>>26490479
((Archives are located at http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Monsterhearts%20Quest and/or http://archive.foolz.us/tg/search/subject/monsterhearts%20quest/type/op/order/asc/ ))

>>26490479
[X]Stab wildly behind you. You’ve got to hit something eventually.
PANIC.

>>26490643
This, but minus the panic.

>>26490479

Stab wildly behind us. If you're gonna do something it may as well be wildly.

>>26490479
close your eyes, pivot, diagonal slash. If it connects, thrust. if not, uppercut

>>26490825
We JRPG now?

[]Try to squirm free and run towards Ajani. He's the one with a sword.

If Ajani protects Chris, they ought to get closer. Well, at least Chris will have a valid reason to spend time with Ajani.

That could help influencing him to go gay for James.

>>26490904
ever since we started hanging out with a MTG character and got a sword

>>26490515
You don't know what's terrified Ajani like that, but it's probably not something you want to look at. You close your eyes tight, turn a little in its grip, and try to slash and stab at the thing holding you. You've never used one of these daggers before, but it can't be that hard, can it?

((Roll 2d6, I'll take best of first two.))

Rolled 4, 3 = 7

>>26491034
Rolling.

Rolled 1, 4 = 5

>>26491034
From the depths of despair rescue us, oh ye great RNG.

>>26491048
((Writing now.))

>>26491151
You lash out wildly with the dagger, punching and thrusting. Between your total inexperience with the weapon and the fact that you've got your eyes closed, however, you don't hit anything. The blade swings into air a few times before another cold hand closes on your wrist and squeezes tightly. It's freezing cold, so cold it almost burns. You hear a deep, strange crackling sound. After a moment, you realise that it's mocking laughter, or some inhuman approximation of it, at least.

"This is how you fight your battles now, Ajani?", says the thing holding you. Its voice is deeply unpleasant to listen to - it makes your skin crawl with every word. There's a rasping, rattling sound every time it pauses for breath. "Such pathetic fools. Is this supposed to be some sort of threat? Some challenge to my might? These children?" You're suddenly thrown aside, flying through the air and landing hard on the ground.

You can practically hear Ajani snarling. "Leave my friends out of this. Your fight is with me. Or are you too afraid to face me like a man?"

There's another dry, deep chuckle from the thing. You're still keeping your eyes closed, but you can hear its slow advance. The sounds of the fight seem to be falling silent as it moves forward, and you hear some sort of fabric brushing the ground. "Like a man? I gave up my humanity long ago, little boy. But I fear you not. Stand forward and face me, then. Let us see how a hero dies."

((Cont.))

>>26491720
You crack open your eyes a little, just enough to see what’s going on. Ajani is squaring off against a figure in a long, dark blue robe, richly embroidered in lighter blue spirals and patterns that look like spreading frost. The thing has a tall crown that looks like it’s made of pure ice, on a head that looks mummified and dead. It’s wielding an enormous two-handed sword, with a black handle and a blueish tinge to the blade.

Gloria is struggling against a mob of corpses that are holding her in place, trying to pull her arms and legs free so that she can get in a good swing. They don’t seem to be hurting her, just stopping her from interfering.

[]Jump in and stab the thing in the back while it’s distracted. Maybe you’ll do better with your eyes open.
[]Ajani wanted to duel this thing one on one. Let him have his fight. He may not appreciate interference.
[]Sneak round the side and try to free Gloria. She’s a better fighter than you anyway.
[]Other

>>26491733
>[]Sneak round the side and try to free Gloria. She’s a better fighter than you anyway.
team player time

>>26491733
>[x]Sneak round the side and try to free Gloria. She’s a better fighter than you anyway.
These are the kinds of threats that are in this town, and our Darkest Self though he could out-fight/diplomance things like this?
Sure, we'd be a god among insects if there nothing but regular folk around, but the powerful are likely going to be supernatural.
Whisper into the ears of kings? Why would they listen or tolerate such hubris, when they are undead/have made pacts with demons themselves? That's assuming they're not angels and just destroy us on principle.

