>>41571455
You pull your pack on, being careful not to disturb the small snake sleeping within. Not that they should be inclined towards waking up anyway thanks to your impromptu medication but you can never be too cautious.
Not that they should be able to hurt you however. You have a whole different snake to worry about right now. Hiss is still out there somewhere and she isn’t inclined to being subtle. You need to get a message to her before she does anything that complicates the situation more than it already is.

Rock twitches as you bow your head in prayer, the diminutive spirit rustling on your shoulder. You try to keep it innocuous, a simple apology about how all is well. She should be able to recognize you by now and hopefully that convinces her to lay low. But she’s far from the only companion you have here…
“Do you know where Oster and Aashenpreet are, Rock?”

-Yes. They are both alive and unharmed. I visited them last night and assured them that all would be well.-
Last night? Ugh, not something you need to think about right now.

“Do you think you could lead me to them?”

-That is certainly within my capabilities. But first you must bypass the humans waiting outside.-

Right, her guards. Somehow you don’t think that kidnapping their mistress would be looked favourably upon.
“Can’t you just take me with you through the wall? You know, when you do that, uh, thing you do. The movement.”

-You would die.-

“How so?”

-I do not consider myself overly experienced with your kind, Cennen. But I do know that you require all of your parts to be in the same place for continuing function.-

“Yeah, that sounds pretty essential.”
Well that’s one potential escape plan nixed. What other options do you have?


1/2

>>41571467
> Brew

> Wake Tanni up.

> Try to bluff your way out by claiming that she’s still inside and hope they don’t check.

> Attack the guards with something (Specify)

> Just run.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Make a wish (Specify)

> Other

>>41571503
> Wake Tanni up.

>>41571503

> Wake Tanni up.

>>41571503
> Wake Tanni up.

>>41571503
> Try to bluff your way out by claiming that she’s still inside and hope they don’t check.

> Wake Tanni up.

Well, looks like you might have no other way about it. Time to see if you can give the lady of the house a wake-up call.
You take your pack off, setting it down on the ground while Rock watches curiously. You pull the snake out, the once gigantic serpent currently reduced to barely one foot in length. Their scales are joined together to form a layer of smooth green skin, indicative of their plant nature.
She's still fully asleep, blissed out on the oil you administered. Now how do you go about waking her up?

-I can wake her-
Rock answers your unspoken question as she dances down your arm, laying dusty feelers on the snake's head.

A few moments later and the snake begins to writhe, clearly unused to being held in such a manner. You set Tanni down as she begins to shed, taking up human form once more.

She's the same as ever, a woman clad in the robes and mask of a Vtriya, commanding and alluring.
Only...you don't remember her human form being so small. So the potion works on all their forms?

You pick her up, the tiny Vtriya barely the size of your pointer finger. She struggles but no longer has the strength to break your grip. Her long hair, once thick and black is now a strange shade of dandelion-yellow. You can't see any of her skin but you're pretty sure that it'd currently be a shade of dark green. She is a flower now, after all.

"Put me down! What have you done?"
She doesn't sound as imposing as she once did, you have to admit.

> Tell her the truth of the matter.

> Claim not to have done anything, you just found her like this.

> Pet snake.

> Tell her that you'll fix it if she tells the guards to leave. You don't know how to fix it.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Make a wish (Specify)

> Other

>>41571989
> Tell her that you'll fix it if she tells the guards to leave. You don't know how to fix it.
> Pet the snake, later

>>41571989
> Tell her the truth of the matter.
> Pet snake.
haha why did we do this

>>41572115
The petting or the catching?

>>41571989
The shrinkage will wear off with time and exposure to sunlight. I alchemized the water and you flipped out, it was either shrink you or get crushed. Now can you get the guards to let get you to the lab?
> Pet snake.

>>41572151
Better tell her it was the heat that made her flip out.

>>41571989
> Tell her that you'll fix it if she tells the guards to leave. You don't know how to fix it.

>Get us past the guards please.
>Pet snake.

"Don't worry, don't worry. It'll wear off with time and sunlight. I'll fix it if you can tell the guards to leave so we can get to the lab."

"No, I mean why? Why?"
She sounds distressed and you can't help but feel sorry for her. Or is she trying to make you feel bad for her?
You don't want to tell her that you did it to catch her since you don't know if she knows about the wishbond or not. But if she does know, she'll probably keep quiet about it in the hope that you don't.
"Oh, the heat made you flip out. I had to resort to this or get crushed. I'll fix you up when we get to the lab."

