>>21837497
"It is, it helped keep the bugs away in the worst part of the marsh."

>>21837497
For some reason I expect her to be awake or close enough for us to hear whatever we say and depending on it likes us less.

>>21837497
Investigate the object the otter dropped.

"It is." You say. "It helped keep the bugs away in the worst part of the marsh."
"I noticed." She said. "All the bugs seem to stay away from her." She said, and made her way over to Ariana. The otters quickly got in the way, keeping Cassandra away from the witch, glaring at her.
You make your own way to the object the otter had dropped, and it's a simple, rather rusty ring, with a exquisite red gem set into it. You don't know enough about jewelry to say how much it might be worth, but it's been underwater for quite some time.

"Um, I just... just want to wake her up." Cass said, as the otters continued guarding Ariana's sleeping form. She frowned. "Abel, I think they're paranoid because of what I am. Animals can sense that sort of thing."

>>21837634
A ring recovered from the bottom of a river? This always goes right
Put dat ring on boyo

>>21837634
"Really? Is that a bad thing?"

Oh well, eggs for breakfast

>>21837658
It was for her dickass.
Shrug, "Yeah they might have trust issues or something, not sure." also wake her up then cook breakfast

>>21837667
Oh no, we might offend the otters? Don't overreact because someone wants to do something other than "wake up cook breakfast" you sperglord

You shrug, and set the ring down again. "Yeah, they might have trust issues or something, not sure." You say, and make your way past the otters to wake Ariana up. Strangely, the otters don't seem to bother you, as Cass picks up the eggs and starts making breakfast.

When Ariana awakes, the otters quickly scramble back into the water- all but one, which snatches up the ring and hands it to her.
"Aw, thank you." She said, blearily, absentmindedly patting the otter's head. It squeaked, and dived into the water as well, as she pocketed the ring.

A few minutes later, the strangely tasting eggs were cooked and eaten, and camp was packed up.
"I can't wait until we get out of here." Ariana said, walking.
"Neither can I." Cass said. "I can't really remember the last time I was completely dry."

As time passed, eventually the ground started getting firmer and firmer, and the everpresent otters and bulrush started thinning.
"We're making good time, I think." Ariana said, pulling up her hood. "You two see that?"
"I can." Cass said, peering forward. You follow their glances, and can see a large, overturned wagon, with three men standing there, scratching their heads. The horse that was no doubt strapped to the wagon simply nickered, munching contentedly at some grass.
"Ho, strangers!" One of them call, waving. He was a thin, scrawny man, who looked like he had never eaten properly, and a thin sword sat on his hip, as he was dressed in finery. His companions were similarly built, and idly picked at their dirty fingernails or teeth. "I don't suppose you could help us right our wagon, could you?"
"It's bad luck for traders in these parts." One of his friends said.

>>21837872
"I don't see why not."
This just screams 'bandits' but lets give them the benefit of the doubt. Warn Ariana and Cass to be wary.

>>21838001
scream?
more like neon coloured magiced sign around 5km x 5km large pointing down at them

>>21837872
Welp, bandits
"Afraid not good sirs, we must be on our way, good luck with your wagon."
Watch them as we attempt to go past

>>21838001
why give them the benefit of the doubt? what reason have we to give them the benefit of the doubt?

>>21837872
"Unfortunately we must be going. Time is very short for us."

"Afraid not, good sirs." You say. "We must be on our way- Time is very short for us. Good luck with your wagon."
"Thanks, friend." He said, and as you get closer, you can see he's entirely covered in scratches- not scars, like one would get in a swordfight, but scratches, as if a bobcat had had it's way with him. "A pity. I suppose we'll have to do it ourselves, then. Good luck in your travels, friend."
The three of them turned to the wagon, and started working to push it right, as you, Ariana, and Cass walked by, warily. Luckily, they didn't draw their blades, nor attack, as you walked past.
Underneath the wagon, you can swear you see two gleaming, animalistic eyes staring back at you.
"... That was strange." Ariana said, and you see her let go of the hilt of her dagger. "I was sure they were bandits."
"So was I." Cass said. "They aren't traders, that's for sure."

Eventually, the three of you reached a paved road, and continued walking. The going was rather comfortable, and you actually got dry, as the sun made it's slow arc across the sky. Cass seemed in good spirits, staring up at the clouds, and you hear a rumbling behind you. Looking back, you see the muddy, crude wagon and horse riding along, the three men sitting atop it.
"Good luck to you, friends!" One of the men said, saluting you, as the wagon rolled past.
"... We need horses." Ariana said, after they'd gone. "We'd get places more quickly."

>>21838125
"Good idea. Where would we get them though? Do you think you could use your gift to tame wild ones?"

>>21838125
"Seems they got that wagon working fine, pretty strange huh?"

"Good idea." You say. "Where would we get them though? Do you think you could use your gift to tame wild ones?"
"My gift is inconsistent. That horse back there didn't even look at me." She said, and frowned. "Rabbits don't react, and horses and cats and dogs don't, but bugs and rodents do." She frowned. "Even though rabbits should be considered rodents."
She pulled out that ring again, and gave it a small smile. "I'm glad the otters like me, though. They're cute."

You spare a glance toward the wagon, quickly sailing ahead of you. "Seems they got that wagon working fine. Pretty strange, huh?"
"If we'd helped, maybe they'd have given us a ride." Ariana said.
"You just don't like walking." Cass said, and grinned at her.
"Well, I'm used to my sister's familiar flying us around everywhere." Ariana responded. "I don't like walking. It makes my feet hurt. I'm glad I thought to get these boots, though. If I'd still had my shoes, I probably would have tripped and twisted my ankle."

>>21838125
"Hey Cass, still going to remove your tail?"

>>21838222
Walking's not so bad, if you get tired you get carried by me.

>>21838222
"Well, the offer's always there Ariana, I'm happy to carry you."

>>21838222
"Any ideas where we all want to go after Garamon?"

"Walking's not so bad." You say. "But, well, the offer's always there, Ariana. I'm happy to carry you."
"I can walk." She said, crossing her arms. "I'm not a bag of potatoes that you can just sling around."
Cassandra chuckled, and Ariana fumed at her.
The sun slowly started to set, twilight's light dancing on top of the clouds.
As you walked across the paved road, bushes and grass as far as the eye can see, you eventually come upon the Yapping Bull, a small inn, with what looks like few people inside, drinking and whooping, getting ready for the night.
"Guess the guys in the wagon went straight past." Cassandra said, looking for the wagon- but no, there was no wagon, and the stables were empty save for a single ass.
"Hey Cass, still going to remove your tail?"
"It matters on how many Order are in Garamon." She said."But shh, there are people in there. Don't talk so loudly about things like that."

>>21838327
"Let's get some rooms here with some beds, it'll make a nice change from blankets and hard ground."

Exabyte! I finally caught you!

Could you explain the rolling rules again?

