You get to Laura and Selene’s room and find Marcy standing outside.

“Are we actually doing this?” She asks.
“No turning back now” You say.
“Man, it’ll be weird to be apart from Laura for so long.” She says, leaning back and looking up. “I’ve had to stick to her like glue for the last… 5 years? Maybe 6?”

“Just think of it as being transferred to a new princess” You say.
“I just hope being glued to Selene will be easier.” Marcy says. “She’s not prone to running off to slay dragons”
“Yeah, but Selene’s good at sneaking away.” You say
“Damn… Nevermind.” She replies. “Couldn’t just be an easy job, could it?”

You step up to the door and knock on it. “If it was easy, it wouldn’t be a job” You say.
“Well, not one for us at least” She says.

“Who is it?” Laura asks.
“It’s us” You reply.
“Come in” Laura says.

You open the door and walk in. Laura is sitting on the bed with Selene’s head in her lap, as she gently strokes the little princess’s hair.

“Just… enjoying my last few moments with her” Laura says. “It’s strange. A few months ago I went off slaying dragons just to get away from her and being a mother, but now I don’t want to let her go”
“You’ve matured a bit in the last few days.” Marcy says. “You may not have noticed it, but I have”

Laura looks at you and smiles softly. “I had some… help” She says.
“So… are we doing this now?” Marcy asks.
“We have some time” Laura says. “But you could if you wanted to”

>[ ] Ask Laura to teach you Mending Touch

>[ ] Talk over communication details

>[ ] Talk about where you should go

>[ ] Other

>[ ] We should get going

>>39921642
>[ ] Ask Laura to teach you Mending Touch

>>39921642
>[ ] Ask Laura to teach you Mending Touch
>[ ] Talk over communication details

>[ ] Ask Laura to teach you Mending Touch

>>39921642
>[ ] Other
Ask Laura what she and Melissa were talking about.

>writing

>>39922075
I was wondering if anyone would remember that

>>39922144
I'm really curious why Melissa was bloodshot red and Laura sad.

>>39922208
Likely a lot of crying on Melissas part and an understanding of what she was asking on Lauras part.

“I was actually hoping you could teach me how to use Mending Touch” You say. “If for nothing else than just to get Marcy here back in top form”

“Alright… I guess” Laura says. “It goes something like this-“

Laura teaches you the visualization for Mending Touch.
Basically, you imagine a body part in your head. Then you ‘take’ the health from that imaginary part and put it in the enchanting vessel.

It’s pretty cut and dry compared to Silence, so it doesn’t take too long to learn. Apparently it works better if you imagine the same body part being wounded in the same way as the body part you’re trying to fix.

“Is that all?” Laura asks.
“No…” You say. “I’m actually kinda curious. What did Melissa say to you?”

Laura shies away from the question. “Do you really want to know?”

>[ ] Yes

>[ ] No

>[ ] Talk about something else (refer to choices from OP)

>>39922398
>[ ] Yes

>>39922398
>[ ] Yes

>>39922398
>[ ] Yes

>writing

“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want to know” You say.

Laura laughs nervously.
“Is it something I actually don’t want to know?” You ask.
“Uhh… Well… I guess you’ve seen Melissa’s bad side before…” She says.
“Have I ever” You say.

“When you guys left she immediately started yelling.” Laura says.
“About what?” You ask
“Various things…” She replies. “Mostly accusations that I was using this to split the two of you out of envy”

“Are you?” You ask.
“No!” She says. “I wouldn’t… this needs to be done, and you two are the only people I can entrust it to”
“So no harm done” You say. “I’ll have to punish her when I get back”

Yeah, that’s what you’ll do. This time she can wear the handcuffs and use her teeth to-

No Giles. Stop that.

“-I mean… talk to her… when I get back” You say.
Marcy flicks you in the head. “Just as long as I don’t have to hear it” She says. “Again”
“heh heheh… sorry. She wouldn’t let me cast it” You say.
“Then do it without her knowing next time” Marcy says.
“I’ll try” You say.

Selene stirs in her mother’s lap.
“Mommy is it time for breakfast yet?” She asks.
“No sweetie” She says. “Mommy has something she needs you to do”

Selene sits up and rubs the sleep from her eyes. “What is it?” She asks.

