>>34980612

Baron gives you a thoughtful look. “I feel like you’re hinting at something,” he says.

Moriah glances from Vik and Baron to you. She knows exactly what you’re hinting at. She gives you a flat look, and the feeling that accompanies it is one that tells you to cease talking.

Vikrama takes advantage of your lapse to jump back in the conversation. “Whatever you’re always leaving out of conversations will come out eventually,” she says. “For the life of me, I don’t understand why you can’t just come out and tell us if you’re planning on telling us anyway.”

>Hey, hear that? Music’s stopped – that means fireworks!
>My secrets are my business.
>It’ll make sense in retrospect. Just be patient and suspicious of everything.
>It's kind of not only my secret, so I can't really do that without like, violating the code.
>What if it was crazy? I mean, what if I was like, oh yeah, magic’s real? That wouldn’t go over well.
>Fine. I’m a demon. Well like, three-quarters demon.
>Other (?)

>>34980649
>My secrets are my business.
>It’ll make sense in retrospect. Just be patient and suspicious of everything.

>>34980649
>>Hey, hear that? Music’s stopped – that means fireworks!
srsly stop hinting or tell them jesus

>>34980649
>My secrets are my business.
>Smile childishly.

>>34980649
I kinda want to say to wait until Ro stops hugging the manlet because she wanted to be here for it, but that makes it sound like a coming out of the closet thing, which kinda makes me want to say it more because the reactions would be hilarious, but I also don't want to increase stress.

>>34980649
>Technically, I've already told you guys what's up back a while ago. You just didn't realize it.

Let's see if they can figure it out that we were telling the truth on Halloween when we said we actually just took the human costume off.

>>34980896
Please don't

>>34980948
Why? We're planning on telling them anyway. Are you worried they'll get it right away and shit will go down?

I think telling Baron and Vikrama what's really going on is a very bad idea. They're just not equipped to deal with this.

>>34980649
>It's kind of not only my secret, so I can't really do that without like, violating the code.
>It’ll make sense in retrospect. Just be patient and suspicious of everything.

Look, we gotta wait until we get the wings.
We can hold hands with Ro and get the whole Demon+Angel working together ying-yang shit going on. That'll be the best reveal.

>>34980896
They only know half of it.
If we do say it I doubt we will, it'd be better as something like
>"Secret's already been spilled. Well, half of it. Y'all just didn't realize that it was, like, a secret and stuff."

>>34981036
Agreed. It's up in the air how the stooges will react to "oh btw I'm mostly demon", but it's more or less guaranteed that they'll react positive to Rowings.

>>34980990
I don't think anything good will come from telling them that we're a demon.
Worst case scenario is them exposing us for national media.

>>34980649
>>34980896
seconded

You might actually just come out and say something, but you don’t know if now’s good timing or not. Given your track record with making stupid decisions you decide not to say anything you can’t unsay. “My secrets are my secrets,” you say, cryptically. You then notice that the live band has stopped playing live, which has left a quiet on the pier. You point out the lack of noise. “Show’s starting up soon,” you observe.

Vikrama is still not satisfied, but she lets it slide.

Baron checks his phone. “Wow. Time flies,” he says. “Just a few minutes to midnight. You're off the hook this time, Sierra.”

Suddenly, the sound system starts playing the voice of some radio personality, telling everyone to finish making their New Year’s resolutions and enjoy the show. Everybody who wasn’t already on their feet gets up, including you. You don’t like the idea of abandoning your chair, but fireworks trump chairs any day of the week, especially New Year’s fireworks.

>>34981411
Darkness prevails, and a countdown starts beating over the speakers. You join your voice to that of your friends, family, and the mob at large, and scream as loud as possible to conquer the din.

Around the count of one, Isaac embraces Cassandra and they kiss in a way that makes you profoundly uncomfortable. Luckily, however, thanks to Vikrama’s jubilant shrieks, Baron’s cheering, and the sudden reappearance of Rowan and her boyfriend, you are distracted from the sight. Even Moriah can’t resist smiling at the uproar, and then the sky explodes with thumping bangs and sharp cracks and dazzling flashes of light and fire, while and music blasts deafeningly in time.

While losing yourself somewhere between wonder and glee, you realize you haven’t set any goals or anything for yourself. Maybe it’s not too late while the fireworks are still going off.

>Fireworks are too good to waste thinking about crap.
>Set some kind of personal resolution or whatever. (?)
>Other (?)

>>34981436
>Fireworks are too good to waste thinking about crap.

>>34981436
>Set some kind of personal resolution or whatever. (?)
We should go to the gym more or some- oh wait we already do that.

