>>30977786
>A) Take the knife from him

>>30978009
This. Maybe give him a good kick to the ribs while we are at it.

>>30978085
And one to the nuts?

Also we got to find Leon again

>>30978009
>>30978085
You move over and wrest the knife from his hand, tossing it away. Annalise praises you for your help as she continues to bash the man over the head and shoulder with her sword. You give him one great kick in the ribs before turning back to Leon.

He stand at the end of the alley, visibly shaken with his hands gripping the handles of his swords.

"O-oho! What happened, did you beat him?"

A) "We have to get out of here"
B) "It's fine, Annalise is taking care of it"
C) What's the matter with you?"
D) Other

>>30978132
Nah, one kick for one punch. Judicious use of force and all.

>>30978233
>B) "It's fine, Annalise is taking care of it"
>A) "We have to get out of here"
>D) Hide the knife, grab Annalise, tell her that guy's had enough and we should continue our patrol

>E) Ask what happened with Leon, and his reaction and all that

>>30978268
Not wanting to be here when the man recovers or anybody he knows might show up, you grab Annalise and pull her out of the alley with you and Leon. She taunts the injured man as you run, looking for a safe place to rest.

You find yourselves a few blocks away, just outside a tailor's. All three of you are panting, but Annalise is smiling so proudly that you wonder if her cheeks might stay pink forever.

"Hah, Amarok and I made short work of that crook, no thanks to you two. You're lucky to have a companion as brave as me fighting alongside you!" You roll your eyes and look over to Leon. He seems more gloomy now than tired, hanging his head as he catches his breath. You ask him what's got him down.

"Huh? Oh, it's nothing. I just sort of froze up when he pulled out that knife. Silly for a Ranger, right?"

A) Change the subject
B) Press him
C) Other

>>30978453
>C) Other
"It's alright if you don't wanna talk but it might be good for you to do it"

>>30978503
"No no, I'm fine really. I just need a drink and I'll be right as rain."

The three of you catch your breath and wander around for a while longer. You eventually stop when Leon notices a shop selling beef skewers for a silver coin. You and Annalise both notice his mouth watering, but when he pats himself down he seems to find no coins. Annalise steps in here, offering to purchase lunch for everyone as a reward for all the hard work today. You look over to the crowd of people pushing and shoving, trying to get their orders sorted out.

A) Let Annalise go and sit with Leon
B) Tell Annalise to stay here and get the food yourself
C) Other

>>30978776
>A) Let Annalise go and sit with Leon
>C) Tell her we'll treat her to some food some other time too
that's like, totally not a date

>>30978963
Annalise strides onto the crowd of people shoving her way through with her small purse of coins. You sit down near Leon, and try to relax. After a moment of awkward silence, he speaks up.

"I'll be honest with you, since you really do seem to care. I'm terrible at swordplay. I'm probably the worst the rangers have ever seen. That's why my teacher only has me for a student, all the other members of my litter have moved up, but I'm still lagging behind in swords, archery and hunting. The only thing I'm really good at is foraging, but even then I sometimes get scared of pigs or owls."

A) Ask him about the Rangers
B) Tell him he only needs time
C) Other

>>30979338
>A) Ask him about the Rangers
>C) " I get scared too, I know how it is. But to move on we have to beat the fear, I'm sure you'll manage to do it if you keep doing your best!"

>>30979386
Leon seems to cheer up when you speak. He smiles and picks up his head, thanking you for the encouragement.

Soon Annalise is on her way back with three steak skewers, still sizzling and covered in savory sauce. The three of you sit and eat together, taking in the warmth of the noon sun. When you finish, you toss the sticks away and get ready to set off again. Annalise asks if there's anywhere you'd like to go before dark.

A) Back to her house
B) Somewhere relaxing
C) Up to the palace
D) other

>>30979679
>C) Up to the palace
"I'm not giving up on that yet"

I really like the 'child adventurers' schtick we've got going on this part of the episode

>>30979758
Annalise is reluctant, but you and Leon convince her to take you up once more.

You arrive just after noon, and see the same armored guard watching over the gate. He lets the three of you through with no trouble, and you enter the chapel. There are still a few people worshiping here, but Annalise's family is nowhere to be seen.

"There, we came, now can we leave?" Annalise is already eager to go, but Leon seems intrigued, and asks if it would be okay to see the training yard.

A) Head to the training yard
B) Head to the archive
C) Other

>>30979837
>A) Head to the training yard
>C) Talk to Anna about her brother, what little we know of him makes him seem pretty cool

>>30979883
The three of you head off to the training yard again, Leon excited and Annalise dreadful. On the way you bring up Annalise's brother, which does seem to cheer her up.

"He's the oldest, and he's a paladin. He's really tough and smart and cool and he's never afraid and he always wins because my dad taught him all the things he knows! He likes wolves, just like me, and his favorite color is red, just like me too. He's way better than my stupid sisters because he goes on adventures and slays monsters like dad, he doesn't just stay home and sew and brush his hair and make me wear gross lipstick that she said tasted like cherries but it didn't! It tasted like wax!" Annalise continues to shout all the way outside, where you come across the clergymen practicing. Leon is fascinated by their form and style, but Annalise still seems fixated on her siblings. When you look around, you don't see the old man, just unfamiliar faces.

A) Practice with the others
B) Look at the weight room
C) Other

>>30980092
>B) Look at the weight room
Inb4 scipio

>>30980092
>A) Practice with the others
>B) Look at the weight room

>>30980143
>>30980183
You turn to the stout, dome topped room where the sounds of clanking metal and hardy laughter emanate. Leon and Annalise follow inside.

There you find a mass of men and women of all heights and shades, but all with the lean muscle of raging bulls. The men especially seem to be powerful enough to plow a field single handedly, and the women while much more slim and lean, seem to awaken something confusing inside you that you aren't quite able to explain. Nearly all of them have brands in the shape of the sun somewhere on their bodies, from biceps to chests to more provocative places. As you look to Leon, you see a similar kind of wonder in his eye. Annalise seems bored by all this though, if not a bit pouty.

A) Explore the room
B) Challenge Leon
C) Other

>>30980334
>A) Explore the room

>>30980334
>A) Explore the room

But let's do a little duel later, yeah?

>>30980358
>>30980374
You and the others move around the room, dodging around massive arms and metal instruments. Most of the people here use either one handed or two handed bars with heavy hunks of iron on either end, but some of them seem content to hang from strange bars and pull their own weight around.

Leon spots a rack of smaller tools, and picks them up. He seems to have some trouble using them, until one of the women approaches to help. She is lean with skin darkened from the sun, and only wears a wrap around her bust and hips. Leon is quite taken by her as she kneels to help him with his form.

You turn to Annalise, who is trying to lift a very small tool with both hands. "If I swing this like a sword, I think I can get stronger. That makes sense, right?"

A) Help Annalise
B) Join Leon
C) Other

>>30980554
>A) Help Annalise
Hormones, Leon, you're feeling them, and so is Protag bro.

>>30980554
>A) Help Annalise
Old guy said he tear us a new one if we get Annalise hurt, I don't wanna make him mad

>>30980597
>>30980676
You approach Annalise and try to help her. You may not know much about this, but you know about lifting heavy things, and she is going to wind up hurting her arms and back if she keeps going this way. Before you know it, the three of you have spent two hours in the room, which was hot to begin with. When you emerge, all three of you are nearly dripping with sweat, and Leon seems to have a sense of satisfaction about him. You rub your shoulders, and Annalise bends backward to stretch her spine. You must admire how acrobatic she is, nearly forming a perfect bridge with her back. You look up to the sky. It's mid afternoon now, and you're already beat.

A) Explore the palace more
B) Go into town
C) Other

>>30980815
>B) Go into town
Find something entertaining or interesting?

>>30980815
>A) Explore the palace more

>>30980815
>B) Go into town
Mornin' Rags.

>>30980842
>>30980876
With little left to do at the palace, you lead the others back to town. You can't help but notice the complete ease with which you all three walk now. The hostility that ruled over Annalise and Leon earlier today has completely melted away in the face of camaraderie.

When you make it down the hill on which the palace stands, Annalise ops out in front of the group. She proposes going somewhere to find wood to make you your own holy sword, like hers. Leon explains that her sword is only a toy, and not good for anything. Annalise responds with a punch in the arm.

