>>12617050
Dumbfounded slackjaw reaction?
Dumbfounded slackjaw reaction.

hell yes, Alchemy Quest! finally!

did you hang around after you were done for the night, StonerDM? There was quite a bit of contention going on.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Lady Elegy. You have a dazzling smile. One that hopefully means you've had a happy and peaceful life thus far."

There. Let's see if she recognizes the last thing we said to her as far as we know. That'll give us an indication on how much she thought of us since then.

>>12617095
>I read up on what was said after I went to bed. I was glad to see you guys getting so deep into speculation, it means I had an impact with the plot twist, simple and telegraphed though it was.

>Also, I didn't get to mention it, but the drawfaggotry for Lady Stelton was Top. Fucking. Tier.

>Okay, I'll start typing up plot now, I promise

>>12617140
"top tier" indeed.

seriously though I'm echoing what I said in the last thread. You know what needs to be done.

>>12617124
>speculation
>it was mostly shipwars
>sure thing, bro.

Holy shit, AA?

...Why the fuck must I go to bed tonight?

What do you guys think of casually mentioning the whole Fulgrim being murdered incident to them? We're supposed to be out of town so we can mention it in the point of view that we want to hear more about it and by doing so, we can possibly get 3 goals done: 1) Lady Stelton might pay more attention to us since we Fulgrim and ourselves, 2) We can hear the opinions of the other nobles around us and see what their thoughts on the matter are and if they might support us or not and 3) We can see Elegy's reaction to hearing our name/situation.

>>12617235
Happened a few years ago. Old news, we're likely forgotten by now.
>>12617234
Yes! More!
Maybe I'll actually start archiving this quest.
But sooo busy...

You are thankful for the mask, because it hides your look of utter shock and stupor. You step back, taking a seat in one of the comfortable chairs, trying to scrape your composure back together. Wetting your lips with your tongue, you steady your breathing and try to remain suave over the knots in your stomach.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Lady Elegy. You have a dazzling smile. One that hopefully means you've had a happy and peaceful life thus far."
You see the corners of her lips turn up into a controlled smile. She takes a drag from a hookah hose, making you wait for her reply before she responds, her words muffled by streams of smoke.
"Of what use is peace?" she says. "If I wanted to die in my sleep I would never get out of bed. But happiness I have, goodsir DeVir, and I thank you for your kind words."
Poulstet guffaws, along with the titterings of several of the other assembled nobles.
"Marvelous!" he repeats, his apparent buzzword. "My dear, I must simply never let you out of my sight." Elegy nods her head before blowing an exaggerated kiss to the enormous jolly host.
"Goodsir DeVir," one of the Belvetrist sisters pipes up. "How did you come to meet Lord Blackheed? He's always in attendance, but he rarely hosts parties of his own."

Fuck it.

"...Lady Elegy. I believe we have already met."

Keep our cool, after we manage to pull up our slack jaw. Keep eye contact with her. Keep. Eye. Contact. Do not let it go anywhere else. This unmasking is going to be interesting.

>>12617257
We were in prison at most a year ago according to StonerDM. Already checked that before suggesting it. So it's still relatively recent and big enough to mention I think.

>>12617277
nono, too awkward and forceful. Ask, something like, "have we met?" instead.

Fuck. Must pass out. Exhaustion...blargh.

I SHALL RETURN

>>12617277
No.

>>12617276
Hmmmmm. Damn these inquisitive people. Perhaps BS some story on family connections introducing us to him a long time back and only now did he take us in to show us what life in this city is like?

Would someone mind telling me who Lord Blackheed is, so I don't sugest we say something stupid?

>>12617352
He's an undercover space elf.
And our only well-connected ally.

>>12617362
Let me rephrase: could someone please tell me what Lord Blackheeds cover is, so I don't suggest something stupid?

Another player reporting in.

>>12617399
I don't remember if we actually asked that... All I can remember is he's a noble. Not super important but he's big enough to have some sway.

>>12617321
You try to shrug nonchalantly, hoping people don't notice you staring at Elegy.
"Oh, our families are old friends. The DeVirs are sort of a rural nobility, so Blackheed took it upon himself to try and show me what the city life was like. I must say, I am impressed."
Poulstet takes a theatrical bow.
"But of course, but of course. Nothing to it. The parties make it bearable to actually go to court." the room erupts into laughter at this.
"Actually, Lady Stelton," you say, proceeding with caution. "I can't be sure, but have we met before? I've only been in the city a short time, but...perhaps when you were traveling at some point?"
Stelton looks at you, still with no apparent recognition. Finally she shrugs.
"I don't believe so, but then again I see so many like you."
Poulstet clucks with his tongue.
"Now now, my boy, don't be discouraged. Once you get beneath that steel shell she's quite the friend to have."
"I don't doubt it," you say truthfully.
Lord Pillorist, the balding beanstalk to your right, coughs up a lungful of smoke and passes one of the snakelike hookah hoses to you.

>how will you try to direct the conversation? Also, get stoned to fit in?
>PEER PRESSURE
>PEER PRESSURE
>ALL THE COOL NOBLES ARE DOING IT

>>12617277
If we do this, refuse to say why or where we met--hide behind our token facade of the rogue. That will make her seek us out later to figure out why. Maybe, she might not be interested enough.

>>12617450
I prefer we not get stoned at such an important moment. I also again suggest >>12617235 as a choice of conversation. For a rural noble like us, something like this is clearly interesting.

>>12617450
Options, as I see them:
1. Do it, to fit in.
2. Do it, but don't inhale (lol)
3. Do it, FOR SCIENCE!
4. Politely refuse

For the record, I vote 3.

>>12617450
Great, we could have played that with finesse and made it go somewhere, instead of being blunt like a country bumpkin.

Anyways, take the hookah. Don't get stoned out of our mind, but don't make any appearance of holding back.

>>12617450
haha, do the ol' undercover cop thing. Take a mouthful, but don't inhale. man, it would be so, so bad if you got stoned right now when you're trying to be undercover.

>>12617490
It doesn't fit with the conversation right now. If the opportunity presents itself, then fine. As is, it would be like when, in an early morning discussion about swapping out tires to meet changing weather conditions, a coworker of mine said "You know, in some central african countries they kill people by putting a tire around their neck and lighting it on fire."

We all just stopped and stared at him.

>>12617450
Do it, but lightly.

Maybe we'll get another spirit guide. (hope upon hope)

>>12617450
We should have said that Elegy and ourselves had met, but not said when/where, and implied that she'd have to unmask us to find out.

>>12617566
Voting for hookah.

Spirit guide, ho!

>>12617555
Then how do you suggest we direct the convo from here? I'm not really sure where else to take it. Perhaps try to see if we can get some recent events from them on what's been going on in the city?

>>12617596
We don't know what she's been up to since we last saw her. If people stated to inquire, we'd have no idea what to say and she might just think we're creepy. We need to give some hint to who we are if we are going to do that and hopefully what we said earlier has started that.

>>12617604
"So, what are the latest happenings here in the big city?"

or the like.

>>12617604
Maybe just let things play and don't direct for a little while.

>>12617513
>Actually, that seems to tie in pretty decently. Changing tires, killing people with tires. I get it.

>Toke it, but not really
You pull some smoke into your mouth. It has a warm, almost numbing sensation. You hold it for a few seconds before failing to blow a smoke ring, not pulling any into your lungs. you pass the hose along to the Belvetrist girls, who giggle at you.
"To the Confederacy," Poulstet says, lifting a snifter as smoke billows from his nostrils. "May their blasted airships come down on their heads."
"Here here," Lord and Lady Inklens say, clinking their glasses together like newlyweds. Murmurs of assent trickle throughout the room. Not everyone is as vocal, but everyone raises a glass.

>>12617649
Actually toke next time.

Also keep half an eye on Elegy. Without being overt. What's she up to?

>>12617666

I vote against getting stoned. We don't want to have to roll for not making an ass of ourselves with /tg/ dice.

Also, Alchemyquest, fuck yeah.