>>26491733
[X]Sneak round the side and try to free Gloria. She’s a better fighter than you anyway.
Sneaky scary.
Treading in darkness, hiding in shadows, riding on the wings of night.
Or... something.

>>26491733
((Okay, writing now.))

attack with eyes closed? what the fuck? who are we a nine-year-old girl?

>>26492075
You quietly pull yourself to your feet as Ajani moves in to engage the blue-robed thing, his broad-bladed sword held high with both hands. His opponent makes long, slow swings, but each one clearly has massive power behind it - Ajani deflects them or moves around them rather than blocking outright.

You start to move quietly around the edge of the fight, glancing over at Gloria, who's still struggling against the 'husks' holding her limbs in place. A few careful steps later and you're nearly beside her. None of the monsters holding her have batted so much as an eyelid at your presence - those that still have eyelids, that is. This close, you can see that the 'husks' are little more than rotting corpses in decaying clothes, many with signs of frostbite on their exposed skin. Gloria's white-handled longsword is being pinned by a pair of husks holding onto the blade, although it still doesn't seem to have a speck of dirt on it. Gloria tears her eyes away from the fight and snaps at you, "What are you waiting for? Do something already! Stupid corpse..."

[]Cut Gloria's arms free. The husks don't seem like they'll notice you, so you might just be able to walk up to her and cut her loose.
[]Just start stabbing the husks in the head. Best not to leave them behind you.
[]Take Gloria's shiny longsword and go help Ajani. She's not using it right now, after all.
[]Other

>>26492355
[X]Cut Gloria's arms free. The husks don't seem like they'll notice you, so you might just be able to walk up to her and cut her loose.
Time to risk some things.

>>26492355
>[]Cut Gloria's arms free. The husks don't seem like they'll notice you, so you might just be able to walk up to her and cut her loose.
We don't know what weaknesses these things have. Depending on zombie movies is probably not a good idea.

>>26492355
((Writing now))

>>26492635
You push your way through the crowd of corpses surrounding Gloria, take the strange punching-dagger Ajani gave you, and start trying to hack at the limbs holding her in place, with Gloria still snapping at you to hurry up and to be more careful - there are a couple of nicks on her arm by the time you're done, although the zombies haven't moved a muscle even as you chop their arms off. Once Gloria's sword-arm is free she immediately starts hacking at the other husks surrounding her, nearly hitting you a couple of times as she neatly decapitates or bisects them. She turns - and immediately shoves you to one side, diving in the other direction. You're pushed clear of the sudden blast of freezing wind, but Gloria isn't quite so lucky. You can see that one of her legs is trapped in a small pillar of ice. She tugs at it, growls, and then tosses her sword through the air in a high, spiralling arc. Ajani wordlessly lets go of his sword with one hand, stretches his arm out, and Gloria's blade drops into his waiting hand. In a smooth, fluid motion, he brings the sword round, under the crowned thing's guard, and cuts it in half at the waist. There's a billowing puff of black smoke, and the robe and sword clatter to the ground, only to suddenly melt into a pool of water.

Ajani frowns, dusting himself off and sheathing his sword before handing Gloria her own sword back. "He got away again. Damn. Still, we must be getting to him. Chris, are you okay?"

>>26492900
"No worse for wear. But who, and WHAT, was that thing? From the way you talk about it, and the way it spoke, it sounds like you've got some history with it."

>>26492900
"Never better. Can I have an actual sword next time, though? And who was tall, dark and frigid? I assume you guys have history."

>>26492900

"I'm fine. Gloria is the one hit, though. And I think that nowI have even more questions than before."

>>26492900
((Writing))

>>26493127
"I'm fine. Gloria's the one hit."

"No thanks to you!", she snaps.

"Anyway, I think I have even more questions than before. Like who, and *what*, that thing was. It sounded like you guys have some history."