Also, Abel as a character seems to come off as a protective older brother as well as an honest man. I like him so far. Have we decided his appearance yet? Because I'm already envisioning him with a light beard due his lack of shaving equipment.

Also, Exabyte, if Abel was hinting for a long time then he's going to be pretty skilled in a lot of things. Skinning, trapping, tracking, stealth, basically stuff q Ranger would use. I kinda feel he hasn't shown that kind of expertise. He would also be a good hand with a knife.

>>21838327
"Well lets rent some rooms, get a hot meal, and then get some rest. We should be out of the marsh by tomorrow."

>>21838376
If I remember, it's the best of three rolls for thing we're skilled in and the average for things we're not.

>>21838376
>Rolling rules work like this- anything you're skilled at, I take the highest of first three rolls. Anything you're unskilled or only have basic knowledge on, I take the median of the first three rolls. Based on what you're doing or how much you know, the DC for each roll changes.
>I added character descriptions to the end of the synopsis ( http://pastebin.com/WAF7dq90 ) but yes, Abel's unshaven most of the time. He can't grow a full beard, sadly.

"Let's get some rooms here with some beds." You say. "It'll make a nice change from blankets and hard ground."
"It will!" Ariana said, her eyes glimmering at the thought. "I can't wait."
You step into the inn, and the motherly matron near the bar waves you over.
"Good evening, you three. Welcome" She said, giving the three of you a brilliant smile. "We have some vacancies, some food, some ale, and a little bit of mead, if you wish. And if you're short on money, you can sleep in the stables for just a few copper. The hay's almost as soft as a bed nowadays."

>>21838327
what does everyone look like again?

>>21838439
>Ah thanks, that makes sense.

"Well ladies, what say you? A bed of linen or a bed of hay?"

>>21838439
"Excellent, thank you! How much will it be for a room for all of us?"

File: 1354393567349.jpg-(14 KB, 320x400, MV5BMjA5NTE4NTE5NV5BMl5Ba(...).jpg)

Abel now looks like Matt Bomer.

Pic related.

>>21838523
>... Okay, that's eerie. That's *exactly* like I envisioned him, albeit with more stubble. Might as well be canon.

"Excellent, thank you." You say. "Well ladies, what say you? A bed of linen or a bed of hay?"
"... I don't want to be a hassle." Cass said, and gave you a meaningful glance. "So I'll sleep in the stables."
"We're at an inn, so we might as well splurge." Ariana said. "After all that walking, I'd love a soft bed."
"How much would it be for a room?" You ask.
"Merely a silver for a room and a night, lad." She responded. "And if you throw in a dozen copper, I'll get you dinner now, and breakfast in the morning. A night in the stables is only two or three copper, since it's rather empty."

>>21838567
Stables for us methinks, beds are fancy and alien

>>21838567
Let's go for the room.
"Can you make it ten copper for the food?"

>>21838567
Stables, why waste money? Pay for Ariana to have a room though

>>21838567
Room, girls can sleep on the bed and we'll sleep on the floor or something.
and food.

>>21838567
In private: "We might have to sell that ring soon, Ariana."

>>21838669
she might like it, ask her opinion on it first maybe

Hey new Exabyte quest, time to hit up the archives

>>21838678
Stop being so pussywhipped, if we need money to get by, we need money to get by.

"We'll take a room." You say, and pull out a silver coin. "And can you make it ten copper for the food?"
"Well, you seem like a nice man. Ten copper it is!" She said, slipping the coins down her shirt. "Go on, take a seat anywhere, I'll have your food out soon."
You, Ariana, and Cassandra all take a seat in the surprisingly empty dark corner, which notably doesn't have any cowled strangers. Cass takes the very corner, biting her lip once as she inadvertently sits on her tail.
".. We might need to sell that ring soon, Ariana." You say.
She nodded. "Yeah, I know. I want to keep it for now, though, since it was a gift. Maybe we'll find a way to get more money on our travels. Maybe in Garamon."
As you spoke, the matron came by with a few bowls of soup and some meat.

>>21838719
"Ah, thank you very much. Say, is there much work in Garamon?"

>>21838719
Eat that soup.

File: 1354394907751.jpg-(147 KB, 550x422, sienna-guillory-jill-vale(...).jpg)

>I is in your mind, eatan your thoughts.
>While we're on character appearances I propose Dianna Guillory as the appearance of Cass.

"Ah, thank you very much." You say. "Say, is there much work in Garamon?"
"There's always mercenary work, but that isn't a place for your wife or daughter." The woman said. "Perhaps you could find work at the port, or perhaps a merchant guard."
Silently, Cassandra kept her head down, though you could see her bright red ears through her hair.
"Traveling south to find your fortune?" She asked. "Where are you from, if you don't mind me asking?"

File: 1354395159295.jpg-(105 KB, 300x427, Bonnie.jpg)

>>21838849
>Sienna Dammit.
>also, Bonnie Wright as Arianna.

>>21838893
"A very tiny town I'm positive you've never heard of far to the north. It was originally a mining town, but the mines have all been dry for some time now. I felt it best to seek our fortunes elsewhere."

>>21838928
This is good.

>>21838893
"Mercenary? Hmmh... I'm not really sure that's work for a hunter."

"A very tiny town I'm positive you've never heard of, far to the north." You say. "It was originally a mining town, but the mines have all been dry for some time now. I felt it best to seek our fortunes elsewhere."
"Ah, fair enough." She said. "If all else fails, there's quite the fishing business in Kefford. Perhaps you could get some gold for sending the Order a kraken head."
She nodded to you, and made her way back to the bar, where some men ordered some ale and mead.

Ariana frowned. "I'm way too old to be your two's daughter. Maybe we could be mercenaries."

>>21838893
"Hmm? What kind of mercenary work? I'm quite handy with a bow."

>>21839022
"Hmm? Marching miles through muddy fields from battle to battle, risking life and limb for a few coins? That sounds like fun.

And go along with the family bit for now, it's better than people thinking I kidnapped you two."

>>21839022
"Well in that case, you can be our adopted daughter, Ariana. "

>>21839102
Ignore the subject, my autocorrect is retarded as is my touchscreen.

>>21839022
"Your too young to be a merc."

>>21839022
Pet Ariana's head
"Ah, they grow up so fast."

>>21838928
And also wrap an arm around our "wife" to better sell the deception. Totally.

"Ah, they grow up so fast." You say, patting Ariana's head while she glared at you, her expression identical to the one her sister had given Gabriel. "Marching miles through muddy fields from battle to battle, risking life and limb for a few coins? That sounds like fun." You chuckle."And go along with the family bit for now. It's better than people thinking I kidnapped you two."
"Yeah, I know." Ariana said, and huffed. You wrap an arm around Cass to further sell the deception, but she squeaked and elbowed you in the ribs, hard enough to bruise.
"Don't *do* that." She hissed, as some of the people in the tavern looked over to your corner.