We have to say something to get Lady Stelton's attention on us. We might not get another chance to talk to her and I doubt we'll get the chance to talk to her in private if we let the convo go as it is. Perhaps we should do as someone in a previous thread mentioned in talking about stories. I think he said the topic would be awkward situations and then vaguely go over the incident we had with her in the past where Fulgrim's hushblade got killed so only she'd recognize it. Actually, now that I think about it, Elegy might as well since we told her what happened.

>>12617696
Here was the post in the last thread I'm talking about:

If not, barge in, and remind her of unfortunate meetings, one we are younger over a sleeping man's bed and with two blackbirds, one dead, one alive, the second while we are languishing in incarceration and she saves us from boredom with a trip to visit a private island resort (I hope this is norm for nobles).

Perhaps we should make it more a story in some manner though. That should catch Lady Stelton's attention for sure and possibly Elegy's.

>>12617696

Yeah, we were discussing that after StonerDM left, I vote we do that. It'll also give us a vague idea of how much we're wanted for killing fulgrim.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny-XC-Oxy7E

7:05 to 7:30. That's gonna be us.

>>12617696
Yeah, if we can get to stories, then we'll bring up what's going on.

If it comes down to getting recognized by Elegy or Lady Stelton, I'm picking the former.

>>12617728
I'm fine with bringing it up. Just don't be blatant about it. Say it if the conversation permits, but otherwise we'll look like a tool.

>>12617762
>What they said
>"If it comes down to getting recognized by Elegy or Lady Stelton, I'm picking the former."

>What I read
>"If it comes down to accomplishing our mission or getting our dick wet, I'm picking the latter."

>>12617745
>Heh, Clone High is awesome
>How the hell did this get on TV?
>Oh, right. Canada.

>>12617745
That, or 5:20.

>>12617745
>A clip from the best cartoon ever
I love you guys.

You sense the conversation drifting towards nationalist politics, from which you fear it will never recover.
"Gentlemen, ladies, please," you say nonchalantly. "Firstly, how can we toast to the triumph of the Imperium over Confederate dogs when I have no glass?" No sooner are the words out of your mouth than a snifter filled with almost sweet-smelling liquor is sloshed into your hand.
"Er...yes," you say, taking a small sip. "And, I can listen to my parents talk about politics. I am here to experience city life. I am an interloper in search of stories, not merely Imperial patriotism."

<continued, UUUUUUUGH field too long>

"I like you lad," Poulstet says, slopping some drink on his bare chin. "You'll go far in Hierotoria, mark my words."
"I heard," you say, leaning in for dramatic effect. You hear the sound of seats shifting as the others oblige. Elegy leans in with the others, though Stelton remains aloof, staring off into a corner and puffing lazily on a hose.
"I heard," you begin again, "that a few years back, one of the Alchemist apprentices went mad, and betrayed his master, killing him with the very same poison he was taught to brew," you add some dramatic embellishments, because what the hell.
"Yes, I think I heard something like that," Poulstet says, wiping off his moistened chin and looking ponderous in thought and girth. "Just last year I believe. Whole thing blew over, if I remember correctly. Some people say the apprentice was proven innocent, others say he broke his way out of prison, though," he chuckles, more of a gargle really, "I doubt that."
Elegy listens as attentively as everyone else, but you can feel Stelton's eyes boring into you without even looking.
"You heard about this down south, some bit of rumormongering?" Lord Inklens says. You nod.
"What sort of stories do they tell down there?" Poulstet presses. "You seem familiar with some of our gossip and, if you ask me, mythology."

>Tell a story about blackbirds shrouded in personal metaphor?
>Make some random shit up?
>Blow off the question?

>>12617922
Tell a story about blackbirds shrouded in personal metaphor. I like that option. At least it achieves another goal for us.

>>12617922
Metaphor!
Act like its important!

>>12617922
you have to earn your trust, here. Schmooze, make some random bit up.

If for anything than to show Stelton how easily we can infiltrate her supposed confidants.

>>12617922
Tell the blackbird one, then say "but mythology?" and tell about INVADER ELF with as much obvious straightfaced humor as possible.

>>12617987
I'm hesitant to tell anything about space elves to people in general at this point simply because it might alert them to someone knowing about them if these people spread the story for any reason. If people really do want to do it, we should try to make it pretty vague.

>Hold up a minute, freestyling a short story

>>12618024
I am OK with this.

>>12618024

>this is my anticipation face

You begin, talking with your hands and an even storyteller's rhythm. You feel slightly relaxed, perhaps from the mouthful of smoke, but it is not so much as to be a distraction.
"Long ago, when animals still had the gift of higher mind, and before the Darkening that blotted out all but the indelible dreams of Man, a sparrow toiled in dust and labor beneath the talons of an owl. Wise and cruel, the owl was feared among all the birds for his sharp eyes and wicked beak. Not only could he take the head off a mouse (or disobedient sparrow), but with a single commanding clack, he could bring to his side a fearsome blackbird, who inked in pigments of night, by night took life upon life. The sparrow served the owl however he could, for to disobey was death. The Owl often boasted of growing fat on the hollow bones of lesser birdlings, and the sparrow was too aquiver to levy accusations of hyperbole."

<continued, fucking OBVIOSULY, JESUS!>

>>12618082
there's gotta be a way to expand the character limit in boards like /lit/ and /tg/ and stuff.

But despite his unending demands and apparent sadistic delight, the Owl was alone in the circle of fear that protected and empowered him. The blackbird made an ill companion, for though an effective killer it was a stupid beast, a fearsome thug at best. But in the sparrow the Owl saw a glint of ambition, a kernel of potential that he hoped to plant in bitter soil and water with hardship until it was forced to grow strong. Some part of his tyrant’s mind ignored that he might be crafting a threat, and instead longed to create another in his image, who he could look to as a triumph, an equal perhaps, or even a successor, for the Owl had no illusions of conquering Time as easily as he did the lesser birds around him.

So it was that when the Owl’s blackbird came fluttering into the bird’s withered, twisted hardwood roost, breathlessly cawing about a falcon with delusions of besting the Owl, the wizened creature turned its harsh eyes on the sparrow, toiling about in some nook or hollow.
“Sparrow,” the Owl said. “You will go with the Blackbird and see to it that this killing is carried out properly. Stay above him, that he might cloak you in his feathers of night, and descend upon this Falcon while he sleeps. Watch as the Blackbird tears out his heart, and then return, and tell me what you have learned.”
Wordlessly afraid, the Sparrow could only nod. The Blackbird clacked its beak in anticipation of the coming violence, almost lasciviously, and led the Sparrow away.

The Sparrow was racked with guilt as he paced the lower levels of the Owl’s roost. Blackbird was elsewhere, preening his oily feathers and sharpening his talons. While Owl roosted and Blackbird preened, the Sparrow crept away, flying low to the Falcon’s roost. Fearing that they would recognize him as the Owl’s servant and kill him on sight, he pecked a simple warning into the bark of the tree, though his small beak ached from the effort. Tentatively hopeful that at least the life of another would be saved, he returned to the Owl’s nest, sore but comforted.
The Sparrow was buffeted relentless by the high cold winds of the Blackbird’s flight, but eventually they reached the lush green roost of the Falcon, swooping in silently to the upper limbs.
“Stay out of sight and let me work,” the Blackbird croaked, scraping his talons on the limb to test their sharpness.

Sparrow puffed out its feathers and followed obediently behind the Blackbird. He had failed, he thought to himself as they descended. No one had seen his warning, and he would be forced to watch the Falcon’s death throes beneath the ripping talons of the Blackbird. They crept to the center of the tree while Sparrow’s little heart pounded in his chest.
Falcon slept peacefully, his head tucked under one wing. His feathers were grayed and tawny with experience, and his breathing seemed uneven. The Blackbird crept up, tongue darting out to taste the cool air. Sparrow stayed behind in the shadows, and his eyes grew wide as he saw a Raven in the corner of the room, Falcon’s own champion unseen by the Blackbird. Hoping that someone had seen his dire warning after all, he remained silent.
The Raven was swift and efficient, and the Blackbird uttered only a single squawk before its throat was slashed, not even enough to stir the aged Falcon from his slumber. It was then that the Sparrow saw yet another figure present at this heinous exchange, the hawk-eyed daughter of the Falcon, watching the retaliation of her Raven with what birds would term a smile.

