>>39655483
The Snakebreaker Flask had been an unprecedented success, you decide. You couldn’t have hoped for a better result. There is the problem of physical remnants however, sharp scales still scattered through the ground waiting to slice your feet up. Might have to try and iron that out if you ever refine the recipe.
And aside from those little razor flecks, you and Hiss are alone in the abandoned palace courtyard. You are crouched down next to her as she does her best to cover her burned face.

Hiss babbles at you, a long string of nonsense words shaped like a language but lacking all meaning.

“Hold on, hold on, I have to have something for this…”
Your words trail off uselessly as Hiss looks at you uncomprehendingly. You must sound as unintelligible to her as she does to you. You don’t know if she’s lost all of her souls permanently or if there’s something else done to them but she obviously can’t draw on them at all right now. Her human experience has withered away to nothing and left a gulf of comprehension between the two of you.

Behind you, you hear some sort of commotion going on in the palace. A few members of the royal guard, who have been mysteriously absent for much of your current escapade, are slowly approaching you with due caution.

> Try to explain the situation to them.

> Pick up Hiss and run! You need to vanish back into the city.

> Just run. Hiss’ legs still work and you’re not really sure if you can carry her.

> Run but towards the palace instead of away.

> Use a potion (Specify)

> Make a wish (Specify)

> Other

>>39655491
> Try to explain the situation to them.

I'm torn. Do we explain the situation and get into the palace at risk of Tash and the Captain?

Or do we give her a shrinking potion whatever it was and pocket her and get a room at an inn?

>>39655645
I think the guards would find it pretty suspicious if we did the latter

>>39655667
Because the whole situation isn't?

>>39655681
true. it might be a better idea to pray and tell her to turn into a snake if we're running off with her. i bet she can still understand prayers

>>39655491
> Pick up Hiss and run! You need to vanish back into the city.

>>39655703
We're in the position of running into the city and being at risk of Giant snake. Or into the castle at risk of Tash and Captain. I'm not sure which I fear more.

Tash or whatever his name is has been fucked up by Hiss and hopefully still is missing some bits and pieces.

But we need to brew a restorative potion for Hiss. If we head into the castle we'll need to break away for a private room. In the city we'll already have one.

>>39655491
>> Try to explain the situation to them.
Also point out there's no one at the gate and we WERE running from a different monster.

>>39655749
I'd still like to prevent lady trebain and eugene from returning home due to the massive snake monster waiting there

> Try to explain the situation to them.

You decide that you can't afford to become even more suspicious in the eyes of the assorted guardsmen so you don't try to move or run as they slowly surround you.
It's plain that they don't really have the first clue just what is going on here, their maned helms quivering as they search the courtyard. The dulling scales don't bother their armored tread.

There's no way out now, they've ringed around you completely. Their swords are drawn but they aren't raised as they advance towards you.
Too bad Hiss doesn't recognize human body language, only the danger of uncovered steel.

She hisses at them, her fangs bared for all to see. The guards recoil as she stands, her arms hanging uselessly limp by her side and her burned face unguarded.
You pray desperately for her to stop but if she hears, she shows no sign.

Shit.

"Hold on, I can explain everything!"

> Actually try to explain everything.

> Ask them just what is going on with all the missing guards.

> Tell them that something even worse is coming after you.

> Ask them what's going on inside the palace.

> Use a potion (Specify)

> Make a wish (Specify)

> Other

>>39655939
>> Tell them that something even worse is coming after you.

>>39655939
> Ask them just what is going on with all the missing guards.
Also explain whatever we fought messed her badly. She can't speak or see out of one eye. maybe he was a vampire? Explain you're an alchemist and can hopefully fix it. then say
> Tell them that something even worse is coming after you.

Because you came from Trebain manor and saw something big black and scaly eating a servant before you gtfo.

>>39655939
> Tell him that an insane lightning wizard was trying to attack us and the palace so we killed him
> Ask them just what is going on with all the missing guards.
> Tell them that something even worse is coming after you.
Damn it Hiss why would you show your fangs in this situation

>>39655939
> Ask them just what is going on with all the missing guards.
> Tell him that an insane lightning wizard was trying to attack us and the palace so we killed him

She's been cursed or damaged! I'm not sure! I have to get her rest and healed! Look what they've done to her!

> Ask them just what is going on with all the missing guards.
> Tell them that something even worse is coming after you.

You get up, both hands raised in the air to show your lack of weapons. The first guard steps forward, prompting Hiss to sway back as she prepares to strike. You step in front of her, praying for the wish-bond to protect you.

"Didn't you just see that? Some sort of insane lightning wizard was attacking the palace! We're just guests here of Lady Trebain, you can find us on the list!"

"He's right sir, I remember both of these from earlier."

The lead guard stares the two of you down and you keep on talking, desperately trying to be believed.
"She's cursed! Can't you see what's been done to her! I need to get her to a safe place!"
The desperation in your voice sounds surprisingly real. It's not far from the truth of the situation after all, you suppose.

"Well, there's no place safer than the gaol. We'll settle you out there. The innocent have nothing to fear."
His tone is firm but you can see past the cracks. He doesn't know what's going on and he can't understand it. He's frightened. You can work with that.

"If it's so safe, then where are the other guards! I got chased all through the grounds and there was nobody at the gates!"

"What?"
He turns and peers back down into the darkness, doing his best to discern the guards that should be there.

"And...And there's something even worse back there! A monster with black scales!"

Unfortunately for you, this fact seems to push him over the edge.
"Take them! You've got a date with the alchemists, they'll see what you know. Now!"

The guards advance and then the one standing next to the lead guard stabs him in the neck, a quick efficient movement that leaves him dead before he can even notice.
The traitor guard doesn't give the others time to regather, throwing himself at another, their swords clashing in a flurry of expert blows.

Suddenly nobody's attention is on you.
1/2

>>39656284
2/2

> Attack the guards.

> Run into the city! Carry Hiss with you if you can manage it.

> Run into the city and trust Hiss to follow.

> Run into the palace.

> Restrain Hiss so she won't do anything rash right now.

> Use a potion (Specify)

> Make a wish (Specify)

> Other

>>39656284
Nice. I was expecting ophi to show up

>>39656320
>> Use a potion (Specify)
Heal on Hiss
> Run into the city! Carry Hiss with you if you can manage it.

>>39656320
> Run into the city! Carry Hiss with you if you can manage it.
Go nowhere near the Trebain house

>>39656320
>> Run into the city! Carry Hiss with you if you can manage it.

>>39656346
>>39656365
>>39656383
Wait guys. She's in full defense mode. She'll bite us.

>>39656346
We'll probably have to brew her a fresh one. The one we have is super old and thus less effective

>>39656412
Still better than nothing. Might make her less bitey.

>>39656320
>>39656346
Seconded.

