>from previous thread

“I don’t know what the FUCK you’re talking about, and especially not who Clint is. Who the FUCK is Clint? Look, I came here to talk to *Venser* about some bad things that have been happening in town, out of curtesy! Shit bad enough that I came here, right to him to discuss! Worse than whatever the fuck you’ve been up to.”

Ashur grimaced at Henry and shot him a look full of hatred. He turned to the lantern and kept his gaze on it for a moment, like he expected it to do something more than hover.

“Bullshit. You’re lying, I know you’re fucking lying! You’ve weaseled your way far too close to him for this to be anything other than a trap, and now you go to the Marquis and try to play it off as business?! Do you think I’m stupid!?” Ashur yelled, overpowering Henry’s annoyance with anger.

“So is this a little coup, going behind Venser’s back, thinking you can seize the reins. Cause that means I don’t have a god damned thing to lose by plastering you against the wall over there. Fuck it you want to dance? I have an angelic flare rune and an itchy finger, lets see what fucking happens huh?” Henry said, pulling out the flare run and aiming it at the ceiling knowing full well it’d keep going until it hit open sky.

“You little, do you think that everyone is always trying to betray everyone else? I’d NEVER go behind his back, you don’t even deserve to say his name! ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU’RE WORKING FOR THE CULT!” Ashur yelled again. The man was struggling to hold himself back.

“Also I’m pretty sure I destroyed anything remaining when I blew up Del Mar’s hidey hole. I’m very sorry that you wanted his diary but I wasn’t going to get anywhere near him.”

“You were at his house! I KNOW you were there!” Ashur continued. The man had thrown the seat back and had begun to stand up at some point.

“Calm the FUCK down.” Henry said. “I am NOT your enemy, I’m working for MYSELF and right now there is a monster out there wearing a human face and whatever you might think about me I guarantee its worse.”

>>3636417
>from previous thread
“Yet you still work for it?” Ashur asked, incredulous. “Fine I’ll humor you, because obviously you’re able to avoid telling the truth without uttering a single lie!”

Ashur snapped his fingers and the first lamp settled on the desk and extinguished itself. Henry felt the pressure in the room immediately dissipate like someone had flicked a switch.

“Boy I don’t think you know what the FUCK you’re talking about.” Henry said, feeling a few flickers of a much darker rage boil over.

>The Apprentice is a loud mouth isn’t he? With a snap of your fingers he won’t talk ever again… you know you want to.

>>3636423
Henry took the time to look over the lantern that Ashur had been glaring at. The spellcraft reminded him a bit of what Grom had pulled off when he’d used the pacify spell. It looked to be some sort of white mana scry spell perhaps a lie detector? That would explain Ashur’s reaction to what he’d just said, and he hadn’t told a single lie. He decided that he couldn’t think too hard about this Clint person or he’d set himself up to lie and he didn’t know what the lanterns’ effects would be. The other lantern also had white mana and had created the pacification field. It was probably a blanket effect which had also affected Ashur, meaning that he might intend to use violence against him depending on what he said. So he was dangerous and short tempered, great.

“I don’t want any harm to come to Venser, in fact he’s probably one of the few people I can see eye to eye with.” Henry said.

Ashur glanced at the white mana lantern again and grit his teeth. He glanced back at Henry and it didn’t seem like he believed what he was seeing.

“I truly hope I’m not making a mistake, Henry, ever since our encounter in the Chateau I believed you were a vile sort of person. My gut’s never been wrong before. What are you after? Why now of all times? Who do you work for?”

“Fuck, you’re too fucking young to be asking those sorts of questions. Too fucking… I don’t know, naïve? It isn’t innocent if Venser’s taken you in.”

“You shut your mouth! Venser is the most honorable man I know, a true hero!” Ashur said.

The man couldn’t have been older than sixteen, he kinda reminded Henry of Charles in a way. Perhaps that was the sort of relationship the two had?

“Fine, be suspicious of me, Hell, be suspicious of everyone, even Venser. That’s probably the most honest advice I’ve ever given. But learn to pick the time and place kid, this is the worst place imaginable to have this kind of talk. People are dying right now. There ain’t no more places to hide from death, and death isn’t a place to hide at all, cause we all know the barriers are failing. You know that right?”

>>3636548
“The flickering… no Venser said that would all be fixed…” Ashur replied.

“The angels are getting weaker too, you’ve noticed that, right?” Henry asked, sitting down at the desk and looking Ashur in the eyes. “I’m just trying to do what I can before everything falls apart, so please call Venser in so that I can get some help with this. Tell yourself that he’s simply going to kill me once I betray him or whatever if that makes you feel better. If it came to a fight he’d probably win.”

Ashur stared, sighed and sat down as well. He was no longer enraged and Henry would even go so far to say he was a bit ashamed.

“You know, you’re more like paladins are made out to be than how most are, and that’s not a compliment.” Henry said.

“I get it, I’m sorry. I just, I’ve lost a lot of people I care about. You said I was a stuck up noble, you don’t know shit.”

“Is Venser not here?”

“No, he really isn’t, but I can take the information in his stead. I’m his understudy after all.” Ashur said.

Henry sighed and handed the boy a copy of the information he’d acquired. Ashur looked it over and nodded.

“This would be something for the Gold or the Inquisition to deal with, not us Silvers.” Ashur replied. “I can pass it on to the right people though. To find this out… you must have some sort of contacts that you don’t want the church to know about… fine I won’t ask.”

“Thank you.” Henry said.

“A word of warning, Henry. Things are going to reach a point where you’re going to either have to step aside or pick a side. If you pick the cult’s side, I’m going to have to kill you. Maybe you deserve it, I don’t know. But Venser seems to see you as someone he can, how did you say it? See eye to eye with? Even I don’t share that distinction. But I know that he’s a good man and his faith is unshakeable. We all know the church is going to be entering some dark days but we’re all ready for it. We have to be.”

Decisions:
1. *say something more* (write in)
2. *leave*
3. (write in)

>>3636553
>3. (write in)
"I am, and will always be, on my side, the side of my friends and family"
>2. *leave*

>>3636553
This >>3636563

>>3636553
> In the future, I guess we'll see if you stand with the Church . . . Or the people.

> Just because there are Demons and worse, it doesn't mean Angels are "Good". We'll see what happens when they ha e to choose between their ideals,om or saving people.