Ajani nods sternly. "It's known as the Winter King of Husks. It's some form of ancient evil that raises the dead as its mindless servants and has great power over ice and cold. It's strong, magically powerful, ruthless, and utterly evil. It's also extremely difficult to kill."

"That's all we know," Gloria adds, having managed to cut herself free while Ajani was talking. She makes her way over to the two of you, brushing dirt off her coat. You're not sure where her sword went.

"It is a great threat to this town, obviously", she continues. "Those beasts we fought could easily have slain an untrained human. Every corpse they make is another servant for their King. We have been suppressing their numbers, but we will be worn down eventually. And unless we find some way to permanently slay the Winter King of Husks, the plague of the dead will be unending. Do you understand now why we fight?"

"I think so, yeah. Could I have an actual sword next time?"

Ajani frowns. "Uh, are you sure you want to come out with us again, Chris? I mean, you could've been seriously hurt there. The Winter King of Husks doesn't mess around."

Gloria nods, although her tone is definitely condescending. "Maybe you would be better suited to helping out in the library, away from danger."

>>26493400

"Maybe. But I do seem to have an advantage you don't. I'm already dead."

>>26493400
Maybe, but us corpse puppets make good meat shields

>>26493440
Are we sure we want to be that frank? I mean, Gloria knows, but I was under the impression Ajani thought she might have been mistaken.

>>26493440
Are we sure we want to just admit that? We did spend the first meeting denying it and convincing them we're fine. And they are still monster hunters.

>>26493479
we already admitted to it in a way last thread.

>>26493400
I think we should let them be. why are we helping them? let them fight their battle. we already have bbeg with TENTACLES and a queen bitch as enemies amongst other things to deal with.

>>26493400
"Maybe, but you have to admit that you could have been in real trouble tonight with just you two.
"But you have a point. I should probably get a little better at fighting, before becoming a regular on your patrols."

>>26493440
>>26493469
So you want to confirm for them that we're undead, when they're Hunters fighting against undead and would likely see us as something to either put down or use against the Winter King and hope that we destroy each other?
No, I don't think so.

>>26493547
>we already admitted to it in a way last thread.
Not really. We went with plausible deniability.
Ajani is unsure because we're not a mindless undead, that's it.
Gloria knows what we are, and is just waiting for an opportunity to permanently kill us.

As for helping them, something to consider is that the Winter King is a town-wide threat, and after he grabbed us, might be interested in the undead not under his control.

>>26493400
((Okay, bit of debate whether to tell Ajani and Gloria about your undead-ness or not. Looks like 2 votes for, 3 against. Writing.))

>>26493723
"Maybe, but I did help you guys out tonight, didn't I?"

Gloria sniffs a little, but Ajani smiles and pats you on the back. "You did, at that. Thanks, Chris. You're a good friend."

"Still, maybe I should get a little better at fighting before I become a regular on your patrols. I would like to find out more about this Winter King, though."

Ajani nods. "Swing by the library and see us..." He pauses and thinks. "Tuesday would be best. I'll see you in class occasionally, but it's probably best not to talk about this stuff where people might overhear us, unless it's really important."

Gloria frowns. "And if you want a sword, go and get your own. We did. And it's not like we can just hand them out."

"Uh... Gloria does sort of have a point, Chris. We don't really have swords to spare. Plus you'll be better able to practise with one if it's at your house."

Gloria finishes brushing off her coat, and takes Ajani's arm, slightly possessively. "If that was all, then the two of us should be going. The Winter King is unlikely to return quickly after being bested like that, so I'm sure we can finish this patrol more quickly without having to wait for you. Unless your curiosity extends further?"

>>26494086
"I'm sure I can wait, I need more experience before I can be useful. Just stay safe, alright? I don't want to hear casualty reports come Tuesday"

>>26494086
"Eh, I'll finish it. I won't have it be said I leave things unfinished."

This'll make James' request a lot more difficult, if Gloria is interested in Ajani.

>>26494086
((Writing))

>>26494330
"Just stay safe, okay? I don't want to hear casualty reports come Tuesday."

