>>19443971
>This was your biggest mistake.

Oh boy

File: 1339418766421.jpg-(1.02 MB, 2880x1578, map.jpg)

You disbelieve Cu's words. But come to think of it, he has never lied before, so why would he be lying now?

"I'm telling you, Nomad," he continues as you cross a short bridge over one of the man-made streams running through the capital. "It's the same in all Five Western Kingdoms. To visit upon a highborn lady, most of all the Princess, is to make explicit your intentions to court them. With the intentions of marrying them, that is."

He grins down at you as you cross over into the Noble District. The streets here are empty, too, but the lights of some houses are still on. You aren't too far from the house you've been staying at.

>>19444001
"....Well, in my defence Siobhan never taught me that"

>>19444014

"I'm sure the King will gladly accept that reasoning." The stout guardsman chuckles, holding the wooden sword he had brought to the party over his shoulder. You can see some droplets of red seeped into the wood. Clearly, he didn't escape unchallenge either. And he lost his jacket in all the confusion, too.

When you arrive back at the house, all three, Guin, Eames and Siobhan, are waiting at the front step and all make their way to the garden gate as soon as you arrive.

"Thol, you missed quite a commotion when you were gone," begins Guin.

"There were guards roaming all throughout the street, ushering people back into their houses. They didn't really give any reasons...," Eames ponders. Since he got back, he has changed into his regular wear.

"Wait... did something happen at the palace?" Siobhan looks over the both of you. Her eyes flit from the blood on your dao, to Cu's stained training sword. "Who were you fighting?!"

>>19444045
"Rakshasa
"They're gone now i think"

>>19444062
Still can't be to careful

>>19444062

Naturally, everyone is visibly surprised at this revelation.

"I need a drink..." Cu grumbles, opening the gate and making his way past the others, into the house.

"You actually fought against the Rakshasa?" Eames raises his voice skeptically.

"If Sir Thol says it is so, then that is how it is..." Even despite such supportive words, even Siobhan can't hide her disbelief. "What were they doing at the palace? Do you know who is leading them?"

"Either way, it looks like I joined this little group at the right time." Guin smirks, crossing his arms as he steps back to lean against the wall of the house. "Looks like we've already found our targets, isn't that right, Thol?"

>>19444094
Damn straight we did but unfortunately I doubt they are still there. Looks like I have some more chasing to do.

>>19444094
Oh yeah looks like I'll get a reward for saving the princess but unfortunately she is " honoured to have me visit upon her."

>>19444129
Which apparently means I can court her or whatever based on what Cu said. Why didn't anyone tell me?

>>19444135
>>19444129
we look like a paedophile now

>>19444146
I know that's why we are distressed

>>19444094
Tell them about the one we fought. I bet Guin would be interested in details.

>>19444165
Sounds good

"See? It was a good idea to take weapons with us!."

Then as Siobhan and Eames why the left early.

>>19444113

"I can't imagine they'd have all gotten out of the city, already," rebutts Guin. "If you want to find these Rakshasa, we have our best lead right here. We know they are in Vol Itolstein. What's more, we know they were able to get into the palace. That's no small feat, Thol."

"But... that would mean staying here, right?" A concerned knot creases along Siobhan's brow. "I would not be able to do so, Sir Thol. I must move with haste to Homme."

Clearly, you have a choice to make here. Of course, you don't need to make it immediately. It has been a busy night, surely they wouldn't expect you to have the solutions immediately, either.

>>19444129
>>19444135

Once again, you bring shock to the faces of your three companions. Except this time, Guin unleashes a sudden bout of laughter, soon doubling over.

"Good Gods, you move quick, Thol." He grins.

"She's... a little young, isn't she?" Even Eames lets loose a small smirk. However, Siobhan looks mortified.

"Oh goodness... I knew I should have stayed. Th-this is alright, Sir Thol, you don't have to marry anyone... or... is it against the law to misrepresent one's intentions to royalty... I know, I'll read up on it, there's a copy of Vanthanian Law inside!" She gives a resolute nod before heading inside.