>>3639492
>>3636674
>>3636563
writing

>>3636553
“I am, and will always be on my side, and that includes my friends and family. Anyone that tries to harm them will have hell to pay.” Henry said.

“Even if that thing is the church itself? God himself?” Ashur asked.

“In the future, I guess we’ll be seeing who you stand with Ashur, the church or the people.” Henry replied.

“The church is the people! The congregation, righteousness itself! All we need to do is remove the contaminants of the cult of progress and then we will be able to stand strong!” Ashur said, trying to convince himself more than Henry.

“Just because there are Demons and worse, it doesn’t mean that Angels are good, Ashur. Just because there are horrible, horrible people out there, it doesn’t make the church good just because they don’t appear to be as bad. We’ll see what happens when the church has the choose between saving the people or saving itself. I wonder which ideals it will drop first.”

“Heresy! I was right from the start.” Ashur yelled.


“Believe what you want, Ashur, we’re done here.” Henry said, leaving and slamming the door behind him, leaving Ashur alone.

Henry exited the citadel and reconvened with Johnny, and explained that things hadn’t exactly gone to plan. But he’d dropped off the information and that had been that. The trip home was quiet, Henry couldn’t help but feel that he’d spoken to someone that was deeply conflicted and wondered why he’d stuck with Venser so much. Perhaps there was no reason and Venser had helped him on a whim, maybe that was his idea of right? Ashur was barely a man and yet he had a fierce determination that reminded Henry of Gerald, although far less idealistically flexible.

“I know his type. You view that inflexibility as a massive weakness, but sometimes, when you need to destroy a threat, you can’t be flexible. You just need to grit your teeth and get it over with. Not everything is gray either, Henry. We are allying ourselves with people who are a bit morally questionable, not to mention that abomination you’re concocting.” Johnny said.

“I didn’t ask your opinion, but thanks.” Henry said.

Arriving home, Henry was surprised to find Rosa waiting by the front gate, talking with Charles. She’d been gone for four days, where the hell had she been?

Decisions:
1. *embrace the woman*
2. “Where have you been?”
3. “Seeing as you haven’t turned us over to the church, you’re okay with everything?”
4. “I hope you aren’t keeping my apprentice away from his work”
5. *walk right past her and pretend you didn’t see her.*
6. (Write in)

>>3639830
>Walk right up to her and stand there.
>Just stare at her, a pace or two away.
>Wait for it...
>WAIT FOR IT...
>Move to hug her the moment she does the same to you.
>Whisper in her ear "I missed you."
>“Where have you been?”

>>3639859
writing

>>3639859
Supporting

>>3639830
I find it hilarious we destroyed our own abomination superweapon plans and now we're making a better one.

>>3642210
Inventing soul-piloted magitek mech units in medieval times isn't an abomination though. It'll benefit the fatally crippled, the infirm, the manaless, and the terminally ill. It'll give people a new lease on life as cool almost-immortal mechas. It'll give the rich nobility and the elite something to want for their best people, or they'll want to BE the mechas.

And as long as the only way to put consenting people's souls in them is by tearing them out of still-living bodies, and as long as Henry is the only man who has the horrific ability to do this thanks to Abraxas fucking him up as a child for years and years, that means the means are limited. And because the means are limited, Henry and co. become valuable assets. And that means BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG MONEY.

>>3639830
Henry slinked up behind Rosa, making sure he was loud enough to make the woman turn around. Once he was staring at her surprised face, he waited for a moment. Rosa seemed incredibly confused and then nervous, turning to Charles and Johnny with a concerned worried look on her face.

“L-look I’m sorry for not telling you that I was-“ Rosa said, before being cut off by Henry hugging her.

“I missed you.” Henry said, whispering into her ear softly.

“N-not in public…” Rosa muttered, barely able to muster any resistance to Henry’s affection.

Henry released the woman as Johnny and Charles pulled open the gate to the warehouse compound. Henry brought her inside the wall but kept her outside of the actual building, then found a couple of crates to sit on.

“Where have you been?” Henry asked.

“I was meeting with someone, my former tutor. I was morally conflicted about everything that had happened, not just this of course. I’ve decided I need to be more accepting of them and their condition, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to accept all of your behavior Henry. I want to ensure that you don’t fill their heads with all sorts of nonsense like you’re doing with Charles.”

“Whatever are you talking about?” Henry said with a sly smile. “All I’m doing is teaching him a few useful skills here and there.”

“I don’t want to argue with you. So how’ve you been?” Rosa asked.

“Great, Alice and the two kids have gotten comfortable in their little nest.”

“Alice, nest? Weren’t there four of them?”
Decisions:
1. “One of them took their own life.”
2. “Yeah, they have a nest made of straw… it’s makes them more comfortable and it’s kinda cute how the three of them sleep together curled up.”
3. “Alice, Mark, Nina, their names.”
4. “One of them ran off, dunno what happened to her, but I hope she doesn’t get caught by the church” (lie)
5. (write in)

>>3643097
>1. “One of them took their own life.”
The children don't know about it.

>>3643097
This >>3643158

>>3643097
>1. “One of them took their own life.”
"We never got the chance to get her name... The kids don't know, and Alice didn't take it too well at first."

Should we say we got someone to give her last rites? If anyone else agrees, let's shift the blame to the corrupt priest, rather than the vampire cathar. If nobody wants to go with the idea, let's just skip it.

>>3643336
>Should we say we got someone to give her last rites?
Yes, but not who.
Do confirm it's a priest.

>>3643336
>>3643344
Yes, these

>>3643344
>>3643384
>>3643336
>>3643330
>>3643158
writing

>>3643097
“The other one took her own life, Rosa, we just held the funeral the other day.” Henry said.

Rosa nodded and sighed. It wasn’t surprising to her in the slightest it seemed.

“I’m worried about the children, Henry, they won’t be able to live normal lives. But If they try to live as humanly as possible then I will try my best to accept them. But if they threaten anyone else I will turn them over to the church. That’s the most I’m willing to allow.”

“I’ll take what I can get, thanks Rosa.”

“Who gave them funeral rites?”

“Someone who was willing to keep their mouth shut. A priest willing to exchange coin for silence.” Henry said.

“Johnny didn’t offer? Not that I really mind, I suppose.” Rosa asked.

“The man doesn’t like presiding over funerals, never has.” Henry explained.