A) Follow Annalise
B) Find something else to do
C) Other

>>30980964
>A) Follow Annalise
>C) "Come on Leon, it'll be fun, plus we might run into something cool"

>>30980964
>A) Follow Annalise

>>30980964
>A) Follow Annalise

>>30981022
>>30981059
>>30981065
You agree and the three of you follow Annalise through town. The walk is long, and she takes you through an odd part of the city full of unmarked shops and stray cats. All this brings you to a small garden with bare grass and a withered tree. Annalise runs over to it. Leon seems confused, but you only shrug.

"If we can knock one of these branches off, we'll just need a hatchet from my house to cut it down to the right size. Come on, Leon! You're the ranger, help me!" Annalise scrambles up the tree and Leon reluctantly follows. The two of them work to crack a branch from the old, grey tree.

A) Help them
B) Tell them not to vandalize
C) Watch
D) Other

>>30981242
>A) Help them

>>30981242
>C) Watch

>>30981279
You move over to the tree below where the others are and grab a hold of the branch. Together the three of you yank and twist and snap a thick branch off of the withering tree. Both Annalise and Leon come tumbling out of the tree with the branch, landing on their back and rear respectively. Annalise rises up, patting her bottom, and grabs the branch. She claims success, and the three of you head back to her house to finish your project. When you arrive, the house seems to still be empty. Annalise opens the gate for you and invites you in.

"We have to change out of our clothes though, if we get wood chips on them my mom won't let me play outside." You almost agree, but Leon makes another suggestion.

"Let's just take off our shirts, that's what Rangers do. That way we won't get another set of clothes messy." Annalise refuses outright, to Leon's confusion.

A) Change clothes
B) Disrobe

A)

>>30981594
>A) Change clothes

>>30981594
>A) Change clothes
Haha, goddamn Leon

>>30981594
>B) Disrobe
Show off for the ladies

>>30981609
>>30981648
You side with Annalise, and follow her into the house, leaving Leon outside to fetch the wood hatchet.

Annalise gives you your old ragged clothes back, now washed to the best abilities of the maid, and you slip them on as she changes her own clothes. When she emerges from her room, she is dressed in the same robes she wore the day the two of you met. You both go back outside and find Leon already hard at work splintering the branch into a more workable shape. He stands in only his sandals and baggy trousers, as well as his bandana. Annalise sticks her tongue out in disgust just before he turns around to see you.

Together you each take turns chipping away at the branch until around sunset. It comes down to a decent shape, but it's quite light and needs a lot of smoothing before it's ready to use. Annalise is excited to fetch some sandpaper from in town, but it's nearly dark.

"Oh come on, you and Leon will be with me and nobody is tougher than the three of us! Let's go get it before dinner!"

A) Go into town
B) Call it a day
C) Other

>>30982203
>A) Go into town

>>30982203
>A) Go into town

>>30982244
>>30982266
You agree to go into town together to purchase the item you need. Leon throws his shirt back on and ties his belt before tucking his training swords in, and Annalise grabs her own playsword before you head out.

You walk together through town, chatting about nothing really, until you spy a carpenter's. Annalise and Leon go on ahead, but as you follow, you feel something off about this place. Suddenly you realize that the are seems to be devoid of people. You try to catch up to the others, but are stopped when a looming figure steps out from an alley. You aren't alone in noticing this, as Leon and Analise soon turn to see him as well. Before long, more like him emerge, all dressed in ratty clothes and baring mean scowls on their faces. They laugh under their breath as you slowly move to join up with Leon and Annalise, who are both shaking at this sight.

The last man to step out from the shadows looks very familiar, and confirms as much.

"Those are the little bastards who burned my eyes. I don't know what the girl did, but she used something weird and I can barely see now!" The most intimidating of the group steps forward, carrying a broken pipe in one hand.

"Good evening, children. My name is Shannon, and my associate has informed me that you stopped him from doing his job earlier today, on top of blinding him in one eye. Is all this true?"

A) No
B) Apologize
C) Tell them to shove off
D) other

>>30982584
>A) No
>C) Tell them to shove off

>>30982584
>A) No

>>30982630
>>30982688
The others surrounding you laugh at your attempt to intimidate. Annalise presses herself back against you, and Leon nervously places his hands on his training swords.

"Well, you see the problem is that it's his word against yours. And I really doubt there are many groups of kids around town with a red haired little brat, a kid with twin swords, and a dirty little farm hand. So unfortunately, I'm going to have to have one of my boys spread all three of you out on the pavement, to make sure you learn your lesson. Kids need firm punishment, you understand?" Shannon snaps his fingers and one of the men surrounding you steps in closer. Leon grips his swords, but freezes up when it comes time to draw them. The man spots Annalise and reaches out to grab her.

A) Tackle him
B) Tell her to run
C) Tell Leon to fight
D) Other

>>30982928
>C) Tell Leon to fight
>A) Tackle him

>>30982928
>C) Tell Leon to fight "It's time to beat it, man"
>D) Tell Anna to get help
>A) Tackle him

>>30982928
>)Tell Leon to Fight
More like fucking yell and scream, a battle cry
>)Tackle Him
Gotta stop this foo
B) Tell her to run
D)Other: Yell at Annalise to go get help now

>>30982928
>A) Tackle him
>C) Tell Leon to fight

>>30982951
>>30982978
>>30983169
You pull Annalise aside and throw all of your weight at the man grabbing for her. It's not much, but it slows him down. You shout at Leon, ordering him to fight. He lets out a sound that sounds like the whimper of a puppy, and pulls out his swords. Still he does not move to act. Annalise raises her sword and tries to come up with a speech, but soon more of the thugs begin approaching and she reverts to a stutter.

The one you attempted to tackle throws you off of him, and you try not to fall to the floor. As he approaches you again, you see one of the thugs swing a heavy stick at Leon. He deftly moves aside and swings his training sword up, bashing the man in the throat. His graceful counter is followed by falling backward and trying to scramble away. He is greeted by a foot in the chest that send him reeling back, and knocks one of the sword from his hand.

The thug after you swings a large fist, hitting you in the side of the face and sending you over toward your companions again. Annalise is scooped up by one of the men, who strip away her playsword and attempt to arrest her. She kicks and screams, and even bites his hand to get him to let go, meanwhile two men begin kicking Leon as he curls up on the ground.

A) Help Leon
B) Help Annalise
C) Other

>>30983316
>A) Help Leon
he's suffering heavy injuries, so we help him out then save Anna

>>30983316
>A) Help Leon
>C) Mention to him how its us or them at this point, fight or die bra

>>30983316
>B) Help Annalise

>>30983316
>C) Other: Pick up one of Leon's Swords, and use it.
If we cannot reach the sword or if a guy attempts to stop use, go straight to helping Annalise instead, kick the guy who is holding her in the balls or something.
>B) Help Annalise

>>30983383
>>30983400
You scramble over to Leon, trying your best to shove his assailants away. One of them grabs you by the collard and holds you down on the ground. He begins ramming his fist into your rib cage. You hold back the urge to scream, and call out to Leon for help. You can no longer keep your eyes open as the foul smelling thug beats you, and you must bite your lip so as not to give him the satisfaction of begging for help.

Suddenly the man above you grunts and rolls away. You open your eyes and see Leon standing above you, with a cold look in his eye. Tears stream from them as well, and he turns to your attacker, whacking hims with his training sword repeatedly. Leon does his best to hold off two and then three of the thugs, but they are quickly overwhelming him. You turn to see Annalise being tossed back and forth like a sack of flower between two laughing thugs. She seems to have gone limp, but you can't be sure why.

A) Help Leon
B) Help Annalise
C) Other

>>30983744
>A) Help Leon

>>30983744
>B) Help Annalise
Leon's up and fighting, time we rescue her

>>30983744
>A) Help Leon
>C) Tell him to grab Annalise and run for it

>>30983794
>>30983744
I'll accept this if it counts as "help annalise"
as in we stay behind to buy them both time, so Leon can take her somewhere safe

>>30983789
>>30983744
>she's gone limp
>gotta help the guy who's already back up
Really dude, like, really

>>30983744
>A) Help Leon
Annalise is out of the action, so they will probably be after the next threat, us.
>C) Other: Pick up Annalise sword or any weapon and use it

>>30983744
>B) Help Annalise

>>30983789
>>30983794
>>30983880
You look around on the ground and spot Leon's second training sword. You quickly scoop it up and rush to Leon's aid, swinging at the knees of one of his foes to bring him down, followed by a downward smash with all your might on his nose. He falls back in pain and a spray of blood, giving you time to assist Leon further. As you fend of the attackers, you tell Leon that you plan to distract them while he get Annalise away. He seems to want to stop you, but he swallows his words and whimpers in agreement.