Gloria sniffs at you again. "Look after yourself first, I think. We can certainly handle ourselves."

"Uh, yeah... stay safe, Chris. I'll see you in school on Monday." Ajani reaches up, grabs hold of the wall next to him, and vaults up onto it, Gloria following after. They leap straight up onto a low rooftop, and then they're away into the night.

You head home, pondering what you've seen. This is yet another supernatural threat in your seemingly peaceful little town. Is everywhere like this? Are you going to be tripping over vampires, werewolves and monsters wherever you go? Or is there something special about your town that draws all these different beings together? Either way, it's a fairly worrying line of thinking.


You're still worrying a little the next morning, but it's intermixed with a whole series of other worries. What are you going to do about Miss White? How are you going to handle Ajani, Gloria, James and their friends? Why haven't Jason, Isabella and their strange tentacled friend made another move yet?

And what on earth are you going to wear to meet Avril's parents?

[]Avril recommended some smart clothes and a red shirt, didn't she? No need to get overly fancy (and empty your bank account) if you don't need to.
[]Go as formal as possible. See if you can rent a tuxedo.
[]Splash out on a nice suit of some sort. It'll cut into your savings a lot, but it's worth it, right?

[]Avril recommended some smart clothes and a red shirt, didn't she? No need to get overly fancy (and empty your bank account) if you don't need to.

[]Splash out on a nice suit of some sort. It'll cut into your savings a lot, but it's worth it, right?

Suits~

>>26494455
You don't need to break the bank to get some nice clothes. You're still not sure why Avril recommended a red shirt, but maybe it's a fashion thing? It's not like you know what appropriate dress code for a Fae court is, anyway. You pick up one that looks nice enough, and some smart black trousers. You don't just want to be in your school uniform, after all.

Shopping takes a lot less time than you expected, since you're only getting fairly simple clothes. It's just before lunch, and you have the entire afternoon free; even if you want to go to the rugby match, which you still haven't decided on, it isn't until 6pm. Plenty of time to meet up with someone, see Miss White, or do whatever else comes to mind.

[]Meet up with Jill.
[]Meet up with Masami.
[]Meet up with Avril
[]Go see Miss White and help her out with History stuff
[]Something else?

>>26494751
Meet up with Jill. We haven't had any just-us us time since she started dating Avril, and we don't want her thinking we're not interested in her.

>>26494751
>Meet up with Avril
we need a crash course in Fae etiquette. call Jill and see if she's interested

[x]Meet up with Jill.

Well, them both were invited, no? I guess they could go together to the dinner.

>>26494751
>[x]Meet up with Jill.
ask her if she wants to come to the rugby match. invite avril to the rugby match for the evening.

>>26494751
((Okay, writing))

>>26494994
You send Jill a quick text asking her to come meet you at the library, and head over there to wait. Jill shows up in a long, gorgeous red dress. It looks oddly familiar. She gives you a hug as soon as she reaches you.

"Wow, Chris, you look great. I guess you've been shopping for clothes for tomorrow as well? I guess we're definitely going to look good. Hopefully we'll make a good impression on Avril's parents. Avril said they wouldn't mind about the whole... arrangement. That's still strange to me too. My mother... if she found out I was going out with anyone at all, much less a boy *and* a girl at the same time..." Jill shivers. “Anyway. Let’s not think about things like that. I’ve got the whole day free, and you said you did too.”

“I was sort of planning to go to that rugby match this evening. Actually, would you like to come with me to that?”

Jill raises an eyebrow. “A rugby match? I didn’t know you were into sports... oh, wait, Zack - this is the werewolf thing? I don’t think he’s going to transform right on the pitch. But we can go if you like. I’m still carrying a silver spoon. I asked my mother to let me polish the silver. She thinks I’m just trying to be helpful.”

Jill pauses, and looks troubled. “I still don’t like lying to my mother. I mean, I know I can’t possibly tell her any of this stuff, but it still feels wrong."

"Anyway. Where did you want to go? I don't think you were just planning to hang around at the library all afternoon." She grins.

