>>22955124
"I think she might be getting into the habit of abusing my shins with her familiar, but other than that, we're getting along a little better."

"Apparently she doesn't like me because she thinks my surprising you was a bad first impression, but I think I scored some points by making her realize she was being charmed by that douchebag."

>>22955124
"It was... somewhat strained, then slightly more strained once that asshole showed up, but I think we'll get along better, now. Speaking of, he was so sure he'd easily snare you with his gift, since you were soultorn. Any ideas on that one?"

>>22955213
He was trying to get Tori, not Ari.

"I think she might be getting into the habit of abusing my shins with her familiar, but other than that, we're getting along better." You say.
"I'm glad to hear it!" Ari said, with a grin, as the two of you carry potatoes from the door to the pantry, while Sansa and her golems carry the smaller objects. "Sansa's really a nice girl, she just... gets stubborn sometimes."
"A lot of times!" Tori volunteered, carrying a bag that you had a Feeling about. She noticed your look and grinned, pulling it out of the bag- a large, corked jug of something that smelled of honey, and guessing from the mischevious look on Tori's face, it was alcoholic.
"He was so sure he'd easily snare you with his gift, since you were soultorn." You offer to Tori. "Any ideas on that one?"
"That wasn't the first asshole who used the Gift of Charm on me." Tori said. "I taught myself to... recognize the signs."

>>22955299
Honestly I thought we were talking to Tori too until you pointed it out just now.

>>22955335
Grin at her, "See? There it is right there."

when she asks what, "Your strength."

>>22955335
"Is that how they've become so powerful?"

>>22955299
Yeah, what >>22955342 said.

In my defense, I'm tired from being up all night trying to write smut.

I'm not very productive at writing smut.

>>22955335
"That's... pretty unpleasant. Does it run in the family?"

You give her a grin, as Ariana makes her way ahead. "See? There it is, right there."
"There what is?"
"Your strength."
"... Yeah, right." She said. "I don't think that's it."
"Is that how they've become so powerful?"
"Maybe." She said, and shrugged. "I'm not a historian. Probably, actually. That sounds exactly how the Primm family does things. They're going to come back, probably, angry that I scratched him."
Then she gave you a wicked grin. "But I'm emotionally volitile, and couldn't control myself, so I'm exempt from my actions. Poor Astora."

>>22955433
"They think they have the high ground when they tried to force you into marrying him?"

>>22955433
laugh

"I wonder how many soultorn use that excuse"

>>22955433
"So you trained yourself to resist the power of assholes who would try to force you into marriage so that you could live your life as you choose, and you don't think that's a sign of your strength?"

>>22955483
That sounds mildly insulting to Tori, so I'm gonna veto it.

"They think they have the high ground when they tried to force you into marrying him?"
"The Gift of Charm isn't mind control, they say." She said. "And it isn't. It just makes you, well... uh... *react*. It reminds me of how Tannis was having problems on new moon."
"So you trained yourself to resist the power of assholes who would try to force you into marriage so that you could live your life as you choose, and you don't think that's a sign of your strength?"
"I don't." She said. "Mostly because I don't resist it. I just... get angry. I hate the idea of someone else having more control over my body than I do. And I... can't reign in that anger, if I let it free."

Quietly, she sighed. "That's the reason my familiar is what it is."

>>22955567
for some one with the gift of sight I am amazed that you are so blind to how amazing you are :P

>>22955567
"Well, I'm glad it all worked out alright, I was quite worried when he showed up."

>>22955567
>>22955567
And I love you for it

take her hand and go somewhere quiet

smooch smooch

>>22955693
Let's just hold hands.

>>22955567
"Tori, what do you think the positive version of anger is?"

"It's passion. Most people in the world find it easier to just get by, to just submit to those who would use them because it's easier. You don't even consider that as a possibility. Because you're passionate about freedom."

>>22955713
disguisting.

have you no shame? What if someone sees?

"Tori, what do you think the positive version of anger is?"
"... Uh, crushing all who oppose me? That's positive. For me." She said.
"It's passion." You say. "Most people in the world find it easier to just get by, to just submit to those who would use them because it's easier. You don't even consider that as a possibility."
"Because that would be giving up." She said, and shrugged. "So of course I can't."
"Well, I'm glad it all worked out alright." You say, hefting the last of the food into the pantry. "I was quite worried when he showed up."
"You shouldn't be worried." She said, and gave you a kiss on the cheek. "You want me to show you around sanctuary? It's not even noon yet, so we have plenty of time."

>>22955713
I dunno man, I think that might be moving too fast for Tori.

>>22955776
"If you're up for it, sure. That sounds great."

>>22955776
"Yes, that would be excellent, thanks."

>>22955776
Only if I get to hold your hand.

>>22955776
"By the way Ari, I was thinking tomorrow I'd like to speak with the Crones about Amberway and the Forged. Would it be possible to get a meeting with them?"

>>22955827
no we weren't. We are looking after tori, nothing else till we get back.

>>22955896
Damn, I forgot about that. That is still something we need to do though.

"If you're up for it, sure. That sounds great." You say. "But only if I get to hold your hand."
"Okay." She said, and gave you her hand, pulling you close.

