Character and setting info: http://pastebin.com/u/MagicalPrincess
Archives: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Start%20Over%20Quest
Ask.fm: ask.fm/MagicalMarquise

Take note that I will of course be unable to answer on my ask.fm while I'm running.

>>35795650
>Finish eating and go! Adventure awaits!

FUCK YEAH START OVER QUEST

>>35795650
>>There's something you want to discuss before leaving (what?)
Get an idea of what kind of route we're taking and what settlements we may pass.

>>35795650
>Finish eating and go! Adventure awaits!

Nothing on my mind atm.

"The route is straight, right?", you ask while you're still eating, "We're not going to find any new settlements before our first stop, or so I've been told".

"We shouldn't", Bryld confirms with a barely noticeable twitch of her brown bunny ears, "There's farmland outside of Reboldeux, it's two days before the first... Stable settlement. Although I have heard that many started building whenever they thought they could grow something".

"Someone will have to put them back in ze line", Luna grumbles with a clearly dissatisfied expression. You're not too happy yourself, it's only going to make your job harder.

Done with the breakfast, you pause for a moment to make sure you can still get up from the chair and don't have to roll over to the East gates instead (you really ate. All of you did), your party gathers everything and begins its journey.

You are close to the East gates, meaning it's just a few minutes before you're outside, walking on a large paved road and surrounded by grasslands that quickly give way to farmland. Contrarily to what you're used to seeing, wheat isn't necessarily the most grown plant and there are plenty of other crops in the lands that are all properly tilled. There are many people going your way or the opposite, often with carts full of foodstuff if they're going in town, or with caravans if they're going out. You aren't the only ones going on foot either, but as the day goes on, you realize almost nobody goes out of town on foot.

You guess colonists got more organized by now.

"This is my first time exploring completely uncharted lands", Bryld says with a glint of excitement in her voice, "Even though someone already lives there...".

You realize that part of the lands you're going to need to chart are likely inhabited already, and you know absolutely nothing about it.

>Stop at a farm to ask questions about the outlying area
>You can't afford to waste time on detours, head to the caravansary
>Other?

>>35795916
>Stop at a farm to ask questions about the outlying area
Only smart.

>>35795916
>You can't afford to waste time on detours, head to the caravansary
Hey, look at it this way: all uncharted land is probably inhabited, the difference is if you know it's inhabited or not!

>>35795916
>>Stop at a farm to ask questions about the outlying area
Our mapper doesn't know either.

>>35795916
>Stop at a farm to ask questions about the outlying area

You guess it's stupid to go in unprepared, and you're already taking enough chances accepting to lead people you barely know into the wilderness. They're entrusting their lives to you, after all, you should take all the necessary precautions.

"Let's stop by a farm before lunch", you tell the others, "If people started colonizing already it means we can get information about the outlying area before having to explore it".

As expected, Luna grumbles a bit about your schedule and having to reach a safe place to sleep before it's too late, but she puts up nothing more than token resistance to your offer, especially because Bryld and Tahenohan seem to agree with you.

Getting closer to an actual farm you realize how different it is from the places you're used to in the kingdom of Rune: it's not just the crops, it's also how they're laid around and the distinctive lack of cattle, at least where you currently are. Roosts, however, are plentiful and rich in turkeys. Those that don't grow wheat seem to grow bananas for the most part, but you've seen cotton being planted too, although not very extensively: it seems food is a priority, which is unsurprising considering the population is skyrocketing thanks to constant immigration.

You pick a farm at random and call someone as they are in the field, waving to get their attention. It seems that farmers are used to be visited by travellers as you are immediately asked if you intend to buy food or need goods changed or repaired, but that's not why you're here.

In fact, you want to ask the straw-hatted man something else.

>Ask about the local fauna, better check for dangerous animals
>Ask about the road, is it safe? Even at night?
>Ask about other settlements, does he know of any and where they are?
>Ask about the local flora, any poisonous plants you should avoid?
>Ask about life here, he seems to have a somewhat big house.
>Other?

>>35796145
>Ask about the road, is it safe? Even at night?
>Ask about the local flora, any poisonous plants you should avoid?
We can fight fauna head-on, the lay of the land and its inconspicuously dangerous flora is more dangerous.

>>35796145
>Ask about the local fauna, better check for dangerous animals
>Ask about the road, is it safe? Even at night?

>>35796145
Holy shit Magical Princess you write so fast.

>Ask about the local fauna, better check for dangerous animals
>Ask about the road, is it safe? Even at night?
>Ask about other settlements, does he know of any and where they are?

>>35796217
It's like being in a quest on crack mode. I can only imagine they've had a lot of practice, maybe ran campagins online.

>>35796145
>Ask about the road, is it safe? Even at night?
>Ask about life here, he seems to have a somewhat big house.

>>35796235
I'd have to agree. Almost everything about this quest is crazy meta-wise. The QM's fallen into so many pitfalls, and yet we're flying so high

>>35796145
>Ask about other settlements, does he know of any and where they are?
>Ask about the local flora, any poisonous plants you should avoid?

"There's a lot of people using the road, is it safe at night?", you ask. You can't help but notice it's already paved in the good old Rune kingdom style. You've been taught it's actually a much more complex work than just putting tiles on the ground, and the fact there's milestones regularly set at the sides assure you that while the colonization effort is very spontaneous and devoid of direction, the hand of the kingdom is following close behind with the discipline you'd expect.

"Well not many people travelling at night", the farmer shrugs, tipping his hat a little as he spies the road far behind you. He must be close to his fifties, with a grizzled beard that he scratches fairly often, "So I wouldn't know. But I've never heard of no problems. No bandits, no assaults... Not that I heard of. There's no patrols either though, so I'd still just not keep moving when the sun's down".

Can't disagree with that, you were out until late last night and if Reboldeux didn't have so many lights on you were most likely going to become lost.

"What about the fauna? Any dangerous animals?", you then ask.

"Not really", he shrugs, "Mostly just annoying. Tamarins always try to sneak in and steal food, so do lemurs, and howling monkeys just can't keep quiet at night. Just be careful around tall grass: there's snakes, the more colourful they are the more dangerous".

"Should I be wary of poisonous plants too?".

"Well don't eat any mushroom you don't recognize", he chuckles, that advice always works, "And don't try your luck with berries you don't know either. You're not going to starve in these lands, so no need to push your luck. Oh, but if you're going in a forested area be careful where you put your hands: there's spiders that are as large as your foot crawling about".

You're not sure if the spiders are poisonous too, but they do sound hairy.

>Ask about other settlements
>Ask about life here
>Ask if he's seen anyone... Interesting
>Other?

>>35796472
>Ask about life here

>>35796472
>Ask if he's seen anyone... Interesting
Horns...?

>>35796637
We might be horns

>>35796472
>Ask if he's seen anyone... Interesting

Plot hooks

>>35796472
>Ask about life here
>Ask if he's seen anyone... Interesting

>>35796472
>Ask about other settlements

"Well it seems like life's good around here", you comment, "I've been told it was a good idea to move here, but I didn't know the land was this fertile".

"Aye, well, it doesn't grow everything you're used to eat back in Rune. The wheat's not the same and I've heard some folk from Verdenia claim you can't make pizza as good with the kind of wheat we grow here, says it's not quite... What was the word he used again?".

"Did he come from any nearby settlement? I don't think they have official names yet", you change the topic before he gets sidetracked too much, you hear Luna tapping her foot with impatience already.