>[ ] Let Laura explain it

>[ ] Tell her yourself

>>39922887
>[ ] Tell her yourself

>writing

“Hey kiddo” You say.
“Hi Giles” She replies. “Is it time for breakfast yet?”

You roll your eyes and pull a piece of jerky out of your cloak. You give it to Selene and she happily munches on it.

Laura giggles, but her giggling quickly gives way to a sad sigh.

“What’s wrong mommy?” She asks.
“Kiddo… Marcy and I are going to be taking you away for a while” You say.

“Away from mommy?” She asks.
You nod solemnly.
“But she just got back…” Selene says.
“It’s only going to be for a little while” Laura says, stroking Selene’s hair. “Once we can go home, you can spend as much time with me as you want”
“But I thought we couldn’t go home?” Selene says.

“We can’t… not yet” Laura says.
“Selene, your mother wants you to be safe from the bad guys” Marcy says.
“She can’t take back your home and protect you at the same time, so she’s sending you with us to somewhere you’ll be safe” You say.

“But I’ll see you again, right?” She asks Laura.
“Absolutely” Laura says. “And we’ll hug so much your arms will fall off”

Selene smiles. “Nuh-uh. I’m gonna get so strong that I could hug aaaaaalllll day!” She says.

Laura smiles at Selene, then looks to you and nods.

>Anything else before you go?

>>39923523
Ask laura to spend time with melissa while we're gone

>>39923523
nothing i can think of

>>39923523
Tell her to be careful.

>writing

>>39923523
Say goodbye to Melissa.

>>39923523
Yeah, we need to appoint someone to pass intel through. Needs to be either Laura or Melissa, I think.

You lean over and pick Selene up. “Alright, up you go” You say.

Selene holds on to you as you make your way to the door.

“One more thing before we go” You say. “Be careful Laura. Remember that you’re still in danger”
“I will” Laura says. “I’ve got to make it through this. Otherwise how could I hug my little girl until her arms fall off?”

“And take care of Melissa too. Don’t let her attitude get to you, she can get a little mean when she’s stressed” You say.
“Leave her to me” Laura says.

You smile at Laura, then nod to Marcy, and the two of you leave the room.

“Bye bye mommy” Selene says, opening and closing one hand to wave goodbye.
“Bye bye sweetie” Laura replies as you close the door.

You hear a sob from inside, and you get moving as quickly as you can so Selene doesn’t have to hear her mother cry…

Now to figure out how to leave…

>[ ] The front door

>[ ] The unused storage room

>[ ] Other

>>39924090
>[ ] The unused storage room

>>39924090
>[ ] The unused storage room
We need to get out without being seen, so we should take the least likely to be guarded exit.

Maybe give Marcy some tips on not being seen on the way.

>>39924090
>[ ] The unused storage room

>>39924090
>>[ ] The front door
Make sure everyone knows we are leaving.

>writing

“This way” You say to Marcy. “And quietly”
Marcy nods, and you make your way down to the unused storage room.

On the way there, you run into Melissa.

“Meli-“
“I know that you’re leaving now, so I’ll be brief” She says, patting Selene’s head. “Selene, take good care of my man here.”

Selene salutes to Melissa.

Then Melissa thrusts a small wooden box into your free hand.

You take the box and inspect it. “Melissa… I can’t take this” You say.

It’s a music box… HER music box.

“Yes you can” She says. “You can because I want you to have it. You can give it back in two months”

>[ ] Deal

>[ ] You’ll need it more than I will

>>39924779
>>[ ] You’ll need it more than I will
"Besides, I told you, I am going to be back"

>>39924779
>[ ] Deal
kiss her you fool

>>39924779
>[ ] You’ll need it more than I will

>>39924779
>[ ] Deal

>>39924779
>Deal

>writing

You stow the music box in your cloak as you lean in and kiss Melissa.

“Deal” You say as you pull away from the kiss.

Then Melissa kisses you right back, her tongue darting into your mouth to explore it for a moment before releasing you. “For good luck” She says.

Then she walks past you. “I never saw you” She says.
“You got it” You reply, walking over to the entrance of the storage room and breaking in.

“So what now?” Marcy asks.
“Now we get out” You say, stepping up to the window and looking down. You’re up on the second floor, so it’s a short climb.

