>>3134186
I enjoy the development your ability to summarise past events has undergone OP. Way to go!
Also Merry Christmas to you and yours.

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>>3134186

[2/2]

That's a concern for later, as currently it's rather obvious that Jun's got something he wants to talk to you about. Last time it was about his future arranged marriage to Joo Yeon-Ha. From what you were told, they were friends growing up; a decent relationship made awkward by their fathers betrothing them to one another. Unless something else has happened, things have been smoothed out for the most part.

Which makes you all the more curious as to why the young man in question looks like he's twisting himself into knots at your gaze, "'Well' what? Is this about your girlfriend again or is this about politics?"

He twitches before responding, "The f-former."

"Hmm... You two get into a fight?"

"No."

"She has to leave Shirahoro?"

"No?"

"Her father's rescinded the arrangement and now you have to fight her new suitor to the death?"

"W-What?! No!?"

Resisting the urge to smirk at his current expression, you pause to think about what this could be about. Political marriages can get messy, which is why your last question was only half-joking, but you're running out of plausible reasons here. Unless... "Jun... You didn't..."

It takes a second for your implication to properly register, at which point the young man lights up, "No no no! W-We wouldn't... well, that's not really true," He mutters that last part out, but given how you're standing right next to him you make it out all the same, "Dammit John that isn't the issue here!"

"That's good. What is the issue then?"

"It's... Ah, fuck it. My father wants me to officially propose during the Winter Festival."

Your response?
> "And?"
> "What's Shiarhoro's Winter Festival like?"
> "Ah, we'll have to get drinks to celebrate."
> Other

>>3134212
So? You having second thoughts? You seemed happy together.

>>3134212
>> "Ah, we'll have to get drinks to celebrate."

>>3134212
"...okay, and apparently this is a bad thing?"

>>3134212
>> "Ah, we'll have to get drinks to celebrate."

>>3134264
>>3134240
>>3134233
>>3134220

"What's the issue now?"

Writin'

>>3134212

You just raise an eyebrow, "And? Ain't that a good thing? Thought you were happy together?"

"We are, but-" At that, Jun finally seems to get some iron back in his spin, "That's right, you've never been around for the Winter Festival."

"What's the deal about the Winter Festival?"

"I'll tell you about it later, for now we need to go," With that, he motions toward the door.

Quickly scribbling out a note to Sierra about where you're going before grabbing your coat and boots, you follow Jun out into the cold.

The sky's still a solid gray of clouds which continue to drop flurries on Shirahoro. As a result of this, the streets of the Earth District are far less filled than they normally would be, but you do note that those who are out are in a rather good mood. Groups of kids run about, cackling loudly when someone gets a snowball to the face, while several enthusiastic food vendors loudly proclaim their products to those passing by. The Fire District is not quite as jovial, as the sound of craftsmen at work fills the air as per usual, but there's several shops that have signs declaring holiday-special items. Even the Daimyo guards at the entrance to the Wind District aren't quite as stiff as they normally are.

The streets of the high-class district are being swept clean of the accumulating snow by various individuals, from the personal guards of whoever lives nearby or who are clearly professionals hired to do the job. Coming up to the Woo homestead, though, there's a number of people around.

> Roll me four 1d100+30's please

Rolled 11 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>3134341

Rolled 20 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>3134341
I fucking love it.

Rolled 95 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>3134341

>>3134360

That's a 125, Success.

Writin'

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>>3134341

You're not surprised to see various individuals outside of the Councilor's manor, most of them the personal guard of the minority of nobles about. Odds are good that Sun's been busy with his political duties, though whether that includes further solidifying his power or Council business you can't say.

That's not a thought you stick to for long, as you catch a flicker of movement out of the corner of your eye. Subtly looking over as best you can, it's only now that you notice the near half dozen shadows that contain masked figures. Instincts flaring, you reach behind your back only to curse under your breath as you forgot your lockbox back in the shop. Down to only your fists, you're halfway towards shoving Jun into a nearby alley before the bloodbath begins when you damn near run head-first into one of the few Easterners you have to look up to.

"Master Jun," Yeo politely bows to the young man before turning to you. There's a second where he looks over you as you try to regain your composure, "John; the Head is available to see you now."