Can we go to the gym with Ranthix and watch him scream about how the new years resolution people are the worst?


I can't really think of anything good and I don't wanna put "claim more landwells" and "do my best" just sounds so cheese it hurts.

>>34981436
>Set some kind of personal resolution or whatever. (?)
Try to become sagacious as well as super cool.

>>34981436
New years resolution.
No killing anyon-
No killing anyone on purp-
No killing anyone on purpose who didn't deserve it.

That shall be our goal.

>>34981436
>>Fireworks are too good to waste thinking about crap.
>Fireworks are too good to waste thinking about crap.

>>34981436
>Set some kind of personal resolution or whatever. (?)
Tell Baron, Vikrama and Red Hood about the angel and daemon stuff tonight.

>>34981530
>Can we go to the gym with Ranthix and watch him scream about how the new years resolution people are the worst?
"THESE FLESHLINGS SEEM DETERMINED TO GIVE THEMSELVES SPINE INJURIES."

>>34981554
I think you mean no killing anyone on accident who didn't deserve it.

We haven't killed anyone who didn't deserve it outside of a bloodrage.

>>34981436
Seeing more of the world would be hella cool. Pretty sure Sierra said she wanted to do that and I'm pretty sure this is the last couple months of highschool she's in now.

>>34981436
How about "not become an asshole"? We already promised Moriah, but doing it as a new years thing couldn't hurt.

resolution idea.
tell Vik and Baron the big secret soon

>>34982757
do we really want to expose them to a world that dangerous?

no

>>34981688
Seeing more of other worlds would be even cooler.

>>34982886
dosnt mean they have to go on missions, I think they would take the news well

>>34982886
They're already as exposed as they will ever be, the fact the hang around with up puts them in danger, might as well tell them what they should be looking out for.

You cobble together whatever thoughts come to your mind first, operating under the assumption that fireworks are too good to waste thinking about crap.

So. For the next year, you will not freak out anymore or kill anyone who didn’t somehow maybe deserve to be killed for whatever reason. That is what you will do. And also you will do a road trip or something, because seriously, while San Francisco is cool and all, it is also kind of not.

Good. Yes. This is good.

All was pretty good.

----

The rest of that night went nice, as far as any night goes where you stay up nearly all night. Sadly, school stared up not a couple days past that.

When your final class lets out, you rush to get home so you can get preparing. You’ve got crazy business planned for tonight. Business that involves you becoming the coolest, most badass assassin in the city, and getting paid many dollars in recompense for your ability to destroy and tear evil to shreds.

Except before you can get back to your ride, Baron manages to be outside by the bicycle rack, in his ski jacket and a new pair of jeans he probably got over break. “Hey Sierra,” he says. “Do you have a second?”

“What’s up?” you ask as you undo the lock on your bike. The uncharacteristic spike of anxiety from Baron gives you pause, however, and you wind up looking up at him.

>>34983077
Oh god he figured it out.

>>34983077

He has a good poker face though. He seems regular enough from the outside. “There are two questions I have for you,” he begins, watching you to gauge your response. “As we all know,” he says, his tone theatric, “there is a certain upcoming event known in certain circles.”

You lean against the bike rack, suspicious of his loquacious airs. “That’s not a question,” you point out.

“Yes, but it relates to the first question,” Baron replies. “The second question is contingent to your answer to the first, and thus I would pose the first question directly: are you planning on going to Winter Formal?”

Oh, okay. So that’s what this is all about. For reasons unknown, your pulse quickens. Maybe that’s because of the surprise. (+3 Stress: 9/100)

Although you don’t know exactly what to say, that shouldn’t stop you from saying it.

>Nope. School dances suck.
>Well uh. Not specifically?
>Duh. Who’s going to have fun if I’m not there?
>Hey, that reminds me. If you’re looking for someone to ask, you should check in with Moriah.
>Sure, man. I’ll go with you. But you know, as friends though. That cool?
>Depends on who’s asking. That’s the second question, right? Tell me I’m right.
>Really?
>Other (?)

>>34983156
>Well uh. Not specifically?
Oh damnit here we go...

File: awkward.gif (2.86 MB, 375x198)

2.86 MB GIF

>>34983156
>Really?
>Well uh. Not specifically?
>Depends on who’s asking. That’s the second question, right? Tell me I’m right.

>>34983156
>Depends on who’s asking. That’s the second question, right? Tell me I’m right.

File: Show_time.gif (1 MB, 350x191)

1 MB GIF

>>34983156
>Depends on who’s asking. That’s the second question, right? Tell me I’m right.

>>34983156
>Depends on who’s asking. That’s the second question, right? Tell me I’m right.
yay an opportunity to get past our phobia of touching!!!

