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>>38853528

He lightly rests his head on his hand as he stares at you. “May I offer the two of you something to drink? Water? Perhaps some tea?”
You shake your head politely. “We’re perfectly alright, thank you.”

You’re quite used to the façade of pleasantries and ritualistic mannerisms, but this time feels different. There’s something dangerous in the air, and it’s originating from the both of you.

You smirk to yourself excitedly. Earlier you thought today was going to be uneventful, but now there’s a game to play. The only question is, what are the sums?

Manolo starts. “Unexpected of you to visit, but no less pleasing. How are your two apprentices doing? Ellie and Marissa I believe their names are.”

You never told him any of that information, but you sense that bringing that fact up would be pointless.

You respond without missing a beat. “Busy. There’s many things to teach them about the dangers of the other realms… and of this one.” You look
around in mock confusion and then blink at Manolo daintily. “Your associate isn’t around? Surely he’d like to join us?”

He bites the inside of his lip slightly, knowing what you’re prying at. “Business.” He says, with an almost undetectable edge to his voice. “Speaking of which…” He smiles. “What brought you here to my doorstep? I can’t imagine it was because you missed talking to me.” He laughs to himself.

Interesting move of him to get right to the point so quickly. You’ve only picked up a little information from the words you exchanged so far, so if you want more, you might have to have to change your approach.

>Ask him what he wants with you.

>Ask him what brought him to the area.

>Tell him you’re just visiting as a neighbor.

>Write in.

>>38853576

>Ask him why he sent those weird creatures into your house.

>>38853576
>Ask him what brought him to the area.

>>38853576
>>Ask him what brought him to the area.

>>38853576
>Tell him you're just visiting as a neighbor.
Heya Auri!

Hello everyone!

>>38853657
>>38853676
So what brings you to town?

>Writing~

>>38853809

You laugh courteously at his little joke. “Just a few questions actually.” You pull off the hood of you cloak and brush your hair out with your hand. “Only if you don’t mind.” You add, demurely.

Manolo leans forward and looks at Laurent. “How could I say no to that?” He laughs jovially.

Laurent only has a puzzled look of concentration on his face. He can’t reason at all what’s going on, so he looks toward you.

You give him a firm look telling him to trust you, again he’s out of his element, and wasn’t expecting things to proceed like they are.
Oh well, there’s no time right now to make sure that he’s on the same page as you, nor do you really feel like it. You subtlety place a reassuring hand on his, simple, but certain to pull him out of the conversation, where he doesn’t belong.

You look back to Manolo leering at you disgustingly. Maybe things aren’t as interesting as you had thought.

You still manage a polite smile. “Thank you.”

This is going to take some endurance on your part.

[1/2]

>>38853576
>>Ask him what brought him to the area.

>>38854882

“As a resident of the area, I have to wonder what brought you to the area.” You shake your head. “Surely you didn’t come to see the sights!”
He laughs at your joke. “Unfortunately, we didn’t. Again, business. Nothing for you to worry about” He looks away in thought.

There’s another slip up. Elusive, but glaringly obvious if you’re looking for it. He didn’t come out here on his own volition. Was he forced by obligation, or by rank? He’s not as good as this as you had thought, but at least it’s some fun.

You glance at him fumbling with his hands on the table. Time for you to finish this game before it gets boring.

“Perhaps I could help you…” He looks up suddenly. “and your associates with what brought you out here.”

His face loses its excitement for a slight second, but he recovers quickly. “Oh, that’s quite alright. We’re, uh, managing on our own.”

It was too easy as soon as you took the kiddie gloves off. He’s out here on his own. Why? You’re not sure if you care. If he dies here, it would be nearly impossible to tie it to you.

He’s beaten, but you’re the only one to realize it so far. But, just because that’s true, doesn’t mean he’s not dangerous. You look around at the many shadows in the place, and then back to him with a deceitful smile.

Now what to do with this cornered snake?

>Kill him.

