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>>6023968
The woman, apparently Angela according to her desk's nameplate, notices you and lifts her head off her mire of numbers.

"Oh, clients?? I'm terribly sorry, but we are currently closed."

It appears that whatever preoccupied her had taken enormous mental strength to push on through, because she hadn't noticed Millie yet.

"Perhaps you are here for the... er, 'auditions', instead?"

She continues, and your sense of shenanigans brings a sly smile to your face. Sounds like something you could use in a con, perhaps...

Uh oh, she shifts her posture - a wall made of steepled arms, a sign that she's a bit suspicious.

"Hold on a minute. How did you two enter? Also, isn't she too young to be here?"

C'mon Rosa, what say you?

>□ Explain that you're here to 'have fun'
>□ Explain that you're here for the 'audition'
>□ Explain that you were exploring from the hotel and ended up here
>□ Explain that you're here to look for your cousin, Craig
>□ Quickly exit the room and try another door
>□ Other (write-in)

>>6023976
(Also woah, it's been a whole year since Jail started, eh?)

>>6023976
>□ Explain that you're here for the 'audition'
>□ Other (write-in)
Explain that Millie just has a growth condition and she would definitely appeal to a certain demographic.

Okay uh, is there any actual reason to lie here? We're trying to find Craig before his purity gets stolen. I fail to see why we should try to 'audit'

>>6023976
>□ Explain that you were exploring from the hotel and ended up here

>>6023991
Only horniness on the part of anons I guess.

>>6024014
>Only horniness on the part of anons I guess.
Well I don't mind horniness, but auditioning to be a 'burlesque lady'?

>>6023976
>□ Explain that you were exploring from the hotel and ended up here
Man let's just get this over with. We've been in this arc for too long.

>>6023976
>□ Explain that you were exploring from the hotel and ended up here
You know what, I don't feel like having a whole 'burlesque audition arc', sorry. The only lewds i wanna see of Rosa is of her and raul. The families must be united, it is foretold.

>>6023985
Supporting.
We look for maximum shenaniganing anons, we need info about the mysterious clown in the wood sidequest or something, forgot since last thread

>>6024014
>Only horniness on the part of anons I guess.
This is the quickest way to find Craig, presumably.

>>6024015
Funny burlesque harlot time, I guess? I'm not entirely sure. I don't recall the people here knowing too much about stuff other than having Craig.

>>6024059
Arguably the quickest way to get Craig would just be to ask about him directly.

>>6024074
>Funny burlesque harlot time, I guess?
It's funny until they ask her to show her 'commitment' to the job, and i don't think Rosa would be too keen on selling our her maidenhood for a fake audition.

>>6024076
The real funny moment will be when that trickster spirit comes back to troll us at the worst moment possible.

>>6023976
>□ Explain that you were exploring from the hotel and ended up here

>>6023976
>□ Explain that you're here to look for your cousin, Craig
>Sneak a look at the paperwork, see if there's any financial discrepancies that might be explained by a secret passage full of ledgers.

>>6023976
>□ Explain that you're here for the 'audition'
>>Sneak a look at the paperwork, see if there's any financial discrepancies that might be explained by a secret passage full of ledgers.

>>6023991
I believe our viewpoint characters were under the impression Craig may have been kidnapped?

>>6023976
>□ Explain that you were exploring from the hotel and ended up here

Hey OP, I think you have an "admirer." >>6024553

>>6024361
>I believe our viewpoint characters were under the impression Craig may have been kidnapped?
I suppose, but that doesn't really change how it might end up 'unsavory' for Rosa.

>>6025025
It means being direct could result in getting stonewalled, and being indirect could get us in to rescue him.

>>6023985
+1

>>6023976
>>6023985
Lending my support

>>6023985
+1 but wink at Millie when we do this, thinking of Craig

Tallying, drawing, writing.

Audition: oooo0o
Exploring: oooo0
Look for Craig: o

Seems like Audition wins.

This arc will never end

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>>6023976
Relax, Rosa, you got this - be as confident as a con artist. This 'audition' might even work in your favor!

"From the hotel, of course! We were just exploring the place and found the tunnel here. But, an audition, you say? This definitely caught my eye."

That might do the trick, as Angela's posture loosened a bit. Then she turns to Millie.

"What about you, girl? Are you also interested in the audition?"

Millie puts on her most innocent smile.

"Well, I'm here to watch her! I can't go back alone, after all."

Angela sighs - but thankfully one of relief. Her body language immediately changed from the tired, guarded pose you first saw her in, into one that is more cheerful.

"Very well, then! You see, we were hoping to reopen our theatre - the non-lewd, family friendly theatre - by inviting a famous troupe around these parts. But, alas, they cancelled at the last minute!"

You swore she was mumbling something about a no-refund policy before she claps her hand together.

"So! The question is, can you act? We'll set the audition up in a jiffy, so please wait here for a bit!"

As she rushes to exit her office, again you think she mumbled something under her breath about 'cleaning an accident upstairs'. It seems that in her hurry, Angela didn't secure the book she was writing in. Could it be a ledger?

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Wait patiently for the audition in the office
>□ Sneak out and go upstairs
>□ Take a look at the book
>□ Talk to Millie about her mission
>□ Other (fill in)

>>6025803
>□ Take a look at the book
Meanwhile, tell Millie to sneak out and go upstairs. She's small, so she should have an easier time than a big lady like us, right?