You are desperate to think of something to draw the attention of the group, of which at least fourteen remain, but most stand idly by watching the carnage. Your only plan is to dash at their leader, and hope the others rush to defend him. You spin around and run at full speed.

A) Use the sword
B) Grab onto him

>>30984096
>B) Grab onto him
>C) Bite his nose off

>>30984096
>A) Use the sword

>>30984096
A)Use the sword
Bash people in the teeth and mouth with it, low swing to the balls, sweep legs, yell and scream, anything to temporarily stun, limit attackers and give Leon and Annalise a chance to excape.

>>30984338
>>30984358
You swing the sword at him, aiming for his face in the hopes of at least blinding him for a moment. The swing goes just an inch astray and slides down his cheek to his shoulder. The impact is still heavy, but not near as devastating.

He grabs hold of the training sword and pulls you in. He then bashes you in the head with his pipe, knocking you loopy. The world around you turns into a swirling vortex of twinkling lights, and a high pitched ringing. Something hits you in the back, driving you to your knees, followed by another blow to the ribs.

When you regain your senses, you find two of the thugs capitalizing on your supine position, while Leon manages to beat down the ones who are now down to kicking Annalise on the ground as well. He helps her to his feet, and the two of them look back at you as they limp away. You curl up and brace for the beating you are receiving, hoping only that it will stop soon.

There is a scream from nearby, and you peek out of your arms to see one of the men previously surrounding you fly through the air and land on his neck. The two kicking you stop and look as well. A tall and broad behemoth of a man, eight feet if he's a foot, draped in tatter clothes and a hood, as well as wraps on his arms approaches. The leader of the thugs threatens him the same way he did you, but this man shows no fear. Instead, he moves over to a lamp post and with a single hand rips it from the ground it is set in. Many of the thugs step back in shock as he begins to approach. Their leader orders them at him, but they are simply swatted away without the slightest sign of effort on his part. They crash into the street and a nearby wall, either unconscious or unwilling to continue fighting.

Those that don't run away rush at him, and he either bats them away with the lamp post or grabs their head or throat in his great hands and slams them back down to the ground. The leader is the last to be dealt with.

cont

>>30984689
The large man catches his forearm as he tries to swing his broken pipe, and with a single tight squeeze you can hear the bones in his arm and hand crack and shatter. The thug leader falls to his knees, or tries to. The large man hoists him up, and swings him into a nearby wall like some sort of ragdoll. He then flings him aside, letting him writhe in agony as he mourns the surely powdered bones of his arm.

The large man approaches you, draping the lamp post over his broad shoulder. He looks down at you, but you cannot see his face in the dark.

"You are a feeble, weak little thing. You're lucky to be alive." He speaks in a voice so deep and booming is rattles your insides a bit.

A) Stay silent
B) Ask him what he wants
C)Other

>>30984771
>C) Thank him for his help
>B) Ask him what he wants

>>30984771
>A) Stay silent

>>30984836
"I saw you being beaten to a paste by these cowards. One of my companions was very fond of you, so I decided to help. Do not let my efforts be in vain. Get home safely, before more trouble befalls you." He turns and begins walking away. You can't think of any words, instead choosing to let him go in silence. You struggle to your feet and look around. The thugs who stayed to fight have been plainly dispatched, and many of them look like they may need a doctor. Rather than stay you decide to head back to Annalise's house, and hopefully catch up to the others.

This is easier than you thought. As you pass by an alley just around the corner, you spot Leon and Annalise sat up against a wall, rubbing their wounds and sniffling.

A) Ask them if they're okay
B) Ask them why they didn't run
C) Other

>>30985330
>A) Ask them if they're okay

>>30985330
>A) Ask them if they're okay
>B) Ask them why they didn't run

>>30985360
>>30985383
You limp into the alley, barely able to walk straight. Leon and Annalise both smile at you. You ask them why they stuck around, and Leon explains that Annalise refused to let him leave you behind, but he himself didn't have the strength to go back. Annalise struggles to stand, wobbling back and forth. You see that one of her ankles must be badly hurt. She stumbles over to you and wraps you up in a hug.

"Thank you for saving me. I'm sorry."

A) "It doesn't matter, we have to get home."
B) "You would have done the same."
C) "You both should have gotten far from here."
D) Other

>>30985580
>B) "You would have done the same."
>C) Hug her back "No matter what happens I'll be there with you"

>>30985609
>>30985580

though 'for you' makes more sense I think?
eh, whatever you think is best, alright Ragsie?

>>30985580
>B) "You would have done the same."

>>30985609
>>30985739
You wrap your arms around Annalise in return, trying not to squeeze too hard for fear of hurting her. The warmth between you helps to relieve some of the pain.

"What, I don't get anything?" Leon stands and limps over. Annalise giggles and releases you, turning to give Leon a hug as well. The three of you laugh, trying to forget the pain of walking home in the chilly night. As you are about to set out, Annalise stops you.

"I think I can help, if I remember how to do this right." She kneels down and picks up a white stone lying on the ground. You and Leon watch as she begins scratching something onto the floor. It starts as a circle, but soon you see it is meant to be a sun.

"There, one of you sit on it."

A) Sit
B) Tell Leon to sit

>>30985881
I hope I'm not responding too slow :I

>>30985881
>A) Sit

>>30985881
>A) Sit
Might as well

>>30985881
>"What, I don't get anything?" Leon stands
He also deserved a brohug for OVERCOMING FEAR!

>>30985894
You're doing fine as always, Rags-kun

>>30985905
>>30985907
You move forward and sit cross legged with your back facing Annalise. She tells you to hold still, and places her hands on your shoulders.

A warm feeling makes its way down your back emanating from Annalise's hands and rolling down like warm water. It is soothing. Beneath you, a dull light begins to glow, and when you look you find the source to be the sun symbol that Annalise drew. All this occurs as she speaks in an odd fashion.

"Glorious Father who shines down upon the mortal world, purge us of our sins and deliver us to your warm embrace. Drive back the darkness of this world so that the light of our souls may unite as one."

Soon the dull pain of your wounds begins to fade. The cuts cease bleeding, and some of the fractures mend. You can feel a crackling from inside you, and your whole body tingles on top of heating up. Annalise stops after a minute of this, allowing you to stand. The pain is not gone, but it has subsided a bit, and you can walk more easily now. Leon looks at you, amazed at what Annalise has done. When you look back at her though, you see that the act has fatigued her greatly. She breathes heavily and shakes just slightly.

"Okay, Leon. You sit down now."

Leon turns to you, unsure of what to do.

A) Let him sit
B) Forbid it
C) Other

>>30986074
>C) Other
Help him walk the rest of the way so she doesn't have to fatigue herself even more

>>30986074
>A) Let him sit
>C) Other
"You sure you're up to this, Anna? You're not looking too good."

>>30986117
Deciding it's best to let Annalise rest, you tell her that the two of you should be fine the rest of the way. Something about this seems to depress her, but she nods silently, and forces herself to stand. You assist her, but quickly realize that Leon, while in relatively better shape than either of you, cannot make it all the way back alone. You lend him your opposite shoulder, slowing the walk down even more.

After all is said and done, it takes all three of you four hours to make it back to Annalise's house. By the time you arrive, you are all essentially functioning without even being conscious of it. The gates of the house loom in the distance, looking right now like the gates to paradise, a land of milk and honey. The three of you struggle to make it to the door, grunting and wheezing the whole way.

You manage to get to the gate, when a shadow appears in the window above. A voice cries out in the night. "Mom! Annalise is home!" Suddenly the house comes alive with thundering footsteps, and soon the front door swings open violently. Four blurry women come running out of the house toward you. You feel Annalise's weight lifted off of you as they dote on her, and try to get her inside. A pair of arms helps you and Leon in as well, but you don't sense the same desperation.

You are shepherded inside and sat down on a sofa next to Leon, who is trying his best not to pass out. The world fades in and out as shouting and angry speech fill the room.

"Where have you all been!" "Your brother is out looking for you!" "We almost alerted the town guard!" "Who told you to go out at night!"