>>34983156
>Duh. Who’s going to have fun if I’m not there?

>>34983156
>Depends on who’s Spagetti. That’s the second Spagetti, right? Tell me i'm Spagetti.

>>34983156
>Depends on who’s asking. That’s the second question, right? Tell me I’m right.
Baron is best husbando

>>34983156
>>Well uh. Not specifically?

>>34983379
While I don't think we've met the best husbando I'd be down to see some dating!

>>34983156
I'll be honest, Baron's been severely hit and miss this quest, usually miss, but I wouldn't be against going to the stupid dance thing and seeing how it works out and whether or not he's still incredibly awful to be around or if he got his shit together.

Not saying I want to permahusbando forever him, I just wanna give him a chance to demonstrate that he no longer blows eggs.

>>34983156
>Depends on who’s asking. That’s the second question, right? Tell me I’m right.

>>34983509
>Blows eggs.
I like that expression.

>>34983156
>Depends on who’s asking. That’s the second question, right? Tell me I’m right.
yes please

Oh jeez.

File: Oh okay.gif (1.02 MB, 350x197)

1.02 MB GIF

efw he asks if we think Moriah is interested in him.

Congrats we are the backup girl. After all Ro was taken.

>>34983860
And Baron is the backup guy.

We were made for eachother.

>>34983860
that's good

just more reason for sierra to want to CONQUER EVERYTHING

>>34983896
You shitting me... We're his backup girl... when we are EMPRESS. He's clearly incapable of understand our glory.

>>34983851
AHAHAHAHAHA oh god we would hulk so fast.

>>34983851
>Sierra, are you going?
>It'd mean a real lot to me if you came...
>Moirah says she'll only go if you are, and I wanna bone that.
>Be my partner in crime. My delinquent duo. The devil over my shoulder. My wingman/lady. I need this, girl.

>>34983916
Well, since Corithis's empire doesn't technically exist anymore, Sierra is the Empress of nothing.

>>34983936
Why? Isn't Sierra still a bit crushing on He Who Shall Not Be Mentioned?

>>34984053
Who rejected her and then getting shut down by a lesser candidate?

>tfw Orias is going to be total best guy and we'll be stuck with Baron

>>34984097
>tfw Orias is a spoilt nobleman asshole who would fuck Sierra solely to gloat that he screwed the Imperiate's daughter

>>34984097
>>34984170
who?

>>34984097
>>34984170
seriously who are we talking about?

>>34984170
Don't ruin the fantasy, anon. He can do it himself when he shows up, but just let me wait until it actually happens.

>>34984180
One of the demon's that Waldric is bringing in to sit on the conclave to shore up his position.

>>34984197
On what thread did we meet him? I must have missed it.

>>34984180
>>34984194
Wally's Belphegoran/Infernus buddy he's bringing over for his court.

>>34984042
>Moirah says she'll only go if you are, and I wanna bone that.
>and I wanna bone that.
>bone that.
top kek

>>34984180
>>34984194
It's the half belphegoran half infernus guy who is coming up to be on the conclave.

For some reason people decided that he is going to be the best guy. We never actually met the dude yet.

>>34984231
He hasn't shown up yet. He was just mentioned in passing

>>34984231
We didn't. People seem to have latched onto this idea that he's going to be great based on some kind of process of elimination thing where all the other guys haven't been husbando material, so this one has to be. Also because he somehow managed to piss off the noble courts people, so he can't be all bad.

>>34984091
Things change. They're both very young by their standards. Let him fool around a little. Bring him to heel later.

>>34984322
>Also because he somehow managed to piss off the noble courts people, so he can't be all bad.
The way I see it, there are two possibilities

A: Orias is actually a stand up guy who got screwed over by the courts and is looking for a chance to prove himself.

B: Orias is an incorrigible fuck up, but has access to resources that Waldric wants, and is willing to do anything to get back into the court's good graces.

>>34984464
If he's A, then awesome! If he's B, then at least he'll be entertaining and we'll still get to see what a [BE]+[IN] mix looks like without the human and [VE] mixed in. Granted, to demons of the same mix can look totally different, but I still wanna know.

>>34984464
C: He's as terrible as the other courtiers and simply got outmanoeuvred by another one.

>>34984614
Also a distinct possibility.

Honestly, even if it doesn't really fit with the usual /tg/ behaviour of latching onto one prospective partner forever and ever, I'd like to see Sierra with Baron, even if it's for them to part friends after a few dates. I'm curious about how Sierra would act in such a situation.