“Through here?” Marcy asks.
“Well… yeah” You say.
“I can’t jump that. Not on a wounded leg” She says.
“We aren’t jumping, we’re climbing” You say.
“Same thing” She says.

>[ ] We’ll use a rope

>[ ] I’ll catch you

>>39925375
>[ ] We’ll use a rope

>>39925375
>[ ] I’ll catch you
Not sure we want to risk leaving a rope behind

>>39925375
Use a rope, so long as Giles can retrieve it - which I suppose a master thief should be able to do.

>>39925375
>[ ] I’ll catch you

>>39925375
>[ ] I’ll catch you

>writing

You give Marcy a thumbs up.

“I’ll catch you” You say.
Marcy squeezes her eyes shut. “Please tell me you’re kidding” She says.
“What, you don’t trust me?” You ask.
“You’re going to catch me” She says incredulously.

“It’s like a one story drop. I could catch Melissa if she dropped that far and she weighs much more than you” You say. “Look, I’ll go down first. If you don’t want me to catch you, I’ll toss a rope up okay?”

Marcy considers it for a moment. “Fine… but if you drop me, I reserve the right to stab you” She says.
“I won’t drop you” You say, handing her Selene “Hold the kid”

Marcy takes Selene, and you turn and hop out the window without a word or any hesitation, rolling when you hit the ground.

“Now toss Selene down” You say quietly.
Selene flies out of the window, and down into your waiting arms.

She giggles as you put her down. “Can we do that again?” She asks.
“Maybe later” You say, turning back to the window “Now you”

“I hate this plan so much” Marcy says, but she comes down out of the window regardless.

And you catch her, lowering yourself and bending at the knees to soften the impact.

“Owwwwwww owowow Damn” She says.
“What? I caught you, didn’t I?” You say, gently lowering her to her feet.
“Still hurt…” She says. “Now what?”

>[ ] Stay the night in town
Laura is not going to tell anyone Selene is missing until tomorrow morning. If you stayed in town tonight, you’d be able to put disguises together and work on covers, sleep for a while, and be gone before dawn.

>[ ] Get as far away as you can
You’ll have time to rest and camouflage yourselves when you’re safely away. But you won’t be sleeping for a while.

>>39926176
>[ ] Stay the night in town

>>39926176
>[ ] Stay the night in town
Selene is tired as it is, and we've had a uhh... busy day.

>>39926176
>[ ] Stay the night in town

>writing

>>39926176
Here's hoping Melissa doesn't jump on some kitchen girl, while we're away. She DID want to experiment

“Now we find somewhere to stay in town” You say.
“Really? You don’t wanna… y’know… skedaddle?” She asks.
“I’d love to, but I’m tired as hell. That and I want to work on disguises and just where the hell we’re going” You say.

“The others make sense, but-“ She flicks you in the forehead. “Maybe you wouldn’t be so tired if you didn’t spend so much time fu-uuuumbling around… with your lady… Melissa”
“Nice save” You say, taking Selene’s hand and starting off down the path to the town.

Marcy starts to walk after you, and you hear her grunt in pain.
“Leg bothering you?” You ask.
“I think the fall might’ve been too much” She says.

You walk back to Marcy and give her your shoulder again, then continue on to town.

“Thanks again” She says.

>[1/2]

You reach the town and head to a place that can only be described as ‘average’. It looks every bit like a run of the mill inn, and that’s exactly why you pick it.

You enter with Marcy and Selene, pay the man at the counter and head up to your room.

Once you’re inside, you drop a Silence on the room and turn to your companions.

“So, what now?” Marcy asks, grunting as she takes a seat.

>[ ] Discuss where you’re going now

>[ ] Discuss how you’re going to disguise yourselves

>>39926636
>[ ] Discuss how you’re going to disguise yourselves
Marcy should disguise herself as a woman.

>>39926636
>[ ] Discuss how you’re going to disguise yourselves

>>39926648
Oh, that goes without saying.

>>39926636
>>[ ] Discuss how you’re going to disguise yourselves

>Marcy should disguise herself as a woman.
PERFECT OPPORTUNITY.

>>39926636
>[ ] Discuss how you’re going to disguise yourselves
>Remember how I said you can be yourself around me...

>writing

File: A.png (345 KB, 1440x720)

345 KB PNG

>>39926757
>>Remember how I said you can be yourself around me...

