There is still a few more hours of daylight left, but not very many. It is highly unlikely for you to be able to do more than make a start in the mountain of bureaucracy that looms in your immediate future, for the sake of officially transporting a piece of evidence in an ongoing murder investigation. Never mind that this investigation currently consists of one rookie constable and one even more rookie knight-apprentice, viz yourself.

You do also need to return that yellow dress to Marianne, but it is currently winding its way through the labyrinthine laundry system of the palace. Besides, returning the dress while Marianne is still on duty would be a little awkward, and you're not sure you can make it back to her tiny apartment without a guide.

It will take over half an hour or so to head to the Southgate Watch House from the palace. You could always cut that time by at least half if you take the rooftop route, but that is probably not socially acceptable, not least because people tend to get excited over strange footprints on their roofs. Best to use the streets like a normal person.

You also vaguely recall that knights and their apprentices of Alvar must be properly-attired when on duty out in the city, which includes their officially assigned weapon. This is likely for symbolism's sake, since you cannot think of a situation in practice where you would prefer using your sword over your daggers, or the simpler and more attractive option of running away.

> Go see Roderick for your sword
> No time, and nobody really cares anyway

>>37175408
>> Go see Roderick for your sword

>>37175446
seconded

>>37175466
Phone guy, you know you could always reply to damp and type in something that makes your vote obvious.

In this case I'd go with "Get the sword" or some such. This way you don't need to second things all the time.

>>37175408
>> Go see Roderick for your sword
Ah, hope I'm not late!

>>37175408
> Go see Roderick for your sword

>>37175408
>> Go see Roderick for your sword

>>37175408
> Go see Roderick for your sword

File: 1361059867608.gif (753 KB, 500x281)

753 KB GIF

>>37175405
>Maybe this is what the responsibilities of friendship is like

>>37175408
>Go see Roderick for your sword

Hey damp, glad I caught the thread.
Re-read the previous threads and I'm now 85% sure we are a construct.

>>37175838
That seems to be the prevailing theory.

Despite the delay it would cause, you decide to follow the rules and collect your sword from the armoury. If you let standards slip for the best of excuses, you'll soon start slipping for merely good excuses, and then you'll end up like William, albeit probably not to the point walking around shirtless.

This must be along the lines of what Clarissa thinks every day.

You head back once again to the training courtyard. Roderick is back in his armoury now. He is also looking apprehensively at the glowing conduit cube, estimating distances and escape routes should anything untoward occur.

"I don't mean to rush anyone or anything," he says, giving you a distracted glance, "but how long is that thing going to be in my yard?"

"It's the safest place for it to be," you say dubiously. "I think."

"Safe for everyone, or just for people who don't have to live out here?" Roderick shakes his head. "Never mind. It's not as though you can do anything about it, anyway. How can I help you, Nicole?"

"I'm going out to the Southgate Watch House," you say. "I'd like to collect my sword."

"Of course." Roderick ducks into the armoury, and returns a few moments later with practiced speed. "Here you go," he says, placing the sword on the counter, and thumping open the quartermaster's ledger. You sign for the sword, before taking it and clipping it onto your belt. It always feels a little awkward to have something long and heavy attached to your hip and banging against your legs, but it's just something you'll have to get used to, if you want to be a proper knight.

>[1/3]

"Thank you," you say, turning to leave.

"Be careful out there," Roderick says ominously.

You stop. "Er. Thanks for the warning. What is the warning for?"

"Oh, nothing serious," Roderick says. He points up at the gloomy skies. "Just the weather. Wouldn't want you to get caught in the rain."

Once is enough for you, but it's not as though you can do much about it. You remember slightly too late that you still have one standard-issue City Guard raincoat under your bed, again courtesy of Marianne. Returning to your room to retrieve it would definitely delay you too much, though. You'll just have to hope you can return before the downpour begins.

Out into the city of Alvar, where the streets are oddly sparse of traffic. What pedestrians are around hurry to their destinations, walking more briskly than usual, keeping their heads down, or chatting with each other a bit more loudly than usual. The heavy clouds above seem to have created an equally heavy mood down here.

Nobody seems to think this weather is especially unusual, though. From snatches of overheard conversations, you piece together an understanding that the primary worry of Alvar residents are historical weather patterns; heavy rains in autumn promise a particularly impressive snowstorm to herald the first snowfall of winter.

You make a mental note to be more worried for yourself; you don't have very many clothes suitable for winter.

>[2/3]

You reach the Southgate Watch House, dodging between city guards going off duty early. They give you a curious glance, but your uniform and sword are enough to assure them that you are considered Authorized Personnel, and thus not to be arrested on sight.

Inside, the Watch House is still in the process of emptying out. The unfortunate few who drew night duty are labouring mightily at their desks, fortified by piles of snacks of questionable nutritional value at their sides.

The primary eye-catching scene which greets you is Marianne, seated sheepishly on a stool near the front entrance, trying not to wince as another city guard applies ointment and bandages to several scratches and cuts on her hands and arms. None of them look deep enough to be of concern, but they probably sting quite a bit.

Marianne brightens up when she sees you, and the other constable with the healer's kit has to scowl at her to get her to settle back down. "Hi, Nicole!" Marianne greets you. "I'm just about to go off duty, right after, er." She chuckles, embarrassed. "Anyway, what brings you here?"

> "I may have a lead on the investigation."
> "What's the procedure for transporting evidence out of the Watch House?"
> "What happened to you?"

>>37175915
>> "I may have a lead on the investigation."
> "What happened to you?"

>>37175915
> "What happened to you?"
> "I may have a lead on the investigation."

>>37175915
> "What happened to you?"

> "I may have a lead on the investigation."

>>37175915
>"What happened to you?"

>>37175915
> "What's the procedure for transporting evidence out of the Watch House?"
> "What happened to you?"

Cat attack? I hear they are getting more vicious every day.

>>37175890
I can't remember any of the specific hints that I found that someone didn't already mention, though somehow I remember that Marianne gets attacked by cats she helps. Clearly more in tune to SoL.

Also there was something I found about Elise and the rain. Probably nothing important though.

>>37175998
The cat was pretty obvious, but what was there about the rain?

>>37175915
>> "What happened to you?"
> "What's the procedure for transporting evidence out of the Watch House?"

>>37175915
> "I may have a lead on the investigation."
> "What happened to you?"

>>37175998
It's Nicole that animals don't like.

>>37176020
Don't remember. Something about her reacting strangely to something involving the rain. Didn't have anything to do with the thing about spells weakening in the rain that we heard about a while ago.

>>37176038
Might be true, but when we were introduced there was a guard who made a joke about her getting mauled by cats she helps out of trees.

>>37175915
>"What happened to you?"
> "What's the procedure for transporting evidence out of the Watch House?"

Pleasantries, and then straight to business like.

>>37175915
Funnier if we don't ask about what happened and she makes hints the whole time trying to get us interested.

I think we can cross Anders off the suspect list regarding the mind control/shadow. He has little to nothing to gain by destabilizing the duke, unless he is some kind of incredibly patient sleeper agent willing to risk his position to mess with someones private life. I don't get why he is being creepy with the 'trust me but don't trust me' bit though, could just be his personality.
I don't think anyone will argue at this point that Elise isn't under some kind of mind magic though. Why are we still trusting her with any magic at all? I'd say we tell Anders, or Clarissa at least.

There is a story behind Marianne's cuts and scratches, and while it is probably not important, it might be entertaining. "What happened to you?"

"Cat," the bandaging constable grunts.

"Er, yeah." Marianne titters. "I had a bit of trouble with another cat in a tree. But no worries!" she declares abruptly, eliciting a growl of protest from the other constable. "That cat is now safe and sound, and her owner is ever so happy. And that's what's important!"

"You do know that the cat is just going to get up into the tree again, don't you?" the other constable points out.

"Then I'll get it down again," Marianne says firmly. "As many times as I need to. Every time! All the cats! And dogs, too," she adds conscientiously.