>>34984830
The usual /tg/ latching onto one person is because most QMs can't into proper use of timeskips. They make you play every. single. minute. of the mc's life. The second you end up with a love interest, if you don't immediately rape and murder them you're gonna be stuck with em for the rest of the quest.

>Sure I'll go to the dance with you
>Oh btw I'm, like, a quarter human at most
This is gonna be good...

>>34984887
This is true.

Sorry, looks like I'll be another couple hours. Something came up.

>>34985230
dammit the lawn is winning

File: salty as fuck.png (102 KB, 252x478)

102 KB PNG

>>34985230

>>34985230
thanks for the heads up. We can wait.

>>34985270
NO! You must have faith in our Master gardener!

Well, I was waiting for the next update to go sleep but I guess I'll hit the sack. As ever, thanks for running.

Gentlemen. How do we kill the Lawn?

>>34985897
Round-up.

>>34985897
Faith*
*And by faith I mean salt and burn and then pave over it.

All right. I'm back for real.

>>34987183
yay!
cant wait to hear us stutter and blush our way through this conversation!

>>34987183
just waiting on that update now

Dance. It sounds like Baron is asking you to a dance. Is it more of a friends thing, or is this… maybe he agrees with the fact that you’re way hot? And if he does, is that a good thing?

You banish the thoughts from your mind and try to have poise. You’ve got to play everything cool. “Depends on who’s asking,” you reply, trying to match Baron’s roundaboutness. “That’s the second question, right? Tell me I’m right.” You want him to say that you’re right. You like being right.

Baron thinks about it for a moment, as if deciding if he really should tell you you’re right or not. In the end, he speaks pleasing words, saying, “Would you accompany me to the dance if I asked?”

“Wait. If you asked?” you ask, perhaps leading him on. “Are you asking or is this like, one of those scenarios?”

Baron rephrases himself more definitely, standing up a little straighter as he does so. “This is me asking,” he explains, more than a little self-conscious at your wheedling. “So… do you want to?”

>Sure.
>Why not?
>I’ll have to think about it.
>Other (?)

>>34987730
>>Sure.

>>34987730
>>34987730
>Sure.
>Why not.

>>34987730
>Sure.

>>34987730
>Sure.

>>34987730
>If I went I think I would go.
>I mean sure.

>>34987730
>>I’ll have to think about it.

>>34987730
>Sure

>>34987730
>I’ll have to think about it.

>>34987730
>>Sure.

>>34987730
>Sure.
sounds like fun

>>34987730
>Nah

>>34987730
Didn't we sort of almost die the last time we went to a dance?

>>34987730
>Sure.

>>34987934
That was unrelated to the dance.

>>34987934
that was a rave, totally different thing than a school dance. also that party went great

>>34987730
>Sure

>>34987730
>>Sure.

“Yeah,” you say, a little too eagerly. “I mean sure. Sounds like fun,” you correct yourself. Ergh, you aren’t being cool at all. (+1 Stress: 10) “But I uh, I have stuff I have to do, so….”

“Right,” Baron says, stepping back and giving you space to maneuver. “See you tomorrow?”

“Yeah I’ll… we’ll talk or something,” you answer, freeing your bike from its chains and hopping on. “See you.” You ride off past him and get on your way.

You don’t get far before a big yellow hummer pulls up beside you. The window rolls down and Ranthix leans over, still driving. “GET IN,” he demands. “YOUR COURT RAT HAS MANY PLOTS THAT INVOLVE YOU NOT RIDING A BICYCLE. TRAVEL BY VEHICLE IS PREFERABLE.”

You’re not one to object. Exactly one minute later, you are riding shotgun next to Ranthix, your bike fit easily in the back of the massive vehicle.

“HOW WAS YOUR DAY OF PRETENDING TO BE WEAK AND POWERLESS AT YOUR CALIFORNIAN ACADEMY, SPAWNLING?” he inquires, scowling fiercely at the road.

>You know, same old same old. Just biding my time until I can take over the world and whatever.
>I got asked out.
>How fares the fief?
>So, as my like, battle sensei, is me doing all this assassin stuff tonight – do you think it’s dangerous?
>>Do you want to come along?
>Any news on the ETA of our demon conclave peeps?
>Other (?)

>>34988531
>>You know, same old same old. Just biding my time until I can take over the world and whatever.
>>So, as my like, battle sensei, is me doing all this assassin stuff tonight – do you think it’s dangerous?
>>>Do you want to come along?
>>Any news on the ETA of our demon conclave peeps?

>>34988531
>You know, same old same old. Just biding my time until I can take over the world and whatever.
>Any news on the ETA of our demon conclave peeps?