A) Fight to stay awake
B) Let sleep come

>>30986658
>A) Fight to stay awake

>>30986658
>A) Fight to stay awake

>>30986708
>>30986737
You summon all your focus to try and keep yourself from nodding off. Leon doesn't fare as well, bobbing his head up and down, and finally giving in and collapsing onto you.

Eventually the yelling subsides, and Annalise is carried off by her sisters. Her mother watches them go, then approaches the two of you on the sofa. Through your one stable eye, you look up and see her heavy face. Her eyes are no longer warm, and her smile seems like a distant memory.

A) Try to explain what happened
B) Stay quiet
C)Other

>>30986936
>C) "I tried to protect her, sorry"
>D) Then just stay quiet and wait

>>30986936
>B) Stay quiet

>>30987026
You open your mouth to speak, but before the words escape you feel a hand across your cheek. It stings so terribly that you think there must be a bruise there. After that, you say nothing.

Annalise's mother continues to stare at you for a few more moments, then turns and exits the room, following her daughters. You look down at the floor of the parlor, trying to think of what to do next. Soon you hear footsteps again, and the housemaid enters the room. She too seems to be staring at you with icy daggers, but she does speak.

"Madam has prepared your bed. Please get some rest, and we will have a cleric come see you in the morning." She then leaves the room without another word. Your heart aches somewhat, but part of you is glad to be able to sleep somewhere comfortable tonight. Before you rest though, you must figure out what to do with Leon.

A) Leave him on the sofa
B) Help him to the guest room
C) Other

>>30987361
>B) Help him to the guest room

>>30987361
>B) Help him to the guest room

>>30987361
Parents these days
>can't properly educate their child
>gotta hit some other kid, because 'bad influence'

>>30987386
>>30987401
You summon your strength once again and use it to lift Leon up off of the sofa, and bring him with you to the guest room.

There you find the room the same as last night, with fresh sheets and an extra pillow. You toss Leon into the bed, where he writhes from the pain of his wounds and hugs one of the pillows for comfort. You climb in on the other side, caring not for anything but sleep. You pull the blankets over both of you and try to sleep.

When you wake the next morning, you roll and find a tiny wet spot. One of you was bleeding last night, but it's hard to tell who. There is a knock at the door, followed by the twisting of the knob. An older women in white robes enters the room, smiling warmly. As she comes in, you can just barely see Annalise's mother through the doorway. The old woman approaches the bed, and kneels beside it. She asks how you feel.

A) "It hurts"
B) "I'm fine
C) Other

>>30987619
>B) "I'm fine
>C) Ask her to look at Leon

>>30987619
>B) "I'm fine

>>30987678
>>30987712
You tell her that you feel alright, though your wounds still sting and throb. She nods, and you ask her to look at Leon first.

Upon hearing his name, Leon stirs and sits up. He grabs at his side, and likely a broken rib. The old woman moves over to the other side and kneels, asking him to remove his clothes. He does so, after you tell him it'll be alright, and the old woman inspects him. After a good look over, she produces a silver sun symbol from her robes and presses it against Leon's chest. It glows golden, and you watch as the wounds on Leon's skin begin fading away. The whole process takes about ten minutes, and when she is done she moves back to you. You disrobe and she inspects you as well. When she finishes, she scratches her chin, saying that most of your injuries seem to have already been dealt with. She still places the sun symbol on your chest, and it's radiant light and heat ease your pain.

When she is finished, she stands again and makes for the door. "I've done what I can for both of you, but magic cannot heal all the wounds you received so quickly. Rest for the next few days, and you will start to feel better. Do not exert yourselves whilst you heal, or your bodies may be damaged beyond repair. You and Leon nod, and watch as she leaves. Leon turns to you, but doesn't seem to have words. The door opens again, and the housemaid peeks in.

"The bath is ready. Please wash up before breakfast." She shuts the door behind her. The house feels cold again after that. Leon stands up out of bed and stretches.

"C'mon, a bath sounds really good right now."

A) Join him
B) Tell him to go alone
C) Other

>>30987988
>B) Tell him to go alone

>>30987988
>A) Join him
And then we find out one of their daughters is a fujoshi

>>30987988
>B) Tell him to go alone
>C) Other

Lay one of our gold coins out on our bed and leave the house quietly.

>>30987988
>A) Join him

>>30988022
>>30988070
You tell Leon to go by himself. He shrugs and heads out of the room still wearing only his pants. You are left alone in the guest room on a bed stained with sweat and blood. Realizing this, you get out of the bed and try your best to give it a wide berth.

Since you decided not to bath, you put your clothes back on, dirty as they may be. Breakfast is said to be soon, and you are still somewhat worried about Annalise. Then again, the house doesn't seem very comfortable right now.

A) Stay in the room for now
B) Find Annalise
C) Find someone else
D) Try to sneak out
E) Other

>>30988256
>A) Stay in the room for now

Okay just wondering, why are we not bathing, are we gonna show up to Anna (the mom) all dirty and shit, after we were told to take a bath?

No like really, what's the logic of it

>>30988256
>A) Stay in the room for now
>>30988310
Not bathing with a dude.

>>30988256
>D Try to find our hobo buddy

>>30988353
That's the most retarded reason ever, they're kids. It's like you've got to prove something about your masculinity while roleplaying a 10 year old

>>30988380
Didn't our hobo buddy leave ages ago?

>>30988459
Did he? I must have missed that.

>>30988511
Yeah, we woke up and they were gone.

>>30988528
Oh yeah, forgot about that, thanks for the reminder.

>>30988293
>>30988353
You move to the writing desk and turn the chair around to face the rest of the room. You sit down, and wait for someone to call you. It seems to take quite a while.

After what feels like ages, the door opens and the housemaid enters. This time she seems slightly less cold, although the is just as curt and blunt. She informs you that breakfast is ready, and everyone else is already being seated. You slide out of the chair and follow her to the dinning room.

Annalise's sisters and mother are seated, as is Leon. He is already digging into a pile of eggs, while everyone else eats quietly. You sit down next to him as the maid serves you a plate. Nobody seems eager to start up conversation, especially not Leon as he stuffs his mouth with sausage and washes everything down with juice.

A) Stay silent
B) Other

>>30988607
>A) Stay silent

>>30988607
>A

>>30988607
>A) Stay silent

>>30988616
>>30988632
>>30988659
You finish eating in silence. Leon is either oblivious to the tension in the air, or he tries to ignore it via his appetite. At any rate, once the meal is done, Annalise's sisters stand and head out for the day, leaving you alone with their mother.

You can feel her eyes on you now and then as she steals glances. You try your best not to stare back as Leon runs a biscuit through a bit of syrup.

"I suppose you'll want to see Annalise now. I wish you would have had a bath, the last thing she needs is to be near someone so dirty while she's getting better, but it's not as though I'm one to talk." She stands and makes her way out of the room. "She is not to go outside until her wounds have healed completely. And do be gentle with her, she's not as robust as she thinks." She leaves the room, and you and Leon are alone. He licks his fingers and leans back in his chair.

"You really should have had a bath man, hot water feels great. We only ever get to use it in the winter. Anyway, what should we do now?"

A) Go to see Anna
B) Go out
C) Tell Leon to go
D) Other

>>30988820
>A) Go to see Anna

>>30988820
>A) Go to see Anna

No comments on the bath thing... just... agh

>>30988844
>>30988891
You propose going to check on Annalise, naming her that is starting to confuse me to which Leon agrees. The two of you leave the table and your plates behind and walk out of the dining room, into the hallway. You really aren't sure which room is hers, which troubles you until Leon steps up. He closes his eyes and lifts his nose to the air, claiming it to be a Ranger's secret technique. He is somehow able to pick up on Annalise's scent, and leads you to her room.

When you arrive, you prepare to knock, but something stops you. It sounds almost like there are voices coming from inside, but you can't quite make out what they're saying.

A) Listen
B) Knock
C) Open the door
D) Other

>>30989018
>A) Listen
then
>B) Knock

>>30989018
>A) Listen
>B) Knock

>>30989061
>>30989105
You and Leon both lean gently against the door and try to listen to the conversation inside.

"... confess my love for you Cynthia, you are the only woman for me! Oh, Balthazar, of course I will marry you! Come and let us run away together, where my father will never find us and we can be in love for all eternity!"

You both pull away and shrug at each other. You then raise a fist and knock on the door. There is a loud shuffling inside followed by Annalise's voice.