>Try to find out why he's still here.

>Reveal what you know, and demand that he stop attacking you.

>Continue the pleasantries and then see yourself out.

>Write in.

>>38854961
>>Kill him.

>>38854961
>Kill him

>>38854961
>Reveal what you know, and demand that he stop attacking you.

>>38855023
>>38855129
Guys remember last thread? Bad idea.

>>38854961
>>Kill him.
Probably gonna regret this

>>38854961
>Kill him.

Whelp another retard decision cause suffering and quest over. 15 threads a new Auri record.

>>38855144
We remember last thread, yes. Do you remember the last update? It doesn't look like it.

>>38855023
>>38855129
>>38855158
>>38855201
>Writing~

>>38855250

Time to finish this little chat.

You stand suddenly, surprising both Manolo and Laurent. “That’s great to hear.” You incredibly cheerfully.

Manolo stares at you, confused. “Y-yeah.” He clears his throat and returns to his normal suave self. “We haven’t found what we set out for yet.” He smiles at you. “But we may have stumbled upon something much more valuable.”

His sickening grin widens.

Okay, if nothing else you can kill him for the look he just gave you.

You sigh, perhaps you could get more out of him if you wished, but you’re no longer enjoying this.

“It’s a shame that you went about getting a girl’s attention completely the wrong way.” You start. “But I’m here now, and that’s what –truly- matters.” You smile seductively and then reach for his hand with his your right.

He flinches instinctively, but allows you grab hold of it for the moment. You hold his hand lightly with your own, rubbing the inside of his palm lightly.

“I’m so glad to have had you as my neighbor.” You clench his hand tightly. “It was a short time, but I feel like I’ve learned a lot.”

He stands, but you keep him from pulling away. “When I become –truly- successful…” You look deep into his eyes, and see the seeds of fear sprouting rapidly. “You’ll be to thank.”

You invoke your flame.

[1/2]

>>38856629

His screams of agony echo throughout the manor and are quickly joined by other screams not of his own. He desperately tries to rest his hand from your own, but barely makes any progress.

Laurent shoots out his chair immediately.

“The curtains!” You order him firmly.

He dashes to the large windows and then tears the thick curtains from the base, allowing the sunlight to shoot into the manor once again.

You climb over the table and easily send Manolo crumpling into the ground.

“¡MALDITA BRUJA! AAAGGGH” He screams at you while cradling his charred hand into his body.

His pets scream at you from their shadowy spots, not daring to cross into the light. You revel in their helplessness, smiling wickedly.

“Shhhh.” You straddle Manolo’s writing body firmly in between your thighs and reach for his throat. “I haven’t given you real welcome to neighborhood present yet.”

Tears stream from his red eyes. He bit down on the inside of his mouth so hard that blood now stains his teeth. “¡AL INFIERNO CONTIGO, MALDITA PUTA!” He continues to yell, losing his voice in process, but he still screams airily.

You invoke your flame once again quickly silencing him for good. “I’ll meet you there.”

The screams of his pets reach a fever pitch, their screeching sound reverberating in your very bones, but then suddenly stop.

You watch them and they watch you, unmoving, completely silent.

You wipe the scorched viscera off on Manolo’s vest, with limited success, and then rise off his body.

“We should go.” Laurent reaches down and scoops up Manolo like a ragdoll.

You stifle a yawn, and choose an extended sigh instead. Are you done here?

>Leave.

>Write in.

>>38856691
>Leave.
Start a fire on the house on our way out.

>>38856691
>Torch the place and leave.
Ohhhh that felt good to read.

>>38856691
>Burn place down then leave.
Did he cuss at us in Spanish?

>>38856772
He did indeed.

>>38856798

Does Sophia recognize the language?

>>38856930
Some of it, but she pretended that she didn't.
>>38856725
>>38856751
>>38856772
Let it burn.

>Writing.

