Your horse comes to a halt in front of a small campfire.
Marcy is sitting by it, poking the fire idly with a stick in one hand and stroking Selene’s head with the other.

“You look comfy” You say.
“Shhhh” Marcy says, putting a finger to her lips and then pointing at Selene. “It took like 3 hours of sword lessons to finally tire her out. I don’t really want to risk waking her”
“Sorry” You say in a whisper.
“How’d it go?” Marcy asks, also whispering.

“Pretty well” You say. “At least I think it did. What do you think Kuma?”
“It went well” She says.

“You think he’s really your father’s son?” She asks.
“I think any question of that disappeared after he crushed my hand” You say, sitting down next to Marcy.

“Deathgrip handshake?” She asks.
“Yyyyup” You say, shaking your hand.
“Well, you didn’t off him. I take it you think he can be turned?” She asks.

>[ ] Tell her about your plan

>[ ] “It’ll take some work”

>[ ] Other

>>40501783
>[ ] “It’ll take some work”
>[ ] Tell her about your plan

>>40501783
>[ ] Tell her about your plan

>>40501783
>[ ] Tell her about your plan
>[ ] “It’ll take some work”

>>40501783
>>[ ] Tell her about your plan
>>[ ] “It’ll take some work”

>writing

“Apparently” You say. “Johann Pitre has a wife who is also a part of Laust’s military. She is currently stationed at Fort Barrowlen. Her fate is to die there when Harth lays siege to it”
“Oh… shit” Marcy says. “Them’s the breaks. He must not be too happy about that”

“He isn't” You say. “But that’s why I am going to save her”

“You what?” She asks. “How? Why?”

“It occurred to me today that if fate goes as planned, then this whole thing will go to Roderick” You say.
“So you’re going to mess with fate…” Marcy says. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“No” You say. “But that’s-“
“-never stopped you before” Marcy finishes your sentence, catching you off guard.

“Uhh… yeah. Exactly” You say.
“Don’t look so surprised. That’s like… the third time you’ve said that” She says.

“It is not” You say.
“It is so” She replies. “Once at the dance, once now and once… uhhhh… never mind that. How do you plan on saving the General’s wife?”
“Real subtle” You say. “I’ll let it pass, though, because that is a good question”

“You don’t know yet?” Marcy asks.
“Kuma and I discussed it on the way here. I just haven’t decided yet” You say.

“So, what’s the plan then?” Marcy asks.

>[ ] Send a few Brothers to get her out of the city before the siege

>[ ] Tell the King that Barrowlen is a trap, convince him to turn elsewhere

>[ ] Tell the King that you’re trying to recruit a general, and that he should avoid Barrowlen for that purpose

>[ ] Send a letter to Laura outlining your plan to change fate, get her to convince the king not to attack Barrowlen

>[ ] Other

>>40502574
>[ ] Other
As far as I can tell the problem with fate is that it will correct unless we mess with it directly

>>40502628
That's a vote for getting her out ourselves in case it wasn't clear

>>40502628
>>40502660
It was established, last thread, that it's too far to get to in time.

>>40502574
>[ ] Send a few Brothers to get her out of the city before the siege
>[ ] Tell the King that you’re trying to recruit a general, and that he should avoid Barrowlen for that purpose

Cover our bases, have a couple ways to save her just in case one doesn't work.

>>40502660
Fort Barrowlen is a fair distance away. We can't make it there ourself before it'll be far too late.

>>40502686
Fuck, must have missed that. In that case.

>[ ] Send a few Brothers to get her out of the city before the siege

>>40502574
>>[ ] Tell the King that you’re trying to recruit a general, and that he should avoid Barrowlen for that purpose

But, for god's sake, tell him to NOT tell the general bit to his war council, just in case there's a traitor (and there probably is).

>Have brothers on standby, just in case he can't stop the assault.

>>40502802
Have Julian tell his Council whatever, like it's a trap, and he doesn't want to risk his countrymen without further information. That way, any traitor would probably see that as a plus, since THEIR side isn't getting attacked.

>>40502574
Hmmm...

Will Johann's wife stand by him, if he betrays Roderick?

>writing

“Kuma, get your pen” You say.

Kuma whips out a pen and whistles for a bird.
“Two letters” You say. “One to your brothers, one to the King”

Kuma whistles again. A slightly different tone this time, and another, larger bird comes down…

Just how many birds does she have?

“What should they say?” She asks.
“To your brothers, I want the nearest assassin cell to drop what they’re doing and get Johann Pitre’s wife away from Barrowlen” You say. “Failing that, they should work from the shadows to keep her from harm”
“And the other?” She asks.
“Tell the King that I am attempting to turn an enemy asset to our side, and that I need him to call off the attack on Barrowlen.” You say. “Also, tell him to keep that to himself. Tell no one, except maybe Laura. If anyone asks, tell him to say that I believe Barrowlen is a trap”

“As you wish” Kuma says, already scratching away at your letters.