"Ah! Wait, don't come in! I'm getting dressed, just wait a minute!" Footsteps followed by the creak of hinges, and a loud slam, like that of a trunk. Then the squeak of bed springs. "Okay, you can come in now."

The two of you enter Annalise's room and take a quick look around. Things seem relatively normal, with white walls and a large dresser. There is a desk with various small trinkets on top of it, and a full length mirror in one corner of the room. There is also a wooden chest at the foot of the bed with a stack of books on top. Annalise lays in her bed with the covers drawn up to her cheeks.

A) Ask how she feels
B) Ask what she was just doing
C) Other

>>30989279
>A) Ask how she feels
>C) Ask if she want us to stick around and play (and I mean with toys and such)
She was playing with dolls and ashamed of it, hahah cute

>>30989279
>A) Ask how she feels

>>30989307
>>30989316
You approach Annalise's bedside together and ask if she's alright. Leon takes up position on the opposite side of the bed.

"I'm alright. The cleric came to see me and say i have to stay in bed for a few days, but that's it."

You ask Annalise if she wants both of you to stay around while she gets better. Suddenly you are taken aback as she plants a small kiss on each of your cheeks.

"Duh, you guys are my boyfriends now, so you have to stay."

>>30989661
>you guys are my boyfriends
I'm laughing so hard

captcha: clergyman annersr

>>30989661
Okay guys, I'm pulling some Mortal Kombat stuff here, I need sleep. If this thread is still up in about eight hours I'll keep posting here, otherwise I'll make a new one. Thanks to everyone who played, I hope you come back.

Oh and can someone archive this for now, thank you so so much.

Description: Back 2 da hood. How Annalise got her groove back

>>30989703
Archived, see you later Rags, I'll try to bump the thread if I don't fall unconscious

>>30989703
See ya, Rags. Sleep well.

bump for tomorrow

>>30989703
Thank you for the thread!

sage check

>>30989661
You glance over to Leon, hoping for some sort of sign that he understands what you don't. All you see is him wiping his cheek as if he fears the peck will spread a disease. You turn to Annalise, who's face has suddenly become more serious.

"You guys can't tell anybody, okay? It has to be a secret, especially from my sisters. And if you tell my brother, he'll throw light spears at you, he told me so. Hey! Let's go play in my brother's room, he has swords!" Annalise hops out of bed, still in her nightgown and runs for the door. Leon continues to scrub his cheek, following her thoughtlessly.

A) Go along
B) Other

>>30994700
>A) Go along
Welcome back, Rags.

>>30994700
>B) Get her to stay in bed
She is to be resting not fighting with swords

>>30994928
Changing answer to this, actually.

>>30994739
How you guys is gonna change the answer right when I finish typing?

>>30995021
If you've finished typing, it doesn't matter, I'd just forgotten all about being told to keep her in bed.

>>30994928
>>30994987
Annalise hops out of bed, still in her nightgown, Leon following without a second thought. You shout at her to stop, and she does so, hand still on the door. You tell her that she needs rest, and not to be playing with weaponry. She frowns.

"Come one, you're supposed to do whatever I say! Leon wants to play with swords, don't you Leon?" Annalise looks to him for confirmation, but he seems obsessed with wiping the peck from his cheek, as though it were in danger of spreading throughout his body. "Come on, if we go I'll show you how to use his firestarter!"

A) Go with her
B) Forbid it
C) Other

>>30995096
>B) Forbid it
>C) Mention how her mom will kill us if we let her get out of bed

>>30995122
Seconding, again.

>>30995156
>>30995122
agreed

>>30995122
>>30995156
You tell Annalise that she won't be leaving bed, and thankfully you get some help from Leon, who backs you. Annalise groans all the way back to bed, covering herself up in the down comforter. You and Leon take up post on opposite sides of her bed, waiting for her tantrum to end.

Eventually she pops her head out from beneath the blanket. "You guys are the worst boyfriends ever." You ignore her remark and instead try to to think of something to do in the meantime. Leon proposes wood carving, but that seems messy. Annalise leans over to you and tries what she must think is a cute expression, asking you to fetch cakes from the kitchen.

A) Do what Leon wants
B) Do what Annalise wants
C) Do something else

>>30995320
>B) Do what Annalise wants

>>30995320
>B) Do what Annalise wants
>C) Mention to Leon that making the room dirty wont exactly make Anna's mom happier

>>30995320
>C) Ask if she doesn't have any toys around

>>30995349
>>30995353
If we do that, remember to keep at least one person with her, alright?

>>30995349
>>30995353
Seeing crumbs as better than wood shavings, you agree to fetch some snacks from the kitchen. You leave Leon in charge of Annalise's guarding while you're gone, a duty which he seems oddly proud of.

You exit the room and head to the kitchen. The house seems oddly quiet today. You know Annalise's sisters are out on the town, so maybe her mother might be gone too. At any rate, you reach the kitchen and enter, headed for a glass case where the maid has set a large lemon cake. Half of it is already gone, but there is more than enough for the three of you to eat. You walk by an enormous wriggling sack to reach the cupboard, and peer in. You pick out a tray and some plates, but are unsure if you're meant to use small forks or large forks for this sort of thing.

A) Take the small forks
B) Take the large forks
C) Other

>>30995549
>C) Ask the maid

>>30995549
>A) Take the small forks

>>30995549
>A) Take the small forks

>>30995592
>>30995639
You pick out three small forks for the cake, and shut the cupboard back up. You walk around the sack again, avoiding it's violent lashing, and cut three slices, placing them gently on the plates, and the plates on the tray. With all that finished, you cover the cake back up, walk past the two people dressed in all black pressing themselves up against the wall, and exit the room.

You make your way back to Annalise's room, and serve the cake slices. Leon is surprisingly disappointed by the taste, citing he doesn't really enjoy sweet food, but Annalise is in heaven from the first bite. Watching her chew and rub her cheeks is amusing for a time.

"Can we at least go for a walk? I promise we don't have to go on patrol, I just don't want to stay inside." Annalise frowns at you, crumbs dotting her face.

A) No
B) Yes
C) Ask Leon's opinion
D) other

>>30995786
>D) Investigate what the hell is going on in this house
People in black, wriggling sack, how did I miss that

>>30995819
Seconding, this ain't right.

>>30995819
>>30995851
Realizing that you may have missed something, you tell Annalise to hold her thought, and decide to go back to the kitchen. As you exit, Leon and Annalise try to follow.

A) Tell them to stay here
B) Allow them to come
C)Other

>>30996023
>B) Allow them to come
We need the whole gang for this case.

>>30996023
>B) Allow them to come
If it's still in the house I dont see wh not

>>30996023
>C) Let Leon come, tell Anna if she stays we can go for a walk in a bit

>>30996033
>>30996035
The three of you walk to the kitchen. As you approach, you hear whispers and odd noises from inside. You don't understand any of the words being spoken, but you do recognize the sounds of clanking plates and metal on metal.

You open the door and look in. Two people, one man and one child by the looks of it, dressed in black clothes and masks are dumping the contents of some of the kitchen drawers into a large bag. Even at a quick glance, you see that the man has a short blade on his back, though an oddly hooked one.

A) Retreat
B) Intervene
C) Other

>>30996136
>B) Intervene
>C) See if Anna can do that blinding light stuff

>>30996136
>B) Intervene

>>30996136
>A) Retreat
>C) Get an adult

>>30996172
>>30996167
Dudes, we JUST got done with getting beaten at for shit like this
Holy fucking shit

>>30996176
This man speaks sense

>>30996210
I'm sorry, I only speak JUSTICE

>>30996176
>>30996210
Yeah, but this is two guys, and this is the nice lady's house

>>30996232
>two guys
>black masks
>black robes
>hook blades
It smells like pro thieves, thieves guild or assassins' guild

>>30996229
No you speak "getting beaten up and yelled at like an idiot"
It's one thing to defend justice, it's another to die in vain

>>30996167
>>30996172
You barge into the room with Annalise and Leon, both of whom seem slightly confused. You order the thieves to cease their actions, startling them and causing the child to drop a large dish. They look back at you, then to each other.

"Fuck you kid, you're on your own!" The man shouts and shoves the child down to the floor with his foot, dropping the sack and bolting for the window. The child slides into a cupboard and cries in pain as they bump their head on the white wood. Leon looks at you for a plan.