>>12618082
>>12618117
>>12618167
>>12618200
>>12618255
slowclap.jpg

“Come forth, little Sparrow,” Falcon’s daughter said sternly. The Raven clacked its bloody beak with embers in its eyes. “Do not be afraid, this Deathbringer is not for you.” With a caw, the Raven retreated to preen the gore out of its feathers, and Sparrow stepped into the heart of the tree.
“Ah, the Owl’s young ward. I assume you are to be thanked for all this?”
The Sparrow stumbled over its words.
“I…didn’t want anyone else to get hurt.”
“Of course not. But these things happen. That is the truth of the world.”
Sparrow nodded glumly.
“I will give you your life, little one, if you will tell a message to your master in return. Tell him he trifles with more than one aging Falcon. Without his Blackbird thug, he is nothing but a posturing fool.”
Sparrow nodded. Falcon’s daughter swept her wing outwards, buffeting the little Sparrow with wind.
“Then go. And do not think I will forget this kindness.”

Sparrow returned to face the Owl’s rage. He delivered the message as he was asked, and the Owl nearly tore his heart out in anger. The Sparrow had accepted this fate, and went peacefully towards death, but the Owl stayed his talons. He saw that the Sparrow had become his only companion, a commodity he had scorned his entire life, exiling himself into a loneliness that had overcome him. The Sparrow learned the value of close allies, of family, and of mercy, but it was the Owl the Gods set out to teach when they wrote this happening into the Everscrolls."

>>12618082
>>12618117
>>12618167
>>12618200
>>12618255
>>12618304
>>12618346
You are awesome.

>>12618346
Rah, this was well done indeed.

>1,000 words in half an hour, yeeeeeeeeeeeah

You conclude with a dramatic silence, unseen sweat pearling on your face from the mental strain of stringing together the events of the past into a plausible children's narrative. The nobles in the room slowly begin murmuring amongst themselves, and it is Poulstet that starts the clap, pudgy hands slapping together, almost echoing even in the curtained and cloistered chamber. The others quickly join in, except for Lady Stelton, who has pierced you with a gaze that threatens to burn off her mask. Elegy is harder to read, but her clap seems forced, and her eyes are anywhere but yours, perhaps forced as well.

"What a splendid morality play," Poulstet says at last. "I think I might remember being told the very same one as a child."
You doubt it.
"I don't doubt it," you say.

> mfw when my blackbird/hushblade idea becomes a story

Marvelous.

>>12618392
Now is when I think we should let the conversation take a life of its own. We made our play. Let the two ladies in our eyes make their moves.

Okay, we've gotten both ladies' attentions. ow what do we do, Anons?

Alchemy quest! Give me a minute to catch up on tonight.

>>12618423
>attention of both
>mfw?
>Elegy is harder to read, but her clap seems forced, and her eyes are anywhere but yours, perhaps forced as well.

Anyways, now we act like the good cat when he wants his birds. We wait.

>>12618392
I have a bad thought that Fulgrim's Hushblade was someone particularly close to young Elegy's heart...

>>12618450
Not likely. We told her what happened right after it did and she just went on saying how she wanted to be our hushblade without a care in the world.

Well it seems that we put business before pleasure after all.

...

This seems like something we've done our entire life.

So, now that we know they know who we are, stay and listen for a while, then find some reason to leave.

Chill for a bit, have some more hookah, but let our ladies make the next move. Ball's in their court now, and Lady Stelton at least is sure to come after us. With any luck she won't have a knife in hand.

>>12618457
Oh, phew... Bullet dodged. But now her attitude screamed guilt instead of repressed emotion.
. . . The maid with the poisoned wine? But the maid did ask Gil personally to deliver the damning stuff.

Hmmm. Wait? Pretend to sip drink, and ask the host for some of his own stories?

>>12618457
What if she didn't know the one she cared about and the one we told her of were one and the same?

>>12618517
Because she seemed to like us more than other people when we were young. She didn't resist when we kissed her after all.

"I found it to be quite the charming tale," Elegy says, still avoiding your eyes. There are murmurs of agreement.
"How long are you in Hierotoria, Alphonse?" Poulstet says. "I may have to arrange a party just to get you among us once again."
"Here here," Lady Trestiere chimes in, a wrinkled doll under too much make-up.
"Actually, Poulstet," Lady Stelton says, her voice cutting through the assembly like a tense wire. "I believe I shall have the young Lord DeVir at my estate, say this coming weekend?" She arches her eyebrows at you. "We can't have you being the only one with claws in the fresh meat, now can we?" She flashes a smile in your direction, genuine or no.

>>12618596
"That's a superb suggestion, my lady. I'm sure there's much we could discuss."

Well, you guys wanted to attract Seltons attention.

Now what? I'm no good with this court intrigue stuff.

Wait, was Stelton the daughter of the old dude we saved?

>>12618615
Ideally I would of preferred to talk to her now but that doesn't seem like it would work since she would prefer in the privacy of her home. Possibly where she could end us, which is why I'm not sure how comfortable I feel about that.

At this point, I suppose we should just make a good impression of ourselves on these nobles since they could be potential allies. Generally getting an idea on their thoughts on things and such as best we can I suppose.

>>12618596
"A proper rogue simply can't be pinned down with plans and schedules, my good sir. Like a bird, it won't be long until I flit away. But for the Lady Stelton's sake, I won't vanish before the next weekend."

>We can't have you being the only one with claws in the fresh meat, now can we?

That sounds ominous to me. Does this strike anyone else as ominous? I don't think she's happy to see us.

Business = accomplished for the night

Pleasure = now takes priority

>>12618657
There are two possibilities.
Either she's pissed.
Or she's really fucking pissed.

>>12618671
I knew this was a bad idea.

>>12618694
As long as we get a chance to explain, we might not die. I honestly couldn't see any other way to get her attention in a party like this.

>>12618670
Yeah, accept Lady Stelton's offer, but the rest of our night we should look for a good opportunity to find Elegy alone.

AND TALK TO HER -BEFORE- STONERDM LEAVES US ON A CLIFFHANGER, -AGAIN-.

>>12618694
Oh, she was never going to be an easy, friendly ally.
Gill just has to play to her ego and ambition.

After all,
"Do you want to be known as the woman who saved the world?"
Could be an attractive position for one who seeks power.

>>12618694
She's probably pissed because we weaseled out of our deal and are now taking on a persona and acting like a smug motherfucker.

Once we get her alone we'd better drop the act and go into "scared alchemist apprentice" mode.

"A proper rogue simply can't be pinned down with plans and schedules, my good sir. Like a bird, it won't be long until I flit away. But for the Lady Stelton's sake, I won't vanish before the next weekend." You bow to the Lady, swallowing nervously as you do so.
"Your candor is much appreciated, goodsir DeVir," Stelton says. "You are staying in the Blackheed apartments, is that correct?"
"Yes, I-"
"I know the place," she says with a dismissive flick of her hand. "I will have a carriage pick you up then, this Saturday."

>Mission accomplished, it seems. What do you want to do for the rest of the evening?

>>12618731
You just want the drawfag to draw more art of Lady Stelton with Gill in a similar situation, don't you? Heh.

>>12618731
Pretty much this.

Although "sure, professional alchemist with a dire message" works too for what we need to switch to.

>>12618746
Get time alone with ELEGY.

>>12618746
SEE
>>12618718

>>12618748
>drawfag
Yeah, where is that guy? He never trips up, so I can't tell if he's WATCHING US RIGHT NOW OH GOD

>>12618596
"Ah..." Flounder a bit, "I was sent here to represent Lord Blackheed and apologize for his inability to arrive, but I guess I can remain a tad bit longer. Thank you, Milady, for the invitation. It would be an honor and an experience, I am sure."

Turn to Lord Poulset, "I am sorry to have to reject your invite, Milord host, but I am here only for a short time and I wish to sample the many arrayed experience the capitol life can offer. Perhaps we might bump to each other again around the week, in the city, or somewhere at another time."

