Welcome back!
>Ask Emi what she plans on doing today
>Ask why you don't remember going to bed last night

>>370915
>>Ask why you don't remember going to bed last night

>>370915
>Ask why you don't remember going to bed last night

>>370915
>>Ask why you don't remember going to bed last night

Welcome back Smiley, all settled in, in your new place?

>>370915
>Ask why you don't remember going to bed last night
Welcome back, Smiley.

>>370966
Pretty much. Still plenty to do, but I saw a free night and decided to run.

>writing

With your boots in hand, you set about putting them on. You sit down first this time, remembering yesterday where you fell over trying to do it standing...

"How did I get here anyway?" You ask. "Last thing I remember, you and Jade were talking about something boring..."
"You fell asleep" Emi says. "We had Rhea carry you back here when she checked in on Jade"
"Oh... I should thank her then" You say. "Why was she checking in on Jade?"
"Rhea stops by the library every now and then to help with things that are too heavy for the sprites" Emi says. "Larger books, and the like"

"Neat" You say as you finish putting on your boots and stand up. "Didn't take her for the kind of person who hangs around a library"
Emi giggles. "She isn't. Rhea helps Jade because Jade helps Rhea whenever she injures herself"
"So they give and take" You say.

"Yes" Emi says. "All set?"
"Yeah" You say.

You grab your cloak and your hat on the way out the door, and then head to the dining hall.

>[1/2]

"Does Rhea injure herself a lot?" You ask Emi
"According to Jade, yes" Emi says. "She seems awfully reckless... kinda like you"

"How?" You ask.
"You're both reckless" She says.
"I guess so" You say. "Should I start helping you for always healing my injuries?"
"You could help by not getting injured so much... maybe try to be a bit more careful?" She says.

"You sure I can't just help you out? I'm bad at being careful..." You say.

Emi sighs in defeat. "Don't worry about it" She says. "Just don't let the knights push you around or try to kill you today, okay?"
"I can do that" You say as the two of you reach the dining hall.

Looking inside, you see Ilica scarfing her food down like it might run away, while Derrick talks with the Knights about something. Jade is here too, and you think you can see the remains of her breakfast floating around her head...

>Let Ilica know that her food isn't going anywhere

>Ask the Knights what they have in store for you

>Ask Jade how she eats

>Other

>>371077
>>Ask the Knights what they have in store for you

>>371077
>>Ask Jade how she eats

>>371077
>>Let Ilica know that her food isn't going anywhere

Must resist urge to ask Jade how she eats

>>371077
>Let Ilica know that her food isn't going anywhere
"Speaking of where food goes-"
>Ask Jade how she eats

>>371077
>Let Ilica know that her food isn't going anywhere
>Ask Jade how she eats

>writing

"Where's the fire, Ilica?" You say, as you sit down next to your felid friend.

Ilica pauses and looks up from her plate. "Foyghofifahan" she says with a mouthful of food.
"Ilica. Chew, swallow, then talk" Emi says.

Ilica gives Emi and annoyed look, and then finishes chewing and swallowing. "Trying to finish as fast as I can" She says.
"Why?" You ask. "The food isn't going anywhere"
"I want to get down to the guild hall" She says. "I'm working down there today, remember?"
"I didn't think you'd be starting this early" Emi says.

"I'm not, but I still want to get down there" Ilica says.
"Excited to see the kids?" You ask.
Ilica's face turns red. "N-no, I'm just trying to be professional" She says.
"Oh... I'll just have to let little Hella know that you weren't excited to see her then..." You say.

Ilica slumps her shoulders and pouts. "Fine... yes, I'm excited" She says, as she picks up a piece of food from her plate and flicks it at your face. "Jerk"

You wipe the little bit of egg off your face. "So when will you be dropping by?" You ask.
"I dunno. I'll probably pack lunch for all the children and come up to the courtyard for a picnic or something" She says. "Want me to bring some for you, too?"