>>26495375
Rugby later, but that's mostly business. For now we should go somewhere romantic. We're both dressed to the nines- is there a theatre in town? Not a movie-theatre, I mean, but one with a stage?

>>26495552
((This is a sufficiently cool idea that I'm going to declare that yes, there is. Although what play is on is yet to be seen.))

>>26495593
Alright, cool.

"You look pretty nice yourself. How about an afternoon of culture? Care to escort me to the the-a-tar, Miss White? I know there's one in town, but I've never been."

>>26495645
seconding fancy time

>>26495375
((Multiple votes, excellent. Writing now.))

>>26495834
"Thank you, Jill. You look lovely yourself. Since we're both dressed so splendidly, how about an afternoon at the theatre? I've heard there's one in town, but I've never actually been."

Jill smiles. "That sounds lovely, Chris." She takes your arm and you walk down the street together, smiling and chatting.

The theatre is doing classic Shakespeare plays all month, apparently. Today it's The Tempest, a comedy about an exiled duke attempting to overthrow his usurping brother and restore his daughter to her rightful place. "At least it's not one of the ones we're doing for English", says Jill, "and it looks quite interesting. Didn't you say you saw A Midsummer Night's Dream with Avril? I wonder how many more Shakespeare plays we'll end up seeing." She smiles. "Maybe one of us should pick up a copy of his sonnets. I'm sure Avril would appreciate some love poetry..."

The play is a little old-fashioned, but excellently done. You wonder what Avril would make of Ariel - the air spirit seems much like another faerie when you think about it. Maybe you'll ask her some time just how much Shakespeare could have taken directly from the Fae - she did say Titania and Oberon were real people, after all.

The play lasts long enough that you and Jill take a fairly quick dinner before heading to the rugby game, although you do get there a bit early - and find chaos. The school team seem to be rushing around the place looking for someone. And you can't see Zack anywhere.

((Cont.))

>>26496336

[]Ask one of the team if you can help
[]Go looking for Zack yourself
[]Ask one of the other spectators if they know what's going on
[]Look around and see if there's anyone else you know around
[]Other

>>26496348
Go looking for Zack. Bring Jill- she has the silver spoon. It hasn't been a month since the last attack, though, has it? I mean, this can't be the full moon. I hope nothing's triggered his darkest self. Of course, the other possibility is that he's been captured by someone who isn't us- I'm not sure which would ultimately be worse.

>>26496348
[]Ask one of the other spectators if they know what's going on

We need information on what's going on first. Also, shouldn't we have changed our clothes?
Theater clothes would stick out at a rugby match.

While we're waiting for other votes and before I forget again, I had a meta question I wanted to ask.

Is Masami confirmed for using the custom skin, or could that be another character? Because it occurred to me that you could probably run a Deep One pretty well using the Serpentine.

[]Ask one of the other spectators if they know what's going on

Why can't we enjoy some time with a girl anymore?

>>26496348
>[x]Go looking for Zack yourself
we are not wearing our dinner clothes are we? i dont want to ruin them.
also go look for him ourselves. we dont exactly want others around if and when we find him.

>>26496336
((Okay, we have a majority vote, writing.))

>>26496636
(( Yes, Masami is using a custom Deep One skin. Don't worry, though, you'll meet a Serpentine sooner or later. Or you may have already met one, who knows? The vast majority of the teenage NPCs are running off one Skin or another. ))

>>26496660
If it isn't horrible tentacle demons, it's rogue werewolves. I swear, it's getting so a man can't enjoy his unlife in peace.

>>26496565 and then >>26496385

>>26496565
>>26496686
((You're not wearing incredibly fancy clothes, really, just a nice dress and a button-up shirt with some smart trousers. You're both mildly overdressed, sure, but you don't look like you're headed to the opera.))

>>26496710
You glance at each other, then look around - there's a guy over there you recognise from one of your classes, although you don't remember his name, so you smile and wave at him as you walk over. "Hey, man." You wave in the general direction of the panicking rugby team. "The team look like something's really gone wrong. Have you heard anything about what's happened?"

