>>3120696
You raise an eyebrow. “Sir?”

“Nothing to concern yourself with, number Seven.”

“And what is your thinking on the Abyssal ones?” another voice presses.

“My thinking, sir?” you ask.

“Yes.”

“Honestly, I think they're best avoided,” you admit frankly. “Those awakened beings which we can defeat are our responsibility to defeat, as we failed to prevent them from becoming that way in the first place. As fellow warriors we owe them that.”

“And the Abyssal Ones do not fall into the same category?”

You shake your head sadly. “They should. However judging by the power of lower-ranked warriors after they awaken, I doubt any two unawakened warriors would stand much chance against an awakened First. Which explains why the Abyssal Ones still exist, totally unmolested by the Organization.”

“You are correct in that assessment,” one of the shadowy men declares. “A single Abyssal One is far too strong for even a powerful First-ranked warrior leading a team. It would require a much larger team of multiple single-digits, which is hardly a worthwhile allocation of resources.”

A first-ranked warrior with a team... that sounds oddly specific. Something about it makes you wonder if those are the words of idle speculation, or whether they come from prior experience.

>If I may be so bold as to ask a question, has the Organization ever made an attempt to engage an Abyssal One?
>If I may be so bold as to ask, why is it that knowledge of the Abyssal Ones is not more common?
>If I may be so bold, you mentioned that Laura was a 'thorn in your side'? Should I be aware of her presence near my territory?
>Just keep your mouth shut until you're allowed to leave.
>Other?

>>3120698
>>If I may be so bold as to ask a question, has the Organization ever made an attempt to engage an Abyssal One?
>>If I may be so bold as to ask, why is it that knowledge of the Abyssal Ones is not more common?

>>3120698
>>If I may be so bold as to ask a question, has the Organization ever made an attempt to engage an Abyssal One?
>>If I may be so bold as to ask, why is it that knowledge of the Abyssal Ones is not more common?

>>3120698
>>If I may be so bold as to ask a question, has the Organization ever made an attempt to engage an Abyssal One?
>If I may be so bold as to ask, why is it that knowledge of the Abyssal Ones is not more common?
>At least amongst us warriors, I could see Normal people reacting to it poorly, or the Inquisition using it to poison everyone against The Organization.

>>3120698
>If I may be so bold as to ask, why is it that knowledge of the Abyssal Ones is not more common?
>For all I know, the Inquisition may stumble upon any of the Abyssal ones and use their existence as ammunition against the Organization, or may become even more deviant and start worshiping them as avatars of the twin goddesses or something like that.

>>3120698
>If I may be so bold, you mentioned that Laura was a 'thorn in your side'? Should I be aware of her presence near my

>>3120698
>>If I may be so bold as to ask a question, has the Organization ever made an attempt to engage an Abyssal One?

no one bothered to put a link in the old thread ;.;

>>3120698
>>If I may be so bold as to ask a question, has the Organization ever made an attempt to engage an Abyssal One?
>>If I may be so bold as to ask, why is it that knowledge of the Abyssal Ones is not more common?

>>3120698
>If I may be so bold as to ask a question, has the Organization ever made an attempt to engage an Abyssal One?

>>3120698
“If I may be so bold as to ask a question?” you interject, before waiting for a reply.

“Speak,” a voice insists.

“You almost spoke as if the Organization has tried in the past to engage,” you point out carefully. “Has such an attempt been made in the past?”

There are a few moments of silence. “Such an attempt was made, once.”

“I assume that it went poorly,” you guess.

“You are not wrong,” the voice agrees. “We lost four skilled warriors, including the number One at the time.”

“You sent the number One?” you ask. “Of course you did. The number One would have led the team, standing the best chance.”

“Unfortunately that simply ended in the awakening of yet another number One warrior. From that point onward it made little sense to ever pursue such a project again.”

One warrior... the top ranked of her time, who then awakened from the effort. It can only have been one individual that you know, and that is your own mother. Sabela was the top-ranked warrior who the Organization sent after another awakened being. Which is new information for you of course, but it doesn't answer the question of whether you were conceived before or after that point. It did however offer one bit of relief in that it doesn't sound like your birth was the cause of her awakening, at least not directly.

You glance towards Zoe, who seems to have picked up on what you were thinking despite saying nothing.

“If that is all you wish to know, then this meeting is concluded.”

>Take your leave of the Council, head back to the docks.
>Take a moment or two to speak with Zoe about all this.
>Other?

>>3123380
>Take a moment or two to speak with Zoe about all this.
Sooo you get out much?

>>3123391
>>3123380
>Other?
Interact or observe some of the younger claymore girls.

>>3123380
>>Take a moment or two to speak with Zoe about all this.

>>3123380
>>Take a moment or two to speak with Zoe about all this.

Always good to get a second opinion, also interested what else she has to deal with

>>3123380
>>3123394
I like this.

>>3123394
>>3123380
This. I kinda want to see the next generation of claymore girls

>>3123405
>>3123581
Most of them will die in the final test.

>>3123394
supporting

>>3123380
>Take a moment or two to speak with Zoe about all this.

>>3123394
Supporting paying the trainees a visit. Maybe we can impart some wisdom

>>3123380
Take a moment or two to speak with Zoe about all this
Interact or observe some of the younger claymore girls.

>>3123599
shut up. we are their sempai and what we can say to them will leave a lasting impact on their livelihoods, some of them may even survive the surgery from hearing our inspiring speech

>>3123380
Once you and Zoe have withdrawn, you sigh in relief.

“I'd prefer it if I never had to do that again.”

Zoe shakes her head. “I believe most warriors would agree with that sentiment.”

“So you get to see a lot of warriors come through here?” you muse, taking your sword back from the hands of a guard. “Or only children coming in, warriors going out?”

“More the latter,” she replies calmly.

You leave the central keep, walking back out into the yard where many of the young trainees are still sparring. There's an old oak tree here, growing out of the stony soil, which you walk towards. Under its shady limbs, you take a seat and set your blade down across your knees. To your surprise Zoe takes a seat next to you, also watching the trainees.