If this is what Marianne believes to be a good and proper use of her time on duty as a city guard, you probably shouldn't interfere. Job satisfaction is important, after all. "I may have a lead on the investigation," you say.

Marianne frowns, before her memory kicks in commendably quickly. "Oh, that." She looks down at her hands, which have been patched up as competently as could be expected. "Thanks, Ben. I owe you!"

"I'll just add it to your tab," Constable Ben says, a faint twitch of his lips belying his grumpy tone.

Marianne bounces to you, and twitches visibly as she just manages to refrain from grabbing your hand. "Uh, why don't you join me in the canteen? It should be quieter."

>[1/2]

>>37176150
Why are we trusting elves at all?

File: Quest-Marianne-yesyou.jpg (414 KB, 700x700)

414 KB JPG

And you'd rather not reveal everything out in the open like this. You're not sure how sensitive some of this information might be. "Actually, is there an empty office we could use?"

"Huh? Oh, sure!" Marianne points down a hallway. "Right this way! It's actually used for witness questioning, but there shouldn't be anyone in there now. There's tea, and biscuits."

You are not especially hungry, despite skipping lunch, but you probably should not skip dinner either. Maybe a snack will tide you over until then. "Thank you."

The room in question is surprisingly cheerful, considering the general professional gloom of the rest of the Watch House. You can see signs of expense and effort put into sprucing the place up, and making sure any interviewees are comfortable and relaxed. You wonder if this is for the innocent bystanders to a given incident, or for springing unpleasant surprises on unsuspecting criminals.

Marianne gestures at a seat for you, before plopping down on the chair at the other side of the table. You notice that your chair looks more comfortable, but constructed slightly lower to the ground. Marianne does not seem to notice any of this, evidently having gotten used to sitting in the official questioner's chair.

"So!" she says. "What have you found?"

> "Has anyone gone through the evidence collected from the murders looking for evidence of magic?"
> "The gold ring found in the pickpocket's belongings may be something more."
> "I need to requisition one piece of evidence for further inspection by the court wizard at the palace."
> "I think the gold ring in the evidence may have been a focus for elf magic, used to conjure up a shadow familiar."

>>37176183
>> "The gold ring found in the pickpocket's belongings may be something more."

>>37176183
> "The gold ring found in the pickpocket's belongings may be something more."

>>37176183
>"The gold ring found in the pickpocket's belongings may be something more."
>I'd like to have it examined (not by Elise) at the palace
>"Has anyone gone through the evidence collected from the murders looking for evidence of magic?"
No harm in asking the second part.

>>37176183
>>37176216
This.

Glad I hit the thread. Don't usually post, but just wanted to throw out that we were afraid of paladins when they were brought up, and sceptical over the teachings of the divine. And dem claws.
My money's on a demon.

>>37176177
>Never trust an elf
B-But out only friend is an elf anon! Don't break our young human heart!

> "I need to requisition one piece of evidence for further inspection by the court wizard at the palace."

>>37176239
My theory was construct/summon, so a demon fits right into it.

>>37175897
>It always feels a little awkward to have something long and heavy attached to your hip and banging against your legs
No it isn't, we're used to it because of our dragon tail, we're just roleplaying a human really well.

>>37176247
>Don't break our young human heart!
Good thing we've got spares.

>>37176183
> "I need to requisition one piece of evidence for further inspection by the court wizard at the palace."
> "The gold ring found in the pickpocket's belongings may be something more."

>>37176279
Maybe we are an undead demon Dragon construct Elf.

You have no idea how to balance giving too much information with giving too little. On the one hand, Marianne has been nothing but friendly and dedicated, and you feel she deserves to know everything you've found out about this case, both as your partner, and as the one city guard who has been keeping the investigation open despite indifference from her superiors.

On the other hand, you are still not sure how many of these secrets are yours to give away.

"The gold ring found in the pickpocket's belongings may be something more," you eventually say, after taking a biscuit to buy time to collect your thoughts. It really is quite good.

"Gold ring?" Marianne searches her memory. "Oh, that. Yeah, we were wondering about that. Did you manage to find a possible maker? Some goldsmith or jeweler willing to come forward with information?"

"Not quite," you quickly say, stemming this tide of enthusiastic speculation. "It's a bit more complicated than that. I'd like to requisition it for further inspection at the palace."

Marianne hesitates, as she takes a moment grasp the implications of your request. "That might take a while," she says. "I mean, we're kind of stuck, and we're the only ones who care about this investigation, so I don't see any problems with getting the ring to the palace as such. But! But." She makes a face. "It's going to take a lot of paperwork. The Watch really doesn't like to lose track of evidence, especially if it's to be handed over to someone else. I mean, this is going to be lots and lots of paperwork. Which we really should change, one of these days. Maybe I'll raise it with the Commander."

You nod, allowing that you understand the degree of paperwork involved, and how it may be more than mere mortals may countenance without despair.

>[1/2]

"Anyway!" Marianne dramatically plants her hands on the table, winces, and repeats the gesture more carefully, taking care not to aggravate her wounds. "I'll get started on it right away. I should be done by morning, I think! Assuming I can find where the forms are kept, anyway." She looks a little worried about that. "The clerks have gone home for the day. I might need to dig around a bit."

When you arrived at the Watch House, Marianne had just mentioned that she was about to go off-duty for the day. You're pretty sure she's not going to be able to claim overtime bonuses for this.

> "Please do so, Marianne. Thank you."
> "It's not that urgent. You can do it tomorrow, or whenever you're free."
> "I'll help if I can. I'm allowed to stay in the Watch House overnight, right?"
> "We can do it tomorrow. I'll come by to help."
> "Marianne, I really don't think you should be sacrificing so much of your free time for the sake of others."

>>37176478
> "I'll help if I can. I'm allowed to stay in the Watch House overnight, right?"

>>37176478
>> "It's not that urgent. You can do it tomorrow, or whenever you're free."
>> "I'll help if I can. I'm allowed to stay in the Watch House overnight, right?"

>>37176478
> "I'll help if I can. I'm allowed to stay in the Watch House overnight, right?"

>>37176478
>> "It's not that urgent. You can do it tomorrow, or whenever you're free."

>>37176478
>> "I'll help if I can. I'm allowed to stay in the Watch House overnight, right?"

>>37176478
>> "I'll help if I can. I'm allowed to stay in the Watch House overnight, right?"

>>37176478
>"Please do so, Marianne. Thank you."
It's about time someone ELSE pulls overtime. Nicole needs to cut herself some slack.

If it would take the whole night just to fill out the forms necessary to take a single piece of evidence out of the evidence room of the Watch House, you can only imagine how long it would be before the gold ring is finally released into your custody, should Marianne be restricted to handling it on her own time, on top of her usual duties.

You're not sure if you can convince Marianne out of her declared plan of action, anyway. You may as well try to mitigate the potential damage.

"I'll help if I can," you say. "I'm allowed to stay in the Watch House overnight, right?"

Marianne looks vaguely troubled by this, but shakes it off. "Well, you're not supposed to," she admits, "but I'm sure nobody will mind. I mean, you're a knight! Of Alvar!"

"Knight-apprentice," you correct. "Since only a few weeks ago."

"Doesn't matter! You're all official and important and all that, so you can stay here on your own say-so." Marianne lightly thumps a fist onto her chest proudly. "The King's Own are ready to serve!"

You can understand why Clarissa insists on presenting such a strict facade to everyone, including herself. This is probably the first time you've had the privileges of knight-apprenticeship expressly thrust upon you, which just makes you more apprehensive about the responsibilities that have to balance it. "I should mention that all this is based on an unconfirmed suspicion," you caution. "I'm not sure if it will end up leading anywhere. I could be entirely mistaken."

>[1/2]

"That's all right, Nicole," Marianne says. "It's still more than what we had before. Even if it doesn't work out, there's always the next lead. And the lead after that."