A) Grab the child
B) Go after the man
C) Other

>>30996283
>A) Grab the child
If we got him we can interrogate and then give that info to the guards or something

>>30996283
>A) Grab the child

>>30996283
>B Go after the man
>C
Tell Leon and Anna to watch the kid and run after the man

>>30996283
>>30996328
changing to B

>>30996350
>>30996406
You tell Leon and Annalise to stay behind and take care of the child while you chase down the man. They comply, and as you climb out of the kitchen window, Leon holds the child down as Annalise works to remove the black mask.

Outside, you are just in time to see the man in black scale the brick wall of the garden in an attempt to escape. Using the techniques Annalise taught you, you scurry up after him and make it to the rooftops. You chase him down at top speed, clearly surprising him with your roof running prowess. He grows desperate, as evidenced by his running in circles around the town. He doesn't appear to have anywhere to run. Despite your thumping heart and burning throat, you press on, feeling some of your injuries begin to act up again.

Finally he slips up, and miscalculates a jump as he leaps from the roof of a bookstore to that of a butcher shop. He hit the side of the roof with his knee and slides halfway down. He is quick enough to catch the edge of the rooftop with his hooked blade, but he quickly begins slipping. You catch up to him, making the jump.

"Shit, kid help me up! Come one don't let me die!" He begs you for mercy, perhaps unaware that a ten foot drop would at worst bruise him.

A) Help him up
B) Kick the blade away
C) Other

>>30996529
>B) Kick the blade away
Yeah no, a thief with a hooked blade isn't something I trust

>>30996529
>A) Help him up

>>30996555
>>30996529
If we do this at least say "Yeah no this drop won't kill you"

>>30996529
>C)
Threaten to kick the blade unless he answers your questions or gives you something in return

>>30996594
>>30996529
This

>>30996594
>>30996629
You leer down at the thief, panting to catch your breath, and order him to answer to you, else you'll let him drop. He growls in anger, but agrees so long as you'll help him up. You notice a shifty look in his eye.

A) Ask him who he is
B) Ask him what he was doing
C) Ask him something else

>>30996743
>A) Ask him who he is
>B) Ask him what he was doing
>D) Don't get too close to him

>>30996793
This

>>30996743
>A) Ask him who he is
>B) Ask him what he was doing

>>30996793
>>30996815
Careful not to get close enough for him to reach you, you begin questioning him.

He informs you that he's a member of a guild to the east, called the Fangs of Grim. He and his protege were here to steal a relic from the palace, but after the paladins and inquisitors proved too great a challenge, they settled on robbing the nicest looking house they could find in town. He refuses to give you a name, but promises not to come back to the house if you'll just help him up.

A) Help him
B) Let him fall
C) Ask something else
D) other

>>30996880
>B) Let him fall
I don't trust him.

>>30996880
>B) Let him fall
>D)
try and get that sword when you make him drop

>>30996880
>A) Help him
>D) Mention how you have a bad memory, but friends getting robbed might fix that

>>30996880
>A) Help him
>D) Inform him the house owners are not people he wants to mess with
Be vague

>>30997005
>>30996928
If he was gonna kill us, he would have done it when we trusted him enough to ask questions

>>30996880
>A) Help him

>>30997053
A thief is a thief, he tried to steal from a ace that took you in and clothed you, he's not gonna die from this

>>30997093
A place*

Damnit

>>30997016
>>30997039
>>30997077
You reach down and grab a hold of his arm, doing your best to hoist him up the side of the building. He scrambles up and to safety, clutching his chest and sighing in relief. He thanks you for helping him once he has straightened himself out.

"I'm going back home, I'm sick of this city. It's too clean, and everyone pays for drinks. Disgusting."

A) Ask him about his home
B) Ask him about his guild
C) Ask about the child
D)Other

>>30997124
>B) Ask him about his guild
>C) Ask about the child
another kid for the team maybe?

>>30997124
>A) Ask him about his home
>B) Ask him about his guild
>C) Ask about the child

>>30997143
>>30997154
You begin questioning him about his guild and the child who was with him. He sneers and quickly produces something from his pocket. A ray of red powder blasts you in the eyes, burning and blinding you. You fall to the ground, crying against your will as your eyes sting as if on fire. You hear footsteps across the roof as the thief presumably escapes, leaving you to writhe alone in the noon sun. You lay there for several minutes, but it feels like hours. When the burning sensation finally passes, you open your eyes. The world is blurry and dim, and your cheeks are soaked with tears, and your upper lip with snot. You wipe it all away, and stumble to your feet.

Carefully you make your way to the ground, and search for a source of water. You are forced to enter the butcher shop and beg for help. He provides a basin, allowing you to clean your face. When you finish, your skin is red and sensitive, but you can see clearly again.

A) Go back to the house
B) Look for the thief
C) Other

>>30997248
>A) Go back to the house

>>30997248
>A) Go back to the house

There's nothing else to do really

>>30997248
>A) Go back to the house
>C) Check your pockets

>>30997272
>>30997342
You make your way back to the house along the rooftops. This route is much quicker, and you get back within minutes. You hop down from the garden wall and find your way into the kitchen. The maid is cleaning up when you arrive, and tells you that both Leon and Annalise have been sent to her room by Annalise's mother, who arrived shortly after the incident. The maid herself seems cross about something, but doesn't directly state it. You head back to the room.

There Annalise and Leon sit on the bed in silence, broken when you enter. Annalise hops down from the bed and asks what happened.

A) Tell her everything
B) Tell her you caught the thief, but he escaped
C) Tell her it's not important
D) Other

>>30997540
>B) Tell her you caught the thief, but he escaped

>>30997577
You retell the story of your chase, leaving out the interrogation and the red powder. She seems very distraught that the thief escaped, but you assure her that he won't be coming back any time soon.

"Oh, the madam came with some guards and hauled that girl off. I think they're gonna slice off one of her hands, that's what Rangers do to thieves." Leon speaks as he drums on his cake plate with two of the forks.

"It serves her right, thieves are the third worst people on the planet, besides killers and orcs." Annalise raises her nose proudly into the air. "Since that's all done, lets go get bugs in the garden and make them fight. I know where all the best beetles live." Annalise seems to be back to her energetic self, and Leon to his relaxed and wistful mood.

A) Go out to play
B) Do something else
C) other

>>30997762
>B) Do something else
Go tell Anna's mother all the information we got from the thief.

>>30997762
>C
Ask the maid if there anything you can help with, I feel sorry for her....ever since we arrived she's had to do more work

>>30997888
Changing this to
>>30997872

Also we can ask Anna's mother if anything needs doing, we're basically freeloading here

>>30997872
>>30997939
You tell Annalise that you want to speak to her mother before you do anything else. She seems disappointed, but Leon is keen on going outside for a while, claiming that he really doesn't like being indoors too long.

"But what if we get in trouble? I'm not supposed to go outside." Annalise seems unusually concerned with the consequences of her actions this time.

A) "I'm sure it's okay if we're going to see her."
B) "I'll go alone, you can stay with Leon."
C) Other

Captcha: ssing alone

>>30998043
>B) "I'll go alone, you can stay with Leon."

>>30998043
B) "I'll go alone, you can stay with Leon."

>>30998087
>>30998119
Both of your friends cry in outrage over this turn, but you are set. As you get ready to head to the palace, they huddle together and begin whispering. You try to listen in, but to no avail. You make your way out, ordering Leon to take good care of Annalise until you get back, and not allow her outside the house. He shrugs and Annalise sticks her tongue out defiantly. You roll your eyes and make for the palace.

You walk up the hill and past the gate and the armored guard. After asking around, you find out that Annalise's mother is speaking to some of the paladins about punishing the thief child up in the cells. You get directions and head there. The cells, as you learn, are less of a prison and more of a place to hold those awaiting judgment. Truly convicted criminals are taken to a proper asylum to the north, away from the good people of the city.

You eventually make it, and spot Annalise's mother talking to two heavily armored men with greatswords. You approach her as she seems to be discussing something very boring and uninteresting. She sees you and asks what you mean by coming here.

A) Ask to see the girl
B) Ask about the girl
C) Other

>>30998227
>C) Other
Give her the information we got from interrogating the man.
>B) Ask about the girl
You're not going to do anything serious, are you? She's just a kid.