>>38856751
>>38856772
gosh darn it, we could have at least searched the house for clues? what if the affiliation the man's tied to finds out something is wrong and decides to investigate?

>>38857202
clues for what? he's some asshole who wanted our delving knowledge, not the center of some mystery we're trying to solve. he has no clues. why would you even use the word clues.

>>38857406
I actually think he wanted in our pants, anyone else get that vibe?

>>38857455
Maybe? could have been an affectation though.

>>38857406
I was thinking that since that man was eyeing laurent strangely, he was like some guy from those occultist hunting groups guy. or not. I thought it was forshadowing.

>>38857609
Nah, matthias said that he was part of an occult group and given his ability to make those pets I'd say its probably true.

>>38857609
could just as easily have been "wow that's a big guy, and I did send some weird ass flesh construct things to sophias house. I sure hope she didn't bring him here to beat me up or kill me."

>>38857685
>>38857694
oh, it was something like that? thanks, I forgot if mattias said anything about it.

>>38856691
>>38856992
huh, I just got here, what-

>/tg/ actually not diplomacing
...Auri, you have us whipped, haven't you?

>>38858183
Haha, I don't think so actually.

>>38856992
You nod dreamily, still feeling exhilarated from your latest display of power. “Let’s go home.”

The two of you begin to walk out of the manor when you have another spark of inspiration.

You lightly tap on Laurent’s shoulder. “Leave him. I’ll take care of everything.”

He swiftly obeys, and allows Manolo’s body collapse to the floor next to him. You walk over to the crumpled curtains and set them ablaze, one by one.

The first floor of the manor quickly catches with its wooden construction, and completely satisfied with your flames progress, you rush out the front door.

Once a safe distance away from your destruction, you turn back to watch it like a proud parent. As its many wood beams crash in on itself, you’re reminded slightly of that vibrant flame you invoked when you first tried pyromancy.

You turn and begin the walk back home, unaware of the countless eyes that stared at you from that burning building, some milky and blind, but others sharp and clear. All of them, burning with that house, and their many silent tears doing nothing to stop your hungry flame.

Or perhaps you were aware of them, and you simply didn’t care.

Whatever, the more pressing matter is annoying walk you have to make -all- the way back home. If only you could fly in this realm…

[1/2]

>>38858321

~

Two uneventful days have passed since the events at the manor. With your victory over Manolo, you decided that it would be best for you and your housemates to take it easy for a bit.

The four of you spent your time beautifying your home in various ways. Ellie and Laurent have been spending most of their time working on a new garden in your backyard. Those two have really seemed to have hit it off since that shopping trip, and are everyday becoming more and more like caring siblings.

Marissa has been largely reclusive during the break, but that’s not overly out of her nature, you think. However she helped out all the same when it came time to clean the delving room.

You find that you’ve been spending most of your free time rereading through your grandfather’s old notes, or visiting Matthias and Aya to watch their ever-entertaining antics.

Matthias obviously didn’t approve of your actions at the manor, but given the means you took to cover your tracks, he quickly came around to eagerly asking for details about your flame and how you control it.

You clean up your lunch dishes and stretch out your still sore limbs.

A delve is all set for later today, but what to do in the meantime?

>Head over to visit Matthias and Aya.

>Talk to Ellie and Laurent in the garden.

>See what Marissa is doing.

>Write in.

>>38858358

>See what Marissa is doing

>>38858358
>See what Marissa is doing.
I'm worried about those shadow powers.

A garden is good, though. Gotta compost evidence waste and get a constant source of food.

Maybe a source of water, too, if we plan on getting more pellets.

>>38858358

>Talk to Ellie and Laurent in the garden.

>>38858358
>Head over to visit Matthias and Aya
I want to see these couple antics for myself.

>>38858183
I dunno about this decisions, but that guy does look dangerous come to think of it. so no.
>>38858321
Is sanity a thing in this quest Auri?
>>38858358
how are our apprentices faring after that delve? depending on the matter, either
>see what marissa is doing
or
>talk to Ellie.
>>38858420
I wonder if constantly trying to get provisions is a thing in this quest. if so, that garden's gonna be useful I guess we totally don't have to worry about marissa, she's fine, right?

