore?” a patron in the little village's only drinking establishment recognizes your uniform and weapon on sight. “What's one of you doing in these parts? Trouble?”

“None that I'd be looking for,” you respond, placing a few coins on the owner's table. “As small an ale as you have, and your finest rumors. Those are what I seek today.”

“Rumors you say?” the patron, an older-looking man with a shabby beard, repeats. “Well now, ain't that interesting. You sure you're not looking for trouble?”

“Only if the person I'm trying to find has changed her name without my awareness,” you sigh, taking a seat. “I'm looking for the Claymore assigned to the Kingdom of Hazaran. As rumors tend to follow us wherever we go, I figured that trail would be the easiest to follow.”

Your beer arrives, and the owner sits at the table as well. Seems like a slow day.

“We rarely hear much out this far from anywhere in Hazaran,” the owner admits. “Honestly, the closest major town to us is in Bretonne. But I did hear something from up north a ways. Sounds like that would be the Claymore you're after.”

“But I'm not sure how much stock I'd put in rumors like that. You know how rumors work.”

>Tell me anyway, what have you heard?
>You're right, this is probably too far south to get much to go on. Thanks for the ale.
>Maybe heading back into my own region was a better idea after all.
>Other?

>>2989283
>>Tell me anyway, what have you heard?

>>2989283
>Tell me anyway, what have you heard?

I don't know why a meeting place isn't designated before each mission in case shit goes down.
Maybe should implement that policy in future.

>>2989283
>Tell me anyway, what have you heard?

>>2989283
>>Tell me anyway, what have you heard?

>>2989283
>>Tell me anyway, what have you heard?

>>2989302
Maybe because then people could target those meeting places? Idk

>>2989314
literally who
literally why
literally how

it's secret information between a claymore and her handler.
it's an empty spot until those two meet at a designated time.
they'd be attacking a claymore if they tried.

>>2989283
“Tell me anyway,” you sigh dramatically. “Even the dumbest of rumors has some basis in reality, it just depends on what that basis actually turns out to be.”

“Well, the rumor has it that a Claymore came to a town up north, near the border with Sakia,” the owner explains. “A few days ago, maybe a week. But turns out she ended up killing a guy.”

“What Gaius here means is a human,” the other patron clarifies. “Not even a yōma.”

“I mean it must have been an accident or something,” the owner, Gaius, shrugs. “But what we here heard was that the town turned on her, ran her out that night. Apparently they found a bunch more guys dead the next morning, all with their limbs and heads hacked off.”

“That's why I was askin' if you were lookin' for trouble,” the patron adds, before taking a long pull at his own beer before continuing. “Sounded like you mighta been after her. Or hell, you coulda been her.”

“Dumbass,” Gaius grumbles. “You think we'd have heard if the one as did it had pink hair. That ain't something you see every day.”

“Neither is a yōma, and we're supposed to be terrified of those.”

“You're what's wrong with this kingdom, Laius.”

>You're right, that's completely ridiculous. There's no way that's Laura.
>I wasn't interested before, but now I am. What town did you say this was?
>I'll make a note to ask my handler about these rumors later.
>Other

Also, pick one:
>Anyplace I could spend the night around here?
>If a man in black comes looking for me, tell him I'm heading north.
>If a man in black comes looking for me, tell him I'm heading for the usual place.
>Other?

>>2989384
>>I wasn't interested before, but now I am. What town did you say this was?
>If a man in black comes looking for me, tell him I'm heading for the usual place.

>>2989319
>Assuming it's not another claymore
idk man, I'm paranoid: if you set places, you become predictable. And the predictable are easier marks for assassination.

>>2989384
Clarification: the "usual place" is in Cuilan.

>>2989388
this

>>2989384
>>I wasn't interested before, but now I am. What town did you say this was?
>If a man in black comes looking for me, tell him I'm heading north.

>>2989388
>>2989384
Backing

>>2989384
>>You're right, that's completely ridiculous. There's no way that's Laura.
>>If a man in black comes looking for me, tell him I'm heading north.

File: 7274b96a66d479d8d6d65409b(...).jpg (186 KB, 565x729)

186 KB JPG

>>2989405
hm, let's go with this, changed my mind. Image tangentially related.

>>2989410
sorry. I did a accidental delete. Was gonna make some edits. You can still back this though.

>>2989384
>I wasn't interested before, but now I am. What town did you say this was?
>other: *Jots down on notebook* "Note to self: ask about rumors before every mission"

>Other: If a man in black comes looking for me, "Tell him the simple job turned complicated. I'll be late, but wait for me at the usual."

>>2989418
Hell's bells, man
Supporting this if he doesn't delete it again...>>2989384

>>2989384
>I wasn't interested before, but now I am. What town did you say this was?
>If a man in black comes looking for me, tell him I'm heading north.

>>2989384
“What town did you say this was again?” you ask. “I might need to put in an appearance, to determine the facts for myself.”

“It's a town called Voi,” Gaius tells you. “It's in a mountain valley above the border with Sakia.”

“Then if a man in black comes looking for me,” you tell the two men, “do me a favor and tell him that I've gone to Voi and will meet him in one of the usual places when I have finished up north.”

“Sure,” Laius shrugs. “Gives us a chance to spread some rumors for once.”

The next morning, after taking a short rest in the middle of nowhere, you prepare to cut through the high mountains of eastern Hazaran to get to Voi as quickly as possible.

>Search for yōki, try and find the warrior from the rumor instead of bothering with what little evidence Voi can yield.
>Travel as quickly as possible to Voi. That is where the events took place, that is where you need to be to learn anything.
>If a warrior has killed a human, there will be a kill team assembled near Voi. Find them first and foremost.
>Other?

File: Map_Update_Voi.jpg (162 KB, 1375x707)

162 KB JPG

>>2989514
>forgot the pic

>>2989514
>Search for yōki, try and find the warrior from the rumor instead of bothering with what little evidence Voi can yield.

>>2989514
>>Search for yōki, try and find the warrior from the rumor instead of bothering with what little evidence Voi can yield.

>>2989514
>Search for yōki, try and find the warrior from the rumor instead of bothering with what little evidence Voi can yield.

>>2989514
>Search for yōki, try and find the warrior from the rumor instead of bothering with what little evidence Voi can yield.

>>2989514
>Search for yōki, try and find the warrior from the rumor instead of bothering with what little evidence Voi can yield.

>>2989514
>Travel as quickly as possible to Voi. That is where the events took place, that is where you need to be to learn anything.

>>2989514
>>Search for yōki, try and find the warrior from the rumor instead of bothering with what little evidence Voi can yield.