(continued)

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>>19444183
>"Oh goodness... I knew I should have stayed. Th-this is alright, Sir Thol, you don't have to marry anyone... or... is it against the law to misrepresent one's intentions to royalty... I know, I'll read up on it, there's a copy of Vanthanian Law inside!" She gives a resolute nod before heading inside.

>Her reaction

>>19444183

>>19444165

Once she is gone, and you are left with Guin and Eames, you bring up the Rakshasa once more. Not just the green flames, but the other manners of magic: the shadowy tendrils he controlled, not to mention the strange, and incredibly powerful, shockwave that came from the pendant as you cut it.

"That sounds like powerful magic..." Eames sighs. Clearly, he doesn't believe any of you are up to the task just yet.

"It's all different forms of Maleficium. That pendant you saw? It's the root of their power... I'm afraid I don't know much more on the subject. And to be honest, there are few else that would. Perhaps in Aridotte, if we could get the permissions to look up some of their records on ancient magics... or of course, there's always the Eastern Library."

>>19444182

Siobhan is gone, but Eames is left there to stutter and stumble over the question in her stead. He looks down to Guin, who seems just as curious as you.

"Th-there are more important things to discuss at the moment, right? Anyway, I'm going to see how Siobhan is doing with that law..."

He quickly bustles inside. After a moment, Guin clears his throat and stands, taking a spot rather close to you.

"... thanks for the warning, by the way. Had you told me that Eames and Princess were together, I might've joined you just a little less eagerly." He snickers.

>>19444225
>"... thanks for the warning, by the way. Had you told me that Eames and Princess were together, I might've joined you just a little less eagerly." He snickers.

"They're not together.... at least I'm sure they aren't. Siobhan has vows she follows, so she cannot have any relationships.
Not that I mind."
"That's not an invitation to try to go after her." Say that in friendly/teasing manner

>that pendant you saw? It's the root of their power...
"So if I hadn't broken it and instead recovered it, we could have tapped into their powers? Or at least study them to understand them better?"
"Shame, next time I should try not to break the thing."

>>19444245
That and whenever Eames tries anything with the princess he just stumbles upon himself

>>19444252
He just ain't good with girls

>>19444252
>>19444254

Sweats like a motherfucker and can't keep control of his spaghetti

>>19444262
He is also a bit of a dick

So what do we do? Do we stay here to research more on Rakshasa or keep on with our journey?

Personally, I want to know what the fuck is up with that pendant we got with Ram's symbol (or was it something else than a pendant?)

>>19444262
If only we could say that without seeming crazy. Well we could make up a story where some foreigner just to hit on one of the nomad women and he trip and spaghetti for some reason fell out of his pocket which cause everyone to laugh at him. Oh god that has to be done

>>19444282
I say we go to Homme
But let's try to keep a day or two more just to investigate them.

>>19444284
Oh God, this should be actual cannon.
To this day, no one knows why he carried his spaghetti in small leather pouches.

>>19444262
>>19444284
>>19444298
I'm hoping Priest is reading this

>>19444245

Guin listens to what you have to say on Eames and Siobhan, but doesn't seem entirely convinced. Infact, he looks downright doubtful. Almost like there's something he isn't telling you. Then, as you speak of the pendant, he quickly shakes his head, gesturing his hands up as if to stop you.

"Just a moment, there, Thol. Let's not be hasty. Whatever the true source of their power is, it's Occult. Tapping into Occult powers means that some things will be forever beyond your reach. The Spiritual Arts, I mean. Such as Druidry." He speaks with a certain gravity. "And... if you're supposed to be this Spirit-ordained Balanceseeker... you may need to learn some of these powers. So don't go thinking about using a Rakshasa totem just yet."

>>19444262
>>19444284
>>19444298
>>19444305

(Eames could probably make spaghetti easily. It's a common dish in Settehem. Just sayin'.)

>>19444317
"I see. Can you explain the differences to me in more detail?"

>>19444317
Great so Eames carries spaghetti in his pockets. I glad we all agree

>>19444325
I guess we should know more in detail but damn for some Spirit-ordained Balanceseeker we sure as hell don't know shit about the Spirits.