>[1/2]

“You think that will be enough?” Marcy asks as the two of you watch the birds fly off into the night.

“Not much choice” You say. “We’re too far from Barrowlen to do much in person”
“You think it will be enough to alter fate?” Marcy asks.
“I’m not sure” You say. “Laura said as much when she sent us off. This is all new ground. I’m unsure how personal my involvement has to be in order to alter fate’s path”

“I guess we’ll find out” She says.
“That we will” You reply.

Kuma walks back to you and sits down next to Marcy, warming her hands by the fire.

You pass a while in silence, though you can’t help but notice that Marcy keeps glancing your way…

>[ ] Ask Kuma about her birds

>[ ] Ask Marcy what’s on her mind

>[ ] Hit the hay, it’s getting late

>>40503325
>[ ] Ask Marcy what’s on her mind
"Like what you see? We'll hire a painter next time, it'll last longer"

>>40503325
>[ ] Ask Marcy what’s on her mind

>>40503325
>>[ ] Ask Marcy what’s on her mind

>>40503483
As funny as that is, we gotta be careful about sounding TOO much like an overconfident douche.

>writing

Marcy glances at you again, and you catch her eye this time.

“Something on your mind?” You ask.
“Uhhhhh… Yes?” Marcy says. “Sorry, I guess it just kind of occurred to me that I’m sitting next to THE master thief”
“I thought that occurred to you last night” You say.
“It did, yeah… but it re-occurred to me now” She says.

You raise your eyebrow. “You’re being weird” you say.
“Shut up, I am not” She says. “So you weren’t just messing with me?”
“Of course not” You say. “Why would I lie about something like that?”
“So you actually have the crown” She says. “And the scepter of Harth, and the six eggs, and all of that other stuff?”

“Yes” you say.
“Can I… can I see it?” She asks.
“See… what exactly?” You ask.
“The crown” She says.

>Show her?

>>40503798
>Show her, but cautiously. She seems a little off tonight.

>>40503798
>Yes
Partially, I think. Don't just whip the whole thing out.

Though, hammer it home that we trust her immensely... she is our wife, after all.

>>40503855
I think she just realized who stole her heart

>>40503798
>>Draw cane and demand to know what she did with marcy

>writing

“I guess so” You say. “Why the sudden curiosity?”
“Just that: curiosity” She says.

You shrug and reach into your cloak. Curiosity is a good enough reason for you.

Marcy’s eyes go wide when she sees the crown. “Damn” She says. “You actually do have it”
“You didn’t believe me?” You say.
“I’m not really sure” She says. “On one hand the idea of you being all of the master thieves was so farfetched that you couldn’t have been telling the truth. But on the other hand, it made too much sense not to be true”

“Satisfied now?” You ask.
“I guess” She says.
“Wanna try it on?” You ask.
“Gods no!” She says.

You shrug again and put the crown away. “Your loss”
“Once in a lifetime opportunity, I kn-“ Marcy stops and grimaces. “Welp” She says.

You look at what caused her sudden change in attitude, and then you see them. Two big, blue eyes. Two big, blue eyes that were asleep until a few seconds ago…

Oh dear

“Is it true?” Selene asks. “Are you really them?”

>[ ] “This is a dream. Go back to sleep”

>[ ] “I suppose this qualifies as ‘sloppy’, doesn’t it?”

>[ ] “Yes”

>[ ] Other

>>40504432
>[ ] “I suppose this qualifies as ‘sloppy’, doesn’t it?”

>>40504432
>>[ ] “I suppose this qualifies as ‘sloppy’, doesn’t it?”
>>[ ] “Yes”

Incoming "My Dad is Best Dad."

File: Bad Ass.jpg (835 KB, 1315x624)

835 KB JPG

>>40504508
>5 guesses as to which one Giles is, and the first 4 don't count.

>>40504432
>[ ] “I suppose this qualifies as ‘sloppy’, doesn’t it?”
>[ ] “Yes”
>Keep it quiet

>>40504432
>[ ] “I suppose this qualifies as ‘sloppy’, doesn’t it?”
You can't tell anyone about that, alright kiddo?

File: Swag.jpg (109 KB, 490x700)

109 KB JPG

>>40504594
He's even got the damn CANE, son.

>writing

“I suppose this qualifies as sloppy, doesn’t it?” You ask.
“Yyyyyeah” Marcy says. “That’s for sure”
“Don’t worry” Selene says. “I’m suuuuuuper good at keepin’ secrets!”

You chuckle and rub her head. “That’s true” You say. “She did a better job hiding the fact that Laura was her mother than Laura did”
“I could believe that” Marcy says.