"Looks like we've got good timing," If Jun's showing any concern over the fact that you're currently surrounded, you can't read it on his face. The giant of a man nods, turning and beginning to walk back towards the manor.

Silently gritting your teeth, you walk alongside the two Easterners even as you spot the shadows following you.

[1/2]

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>>3134552

[2/2]

It's been months since you've been here, and although the grounds are covered in snow and the pond is frozen over it hasn't changed much in the passing months. The hardwood floors have been polished to a shine, hell you almost feel bad walking on them in your boots, and every surface has been picked clean of dust. What is different this time is that you are lead into the home proper, rather than just the outer complex.

Stepping into the front hall, you follow Jun's and Yeo's lead by taking your boots off before going any further. A servant comes to collect your coats before leading you all to a meeting room of sorts.

You're vaguely reminded of the first time you met Sun Woo in the Main Bastion, as you do your best to get comfortable sitting down on the bloody floor, and after a moment another servant comes in with clay cups of steaming tea. You're far more tentative in drinking the pipping hot drink than your company is, but you've barely gotten past a few sips when the door slides open once more.

The Councilor looks tired for a bare moment, the slightest hints of bags under his eyes giving him away even as he immediately brightens up upon seeing you, "John, thank you for responding to my summons so promptly." He doesn't bow to you as he sits down, though whether that's from him being your host or his correct knowledge that you don't care for those types of things you can't tell.

Your response?
> "It's good to see you too, Sun. What did you wish to speak to me about?"
> "You're a busy man, Councilor. Has something happened while I was gone?"
> "Is there a reason why there's individuals stalking out the front of your home, Sun?"
> Other

>>3134576
"Expecting company of the....shadowy kind?" nod outside

and then "You don't call me for my witty conversations Sun, What do you want from my vast number of services?"

>>3134576
>"It's good to see you too, Sun. What did you wish to speak to me about?"

>>3134576
> "It's good to see you too, Sun. What did you wish to speak to me about?"

>>3134576
>> "It's good to see you too, Sun. What did you wish to speak to me about?"

>>3134576
>"It's good to see you too, Sun. What did you wish to speak to me about?"

>>3134576
> "It's good to see you too, Sun. What did you wish to speak to me about?"

>>3134979
>>3134910
>>3134678
>>3134668
>>3134593
>>3134580

Straight to the point as always.

Writin'

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>>3134576

"It's good to see you too, Sun." Despite your usual bluntness, it still pays to be respectful, "What did you wish to speak to me about?"

The conversation has barely started when its interrupted by yet another servant bringing a cup of tea to the Councilor. He takes a generous drink from the clay cup before speaking up, "Blunt as always, John. It is a quality that is comforting in these tenuous times."

You frown at his words, but do no respond just yet.

"After the shameful deaths of the Councilors involved in the attempted coup, there has been a rather large power vacuum as a result of their treasonous actions. The Council decided that I would be responsible for the nomination of replacement, or if necessary temporary, members, which is why I have been so busy as of late, but this is not the reason why I wished to speak with you."

Drawing a folded piece of paper from his pocket, a letter perhaps, Sun pushes it across the table to you. Jun and Yeo look on in clear interest as you pick it up and look it over. Giving the Councilor a short look, to which he just smiles back at you, you pull it open and look over the title of what you realize is some sort of overview.

"Planned Staff Registrar for the Shirahoro Institute of Higher Learning"

Looking down, the fact that your name is on this list, a rather long one at that, only elicits a dull sense of surprise from you. Still, he did do this without consulting you first, which is why your tone is less than cordial when you speak back up, "Sun, this is..."

If he's taken aback by your tone, as his bodyguard is, he doesn't show it, "It has not been finalized yet, if that is what you are concerned about. As is implied, the project is still within the planning stage and, given the current climate within the city, will take several years before the school is opened."

"I was going for 'ambitious'." Leaving the paper in question on the center of the table, you just look at the Councilor blankly, "There's no way you're scraping the bottom of the barrel this hard, Sun."

"Despite what you make people believe, you are an intelligent man, John," Finishing off the same tea you've hardly touched, you can't help but feel a bit irritated at how subtly smug he looks, "You don't have to give me an answer immediately, again it is not going to be a position that needs to be filled for a few years, but I want you to know that you were, in fact, my first choice for it."