He shakes his head. "Not really, dude. Someone's gone missing, one of their star players - some sort of big argument and he bolted out the door, apparently, and they're figuring if they find him they can calm him down in time for the game. Nothing solid, really."

"Ok, thanks dude. See you later."

You head back over to Jill, frowning, and give her the news. "So... Zack freaked out and went missing?", she asks. "This could end badly. If they're out looking for him and they run into a giant, angry wolf... We need to find him."

"How are we going to track him, though? If they've got the whole team out looking, he must be pretty good at not being found."

Jill shakes her head. "They're looking for Zack the rugby player, remember. If we're right, we ought to be looking for paw prints. So we can find him first... I really hope so, anyway."

How do you want to go about searching?
[]Head straight for the woods, both of you
[]Split up and head for the woods
[]Circle the edge of the field together - slow, but a good chance of finding tracks
[]Split up and circle the field - you'll go faster that way
[]Other

>>26497145
((The woods are the same ones that extend into the park area, a fairly small patch of trees compared to a real forest but big enough that they might seem like a good hiding spot... of course, if you're wrong, you'll be going in completely the wrong direction. Checking for tracks will take longer, but you'll have a good idea of which way Zack might have headed. Either way, splitting up will let you cover more ground and search faster, but... you'll be splitting up, which obviously has its own dangers.))

>>26497145
>[]Circle the edge of the field together - slow, but a good chance of finding tracks
caution best

>>26497212
This. Also, call Avril. If she's in the woods as is her wont she might see something,and she ought to be warned.

[]Circle the edge of the field together - slow, but a good chance of finding tracks
-[x] Call Avril and let her know there might be a wolf running around.

>>26497356
>>26497266
this

>>26497266
>>26497356
seems like a good plan.

>>26497196
((Okay, writing now.))

At least its the next day and Gloria/Ajani shouldn't be around hunting.

>>26497567
"Okay, let's see if we can find some tracks, then. Stick with me - we only barely beat him last time, I don't want him getting one of us alone."

You also pull out your phone and give Avril a quick call, updating her on the situation. She tells you she's a bit busy setting things up for the dinner tomorrow (and there is indeed a lot of background noise on her end), but if she spots Zack in the woods she'll try not to kill him. Apparently they have silver chains somewhere. You try not to think about how much that would hurt...

"Okay, I let Avril know that we might have a werewolf running around the woods. And not to kill him."

Jill smiles. "You're a good person, Chris. Now let's find this wolf before he hurts anyone else."

The two of you start walking around the field - the rugby team tromping back and forth in their studded boots have torn the ground up in a lot of places, but given how big that wolf was, any tracks it made should be pretty recognisable even so. Jill has somehow managed to bring a torch in her handbag - apparently she's got a whole kit of various helpful items in there - and you can use the light from your phone screen to similar effect. There's still a lot of ground to cover, though, and you're not sure how long you have before someone is unlucky enough to cross paths with that giant wolf...

((Roll 2d6, best of first two.))

Rolled 2, 6 = 8

C'mon, give me those 6s

Rolled 6, 2 = 8

>>26497945

Rolled 5, 2 = 7

>>26497945

>>26498026

I'm flattered you're copying my roll style, but we really needed something better, I think.

Rolled 3, 2 = 5

c'mon

File: 1375931061083.jpg-(64 KB, 500x375, weak smile.jpg)

64 KB JPG

>>26498106
Bigger would be good but its still a success

>>26498020
>>26498026
((Two 8s in a row. Neat. Writing now.))

>>26498166
We don't know what stat we're rolling with, so there might be a bonus or penalty applied behind the scenes. I'm cautiously optimistic.

>>26498199
unless some additional mods are thrown in, an 8 will allow us to get a 7 on even our weakest stats and 7 is ~ a sucess.