"That's not possible. I do not get heatstruck. You must have..."
For the first time since you've known her, she falters. She probably can't remember the bath very well thanks to the oil, a phenomenon very similar to being intoxicated by the heat.
In fact, that gives you an idea. There's still a lot of oil residue in the baths right now after all.

You take a step towards the bath as if you were showing it to her, bending down and waving her near it. Near enough to breathe in an awful lot of fumes, fumes that should be enough to affect her while she's so small.
"I...I do feel hot," she mumbles. "I guess you're right. I'm heatstruck."

"Don't worry about it," you say, prodding her upright with one finger as she falls limp. She grabs hold of your finger as a reflex, nuzzling it.
Oh nuts, the fingers on your other hand are still oil-stained aren't they? You were right in the middle of the stuff after all.
But what's the harm? You decide to indulge her and yourself a little and give her a rub-down, eliciting a tiny groan.

"Alright, just get us past the guards. They wouldn't understand."

She moans, oil-afflicted. "Am I loud enough?"

-I can amplify sound if I wish-

She nods at Rock, the spirit bigger than she is. She doesn't even seem surprised at her presence.
1/2

>>41572433
She mumbles something to Rock, the spirit passing it on to the guards beyond as a somewhat bemused call to leave their posts, a pitch-perfect replication of Tanni's mellifluous voice.
They don't seem to argue and you can hear footsteps receding in the distance. You suppose that Tanni orders her Ishmin away from her a lot. She's a very confident and proud serpent, one who usually assumes that she has nothing to fear from humans.
Well...that's her mistake.

> Go back to the lab. You should be alone.

> Go back to your quarters. Hiss might be there.

> Let Rock lead you to Aashenpreet and Oster.

> Risk another prayer for Hiss.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Make a wish (Specify)

> Other

>>41572480
>> Go back to the lab. You should be alone.

>>41572480
> Go back to the lab. You should be alone.

>>41572480
> Go back to your quarters. Hiss might be there.

>>41572480
> Let Rock lead you to Aashenpreet and Oster.

> Go back to the lab. You should be alone.

You drop Tanni back into your pack, putting her inside a potion bottle to make sure she doesn't rattle around or get herself hurt by anything sliding about within it.
You don't remember the way to the lab so you have to be content with Rock guiding you, the little spirit jumping in and out of your sleeve every time you pass someone. You get some stares but no more than what is normal for a Teln in Quedesh.
Seems like everyone's already heard about Tanni's new pet alchemist.

Nobody is in the lab and the room still holds all of the alchemical equipment it did earlier today, when Tanni had you synthesize a love potion. One that she tried to feed you a small time later as a test.

You shut the door and set Rock down to keep lookout as you approach the bench, unbottling Tanni again as you do so and setting her down next to the equipment.
Her mask is off, revealing an emerald face. And a lot of other green skin besides, as it seems that she's been dealing with the heat by disrobing the vast majority of her outfit.

"You're going to fix me, right?"
Her voice is bleary but it is stronger than before, a harder tone beginning to resurface. She's already recovering from the Snake Oil haze.

> "Of course." Experiment for something to reverse these effects.

> Experiment but for something else.

> Give her a different potion that you can brew (Specify)

> Tell her that unfortunately it looks like it cannot be reversed.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Make a wish (Specify)

> Other

>>41572719
Make a shapesifter brew just tell her to focus on the size she wants very hard. Also put a sunlight potion close to her.

>>41572719
> "Of course." Experiment for something to reverse these effects.
If I can't we can just stealthily be in the sun for a while

>>41572719
> Experiment but for something else.
She's a plant-snake hybrid at the moment, she could have some pretty neat reagents.
> Use a sun potion

>>41572719
>> "Of course." Experiment for something to reverse these effects.
>41572824
i think it was mentioned at some point that sunlight potions don't actually mimic sunlight

>>41572868
Sun potions won't work, only actual sunlight. Ouro said so in the last thread

>>41572719
> "Of course." Experiment for something to reverse these effects.
Did we nobble her planty shed skin? Might be useful in a brew to reverse the effects

>>41572719
>>41572881

Threebrew, then

>>41572919
Nope. Only sunlight or a direct antidote to Eugene's brews will work.

> "Of course." Experiment for something to reverse these effects.