>>6025803
>□ Sneak out and go upstairs
Sneaky time.

>>6025803
>□ Take a look at the book
Millie, play look-out; just for a moment.
Once we're done with that,
>□ Talk to Millie about her mission

>>6025883
>>6025878
Only one can be chosen, anons.

Otherwise, splitting up to look for clues WOULD be the best policy, yeah.

>>6025803
>□ Take a look at the book

>>6025887
>Only one can be chosen, anons.
There is also an 'other' option. I feel like having to specifically write down Other(split up) is just pedantic

>>6025883
+1 to book and Millie lookout

>>6025803
>□ Sneak out and go upstairs

>>6025887
I know, I want us to do some sneaky goblin mode stuff and I didn't vote to split up or anything.

>>6025803
>>□ Sneak out and go upstairs

>>6025803
>□ Sneak out and go upstairs

>>6025803
>>□ Sneak out and go upstairs

>>6025803
>>□ Sneak out and go upstairs

>>6025803
>□ Sneak out and go upstairs

>>6025803
>□ Sneak out and go upstairs

>>6025803
>□ Sneak out and go upstairs

>>6025803
>>6025815
Supporting

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>>6025803
Hmm, the way she abruptly left her book is so suspicious. It could mean that the book is either a distraction, or not that important - a way to delay you in this room.

"Come on, Rosa! What are you waiting for?!"

Millie's raring to go chase Angela, but you point a finger to the ceiling.

"Shh... listen. You hear that?"

Steps upstairs. Heeled shoe on pine. Only a few steps, then a creak and a click. Door? High possibility. A couple seconds more of silence - except for that muffled, metallic thudding noise - and you're sure there's nobody outside the room.

"Right, now the coast's clear."

You slowly open the door so it doesn't creak, and out bolts Millie. Thankfully, she's light enough for her hasty footsteps to get drowned in the thudding noise.

"Be careful!"

"I will!"

Soon enough the both of you ascended the stairs, seems like Angela was telling the truth about the brothel still being closed. There's several doors, but the closest one is the one marked VIP.

"There! That's the door she went through, I'm sure of it!"

You whispered loudly, as Millie seems to be concentrating hard at the door and the room beyond it.

"Craig's definitely there... let's bust in!"

"Hold on..."

While her idea has merit in catching Angela, and anyone else in that VIP room, by surprise, you're also considering a slightly stealthier approach.

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Bust in!
>□ Bust in, brandishing your gun!
>□ Peek inside, don't go in yet
>□ Sneak inside after peeking
>□ Just stroll in as if you're supposed to be here
>□ Other (fill in)

>>6028584
>□ Peek inside, don't go in yet
Don't be foolish. Let's see what's happening first. Millions stands guard while we watch.

>>6028587
>Millions
Millie*

>>6028587
+1

>>6028587
>millions
Gonna' be hard to hide the whole Green Army in this hallway kek

>>6028584
>□ Peek inside, don't go in yet

>>6028584
>□ Bust in!
Bustin

>>6028584
>Peek inside, don't go in yet

>>6028584
>□ Peek inside, don't go in yet

>>6028587
>MILLIONS MUST STAND GUARD

>>6028584
>□ Bust in, brandishing your gun!

>>6028584
>□ Bust in, brandishing your gun!

>>6028584
>□ Sneak inside after peeking

>>6028584
>>6029564
I'll change this to
>□ Bust in, brandishing your gun!
Let's go guns blazing.

>>6028584
>□ Bust in, brandishing your gun!

This definitely isn't suspicious at all lol...

>>6029601
Yeah there's lots of new ids in the thread...
I don't want to start samefag accusations but it's sus

>>6029610
Yeah, because changing your vote 1 minute after you posted it isn't suspicious at all...totally not just checking if you were with the same ID...

>>6029613
Eh I'm more concerned about the 1 ids in here. It's literally the only reason I'm voting for this option instead, I like >>6028587 's write-in with Millie standing guard better.

>>6028774
>>6025887
>>6025053
>>6024361
These are all me.

>>6029618
We ARE only a couple votes in, though, so I wouldn't personally freak out yet.

>>6028587
>>6028590
2 ids 1-minute apart.

>>6028774
1 id

>>6029121
1 id

Hm it's not as many as I thought they were. But still I'd feel better about voting for >>6028587 if some of the above anons could verify.

>>6029621
Alright thank you anon, I'm starting to feel a bit better about it.

>>6028584
>>6029590
Put me in for backing >>6028587
I don't want to get too paranoid yet.

>>6029622
One of the 1 IDs should be me, I stayed at a hotel last night.

>>6029625
I appreciate your honesty anon.

>>6029626
Usually it's whenever /ss/ potential comes up that Jail gets a lot of 1 IDs. I still member the wet dream vote where suddenly like a hundred single ID votes came in against Craig. It was super obvious

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>>6028584
"Wait a minute, Millie. Let's try using stealth."

Sneaking closer to the door, you press your head to the wall and slowly open the door for just a crack. And then, peer in.

"What in tarnation-"

"Hey, I see Craig!"