Marianne's cheer is infectious. "Rescuing cats from trees every time, right?"

Marianne grins. "Exactly."

You follow Marianne as she scurries out in search of the necessary documents, but almost run into her after she stops abruptly. "What's wrong?"

Marianne slowly turns to face you, an embarrassed blush colouring her cheeks. "Actually, before we begin," she says, "would you mind if we grabbed something to eat? It's just about time for dinner." She takes a breath, rallying. "I know this great place nearby. Karugian cuisine. A bit spicy, but so worth it. Want to come along?"

> "Of course."
> "Of course. I need to ask someone to send a message to the palace, anyway."
> "Could we eat in the Watch House canteen instead? I don't want to waste more time than we have to."

AFK an hour or so for dinner.

>>37176733
>> "Of course."
Somehow I always come back to check if you've posted just as you start posting.

>>37176733
>> "Of course. I need to ask someone to send a message to the palace, anyway."

>>37176733
>> "Could we eat in the Watch House canteen instead? I don't want to waste more time than we have to."

>>37176733

> "Of course."

All we've had all day is a biscuit, even. Even Nicole is probably a bit hungry.

>>37176733
>"Of course."
Need to live this city.

>>37176733
> "Could we eat in the Watch House canteen instead? I don't want to waste more time than we have to."
"You can treat me to that when we've finished a good job"

I am paranoid about the ring going missing now that someone else knows we're interested in specifically it.

>>37176733
> "Of course. I need to ask someone to send a message to the palace, anyway."

>>37176764
I doubt anyone overheard us. I think this is just a chance for us to hang out with Marianne for a while.

>>37176849
Marianne is the one I'm paranoid about.

Stopping abruptly just to get food and distract us from the only lead we have just so someone else can steal it sounds like what I would do if I was in on the conspiracy.

>>37176867
I think that might just be paranoia. I'm under the impression she's probably one of the few characters we can actually trust without worry.

>>37176867
Anon, please, calm your shadowruns. Marianne is one we can trust. Probably.

>>37176867
You're not alone

>>37176911
Or CAN WE?

>>37176917
>Probably.

I trust the elves more than I trust Marianne. No one rescues that many cats from trees without being a sociopathic serial killer or satanic cultist.

>>37176956
>trusting elves

>>37176973
but anon, that would mean not trusting outself

>>37176984
>implying we're a disgusting elf

>>37176994
we're a disgusting half dragon half elf elemental etherial

>>37176998
You forgot demonic.

>>37176998
As far as I know, we're petite, and brown. deliciously
In the end, nothing else matters.

>>37177008
I wouldn't mind being a demonic dragon elf.

>>37177015
We're also 100% human, don't forget that, can't absolutely forget that, we're completely human here.

>>37177018
Ah yes, completely human. The most important part. But brown is also important.

Done with my written exam!
Time to head home and actually actively read this!
(And yes, we have access to personal laptops & the internet for written exams here).

Course roughly translates to "chemical unit operations" for anyone who cares, it's mostly about distillation columns and similar!

>>37177055
...okay.

>>37177018
100% human strength, human hears, human hands, human tail, human sleep, human appetite.
100% legit, trust me, I s-swear !
Why would I lie to you, it's not like I'm a liar, at all, because I tell you so !

>>37177083
>human hears
Yep, them humans sure do have hears...

>>37177090
That's the most important part of them!

"Of course," you reply. You are, surprisingly, still not that hungry, but you'll probably get there soon enough. And it's been a while since you've had any Karugian cuisine; you appreciate a bit of spice, especially considering the comparatively bland food you've had since your arrival in Wellsbet.

"Right, let's go!" Marianne says, bouncing off. You take the chance to surreptitiously check your coin pouch, which is as lean as ever, but you should be able to afford a few simpler dishes.

Constable Ben, on duty at the front desk, looks up as you pass. "Heading home?" he inquires.

"Nope!" Marianne says cheerfully. "Introducing Nicole here to the Royal Sling, and then we're coming back to fill out some paperwork."

Ben frowns, making him look even more dour than usual. "You're not on duty tonight, are you?"

"It's all right," Marianne says. She lowers her voice, leaning in conspiratorially. "Listen, um. Is it all right for Nicole to stay here past closing hours? I promise she'll just be helping me with the paperwork. You can report this to the Commander later if you have to! It's not a big secret or anything. But, uh, you know." Marianne gives him a sunny smile. "Just for tonight? Please?"

Ben looks at you. You attempt to look helpfully harmless.

"Well, whatever a knight wants to do, a knight gets to do," Ben finally says. You refrain from correcting him, on the basis that you'd rather not change his mind on the amount of authority you may or may not possess.

>[1/2]

The clouds overhead have yet to open up, but you can hear the rumblings of thunder that suggest it is only a matter of time. You consider flagging down a passing off-duty city guard to get him to send a message to the palace informing them of your whereabouts, but decide not to abuse your knight-apprenticely powers. With any luck, you'll be able to finish the paperwork before midnight, and then you can go back to the palace to catch up on your sleep, without arousing suspicion and disapproving looks.

The Royal Sling is a narrow building best described in tourist brochures as "cosy", located only a very brief walk from the Watch House. Marianne waves greetings at several of the customers inside, who are largely city guards of some variety or other. The bored-looking proprieter barely registers your entrance, before doing a double-take at you. You wonder whether carrying a sword into an eating establishment is considered a faux pas, but he does not ask you to vacate the premises, and nobody else seems to mind. You self-consciously fidget with the scabbard anyway.

Marianne takes a seat at a table. You follow her lead, taking the time to detach the sword from your belt and lean it against the table, where you can keep an eye on it.

"The menu's on the board there," Marianne says, pointing. "I like the Red Special, especially with the additional soup and sides. The Yellow Special is pretty good too, although you'll probably feel hungry again after a couple of hours."

From a quick calculation and comparison of prices, the Red Special consists of far more food than you will likely be able to finish. Marianne is not quite up to Clarissa's level of food consumption, but her appetite is not to be underestimated.

> "Are there any side dishes in particular you'd recommend? That should be enough for me."
> "I'll just have a small bowl of stew."
> "Do the city guards come here often? It seems conveniently located."

>>37177127
>You are, surprisingly, still not that hungry
That great demonic dragon elf metabolism at work.

>>37177138
> "I'll just have a small bowl of stew."
> "Do the city guards come here often? It seems conveniently located."

>>37177138
> "I'll just have a small bowl of stew."
> "Do the city guards come here often? It seems conveniently located."

>>37177138
>> "Are there any side dishes in particular you'd recommend? That should be enough for me."
Human hungry.

>>37177160
But anon, the best examples we've seen of a humans appetite have been Clarissa and Marianne.

What do you reckon the anons in Knight Captain Quest are thinking right now?

>>37177138
> "I'll just have a small bowl of stew."

>>37177175
Once they find out that we've been out with Marianne again, the shippers will freak.

>>37177138
>I'll take a yellow special, then.

>>37177138
>>37177226
This

>>37177138
>>37177156 here changing to >>37177226
This +
> "Do the city guards come here often? It seems conveniently located."

>>37177138
>>37177226
Seconded +

> "Do the city guards come here often? It seems conveniently located."

>>37177175
Clarissa is convinced Nicole is on a even stricter diet now. Because Nicole fears that Elise won too much social points with her dedication to us.

Seriously, I'd love to read at least the first thread of this guard captain quest done, mirorring the very beginning of Nicole's quest. I would see that as an early tribute to Damp's work.
On the other hand, I 'm afraid this would aggravate damp's fear of not being welcome enough on /tg, by increasing his visibility on this board.
And as far as we are discussing meta, wouldn't some kind of advertising on /a bring more readers ? Who may not be the best well-mannered, I must confess.

>>37177275
Advertizing is pretty bad. We have a decent number of players, none of which cause any real drama. Getting all sorts of people from /a/ could screw up the dynamics of the quest and the interactions between us players.