The city of Sanctuary was covered in white snow, ringed by mountains. Down in the streets, witches walked, rode, or flew by, familiars toddling along, riding on shoulders, or shivered in the cold, while on street corners, changelings and trolls peddled goods and gambled, two trolls even getting into a wrestling match over the result of one unlucky dice throw, teeth and claws smashing into eachother.
"Well, is there anything you wanted to see in particular?" Tori asked, her claw in your hand. "I could show you to the tower, or maybe some of the shops... The peddlers are fine for food and such, but specialty shops are better."

>>22955991
"Do you have any favourite spots?"

>>22955991
I'd like to see the tower, and also an alchemy shop, if there is one.

>>22955991
"Is there a forge or metal-working place, perhaps?"

>>22955991
library please

"Do you have any favorite spots?" You ask, the heavy fur coat weighing you down and protecting you from the cold.
"Well..." she said. "Not... really. Kind of? Uh. We can go there later. I don't think it's open yet, with the sun still up."
"...Well, I would like to see the tower, and also an alchemy shop, if there is one. A forge or metal-working place, perhaps?"
"There's an alchemy shop somewhere around here." She said, leading you through the streets, until you reached a large, glass and stone building, with what looked like an atrium on the inside, with a sign, with a cauldron and the words 'Witches' Brew' inscribed on it.
"Here's the alchemy place." She said.
The two of you walk in, and you see a seemingly young girl, with pointed elven ears, bright green hair, and sparks of light hovering next to her back- some sort of fairy elf hybrid, it looked.
"Astora!" The young girl said, giving her a grin. "Are you here for anything?"
"I'm showing Abel around, today." Astora responded.
"Oh, hello, Abel!" The girl said, giving you an innocent smile.

>>22956237
Hello Miss. Just browsing for now. Do you have any specials?

>>22956237
"Hello there! I'm wondering you have any glyceryl trinitrate in stock?"

>>22956286
Alternatively we can ask for Nitric Acid and Sulfuric Acid and just mix it ourselves.

>>22956286
>>22956362
>Except you've no idea what those are.

"Hello, miss. Just browsing for now. Do you have any specials?"
"Specials?" She asked. "Well, I suppose I tend to have more herbs than anything. That's the point of the atrium, in truth. It's hard to get much else around here. My silver and cold iron supplies are going low, though I still have plenty of everything else."
"What happened to the miners?" Astora asked.
"They're holding out for more money." The elfairy said, with a sigh, She quickly hopped up onto the counter, her wings fluttering, and started pacing. "It's quite an issue."
"I can go yell at them if you want." Astora said.
"But paying *you* would probably be more expensive than them." The elfairy said, and Astora gave her a wicked grin.

>>22956385
Aqua fortis and oil of vitriol.

>>22956385
I thought Sanctuary would be well supplied with pretty much everything.

I'm pretty sure witches and cauldrons go together.

>>22956422
>You've no clue what those are, either. Your knowledge of chemistry is incredibly, incredibly narrow, though deep as can be.

"I thought Sanctuary would be well supplied with pretty much everything." You say.
"We have magic in spades, but that's it." She said, still pacing on the counter. "We don't trade with anyone but the barbarians, and we have to produce everything ourselves. It makes my job a lot harder, because people ask for the most esoteric things. Speaking of which, Astora, can you run south to get me some salt?"
"... I can't, Perse." Astora said, quietly. "You haven't heard yet, have you?"
"Hm?"
"I'm soultorn." Astora said.
"... Oh." The elfairy said, and there was a moment of silence. "I'm... I'm sorry to hear that."

>>22956569
Give her hand a squeeze.

>>22956569
We don't have any of the reagents for gunpowder, we should stock up on those.

"Do you happen to have any saltpeter, charcoal and sulphur?"

>>22956650
>>22956612
both of these

You give her hand a squeeze, and she closed her eyes for a moment, before clearing her throat.
"Do you happen to have any saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur?" You ask.
"Of course." She said. "We don't have a *lot* of charcoal, but we never do, but we do have a lot of sulfur and saltpeter. How will you be paying? I take pretty much everything."
"I think he carries gold, silver, and copper coinage." Astora said.
"Hm, not as good as florin, but I can give you as much as you can carry for... hm, five silver coins for the sulfur and saltpeter, ten silver for the charcoal."

>>22956738
"Deal. Better than most shops I've been to."

>>22956738
"What's florin?"

"Deal." You say. "Better than most shops I've been to."
"You're a friend of a friend, and I have no use for most of it." She said, and shrugged. You felt a pulse of power emanate from her, and her wings grew, as you heard the sound of creaking wood, and a nearby tree in the atrium creaked, pushing out three large satchels. You scoop up as much of each as you can, putting them into three different bags, and give her twenty silver.
"What's Florin?" you ask.
"Ancient skiitaran money. Before they used banknotes." Astora said, and pulled out a large, brass disk the size of your palm, with a red gem in the center. Strange runes and symbols were carved into the disk, and it reminded you strongly of the frame around the mirror, in your dream of truth last night.
"It reminds me of home, really." The elfairy said, with a smile, her wings fluttering.