>>21839233
chuckle, dig in

>>21839233
Whisper in her ear "Just selling the deception. They'll look away once they realize what's going on. Or what they think is going on."

Chuckle and scoot away while saying "as you wish Milady."

"Just selling the deception." You whisper back. "They'll look away once they realize what's going on. Or what they think is going on."
She gave you a halfhearted glare, trying to act angry, and you chuckle, starting to scoot away- but there was a tail wrapped around your leg, refusing to let go. Cassandra went red, and started tucking it back under her skirt.
Ariana giggled, and the three of you finished your meal. The matron came by to pick up the bowls, and gave you a bronze key.
"The room on the far left, upstairs." She said. "Sleep well, travelers."

>>21839392
"Thank you." with a nod

>>21839392
"Thank you!"

Head upstairs, check out the bed situation.

"Thank you." You say, with a nod. The three of you went upstairs, and into the room- in there was a simple table, a few chairs, and a single, large bed.
"Dibs." Ariana said.
"See, this is why I voted for the stables." Cassandra responded. "Then we'd all have somewhere comfortable to sleep."
"This thing is big enough for two people to fit." Ariana said. "And no offense Abel, but..."
She trailed off, and shrugged.

"Thank you milady, you are ever so kind. On another note, would you happen to have a place to take a bath? We'd really like to get the dirt of the road off."

>Example what are the religions in this setting?
>Also, I'm saying Abel is about 6ft tall

>Also, didn't our sister say our last name was Tolstoy?

>>21839534
"Yes yes, I was going to suggest for me to reside on the floor in the first place."

>>21839534
"You two take the bed, I'll sleep on the floor. Give me a minute I want to go ask the Innkeeper whether or not we can take baths here."

HYGIENE!

>>21839534
"That's...fine. Table or floor are adequate substitutes."

>>21839573
This works.

>>21839537
>Adding on to this, who was our father and to we have any other relatives?
>was Abel born in Waymoor?
>How long has Abel been hunting?

>>21839537
>There are multiple religions, one being Zathul, Lord of the Light, and Peregrin, Lady of the Ocean- a sun god and a water god, respectively. You haven't heard of any others.
>Abel's more like 5'10, but he's still a growing man.
>Tolstoy was your mother's maiden name, but your father's surname was Byrne.

>>21839672
>Your father was an ADVENTURER, capital ADVENTURE. Settled down in Waymoor.
>Yes, Abel was born there. He's been hunting since his father died, at 12 years of age.

"Yes, yes, that's fine." You say. "I was going to suggest for me to reside on the floor in the first place."
"You'll get the bed next time, I promise." Ariana said.
"Give me a minute, I want to go ask the innkeeper whether or not we can take baths here."
"Okay." Ariana said, pulling off her cloak, slipping her dagger underneath her pillow. You make your way back down to the innkeeper.

"Would you happen to have a place to take a bath?" You ask. "We'd really like to get the dirt of the road off."
"Oh, of course." She said, and turned to a young girl who was carrying around two frothing mugs. "Shelly, go draw a bath for our guests."
The barmaid nodded, delivered the mugs, and ran upstairs.
"It'll be the room on the far right, directly across from your bedroom." The innkeeper said.
"Thank you, milady." You say. "You are ever so kind."
"Anything for a guest." She responded.

Since we're sleeping on the floor, we should sleep up against the door so that it can't be opened easily.

>>21839713
yes abel is short, inherited it from his mother who in turn inherited it from, well, you know.

>>21839713
let's go tell jolly news to the girls then
of course nock before entry

>>21839748
5'10" is pretty much average. In fact it's probably tall for a pre-industrial civilization. 6' would be giant-tier.

>>21837497
>>21839748
Lets tell the ladies that baths are available. Make sure no one peaks when Cass bathes, can't let people see that tail.
>>21839748
>5'10"
>Short
> Wut.

You make your way back to your room, and knock softly.
"Able?" Ariana asked.
"It's me." You respond.
"Come in." She said, and you open the door. Ariana was already prepared for bed, and Cassandra was sitting down near the window, her tail loose for once, swishing this way and that. It was much thinner and more wiry than you'd thought.
"Bath's being drawn now." You say, closing the door behind you.
"Cass can't talk right now." Ariana said, and giggled. Cass glared at her. "Her tongue went all weird. It's funny."
"Teefths, thh." Cass tried to say, and opened her mouth. Her teeth were sharp pins, and her tongue unspooled down past her chin, split like a snake's.
"... I'll go take the first bath." Ariana said, climbing out of bed and grabbing her dagger just in case. "And then maybe Cass will be... you know, normal by then."
Soon enough, you and Cass were alone, and she simply leaned back on the stool, scooping her tongue back into her mouth with her hands, frowning.

>>21839850
Yup, average was about 5'6" so I guess we're fairly tall for the time period.

>>21839880
"No need to be embarrassed. It's actually kind of interesting seeing a tongue that long. Can you touch your nose with it?"

>>21839880
"Wait, don't you only change when your aggravated? ... What were you two talking about?"

>>21839880
"Does that happen randomly?"

"No need to be embarrassed." You say. "It's actually kind of interesting seeing a tongue that long. Can you touch your nose with it?"
She nodded, and then unspooled her tongue again, first touching her nose, and then reaching up to her eyebrow, stretching it as long as she could, then giggling.
"Wait, don't you only change when you're aggravated?"
She shook her head.
"Noth othly." She said.
"Does that happen randomly?"
She nodded again, and frowned.
"Fruthtratithg." She mumbled.

>>21840036
"I can imagine why. Anything else trigger it?"

>>21840036
"I can see why. Have tried controlling it? I noticed earlier that your tail seems to do what it wants. Maybe if you concentrated on them or tried to do some exercises or something you could control them better."

Then try and com up with some exercises.

"By the way, how old are you?"

>>21840036
"Maybe one of Ariana's dreams will help you control it or something?"

>>21840095
I'd be willing to bet she's tried that before.

"I can imagine why." You say. "Anything else trigger it?"
She shrugged.
"Have you tried controlling it? I noticed earlier that your tail seems to do what it wants. Maybe if you concentrated on them, or tried to do some exercises or something you could control them better."
She nodded, and then you heard the sound of leather creaking, as her tongue shrunk into her mouth.
"... I always hate when that happens." She said, after touching her teeth to confirm that they'd returned to normal. "I don't know what causes it, and I can't really control my tail most of the time. It's... subconscious or something. I can control my tail sometimes, but it takes constant focus."
"By the way, how old are you?"
"I don't even know." She responded. "Nobody back home seemed to remember when we were born. It just wasn't an issue."

>>21840140
"Surely you must have some idea? How many winters did you go through?"

still waitan for descriptions on how everyone looks (except abel)

>>21840165
it's in the pastebin recap.

>>21840172
welp now i feel like an idiot

>>21840177
I rather like the actors the other Anon chose.