"Ah, eh, not much of a settlement nearby to speak of", he comments with a hint of uncertainty in his voice, "But if you keep following the road you're gonna find the workers that are planning to connect it. We're still not there yet, I don't think so. Heard there's a caravansary further ahead, it should be paved until then at least".

"But there's a village after that? What's its name?".

"Eh, I don't know lass", he shrugs, "I don't go out to explore, too damn busy with the crops this time of the year, and the other it rains too much to go anywhere".

"Speaking of exploring... You've certainly seen a lot of people going this way. Did you see anyone... Particular?", you're not sure how to ask, but he seems to understand the almost conspirational way you're saying it, "More than me".

"More than you, eh? Well I saw a wizard go this way yesterday", he says, crossing his arms as he digs into his memory, "Tall, gray hair, large horns... Travelled with some kind of cross-dressing demon with a foul mouth", he then pauses to look you over, especially the horns, "... Friend of yours?".

>"Yes".
>"No".
>"This is irrelevant, just tell me more".
>Other?

>>35796819
>"Don't know them. Do you know where they were headed?"

>>35796819
>"Don't know yet."
We really should be on our way: it's good information but Luna's definitely getting impatient.

>>35796819
>"Dunno."

>>35796819
>"No".

>cross-dressing demon with a foul mouth
YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

>>35796900
Okay?

>cross-dressing demon with a foul mouth

Yes. Yeeeessss.

All my want.

>>35796819
>Not really, but meeting people like me is always a pleasant thing, you know?

>>35796918
>>cross-dressing demon with a foul mouth
>Yes. Yeeeessss.
>All my want.
I was going to ask which kind of crossdressing has you excited, but really both are appealing.

"No, I don't know who they are", someone with horns? Another tiefling? You don't see those very often. You don't remember last time you saw one yourself. Oh wait, yes, yes you do: it was that dude that tried to hit on you saying something about having a much harder horn in his pants, "Do you know where they went?".

"The were going the same way you're going now", he points off in the distance, "Don't know if you'll catch them though, she's got some rather descriptive title and she's apparently a rocket of sorts".

"A rocket?".

"I dunno, something that's fast. Don't even know if she'll want your company, I heard she's one of those... An... Er... Aura... Atha... Atharch...".

"Autarch?", Bryld helpfully intervenes.

"Yea", the man nods, "Yea, that".

You've heard the term already, it's used for those wizards that go live with monsters instead of humans, or something, you're not sure. It has something to do with the way magic users are organized amongst themselves, because the kingdom of Rune has many merits but magic is wildly unregulated and if wizards really had no sense of right and wrong as some people insist you hope you'll never met one.

Oh wait, Tahenohan's a necromancer. Guess it's too late for that.

"Do you remember her name?", you finally ask, taking your eyes off the half-elf before she starts wondering what part of her you're staring at.

"Ah, no. It was something starting with A. Astrid. Yea, Astrid. No!", he shakes his head, "No, that's my niece, ooooh... Well it sounded like Astrid".

Horns, is a rocket, sounds like Astrid, has a cross-dressing foul-mouthed demon with her. You're pretty sure you can recognize someone like that if you see her.

>Ask something else while you're here (what?)
>Thank him and resume your travels
>Other?

>>35797078
>Thank him and resume your travels
Let's get moving!

>>35797078
>>Thank him and resume your travels

> You've heard the term already, it's used for those wizards that go live with monsters instead of humans, or something, you're not sure. It has something to do with the way magic users are organized amongst themselves, because the kingdom of Rune has many merits but magic is wildly unregulated and if wizards really had no sense of right and wrong as some people insist you hope you'll never met one.
Sounds like EXACTLY who we're looking for.

>>35797078
>Thank him and resume your travels

>>35797078
>Thank him and resume your travels

You bid farewell to the farmer and resume your travel. You make another couple miles (milestones are really useful to know how far you're going) and then decide to stop on a fallen log at the side of the road that has been carved to work as a makeshift bench. Shows that this road is actually quite well-travelled.

While you're taking a break to eat, drink and everything, Tahenohan brings up the topic of wizardry again, "I wonder who this demonologist is".

"D-demonologist?", Bryld sounds like she didn't expect you'd be talking about demons during lunch break. Neither were you nor Luna, admittedly, but that's Tahenohan for you.

"If she's travelling with a demon she's a demonologist", Tahenohan helpfully explains, "It's one of the ways you can use magic. If you don't have a spark and can't seem to get it with magical devices, you can always summon a demon and have him teach you".

You instinctively frown. You've never met a demon before, you've heard all sorts of bad things about them, but despite one of them being your parent you have absolutely no idea how you could even just recognize one as you see it. And, quite frankly, you never really considered the possibility of meeting one in the first place.

"Isn't it dangerous to do that?", you ask.

"Yeah!", she answers with an excited smile, "You never know what a demon thinks, but if you make one your familiar you'll never be alone again. It's kind of interesting isn't it?".

You can see Bryld shivering right behind her.

>"How does one go around summoning demons?".
>"Won't a demon eventually betray you?".
>"Have you ever summoned a demon, Tahenohan?".
>Drop the demon topic, talk about something else (what?)
>Drop the demon topic, resume travel
>Other?

>>35797313
>"Have you ever summoned a demon, Tahenohan?".

>>35797313
>"Won't a demon eventually betray you?".

>>35797313
>"Won't a demon eventually betray you?".
Let's not implicate ourself or Tahe by asking the other two in front of our new party.

>>35797313
>>"Have you ever summoned a demon, Tahenohan?".
>Mfw I want to say that Tahenohan will never be alone again, but then I remembered she's going to outlive us by hundreds of years

>>35797361
;_;
What is a Tiefling's life-span anyway, regular human? A little longer?

>>35797374
Unconfirmed.

>>35797313
>>>"Have you ever summoned a demon, Tahenohan?".

>>35797313
>"How does one go around summoning demons?".

Well...she summoned Lillith.

>>35797480
She bound Lillith's heart.

"Won't a demon eventually betray you?", you frown, "Aren't they evil, and liars? And prone to this kind of dirty tricks?".

"I don't think they'd do that", she answers, but it took her a bit of thinking before coming to that conclusion, "Not to you at least. Demons can only come to this world if summoned, becoming a familiar is a pretty good deal for them. Besides, most magic users learn to deal with all sort of things, demons included".

"Did you ever summon one?", you then ask her. You see Bryld visibly shivering again and stop eating for a moment, while Luna is surprisingly silent and uncaring about your conversation, "How do you even do that?".

"I never done it myself", she shrugs, "But all it takes is the right ritual and either knowing the demon's name or trusting whomever you bought the book from. My master did it once, he had summoned a demon to help him sabotage the other talismongers".

You pause, unsure whether you should ask the following question or not, "... Did it work?".

"Yeah!", she nods, "Sent them all broke. She set up a shop of her own and stole everyone's customers, and then made even more money and bought all of my master's stuff too, and all of mine too. But then she was kind enough to let us work there to earn our clothes back at least".

Ignoring the fact she seems to have fond memories of that time, you decide it's time to stop talking about demons if you don't want Bryld to grow even paler and you should resume your travel.