“Did you tell the children?” Rosa asked.

“No, I decided against it, for all they know the woman ran away, I’m sure Alice will tell them eventually.”

“Right, well, I guess we have a few things to discuss, what’s new around here?” Rosa asked, slowly following Henry down the pier towards his house.

“The same old same old, got a couple new jobs in the pipeline, hoping to make some more coin, speaking of which I need to give you yours.”

“Thanks. I’ve started speaking with some old friends of mine about gathering supplies for the clinic.” Rosa said.

“Look at us, having a normal conversation for once.” Henry suddenly blurted out.

Rosa stared for a moment before the two burst out laughing. Rosa hooked her arms around Henry’s and leaned in. Hell, he’d missed her.

Decsisions:
1. “Would you be willing to come along with us on our next job? We really could use your healing expertise.”
2. “I know a good place nearby to set a clinic up. I’d be willing to put my name down as the owner since I don’t know how many people would sell to you.”
3. “How’ve you been holding up?”
4. “I’m now the proud owner of a mercenary company!”
5. (write in)

>>3643696
>“How’ve you been holding up?”
>"While you were out, we delivered the corpse and got the next new job from Marquis Ludvic up there. Something going on out in Durkip. Somewhere a bit too close to home for coincidence."
>Look right at her as you say that last line.
>"I'd like it if you could come with me. Not just because I seem to be getting hurt more than Larry, but because I want you there with me."
>"When we come back from that, we should have enough to start that clinic up. I’d be willing to put my name down as the owner since I don’t know how many people would sell to you." Smile. "Oh wait, there's one sitting here already. Isn't that convenient?"

>>3643696
>3. “How’ve you been holding up?”

>>3643696
> 2. “I know a good place nearby to set a clinic up. I’d be willing to put my name down as the owner since I don’t know how many people would sell to you.”

> 4. “I’m now the proud owner of a mercenary company!”

"Doing good for coin. Hunting down . . . *things*. You know I have some history, Rosa, and I'll never be a Paladin. Maybe an Inquisitor, but my first job would probably be to turn myself in. But I still want to, if not make the world a better place, at least somewhat redeem myself by hunting down things that go bump claw chew gulp in the night. And people who remind me of what I could have become if I hadn't met Johnny. Or you. Sometimes you need a salve, other times you need to lance an infection, right? Seriously is that right, I'm not really clear on healing more advanced than "put the white stuff on the red stuff, apply pressure".

Then >>3644070

Line our wacky adventuring recklessness with some responsibility. We aren't just doing it for money any more, but because it has to be done. Some people are more willing to work with us to clean up messes, as opposed to bringing it to the Church and getting burned alive. Monsters and mistakes that qould otherwise be left until the Church found their victims can be stopped before . . . Well, she saw Alice and the kids.

>>3645158
>>3644081
>>3644070
reviewing then writing

>>3643696
“How’ve you been holding up, Rosa?” Henry asked.

As the woman thought up her answer he opened the front door to the lighthouse cottage and led her inside. He prepared enough coffee for a few cups and then set water on the stove. He came back to find Rosa sprawled out on the small couch he’d gotten to spruce up his living room. He sat down next to her and Rosa responded by laying her head down on his lap.

“No complaints?” Henry asked.

“We’re in private, so why would I complain?” Rosa asked. “I’ve been holding up fine, honestly I believe I’ve finally gotten used to the craziness you surround yourself with. Certainly it is an improvement over the day to day, minus the danger to life and limb.”

“Yeah it’d be nice to get some excitement without having to risk my neck.” Henry agreed.

“Well it would be nice if I didn’t have to CONSTANTLY WORRY.” Rosa said, pinching Henry’s side and causing the man to flinch.

“Feck you aren’t even gonna warn me?” Henry asked.

“Oh stop being a baby, you survived worse.” Rosa said, teasing him.

“While you were out, we delivered the bug’s corpse and got a new job from Marquis Ludivc Von Braun personally. We even got to go into his fancy mansion and see a few automatons. Somethings happening out in Durkip Province. Somewhere a bit too close to home to be a coincidence.” Henry said.

“Right, you’re from Durkip correct?” Rosa asked

>>3646957

“Yep, Rally Hamlet, apparently it’s a town now. I managed to find my grandfather, Rosa. I have a good chunk of family in that town, I never thought to go back there. I’m going to be visiting my family on the way to my next job. I’m kind of scared, actually.”

“You, scared? I didn’t think you could feel fear. You certainly don’t have any self-preservation instincts.” Rosa said snidely.

“How would you feel if you were going back to visit your family?” Henry asked.

“Ah, right.” Rosa muttered.

Henry could feel the woman tense as she remembered something awful. He ran his hands through her curly red hair until she calmed down. He liked how he could make her feel at ease just from his touch.

“So why you? Why do you feel the need to do any of this?” Rosa asked.

“Well, I’m now the proud owner of a mercenary company, so it’s sort of my job. The Marquis did most of the paperwork, which I reviewed of course. He found a random baron to act as a sponsor to speed up the process. I just got the official license from the church, so we’re in business.”

“A merc company, you’re going to be fighting for a living?!” Rosa said, shooting up and looking like she’d just been betrayed.

“Well, kind of… Look I’m not going to be doing too much fighting myself… eheheh.” Henry said, suddenly feeling like he was staring down a dragon. For all intents in purposes he basically was. He seized up as the woman planted a couple of punches into his side, they’d didn’t really hurt but it didn’t feel great.

>>3646961

“It’s good coin, Rosa. I’m being paid sixty gold coins for just this job alone. Its good money and I wouldn’t be able to come by it through normal means. If I can get this company really set up then we wouldn’t have to worry about money ever again, hell we could live really comfortably!” Henry said, realizing he couldn’t squirm away with the woman’s leaning into him.

“I don’t want to talk about this right now.” Rosa muttered. “I don’t want to talk about blood money when we finally can share some time togethe.”

“It ain’t fecking blood money.” Henry shot back. “At the very least it’s gonna be able to support everyone who works for me.”

“Right of course.” Rosa said, sarcastically.

“Look, I’d like it if you could come with me. Not just because I seem to be getting hurt more than Larry, but because I want you to be there with me.”

“H-henry.” Rosa said, placing a hand over her mouth. “I… oh darn it of course I’ll stick by you.”