>>12618746
Try to talk to Elegy one-on-one at some point. She has to know who we are at this point. Other than that, we might need to start scoping out allies amongst the nobles.

spontaneously develop teleportation, bang elf chick
Silliness aside, fuck yeah AlchemyQuest! StonerDM never disappoints.

>>12618768
>>12618767
Why do I have the feeling that this option will do nothing but needlessly complicate our life?

drawfag here, sorry I've been so quiet but I've been painting up a new header for these threads so it's not... that ugly drawing from the first thread.
almost done.

>>12618718
thiiisss.

>>12618820
>StonerDM never disappoints
There was Bloodquest 00.

>>12618775
Bah. Late.

>>12618835
I don't recall that being a disappointment.

>>12618746
Spend some time socializing, getting to know some more political people a bit- after all, we were kind of lab-minded while being raised as an alchemist and likely have a rather poor grasp of exactly who everyone is and their various factions. That's something that we will really need to know in the coming days. Try to be charming and genial to all.

Elegy, well yes, but don't move too fast on that one. She's got our message, she'll likely come to us... no sense being obvious about our interest and blowing our cover.

>>12618857
With the way she's avoiding looking at us... I think she might not approach us.

>>12618868
That's so she can maintain enough self-control not to jump our bones in front of everyone. As soon as we're alone--POW!

>>12618901
Or she's feeling guilty about how many guys she shagged after she assumed she'd never see us again. ;_;

>>12618910
Could be that she's someone else's hushblade already and remembers her promise to kill for us.

Could be she never actually became a hushblade at all.

>>12618910
>>12618901
Or she's trying to figure out what we're doing here and whether or this means someone is making a move against her.

Honestly we know nothing about her now. Stop being so naive

There is a knock on the door, and a timid-looking servant pokes his head in.
"Sire," he says, "the partygoers in the main hall are starting to clambor for an appearance. Perhaps you would like to make a toast? Shall we bring out the cakes now?"
Poulstet stands, wobbling on his legs.
"Yes, yes, of course. Well, my friends, party's over. Let's rejoin the rabble," he holds his belly and laughs as he stumbles towards the door.
Elegy stands, but sits back down, clutching her head.
"Oh, Poulstet darling," she says, "I think I smoked too much. You go on and play host, I'm going to step out on the balcony and get some air." she fans herself as if to convince him.
"Of course, Elegy, of course," he says. The other nobles stand to follow him out the door, while Elegy moves towards a door at the back of the room, presumably leading to another hallway.

>What do? Also sorry for delay, roommate just got back from somewhere and was chatting me up.

>>12619047
Let's casually disappear and go talk to Elegy.

>>12619047
of COURSE you follow her.

>>12619047
Hang back quietly while everyone else leaves, then join her.

When we're alone, walk up to her and remove our mask. "So good to see you again, my dear friend."

>>12619094
No way man. It's been like 8 years. It needs to be more dramatic than that.

>>12619056
>>12619080
>>12619081
>>12619094
This is going to end in disaster. Must you assume she's staying behind just to provide us an opportunity to talk with her?

>>12619116
What, shadowdust up to her and then drop a sunbomb?

>>12619116
oh man, if we can make this a super dramatic reveal then, well this might rival last night's in awesomeness.

And this is Elegy we're talking about. You must say something to her.

>>12619135
Must you assume Bertram isn't still naive enough to think she is?

>>12619135
Whether she is or not, opportunity is knocking at the door and we'd be a fool to let it--or Elegy--stay standing outside.

>>12619135
Oh I assumed she might try something that's going to be painful but I'm willing to take the risk. Have faith in our childhood friend. And our ability to talk her out of anything she/we might regret.

>>12619094
Don't remove our mask. Not because it wouldn't be nice to see Elegy's face and have her look upon ours, but because we absolutely cannot afford to be seen by anyone else who might possibly recognize us here. And you know that we're going to have a very distracting conversation that would let someone else walk right up.

Neither should we drop our pretense of being some random noble before she does so. We don't know what she's been up to these past years- and she declared her life happy but not peaceful. That's rather ominous and to press would be an ill thing.

Start off with a line that could be taken multiple ways, preferably, to cede the initiative regarding discussion of our actual identity to her.

>>12619160
And our arsenal...

>>12619184
Seconded, especially
>>Start off with a line that could be taken multiple ways, preferably, to cede the initiative regarding discussion of our actual identity to her.

StonerDM fell asleep didn't he

>>12619262
I bet he's writing some bitchin' dialogue.

>Guys, thread's been archived, I'm not signing off or anything, but I thought I should just let you know
>Someone's roommate just got them baked.
>I love you all

>>12619262
No, he's just can't decide between the innumerable ways we've given him to screw us over.

>>12619262
>>12619266
Or he likes to torture us.

>>12619285
>>12619266
>>12619291


>suspicions confirmed

StonerDM, you take illegal drugs!? I want no more part of this quest.

You linger behind the departing nobles, smiling and bowing as people meet your eyes for a moment. Finally you are the only one left in the room. With a determined look, you turn to the back of the room, only to find that Elegy is already gone, the door to the hallway left ajar. Following, you push the door open, peering into the well-decorated hall beyond. At the end of plush carpeting, the door to the outdoors is shut. Through a glass in-pane you can see rain illuminated by moonlight.

>What do?

>>12619354
TRACK HER DOWN!

Until she inevitably jumps us for thinking that we're following her to kill her, and we tell her that we're us and we bone.

>>12619354
Go outside then. That's where she said she was going and I don't see what else we can do really.

>>12619354
Where could she have gone? Are there side doors? FIND HER.

>>12619354
Go to the door, and be very confused.

>>12619354
LOOK UP

BEFORE WE DO ANYTHING ELSE LOOK UP

SHE COULD BE HIDING ABOVE US

>>12619285
>Archived

YOU HEARD THE MAN! VOTE LIKE YOU'VE GOT A PURPOSE!

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=AlchemyQuest

>Maybe we can get AlchemyQuest 3 times/week if we show enough love.

You move to the door, stepping out into the night air.
The balcony is unshaded from the droplets of rain, the high roof of the estate climbing behind you. There is no sign of elegy on the rain-slicked boards of the balcony. Furrowing your brow, you listen to the sound of birds chirping. Had she not come out on the balcony at all? But you thought you saw...

>Roll a d100

>>12619354
Does the door appear to have been opened? If it's raining out there should be evidence.

>>12619378
Grab a convenient umbrella on the way.

>>12619393
>Pre-emptive LOOK UP, belay that d100.
>Typing a response...

rolled 97 = 97

>>12619437

>>12619437
oh god we are going to die.

rolled 59 = 59

>>12619437

rolled 67 = 67

>>12619437
Here it comes...

>>12619444
>>12619445
Irrellephant, we would have spotted her anyway.

>>12619439
Man just a min too late.

>>12619457
I don't think that was to spot her. I think that was to not get tossed off the balconey

>>12619445
>HOLY SHIT A 97
>>12619444
>Belay that

>FFFFFFFFFFFFFF-

>>12619445
Cautiously, you look upwards, at the high sloping roof of the estate. Peaked at the tip of the roof, you can see a dim figure crouched. No...not crouched...
You jump back as the figure descends rapidly, a machine gun of noise on the rattling shingles. It lands in front of you, sword already drawn. You go instinctively for a vial of Dragon's Blood, but the figure calls out.
"I wouldn't, Alchemist."
You recognize that voice...
"I've put far, FAR too much work into this," the man says, his hood blowing back in the breeze.
He said he was going to visit his wife and family. He was the only one who left...
"You should be dead on that island," he says, teeth bared.

>What do?

>>12619444
We used to play hushblades with her. As if we don't know the ways she likes to hide.

>>12619519
Use our 97!

>>12619519
FFFFFU

toss that vial, toss it.

>>12619519
FFFF- the hushblade we were warned about. Shadowdust? It is pretty dark outside and we do have our armour right?