"Naturally. It'll be a while."
You try to gently prod her over to the far side of the desk, pushing her into the sunbeam streaming in through the barred window. She doesn't protest, savoring the light.

She curls up and practically goes to sleep while you work on a cure. You might not be able to replicate the effects of his potions perfectly but you should be able to revert them! You use some of Tanni's own shed snakeskin for your brew as you get to work.

An hour later, you've created the Demorph. This brew should reverse any physical alterations created by alchemy for anyone who drinks it! You don't have a way of testing it out but your identification potions haven't steered you wrong yet.

You bottle up the Demorph and wake Tanni, who's grown to a little over a foot tall in the time that passed. She clutches her robes around her while you let her sip from the bottle.

There's a long beat where nothing happens but then the green sinks from her skin, replaced by a healthy shade of brown as she returns to a normal human size.
She slides her robes on almost immediately, searching for her mask and her slippers.

You do your best to look benevolent as she stands.
"There, we don't have to tell anyone about thi-"

She moves, far too quickly for you to stop her. Her left hand pushes you against the wall and her right goes for your throat, stopping only inches away as if repelled by an invisible force.

"Did you really think I'd fall for that?," she hisses. "Now give me your pack."
The tone she uses is one of unquestioned authority and menace, something that bypasses the thinking part of your brain entirely in favor of directly plugging into your spine as your hands start to uncontrollably shake.
But you are able to calm yourself, to resist the thoughts she places into your head. Because you know that she can't kill you.

1/2

>>41573177
> Tell her to fuck off. Nothing else.

> Pray.

> Do as she says for now.

> Attack!

>Use Potion (Specify)

> Make a wish (Specify)

> Other

>>41573189
>Now why would I do that Tani?

>>41573189


> Do as she says for now.

>>41573189
> Make a wish (Specify)
I wish you would obey my every command. Then tell her she can't tell anyone about this.

>>41573189
>>41573235
Might as well start with this

>>41573189
> Tell her to fuck off. Nothing else.

>>41573235
I have a bad feeling about this one guys

>>41573189
> Tell her to fuck off. Nothing else.

>>41573320
yeah, she doesn't seem to know about the wishes, might be worthwhile to hold back on this

>>41573189
>Push her off and look impressed when it works

Is the vote already over ouro?

>>41573368
No. Currently it's a tie, which usually means I let it run for 15 minutes or so and then roll the dice.

>>41573356
I'm pretty sure she knows about the wishes. If not she will soon.

Rolled 1 (1d6)

That's a tie alright, one between making the wish and just telling her to step off without elucidating further.
Odds for the former, evens for the latter.

>>41573390
The first vote is essentially the same as saying fuck off I guess

>>41573424
She knows about them, but she thinks we don't.

>Make a wish

You wriggle in her grasp, confirming that there's nothing you can do to break it. She's strong, probably stronger in raw physique than Aashenpreet and Hiss combined. You suppose size counts for that and her true form is very large. But that doesn't mean you're just going to let her push you around, you have all the leverage here.
"Now why would I do that, Tanni?"

She doesn't even hesitate, grabbing your right arm and starting to bend it back in the wrong direction. Pain floods your mind and you're only moments away from your arm being broken in half.
"Wait wait wait wait! Please!"

She relents, leaving you to wince and rub your sore elbow.
"Any more delays and I'll break you, one bone at a time. Give me your pack."

"I wish that you would obey my every command."

Her eyes widen, stepping back reflexively. But you can already see her arms twitching.

"I forbid you from hurting me. And I order you not to tell anyone else about this."

She's still twitching, her beautiful face broken by an expression of pure disgust and fear. And then her composure returns and she leans in, seemingly at home with her new situation.
"Of course. I was hoping that you didn't know about that old curse. But I guess that was your intention all along, wasn't it?"

You just stare at her, still massaging your arm.
"You were going to break my arm!"

"And more besides. But sssh, don't worry. That was just to try and drive away any thoughts of wishing. I wouldn't do that now."
She puts her finger over your lips, silencing your objections. Her voice relaxes you and you feel yourself becoming calmer. She can't hurt you now, you don't have to be worried about her.
"You have me at a disadvantage," she says. "I shudder to think of what you could do to me now."
If she's horrified, she's hiding it very well. Instead her tone is lazy and amused, one that sets your mind afire with possibilities.

1/2

>>41573668
Wait. She's trying to use you, to exploit you. To make you waste your wishes on carnal acts which while extremely tempting, would not be useful and would only serve to free her.
Not to mention that she just threatened to fucking torture you to death, what the fuck.