>>30998259
This

>>30998259
You feed her what little you learned from the thief you chased down. Unfortunately it seems that the girl, in fear, spilled all that and more, and that the paladins are already on alert for more activity. You feel relieved, and yet disappointed.

You ask what they intend to do with the girl.

"She'll have judgment passed by the paladins. Since she's only a child, they'll likely be lenient. The worst she may receive is a lashing, but that isn't likely since I've decided not to add my weight to her judgment. My best guess is that she'll be forced to work for some time in the palace, until she comes of age. The paladins don't take kindly to thieves, even children." The two armored men look at her cross, but say nothing. "If there's nothing else you need, you should go home, I'm sure Annalise misses you. I'm going to go get some errands done, so I won't be back until tonight."

A) Head home
B) Ask something else
C)Other

>>30998398
>A) Head home

>>30998398
>B) Ask something else
ask if there's anything we could help with

>>30998411
The next few days pass relatively peacefully. Somehow Annalise convinces you and Leon to go outside with her to play all sorts of odd games. As you heal, Leon begins teaching you both some of the basics of swordsmanship. He truly isn't very good with holding a sword in both hands, nor is he skilled at fighting with just one, but you learn some helpful tips. Annalise improves dramatically, likely due to her time spent practicing already being amplified by actual sword techniques.

Two weeks nearly pass as the three of you play, until one day when the housemaid comes to Annalise's door and knocks. Annalise lets her in.

"There is someone here for Mr. Leon, a Ranger by the look of him." Leon's smile turns to a frown, and the lot of you go out to the front door with him. There you see a man conversing with Annalise's mother. He is svelt and would be quite handsome if not for sleepy eyes and a wobbly posture. He holds a flask in one hand, and is armed with twin axes and a longbow on his back. When Leon sees him, he approaches, addressing him as his teacher.

"It's about damn time you showed up, boy. I've been looking for you for damn near two days. Come on, I'm tapped for coin so we're going back up north. Say goodbye to these nice people you've been freeloading off, no more houses for you for a while. Ruddy brat thinks he can just go on and soften himself with free food and milk from nanny's teat." Leon looks back at you, clearly distraught by this. Annalise reaches up and grabs your shirt for comfort. You look down at her and she looks back, eyes wide, as if it were in your power to stop Leon from leaving.

A) Tell her it has to be this way
B) Ask if Leon can stay a while longer
C) Say goodbye
D) Other

>>30998724
>B) Ask if Leon can stay a while longer
>D) Get Annalise to look extra pouty
No man can withstand the pout

>>30998724
>B) Ask if Leon can stay a while longer
>D) Other
Ask if we can come with. Adventure, ho!

>>30998775
That's kinda asking for two things at once

>>30998800
It's more, 'if one doesn't work, try the other one'.

>>30998817
Weren't we gonna go full paladin? Going ranger does sound awesome tho

>>30998835
The way I'm thinking right now is, "I'm a kid, I want to play with my friends. How can I stay with my friends for longer?"

>>30998773
>>30998775
You approach the Ranger and ask if it is at all possible for Leon to stay longer. He nearly spits while taking a drink from his flask, and looks down at you in disbelief.

"Eh? Rangers don't belong in a city, boy. They belong in the wild. That's where this boy's duty is. He's got no time to be playing, he needs to practice and work hard so as to overcome his cowardice and be of some fucking use to someone. Now I don't have all day," He turns to Leon and points a dirty finger at him. "If you don't come along now I'll ride north without you, and you can find your own fucking way home!" He turns on his heel and heads out the door. You look to Leon, then Annalise, then her mother. Nobody appears to have the answer you want. Leon straightens himself and makes for the door.

"I'm sorry. I had a lot of fun with you guys. If I ever come back I'll try and find you. And if you ever come north, find me alright?" Annalise is starting to tear up, placing her hand in yours and holding back sniffles.

A) Say goodbye
B) Ask to go with him
C) Other

>>30998934
>B) Ask to go with him

>>30998934
>C) Point out how Leon will be more useful here than under the care of a drunkard

>>30998957
You step forward and ask Leon to wait for you, in hopes that you'll be able to go North as well. Leon smiles, but you feel Annalise's hand pull away from you. When you look back at her, you are met with a fist in the nose, knocking your head back a bit and you think causing some bleed to leak out. Before you can say anything she sprints down the hall and out of sight. Her mother follows quickly, looking back at you and Leon for just a moment.

"Oy, if there's to be more brats on for the trip then they'd best hurry up! And don't expect to be getting any gifts from me, I'm not your mother!" Leon suggests you grab your things quickly if you plan to, and makes his way outside.

A) Go as you are
B) Grab your things
C) Other

>>30999145
>grab your things

>>30999145
>C) Other
Go get Anna then realise she can't come

>>30999145
>Only our sun coin and boots
Bros before hoes man.

>>30999145
>C) Other

Say goodbye to Leon and go find Anna

>>30999194
>>30999227
You run back to the guest room and scoop up what you can.

You have: 3 gold, 10 silver, 3-foot pole, sack, compass

You then run back to the front door and meet up with Leon and his teacher. The two of them are mounted on horses, and Leon helps you up onto his. His teacher takes a long drink from his flask and wipes his mouth.

"There'd best not be any crying from you. I don't want to hear either of you speak a word until we're out of this city, you understand?" You and Leon both nod. As you begin to move away from the house, you hear the front door swing open. Annalise stands there with her playsword.

"I hate you! I hate both of you! I hope you never come back!" She hurls the sword at you and Leon, missing by several feet, and slams the front door shut again. Before you get a chance to do anything else, the horse jerks forward beneath you and the three of you are on your way. Leon seems concerned, judging by the way he glances back at the house as you move.

A) "She'll be fine."
B) "It's too late to go back now."
C) Other

>>30999419
>B) "It's too late to go back now."
>C) make a follow us motion behind our back

>>30999544
Seconding

>>30999544
>>30999601
The three of you ride out of town together as the sun sets. The trip is quiet save for the clop of hooves and occasional glugs from the teacher's flask. You make it out of the north gate with no problems, and ride on through the night.

Sometime around midnight, you start to feel sleepy, but neither horse shows signs of slowing.

A) Ask if you can stop to rest
B) Try to stay awake
C) Other

>>30999755
>B) Try to stay awake

>>30999798
seconding

>>30999798
>>30999852
You do your best to stay up and alert. What you don't count on is the ride lasting all night, and in fact until morning. As the sun rises above you, you feel your senses dull. You vision blurs, your skin feels cold and sensitive, and your hearing picks up only the sound of hooves. You look up at Leon in front of you, and are confused to see that he seems not only awake but well rested. He stares at the horizon ahead, unaffected by the elements. You start to feel yourself slip out of the saddle little by little, and the longer you ride the more difficult is is to correct yourself.

A) Ask for rest
B) Keep trying
C)Other

>>30999915
>B) Keep trying

>>30999915
>B) Keep trying
We're screwed.

>>30999927
>>30999959
The gentle swaying of the horse becomes your greatest enemy as you fight to stay awake. You begin to lose short stretches of time, becoming aware for only a few seconds. You make it to noon before you truly fall sideways from the saddle. You hit the ground and regain your alertness from adrenaline. Leon and his teacher stop to look at you, the teacher spitting on the ground in front of you.

"Right then, if you're that eager to walk, feel free. No dawdling, we've got a long way to cover before we stop to feed the horses." He wheels back around and keeps moving. Leon urges you to hurry along.

A) Start walking, no rest
B) Try to get back on the horse
C) Other

>>31000056
>B) Try to get back on the horse

>>31000056
>A) Start walking, no rest

>>31000090
You do your best to climb back into the saddle, but your arms are too weak to lift your own weight. This amuses Leon's teacher greatly, as he laughs uproariously. You are stuck walking until you stop. On foot, you can barely keep up with the horses at a brisk walk. Nevermind that your head feels light and your throat burns, as you are barely conscious to feel it anyway. Eventually night comes in, and the horses finally stop.

"There now. These girls have earned some rest, unlike you two lazy runts." Leon's teacher hops down from the horse and begins unloading a saddlebag. Leon climbs down as well, and asks if you feel alright.

A) "I'm fine."
B) "Can I sleep now?"
C) Other

>>31000170
>B) "Can I sleep now?"