>>12619519
"So, you were the one they warned me about. Wonderful, I thought that situation resolved itself."
Shadowdust.

>>12619519
Wait, that was confusing. Is there Elegy and someone else there besides us? Or just the two of us?

>>12619519
Think we should try to talk our way out of this? Try to reason with him? I mean, he's seen what we're against. There are a lot more important things to worry about than us dying.

>>12619519
We obviously release the Dragon's Blood. "You know my arsenal then."
Then we use our 97 to dump shadowdust on ourselves.
"But here's a little something you haven't seen."
Then scoot!

>>12619519
Also,
>4 sailors, none of them important.
>suuuuuuuuuuure.

>>12619519
"Why? You've seen what we're up against. Who wants me to die that badly that you'd let these invaders have a better chance of success?"

In case Elegy doesn't intervene, do we have a method of quietly taking this guy out? Something not too explody or loud.

>>12619542
Seems like it's just us and him.

>>12619539
What? NO. Don't show our hand. If he escapes, don't let him know we were warned.

>>12619519
"Probably, but I must admit to some astonishment that you're still trying to get rid of me. Do you care nothing about your fellow man? You KNOW what we're up against! Who else will stop them, if I'm not around to try? No other noble nor alchemist will believe the threat, not with only a few words for evidence."

>>12619519
"You can't win, hushblade. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine."

"So, you were the one they warned me about. Wonderful, I thought that situation resolved itself."
The man shrugged.
"A simple stroke of fate that you came along and rescued us, Eminence," the Hushblade says with a grin.
Pulling a flask from your coat, you slide back on the slick boards, tossing the Dragon's Blood at his feet.
"You're familiar with my arsenal, I presume," you quip.

>You can't have any of those other numbers, roll some more

rolled 56 = 56

>>12619606
Damnit guys. That was our small chance to find out who the hell killed Fulgrim and wants us dead. Now I doubt we're going to get him to talk at all.

rolled 56 = 56

>>12619606
fine.

here goes failure.

also, he doesn't know the casket, does he?

That could sound conveniently like thunder, could it not?

rolled 96 = 96

>>12619606

rolled 65 = 65

>>12619606
If you strike me down, I will become more powerful than you can imagine.

rolled 4 = 4

>>12619606
>>THE ONE POST THAT WAS VOTED AGAINST BECAUSE IT GAVE US AWAY
>>FFFFFFF--

rolled 42 = 42

>>12619627
>>12619626
Couldn't you two have waited a few seconds?

>>12619627
>>12619626
Two 56s? That's a 1 in 10000 chance!

>>12619606
At least try talking while we fight, with >>12619584
and >>12619559's logic. I'm genuinely interested in why this guy is willing to piss away the future of his race on this job. Is he being blackmailed somehow, or did his employer already know what was on the island? He can't possibly be stupid enough to still be killing us just because it's his job- not if he's resourceful enough to catch us like this.

>>12619605
>>12619629
>What are you, some sort of Jedi?

>>12619636
Never. Now we'll botch and Elegy will have to save us for being so incompetent.

>>12619634

Well, all we have to do is kill him here and now and that little slip won't matter I guess!
(in before StonerDM makes him pull a ninja VANISH)

>>12619626
Well if StonerDM hadn't picked the one response that screwed us over, after it was declared no good, we wouldn't be having this problem. I don't know why he went and picked that one, there were so many other decent responses.

>>12619642
Agreed.

>>12619661
Or we could just not have idiots guiding the quest. I'm still pissed that post got chosen. We may be naive as a character, but giving away information like that is just plain retarded.

What the fuck OP, everyone was against us saying that.

>>Roll a 97
>>Doesn't count, mfw
>>Roll a 96
>>Seconds too late
>>ALL OF MY RAGE

>56's

The Hushblade is deft; he catches the flask on the top of his foot, then kicks it aside. You watch it sail off the balcony and into the rainy blackness.
"Your foot? Seriously?"
The Hushblade shrugs with one shoulder, smirking.
I must admit to some astonishment that you're still trying to get rid of me. Do you care nothing about your fellow man? You KNOW what we're up against! Who else will stop them, if I'm not around to try? No other noble nor alchemist will believe the threat, not with only a few words for evidence."
"They'll believe just as well as you, Eminence," the man says. "Or at least they will, once I've shown them the way to that pretty little birdy at the Blackheed estate. They can't get her into one of their labs without learning a whole lot about the situation."

>What do?

rolled 31 = 31

>>12619708
Kick in the nuts?

>>12619708
"Who is it? If I'm going to die here tonight, at least tell me who killed Fulgrim and is trying to take me down. At least give me that."

>sorry chaps, i started typing the response before I saw any of your alternatives.
>Don't worry, nothing is fucked here dude. I'm not even sure what you guys were trying to accomplish

>>12619642
I'm gonna go and assume whoever wants us dead is not in relation with our past but with keeping the report of the elven invasion silent instead.

Subjugation, not extermination, is the goal of the elven invaders. So either his boss or himself is already bought by elves.

That's my theory. Try to get his tongue looser.

rolled 15 = 15

KILL

>>12619708
Shadowdust, like we TOLD YOU.

>>12619725
Don't be retarded. That's not how Gillivers acts, nor do we have our blunderbuss.

Calm down guys. It's not like we're dead. No need to rage so hard.

>>12619726
Seconded. Shadowdust, like we all said earlier.

cloak and move

>>12619723
We were marked for execution waaay before we even know the elves existed, so it must be some other reason.

Also, I'll stop making suggestions for a bit.

>>12619734

Well, if we don't do something to off this guy then WE will be the dead one here.

rolled 15 = 15

I don't think shadowdust would work in the pouring rain.

>>12619714
Either roll high or give good suggestions. One or the other, ffs.

>>12619726

That's all well and good, but we still have an assassin after us even if we give him the slip, and good luck getting out of the building as a big black silouette

>>12619751
We're under a balcony.

>>12619726
>>12619739
And where will we go when we've used it? The room behind us is lit by a large chandelier as I recall. NO SHADOWS

>>12619708
"There's a far cry between one fascinating specimen and an entire nation poised on the brink of invasion! Interrogating- or dissecting- her won't convince them of the weapons, vehicles, or numbers they face. They won't listen. At most, they'll send a fleet to the islands after more samples... which will be slaughtered, and tip off our enemies to our knowledge of their existence. Disaster lies down that path."

>>12619759
We shadowdust so that we can fight him without getting spitted like a pig.

rolled 35 = 35

>>12619723
Right. So, you have told them about the Blackheed estate? Act horrified, care to gloat more? While I get out my shadowdust?

>>12619726
>Bro. Calm down.

"Who is it? If I'm going to die here tonight, at least tell me who killed Fulgrim and is trying to take me down. At least give me that."
The Hushblade scoffs audibly. "Why?"
He lunges forward with the sword, teeth clenched for the kill.
You stumble backwards, smashing a bottle of Shadowdust against yourself before rolling to the side. The Hushblade snarls as you vanish into the night-streaked balcony.
"I will KILL you, Alchemist!"

>What do?
>Also, I gave you an auto-success on Shadowdust, hurray!

>>12619768
Say this, then
>>12619770
do this, while making the comment about a little something he hasn't seen.

Do remember guys, we have one last trump card which likely would of won it for us if we had a knife or something. We have our improved armour, which is good enough to stop any firearms our nation uses. If he comes in for a stab to our torso, he's not going to kill us. From now on, we're carrying a knife for defense.

rolled 6 = 6

Quick inventory check, I assume we have one of those wisp-and-powder grenades?

toss on the balcony and run back inside. be read behind the door with the mose dangerous melee implement we have.

Lit room behind us, it's raining. Shadowdust won't help here, no escape.

Someone here is going to end up dead, let's not let it be us.

>>12619780
So tempted to use Casket on him...

>>12619780
>>97! You came back! You're the best number!

>>12619780
Throw the fragments of glass from the bottle we just smashed into the hushblades eyes?

>>12619786
Apparently we're going to try and smash the thing into him without throwing it. Ow.

Wait - use a sunsphere. Blind the guy. It's dark outside and that will be hell on his eyes.

rolled 92 = 92

>>12619782
Oh, good reminder.