>>22956863
"Perse, Tori, do you know if the ancient Skiitarans were magically inclined? In a witchy fashion? Or do you know what the symbols and runs mean on the Florin?"

>>22956863
"You're from Skiitara? I'm heading there in the next few days. Anywhere I should check out?"

>>22956863
It's good to know you have friends, Tori, I was getting worried.

"You're from Skiitara?" You ask. "I'm heading there in the next few days. Anywhere I should check out?"
"I wouldn't know." She said. "I haven't been there for a very long, long time."

"Perse, Tori, do you know if the ancient skiitarans were magically inclined? In a witchy fashion? Or do you know what the symbols and runes mean on the Florin?"
"I figured it was ancient symbols of their gods." Astora said. "Or... something."
The elfairy sat on the counter again, and shot you a grin.
"... Tell me why you ask." She said, quietly, her eyes sparkling, and her grin turned... somewhat malevolent.

>>22956957
Oh you know, Magic reasons.

>>22956957
"Well, I had a dream that was influenced by the Gift of Truth, and saw Astora and Ariana standing in front of mirrors that looked quite similar to the Florin. It was pretty obvious that Tori's was damaged because of what happened."

>>22956957
"Just a hunch. I'm strange sometimes, you get used to it.


Though judging from your reaction you do know something about this."

>>22956957
"I saw the same runes in a dream."

if pressed, mention that it was one from the Gift of Truth.

"I saw the same runes in a dream."
"Dream of Truth?" The elfairy asked, her eyes halflidded, still twinkling.
"... Are you okay, Perse?"
You nod.
"Judging from your reaction, you do know something about this." You say.
"... So, did you touch it? The mirror?" The elfairy asked.

>>22957086
"Yep."

>>22957086
Do you trust her, Tori?

>>22957086
"Yes, I put some of it back together, though it's not fixed yet."

>>22957086

>>22957113
this

then How did you know there was a mirror?


it was broken I tried to fix it .... care to be a little less critic?

>>22957086
"Why do you ask?"

>>22957086
"...it was broken. I started piecing it back together."

"... Do you trust her, Tori?"
"She's one of my oldest friends." Tori responded.
The elfairy put her hands on her chin, waiting patiently, wings fluttering- and then you noticed that she wasn't actually touching the counter, hovering an inch above it.
"Why do you ask?" You ask her, and she simply grinned at you.
"... It was broken. " You say. "I started piecing it back together."
"... Interesting. Tell nobody but Astora what you just told me. Anyone who understands what it means would kill you without hesitation." She shrugged. "Especially the crones."
"What are you talking about, Persephone?"
"... Well, this young man gained the ability to steal Gifts." The girl said, giggling. "And instead, he used that power and gave away part of his own lifeforce to help you recover your familiar more quickly."

>>22957221
Huh.

But what does it have to do with skiitaran detailing?

>>22957221
"Has something like this happened before?"

>>22957221
"I...oh. Is that because of this?" show her Leez's tattoo.

>>22957221
"Are you sure? One minute I'm falling asleep and the next, that happens. I don't even know how to do it."

>>22957336
Let's not.

>>22957221
ok then what was writing?

>>22957336
Let's not bring that up.

>>22957395
>>22957349
i think we should, i'll second it

>>22957221
"I remember killing a gift stealing wizard."

"I... oh." You say. "Are you sure? One minute I'm falling asleep and the next, that happens. I don't even know how to do it."
"I'm sure." She said. "The Gift of Truth will help you reach your power more quickly, but you'll learn eventually."
"... I remember killing a gift stealing wizard."
"And you didn't take his gifts? Hm, you missed a chance there." The girl said.
"... Then what was that writing? What does that have to do with skiitaran detailing?"
"I'll tell you this." Persephone said. "If you were to look at an Elf's... mirror, I suppose... it would only say their name. As for the rest..."
The young girl, almost younger than Ariana in appearance, giggled.
"I'll keep that secret."

>>22957443
"Do you know much about elves, Perse? Could an elf tell if I had that power just by talking to me?"

"A friend gave me this, in exchange for a promise."
Show wildfire tattoo.

>>22957443
"Well, okay then. Thanks for the charcoal and items."

>>22957443
"One day, I'm going to need to figure out all these secrets."

>>22957443
>Fuck it, because tie votes, I'm calling up a vote here to tell Persephone about the tattoo.
>[] Tell her
>[] Don't tell her.

>>22957506
I still don't think we should show her that.

>>22957572
>>[] Tell her

>>22957506
lets not

>>22957443
come on secrets don't make good friends .I am few weeks away from fighting an army of forged and ther mad angle leader for once, just once I would love some one to give me a straight answer. to something this important

hell to the nope, thats something we should not be spreading around as if its butter on toast.

keep that shit seeeecret

>>22957572
[X] Don't tell her

>>22957572
eh, why not.

>>22957572
That's a negatory.

>>22957626
Because that made us count as "wizard" and she might think we stole it from Leez or something.

>>22957572
>>[x] Don't tell her.

>>22957572
>[x] Tell her

If we can trust her with being a goddamn wizard, we can trust her with the tattoo.