“Your sword is non-standard,” Zoe observes.

You gently wipe a speck of dust from the crossguard with your fingertips. “No, it's not. The pommel belonged to Olivia, the crossguard is made from metal from “Earthbreaker” Saria's sword and Emma's crossguard. Both former bearers of my current rank as it happens.”

“Emma?” Zoe nods. “Yes, I recall she used to sit under this tree with a peculiar trainee. I understood her to be a failed hybrid at the time.”

“That would have been me,” you admit. “Forgive me if my memories of you aren't exactly clear.”

“You carry more important memories,” she counters, tapping your sword with her fingers. “Here.”

There's a loud crash as one pair of trainees go to ground, having gotten somewhat too enthusiastic and run headlong into one another with their swords raised.

“Take it easy!” you call out. “You're stronger and faster now, take some time to get used to it!”

Zoe simply shakes her head, the faintest trace of a smile gracing her lips.

>So, what do you think about the Council's line of questioning?
>Why is it that you're the one assigned here, if you don't mind me asking?
>You let me get away with certain... omissions. Why would you do that?
>Other?

>>3125902
>Why is it that you're the one assigned here, if you don't mind me asking?

>>3125902
>>Why is it that you're the one assigned here, if you don't mind me asking?

>>3125902
>>Why is it that you're the one assigned here, if you don't mind me asking?

>>3125902
>Why is it that you're the one assigned here, if you don't mind me asking?

Its a trick, a trap to get us to open up and spill our secrets! QUICK, Remember "The Game"! Or forget it! Thought suppression!

>>3125902
>>Why is it that you're the one assigned here, if you don't mind me asking?

>>3125902
>You let me get away with certain... omissions. Why would you do that?

>>3125902
We should train them a bit.

>>3125902
>why is it that you’re here instead of being in the field?
>other: strut down and be those trainees teacher. spar with them and help them learn the ropes.

>>3125902
“Why was it that you were the one assigned here, if you don't mind me asking?” you ask Zoe calmly, your eyes still following the trainees. “Careful! Don't let the blade lead your movements!”

Zoe watches the swordplay for a few seconds in silence before responding. “I am here because of all the active warriors, including the single-digits, my yōki synchronization is far and away the best.”

That proclamation gives you pause. “So how good are we talking here?”

“Good enough that I can actively monitor and influence the yōki of other warriors,” Zoe tells you bluntly.

She can do what now? And more to the point, why in the world would she actually tell you that outright? It seems to you that keeping such an ability quiet would increase its effectiveness against single-digits, who might have the skill and the power to resist her influence if they knew it was coming but may be less able to do so if it comes as a surprise.

“I can tell what you are thinking,” she chuckles. “I'm telling you this because we are alike in more than one sense.”

“Clarify for me,” you request, looking away from the students.

“Despite my role in the Organization we both value the lives of our peers more than our own,” Zoe tells you. “And I have heard of your unique skill. We are also alike in that your offensive power comes from your synchronization and control.”

“I see,” you muse, not really understanding the relevance of the second point but accepting the first. “Well, thank you either way.”

“I believe I understand Olivia's sentiments,” Zoe summarizes, turning her attention back to the trainees.

Something catches your eye about the trainees that makes you finally stand up and walk over. One pair move to smack one another with their training swords, only for the blunt edges to end up caught between your fingertips.

“You're both getting carried away,” you tell them, pushing back against their swords and drawing your own in a single swift movement. “Your sword's weight has remained constant from what it was before the procedure, as has your own. Simply swinging the sword around wildly like that will not help.”

“Then what should we do, pinkie?” one of the trainees demands, clearly frustrated.

You bop her over the head with the flat of your blade. “Using both hands, one arm generates power and the other gives the sword a point to pivot around. If you must use one hand allow the sharpness and weight of the blade to do most of the work instead.”
>1/2

>>3129375
You quickly show them what you mean: a series of rapid but controlled strikes holding the sword in just your right hand before showing several slower, but more powerful, two-handed swings.

“When you move with the sword, the swing must be initiated somewhat towards the end of your movement,” you tell them. “Otherwise the movement of the blade will pull you off balance.”

You watch as the duo resume, somewhat slowly and awkwardly at first as they start to work on what you told them to do. But eventually they seem to regain a sense of confidence... or at very least they seem less ungainly while they're in motion.

Satisfied with your work, you turn back to Zoe. “So, I take it the Organization probably wants me back out in the field as soon as possible.”

“Actually, yes,” a figure in black tells you as he approaches. “You would be number Seven.”

“I would,” you nod. “So, what is the mission?”

“Head to the town of Yule, just to the west of here along the north coast,” the handler orders you. “Tomas will meet you there when you are finished.”

“And what am I supposed to do there?” you ask.

“We have word that there are three yōma there,” the handler says. “If you go now, you can make the last ship out of port heading that way.”
>2/2
>Omake next

>>3129422
Krampus?

>>3129422
>Omake: The First Noel
You are Noel Tiberius di Hazaran, and you have finally arrived in the small seaside town of Yule. The chill of winter has settled deep along this stretch of coastline, and unlike on Lavinia whose climate is moderated somewhat by the seas there has been some snowfall here. The town itself is lit by many candles and the light of open windows, with chimneys trailing dark smoke on the breeze.

Stepping off the ship and onto the slush-covered docks, you make your way into town to find an inn to stay at for the night. Even now you can tell there is at very least one yōma lurking here in Yule, though it seems to have hidden itself well.

A few streets away from the docks you find a likely place to stay, a cozy-looking inn with tall chimneys, where you can see a cheery fire roaring through the foggy window.

“Welcome,” the innkeeper greets you warmly as you invite yourself in. “Do you need a place to spend the night, miss?”

“Three nights,” you tell the man, who scratches lightly at his gray stubble. “Do you have a room available?”

“You're in luck,” he tells you after a quick glance at his books. “There's one room that's not booked on any of the next three nights. I can let you have that one, it's on the third floor.”

