>>39474209
> Let Oster show you around.

“If I may, your Highness?”
Oster moves ahead of you, pulling the pair of you in his wake. It doesn’t take long to do a quick circumnavigation of the room as he talks you through the various folk standing around. Most of the foreigners are from across the Sea of Teeth, the large Jheri Bay.
You don’t really know much about geography, particularly that of outside Teleran but he gives you a quick run-down. The Jheri Bay is set into the western side of a huge landmass, an almost perfect semi-circle bitten from the land itself. The Bay opens into the Sea of Teeth, named as such for the semi-circle of mountainous islands that ring the small ocean, a mirror to the shape of the Jheri itself.
Teleran itself sits to the west of the Teeth, an island nation unconnected and yet still often tangentially involved.

Those strange foppish men in the puffy breeches and the floppy hats? The ambassador from Ra Vene and his entourage. You recognise the name as the origin of Ophi’s coffee but little else. This does not trouble Oster however, who keeps on leading you on. He doesn’t like Ra Vene very much as rumours of their supposed hedonism are said to shock even the nobles of Teleran. Where do you think the word ‘venal’ in Avling originated from, he asks. He paints a picture of a decaying society ruled by backstabbing families all tied together in an unfamiliar system of intrigue and voting. They call it ‘democracy’ and the fact that they could be proud of such a backwards system of governing, Oster says, is all you ever need to know about them.
Their coastal sea-cities and unparalleled navy has made them a force to be reckoned with in trade however and they have not been shy recently about their rapidly expanding island outposts.

1/??

>>39474222

2/??

There is the envoy from the city-union of Kant, one of the originators of the sprawling conflict that begat this treaty in the first place and the only surviving nation remaining in the slowly expanding Badlands that resulted from the Jheri War’s final years. Oster tells you that they are a theocracy, a caste-based society ruled by priests who commune with spirits. Though their main church had once espoused a mostly pacifistic philosophy, the years of war had inverted it to one of harsh judgement and fear. They had the smallest military but had survived via the wholesale conversion of their expansive priesthood into a military force. They had raised the Nomad Churches, huge wheeled temples that had dragged themselves across the battlefield and were filled with priests and blood sacrifices, all aimed towards sustaining a single allied spirit that could devour entire mortal armies who were helpless to resist or hurt it
They have no love for any practitioners of magic, Oster tells you and particularly not alchemists after the Death of Khalid, where an entire civilian city sworn to Kant had suffocated to death overnight underneath an inescapable alchemical poison cloud deployed in an attempt to disrupt Kanton supply lines.

The men with the skin like ebony were the party from New Khepri, the nation at the very northenmost of the Jheri. Old Khepri had once ruled the entire Jheri, granting most nations the civilisations and culture they now possess but that empire had splintered centuries ago. New Khepri is merely the hot northern tip of that ancient empire, not even encompassing Old Khepri’s ancestral land of origin but claiming the only continuity with it thanks to their Patriarchs who are believed to be directly descended from the Old Khepri Godling Kings, an extinct dynasty from humans who bred with spirits. You can find Kheprite monuments all along the Jheri, Oster claims. They built things to last.

>>39474245

3/???

Only the southern half of New Khepri is even considered part of the Jheri, the rest extending deeper into the mainland and only stopping at the Euthrasian Walls, an old system of walls and fortresses built by Old Khepri to mark the northernmost edge of their domain. Beyond is the Xuan who speak to no man and the edge of the Known World.
Quedesh is either beyond or to the east of the Xuan or is from a different landmass entirely.

Doing their best to avoid the New Kheprite ambassadors are the men from the new Ienic Union. The Union had been until recently the majority of the small states along the Jheri, named such due to their proximity to the inland Ien Sea. They had amalgamated in response to the first state-extinctions of the Jheri War, a plethora of weak nations banding together in the face of death. And though they are still hideously unorganized and prone to bickering, the Union is emerging as the new power of the Jheri. As a result of their newfound power, they have become prone to calling themselves the TRUE Second Khepri, even though they are descended from the southern barbarians that Old Khepri had domesticated.
The nations of the Union had been the first to force the wizards hands, refusing to take their disinterest in the war as an acceptable answer. Wizards had either been slain, thrown from the Union altogether or hobbled into forced servitude as enslaved war-wizards to be deployed upon the battlefield. Now that the war is over there are no wizards in the Union at all and some whisper that the newly empowered state faces a dreadful curse.

The collection of men wearing dresses and the pale skin are recognizable to even you and you don’t need Oster to tell you about them. They are the Avesmen, residents of Analon. They are of Avling descent, just like your people for both Teleran and Analon had been settled by the survivors of Avalon.

>>39474267

4/??
Avalon was a large southern island kingdom that fell beneath the waves long ago, prompting the settlement of both Teleran and Analon. Analon itself is a long chain of islands connected to the Jheri’s southernmost tip, filled with mountains and hills with barely a stretch of flat ground to be found. Where the fogs never lift and the sun never shows its face.
They consider themselves the true descendents of Avalon culture and they just might be, hence the name Avesmen. They are a warrior people residing in mountaintop fiefs and riding the native goats as one would ride a horse or a donkey. Oster tells you that you shouldn’t probably introduce yourself as an alchemist as they are strictly segregated, considering magic the domain of women and warfare the domain of men. They are a nation prone to the Sight, filled with Seeresses and oracle-women.
Oster doesn’t think much of the Avesmen, considering them too bound to foolish traditions and the feudal romance of ancient Avalon.

The other party worth considering are also pale-skinned but in a sallow fashion that marks them of a different ethnicity to Avlings and far from the nut-brown skin of most Jheri people. They are the Szaren, Oster tells you. The representatives of the Badlands, so to speak. For while the Jheri War had started as a war of conquest, it had ended as a war of extermination and far too many nations had been swallowed up by the Badlands that had been called forth in the final years of the war. Szar had been one of the initial aggressors of the entire war, part of an alliance that had attacked Kant. And of that alliance, only Szar survived extinction but only barely. They are a broken people with no homes left and are only here to represent the ‘losing side’ of the Jheri War for they are all what’s left.