>>34988531

>You know, same old same old. Just biding my time until I can take over the world and whatever.
>I got asked out.
>How fares the fief?

>>34988531
>You know, same old same old. Just biding my time until I can take over the world and whatever.
>Other
"How goes being consumed by boundless rage?"

>>34988531
>>I got asked out.
>So, as my like, battle sensei, is me doing all this assassin stuff tonight – do you think it’s dangerous?

>I got asked out
>So, as my like, battle sensei, is me doing all this assassin stuff tonight – do you think it’s dangerous?

>>34988531
>>I got asked out.

>>34988531
>You know, same old same old. Just biding my time until I can take over the world and whatever
>So, as my like, battle sensei, is me doing all this assassin stuff tonight – do you think it’s dangerous?

>>34988531
>You know, same old same old. Just biding my time until I can take over the world and whatever.
>I got asked out.

>Other
"You have any wise sensei-ish advice for this spooky shadow assassin thing?"

>>34988584
This. Perhaps a brief discription of the mortal that has decided to try to court us.

“Well first off, it’s new classes,” you say. “I’m still taking some art class and I’m still in Russian though, so it’s not really that new of classes. Same stuff.”

Ranthix has a look of utmost displeasure on his face as you speak. He’s not a fan of the whole ‘public education’ thing, even if National High is probably the best school in the city. “AT LEAST IN SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH YOUR INFERIORS, YOU MIGHT BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH BETTER YOU ARE THAN EVERYONE AROUND YOU,” he allows.

“Yeah there is that, I guess,” you say, nodding to yourself. “You’re pretty wise.”

Ranthix goes pensive for a second. “THE WISE KNOW THEIR WISDOM; AS ASH, THOSE WHO KNOW NOT ARE BLOWN BEFORE AS BY FIERCE WIND; AS A SPEAR OF SHIMMERING STEEL, THOSE WHO ACKNOWLEDGE RISE AFTER,” he says.

“That’s pretty wise too,” you say. “That a quote or something?”

“YES. IT IS OF THE BOOK OF THE SORROWS. A BOOK YOU MUST KNOW AS WELL AS YOUR OWN BLOOD.”

“Cool,” you say. “Is that the one you were showing me? I can’t remember.”

“NO. THE TEXT WITH WHICH I TEACH YOU IS COMPRISED OF SELECT EXERPTS FROM THE BOOK OF SORROWS,” he says. “THE WEIGHT OF A COMPLETE TOME MUST NEVER BE LESS THAN THIRTEEN INSA, WHICH IS SIXTY POUNDS. THE FULL BOOK IS RARE.”

You’re glad that the Book of Sorrows isn’t on your required reading list. You’d hate to have to lug something like that home. “Also,” you say, “I got asked out.”

Ranthix says nothing, though gives you a sideways glare.

>>34990427
“You know. To a dance. By a good-looking guy.” You pause. “I said yes?”

Ranthix doesn’t say anything for a second. “DO YOU EXPECT ME TO VALIDATE YOUR ACTIONS WITH WORDS?”

That’s not what you were expecting. “I don’t know. I thought you’d react more, I guess,” you say.

“YOU ARE A CYNOSURE OF POWER AND GLORY,” Ranthix asks. “THE IMPERIATE ATTRACTS THE ADULATION OF ENTIRE NATIONS. IT IS TO BE EXPECTED THAT YOU WILL ALSO BE THE RECEPIENT OF COURTING – YOUTHFUL COURTING ESPECIALLY SO, EVEN FROM MORTALS.”

Good to know. “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” you say, laughing a little to yourself. “Anyway, so as my battle sensei,” you say, “what’s your take? Is me doing this whole assassin thing kind of dangerous?”

“IT IS BETTER PREPARE FOR THE BATTLES TO COME BY TESTING YOUR MIGHT TODAY,” he says. “SO LONG AS YOU EXERCISE JUDGMENT YOU WILL DOMINATE THE FIELD, SPAWNLING.”

“So I’m not being reckless,” you say, just to be sure.

“NO. YOU ARE BEING RECKLESS. THIS IS THE POINT. BUT IT IS NOT UNDUE RECKLESSNESS, WHICH IS ALSO THE POINT,” Ranthix explains.

“Good recklessness and bad recklessness, got it,” you say. Nothing like knowing you’re firmly in the good reckless category.

The conversation turns and weaves unexpectedly, until Ranthix pulls up in front of a nondescript office building and parks. You and him get out, and he leads the way into Waldric’s temporary place of Baroning. The building is almost brand new, and not yet all rented out.

>>34990456

Few come and go, but everything is of utmost modern design and quality. Ranthix scowls his way past the receptionist person handling the main lobby, and you both take the stairs up several flights at a light jog.