Pray for her to come with us.

>>39656320
> Run into the city and trust Hiss to follow.
>Pray to her to follow
>Pray to her informing her that she is more than a little mindscrambled and we'll see what we can do about that.

It said before her soul was in pieces right?

In theory if we made a snakeblood healing potion it might mend that. Or it might split her soul from her body and put her in a coma...

>>39656412
I want to try one with added snake blood too. Might repair some of the damage to her soul

>>39656452
good thing we can use an identification potion beforehand

Also holy shit high tier alchemy is on par with high tier wizardry.

>>39656493
Yeah that souldrift potion was some crazy shit. And I can't really picture any magic more destructive than the snakebreaker brew

>>39656518
That water wizard was pretty damn destructive. I consider him on par with our alchemy level now.

>>39656518
Dragon's Rage potion, Dragon breathweapon in a bottle. Explosives+ blood+ poison.

>>39656558
Dragon breath isn't technically a thing any more, dragons got kicked in the balls by god himself. I assume they are mostly lost from legend seeing snakes themselves are a myth.

>>39656614
Snake blood channel's their spirit. We get gud we can make dragon's breath is a bottle.

>>39656651
Dragons aren't a thing, god turned them into snakes. As much as snakes call themselves dragons they are technically a different entity, they are just a different entity that is equally arrogant. Calling a snake a dragon is kind of like calling a human an ape, if apes were super powered murder machines with large empires.

> Run into the city! Carry Hiss with you if you can manage it.

It doesn't look like she's going to run on her own, so you do what you have to do. You do your best to grab Hiss by the back of her dress, pulling her up and into your arms.
She hisses but does not bite, as you have moved slowly enough to make her aware of what you're doing. She might be able to bite you accidentally but she can't even begin to now that she's moved past blind reaction, the wish-bond stops her.

Still, that doesn't stop her from suddenly squirming serpentine in your grasp, doing her damned best to make you drop her. She leverages the weight of her body against you, permitting you only a few steps away from the ruckus before you are brought to the ground.
Hiss is still writhing impotently in your arms. She speaks to you but you don't understand. You try to nod to her and smile, to show that you mean no harm but you can plainly see the lack of comprehension on her face. Even the most guileless human expression might as well be a blank wall to her right now.

You pull a healing potion from your backpack and she does her best to recoil from it, pressing herself against you. This potion is useless to you anyway. It's gotten too old, all power has left it.
Once again, your prayers fall on deaf ears.

> Drop Hiss and run.

> Keep struggling forward.

> Make a wish (Specify)

> Use a potion (Specify)

> Other

>>39656681
Anon Snake blood used in alchemy focuses on what they were before. Ouro even said in ask if we got god enough we could make dragonlike effects with snake blood in the potions. I understand they are gone, Alchemy finds a way.

>>39656711
> Make a wish (Specify)
I wish you had an innate understanding of human expression, language and emotions.

>>39656711
Do we have any knock out potions? I'm thinking one might be a good idea, alternatively we could wish her back and get rid of that damned wish bond, we don't even need it any more with how hillariously effective an alchemist we are now.

>>39656711
Maybe it's all the fast movements?

>Princesscarry her slowly, try to remain blank faced

>>39656750
I don't think alchemy is like alchemy in most places here, the fact that a potion can go ""stale"" regardless of how its kept and that alchemists register as magical suggests that they actually have some form of projected power and that the potion is actually a form of focus, similar to a wizards staff.

>>39656493
>>39656518

The power behind any piece of alchemy draws not only on the magic of the alchemist but also on the innate magic of all ingredients being used.
You have reagents from one of the most magical creatures in the planet so those brews are going to be huge regardless. You're basically borrowing Hiss' power for your own use.

>>39656711
Nonlethal poison would just put her to sleep right?

>>39656711
Tie her up with rope then run.

>>39656795
Only healing goes stale anon.

>>39656800
So... what you are saying is when we use her magical reagents, we're effectively nobbling her powers?

>>39656750
>>39656711
I really don't see any way out of this. Supporting the wish.

>>39656750
Supportan'. Though saying, "I wish you understood what it meant to be a human," might be better.

>>39656750
absolutely do not use the wish

>>39656711
knock her out with a nonlethal poison and carry her to somewhere safe where we can brew

>>39656800
Vetoing >>39656856's veto, I am dead neutral on the topic of wishes and think the wish bond is a nuisance.

>>39656756

You have a nonlethal poison that can be administered to knock someone out. You also have a flask of acid, an identification potion, a bottle of Scalebane brew, a selective poison that both you and Hiss are immune, three doses of shapeshifting brew, treebrew, a smoke bomb and a bunch of Eugene's plant-ification potions.

>>39656881
Actually, Eugenes plantification potions could probably used as a pseudo healing method for extreme physical damage.

>>39656870
This.

>>39656750
if we're going to use our last wish at least make her able to behave and move completely like a human

You guys do realize that ophi won't be happy about us knocking out her right?

>>39656976
She's incapable of doing anything right now anyway

Why the hell hasn't she changed back into snake form yet?

>>39657015
Because this is her current skin and changing back would cause a ton of problems for us and really fuck us over.

Also are we allowed to immediately re-nobble her?

I hate how you guys panic and always suggest wishing the second anything gets bad. This is a total waste of a wish

>>39657035
I didn't but apparently the votes just aren't in our favor.

>>39657015
She doesn't have as much as weight or physical power in her snake form as she does as a human. She's trying to overpower you, albeit without the use of her limbs so being a snake right now would be a disadvantage.

Anyway, looks like wishing just narrowly wins out. Writing.

>>39657035
We should have just used our brains and knocked her out with a nonlethal poison to carry her to safety.

>>39657035
The wish is useless to us, the one thing we need of a snake is the one thing we have ready access to. Huh, I wonder how bad of a magical poaching problem there is with crazy alchemists?

>>39657097
Ophi might attack us over that. Its a direct attack on his master.

>>39657103
Ophi is busy battling several guards. Knocking her out so we can carry her to safety is not an attack at all, ophi isn't retarded.

>>39657126
He got REALLY pissed at us last time we K/O'd her.

>>39656750
Changing from this to >>39656870
this.

>>39657148
This is an entirely different situation where her being conscious is actually detrimental to her own safety

>>39657152
It's too late anon, you've already made us waste our last wish

> Make a wish.

You rise to a knee as she does her best to push you away. She's not using her arms or legs very well right now, for which you count yourself lucky. You wouldn't be able to hold her otherwise.

"Hiss," you mutter under your breath. You can still hear the fight behind you.
"I wish that you understood human expression, language and emotions. That you know what it means to be human!"

She stops writhing and lies limp for a long moment, her eyes meeting yours.
"Cennen?"

You feel the wish-bond between you snap into nothing and fade away. There is now nothing between her and your death, if she should ever choose.