Smack away his sword hand.

do what you can to pin him, disable him without killing him, so you can find out who killed Fulgrim.

oh man I know how this is going to play out, I can see it now...

>>12619786
No, we stay on the balcony where it's safe. The darkness is our ally. And a powerful ally it is.

>>12619782
But that's in our Alchemist robes, and we're dressed for the party D:

>>12619822
Stop making sense damnit. I once again suggest we sunsphere this guy and take advantage of him being blinded.

>>12619834
Too bad we rolled a 6.

Even if we manage to capture him and get any info from him at all, he knows too much to let him live. If he gets free, he will expose the elves on our side and they are the only ally we can really depend on at the moment.
Not to mention he'll just come back later and try to kill us again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-ufctn7CVc#t=54s

needs some soundtrack up in here.

>>12619875
>>Soundtrack, eh?
>>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Hu1cYDW1FY&feature=fvst
>>That's for Gil and Elegy over the years

>Oh my god, there are so many of you.
>DRUUUUUUUUUUUUUGS

You sidestep him carefully, painfully aware of unshadowed scraps of your clothing. He whirls about the balcony, backing towards the door.
"You'll never get away, Alchemist."
You pull out a
>Sunphere
, biting your lip and tossing it towards the Hushblade.
>6
Once again you successfully blind yourself as the sunsphere bursts on the wet floor of the balcony, creating a thunderous explosion and flash of light.
The Shadowdust seems to actually absorb most of the painful light, but your vision is still flashed into blurriness, especially in the rising rain.
"Blast you to the Abyss, ALCHEMI-urk!" The Hushblade's rage is cut off in a choking noise as you hear the sound of his sword impacting on the planks like a particularly heavy raindrop. You rub your eyes, trying to clear your vision and make out what's going on, make clarity from the struggling blur in the center of the balcony.
When you finally clear your eyes, you see the Hushblade's choking purple face. He is on his knees, hands scrabbling at his neck. He is supported by the barbed whip of razor wrapped around his neck. Following the line of the whip, eyes still blurry from rain and irritation, you see a black heeled leg digging into his back.
Elegy grits her teeth and smiles as she pulls back, curling the whip towards her self and dragging its barbs across the Hushblade's throat. He lets out a final choking gasp before going limp, his body suspended on its knees by her whip and the leverage of her shoe in his back.

>>12619915
"I guess you kept your promise in the end... You did kill for me. Hello Elegy."

>>12619915
YES
YES! I KNEW IT

rolled 33 = 33

>>12619915
PULL OUR MASK OFF

PULL HERS OFF

PULL HER IN

KISS THE GIRL

rolled 43 = 43

>>12619906

>Oh yeah? I can match that.

>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRUvbmUVzDk

>>12619915
sigh of relief.
"So then, long time no see"

>>12619915
>Whip
>Black clothing
>High heels

Oh shit, she turned into a dominatrix.

>>12619925
No don't say this, at least not this way, it sounds all kinds of rude.

>>12619936
Or Catwoman. Also, should be, for accuracy:
>Black, tight-fitting clothing

"E-Elegy..." you breathe, still mostly invisible.
"Requiem, I think, given the circumstances," she says, snapping the whip loose and and coiling it up swiftly. She has traded her bare arms for black velvety gloves that climb past her elbows. They look satiny, but the ease with which she handles the barbed whip betrays a more utilitarian construction.
"I always said I'd kill for you...Gillivers," she says, cocking her head and smiling, her face unmasked.

>>12619928
rise to your feet, gape in awe, and then

KISS
THE
GIRL

>>12619956
Take our mask off and then hug her. "I've missed you."

>>12619956
NOW PULL OUR OWN MASK OFF AND KISS HER!

>>12619915
No words. Walk up and kiss her.

>>12619928
I'd just like to take this opportunity to say that you are an idiot.

The woman kills a man with a smile on her face and you think it's a good idea to just run up and kiss her?

Idiot.

>>12619966
Fag.

>>12619956
Kiss her.

>>12619972
I'd just like to take this opportunity to say that you are a faggot.

The woman kills a man with a smile on her face and you think it's not a good idea to just run up and kiss her?

Faggot.

>>12619966
yeah, sure, give this a try.
...and then Elegy is the one to take it up a notch.
WHATEVER.


oh my god dude she just saved your damn life!

rolled 18 = 18

>>12619972

Is Gill into that sort of thing?

Still wouldn't reccomend it, since we just met.

>>12619956
Kiss her. Then: "Given /these/ circumstances: Elegy, it's good to see you."

>>12619965
>>12619968
>>12619970
>>12619973
Alright, obviously I'll be outvoted.

>>12619931
>Eh, his was better dude

>>12619956
THIS ONLY CONFIRMS THE DOMINATRIX COMMENT

>>12620001
The Catwoman one too!

Mmm, advance with that intention, still stuck with nostalgic past... Then accidentally bump into body, and sobering up. Question her presence, but welcome her warmly nonetheless, just a tad worried.

If she goes for a kiss though, Gil is certainly amenable.

If she's going by Requiem for her hushblade name, we really ought to have her sing for us.

>>12619928
>>12619965
>>12619968
>>12619970
>>12619973
>>12619977
>>12619984
You guys see nothing odd about the fact that she seemingly disappeared right before we were attacked?

>Smooches from all sides
You walk towards her as she crosses her arms, letting you come. You stop a few inches from her face.
"Given these circumstances, Elegy, it's good to see you."
You lean in to kiss her, stomach aflutter. Your lips brush against her velvety gloves. The fabric feels calloused and tough on the palms. She holds her hand against the bottom of your mouth, smiling and shaking her head.
"Missed you too, Gill," she says. "Mind telling me why a Hushblade was trying to kill you?"

"KISS ELEGY" is going to become AlchemyQuest's "HUG TOM", calling it right now.

>>12620038
Well at least SHE can keep a clear head.

>>12620038
"It's a long, rather crazy-sounding story. I'm not exactly sure about the particulars with that detail, either."

>>12620038
Waaaaait a second--is she blocking our kiss? OUR kiss?

>>12620038
"Well obviously I'm such a big deal."

>>12620074
Poisoned lipstick, maybe?

>>12620038
"So all business then?
Fine, guess I'll just look a fool then.
I have no idea, but the Sons saw it fit to warn me about him.
He was on the expedition with me, and is probably connected to whoever killed Fulgrim."

>>12620074
she wants to do it herself??

>>12620038
"I was trying to find that bit out. He was being rather terse as to why, unfortunately."

>>12620038
"Because he was an idiot with no appreciation for the necessity of setting aside minor goals in the face of larger problems, that's why."

Wait a moment, then realize that explains nothing at all.

"My guess would be that someone wanted their frame to stick on me rather more effectively than it had, and decided I should never make it home."

>>12620074
What's the matter?

You didn't expect a hardened assassin to just fall into our arms did you?

Oh fuck, this could support Stelton setting us up.

She frames us for the murder, then sends us away to a tropical island, only for her hushblade to quietly kill us off.

THAT CUNT!

>>12620116
This is GILLIVERS you're talking about. Therefore, yes I did.

>>12620116
we wanted to fall into HER arms damn it.

>>12620122

That doesn't make any sense though? We would have been executed had she not gotten us sent to the island anyway.

I must be reading that wrong, because the whole reason we didn't bang the elf was so that Elegy could swoon over us. YET UNLESS I'M READING THIS WRONG IT APPEARS SHE HAS BLOCKED OUR KISS.