“Thank you,” you nod politely as he hands you the numbered key. “I'll head up there straight away, I'm rather tired from all the traveling.”

What you don't tell him is that you've got a feeling like there is a yōma out there waiting, and that you want to use that room to stay warm and dry until such time as it decides to make a move that you can track.

And so you wait, until well into the night, by the fireplace. As the fire begins to die down, and your attention begins to lapse, you suddenly find that you are not alone in your room.
>1/2

>>3129459
>The First Noel
How long have you been sitting on that title?

>>3129463
Bout a week?

>Pinky
....girl....

>>3129493
>inb4 That trainee starts the “pink princess” nickname again

>>3129644
They say a lot of trainees don't survive...

>>3129757
Well between suddnely having super strength and speed, and going full contact practice, that alone would be messy.


Now factor in people rejected the youma flesh and dying

And factor in recruits losing control and having to be put down.
It's a pretty damn brutal system. Reminiscent of the more extreme Space Marine in 40k recruitment practices.

>>3129758
You know what I meant anon.

>>3129795
I do, but I was giving context on why. Also given we've given her basic sword pointers she's less likely to bite it now.

>>3129826
We all know why, you don't need to give context by killing the joke.

>>3129839
It wasn't a joke I responded too.

>>3129844
It actually was.

>>3129459
Your sword is drawn in an instant, and you find yourself on your feet.

“Who are you?” you demand. “How did you get in here?”

Not by the door, not when it's locked. The window is closed as well. Through the chimney? Ridiculous, but it's the only other explanation for this sudden apparition.

The being facing you stands a head taller than yourself, slightly-built and long of limb with a white cloak around its body. You might be confused as to whether it was a man or a woman under that cloak were it not for the fact that you can sense its yōki, meaning that the question should really be whether it is an awakened being or just an especially strong and sneaky yōma.

“It was simple,” the being insists in a voice neither masculine nor feminine. “And I believe the correct question is 'why' am I here?”

“The question did cross my mind,” you admit.

“I am here because there is something you need to see,” the being informs you. “I will not tell you to try to relax, but at least keep in mind that I am not here to eat you.”

“What does that even...” you begin, only to find yourself fighting off a momentary sense of panic as the world around you begins to blur. When everything seems to snap back into place you no longer stand in your inn room, but in the royal palace of Hazaran.

You're also a lot shorter than you remember being just a few moments ago.

“Noel!” a familiar voice calls out to you. “Come here and help me, my princess!”

You race towards the sound of the voice to find your father, his face every bit as youthful and joyous as you remember him and his expression kind as a warm hearth on a cold winter day. How can this be possible? He's setting the table, not the long state table where he would dine with representatives from all over the kingdom but the one where the royal family was meant to eat together as such.

He hands you a trio of brightly colored embroidered mats, which you dutifully place on the table so that he can lay out the plates and the silverware. A fire roars in the nearby fireplace, and a wholesome smell floats in from the nearby kitchen.

“It's ready!” a voice calls out, familiar and yet for here completely out of place. In walks none other than Sabela, her hair blonde now rather than brown, carrying something on a covered silver platter. “It smells perfect... you're going to love it, my little Noel! A yule-time tradition from the east, a ham!”

This isn't right...
>2/3

>>3130233
“Mother?” you ask aloud, your voice that of a child. “What are you doing here?”

“What does it seem like, silly girl?” Sabela laughs softly. “I'm making our holiday dinner like when I was a girl, just like I promised you I would!”

“And it smells great!” your father beams. “And here I was trying to convince you to let the cooks handle it again this year.”

“Come on!” Sabela teases your father. “I may have spent a lot of time as a Witch but I haven't forgotten the basics you know.”

“This isn't right,” you mutter, causing your parents to turn to you in concern.

“Darling, what is the matter?” Sabela coos, reaching out to you. You smack her hand away.

“This isn't the real Sabela,” you declare. “Sabela awakened years ago. She never lived with us, father raised me alone.”

And just like that Sabela is gone. Your father stares at you sadly.

“I'm sorry, little one,” he tells you. “I know I promised we would have a normal yule celebration together, but the council is quite insistent. I... need to go be the king some more.”

“It's okay,” you reassure him. “I never held it against you... at least not since I was very small. I understood why you had to do things the way you did them.”

“Why are you speaking so strangely?” father asks you in concern. “Is something the matter?”

“Yes,” you tell him. “Because you died, years ago. As much as it makes me happy to hear your voice again, you're not real either father.”

Your father is gone as well now. You're alone in the palace, the fire in the fireplace has gone out leaving the room cold and drafty.

With both hands you swing your sword in a powerful arc, and the room around you is your inn room once more. The fire has gone out and you find yourself in a cold sweat, your grip on the hilt of your sword white-knuckled. The androgynous figure from before is gone now. The door is still locked, the window is latched tight against the cold.

You can sense no yōki.

Not sure what else to do, you stir the embers in the fireplace and curl up on the bed with your sword propped up against the bedframe.
>3/3

File: __fujiwara_no_mokou_touho(...).jpg (386 KB, 823x867)

386 KB JPG

>>3130282
>the life that Noel could've had with Sabela and Tiberius as a normal royal family.
Why must reality be so cruel?

>>3130330
Will have to do the omake tomorrow, too tired tonight.

>>3130282
Hah the yoma of christmas past.
How cruel.

>Could have had a nice yule dinner
>Too serious to see what it's like and throws a fit

Poor Noel

>>3130282
The next morning you head out into the town to gather the lay of the land, such as it is. Wet snow floats in thick clumps on a chilly breeze, lingering in the air as if too afraid to touch the ground which it knows isn't quite cold enough yet to stick and pile up into drifts. But the weather doesn't seem to bother any of the locals, and if they're aware of a yōma in their midst they don't show it. Most seem content to go about their business, tracking down all the things needed to celebrate the yule-time here in the town called Yule.