>>38858493
Sanity is a thing in every quest. Whether or not it's a main focus of this quest....

You didn't really take time to see how they were doing after their delve since you were preoccupied with your own matters, but they seemed about the same as the always do (ie:Ellie is cheerful, Marissa is a bit more reserved.)

>>38858412
>>38858420
A chat with our second apprentice.

>Writing~

>>38858554
>Sanity is a thing in every quest.
hear that guys? be careful! we should tread lightly here, Auri could be as malicious as other QM of /tg/ at this rate!

>>38858637

You figure that even if Marissa had something wrong with her she isn’t the kind of person to just come out and say what it is.

You head upstairs and then approach Ellie and Marissa’s shared room to find the door to be closed. Well, it is your house, and you’re about to burst in without knocking first, but then you remember that it is Marissa you’d be walking in on, so you elect to knock.

“Yes? Come in.” You barely hear through the door.

You open the door to an almost completely darkened room, only a sliver of light illuminates the small desk at which Marissa writes.

Marissa stares at you expectantly.

“Rather dark in here.” You comment casually.

No response from her.

You sigh, she’s reverted a bit to her original self, small talk is useless, and so you’ll have to take charge of the conversation.

You walk over and sit on the edge of Ellie’s bed. “I never got around to asking how your last delve went. So go on, give me the details.”

Marissa stares at her feet. “Umm, it was okay. We just looked around that swamp for anything living.” She sniffs her nose. “But we didn’t find anything... Ellie had fun.”

[1/2]

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>>38859427

“That’s right!” She says suddenly, in an almost normal volume voice. “I was sure to take plenty of notes on about our delve.” She holds her hefty journal out for you to look at.
You start from the beginning, skimming through hastily and excitedly written notes about incantation pronunciations, her first delve, and extensive notes about her form. It’s as if a completely different person wrote it.

But when you get to the writing about her last two delves, you find it to be much more lackluster, almost as if she’s sleepily dictating only the events that occurred and makes has no speculation on various possibilities or any sort of theory construction.

“It’s good.” You lie as you hand back her journal.

For quite a few moments no more words are exchanged, before Marissa finally manages to look up at you.

“Are you…Are we going to delve together this time?” She asks in an almost imperceptible voice.

Strange question, and not the first time she’s asked it too. You’d think as an apprentice she’d want to delve on her own, and make discoveries without her mentor swooping in to take the credit.

You can never be sure when your hairpin might choose to share some knowledge with you. And you really had hoped that you were beyond the point where you had to babysit the two of them, but if it means this much to her…maybe she can “help” you get a new Vigor Leech.

>Agree to delve together.

>Don’t make any promises.

>Write in.

>>38859449
>Agree to delve together.

>>38859449
>Ask why she doesn't prefer going alone without a babysitter
>Agree to delve together if she doesn't relent
ugh why she gotta b like this I want to go deeeeper

>>38859413
What are you talking about? Auri is the most evil QM there is.Just kidding.PROBABLY

>>38859449
>Don't make any promises.
Maybe well go, but i don't want to miss out on any chances.

>>38859449
>Agree to delve together.
work up some experience before heading to the new areas. More meatshields people will be useful later on.

And figuring out how to fly might be good, too.

>>38859449
>>Agree to delve together

>>38859487
>>38859523
>>38859649
>>38859701
>Writing~

>>38859449
something looks off, but whatever.
>Agree to delve together.

>>38859706

“We’ll go together, but…” You stand and cross your arms. “How come you don’t prefer to go alone? You’re more than capable at this poi-.”

“No!” She stands up suddenly, letting her journal fall to the floor.

The both of you are silent, you stare at her, and she looks down to her feet. There better be a good reason she saw fit to interrupt you.