>>37177305
You speak wisdom.
Not that I would have done anything without Damp's approval.

>>37177305
Could you guys please keep this in the proper thread?

>>37177400
>dat tripcode
Well fucking done.

You don't see any salads on the menu, which is a surprise, since Karugian salads are often prepared pleasingly to your taste. You study the menu, including the brief descriptions below each entry.

"I'll have the Yellow Special, then," you decide. More properly known as a half chicken prepared senyet style with nonia lemat gravy, but you can understand the lack of proper names for the sake of Wellsbet natives. It's still more food than you're probably able to finish, but it's just within your budget, and you can always push the leftovers to Marianne.

Your orders placed, Marianne beams at you from across the table. "It's nice to go out and eat now and again," she says. "Takeaway gets a bit boring after a while."

You recall seeing a stove in Marianne's apartment, which implies that she knows the basics of cooking. You're not sure how much she gets to use that stove, though, given her work schedule as a city guard. "Do the city guards come here often? It seems conveniently located."

"Oh, sure." Marianne gestures, indicating the dinner crowd. "It's right outside our Watch House, and we like to drop by after work, or before our night shifts. I think the owner likes the security all the King's Own brings." She makes a face. "Not everyone likes to come here, though. They say it's too spicy. I mean, I like spicy, but surely it's not that spicy, right?"

You relax, letting Marianne's chatter stream past you. It feels nice to speak of inconsequential things, rather than having to pick your words carefully lest something sets off an unseen chain of events that will have repercussions far into the future, all falling upon you, or those around you. You're not sure which worries you more.

>[1/2]

>>37177400
There's no /qtg/ anymore, where should it go?

>>37177505
Like I said: The proper thread.

Marianne's Red Special arrives first, which is a huge plate brimming with chicken, mutton, lentils, potatoes, and some lettuce-like greens common to the region around Karugia and Silden. This combination appears to be a local creation; you recognize each individual ingredient and its preparation, but this is rather more extravagant than the actual Karugian cuisine you're used to.

Marianne starts working her way through the meal. Unlike Clarissa, who manages somehow to appear dainty and polite even while inhaling vast amounts of food, Marianne is unashamed about devouring the delicious food placed before her. It is rather refreshing to see.

"Why the Royal Sling?" you wonder.

"Huh?" Marianne looks up at you. At least she remembers to chew and swallow before responding.

"Where does the name of this restaurant come from?" you clarify.

"No idea," Marianne replies. "I think the owner just picked a few words he thought sounded nice. Easy for us to remember, though."

Before you can respond, your own dinner arrives. It is definitely too much for you to finish, but you make a fair attempt anyway.

> "Being a city guard seems difficult. Lots of work, long hours. Cats in trees."
> "I apologize for not bringing the dress you lent me. It's still in the laundry."
> "Poor weather we're having lately."
> Eat in silence

>>37177511
>> "Being a city guard seems difficult. Lots of work, long hours. Cats in trees."
>>37177509
That would be this thread now.

>>37177511
> "I apologize for not bringing the dress you lent me. It's still in the laundry."

Gotta seem hardworking! Even when casual!

>>37177505
read his trip anon, its a joke

>>37177511
> "I apologize for not bringing the dress you lent me. It's still in the laundry."

>>37177511
> "I apologize for not bringing the dress you lent me. It's still in the laundry."

>>37177511
"How bad does the rain get around here?"

"Did you find any lead on the shiny thing the...dawn before?"

>>37177511
> "I apologize for not bringing the dress you lent me. It's still in the laundry."

>>37177511
>> "I apologize for not bringing the dress you lent me. It's still in the laundry."

>>37177400
Dry, where the fuck is Nicole ? Nobody seems to know. And what is this City Guard raincoat under her bed ? She wouldn't cheat, would she ? That would break our heart. That's all Elise's fault, being so pushy, I'm sure Nicole misinterpreted everything, it's a misunderstanding, I want her back, please.

Dinner conversation was never your strong point. You prefer to rely on others to bring up topics to talk about, which has worked well up until now. Clarissa would talk about work, William would try to flirt with you, Lily would gossip, and dinner with the Duke tends to lead to a great many other events occuring in the very near future.

"I apologize for not bringing the dress you lent me," you attempt. Which was not an especially good attempt, but it was the first thing which sprang into mind, and hopefully Marianne is too busy with her food to notice any stiffness in your conversation.

"Hm?" Marianne swallows her current mouthful. "What dress?"

"The one you lent me on the night I went to your apartment," you say. When this did not spark any recollection, you try again. "Yellow? Frills? After taking a bath?"

"Oh! Oh, yes, that dress." Marianne gulps down a couple more hearty forkfuls of mutton, before continuing. "Did you like it? I've got lots more."

"Uh, it was..." Useful for wearing while you returned to the palace, but not an experience you would consider especially gratifying. "It was nice," you say weakly.

"Oh, I'm glad to hear that!" Marianne gushes. "But really, keep it! As I said, I've got lots more. Or we can go shopping for clothes together! I have some off days stored up, so just let me know and I'll arrange it!"

You lean back slightly at this sudden blast of enthusiasm. "Thank you," you manage. "I, er, will take you up on that offer, once I receive my pay." Which is still a few weeks away. Come to think of it, it should coincide with your return from Whiteford, give or take a few days, should everything go according to schedule. "No frills, though," you add hastily.

>[1/2]

Marianne looks slightly disappointed. "You don't like frills?"

"No," you re-affirm. You don't have any special antipathy for them as such; you just think you look rather silly in them. "Sorry."

"Hm." Marianne consumes more of her dinner as she ponders this. You take the chance to do the same, although you are already slowing down drastically.

Finally, you push the remains of your meal towards Marianne. "Would you like to have the rest of this?" you ask. "I'm afraid I can't finish it. It's good, though," you add. A little less spiced than you'd like, and more lard than you're entirely comfortable with, but everything in Wellsbet is full of jam, salt, and lard anyway.

"Oh. All right." Marianne drags the plate over to herself, and finishes off your leftovers with the same efficiency and energy as she does her own meal. "Are you sure? You didn't eat much of it."

You've actually eaten two-thirds of it, a personal record which gives you a peculiar mixture of pride and shame. "I'm sure. Thanks for asking, Marianne."

Dinner having been completed, you pay for your share of the meal, and follow Marianne back out of the Royal Sling. Astonishingly, it still hasn't begun raining yet.

"That's not good," Marianne says, looking up at the skies. "Winter's going to be pretty cold. I should check in on my route when I get the chance. Make sure everyone's stocked up on firewood."

> "What is winter like in Alvar?"
> "Do you have any advice on surviving a Wellsbet winter?"
> Return to the Watch House in silence and speed

>>37177916
>> "What is winter like in Alvar?"
>> "Do you have any advice on surviving a Wellsbet winter?"

>>37177916
> "What is winter like in Alvar?"
> "Do you have any advice on surviving a Wellsbet winter?"

>>37177916
> "What is winter like in Alvar?"
> "We should head back quickly so we don't get caught in the rain."

>>37177916
> "What is winter like in Alvar?"
> "Do you have any advice on surviving a Wellsbet winter?"

>>37177916
>> "What is winter like in Alvar?"

>>37177916
>> "What is winter like in Alvar?"
>> "Do you have any advice on surviving a Wellsbet winter?"
Is there even a point in voting?

>>37177961
The illusion of choice anon!

>>37177916
> "What is winter like in Alvar?"
> "Do you have any advice on surviving a Wellsbet winter?"

This will be your first winter in Wellsbet, and all this talk about how harsh it will be and how everyone should be ready is starting to worry you. "What is winter like in Alvar?" you ask.

Marianne glances at you, and you get the strange feeling that she has just been reminded again of your darker skin tone. You wonder what she sees every other time she looks at you. "Silden is pretty warm all year around, isn't it? Well, it's not really so bad here in Alvar. You might want to bundle up until you get used to it, though."