>>2989514
>Travel as quickly as possible to Voi. That is where the events took place, that is where you need to be to learn anything.
A crime scene will have EVIDENCE. If it is the inquisition folk that attempted to murder a claymore, then they must have some insignia or badge to show their rank. That way we can prove that the claymore (Laura) is innocent in this.

>3d10, best of four

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

>>2989619

Rolled 2, 10, 9, 6 = 27 (4d10)

>>2989619
Laura is a good girl

Rolled 7, 5, 8 = 20 (3d10)

>>2989619

>>2989626
that's a 4d10, Queen asked for a 3d10

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

>>2989619

Rolled 7, 4, 3 = 14 (3d10)

>>2989619

>>2989631
My bad

File: snow_Cabin.jpg (161 KB, 1000x801)

161 KB JPG

>>2989619
Instead of heading to Voi itself, you decide to look for the warrior in question instead. Your reason being that even if there was still some evidence to look for at the scene of the incident, if there even was an incident, it could be as much as a week old. There might be no evidence left for you to even make sense of.

And you quickly find what you're looking for in the mountains above Voi, after two days' search.

You catch Laura one morning, outside a small, roughly-made cabin in a snowy valley a mile or so from the main road. The slopes on either side are so tall and steep, and the valley itself so narrow, that there must be long parts of the year when the sun never shines directly on the valley floor at all.

Her yōki is expertly hidden and she wears a dark green cloak over nondescript clothing... had you not basically tripped over her while looking for water for Alysheba, you could easily have overlooked her. But when you got close enough, you could tell by her yōki.

Her eyes snap up from where she's been working, chopping firewood with a rusty ax, and in an instant she slings the heavy ax in your direction.

“Laura, wait!” you call out, tilting your head to one side to avoid getting a woodax lodged in your face.

She swiftly retrieves her sword, raising it and glaring at you sternly.

“So, they sent just one warrior?” she asks. “Either they've underestimated me or you're a lousy scout.”

“What the hell are you talking about!?” you protest your innocence.
>3d10, best of four

>>2989788
Also accepting brief write-in responses to Laura's accusation.

Rolled 6, 10, 3 = 19 (3d10)

>>2989788

Rolled 8, 1, 7 = 16 (3d10)

>>2989788

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

>>2989788

Rolled 2, 8, 3 = 13 (3d10)

>>2989788
>>2989788
Chill
Get it, it's cold

>>2989810
Phew, probably enough to save us.

>>2989792
"Laura, it's me! It's Noel! I just heard the rumors, i swear i'm not here to kill you!"

>>2989788
>>2989792

>"Let me guess, Men in cloaks with rifles hunting you. You killed in self-defense. I've know those bastards."

>>2989788
wishin' mom left a forwarding address...

>>2989788
You immediately draw your sword and stick it into the snow, then you step away from it.

“Laura,” you tell her firmly, but calmly. “I'm not here to fight you... I just heard a rumor from Voi and had to determine the truth for myself.”

The tip of Laura's blade lowers slightly. “You're here on your own initiative?”

“I am,” you confirm. “I just came from a bizarre mission in Noroit. I wanted to find you to take a message to the Organization for me, figured being proactive might make it faster than waiting for my handler to figure out where I was.”

“Well, I take it you understand by now that's not going to happen,” Laura responds, lowering her blade the rest of the way. “My apologies for the rude welcome.”

“So the rumors were about you,” you frown. “What the hell happened, Laura?”

“I killed no one,” she insists immediately.

“Never said you did.”

She sighs, gesturing for you to follow her into her cabin. “Please. We'll speak inside.”

You oblige her, and find the inside of the cabin largely bare. She has a fireplace, and a bed inside with a mattress of straw. But aside from that, there's hardly anything to speak of. A single dish, a basin for water, a cast metal pot. Outside however were a few details that help explain the situation: an overhang and a hitching post outside for horses, and what looked to be a smokehouse.

“This was a hunter's cabin,” you guess. “Probably abandoned years ago.”

“You're correct,” she tells you. “To my knowledge I am the only one who knows of this place. Not even my own handler knows of it.”

“Why are you even out here?” you ask again. “Laura, tell me what happened in Voi.”

The number Two fighter sits on the edge of her bed, resting her elbows heavily on her knees. “There was a man, a murderer who had been disguising his kills as victims of a yōma. You know as well as I that such things are not unheard of.”

“I do,” you nod in agreement. “But something went wrong this time.”

“It did,” she admits. “He took a hostage, a little girl. He had a knife pressed against her throat, took her into a church. Retreated up to the roof.”
>1/2

>>2989961
“I cut off his arm, to free the girl,” Laura tells you. “So long as he received prompt medical attention or was killed by the townsfolk, that would have been the end of it.”

“But he refused to let that be the end of it.”

“He jumped off the roof, didn't he?” you guess.

Laura nods. “To his death. I made the mistake of admitting that I was prohibited from killing him, I planted the idea in his mind.”

“The townsfolk blamed me. The girl insisted that I had done nothing wrong, and the town's mayor was about to rule that it had been a suicide, but things continued to go wrong.”

“That was the morning when the bodies were found?” you ask.

She nods. “I have no idea when or how, but I hear they were badly mutilated. That is when the mob formed. The pitchforks and torches came out, as if their owners were simply waiting for the right moment.”

“And you couldn't fight back, so you fled.”

Laura slumps to the side, staring at the wall behind you. “I had no idea what else to do but escape. To get as far away as I could, and disappear.”

>Why not tell the Organization what really happened?
>I have a feeling that the whole thing was staged, Laura.
>If you need an advocate, I'll support you. One hundred percent.
>Other?

>>2989982
>>I have a feeling that the whole thing was staged, Laura.

>>2989982
>I have a feeling that the whole thing was staged, Laura.
>>If you need an advocate, I'll support you. One hundred percent.

>>2989982
>I have a feeling that the whole thing was staged, Laura.
>If you need an advocate, I'll support you. One hundred percent.

>>2989982
>Why not tell the Organization what really happened?
>I have a feeling that the whole thing was staged, Laura.
>If you need an advocate, I'll support you. One hundred percent.

gotta be the church

>>2989982
>>I have a feeling that the whole thing was staged, Laura.

>>2989982
>I have a feeling that the whole thing was staged, Laura.
>If you need an advocate, I'll support you. One hundred percent.

It was the number 1 who framed her.

>>2989982
>I have a feeling that the whole thing was staged, Laura.
>other: Which church was it in the town? Because I might know who may be responsible for all of this.

>>2989982
did you pick mordred for noel's character model because she's a royal incest baby

>>2990034
*smacks anon:BsPQ3DF1*
that's a bit harsh to ask.