In one alleyway a man splits well-seasoned firewood with an ax and a slow, steady rhythm. Nearby a woman with three children in tow carries what appears to be a ham wrapped in waxed paper, with the children carrying jars of fruit preserves and chutnies. One small group of villagers is doing nothing other than standing in the town square to sing.

In every way the town of Yule seems perfectly happy and normal. But you do still sense yōki out here in the town, though you still cannot tell with any certainty where the source of it is hiding.

So you find yourself in the mayor's office near the town square, standing across his desk.

“Excuse me,” you begin after the older, prominently bald man seems not to notice your arrival.

He glances up at you. “Yes?”

“I was sent here because of a report about some yōma?” you offer. “You... did send such a report, did you not?”

“No, ma'am,” the mayor shakes his head. “There are certainly no yōma here.”

“Then... why am I here?” you wonder aloud.

The mayor sends you on your way without any answers to work with. You have no idea who sent for you, you can't understand why there's no panic or even basic awareness of the problem you were sent here to fix. But you do know there are yōma here, and so you will remain.

Evening falls like a chill blanket, and early at that. The world outside grows dark as everyone who can finds their way indoors seeking refuge and warmth. The streets are now lit by lanterns and by the glow from inside homes and the few shops that are still open.

The innkeeper's wife has been cooking all day, and so you get a little bit of ham and some warm pea soup with crusty bread for your dinner. Eventually you retreat to your room, and watch the fire die down once more.

Again, as with last night, you suddenly become aware that you're not alone.
>1/?

>>3131381
This time the intruder takes the form of a large man in a green robe, with wildly curling hair and a full beard. At his hip is a leather scabbard, without a blade resting in it, and in his hand is a staff of gnarled wood.

“You haven't drawn your sword?” the man booms.

“Tried that last time,” you admit. “Didn't do me any good, did it?”

“No, it wouldn't have,” the man agrees. “So by now you must know that I am not here to bring you to any harm?”

“Time will tell whether that is true,” you counter.

The giant calmly lifts his staff and snaps it over his knee, before tossing the pieces into what remains of the fire. “Look well, Noel Tiberius di Hazaran!”

Gazing into the fire, the world around you begins to change. All around you see visions of families that have come together over large dinners, children helping with the cooking and cleaning. There's toasting, singing, and all sorts of liveliness and festivity. You can tell that many of these scenes are playing out in the town of Yule, but there are also some images that are clearly being taken from elsewhere. You even recognize the capital of Hazaran as one of those flashes, along with the familiar monks of Vigilus' monastery as they conduct services.

“What are you showing me?” you demand.

“I am only showing you that which is,” the giant explains to you. “This is how what you would call 'normal' people spend their yuletime celebrations. It is a time for merriment, for family, for the joy of good company and generosity.”

The images suddenly begin to change, with much more familiar content. Zoe sits quietly in an unadorned room, seemingly at rest. Laura rests quietly as well, similarly alone albeit in what seems to be a much nicer room not too dissimilar to your own surroundings. Valentina is out at night under a tree, with a small fire crackling in front of her, seemingly unable to sleep. Serana doesn't even have a fire, instead sleeping lightly in an alleyway in some city. You even see Helen, who is with Justina and another warrior who you can't recognize. The trio sit around a small fire in the snow, saying nothing.

All of them are united by the fact that none of them look happy... as stark a contrast from the scenes you witnessed immediately before.
>2/3

>>3131495
That Lord will get a piece of our mind next time we see him for not inviting Laura to the festivities.

>>3131495
“And so this is what the warriors of the Organization do for their yuletime?” you ask the yōma. “Is that what you're trying to prove here? That we're all miserable?”

“That you knew,” the giant points out. “But what you do not see is that there is no reason for it. One is surrounded by the trainees of the Organization, one is in a city with thousands of people, two are together with a third of their kind, one is being put up by a gracious host.”

“Even you are staying in a town where the festivities will be first-rate, with a cozy room and good food. But all you think about is the yōma... the duties. You are not miserable because of what you are, you are miserable because you all choose to be.”

As much as you hate to admit it, what this yōma is saying is not incorrect. You know full well that Lord Byron in particular would have been all too eager to have Laura join in the festivities, but you suspect that she would politely decline. You're also familiar with how warriors tend to interact when they're out on missions together: while you always put in an effort not everyone else does, and long, sullen silences tend to be more the norm.

“Why are you showing...” you begin, turning back towards the giant. You stop short when you realize that the yōma is gone.

“Dammit,” you mutter under your breath. “That's the second time.”

A peal of laughter from downstairs reminds you that there's a celebration still in full swing.

You consider it for a few moments.

Then you eventually set aside your sword, and unclasp your armor, leaving those things on the bed to head downstairs.

“I guess it couldn't hurt...”
>3/3

>>3131509
Yeah but there's an actual yoma in the town. If we forget about work it could eat someone.

>>3131509
Dammit Queen, now i want you to show us Noel celebrating Yule with the townsfolk

>>3131514
>inb4 Yule night horror at the festivities where Noel discovers the a special section of the meat is sourced from a human they butchered for the village yoma.

>>3131509
The next morning you wake up slightly groggy, having drunk far more mulled wine than you intended... in fact, you don't think you've ever had that much to drink at all, seeing how you suddenly lost the need to really eat or drink 'normal' amounts as a child, before it was acceptable for you to drink alcohol except under your father's strict supervision.

You wander down into the street, again sensing no yōki presence distinct enough to be tracked down.

It seems that most people are now in church, an almost humble hall with brightly-lit windows and heavy wooden doors, consecrated in honor of the twin goddesses Clare and Teresa. You've never exactly been a believer, but you don't begrudge these people their old superstitions. After all it's not like the old Hazari ways are all that different, at least in principle. Whatever helps give them structure and meaning, while suggesting to them a standardized code of conduct, is better than lacking those things entirely.

The town of Yule has grown prettier as the snow has actually started to stick.

You take a couple of hours to walk around town, stretch your legs, and enjoy the sight of a town transformed into one big festival. And then you stumble across something new, shortly after church lets out: food stalls.