Rosa bit her lip and shook her head, glaring halfheartedly at Henry. She knew she was being buttered up but he could tell she liked it quite a bit.

Henry placed a short kiss on her lips to thank her. Rosa went redder than a tomato in response and buried her head in his lap in embarrassment.

“When we come back from this job, we should have enough to start that clinic up properly. I’d be willing to barter for it and put my name down as the owner. I don’t think too many people would sell property to a woman, much less a healer.” Henry said.

“No need to rub it in.” Rosa said.

“Well, actually, there is one person I can think of who would sell to a woman.”

“Yeah?” Rosa asked.

“He’s sitting right next to you.”

>>3646967

“What… you mean it?!” Rosa asked, lighting up and smiling wide, like a kid who’d just been handed a bunch of candies.

“Yep, I wouldn’t have the time to help run the clinic myself. I wouldn’t want to own the deed either, wouldn’t be right. Sides I know you’ll do a good job.”

“Thank you Henry, truly, it’s all I’ve ever wanted.” Rosa said.

Henry began to lean in sensing the moment was right. Rosa closed her eyes and slowly did the same.

At that moment, the kettle began to whistle, causing both of them to jump in surprise. They both shared a look and began to laugh wholeheartedly. Henry rushed back into the kitchen and managed to get to the kettle before it boiled over, and poured a couple cups of coffee, one for each of them. He returned to find Rosa had grabbed a blanket from the closet and had a spot opened up for him. Henry accepted her offer and the two were soon bundled up, enjoying coffee and feeling the cool salt air blowing through the open windows.

Decisions:
1. *kiss the silly woman*
2. *spend some quality time with her* (write in)
3. *skip ahead and check in on your employees* (write in optional)
4. (write in)

>>3646970
>1. *kiss the silly woman*
Then
>2. *spend some quality time with her* (write in)
Take a walk on the beach, or go on a stroll through the nicer parts of town.
No where near where her church is of course, maybe even take her shopping.

>>3646970
This this this >>3646984

>>3646984
>>3647012
will write tomorrow.

>>3646970
Henry could fell Rosa’s warmth as the curled up together. He took a few sips of coffee and then laid the mug on a nearby table. The time was right for a bit of romance. He waited until Rosa lowered her cup and then made his move, inching closer and closer until their faces were mere inches away from one another. He could feel her breath and he watched as a bit of red creeped across her face. It was cute.

The next moment the two of them were locked in a kiss, then in an embrace as they pressed their weight into each other, no interruptions or stupidity caused by others to stop them. By the time they’d finished both of them were out of breath. Henry pulled away and nearly toppled over. Rosa smiled warmly at him, then wrapped her arms around his torso and pulled him close, which also happened to prevent him from falling.

“I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I think I can handle a bit of aggravation in the meantime.” Rosa said.

“Yeah, that.” Henry replied.

The two spent the next couple of hours together, which involved sitting on the small beach that circled the lighthouse, a short stroll through the nicer parts of town, and even a bit of shopping in which Henry got the woman a nice pair of leather shoes after she complained about her feet hurting. It cost a few silver but he knew it’d be worth it. The things were well made and even had a bit of detailing on them.

Rosa smiling face made it all worth it in the end.

>-3 silver, Rosa gains well-made leather boots.

By the time the two of them arrived back at home it was about three in the afternoon. Johnny was waiting outside and opened the gate to let them in. He muttered something about ‘young love,’ and left it at that.

As soon as they’d entered the privacy of the warehouse compound Rosa hooked her arms back around Henry’s and the two proceeded to the lighthouse that Henry called home. Henry took care of a bit of business in the lighthouse, mainly overseeing Charles’ training and giving Larry some practical advice on magical ability. The man had been trying to improve ever since they’d fought Del Mar. Henry half expected the man to ask him for advice in regards to courting Ophelia. The poor bastard was smitten.

>>3650924
Ticky II’s body was pretty much complete which left Ophelia far too much free time to be considered safe. Henry stuck her back on the transference rune project and even managed to talk Alice into helping, for some reason when Henry talked about the rune she’d become very interested. The two children helped as best they could, ferrying supplies and cleaning up the failures, and watching in between. Occasionally a dead cat possessed by Charles would wander through, and Ophelia would throw a few things at it while complaining about the stench.

Eventually, Johnny came in with a wax sealed letter intended for Henry, they’d be moving towards Rally tomorrow, and they’d even been given transport. Henry looked over the letter in his private study on the second floor of the lighthouse and sighed, their vacation hadn’t lasted nearly long enough. He also glanced over at the letter he’d received the other day from one of Fraz’s children. Apparently Nirdec had been completely wiped off the map by the church. Some sort of gas weapon had been used that killed anything living that got near but left all of the undead completely untouched. Ophelia had explained it had probably been scar gas, and a hell of a lot of it. Henry could only think about how many undead Franks were left inside the caverns, a whole army if he could get to it. Assuming everything kept well, he could make a fortune off of them. Not to mention the market itself. The only issue would be getting to it. He didn’t really feel like taking the chance when his luck had stayed so good, it was only a matter of time until something went wrong, and he knew something would eventually go wrong.

“Henry.” Rosa said, standing in the doorframe. “I uh… can I stay the night? I don’t really want to go back to the abbey today.”

Henry watched as the woman fidgeted uncomfortably, like she knew the implications but was utterly unwilling to go through with them.

“I d-don’t want us to d-do anything I just want to spend more time with you.” Rosa said.

Decisions:
1. “Yeah.”
2. “No, head back to the abbey.”
3. (write in)

>>3650933
>"Of course. We're leaving tomorrow to head to the job, but we have time before then."
>Suddenly realize that feeling this way isn't as bad as you were afraid of since things with Sophie went horribly wrong.
>Suddenly realize the implications of what can or might happen here in this lighthouse.
>Suddenly realize you actually care about someone enough to be willing to go... there.
>“...You know, I wouldn't say no if you wanted to go that far."

>>3650965
This minus
>“...You know, I wouldn't say no if you wanted to go that far."
Cause we aren't married and this might upset her since she just wants to spend time together

>>3650971
Ah, fair enough. Forgot about that.

>>3651057
>>3650971
>>3650965
writing

>>3650933
“Of course. We’re all going to be heading off to Durkip tomorrow for the job, but until then we have time.” Henry said.