"Surely you must have some idea?" You ask. "How many winters did you go through?"
"Uh, I can think of at least ten offhand." She said. "But my memory isn't very good. I'd guess I'm somewhere between fifteen years and... I don't know, twenty?" She sighed, and shrugged. "We just never really made an issue of age. Why do you ask? Is this going to be important later, in society?"

>>21840255
"There's always the chance..."

>>21840255
"Maybe, maybe not, but it'll be easier for you to repeat an exact date if you can work it out now rather than on the spot when some Order guard might be questioning you."

>>21840255
"It could be. Normally you aren't considered an adult until around sixteen or so."

>>21840140
"Then I suppose we shouldn't dwell on it. By the way, what skills do you have that might come in handy once we get to Garamon? We have to have some kind of plan. I'd really rather not become a mercenary although it appears that I've inherited my father's adventuring blood."

"Maybe, maybe not." You say. "Normally you aren't considered an adult until around sixteen or so. But it'll be easier for you to repeat an exact date if you can work it out now rather than on the spot."
"Yeah, good point." She said. "But I could probably just make it up. I'm definitely an adult, though."
"Then I suppose we shouldn't dwell on it." You say. "By the way, what skills do you have that might come in handy once we get to Garamon? We have to have some kind of plan. I'd really rather not become a mercenary."
"Well, I'm not bad with a staff or spear." She said. "I got pretty good at carpentry, and I was one of the best at foraging for food. We all got pretty good at repairing our hideout, though, out of necessity, and at making clothing. We just needed metal tools and cloth for that. Which is what those supplies you brought me were for. A pity we forgot them."

>>21840341
"Damn shame."

Go check on Ariana.

>>21840341
"Sorry."

>>21840341
"It is. Maybe we can set you up as a seamstress or a carpenter although you don't have official training. Butchers are everywhere so I can hunt and sell my catches if need be. It might be best to simply do some odd jobs and move on. Although finding a sworsmanship teacher would be nice."

>>21840401
Isn't the sword teaching us already?

>>21840411
I thought that was only rough practice.

Also, we know one of the sword-spirits is called Ares, perhaps we should find out what the other is called?

>>21840371
This ain't no romcom. lets leave the bathing shenanigans alone.

"Damn shame." You say.
"Oh well." She said. "Someone will find them eventually. Let's hope it helps them."
As you spoke, Ariana re-entered the room, hair damp.
"The bath's nice." She said, grinning. "How's your, uh, thing, Cassandra?"
"It's fine." She said.
"And I was curious- when you're like that, can you lick your nose?"
"... Yes. Yes I can. Abel asked the same thing." Cassandra said. "Anyway, I'll go have the next turn with the bath. Unless you have an issue with that, Abel."
Ariana snickered. "Why not just go together?" She asked.
Cassandra shot her a glare, coiled her tail around her leg, and then left the room, while Ariana giggled.

>>21840458
"Hhuhehuh"

>>21840458
Pet her head "Don't tease your mother too much" then chuckle.

>>21840458
"You're worse than I am."

"You're worse than I am." You say.
She grinned, and lay back in her bed. "Thank you."
After a moment, she sat up again. "Hey, Abel, what do you plan to do after Garamon? Go further south, maybe east or west...? Where would you go if me and Cass just plain vanished?"

>>21840549
"I don't really know. I'd end up wandering. Maybe become a mercenary or something."

>>21840549
"Are you planning on vanishing?"

>>21840549
"I...don't know. My mother is gone now, so there's nothing to really keep me in one place. I suppose I'd just wander wherever, do a bit of work here and there. Maybe get good with the sword and become a mercenary? I really don't know."

>>21840549
Sigh "That's an excellent question. I was initially just going to wander about, get my bearings and what-not. With my sister taken care of I really had no obligations until you two came along. I might actually join up as a caravan guard or maybe a mercenary company. At this point though, I just want to survive.

>>21840549
"I'd travel the world on a grand ADVENTURE. Right wrongs and defeat evil wherever I go." Pretend to slay an invisible dragon while talking.

"I... don't know." You say. "My mother is gone now, so there's nothing to really keep me in one place." You say, and immediately her expression softens. "I suppose I'd just wander where-ever, do a bit of work here and there. Maybe get good with the sword and become a mercenary?"
"... Oh, Abel, I'm sorry about your mother." Ariana said, putting a hand on your shoulder.
"Are you planning on vanishing?" You ask, raising an eyebrow.
"No, I don't plan on it." She said. "And neither is Cass. If you ever need to talk, we'll be there. We all have to stick together, y'know?"

>>21840632
>>21840581
>>21840570
Mercenary mind.

>>21840662
Hug

"Thanks, Ariana."

>>21840662
Clasp her hand. "Thanks Ari. Maybe we ought to go make sure nobody else is peeking on Cass."

Next time we're in dream mode we need to ask the voices to teach the finer points of swordemanship And when we're awake we need to train our body. Swing the sword with one hand at a time, wield it with a dagger in the off hand, stuff like that.

>Exa, What kind of sword is it? Longsword, handAndahalf, leaf blade etc.

>>21840738
>It's a hand-and-a-half, one-edged.

You pull her into a hug. "Thanks, Ari. Maybe we ought to go make sure nobody else is peeking on Cass."
"You mean you want to be the one to be peeking on her." Ariana said, snickering, then stuck out her tongue. "Go on, I won't stop you."

>>21840802
Go knock on the door, "Everything alright?"

Wait outside

>>21840802
Go stand in the hallway next to the bathroom door, stop anyone who tries to go in.

>>21840826
That'd be a little creepy.

>>21840839
No it wouldn't. Cass is in there.

>>21840826
Do this

>>21840802
>Wait, like a Falchion?
>like a real falchion not theDnD one that's actually a scimitar.

>>21840802
Fall asleep outside the bathroom door

>>21840873
Or a messer of some sort.

>>21840873
>curved swords

File: 1354404763964.jpg-(77 KB, 416x305, Langes_Messer_by_Odinblades.jpg)

>>21840892
Messer seems pretty accurate.

Both curved...

File: 1354404796616.jpg-(42 KB, 600x312, messer.jpg)

>>21841017
...or straight

>>21840873
>>21841017
>Closer to a langseax or something, but both of those are close enough.

You wisely say nothing, and leave the room to go knock on the door, after looking around to make sure nobody was there, and you hear a loud splash.
"Yes?" Cass called out.
"Everything alright?"
"Everything's fine." She responded. "Don't worry, I'll be out in a bit."
"Okay." You say, and take a seat next to the door, leaning up against the wall. Soon enough, Cass came out, dressed once again in your old tunic and the remnants of her robe.
"... Wait, were you.." She asked, then shook her head. "Nevermind.Let's go to sleep."

>>21841035
"Ahah, no, I was just making sure no one barged in accidentally."

Are we going to clean ourselves up as well?

>>21841035
"I didn't peek if that's what you're implying."