There are stalls here in one of the smaller squares that sell candles, each scented with mixtures of oils and spices that pool around the burning wick. There are stalls with cinnamon and sugar-coated fried dough of some kind, which tastes as good as it smells. There are roasted chestnuts and hot mulled cider, hand-carved and painted wooden toys, all sorts of little things to give and receive as gifts. And everywhere you turn you're greeted by the smells of the food and the sound of laughter and music.

You end up buying a little snack, some cider, and a fragrant strand of wooden prayer beads which wrap around your wrist.

All the while, the yōki presence remains subtle and indistinct, as though it were everywhere in Yule and nowhere in particular, and yet following you closely through every turn. It's deeply unsettling.

By the evening you've settled in at the inn, somewhat uncertain of the situation. You half expect a yōma to burst through the door at any moment. But instead nothing happens, and many of the other patrons begin to turn in early after a long several days of celebration.

As it happens, you find yourself joined once more as the fire in your room's fireplace starts to die down.
>1/?

>>3132191
This time, the intruder sets a cup of mulled cider down on the little table in your room at seats herself in one of the two chairs.

“So, how have the last few days treated you?”

You sigh, settling in across the table. “Not badly... mother. Though I am confused as to what you're doing here, assuming you really are here.”

“Trust me, little one,” Sabela smiles warmly at you. “I am here, in the flesh.”

“What was all of this?” you ask her. “These townsfolk didn't send that letter calling for aid, did they?”

Sabela shakes her head. “No, that would have been me. I head word that you were to be recalled to Lavinia and made my way here. I suspected that since you were so close by that the Organization would send you straight to me if I made the story convincing enough.”

“And those other two yōma?” you press.

“Not real,” she admits with a note of pride in her voice. “Did you like them though?”

“That was you?” you realize. “You made me see those things? That is why I felt your yōki constantly since I arrived here?”

“That is correct,” Sabela nods, practically beaming at you. “That is my ability... my yōki aura is so great and my control over it so thorough that I can use it to cause hallucinations. So I used it to stage this little drama for you.”

“To what end?” you ask her, a little bit shocked that she's yet to see the problem with what she's done. “I mean, why show me those things?”

“I wanted you to see them,” she explains, the smile fading somewhat. “Noel, I wanted you to see what I wanted your childhood to be like... what it may have been like had things turned out differently.”

“And the second night?”

“Noel,” she frowns now, setting aside her own mug of steaming cider. “You know as well as I do how most warriors are. I wanted to remind you how much you stand to miss, living like that.”

“And having been a warrior you know why we're like that,” you counter.

“Yes,” she admits. “I do know the reasons... but the reasons aren't all that good. Noel, I never wanted this for you. I wanted to be there, to guide you through your childhood in a way that wouldn't rob you of it. In that sense I have failed you... but I had hoped to make the point now that I don't think you need to give up on having happiness in your life just because 'normal' people see you as a monster!”
>2/3

>>3132288
You have to admit... you can see her point well enough. She's made her reasoning clear even if the way she went about things strikes you as a little disturbing. But behind that all you get an impression that there's genuine maternal concern there, that Sabela truly wishes that you would take some time to enjoy living more. That you would break the stereotype of the sullen, lonely warrior drifting from town to town with no home to call her own.

Sabela rises to her feet. “I should leave you to it then, my daughter. I've already taken a risk in meeting you here like this... but please, try to consider what I've said? Will you do that?”

Before she can walk out through the door, you clear your throat to call her attention.

“I've managed to enjoy today in spite of myself, you know,” you begin.

Sabela glances over her should at you. “I'm happy to hear that, Noel.”

“There's not another warrior on this part of the coast,” you point out. “Nobody knows you're here. So why don't you just... sit down for a few minutes. At least long enough to finish your drink.”

After a moment, you see a faint smile tug at your mother's lips. “I... think I would like that.”
>3/3

>>3132302
Thank you for Christmas mother.

>converse about horses in Harazan

>>3132302
So Sabela can know what warriors hundreds of miles away are doing without them sensing, cause realistic hallucinations and be unfindable by yoki sense. How do you even fight something like that?
>We won't fight best mom bla bla bla
She eats people, anons.

>>3132384
it's going to be pretty awful when we get to that point.

king gets to stretch his suffering boner

I like mom. Even if she is a monster.

>>3132539
Ask her to treat us to some human entrails.

>>3132302
i want to hug mom on the way out and say “Happy Yule’s Morning” before she leaves

>will resume tomorrow night

>>3132302
The next morning you awaken, your mother having left some time during the night. The yōki that hung about the town of Yule these past three days has completely faded, meaning that Sabela is long gone.

You had intended to speak with her more, to ask her some of the questions that still linger in your mind about the circumstances of her awakening and your birth. All you know so far is that she was part of a mission to fight one of the older Abyssal Ones and presumably awakened at some point during that mission, which was to be her last. But beyond that anything else you could say about it would be pure speculation.

But you were denied the chance to speak with her. All you can recall is the vague memory of a familiar voice singing, the sensation of immense lethargy and quiet comfort.

“What did you even do to me...” you mutter, already suspecting the answer must lie with her unusual abilities.

You shake your head, trying to clear it. “No, Noel. Next step, think about the next step.”

Heading downstairs, you arrange a quick breakfast before checking out of the inn and heading down for the docks. One of the ships there is just tying up, and one of the first passengers to disembark is a familiar face.

“Tomas,” you nod in acknowledgment. “You managed to find me easily enough.”

“Have you enjoyed your little vacation, number seven?” he asks you.

“Well, sorting out the yōma problem took longer than anticipated,” you lie, omitting Sabela's presence entirely and leading Tomas to believe that the yōma that the Organization thinks were here have been killed. “But I managed to enjoy my stay in spite of that.”

“Very good,” Tomas nods, clearly beyond the point where he actually cares. “We have something of an unusual situation. Three possible missions for you.”

“Oh?” you muse, honestly a little surprised. “Describe them for me.”

“There are three,” Tomas tells you with a sly smile. “And do not get the impression that you are the only one who can do these missions.”