>>19444325
Still we have a excuse for not knowing the occult

>>19444344
Not our fault. We only learned about being a balance seeker just a week or two ago

>>19444375
Yeah but Thol is a nomad but hey maybe he took naps when they were teaching kids about the spirits

>>19444325

"This isn't an exact science, yet, Thol. Scholars in Aridotte and all over are still working to figure out the exact workings of what we call the 'etheric practices'. There are three kinds: Natural Magic, Spiritual Arts and Occult Magic. We're not entirely sure how these three different kinds are related, but at first glance, it's much easier to see the link between what we call Natural Magic and the Occult kind. They both rely on practice and, often, learning methods, such as summoning circles, chants, hand movements and so forth. However, Natural Magic relies solely on the user's own ether. That is the pool of energy that naturally builds up over time. Occult magics don't. They come from other sources entirely. As to where these magics come from... well, it's not understood yet. We don't know the source of Maleficium, or Maya as it was originally called. 'Maya' means the soul's flame, but the legitimacy of this title has been questioned. And Necromancy is suspected to have come from the Crow. But that would conflict with many scholar's views of the three etheric practices.

"For you see, for Necromancy to have originated from the Crow would either make it a school of Natural Magic or a Spiritual Art. A Spiritual Art relies on no ether from the user, and is not known as magic whatsoever, since usually, all it relies upon is a Pact with one of the Spirits. You know Druidry, the result of a direct Pact between the user and the Ram Spirit. There are many others, some the result of different pacts with different Spirits, others are man-made... or rather, discovered."

(continued)

>>19444419

Indeed, there is some spiritual capacity in man, and there are those who strive to take hold of it. In the Eastern continent, the use of 'ki' is practiced by certain monks. That is, harnessing one's lifeforce to use as a weapon. Whereas a Magic-user's power tends to come from whether or not they have the intelligence to learn the more powerful kinds of magics, the power of practitioners of the Spiritual Arts seems to come from something else... it might be pure faith. The Spiritual Arts, of all three Practices, are the hardest to fathom...

"As I said before... there is a price to pay for using Occult Magic. We believe that whatever sources Occult Magic comes from, they lie outside the domain of the Twenty-Four, for immediately, all Pacts are severed. For example, should Siobhan attempt to learn Maleficium, she would be entirely unable to use Druidry, or any other Spiritual Art requiring a Pact, for the rest of her life. However, Natural Magic seems to be a skill that is innate in humanity. For regardless of whether one uses Spiritual Arts or Occult Magic, nothing changes our abilities to use Natural Magic. And... well, that's the basics of the etheric practices. I hope that helps you understand just a little more."

>>19444380
>>19444375
>>19444344

Just letting you know, you do have some knowledge of the spirits. On the Reach, you were taught a little about each of them. However, certain things, such as the Crow's current predicament and the Ram's link to the Druids, you didn't know. The Spirits were taught to you almost as abstracts, things that existed but were transcendant. If you ever want to know a little more about a certain spirit, feel free to ask, and I'll tell you what you know about them.

>>19444419
>>19444425
"I see. Thanks."

Well, I have no more questions.... shall we train perhaps? We could improve our magic or have a spar with Cu (...we haven't got our training Doa yet, have we?)

>>19444429
What kind of pact could one make with TIGEEEER SPIRIIIIT?

>>19444425
"Do you think I could learn more Natural Magic beyond summoning?"

"How does one increase natural ether?"

>>19444443

You wonder about what kind of Arts a Pact with Tiger would yield... you have no idea, of course. But you imagine it's something great. After all, the Tiger is best known to represent strength and physical prowess. It's earthly domain is Shenlong, so if you were going to find out anywhere, that would be your best bet.

>>19444475

"Well, of course. Your friend Eames has already learned schools from both the Summoning and Elementalism schools of magic. Personally, I know spells from those two schools, plus Restoration. However, I doubt I will be able to learn from any more schools... it's theory, but they say that it's almost humanly impossible to learn more than three schools of Natural Magic. And usually, within each of those schools, you should choose one to have a preference of. For example, I can use second tier spells from Elementalism and Summoning, but only first tier spells from the Restoration school.