>>2990034
Not really. It was more a case of looking around for a list of characteristics that fit my mental image of what Noel looks like. Mordred just happens to have the sort of fussy hairstyle and plucky, self-confident attitude I'd ascribed to Noel.
>writing

>>2989982
“I have a strong feeling that this whole thing was staged,” you frown, “at least the suspicious deaths before you fled town.”

“But who?” she sighs. “That's the real problem. Claiming a conspiracy without being able to identify any of the conspirators would just make me seem like a madwoman, which is already what people must think. That I finally lost control.”

You recount your experiences from the mission to Lanerk, delving into as much detail as you can recall regarding the Inquisition. It's a lot for her to take in at first, but with every attempt at murdering you she seems increasingly certain that your story is directly relevant to her own.

“I see,” she eventually scowls, having sat back up around the time of the first attempt on your life. “So the Organization is under attack, but the enemy is still testing the waters? Trying to find a strategy that will work against us?”

“And framing us for crimes is the only way to harm our actual warriors that will work,” you nod in agreement. “Force the Organization to enforce its own internal rules, rely on our strength to kill our own members one at a time. To weaken the Organization by targeting its single-digits.”

“Who are conveniently color-coded,” Laura grumbles. “That's just great. They may not have the strength to beat us openly, but they're sure as hell smarter than any of those old farts on Lavinia are.”

>Come with me. We can clear your name before this gets any worse.
>You need to move. We can't guarantee this place will remain hidden.
>Stay here. I'll try my best to keep you informed, if you want that.
>Other?

>>2990072
>Come with me. We can clear your name before this gets any worse.
Best to clear this up, let the higher-ups know what's going on and what really happened.

>>2990072
>>You need to move. We can't guarantee this place will remain hidden.

>>2990072
>>Come with me. We can clear your name before this gets any worse.

>>2990072
>Come with me. We can clear your name before this gets any worse.

>>2990072
>>Come with me. We can clear your name before this gets any worse.

>>2990072
>>Come with me. We can clear your name before this gets any worse.
here's to hopin'

>>2990072
>>Come with me. We can clear your name before this gets any worse.

>dice+3d10

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

>>2990123

Rolled 9, 5, 4 = 18 (3d10)

>>2990123

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

>>2990123

>>2990123
“Come with me,” you insist quietly. “We'll clear your name together.”

For a moment, Laura seems to consider your offer. But eventually she shakes her head.

“I cannot.”

“Why?” you demand.

“Because I've been a thorn in the Organization's side for years,” she sighs. “So if they see me return they will doubtless have me killed on some pretense. They have likely been waiting for an opportunity to get rid of me.”

“And what if they come after you?” you ask.

She shakes her head. “You reported your encounter in Lanerk to the Organization, correct?”

“I did. I'm going to have to do so again just to make sure the first attempt wasn't intercepted.”

“Then they know that you know that I'm innocent,” she observes. “And the further that information spreads, the more people will also know.”

“So you're using the truth to defend yourself,” you nod. “At least for the time being. But what will you do in the time being?”

“I will live in exile,” she admits sadly. “I have little alternative, though at very least I can kill any yōma who stray too close to the road.”

“You say the Organization would already want you dead,” you frown, realizing what she has already implied. “Why?”

Laura gets up from her bed. “I'm going to go and fetch some dried meat from the smoker. When I get back, we're going to have to talk about the Organization's dirty little secrets.”

"Such as?" you ask.

She pauses for a moment. "Have you ever wondered what happens when a village fails to pay?"

>>2990239
And that's where I call it quits for the night. Thanks for stopping by, and see you next weekend!

During the week I'd like to do a Claymore omake, so I'll consider any suggestions.

>>2990246
Claymore highschool.

>>2990246
This>>2990251
Noel would be the best class president

>>2990246
Drill sergeant nasty sword instructor forcing the girls under his care to get good with a sword.

One of the scientists examining an anomaly in Noel’s bodily make up while she is sedated for surgery.

Young Claymores comparing hair color and styles.

>>2990246
Noel either explains why some Claymores have elf ears or having it explained to her.

>>2990279
I support this.

General Noventus first time meeting Noel with her Dad.

>>2990246
Noel and the Claymores dealing the the citizens version of Halloween. Trick or treating optional.

>>2990246
Ship shenanigans on the Sekkja. (This is after Noel's secret gets out and pirates are repelled) Sea shanties are sung, Noel is discovered to be a bit tone-deaf to singing, Thorbold teaches Noel a few pointers on actual ship sailing. There's also the storm the ship sails through. Noel has never been so scared in her life. There might be an incident where she nearly falls overboard. Go ham on the viking ideas King.
>>2990279
there better be some ear rubbing in that omake. I wanna see flustered elf-eared-claymores.

>>2990308
Where do we hide Laura?

>>2990246
An Abyssal one sending some more of their much more expendable underlings to attack a fort in monstrous from just to get a good handle on how threatening guns and canons are to her.

>>2990246
>Sabela doing mommy things to an unconscious Noel. She's squeeing and panicking at the same time because she has absolutely ZERO experience in parenting. So she tries out shit that an insane Abyssal mom would try out.

>>2990353
cute

>>2990353
Or maybe Sabela's yoma-underlings reports another Claymore is coming after that one dude messed up. And then she realizes it's Noel

>>2990391
That'd also be super interesting.

>>2990279
Oh so THAT'S why people don't like Claymores anywhere. They look sorta elfin. They all know that age old saying. Around elves...

>>2990246
For the first time since their surgery, the newest batch of warrior-trainees have just been given the chance to see each other. While a few were held in cells together and have already formed fast bonds among themselves, those girls who had been held in different cells only had the chance to see each other on their first day at Lavinia.

Now that they've been re-assembled, the toll taken on their initial numbers is clear.

“Weren't there like thirty of us before?” one of the trainees, a girl with short white hair and leaf-shaped ears, wonders aloud.

The nearest trainee to her, who stands slightly taller and wears her blonde hair in a tight braid, shakes her head. “Even one of three isn't great, but this was more like two of every three. You have point ears?”

“Apparently this can happen sometimes,” the girl with pointed ears shrugs. “Because the yōma have them. Or so I'm told that's the reason.”

“Has anyone seen cell ten?” a third girl asks, another trainee with white hair that she has tied into a simple ponytail. “I came in with one of the girls in cell ten, she was nice.”

“None of cell ten survived,” a girl with straw-blonde hair tied in a bun declares quietly. “I'm sorry.”

The third trainee falls silent, refusing eye contact with her peers.