>>39474280
5/5

The Szaren are wrapped in huge cloaks that show little but what you can see of their skin is heavily scarred. Oster tells you that the Szaren church is heavily into scarification and self-mutilitation as a show of faith.

“And that’s basically everyone involved,” he finishes, having taken you through a full circuit of the room.

“I care little for human politics,” sniffs Hiss. “What a load of uninteresting twaddle. Where are the Quedeshi?”

“Isn’t that him?”
You do your best to incline Hiss in the direction you indicate without doing anything as blatant as pointing. The ambassador from Quedesh is amidst a gaggle of Teln courtiers, everyone cooing over the most exotic guest. He is still clad in his outfit from the procession but appears to be alone, completely bereft of his own men.

Hiss frowns.
“How are we going to get him if he’s surrounded by...that?”

> See if you can work your way closer to the Quedeshi ambassador and listen in.

> "We'll just have to wait for our chance." Find Lady Trebain or Eugene.

> "We'll just have to wait for our chance." Do your best to mingle.

> "We'll just have to wait for our chance." Approach one of the other ambassadors.

> Lurk.

> Go eat, you're starving.

> Other

>>39474324
> Go eat, you're starving.
god damn no wonder it took you so long, that was huge

>>39474324
> Go eat, you're starving.
Feeling better today ouro?

>>39474324
> "We'll just have to wait for our chance." Find Lady Trebain or Eugene.

>>39474324
> "We'll just have to wait for our chance."
>Dance with Hiss.

> Go eat, you're starving.

All of this business can wait later, particularly with those grand tables stuffed full of pastries and other assorted foodstuffs are awaiting you.

You shrug off Hiss and Oster both before heading off to the closest table alone. They can continue their surveillance of the Quedeshi if they want, you're going to stuff your face while you can.

You are halfway through your third small pie before someone joins you. The man is huge, a full two inches taller than you and far more well-built. Seriously, he's like a living slab of muscle.
He's wearing a shoddy patterned tunic over a knee-length skirt, something that marks him immediately as an Avesman rather than just a very well-built Teln noble.
His head is shaved bald and he bears a particularly droopy orange moustache.
"Out of the way lad, where's the meat?"

You point him to the nearest chicken, expecting him to grab a leg or something only to watch him pick up the entire roast and dig in.

> Just walk slowly away.

> "Excuse me...who are you?"

> Recommend the meat pies.

> Ask him if he's enjoying Teln hospitality.

> "Can I help you?"

> Other

>>39474652
>> Ask him if he's enjoying Teln hospitality.

>>39474652
> Just walk slowly away.

>>39474652
Sup Broyip?

>>39474652
> Just walk slowly away.
>>39474691
You're not serious right?

>>39474652
> Recommend the meat pies.

> Just walk slowly away.

You decide to just leave him be and walk back to Hiss and Oster. You don't need to meet new people, you have all the ones you need right here. Well, not Oster. He's more of an extra.

"How goes it?" you ask, wiping sauce off your chin with your sleeve.

"He's still caught up in that rabble. We need some sort of way to get him out."
Hiss is extremely displeased. It seems that she had been hoping to just walk right on up and talk to him.
And then her eyes widen as the music starts.

There's a band in an alcove at the corner and they start with a lively tune, one designed to get your feet tapping. You see some of the more lively nobles start to pair off.

> This is your chance to reach the ambassador!

> This is your chance to ask Hiss to dance.

> Just sit back and lurk.

> Other

>>39474839
> This is your chance to ask Hiss to dance.

>>39474839
> This is your chance to ask Hiss to dance.
> Ask if she still has an extreme hatred of music first

>>39474839
>> This is your chance to ask Hiss to dance.
Dance the way over there.

>>39474839
>> This is your chance to ask Hiss to dance.
>Try to dance in the general direction of the ambassador

>>39474839
> This is your chance to reach the ambassador!
stay focused fellow anons

> This is your chance to ask Hiss to dance.

You take Hiss' hands in yours, prompting a confused stare on her part.
"May I have your first dance, your ladyship?"

"First what?"

"Dance. First dance."

She stares at you blankly, clearly accessing one of her soul-memories.
"Oh, dancing. Why would I want to do that?"

"Just trust me."
You gently pull her forward and she doesn't resist as you do your best to lead with what little you know of dancing.
You're not sure what you were picturing in your head. The crowd parting around the two of you, your bodies moving together as one as you dance your way towards the waiting ambassador...

You step on Hiss' foot and she visibly has to swallow an attempt to bite your throat out as a reaction.
This could be a very bad idea.

> Keep on! Stay the distance!

> Find another dance partner.

> Cease this nonsense.

> Other

>>39475058
>> Keep on! Stay the distance!
We doing this to get to the Ambassador

>>39475058
> Cease this nonsense.
haha, i hope no one is surprised by this

File: Onward.jpg (165 KB, 1058x705)

165 KB JPG

>>39475058
>> Keep on! Stay the distance!

>>39475058
> Cease this nonsense.

>>39475058
> Keep on! Stay the distance!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cno20onK9dY

Come on guys do you really think this is a good idea?

>>39475245
I thought it would have been a good idea to practice dancing with Hiss. But a few anons were sure that us being able to "lead" her in the dance would be soo much better.

>>39475269
Dancing is a terrible idea regardless of that decision. Cennen nearly kneed lady trebain in the eye when he was practicing

> Keep on! Stay the distance!

You quash your doubts. No, this is what you have to do. What you need to do. Why else take those truncated dancing lessons if not for this single moment?

You strike out once more, Hiss hands clutched in yours and your legs almost entangled. It's time to make your way to the ambassador with the power of DANCE.

It turns out to be even slower than it is awkward and it is astoundingly awkward. Hiss doesn't attempt to kill you at least but the whole process is muddled and when the song ends you've barely made any progress at all.

The band starts a new tune and Hiss bares her teeth at you.
"What are you trying to make me do?"