Maybe the planned shopping trip with Marianne will include some winter wear. Or you could ask Katherine to knit you a scarf or something. No frills or little cute animals for either option, of course. "Do you have any more advice? I'd like to survive my first Wellsbet winter."

Marianne gives this some serious thought, which makes you feel a little guilty about your tiny jest. "Uh, stay indoors if you don't like the cold. Wait, no, that's not good either. I mean, you'll miss out on all the fun you can have playing in the snow. Snowball fights, for example. Have you ever had a snowball fight before?"

"I'm afraid not," you answer truthfully.

The two of you have made it back to the Southgate Watch House by now. Apart from those who drew night shift and the laggards still desperately trying to finish their daily reports, it is mostly empty. Constable Ben glances up at your entrance, nods you in, and goes back to whatever it is he is reading at the front desk. It looks like a large piece of cheap pulp paper, folded in half, with columns of text printed in neatly-arranged blocks. From the stains on Ben's fingers, the ink does not appear to adhere to the paper very well.

Marianne notices your curiosity. "That's last week's issue," she says. "Ben must still be working on the crossword."

You make out the large header, proclaiming this sheet of printed paper to be the Weekly Wellsbet.

>[1/2]

Before you can ask what this unfamiliar publication might be, Marianne makes a beeline to the Evidence Room, and the box containing the worldly possessions of the unfortunate victims of the serial murder case. She checks that its contents are still present, which they are; you resist the urge to pick up the gold ring, glinting innocently in the lamp light.

"All right, everything's here," Marianne pronounces. She takes out her notebook, and writes down the letters and numbers on the box's label, before tearing out the page and handing it to you. "You'll need this. You'll probably need this a lot."

You revise your estimate of the amount of paperwork you have to look forward to.

The Southgate Watch House continues to impress you with its confusing warren of corridors and offices, as Marianne collects the documents necessary for your request to transfer the gold ring to the palace. This grows into a worryingly large stack, which Marianne lets you carry, along with pencils, pens, and a pair of inkwells.

Marianne's final stop is back to the witness questioning room, where she deposits you. "I'll go pick up some snacks from the canteen," she says. "Would you like anything?"

> "Didn't we just have dinner?"
> "Maybe something sweet. To keep me awake."
> "No, thank you. I'll just have the biscuits and tea here."
> "No, thank you."

>>37178324
>> "No, thank you."

>>37178324
> "Didn't we just have dinner?"
> "No, thank you."

>>37178324
> "Maybe something sweet. To keep me awake."

There's always room for cake.

>>37178324
>> "Didn't we just have dinner?"
>> "Maybe something sweet. To keep me awake."

>>37178324
>> "Maybe something sweet. To keep me awake."
We do have a separate stomach for desert afterall, like all good demonic dragon elves.

>>37178324
>"Maybe something sweet. To keep me awake."
Hyper Nicole time

>>37178324
>"No, thank you. I'll just have the biscuits and tea here."
....why are we choosing?
oh gods, this is the part where she fails to poison us!

>>37178324
>"Didn't we just have dinner?"

Nicole doesn't understand.

>>37178324
>> "Didn't we just have dinner?"
Does not compute.
We're already full. Why are these humans always eating something ? That's a weird hobby, isn't it ?

>>37178450
And that's getting pretty old, dontcha think?

>>37178491
Not yet.

>>37178324
> "Didn't we just have dinner?"
> "No, thank you. I'll just have the biscuits and tea here."

Mainly the tea

You blink. "Didn't we just have dinner?"

"There is always room for desserts and snacks," Marianne says solemnly.

"Maybe something sweet. To keep me awake." This is not actually true. You don't feel especially energized after eating something sweet, the way you hear some other people, particularly elves, do. Judging from the sheer size of the pile of paperwork to go through, however, you foresee the need for some sort of morale booster.

Maybe there will be chocolate cake. You like chocolate cake.

After Marianne departs, you get to work on the documents. They are relatively simple to understand, but the challenge appears to be overcoming the sheer tedium of producing at least three copies of every one of them by hand. You cannot imagine where these copies will go. Surely great warehouses must have been commissioned just to store these forms. Impregnable castles may be created with nothing but paper and ink, seasoned lightly with the blood of unfortunate papercuts.

Marianne returns soon enough with two plates stacked high with jam sandwiches. Disappointingly, there are no cakes, chocolate or otherwise. You do give her a smile of thanks, which she returns with rather more genuine cheerfulness. She takes her seat, picks out a sandwich, and starts filling in forms as she munches away.

>[1/3]

After about twenty forms, you begin to discern a pattern in the mists of bureaucracy. The City Watch is indeed highly reluctant to let any evidence in an ongoing investigation out of their custody, for fairly understandable reasons.

You also suspect the sheer amount of paperwork to be done is a means to an end in itself, namely to prevent anyone of a sufficiently high rank from throwing their authority around and bypassing inconvenient regulations. The requirement for all the paperwork to be filled out properly presents a sufficiently high bar to clear that most impatient nobles will likely give up and waste more time complaining to yet further higher authorities, allowing the City Watch to continue their work without further interruptions.

That this would also inconvenience anyone with a legitimate reason for transferring a piece of evidence out of City Watch custody is considered a minor drawback at best, since the City Watch keeps it investigations in the house, so to speak. The city morgue is considered an auxiliary branch of the Watch through further bureaucratic shenanigans, possibly due to precisely this issue. Any specialists called in, such as yourself, will have to be physically present in a Watch House or other such related facility in order to inspect the evidence.

You can think of several problems with this approach, even beyond your current situation.

>[2/3]

"Nicole?" Marianne says suddenly.

"Yes?"

"Why is this ring important?"

Blearily, you look down at the forms you've been filling out. Surprisingly, none of them are interested in this question, which is probably something to raise to superior officers, until you remember that you are not part of the City Watch, and you are certainly not going to add to Clarissa's workload.

"Did we miss something when we looked into it?" Marianne persists.

It takes you another long moment before you realize that Marianne is asking for her own curiosity, not for the sake of filling out forms.

> "It might be a magical focus used in elf magic, to summon shadow familiars."
> "That small shiny object I asked you to find that night might have been something similar."
> "It may be the key to something much, much more complicated than a serial murder case."
> "Like I said, it's just a hunch. When I confirm it, I'll tell you."

>>37178869
> "If it's alright, could I confirm my suspicions before saying any more? If it's nothing then what I say may be detrimental"

>>37178869
>> "That small shiny object I asked you to find that night might have been something similar."

>>37178869
> "That small shiny object I asked you to find that night might have been something similar."
> "Like I said, it's just a hunch. When I confirm it, I'll tell you."

No point into going into details if it actually isn't. Marianne means well, but who knows how the culprit will react if word of our investigation somehow gets to them.

>>37178869
> "That small shiny object I asked you to find that night might have been something similar."
> "It may be the key to something much, much more complicated than a serial murder case."
> "Like I said, it's just a hunch. When I confirm it, I'll tell you."

Best to let her know that we are not going for a false assumptions and ghost stories

>>37178869
> "That small shiny object I asked you to find that night might have been something similar."
> "It may be the key to something much, much more complicated than a serial murder case."
> "Like I said, it's just a hunch. When I confirm it, I'll tell you."

>>37178869
>"That small shiny object I asked you to find that night might have been something similar."
I'll tell you if it's actually true.

>>37178869
>"Something the court wizard mentioned about magical foci. The ring could be one, and if it is, that would explain a lot."

>>37178869
>>37178941
>>37178963
I'll second this too.

Meanwhile in KCQ anons are planning a daring rescue for Nicole as Clarissa becomes worried when Nicole doesn't show for dinner or returns to her room that evening.

>>37178869
> "That small shiny object I asked you to find that night might have been something similar."
Therefore, this precious gold ring of ours is rather suspicious, and deserve some more scrutiny.
Have you tried to throw it in a fire? ... No, nevermind.

You take the opportunity to take a break from your form-filling. Despite having a head start, your completed pile is still less than Marianne's, and she shows no sign of slowing down.