Before you, a confusing scene unfolds. There's Craig, out like a light and lying in the middle of a heart-shaped bed, and surrounded by three nurses - hey wait, that's the succubus from earlier! So these three aren't real medical professionals, after all.

"What in heavens are you doing to him?! And why are you wearing the sexy nurse uniforms? Rita! Put down that oversized prop syringe right now!!"

Angela is having an entire freakout over this, as you spy... are those washing machines? And behind those washing machines, watching the chaos unfold, are three other women - wait a second, one of them is Lightning Ling!

Your previous plan of sneaking in and taking Craig away seems impossible now... unless??

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Both of you try to sneak in anyways
>□ Have Millie act as a decoy, then sneak in and rescue Craig
>□ Be the decoy, have Millie sneak in and rescue Craig
>□ Walk as if you blend in and get Craig out as if it's the proper thing to do
>□ Walk in, acting ornery, intimidate them into giving Craig up
>□ Walk up to Angela and ask why is Craig there
>□ Walk up to Ling and ask why is she and Craig there
>□ Other (fill in)

>>6031183
>□ Walk up to Ling and ask why is she and Craig there
We know her. She'll be straight with us.

>>6031183
>Other
Let things unfold without meddling

>>6031183
>>□ Be the decoy, have Millie sneak in and rescue Craig

>>6031183
Welp... I knew nothing was actually going to happen.

>>6031183
>□ Walk up to Ling and ask why is she and Craig there
She's also the one driving us places. Better to play it straight

>>6031183
>>6031191
+1

>>6031183
>□ Walk up to Ling and ask why is she and Craig there

>>6031183
>□ Walk up to Ling and ask why is she and Craig there

>>6031183
>□ Have Millie act as a decoy, then sneak in and rescue Craig
Sweep our sleeping prince away.

>>6031183
>□ Walk in, acting ornery, intimidate them into giving Craig up

>>6031183
>□ Walk in, acting ornery, intimidate them into giving Craig up

>>6031270
Did anyone actually think this would end in anything but "We walk in before anything happens to Craig"?

>>6031814
Maybe someone was hoping this would be IG's "Tales From Thulzar" moment.

>>6031815
To be fair, our previous protagonist literally married a girl that did this kind of 'act'

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>>6031183
You know what? Scrap all this stealthy approach, situation's gone all storm in a teacup. To Millie's surprise, you just saunter into the room and make a beeline to Ling. You don't quite care that as soon as you entered, all eyes are on you. You just wanted the truth of what happened here, and you trust Ling to give you the real information.

"Alright, Ling... be straight with me. Why is Craig here, and what are you doing here?"

The half-clothed Ling smiles her usual wide smile, flanked by two working girls and behind the two Hinomaru-made washing machines.

"Well, I don't know what you do on your spare time, Rosa - but since you asked, I spend mine in brothels like this. You know, having fun with the girls. Whispering sweet nothings, and more lewd stuff."

"I... didn't knew you swing that way."

"Eh, you didn't ask, so I didn't tell. Anyways, as for Craig, apparently Sandra there mistook him for a client and brought him here. Then the little dude snuck here, to the VIP room, and passed out when he was me naked."

Annoyance written in big marquee letters on your face, you turn towards Angela. She seems to have put two and two together, and dragged the succubus who accosted you in the streets - Sandra, you presume - into a duet of apologetic bows.

"We're so sorry!!"

Wow, even the apology itself is synchronized. You look around - Millie's rushing to Craig's side, Ling shrugs her admittedly muscular shoulders, Rita the goblin putting down the prop syringe, while the other girls either look on or bow slightly to you. Oh, and Craig's still lying unconscious on the bed.

There's something to be done here, but what?

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Take Craig and let him rest in your hotel room
>□ Let Craig rest here until he wakes up
>□ Rest here with Millie and Craig
>□ Other (fill in)

>ALSO CHOOSE ONE

>□ Just take their apology, it was an accident after all
>□ Apologies aren't enough, convince them to owe you money
>□ Apologies aren't enough, convince them to owe you a favor
>□ Apologies aren't enough, convince them to tell you relevant information
>□ Other (fill in)

>>6033531
>□ Take Craig and let him rest in your hotel room
>□ Apologies aren't enough, convince them to tell you relevant information
Let Millie take care of him or something, i dunno. I'm honestly just glad we finished this arc, it wasn't
really going anywhere.

>>6033531
>□ Take Craig and let him rest in your hotel room
The obvious lewd/amusing option will also give the poor kid a heart attack, and doesn't make much sense in character.

>□ Apologies aren't enough, convince them to tell you relevant information
Turns out this whole segue was useful, after all!

>>6033531
>□ Take Craig and let him rest in your hotel room
>□ Apologies aren't enough, convince them to tell you relevant information

>>6033531
>□ Take Craig and let him rest in your hotel room
>□ Apologies aren't enough, convince them to tell you relevant information

>>6033531
>□ Take Craig and let him rest in your hotel room
Under Millie care.

>□ Apologies aren't enough, convince them to tell you relevant information

>>6033649
>Under Millie care.
Agreed

>>6033531
>□ Take Craig and let him rest in your hotel room
Millie can look after the poor guy.
>□ Apologies aren't enough, convince them to tell you relevant information
They're not doing great financially and it'll be hard to collect on a favour later; but they can certainly spill the beans about various subjects. Perhaps we can even help them with one or two of their own problems.