"So all business then?" You say when she removes the glove.
She raises her eyebrows expectantly, looking around at the pouring rain and the bloodied, almost headless corpse on the balcony.
"Yes, Gill, yes I think for the time being, it should be all business," she says, patting you on the side of the face cheekily. You turn your anger swiftly towards the dead Hushblade, grimacing at his corpse.
"Why was he here to kill me? Because he was an idiot with no appreciation for the necessity of setting aside minor goals in the face of larger problems, that's why."
You pause thoughtfully, realizing that this explains absolutely nothing.
"He was on the expedition with me, sent to kill me. Probably by the same person who framed me for Fulgrim's murder."
She cocks her head. "Expedition? I had heard you went down for killing Fulgrim. I just assumed you had finally had enough of him. Never heard anything about an expedition."
She pulls you close, arms wrapping around you in a swift embrace. Pulling apart, she has a few smudges of shadowy invisilibility on her face.
"I'll find these estates of yours. Tomorrow," she says, reaching up to wipe a patch of Shadowdust away. "We've got to get back to the party. You go first, and I'll follow a few minutes after. Don't do anything that might suggest we even ran into each other."
"Although...I'm glad I ran into you tonight."

>>12620174
"Dream of me." And walk away.

LIKE.
A.
BOSS.

>>12620167

Welp, should just forget Elegy then. Back to banging elf chick it is!

>>12620183
lol, this

>>12620183
>Too perfect

You linger for a moment, words brimming in your mouth, years of memories missed. You realize she's right however, and your expression cools. You wipe a remaining smudge of Shadowdust off her face, turning and bending to retrieve your hat, fallen and soaked in the earlier fray. Snapping it back into shape and spraying droplets of water, you bring it to your head, turning to look at her over your shoulder. Your half-visible face cocks a smile.
"Dream of me," you say before crossing the threshold back into the Poulstet estate.

>What do?

>>12620174
aww.
Well I guess all I have to draw from tonight's chapter is them... hugging...? Like brother and sister or something? No epic kiss?

oh well. :(

>>12620174
So Elegy will visit our place tomorrow and we can bang then. Smart girl.

Then on the weekend, we visit the MILF.

>>12620199
Do long ears work as handlebars? Gil needs to find out, FOR SCIENCE!

>>12620206
Part of me thinks we should check the guys body and pray we're super lucky he was stupid enough to leave a letter or something on him.

Other than that, dry off as best we can and appear normal and then head back down.

>>12620207
Where's the other piece you were working on? I wanna see!

>>12620224
I'll post it at the end.
I just want to see what happens next right now.

maaaaaaan it was so perfect... I watch far too many movies.

>>12620199
>>12620218
You guys gave up on her damn quick. There's still potential there. Don't just drop her like that. It's not like we're in the best situation to do anything, since we're both likely expected to be back at the party soon.

>>12620221
That would ruin our epic walkaway. Let Elegy do that when she disposes the body, she's not a fool. Make sure we have our shadowdust all off once we're inside, and the rain off as well. Then head downstairs.

MAKE SURE TO PUT OUR MASK BACK ON

rolled 93 = 93

>>12620221

Yeah, just to be safe.

(rolling for misc assassin gear?)

DRAWFAG!

You can draw us walking away from her, LIKE A BOSS, telling her to dream of us, our mask in our hand, her out in the rain dressed like a sexy catwoman dominatrix.

>>12620207
>>She pulls you close, arms wrapping around you in a swift embrace. Pulling apart, she has a few smudges of shadowy invisilibility on her face.
>>smudges on her face

I think she kissed us after all.

>>12620231
there's still time for her to regret her decision and come dashing after you as you walk down the hallway!

>>12620240
Have Elegy use that roll for searching the body, she can bring the useful stuff to us tomorrow.

You stride back into the back hallways of the estate, looking down at your soaked, Shadowdusted clothing.
"Wonderful..." you murmur, ducking into an empty room to try and make yourself presentable.
>Appropriating that 96 for making yourself presentable
You somehow manage to wring the water out of your clothes without wrinkling them beyond recognition. Also, except for a few small areas near your ankles, you are fully visible and properly colored.

>Go back to the party? Try to sneak away? Try to make an exit soon? Stay and get trashed?

>>12620244

It was from the hug dude

If we don't get an AlchemyQuest 0 this weekend this will be my face.

>>12620249
>Not ruining that walkaway. Elegy will find anything plot-relevant. If there is anything plot relevant.

>>12620263
Make an exit. A big one, that our host will remember us fondly for.

>>12620263
Go back to the party methinks. We did owe that one noble a continuation of our conversation and we should try to get a feel for people who might be potential allies. I'm wondering if maybe the person who sent that hushblade after us is here as well... We should see if anyone is watching us when we go back down.

>>12620265
I don't touch people's faces when I hug.

>>12620270
beautifully done, StonerDM.
beautiful.

>>12620263
We've done everything we came to do. If we head back now after taking another hit or two, can we spend the rest of the night using our newfound high and make an alchemical advance?

>>12620243
The real question is: would it be better with the scene looking at Gil approaching and Elegy looking fondly behind, or with him departing and set behind Elegy's shoulder?

Vote monitor here. We only have had 3 people vote and this is a travesty.

>>12620314
and the last thread's one away from 10. Fix that.

>>12620305

StonerDM has proven many times over that being baked makes everything better.

Go back down and enjoy the night.

>I think that was 2 for party and 1 for leave?
>Party?

You slip through the smoking den and back into the main ballroom; the pack of partygoers has died off somewhat, but there is still quite the throng clustered on the marble floors. You make your way towards the center; Poulstet catches you near the mushroom-stuffed ducklings.
"Ahh, goodsir DeVir, there you are!" he leans in, wrapping an arm around you.
"Making the rounds? Talking the talk, meeting new people?" He asks drunkenly before laughing, seemingly at nothing.

>>12620263
Go back to the party. We have a very big job ahead of us, and to accomplish it without completely making ourself someone else's tool we will need to play politics like a master. Which we're not, but if we don't even try we can't possibly succeed.

Time to meet people and make as good an impression as we can on as many of them as possible while learning as much as we can about as many of them as possible- particularly any factional leanings.

Oh god. You guys are gonna get us into trouble if you get us baked. Do remember profile was apart of our stronghold stats and if we make too big of a scene, we might increase it.

>>12620349
I think that we WANT a bigger profile.

It should be from in front of Gil, with the mask in his palm, just under his face. A mask like pic related.

With Elegy behind our shoulder looking all swoonlike.

>>12620342
Flip the numbers--1 for party, 2 for leave with a fuckawesome exit.

But whatever, party is fine too. I just want to do alchemy before the thread is done.

>>12620342
Laugh in return, good naturedly and also at nothing.

>>12620356
I don't think so... But we can find out! StonerDM - is having a high profile good or bad?

>>12620386
Good question.
>>12620380
You chuckle along with Poulstet, leaning against each other and guffawing. You pause in your laughter to witness Elegy descending the stairs, her arms bare and all of her inexplicably dry. She meets your eyes for a moment through her mask.Turning away you release yourself from Poulstet's jiggling embrace.
"Goodsir Poulstet," you say, affecting a drunken stumble. "I am not as accustomed to the rigors of revelry as you fine nobles here." You trace a finger tip in a salute along the brim of your hat. "The interloper must retreat. I hope to see you all again while my stay in the city continues, and of course, I will see some of you some few days hence," you tip your hat to Lady Stelton, whose lips twitch into a smile for the blink of an eye.
Your carriage is summoned and you are borne away, mind swimming with the gravity of the evening's events.

The carriage pulls up to the Blackheed apartments well after midnight. You find Dask curled up by the doorway, twitching fitfully in his slumber. Sebastian is awake in the parlor, sipping on an amber brandy.
"Well?" he says quietly in the still, candlelit room. "How did it go?"

>>12620421
"It was a close thing, but I managed not to get killed."

>>12620421
"Lady Stelton is aware I'm here and is likely planning my demise for this weekend if I don't please her with what I have to say. The hushblade I mentioned to you earlier on the island also found me... It was one of the sailors we picked up."

>>12620421
"Contacts made, appointments set, and a threat removed. Overall, a good night. Everything stay quiet on this end?"

>Drawfag: If I wrote them, and you illustrated them, our collaborative graphic novels would be, to use the parlance of our times, ballin' as FUCK.

>Fuck I'm high

ok I guess it's about time I trip up.

>Sebastian is awake in the parlor, sipping on an amber brandy.
>"Well?" he says quietly in the still, candlelit room. "How did it go?"
ahahaha. Is his shirt open too? Geez.