>I'll be fine

>Yes

>Why not bring lunch for the knights as well?

>Other

>>371187
>>Yes

>>371187
>Yes

>>371187
>Yes

>>371187
Yes

>writing

"Yes" You say.
Ilica snorts. "Here, give me your arm so I can twist it a little" She says.

You tilt your head in confusion. "Why?" You ask.
"... Nevermind" She says. "I probably should have guessed that the answer to 'food' would be yes"
"The answer to food is always yes" You say.

"What if it's preceded by 'poison'?" Ilica asks.
"Then the answer is no" You say. "Because the answer to poison is always no"
"They don't cancel out?" Ilica asks.
"No" You reply.

Ilica shrugs and picks up another forkful of food. "Makes sense" She says, as she pops it in her mouth. Then she jams the last few forkfuls in after it, and stands up.

"Rih, feeouer" Ilica says, before rushing off.

"Dang it, don't run like that you'll choke!" Emi calls after Ilica, but Ilica is already gone. Emi sighs. "Now I understand the phrase: herding cats"

"I don't" You say.
"You don't know it" Emi says.
"I know" You say.
"No you don't" Emi says.
"No, I mean I know that I don't know" You say.
"Oh, yes" She says. "I must be hungry"
"Me too" You say.

>1/2

After waiting for a few minutes, one of the servers brings you and Emi your breakfast.

As you start to dig in, Derrick and the knights all stand up. The knights leave the room, and Derrick walks over to you. "We'll be waiting in the courtyard, alright Yuu?"

"Awih" You reply.
"Not you too..." Emi says.

Derrick chuckles, and pats your shoulder. "See you there, then" He says.
"Feeou" You say.

After Derrick leaves, you quickly finish eating and look around. Emi is still not quite done yet, though everyone else has left.

You've still got some time before training starts, so you-

>Stay and talk to Emi for a bit

>Head over a little early

>Other

>>371330
>Stay and talk to Emi for a bit

>>371330
>Stay and talk to Emi for a bit

>>371330
>Stay and talk to Emi for a bit

>writing

You put your fork down and push your plate away as you lean back in your chair.

"Not going to go train?" Emi asks.
You shrug. "I've got some time. Just because they're ready doesn't mean I have to go right away"
"Skipping out?" She asks.
"No way. They'd find me, and then things would only be worse" You say. "I figured I'd hang here for a bit"

"Okay" She says. "What's up?"
"I dunno. I was just wondering-"

>If it would be possible for me to learn healing magic

>What the Southern Isles are like

>What she plans on doing today

>Other

>>371417
>What the Southern Isles are like

>>371417
>>What the Southern Isles are like

>writing

"-what the Southern Isles are like" You say.
"Alright... why the sudden curiousity?" She asks.

You reach into your pocket and pull out your map, pointing to the mark indicating the water ruins.
"Ah... the pools, yes" She says. "I didn't think you were interested in the ruins"

"I wasn't before" You say. "But them suddenly becoming whole again around the same time I showed up... it's gotten me curious"
"That makes sense" She says. "So, what do you want to know?"

"What is this island like?" You ask, pointing to the island that the ruins are on.
"Ah, Isla Ebiha" Emi says. "That's actually where I'm from"
"Really?" You ask.

Emi nods. "The capital there was built around the pools, and the city extends all the way into the ocean" She says.
"The city is on the water? How?" You ask.

"Only half of it is. The houses and buildings are built up from the seabed so the merfolk have a place to live" Emi says.
"Merfolk?" You ask.
"Mermaids, technically. But since the male children of mermaids can also live underwater, we just call them merfolk" She says.
"That sounds like it would be handy" You say. "You think I might be the child of a mermaid?"
"I don't think so... and please don't try to find out the hard way" She says.

>So what are the merfolk like?

>How do you get to the pools?

>Are there merfolk in Lubars?

>Ask about another island

>Other

>>371511
>So what are the merfolk like?