“Now we talk about disguises” You say.
“This should be interesting” Marcy says.
“How so?” You ask.
“We don’t have the kind of stuff we had back in Analask. How are we going to disguise any of us?” She asks.

“Well, they’ll be looking for me: A well-dressed Alka-Habran gentleman, you: a slender, androgynous man in a guardian’s uniform, and Selene: a little Princess in a dress with long blonde hair.” You say.

“That doesn’t answer my question” She says.

“Well, I simply have to stop being well dress. A simple task, really. For Selene, I still have some hair dye, and shears if it comes to that” You say.
“No cut! I like my hair” Selene says.
“Alright, hair dye it is” You say.

“And what about me?” Marcy asks.
“Well… remember how I said that you could be yourself around me?” You ask.
“I did, bu-“ She stops, frozen in her tracks. “Oh no. We’re not doing that. No. No way, no how”

“What are you talking about?” Selene asks.
Marcy gets down on her level and puts a hand on her shoulder. “It’s nothing Selene, don’t worry about it” She says.

Selene looks at you.

>[ ] “Marcy is a woman”

>[ ] “As she said, it’s nothing”

>>39927113
>>[ ] “Marcy is a woman”

It's perfect, you can give your real name, and no one will think anything of it, even if the two sound similar.

>>39927113
This is an evil and tough choice Smiley
>You can keep secrets, right Selene?
>[ ] “Marcy is a woman”

>>39927113
>[ ] “As he said, it’s nothing”

>>39927113
>>[ ] “Marcy is a woman”

>>39927183
It really works quite well. Everyone's looking for a man named Marcellus (can't give fake names), not a girl named Marcella. ESPECIALLY if she can be convincing!

>writing

“Marcy is a woman” You say.

Marcy slowly turns her head back to you. “I… I can’t believe you just told her…” She says.

Selene tilts her head in confusion. “But Marcellus is a boy’s name” She says.
Marcy stands up straight. “Yes! That’s right! How could I be a girl when I have a boy’s name?” She says
“Her real name is Marcella” You say.

Marcy chops you on the head. “Dammit man, I was trying to recover there!” She says.
“I know. That’s why I said it” You say.

Marcy collapses into a chair and buries her head in her hands. “Daaaaaaaaaaamn… My life is over” She says.
“Relax. Selene can keep a secret” You say. “Isn't that right?”
“I’m suuuuuuuper good at keepin’ secrets!” Selene says.

“So you want me to dress up like a woman as part of this whole ‘disguising’ deal?” She asks. “What if someone recognizes me?”
“Out here in Harth? I wouldn’t think so” You say. “Besides, let your hair down, put on a nice dress, no one will ever know it’s you. Then once this is all over you can go right back to your manhood and no one will be the wiser”

“… Fine… I'll do it. Not like there's any point in hiding it anymore” She says. “Just don't make me wear anything skanky”
“Where are we going to get a dress for Marcy?” Selene asks.
“The same place we’re going to get your clothes and mine” You say. “I’m going to make them”

>[ ] Talk about your cover story while you work

>[ ] Talk about your destination while you work

>>39927630
>[ ] Talk about your cover story while you work

>>39927630
>[ ] Talk about your cover story while you work

>>39927630
>Talk about your cover story while you work.
How believable would it be if we dyed Selene's hair black and called her our daughter?

>>39927630
>>[ ] Talk about your cover story while you work
They may be looking for 3 people lets have Kuma tag along.

>>39927630
>>[ ] Talk about your cover story while you work

>writing

“Wait, you’re going to make us all clothes?” Marcy asks.
“Yes. What’s so wrong with that?” You ask as you pull some fabric out of your cloak.
“Not really the kind of work that a man does” Marcy says.
“Neither is swordsmanship the work of a woman, but you don’t see me complaining” You say.
“Point taken” Marcy says. “So just what the hell are we going to tell people if they ask who we are?”

“Well, I’ll give them whatever damn name I please” You say. “You’ll go by your real name and Selene… would you be able to teach her how to call herself ‘Selena’?”
“Sure. It’s really not that hard.” Marcy says. “What about our story?”