“I'm Emma,” the girl with the bun announces, offering the silent trainee her hand. “From now on, let's support each other too, okay?”

After a moment, the girl with the white ponytail accepts the offer. “Natalie.”

“A pleasure, Natalie,” Emma smiles, before waving curtly to a girl with hair that might be described as anything between 'strawberry blonde' and a genuinely unnatural shade of 'pink'.

The trainee named Natalie seems slightly suspicious, keeping her distance.

Emma furrows her brow. “Something wrong?”

“It's probably my hair,” the pink-haired girl observes. “I see a lot of blonde and white here.”

“A hybridization failure,” the first trainee with the pointed ears scowls. “What is she even doing here?”

“The organization must be getting desperate,” another trainee suggests.

“Hey, that's not fair,” Emma protests. “She's...”

But Emma can tell immediately that her words are falling on deaf ears.

She sighs.
>1/2

>>2997406
“Then go on,” Emma suggests. “Natalie, my new friend. Throw a punch at her.”

“Are you sure?” Natalie asks, clearly uncertain. “What is this trying to prove? If she's a...”

“If she's a hybridization failure like you think,” Emma shrugs, “then you'll probably hurt her very badly. But that's not going to happen.”

“Hit me as hard as you can,” the pink-haired girl insists.

After taking a few moments to consider what she wants to do, Natalie throws a punch. But to her surprise the girl catches her wrist with one hand and sneaks her opposite under her armpit, and slings the attacker through the air like a ragdoll.

She crashes to the ground.

“I told you,” the pink-haired girl scowls, arms crossed impatiently. “I want you. To hit me. As hard as you can.”

“Do you understand?”

Natalie gets to her feet, dusting off her featureless trainee uniform. “Perfectly.”

This time, Natalie puts her back into it. She throws a powerful right straight, which the pink-haired trainee effortlessly counters with an elbow strike that catches Natalie by the wrist, followed by an immediate right hook that sends her crashing to the ground a second time.

“So,” Emma raises her eyebrow at the other trainees. “Anyone still have any doubts?”

The pink-haired trainee however leans over Natalie and extends a hand. “I feel like we should start over. My name is Noel.”

After a moment, Natalie reaches up. “My name is Natalie.”

Noel cracks a grin. “From now on, let's support each other too.”
>2/2

>>2990246
You are Laura. You have no last name worth noting, no standing within the Organization worth mentioning, and no friends who are still alive.

What you do have is a nameless sword technique which has even managed to attract the interest of some of your fellow warriors, up to and including the top-ranked Sabela. It's also unfortunately an ability that has been getting you assigned to increasingly dangerous missions, although so far you have managed to avoid being given a nickname in spite of having a unique skill by insisting on it.

“I said you have been promoted,” your handler, a man by the name of Jakob, informs you. “The Organization has seen fit to elevate you to the rank of number Three.”

They value your Gust Sword so highly? Certainly Sabela seemed keen on it.

“I see,” you reply, unsure what Jakob even expects you to say. “So am I to be reassigned to a new region?”

“You are,” Jakob nods. “Cerces.”

Cerces?

“Did I hear you correctly?” you ask for confirmation.

“Did I stutter?” Jakob rolls his good eye. “Will this be a problem?”

>No. Of course not.
>I will endeavor to keep it from being one.
>My home was there, when I had a home.
>Other?

>Imma run out and grab something to eat, I may or may not be right on time for the next update

>>3006755
>>No. Of course not.

>>3006755
mother fucker Queen. you pulling a sudden Pov switch in us.

>>2997451
>I will endeavor to keep it from being one.

>>3006755
>No. Of course not.

>>3006755
>I will endeavor to keep it from being one.

>>3006755
>>I will endeavor to keep it from being one.

it seems more honest

>>3006755
>i will try to keep it from being a problem

>>3006755
>>I will endeavor to keep it from being one.

>>3006755
>I will endeavor to keep it from being one.

File: croft.jpg (80 KB, 736x493)

80 KB JPG

>>3006755
Cerces: your home.

Or at least it used to be your home, when you had such a thing as a home. The family you were born into was almost as poor as the dirt you grew up farming with them, living in a small stony croft almost so far up the side of a mountain that nothing could grow there even with your help. The winters were particularly cold and dark in the shadow of those mountains, where the snowfall would make the whitewashed walls of your childhood home all but disappear.

You were denied the chance to grow up there into adulthood, of course. One hard winter frost destroyed crops all over Cerces, leading to an rise in the number of bandits that marauded the countryside. Closer to cities or towns the farmers were more protected, but your family was not so lucky.

The bandits that destroyed your family did not kill you. Instead you returned one afternoon after searching for winter leaves and berries in some of the more sheltered corners of the high hills, to find the aftermath of a disaster.

Your mother was dead... being so young, your father never told you whether anything had been done to her before she was killed. Most of your winter store of grain and both your family's working animals were gone too, taken by the bandits. Your father and older brother were all that remained, and your brother had been left with one arm.

The Organization paid for your remaining family's survival. But the cost was your freedom.

That is what “going home” means to you.

“I will try not to let it be a problem,” you incline your head politely.

“Good to hear,” Jakob nods sternly. “That is the level of professionalism I would expect from the new number Three.”

>Head to the largest city in Cerces straight away. You will no doubt find work there almost immediately.
>Head for the croft where you were born. If you're going to make good on your promise, you have to bury your past.
>Ask for orders. You're under the impression that a Warrior assigned to the mountain regions often travels far from them.
>Other?

>>3006896
>Ask for orders. You're under the impression that a Warrior assigned to the mountain regions often travels far from them.
Then
>Head for the croft where you were born. If you're going to make good on your promise, you have to bury your past.

>>3006911
>>3006896
Supporting

>>3006896
>Ask for orders. You're under the impression that a Warrior assigned to the mountain regions often travels far from them.

>>3006896
>>Head for the croft where you were born. If you're going to make good on your promise, you have to bury your past.

>>3006896
>Head for the croft where you were born. If you're going to make good on your promise, you have to bury your past.
>Ask for orders. You're under the impression that a Warrior assigned to the mountain regions often travels far from them.

>>3006896
“And do I have a mission there?” you ask.

Jakob nods. “I was going to save that for later, but since you asked you do have a mission. You will go to the town of Leodis. Your client is the mayor of that settlement.”

Leodis? The traces of a frown struggle to emerge on your face, though you suppress it.

“I will go there immediately,” you declare.

“I trust you know the way,” Jakob calls after you calmly.

That settles it. There is no way that this was not deliberate: Leodis is the nearest settlement of any consequence to your father's croft. They're practically begging you to return to the place of your birth.