“So it’s true?” Selene asks.
“Yes sweetie. It’s true” You say.

Selene looks like she’s going to explode, then she uses all that energy to leap on you and hug you as tightly as her little arms can manage.
“You’re the coooolest!” She says, pulling away and beaming you a big smile. “Teach me a thing-, no! Tell me a story-, no! Show me one of your things-, actually…”

Selene flip-flops between all the different things she wants…

Maybe you should decide for her…

>[ ] Show her a thing

>[ ] Teach her a trick

>[ ] Tell her a story

>[ ] Other

>>40505023
>[ ] Show her a thing
>[ ] Tell her a story

>>40505023
>>[ ] Teach her a trick
>>[ ] Tell her a story

She loves tricks, and we DID just bust out the Crown.

If she presses, though, we can show her an item from the story.

>>40505023
>[ ] Show her a thing
>[ ] Tell her a story

They're about the same thing, if we show her a thing she'll want to hear how we got it, we tell her a story she'll need to see our spoils.

>writing

“Alright” You say. “I’ll show you one of my spoils”
“Yyyyyessssss” Selene says, practically bouncing with glee.

“And if you’re a good girl and you settle down, I’ll tell you the story about how I got it” You say.

Selene stops dead in her tracks, calms right down, and sits in your lap. She looks up at you expectantly, waiting eagerly for her promised reward for being a good girl.

“You’re adorable, you know that?” You ask, kissing her on the head while you reach into your cloak for something interesting.
“Mama says it’s my best trait” Selene says.
“Laura said that?” You ask.
“Not mommy. Mama” She says, pointing at Marcy.

Oh… That makes sense. Come to think of it, mama and papa are what she called her grandparents…

Damn, you have a lot of stuff in this cloak. When the hell did you get so much stuff? It doesn’t really feel like you’ve taken this much, but you have been at this for a while…

You’ll have to go with…

>[ ] Asking Selene if she has a preference

>[ ] The Water of Life

>[ ] Marcy’s trophy

>[ ] The Crown

>[ ] Other

>>40505580
>[ ] Marcy’s trophy

>>40505580
>[ ] Asking Selene if she has a preference

>>40505580
>>[ ] Asking Selene if she has a preference

>>40505580
>[ ] Marcy’s trophy

>>40505580
>[ ] Marcy’s trophy
Seeing Marcy's face while telling the story of how he thieved it from her.

>>40505580
>Damn, you have a lot of stuff in this cloak. When the hell did you get so much stuff?
I just realized, Giles is your typical PC but without any encumbrance/inventory limits

>writing

“Alright, I’ll tell you one about the Riddler” You say.

Marcy’s head perks up at the mention of that particular thief. “Don’t tell me…” She says.
“Shh… just listen” You say.

Marcy clearly knows what you’re about to do, and she doesn’t seem to approve.

But that doesn’t stop you.

You tell Selene the story of how you snuck into a tournament and procured a certain trophy, leaving the riddle of the key in its place. Then you took up a spot in the audience and watched the duelists and attendees struggle with the riddle for about an hour before you got bored and left.

Then you pull the trophy out and hand it to Selene. She studies it with child-like curiosity, before Marcy flicks your forehead.

“That aint your spoils anymore, remember?” Marcy asks
“It’s still a good story” You say.
“Why isn't it yours anymore?” Selene asks.
“Because Marcy is the one who won it” You say. “She just didn’t manage to solve the riddle before I got bored and left”

“True. But the trophy is mine now, and you said you’d tell one about YOUR spoils” She says.
Selene looks between you two, before settling on you with a pouty face. “Yeah! You did” She says.

>[ ] I think one is enough for tonight

>[ ] You just want another story

>[ ] Fine, fine.

>>40506253
>[ ] Fine, fine.
Do the water next. it might help to let them know we have it some time.

>>40506253
>>[ ] Fine, fine.
>That was just a warm up, anyways

>>40506253
>>[ ] Fine, fine
are we out of healing water now? we've used it a bunch already

>>40506360
Think it has a couple uses left

>writing

“Fine, fine” You say, putting Marcy’s trophy back in your cloak and rummaging around for something else.

Selene smiles triumphantly and high fives Marcy. If these two keep teaming up on you like this, you may have some trouble keeping your sanity…

“Ah! Here’s a good one” You say, pulling out a little glass phial that’s about half full.
“What’s that?” Selene asks.
“This, my dear, is something that you, Laura, and Melissa all owe your lives to” You say. “It is the Water of Life”

“Hang on, THE Water of Life?” Marcy asks. “As in, ‘heals everything with a single drop’ water of life?”
“Yup” you say.
“How did it save my life?” Selene asks.
“At the ball, when the demon got you and Melissa, I used it to heal the two of you” You say.
“Coooooool” She says.
“Could you use it on me?” Marcy asks.
“Sorry, there isn't much left. Emergencies only” You say.