You come out on a desserted floor, greeted only by an unadorned hallway stretching right and left, and before you, a set of double doors with a plaque to the side that reads, Arts Conclave Society. Ranthix heads in, you on his heels.

The whole office is completely empty. There are no furnishings, but at least the carpet is nice. In the center of the rather expansive place is a very nice, redwood table surrounded by folding chairs.

“WALDRIC!” Ranthix yells. “WE ARE ARRIVED.”

A moment passes, and then Waldric appears out from a side office, a folded laptop in hand. He looks at you and smiles. “Hello,” he says. He gestures to the table, and the chairs set up around it. “Let’s have a seat.”

You sit down by Waldric, who shows you his laptop. On it is a candid picture of a rather slovenly gentleman who looks like the type of guy that would run a garage that buys stolen cars to chop them down for parts. He has an oily comb over and a huge gut, and wears a pair of dress pants and a pair of suspenders, with a thick, brooding face hidden under jowls of fat.

“This is Iptaph,” says Waldric. “He needs to die.”

>Say stuff (?)
>Other (?)

>>34990488
>>Say stuff (?)
What'd he do?

>>34990488
We need to quote some cheesy movie ninja or assassin or something, but nothing comes to mind.

>>34990488
>>Say stuff (?)
Any particular way he needs to die?

>>34990488
"Tell me about him. No, wait, lemme guess; Stygian, right? Okay, where is he and how do you want him dead? Besides the whole 'no witnesses' thing."

>>34990488
>Say stuff (?)
"Okay."

>>34990488
>he sure looks like it, seriously sometimes you can just tell when a person is scum

>>34990488
>Say stuff
"Where can I find him? And what else do I need to know to make this job go as smooth as possible?"

>>34990488
Let's get down to the brass tacks. Where does he operate? What forces does he have? Routines, notable defenses, avenues of approach?

>>34990488
>Say stuff (?)

"Cool. That's what I'm here for.

Why'd you choose this grease-ball? What is he, Stygian? There anything special about him?

Where does he live and work? Am I gonna have to worry about sneaking past all his friends to whack him? Lay it on me bossman."

>>34990488
"How much leeway do I have for collateral damage? Am going all Hitman: Silent Assassin? Or do you need me to kill every single motherfucker in room?"

>>34990488
Find out what type of demon he is, where he is, and whether it really matters if it's a throat slitting vs surprise c4

>>34990488
>Say stuff (?)
"What did he do to deserve death? Not that care really, just curious to know if I'm wasting a slaver or a kiddie fiddler or something."

>>34990488
>Just him?

>>34990488
"He's Stygian, right. Why are they all so fucking ugly? You'd think with their illusion stuff they'd make themselves look like Brad Pitt or George Clooney or some shit."

>>34990890
We already know what he did. He decided that he was going to try to take advantage of the situation here and either start shit and take over the fief or he works for someone who does

>>34991036
Tweed wasn't that ugly in his glamour, just really small and wimpy

>>34991036
My guess is goat man. Their power stealing thing fits pretty well with the chop-shop thing.

“Cool,” you say, not worrying too much about ingraining his appearance in your mind. He has a pretty damn characteristic appearance. “What’d he do?”

“He leeches off of foreigners coming to the US,” Waldric says. “The ones that use him to get here illegally, he keeps them, and then reduces them to their component parts.”

Wait. What? “You’re saying he… I’m sorry, what?”

“COMPONENT PARTS,” Ranthix tells you. “YOU KNOW. TONGUES AND SKINS, HEARTS AND LIVERS. BLOOD AND TEETH, SPAWNLING.” He can’t seem to fathom why you don’t get what exactly is going on.

This is the most disturbing thing you’ve heard all day. Maybe even all week, or more. “Why?” you eek out.

“It’s a lot easier to sell a piece of a person than the person,” Waldric says. “There are those that will pay dearly for a fresh human heart or lung. Mortals are full of arcane properties to those willing to stoop to using them.”

This news makes you mad. You’re not supposed to grind up people to make magic powders. Out of all the things that are wrong, that’s near the top of the list. (+5 Stress: 15/100) “Isaac would wreck this guy’s crap in a second,” you say.

“One of the things that distinguishes a demon in this city is whether or not they can escape Isaac’s boot heel. Iptaph has been very good at covering his craft, and he seems to be very good at making friends,” Waldirc observes.

>>34991895

“And unfortunately, as much as I would like to tell Isaac all these juicy details, doing so would compromise my position. He knows that I found out all of this from my end of things. Ergo, I’m the one that needs to wreck his crap, as you so eloquently put it.”