Before doing so, however, you stop and stare at the tiny shrine next to the impromptu bench you're sitting on. It's a small stone pillar, about as tall as your waist and smaller than your leg, that looks like a birdhouse with the statue of a young and feisty-looking winged woman balanced on top of it with a wide smile. You smell Lulwy's divine presence.

>Offer a prayer before continuing
>Make an offering before continuing (what?)
>Nevermind the shrine, just go on
>Other?

>>35797557
=Lulwy=
Goddess of wind and travel, she is represented as a mischievous woman with black wings and invariably with the expression of someone who just pulled the world's biggest prank on you and you haven't realized it just yet. She does not have an organized church and no temples outside of some small shrines on roads and highways, who usually feature at every intersection and next to every travel inn; they are large enough to leave offerings for the goddess, and sometimes a kind soul decides to build something to provide shelter from the elements as well, but never stable structures to live in.
Its (very few) clerics travel for the sake of travelling and never settle down. Her holy symbol is a wind rose.

Probably would be best to make a prayer, but I'm not sure how Ishtar would feel about it...

>>35797557
>Offer a prayer before continuing

>>35797557
>Offer a prayer before continuing

Do we even have anything to use as an offering?

>>35797557
>Offer a prayer before continuing
Sure.

>>35797557
>>Offer a prayer before continuing

> Probably would be best to make a prayer, but I'm not sure how Ishtar would feel about it...
If I recall correctly it's okay to pay respects to multiple deities. Ishtar will always remain on top for us, though.

>>35797557
What kinda offerings would be appropriate? A little food perhaps, or something else?

>>35797710
>>35797615
As a clarification: polytheism is normal in this setting. Some gods might be particularly jealous, but you don't think Ishtar would mind as long as you keep serving her.

>>35797666
>>35797717
There's only one thing you remember being taught about gods and offerings: it has to have some kind of meaning to you, representing some kind of sacrifice. Doesn't have to be big or crippling, just that you shouldn't "offer" things you were going to throw away in any case. Gods kind of don't like that.

>>35797760
I'll vote for leaving a little food then, we definitely won't want to throw that away.

You stop at Lulwy's shrine to offer a prayer before continuing. Your companions do the same and you share a minute in silent prayer. You decide to stay a little lighter on your lunch and offer the rest, putting it in the birdhouse. Bryld does the same, then again it looks like she didn't have much appetite after hearing you and Tahenohan talk about demons all the time.

Your trip continues rather comfortably and peacefully. The road becomes much less crowded as you go farther and the day progresses. You have time for some idle chit-chat as you walk, and time to exchange travel songs as well.

You learn something about your companions as well. Bryld admits she's never really travelled much before and that she's both excited and a bit scared but she's trusting you to know what you're doing; Luna isn't too talkative but you understand she isn't trying to be mean, she just isn't the sort of person that provides particularly exciting conversations.

The two of them met in Reboldeux as they happened to wanted to book a room at the same time, it's been a coincidence from the beginning. Tahenohan also joins in to share a bit of her funny barbarian anecdotes.

They're not very funny, they usually involve swords, muscled men, muscled women, monsters, evil wizards, but usually everything combined and then lots of blood. She finds it all funny, but Bryld seems to be a bit uncomfortable with that kind of stories.

You have plenty of time to get to know them better if you want to.

>Ask Luna if she can use her rifle well
>Ask Bryld if she has any combat experience
>Ask them if they've ever been in the tropics
>Ask them if they can cook and what
>Ask them what they like to eat the most
>Ask them if they have any hobbies
>Ask them if they have boyfriends/husbands
>Just do some idle chat
>Other?

>>35798040
>>Ask them if they've ever been in the tropics
>>Ask them if they can cook and what
>>Ask them what they like to eat the most
>>Ask them if they have any hobbies
>>Ask them if they have boyfriends/husbands
These sound fun. And Bryld doesn't seem to like violence.

>>35798040
>Ask them if they have boyfriends/husbands
C'mon Tahe don't fail me now.

>>35798086
Oh and
>>Hug Tahe to us and pat her to calm her down.

>>35798040
>Ask Luna if she can use her rifle well
>Ask them if they've ever been in the tropics
>Ask them if they have any hobbies
>Ask them if they can cook and what
Questionnaire!

>>35798040
>Ask them if they have any hobbies
>Ask them if they've ever been in the tropics
>Ask them if they can cook and what
Please think of our poor QM when voting anons, I hear too much exposition in one dose can kill you.

>>35798040
>Ask them if they can cook and what

>>35798179
Hey now, cooking and what they like eating are directly linked.

You decide that showering them in questions is the only way you can get to know them better. And well, honestly, what else do you have to talk about but yourselves? You're going to spend a lot more time with Bryld in the future, whether you like it or not, might as well get to know her. And Luna too, but she won't come exploring with you, so there's that.

For both of them, it's the first time in the tropics and they're still trying to adjust to the weather and the local diet. Luna in particular has problems with the air being too hot and humid for her taste. They both claim they can cook, but Luna is more of a meat specialist, while Bryld says she has a few simple recipes that use vegetables you can find even here that she wants you to try when you have the chance. To nobody's surprise, she likes carrots.

As far as hobbies go, Luna says that she's been a good shot even before the military levy (that's a thing in Yerles, it seems) and likes to go hunting, even offering to shoot a bird down and cook it for dinner if she spots one that is large and tasty enough. Bryld says that she likes writing and she'll keep a diary of your expedition, but you can't read her notes until she writes them down properly.

And then, well, it was to be expected but it's your fault for starting it.

The talk goes on whether they have husbands or boyfriends or fiancées or anything like that. Neither Bryld nor Luna seem to have it, with the former doing a better impression of the giggly, mildly ashamed girl (you're pretty sure it's an act). Thanks to Tahenohan, the topic very quickly switches to your bedroom experience, as if she doesn't really understand the distinction.

And almost as if they're expecting something out of you, they ask YOU if you have a boyfriend.

>You don't have one (truth)
>You don't have one (lie)
>You have one (truth)
>You have one (lie)
>Change the topic (to what?)
>Other?

>>35798341
>You don't have one (truth)
Honestly it'd be pretty weird to have a partner (of any gender) given we seem to basically have abandoned our life going on a journey here, and there isn't any need to pose given they're single too.

>>35798341
>>You don't have one (truth)
"I have a few...uh...problems, it's not helped with getting guys."
>Tahenohan has no solid answers
;_;

>>35798341
> With Tahe I won't have the time or energy for one.

>>35798341
>You have one (truth)

I like the idea of a guy liking Lillith for what she is, extra leg or not.

>>35798341
>Change the topic (to what?)
Ask what they think of this place! Isn't it beautiful?

>>35798341
>You have one (truth)

>>35798397
Changing to
> You don't have one (truth)

>>35798341
>You don't have one (truth)

>>35798456
That's fine but they don't get to be in the way of the Tahe train (also it seems real weird that they wouldn't come up before now anyway).

>>35798456
Personally, I dislike the idea of having a pre-set love interest for us right now.
I wouldn't mind having HAD one we do know though.

>>35798341
>You don't have one (truth)
Something something embarrassing condition.

>>35798557
>>35798456
Can we have a LI that we left due to circumstances not dick related? That could be cool.

>>35798557
Yeah, that's my opinion too. I don't mind having had one before, but having a current BF/GF really seems weird given, well, our MC's situation really. I mean, that'd be one HELL of a long-distance relationship, in a world without any real way of communication.