Rosa smiled and placed a hand on her chest, before turning around and heading back downstairs. Henry could hear the sounds of kitchen wear being moved around, and figured Rosa was going to cook something. He hoped Larry and Charles would manage for everyone else.

Henry sighed, looking out the window. He hadn’t felt like this since he’d been with Sophie. But for whatever reason he didn’t feel nearly as frightened. Perhaps it was to do to the fact that he’d actually agreed to this job, and it hadn’t just been thrust upon him. Maybe it was because he had become more competent or maybe it just hadn’t set in yet.

He turned once more to the doorway and realized just how isolated this lighthouse was, and just what people might think the two of them would be up to. He suddenly regretted agreeing to let Rosa stay, just a little bit. He’d probably hear no end of it from Johnny. Charles wouldn’t say much, thankfully, the boy wasn’t quite at the age Henry figured and the other two kids hopefully wouldn’t either. That really just left Alice, Larry, and Ophelia. Well probably not Ophelia, when it came to things like this, she was incredibly dense.

Henry felt flustered, he hadn’t realized how much he cared about this. He jumped when he heard the sound of clattering pots and pans from the kitchen.

“I’m okay!” Rosa called up.

“That’s good?” Henry said.

Dinner was between just the two of them, Rosa had cooked up some fish and vegetables for just the two of them. It felt odd to not make his own meals, but Rosa seemed overjoyed to be able to do it. Henry wasn’t really sure how he felt about sharing the house with her, he still got nervous about all of this. He knew it was silly but his paranoia didn’t stop for anything, his brain kept thinking up ways the woman would betray him, from nonsensical to completely delirious.

Decisions:
1. *go to sleep*
2. (write in)

>>3652052
> 2. (write in)

Distract ourselves by practicing our ew spells.

Raise some dead bugs, then make them pop like little fireworks. Note how pretty it looks despite being necromancy, and agonize over how it's an integral part of who we are but Rosa would probably not understand. How is it evil, when it's what you do with it that matters?

>>3652052
We cannot practice Dark Healing or Bone Splinters because both are black mana spells, and both will disturb Rosa real hard if she catches Henry out. And Rosa is nosy as hell, so you know she has a nonzero chance of it happening.

>>3652098
Go off somewhere alone to do it.

Or after Rosa goes to sleep.

>>3652052
ok backing >>3652239
if you're so adamant about risking shit, fine

>>3652052
Henry checked a clock mounted on the wall and sighed, he needed to kill an hour or two while Rosa busied herself, and he had a pretty good idea of what he needed to do. Xavier had left a few of his rat cages behind which would make for excellent target practice. As long as it was inside the warehouse then nobody would be the wiser. Henry hadn’t had the place mana sealed for nothing, a lot of the experiments they would need to perform for Ticky ii would’ve been noticed by angels otherwise.

Henry walked down the pier back towards the warehouse, had Johnny go to keep an eye on Rosa, then Henry settled in and prepared to practice. Charles excitedly explained that his reserve of black mana had increased due to practicing which pleased Henry greatly. He invited his apprentice to watch him test out some new spells and told everyone else to stay the hell away. Ophelia threw a few nasty comments at him about how she could dispel or cancel any puny spell he could muster. Henry flipped her off in response while Larry tried to calm things down. Alice sat quietly and used the excuse to stop her rune crafting. The transference project hadn’t been going all that great and she would use any chance to stop work she could find.

Charles wheeled the rat cages into view and Henry prepared his spells. The kid even grabbed a few bags full of straw to use as target dummies. Henry knew the brick walls wouldn’t be destroyed by the spell, he wasn’t using red mana after all.

Decisions:
1. *Attempt to Cast dark healing* (roll 2d100)
2. *Raise a few of the deceased rats, then cast bonesplinters on them.*
3. (write in)

>>3653017
>*Raise a few of the deceased rats, then cast bonesplinters on them.*
Dead bodies near slimes will be projectile bone sprayers, which should be good enough to pierce the slimes' coatings. Getting this is a must for later I think

>>3653017
Henry told Charles to prepare a couple of the rat corpses and the boy immediately put to practice everything Henry had been teaching him, snapping off a few wisps of black mana which coalesced into the rats. Charles then handed off control to Henry, which the man obviously accepted. Henry grabbed onto the tethers of black mana and began to focus on the spell. The cages were all turned towards the wall so there wouldn’t be any risk of shrapnel to anyone.

Henry figured that shrapnel blasts would be good enough for dealing with the slimes outer coatings, and would also not run the risk of a forest fire. From his understanding the terrain around the facility was heavily forested to avoid prying eyes.

>Roll 1d100

Rolled 20 (1d100)

>>3653458
>>Roll 1d100
I hate dice rolls
>>3653458
>Henry figured that shrapnel blasts would be good enough for dealing with the slimes outer coatings
Well, if they *eat* the rats first, wouldn't it be more damaging from the inside?

Rolled 45 (1d100)

>>3653458

>>3653611
success, barely.

>>3653458
Henry carefully concentrated a good chunk in his palm and began to focus. He needed the burst to be big enough to rupture and destroy the artificial soul in the undead rats but not too big or it’d be wasteful. The mana surged down the control line and a moment later there were several wet popping explosions and a few whistling noises as the bone projectiles sped towards their targets. The haybags were badly shredded by the shrapnel blast and Henry was rather impressed. If they’d been living beings they would’ve taken some nasty wounds, potentially lethal if any of the internal organs had been hit. A human corpse would deal far more damage as well on account of it having bigger bones to send out. All in all it would give him more options for dealing damage.

“Bloody hell.” Alice said, poking her head back out from underneath the work table. The woman was mortified by the noise and the gore that was now leaking out of one of the cages. Ophelia just sighed and carried on with her work, grumbling something about how she could hardly think with all of the distractions and how she should just live in her loft.

Charles began to excitedly write down notes about what he’d just seen, asking Henry about a dozen questions all the while as the two of them began cleanup. A few of the rats inside the cages had been shredded and a couple of the mesh bars had been broken apart but overall the affected cages were still functional. Henry figured he wouldn’t be able to set off multiple human corpses without using more mana, and based on the damage the bursts of bone wouldn’t be nearly as effective against well armored opponents. Regardless this would let him weaponize his black mana in a way that wouldn’t be counterable, a useful tool in his arsenal for sure.