Apologies folks, update delayed tomorrow, had a headache and feeling a bit under the weather.

>>6035298
Oh no! Get well soon.

>>6035353
Yea, no worries, took a Tolak Angin and a Saridon and a good night's sleep, and I'm all fine this morning. Drawing, writing.

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>>6033531
"As much as I appreciate the gesture, ladies - apologies alone ain't cutting it."

You remember one of your mentor's teachings. 'If someone did you wrong and is sorry about it, never settle for just an apology'. You remember. It's a form of leverage.

"But, I know you're in the red, right? So how about y'all ladies give me some information on Jed's lumberyard problem?"

Angela bows again, in a more curtsy way.

"Thank you for being considerate... well, girls? You heard anything about that?"

Soon the room fills with murmuring amongst the working girls, a rapid exchange of gossip before the doe-eyed doe woman turns towards you.

"Mon cheri, not many rumors go around about ze lumberyards here, but ze ones that do paints zat Leon in a bad light. Not very trusty fellow, zat Leon."

"Oh! Didn't Tina work as a lumberjane, now? I think she's working at Jed's! You could ask her about it!"

The succubus from earlier seems eager to mention this Tina; is she a friend of hers? Anyways, seems like a rumor and a referral is the best pieces of intel you'll get here.

"Well, alright, that should do it. Now, let's get Craig outta here and into my hotel room before a real scandal happens."

Poor Craig, he's not ready yet for the real birds and bees... and boobies. You open the sheet he's under to scoop him up, only to find him only having his pants on.

"Uh, why is he wearing only his shorts?"

"Oh, he got a big nosebleed all over his shirt."

The sultry-eyed (or lazy-eyed?) girl explained, then pointed at yhe still-spinning washing machine.

"It's still taking some time to clean, yeah."

As if knowing your thoughts, Ling tosses you a fresh towel. You deftly catch it and swaddles up Craig with it, and cradle him gently.

"Send the laundry over to room 203. Good luck with the theater fundraising - I'll still do the auditions later. C'mon, Millie."

And with that, you exit the VIP room, Craig safely in your hands. Or arms, rather. As you proceed towards the hidden door to the hotel, you are reminded of Nemo, Valencio, and Clyde. What sort of data did they manage to collate, if at all?

>ROLL 1D100

>CHOOSE WHAT THE ROLL IS FOR:

>□ Valencio, Nemo, Clyde finding relevant info
>□ Random encounter in the secret tunnel
>□ Rosa noticing Millie's powers
>□ Millie reading something off the working girls' minds
>□ Other (fill in)

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>6036113
>□ Millie reading something off the working girls' minds
Millie gets jelly they almost stole from craig what is rightfully hers. She's gotta make a move soon.

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>6036113
>□ Valencio, Nemo, Clyde finding relevant info

Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>6036113
>□ Rosa noticing Millie's powers

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>6036113
>□ Valencio, Nemo, Clyde finding relevant info

Rolled 19 (1d100)

>>6036113
>□ Millie reading something off the working girls' minds

Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>6036113
>□ Valencio, Nemo, Clyde finding relevant info

Rolled 53 (1d100)

>>6036113
>□ Millie reading something off the working girls' minds

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>>6036113
As you carry Craig back into the deceptively long tunnel, you notice that Millie seems to have calmed down from her initial haste. Then again, the way she acted just then - you're thinking of how she seems to definitely know where Craig is - makes you wonder if she has some kind of special power. Clairvoyance? Nah, doesn't feel like it... mind-reading, perhaps? Then time to ask her about it, it seems.

"So, Millie, when are you going to tell me that you can read minds?"

She immediately did a double take at this revelation. To her credit, she didn't automatically deny things; her face shifts from a red-handed surprise to one of cautious skepticism, before having a revelatory surprise. Yep, she definitely was reading your mind just now.

"...Amazing! You've deduced it from my behavior! Well done!"

Now she's looking more relieved and open, as if a mask had fell from her face.

"Yes, Rosa, you guessed correctly. I can really read minds! Guess now you and Craig knew."

"Huh. Why'd you tell Craig and not me?"

She smiled, a little bit more free than the previous times you've seen her smile.

"He's a good, naive kid. Nobody would believe him if he did tell anyone about it."

That... makes sense, actually.

"So, those working girls back there - got anything good while reading their minds?"

"Well... one of them might be cult-related, but I'll need a better look in her mind just to be sure."

Before you know it, you see Clyde keeping watch outside the hidden room. Man, this hallway really is quite variable with its length.

"Ladies. Craig."

"Hey Clyde. Everything alright over here?"

He nods, then gestured at the door. Right at that moment, Nemo pops out, holding a folder filled with paper.

"Ah, good, Craig is safe."

"What's that you got there?"

His expressionless face turns to you.

"We found some solid evidence of cult activity in Pinewatch."

What kind of evidence, you wonder?