"We'll get this down, no worries. We only need a little more time..."
You trail off as the grand double doors at the far end of the hall burst open. The man striding through is thoroughly ugly, for all that he is clad in expensive clothes.
He looks decidedly familiar and oh shit it's Captain Frahm from Melire. What the hell is he doing HERE?

"The king!" He bellows. "Where is the king?"

Your dancing was too slow, you weren't able to get across the room in time. Fortunately he hasn't seen you yet but whatever his purpose here is, you strongly doubt you want him aware of you.

> Go for the ambassador now!

> No, it is far more prudent to recede back and hide.

> Go straight up to Frahm and ask him what's going on.

> Flee.

> Other

>>39475336
> Go for the ambassador now!
Point out Frahm to Hiss.

>>39475336
>> Go for the ambassador now!

>>39475336
How far are we from the ambassador?
Also I'd like to mention how hilarious I think it is when everyone votes for the romantic option and it fails miserably as expected

>>39475336
>> No, it is far more prudent to recede back and hide.
Avoid attracting attention from anyone that isn't the target.

>>39475336
> No, it is far more prudent to recede back and hide.

>>39475336
> Go for the ambassador now!

>>39475403
I voted against but it didn't post for some reason.

> Go for the ambassador now!

It would indeed be much more prudent to avoid being seen but Frahm's arrival has thrown the room into chaos. In other words, the perfect opportunity.

You disentangle from Hiss as both of you give up any pretense of trying to dance and just start walking across the room. The knot of nobles around the ambassador has broken apart, the gleam of his golden mask clearly visible.

Frahm is detained by the royal guard, one of them telling him that King Edwin should be still in his chambers and that he would not attend the ball until the food had been cleared.

You have to pass dangerously close and your world seems to slow down as Frahm, insisting that he needs to speak to the King immediately, catches you and Hiss in the corner of his eye. He boggles at the two of you.
"You?"

He raises his arm at you. No, more accurately, at Hiss.
"All of this was YOUR doing!"

Hiss doesn't seem to even know who he is.

> Keep going!

> Stop to try and calm him down.

> Flee back before everyone starts staring.

> Other

>>39475593
> Keep going!
ignore him completely

>>39475593
> Stop to try and calm him down.
Hiss can go meet the ambassador.

>>39475593
> Keep going!

Look at the guards like that man is insane perhaps? Tell Hiss who it is?

Chastise yourself that it would have been a much better idea to hide in the crowd and let the fucking guards escort him out.

>>39475593
>> Keep going!
Nope, no idea who this guy is. Officer. Honest.

>>39475593
This wouldn't have happened if we knew the relative positions of the ambassador and captain frahm

> Keep going!

You push onwards, Hiss trotting along behind you as Frahm is wrestled to the ground by the royal guard.

By some stroke of fortune, you avoid the attention of the room.

"Who was that?"

"Remember the guard captain from Melire I told you about? That's him."

"Oh. What's he doing here?"

"I...don't know. It can't be good," you tell her.

The music starts up again as Frahm is escorted out to whatever punishment awaits him. Now all you need to do is to reach the ambassador oh damnit he's gone. The spot he had once occupied now lies vacant, the group of curious onlookers dissolving.

You look around frantically before Hiss touches your hand in warning. The Quedeshi ambassador is striding right towards the two of you, making no attempt to hide his intentions.

He's moving so aggressively that you almost feel that you might have to restrain Hiss before she strikes back instinctively but he comes to a stop just outside of her reach, respecting her circle of threat.

This close up, you can see the dark eyes underneath the mask. They look amused and you suppose for good reason.
Keeping his distance from Hiss, the ambassador suddenly bows in the Teleran fashion, bending at the waist. He's a few inches shorter than either of you but somehow comes across as far more imposing, a slender exotic figure of unknown presence.

He stretches out a gloved hand towards Hiss, crossing her boundary in a slow and gentle movement that seems almost designed to not trigger her bite.
"Good evening my lady."
His voice is deep and rich, possessed of an unbreakable self-importance.
"I had not expected to see one of your esteemed folk here. May I beg of you your next dance?"

"Uh.." Hiss says. She clearly has no idea what to do here.

> Nudge her forward, just a little.

> Oh hell no.

> Other

>>39475912
>> Nudge her forward, just a little.

>>39475912
>Oh hell no.

>>39475912
> Nudge her forward, just a little.

>>39475912
> Oh hell no.

>>39475912
>> Nudge her forward, just a little.

>>39475912
>> Nudge her forward, just a little.
>Pray to her, just like we just practiced

>>39475953
>>39476071
Why? May I ask?

>>39475912
>>39476090
Praying might be good too. Supporting.

>>39476094
He's more powerful than her and I'm worried what he might do if he drags her off alone.

He's already got age/power on her. But she'll be in an even more unsteady position if she's trying to dance while speaking/negotiating.

>>39476090
The ambassador will hear it too though

>>39475912
Not sure what to do here. I really don't want to offend the ambassador. He's why we're here in the first place.
On the other hand, putting Hiss in grappling range of a constrictor doesn't seem smart. My gut says there's something insidious at play, and Hiss is not good at things that aren't straightforward.
I'll hedge an
>> Oh hell no.

>>39476114
We also gotta play ball in his court to get what Hiss wants. Fact is Hiss' lack of planning and arrogance led to this. Her getting knocked down a peg or two might help both of us in the long run.

>>39476152
Do you really think he's gonna do anything to her in a crowded party?

> Nudge her forward, just a little.

Oh, you're not going to pass up this chance just because Hiss decided that now was the best time to become socially awkward. You nudge her forward, just enough for her to get the message.

"Uh, charmed, I'm sure."
She takes the Quedeshi ambassadors hand as he pulls her into the dance. You hope that she doesn't mess this up but you can't be too optimistic about it. She doesn't have any idea how to dance after all. You almost pray to her but decline at the last moment on account of the ambassador's presence.