>Gain ability to use Bone Splinters, assuming a zombie is under your control

Decisions:
1. *practice dark healing* (roll 2d100)
2. *talk to someone in the warehouse.* (write in)
3. *return to the lighthouse and have dinner with Rosa*

>>3653704
>3. *return to the lighthouse and have dinner with Rosa*
Wash our damn hands first
Seriously
Target seeking grenades sound super cool, maybe we can get the rats to run up on opponent's pant leg before we make it splode.

>>3653715
very doable

>>3653723
>very doable
Yes, good times ahead.

>>3653704
This >>3653715

>>3653587
I like the way you think.

>>3655155
>>3653811
>>3653742
>>3653723
>>3653715
writing

>>3653704
After double checking the damage and cleaning out the rat cages, Henry made the decision to leave the rest of them alive if he wanted to try target practice tomorrow, the damned things could be killed at his convenience either way, and to be completely honest they’d make useful puppets if he needed them. So he left everything to Charles who was a bit unhappy with having to do most of the cleanup, and then headed back to the lighthouse.

Rosa had made a nice dinner, fish, veggies, and even some of the wine Henry had hidden away, which the woman had somehow found. It wasn’t really fancy wine, Henry kept the nicer stuff in his study, but it would do the trick. They both knew that getting drunk was a really, really bad idea, and that mages and alcohol DID NOT MIX, but getting a bit tipsy wouldn’t hurt anyone, except maybe a few of the ghiests that had begun to materialize outside the closed windows.

“So I was thinking.” Rosa nervously said.

“About what exactly?” Henry asked.

“Well, if we’re going to be… us, I’m going to have to leave the Healers’ order, more specifically the Order of Wilted Roses. I’m nervous as hell, Henry. I’ve been with them all my life. I mean I’m not fond of a lot of people in the order but it’s the only family I’ve ever had, and there’s a few people there that I do like.”

Decisions:
1. “Well you should, can’t really be a married woman and a church sanctioned healer.”
2. “Nothing to be ashamed of, Rosa. I’m sure your friends would be happy for you, imaginary or no.”
3. “I’m not having this conversation right now, not before a job, its bad luck.”
4. (write in)

>>3656343
>2. “Nothing to be ashamed of, Rosa. I’m sure your friends would be happy for you, imaginary or no.”
Have shit eating grin on our faces.
Shit guys, we didn't propose yet right?

>>3656343
This >>3656387
Best time to propose would be after she accepts Henry, once he tells her everything about the ultra-evil demon shade murder death cult right under the capital that has fingers in everywhere like medieval Illuminati

>>3656413
>medieval Illuminati
Pretty sure that was still the Illuminati. Is that before or after we tell her we're effectively the evil her church has warned her about?

>>3656343
> 2. “Nothing to be ashamed of, Rosa. I’m sure your friends would be happy for you, imaginary or no.”

"Besides, it doesn't mean you can't ever see the people you do like again.'

>>3656343
THIS IS ALSO GOOD >>3656633

>>3656435
After. First comes Johnny reveal. Second comes Necromancer reveal. Third comes Lic'toron reveal. If she's still sane and willing to stay together with Henry after all that, Henry has to propose on the spot or he's a fucking retard.

>>3656678
>>3656650
>>3656633
>>3656435
>>3656413
>>3656387
writing tomorrow

>>3656343
“Nothing to be ashamed of, Rosa. I’m sure your friends would be happy for you, imaginary or no.”

“It’d be a good idea to not mock the person who cooks your food.” Rosa replied, barely hiding her annoyance at his teasing.

Henry barely hid his own nervousness, to be fair. The woman probably wouldn’t poison his food with anything lethal but there were plenty of things that would make him sick.

“Well, it doesn’t mean you can’t ever see the people you do like again.”

“Yeah, I guess.” Rosa said. “It just won’t quite be the same, I suppose.”

The two continued their meal a little while longer, enjoying casual conversation, and the occasional verbal barb. Honestly Henry enjoyed the sparing, Rosa was one of the rare few who could match his smarminess.

“So Henry, you mentioned you owned a mercenary company now, did it happen to have a name?” Rosa asked innocently.

Shit.

Decisions:
1. “No I didn’t think of a name, it doesn’t need one!”
2. “Y-yes… I j-just won’t tell you.”
3. *come up with something* (Write in)
4. “Red Cloaks.”
5. (Write in)

>>3663055
>"It's been too soon for me to come up with a name, and honestly I'm still at a loss about one. I was thinking something like Red Cloaks, but that's more my thing."
>(Inwardly resolve to buy a better and redder cloak once this next job is done. Spending a few gold towards an enchanted one would be money well spent in your eyes.)
>"If you have any ideas right now, I'm all ears."

>>3663055
> 3. *come up with something* (Write in)

Tunnel Snakes! Tunnel snakes rule!

But seriously

>>3663118
Mostly because a red cloak will hide bloodstains nicely, and if we're gonna spend money we might as well get everyone a snazzy enchanted cloak with some life saving spells stuck in. Also a disguise enchantment for Johnny.

Because we are waaaaay too squishy and people seem to keep forgetting that in their urge to have us never have a zombie or undead minion to cast Lightning Claws on instead of using it on ourselves.

Hence my constant push towards corpse explosion so that we could weaponize less obvious undead. I figure nobody can tell at a glance if bugs are undead, so I'm gonna push for swarm undead control next. Pretend we a bug mage. Might let us help out our buggy bois crashing with us too.

>>3663179
>>3663118
writin

>>3663118
supporting

>>3663055
“Honestly, there hasn’t been enough time for me to come up with a name, and nobody else besides Johnny has even offered to help. I’m kind of at a loss. I was thinking something like Red Cloaks, but that’s more my thing than the group and well, I’m worried that if I named it that then it wouldn’t go over well.” Henry said.

“Oh, where did your cloak go? I noticed it was gone on the boat but I didn’t really know whether to ask or not.”

“It… got blown up, it’s a long story, but I lost the thing.” Henry said.

“Ah, was it important to you?” Rosa asked.

“Yeah, well, kind of. It was more of a momento, to remind me of a very important lesson.” Henry said.

“Whats that?” Rosa asked.

“You can lose everything in an instant, Rosa. You can lose everything, even if you did everything right, even through no fault of your own. The world is an unfair place.” Henry said. “I guess you deserve to know a little bit. I used to run a group like ours, about six years back now, I think. Well, things didn’t end all that well. Only me and one other person managed to get out alive and I’m not really sure I can forgive myself for some of the decisions I made.”