"As for your ether storage... well, simply learning and practising magic causes it to grow. It's like a muscle, you see. The more you train it, the more it can do for you. Of course... there are few ways of... cheating the system. One in particular that requires an alchemist."

He shoots you a sly smile, reaching into his robe to pull out a ring. It's the same ring he was wearing earlier in the arena.

"This is known as a Cat's Tooth. The gem's the important part, not the ring. It allows the wielder to use magic without need of worrying about their etheric stores... but... well, it can dangerous if misused, too. It drains one's energy in stead of ether. Plenty of casters in the arena have fallen unconscious because of over-using them. And after enough uses, they tend to fade away. Interested in the recipe?"

>>19444516
"that would be great"

>>19444532

"Luckily, I'm no Guild member or I could get quite a hefty fine for this." He chuckles. "It's three drops of blood, a bone from a cat's tail and a sapphire."

You quickly memorise it (adding it to your 'Alchemy Recipes' page). After a while, Guin glances inside, looking through the windows to see if anyone is nearby.

"... anywho, Thol, I'm not sure what your stake in matters is, but I'm not one who likes to keep a tight hold of any secrets... so I figure I'll fill you in. Eames and the girl. They got back here around an hour or a little more before your return. Anywho, I was simply in your room, attempting to have a nice read under the moonlight when... well, noises came from the next door. I can only imagine they forgot I was staying here because, I can certainly tell you, they weren't dancing in there."

>>19444563
"...."
sigh hard
really hard

let's go talk with Eames.
Let's hope Cu won't kill him

>>19444563
"........fuck"
first thing first.
Let's see where Cu is so we can be in a safe place.
Call Eames after we know that Cu won't hear we talking.

>>19444569
>>19444579


Here you were, learning about magic and alchemy and all kinds of unimportant junk when he was holding such knowledge?! You make your dissatisfaction clear, before turning to make your way back inside.

"Go easy on them." Guin calls after you, sounding like perhaps his telling you wasn't his best idea.

You enter the house. You can see Cu at the kitchen table, relaxing with another full pitcher of wine, happily re-united with his swords, which rest on the table infront of him. Siobhan is in the living room, sitting on the floor, poring hard over a thick tome. That must be the copy of Vanthanian Law she was talking about. Leaving her at peace for now, you travel through the house, looking for Eames. You find him in his room, once more looking over his Fireball scroll. However, it looks like he's barely reading it at all, his eyes staring far beyond the paper and its secrets. That is, until he realises you've opened the door.

"Ah... Thol, what is it? Come up with a plan of action?"

He offers you an unsteady smile. Looks like he's a little on edge.

>>19444595
".....Eames.
You have anything you want to tell me"

>>19444605

He freezes and stares up at you for a moment. No doubt he was wishing he started learning Illusionism first. That way he would be able to get out of these situations simply by disappearing.

"No. Is there something you want to ask me?" He maintains his gaze for now, sitting up and laying the scroll to one side. Of course, he can't see what you can. The fact that Siobhan's Aridotten silk scarf is peeking out from beneath his bed.

>>19444616
"Many things Eames.
one thing for example is why Siobhan scarf is here"

>>19444626
I don't think we should mention the scarf straight away. Maybe start with a "So what exactly /did/ you do after you left the party?" and bring the scarf up if he evades.

>>19444629
Yeah let's go with that

>>19444629

"I... well, firstly, Siobhan and I were dancing... I know it was reckless, stupid and the worst timing but... that was when I asked her. To join us. I mean. I probably should have listened to you, to be honest," he sighs, sinking back against the bed, leaning against the headboard. "It didn't go well, needless to say. She was going to try walk all the way back here, so I got a carriage for us... and then we talked about it. And when we got back here, we talked about it some more. Anyway... you were right. She's resolute. No matter what, she's heading to Rooksland. Either way, I'm sorry I wasn't there to help... I would've liked to try my Fireball spell on those Rakshasa, to be honest."

He gives a slight chuckle

"The green fire... did any of it hit you?"

Keeping in mind just because Guin is "on our team" doesn't mean he can't be stirring up shit.

File: 1339427759005.jpg-(80 KB, 576x720, 3b67aaf195c7ec280b8373080a1109(...).jpg)

>>19443971

There's a lack of bear in that picture, OP.