"I don't have one either", you reassure them with a smile. You're not in a competition in the first place, but since you're surrounded by single girls you weren't sure if they were going to be admiring or jealous if you claimed to have a partner. Besides, you might have had to explain your... Situation to them if things got more detailed; so far only Tahenohan knows, but you don't know how the others would react, Luna probably wouldn't care much (or so you hope) but Bryld seems to be the easily shocked kind of person.

You also briefly consider how much harder would it be for you to find a partner with Tahenohan around. Then again, while you do know the answer to most questions you asked the other girls, you had the chance to learn something new about your half-elf friend too. Especially how she likes crispy reptiles, such as snakes and especially iguanas, and apparently scarabs are salty and somewhat tasty once you learn how to appreciate them.

Bryld's face turned a bit pale when Tahenohan talked about eating bugs, but you do understand her feeling.

"Oh well the present's not important, there's the future for that", your half-elf friend ressures with a smile, "Besides reminiscing about the past is fun, too! So how many did you bed? How many at once?".

She's confidently asking such questions and expecting everyone to answer normally. Luna and Bryld look at each other and then Bryld becomes all red and smiles but doesn't answer. Luna shrugs and says her first time was with her childhood friend that lived next door, right before she left for the military levy, but when she got back he was with some other girl already, and stops her tale as abruptly as it started.

You're beginning to understand why she sounds that grumpy all the time. Still, she didn't set the mood right, and now everyone's looking at you...

>"I had a boyfriend once".
>"I had a girlfriend once".
>"I had a few partners".
>"I don't really have experience".
>Other?

>>35798692
>"I had a few partners".
>"But only one at a time!"

>>35798692
>>"I had a few partners".
>>"But only one at a time!"

>You also briefly consider how much harder would it be for you to find a partner with Tahenohan around.
Implying that she's not going to become our partner eventually.

>>35798692
>"I had a girlfriend once".

>>35798737
Our MC is just a bit dense, it's okay. She's usually the level-headed one so it can be forgiven.

>>35798692
>"I had a few partners".
>Other?
"Never managed to get anywhere though, (nervous laugh) things always turned a bit awkward."

>>35798737
And I guess make it clear the partners were of different genders.

>>35798692
>>"I had a girlfriend once".
It was one of those totally adorable childhood crushes.

>>35798692
>"I don't really have experience".

File: Polkahontus look.jpg (29 KB, 330x327)

29 KB JPG

>>35798692
> "Besides reminiscing about the past is fun, too! So how many did you bed? How many at once?".
What is this, Exalted?

>>35798692
>"I had a few partners".
>"I had a boyfriend once".

Iw anted a boyfriend, but a few partners is fine, since I'd be the only one voting for it.

>>35798692
>Other
>"I had a few partners".
"On one occasion I had a girl and boy try to court me, but....It got awkward quickly."

>>35798692
>"I had a few partners".

I'd like someone who's not a newbie for once.

And Lillith is good with people and damn beautiful, so it makes sense.

>>35798837
The demon-blooded thing might make things awkward, but I agree. Also, she's way too blase about the mermaid blowjobs and Tahe's stories of sexual escapades to be "pure".

>>35798837
Personally I'd prefer that we weren't too sexually experienced.

>>35798868
>Tahe's stories of sexual escapades to be "pure".
When was that again?

>>35798692
>"I had a few partners".
Can you say religious orgies?

>>35798871
Personally I'd prefer 2-3 relationships or so, both genders. And I think it makes sense to have some experience since while very careful from necessity, Lillith hasn't been all that embarrassed or scared of revealing her 'secret' to Tahe which she probably would be if she was still inexperienced.

>>35798890
Well, a reference to just now, but thinking back she hasn't actually said how much experience she has, or if she's ever done it.

It wouldn't really surprise me, however.

>>35798927
That sounds about right. I'd prefer that sort of backstory over something like >>35798908

>>35798908
No.

>>35798927

She is very chill with sexuality, yes. Could be Ishtar's influence, but that's all the better.

>>35798908
Nope.

>>35798953
>>35798970

The only reason for >>35798908 to not be good, is that Lillith has never met other followers of Ishtar.

But once we find them...

>>35798998
Still a resounding no from this direction I'm afraid.

>>35798998
No, stop. There's no good reason for it, and neither does Lillith seem to be the type to enjoy that sort of practice either.

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>>35799020
>>35799012
You don't know how much I love you guys.
You too OP, I love you the most.

"I've had a few experiences", you decide to break the ice, especially to get away with the gloom lingering over after Luna's very short and very blunt story about how she decided to trust a guy who pretty much immediately cheated on her. That's a bit sad, you hope she'll get better and not just give up on finding new partners.

"Really?", Tahenohan looks very glad to have something to bite on, "How many at once?".

"At once?", you blink, "... One at a time?".

"Oh", she doesn't really look disappointed, but you feel as if though she wanted to hear an odd number or two, "Top I've heard is four at once, but that's just one person and I think she might not have been too honest. I mean my highest was two and it only happened once, most people never really go above that. That's why it's always odd when I hear people claim they've been bedding four or five people at once".

You wonder what kind of company she tagged along with to casually talk about having orgies. Then you remember she's a barbarian from the West.

"I... Uhm... I still have to meet the right person", Bryld admits, a little embarrassed at being the only inexperienced one, her bunny ears drooping slightly as even Luna had more experience than her, even if it was only once and she probably didn't even really like it considering how it turned out for her.

"Better to wait for ze right one than getting ze wrong one", Luna reassures her with a shrug. You have to agree there's situations where saying no to sex really is the best option, though you fortunately never encountered them.

>Might as well go through: ask what their ideal partner would be
>Ask if they prefer partners of a particular gender
>Ask if they're seeing anyone interesting in this group
>Ask if they're seeing anyone interesting in this group, add winks and nudges
>Talk about something else (what)
>Shouldn't we be arriving soon?
>Other?

>>35799053
>>Might as well go through: ask what their ideal partner would be
>>Ask if they prefer partners of a particular gender
And if it's natural, then
>Ask if they're seeing anyone interesting in this group

>>35799053
>Ask if they prefer partners of a particular gender
Sure!
>Shouldn't we be arriving soon?

>>35799053>>Might as well go through: ask what their ideal partner would be
>>Ask if they prefer partners of a particular gender
>>Ask if they're seeing anyone interesting in this group, add winks and nudges
I love Tahe. She's just so damn goofy.

>>35799077
>>35799053
Second.

>>35799053
>Ask if they're seeing anyone interesting in this group, add winks and nudges

Time to charm that bunnybutt.

>>35799053
Bryld is cute, I wanna touch her bunny butt with Tahenohan

>>35799159
I... wouldn't mind. Though we shouldn't rush, we still have several weeks travelling with her.

>>35799198
Of course, but there should be time to sew seeds.

>>35799208
Woah hey now, no sewing seeds until after the third date!

... Oh, wait, not what you meant.

>>35799230
Hue. I set myself up for that one.

"Whom do you like, ideally?", you ask, genuine curiosity spreading to your companions, "Any preferences? Do you like boys or girls better?".

"I still like boys", Luna sighs through her teeth, "But it will be some time before I trust another one of zem". Bryld then looks at her, and when Luna notices she looks away and clears her throat, "Er... Me? Oh, eh, eheh. I... Uh...", she looks around a bit, then notices she cannot escape the situation and continues, "I... I don't know, I guess I'd like a special someone that can stay close to me. Someone that can take you into his arms when you need some comfort or warmth, someone you could snuggle when you wanted to, someone who will listen to you, someone that wants to share his life with you...".