>There's one mission in Hazaran's capital, and with Laura on the run no one to deal with it.
>An interesting series of murders in Shukzan. Serana has been sent to investigate.
>A town in the marshes of Noroit has disappeared... in the heart of Inquisition territory.
>Other?

>>3137518
>A town in the marshes of Noroit has disappeared... in the heart of Inquisition territory.

>>3137518
>There's one mission in Hazaran's capital, and with Laura on the run no one to deal with it.

>>3137518
>>An interesting series of murders in Shukzan. Serana has been sent to investigate.

>>3137518
>>There's one mission in Hazaran's capital, and with Laura on the run no one to deal with it.

>>3137518
>An interesting series of murders in Shukzan. Serana has been sent to investigate.

>>3137518
>>An interesting series of murders in Shukzan. Serana has been sent to investigate.

>>3137518
>>A town in the marshes of Noroit has disappeared... in the heart of Inquisition territory.

>>3137518
>An interesting series of murders in Shukzan. Serana has been sent to investigate.

>>3137518
>There's one mission in Hazaran's capital, and with Laura on the run no one to deal with it.

>>3137518
>There’s a mission in Hazaran’s Capital, and with Laura on the run, there’s no one to deal with it

>>3137518
>There's one mission in Hazaran's capital, and with Laura on the run no one to deal with it.

>>3137518
>An interesting series of murders in Shukzan. Serana has been sent to investigate.

>>3137518
>>There's one mission in Hazaran's capital, and with Laura on the run no one to deal with it.

>>3137518
>Hazaran narrowly wins
>Noel is heading home

File: 62670791_p2.jpg (174 KB, 1024x1210)

174 KB JPG

>>3137518
“There's a mission in Hazaran, you say?” you muse thoughtfully. “With Laura having gone missing, there's a strong argument to be made that the responsibility now falls to me.”

“You can look at it that way,” Tomas admits. “Though no one would hold you to such a decision.”

“So what are the details of this mission?” you press him.

“I assume that you are familiar with the Capital?” Tomas asks, waiting for you to nod in confirmation. “You know the surroundings, the lay of the roads?”

“It's by a river that's just called 'the Water' in that region,” you recount, “with a pair of roads that both run along the banks. There's a little mill town down there in the valley, with a big bridge that cuts through it now that serves as the main road into the city now. My father had it constructed before I was born to improve the flow of goods in and out of the city... specifically, the stones.”

“The stones, you say?” Tomas asks, raising an eyebrow.

You nod. “Much of the building under my father's reign relied on stones of remarkable quality, from a quarry three miles outside the old city wall and across the Water. The bridge was the first of many projects to be built from that stone.”

“What an interesting history lesson,” your handler drawls, clearly disinterested. “Though that certainly explains why a yōma taking up residence in the quarry would cause such a stir.”

“It certainly would bring new construction to a halt,” you admit, seeing what is likely to be the problem. Your father's would-be replacement wants to keep up the building projects that your father began, in order to enhance his standing with the populace and seem more like he stacks up with Tiberius.

“I'll head out immediately,” you nod in agreement. “Any further details, I will be able to pick up when I arrive in Dean.”

“In Dean?” Tomas asks.

You nod curtly. “Dean. The village I mentioned by the Water, the closest settlement to the old quarry.”

“I see,” Tomas muses quietly. “I cannot tell for sure whether allowing you to take this mission was a good idea or whether it was a horrible mistake.”

>Don't worry. I'll make sure to keep a low profile while I'm in the Capital.
>I plan to avoid the Capital entirely. No chances of anyone realizing who I am.
>I do not intend to hide, so perhaps it would be better to inform the pretender that I am still alive.
>I don't plan to hide, or to draw attention to myself. Whatever happens will happen.
>Other?

>>3139380
>>I plan to avoid the Capital entirely. No chances of anyone realizing who I am.
>Should I have to visit, there are enough girls seemingly my age, named after me that I would not stand out from it, and as a silver eyed witch who is very much alive I doubt anyone will draw a connection.
>People seldom look for corpses that walk around and carry big swords.

>>3139397
I like this.

>>3139397
>>3139380
supporting

>>3139397
This sounds good

>>3139380
Supporting: >>3139397

>>3139380
>Don't worry. I'll make sure to keep a low profile while I'm in the Capital.

>>3139380
>I plan to avoid the Capital entirely. No chances of anyone realizing who I am.

>>3139397
supporting

>>3139380
“I plan to avoid the Capital itself,” you admit, “despite how much I would like to visit again after all these years. But even were I to return there, Noel is not an uncommon name anymore and the citizens of Hazaran mostly believe me to be dead. There is little chance that anyone would seriously believe a dead princess has returned carrying a big sword.”

“You sound fairly certain of this,” Tomas muses. “But should you be?”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you sure it is impossible that any nobles who knew you when you were a child will recognize you?” Tomas presses.

You shrug. “That is why I intend to avoid the Capital.”

After a few moments, Tomas nods quietly. “See that you do.”

This time the journey back along the northern coast is far less eventful, since it seems you have caught a break in between winter storms. You arrive in port after just four days' time and take to the roads to cross the rolling high plains of Karluk and Sakia. Two days later you pass through the town of Voi like a shadow in the night.

By daybreak you find yourself ascending into the mountains of Hazaran, picking your way through the peaks long the old trails and passes. You deliberately chart a wide course around the roads which will lead to the Capital itself, instead rounding the high peak to the north and finding the slow, wide-moving eddies of the Water.

After following the Water for a day and a half you pass under the massive stone bridge constructed under your father's supervision and reach the little mill-town of Dean.

There are whispers as you pass.

“Excuse me,” you eventually frown, picking out a teenaged boy who was just a little too conspicuous in his muttering to his friend. “But what is it you're muttering about over here? Here I thought Dean was supposed to be a quiet village these days.”

“Well, no offense meant,” the boy insists hastily. “It's just you're not the Witch we're used to seeing around here.”

“You mean Laura?” you muse.

“Do you know her?” the boy asks.