>>21841035
I guess that makes it our turn in the bath now. Since we smell like someone who spent the past week wading through a swamp, funnily enough.

>>21841035
You can sleep, I still need to have my bath.

"Ahah, no, I was just making sure no one barged in accidentally."
"...Right, that's okay then." She said.
"You can sleep, I still need to have my bath."
"Oh! Right." Cassandra said, and made her way back to the room. You entered the bath yourself, and quickly cleaned up. The water was much warmer than you thought it'd be, and it didn't smell of sulfur- must be heated by the large fireplace downstairs, or something similar.
When you do finally get back to your room, Cass and Ariana are both laying down in bed, eyes closed, hugging one another. Cass's tail was whipping about wildly.

>>21841141
Fellate the tail.

>>21841141
Touch scaly tail?

Maybe see if we can coax it to wrap around someone's leg.

Then attempt to keep watch for a bit, and fall asleep.

>>21841141
Sleep up against the door.
If there's a window, draw the curtains closed or put something in front of it.

>>21841035
"Just making sure nobody barged. Let me take a bath then I'll be right with you."

Make a note to buy some new clothes.

>Okay, a langseax sounds good. Easier to swipe with at any rate. We need the voices to teach us a lot about swordsmanship, specifically being adaptable and fast. We can incorporate any knife skills we know directly into this. Any self respecting woodsman knows a thousand and one things to do with a knife.

>>21841141
We "should" probably leave it alone.

>>21841176
this

>>21841161
>>21841165
Let's not, Cass already knows we have a thing for her delicious scaly tail, having her wake up while we're playing with it would most likely not go over well.

>>21841141
Get some damn sleep and hope we get the chance to talk to the sword.

>>21841208
Agreed. I'm sure we'll get a chance to touch scaly tail at some later point.

>Pretty much, the sword is one-edged, has a long enough hilt that you can wield it with one or two hands, and is both heavy enough to hack and light enough to slice, and it's longer than a shortsword and shorter than a longsword (but not by much). Whatever way you want to interpret it, that's fine.

Making sure the curtains were closed, and blowing out the candle that served as the room's sole source of light, you sit up against the door, and close your eyes.

When you wake up again, you're rather sad you didn't get to speak to your sword, your sleep entirely dreamless, save for a senseless one riding some enormous serpent with a strange demigod made halfway of steel. You open your eyes to Ariana stretching, and Cass... changing. Taking in the sights for a bit, you start to drift back off to sleep, your back aching. Some time later, you wake up properly, as Ariana shakes you awake.
"Abel, you sleep okay?" Ariana asked.

>>21841274
"As well as a wooden door can comfort oneself."

>>21841274
Was a bit dull, actually.

"As well as a wooden door can comfort oneself." You say, getting to your feet. Ariana slips her dagger out from under her pillow, and starts putting all of her belongings together, and then freezes, looking around.
"... Hey, um." She said. "... Why..."
"Why what?" Cass asked.
"... Why aren't there mice here? There are always mice or rats, and they always leave something..."

>>21841325
"I dunno, maybe they keep cats here or something?"

>>21841325
"Well, do you feel dizzy at all?"

>>21841274
"Fine. Had a dream about a serpent, a demi-god, and a naked Cass."

At this point we reliaze what we said and wake up with a horrified expression.

>>21841325
Oh no, you'll have to scavenge your own breakfast.

But seriously, do you feel ill at all? I didn't get a dream last night, so maybe there's some precaution againt your kind here.

"I dunno, maybe they keep cats here or something?"
"Maybe." She said. "But it's just... odd. It feels odd."
"Do you feel ill at all? I didn't get a dream last night, so maybe there's some precaution against your kind here."
"I got a dream." Cassandra said. "It can't be that."

The three of you, your belongings collected, make your way back down to the main room itself... to find it entirely empty, dust covering the ground, save for footsteps to the the corner of the room, and a silver and ten coins sitting on the counter.
"... Um." Ariana said. "... What?"

"...perhaps we should just go."

>>21841379
Panic mode. Pull sword, carefully open the front door. Check body for grime.

>>21841379
"Clearly, we wandered into some kind of abandoned inn last night. This place has probably been abandoned for years. I dread finding out what we bathed in."

Just check body for grime

>>21841379
"Ghosts?"
Pull sword
"Seen anything like this before, Sword?"

>>21841390
What this guy said.

>>21841379
"Spirits of the deserted inn, thank you for allowing us to stay the night."

>>21841390
>>21841395
>>21841413
These three, in that order.

>>21841379
"Bastard ghosts, I paid for breakfast too you know!"

Well take the silver, it's ours afte-actually fuck that silver. Lets not risk angering the spirits.

>>21841436
Yeahno, we don't take the money until we know what's going on. And even then, probably only the copper, because we didn't get breakfast.

"Clearly, we wandered into some kind of abandoned inn last night." You say, drawing your sword. "This place has probably been abandoned for years."
You look down at yourself, and you're perfectly clean, as it'd truly been a real bath.
"Seen anything like this before, Sword?"
<If we had, we'd be unable to tell you.> The second voice said.
Carefully, you pull open the inn's front door, and it squeals open, rust on the hinges making it difficult to open with one hand. Looking outside, you can see that the sun's barely risen.
"Bastard ghosts, I paid for breakfast too you know!" You say.

In response, one of the nearby chairlegs fall off, and the chair topples over for no visible reason.
"... Let's... Let's just go."Ariana said. "No need angering whatever happened."

>>21841461
Now I wonder if we look/feel clean just because we've ALL taken the bath.

Maybe next time we meet someone, we'll be grimy or something.

>>21841461
"Yeah."

Look for signs of life in the village, or at least how long it's been abandoned for.

>>21841461
"Yeah, I was only joking. Thanks for a good night's sleep, ghosts."

Of course this could be more of Gabriel's reality altering magics, rather than ghosts.

>>21841461
"Ah well."
Leave the money of course.

>>21841501
Or Ariana's. Maybe she has the Gift of Temporal Dislocation.

>>21841515
That would be a pretty impressive jump up from vague prophetic dreams and being friends with small woodland animals.

>>21841461
"Would you all be offended if we took the money back?"

>>21841528
When you put it like that, i wouldn't be surprised if she has the gift of spontaneous musical numbers.

>>21841528
>The dreams are also therapeutic, sometimes.

"... Yeah. I was only joking. Thanks for a good night's sleep, ghosts." You say, and leave the building, the coins left on the counter. The stables were empty, with nothing but the skull of a donkey sitting there, long since abandoned.
"You're the only person I know who'd thank ghosts." Ariana said. "Anyway, we should be able to get to, uh, Hoheath or Teegate by noon. Maybe get to Cheyham or Garamon if we go fast enough."
Together, the three of you went down the road, and continued walking uphill. Slowly, more and more trees started appearing, as the bushes faded, and then the trees thinned again as you crested the hill. You saw fields and fields of bright green grass, spawling and blowing in the wind, and far, very far in the distance, you can see the soft blue of the ocean and something that looked like a city.
"... Wow." Cassandra said, her eyes sparkling. "People *built* that? With like, their hands? How many would it take?"
"It'll still be more than a day before we get there." Ariana said.