>>26498174
The area you're looking at is fairly torn up, but those prints are unmistakeable. You're not sure how anyone managed to miss them already, in fact. There's a trail leading off school grounds. And yes, it's heading straight for the same woodlands where you fought it before. Wolves are apparently somewhat predictable.

The big issue now is that with how torn up the ground is, you can't tell when these prints were put down. You have no idea how much of a lead the wolf has, and the longer you let it run free, the bigger the danger to all those bystanders.

Jill hikes up her dress a bit as you both dash towards the woods. She's not just trying to keep it clean - when you glance over your shoulder to check on her you can see her pulling a small, shiny object from next to her leg. She clutches it tightly as you start making your way through the undergrowth, and you begin to wish your mother was the type to keep fancy silver cutlery.

There's a lot of rustling in the undergrowth. As you prod one moving bush with a long stick, a terrified rabbit hops out and begins heading back the way you came. It seems everyone knows to clear out when a werewolf's on the loose.

A short while later, the noises and rustling suddenly stop. You've passed into an area of the woods with no animals, no birdsong, no movement except you and Jill.

[]Defensive stance. The wolf must be close.
[]Press onwards. There's no time to waste.
[]Call Avril again. Ask if she's seen or heard anything.
[]Other

>>26498542
advance cautiously. only fools rush in

>>26498542

Onwards! Be cautious though, keep your ears and eyes open. Nostrils too, just in case.

>>26498542
Defensive stance, cautious advance, find a big stick, have Jill text Avril instead of call- don't want to be loud.

>>26498542
>[x]Defensive stance. The wolf must be close.
i assume we got a sturdy wood as a weapon just like before.

>>26498542
>[]Defensive stance. The wolf must be close.

>>26498542
All my shadowruns.
[X] Defensive
Too bad we're a rather low tier monster… oh well.

>>26498593
>>26498608
>>26498611
yes

>>26498542
((Okay, writing now. ))

>>26498961
This is a worrying situation. You cast around for a solid-looking branch, pick one up, and get ready to defend yourself. Jill raises her spoon in a gesture that would be funny if you weren't so tense. You start to slowly move forward, keeping the branch raised, watching the bushes to both sides. The woods are totally quiet. Every twig you step on, every dry leaf crackling underfoot, is perfectly audible.

You try to move more slowly, not wanting to draw the wolf's attention. You can't tell if it's working - there's no growling, no rustling leaves, no heavy, padding footfalls. The zone of silent forest seems to be wider than you first thought - you keep moving, but the birdsong doesn't re-appear. There's just the two of you, slowly making your way through the undergrowth, constantly ready to defend yourself.

Up ahead, there's a sudden noise. You both start, Jill bringing the spoon up to hover around her head and you raising your club to ward off an attack. Then you realise that the noise is much further ahead of you, out of your current field of view. There's another sudden noise, a crack of branches and rustle of leaves like someone landing hard. Then you hear a loud howl of anger and pain, and a shout - a human shout. Not a scream, but an angry yell. The voice sounds familiar.

You charge forward, suddenly bursting out into a small clearing in the woods.

Ajani and Gloria are standing over a massive pile of fur, slumped on the ground. The fur is wet with blood.

>>26499393
((Aaaaaaand scene break. We will pick things up again tomorrow, and hopefully also on Saturday. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday may end up being standard days for this quest, once we settle down into an actual schedule, although I may have to miss Saturdays depending on my real-life commitments.))

>>26499443
((I will endeavour to answer questions tonight, but those of you who pay attention to time zones will know that it's nearly 5:30am in Britain, so my answers will eventually be cut off by my falling asleep.))

>>26499393
>>26499443
>>26499467

Thanks for running based MH.
No real questions, have a good ni- whatever, I don't know.

>>26499467
You answered my only real question earlier, so I'm good. Get some sleep, boss.

>>26499393

Damn, we were too late. Hopefully he's still alive and we can both heal him and convice the others to not kill him. If we manage that, we will probably have Zack under our thumb for life.

Also, thanks for running. I'm honestly surprised by the few amount of participants we've had today.