Oh, but the ambassador does. Boy does he ever. He leads her in a dance unlike any other you can see in the ballroom, a slow and sinuous dance that traces a serpentine path along the room. She can't do it at first but he guides her gently and before long the movements seem to come to her as second nature.
She moves with him as if they were one, the ambassador clutching her closer and closer.

It's not long before the eyes of the entire ballroom are upon them, the pair sidewinding with a grace that is not entirely human.
He's saying something to her that you can't hear, the mask obscuring his mouth. She doesn't say anything in return but she smiles, her cheeks tinted by a light blush.

> OH HELL NO.

> No, this is fine. Just wait it out.

> Find another partner and dance your way near them!

> Other

>>39476170
> No, this is fine. Just wait it out.
Cennen keep it in your pants. Making a scene would be bad, and we suck at dancing.

>>39476170
> No, this is fine. Just wait it out.

>>39476170
>> No, this is fine. Just wait it out.

Chill. We're a spiritbane. And she's easily flattered.

>>39476165
If he thinks he can disguise it? Or at least do it in a way that can't be proven? Yes.

>>39476170
>> No, this is fine. Just wait it out.

>>39476170
>Watch your waifu be stolen away.

>>39476170
>OH HELL NO.

>>39476170
> No, this is fine. Just wait it out.
>Business Hiss Business!

>>39476204
If it happens? Oh well. Burn our last wish and disappear. Pick up Bunyip and sod off somewhere.

I however doubt it'll come to that anon.

>>39476170
>> No, this is fine. Just wait it out.
>Try not to let the soul-crushing despair that you're definitely not feeling show.

>>39476204
>>39476253
Seriously Hiss would be taken in that easily? Yes she's easily flattered, but if you waifu'd her you oughta have more faith in her than that.

>>39476253
Ouro gets some kind of satisfaction from inflicting NTR-related pain to his players apparently

> No, this is fine. Just wait it out.

Oh man, screw everything about this. But you swallow your pride and settle for doing nothing but watching. You know Hiss. She might be susceptible to flattery and...whatever the hell this is but she isn't the kind of person to trust easily. You're sure she'll be fine.

Yes. Because that's what worries you so much about this scene. Her safety. Absolutely that. Nothing else whatsoever.
But no, you chastise yourself. Do you really have so little faith in her? No matter how much she looks to be enjoying herself. And you only have to wait until this song ends.

The band comes to crescendo and finishes but Hiss and the ambassador don't stop. Instead they keep dancing without messing a beat, dancing from the dying echoes of one tune to the next one the band starts playing.

You stay where you are, watching as her smile grows wider and wider, her movements more and more effortless. She hadn't danced like that with you.
No, you need to stop thinking like that. Nothing is wrong.

From across the room you suddenly lock eyes with Oster. He makes a small motion towards the dancing couple as if to remark 'Are you seeing this?'.
Yes. Yes Oster, you are seeing it.

He shakes his head, disapproval visible even upon his false Ophi-face. He's none too happy about the dance either it seems though for what reason you know not.

It..It doesn't look like they're going to stop anytime soon.

> You're just going to sit here and wait. Literally doing nothing else.

> Sidle your way across over to Oster.

> Find your own goddamn dance partner.

> Other

>>39476328
Anon please, Ophi didn't even count.

>>39476410
> Sidle your way across over to Oster.
Whatever

>>39476410
>> Sidle your way across over to Oster.

>>39476410
> Sidle your way across over to Oster.
Oster I think this could be trouble. Cover for me while I get some Snake oil brewed up? Just In case.

>>39476448
We don't have anything we need for alchemy

>>39476410
>> Sidle your way across over to Oster.

>>39476429
You keep trying to make it seem that way though. Cennen certainly thinks it counts.

>>39476410
> Sidle your way across over to Oster.
Is this the one thing we can bond over?

>>39476462
Implying we need much. Fire water a bowl and some snake bits. Snake oil is literally piss easy to make.

> Sidle your way across over to Oster.

You pick your way across the ballroom, deliberately avoiding as many people as you can. Not that anyone seems to want much to do with you.

By the time you meet up with Oster, he looks rather sour.
"This is too dangerous. We don't even know him."

"Agreed."

"It was your idea though?"
His tone isn't accusatory but you still don't like the sound of it.

"Sort of. It just...happened. And I'm going to stand by it. This is what she wants."

"I know this is what the princess wants," Oster says glumly. "But..."

"But what?"

"I just don't trust him. We can't even see his face!"
He says this without a shred of irony and you decide not to point it out.

"You know, she told me before that she liked the mask. That she liked not having to keep track of human expressions."

"Is that so?"
Oster narrows his eyes.
"I don't like how convenient this all feels. Everything about him feels too calculated, designed. And for all her wisdom, the princess isn't equipped to deal with such a threat."

You nod but hastily stop the gesture as the dance stops, Hiss making her way toward the pair of you. The ambassador bows once more before slipping back.

"What are you two conspiring," she asks.

"Nothing, your highness," Oster replies. "Merely complimenting your prowess."

This lie seems to satiate her curiosity plenty.
"Very well. Now Tash-"

"Tash?"
You can't help yourself.

Hiss looks at you strangely.
"Yes, the Quedeshi. He told me to call him Tash. I can only assume it is his name."

"So, did you talk about your plan?"
You don't know what answer you want to hear.

"Uh, not exactly."
Hiss looks to the side guiltily.
"I know I should have but it just didn't seem to come up. But I can ask him later tonight in his chambers after this is all over."

What?
"What?"

"Pardon?"
Oster is just a split-second behind you.

Hiss beams uncertainly, clearly discomforted by your reactions.
1/2

>Watch your waifu be NTR'd

See guys, this is why you should've had Eugene as our waifu, or the broyip.

>>39476722
what the fuck ouro

>>39476764
I'm about 65% sure were not biologically compatible with her anyway.

>>39476764
Second

>>39476778
>implying romance only matters for procreation
are you serious nigga

>>39476763
>>39476764
Well it's to be expected. Cennen is a lowly human after all.