This was your biggest mistake.

>>19444659
Is that it? Are you absolutely sure that was it?

>>19444680
Ignore his question basically. Just say his life is at stake

>>19444687
In a worried tone ( damn I wish I just made this all in one post)

>>19444677

It is possible
I just think Eames was being too dodgy about something we were expecting.

"No i wasn't hit by the Green Fire"
sigh
"So what are you saying, that after you left with her, you did not, in any occasion, made her lose her vows?"

>>19444680
>>19444687

"M-my life?!" He blinks at you, sitting straight up. His eyes flicker about the room, towards the open door, through which, you can both easily see the red-headed Druid, still flipping through pages of the book of Vanthanian Law.

>>19444691

"Her vows...?" And now his eyes are avoiding yours consistently, as if you were a Basilisk. "Alright... just, close the door and promise not to tell Cu?"

As if that wasn't answer enough already.

>>19444708
Oh Boy
OH BOY

>>19444708
God damn it Eames. You killed us all! WAIT maybe we can save ourselves and sneak though the night.

>>19444719
Never mind as long as we can run faster then Eames we should be fine. I just hope Cu won't say we are guilty by association. That would suck.

>>19444708
Oh yeah close the door as well as if that was not obvious enough

>>19444719
>>19444730

"Thol, this is why I'm saying we DON'T tell him!" He gets up from his bed, moving past your still panicking self to shut the door.

"Look... what I said it true. I only meant to to talk to her... really, to try and convince her. But, things started getting carried away... she was getting emotional and... well, so was I, and before we knew it, we were here in my bedroom and I... look, you wouldn't understand. Just the way she... and... anyway!" He clasps his hands on your shoulders. "I think there's nothing to worry about. She tried using her Druidry after and it works fine... I don't think the vow is really all that important to her abilities, so don't worry about that."

It looks like he should be telling that to himself, really.

>>19444793
Okay just to let you know if Cu finds out I'm on his side. It's for survival of course but hey just pray he never finds out.

>>19444793
Try to kill yourself in a facepalm

>>19444793
Well unless they check for that kinda thing when she does that ceremony/power up then you are completely fucked.

>>19444817
Which just goes back to me siding with Cu again. For survival

>>19444793
Hmm, weird. I swear that Siobhan didn't like him, maybe she was just pretending? Or did he take advantage of her emotional state?

Anyway, I'm glad for him to be honest. I didn't like that it seemed like the whole universe wanted us and Siobhan to be an item no matter how we resisted.

Quietly congratulate him.

>>19444817
>>19444821

Well, if Cu doesn't kill him, this might work out in our favor since she might lose her status and NOT have to go on the suicide mission.
Win/win for us either way.

>>19444822
That's why we will check on Siobhan later.

We need to hear from both parties

>>19444829
Ehh... how to suggest we approach it. I mean a girl, especially one like Siobhan will probably not want to talk about it.

>>19444802

"I was praying -you- would never find out, too." He lets out something halfway between a chuckle and a sigh, moving to sit on the bed again. "I'm guessing Guin told you, then? He told us he had 'just gotten back' not long before you. Clearly that wasn't the exact truth."

>>19444822

Despite the rather heavy weight on his shoulders, Eames chuckles, shaking his head.

"It may not have been the best of ideas but... well, I'm glad it happened. This is... why I will need answer on what you're going to do from now on, Thol."

When Eames looks back up at you, he seems to be much more serious.

"I'm going with Siobhan. If she intends on going to Rooksland, I'm going to join her. I know I said I would join you but... honestly, I think I will be of more use to her than you. You're strong enough as it is and now you've got Guin. Whether that means we part in Homme or part here... I just wanted to let you know in advance."

>>19444855
>
>"I'm going with Siobhan. If she intends on going to Rooksland, I'm going to join her. I know I said I would join you but... honestly, I think I will be of more use to her than you. You're strong enough as it is and now you've got Guin. Whether that means we part in Homme or part here... I just wanted to let you know in advance."

"Just say that you want to follow your love, no need for an elaborate excuse." Laugh at him
"I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I still want to visit Homme and see what this badge is about but I also made the promise to visit the princess..... really, the royalty and their customs. How was I to know?" shake our head a little.