Marcy stares at you for a second. “Ohhh noooo, my leg is… uhhh… infected! Yeah! It looks like I’ll die unless someone was to fix it right away” She says flatly.
You poke her forehead. “Emergencies only” You say again.

Marcy pouts. “Stingy”
“You know it” You say.

>[1/2]

You go into the story about how you got it.

It’s a more interesting story than the last one. The Spires of Erasti were much better guarded than even you expected after scoping the place out for a few days. Add to that the maze-like hallways at the base of the Spires, and it made the whole thing a very difficult job.

Not to mention the fact that you went up the wrong damn spire TWICE, and almost had to turn it into a job for the Brute multiple times.

But as the Sparrow does, you made it in and out unseen and unheard. Like a bird flew in the window and made off with the Spire’s treasure.

When you finish your tale, you look around and notice that your once captive audience is now fast asleep, one in your lap, the other with her head on your shoulder.

“Noooo, don’t worry Marcy. I can take first watch. That’s fine” You say.
“If you wish, Master, I could take first watch” Kuma says, catching you by surprise.
“Wow, sorry… I totally forgot you were there” You say.
“I was trying to stay out of the way” Kuma says. “It was a good story by the way”
“Thank you Kuma” You say.

“I especially liked the part whe-he-“ Kuma stops and lets out a long yawn. “The parts where you got lost and still managed to avoid being found” She finishes.
“Tired?” you ask.
“I can manage” She says.

>[ ] Take first watch

>[ ] Let Kuma do it

>>40507017
>[ ] Take first watch

>>40507017
>>[ ] Take first watch
We are best master.

>>40507017
>[ ] Take first watch

>Inb4 Kuma also snuggles into Gile's lap to go to sleep.

>>40507216
>inb4 Kuma starts catching feelings towards Giles

>>40507293
>Implying she hasn't already.

“I’ll take first watch” You say. “Get some rest, Kuma”
“Master, I must insist tha-“ Kuma is cut off again by another yawn.

You reach over and ruffle her hair. “I’ll be fine. I’ve gone longer and harder than this without sleep. Another few hours won’t kill me” You say.

Her head lolls around lazily under your hand. “I-if you say so Master” She says. “I will be right here if you need me”

Kuma lies down on a blanket that she must have laid there while you were storytelling, and curls up.

She looks like a kitten, curled up like that. It’s easy to look past how cute she is after witnessing her flying body slam someone from a tree and proceed to break their neck with her legs…

But cute she is. You almost feel like petting her…

>[ ] Pet the Kuma

>[ ] Spend some time doing magic (reapplying enchantments, practicing enchantments, etc.)

>[ ] Other

>>40507485
>[ ] Spend some time doing magic (reapplying enchantments, practicing enchantments, etc.)

>>40507485
>[ ] Pet the Kuma

>>40507485
>>[ ] Pet the Kuma
>>[ ] Spend some time doing magic (reapplying enchantments, practicing enchantments, etc.)

She's asian... I know what's coming.

>Nyaaaa~

>>40507485
>[ ] Pet the Kuma
>[ ] Spend some time doing magic (reapplying enchantments, practicing enchantments, etc.)

Kuma is too cute.

>writing

With one hand you reach into your cloak and, careful not to disturb Marcy or Selene, you pull out a few of your knives.

The other you put on Kuma’s head and gently stroke her hair. It’s quite soft. Kuma fidgets a little in her sleep at the sudden contact, but settles after a second with a contented sounding grumble.

Letting your petting hand go on auto pilot, you get to work re-applying all of your previous enchantments. They’ve lasted pretty well until now, but you wouldn’t give them much longer. You’d rather not attempt to cast something during a fight only to find that the damn enchantment has worn off.

Not only would that be awkward, chances are it will also get you killed. Or worse, it could get one of the others killed, and you’d have to live with that.

You’d rather avoid that situation.

After you finish re-applying the enchantments, you notice a strange rumbling, growl-like noise.

You look around to see if you can pinpoint the source, only to find that it’s coming from Kuma.

Still asleep, she’s making the odd growling sound as she breathes out. Come to think of it, it almost sounds like a purr…

Cat-like indeed.

You can’t help but smile as you lean your head back and resign yourself to what will probably be a long, but comfy watch.

Aaaaand that's all for tonight. I hope you guys still enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it!

Next thread will probably be this weekend. I might be able to run tomorrow, but chances are that I won't get the chance.

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

>>40508072
KUMA THE PUMA

>>40508072
thanks for running

>>40508072
Thanks for the thread, Smiley!