You narrow your eyes at the man, trying to find any sign of subversion or falsehood. The fact that you can't find any doesn't ease you.

Your response?
> "A couple years, huh? Ah, fuck it, sounds like a nice gig."
> "I'll give you an answer, eventually, but I do want some time to think on it."
> "Sorry, Sun, but I've worked hard to get myself where I am and I ain't giving it up for a literal desk job."
> Other

>>3135425

On a rather meta note, which is why I'll spoiler it, consider this choice John's future after the events of AQ.

Does he finally decide to give up his life of freelance artificing in favor of teaching the best and brightest of Shirahoro all he's learned in the fields of engineering, applied physics, and magineering?

Does he continue his currently lucrative, but dangerous, occupation of going out into the wilderness in search of lost technology?

Considering this is a rather major choice, and that it's getting late, I'll leave this to an overnight vote, so don't feel rushed with your decision.

>>3135425
>> "A couple years, huh? Ah, fuck it, sounds like a nice gig."

>>3135425
> "I'll give you an answer, eventually, but I do want some time to think on it."
>Other
"But I have to ask how much freedom would I be given in the position?"

>>3135425
>>3135437
Hmm

On one hand, there’s the adventure and high risk-high reward, and of course freedom of Johns present life style.

On the other hand the stable job would mean considerably less danger, no trains and Sierra would probably prefer that as well. Additionally, cooperation with young hopefuls in an academic setting could be a boon to our artifice as well.

Idk if Shirahoro schedule would allow John to go on occasional Indiana Jones trips but I’m inclined to take the job. It cuts more into the thrill side than thirst for knowledge of his current occupation.

>>3135425
> "A couple years, huh? Ah, fuck it, sounds like a nice gig."

Sierra would like it, he seems to constantly loathe the shit he gets himself into, he's trying to stay grounded already, and worst comes to worst, like >>3135685 said we might be able to Indy it up every now and again if needs must.

>>3135425
>>3135685
A professor has to set up extracurricular field trips every now and then. My dad nearly got attacked by a polar bear on one. The only thing that stopped it was one absolute madman with a bolt action rifle.

>>3135698
>alright gentlemen and ladies, it’s time for our semiannual field trip.
>I’m unlocking the campus armory, suit up and let’s go
students:
> last one with an exosuit is a rotten egg!
> dibs on the rocket launcher
> explosives are gay! Gauß rifle is where it’s at!
> d-did you make more spider bots this year mr professor?

>>3135701
Nvm, I support this. If we get to do field trips AND keep running the shop.

>>3135425
>> "A couple years, huh? Ah, fuck it, sounds like a nice gig."

>>3135425
shit this is quite an offer......

I say we accept, But we are making Mini johns.
We will make smith and artificers, but we will also teach how to fight dirty. maybe call in some "extra curricular informants" like dutch to help out with that.

If Sun can agree to us teaching as we intend to teach [annual/biannual trips included] then i say we agree. We can't just give up our ways.
And if he couldn't agree to that, part time teaching can work.

>>3135698

That's a very interesting story anon. Good to hear your father wasn't hurt.

>>3135701

This is, more or less, what I had in mind for John's position post-AQ.

May or may not play a part in the eventual sequel to AQ.

>>3135564
>>3135685
>>3135686
>>3135706
>>3135734
>>3135853

Consensus says tentative yes.

Writin'

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>>3135425

For all you can say about him, you cannot deny that this is a rather sweet position Sun is offering you. Your education back in Westmire was just barely above self-study, as you tended to get shoved a few tomes and told to memorize them, but the idea of going through a proper Institution, never mind a full on College, was literally foreign to you. This is probably a once in a lifetime chance, and it takes a lot to not simply accept it up front.

After all, you've put a lot of work into situating yourself in Shirahoro where you currently are. You've got a damn good shop, good relations with both the Daimyo and the Genovese, and a lack of enemies that want your head on a pike. It has the upsides and downsides of freelancing, where you can get access to some incredible equipment but you also have to deal with almost dying on numerous occasions. Even with all of that, it has been worth it.