>>19444855
I say we stay one or two days more
just to meet the princess and search more about the Rakshasha.
Then we go to Homme

>>19444885

He seems to be relaxing considerably knowing that you don't intend to castrate him, even laughing a little more freely, both at your all-too-forward suggestion and your current predicament.

"You know... given your actions tonight, I wouldn't be surprised if the King allows you two to become betrothed." A grin begins to spread over his lips. "You would have to wait a couple years, but you could end up marrying a princess, Thol. That would be quite the disruption in Vanthanian high society, I'm sure."

>>19444912
"Don't give me this crap Eames.
She is just a girl"

>>19444912
"You're the one to speak. Isn't Siobhan a princess too?" give him a sly smile.

Sigh "I too, wish that she could be convinced to not go on that suicide mission of hers..... Hey, if her vows are not all that important, perhaps there is still a chance?"

...
"Marrying a princess? Yeah, that would be quiet a disruption." Laugh at this
"But, that is something to be considered to far away into the future. Who knows what will happen to me in meantime?"

>>19444926
He said few years. She's 12 now, give 4 more years and it would be pretty normal age for marrying. No need to freak out

>>19444926
>>19444950

And we're 17, right? 5 years difference is not really a lot anyway

>>19444950

"I... I had forgotten about that." Indeed he did, for it seems the gravity of his actions take on a whole new meaning. He pulls at his now all-too-restrictive collar and begins to don a new hue of red across his features. He seems to settle as you mention the 'suicide mission' once again. In fact, all colour seems to drain from his face entirely.

"I don't think that's the case... anywho." He shakes his head.

"We both have things to think of for tomorrow, so I'm going to get some rest. Maybe you can come to... some idea of what you'll say to Princess Tessa and His Majesty, the King. Meanwhile... I think I'll have a lot to say to Siobhan, too. I imagine she will find it most queer that I, who so recently tried to dissuade her from Rooksland, now intend to follow her there."

He sinks back against his bed, breathing out a doleful note.

"Princesses, eh? Well, good night, Thol. Oh... and please make sure Mr. Salessanderson does not inadvertantly blurt out the truth to Cu, too, will you? That's one complication I don't need right now."

>>19444988
"Right, I'll go and talk to him."

Make sure that Cu is no where near when we talk to him

>>19445002
Yeah let's do this

>>19445002

When you open the door from Eames's room, you see that Siobhan had been staring, rather intently, too, at the door. Then, as you exit, she fumbles on the spot, glancing all about her until her eyes find the book again and she leans even closer, even reading a passage aloud. Just to make sure you know she was reading that whole time.

Making your way to the front door, you glimpse into the kitchen. Rather than seeing Cu, however, Guin is sitting in his seat, leaning on the back legs as he helps himself to a goblet of wine.

"If you're looking for the big fellow, he's gone to bed. Something to do with dreaming about some blonde..." He shrugs, taking another sip of the wine, before pulling out another goblet. "Care to drink?"

>>19445063
Go drink with him

>>19445071

He slides your gem-encrusted cup across the table. You decide to close the door the kitchen as you make your way in.

"I see you bypassed the little lady and made straight for Eames. How is he? Not too penitent, I imagine." He chuckles, taking another drink.

>>19445063
>>19445071
Yeah, we could go out.... wait we have no money.

Perhaps we could go out to the backyard and drink under the stars? Would be nicer location.
Well, anyway, say
"You said that you're not the one to keep secrets but I need to ask you favor and never mention what happened between those two to Cu. Because if you do, he will definitely kill Eames and I wouldn't want my best friend dead."

>>19445086
Accept the drink.

"Well, talking about those things with a lady might not have gone well... probably."

>>19445141
Anyway, tell him not to disclose anything to Cu and then spend time drinking and talking before retiring to bed.

>>19445141

"You might be surprised... these high society ladies aren't often as chaste as they might first seem. I speak from experience, of course."