“What about it?” You ask.
“There’s really only one reason why a man and a woman would be travelling with a child.” She says.
“Then we’ll be that” You say.
Marcy’s face flares right up.
“Oh, relax. It’s a front” You say. “It’s not like I’ll be trying to get under your skirts. I’m attached, remember?”

“It’s pretty hard to forget” Marcy says, then she puts on a mock ‘overly female’ voice. “Oh Giles, it feels good, don’t stop, right there. All. Damn. Night.”
“Point taken” You say.

“So Laura told me that you’ve got some help” She says. “Do we get to meet these people or what?”

>[ ] Later (Discuss destinations first)

>[ ] Call Kuma in

>>39928050
>[ ] Call Kuma in

>>39928050
>[ ] Call Kuma in

>>39928050
>[ ] Later (Discuss destinations first)

>>39928050
>Call Kuma in
Get introductions out of the way, then discuss destinations together.

>>39928050
>>[ ] Call Kuma in

She might even have some ideas.

>writing

>>39928050
inb4 Giles has to use 'lacy things' to convince people that he's having sexy times with his 'wife'.

You dispel the Silence on the room and whistle for Kuma.

Within seconds, she appears through the window.

“You called?” She asks.
“Yes, Kuma” You say. “I’d like you to meet Marcella and Selene”

Marcy is still trying to work past the fact that Kuma just came out of nowhere.
Selene is quicker on the uptake, and hops over to the assassin to offer her a hand.

“I’m Selene” She says.

Kuma looks curiously at the little girl, before extending her own hand. Her hand goes over Selene’s hand, straight to her head, where it rubs Selene’s hair.

“Soft” Kuma says.
Selene blinks in confusion.
Kuma picks Selene up, and giggling, rubs her cheek in Selene’s hair.

Marcy watches in wide-eyed awe, you watch in mild bemusement.

“So, yeah… this is Kuma” You say again.

Kuma snaps back to reality, clears her throat, and gently puts Selene down. “I am Kuma” She says, bowing politely. “Terribly sorry for my outburst”
“That’s fine. Just remember that business comes first” You say.
“Yes master” She says.

>[1/2]

>>39928508
Can we get a full physical description of Kuma?

Selene laughs off the situation and runs over to sit next to you, snuggling up beside you while you work.

“So this is your uhh… assassin?” Marcy asks.
“Yes, despite her appearance, she is very much a capable person” You say.
“She has no weapons on her” Marcy says.
“I do not use weapons” Kuma says.
“So what do you do?” Marcy asks.

“I use my hands, and my feet, my arms and legs, my head, my shoulders. My body is my weapon” She says.

Huh… come to think of it, every time you’ve seen her fight, she never pulls a weapon out. You never really questioned it until now. Come to think of it, this is the first time you’ve taken a good look at her.

She stands about a head shorter than you, and her face is pretty average for an Honouen or some other nation around that area, with slanted eyes, a flat-ish nose, and thin lips. Her hair is dark black, and longer even than Selene’s. It’s tied back into a ponytail that trails behind her as she moves.

She wears a skin tight top that disappears under her pants, which are loose all the way to the bottom where they tighten up. On her arms are “sleeves” which are tied at the top and bottom, but not attached to her shirt. And her shoes are little more than slippers.

Now that Marcy mentions it, unless she keeps them in her pants, there really is nowhere on that outfit to hide a weapon…

>[ ] Ask Kuma for advice on your destination

>[ ] Ask Kuma for help making disguises

>[ ] Ask Kuma about her brother’s current status

>>39928675
>[ ] Ask Kuma for advice on your destination
>[ ] Ask Kuma about her brother’s current status

>>39928675
>[ ] Ask Kuma about her brother’s current status
>[ ] Ask Kuma for advice on your destination

>>39928675
>[ ] Ask Kuma about her brother’s current status
>[ ] Ask Kuma for advice on your destination
She is quite a ninja.

>>39928675
>[ ] Ask Kuma for advice on your destination

>[ ] Ask Kuma for help making disguises

>[ ] Ask Kuma about her brother’s current status

Why not all three?

>writing

“So we have a bit of a problem” You say.
“What is it?” Kuma asks.
“So, we’ve ‘kidnapped’ the princess” You say.
“Yes” Kuma replies.

“We need somewhere to actually take her that isn’t here” You say.