>>22957700
She knows we're a wizard, but that's a power we took from someone else (even if it was freely given) and she might assume we stole it.

"One day, I'm going to need to figure out all these secrets."
"Oh, you do." She said, and gave you and Astora a grin. "After you fight your forged and win, come back. I'll have a few things to tell you. But until then... Good luck."
"... Persephone." Astora said.
"Don't worry, I'll be telling you too." Perse said, and giggled again. "Maybe I'll even finally tell you how old I am."
"Well... Okay then." You say. "Thanks for the charcoal and items."
"You're welcome." She said, and gave you a girlish smile as you walked out of the store.

"Well... that was strange." Astora said. "I've never seen her like that before."

>>22957736
Right because it's not like we could've explained it. How would we have even given ourselves a tattoo like that?

>>22957739
"I'm not sure how I feel about all this."

>>22957739
I don't understand how elves nor fairys' minds work, let alone hybrids.

>>22957761
It's magic.
How did Astora get an arm made out of stone and gasoline fumes?
Magic.
How did the wizard get a tattoo made out of elfpower?
Magic.

>>22957792
And yet Leez didn't apply it with magic. You're an idiot, we just passed up a great opportunity to get more information.

>>22957821
Because Persephone's going to know how it was applied.

"I'm not sure how I feel about all this." You say, and sigh. "I don't understand how elves nor fairies' minds work, let alone hybrids."
Astora sighed as well.
"Now imagine you've known her since your coming of age." Astora said. "She's always confusing, and I've never met another hybrid, other than her."
She sighed, but took your hand again.
"Where do you want to go now? The smithy, the tower, back home, somewhere else? I don't think Haven is open yet, or we could go there."

>>22957878
to the tower library time

>>22957878
To the tower!

I want to see the little witchlings.

If only so I can use the word witchling again.

>>22957849
Because Leez is going to leave a tag for other elves explaining that it was a freely given boon, you boob.

>>22957878
"How about the tower then the smithy?"

>>22957878
Haven being the local pub?

>>22957906
Did she? She didn't say anything about leaving a tag on it, and Abel sure as hell can't read it to find out if there is a tag or not.

>>22957906
For some reason, I doubt Leez would have thought "Abel might become a wizard one day, so I should leave a mark so that other elves know he didn't steal it with the wizard power he hasn't got yet."

"Haven being the local pub?"
"Not... local." She said. "It's not open to everybody. It should be open closer to sundown."
"To the tower, then." You say.
"Right, the tower." She said. "Be very polite. The Giftless live in the tower."

The two of you make your way closer to the tower, and you saw it was absolutely *covered* in familiars, birds sitting on the roosts sleeping, cats perilously high, and a breathtakingly enormous owl, glaring down at you.
"Don't meet the owl's eyes." Astora said, with a slight grin. "Pretend you don't notice it."

The two of you walk into the tower, and you instantly see a sleeping, unshaven man sleeping at the desk, an enormous python coiled around it, snoozing on it's back. As you close the door behind you, it twitches.
"Ey, watchit, you, it's cold." The man said, sitting up. "Hm, Ms. Catastra. Wassup?"
He slid off of the desk, and *stood* on the enormous snake as it slithered closer, and held out his hand. You notice that he was holding out his right hand, so Astora would be forced to shake with her claw. He shot her a grin, as she stared back at him. He shrugged and turned to you.
"New guy." He said, and squinted at you, before holding out his own hand. "I'm Jane. Hi. You guys'll have to be quiet, since the kiddies are learning right now. In about an hour they'll be heading to the menagerie to check for vermin, so it's best if you wait until then before going up."

>>22958035
Good morning Jane. Astora's giving me the tour.

There's a lot of familiars here, they all the kiddies?

>>22958035
"I'm Abel, pleased to meet you. Tori was just showing me around, have we come at a bad time?"

>>22958082
They don't get familiars until they complete their coming of age.

>>22958094
I'd still like to know why they congregate here.

"I'm Abel. Pleased to meet you. Tori was just showing me around. Have we come at a bad time?"
"Hah, no, not at all." He said." Just a quiet time. Normally there'd be giftless all through the halls, familiars going haywire on their errands or research or even just stretching their manipulators, wings, or legs, but right now they're all on break. Most of 'em, at least."
"There's a lot of familiars outside." You say.
"Yeah, some of 'em belong to witches who want to watch over their kiddies, some of 'em are giftless, and some of them belong to the old biddies."
"We were hoping you could give us a tour, Jane." Astora said. "Abel's an outsider, and he wanted to see the tower."
"Right, right." He said. "Okay, Abel. We have the menagerie below ground, the boring paperwork offices, the teaching rooms and the learning rooms, which are both in use, like three stories of library, and finally the crones' home, which is totally off limits to everyone, even me. Which do you want to see first?"

>>22958175
"How about the menagerie?"

>>22958175
"The libraries sound good about now."

>>22958175
Well clearly I want to see the crones' home, since it's not allowed.

How about we go to the library, and head to the menagerie with the witchlings?

>>22958175
"I've heard a lot about the library."

>>22958175
Let's start with the menagerie.