>>21841590
"I don't know, if we put our mind to something we can build something of that scale in several dozen years with a few hundred, maybe several thousand people. The city was probably built over several generations though."

>>21841590
"Hands, tools, nails and wood most likely. It's hard to estimate as to how many people altogether though, it probably started as a small village along the coast, prospered from initial fishing trade and ships coming to port, the population growing and from that, an need for more housing, retail and other amenities, all perhaps built over many years."

>>21841572
Musicalquest is go.

>>21841590
>>21841590
"Well then, let's get walking."

While we're moving let's try talking with the sword, see if we can set-up some kind of warning system so that we're alerted to danger whenever they see something dangerous.

Also, practice swordsmsnship and cover stories.

"I don't know, if we put our mind to it, we can build something of that scale in a few dozen years with a few hundred, maybe several thousand people." You say. "The city was probably built over several generations, though."
"I mean, I knew there were cities, but to be able to see something like that an entire day away... Just astounding." She said, eyes still wide.
"It probably started as a small village along the coast, prospered from fishing trade and ships coming to port, the population growing, and from that, a need for more housing, retail and other amenities." You say. "All built over many years."
Ariana fixed you with a strange look.
"Well, then, let's get walking."

The three of you continued down the hill, stepping through the grass, and you see a pale brown weasel climb out of the grass, a dead rabbit in it's mouth, and then it runs in front of Ariana, setting the rabbit down in front of her.
"... Um, I don't want it." Ariana said. The weasel met her eyes, picked it up again, and ran across the road, back into the grass.
"It probably would have been smarter to take it for food." Cassandra said.
"But it was too tiny." Ariana said. "The long rat thing and the rabbit, I mean. It probably needs to eat a lot to grow more. And we *have* food."

>>21841754
"Ariana's right, it was a bit small, and it might not have remained fresh until we needed it."

>>21841754
"Shouldn't you have said "Thanks, but we have enough food and you look like you need it more' then?"

>>21841754
"You're too kind Ariana. I would probably have just made stew from the rabbit.

Did you sleep well? Because you and Cass cuddling looked remarkably comfortable."

"Ariana's right. It was a bit small, and it might not have remained fresh until we needed it." You say. "And shouldn't you have said 'thanks, but we have enough food and you look like you need it more', then?"
"... Abel, it's just an animal." She said. "It probably can only hardly tell the difference between 'yes' and 'no'."
You continued walking, and walking...

"Did you sleep well?" You asked. "Because you and Cass cuddling looked remarkably comfortable."
"We weren't cuddling." Ariana said, immediately fuming. "I'm just used to sleeping in the same bed with Astora."
"I slept well." Cass responded. "Though the bath's drain had a silver chain attached, so I still have the marks trailing up my legs where I touched it."
"Does silver hurt?"
"No, it just leaves these dark marks. Like I'd been in the sun too much or something, I guess. Cold iron is really really uncomfortable though. Not like, painful exactly, but more like... um, I can't explain it. Like it's wrong and bad."

>>21841892
"I forget, is cold iron it's own material or just like, iron that's been chilled."

>>21841921
It's unsmelted iron, isn't it?

>>21841892
"Damn, those are some weird allergies to have, no rosemary if you've got Gifts and you can't touch certain metals if you're half-fey. Does Steel have any effect, Cass? It is after-all, just an alloy of Iron."

>>21841892
Must be strange having otherworldly weaknesses.

"I forget." You say. "Is cold iron it's own material or just like, iron that's been chilled?"
"It's a special type of iron." She said. "It sticks to certain types of metal, and it's supposed to lead you north, where it's colder, if you do some ritual thing about some water, a leaf, and a pin of cold iron. I forget exactly."

"Those are some weird allergies to have." You say. "No rosemary if you've got Gifts, and you can't touch certain metals if you're half-fey."
"Trolls have issues with silver." She said. "Other fairies and elves are fine with silver, but cold iron burns them like it was fire."
"Does steel have any effect, Cass? It is, after all, just an alloy of iron."
"I don't think so. Doesn't do anything to me, at least."

>>21841921
>>21841936
It's just iron with some dramatic flair added. Like saying 'cold steel' or 'hot lead'.

>>21841892
If it was silver, you should have nicked it! that could be woth something.

>>21841983
>Trolls have issues
>Only trolls have issues, even

>>21841987
No.

>>21841983
"So magnetic iron then? Got it. I'll make sure to keep you away from compasses."

>>21841984
Actually magnets

>>21841983
Fucking magnets.

"So we've had ghouls in a swamp, and ghosts in a village. Want to take a wager for what we'll find in the city? I'd put a day's rations on banshees."

>>21841983
"Ah, magnetic metals, does nickel or cobalt have any effect on you?"

>>21842011
>>21842059
We have some pretty impressive knowledge for a fantasy-medieval backwater hunter.

>>21842071
That's already been lampshaded, I think it best not to push it.

"So we've had ghouls in a swamp, and ghosts in an inn. Want to make a wager for what we'll find in the city? I'd put a day's rations on banshees."
"... I say vampires." Arianna said.
"... Uh... wraiths?" Cassandra asked. "I'm bad with any undead that aren't ghouls, sorry."
"Wraiths are the same as ghosts." Arianna said.
"No they aren't. Wraiths are the hungry spectral dead, while ghosts are just the memories of the dead." Cassandra said.
"But..."
"Technically, I lived in an undead-haunted swamp for my entire life."
"... Good point." She responded.
"Not that I've ever met a wraith or ghost or vampire before, unless you count last night. Just ghouls."

>>21842077
I think I'm going to need to read that folktale book, Ariana, so I can catch up to you two on such matters.

Sadly my encylopaediac knowledge of woodland animals probably won't apply much here.

>>21842077
"Sometimes I wish my old man had taught me more about magic than science."

>>21842077
"Any plans for what we do when we get there and everything is absolutely fine?"

>>21842146
I don't think he taught us any science anon.

"Any plans for what we do when we get there and everything is absolutely fine?"
"Panic." Ariana said. "Because if everything's fine, then something is seriously wrong with the world."

"I think I'm going to need to read that folktale book, Ariana, so I can catch up to you two on such matters."
"Most of my knowledge on such matters are from San... from home." She said. "The folktale book is all about fey and animals that become human by peeling off their skin or whatever." She said. "And saytrs and nymphs and stuff."
"Sadly my encyclopaedic knowledge of woodland animals probably won't apply much here." You say.
"Don't worry, I'm sure your knowledge will come in handy." Ariana said.
The three of you continued walking for the rest of the day, Cass being awed by the city in the distance more than once, until you saw a village nearby, multiple houses, wells, and a large ranch full of cows. Ariana's eyes lit up, and she grinned. "I like cows." She said, by way of explanation.