>>39476722
2/2

"Yes, what of it? He told me that if I liked the dance, we could practice it later tonight in his chambers. Or something along those lines."
Hiss runs her hands together.
"But little does he know we'll be doing no such thing. Instead I'll be recruiting him to my plan. I've trapped him and he doesn't even know it."

His chambers?
You splutter something but Oster remains more coherent.
"You couldn't have asked him just now?"

"Look, it didn't just seem right. Can't I have fun?"
She blinks, something occurring to her.
"By the way Oster, you need to get out there and start tailing this Frahm human pronto. He's up to something."

"As you command," Oster grumps before walking off.
You and Hiss are now alone. Or as alone as you'll get in a fucking crowded ballroom anyway.

> "I don't think you've thought this through."

> "I don't think 'dance practice' is what he had in mind?"

> "Is he a snake or what?"

> "Hiss, what just happened out there?"

> Other (go nuts)

Rolled 49 (1d100)

>>39476826
>> "Hiss, what just happened out there?"
Rolling for sanity.

>>39476826
>> "I don't think 'dance practice' is what he had in mind?"
>> "Is he a snake or what?"

>>39476826
> "I don't think 'dance practice' is what he had in mind?"
> "Hiss, what just happened out there?"

>>39476826
He wants to fuck you, Hiss. Also I'd like to mention how painful that was for me to watch

>>39476764
When I did those interludes way back in the boat, they were supposed to represent different avenues of threat. The Snakecatcher for example is very blunt and not at all subtle. He is a threat entirely on the physical level.

Tash, who also showed up in the interludes, is the opposite of that. He isn't physically intimidating at all but he is a threat to all you hold dear all the same.

>>39476826
> "Hiss, what just happened out there?"
> "I don't think you've thought this through."
He's a politician They are very good at saying things you want to hear, only to stab you in the back later. Hell There are stories hours long in the telling about it. If he's human he's likely been raised by snakes to have a very talented tongue, and if he's a snake he will talk circles around you.
> "I don't think 'dance practice' is what he had in mind?"
From the way you said it, he's implying he wants to fornicate with you.

>>39476826
>> "I don't think 'dance practice' is what he had in mind?"
>> "Hiss, what just happened out there?"

>>39476881
Which is stupid because he's the only way to complete our objective of getting to Quedesh

>>39476170
>> No, this is fine. Just wait it out.
Hey Ouro could you write in the paste bin what properties are of the generic reagents we would already know?

>>39476778
we still have one wish

>>39476881
So you actually planned for him to be the NTR character. gotcha.

>>39476981
damm I was late

>>39477015
I... I think that falls under things wishes can't be used for.

Although I know as a fact that wishing for more wishes would cause our immediate and violent death.

>>39477015
And that's how we survive after all our wishes...

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>>39477015

>>39477052
But anon he hinted that he was some kind of existential threat in an interlude then had us go right to him as a major means of plot development we should have known how stupid of us

WE should either wish for a better understanding of magic, Or for Hiss to have a better understanding of interpersonal relationships.

>>39477080
Yeah it really makes no sense to me

Well this is where we are now all we have to do is murder him or fuck him to get our power back show him the we alone reign supreme

>>39477230
We can't do anything to him becase then Hiss will never be able to get to Quedesh

Drug him up and make him out bitch have him begging to take us home to please us

If it's going to get weird we will be the ones to make it weird

> "I don't think 'dance practice' is what he had in mind."
> "Hiss, what just happened out there?"

You suck in your breath. How do you go about this?
"Look, Hiss. I don't think 'dance practice' is what he had in mind."

"Yes, he probably wants to have sex with me."
The way she says it so matter of factly while seeming so oblivious just before disrupts your passage of thought.

"You knew?"

She shrugs.
"What of it? It makes him more pliable as far as I'm concerned. The trick I think is to act like I will but continually refrain from doing so until he takes us where I want to go."

"And then?"

"We dump him somewhere I guess?"
She frowns.
"Just what do you think I wanted to do, Cennen? Do you think so little of me?"

"Uh.."

She huffs.
"Am I so foolish and naive now that I'll just open my legs to any who ask? Is that what you thought I would be doing?"
She actually sounds offended.

"Don't be like that, Hiss. Can you blame me after that? What was all that about anyway? Just what happened out there?"

She looks away.
"I won't deny that it wasn't enjoyable. Would you turn down the attentions of a pretty lady?"

"For you? Probably!"

She looks almost like you've struck her and she refuses to meet your eye.
"Well...not all of us can be so saintly I suppose. It was fun. I like fun. And he had a way of making it just feel right. I can't explain it. Is it so bad of me to want more? I know you humans do it differently but in Snakehome you could say that we take multiple partners. There's nothing wrong with that."

You think back to the way she'd described the post-hibernation mating balls in the past and you suppose that 'multiple partners' was a bit of an understatement.

1/2

>>39477270
...Slaanesh approves of your ideas...

>>39477274
2/2

> "It might be fine for you but you know it isn't for me. I wasn't born in Snakehome."

> If that's the case, question her usual possessiveness of you.

> "I don't know what to think about that idea but he's way too transparently dangerous to try this with."

> "And what if he doesn't want to play along?"

> Screw this. "Is he a snake or what?"

> Other

>>39477337
> Screw this. "Is he a snake or what?"
You guys all want to be xenophiles, well you better damn well accept xeno rules, in this case that snakes aren't quite monogamous.

>>39477337
> If that's the case, question her usual possessiveness of you.
You would have probably attacked the woman I danced with like that.
> "I don't know what to think about that idea but he's way too transparently dangerous to try this with."
> Screw this. "Is he a snake or what?"

>>39477337
> "I don't know what to think about that idea but he's way too transparently dangerous to try this with."
Look at the Lord of Melire's memories, He's small fry compared to most politicians here.
> If that's the case, question her usual possessiveness of you.
And don't say wish bond cause we both know you wanted my head on a pike when this started.