“Is this...” you struggle for an appropriate word “…thing working for one of those courts you were talking about?”

“Yes, and one whose influence here I would rather curtail,” Waldric says. “Iptaph is beholden to Ushologuissa, a Grand Wyrmwrither and Countess of Stygia.”

“He’s Stygian then?” you ask.

“Part Stygian, part Nyphican,” Waldric answers. “He’s a collegiate merchant from what I can gather. He works with opening new markets for trade with his liege lady.”

You take this in. “So where do I find him and how does he need to get killed?”

Waldric clicks away to a google maps picture of a freight processing place by the docks – more specifically, where all the big Pacific cargo ships come over to unload. “As far as I can tell, his base of operations is somewhere in this vicinity,” says Waldric.

You look at the area. It’s not a confined location. “There’s a lot of places a guy like that can hide,” you say. You’ve been down there. There’s all kinds of warehouses and dilapidated apartments and all kinds of weird heavy industry kind of stuff in that part of town.

>>34991916

“Not if you’re using this,” Waldric says. He produces a wreathed thing made of wire and bones from under the table. It looks like a dream catcher, sort of. Waldric sets it down before you. “I managed to acquire a personal possession of Iptaph’s. Mr. Crowther was kind enough to help me create a seeking totem from it,” he explains. “This will get you on the right block if you’re within a mile.”

You pick up the totem and turn it around. It’s basically a ring, woven through with strings, wires, and minute bones which crisscross the center in a complex pattern. It vibrates in your hand, antsy to lead you off in some undeterminable direction.

“As for how he needs to get killed,” Waldric says, “I’ll leave that to you. If you can get to him and kill him without anyone seeing a thing, that would be ideal. The point of this enterprise, though, is to deter future Iptaphs. Demons aren’t frightened by many things, but I believe that with a little care, you can become one of those things.”

>>34991916

“What about collateral damage?” you ask.

“Don’t be overly concerned,” Waldric says. “If a building needs to burn down, a building needs to burn down. Keep in mind, though, that being loud will attract attention from the police. We don’t want to drag civic authorities into this, until perhaps after the fact.”

>Get info (?)
>Sounds good to me. When are we doing this? Dead of night?
>Hey, any chance I could bring somebody just in case? (Who?)
>Do you have any like, hired goons or anything I can get?
>Do you have that protective kind of thing I asked about earlier? I’d rather have that before I delve into the devil’s den.
>Other (?)

>>34991938
>>Sounds good to me. When are we doing this? Dead of night?
>>Do you have that protective kind of thing I asked about earlier? I’d rather have that before I delve into the devil’s den.
Gear up, that slap that bitch up.

>>34991938
>>Do you have that protective kind of thing I asked about earlier? I’d rather have that before I delve into the devil’s den.

>>34991938
>Sounds good to me. When are we doing this? Dead of night?
>Other (?)
"After what you've told me, I'm definitely going to make an example of him."

>>34991938
>>Sounds good to me. When are we doing this? Dead of night?

>>34991938
>>Do you have that protective kind of thing I asked about earlier? I’d rather have that before I delve into the devil’s den.

woot hell born is here, thanks lanquid!

>>34991938
>Sounds good to me. When are we doing this? Dead of night?
>Do you have that protective kind of thing I asked about earlier? I’d rather have that before I delve into the devil’s den.

>>34991938
>Sounds good to me. When are we doing this? Dead of night?
>Do you have that protective kind of thing I asked about earlier? I’d rather have that before I delve into the devil’s den.

>>34991938
"Is this shit typical of demons? If so, it's no wonder the wingtreaders have got their panties in a bunch when it comes to us."

>>34991938
"Taking people apart and selling them for parts? That's.. that's fucking abhorrent. Tell me that's what we fucking stand against and we won't ever have to pretend that shit is okay. Because it just fucking isn't."

>>34991938
> Sounds good to me. When are we doing this? Dead of night?
> Do you have that protective kind of thing I asked about earlier? I’d rather have that before I delve into the devil’s den.
> Bring someone
>> I will have Ranthrix nearby just in case. If a building needs to burn down then I'd much rather Ranthrix be nearby.

>>34991938
>Sounds good to me. When are we doing this? Dead of night?

>>34991938
>Get info (?)

"He have any known allies, or people who may be with him?"

>>34991938
>Sounds good to me. When are we doing this? Dead of night?

Get RPG, Shoot taught the window of right building. Repeat, if necessary.