"How about we go to the library, and head to the menagerie with the witchlings?"
"Nah, we don't like to let the kiddies hand around weird people. Well, we hardly care, but the high families don't like their kids hanging around weird people." Jane said. "Let's swap that around. Menagerie first, then the library after the witchlings come down. That way you can also check out the learning and teaching rooms, if you wanted."
Still standing perfectly still, the snake beneath the man started slithering- It was eerie, but you had a feeling that both he and the snake were the *same being*, which was something you knew intellectually, but not emotionally, until now, with the perfect tandem they moved in. "Come with me." He said, turning, leading you down a set of stairs. You follow him, still holding Tori's claw, and walk until you were in a long, long hallway, cages and various environments set into the walls. From here alone, you could see mice, beavers, a few cows, a scrawny horse, and a very sleepy bear with white fur, as you walked.
"Any creatures you'd like to see in particular?" Jane asked. "Normally, we walk the kiddies through here and when one of the critters react, usually by trying to lick the kiddies' hands, then we know the witchling has the gift of vermin for that particular critter."

>>22958329
Let's just go for a wander.
"Do you keep any supernatural creatures here?"

You just simply wander, walking. "Do you keep any supernatural creatures here?" you ask.
"We have a few barghests- which you *really* don't want to get too close to. We had to plate the insides of their area with purest silver and ivory just to keep them from melting their way out." He said. "Then we have a unicorn, and a few wisps, but that's it. We don't keep many supernatural creatures. Which is a nice surprise, sometimes, when someone finds out that kraken love them for whatever reason."

As you walk, you see some more creatures- mostly large felines, like tigers, lions, wildcats... and then you see a pure black panther, standing in the hallway, staring at you. For a moment, you freeze, think it'd gotten free.
"Hey, old biddy." Jane said, with a nod.
"Cat." Astora said.
The panther nodded, and then gave you a wink, walking by.
"... You really call them that to their faces?" Astora asked.
"The crones have a sense of humor." Jane said. "... Except Owl. I'll tell you this- hanging from your tail from the top of the tower for a few days isn't fun."

>>22958486
Sounds like Owl has a great sense of humor.

Let's see if the unicorn likes us like Grump did.

>>22958486
"What's a wisp?"

>>22958486
"Let's see this Unicorn, shall we?

I met a unicorn on an island south of here. His name was Grump."

>>22958486
"Out of interest, how many Crones are there? What are their names?"

>>22958583
"names"

"Let's see this unicorn, shall we?" You ask. "I met a unicorn on an island south of here. His name was Grump."
"... Everywhere else is south of here." Jane said, and chuckled.
"South of the free cities." Astora said.
"Oh, okay." He said, and chuckled.
"What's a wisp?" You ask.
"It's a supernatural version of a firefly." Jane responded. "Creates glamours to bog people down- or to help them. Nobody knows why. Anyway, the unicorn's over here. His name is Malloy, or 'that fucker who put a hole in me' if you make him mad. Fun fact for you two, that name is one way to make him mad."
The three of you looked through the simple bars, and beyond sat a sky blue unicorn, absentmindedly eating grass.
"Hey, Malloy, you have visitors!" Jane called.
It looked over and snorted... and then froze. And got to it's feet, walking closer, staring directly at you. It was much, much slimmer than Grump, and it occured to you that grump was very, very muscled, comparatively.

>>22958677
Look right back at it, and gently extend our hand. See if it likes us.

>>22958677
"Hello, are you alright? You look half starved!"

>>22958677
"Er... Hello."

>>22958677
"Hello there! What're you up to?"

>>22958677
"Hello, Malloy!"

"Say, you wouldn't happen to know of a unicorn called Grump, would you?"

"Hello there!" You say, and intelligent eyes stared back at you. "Say, you wouldn't happen to know of a unicorn called Grump, would you?"
It stood there for a moment, and then suddenly stuck it's head through the bars. Jane leapt back, falling to the ground- obviously he'd been stabbed by that horn before- and Astora took a step back.

The unicorn sniffed at you, and then at the marking on your shoulder... and then took the wrapping hiding it in it's teeth, and started trying to tug it off.

>>22958773
Shh, that was a gift.

>>22958773
pat its head

>>22958773
Whisper "Let's keep that between you an me shall we?"

>>22958773

word getting out that we have an elf's glamour would probably not be a good idea, try to minimize damage to the wrappings and politely ask him to let go.

"please, its complicated, you have to understand."

he looks like he needs some exercise.

"Let's keep that between you and me, shall we?" You ask. "It's complicated."

It moved it's head back... and with white hot pain, you got a horn through your shoulder. There was a sickening crunch, and you fell back, your blood dripping from Malloy's horn.
"... Damnit, you beast." Jane sighed. "Abel, you'll be fine. The wounds are painful, but it'll heal."
You look down, and he was right- the wound in your shoulder slowly shrunk, until it was gone, and the unicorn stared at you again.. then huffed and pointed it's horn toward your arm again.

>>22958892
"I need that arm, y'know."
Back up a bit.

>>22958892
Pull the bandage off guys, goddamn. It's in elvish, nobody is going to be able to read it here but the unicorn and then we'll cover it right back up.