>>12620444
I love you too, StonerDM!

or... name up. trip up. suit up.Whatever.

>>12620456
>lulz. He's talking quietly because OTHER PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SLEEP.
>YOU PERVERT

"It was a close thing, but I managed not to get killed."
Sebastian's eyes widen.
"Do tell," he says "nothing too...literal, I hope?"
"Lady Stelton is aware I'm here and is likely planning my demise for this weekend if I don't please her with what I have to say. Oh, and the hushblade I mentioned to you earlier on the island also found me... It was one of the sailors we picked up." You shrug in an I-don't-even-fucking-know-anymore gesture.
Sebastian scoffs, shaking his head.
"It would be. Sire, I'm...sorry I didn't catch on, even back on the island. It's my job to watch your back."

>>12620468
"Well, I'm still here, so you're not out of a job."

Let's work on a tech advance before we finally bunk down, then we can sleep in.

>>12620468
"What's done is done. I held my own, and got some timely help from an old friend... who seems to have come into her own as a Hushblade herself, these days. She might drop by soon; she'll be the spectacularly gorgeous woman looking for me."

>>12620468
"He had us both fooled Sebastian. And if you were there at the party with me, I'm sure you would of watched my back just fine. Is Lorelei asleep by the way? They do say ones other senses sharpen with the loss of others..."

>>12620468
"No worries. Let's just focus on what will come." Sit down. "I told you before, the rest of the men as well, we're all in this together. I'm not trying to be the boss. If any of you have any ideas. Any person you've heard of. Rumors, theories, anything, share it with the group. You're a good man Sebastian, and I can tell the men respect you. You're honest and hard. I fear I may come off as overblown. An elitest. Please, Sebastian, help me in the coming days. Help all of us. We can't do it alone."

>>12620490
>>12620487

does he want to talk about Elegy right now? I don't think so... besides it'd be sorta weird talking about that with Sebastian, wouldn't it?

"Well, I'm still here, so you're not out of a job."
You take a seat across from you.
"I told you before, the rest of the men as well, we're all in this together. I'm not trying to be the boss. If any of you have any ideas. Any person you've heard of. Rumors, theories, anything, share it with the group. You're a good man Sebastian, and I can tell the men respect you. You're honest and hard. I fear I may come off as overblown. An elitest. Please, Sebastian, help me in the coming days. Help all of us. We can't do it alone."
Sebastian smiles.
"Thanks, Gillivers. Thanks."
"Got some timely help from an old friend... who seems to have come into her own as a Hushblade herself, these days. She might drop by soon; she'll be the spectacularly gorgeous woman looking for me." You let out a single "Ha!" before rising and moving to exit the room.
"Thanks, Sire," Sebastian says as you leave, this time with all the sarcasm he can muster.

>>12620489
Let's not let anyone know we know a hushblade for now

>>12620509
"If you hear loud noises coming from my room tomorrow, pay them no mind. You're allowed to smile and shake your head knowingly, of course."

>>12620523
>Too late! Game over, pal!

>>12620524
And then he finds us dead in the morning, our head removed from our body.

>>12620519
I'm more concerned if Lorelei is listening in on us. Paxton did warn us she had sharp hearing...

>>12620526
>Game over, man! Game over!

>>12620523
I'd want to be subtle about it, but when she said she'd be coming by she didn't specify if it would be openly or secretly. Considering that Sebastian is our bodyguard, I'd rather not risk a friendly fire incident if Elegy decides to keep things on the shady side.

>>12620526
>>12620539
>>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Xm1XErUvXo

Time for SCIENCE! Before bed.

Gentlemen, we have a serious question before us: What alchemical advancement must we choose, to become more like Batman?

>>12620553
We ought to have the status list in front of us before we start choosing stuff.

IF WE WANT TO KNOW IF LORELAI CAN HEAR US, ACT LIKE SHE CAN AND WE KNOW IT.

"Lorelai, could you come here please." In the same casual speaking voice we used before.

>>12620553
I thought that we were working on sense boosters. So perhaps some sort of gel that we can put in our nostrils to smell the fear coming off our enemies. And possibly also the food cooking in the kitchen, the faint scent of poison in our drink, and/or random trace scents of things to help us while working with delicate alchemical substances.

>>12620553
Hidden weapons or guns. We might need them in the coming political interactions where holding a small cannon openly would be frowned upon.

>>12620569
I do like this. If she shows up, demand a sandwich.

>>12620570
Improving our Firearms skill before we set to work on the Daemon has been suggested a few times. We could make a pistol/derringer version for when we're looking sharp but need to pack a punch (like tonight).

It's also been suggested that we make a rapid-wound-treatment substance. We are trained in medicine, after all, and we're sure to need it when we completely botch a roll or find someone dying from a gunshot.

You spend a few hours at work on some SCIENCE before finally falling into exhausted slumber, but you make no major breakthroughs this evening.

You awaken refreshed and excited. You check over your notes from the previous evening, trying to glean the next technological breakthrough from their multidirectional speculations. You hope Blackheed sends you some of those promised schematics soon.

"Sire," Paxton says, poking a wrinkled head into your chamber. "There is a particularly stunning young woman here to see you," he sniffs. "I...wouldn't keep that one waiting, sire. Though, of course, M'Lord, it is not my placeto impose."

>Going to wrap up a little earlier than 5:00 am today, because I'm more exhausted than usual and I have to get up earlier than usual. At least that gives the drawfag time to upload some good shit.
>BRING ON THE GOOD SHIT :D

>>12620576
Now the thought of making a hidden blade for Elegy won't leave my mind even though I know that'd be a waste of an upgrade.

>>12620576
Vash the Stampede's boot knife, I want to say, but I don't think we're well enough trained for it to do any good.

Also that one female boss (which number, I can't remember, I think she was in From Russia With Love) from the classic James Bond had one and made it look retarded.

>>12620588
>>no major breakthroughs this evening.
D:<

>>12620588
>>GIVE ME THE CHOCOLATE, HISAO!

>>12620603
>You're an alchemical genius, but that doesn't mean you shit out new formulae every time your head hits the pillow.

>>12620588
Make sure we're looking sharp, quickly. Don't leave her waiting more than 5 minutes.

>>12620614
Nah, doesn't matter what we're wearing, it's likely to get tossed about the room momentarily anyhow.

>>12620613
So are we going to get an answer on if profile being high is good or not or will that be a surprise?

Also, if we upgraded the Dragon's Blood, will that improve Casket as well since it used Dragon's blood?

>>12620613
>>You're an alchemical genius, but that doesn't mean you shit out new formulae every time your head hits the pillow.
If we're not shitting formulas, then obviously we need to alchemically alter our digestive tract!

DID WE CHECK IF THE BLIND GIRL COULD HEAR US?

>>12620621
Use your brain. Whether it's good or bad depends on the situation and on the other stats. It's good to have everyone know who you are when you have resources to tap, favors to call in, and plenty of friends. It's not so awesome when you're the guy on international news because you're stuck on top of St. Peter's Basilica.

>no good shit
WHAT. WHAT IS HAPPENING.

>>12620653
>>GIMME THE CHOCOLATE, HISAO!

>>12620588
We going to talk to her, or is that next thread? I wanna find out what she's been up to!

quickly cover up your stuff if you can and then go and see who it could POSSIBLY be?


>>12620588
I don't have anything good, just.. one thing. Give me a minute.

>>12620674
>Next thread. Honestly, I also need the time to think about where all this is going. Wanna make sure the story is sufficiently awesome.

>>12620680
Then I collapse from lack of sleep. Until next week StonerDM.

>Fighting sleep, f5ing for pics

>>12620764
ok ok I'm sorry.

use this header next time. It looks..... slightly more professional? thematic? I don't know. For how much time I spent fucking with it it should've looked better. Goddamn it. I can't keep fucking with it or I'll never post it!

>>12620772
Like.
A.
Boss.

>>12620772

Just... awesome.

>I'll see you all next week. Hope people are enjoying themselves. Stay classy.

>>12620772
HO-LY SHIT.

You sir are amazing.