"Oh, I know", Tahenohan's sincerity is so surprising even Bryld stops all of a sudden, "That's what I'd like too".

"Seriously?", Bryld really wasn't expecting that, but Tahenohan nods and continues, "I like good people. They're rare, but they're the only ones that can make you really happy".

That sounded awfully deep and yet normal-sounding for Tahenohan, you start to question how well you really know her.

"Hey, who knows, there might be a love interest closer than you think", you then intervene to lighten the mood in an attempt to both crack a bit of a joke and gauge their interest. Luna expresses a harsh "pfft" that is the closest thing to a chuckle you've heard her doing until now, while Bryld makes an embarrassed smile, "Oh, no, I don't think so...", she goes.

Tahenohan instead just stares at you, with a smile. There's something odd with her expression, it's almost as if thought she knows what you're thinking.
The rest of the day passes peacefully and as soon as dusk starts setting in you arrive in sight of the caravansary. It's a collection of large tents and a wooden structure whose second story is still missing, but it's coming up amazingly fast all considered.

And there's plenty of people there.

>Continue

>>35799053
>>Might as well go through: ask what their ideal partner would be
>>Ask if they prefer partners of a particular gender

>>35799319
>Tahenohan instead just stares at you, with a smile. There's something odd with her expression, it's almost as if thought she knows what you're thinking.
DAMN IT.
YOU....WEIRD BARBARIAN.

>>35799319
Geez OP you're on fire today.

>>35799319
>Tahenohan instead just stares at you, with a smile. There's something odd with her expression, it's almost as if thought she knows what you're thinking.
This makes me smile. And Luna is het and Bryld het leaning.

>>35799355
OP is always fast, it's great.

>>35799319
>Tahenohan instead just stares at you, with a smile. There's something odd with her expression, it's almost as if thought she knows what you're thinking.

Tahe, why are you wriggling your eyebrows?

There are eight tents on the left side of the road, three on the right and then a large inn, wide enough to allow whole caravans to park themselves beneath it, with a second story that is still being built, arching over the large road and with enough space to allow for at least a few dozen people sleeping in there, not counting those that might prefer to stay in their own caravans, or just pop open a tent outside.

You think the tents were the temporary structures before the permanent, wooden one was even started. From what you remember of your schooling, caravansaries were originally used in Morroc to connect the extensive silk road and the various travel routes that went from Payon to Voronia or the Kingdoms of the Lich-Sorcerers, and were mostly a collection of large tents with plenty of stock to resupply caravans, who usually featured just animals, such as camels or pecopecos.

The way they were adapted in the kingdom of Rune made them closer to ordinary inns, but their basic function remained unchanged, and you're nearly certain you can take advantage of their offers just as well.

"Looks like we can ask to stay inside or just camp outside", Bryld comments as she looks around, with Luna giving a nod of agreement. You don't think the building is still in a position to charge for renting rooms, assuming they have some in the first place. You might still have to pay for everything else, but you still have a silver piece, which should be more than enough even assuming you had to pay for everyone.

>Go and inquire about staying inside
>Go and inquire about camping outside
>Other?

>>35799491
>Go and inquire about staying inside
>Go and inquire about camping outside
Lets see the pros and cons of both.

>>35799491
>THink. If youw ere a daemonologist with a crossdressing demon, where would you rather be in?
>failing that, look around for the pair and stay close to their place
>failing that, stay outside.

>>35799491
>>Go and inquire about camping outside
>>See if anyone's seen "Astrid".

>>35799491
>Go and inquire about staying inside

>>35799491
>Go and inquire about camping outside

You decide to inquire on both solutions before deciding, and since there's something resembling a structure already, you go inside to ask.

The common room and tavern were the first things to be completed along with the kitchen, because you see plenty of people inside, sitting on cushions with food being served in bowls as they most likely didn't want to bother moving enough tables, or they're still waiting for them. While the place is full, it's not full to the point you can't move around, just enough that you'll have to brush close to someone when getting from point A to point B.

There's no counter either, just somewhere in the corner where there's no food being served and that is close to the kitchen. A tall, young-looking man dressed in red with a blue turban is sitting on a pile of cushions there, laughing at a joke one of the waiter cracks at him before going back in the kitchen, though you couldn't quite hear what it was. Which is a pity because it sounded funny.

As a violinist on the other corner of the room keeps playing near the fireplace to cheer the overall mood, you approach the man who offers you a wide smile and a wave of greeting, "Hello there! You just arrived, didn't you? Sit here, make yourselves at home", and he motions for the cushions nearby.

"We wanted to ask about staying here for the night", you inform him, and he nods with a knowing smile.

"I've got some rooms if you want, but they're very spartan: still no beds I'm afraid, you'll have to bring your own bedrolls. Oh but it's free of charge for the time being", he smiles as if though giving away free service is what merchants do, "And the food is cheap. Not much choice, but it's warm grub for your belly. As a traveller, you sure know how much that is worth, eh?", and he winks.

"So it's our choice to stay inside or outside?".

"Yep, feel free. Ask if you need anything".

>Ask if he's seen an "Astrid"
>Ask about nearby villages
>Just get some food
>Other?

>>35799783
>>Ask if he's seen an "Astrid"
>>Ask about nearby villages
>>Just get some food
Everything!

>>35799783
>Ask if he's seen an "Astrid"
I gotta head off, so thanks for the thread!

>>35799783
>Ask if he's seen an "Astrid"

>>35799783
>Ask if he's seen an "Astrid"
>Ask about nearby villages

>>35799783
>Ask if he's seen an "Astrid"

"I was curious... Have you seen a certain... Astrid?", you're not sure if that's the right name, which makes you question whether there's a point in asking for potentially the wrong person.

"Astrid, Astrid... Got a description to go with that name?", he asks.

"Uhm... Gray hair, large horns, travels with a crossdresser", you explain. Should be unique enough to not get the wrong person on accident.

He laughs, "No, no can't say I have... A wizard like that would be quite unique".

"How do-".

"How do I know? Well, it's either that or a cambion, but if she's travelling with someone odd, it's probably a wizard", he explains, "Really, when you start meeting lots of people, you begin to have an idea of who they are and where they come from just by looking at them, there's so much information openly advertised, and most people don't even realize it".

"Really?", he seems to know his stuff.

"Yes", he nods, "Hair colour alone can be extremely telling; it's not enough and might be misleading, but it's a good place to start from if you want to get better. For example, your hair...".

>"Is black, I heard almost everyone from Payon has black hair".
>"Is blond, you're from around Prontera aren't you?".
>"Is red, that's typical of Al De Baran, isn't it?".
>"Is brown. Heh, could be from anywhere".
>"Is green, are you from Geffen?".
>"Is blue, that's either Alberta or Ayotaya, right?".
>"Is purple, that was more widespread centuries ago. You're from the West, right?".
>"Is gray, that's almost certainly from Morroc".
>"Is pink. There's plenty of girls in Amatsu with pink hair".
>"Is light blue, are you from Izulde?".

>>35800031
>>"Is black, I heard almost everyone from Payon has black hair".
If I recall correctly, we have red skin. Black hair goes best with that.