>>22958773
"Careful now, that's my gun arm."

>>22958892
"Well, just for that I'm not showing you."

>>22958892
Clearly the unicorn knew Leez and wants to make sure we didn't steal anything of hers. Let it see the tat.

>>22958892
Bop him on the nose. "Keep that up and I won't ruffle your mane.

>>22958892

maybe we can just show him and no one else?

make sure Jane doesn't see anything and try to explain our tattoo.

"I need that arm, y'know." You say, and back up a bit- and it slammed forward, pushing against the bars with all of it's strength. You hear a loud creak.
"Woah, calm down, you." Jane said.
You sigh, and tear the wrapping off.. and the unicorn instantly calmed, taking a step back, and touching the horn to the marking on your arm.

The horn started glowing for a moment, and you hear a hum.
"... Is that elven?" Jane asked, and Astora shushed him.
The hum was great, almost powerful.. and then you clearly heard a voice.

<Tell Grump I said hello, manling.> The voice echoed in your mind.

>>22958892
show it to him
"it was a gift" "so I can better help a friend "

>>22958997
"next time I we meet grump sure does like that island "

>>22959025
...wut

>>22958997

i... i'll do that, is there anything else you need?

>>22958997
If I see him again, I shall.

Ruffle it's hair.

>>22958997
"So that IS his name."

"I... I'll do that." You say. "Is there anything else you need?"
<... Tell the adorable young manling girl to come by and feed me more sugar cubes.> Malloy said. <That is it.>
"... Is the unicorn talking to him? Is that normal?" Jane asked.
"... For Abel? I'd start being surprised if spirits and ancient elves and magical beasts *weren't* coming out of the woodwork to talk to him." Astora responded, huffing.

>>22959133
"I usually only talk to my sword, not my fault that Unicorns like me. It's a long story that I don't feel like getting into.

He wants the adorable girl to feed him more sugar cubes, but other than that he's doing fine."

>>22959133

"consider it done"

wrap up the shoulder

"This fine creature would like the 'adorable young manling girl' to come by more often to feed him sugar cubes, any idea who he means?"

>>22959183
Don't mention the sword, seriously.

>>22959133
"Seems there's a witchling he's quite fond of."
"Take care, O spiky one."

Let's have a look at those baghersts.

>>22959133
"I got this tattoo from an elf in the Free Cities. I guess it makes sense there's magic in it?"

That second sentence is neither lie nor truth. Fun huh?

>>22959133
"Jane, Malloy requests more sugar cubes."

"Consider it done." You say, and wrap up your arm, turning to Jane. "I got this tatoo from an elf in the free cities." You say. "I guess there's magic in it?"
"Yeah, makes sense. Elves do that sort of thing." Jane said.
"Seems there's a witchling he's quite fond of. He would like her to come by more often to feed him sugar cubes. Any idea who he means?"
"Yeah... Mell's girl." Jane said. "I'll tell her how much he's fond of her, later. How's your shoulder?"
You take a look, and your shoulder was perfectly healed, now- apparently wounds made by unicorn horns didn't last very long. You wrap up your tattoo again, and continue walking.
"There are the barghests and wisps further in, but besides those, there isn't anything interesting." Jane said.

>>22959351
"Let's take a look at those wisps, shall we?"

>>22959351
Wisps sound cool. How do you stop them from flying away?

>>22959351

never seen a wisp before and we might as well check if the barghest are secure if we pass by them on the way.

>>22959351
"I don't really need to see a barghest. I met one yesterday and it was unpleasant."

"Let's take a look at those wisps, shall we?"
"We shall." He said, and continued slithering forward, standing on his familiar.
"Wisps sound cool. How do you stop them from flying away?"
"They like rowan wood." He responded. "Like, they really, really like them. They also seem to drive off undead. But anyway, we just stick a rowan tree in there."

The three of you continue to travel, and eventually, through the bars, you saw a great tree, with dozens of small, swarming fireflies, some glimmering certain colors, others with sparks drifting from them, flitting around.
"These are the wisps." Jane said. "They don't seem intelligent, though."

>>22959560
Poke one.

>>22959560
"Wow."

"Hello, Wisps!"

>>22959560

"they're beautiful, thank you for allowing me to be here." directed at both Jane and Astora.

wisps are rad

"They're beautiful." You say, poking one.
As you poke it, it suddenly became a large, angry wolf, barking and snarling... and then it leapt *through* the bars, somehow, baring down on you, teeth bared.

It growled, and took a step forward, and you were already reaching for your sword.
"Don't worry, it's not real." Jane said. "It's an illusion."

>>22959657
That's awesome.

>>22959657

self defence?

sorry about that little guy.

we can see through elven illusions but not through wisp's, interesting.

"Self defense?" you ask.
"Yeah." He responded. "Sometimes they learn to take different shapes for their illusions. It was a bad day when one learned my familiar's shape and used it to torment the kiddies that came down here. The others were pissed off at me, but when Toad learned about it, she thought it was hilarious and took the wisp as her own pet."

>>22959728
Hm.. could we get the wisps to take our form?

"I'm a big scary Able, run away from me!"