> Capture her again.

> Set her down.

> Just keep running!

> Use a potion (Specify)

> Other

>>39657183
> Capture her again.
This is the nobble option right?

>>39657183
>> Set her down.
>> Tell her we've got to get to safety.

>>39657183
> Just keep running!
We have to get you someplace safe.

>>39657183
God damnit. Ask her if she can run

>>39657205
Yes, that is the nobbling option.

>>39657183
>Say "It would be greatly appreciated if you didn't murder me now"

>Just set her down.
>Prepare a smoke bomb, in case of chasing guards.

WE EZIO NOW!

>>39657232
>>39657183
Supporting.

>>39657232
The guards are too busy being killed by ophi to chase us

>>39657264
If you assume that's Ophi.

>>39657264
We don't need to throw the damn thing but if we've palmed it we can use it immediately.

In case you haven't noticed our QM has a consistent trend of rewarding us for thinking ahead like that. As well as being harsh with trap options.

>>39657287
Use your brain anon.

>>39657183
> Just keep running!

Glad you're back, burned my last wish to make you sane, explanations later running now!

>>39657183

Better statement than my own, changing voted say option from >>39657232
to this. >>39657318

>>39657287
Maybe it's the other skilled swordsman capable of impersonating a guard who is also loyal to us and hiss.

Also shes still probably soulfucked, we just gave her an additional innate ability by fucking reality

> Set her down.

You set her down, standing back up as you do so.
"I'd uh, love it if you don't murder me now. I'm glad you're back, I just burned my last wish for this. Let's go!"

She stands unsteadily, looking confused. She opens her mouth.
"Nyu? Ire stia hhhhh!"

She doesn't understand your words. The bottom of your stomach drops out as you suddenly understand. A long-term wish only lasts until the wish-bond itself is broken. It's why you could never safely wish her into obedience, even if you had been inclined to try that. Your wish only granted her but a few moments of clarity before tearing it out of her grasp once more.

She hisses at you, lunging forward suddenly and knocking you over! Your backpack lands next to you, potions rolling over the well-kept lawn. She descends upon you, her fangs extended.

> Try to roll out of the way.

> Kick her in the stomach. She might be way faster than you but a leg outranges teeth by quite a bit.

> Interpose a potion between the two of you (Specify)

> Other

>>39657543
> Interpose a potion between the two of you
nonlethal poison

>>39657543
I really hate you guys.
> Interpose a potion between the two of you (Specify)
Nonlethal poison

>>39657543
>> Interpose a potion between the two of you (Specify)
Nonlethal poison.

>>39657543
...Holy shit are our wishes really that weak? We were relying on that shit?

>Interpose a potion between the two of you
Knockout poison.

>>39657543
> Try to roll out of the way.

Thanks you wish happy faggets.

>>39657583
Wishes only last until the wishbond is broken. this was established a long time ago

>>39657584
What would you have wished for, if our wish couldn't even do that than its pretty fucking clear it wouldn't be helpful for shit. All it aided us with was the wish bond, also were moderately resistant to her poison.

>>39657598
I wouldn't have fucking wished for anything jackass.

>>39657595
Then what is the fucking point of the third wish!? Who the fuck decided to give a lethal arrogant and prideful animal the ability to give wishes upon capture!? What kind of sick joke is this you fucking universe?

>>39657608
>anon forgets rules of wises
>mad when he fucks himself over

>>39657608
Don't blame the universe for your retarded choices

>>39657618
I didn't vote for wishes, I just think that the creator is a total asshole, as we've previously established is probably true.

>>39657583
>>39657608

The rules covering this has been in the pastebin for most of the game at this point. A third wish that states they perform an action is fine because the wish-bond won't break until they do it. But any long standing effects (such as wishing her into total obedience or granting clarity) only last until the bond itself breaks.

stupid anons pls leave so i can enjoy this quest

>>39657642
At least knocking her out and carrying her counts as nobbling her again right?

I would like to point out I never voted for the wish, and nobody brought this up as a counter argument, suggesting you didn't remember this either.

>>39657676
I didn't remember that it would gut the long lasting wish. However I knew I didn't want to remove the wish bond while she was effectively deaf, dumb, and blind.

>>39657676
I was too busy trying to convince people to use the nonlethal poison, which is what we're doing now anyways.

Did the wish even have the most votes?

>>39657656
Yes.

> Interpose a potion between the two of you

You grab your one flask of non-lethal poison and hold it between the two of you. Her fangs retract as she pulls herself over you, her mouth still open.
You're not actually sure what she's trying to do but it doesn't matter because you jam the bottle into her mouth. The cap is off.

She looks at you with sudden fear before spitting the bottle out, rolling off you spluttering. She gives a few more twitches and a quiet wail before falling unconscious.

Behind her in the distance, you can see the surviving guards subdue the traitor attacking them, brutally beating him to the ground. They're still occupied but it doesn't look like for long.

> Capture Hiss and run.

> Drink a potion (Specify)

> Make Hiss drink a potion (Specify)

> Run and leave Hiss behind.

> See if you can save Oster from his fate.

> Other

>>39657729
yes. one guy changed his mind after ouro started writing though

>>39657729
It was a cluster fuck. It.. might have been even with knock her out. But it's where we are now.

A bunch of idiots don't link their votes and instead just do shit like "THIS ONE" and don't link the main post.

>>39657736
>> Capture Hiss
Rope her
> See if you can save Oster from his fate.
Special poison daggers stabs.

>>39657736
>> Capture Hiss and run.
Lets GTFO of here

>>39657736
Chuck a smokebomb at the guards. Ophi should be low enough to the ground that the smoke won't effect him too much. Not much else we can do. Then
> Capture Hiss and run.

>>39657736
Chuck a smoke bomb at the guards, then grab Hiss and run.

>>39657736
How many guards are there? if only a few
>> See if you can save Oster from his fate.
>>apply lethal poison to dagger, palm an acid bottle in other hand.

>>39657736
> Capture/nobble Hiss and run.
> See if you can save Oster from his fate.
Chuck a smoke bomb

>>39657758
The guards are armored and there are several of them. We are shit at fighting

>>39657736
>> Capture Hiss and run.

>>39657787
We have lethal poison and acid, acid, unlike jet fuel, can melt through steel.

Also hiss will be out for a while.

>>39657855
Daggers won't do shit against armored swordsmen. Acid could take out one of them at best

>>39657787
You're right I was hope a stealth hit would take one or two out the Oster could help us with the rest.

>>39657855
Acid is scalebane, so it might not work. Also we need to cap hiss fast otherwise Oster will NOT let us wish bond her and will likely take her for himself.

>>39657872
We literally need to lightly scratch them with it to kill them if its poisoned.