"Remember the small shiny object I told you to find?" you say.

Marianne nods. "Sorry I couldn't find it," she says. "Someone must have picked it up or something, before we started looking."

"It's not your fault," you assure her. "It took me a while to think about the significance of that item too. But if my guesses turn out to be correct, and I have to say that there is a big chance it might not be, that shiny object may be something like this gold ring."

Marianne just looks even more confused. "Why would there be a gold ring in the middle of the street?"

"It's not quite just a simple gold ring," you say. You haven't told Marianne the story of your rooftop chase that night, pursuing the shadow familiar. "I'm sorry I can't be more specific, but to be honest, I don't know very much myself. It's all just a hunch, that might turn out to be nothing at all. But I'm right, I promise I'll tell you the details."

Marianne looks surprised at your words, as though she hadn't considered the possibility otherwise. "Of course! We're partners, aren't we?"

Marianne's ironclad faith that you are a perfectly trustworthy and great-hearted comrade in her investigation cuts both ways, you reflect. Maybe that's how she manages to be so charismatic; disappointing her would feel distressingly foul, an act only worthy of the basest knave.

>[1/2]

"So what would happen if you're right?" she continues.

You sigh. "Then that gold ring would be the key to something much, much more complicated than even a serial murder case." Involving elven politics and conspiracies at a high enough level that you're not sure even the Duke would be privy to them, much less a lowly knight-apprentice like yourself.

"Wow." Marianne is suitably impressed.

"I should mention again that this is not a given," you say severely. "My guesses could be completely baseless. And if they are, I'd rather not be responsible for spreading false rumours." Maybe you should lay it on a bit thicker. "This can even get dangerous to talk about, so, uh, please don't pass any of this around. I will get back to you once that ring is analyzed, and I get permission to answer your questions." Hopefully this will also include some answers for your own questions.

Marianne looks as though she is about to speak, but remains uncharacteristically silent. She remains so as she continues working her way through both the paperwork and the sandwiches.

You return to your own work. You do not get more than a few more forms in before you feel the urge to take yet another break, if only to ease the incipient blurred vision that characterizes a lack of sleep.

> Rest your eyes for a moment
> Keep working

>>37179354
>Keep working
We can't afford to be outdone by Marianne!

>>37179354
>> Keep working

>>37179354
>Ask Marianne if she could talk more, to help you stay awake.
>Anything will do.

>>37179354
>> Keep working
Just like a regular 100% human we can work straight through the night.

>>37179354
>>37179395
Seconded

>>37179354
>Keep working

>>37179354
> Keep working
All our human role models are workaholics.

>>37179354
>Keep working
The spectre of sleep descends...

in the form of sleeping gas released by candle flame, with the sandwiches as antidote.

>>37179556
We'll stay awake long enough to see our Knight Captain come to rescue us.

>>37179584
>Standing over us with a dark smile.

Fixed that for you.

>>37179619
>with blood dripping from the blade impaled through her torso
fixed that for you

File: persona4-workethic.jpg (28 KB, 320x240)

28 KB JPG

You are aware that the moment you give in to temptation, you will lose track of several hours, and wake in this room with a blanket thoughtfully draped over you, with at least Marianne and probably someone else looking tolerantly down at you. You're not sure if you'd rather face William's smirk or Clarissa's disapproval, before finally deciding that both options are to be avoided as much as possible.

You do take the opportunity to stand and stretch your legs, pouring a cup of tea for yourself while you're up. "Marianne?" you offer.

"Huh? Oh, thanks!" Marianne beams at you. "Four cubes!"

You carefully keep your face straight as you measure out the requisite number of sugar cubes. You usually take your own tea with a couple of teaspoons of sugar, or a dollop of honey, but for some reason you'd rather take this cup unsweetened.

The tea is a bit watered down, but you cannot complain about free refreshments. You don't feel up to tackling the sandwich pile, which Marianne has made amazing headway into. You wonder where it all goes; Marianne is not that much taller than you are.

Back to work. You force yourself to concentrate on filling out the documents, one field at a time, one form at a time. One by one, you write, tick, number, date, and sign, double-checking every entry before you place the document in the pile of finished ones. You do not want to have to do everything all over again just because you misplaced a letter.

One more form. Then another. And another. And another. And...

... you're done.

It takes you a long while to realize that you truly have no more forms to fill. You check your pocketwatch; it is almost three in the morning.

If this is what Clarissa does all day in her office, you feel a sudden, selfish relief that you did not end up as her permanent adjutant.

>[1/2]

"We're done!" Marianne says, finishing off the last of her paperwork with a flourish. Or rather the last of your paperwork; you notice that her pile is much bigger than yours, which means she must have been poaching your stack of forms.

"Thank you, Marianne," you say. "I really, really owe you for this."

Marianne actually does look rather exhausted, which should be no surprise. She keeps her cheer up, though. "No problem! I'll hand this in to the Commander first thing in the morning!"

Oh, right. Even if you finished the paperwork early, it's not as though you could withdraw the gold ring from the Evidence Room immediately.

Still, you should find some way to thank Marianne for going far beyond her duties as a city guard. "Is there anything I can do? In gratitude for all of this."

Marianne looks blank for a moment, before a sly smile spreads across her face. "There is one thing," she says.

"What is it?"

"You did say you'd go shopping with me, right?" Marianne grins triumphantly. "Make it a promise. And let me pick your clothes."

You are too tired to think through the consequences of your answer.

> "All right, it's a promise. After I get paid, though."
> "I'll think about it."
> "Uh, maybe I'll think of something else."

>>37179767
> "I'll think about it."
Shopping sure. Pick my clothes... Maybe.

>>37179767
>"All right, it's a promise. After I get paid, though."
I hope you know how to shop under a budget.

>>37179767
> "All right, it's a promise. After I get paid, though."

>>37179767
>> "All right, it's a promise. After I get paid, though."

damp has spoken.

some of those clothes need cat motifs on them.

for added meow.

>>37179767
>Sure, but NO FRILLS ARGHRGHR

>>37179767
>> "All right, it's a promise. After I get paid, though."
Tomorrow will be like waking up after passing out drinking. Where I am ? What happened ? Did I do anything funny ?

>>37179767
>> "All right, it's a promise. After I get paid, though."

>>37179767
>"All right, it's a promise. After I get paid, though."

Will Marianne be a merciful ruler?

>>37179809
Seconding this so hard.

>>37179767
> "All right, it's a promise. After I get paid, though."

And as >>37179805 said, must have cat motifs, and >>37179809 no frills.

>>37179767

>Sure, but NO FRILLS ARGHRGHR

>>37179670
I meant to imply that a betrayal would wound the players more deeply but I suppose that works.

"All right, it's a promise," you say lightly. "After I get paid, though."

"Right!" Marianne actually takes out her notebook to make an entry about this. "Great to work with you, Nicole!"

You consider whether to add further caveats about the clothing styles you prefer, but by the time you realize that you have no idea what styles you like other than "unobtrusive" and "easy to move around in", the moment has passed.

Well, you'll handle it when it comes. You should be able to quash most of the frill-related suggestions. You might have to compromise on cute animal patterns, though. Kitten motifs might be enough to satisfy that criteria, although that just runs into the issue of William.

Decisions for much later.

You help Marianne clean up the room, and reduce the paperwork into neat, easy to carry stacks. Even now, they look intimidating.

"Will you be all right getting home?" you ask. "It's rather late."

"Oh, I'll be fine," Marianne says. "There's some rooms set aside in the Watch House for those who need to take a nap after their shift." She frowns. "No showers, though. We get a bucket."

You are very tempted to ask Clarissa to petition the Guard Commander to install some showers, just for Marianne's use. This late night has made you rather maudlin.

"I should head back to the palace," you say. "Report in. Well, report in tomorrow; I think everyone's asleep by now." And if they are not, they will no doubt be open to explanations, provided these explanations are short, simple, and very very good.