>>35800031
>"Is black, I heard almost everyone from Payon has black hair".
Our skin's red, I don't see it mixing with anything but black very well.

>>35800031
>"Is purple, that was more widespread centuries ago. You're from the West, right?".

AH shit, why can't we have a psychodelic hair? Lillith is a cambion!

>>35800031
>"Is brown. Heh, could be from anywhere".
I like brown.

>>35800031
>"Is pink. There's plenty of girls in Amatsu with pink hair".

>>35800031
>"Is black, I heard almost everyone from Payon has black hair".

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>>35800081
Psychodelic hair?

>>35800031
Black.
Or white.
Or black on the outside with white on the inside.

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>>35800031
>>"Is purple, that was more widespread centuries ago. You're from the West, right?".
>>35800052
>>35800056
Purple works too.

>>35800143
>>35800131
Eeeh, too special snowflake for me.

>>35800031
>"Is black, I heard almost everyone from Payon has black hair".

>>35800131
>great at dealing with people
>smoking hot body
>follower of an unkown deity/thing

Lillith should have entered the tailoring market.

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>>35800143
>Or black on the outside with white on the inside.
Is that right?

>>35800259
Yup.

>>35800259
That looks kinda cool actually.

>>35800259
Again, looks speshul snowflake like fuck. But it does have it's charm.

"I do have black hair", you admit, touching it, "But I'm not from Payon".

"See?", he chuckles, "Easy to make the wrong guess with just that. But that shouldn't stop you from guessing. Always make guesses. Always try to see the future before it unfolds, always be one step ahead, if you give up it's over. Let me try again...", he claps his hands with a smile, "You're not merchants but actually explorers".

"Okay ho-".

"You're not carrying goods for sale, you don't have the looks or clothes of a merchant and neither of you has an escort or is carrying weapons, other than your friend with a rifle, who looks more like an exotic soldier than a merchant", he smiles confidently, "Am I correct?".

"Since you seem to know everything, can you help me with the lay of the land?", might as well take advantage of this friendly fellow, "How far is the next village, and how is it called?".

"It still doesn't have a name to this day, most collections of houses don't for a while. It will get one though", he nods sagely, "If you leave tomorrow, you're going to reach it before nightfall. They're hospitable fellows".

"Thanks. So either inside or outside is fine?".

"Yes. And don't worry, it's free of charge for you", he smiles.

"Is it?".

"Yep", he nods, "See, I want this to become a trading post one day, and since you don't bring or move goods, taxing you isn't worth it. You have to go out there and make the Shadow Marches a better place, so more people will come over".

"I see", you nod, "That's why you built the caravansary right outside Reboldeux, so you could be the first and only access point and open a toll gate, is that how you plan to make the most money?".

He smiles, but doesn't say anything, "Feel free to tell the waiters you need food, this humble abode is your house for the night".

>Choose to stay inside
>Choose to camp outside
>Other?

>>35800259

Uh, way ebtter than purple. Let me change my vote.

>>35800081

>>35800359
>Choose to stay inside
May as well.

>>35800359

Too late for special snowflake hair, boo.

>stay outside

I want to stay outside for the random encounter possibilities.

>>35800359
>>Choose to stay inside

>>35800359
>>Choose to camp outside.
So that we can practice setting up and breaking down camp.

>>35800359
>Choose to stay inside

You decide to stay inside. Might as well avoid having to set up a tent and everything as it's going to be troublesome and frankly you're a bit tired after a whole day of walking. Not that you aren't used to it, but it never gets not tiring. Especially considering you'll be doing it in the following weeks and this might be one of the last times you'll be sleeping indoors.

You get some food and start eating it with your friends. It's just a rather simple poultry stew with vegetables, but it's warm and filling, which is all you need right now. It's also not as cramped as to make it difficult or uncomfortable to eat, and honestly the cushions are more comfortable than you first thought.

The chatter all around you is pleasing and not loud enough to be confusing or preventing some chatter of your own within your group of four single girls, and maybe due to your previous interactions with the innkeeper, you start paying more attention to your surroundings, as if trying to guess the origins of random people.

And that's when you notice something odd: a tall girl leaning on the wall, lazily looking around as if waiting for someone or something. She has blond hair loosely tied in a low ponytail, an open and very revealing red jacket lined with puffy white fur and wearing black shorts with fishnet stockings down to a pair of sturdy-looking black leather boots. She is also carrying a sword on her side with an elaborate-looking blue hilt and a blue and emerald green scabbard.

The sight makes you pause because seriously, how did you miss someone like that on your way in?

>Ignore the weird girl, spend the rest of the evening with your girls
>Watch the weird girl, but don't make moves
>Excuse yourself and go talk to the weird girl
>Go outside to camp after all
>Other?

>>35800692
>>Watch the weird girl, but don't make moves
What a strange person.

>>35800692
>Watch the weird girl, but don't make moves
Point her out to Tahenohan

>>35800692
>Watch the weird girl, but don't make moves
Weird

>>35800727
>>35800692
This

>sword

I bet she changed at job 40 as well.

>>35800692
>Excuse yourself and go talk to the weird girl

>>35800804
Her sword clashes with her outfit. Seriously. She must have picked it up somewhere.

>>35800692
>>Excuse yourself and go talk to the weird girl

>>35800837
>She must have picked it up somewhere.

Like a good rogue.

Alright, maybe not at 40. Let's give her a chance.

You decide that someone that strikes out so much needs to be watched carefully.

At first it's just curiosity but then you realize a couple things: for one the owner had an easy time picking you out as someone that isn't a merchant as you really don't look the part, almost everyone is into either selling, buying or moving goods, mostly food at this point since the economy is still developing.

The other thing is that she's the only one carrying a weapon. Sure, practically everyone has a knife because it's just too damn useful in daily life, but that's a tool that can also be used to hurt, it wasn't designed to kill. You can't hunt or cut salami with a sword: its only purpose is to kill people.

Trying to not alarm the other girls or distract them from their conversation (they're talking about which vegetables fit better which kind of soups), you nudge Tahenohan a little and nod in the odd girl's direction. "Have you seen her?", you mutter, "What do you think?".

She pauses for a long moment, staring at the girl to the point you think she might start to become suspect, then she goes "Nice sword".

You doubt she's going to be very helpful, so you just keep watching her in case she might try doing something funny, trying your best to not lose sight of her. She just keeps leaning on the wall, looking around, until at some point she just sighs with a tired look, a random stranger passes in front of her, and as soon as he takes the second step she's gone.

Just gone. Vanished into thin air.

Nobody can hide that fast, let alone leave.

>Stop thinking about her, just finish eating and then go to bed
>Keep your guard up and be very careful in everything you do
>Excuse yourself and go look for her, she can't have just vanished
>Other?

>>35800973
>>Excuse yourself and go look for her, she can't have just vanished

>>35800973
>>Excuse yourself and go look for her, she can't have just vanished
Okay, now we're curious. Bring our Tahe with us.

>>35800973
>Keep your guard up and be very careful in everything you do

>>35800973
>Excuse yourself and go look for her, she can't have just vanished

>>35800973
>Excuse yourself and go look for her, she can't have just vanished

This is a an old cliche of how to meet sneaky people.

let's gooooo

You put the bowl down and excuse yourself. You can't just let this thing go. You're pretty sure she's not the wizard you were told about but you're also pretty sure that you won't be able to sleep soundly tonight if you don't get to the bottom of this. They told you the road was safe and you're going to believe them, that's why you must go and find that girl.