>>39657892
Oster is in no condition to stop us even if we capture her. We can say we're tying her up for her safety, I don't think the universe gives a shit.

Actually, better plan...
>>39657736
>Chuck smoke bomb at guards, then acid bomb the guards like a pakistani at a beauty pageant.

>>39657905
Why would we tie her up? She won't be moving for a long time

>>39657940
>spraying ophi with acid
wow what a great idea anon

>>39657943
It reinforces to the universe that we've captured her, magical shit like that tends to require obvious intent and can be played easily with symbolic stuff like that, regardless of actual practicality.

We really want to make sure this counts as us catching and wish bonding her to us again.

Friendly reminder to READ THE FUCKING PASTEBINS

>>39657956
I meant point blank acid bomb, the kind where you dump it on someones head from behind.

>>39657960
Or it wastes a bunch of time and allows the guards to capture us

> Nobble Hiss and run.
> Toss a smoke bomb back to help.

You pull out the rope from your backpack. You and this rope have a bit of a history, going all the way back to when the Snakebite Brothers had tied you down and questioned you on your encounter with the princess. Their deaths had been your first wish.
The most recent use the rope had seen would have been, hrm...that time on the boat when Hiss had you literally tied to your bed so you would stop endangering yourself. A rather sweet gesture in retrospect, you suppose.
Well the tables are turned now.

You loop the rope around her, trussing her arms together as best you can. You don’t do a very good job of it but you don’t think you need to. You only need the ceremony, the capture itself. It occurs to you that Hiss had done a bad job when it came to choosing her servants. For while you might consider yourself a pretty good alchemist, you’re an even better Snakecatcher.
“I’ll say sorry later, I guess. But for now, let me just do my job.”

You turn and uncork your smoke bottle, throwing it back towards the guards. It detonates in their very midst, obscuring them all in a thick cloud of sticky, choking smoke. Hopefully Oster can make something of that opportunity. That’s all the help you’re able to offer right now.

You pick Hiss up and you run, guided by a sudden rush of strength and adrenaline that you didn’t know you had. Your stride eats up the ground beneath you as make a direct beeline back to what’s left of the palace gates.
And yet as you approach, your energy begins to lessen and your breath begins to drag. Hiss is really goddamn heavy. Who could have guessed that nearly six and half feet of person weighed so much?
...Alright in retrospect, it seems obvious.
1/2

>>39658104
2/2

Your newfound adrenaline can only take you so far and you’re puffing as you pass the gates. Your legs are burning. There’s a carriage sitting down the road but it looks like it’s occupied. Almost certainly dangerous to use right now. But you’re feeling pretty dangerous yourself.

> Hijack the carriage.

> Just keep running into the city, probably looking suspicious as fuck with a tied up woman in your arms.

> Stop and rest for a little while to get your strength back. Can it really hurt?

> Use a potion (Specify)

> Try and make a wish (Specify)

> Other

>>39658119
> Hijack the carriage.

>>39658119
>> Try and make a wish (Specify)
>I wish you were awake and fully capable of innately understanding and performing human behaviors.

if that fails

>hijack the carriage.

time to fucking bail.

Its only fair we immediately burn a wish if we just got them back that easily.

>>39658159
This I guess.

>>39658119
>>39658159
This.

Also before OP fucks us over speaking is definitely a human behavior.

>>39658159

You stop running, struggling for breath as you stagger closer to the carriage. This night has been an absolute clusterfuck and it might not even be over yet.
"Hah...I wish that you were awake and fully capable of uh, innately understanding and performing human stuff. Behaviors and whatnot."

Her eyes slide open immediately and once more look up into yours. You can see it in her eyes, she understands everything once more.
"Cennen..."

"No need to th-"

"You idiot! Unhand me! What the fuck do you think you've done?"
She has full mastery of her limbs once more and while her hands are tied, she manages to maneuver herself into a position where she can send one knee firmly into your ground.

You drop her onto the cobblestones as you crouch down in pain. Fuck!

She struggles to her feet, doing her best to get the rope off of her.
"How dare you!"

> Oh that's it. She wants to ask something like that? Why don't you do the same? Has she forgotten what she did earlier tonight?

> Ask her to thank you.

> Apologize.

> See if you can just stuff her in the carriage.

> Use a potion (Specify)

> Make a wish (Specify)

> Other

>>39658360
>Hijack the Carriage.

Fine. I'm leaving. Have fun.

>>39658360
It was necessary. Yell at me later i.f you like, right now we have to get out of here

>>39658360
>> Apologize.
We were thinking on the fly, there wasn't much else we could do. Also we still need to fix whatever is wrong with her before we burn our next two wishes.

>>39658360
> See if you can just stuff her in the carriage.

>>39658392
This plus help her with the rope.

>>39658360
I saved your live and brought you back from insanity induced my losing all those meals of yours. IF she wants to be a wild feral wreck unable to think coherently, and triply unworthy or ruling anything, please go and act like a wild animal again. In the meantime I'll be using the time Oster bought us for escape to get somewhere safe and brew some weapons up. Since saving your ungrateful scaly hide expended most of them. We still have the snakecatcher running around, and it looks like Frahm has told the king about snakes, meaning the city guard will be after us shortly. So are you going to act like a child or a ruler? (In an voice cold as ice)

>>39658411
The carriage isn't quite necessary at this point I think

>>39658360
Did you expect me to carry you around while you were squirming and fighting me every step of the way? We had to escape those guards.

>>39658360
Fuck it This is me>>39658391
Flipping to >>39658431 or >>39658473

Remember, its a massive insult to get captured and wish bonded randomly twice.

>>39658496
You don't need to specify it like that but that works for most QMs. People can't effectively impersonate another anon to do this anyway as the actual voter would start blasting them in thread and make it clear that person was bullshitting.

>>39658360
>> See if you can just stuff her in the carriage.
>We cant talk about this shit when we're not running for our lives

>>39658360
>send one knee firmly into your ground.
I'm assuming you meant groin

Also that awkward moment that we've burned three whole wishes that were mostly to her benefit.

Also we can bring up the fact that we never use these damn wishes to make her do anything she is especially opposed to anyway.

>>39658641
She is ungrateful and hates being bound. no real shock.

>>39658653
It still forces her to protect cennen even at the cost of her own well being though.

>>39658653
Being bound to somebody against your will is kind of inherently shitty, especially if for somebody as prideful as her.

"What did you expect me to do? Carry you around while you were fighting me every step of the way? We had to escape those guards!"

"We should have just left immediately. The guards wouldn't have been a problem! And now I'm enslaved to you again? And don't even try to apologize, I know this is how you like me. Soft, pliable and SAFE."

"You were freaking out, what did you want me to do? All of my wishes so far have been for you! Here, let me get that for you."
You untie what's left of her ropes.
"Now let's go. We can settle all of this once this awful night is finally over."