"Will you be all right?" Marianne echoes your question.

You re-attach your sword to your belt. You probably still won't use it, but the action should reassure Marianne. You also surreptitiously check that your daggers are present and accounted for.

Marianne still looks a little doubtful, but lets this go.

>[1/2]

You help Marianne carry the paperwork to her own desk cubicle in the general work area. With increasing distraction, you bid each other good night. You notice that Marianne is noticeably unsteady on her feet, which makes her decision to sleep at the Watch House a good one.

You step out of the Watch House and into the night. Which still has yet to begin raining, in a stroke of luck. You should probably make full use of this good fortune to head back to the palace as quickly as you can.

> Nobody's looking, let's use the rooftops
> Use the streets like a normal person

>>37180094
>Nobody's looking, let's use the rooftops
Can't be back any later if we don't want to worry Clarissa

>>37180094
> Nobody's looking, let's use the rooftops
STRETCH those LEGS holyfuckyou'vebeensittingallnight.

>>37180094
>Nobody's looking, let's use the rooftops
Perfectly human. 100%

>>37180094

> Use the streets like a normal person

>>37180094
> Nobody's looking, let's use the rooftops
Nobody ever looks up anyway.

>>37180094
> Nobody's looking, let's use the rooftops

>>37180094
>Use the streets like a normal person

Why would you use the rooftops, Nicole? That's crazy, roofs are suppose to be above humans, not beneath them.

>>37180094
>> Nobody's looking, let's use the rooftops
A little practice is welcome.

>>37180094
>Nobody's looking, let's use the rooftops
It's almost three in the morning, who's going to be awake at this time of night anyway?

>>37180237
A lot of people on /tg/

>>37180294
I was talking about in-story.

>>37180294
>>37180352
Questing via homing pigeon at night in Alvar, what else ?

>>37180352
What did you think Elise does at night? Someone has to run Knight Captain Quest, even if the players won't accept your OTP...

>>37180407
Self insert Elise doesn't stand a chance. Backstory is too tragic, too self sacrificing. Teaching Nicole the meaning of friendship and eventually love is far more rewarding.

It is three in the morning, you are tired, and you want nothing more than to collapse in your bed for what little sleep you can eke out. The thought of having to traverse the winding streets to the palace is highly depressing, especially when you can shorten that distance by moving in a much straighter line.

Besides, you don't know how long your luck will hold out. You really do not want to be caught in the rain this time.

You orient yourself towards the palace, clearly visible as a dark looming shadow in the night. You take a look around, making sure that nobody is watching. This is not an issue; even the usual denizens of the night would prefer not to risk being caught in the downpour that had been threatened all day.

Once you are certain there are no witnesses, you pick a likely wall, and clamber up.

There is a brief moment of annoyed panic when your sword clangs against a drainpipe. You shift it to a less intrusive position, hoping that nobody heard. You really need to learn how to move around properly with a sword, so you won't keep banging it against everything.

The trip back to the palace is much more relaxed than the rooftop chase a few nights ago. You even begin to enjoy the journey, seeing Alvar from a vantage point accorded to a select few. You'd certainly not want to meet those select few, since anyone else up on the rooftops at this time of night will probably complicate your plan to go to bed as soon as you can.

You take no risks, hopping from roof to roof. This is not a race, save against the possibility of rain. Thunder continues to rumble intermittently, as the night is illuminated by the occasional flash of lightning.

You really should do this again some time, when you are less sleepy. Alvar from above is certainly a sight.

>[1/2]

No untoward incidents occur on your shortened journey to the palace, which makes it more of a pity when you spot something you would much rather have not, when you alight on the roof of a building right outside the Alvar palace walls.

The figure loitering on the ground near the palace gates is certainly shadowy, but very much a real person. In fact, given the rather ratty suit and top hat he is wearing, he is a real person who is probably engaged in some real nefarious deeds.

At the moment, this figure is just waiting patiently, with a certain stance that suggests he is willing to wait all night if need be, and subsequent nights after that. You take a moment to observe the loiterer, noting the clothing as a mockery of genteel fashion, the confident patience of a snake ready to strike, and the idle way he plays with what looks like a switch-knife, flicking it around between his fingers.

So, not an assassin, who would be more concerned with completing their business rather than playing with their tools. A scout, perhaps, or a messenger. He has chosen a good spot to observe the palace gate entrance without being seen, which unfortunately does not take into account your own skills in observation and reaching high places.

> Ignore him and continue on
> Drop down and greet him
> Announce your presence from up here

>>37180493
>Drop down and greet him
What if we're paranoid and he isn't actually a vagabond? Best to find out firsthand

>>37180493
> Drop down and greet him
Hi! Knight apprentice Nicole of Alvar, how may I help you? *watch him get a heart attack*

>>37180493
>> Drop down and greet him
"Hey, watcha doin?"

>>37180493
> Drop down and greet him

Nothing like a surprise drop next to a guy.

>>37180524
Actually, now that I think for 40 seconds, it's probably Clarissa waiting.

>>37180538
Ratty suit and top hat?

>>37180575
Shush. She obviously borrowed the outfit.

>>37180493
> Drop down and greet him
We should investigate, whatever his purpose.

>>37180493
>Drop down and greet him
What could possibly go wrong? Certainly nothing sleepy Nicole could think of!

>>37180493
> Drop down and greet him

Sneak up behind him, have knives ready to use, have the initiative if he tries anything sketchy.

>>37180493
>> Ignore him and continue on

>>37180512
>>37180524
>>37180531
>>37180533
You guys are pretty confident in our ability to avoid any attack and arrest this guy.
I'd rather set an ambush with some help in order to get him tomorrow night

>>37180637
Well we are like maximum ninja mode. Yes, I am confident.

When he asks what the hell we're doing we should tell him matter-of-fact like that we're out for an early morning stroll. It's the truth.

>>37180647
Sleepy ninja mode! Perfectly suitable for combat!

>>37180493
> Drop down and greet him

>>37180637
One choice was to ignore him and worry about it later. This could potentially let him accomplish whatever it is he's doing before we eventually act.

The other two announce our presence but dropping down on him allows us to be in a more reactionary position as opposed to a distant one where we'd need to play catch up if he ran.

That and it's the cordial/nice guy option. We did want to work on our social skills a bit didn't we?

>>37180707
>terrify citizens by dropping down next to them from the rooftops
>just working on my social skills here

Nicole logic, not even once.

>>37180637
It's true, I AM confident. From the description the guy is a street thug, a thief, or similar, while we're borderline ninja.

>>37180737
Citizens who may be doing wrong. It's like you don't even know of batman.

>>37180737
...Is that not socially acceptable?

>>37180800
Nicole would be the best stalker. ever.
poor Clarissa

>>37180800
Humans are so silly

Why wouldn't we just stay quiet and watch him instead of revealing ourselves?

>>37180879
Tired, wanna go to bed.

While the figure seems like the sort to disappear with the first rays of dawn, back to whatever hide-out he came from, you have to admit to some curiosity about why he is here, waiting outside the palace. Even with his current loitering spot, he runs a risk of being spotted by the palace guards, who do not have a sense of humour when it comes to the security of the palace.

You drop down lightly to ground level behind the figure, making next to no sound. Cautiously, you walk closer, taking in more details. The figure is a human man, tall and thin and sallow, unshaven and scarred. He has not noticed you yet, which is always gratifying, and you are downwind of him, which is not.

You stop at a respectable distance; nowhere near arm's reach, and ready to backstep away on a moment's notice. You draw your daggers silently, hefting them in your hands.

"May I help you?" you inquire.

The man's reaction is not quite what you expected, but understandable in hindsight. Instead of lashing out at the unexpected potential threat, the switch-knife vanishes instead; you think it has gone up the sleeve of his coat. Evidently he has been told to keep a low profile, which means not murdering any innocent passers-by.