Which whether they know it or not suits you just fine.

>3d10, Best of four

Rolled 10, 1, 3 = 14 (3d10)

>>3006997

File: Claymore_Map_Flashback.jpg (163 KB, 1375x707)

163 KB JPG

>>3006997
Requires a pic.

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

>>3006997

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

>>3006997

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

>>3006997

>>3007005
>>3007001
We got this.

>>3006997
It takes just a single day to travel from your previous posting in Sakia to the town of Leodis. But it's only a few more hours along a tiny dirt path to the croft where you were born... and where you were sold to the Organization.

The croft looks much the same as you remember it, though there are a few obvious differences. The simple windows are broken, and a section of the thatching has slid off the roof onto the ground. In a few more years that entire section of wall will come down.

“This level of neglect...” you mutter, realizing that thatching even of such a poor quality as that used by your own family, should last at least a few decades with proper maintenance. It means that this croft probably was not repaired in the time since you've been gone.

The door sticks, but it was never locked or barred. You simply knock it open with your shoulder to find the mice scattering in fear. Rusted metal cooking utensils and simple farming tools hang from the walls, and broken glass and mouse bones crunch underfoot in the dim.

Then you hear something dull roll slightly as the toe of your boot kicks it. Looking more closely, you realize who it is.

Outside you take a seat on a small rock, which seemed so much bigger when you were small, and weigh it all in your mind: your father is dead, his skeleton lies unburied in your childhood home. And from the state of things, he's been dead for years.

But what of your brother?

The moss on the two rough-hewn stone slabs which stand near the abandoned croft tell you immediately what must have happened, and the moss gives you an indication as to when.

Your brother must have died from his wound, maybe not long after your mother was buried. Your father lived in that otherwise dead croft for some time... probably not long. Eventually he died as well, alone and unmourned.

There's no closure to be found here.

>Torch the building, give them at least some sort of send-off.
>This is the 'family' that sold you. Just let it all fade away on its own.
>Other?

>>3007133
>>This is the 'family' that sold you. Just let it all fade away on its own.
Just as leaving, just as forgiving.

>>3007133
>>Torch the building, give them at least some sort of send-off.

>>3007133
>Torch the building, give them at least some sort of send-off.

>>3007133
>Torch the building, give them at least some sort of send-off.

>>3007133
>>Torch the building, give them at least some sort of send-off.

>>3007133
>Bury your father's skeleton and Burn the house. At least your father deserves to be buried with the rest of your family.
>Try not to cry
>Silently cry.

>>3007178
>>3007133
Hm...In with this.

>>3007133
>>Torch the building, give them at least some sort of send-off.

try to bury your past, look for the unsure future

>>3007133
It's not really for him. At least not entirely.

You can understand why he made the decisions he did, but that doesn't mean you can forgive him for selling his own daughter to the Organization. But in the end he died and you survived, and perhaps you owe him the courtesy of a final send-off.

Even if that isn't true, it doesn't take much to imagine a day when you finally manage to forgive. If and when that day comes you'd rather not be reminded that you refused to send him off out of a sense of petty vengeance against a dead man.

You recover the tinder box from its usual place on the stone mantle, and smash apart what remains of the wooden table in the communal kitchen and sitting room. In a small hollow near the building you lay a fire, and as the sun goes down you have several burning brands to thrust up under the eaves.

Thatch burns slowly. Your father taught you that a long time ago. But once it goes up not much can stop it burning, and so you watch your childhood home burn cheefully long into the night.

By dawn the roof has already fallen in, leaving a gutted shell behind. You're already gone by then, headed back to town.
>...

>>3007237
“I'm sorry to hear that,” Noel offers quietly as you prod at the fire in your small fireplace. Listening to her speak... you get the sense that she's actually listening, and empathizing. Such sincerity is no doubt what caught Olivia's eye. “The Organization doesn't deal in medical supplies, you know that now. So why are you telling me all this?”

“It sets the stage rather nicely,” you shrug, tossing a cushion on the floor in front of the fire to sit next to your visitor. “Puts you in the right mindset to understand what happened immediately after.”

“I take it your first few days as a single-digit shaped the way you feel about the Organization,” Noel guesses, “even now.”

You nod quietly. “That's right.”

“And that the mission you were sent on didn't go the way you thought?”

“The mission itself wasn't a problem,” you shake your head. “I'll try to explain...
>...

>>3007256
You're practically waiting in the mayor's office by the time he arrives in the morning.

“You must be the warrior we requested!” the man realizes immediately. “Please, come inside and we'll discuss the nature of our request.”

He leads you into his office, which is nice for a town in the middle of nowhere, and closes the door. He offers you a seat on a plush chair across a carved hardwood desk.

“Now, to explain a few things,” the mayor begins, “this town has been struggling somewhat over the last few years. A series of harsh winters and an increase in bandit raids have made it pretty hard to do business anymore.”

“And the yōma make that worse,” you guess.

He shakes his head, dabbing at his forehead with a handkerchief. “It makes it impossible. When the crops started to fail we began relying more and more on trade, and now between the bandits and the yōma the major caravans are threatening to change their routes to avoid our town entirely. If that happens, there can't be a town here anymore.”

“I see your dilemma,” you nod in understanding. “If it is any consolation you made the correct decision in coming to the Organization instead of trying to deal with the yōma yourselves.”

“Tell me more.”

“The yōma seem to attack most often on the major roads,” he informs you. “We've also had reports of seeing them near some of the crofts close to town. I very much doubt you'd find them further afield.”

>Then I will shadow the next caravan that comes through or leaves town.
>I can track down where they've been retreating to, kill them in their lairs.
>I want to check out the town. They may be blending in.
>Other?

>>3007356
>I can track down where they've been retreating to, kill them in their lairs.

>>3007356
>I want to check out the town. They may be blending in.

>Other: will you be able to make the payment?
Not sure if the write-in is a bit "meta" it seems like a good question to ask. but we all know what happens to the town anyways.

>>3007380
>>3007356
I'm good with this

>>3007380
>>3007356

supporting

>>3007356
>>I can track down where they've been retreating to, kill them in their lairs.

>>3007356
“How will you be making the payment?” you ask carefully.

The mayor of Leodis simply brushes off your concerns. “We will make ends meet. But if we don't do this we'll just be eaten by yōma until the caravans abandon us, and then we'll either be eaten or starve.”

“I see your point,” you admit. “Just make sure that you can make good on that... I'd rather none of you die at all if it can be avoided.”

“Thank you for your understanding,” the mayor nods. “Now, how will you proceed?”