>CHOOSE TWO

>□ A partial map of an area to the north of Pinewatch, marked with the symbol of the Singularity - seems like it's well hidden if you don't know it's there

>□ Paper trail of a bevy of embezzlements, funds taken from various businesses in Pinewatch and spent on esoteric supplies

>□ Letter correspondences between cult members under pseudonyms, only that one of them is sloppy and sometimes named names

>□ An early draft of a manifesto detailing the cult's goals and long-term plans, it mentioned the kidnappings and the relic duplications, among other things

>□ Other (fill in)

>>6038261
>□ A partial map of an area to the north of Pinewatch, marked with the symbol of the Singularity - seems like it's well hidden if you don't know it's there
>□ An early draft of a manifesto detailing the cult's goals and long-term plans, it mentioned the kidnappings and the relic duplications, among other things

>>6038261
>□ A partial map of an area to the north of Pinewatch, marked with the symbol of the Singularity - seems like it's well hidden if you don't know it's there
>□ An early draft of a manifesto detailing the cult's goals and long-term plans, it mentioned the kidnappings and the relic duplications, among other things

>>6038261
>□ A partial map of an area to the north of Pinewatch, marked with the symbol of the Singularity - seems like it's well hidden if you don't know it's there
>□ An early draft of a manifesto detailing the cult's goals and long-term plans, it mentioned the kidnappings and the relic duplications, among other things

>>6038261
>□ A partial map of an area to the north of Pinewatch, marked with the symbol of the Singularity - seems like it's well hidden if you don't know it's there
>□ An early draft of a manifesto detailing the cult's goals and long-term plans, it mentioned the kidnappings and the relic duplications, among other things

>>6038261
>>□ A partial map of an area to the north of Pinewatch, marked with the symbol of the Singularity - seems like it's well hidden if you don't know it's there
>□ An early draft of a manifesto detailing the cult's goals and long-term plans, it mentioned the kidnappings and the relic duplications, among other things

We can go back to the working girl for names.

>>6038261
>□ A partial map of an area to the north of Pinewatch, marked with the symbol of the Singularity - seems like it's well hidden if you don't know it's there
>>□ An early draft of a manifesto detailing the cult's goals and long-term plans, it mentioned the kidnappings and the relic duplications, among other things

>>6038261
>□ A partial map of an area to the north of Pinewatch, marked with the symbol of the Singularity - seems like it's well hidden if you don't know it's there
>□ An early draft of a manifesto detailing the cult's goals and long-term plans, it mentioned the kidnappings and the relic duplications, among other things

>>6038261
>□ A partial map of an area to the north of Pinewatch, marked with the symbol of the Singularity - seems like it's well hidden if you don't know it's there
>□ An early draft of a manifesto detailing the cult's goals and long-term plans, it mentioned the kidnappings and the relic duplications, among other things

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>>6038261

"May I take a look, Nemo?"

He hands you the folder, which he seemed to nab from the room, and thus unimportant. But the contents, oh, the contents!

There's a map of some sort that details some sort of cave to the northeast of Pinewatch, if you're reading the map correctly. It seems to also include several areas nearby... lumber yards? Seems likely. The whole map seems to be drawn behind an ad for a theatre troupe.

The other document is written neatly, seems to be an early draft for a manifesto of some kind. As you read into it further, it's clear that the Singularity cultists wrote this - and it has clues on their goals, and means to achieve said goals. This bit right here corellates to the child kidnappings, and this bit here refers to that relic-copying scheme you encountered in Ossuary.

"Rosa, may I read the manifesto?"

Millie seems to be interested in it after lightly skimming your mind. You hand her it, managing to keep Craig cradled in your arms.

"Wow, these cultists seems to be more organized than usual! I might have to call for more backups. Clyde, can you get working on it?"

Clyde nods, and thus the entire team heads back towards the hotel. As you leave, you see Valencio close the secret room's door, leaving only a small indentation to mark where it was.

Later, safely back to the hotel (and thankfully seen by nobody), you tuck in Craig in your room's bed. Millie's sticking close, keeping an eye on him; which suits you well.

"Hey, Millie? Can you take care of Craig for a while?"

She might have picked up your intentions. There is something you need to do before going to check that cultist cave (you need to wait for Millie's reinforcements) or checking out the lumberyards (you need Craig's help with it, you think).

"Yeah, why?"

"Well, I gotta..."

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Do a thorough inventory check, you haven't done so since before you played cards with Nemo

>□ Look for suitable winter wear for both you and Craig, hopefully Nemo and Valencio bought some when they resold the supplies, otherwise you'll need to shop

>□ Dig around for rumors some more, but this time you're looking into the lumberyard dispute

>□ Get some much-needed shuteye, after that brothel fiasco you really need some 40 winks

>□ Talk to Millie about previous cults she's dealt with, what makes this one different?

>□ Go to the doc across the street, see if you can get something to wake Craig up faster

>□ Other (fill in)

>>6040527
>□ Dig around for rumors some more, but this time you're looking into the lumberyard dispute
Also so we can give Millie some time alone with Craig.

>>6040531
+1

>>6040527
>□ Dig around for rumors some more, but this time you're looking into the lumberyard dispute

>>6040527
>>□ Get some much-needed shuteye, after that brothel fiasco you really need some 40 winks

>>6040527
>>□ Get some much-needed shuteye, after that brothel fiasco you really need some 40 winks

>>6040527
>□ Get some much-needed shuteye, after that brothel fiasco you really need some 40 winks

>>6040527
>□ Look for suitable winter wear for both you and Craig, hopefully Nemo and Valencio bought some when they resold the supplies, otherwise you'll need to shop

>>6040527
>□ Do a thorough inventory check, you haven't done so since before you played cards with Nemo
It's been a while since we last did this.