>>371511
>>So what are the merfolk like?
>>How do you get to the pools?

>>371511
>>So what are the merfolk like?

>>371511
>>So what are the merfolk like?

>writing

"Alright... then what are the merfolk like?" You ask.
"They're friendly enough, but they tend to keep to themselves" She says.
"Are they all shy?" You ask.

"No, but breathing air can bother them sometimes" She says. "I don't think a mermaid would survive very long here in Locke. Too dry"
"Well when you compare it to being underwater, isn't everything dry?" You ask.

Emi giggles. "Not like that. The air is more humid down there, so it's more comfortable for them" She says. "I hear that it can get like that here too, but not to the same degree"
"Did you know any merfolk?" You ask.

Emi smiles and nods. "One of my friends from back home is a mermaid, and the-..." Emi stops, suddenly realizing something. You aren't sure what it is, but it makes her look sort of down. She bites her lip and clenches her fists, before shaking her head and returning to her usual self "N-nevermind... I should get going"

Emi unwraps her tail from around her chair, and slithers towards the door. "I'll drop by the courtyard sometime, to make sure you're doing okay" She says.
"O-... okay. I guess" You say.

With that, Emi quickly clears the rest of the way to the door, leaving you alone in the dining hall.

As you stand to leave, the chair Emi was sitting in falls over. When you bend down to see why, you notice that the legs were all crushed inward...

...

You probably shouldn't leave this here, so you pick it up and-

>Head to the courtyard

>Find a server and give it to them

>Other

>>371597
>>Head to the courtyard
Smash the shit out of it

>>371597
>>Head to the courtyard

>>371597
>>Find a server and give it to them
Apologize as well.

>writing

You guess you'll just take it to the courtyard. Maybe one of the knights will know what to do with it...

So you leave the room, dragging the chair behind you all the way around the castle to the courtyard.

"Good morning" You say.
"Hey, Yuu. What took you so lo-... why do you have a chair?" Derrick asks.
"A broken chair" Pip says.

"I didn't break it" You say.
"Who did" Derrick asks.
"Emi" You say.
"She just... broke a chair?" Lulu asks. "I never took her for that type of girl"

"I don't think she meant to" You say.
"What happened?" Derrick asks.
"We were talking about her home, and she got sad and left" You say. "I think she might have squeezed the chair too hard"

"Hmm..." Derrick says. "She always gets like that..."
"Like what?" Pip asks.
"Whenever anyone asks about her homes, she closes right up" Derrick says.

"I bet she's some kind of nobility, fleeing north to escape her arranged marriage" Pip says.
"That's crazy" Derrick says. "We'd've heard about a missing noblewoman from the south by now"
"Bet you 5 gold that I'm right" Pip says.

"No, I am not betting on this" Derrick says.
"Fine then, how 'bout you?" Pip asks you.

>No thanks

>I'll take that bet

>What makes you think she's noble?

>Isn't Emi too young to be married?

>Other

>>371670
>>No thanks

>>What makes you think she's noble?

>>371670

>What makes you think she's noble?

>>371670
>Isn't Emi too young to be married?

>>371670
>>Isn't Emi too young to be married?

>writing

"Isn't she too young to be married?" You ask.
"I've seen noble girls get hitched way younger than that" Pip says. "Heck, Belly-bell's mom has been trying to find her a man since she learned to kick"

"P-pip!" Marybell says, her face completely red.
"Anyway, not all that uncommon" Pip says, completely ignoring Marybell's objection.

"What makes you think she's noble?" You ask.
Pip strokes her chin for a moment, humming as she thinks. "The way she carries herself" She says.
"I don't get it" You say.
"You know, her posture" Pip says. "Very... high, sort of straight"

"Still don't get it" You say.
"Okay... think about how she moves, always staying upright" Pip says. "Now, your average serp uses their hands to help them navigate. Ever seen Emi do that?"
"No" You say.
"Now, think about whenever you talk to her. Which way do you look?" She asks.
"... up, I guess" You say.