Not sure on where to look, you wander about the room aimlessly for a bit, trying to see if she's hiding in the crowd, but someone dressed like that can't just avoid detection like that, it would be like wearing nothing but black to hide in a snow-covered plain, it just doesn't work.

You don't think she went in the kitchen either, which means she must be either in the rooms or outside.

But which?

>Go outside
>Go check the rooms
>Other?

Also

>Go alone
>Take Tahenohan

>>35801125
>go outside

Cause rogues.
>Goa lone

because that's how the cliche work. Taking Tahenohan will also send the woman a message of hostility, instead of curiosity.

>>35801125
>Go outside
>Go alone

>>35801125
>>Go outside
>>Take Tahenohan
Tahe is my security blanket.

>>35801125
>Go outside
>Go alone

>implying Tahe won't end up following us anyway

>>35801125
>Go outside
>Take Tahenohan

>>35801125
>Go check the rooms
>Take Tahenohan

Gonna need a tie breaker on whether you want to take Tahenohan or not

>>35801357
Do not.

>>35801357
>go alone

Here

You don't think involving Tahenohan is going to be good. Besides, you don't want to alarm the other two girls, especially not Bryld who seems to be easy to scare. Let's be honest, it's probably going to end up in nothing, you've fortunately avoided being in the wrong place at the wrong time in your life, but the kind of not safe situations you should be avoiding never looked anything like this. Especially not with all the people around you.

You go outside and find yourself taking advantage of a fresh breeze to cool yourself down a little. It's pleasant because it's pretty hot and you still have to get used to the weather, and it helps you calm down and stop overthinking for a moment.

Lanterns hung on the inn walls on both sides of the road ensure that you can see where you're going, and there's lights both inside and just outside the various tents placed on either side, not to mention there's some light coming from two of the six caravans currently parked beneath the incomplete ceiling that will one day become a second story full of rooms and comforts.

"Need something?".

You have to make a conscious effort to not jolt, and since the call was so sudden and so damn close to your back, you can't help but jump a little as you turn around, your tail all tense.

It's the same woman you've been watching until she vanished, and you're one hundred percent sure she was nowhere near you before you looked up for but one moment. She's tall enough to stare at you right in the eye, and you can stare at her right in her brown eyes as well. Her hands are resting on her hips, not close to the hilt of her sword.

"Do you need something?", she asks again. You can't tell what she's thinking or read into her tone, which is rare for you.

>Greet her normally
>Ask what she was doing inside
>Ask who she's looking for
>Excuse yourself and go back inside
>Flee back inside
>Other?

>>35801410
>Other
Can you teleport and/or go invisible?

>>35801410
>greet her normally

>>35801410
>>Greet her normally
>>Ask who she's looking for
3spooky

>>35801410
>Greet her normally

>>35801410
>>Greet her normally
>>Ask who she's looking for

"Hello", you try. You realize it sounds a bit weak but you're finding yourself in trouble when trying to deal with this mysterious woman. Between the way she just pops in and out of your senses at will and how you can't read her she's starting to make you quite nervous, it's not even the fact she's carrying a sword any more.

"Hello", she answers. You still can't read her tone.

"I'm Lillith. I'm sorry, it looked like you were looking for someone".

"I do, but I'm not going to find it", is all she says, looking behind you for a moment and then behind herself, "Clearly not here, and not going to come at this point".

She doesn't seem to have hostile intentions, at least, "I'm sorry, it must be tough to be left on your own".

"Oh don't worry I'm used to it", she just shrugs, "I've been alone in much more dangerous places. As a matter of fact, that's how I spend most of my time", she looks you over, as if gauging you, "You look like you should stick to a group though, so please don't imitate me".

"I wasn't planning to do that", whatever it is she does, you're not sure you want in, "May I know who is it you're looking for? Maybe I can help".

"You can't, I'm sorry", although she's still being not hostile, you feel that her tone meant her decision is final, "I'm not looking for a person".

You blink, you weren't expecting that.

"Yeah, I know, silly of me to get my hopes up. I doubt that thing would have stumbled here on accident or be brought by someone. I guess I'll really have to scour these lands left and right", she sighs, looking a bit dejected, "Why do I always take the worst jobs?".

>Ask her name
>Ask what she's looking for
>Ask if you can help
>Ask for exploration advice
>Bid farewell and go back inside
>Other?

>>35801725
>Ask her name

>>35801725
>Ask her name
>Ask what she's looking for

>>35801725
>>Ask her name
>>Ask what she's looking for

>>35801725
>Ask her name

>>35801725
ask what she's looking for
>if her job is not doing well, invite her to jojn the exploration effort

>>35801831
Hm... not sure if I want to invite her right now. Four people is a good party for now, since we're likely not going to see bandits or hostile monsters. Maybe if/when Luna leaves, sure.

That said, I don't mind retaining her as a contact.

"May I know your name?", you ask.

"Pyorindel", she answers, "I'm not sure we'll meet again though".

"Maybe we will, can I help you in your search?", you decide to try, you went through all the trouble of going out to follow her, might as well go ahead, "What is it you're looking for?".

"Keshanberk", she explains, "It's a sword. A bit shorter but wider than the one I'm carrying, with red rubies. It's quite precious".

"How do you know it's here?", you frown. She doesn't look like a magic user, but then again she did just vanish a moment ago.

"I can't tell you. You don't stay in my line of work for long if you tell everyone your secrets".

She's confident and all in all rather friendly, but every time you try to nudge her somewhere you realize she's still rather guarded. Not just that, she's doing this rather naturally, as if thought it's but a routine for her.

"Well, that's a pity. Would you mind becoming an explorer if you feel that dissatisfied with your current work?".

"An explorer, eh?", she looks you over again, tilting a bit to each side as she does, "I'm sorry, I'm usually paid to do this kind of work and you don't look like you can afford becoming interesting for me".

"Oh". She has a point, you're really poor.

"Besides, I'm used to be in dangerous situations alone, I'm not sure what I would do if I had other people with me. I'm not the kind of person that is good at protecting others, and I have to admit I'm a bit too greedy to explore a place for any other reason than going treasure hunting".

At least she's being honest.

>Ask for advice
>Ask what her line of work is
>Ask about her sword
>Ask what you should do if you want to meet her again
>Bid farewell and go back inside
>Other?

>>35802002
>Ask what you should do if you want to meet her again
>Other?
"I can't promise anything, but I'll make sure to keep an eye out for your sword."

>>35802002
>Bid farewell and go back inside

>>35802002
[x] >>35802032

>>35802002
>>Ask what you should do if you want to meet her again
>>Other?
>"I can't promise anything, but I'll make sure to keep an eye out for your sword."
This looks good.

"In case I find your sword and I want to give it to you, how would I go about meeting you again?", you ask.

"You wouldn't", she shrugs, "I would find you myself".

Well that's creepy. "Okay, and if I just wanted to see you again?".

She stares at you for a few moments. The light but pleasant breeze makes her odd red jacket flutter lightly and the puffy white hair on its borders brushes a little, giving her form a bit of movement. Her hair doesn't move much, being mostly tied in that low and loose ponytail with a purple ribbon.

She shifts her weight a little from one leg to another, then makes a very light frown, "Is that a proposal?", she asks with a straight face.