The tense moment is wholly interrupted as you hear a firm but polite tapping at the front door of your house.

You begin to step out of her room, eyeing her warily. “Alright, we’ll go together then.” You leave it at that and go to check who’s visiting you now.

As you descend the stairs, you think for the slightest moment that it could be Manolo, but then you quickly remember his fate and then discard that thought.

[1/2]

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>>38860362

There has been a great deal more foot traffic in the area ever since the market expanded, maybe it’s someone simply asking for directions.

You open the door slowly and behind it you find only a young olive-skinned girl in a white sundress.

She smiles when you finally fully open the door. “I’m sorry to bother you, ma’am.” She continues in a sweet voice. “My name is Carmina, and recently one of my friends has gone missing in the area.” She quickly rifles though a small bag at her hip and then pulls out a flyer. “You wouldn’t have happened to have seen this man, have you?”

Manolo stares back at you. Or at least, a very well done drawing of Manolo in colored pencil.

Even after death…

You peer over the flyer in mock observation, screwing your eyebrows as if trying to remember whether or not you may have seen him at one point.

The main question now is just how much she might know. You look back at her big, brown, and expectant eyes beaming at you patiently and nothing more.

She either doesn’t know anything, or this girl is one of the best pretenders you’ve ever met.

>Say you never saw him.

>Say you think you may have seen him at the market.

>Write in.

>>38860390
>Say you think you may have seen him at the market, but say it was some days ago, you can't be sure.

>>38860390
>Say you think you may have seen him at the market

Damn that was quick.

>>38860390
>He visited us, and asked to be let in. We talked, but after a while, he seemed to want to leave in a hurry. Is he well?

>>38860390
>Say you think you may have seen him at the market.
We know nothing. nothing!

>>38860422
>>38860449
>>38860521
"Have you seen this child?" ...Maybe..??

>Writing~

>>38860390
>Say you think you may have seen him at the market.
we know nothing.

>>38860653

You shrug one of your shoulders. “I think I may have seen him at the market. But that would’ve been some days ago, so I can’t be sure.” You dip your head sadly. “Sorry.”

Carmina frantically waves her hands. “Oh no, not at all. I’m sure I’ll find him soon enough. But…” She rifles through her bag once again and this time
produces a small card. “If you happen to see him, then please give him this and tell him I’m staying at one of the trailers in the market.”

They have trailers at the market now? Anyway, you accept her card.

"I'll be sure to." You nod. "I wish you luck in your search." You offer in fake condolence.

“Luck is on my side!" She announces eagerly and then collects herself. "Thank you for your time, ma’am. Have a beautiful day.” She smiles brilliantly and then gives you a polite bow.

“You’re very welcome…” You look down to her card.

>Carmina Medina-Sidonia, Grand Council of the Occult Order of Sacred Magdalena

“Carmina…” You look around and find that the young girl has completely and utterly vanished from sight.

~

>>38861224

Okay, that's where I'm going to end it for today. As always, I want to thank everyone that played today. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to post them in the thread, and I will do my best to respond to them.

If not, then I wish you a good day/night and hope to see you again next time!

>(Twitter)
https://twitter.com/QM_Auri

>>38861271
Thanks for running!
Hopefully she's way more chill than he was.

>>38861271
Thanks for running! How badly did we muck up our sanity and the situation in general?

>>38861224
"Luck is on my side!"
That's cute and terrifying at the same time.
>>38861271
Thanks for running Auri!

>>38861320
You're very welcome! Everyone has their good side and bad side.
>>38861341
You're also very welcome! Those are tough questions because I don't want to spoil anything, but I think you all executed this line of choices very well!
>>38861381
You're very welcome! I'm glad you caught that.

>>38861224
>"luck is on my side!"
this is a well known dialogue of forboding speech.
>>38861271
thank god I actually caught up with this quest this time. thank you for running!

>>38861946
You're very welcome and I'm glad that you got to play this time!