>>6040527
>□ Go to the doc across the street, see if you can get something to wake Craig up faster
Wake up our sleeping prince!

>>6040527
>□ Look for suitable winter wear for both you and Craig, hopefully Nemo and Valencio bought some when they resold the supplies, otherwise you'll need to shop

Rolled 1 (1d2)

A tie between rumors and shuteye. Let us consult the winds of fate. Drawan, writan.

>1: rumors
>2: perchance to dream

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>>6040527
"...go to sniff out more rumors, especially the ones about the lumberyard."

Millie tilts her head at you for a second.

"Yeah, I'll keep watch on Craig, then."

"Do tell me when he wakes up, alright?"

Hopefully when Craig does wake up, he'll have some bonding time with Millie; get himself out of his shell and just... be honest with her! You swear, he's too shy for his own good.

Anyways, on with the rumor gathering again. As usual, you hit the bar for them - but it seems that there's not much new gossip being told. It may be that you've heard all of Pinewatch's current gossip - still, you've gathered some ideas from the few new inferences the townsfolk made.

First, you've gotten a more complete view of Leon. Looks like he used to be a drifter that went from town to town before becoming a competent lumberjack - then he became overseer, a fact that is often overlooked due to his recent string of mismanagements. And yet, he still holds the overseer position... curious.

You've also gained a more thorough history of the lumber companies in Pinewatch. Seems that Stuart Co. is the first lumber company to set up business in Pinewatch, then followed closely by Funny Wood Products. Apparently, back then the two had reached a healthy rivalry due to low overlap - Stuart tends to stick to pure woodcutting, while FWP has lower gross wood production but makes up for it by also selling furniture. This was referred to as a 'golden age' by the elder lumberjacks. Then came the railroad, and soon afterwards came Chainsaw Inc. who claimed some areas that were formerly inaccessible and uses some Metal Men labor to offset their low employee count.

It was after Chainsaw Inc. came into the picture that the relations between FWP and Stuart Co. became strained - several suspicious accidents happened to all three lumber companies, and fingers were pointed. No doubt the latest issue that Jed Stuart hired you for is related to this... right?

Seems you've had enough to drink as you find yourself staggering back towards the hotel. Either that, or the fact that the last time you slept was back in Goblinton, about three or four days ago. In any case, you can't help but feel that there could be a connection between this lumber dispute and the Singularity cult - you just don't know what, yet. Maybe...?

(Cont.)

>>6042898
You shelf that thought as you drag yourself up the stairs; you were about to enter your room when you heard Craig and Millie talking about something you're too drowsy to hear. Huh, nice! So instead, you enter Nemo and Valencio's room, thankfully Nemo's there.

"Hey, Nemo, let me borrow your floor for a while..."

You put your hands behind your head and tip your hat forward as Nemo's reply almost reached your ears. Sleep comes faster than you thought; and a dream follows it.

>WRITE-IN WHAT YOU THINK THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE CULT AND THE LUMBER DISPUTE IS

>ALSO, CHOOSE A DREAM

>□ A dream of you and your mentor in the past
>□ A dream of Craig's possible future
>□ A dream of the Singularity
>□ A dream of the four deities of the anchors
>□ A dream of romance; your romance
>□ A dream that is quickly forgotten
>□ Other (fill-in)

>>6042900
>□ A dream of you and your mentor in the past
I wanna know more about this mysterious mentor of ours.
I'm still amazed how tame everything related to the brothel ended up being.

>>6042900
I'll try to think of a connection...but in the meanwhile
>□ A dream of you and your mentor in the past
Much as i would like to give Rosa another romantic dream, we've already had one. I'm going to save the romance scenes for when we actually find him again.

>>6042900
>□ A dream of you and your mentor in the past

>WRITE-IN WHAT YOU THINK THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE CULT AND THE LUMBER DISPUTE IS
Chainsaw Inc is a Singularity Cult front. Both employ Metal men to do their dirty-work, and they're going into deeper areas because they're doing shady shit out there. Stirring up trouble between the other two companies helped keep attention off them and allowed them to hide their own shady activities as 'accidents' too, maybe?

>>6042900
backing >>6043018
Mentor... I know Rosa must miss her greatly, even now...

>>6042900
>>□ A dream of Craig's possible future

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>>6042900
You are you again; Rosa Montagni, back when you went with your mentor and travelled across Gongalla. Such a gloomy girl you were then; lacking in confidence and optimism. You remembered this scene - it was just after your mentor ran a successful con in Pizen Bluff in West.

"Why so glum, Rosa?"

Your mentor saw you sighing on a balcony and joined you.

"Oh, I was just wondering what if I was born a Magician like you, instead of a Null."

You've just learned the different Gongallan skills the other day. You could've helped her more, you wanted to - but you don't have the skill.

"Aw, don't be sad about that, Rosa! We gotta do with what we've got. Skills aren't everything for a con artist!"