You frown at him. “Do you?”

>This is strange. Maybe it warrants speaking to the village elder?
>So Laura knew the locals. You need to get to work in the quarry.
>Stop in at the tavern. Rent a room, listen to the local rumors.
>Otehr?

File: dean3.jpg (384 KB, 1400x933)

384 KB JPG

>>3141636
Forgot the image.

>>3141636
>>Stop in at the tavern. Rent a room, listen to the local rumors.

>>3141636
>Stop in at the tavern. Rent a room, listen to the local rumors.
Village Elders have a high chance of recognizing Noel, considering the many crowd addresses Tiberius brings Noel to in her childhood.
>other: Grill the Teenage boy for more info. He seems rather impressionable.

>>3141636
>"Well, she's more or less a friend of mine. She's currently occupied with something, though."
>This is strange. Maybe it warrants speaking to the village elder?

>>3141649
Support.

>>3141649
In with this guy

>>3141636
>>3141649
This.

>>3141636
>Stop in at the tavern. Rent a room, listen to the local rumors.

>>3141636
The boy tries to withdraw, only for you to grab him by the collar.

“That wasn't a rhetorical question,” you press with a frown. “How have any of you people interacted with Laura in the past?”

“I dunno!” the boy protests, struggling in vain to escape without tearing his shirt. “She just comes through here a lot, stays at the inn! You see someone enough times eventually you learn their name, that's all!”

“I see,” you nod, abruptly releasing him where he staggers for a moment at the sudden sense of freedom. “Thank you for your honesty.”

“That's... it?” the boy asks incredulously.

You turn around, quickly spotting the nearest and apparently only inn in the village. “What, you thought I was some kind of monster or something? We warriors may sometimes have ill manners, short tempers, or one of any number of other shortcomings in terms of our social graces... but few of us are genuinely unreasonable.”

“Be well, young man.”

After a few moments of walking, you hear a voice call out after you. “You too, ma'am!”

You allow yourself a slight smile.

Inside the tavern you find warmth against the chilly, wet air of the valley in the form of a warm fire in the hearth and well-upholstered chairs. There's no room open for the night, but you arrange with the innkeeper to have a light meal and to use a plush chair by the fireplace to take a rest in.

People come and go for the rest of the afternoon, and you catch snippets of several conversations as you review page after page of hand signs...
>3d10, best of three

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

>>3145443

Rolled 1, 9, 5 = 15 (3d10)

>>3145443
>inb4 we hear nothing interesting

>>3145447
s'ok I got us covered ;)

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

>>3145443

>>3145451
Noice.

>>3145451
>>3145450
>inb4 we're good at being DETECTIVE NOEL but blow our cover super quickly the moment we have to roll to bluff our real identity.

>>3145443
You pick up a few rumors, in addition to getting through all your reading and committing several pages worth of hand signals to memory.

First you get a snippet about the yōma that is supposedly infesting the quarry across the water, apparently it killed an entire shift worth of stonecutters in one fell swoop. Left the dismembered corpses strung up to be found afterwards too for that matter... apparently this one loves the dramatic effect. Maybe not the best plan in terms of reliably feeding, but definitely a good step to force people to abandon the site, turn it into a place of refuge.

But you also hear an interesting tidbit from the Capital. You didn't know it, but the anniversary of your 'death' is tomorrow. And there's supposed to be a big ceremony too, with political and religious notables from across the kingdom of Hazaran all assembling at the chapel that your father had consecrated on the official date of your 'birth'.

>You're not here for that. You want no part of it.
>You're kind of interested in seeing the ceremony, even if from afar and in the shadows.
>The local Warrior might be expected to attend. It certainly works that way in other cities.
>Other?

>>3145615
>>You're kind of interested in seeing the ceremony, even if from afar and in the shadows.

>>3145615
>The local Warrior might be expected to attend. It certainly works that way in other cities.

>>3145615
>Maybe you'll attend from afar, but the youma comes first, and your gut tells you this is not normal.

>>3145615
>>You're not here for that. You want no part of it.

>>3145615
>You're not here for that. You want no part of it.

>>3145615

>other: If this Youma is bold enough to massacre an entire quarry of workers of one shift and leave it up for display as a flair for drama, then it can't resist making a scene at a ceremony. Attend the ceremony from the shadows just to be sure.

>>3145615
>>3145626
swapping to
>>You're kind of interested in seeing the ceremony, even if from afar and in the shadows.

>>3145615
>>You're kind of interested in seeing the ceremony, even if from afar and in the shadows.
>>3145699
This train of thought is compelling to me. Was gonna vote to avoid the ceremony entirely, but to play it on the safe side I'll vote to stick to the distant shadows.

>>3145615
>>You're kind of interested in seeing the ceremony, even if from afar and in the shadows.

>3145615

>>3145615
>You're not here for that. You want no part of it.

>>3145615
>You're not here for that. You want no part of it.

>>3145615
>You're kind of interested in seeing the ceremony, even if from afar and in the shadows.

>>3145615
>You're not here for that. You want no part of it.
How to get found out 101
Thomas SPECIFICALLY warned us

>>3145615
>>3145699
This.

>>3145615
>You're not here for that. You want no part of it.

>>3145615
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 7, 1, 6 = 14 (3d10)

>>3148223

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

>>3148223

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

>>3148223

Rolled 3, 2, 9 = 14 (3d10)

>>3148223

>>3148223
After a night that feels all too short you set out early in the morning, leaving your comfortable chair by the fireplace behind and walking off into the cold, foggy air. There's a small footbridge across the Water that takes you to the other half of Dean, and a road near that bridge leads up and out of the valley towards the bridge which spans its width. There's already some traffic even this short after sunup, probably caravans working their way in after having been caught out just a bit too far from the Capital to make it before nightfall.

You know the rest of the way without asking, or glancing at the signs or a map.

The quarry is down a winding road the works its way around an outcropping visible from the main road, and once you lose sight of that you can see the quarry: a massive pit carved into the ground on the edge of that outcropping. The stone here tends to fracture in fairly regular layers, like slate but in much thicker pieces, on something of a diagonal that follows the contour of the back side of the outcropping that emerges from the soil around it.