“That sounds fine to me,” you say vindictively. The thought of rolling in there and doing something violent to this kind of abhorrent scum fills you almost with a kind of malicious satisfaction. (-2 Stress: 13/100) “Taking people apart and selling them is… that’s just fucking awful. I mean, yeah getting paid is something, but this kind of thing – this needs to be done,” you say. “Is this crap like, typical of hell? Because go figure wingtreaders are freaking out all the time.”

Waldric smirks at your use of the derogatory term for angels. “You’ve been spending too much time with Ranthix,” Waldric notes. “But no, Iptaph’s particular brand of depravity is not quite typical, even if his kind do thrive in hell. The rest of us may seem a little… backward to foreign eyes,” he says, glancing briefly at Ranthix, “but the bad ones – the really bad ones – are uncommon. They tend to run at odds with one another, so most are content to let them jockey for power in their obsidian palaces, so long as they don’t interrupt usual affairs.”

You consider this, and how it relates to the matter at hand. “So the moral of the story is, this dude needs to be dead,” you say.

“Your ability to cut to the very essence of things continues to impress,” Waldric says dryly.

“One thing. Before I take off and crack the whip,” you say, “did you ever figure out that protective magical thing I asked for when I agreed to be your shadow ninja?”

>>34992883
“My shadow ninja,” Waldric repeats.

“Yeah,” you say. “That’s a pretty good description of my skills, don’t you think?”

“No, actually. I don’t,” he replies.

“SURPRISINGLY THE COURT RAT SPEAKS TRUTH,” Ranthix says. “YOU FIGHT NOTHING LIKE THE SHINOBI, SPAWNLING. A NINJA RELIES ON DISCIPLINE, AND PRACTICED TECHNIQUE. YOU ON THE OTHERHAND THROW YOURSELF ONTO HELLISH MAGIC AND WILD IMPROVISATION OF MIXED METHODS,” he explains.

“Nuances. I’m a ninja,” you say. “Complain all you want.”

Waldric places a thin chain on the table and slides it toward you. “I found this in Kirn’s things,” he says. “It’s a shielding charm. I’m unfamiliar with all the spells weaved into it, but it will give you options when you’re in a fight.”

>>34992895

>Item Acquired: Shielding Charm: Wraps around one of your hands of its own accord. Projects a medium-sized semi-circle of magic in front your an open hand. The force is resilient enough to deflect a variety of attacks, but only for brief periods of time. Charges: 2/2 (Charges gradually on its own by siphoning magic from you through skin-contact.)

“It should give you a way to address attacks you were anticipating ahead of time,” Waldric says. “Charms like this one are used among the armies of Beleroth to great effect. This one in particular is well-made.” He picks the thin chain up and holds it out.

You take it, and it snakes around your hand like a miniature serpent, carefully keeping out of the way of your fingers. It kind of tickles but you don’t give any impression of that. It feels cold against you skin, and you can feel it somehow tapping on your own power to replenish its energies. “Thanks,” you say, impressed. First a lightning sword, now magic chain shield thing? “This is actually pretty sweet.”

“A useful, if common tool,” Waldric replies. “Back to the business at hand, though. Let me familiarize you with a few of Iptaph’s cohorts.”

You sit back in your chair, trying to pay attention to what Waldric’s saying instead of screwing around with the magic charm thing that seems to magnetically snap back on your hand whenever you pry it off and let it go. You kind of don’t, though.

--End Part 64--

>>34992906
Thanks for the thread!

>>34992906
>--End Part 64--
Thanks for running, nice to be back on track

>>34992906
Thanks Languid.

>>34992895
>“YOU FIGHT NOTHING LIKE THE SHINOBI, SPAWNLING. A NINJA RELIES ON DISCIPLINE, AND PRACTICED TECHNIQUE. YOU ON THE OTHER HAND THROW YOURSELF ONTO HELLISH MAGIC AND WILD IMPROVISATION OF MIXED METHODS,”
Ranthix knows Sierra so well.

I hope Baron isn't -in love- because... Well, for his own continued health.

>>34993027
Yeah, I doubt Baron can handle Sierra

>>34993008
... How does Ranthix know about the Shinobi? I overmuch doubt he's a fan of Naruto.

>>34993070
Is it that surprising that the big guy that likes fighting knows about notable fighters in history?

>>34993093
Kind of. You would think wouldn't have much time for a ninja's brand of subtly. And besides, Shinobi are more of an ancient Japanese thing, and not really applicable to the modern world. I just figured he have to go out of his way to find out about them.

>>34993167
It's more about their discipline than fondness for their fighting. If he didn't educate himself on all forms of warfare to begin with, it probably went down with him overhearing an offhand comment about ninjas being cool or the usual pirate argument and investigating from there.

Alternatively: Languid thought that line would be funny.