“Well, I’m sure you did all you could.” Rosa said.

“I think I did, Rosa, but I still wonder sometimes.” Henry replied.

Henry thought about Sophie for a bit, he really was going to be running a job with her, right after losing his old cloak, it was fate, wasn’t it.

“Well, I’m probably going to get a new cloak, something really fancy, probably going to spend a couple gold on it so I can get it really enchanted. I want it to be special.”


“So I had a question about Charles. You’re aware he has access to black mana, correct?”

“Yes.” Henry said, nervously. If he remembered correctly Rosa didn’t have any clue he had access to black mana. He hoped that was still the case.

“Henry we need to help put that child on the right path, I think he harbors a strong desire to get revenge, and I’m worried he’s going to make some questionable choices. I saw him talking with a very odd person as well when I arrived.”

Decisions:
1. “Who?!”
2. “Was it an older gentleman with a scar across his right eye? He supplies me with… spell components. Perfectly normal for the kid to be speaking with him on my behalf.”
3. “No idea but I can assure you I’ll make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid, I got experience for two people.”
4. (write in)

>>3663276
>“Who?!”
>“I can assure you I’ll make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid. I got experience for two people.”
>"And besides, he has white mana too. He'll be fine as long as he has the rest of us to look out for him. He's not alone. Not anymore."

>>3663332
Supporting

>>3663361
>>3663332
writing

>>3663276
“Who?!” Henry asked, leaning forward suddenly and nearly leaping out of his chair.

Rosa barely managed to stay in her own chair, she nearly fell right out of the thing in response. The woman fumbled her words for a few seconds as Henry stared at her intently, his mind already spinning with possibilities.

“A feral child of some sort, poor thing looked half-starved and covered in fleas. The child was offering the poor thing some food, I offered to help but I just spooked the poor boy and he ran off, with a pack of dogs behind him. I saw the other child was using magic but it didn’t seem like he was doing it consciously. Looking back I should’ve been warmer when I offered to help, but I think I recognized his face from a wanted poster and I thought he might be a criminal.” Rosa said, trailing off and trying shy away.

Henry sighed and plopped back down into his seat. It didn’t seem to be anything too serious, but he would be having a talk with that boy about feeding strays. All it did was attract more of them and attention was something he didn’t need right now. Especially if the kid was wanted. Poor bastard had probably been stealing food or something.

“Look, Rosa, I can assure you I’ll make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid. I got enough experience for too people.”

“I guess you do have a point there.” Rosa responded.

Ouch.

“Besides, he has access to white mana too, He’ll be fine as long as he has the rest of us to look out for him. He isn’t alone, we’re a big family and we’re going to make sure he gets the support he needs.” Henry said. God it sounded so corny, even if he did mean it.

The two finished up dinner, stored everything away, and then Henry retreated up to his bedroom, letting Rosa sleep on his couch. He had wanted to offer to sleep with the woman, even if they wouldn’t be doing anything, but he’d remembered how she’d gotten and figured she’d just die of embarrassment. He honestly wasn’t all that surprised when he heard the stairs creaking and the door opening.

“I-If… if its okay I… I uhm…” Rosa said, poking her head into the bedroom.

Decisions:
1. “I was wondering when you’d show up. Come on then.”
2. “Scared of the dark?”
3. “No, Rosa, it isn’t proper, remember?” (tease)
4. “I’m going to wait till we’re married before we share a bed, Rosa.”
5. (write in)

>>3663431
> 4. “I’m going to wait till we’re married before we share a bed, Rosa. Well. Maybe if it's just sleep. I don't want to corrupt you, and if you're sure enough that you want this then you can ask me to ask you to marry you first."

>>3663451
>>3663431
Also, respecting her beliefs means supporting her in them. Not just waiting for a moment of weakness to take advantage in.

Of course, if she's already decided to cast them aside and join us in a life of crime and grime, well, we could get her a red dress with a decolletage down to the navel, or *whisper* some evil sorceresses, you've heard, go what they call "sky clad" which is a really classy kind of naked.

Just saying, evil gets more fashion choices.

And we're fully willing to support her choosing the flash kind of evil where you just steal food from peasants mouths with the excuse of "taxes" or "God needs a church and the priest needs a new carriage done up in gilt".

>>3663431
This >>3663451

>>3663451
Supporting

>>3666420
>>3663496
>>3663478
>>3663451
writin

>>3663431
“I’m going to wait till we’re married before we share a bed, Rosa.” Henry said.

The woman became red as an apple and covered her face with her hands. The room was quiet except for the faint wind and sounds of ghiests coming from outside.

“Not that! Lord not that… I uh… I’m scared okay… the ghiests… and the dark… I don’t like either and I’m scared, happy!?” Rosa said.

“Well, fine. If its just sleep. I don’t want to put any impure notions into that weird little mind of yours. If it’s the other thing then you can ask me to ask you to marry you first.”

Rosa set her light rune down, the thing’s light slowly faded away as the mana powering it was used up. Rosa crept closer, uncertainty plaguing her every step. Soon she stood over the bed, breathing heavily and not really sure what she was doing. Eventually Henry had enough of the spectacle and grabbed her, pulling her down into an embrace and causing the woman to cry out from how unexpected it had been. Henry held Rosa tightly in his arms as the light from the rune died out, and all they were left with was the faint glow from the ghiests outside. Henry could feel Rosa hyperventilate as her self control broke down. The woman really was terrified of the dark and the ghiests.

Decisions:
1. “Its fine, Rosa, I’m going to make sure they don’t hurt you.”
2. “You chose to come out here, you know.”
3. “Can you stop pissing yourself, I’m trying to sleep you know.”
4. “You’re kinda cute when you’re this scared.”
5. (Write in)

>>3666594
>“You’re kinda cute when you’re this scared.”
>"Try to go to sleep. I'll stay awake until you do, so you have nothing to worry about."
I feel like Henry's pretty experienced at forcing himself awake, and Rosa would appreciate that sort of thing here. Maybe investing in gheistproof earplugs or something could be a good use of our gold? Or get Ophelia to invent some.

>>3666594
> 1. “Its fine, Rosa, I’m going to make sure they don’t hurt you.”

We can cast Gheist trap, yes? And maybe offer to cast Close Mind on Rosa, to help her control her fear of them?