You can sense that there has been a yōma here at some point recently, and the whole place has obviously been abandoned. There should be an endless sound of hammering and the cracking of stones, there should be horses drawing carts that creak under the weight of probably too many stones.

But that yōma isn't here anymore.

And you think you know where it has gone to.

It's gone back into the Capital, the one place you want more than anything else to go but where you absolutely cannot be seen.

If this yōma really is the type to make a statement with its feeding, there's a strong chance that it plans to interrupt the commemoration of your supposed death. Large crowds of people to terrify, plenty of secluded places to hide out in. There's a number of ways that a yōma could go about the grim task of feeding itself in a crowded city where things are already hectic.

You quickly work your way back to the bridge, but you're eventually faced with a tough choice: how do you want to play this? It's best if you avoid attention of course, but the best way to go about doing that is a little more nebulous.

>Marshal Noventus has a son in the guard here. That is your best option to be a local contact.
>Nobody knows there is a threat or who you are, so start by collecting information as usual.
>You should head for the chapel where the ceremony will be. That is where a dramatically-inclined yōma will go.
>Other?

>>3148315
>>Nobody knows there is a threat or who you are, so start by collecting information as usual.
>But swing by the Chapel district first, just too see if it's already there.

>>3148315
>>3148323
I'm in with this

>>3148315
>You should head for the chapel where the ceremony will be. That is where a dramatically-inclined yōma will go.
other: If you're going to go collect info, Pull out the stops on disguising yourself, the face, the hair. Put some headwraps, or a scarf on. If that doesn't work, try dyeing your hair to a different color if that's possible. Or just make yourself as messy as possible when fighting the yoma so that nobody will bother to try examining you up close when you're caked in Yoma blood and gore.

>>3148323
>>3148340
>>3148315
supporting these two

>>3148315
>You should head for the chapel where the ceremony will be. That is where a dramatically-inclined yōma will go.
>>3148340
Fully supporting all the disguise options.

>>3148315
>>Marshal Noventus has a son in the guard here. That is your best option to be a local contact.

>>3148315
>>Nobody knows there is a threat or who you are, so start by collecting information as usual.
>But swing by the Chapel district first, just too see if it's already there.

>>3148315
>>Marshal Noventus has a son in the guard here. That is your best option to be a local contact.

>>3148315

>You should head for the chapel where the ceremony will be. That is where a dramatically-inclined yōma will go.

>>3148315
>Nobody knows there is a threat or who you are, so start by collecting information as usual.

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

>QM has to roll

>>3150203
>dat 23
INTERNAL SCREAMING.

>>3150203
You head across the bridge, finally committing to what you suspect needs to be done.

It's like walking into your own memories. You haven't been to the Capital since you were nearly killed here years ago, so some of the details are unfamiliar of course, but it's still the same familiar, busy, crowded city that you remember. The colorful buildings, the many-tiered rooflines, the gardens and trees that shade the wider roads, the endless back alleys. The city is as vibrant as it ever was, the scents of flowers and spices wafting through the warm air.

Though there seem to be more people sleeping in the streets than you remember.

You work your way through the confusing tangle of roads towards the chapel.. your chapel, you could say...

Only to find a statue that looks awfully familiar.

“Excuse me,” you tap a nearby woman on the shoulder, who starts when she sees who you are. “I'm new around here... who is that statue supposed to be? It is not one of the twin Goddesses, I can tell as much.”

“That is Noel Tiberius,” the woman confirms your suspicion. “The former princess of this land. You sound a little like you're from here, but if you did not know that much...”

You begin to walk away, having heard more already than you're comfortable with.

The chapel is now in view.

Its exterior is pretty enough, carved stone in what for Hazari architecture is a light, almost airy style that carefully distributes the structural weight. A new, daring style for a new stage in the former King's life, when he became a father.

There is a faint sense of yōki around here. It isn't in the chapel itself, but definitely in this part of the city, waiting for the right moment. You'd even go so far as to say this yōma is lurking. This is clearly the exact problem you anticipated...

“What is your purpose here, witch?”

The voice almost startles you, having come as you were quietly considering the situation. “Excuse me?”

The speaker is a young man with dark hair, clearly dressed as an officer of the guard. He favors you with a tired expression. “I asked you what your purpose here is.”

“I am here on a mission, naturally,” you explain. “There is certainly a yōma in the area, I suspected it would likely come here to coincide with the commemoration event.”

“For the former princess,” the guard nods. “I see, so you believe there is a threat.”

Then he glances down at your boots. There's a look of dawning comprehension.

“Why are you wearing my riding boots?”

>>3150359
>tbc in the next thread

>>3150359
>“Why are you wearing my riding boots?”
>>3150359
BETRAYED BY BORROWED BOOTS
Damn it. Such a minor detail from multiple threads ago coming back to bite us in the ass XD

>>3150359
Motherfuck.

>>3150417
>>3150359
>“Why are you wearing my riding boots?”
This is clearly a spilled spaghetti moment.

>>3150359
>“Why are you wearing my riding boots?”

>"Maybe it would help if explained who you are, fucko."

>"Oh yeah I got them from your daddy in the fuckin' sticks. He's a nice guy. Doesn't just fuckin' up and call people witches. His mustache is also ten times better than yours, junior."

I think this is 3-billion% the way Noel talks. What do you mean I'm wrong? Fuck off.

>>3151669
it’s more like
>be Noventus’ son
>tired of putting up with being the capital’s errand boy guard.
>guard captain tells me a witch entered the city
>goddammit
>wish i was back home with my dad.jpg
>looks for witch
>goes to see the witch
>easy to find, nobody has hair that pink
>....
>who is she, why does she look familiar, why is she wearing my clothes, and what relationship does she have with da?

>>3150359
“Why are you wearing my riding boots?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lguc5Ota4U

>>3150359
>"You're daddy gave them to me. :^]"