But you're not so attached to it to spit on this job off. That's why, after almost a minute of silence, you finally respond to Sun, "A couple of years, huh? We'll need to talk about it once the details have been more thoroughly ironed out, but ah, fuck, it sounds like a nice gig."

Yeo is the only one around the table to twitch at your crude language, while Sun and Jun simply smile along. The Councilor looks somewhat relieved by your response, tucking the slip of paper back away within his robes as he speaks, "As you say, we will need to speak on this matter further in the future. But I can assure you, John, that it will be most certainly worth your time and commitment. There will be guidelines to follow and the like, but as there will also be liberties afforded to you."

Well, isn't that intriguing, "You might regret those words, Sun."

"Indeed I might!" Chuckling to himself, Sun continues, "On a far less serious note, do you have any plans for the Winter Festival?"

"Considering I've never participated in one while in Shirahoro, I currently do not."

"Would you be interested in joining myself and my family for the Festival? We have modest plans, mainly a large dinner, but either way I'd be honored for you, and Sierra, to be there."

Your response?
> Accept the invitation, sounds like a good time.
> Decline the invitation, you were thinking of something quieter.

>>3136426
>Other
What exactly would the winter festival entail? Jun was going to tell me about it but we got here too soon.

lets have some fun, learn some info, and see if we need to get new duds.

>>3136426
>Could you tell me more about the festival?
>Sounds good, I'll ask Sierra

>by the way, what's with the shadows outside?

>>3136447
yeah, forgot about shadows. But try and ask descreet like.

>>3136447
+1 Support

>>3136426
>>3136447
+1

(You know guys I thought of something and why don't we make a mech? I mean it sort of is in the realm of possibility. And it would be a pretty cool page to end the story on. Also said mech should have a flamer)

>>3137404
We'd need to start with making and selling mining equipment to speed up materials acquisition. Unless you're talking about something less than two stories tall.

Let’s not forget about the robot girl. We need to make sure she’s fine.

>>3136426
this >>3136447

>>3137404
Eh, I'd rather finally finish the Assembler so John can make things faster.

>>3137642
That's probably the first step towards the giant mech too.

>>3137642
Fair point

>>3137631
Indeed, we need to find her.

>>3137642
Assembler is a priority in "Fuck you blight [kaiju varient]" project number 4.

>>3138326
Also Gauss wallguns for Shiroharo, so ain't nobody can fuck with it

>>3143092
.......Ehhhhh

We still need to bring that up with sun. Do we really want to be handing out gauss tech? COULD we hand out gauss tech?

>>3143120
Want to? depends
Could we? technically yeah.
Would it be cheap enough to be produced in large numbers? Maybe not.

>>3143128
the cost is more what i am on about. This shit is great but to refine it into something workable is going to be.......interesting to say the least.
Also, the chance of our work being taken and used against us increases proportionally to how many we produce and give away.

>>3143139
I was thinking more selling wallguns to the daimyo.

because well...wallgun.

>>3143120
We already gave mafia a spaceship, it seems only fair we give some snazzy guns to the authorities.

>>3143151
No, we facilitated their acquisition of the ship. It wasn't ours to take or give away.

>>3143147
yes, i suppose wall guns are okay but then we just seem to be holding out on sun [at least from my view] if we don't tell him about the hand held. and then why wouldn't we give him hand held?
Lots of nasty questions, but maybe i am paranoid. Maybe we can copyright the design....

That would be nice for sierra, once we are naught but dust. some manner of income anyway.

>>3143165
Doesn’t matter whose it was. The fact of the matter is that we actively contributed to significant shift in balance of power.

>>3143179
That's one of those things that's likely going to have MAJOR ramifications down the line but doesn't mean jack for now. They didn't just get an artifact to study and reverse engineer, they got a warship to use outright. When very few others have access to that kind of firepower and mobility- certainly no one we've met- that's a scary thought and something the Genovese could easily leverage to make themselves top dogs for a good, long time.

>>3143179
>>3143235
To be entirely fair, Shiroharo doesn't seem to be the most advanced faction in the first place, if some of the groups we faced at the warship dive were any indication.

and if it's any consolation, we don't need to give them guass tech, just the less complicated loading mechanism would be miles superior from the clockwork they currently use.

cheaper to produce and maintain too.