She then lowers her head, as if to whisper something in your ear. You oblige, and focused your senses towards her lips.

"I'll let you in on a secret: my Magician skill? It's all smoke and mirrors, kid. Distractions all the way down."

As you were processing this revelation, you suddenly feel something metallic brushing against your other ear. Your mentor had just plucked a silver Gobcoin from right behind that ear - you didn't even notice her other hand.

"Basically, Rosa, all you need to do is to misdirect their attention elsewhere, so you can pull things from their blind spot! Now, let's go to the next city, shall we?"

The sense of wonder and excitement slowly fades away, as you woke up - lesson fresh in mind. You wonder why you've recalled such memories just now, as your mind connects the dots you realized something: this lumberyard dispute could be some sort of distraction from whatever the cultists are planning. It could even be that Chainsaw Inc is a front for the cultists?

Anyways, you've noticed Nemo in the room - has he been watching you sleep? A knock on the door.

"Hey, Rosa, may I go in? Craig's awake now."

Oh, right. Now you can check the lumberyard proper. What sort of investigation are you going to do?

>CHOOSE TWO

>□ Review latest incidents of 'sabotage', there might be clues in the timing
>□ Speak to as many lumberjacks as you can, use Millie's mind reading
>□ Check the ledgers, you can bet that the numbers won't add up
>□ Focus on Leon, he might be hiding something
>□ Also check the other two lumber companies while you're at it
>□ Check the site of the last 'sabotage' for clues
>□ Other (fill in)

>>6045286
>□ Check the ledgers, you can bet that the numbers won't add up
The numbers Mason! What do they mean?

>>6045286
>□ Check the ledgers, you can bet that the numbers won't add up
I hope Craig and Millie had some nice time to themselves.

>>6045286
>>□ Check the ledgers, you can bet that the numbers won't add up

>>6045345
>>6045355
>>6045364
Anons, choose TWO.

>>6045286
>□ Check the ledgers, you can bet that the numbers won't add up
>□ Review latest incidents of 'sabotage', there might be clues in the timing

>>6045390
>>6045355
Oh yeah, choose two. In that case, adding
>□ Review latest incidents of 'sabotage', there might be clues in the timing

>□ Review latest incidents of 'sabotage', there might be clues in the timing

>>6045286
>□ Check the ledgers, you can bet that the numbers won't add up
>□ Review latest incidents of 'sabotage', there might be clues in the timing
Don't believe me? It's all in the numbers.
Number one: that's terror.
Number two: that's terror.

>>6045390
Ah thanks.

>>6045286
>>6045345
Adding
>□ Review latest incidents of 'sabotage', there might be clues in the timing

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Apologies, there won't be an update tonight - hopefully I can make one tomorrow.

>>6045286
>□ Check the ledgers, you can bet that the numbers won't add up

>>6047032
Thanks for the heads up. Enjoy the weekend!

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Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>6045286
"Come in, door's unlocked."

You straighten yourself up as Millie comes in, Craig in tow. Seems like either you've slept for longer than you thought, or those working girls know how to do laundry the fast way, since he's back in his old uniform.

"I heard you two talking, did you two have fun?"

"Uhh, yeah!"

Based on their synchronized response and blushing, you immediately knew that someyhing romantic happened between the two of them while you were asleep. Daww. Hope they don't rush too far, too fast.

"Ok then! We need change to your cold weather gear soon, then."

It pays to be wary of the weather up North - the cold sometimes drops without warning at certain times of day. Your orcish heritage may be lessening your sensitivity to cold - but it doesn't mean you couldn't freeze to death with only your usual Southern poncho. Let's hope Nemo and Valencio picked up something rather fashionable and functional for you two.

A couple dozen minutes later (Craig needed assistance with his jacket), and all of you are properly attired for the North - save Nemo, who said the cold will not bother him. Who are you to nag your boss, who is also some kind of shapeshifter anyways?

In any case, you're all set to check the lumberyards - but before that, you gotta check the ledgers first. There's a growing hunch you'd need to cross-check them with Nemo and Valencio, see if they can remember stuff from the hidden room. And since to get access to the ledgers mean you'd need that site overseer, Leon's help - off the lot of you went, across the street to the Guildhall. Thankfully, Leon's still there, waiting for you, it seemed.

"So, you wanna see the ledger, eh?"

The scruffy lion asks, after you explained yourself.

"Yeah, we just needed to cross-check something we found."

"...Fine by me. This way."

Hm? Isn't this too easy? Normally you'd get a bit of resistance, asking for important stuff like this. You follow him to a room in the guildhall marked 'Records'... and immediately understood why.

It's like a library in miniature, except a bit less organized, at a glance. And all of these are ledgers, reports, bill copies, and similar business minutiae that has been archived since the guildhall was built.

"You want the ledger? Be my guest! Don't ask me to guide you, I stopped trying to make sense out of it several months ago. I'd be right next to this here door, eh."

It'll take some time to figure out which part of this mess belong to Stuart Co., let alone finding the correct ledger book from the correct time period. How would you start to process this?