She bites her lip and looks away, almost shamed by your display.
"This hasn't been my best night, I'll admit. I need some time to think."
Before you can say anything else she shreds her own skin, a black snake hitting the ground in a pile of dust.

You hesitantly pick up the snake up and it curls around your arms before you slide it into your backpack.

You stagger over to the carriage, feeling the snake shift around uncomfortably in your pack. It's nearly too big for it now.
You throw the carriage doors open, trying to look as mean and hardcore as possible.
"Alright, this is a-"

"Cennen! Get in before anyone sees you!"

A small pair of hands grabs you by the collar and tries to pull you in. You brush them off fairly easily, recognizing the two redheads sitting in the carriage's interior.
"What are you two doing here?"

"Helping Ophi!"
Aina says.

Liss shakes her head.
"More like getting answers from him. Come on, we need to get going."

> Get in the carriage.

> "Hold on, I'm not taking one step further before I get an explanation on what you two are doing here."

> "There's something I need to tell you about Ophi."

> Just run. Why did Oster have to get them involved?

> Other

>>39658723
> Get in the carriage.

>>39658723
>> Get in the carriage.

>>39658723
>Collect dust made by her shapeshifting
> Get in the carriage.
> Begin making a healing potion and another scalebreaker potion if possible

>>39658723
> Get in the carriage.
If there's time ask them what they're doing here

>>39658723
>> Get in the carriage.
Also we barely know shit about oster ourselves other than the obvious.

> Get in the carriage.

You just shrug and get in. It's been a weird night. You'd be happy with anything that just lets you get some sleep. You take the seat opposite the twins, the unseen coachman setting the carriage down the street the moment you do so.

"Where's your lady? The scary one?," Aina asks, even as Liss sighs a little at her phrasing.

"Not here right now. We'll meet up later so don't you worry about her. Now, just what is going on with you two?"

"We've been staying at an inn," Aina starts. "And Ophi just turned up on our doorstep, after avoiding us for so long!"

"He told us that he needed to get the palace right away. And that he would tell us everything about our mother after we do so," Liss finishes.
"He looked pretty beat up. What's going on with you?"

You struggle for an answer for a moment, feeling Hiss still settling in your pack. What do you tell them?
"Something wrong is going on up at the palace. Everything's getting fucked up. Oh, pardon the language. I don't even understand why, half the time."

"Well you can stay with us!"
Aina leans forward, her eyes alight.
"We can finally help you for all the help you've given us, even just for one night."

> Accept.

> No, you'll find somewhere else to spend the night.

> No, ask them to drop you off at the Trebain House instead.

> "I...don't know if Ophi will be coming back. Ever."

> Other

>>39659008
> Accept.
As long as get a good place to brew I'm happy

>>39659008
>> Accept.
Can we still hire a runner at this time of night? Let me send a message to some friends. (Eugene and Lady Trebain)

>>39659008
> Accept.
Hopefully we can get our own room at the inn they're staying at

>>39659008
> Accept.
At a minimum we owe them alchemy lessons, there mother was an alchemist so its what she'd want anyway.

>>39659008
> No, you'll find somewhere else to spend the night.

We don't want to lead the monster snake-man to them.

>>39659008
> Accept.

>>39659121
I don't think it would be able to track us that well. There's nobody it can eat to get our location either

>>39659121
Theres only one way into the room, and we can rig a bell, and our targeted anti snake stuff works on him.

>>39659121
Hiss might actually be a bigger threat to them honestly

So we're not going to send a note to Eugene and Lady Trebain?

>>39659263
I don't know how you think that's actually a feasible option. They're still in the palace where crazy things are happening

>>39659263
sometimes, theres not much you can do. Its a bugger, but i think that eugene is perfectly capable of defending himself and his mum, what with wizards in this setting being borderline broken if they apply themselves

>>39659304
I kinda doubt that Eugene's floramancy will be very useful against the snake

>>39659304
I think the snakes gone anyway.

>>39659338
He can probably turn the snake into a dandelion or make a living wall of dandelions.

>>39659339
Pretty sure it isn't.

>>39659338
turn the thing into a flower. turn ground into flower. turn air into flowers. turn scales into flowers. Liver? you bet its flowers. eyeballs? just like a bud, give it a little nudge. wizards.

>>39659378
He can't turn things into dandelions, he can create and then manipulate existing dandelions.

> Accept.

That...that should be pretty safe right? You need to sleep. You all need to sleep. A fresh head's take on this fucked up night might be all you need.
"Thank you, Aina. Thank you, Liss. Just one night should be fine. But aren't you waiting for Ophi?"

Liss shakes her head.
"He told us that he'd be back in the tavern by tomorrow."
You can see the doubt in her eyes, the dreadful feelings that she doesn't express in Aina's earshot.

You spend the rest of the ride engaged in mostly meaningless small talk with the two teenage girls. Ophi had found their location from the time he'd spent trapped in the basement with Eugene thanks to you, apparently.

"We haven't found any work yet but we still have some of Eugene's money for a while longer," Liss says. Once more you feel the shadow of a lie on her lips, something painfully obvious to you but hidden from oblivious sister.

"But we're going to land on our feet," Aina says, a smile on her face. She's much happier than you think you've ever seen her. The city must have been good for getting her out of her shell.

And with that, the carriage stops. It's a pretty decent part of town, though the inn is far from being as big as the one where you and your companions had spent your first night in Taldenral in.
That night had been rather memorable too, now that you think of it.
Which reminds you of something you really should get done with now instead of later.

"By the way, she'll be stopping by later. Don't be alarmed. Hiss, that is."

"Oh? Okay."
Aina doesn't sound too afraid, more disappointed.

Liss purses her lips. Unlike her sister, you know she's seen at least some of the snake's true nature.
"Well as long as she stays away from us. Far away."

The inside of the inn is rather dark, the kind of place that seems to favor a ...secluded clientele. There are a few ladies around the place wearing very little clothes.

1/2

>>39659378
>>39659393
Summon a spirit with a Dandelion Motif, and it's best friends with Chrysanthemum spirit we just offed.

Alternatively, he might actually be dead and have made some very crazy and desperate dude somewhere very happy.

>>39659405
2/2

You pass a few coins to the innkeeper and manage to rent a seperate room, though you have to specify several times that you don't want any 'companions' waiting for you there.
"Suit yourself."
He clearly doesn't think much of you.

Aina wastes no time in climbing the stairs back to her room while Liss hangs back, waiting around behind the bar with the innkeeper. You can see their lips move but you can't hear what she's saying.

> Sidle up to the bar and do your best to eavesdrop. Buy a drink if you have to, there's a few bartenders about.

> Just go to your room.

> Go to Aina's room.

> Survey the clientele.

> Other

>>39659465
>> Sidle up to the bar and do your best to eavesdrop. Buy a drink if you have to, there's a few bartenders about.