"Exactly" Pip says. "For someone who can pretty much choose how tall she is, and who would have a much easier time closer to the ground, she chooses to be taller than everyone else"
"So?" You ask.
"So, that's typical noble stuff" She says, turning to Derrick. "Isn't the trend among high society in Leon to wear those ridiculously tall shoes?"
"Yes... unfortunately" Derrick says.

"So Emi is noble?" You ask.
"Without doubt" Pip says. "But enough about that. We're here to beat you up, not discuss snake posture"
"Yeah, you ready to get started?" Derrick asks.

You nod, and set the chair aside. "Yeah" You say.

Who first?

>Rhea- Strength (Currently 2)

>Marybell- Speed (Currently 2)

>Pip- Reflex (Currently 2)

>Lulu- Endurance (Currently 3)

>Derrick- Skill (Currently 2)

>>371734
>>Rhea- Strength (Currently 2)

>>371734
>Derrick- Skill (Currently 2)

>>371734
>Rhea- Strength (Currently 2)

>>371734
>>Rhea- Strength (Currently 2)

>writing

It seems like we need to be a bit worried about our chaos capacity if we want to absorb the laser and throw it back out with reliable accuracy. I'd be inclined to think that we'd be likely to have issues pulling the same stunt we did the first time (since we felt like death while doing it and had some side-effects).

We might want to ask the Dragon-princess if chaos-magic training could be another thing we should focus on.

>>371770
Problem is that no one but Yuu, and the First Hero/Villain, are chaotic.

Rolled 27 (1d100)

Rhea steps up. "Well, you've all had your shots. Time to see what he can really do" She says.

The other girls look to each other, and take several steps back.

...

That doesn't exactly fill you with confidence. But you said you'd work to improve, so you stand firm.

"What are we doing?" You ask.
"We're gonna wrestle, the Minotaur way" She says.
"Th-the minotaur way?" You ask.

Rhea smiles

>Roll 1d100 with focus

>>371770
We can try to empty our stores as much as possible just before the laser absorption, it might help. Last time, we did it with an unknown but presumably good amount already in our system.

Rolled 59 (1d100)

>>371780
Forgot the roll smiley.

Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>371780

Rolled 58 (1d100)

>>371780

>roll success, focus fail

>writing

Rhea rushes forward, her arms out and bent towards you.

You're pretty sure you aren't supposed to run here, so you meet her head on. You lock your hands with hers, and press forward.

She puts her whole body into forcing you back, making you do the same if you want to keep your feet.

It seems like you have her at a stalemate at first, but...

"This all you got?" She asks.
"Maybe" You reply.
"Let's see" She says.

Rhea pushes harder, forcing you to step back. You try to stop her, but end up being forced another step back.

"You can do better than this" Rhea says, as she forces another step. "Set those legs and put your back into it!"

You do as she says, widening your stance and straining your muscles against her. Whenever you feel like stepping away, you push back harder instead.

"Good! Remember to breathe, you're no good to anyone if you pass out" She says.

When she says that, you realize that you'd been holding your breath as you strained yourself. You let yourself breathe again, through your gritted teeth.

You try again to force her back but she changes it up on you, bearing down instead of pushing, and forcing you to your knees.

"You're good, but there's a lot of room for improvement" Rhea says. "Take a breather, and we'll try that again"
"Again?" You ask, as you get back up. "How many times are we going to do this?"
"As many as it takes" She says.

You let out an involuntary groan, and Rhea responds by laughing out loud and slapping your back.

This may be a long day...

That's all for tonight!

I'll be running again hopefully sometime this weekend, so keep your eyes open

As always I'll be sticking around for question/suggestion time

>>371876
Thanks for running Smiley.
Best of luck finishing getting settled

>>371876
Great thread, Smiley!

>>371876
Thanks for the thread, good to have you back!