>>39477337
>1 2 and 3

What if he gets the better of you he seems to know how to press your buttons your worried about her and not because she isn't good enough but because this guy already made her forget what she came to talk to him about while they were dancing

>>39477337
> "I don't know what to think about that idea but he's way too transparently dangerous to try this with."

> "I don't know what to think about that idea but he's way too transparently dangerous to try this with."


> If that's the case, question her usual possessiveness of you.

>>39477432
I like the point provided here that's
>Already made her forget what she came to talk to him about while they were dancing.

>>39477432
Yeah he was in complete control of their interaction

>>39477337
>> If that's the case, question her usual possessiveness of you.
>> "I don't know what to think about that idea but he's way too transparently dangerous to try this with."

Well this has been a thouroughly unenjoyable thread so far

>>39477589
I enjoyed it.

>>39477589
I agree

I don't understand how some people get off on this stuff I mean most fetishes I can kinda see the point but NTR I just don't get

>>39477589
Eh. I'm alright. We're actually not in a committed relationship with Hiss and that seems to really be what the entire quest is about.

So! Fighting for it at least for now is alright. We get another dozen or so threads down the line and she's still waffling on infidelity and I'll be long gone.

>>39477649
We haven't entered a committed relationship yet.

He's a high power individual who's got a young rookie rushing up who think she's hot shit.

He'll use and abuse her and throw her away.. or keep her as a trophy unless we help her navigate/get clear.

Don't get me wrong it's making me uncomfortable.

>>39477677
Damn you and your voice of reason.

You are of course right and I get what your saying but it feels like we wandered or were lead right into a mine field of fuck.

And I am also uncomfortable but I guess love is a battlefield heh

>>39477677
I still think she prefers Cennen by quite a bit. Yes it's frustrating but I think you're being a bit overdramatic

>>39477860
Over dramatic in what way?

>>39477896
saying that we have to fight that dude for her affections

> If that's the case, question her usual possessiveness of you.
> "I don't know what to think about that idea but he's way too transparently dangerous to try this with."

"Really? That doesn't explain your usual attitude."

"I beg your pardon?"

"If I was dancing like that with another woman you'd probably kill her. Do you think that I haven't noticed how you act? And don't say wish-bond because we both know that's not true."

"That's different," she says. "You're my sworn servant. I'm possessive of you because I literally possess you. You're mine and nobody else's."
She tentatively takes your hand.
"I won't let you used by another."

...She probably thinks that sounds a lot more romantic than it is. Or not. She's being rather erratic right now, no doubt driven by her own conflicting desires and shames.

"I could say the same to you."
Hm, maybe not the best choice of words.

"You dare?"

"No, not that way. Not about ownership. I mean, I won't let you be used by someone else. And I think that's what he'll do to you. He already made you forget what you came to talk to him about just before, he was in complete control. And no, you weren't just buttering him up to ask later, you know that wasn't why. He's way too dangerous."

Something touches a nerve regardless.
"And I'm not?"
The grip around your hands tightens into a death-grip. You are suddenly painfully aware of her fingernails digging into your skin. Or more accurately, aware of the venom within her just waiting for your skin to break. You don't have any antivenoms and you'd really rather not trust your dubious immunity.

"You're posturing, Hiss. Please let go."
She drops your hands and you take a deep breath.
"You could have accidentally killed me right then. Of course you're dangerous, Hiss. I'm reminded of that every day. But that danger hasn't warded me away."

She smiles but its guarded, no longer quite so free.
"Then what do you think we should do? Tash isn't going to just evaporate."

1/2

>>39477860
I don't think it's over dramatic this guy is way out of our league just like everything else we have encountered and can create a huge rift between the main characters if he has his way the stakes are high as fuck he is absolutely a boss battle just not one you can fight directly

>>39477956
>he is absolutely a boss battle just not one you can fight directly
I think fighting directly might be the only way to win that battle. Indirect seems like his forte.

>>39477938
2/2

> "Just tell him that you don't desire him that way. Lie if you have to."

> "We need to know more about him. I'd be fine with you seeing him later tonight if you promise it's only for that."

> "It's time to stop being so polite. He doesn't respect you. You need to assert your strength."

> "Just be careful!"

> Other

>>39478035
What exactly does "Asserting your strength" imply?


>>39478026
Yeah I'm on the fence about that. If he's a snake though.. and a "constrictor" he should have some physical prowess shouldn't he?

I mean Hiss could rip us to shreds without trying.

>>39478035
>> "It's time to stop being so polite. He doesn't respect you. You need to assert your strength."

>>39478035
>> "It's time to stop being so polite. He doesn't respect you. You need to assert your strength."
I fear the carnage this decision will cause.

>>39478035
> "It's time to stop being so polite. He doesn't respect you. You need to assert your strength."

>>39478026
When where and how I'm not being smarmy If you have good answers I'll gladly support you

>>39478082
>What exactly does "Asserting your strength" imply?

Not literally asserting her physical strength or attacking him. Just trying to bring her usual rough edges and confidence to her interactions with him. Attempt to outright be the boss of the conversation.

>>39478035
>asset and be careful about it

I have faith in you hiss

>>39478035
> "It's time to stop being so polite. He doesn't respect you. You need to assert your strength."

>>39478152
Ah alright thanks.

>>39478165
And get every fucking thing ready we have on us that could help if it comes to a fight ready

>>39478035
> "Just be careful!"
Maybe the constrictors have some way of directly influencing the mind? It would explain the near-robotic humans that accompanied him earlier as well as how he made it "just feel right" while you were dancing

>>39478334
God damn you might be right how can even say anything about it that would be in character

>>39478334
>>39478035
I'll back this if it's not too late.

>>39478334
makes sense, and backing

> "It's time to stop being so polite. He doesn't respect you. You need to assert your strength."

"I think the biggest problem is that he has you on the back foot. Yes, don't deny it, it's fine to admit it Hiss. This isn't your chosen arena and it's putting you off. But you just need to treat him like you would me or Oster. Assert yourself and establish dominance."

"Be the Queen, you mean. Instead of just a princess."