UUUUUGGGH.

>>39659460
Who the snake? Doubtful mortal weapons would have a very ahrd time piecing it and it's tanky as all fuck as well ans fast and venomous.

Eugene? Maybe.

>>39659465
> Sidle up to the bar and do your best to eavesdrop. Buy a drink if you have to, there's a few bartenders about.
> Survey the clientele.

>>39659484
I meant eugene... There has to be at least one other crazy dude out there who wants mad dandelion powers?

>>39659465
> Sidle up to the bar and do your best to eavesdrop. Buy a drink if you have to, there's a few bartenders about.
> Survey the clientele.
I bet she's working as a prostitute or something. Also I'd rather not drink too much so that we can still brew safely afterwards

>>39659465
> Sidle up to the bar and do your best to eavesdrop. Buy a drink if you have to, there's a few bartenders about.

>>39659465
> Just go to your room.
They deserve some level of privacy, eventually they'll turn on us and demand answers and hopefully when they do nobody else is around to stop us from giving them the unabridged truth.
>Other: consider offering them alchemy lessons and/or assistance.

Sure it violates a dozen or so guild rules but we can definitely take on them as apprentices. Also we can probably try making drugs and selling them, this place is definitely seedy enough.

Also guys, would it be unethical to use bunyip fur to make hallucinogenics/steroids/stimulants that would make slaanesh himself drool?

>>39659589
No but it would be dumb considering how useful it is for other brews

>>39659637
We could sell it and be filthy rich though! We heisenberg now!

>>39659660
We have money, our foes aren't impressed.

>>39659660
Good idea. We can kill the next spirit we see by throwing gold at them. I'm being sarcastic just in case you can't tell.

> Sidle up to the bar and do your best to eavesdrop. Buy a drink if you have to, there's a few bartenders about.
> Survey the clientele.

The snake is still moving about in your backpack but if you go upstairs to deposit her then you might miss whatever's going on here. And you don't want to miss it. There's something about this situation that doesn't feel right.

You sidle up to the bar and ask for some cider from the bartender. He asks what kind, throwing you for a loop before you just shrug and put a coin on the bar. He takes the message and taps a nameless keg for a pale draught.
You don't really like the taste but it warms your guts up to no end and most importantly, gives you an excuse to be sitting around at the bar.

"...more, that's fine?," Liss says. You've caught her at the end of a question.

The innkeeper shakes his bushy head. He's being very quiet but you manage to pick his words out from amidst the din.
"No thanks love, that's not the deal. You've got the special room for tonight."

"What about waitressing? Bartending? I can do all of those!"

"Keep your damn voice down! And no, feel free to take your sister and go sleep on the streets if you don't want to pay your way with honest work. I don't do charity."

"..."
Liss clutches at her own collar.
"Just not tonight. Please."

He shakes his head.
"You knew what you were getting into."

She doesn't say anything back at him, just pushing past him and making her way up the stairs.
You stand up as well, getting a quick survey of the main clientele here as you do so. Most of them look quite respectable, albeit shadowy. Very few outright ruffians or if there are, they take pains not to look like one.
And then you spot a vaguely familiar face. One that you had seen just this very night! A huge Avesmen in a coat and a knee-length skirt with a drooping orange mustache. He's sitting alone in the corner, having pushed away the 'waitresses' several times before.
1/2

>>39659842
2/2

It's the foreigner from the banquet. Come to think of it, you never saw him later either though he stands out from the crowd. What's he doing here? He should be at the palace. And why this exact place, the same you ended up?

Bah. There's way too much weird stuff going on at the palace tonight. This bloke is just more of it.

> Go and catch up to Liss while you still can.

> You should probably do something with Hiss before she gets too antsy and emerges from the backpack in public.

> Ask the bartender for some parchment. You need to write a message.

> Stay in the bar to watch the man.

> Go talk with Aina, see what she knows about Liss' predicament.

> Talk to the innkeeper.

> Other

>>39659887
>> You should probably do something with Hiss before she gets too antsy and emerges from the backpack in public.

Perhaps we can pay off Liss for tonight at least?

>>39659887
> Talk to the innkeeper.
Offer to pay for them to stay without all the room usage.

>> You should probably do something with Hiss before she gets too antsy and emerges from the backpack in public.

>>39659887

> You should probably do something with Hiss before she gets too antsy and emerges from the backpack in public.

> Talk to the innkeeper.
Pay him off.

We should pay off liss's room without her knowing necessarily, lets face it, bad things happen to people around us.

Also remember guys, at the rate were going its only a matter of time until one of them forcibly confronts them, we should plan accordingly, personally I'm for the truth.

>>39659887
> You should probably do something with Hiss before she gets too antsy and emerges from the backpack in public.
Go outside and return with her in human form
> Ask the bartender for some parchment. You need to write a message.
>pay for liss's room for the night

> You should probably do something with Hiss before she gets too antsy and emerges from the backpack in public.
> Talk to the innkeeper.

Well, none of this is good. Not good at all. You don't want to pry into the twin's business but surely there is something you can do about all of this.
You wait until Liss is out of sight and that there'll be no chance of her coming back and seeing this before you can make your way up to the innkeeper with coins in hand.

He grins.
"Changed your mind, eh? Do you have a type of girl in mind or-"

"No. It's Liss. I'm going to pay for her room tonight. And uh, Aina's too. I trust this is sufficient."
You count signets into his greedy palms.
"I trust this will be enough."

He bites one before spitting it back out, apparently convinced of its authenticity.
"You're crazy mate, what does a whore mean to you? Still no worries, I'll take it. Just never had a gent pay for the privilege of not having a girl, is all."

You swallow back your response as Hiss wriggles in your backpack. You need to get that handled.
Instead you simply turn face and walk up the stairs, leaving the bar behind you. Your room is a pretty basic one, a double bed and little else.
It's a really good bed, mind you. You suppose that's what mostly matters to anyone who comes here.

You open your backpack, gently depositing the snake onto the bed. You turn around to pit the pack down and when you look back, Hiss' human form is sitting on it.
She looks at your expression and frowns.
"Do we have to have the big dramatic 'Talk' now? Can't it wait?"

> "If that's what you want."

> "I don't think so."

> Other

>>39660171
> "I don't think so."

>>39660171
> "If that's what you want."
We have other fish to fry anyway, including hopefully bringing the two girls into alchemy, which I feel is the only true way we can repay them in any manner and we need to make potions anyway, its clear that you can never have too many acid potions.

>>39660171
>> "I don't think so."
Too much baggage too many crossed signals. We're going to get each other killed if it keeps up.

>>39660171
> Other
"I'd like you to devour the innkeeper"

>>39660171
>> "I don't think so."
Brew some potions to calm down while talking.

Repostan' "the plan."