"Welcome to Hoheath, travelers." The rancher said, leaning back on the fence, no doubt on break.

>>21842206
I don't mean to be rude, but every time you mention your home you get closer to telling me where it is. You should be more careful.

>>21842206
"Hello, friend! What's good?"

>>21842206
"It looks like a nice city, and those are lovely cows by the way.

What's the news in the area?"

"It looks like a nice village." You say. "And those are lovely cows, by the way."
"Well, thanks." He said, and chuckled. "The bulls certainly seem to think so."
"What's the news in the area?"
"Well, an entire group of order knights went east to Angvard, so that's notable." The farmer said. "Probably hunting something big. And... well, nothing else a traveler would be interested in. A bit of scuttlebutt, gossip, and rumors, but none of that's important."

>>21842333
"Are there many knights of the Order here?"

>>21842333
"How often does the Order move knights through here?"

>>21842333
"Try me.

On the by an by what do you know about that inn way down the road called the Bull's Something (can'check)."'

"Are there many knights of the Order here?"
"Well, there's old Gareth, but he retired after a ghoul up north killed his companions and took his eye." The rancher said. "But not here in the village. There were quite a few in Garamon, but most of those were the ones that went east. There's nothing but a skeleton crew there. The scarred up man's caravan that went through here yesterday was quite interested in that."
"How often does the Order move knights through here?"
"Hardly at all, unless they're trying to trim down the ghoul population in the marsh up north." The rancher said.

>>21842430
"Seems like the Ghoul's are a real problem. How much further is it to Garamon?"

"Seems like the ghouls are a real problem."
"Too many fools try cutting through the marsh to take a shortcut, and they end up caught by the undead. Though, they say that there's a family of red-robed protectors hiding in that marsh, fighting the ghouls so that we don't have to. Every day the ghouls don't come out and devour us all is because of their struggles, mark my words."
Cass didn't meet his eyes.
"How much further is it to Garamon?"
"Well, you can see it, can't you?" He asked. "It's a day away or so. If you choose to continue on until late, you should be there tomorrow at noon."

"Oh, and by the way, what do you know about that inn way down the road, called The Yapping Bull?"
He raised an eyebrow. "So you know that name?"
"... It was on the sign." Cass said.
"Well...We don't ask questions about it. The inn's been there for as long as I can remember, and it's always been empty. Except, every once in a blue moon..."
He shook his head. "Well, you three would know, if you've seen the sign."

>>21842633
"Look's like last night was a blue moon then..."

Continue walking.

>>21842633
"The spirits were very courteous, at least."

>>21842633
"Very polite ghosts, though they kinda skimped on breakfast.

Anyone have any stories about what happened there?"

>>21842661
>>21842706
>>21842650
I don't think we should really be saying that.

>>21842633
Squeeze Cass's hand when we walk away.

>>21842737
He already knows.

BTW maybe we ought to let them know that ghouls will probably be leaving the swamp now.

"Looks like last night was a blue moon, then..." You say.
He grinned. "Glad to hear it. I've never heard of a cruel person getting in."
Ariana stopped patting one of the cow's noses as you continued walking, Cass's eyes locked on the ground. You take one of her hands, and Ariana took the other, the two of you apparently of similar minds, and the three of you continued on.

The sun was almost fallen over the horizon when Arianna finally groaned.
"My feet hurt." She said. "Is there any chance we could start up camp for tonight?"

>>21842793
"I'll carry you for a bit if they're really tired and keep my eyes open for a good spot to make camp.

Feel free to take a nap on my back."

>>21842852
Not much more to say than this.

>>21842793
Find a nice campspot under a tree or something.

"I'll carry you for a bit if you're really tired-"
"No carrying." She said. "I can still walk, even if I have to run my feet down to the bone."
You nod, and keep an eye out for a good spot to make camp as trees were far and few between, eventually locating a large half-circle of boulders, with a fortnight-old campfire sitting there, most of the wood still unburned. Unrolling your remaining blankets, you quickly set up camp, as Ariana huffs and takes a seat, already pulling off her boots.
"Aw, I'm all blistered." She frowned.
"... This isn't wonderful and awesome anymore." Cass said, in a quiet, quiet voice. "It's too... too open here at night. Uncomfortable. I keep feeling like I'll see orange eyes in the distance."

>>21842951
"Hey, remember we're further south now, so there's less Ghoul's and we're in a more populated area so there's even less chance."

>>21842951
"Do you want me to keep watch just in case?"

>>21842951
"It's your own fault Ariana. I offered to carry you.

Make sure to keep the blisters clean, wear dry socks and let me know if your boots don't fit snugly.

It'll be alright Cass, we'll take watches and make sure nothing bad happens. It's a good place, just trust me."

>>21842951
Draw our sword and try and practice what we saw in our dreams after Tue conversation is over.

>>21842951
The same orange eyes from underneath the cart?

>>21843071
>Make sure to keep the blisters clean, wear dry socks and let me know if your boots don't fit snugly.
if she can't care for herself then i guess we need to do it for her

>>21843117
We're a rather experienced woodsman, she isn't. She probably doesn't have tough calloused feet yet so we should do what we can to keep her healthy.

"It's your own fault, Ariana. I offered to carry you."
"I have my pride." She responded.
"Make sure to keep the blisters clean, wear dry socks, and let me know if your boots don't fit snugly."
"They do fit snugly, they just rub in the wrong spots." Ariana said. "They should callous over eventually, right? I'm just not used to walking."

"It'll be alright, Cass." You say. "We'll take watches and make sure nothing bad happens. It's a good place, just trust me."
"... I will, Abel." She said, meeting your eyes.

You stand, and draw your sword, practicing what both Crios and your sword had taught you, going through with the drills, as Cass worriedly looks out into the distance, and as Ariana starts making shadow figures on the walls with her hands and the light of the fire.

"... I need a spear." Cass said suddenly. "Um, when we get to the city, I'll pay you back if you get me one. I promise."

>>21843219
"Alright, that shouldn't be a problem."

"Hey, Sword, are you allowed to tell me what the spear does? The one I saw on the wall painting in that cave I found you two."

"Alright, that shouldn't be a problem." You say, and continue practicing.
"Hey, sword, are you allowed to tell me what the spear does? The one I saw on the wall painting in that cave I found you two."

As you step forward, jabbing the air with the blade, and as it whistled forth, the sword responded.
<The spear did the same thing we do.> The second voice said.
<In other words, nothing. It's identical in nature to this sword.> The first one said. <Except a glaive instead of a sword. I kind of wanted to be in a spear. Shame you picked this one.>
<I wanted the warpick.> The second one added.
<We can't elaborate, sadly.> The first one said again. <And you're doing well.>
As you continue practicing, you hear Ariana gasp. Both you and Cass, freezing where you were, looked back, and saw her hand stuck in the rock, up to the wrist.
"... It feels like liquid." She says, pulling her hand out. "Like I'm putting my hand in water."