>>22959728
"It would be nice to meet the Crones, I've only met one of them. They seem like an interesting bunch."

>>22959728
"So you can make friends with them? Do they eat anything?"

>>22959775
No.

>>22959816
What's the matter anon, you allergic to fun?

>>22959833
No, but that's just stupid. Suggest a better method.

"So you can make friends with them? do they eat anything?"
"They eat magic or something, Iunno." He said, and shrugged. "Maybe they eat rowan wood. I don't know, really."

He tilted his head, and closed his eyes for a moment.
"Well, sounds like the little ones are on their way down here. You want to go up to the library?"
"It would be nice to meet the Crones. I've only met one of them. They seem like an interesting bunch."
"They are." Jane said, walking. "Cow, Owl, Cat, Toad, Raven, Wolf, and Monkey. If you want, I could send them a message that you want to meet them, but they probably won't get back to you for a few days to a week. They're busy."

>>22959901
"Probably best not to. I'll be gone in a few days as well. I'm looking forward to the library, though."

>>22959901
Pull out a rowan arrow and try to befrend one of the wisps, then show it off to Astora

>>22959901
Wave a rowan wand at the wisps.

Anyone else getting posting errors?

"Probably best not to." You say. "I'll be gone in a few days as well. I'm looking forward to the library, though."
"Right, I'll show you there." He responded, but you were already approaching the wisps, a rowan arrow in hand. You hold it out, and the wolf walks up and sniffs it, before grinning and panting-
And then it was suddenly Astora, wearing little but thin red silk in just the right places, and it gave you an illusory kiss on the cheek.

Astora gritted her teeth.
"Well." Jane said, eyes raised. "Uh... You should put that away. I'm really not sure why they're turning into mostly nude women, but, uh... Please don't burn them all, Ms. Catastra.
"I won't." She said, glaring at the wisp. It gave her an illusory kiss on the cheek as well, and then slowly, carefully, licked the claw on her hand, giving Jane a wink.
He cleared his throat. "Well let's go over here okay then."

>>22960084
Give Tori a kiss on the cheek.

>>22960084
"That...that was unexpected."

>>22960084
"Yes, the library, that sounds like a fantastic prospect right now."

>>22960084
ha ha ha that was the greatest thing ever

>>22960116
this

"Yes, the library, that sounds like a fantastic prospect right now." You say, putting the rowan arrow away.
"Let's!" He called, and stepped off of his familiar, as it slithered past, and he almost started jogging that way, as you followed him and Astora followed you. The two of you walked for some time, as the wisp- still in Astora's form pouted at you before going back into it's cage.
You slow down a bit, and give Astora a kiss on the cheek.
"That.. that was unexpected." You say.
"I know." She said, grumbling, in a low voice. "What I want to know is how it knew I bought the silk."

>>22960238
"...Magic works in strange ways."

>>22960238
"-hwa?"

>>22960238
Maybe they have the ability to sense our fears and likes. It didn't seem that un-intelligent though.

"... Magic works in strange ways." you say. "Maybe they have the ability to sense our fears and likes."
"... Was that something you're scared of, or something you like?" Jane asked- and leapt back from the sudden burst of flame that came into existence in front of him. Your arm suddenly burned, in pain.

>>22960310
Just laugh. And try not to have arm spasms.

Say quietly "And you feel it every time you do that?"

>>22960310
"I'll leave that for you to decide, Jane. Are we nearly at the library?"

>>22960310
Laugh, "Solidly in the like category."

You laugh, as he panics, stepping back.
"Solidly in the like cagegory." You say, chuckling, as Astora took your hand.
"... I'm sorry." She whispered into your ear. "I didn't think."
"And you feel it every time you do that?" You ask.
"Every time." She said back. "It's not as bad as it was, though."
"Are we nearly at the library?" You ask.
"Almost." He said, walking up the stairs. You followed him, until you eventually reached... the very largest pile of books you've ever seen, with a young woman lying there, upside down, reading one, as a pure white, blue eyed barghest lay there, drooling. Surrounding the enormous room- which must span the entire tower, it looks- were shelves upon shelves upon shelves, all loaded entirely with books.
"Hey, Marigold!" Jane cried. "Visitors!"
"Oh, right, right!" she called back... and then turned the page.
Jane sighed.

>>22960238
You should show me that some time later.

>>22960462
"Watcha reading?"
Scratch barghest's ears.

>>22960521
Probably shouldn't just touch other people's familiars like that.

>>22960462
>was there something we were supposed to look for?
Hi i'm abel, from the vale. I'm Tori's manfriend, It's nice to meet you. *hold out your hand for her to shake
Have any books on angels here?

>>22960462
"It's absolutely beautiful. I've never seen this many books in one place."

>>22960462
"This is probably the most books I've ever seen in one place."