>>39557805
To reduce ambiguity as much as possible. Hiss can initiate in-character by suggesting that she might have made a mistake. This is in-line with what she has done before and her admissions of mistakes before. She only has to admit that she thinks she made a mistake, though obviously claiming it in full would be best. This is up to the QM. Hiss needs to tell Cennen that he needs to trust her and can't keep her in such a tight leash all the time. I would suggest that we stick to statements of fact. They have a bond. She cares for him, relatively speaking, a lot. It hurts her when he doesn't trust her. She doesn't want to and hates hurting him. She has self esteem issues and when she puts her foot down on certain matters with complete conviction, he needs to bend.

Cennen needs to tell Hiss what he expects from her. He wants a relationship, and this is obviously not what Hiss wants. They need to reconcile what they want and what they can give to one another. Cennen also needs to tell Hiss that he is not a Servant and she can not make him into a Servant, and that he'll never be a servant. But that he's willing to go with her wherever and support her whenever she needs it.

Hopefully, this will allow them to better understand each other *in-character* and to develop with each other, instead of because of and in response to each other.

Remember, we need to get her fixed up from whatever the spirit did to her BEFORE our third wish.

>>39660273
that ain't my plan. cennen is absolutely hiss's servant and he swore an oath that he would be.

>>39660299
Repostan' Riposte to exactly same comment.

>>39557843
I meant a servant in the traditional sense; I.E., snakes can do no wrong, declare Jihad on all that oppose the glorious Snek. He'll support her fully in almost everything she does, but he has his limits.

>>39660273
Just let Ouro write what he has in mind, I don't support your plan

>>39660317
Ouro knows what hes doing and actually has thought out more than we have in most cases.

>>39660444
Doesn't mean we can afford to go into the most delicate and finicky part of this quest without a plan. If anything, the fact that Ouro has plans and knows what he's doing is more reason to develop a plan.

>>39660485
I wonder if our wish will help her understand Cennens point of view more than she would have originally

> "I don't think so."

You shake your head slowly as you sit down on the bed next to her.
"I don't think so. I think we need to air all of this right now. Sort it out all together."

She makes a face.
“Fine. I suppose we’ll have to be so sickly sweet honest about it, won’t we?”

“I’d prefer that, yes.”
You’re not going to let her divert the conversation by rising to such weak bait.

She sighs and doesn’t say anything for a good few seconds.
“Eating words makes me sick.”

What.
“Pardon?”

“Let’s not beat around, I guess? I may have made a mistake tonight. No, let’s not say that. I absolutely made a mistake tonight. When I...you know, that.”

Your face stings in remembered pain though you bet it doesn’t sting half as bad as Hiss’ own does right now. Her injuries have carried over through her transformation, a long burned scar down her face and the sightless right eye staring into yours.

“When I struck you. I didn’t mean to that. I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you. Not like that, anyway. And then later, with the ambassador, I made a few more mistakes.”

Your heart leaps up your throat but she waves you back before you can even say anything.
“No, not like that. I want to say it better than that. I let myself be tempted, even though I knew that it hurt you. I struck you twice over tonight. I keep placing myself ahead of you and I am right to do so but that doesn’t mean I should be inconsiderate about it. I knew it would make you feel awful and yet I did it anyway, just because of what? A fleeting desire of mine?”
Her hands clasp together, fiddling nervously with her fingers.
“What I’m saying Cennen, is that I think I ‘get’ you now. I understand you. And I know that how you feel is more important to me than just a small whim!”
Those last few words are rushed, Hiss dumping them out as if they were poison.

You nod, entirely unsure what to say here.
“You care for me. About me.”
1/??

>>39660913
2/??

“...Yes. And not just because I own you.”

“Well shit, Hiss. You know how I feel about you. I guess I can’t help myself. You hit me and I’m already back before the end of the night. I’ve seen pets with more dignity.”

“You’re not a pet!”

“Then stop treating me like one.”

That stops her in her tracks for a few seconds.
“What?”

“I’m your servant, I suppose. I swore an oath. And I want to help you. I don’t even know when I started wanting to help you. I was just going along with it all but I guess I’m trapped now.”

“Thanks, you make it sound like a real pleasure.”

You ignore that.
“But that doesn’t mean I’m disposable. I’m not just your tool. I’m not Oster and I never will be. And I never want to be him either. But yes, I like you. I like you a lot. Because I’m an idiot. But if I’m an idiot than I’m YOUR idiot and so you better treat me well.”
Shit, that sounds awful doesn’t it? You’re messing this up.

But Hiss takes your hand in hers, letting your warmth spread into her frigid grasp.
“You’re not an idiot Cennen. And I’m sorry for making you think you were. You’re my finest servant and uh...ah. You’re not just my servant. You’re Cennen and I guess what I’ve been saying so far is that I think I’ve found out tonight with the ambassador, that Cennen matters more to me than my finest servant does.”

“And you’ve always mattered that much to me. Not as my princess or as my master or even as my queen. Just Hiss. You don’t have to raise your attitude for me and become the Serpent Queen. You don’t even need to be the princess. I’d follow you all the same”
Not a single lie passes your lips.

Hiss leans into you, shoulder to shoulder, hand to hand.
“As it should be. You will follow me wherever I go and so Cennen, I promise to you that where I go shall be a place of glory. You deserve nothing better. You just need to have faith in your queen.”

>>39660934
3/3

“I don’t know if I have faith in my queen, I’ve never met her, But I’m sure that when her coronation comes, I’ll be the first in line.”

“It’ll be worth it, I promise. And it’ll cut both ways. One day Cennen, one of us, probably you, will be nothing more than dust in the wind. That’s just what you humans do. But it won’t be alone. Even if you hurt me or if I hurt you or if we both kill each other, I’ll walk down to the end with you. As long as you fall all the way down with me.”

"Fall? You don't sound very optimistic."

"You told me, once, back in Melire I think. That the journey matters more than the destination at times. You were right. And sometimes that journey hurts. We're both just going to have to accept that."

You shrug.
"We'll probably be hurting a lot more before it ever gets done. But I don't think I mind, as long as you're hurting right there with me."

She laughs.
"Well, that's what we do isn't it? We hurt. Mostly, we hurt each other. And I don't think that's ever going to stop."

"Yeah, it's a little fucked up now that you put it like that."

"Well a 'little fucked up' describes all of this pretty well, wouldn't you think? Cennen, I'm going to bite you. And you're going to bite me just as much. But I promise to toughen my scales if you do."

> Agree.

> Disagree.

>>39660934
Well, that's sickening sweet. I think that relationship bin is going to get an update soon.

>>39661057
> Agree.

>>39661057
> Agree, and then nip her hand or something. Avoid any return bites.

>>39661057
>> Agree.

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>39661057
Rolling for new fetish
> Agree.