"Nothing wrong, jimms," he says, on reflex. His voice is smooth and deep, at odds with his dangerous appearance and obvious use of thieves' cant. "Just waiting for a friend, I was, and- ah." He grins as he finally focuses on you, revealing chipped, crooked teeth. "It's yourself. The Kitten Helper."

You refrain mightily from rolling your eyes. You do not need this in your life right now. "You were waiting for me?"

"That I was." The man looks pointedly at your daggers. "You can put those away. I come here to pass a message."

"In the middle of the night?"

"In the middle of the night," the man confirms. "As the Bound One pleases."

>[1/2]

You will deal with the repercussions in the morning. "Fine. What is the message?"

"The Finn requests an audience with the Golden," the man recites. "Not now, and not tomorrow. But soon. He will wait, but not long. Tell the Golden the rabbit hole is not as deep as she believes."

You don't even know who Escavila the Golden is. "Why come to me?"

"You are known to the Finn, Kitten Helper," the man says, with another grin. "He likes you for an honourable sort. As we all are."

Tomorrow. You can deal with all of this tomorrow.

> "Fine. I'll pass on the message."
> "Tell the Golden the message yourself."
> "Can you please stop calling me Kitten Helper?"

>>37180911
> "Fine. I'll pass on the message."
Too tired for these shenanigans~ Thought it might be something exciting.

Got an elf to send a message now~

>>37180911
>> "Fine. I'll pass on the message."

>>37180911
> "Fine. I'll pass on the message."

>>37180911
>> "Fine. I'll pass on the message."

>>37180911
> "Fine. I'll pass on the message."
> "Can you please stop calling me Kitten Helper?"

>>37180958
Deep down she likes it. It's far less terrifying than what she really is.

>>37180911
> "Fine. I'll pass on the message."
Don't acknowledge the Kitten Helper. Don't know how much we will ever interact with him, but if he knows it irritates us, he will never stop using it.

>>37180911
>"Fine. I'll pass on the message."

"Nicole, why are you passing on messages for the criminal underworld when you should be sleeping in your bed?"
"Nicole, you need to pay more attention in class."
"Nicole, remember we're going on a trip to visit relatives next week. Don't embarrass me!"

Teen life.

>>37180911
>> "Fine. I'll pass on the message."
Who is Escavila the Golden ? Obviously a blond chick.
Clarissa knows. And I'd rather tell our captain all we know, in order to have her help.

>>37181016
At least Knight Captain Quest will calm down now.

"See she wasn't off with that guard girl she was dealing with the criminal underground!

>>37181036
You're meant to think it's the elf maid because she does suspicious stuff, but it's actually the librarian.

>>37181016
Yes! Teen... we are 18. That is our age.

>>37181036
It was implied that Escavila was given sanctuary by the Duke.

Assuming that we're used as a message bearer because we've been seen in her company then that would make Lily being Esca even more likely.

Between her love of goign back out into the town, her love of fancy cakes, her hidden nook that she's done her best to make fancy, her mysterious secrets that Anders is in on...

I've suspected Lily as Esca for a while now.

>>37181089
I believe Nicole's "age" is 19.

>>37181089
>>37181110
Nicole has an age? I just thought she was "young-looking maybe around 20".

I'm totally sure she's only 18 summers old though! Not ancient or anything.

>>37181092
We should just go up to her and pass the message like it was nothing.

>>37181139
She said 19 to vic though, didn't she?

>>37181139
Yeah, it's not like the cube was telling us her age or anything.

>>37181208
>implications
Whoaaaaa, I didn't even consider that.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaa!!

"Fine," you say. "I'll pass on the message." Meaning you will tell Clarissa, Clarissa will make arrangements to contact whatever place she stashed this Escavila the Golden, and subsequent developments will be none of your business.

"Ah, many thanks." The man doffs his top hat, and gives you a sweeping bow. "I will tell the Finn the good news."

"Wait," you say. "What's your name?"

The man chuckles. "So concerned with names, Kitten Helper! But very well. I am the Finn's gentleman, listener, and hidden hand. You may call me Hugh the Liar."

Not exactly a name to encourage trust. "Why are you called the Liar?"

"Why else? Do please patronize the Hanged Orc again some day, Kitten Helper." Hugh turns to leave, walking openly on the street as though unafraid of recognition. You don't know if this represents confidence of cockiness.

With a crack of lightning and thunder, it finally begins to rain.

This is too much to take in for one night. Almost absently, you scale the palace wall in your usual manner, drop back down on the other side, and dart into the palace building proper, out of the rain. You've managed to avoid getting drenched, which is the one bright spot in the past several hours.

You trudge back towards your room, stopping in front of the door. You open it carefully, making as little noise as possible.

Clarissa is sound asleep, breathing softly. The nightmare-absorber on her desk is still quiet, which should not be a surprise by now.

You are too tired to change out of your uniform. Fortunately, you have spares ready, so you can send this one off to be cleaned tomorrow.

Tomorrow is a good time to handle everything.

>[1/2]

You do take one last moment to take out your study notebook and a pencil from your desk, and tear out a page, scribbling a note. You leave this on your desk, using the book of Whiteford's peerage as a paperweight. You should probably return that to the library sometime soon.

You unbuckle the sword from your belt, and push it under your bed. Then you quietly collapse onto your bed, heave a sigh of relief, and close your eyes.

Then you open your eyes again, because Clarissa is gently shaking you awake.

"Good morning, Nicole," she says, when she sees you stir. You wonder why she is up in the middle of the night, before realizing that it is now quite definitely morning, and Clarissa is already dressed for the day.

You certainly don't feel rested, but you have too many things to do today. "Good morning, Captain," you manage.

Clarissa holds up your note. "As instructed, I have woken you early. I confess to some curiosity about your activities yesterday, but given that you are back here and not dressed in another unusual outfit, I suppose the story is not so serious."

Clarissa doesn't seem angry or irritated at your late night out, which is a good sign.

> "I have quite a few things to tell you, Captain. For example, I have a message for Escavila the Golden."
> "I have quite a few things to tell you, Captain. But first, I'd like to wash up a bit."
> "Actually, that note was in error. Let me sleep for a bit more."
> "Captain, could you please go visit Elise? She should be waking up around now, and I think she's going to need someone by her side."

>>37181330
> "I have quite a few things to tell you, Captain. For example, I have a message for Escavila the Golden."

Keeping things from our capitan? Never!

>>37181330
>"I have quite a few things to tell you, Captain. For example, I have a message for Escavila the Golden."

>>37181330
>"I have quite a few things to tell you, Captain. For example, I have a message for Escavila the Golden."

>>37181330
> "Actually, that note was in error. Let me sleep for a bit more."
>"Then we can talk about Escavila the Golden mumble mumble bleh..."

And while Nicole wakes up, I should go to sleep.

Next thread should be either Wednesday or Thursday, depending on how RL goes. (Relatives are visiting on annoyingly short notice.) If things go horribly wrong, I might have to postpone to Friday, but hopefully that shouldn't be necessary.

Thanks for joining me on the quest.

>>37181330
>> "I have quite a few things to tell you, Captain. For example, I have a message for Escavila the Golden."

"Did I look that odd in a dress?" We are probably going to end up wearing more soon

>>37181139
Go back to the first thread when asked her age she thought something akin to, "think of a number, any number, uhh a low one."

>>37181374
Thanks for running!

>>37181374
Thanks for running, boss.

>>37181330
>> "I have quite a few things to tell you, Captain. For example, I have a message for Escavila the Golden."

>>37181374
Thanks for running !
and a happy New Year

>>37181330
>> "I have quite a few things to tell you, Captain. For example, I have a message for Escavila the Golden."
> "Captain, could you please go visit Elise? She has been acting very unusual lately. (Tell her about it all)

>>37181330
> "I have quite a few things to tell you, Captain. But first, I'd like to wash up a bit."
A cold bath might help to wake up

>>37181330
> "I have quite a few things to tell you, Captain. For example, I have a message for Escavila the Golden."