"Exactly. A princess is a tool for kings to use and exchange at their whim. A Queen reigns absolute."
Where are these words coming from? They almost don't feel like yours or as if they were charged with some sort of damning premonition.

"Thank you, Cennen. Would you believe that you are much less of the idiot than I initially mistook you for?"
She reaches up to ruffle your hair, a distinctly unfamiliar gesture that she gets almost completely wrong.
She smirks, the idea clearly taking a deep root within her. And then she turns and stamps her foot in a sudden fit of pique.
"He's buried again!"

Indeed, Tash is once again surrounded by a small crowd of local nobles. Hiss bares her teeth in frustration though she thankfully keeps her fangs absent.
"If this keeps up I'll have to wait until after the ball to talk to him anyway! ...As he no doubt wants."

"So? Just browbeat your way in now."

"No, I can't. I'll just end up in the middle of all those humans. It'll throw me off. We have to make him vulnerable again."

> Just sit back and wait for a better opportunity.

> "You might have to visit him later in his chambers after all. Just destroy him when you're there."

> Stride out and approach him yourself, head on.

> The crowd dispersed when Frahm made a ruckus. Perhaps you can do something similar.

> Do your best to mingle.

> Where is Eugene and Lady Trebain anyway?

> Other

>>39478437
> Where is Eugene and Lady Trebain anyway?
Maybe our friendly Dandelion wizard would be willing to work his craft, and make a distraction?

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>>39478334
should have figured

>>39478437
> Stride out and approach him yourself, head on.
We believe our speech as well
> Make way for our queen

>>39478437
> The crowd dispersed when Frahm made a ruckus. Perhaps you can do something similar.

> Where is Eugene and Lady Trebain anyway?


>>39478466
Exactly! Maybe we can get Eugene to put on a.. fireworks? Dandelion display?

>>39478437
>>39478334

>>39478437
>Make ruckus

Give her a smile and put a hand on her shoulder

I got this and I believe in you

Drink mode engaged

>>39478437
>>39478334
Mention that maybe he has mind mojo.

We saw Hiss with am expressionless mask. She's meant to be with the constrictors. We should just lie back and accept it.

>>39478437
>>39478500
>>39478466
>>39478552
Supporting all this fine stuff. Snakecatcher Questers on point tonight.

Look what I found in the magic pastebin.
>Witches are commonly believed to be a myth in Teleran, practitioners of a foul art that can twist both body and mind
Witches are from quedesh and are probably just constrictors and their servants

>>39478585
That fucker!
Our Shit!

God damn mind magic

>>39478585
Do we actually know that though? Or is that just background lore?

>>39478585
Probably. Here's hoping Spiritbane can no sell it. Which would be hilarious in it's own right.

> Where is Eugene and Lady Trebain anyway?
> Make a ruckus with them.

You and Hiss instead choose to turn your backs on the spectacle of the exotic ambassador and slowly roam the room in search of familiar faces.
You spot Eugene standing Lady Trebain's shoulder, the noblewoman herself speaking to a thin Aveswoman clad in green patterned cloak, tartan scarf and the same knee-length skirt all of them wore.

Lady Trebain sees you coming long before you approach and excuses herself and Eugene from the woman's presence.
"Ah, Cennen! Sera! How has your night been? I know Sera's been having fun."

Hmph.

> "Do you want a chance to talk to the Quedeshi ambassador? I'm sure he'd love a dance."

> "Eugene, I need to speak to you in private."

> "Who was that?"

> "Care for a dance?"

> Other

>>39478751
> "Do you want a chance to talk to the Quedeshi ambassador? I'm sure he'd love a dance."
>Hey Eugene why don't you show off for all the nice people. Not often the get to see a wizard this close.

>>39478751
>Eugene

All I know is we can't send her In there alone.

I'm on edge as fuck!

>>39478751
> "Eugene, I need to speak to you in private."
I really wish we would have mentioned the possibility of mind control to Hiss like we voted for but it's too late now

>>39478751
> "Eugene, I need to speak to you in private."
Hell maybe his flower shit can dispel mind bullshit.

>>39478807
But there isn't enough tension if we've warned her!

>>39478807
Oh sorry, that'll be in the next one.

> "Eugene, I need to speak to you in private."

"Our night's been fine. Do you mind if I borrow your son for a little while?"

You tug Eugene away by the shoulder, the wizard only resisting a little. You leave Hiss behind in exchange. Once you're out of earshot, he plants his staff in the ground and looks at you portentously.
"What do you want?"

"Want? I don't want anything. I was just thinking about all of our prestigious guests. I bet it isn't often they get to see a wizard up close. Why don't you put on a show?"

Eugene doesn't seem wholly convinced.
"Why? What do you get out of it?"

You decide to drop the pretense.
"Look, I'll teach you a journeyman brew if you just cause a ruckus. No questions asked."

He strokes his goatee in what he assumes is a wizardly fashion.
"Very well. This contract is sealed!"

You pat him on the back and rejoin Hiss and Lady Trebain. The two of them seem to have been getting on a little better than you had expected.
"I'd watch out, if I were you."

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE!"

Oh damn he's using the wizard voice. It booms like thunder and echoes painfully throughout the ballroom.

"BEHOLD!"
Dandelions begin to gently rain down from the rafters.

You're already moving forward, Hiss just behind you as the crowd begins to react.
"By the way," you hiss. "Do you think he might have some sort of mind art? If he's a snake, that is?"

"I think I'd be able to tell if I was being enchanted," Hiss says coolly.

"Just keep it in mind."

Most of the people seem just bewildered but apparently this is a little too much for the Szaren ambassador.
"What is this nonsense? And where is the King? We were promised an audience with King Edwin!"
He looks like he's been swallowing his impatience for quite some time but this, THIS is the final straw.

The royal guard move in around him as he tries to get the door leading into the inner palace open. 1/2

>>39478844
Her mind bullshit needs fear to work maybe his mind bullshit needs attraction or something

>>39479084
I'm still butthurt that we didn't make that snake identification potion before the party because dancing was so much more important to everyone

>>39479084
2/2

This in turn prompts his own delegation to rush forward hollering in what appears to be escalating into a small scale diplomatic incident.