>>19445094

"That's right... it's his duty to guard the little lady's life, amongst other things." His grin widens. He gives a casual shrug regardless. "Fine. I'll do that for you. After all, I will be travelling with your little troupe, I suppose it wouldn't benefit me much to needlessly stir the pot. Originally, I thought you would be the one doing the killing. Well, here's to love. Or passionate rutting, either way, a jolly good show."

He raises his cup before downing it and pouring another.

(Sorry for the wait, folks. Made a cup of tea.)

>>19445194

(Gah. Missed this.)

You sure there's notihng else you would like to do before heading to bed?

>>19445210
"Cheers.
Anyway Guin, i'm thinking on staying here for some days to see if i can find more on the Rakshasha. But then there still some stuff i want to do in Homme"

Also let's try talking with Siobhan after it

>>19445210
Drink in moderation and then go to bed.

>>19445228
I really can't think of anything.
Speak to Siobhan? Tell her not to worry about princess Thessa and that we're sure that the King would understand and wouldn't find this insulting."

>>19445235
We need to ask Siobhan to stay a couple of days if we stay here, right? Or do we split here?

>>19445240
Let's see if she is okay with waiting.

>>19445235

"Hmm... well, as a voice with a logical suggestion, I would ask why you plan to go to Homme when we have a more solid lead here. But... well, I imagine you are decided."

After sharing another drink with Guin, you bid him good night. He reminds you to keep the door unlocked for him. Ah yes. Sharing a room with Guin. Probably not as favourable as the situation Eames has set up.

>>19445240

When you walk in on the red-headed teen, this time she really is in the midst of reading, until you interrupt her. After your reassurance that she shouldn't worry, she shakes her head and exhales lightly, before shooting you a sheepish smile.

"Well... to be honest, Sir Thol, I really wasn't understanding any of this in the first place... it's... it's like it's not even written in the same language."

She scoffs, closing the book and pushing it away from her. Probably not as easy to read as certain other scandalous texts she takes around with her. When you mention the extra couple days you wish to spend here, Siobhan's lips twist into a slight frown.

"Already, we will be a day later than intended... but if you wish. I will send a raven to Homme tomorrow. After all, I do not imagine that some days will alter my course very much..."

>>19445321
Do we talk with Siobhan about Eames and stuff?

>>19445332
Dunno, we could tease her a bit.
Start like we're serious and very disappointed and then telling her that we're glad for them although confused since she didn't really show any affection towards him.

>>19445345

You sure you want to do this?

>>19445378
You make me scared Priest.

"Hey, i talked with Eames about you know...you"

>>19445378
[uh-oh]
Not really.

>>19445394
>>19445396

Third vote decides whether you bring it up or not.

Also, I like the amount of power that one question gives a GM. I might not have even meant it, I just wanted to try it out.

>>19445378
Not really just bring it up and ask her

>>19445464
so yeah no teasing just straight up asking

>>19445427
>Also, I like the amount of power that one question gives a GM. I might not have even meant it, I just wanted to try it out.

Pretty sure it is a well known trick for a GM to "are you sure" to make the players reconsider their actions even if there isn't anything behind that question.

Don't tell her that Eames told us but that it was Giun. What if they made some kind of an agreement?

>>19445464
>>19445468
>>19445483

As soon as you mention Eames, Siobhan freezes on the spot, green eyes opening wide, like a deer caught infront of a carriage. You imagine she's about to vault out the window. Instead, some uncomfortable mix of shame and frustration crosses her features as her eyes fall to the floor.

"I... I don't know what happened. He asked me to go with him... with the both of you, I mean. But I can't abandon my mission... but... but I..." Her voice is beginning to waver. "What if I can't do it any more...? What if... my chastity was..."

The word is hollow in her throat. Her hands claw and curl the fabric of her dress as her breathing becomes heavy in her chest. She is clearly having trouble speaking.

After a while, you realise she's actually having trouble breathing, curling up against the desk she was previously reading on, raspy sounds of her lungs gasping for air coming from her open lips. She reaches out a hand, grabbing your arm tight. As she panics, she reaches for air even more, but despite the heavy movements of her chest, still she struggles, seeming unable to breathe entirely.

>>19445522
"Siobhan.
Calm down, calm down!"