“I sensed yōki on my way in,” you explain. “But I was not initially sure whether it was from yōma traveling through your town or hiding in it. So I'll start by eliminating that possibility, then work my way out of town along the main road.”

“Very methodical,” the mayor nods in appreciation. “Thank you, and good luck!”
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 8, 6, 2 = 16 (3d10)

>>3007451

Rolled 6, 10, 4 = 20 (3d10)

>>3007451

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

>>3007451

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

>>3007451

>>3007472
Like a true bloodhound she sniffs out her prey.

>>3007451
It doesn't take long to isolate the source of the yōki, in a small house in town. You deal with it aggressively: by scything the house in half with your Gust Sword to flush out the yōma inside. The beast charges you, transforming as it leaps from the ruins of the building, only to fall apart midair as you hit it head-on with the Gust Sword.

The two halves land in the street in a rain of purple gore, which you manage to avoid by stepping forward under the cone of droplets.

That's not the only one of course. A second yōma tries to ambush you as you try to leave town, and you effortlessly cut it in half at the waist for its trouble. You don't even have to use the Gust Sword to do it.

Eventually you track down the yōki of a band of yōma clustered outside the town's low earthen walls, waiting there impatiently for the caravan currently preparing to leave Leodis tomorrow morning.

You slaughter them as well.

A single horizontal sweep of your blade using the Gust Sword chops off the eight-foot-high gorse and small trees at chest height, and slices through several of the yōma with the same ease. The three survivors go down with one additional swing each, with the last earning a blade shoved through his skull.

It's shortly after dinner time when you return to the mayor's office.

“It's done,” you report.

“Consider me impressed!” the man smiles. “I heard about your technique as well. How did that work?”

“It essentially cuts through the air,” you explain, omitting the details that he wouldn't understand anyway.
>...

“It uses a vacuum between two layers of compressed air caused by the extremely rapid movement of the sword,” you explain to Noel, hoping that her basic training will help her understand the concept.

She nods thoughtfully. “Without a burst of yōki to amplify the effect?”

“That is my greatest talent,” you admit. “In fighting while drawing on as little of my yōki as possible to attack at range, I can use that power for other purposes.”

“How does it work against awakened beings?” Noel asks, rather keenly.

“It struggles against heavier armor, even when I use my yōki,” you admit. “Which is why I learned to be incredibly precise with it.”
>...

>1/2

>>3007547
When you meet with Jakob outside of the town you've just saved, at least for the time being, you have a decision to make. What should you do about what you've learned here?

>Mention that the town is struggling with money right now. It may not be unreasonable to take the payment in smaller installments.
>Mention that the town is struggling with money, but that the Mayor is positive he can scrape together the required funds.
>Mention that the town is low on money, and suggest a re-negotiation of terms with the Mayor.
>Do not mention the money issues.

>>3007547
>Laura passing/revealing on her unique ability to Noel
Yeet!
Now we can learn/replicate it! albeit with less proficiency. Maybe we can combine that with Saria's Earthbreaker technique!

>>3007573
>>Mention that the town is struggling with money right now. It may not be unreasonable to take the payment in smaller installments.

>>3007573
>Mention that the town is struggling with money right now. It may not be unreasonable to take the payment in smaller installments.

>>3007573
>>Mention that the town is struggling with money right now. It may not be unreasonable to take the payment in smaller installments.

>>3007573
>>Mention that the town is struggling with money, but that the Mayor is positive he can scrape together the required funds.

>>3007573
>>Mention that the town is struggling with money, but that the Mayor is positive he can scrape together the required funds.

>>3007573
“This town is struggling with money right now,” you admit, carefully watching Jakob for a reaction. “It may not be unreasonable in this situation to accept payment in smaller installments than whatever is the norm for the Organization.”

Jakob doesn't give you a reaction of any sort to judge his thoughts on the matter. “I will take it up with the Council.”
>...

>>3007652
You are Noel Tiberius di Hazaran, and after recounting the series of events that caused her to begin losing her trust in the Organization Laura has taken a pause.

“The town of Leodis no longer exists,” she tells you. “I was back through there a few months later and the town was abandoned. Same as my home was. I couldn't tell what happened, whether it was yōma or bandits, but in the end there's little difference.”

>And so you believe that the Organization... what, had something to do with the abandonment of Leodis?
>So you started prying into the Organization's finances, didn't you? That's why they take such a dim view towards you.
>Your story mentioned Sabela explicitly. Did you know her?
>Other?

>>3007680
>>Your story mentioned Sabela explicitly. Did you know her?
>And so you believe that the Organization... what, had something to do with the abandonment of Leodis?

>>3007680
>Your story mentioned Sabela explicitly. Did you know her?
>And so you believe that the Organization... what, had something to do with the abandonment of Leodis?

>>3007680
>So you started prying into the Organization's finances, didn't you? That's why they take such a dim view towards you.
This is main priority. We need to Cover Laura's ass first.
>Your story mentioned Sabela explicitly. Did you know her?
This is an afterthought.

>>3007680
>>So you started prying into the Organization's finances, didn't you? That's why they take such a dim view towards you.
>>Your story mentioned Sabela explicitly. Did you know her?

>>3007680
>So you started prying into the Organization's finances, didn't you? That's why they take such a dim view towards you.
>>Your story mentioned Sabela explicitly. Did you know her?

>>3007680
>>And so you believe that the Organization... what, had something to do with the abandonment of Leodis?

>Your story mentioned Sabela explicitly. Did you know her?

>>3007680
“So you began prying into the Organization's finances?” you guess. “Since by your own admission there was no evidence to suggest they were directly responsible for whatever befell Leodis?”

Laura nods grimly. “Consider that each warrior handles on average one 'simple' job to kill one yōma per week. That's a rate of thirty jobs per week, with a minimum rate of two thousand gulden... or an equivalent in whatever local currency is equal to a gold penny like a gulden.”

“Which means the bare minimum revenue is sixty thousand gulden per week,” you follow her reasoning to its conclusion. “And considering we barely eat and our important equipment is extremely resilient...”

“Either our swords and 'training' cost a truly exorbitant amount,” Laura declares, “or the Organization is turning a tidy profit off the yōma elimination business.”

The thought that the Organization might be profiting off the misery caused by the yōma... that would be especially low, even though technically you can't say that you believe it violates any laws. It's simply immoral... if true.

“And have you made a determination as to which is the case?”

Laura shakes her head. “No, I haven't. It's been years, but the Organization and its handlers are notably tight-lipped when it comes to their finances. I reasoned long ago that the reason we warriors normally are not allowed to handle the payment after a mission. The fewer questions asked, the less likely a warrior who lost their family to yōma will be to take exception.”