>Yes (truth)
>Yes (lie)
>No (truth)
>No (lie)
>Other?

>>35802163
>No (lie)

>>35802163
>Other
"A proposal to meet again. Yes."

>>35802163
>>Other
>"A proposal to meet again. Yes."
>Blush a bit.
I wouldn't mind keeping the option open, but no, that wasn't our intent. Plus we'd need to clear it with Tahe.

>>35802163
[x] >>35802223
Though honestly Tahe seems like the sharing type. We'll have to train that out of her.

>>35802199
I didn't get the wording quite right there. Not sure how to MAKE it right either though....

>>35802243
What I meant was that she'd probably want in. And why would we want to train it out of her?

>>35802247
I think it's in character for Lillith to be off guard by that. Freudian slip, yanno.

>>35802163
>"Maybe...is it working?"

"It's just a proposal to meet again", you explain, trying to not have her get the wrong idea. Or maybe you actually like mysterious strangers? The sort of cool, distant, apparently uncaring girls with a dark side they try to hide but that comes out every so often to haunt what is clearly going to be a turbulent relationship?

And of course she has to keep staring at you, as if though she's trying to wait until the moment you either change your mind or start blushing or do something to betray your true feelings, whichever they might be.

"Okay then", she nods, as if choosing to concede something to you, "We'll see again".

"Oh", you weren't really expecting to hear that, "When? How do I call you?".

"You don't", she simply says, "I'll show myself".

Oh. Well that's still somewhat creepy.

"Uhm... Is there any other way we could do it? I think-".

"I'm sorry, this is the most efficient", she interrupts you with a tone that almost maybe sounds like an apology. Possibly. "I could give you all sorts of appointments and calls and I would most likely not be there and not answer to anything I tell you to do. Having me find you is the only choice we have. Also the safest, I'm very good at finding people".

It's getting creepier by the moment, or maybe more exciting? She doesn't look dangerous, but then again you just met her, and seeing what type of person she is you're not even sure Pyorindel is her real name.

"Look it's been fun chatting with you", she then goes, "But it's getting late and I want to sleep, I'll have to learn early tomorrow morning".

"I see", is all that you can say, "Well then... Until next time?".

"Sure thing. Bye", the woman waves and turns, and you stare at the back of her red, fluttering jacket with fluffy white fur on the borders as she leisurely walks back inside, not even trying to hide from anyone.

Why did she just disappear when she was inside, then?

>>35802407
Clearly she just wanted to be cool.

Thank you for sticking until the end of Episode 8.

We finally started the actual adventure! Although we still have to do any actual exploration and quest-related work.

But that will come, don't worry.

As I said I won't be around for the rest of this week and will be unable to run next monday, so we'll look at next friday at the earliest for Episode 9.

I'm archiving this thread and then stick around for ten minutes or so.

>>35802431
She's totally chunii. For some reason I find it endearing.

>>35802407
>It's getting creepier by the moment, or maybe more exciting?
Lillith is turned on by weirdos. First Tahe now Pyo.

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>>35802449
Thank you very much Magical Princess!

>>35802449
Thank you for running. But why do you have to take so long: I need my Tahe snuggle fix!

>>35802493
It's taking terribly long to do everything because of the 2000 character limit. I'm cutting a lot of talk and descriptions because of it, and at the same time I'm glad I'm doing it. If I were to be left on my own terms, I would start writing obscenely long posts full of information nobody needs or wants and no one would read it.

Kind of like writing a book nobody likes.

>>35802449
thanks for the thread

>>35802533
>I would start writing obscenely long posts full of information nobody needs or wants and no one would read it.
You're wrong there!
When we get to snuggling sessions that sort of detail I'd love to have!

>>35802533
On the one hand, I'd totally read it. On the other hand, I like your fast pace and ability to self edit. And on the other hand, why not just split it between multiple posts?

Also, despite her very obvious chuuni I actually like Pyo. She's rather frank and not obnoxious about it.

>>35802575
>>35802558
I think in situations we're really involved in, such as cuddling Tahe, or Ishtar, that MP should go full blast.

>>35802575
I prefer to avoid multiple posts unless I really can't help it. They make the thread slower and less interactive. I prefer there to be a bit of back and forth even when the prompts aren't exceptionally meaningful.

I try my best to write quickly and still avoid making too many spelling or grammar mistakes or simply use poor forms, but unless they're scenes I have sort of prepared in advance, multiple consecutive posts are going to be reserved for very important scenes only, where I absolutely cannot cut on detail.

That, and it also helps train me to be more concise. I'm better than I was time ago, but I swear my sentences were neverending and my paragraphs would take obscenely long to get anywhere, to say nothing of the average amount of adjectives per noun.

>>35802575
Actually, I will say that the sex discussions were actually pretty interesting and insightful, without being creepy. We get to see a bit more into each character: Luna is bitter, but has pretty good reasons for it and isn't willing to let it control her life or hurt others, Bryld is a bit naive and unknowing and doesn't like to admit it, but has a pure heart, and Tahe is... well, Tahe, all open and brazen, but with an honest heart.

You really do manage to use your words to make great characters.

>>35802654
>That, and it also helps train me to be more concise. I'm better than I was time ago, but I swear my sentences were neverending and my paragraphs would take obscenely long to get anywhere, to say nothing of the average amount of adjectives per noun.
True: one thing writers have to learn is how to kill their darlings.

>>35802654
Oh, and also I like how you do things, where the posts and short and quick and involve multiple tiers: not as much happens in each thread, on the larger scale, but on the small scale with character interaction and building and such you get so much accomplished. It does make me wonder how long it'll take, thread count wise, to return back to the city.

>>35802727
Thread count wise? Well it took us eight whole threads to get a job and leave town, so I don't know. I honestly have no idea and I'm kind of scared.

And I thought my tabletop games were slow as molasses.

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>>35802727
>>35802765

>>35802765
Honestly, we did a lot more than a job.
We gained two jobs, shopped, interacted with main characters, gained a side quest, talked with side characters, confronted the neutral-bad-guys, and then met someone new at the very end as well.

It's not, I would say going slowly, it's just that we're doing a lot in small spaces of time.

>>35802857
Right, like I said on a large scale nothing happens, but on the small scale a LOT of stuff happens. It's different than some quests (like MGNQ, where some conversations take at least an entire thread to go through).

>>35802934
Not to mention some of the threads have been shortened, due to unforeseen problems as well.

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Well then, I'm going to bed before I collapse.

Thanks for your continued support.

>>35802765

Hey, the character interaction is the strongest point in this quest, imo. It's very nice.

Also, do an experiment. One thread, try to let it happen and write pages, even if for just one update.

>>35803019
No, than YOU for being our QM.

I'm kind of envisaging a semi-open relationship with Tahe at this point. Not, like, fully open, but we share other partners.

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>>35803027
It will be the hardcore snuggling thread, where Bryld gets blushy and bothered by the noises Lillith and Tahe make and Luna get annoyed because they're keeping her up with their snuggling. Then Pyo comes in and is like "hey I think Lillith called for m- oh. Uh. I think I'm going to be-" and then Tahe drags her into the tent so that the two of them can snuggle[/s] Pyo.

>>35803083
I think that Tahe separates sex from romantic and emotional intimacy.

>>35803138
Just because she does, doesn't mean she may not want to engage in it with us.

>>35803265
That's certainly true, I just wanted to say it because I forgot to mention it earlier.