>>31000236
>left Anna
>whines the whole way

>>31000236
"No, now we have to feed and water the horses, then set up camp, then forage for some food, and then after we eat and the horses are rested we'll leave again. Come on, I'll show you how to feed them so they don't bite. They might still bite, but it seems like they bite less when you do it a certain way."

Leon begins unloading his own saddlebag and producing straw and oats.

A) Help Leon
B) Other

>>31000354
>A) Help Leon

>>31000354
>A) Help Leon
>B) Pray to ALL the gods that exist to be able to stay awake

>>31000388
>>31000404
Together with Leon you tend the horses. Afterward, you help him start a small fire. His teacher sends the both of you out to find something to eat while he tends the camp and nurses his flask. Leon leads you out into the tall grass growing on either side of the road.

"Squirrels are good to eat, but not if they attack you. If they try to attack you, they're mad and the meat is poison, so only catch the ones that run. Gophers aren't good because the meat is so tough. I think there will be some berry bushes around too, so pick some if you can. Do you want to split up, or stick together? It's probably smarter to separate so we can cover more area."

A) Stick together
B) Split up

>>31000512
>B) Split up

>>31000512
>A) Stick together

>>31000512
A

>>31000552
>>31000596
You decide to stay with Leon, in hopes that he will make up for your inability to see more than five feet in front of you.

Together you gather enough food for a good sized meal, and make it back to camp safely. There, Leon's teacher begins skinning and preparing the food you obtain. Leon himself stands and draws his sword.

"Want to come practice with me while we wait?" You assume this is what he says, as his actually voice sounds as though he is speaking through a few layers of cotton blankets.

A) Practice
B) Sit here
C) Other

>>31000743
>A) Practice

>>31000743
C) Other
Help prepare meal, we did grow up on a farm perhaps we can use some of that knowledge

if not then >A) Practice

CAPTCHA: soletsc mastership

>>31000769
You stand up and go with Leon to practice at swords. Leon tosses one of his training swords at you, hitting you square in the chest. A moment later you reach out to catch it, but of course it is no longer in the air. Leon looks at you oddly as you struggle to pick up one of the three blurry sword on the ground before you. Eventually you get one of them, and stand ready.

"Alright good. Now I'll show you some basic defensive maneuvers. When I..." the world fades out for a split second, then comes back in. "...above you, then turn it this way so...knock your teeth out. Are you ready?"

A) Ready
B) Explain it again
C) Other

>>31001054
>B) Explain it again

>>31001075
You ask Leon to explain the maneuver once more, this time focusing as hard as you can on his words. You hear every single one now, and painstakingly make mental notes of all his descriptions. You then immediately forget everything, and receive a sword to the face. You fall backward on the ground, finding yourself unable to get back up. Blackness soon follows.

You awake some time later, slung over the back of Leon's saddle like a sack of flour. It's bright out again, so you must assume the night has passed. You look up and see Leon minding his own business as the horses move. You still feel tired, but the blood is rushing to your head, making it quite uncomfortable. You ask for aid, and Leon helps to correct you in the saddle.

"You know, if you were tired you should have gotten some sleep." Leon seems concerned about you, though he does not look back to check on you.

A) "I'm fine, you just hit me pretty hard."
B) "Sorry, I didn't mean to be trouble."
C) Other

>>31001075
Jeez, Springhead, you've been awake for almost a whole day

>>31001260
>B) "Sorry, I didn't mean to be trouble."
>C) Other

How long will it take to wherever we're going?

>>31001260
>B) "Sorry, I didn't mean to be trouble."
>>31001285
Quest started at 2AM here and I know I didn't sleep directly after the last one. I probably should be asleep right now.

>>31001359
>>31001381
You apologize for causing trouble, but Leon assures you it's no matter. You then ask him how long the trip will be.

"Well if we keep making good time like we are right now, we can probably get there in twelve days or so. Give or take depending on the weather of course."

A) Ask something else
B) Focus on the road

>>31001531
>B) Focus on the road

>>31001531
A) Ask something else
B) Focus on the road

Ask if there are any towns we might stop at on the way

>>31001585
>>31001633
Leon seems to get a laugh out of your inquiry.

"Hah, no there's no towns.Who would build towns in the mountains between Lumen and the northern territory? The only thing there are the mountains, and those are full of bloodthirsty, barbarous killers who were exiled from society and formed bandit clans to rob and kill innocent people. Towns. You're funny, guy."

You think on this for a moment. You suppose the Rangers may not be very fearful of bandits, considering how organized they seem to be, but it still worries you a bit.

A) Ask something else
B) Focus on the road

>>31001719
>B) Focus on the road

>>31001719
>B) Focus on the road

>>31001739
>>31001742
The days pass by in relative silence. Leon teaches you some of his sword techniques when you aren't foraging or riding. Though the trek is hard, seeing how much easier it is for Leon seems to drive you to bare the pain.

As you enter the mountains, Leon warns you to be cautious, as this place is home to bandits, though they rarely try to attack Rangers. At night, as you rest around the fire, you hear a great rustling in the bushes far in the distance. Leon is startled, bumping into his teacher and knocking the flask from his hand. In a fit of anger, he orders Leon to go find what's causing the noise. You watch as Leon rises to his feet and, shaking, goes to investigate.

A) Go with him
B) Stay here

>>31001882
A) Go with him

>>31001882
>A) Go with him

>>31001902
>>31001913
Leon is relieved to have you as company, and together the two of you journey into the thick brush of the mountain forest. It's chilly up so high, but it's still not fall yet, and so you are able to brave the temperatures without a coat.

The two of you wade through thigh high grass and step around tree roots, in search of the source of the noise. Somehow doing this as a team makes things much less eerie. Suddenly, you spot something moving in the grass. It dashes back and forth around you and Leon in a circle, making odd noises as it moves.

A) Grab it
B) Bash it
C) Other

>>31002054
>A) Grab it

>>31002079
You watch the grass shift around you and try to time things just right, then lunge into the grass and grab the culprit. When you come back up and bring it into the moonlight, you discover it is little more than a small pig. It whines and snorts, struggling against your grip. Leon smiles and plays with its snout.

"That's a lucky catch. We should cook this up, I bet it'll be really soft and juicy."

A) Cook the pig
B) Release the pig
C) Other

>>31002162
>A) Cook the pig

>>31002162
>A) Cook the pig

>>31002203
>>31002208
Leon claps as he imagines the taste of roast pork.

Suddenly there is a sound in the distance. Back at the camp, Leon's teacher curses, and you can just make out a few large figures entering the clearing where you made camp. They surround him, at least five in total, and begin accosting him. He thrashes and goes for his axes, but his drunken sloppy movements are of little effect. Leon begins dashing back to the camp, drawing his training swords. You follow, grabbing him just before he enters the clearing.

You watch as a sixth figure, enormous and broad as a bull, enters the clearing from the opposite side. He begins speaking to the group in a strange and brutish tongue, seemingly giving orders. They pin down Leon's teacher and remove all of his weapons.

"Fuck! You fucking kids, get your useless asses in here and help me! Gods burn you both, where are you!?" The group doesn't seem interested in what he says. Just looking at Leon, you can see he is desperate to jump in, but lacks the confidence to go alone.

A) Save Leon's teacher
B) Stay hdden

>>31002308
>A) Save Leon's teacher
>C) "Accidentally" destroy all the booze in doing so

>>31002308
>A) Save Leon's teacher

>>31002334
You pat Leon's shoulder, signalling him to rush in alongside you. He hands you one of his training swords, and together the two of you emerge into the clearing and spring an ambush on the group. Leon is quick enough to bash one of the men holding his teacher down, sending him stumbling back and clutching his cracked teeth.

A) Aim for the other man holding Leon's teacher
B) Aim for the leader
C) Aim for the nearest one

>>31002372
>B) Aim for the leader

>>31002372
>A) Aim for the leader

>>31002372
>A) Aim for the other man holding Leon's teacher

>>31002397
>>31002398
You rush straight at the leader of the group, easily the largest at over eight feet. He is dressed in rage, much like yours, with a hood covering his face and wraps on his arms. Whether he sees you coming or not, you land a blow on his chest, and the impact resonates through your arms. You continue to hammer him with attacks, but he doesn't seem too harshly affected. He reaches out a great hand to grab you, but you nimbly move to the side and avoid it.

A) Aim for his neck
B) Aim for his knees
C) Aim for his groin
D) Aim for his face

>>31002496
>B) Aim for the knees
If we get a lucky shot in here hes screwed