“How many of our rules do you reckon are intended to keep us subservient and unaware?” you ask.

Laura sighs. “Probably most of them.”

After sitting in front of the fire for a few minutes, trying to digest that information, you finally ask a question about something else that bothered you somewhat.

“You mentioned Sabela. Did you know her?”
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 6, 6, 8 = 20 (3d10)

>>3007781

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

>>3007781

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

>>3007781

Rolled 8, 1, 5, 10 = 24 (4d10)

>>3007781

>>3007806
oi vey

>>3007806
Welp. She's gonna have a bad reaction to Noel's Existence since she pieced it together that easily.

>>3007781
“Why, do you?”

Her response is so swift and unexpectedly casual that you're almost thrown completely off balance by it, though you manage to contain your response. Instead you calm yourself, and prepare a lie you hope will convince her.

“I...” you begin, only to notice that Laura is leaning extremely close to you. She lightly grabs hold of a little of your hair and sniffs at you, eyes closed as she seems to focus. But around her eyes you can see nerves bulging under the skin of her face as she draws on her yōki.

Then her expression returns to that of a human, and her features reform.

“You've met her, haven't you?”

>I did. Outside Acerrae.
>I've heard of her. (Lie)
>... she's my mother.

>>3007826
>I did. Outside Acerrae.

>>3007826
>>I did. Outside Acerrae.

>>3007826
>I did. Outside Acerrae.
>One of the scariest talks of my life, and she Ko'd me right after and disappeared.

>>3007826
>>I did. Outside Acerrae.

>>3007826
>... she's my mother.
Another dice roll! No breaks on the Risk train!

>>3007826
>>... she's my mother.

>>3007826
>... she's my mother.

>>3007826
>I did. Outside Acerrae.

>>3007826
>>3007841
>>3007838
In with these

>>3007826
>>I did. Outside Acerrae.

>>3007841
>>3007843
>>3007853
>>3007864
Let's refrain from telling her that until AFTER we know why she freaked the FUCK out ? She might try to kill us for that.

>>3007867
The objective statement
>I met her
is winning over telling the personal relationship between Noel and Sabela.

>>3007867
good point..

>>3007875
Indeed, however when I see someone making a blatantly stupid move..... I try to talk them out of it before it gains too much steam.

>>3007826
>I did. Outside Acerrae.

>>3007826
“I did,” you eventually admit. “Outside Acerrae.”

“And how did you find her?” Laura asks. "Did she meet with your expectations of an Abyssal One?"

After taking a moment to consider your response carefully, you settle on something vague enough to avoid any real impression of familiarity but truthful. And if you're being truthful...

“It was a positive impression,” you admit. “She was respectful, thoughtful, she encouraged me to share my views honestly... if she were not an Abyssal One I could see her being an exceptional friend.”

“Some things never change,” Laura sighs with a wistful smile. “She and Olivia were the First and Second warriors when I made the single digits... they were the best friends I could have ever asked for. And then Sabela was just gone one day, a little more than twenty years ago now.”

Laura was serving as a single-digit warrior alongside your mother? She's aged almost as gracefully as Olivia.

“You must be an even better warrior than I gave you credit for,” you sigh. “Like Olivia.”

“Not nearly so tired,” she sighs, with a warm smile. “Getting there, but not yet.”

“So, tell me about her,” you press. “This friend of yours?”

“Why do you want to know?” she asks. There's no accusatory tone to it, but more one of slight confusion. You can tell that nobody has ever asked her about it, at least not so intently.

>I want to know what we're dealing with now, with her as an Abyssal One.
>She said some interesting things, and I want to know how likely it is she lied.
>I want to know more about my mother from someone who knew her well.
>Other?

>>3007912
>>She said some interesting things, and I want to know how likely it is she lied.

>>3007912
>I want to know more about my mother from someone who knew her well.
can we drop the bomb now? Because I think Laura fully knows of Sabela's Abyssal One Status.

>>3007912
>I want to know more about my mother from someone who knew her well.

>>3007912
>>She said some interesting things, and I want to know how likely it is she lied.

>>3007912
>She said some interesting things, and I want to know how likely it is she lied.


>>3007927
She also Freaked out about it BADLY, until we know why it's not a good idea.

>>3007937
Just asking, but what makes you say she "freaked out"?

>>3007927
>>3007930
we really should be more careful about this around others, its not an easy rumor to dispel and would mean A LOT of trouble

and i don't even mean to not trust her, we should determine more about Laura before we commit to anything

>>3007912
>>I want to know more about my mother from someone who knew her well.
I wanna know where this goes...

>>3007912
>>I want to know more about my mother from someone who knew her well.

>>3007943
The instant draw of Yoki the second we mentioned the name.


>>3007927
>>3007930
>>3007948
>>3007950
You fuckers remember the last time we outed ourself to someone we should not have? Until we know more this is stupidity.

>>3007912
>She said some interesting things, and I want to know how likely it is she lied.

>>3007970
The context there was supposed to be a hint at what she was doing.

>>3007912
>>She said some interesting things, and I want to know how likely it is she lied.

>3d10, best of three
>dc 17, crit 21

>>3007981
True hearting us like mom did I assume(just not as good at it), still, not something that makes me at ease. If we know more and she's chill? tell her, but her instant repose has me worried.

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

>>3007987

Rolled 1, 8, 6 = 15 (3d10)

>>3007987

Rolled 5, 5, 1 = 11 (3d10)

>>3007987

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

>>3007987

>>3007912
>i want to know more about mom
the context was she was confirming Sabela’s Yoki scent on Noel. she likely knows how Sabela became awakened

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>>3007996
Nice work.

>>3007996
>>3008001
yeah i fucked that up ...

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17 KB JPG

>>3007992
>>3007995
>>3007996
>>3007997

>>3007987
“She said some interesting things,” you lie, “and I wanted to figure out the likelihood that she was lying to me. So I'm asking someone who by all accounts knew her... the Organization doesn't officially know I stumbled across her, so I can't ask my handler.”

After a moment, Laura chuckles. “One thing's for certain, you don't just look alike: you're as bad a liar as she is, Noel.”

She... knows?

“A few points, if I may,” Laura sighs. “First, did you really think I could fail to recognize my close friends' daughter when we met? Give me some credit. Second, when you tell a lie it's best to leave it at one statement. Don't run a risk by telling one lie and one truth, it just gives your would-be victim a basis for comparison.”