>>39661088
What'd you get?

>>39661088
Oh fuck that was close! >>39661105 Nothing, according to /tg/ you should roll a 1d20 for freaky shit like that and if you get a nat 1 its your fetish now.

>>39661057
> Agree.
Make her a healing potion, her face probably hurts like a bitch

> Agree.

"I'm game if you are."

You lift her hand to your lips and then give her a mischievous grin before gently biting it.
She shrieks and recoils, kicking you off the bed with a single foot to the back. You're laughing before you hit the ground and she joins in a moment later.
Needless to say, the atmosphere has been completely destroyed.

"You idio-Cennen!" Hiss laughs. "That's not what I meant and you KNOW it."

"Are you sure your scales are as tough as you say? Didn't feel like it to me."

She groans and throws a pillow at you, hitting you square in the face. You throw it back but she deflects it easily.
"You dare attempt a cheap shot against your queen?"

You raise both of your hands in surrender as you get up.
"Well would her Highness desire a healing brew? Her face probably stings a little."

She grimaces.
"That would be a most fitting way to please her. Save for one, perhaps."

You mix up a healing potion in a cold mix, not leaving the room. You present the cauldron to Hiss, who sniffs and makes a disdainful face.
"One day you're going to have to learn how to make your potions actually look good."

"You might just be flat out of luck. Potions are ugly as shit, as a rule."

She drinks it without any further words, nodding appreciatively. It's not until she finishes that she speaks up again.
"You can have the bed tonight. I'll sleep on the floor like usual."

> Sounds like a plan.

> "I'll take the floor."

> "It's a double bed."

> Other

>>39661313
> "It's a double bed."

>>39661313
>> "I'll take the floor."
>> gotta go deal with those idiot twins, stay and rest

>>39661313
> "It's a double bed."

>>39661313
> "I'll take the floor."
You're hurt I'm mostly fine.

>>39661313
>> "It's a double bed."
>> "I'll take the floor."

>>39661313
>"It's a double bed."

>>39661313
>> "I'll take the floor."
>>39661354
Supporting dealing with the twins somehow, ask hiss what we should tell them, especially since Oster wasn't looking too hot last you saw him.

>>39661354
>>39661313
I'll support this. Night ya'all. I reckon I did all that needed to done. Get that snake tail lads.

>>39661313
> "It's a double bed."

>>39661313
> "It's a double bed."
Resist being betas for one minute anons

>>39661414
We have shit to deal with right now, Dealing with twins, setting up a security system and brewing. Not time to sleep.

>>39661429
I'm fairly certain it's the end of the thread and thus it's cennens bed time. Also that doesn't mean they can't share the bed

>>39661455
If we're still up us sharing the bed, would mean waking her up to get into said bed. Meaning grumpy sleepy possibly bitey Hiss.

>>39661313
Does she really usually sleep on the floor?

>>39661468
Grumpy is the exact opposite of how sleepy warm hiss acts

>>39661500
True, still unless we're sure she's warm she will be grumpy about it. Also possibly bitey. If we were sleeping now I'd be all for it. If we aren't if need to take the floor.

>>39661519
We're sleeping now

>>39661527
Without brewing a heal potion, without dealing with the twins, without setting up an alarm for intruders. Welp gg no re quest is done.

>>39661547
Nigga it's late as fuck. We already brewed a heal potion. The thread is archived and the next post will be the last one.

From the archive description
>Things keep going wrong and will probably always will. But you get this right.
>will probably always will
get some sleep ouro

>>39661624
I see no problem with this English.

> "It's a double bed."

She tries to slide off but you hold your arms out around her, blocking her egress. She raises an eyebrow at you but doesn't stop you from stopping her.
"It's a double bed, isn't it? And it's been a cold night."

She smiles.
"My my, acting presumptuous, aren't you? Well...I'll allow it."

You take your doublet and outer clothes off before sliding into bed, Hiss rolling to the other side to let you in. She kicks up the covers and pulls them, still wearing her usual outfit. You suppose it doesn't bother her, it's literally part of her human form.

You turn on your side away from her, only for her hands to wrap around you as she nestles in close to you for warmth. You are painfully aware of her close all of her...her is. You try to move but her arms are wrapped around you tightly and she's at least a little stronger than you.

"Just a word of warning," she says next to your ear. "If you try anything exciting I will probably bite you accidentally."
Oh.
Oh okay, you guess that's fine. You could just cuddle all night. That's perfectly fine. You certainly prefer it to death.

"Hold on, this is actually bit cumbersome. Give me a moment."
She writhes around a bit before her jacket and tunic both fly over your head and hit the wall.
"You don't mind, do you?"

"No, uh, not exactly."
This is going to be a long torturous night. And yet, nestled up against each other for warmth, you have the best night's sleep of your life.

Which is great because when you wake up Taldenral is burning.

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>>39661652
MOTHERFUCKER! OOOOOOORUOOOOO YOU SONOVABITCH!

>>39661472
Well it doesn't come up much. But Hiss usually sleeps on the ground and doesn't really care about it. She's not like Oster though, who is morally opposed to sleeping in beds, she just doesn't entirely get the fuss about them.

>>39661624
Aw nuts.

Anyway, that's that for tonight. I hope you guys had fun, I know I did.

>>39661687
Why do you keep doing things and stuff to us like this?!

>>39661687
And now she finds that there soft and can use us as a portable heater while she sleeps.

>>39661687
Thanks for running. So Snakecatcher brought friends? the king flips his shit? Did the ambassador open the box for a super weapon surprise? Oster creating chaos? Outside context navy attacking? Or did the snakes of snake home hear about all this shit going on and decide to nuke the problem? OR spirits on a rampage cause of us dropping another of them?

>>39661652
>that cliffhanger
you're a cruel man ouro. at least you're running tomorrow though

>>39661760
Right now I'm suspecting the Quedeshi mystery box. Although we still don't know about the shitstorm that was happening in the palace

>>39661760
It's only a matter of time before the creator starts sending spirit hit squads after us

Loose ends list.
Eugene
Lady Trebain
Oster
Palace boogaloo/Frahm
Hiss' lack of souls
Snakecatcher
Bunyip
Quedeshi ambassador/mystery box

>>39661828
With proper alchemy we can take em, without it easy tpk. That being said creator is absentee dad right now.

>>39661853
Also forgot

Bart/his staff
Iana

Also I hope you guys didn't mind the sappy stuff, I just felt that it needed to put in somewhere where they finally try to straighten some stuff out and properly admit where they stand with each other.

>>39661929
It was good Ouro. Any loose ends I missed? Any tied ends I put that were loose?

>>39661929
I enjoyed it a lot actually. It was necessary

>>39661929
I think you wrote it pretty well

>>39661929
We hit bedrock, now we have a solid foundation to work from

I thoroughly enjoyed this