>>19445522
"Whoa, whoa,
Calm down. Nothing bad will happen. I'm pretty sure your vows had nothing to do with Druidry anyway. Remember what Ram is the patron spirit of. If anything, those retarded rules were set by people themselves and not by the spirits."

>>19445536

Surprisingly, telling her to calm down does little to calm her down.

>>19445558

This does a little better, however. She looks at you, her eyes void with panic as she manages to push herself from the table. Her movements are sluggish, however, and the lack of air is starting to make the girl lightheaded, causing her to collapse against your shoulder. You can't tell if the tears dripping onto your shoulder are a cause of the distress or simply the physical pain of being unable to breathe. Eventually, however, she begins to catch her breath, and you hear her intake large, steady gulps of air, sighing weakly.

"... but what if I can't learn the Call of the Wood...? Thol, I'm scared... I've been scared since I left Thulstry, but since I've met you... and Eames... I don't want to die, but what else can I do? There's no-one who has as great a chance to end the curse of the North as I do... what if I threw it all away?"

>>19445604
Hug her
"Siobhan, calm down, calm down...Look, i'm the Balanceseeker & Blackseeker right?I'll fix everything don't worry. It's a promise okay? and a Nomad never break his promises"

>>19445604

I think we should support her by going to that druid guy with her.

The ram spoke to us in our sleep before. I wonder if we could meditate on ram-ness or something tonight and have a chat with him ourselves, make sure the whole chastity thing isn't a dealbreaker on his end.

>>19445604
"Tell you what, I'll ask Ram next time he visits me in my dreams, alright?"
"Breathe. In, out, in, out..."

>>19445604
"I think there is more about the curse than we know about or being let on. That thing with the Crow being imprisoned has left be skeptical about the whole thing."

>>19445661
>>19445686


Siobhan is eager to let you embrace her, leaning fully against your body. Of course, if Cu was present to see this, you could be certain that he would be after your head. But you are content that he is asleep, so instead, focus on gently shushing Siobhan and reassuring her again and again.

She calms considerably, doing nothing to disturb the quiet, gentle air around the both of you. You can tell she is embarrassed by her current behavior, and probably by the wet patch of tears and snot that she has left on your fancy new tunic top, but she rests still. After a moment, you glance down to find her eyes closed, her breathing much more settled and slow. Lacking the heart to disturb her, you simply sit still where you are, leaning back againt the couch behind you.

After a while, you feel the exhaustion of the night's events in your own body. Dancing, sword-fighting, tunnel navigating and romantic shenanigans. Some birthday celebration. Letting loose the worries of tomorrow, its tribulations and the many tribulations of the many days even beyond, you finally drift asleep.

>>19445754

(And that's all she wrote, ladies and gentlemen. I'm gonna cut off here from now. Next time: dreams! It's been a while, let's see what the good ole Ram has to say on matters.)

>>19445740

(Sorry, guy. I didn't manage to read this before posting and... well, now you're asleep. You'll have plenty of chances to bring up this nugget of question-raising information in future, for sure.)

>>19445754
We Sleep while hugging her?
Jesus this will be awkward when we woke up

>>19445776
Alright, when is the next thread then?

>>19445779

I'm tempted to have the next thread begin with Tessa appearing on the scene and having the whole thing turn into a harem quest. Hilarity ensues!

>>19445781

Wednesday. Same time.

>>19445792
Please no.
like seriously
no

>>19445792
>>19445804
Yes

YES

YESSSS

>>19445804

Also look forward to:

The sudden appearance of your little sister.
Your childhood friend/arranged fiancee showing up.
Some ancient demon who is mean to you but only because she loves you so much.

And many, many other things that will never actually appear in this quest.

>>19445846
You forgot the little tomboy who saved our life.

But no seriously, I'm all for some romantic comedy stuff, but let's not turn this into the focus of it

>>19445854

Silly Anon, I don't plan to. Anyway, I'm off for now. Hope to see you all here next time for another exciting adventure of...

NOMAD RABU RABU QUEST

>>19445854
You mean the tsundere who asked us to bring her a sword from Homme?

>>19445846
All of that sounds like great ideas.

>>19445883
That one
we still have to buy her Claymore