"It's absolutely beautiful." You say. "I've never seen this many books in one place."
"This is the pride and joy of Sanctuary." The woman lying on the pile said. "Mutt, can I have, uh, the one on troll metamorphs?"
The barghest yawned.
"Don't give me that." The woman said. The creature got up, spread it's wings, and shot into the shelves, reading the titles. The woman snapped shut the book, and whirled around. "Jane, you're still on desk duty, aren't you?"
"I'm, uh, showing around the guest."
"I can do that." She snapped. "Go back, go back."
He sighed. "Well, then, I'll leave you in Marigold's very capable hands."
She gave him a smile and nod, and Jane went down the stairs again.
"Hi, I'm Abel, from the Vale. I'm Tori's... uh..."
"Lover." Astora said. "For now."
"Nice to meet you." The woman said, scratching at her black hair. "I'm Marigold. That up there is Mutt. He's nice."
You hold your hand out to shake it, and she looked all the way down at you.
"... I'm *not* climbing all the way down just for pleasantries." She said.
"Have any books on angels here?"
"Angels? Hmm, we might be able to find something. It's familiar.. why do you ask?"

Rolled 15

>>22960550
>>22960545
this
add so is there an index or somebody who knows wear to find things?

>>22960639
Oh nothing really, I just might have to brutally murder one or two of the things.

>>22960639
"It is...uh, relevant reading, for me."

>>22960639
one is trying to take over the world with an army of forged.

>>22960639
Curiosity,I have run across books with few information on them and something made me figure if anyone ha a book on it it's you guys.

>>22960639
"Gonna be fighting someone who claims to be one."

>>22960694
Man, I know we are loose-lipped, but let us maybe not mention it at every opportunity?

Please go with >>22960673 and >>22960705

"It's, uh, relevant reading, for me." you say.
"Well, I'll see if we can find something." She said. The entire pile of books suddenly shifted, and an enormous grey creature climbed out, two long horns sticking out of it's nose.
"... That is a rhinocerous." You say.
"... And you recognized it!" Marigold said, shooting you a smile. "Almost nobody recognizes my familiar. Anyway, I'll see if I can find one. Mutt! Looking for anything on angels!"
The barghest woofed back, and continued flying near the upper levels, reading the spines on the books.

>>22960785
"It's huge!"

We should look at the books to see if we can find anything ourselves. Be sure to read out any hilarious titles to Tori.

>>22960785
A Rhinoceros is badass. How long have you been in charge of this place? seems like fun work to be surrounded by books all day. Although i'm betting the dust gets to you.

Wait, does the rhino even fit through the doors?

>>22960785
could you perhaps also look for a book about The Forged? I need to know about them too...

"It's huge!"
"That's what the women all say." She responded, without missing a beat.

you were silent for a moment.
"How long have you been in charge of this place?" You ask. "Seems like fun work to be surrounded by books all day, although I'm betting the dust gets to you."
"I'm not in charge of this place. I'm just an assistant. Mutt's the one in charge. Don't ask, the crones never explained him to me. The library's apparently been his for hundreds of years."
"Could you also perhaps look for a book about The Forged? I need to know about them too..."
She slung you a book, and upon examination, it was a skiitaran book on the Forged, in a language you didn't speak. You did, however, understand the diagrams.
"How's that?" She asked.

>>22960902
"Neat, thanks."

Try to figure out how they work, and where to stab them to get them to stop.

>>22960902
"Well, it's something."
Let's look for structural weaknesses in the various models.

>>22960785
"That's quite the skill.

>>22960902
"I don't read skiitaran. Better than nothing. I can't take it with me when I go can I?"

>>22960902
Mind reading it for me? haha
I don't understand the language. I'll take a look anyways, thanks.
Do barghest usually have jobs such as this?
>this whole time i realized I haven't been using my name

>>22960902
"This is perfect, thanks."

"Well, it's something." You say, and pry the book open, flipping through the pages. "I don't read Skiitaran, but it's better than nothing. I can't take it with me when I go, can I?"
"... If you don't like hellfire up in your everything, no." She said. "Mutt doesn't take kindly to taking the books."
You shrug, and sit down, leaning back and flipping open the book, using the strange robotics knowledge you learned, back when Gearworks was made, to figure out the best weak points the Forged have, and the weak points in their armor. You're relatively certain you could disable one barehanded, if you were lucky.
"Aaand here's the only one on angels, according to Mutt." She said, holding up a book. "It's not in any language I know, that's for certain."
She tossed you a book, and you pull it open- coughing on the dust, with most of the book's pages incredibly faded. You flip through pages and pages, all of it unreadable... until the very end.

>The Heart of Fire once said there was only one angel. I don't agree. There are billions. >Shattered, like glass, into stars, into shards.
>All beings are angels. That is why they have souls.
>You are not an angel, Abel. Not in the way you're thinking.
>Gabriel is, but... you're not.
>Your sword, however, is an entirely other story.
>Find the spear. Give it to a man in Skiitara.
>That is all I can tell you for now.
> - Bone of The Earth.
>Cyan.

"That's just dashes and dots." Astora said. "Can you really read that?"

>End of thread.

>>22961159
Thanks for running, Exa!

>>22961159
Great WTF do we do now?...WTH are we?....

>>22961276
Soulless, apparently. Bears thinking about. We'll have to ask around when we get to Skiitara. It seems everything'll come to a head there.

>>22961291
Ahh I hate being in the dark about this stuff.

>>22961159
we still need to get a look at that two heeded snake story