>>3143246
Hmm.....You have a point. But it is something to bring up with sun. We can offer him as a personal friend a small amount, 3 rifles i would say, for his personal protection. the actual loading mechanism i think is a more on the table deal.

>>3143252
A concern of mine is that the tech will be lost when John dies.

and that would just be a shame

>>3143271
If we last, we are going to be teaching in a school. if we don't last, no concern of ours.

though we do have the plans in the shop. so just leave a note out in our will. I assume we have written one.

>>3143276
>John
>Writing a Will
>When there's Work to do.

>>3143280
....Fair enough.

So much to do, but we still need a will.

Sorry about the delay folks. I’ll be around to run tomorrow.

>>3137404
>>3137597
>>3137642

An attempt at making a mech would require a lot more material and an assembler to create the hundreds of tiny bits and pieces. It won’t be something we’d be doing in AQ, though.

>>3143092
>>3143120

Selling tech to other organizations has always been an option, but as stated the question is always in regards to the effect the spread of such tech dice will result in.

>>3143235
>>3143179
>>3143165

I can say with utmost certainty that this will play a part in the future. However, as was stated in the crossover, the real value of the frigate is the technology that can be researched from.

>>3143246

Shirahoro is a mid-level City in comparison to others on the continent, but that is mainly due to the trade that goes on within it, rather than any particular kind of technology it utilizes.

Selling the blueprints to Clockwork-less automatic actions is a good, relatively safe idea.

>>3143271

Such is the fate of many, Artificer or no, in this setting; to die before what they learned can be fully passed on.

>>3144796
>Relatively safe idea
>Relatively

Concern.

>>3144801

Well, you can’t exactly put the genie back in the bottle after you’ve released it; once you sell a concept, it’s out there for good.

>>3145033
you forget that someone put the genie in the bottle in the first place.

So to fix that problem, just kill everyone. dead men tell no tales.

>>3145037

That is one way to secure an IP. I really wouldn’t recommend it, but it, technically, works.

>>3145037
But then there's no one left to buy your shit

>>3136447
>>3136460
>>3136519
>>3137212
>>3137642

Ask about the details, ask about the individuals lurking about outside, and then see what Sierra's got planned.

Writin'

>>3136426

You don't exactly have any plans already, given how you've barely gotten a day in since your last job you didn't have time to make any, but even you're not stupid enough to blunder into what could easily be a meeting of some of Shirahoro's elites. Sure, you'd have Sierra, Jun, and Yeon to hang out with, but you've been to enough political parties and dinners to know just how influential they are. At the very least, you should perform your due diligence, "What exactly does this dinner, and the winter festival for that matter, entail?"

If Sun's slighted by your lack of direct answer, he doesn't show it, "The festival is a rather informal affair for Shirahoro, some minor traditions non with standing, with a few parties on the streets in certain areas. As for the dinner, I started it as a way of keeping in touch with my circle of friends and colleagues as our schedules are far too full to permit something of the sort during the rest of the year."

"Sounds interesting enough," If anything, it sounds like a good chance for some fine food, drink, and entertainment, especially if Jun goes through with his father's wishes. Still, you can't get that earlier scene out of your head, so you lean forwards slightly and lower your voice, "Sun, what is the deal with those shadows outside? Is there something you aren't telling me?"

Yeo, who has been his usual stoic and silent self this entire conversation, raises an eyebrow at your inquiry, though it turns into a slight look of resignation as the Councilor across from you chuckles, "Oh, them? No, no, John, those would be my personal guards. Presently, you have nothing to worry about in regards to them. Although, I may have to inform them that they were spotted."

The momentary sly grin Sun gives his bodyguard is quite entertaining, given how the mountainous Eastern just closes his eyes, "I will do so, sir."

"I need to go talk to Sierra about it, but you can expect us to show at this dinner of your, Sun," Standing up from your sitting position, you given a slight bow to the man before leaving.

> Sorry about the delay. As things stand currently, I'm only able to run three days out of the week with any kind of consistency. I'll be putting up a new thread shortly, so see you all on that soon.

>>3162174
STEP UP YOUR TRAINING, LOSERS.

Next Thread:

>>3162782