“And third, I told you already that my technique frees up my ability to use yōki creatively,” she concludes with a snort, poking at a log on the fire to get it going stronger again. “I concentrated it on my yōki sensing abilities... you 'smelled' oddly like she did before becoming awakened. No other living warrior could get such a clear impression, so do not worry about that.”

After a moment, your shoulders slump slightly in defeat. “Fine, you win. Sabela is my biological mother. She left me with my father, and so I know nothing about her.”

“I assume that she knows as well?” Laura asks.

You nod. “She figured it out immediately.”

>What was she like as a warrior?
>You don't know anything about how she awakened?
>... how do you think I should handle this?
>Other?

>>3008056
>What was she like as a warrior?

>>3008056
>>What was she like as a warrior?

>>3008056
>>What was she like as a warrior?
>>You don't know anything about how she awakened?
>>... how do you think I should handle this?

pretty much everything

>>3008056
>>What was she like as a warrior?
>>You don't know anything about how she awakened?

>>3008056
>Did the Organization know about her pregnancy?

>>3008056

>What was she like as a warrior?
>You don't know anything about how she awakened?
>... how do you think I should handle this?

>>3008056
>>What was she like as a warrior?
>>You don't know anything about how she awakened?
>>... how do you think I should handle this?
Wall me.

>>3008056
>other: at least I’ll learn how to lie better.
> did the organization know about her pregnancy? it’s pretty hard to hide a baby bump

>>3008056
>>What was she like as a warrior?

Alright, sorry to call it here but I'm barely conscious. So thanks for turning out, and I'll see you next weekend!

I'll be back tomorrow to handle any questions and I'll consider an omake at some point this week when I know what my week looks like.

>>3008126
Thanks for the session!

>>3008126
could we trade a omake with 2 or 3 regular posts?

Good night, don't let scary yoma bite!

>>3008126
could we get an omake of Laura, Olivia, and Sabela hanging out, or is that too spoilery

i miss Olivia. And Sabela. Maybe just Claymores bein' friends?

>>3008126
>>3010152
you could make it a relevant omake where Laura tells Noel and reminisces about her days of springtime youth as warriors, mention all the old inside jokes and recount the memorable shenanigans the trio partook in on their job. the good old “ Back in my day” storytelling.

>>3010338
I was actually considering that myself.

>>3007912
>Laura was serving as a single-digit warrior alongside your mother? She's aged almost as gracefully as Olivia.

What is meant by aging gracefully as Olivia here? I thought the point was she was the only claymore who visibly aged at all. Does Laura show signs of age? Is it referring to mental aging?

I always thought aging gracefully meant displaying signs of age but wearing it well in a relatively aesthetic fashion.

>Omake tomorrow if the thread's still up, too tired to do it tonight

>>3015177
“Hey, over here!”

Laura turns her head to spy Olivia, a smile on her face. “Olivia, good to see you.”

“You're late!” Olivia scoffs, motioning for her fellow warrior to take a seat at the table she's claimed at a small open-air cafe in Lavinia. “Where's Sabela?”

“Do you really need to ask?” Laura shakes her head. “The number One will be along in a little while. She's taking care of some business apparently.”

“Too busy to keep a date even when she's in town,” Olivia shuts her eyes, taking a sip of tea. “That's just like her, always doing something.”

“Will you have tea?”

“Of course,” Laura nods as Olivia signals for a waiter. “Tea, please.”

“What variety, miss?”

“Variety?” Laura repeats.

“I can provide a menu if you would like?”

Laura shakes her head dismissively. “I will just have what my friend here had.”

The tea arrives several minutes later in a fine porcelain cup, and the two warriors sip quietly for a while.

Olivia chuckles to herself. “This is nice.”

“We rarely get a chance to act so... civilized,” Laura agrees. “Not too long ago I couldn't even read.”

“That's right,” Olivia muses, “you came from rough circumstances.”

“Which of us didn't?” Laura asks.

Olivia quickly shakes her head. “That's not quite what I meant. For example, my father was a master mason before he and my mother were eaten by yōma. Compared to most of our warriors I had it easy growing up.”

Laura shrugs. “That just means you had further to fall. At least that's how I see it.”

“You never told me that.”

Olivia chuckles warmly. “Laura, there's a lot of things I haven't told you.”
>1/2

>>3017086
An hour late, Sabela finally puts in an appearance.

“Sorry, sorry!” she greets her fellow warriors cheerfully. “I was taking care of a little personal business, so I'm a bit behind today!”

“A bit!” Laura chastises the number One. “For the top warrior to be such a mess... it makes me ashamed.”

“Easy there,” Olivia sighs. “For the number Three warrior you say too much sometimes, Laura.”

“Back when you were the number One you'd have made the same criticism,” Sabela sighs, raising her fingers to summon a waiter. “Coffee please, with a jug of milk.”

“As for you Laura,” Sabela continues after making her order. “This is a woman who doesn't say pointless things, so when she says something to you it's for your own good to listen. Maybe you'll learn something.”

“So why were you so late?” Olivia asks curiously.

“Sending a letter,” Sabela admits, crossing her leg casually.

“My, our number One is so popular,” Olivia teases her. “So who's the lucky recipient?”

“That,” Sabela retorts calmly, “is for me to know.”

The coffee arrives, and Sabela wastes no time mixing in the milk. “One other thing, would you mind bringing me a slice of ginger cake?”

“Of course, miss,” the waiter replies carefully.

“I thought you weren't a fan of deserts,” Laura frowns.

Olivia narrows her eyes. “What's up?”

“How do you mean?” Sabela asks.

“You're splurging,” Olivia observes carefully. “You never splurge when you eat. I had to practically browbeat you into even drinking coffee when we started meeting like this.”

“I simply felt like it,” Sabela insists with a calm smile. “Really, there's nothing wrong. So let's just have a nice afternoon, okay?”

After spending some time looking at clothes after their tea time, the trio decide to go their separate ways again... since as single digit warriors all three have their own missions to consider.

“Thanks again,” Sabela smiles, embracing her friends. “Let's try to do this again soon, okay?”

“Yeah, of course,” Laura smiles back. “And thanks for making me feel so much more comfortable...”

“Cut that out,” Sabela sighs, smacking the number Three lightly on the head. “It was my pleasure, really.”

“Olivia,” she nods, turning to her old friend. “See you around.”

“Yeah,” Olivia nods, pulling Sabela in for a quick embrace. “See you.”

After Sabela has retreated out of sight, Olivia sighs to herself. “You're still a terrible liar, Sabela.”
>2/2

Hypothesis, the first: Sabela has had a partial awakening and gained in appetite as a result.

. . . and that's the only hypothesis that I have. No other possible explanations. Not a one. Move along folks, nothing to see here.