Kuma considers your problem for a moment. “You could move deeper into Laust” She says.
“Into enemy territory?” Marcy asks.
“Yes.” She replies. “It would make my brothers easier to contact, and it would put you in a good position if you need to act personally”

“If I need to act personally?” You ask.
“Yes. My brothers have identified a few things that you could do to sway events in your favour.” She says.
“Interesting. You’ll have to tell me more about that later” You say. “Any other locations you think might work?”

“Yes” She says.
“Tell me about them”
“You could go north, away from the action towards where Delemur used to be. You’d be safer there, but it would make communication and coordination difficult.” She says. “There is also Alka-Habra, or possibly Degri island. They’re closer, but still might make things difficult.”

>[ ] We’ll go into Laust

>[ ] Go north

>[ ] Go to Alka-Habra

>[ ] Hear about these jobs you can do first

>>39929041
>[ ] Hear about these jobs you can do first

>>39929041
>>[ ] Hear about these jobs you can do first

>>39929041
>[ ] Hear about these jobs you can do first

>writing

“So what about these little tasks?” You ask. “Tell me about those”
“They’re simple things, but with the spies and assassins tied up elsewhere it may become necessary for you to do them. Mostly convincing lords who haven’t chosen a side to pick yours, listening in on meetings, maybe a little assassination” She says. "Basic espionage, essentially. It should be well within your ability"

“All necessary things, no doubt” You say.
“They are. At least, they are if you intend to win this war” She says.
“I do intend to win this war” You say.
“Then they are necessary” She replies.

>[ ] Go to Laust

>[ ] Go to Delemur

>[ ] Go to Alka-Habra

>>39929289
>[ ] Go to Laust

>>39929289
Just to clarify, we can only do those things if we go to laust right?

>>39929289
I'm apprehensive when it comes to taking our charge CLOSER to Roderick; it would betray Laura's trust.

On the other hand, in Alka-Habra, considering the Red Night, I dunno how down with whiteys they'd be.

I kind of wanna say Delemur.

>>39929289
>[ ] Go to Laust

>>39929289
>[ ] Go to Laust

We're headed right where Smiley wants us...

>>39929343
Pretty much, unless you feel like commuting for the week or so it would take to get to Laust from those other locations and leaving your companions at the whim of the fates

>>39929369
LORD does going to Laust sound like it's going to end in TEARS.

<sigh> Maybe we can get a chuckle, if Roderick's put out some massive bounty on The Gambler.

>writing

“We go to Laust then” You say.
“Seriously? Isn't that closer to danger?” Marcy asks.
“Closer to danger, yes. But from there we can actually support everyone else in small ways.” You reply. “The better this war goes for our side, the less danger our friends will be in, and the more people will want to join our side”

“So in other words: the closer we are to danger, the farther we are from harm?” Marcy asks. “That logic is just as dumb as it is brilliant”

“That sums up this entire operation pretty well, actually” You say.
“Shall I inform my leader of your decision?” Kuma asks.
“Yes, you are dismissed” You say.

Kuma bows, and then hops back out the window and out of sight.

You hold up the piece you’ve been working on while you’ve been talking and look at Marcy.

She cringes when she sees it. “You want me to wear THAT?” She asks.
“What? It’s not skanky. That was your only criteria” You say.
“We’re trying not to stand out, remember?” She says. “Where the hell did you even get a floral print fabric like that anyway?”

“Trade secret” You reply. “Relax, this is a throwaway. I need to see how it fits so I know how to adjust the actual one”
“That’s horribly inefficient” Marcy says.
“It’s how I work” You reply, handing her the dress.

Marcy goes off into the bedroom, and you turn to Selene to ask her something, only to find that she’s fallen asleep beside you.

You smile and stroke her hair. “Rest up, kiddo. Tomorrow is going to be a long day…” You say.

Oh man, is it ever…

That's all for tonight, I hope you guys still enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it!

Next thread will be either tomorrow or this weekend. But as I've said before, I suck at planning so continue to expect the occasional surprise thread.

As always I'll be sticking around for question/suggestion time.

>>39929611
Thank's for running Smiley.

>>39929611
Good as always!

>>39929611
thanks for running

>>39929611
Just to clarify, was it Kuma giggling when she was rubbing Selene's hair, or was that Selene, herself?

>>39929735
That was Kuma. Selene was a little freaked out.