> Step back, you don't need to get involved.

> Figuratively nobble the ambassador now. No actual nobbling to take place.

> Other

>>39479116
> Figuratively nobble the ambassador now. No actual nobbling to take place.
>You're welcome Hiss.

>>39479116
> Figuratively nobble the ambassador now. No actual nobbling to take place.

>>39479109
And we didn't even fucking dance well Sigh maybe later

>>39479116
Nobble

>>39479116
> Figuratively nobble the ambassador now. No actual nobbling to take place.


>>39479170
Maybe we can ask her for a dance after this current mess is over. Privately. Just spin around our room or some such. As she just wishes we were half as good or enchanting as a certain ambassador.

>>39479116
>> Figuratively nobble the ambassador now. No actual nobbling to take place.
YES ITS "NOBBLING" TIME

>>39479194
That word is so damn fun to say.

>>39479116
Did you invent that or something? If so, majorly cool boss.

> Figuratively nobble the ambassador now. No actual nobbling to take place.

You waste no time in using this to your advantage, the pair of you worming your way through the confused crowd and finding Tash standing alone by a corner.
He's completely isolated and surrounded, yet he couldn't look more comfortable.

"Ah, greetings fair lady. As radiant as ever, I see. And yet I do not think this is a time for dances."
You barely noticed it before but he doesn't even seem to have an accent. He speaks Avling almost like a native.

"That's not what I'm here for, Tash,"

"Then please, I'm all ears."

"I think we got off on the wrong foot, so to speak."

"It felt like the right foot to me."

"Oh for hell's sake, just shut up!"
Hiss is a little flustered but that only seems to be fueling her right now.
"This is what I mean, Tash. I like you but you have to drop this patronizing attitude. Like, what? Do you think you're better than me?"

"No, of course not."
His mask is as perfectly impassive as ever and his voice keeps perfect timbre, betraying nothing.

"Then I think it's time you started acting your station. Know your place. Do you think I'm just some slattern who you can charm out of her dress? You insult me."

Tash starts to say something but Hiss keeps on going, overriding even him.
"Worse yet, you insult my home. Does the word 'Snakehome' mean nothing to you? Do you really want our ire?"

"I think we are operating upon a misunderstanding," he says.

"Oh?"
She raises an eyebrow, a gesture that she's become extremely well practiced by now.

"I didn't ask you for a dance because I wanted your body, though you are exceptionally beautiful. But what can I say? Since I saw you in the street, my heart has been pierced by your fangs. It's you I want. All of you. I just wish to give you your due."

He takes her hand within his glove, Hiss almost pulling away but refraining at the last moment.
"W-well that's not happening."

1/2

>>39479186
Well just Brew up a dance potion and be better right... Right

*sob*

>>39479348
damn, Hiss is pathetic

Why?

>>39479348
This fucking guy!

I still don't get why everyone is trying to hook Cennen up with the snake in this quest.

>>39479412
inb4 he's a literal snake charmer

>>39479416
First "girl" syndrome.

>>39479416
I'm not, I just don't want our guard getting manipulated.

>>39479416
maybe it's because we like her
>>39479425
this isn't some harem quest anon

>>39479450
Never said it was. It's a common things in quest for the first eligible female to "win" the prospective MC relationship slot. Harem quests actually avoid that more often than regular quests.

>>39479348
2/2

"If that is what you wish, my fair lady. But you can come visit me later tonight if you wish and no, not for the purposes you think. Nothing will happen that you do not desire."

She pushes his hands away, looking down at him spitefully.
"Maybe I will. But it won't be for your purposes. I take what I want. And what I need right now is your ship."

"You may have it."

His immediate surrender throws her off-guard.
"Really?"

"Of course. Who am I to deny a serpent? You may whatever you wish from me. Anything you want."

Hiss' eyes go a little unfocused.
"Anything?"

Oh hell no. You're not sure what's going on here but this is why you're here. You nudge her in the side, causing her to nearly bite you.

"I'm fine! I see now, Tash. I've afforded you too much respect. You're just a human."

"Absolutely correct."

"Still, at least you seem to have been trained well. Cennen, I've got this in hand. Can you go check on what's taking Oster so long? He should be back by now?"

Oster? Oh right, he was checking on Captain Frahm. You wonder what's keeping him.

> "If you're sure..."

> "No, I think I'll stay."

> Other

>>39479489
> "If you're sure..."
Have fun with the snake charmer Hiss. I do hope he isn't playing you for a fool, after all it'd be what I would do if I were in his place.

>>39479489
Fuck this nigga up

>>39479489
> "No, I think I'll stay."

>>39479489
Get hiss to come with us. Remind her that the boat is all she wanted from this guy so she has no reason to stay here with him. If she won't leave then
> "No, I think I'll stay."

>>39479489
>I think I'll stay

Thus isn't what we just talked about.
Take his mask

>>39479489
> "No, I think I'll stay."

>>39479547
>take his mask
why?

>>39479555
Cause I don't know man I have a gut feeling deep in my all knowing gut

>>39479489
> "No, I think I'll stay."

Blegh. I'm way too tired for more updates right now. Looks like this'll be the end of the thread.
Tried something a little different and it wasn't entirely successful but I hope you had fun either way.

Next thread won't be tomorrow and probably won't be the day after either. You'll have to check the twitter for the timing.
It'll probably be a Hissventure like thread 3.

>>39479665
Just wanted you to know I'm in a glass cage of emotion most of them bad but I guess I enjoyed myself sorta

>>39479665
thanks for running
i'm still not sure what you were thinking when you introduced such a frustrating antagonist who we are forced to cooperate with

>>39479782
>Forced to cooperate with

Yeah.. I don't know about that.

>>39479665
Hey I enjoyed it, I just wish we'd chosen to interact with the other guests more rather than everyone flipping their shit.