>ROLL 1D20 WITH YOUR CHOICE, BO3 ABOVE THIS POST'S ROLL

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Split up the party and have them cover as much as possible
>□ Get Craig to use his spirits for help
>□ Take an overall look yourself, your intuition could sleuth it out
>□ Get Millie to read Leon's mind for clues
>□ Use Valencio's tremorsense to read it all in one go, maybe?
>□ Other (fill in)

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>6048812
>□ Take an overall look yourself, your intuition could sleuth it out
Flashback soon?

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>6048812
>□ Split up the party and have them cover as much as possible
Would be rad if Millie's 'section' could be Leon's brain, though.

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>6048812
>□ Split up the party and have them cover as much as possible
Divide and conquer

>>6048862
Damn, so close.

>>6048812
>There has to be a pile of the most recent arrival to this mess and that should be easily usable, provided someone can tell us where it is.

>>6048881
To clarify - it's Bo3 for each of the options, so keep them rolls coming!

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>□ Take an overall look yourself, your intuition could sleuth it out

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>6049394
Wrong dice, sorry

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>6048812
>□ Take an overall look yourself, your intuition could sleuth it out

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>>6050006

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>>6048812
The daunting task before you, against the confidence you have in your own intuition - and the fact that you've brought along your crew plus Millie's to assist. With this many hands, you'll get that ledger in no time, right?

"Alright, everyone, we're looking for the latest Stuart Co. ledger, so grab a book and start reading!"

Some of these books have titles - most don't. Thankfully you could discern the dates and items written in these books, and figure out if it's the correct company or not from those. Still, it's grueling work.

Time passes, and you are no closer to the ledger you seek. These books are stored haphazardly, with no regard of date nor author. At times, newer covers hide old records, as if they've been rebound recently; other times, old books had new records on them, former surplus finally found their use. Nemo managed to find a recent ledger - but it's the mortician's. Once or twice you've found Stuart Co. ledgers, but they recorded a time before Chainsaw Inc. entered the scene, and thus before the incidents. But, your stubbornness persists.

Even later, and Clyde has already fashioned himself an armchair made of books that he had read; your own pile of books rivals his. You curse at the anonymous author who somehow dispersed their sixteen-volume fanfiction of the lumberjacks and lumberjanes in here; you half expect to find the fifth volume in the next book you pull out the shelves.

Exasperated, you took a break - trying to read and catalogue the entire records room is an exercise in futility. There must be something that you missed here, but what?

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Look into references to Stuart Co. from the other ledgers you find

>□ Try to catalogue the books chronologically

>□ Try to find a pattern on the distribution of books

>□ Delve into that multi-volume fanfiction - could there be truth hidden in there?

>□ Maybe it's best to ask the lumberworkers directly, instead of looking in dusty records

>□ Other (fill in)

>>6051596
I really can't figure out this whole mystery, I gotta say. The pattern seems to be the most logical option, buuut...
>□ Delve into that multi-volume fanfiction - could there be truth hidden in there?
This sounds funnier.

>>6051596
>□ Delve into that multi-volume fanfiction - could there be truth hidden in there?
People share events 'off-the-record' through the veil of historical fiction, right?

>>6051598
+1

>>6051596
>>□ Delve into that multi-volume fanfiction - could there be truth hidden in there?

>>6051596
>□ Delve into that multi-volume fanfiction - could there be truth hidden in there?

>>6051596
>□ Delve into that multi-volume fanfiction - could there be truth hidden in there?

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>>6051596
As you ruminate on it, your mind wandered a bit. Well, more like wondered - there were sixteen volumes of that lumber fanfiction. Why so many? Then you remember from reading one of Stuart Co.'s old ledgers; that particular one is dated ten years ago despite being the sixth such ledger, and since each ledger spanned roughly a year... Stuart Co. is about sixteen year old. Could it be?

"Everyone! I need all the old Stuart Co. ledgers and those fanfiction volumes that you've already found!"

Soon enough, you have two piles of books: the fanfiction on one side, and the pre-Chainsaw Inc. ledgers on the other. Scanning through them both at once, you've managed to find patterns - events in the fanfiction correlating to ledger entries. This volume tells of the time a lumberjack swooned - the ledger has records of anti-fatigue medicines being bought at around the same time. So on and so forth.

Which meant that once you strip down the fiction part, these fanfics are quite accurate in depicting what happened. You go, girl! Now to re-read volume number 13 and up to find out what exactly happened in the lumberyard...

>THREAD END

>JAIL QUEST WILL RETURN AFTER A KAIJU-THEMED ONE-SHOT

>THANK YOU FOR PLAYING THUS FAR

>APOLOGIES IF WE ENDED UP TAKING A BIT LONG IN PINEWATCH, AND ENDING THIS THREAD ON A MEH CLIFFHANGER
>BUT THAT'S JUST HOW THE WINDS OF FATE BLOWS

>>6054437
Well, a shame to end here...but thanks for continuing to run it

>>6054437
>Scanning through them both at once, you've managed to find patterns - events in the fanfiction correlating to ledger entries. This volume tells of the time a lumberjack swooned - the ledger has records of anti-fatigue medicines being bought at around the same time. So on and so forth.
NGL, that must be the worst fanfic ever to drudge through

In any case, thanks for the thread!

>>6054437
Thank you for running!

>>6054437
Thanks for running, and don't sweat it: the exact ending point of each thread is sort of meaningless anyway.