They are rather sad in a way, remnants left behind like shadows. But they can be useful.

Maybe if we show Rosa how Gheist Trap works, she can come up with a white mana version to comfort and calm them.

Rosa, the Ghost Whisperer.

>>3666594
Also offer to stay awake while she tries to sleep. She can tell us why she's so upset by gheists, then we can broach the topic of >>3666650 in the morning since right now she probably wants sympathy over solutions.

>>3666650
>>3666656
>>3666629
writing

>>3666594
“Its fine Rosa. I’m going to make sure they don’t hurt you.” Henry said, realizing it was serious.

Rosa simply pressed her head into his chest in response. Trying to take shelter while whimpering pitifully. Henry ran his hand down her arm as she slowly eased up and her breathing began to slow down to a normal level. After a while, he could feel the woman relax which was helpful as she’d been crushing his lungs. He wondered what exactly was causing her so much fear and decided that he needed to ask so he could help her.

“Rosa, are you able to talk?” Henry asked.

“Y-yes…” Rosa said.

“Its fine to be scared Rosa, I don’t think less of you for it.” Henry replied.

“Thank you Henry. I so sorry for being so pathetic, I’ll try to be better, okay?” Rosa said.

Henry bit his lip. He remaindered her of a few of the kids he’d trained with during his time with the Lic’toron. Those who’d do everything in their power to obey to ensure they wouldn’t face punishment, and who subsequently always stepped on eggshells.

“Why are you so afraid of the dark, Rosa?” Henry asked.

“I don’t want to talk about it Henry.” Rosa meekly replied.

“I want to be able to help you Rosa, I need you to trust me. I’m going to stay awake until you fall asleep either way, okay?”

“Thank you Henry.” Rosa replied, a heartfelt sense of gratitude in her voice. Henry could feel the woman tighten her grip around his waist. It was like she was afraid he’d up and leave on her.

“Hey hey, I’m not going anywhere, I promised you.” Henry said softly, running a hand through her hair.

The two lay in silence for a bit, Rosa trembled whenever a ghiest tapped on the window or when the wind picked up. Henry continued to hold her. He wouldn’t judge her for this, he couldn’t’.

“When I was young, my father sometimes threw me in a hole as punishment, sometimes I never even knew what I’d done.” Rosa finally said.

“What?” Henry asked.

“My father… whenever I misbehaved or did something wrong… I always do things wrong. He’d toss me into a hole and cover the top up so it was dark. I had to lay in the darkness to repent for what I did… One night he forgot that he’d thrown me down there… the ghiests… oh god Henry. Its only because I prayed… its only because of god… its only because… I made it out alive… Henry…” Rosa said, beginning to sob and lock up on him.

Decisions:
1. *just hold her, there isn’t anything you can say.*
2. “He doesn’t deserve to call himself your father, Rosa.”
3. “I’m going to protect you.”
4. “You don’t need to apologize for anything, you never needed to.”
5. “You haven’t done anything wrong, Rosa.”
6. (write in)

>>3666726
>4. “You don’t need to apologize for anything, you never needed to.”
Fume
FUME!
WE ARE NOW ANGRY

>>3666726
>“You don’t need to apologize for anything, you never needed to.”
>"I guess we both survived getting out of a dark place underground, huh? For you it was one night, for me it was..."
>"...I'm still not ready to tell you, but you have to know you're not alone in this, Rosa."

>>3666763
This too

>>3666763
>>3666765
Supporting

>>3666765
writing tomorrow

>>3666907
Have a good night!

>>3666726
“You don’t need to apologize for anything Rosa, you’ve never needed to!” Henry said, holding her and desperately trying to calm her fears.

All he got back was her whimpering and apologies. He didn’t really know what to say to her to make her not feel so shitty.

“I guess we both survived getting out of a dark place, right? For you it was one night, for me it was…”

‘Making it all about you.’ Nobody finished. Henry grit his teeth and continued on.

“You’re not alone Rosa. I’m here. Okay? I’m going to make everything okay.” Henry said.

She just shivered and shook, slowly calming down. She pulled away from Henry’s arms and just curled up into a ball.

“I… I shouldn’t have said anything. I shouldn't have you worrying about my problems, Henry. They'll just make us lose focus, I.. I’m going to go and pray tomorrow, I haven’t done it in a while.” Rosa finished.

The woman slowly shimmed her way back into Henry’s arms with her back to him. Henry didn’t really know what to say to make everything fall into place. He was always used to just knowing what to say to make people do what he wanted them to. But what the hell could he say to Rosa to make her not worry so much?!

Decisions:
1. *say something to Rosa* (write in)
2. *let her fall asleep in your arms, then get some rest, you both need it.*
3. (write in)

>>3668626
>2. *let her fall asleep in your arms, then get some rest, you both need it.*
Let her rest, and tomorrow we'll be *talking* to the freeloader.

>>3668628
writin

>>3668626
Henry stared out the window as Rosa fell asleep in his arms. An army of long dead and never alive ghiests fluttered past the window, with one or two occasionally poking at it before being repelled by the angelic runes buried in the lighthouse. The ghiest-tide was generally troublesome but rarely lethal as long as one sheltered in place. Henry had heard that a few homes had been broken into in the shantytowns outside the walls but beyond that it seemed the angelic runes in the city were holding for the time being.

He could see the factories and research centers of the Cult of Progress lit up via massive light runes, all sprinkled along the coast. Among them were certainly places similar to the one Charles had scouted, full of things that the church wouldn’t allow to exist. His employer had plenty of dirty secrets, secrets he could make a lot of money protecting.

Rosa finally drifted off to sleep and Henry followed her shortly thereafter. The morning came rather quickly, as Henry didn’t dream that night.

Waking up Henry did a double take when he found Rosa in his bed. He managed to get up without waking her and went about preparing breakfast. The two of them ate in silence as Henry figured out what he wanted to say to her.

Decisions:
1. “Are you alright?”
2. “I’ve decided, I want to go with you to church.”
3. “We still have some time before we need to head out. Do you want to get into some trouble?” (playfully)
4. (write in)

>>3668669
>2. “I’ve decided, I want to go with you to church.”
Revenge shall be ours you vile mind monster!

>>3668669
This >>3668679

>>3668679
>>3668669
This.

Although I still wanna teach Rosa Gheist trap.