>>21843219
Couldn't you just use a hefty stick?

>>21843366
That's a rock, Ariana.

>>21843366
Carefully poke the rock.
"...is there a gift that does that?"

>>21843366
"Well, that's new. Congratulations. You now have the Gift of Sticking Your Hand in Rocks."

>>21843366
>fucking intangibility
And she was worried about dieing.

>>21843219
"That shouldn't be a problem. In the meantime would you like to use a stave? I might be able to whittled one from a branch."

Experimentally, you poke the rock. It's solid beneath your touch.
"That's a rock, Ariana." You say.
"It is!" She said, grinning.
"Congratulations, you now have the Gift of Sticking Your Hand In Rocks."
"It wasn't the rock." She said. "It was the shadow, I think. It had that kind of... shadowy feel."
"... Shadowy feel." Cass said.
"... Is there a gift that does that?"
"There is now! It's... um, the Gift of Shadows." She said. "Unless there's one already called that. I'll have to look it up when I get home."
She giggled to herself, and pushed her hand against the rock again, focusing. Nothing happened.
"I'm so glad I got my first new gift." She said. "But I don't feel that swelling feeling Astora talked about, so I don't think it's my last gift."
She focused harder, and sighed. "Now I just need to learn how to use this gift."

>>21843366
Poke the rock, see if its just her.

>>21843489
Throw a blanket over her head.

"Be shrouded in darkness!"

>>21843489
"Well, it looks like you're going to have to experiment. See what you can stick yourself into, if you can walk through things, if it has to be in shadow. I won't be that much help, I don't know magic at all."

>>21843489
Be careful with that one, don't walk through any shadows in town.

In a single, deft movement, you whip up your spread blanket, and throw it over her.
"Be shrouded in darkness!" You cry.

Ariana, sitting there under the blanket, giggled. "Thanks for trying, Abel, but I don't think-"

And then the blanket suddenly flattened perfectly, as if she'd vanished.
Cass glared at you, and whipped the blanket over. A long circle of darkness sat there, even when lit by the fire, and Ariana carefully pulled herself out of it, before the shadow faded.
"... I didn't mean to do that." She said.
"Be careful with that one." You say. "Don't walk through any shadows in town."
"I won't." She said. "... Especially if there's rosemary near. I don't want to know what'd happen then."

>>21843613
"Heh, everything's tingled..."

>>21843613
Well that was amusing.

>>21843489

"Imagine the shadow as water. Simply slide into it."

Hey guys what if [spoiler/] WE'RE ARIANNA'S FAMILIAR! We technically came into existence a few days ago.

>>21843632
umm.. what?

>>21843654
she described "it feel's everything's tingled" or something when rosemary.
And yeah "Ariana, I just thought... could it be possible for a human to be a familiar?"

>>21843653
unless her sister had a giant demonbird following her around for her whole trip, i'm not sure we can draw that conclusion.

>>21843731
we do know that familiars come to witches at some point, and that we came into existed a few days ago, 1+1 might = 3.

"Imagine the shadow as water. Simply slide into it."
"That's what I tried." She said. "It felt like you suddenly dunked me underwater. Thank you for that by the way."
She went back to the rock, and slowly started easing her hand into it again.
"Ariana, I just thought... could it be possible for a human to be a familiar?"
"Hmm. Well, it's not impossible." She said. "But I don't know what kind of person would have a human familiar. It would be kind of cool, though. It'd be like I had two bodies or something. We'll have to wait until I learn the rest of my gifts before we find out what mine is, though."

>>21843755
Nah she said they only appear after all of a witches powers awaken.

>>21843774
"That could be interesting, you could be your own best friend that way. I guess we'll just have to find out. So, 3 down, and somewhere from 1 to 4 to go. We're making good time, I wonder what's next.

I wonder if you could hide in someone's shadow. Also, don't try to bring anyone with you quite yet, might end badly, once you get the hang of it you could try bringing something like mice with you into the shadows, see what happens. You can bring your clothes and what you're carrying so you might be able to."

>>21843774
"Hey, Sword, I know one of you in there is called Ares, what about the other?"

Theories:
We're a magical construct slipped into reality.

We're cursed.

We're a familiar.

We're part of a story.

We're something from beyond.

We need to ask the voices whether or not we existed before we found the sword.

>>21843951
we did, because we were hunting before we found the sword.

Hey Exabyte, I just wanted to say that even though we got off to a rough start I really like the way this Quest has turned out. Kudos.

>>21843978
>Aw, thanks. Yeah, it was pretty shitty early on, before I decided 'fuck this' and turned it around. Somehow.

"That could be interesting." You say. "You could be your own best friend, in a way. I guess we'll just have to find out. So, three down, and somewhere from one to four to go. We're making good time. I wonder what's next."
"So do I." She said.
"I wonder if you could hide in someone's shadow." You say. "Also, don't try to bring anyone with you quite yet. Might end badly. Once you get the hang of it, you could try bringing something like mice with you into the shadows, see what happens."
"That's what I'll do." She said.
"You can bring your clothes and what you're carrying, so you might be able to."
"Then I'll practice." She said, and lay back on her blanket. "Tomorrow morning. For now, I need to get some sleep. This is big news, though..."

You continue practicing, and look down to your sword. "Hey, Sword, I know one of you in there is called Ares. What about the other?"
The blade didn't respond.

"It's so strange to see you talking to your sword." Cass said.

>>21843958
We THINK we were hunting. They could just be fabricated memories.

The voices said something about not knowing our family.

>>21844007
"It talks back, so..."

>>21844013
Yeah, we willed our mother to existence.

>>21844028
We could have been inserted into reality. Not that there's much in the way of proof, but it's possible.

>>21844028
I remember there was a bit that described us as a young child playing with our sister too."

>>21844007
"Normally it talks back."

>>21844007
"And it's even stranger for it to talk back, but it does, most of the time.

But that's life sometimes, sometimes you're an existentially challenged hunter who is travelling with a witch and a remarkably cute changeling."

>>21844033
The being knocked out of reality bit backs the theory up.

>>21844007
"Hey Ariana, we should test how long you can keep things in shadows like that. It could make a good method of storing things if you can make it mobile."

>>21844073
Awww, I like this one.

>>21844092
She's trying to sleep

>>21844073
Sure, why the fuck not?

"And it's even stranger for it to talk back, but it does, most of the time." You say. "But that's life sometimes. Sometimes you're an existentially challenged hunter who is traveling with a witch and a remarkably cute changeling."
"Oh?" She asked, raising an eyebrow, putting her chin on her clasped hands. She looked up at you, mischievously. "Tell me more about this remarkably cute changeling."

>>21844161
"Oh? I'd thought I'd introduced you. You see I met her in this abysmal little swamp. She was the one shining light in a pit of nondescript green muck and decomposing plant life."

>>21844196
I like this.