This keeps your head clear but your body doesn't get the message. You're not sure how you're going to handle this.

> Give her a Soulmender.

> Give in.

> "Stop that. Don't ever do that to me again."

> Push her away.

> Pray.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Make a wish (Specify)

> Other

>>41573714
Soulmenders can't break wishbonds right?

>>41573739
Correct.

>>41573714
> Push her away.
>"Stop using that special voice to cloud my thoughts and addle my mind."

>>41573714
> Give her a Soulmender.
> "Stop that. Don't ever do that to me again."

>>41573714
> Push her away.
Think of Hiss.
Questioning time.
Why are there so many snakes in Pataliputna? What exactly do you need me for? I ran into Attaraan a few weeks ago, what do you know about him?

>>41573714
> "Stop that. Don't ever do that to me again."
> "Stop that. Don't ever do that to me again."
Tell her she can't seduce or otherwise manipulate us

>>41573755
It would just temporarily disconnect her from her souls correct?

>>41573880
Yes. It's there as an option because Cennen knows that a fair amount of her social abilities stem from having eaten many human socialites.

>>41573714
>>41573783
Seconding.
Also interpreting things as commands vs wishes. Do we have to make any effort to differentiate or is it intrinsic to the wish making that she will not take a command as a wish.

>>41573714
She's trying to make us waste wishes? Why would we use a wish when we can command her to do whatever we want?

>>41573925
The nature of the curse prevents a snake from ever weaseling their way out of a wish or playing asshole genie. They have to fulfill the intent of it and it has to be a deliberate wish. So yes, it's intrinsic.

Note that all of those rules do not apply to commands. She is free to misinterpret commands as long as she obeys them by the letter.

>>41573783
Soulmender might be useful short term but it would likely be suspicious to others if she's disconnected from all of her souls

>>41573847
seconding

>>41573977
Thank's Ouro, Nixed the whole Wish vs Command problem that was brewing in my head.

>>41573962
Maybe she wants us to make a command that she can take advantage of?

>>41573847
If were gonna ask questions now we should at least tell her to answer with the truth in its entirety first

>>41573983
not to mention she might revert to snake which could be disastrous

>>41574178
Nah, she's an expert on humans since she's been alive so long. Surely she knows how to act human without the help of souls

>>41574188
probably but it doesn't mean she can't fuck with us

> "Stop that."

You reach up and grab her finger, trying to push it away from your mouth. She doesn't budge, holding it there despite your best efforts.
"Don't you want to have some fun?"

"Stoaaargh!"
You try to tell her to stop but opening your mouth just lets her finger in, the digit jamming itself into your mouth. You can't speak! You try to push her back but more of her hand edges into your mouth, grabbing your tongue.
You can't breathe, what the hell is she doing? You try to bite down but green scales just shimmer over her arm.

"I can't kill you, that's a problem," she says. "But as long as I get you immediate medical attention afterwards, I don't think anything stops me from ripping out your tongue. You'll find it very hard to issue any commands or wishes then."
She stops to think, acting mockingly pensive as you lash out at her only for your desperate fists just to bounce off her fortified skin without effect.
"That means I'll be bonded to you for some time, which is unfortunate. But I happen to have a human who might have a way to remove such things, though he is currently absent. Oh, what's that? I'm sorry, did you want to say something?"
Her fingers curl around your tongue even harder, tugging on it just enough to hurt. That seems to bring her to a conclusion.
"Cheer up, being a mute isn't so bad. You'll get used to it."

The pain on your tongue increases, a sharp spike that only grows as she slowly pulls it further and further. Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no-

Rock floats into the room and lands atop Tanni's bosom, looking up at her. Their eyes meet and she lets go of your tongue, freeing you up to cough and splutter.
She steps back, looking sick. Is that what Rock used to knock Hiss unconscious that one time? It only seems to have knocked her off-guard for a few seconds because she takes a swipe at the spirit a moment later, her hands 1/2

>>41574286
It only seems to have knocked her off-guard for a few seconds because she takes a swipe at the spirit a moment later, her hands passing through the intangible spider.

> Hit her with something heavy.

> This is way too dangerous! Just run!

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Issue command (Specify)

> Make a wish (Specify)

> Other

>>41574286
What? We already said she can't harm us.

>>41574321
>>41574339
Seconding
>>41574327
It's a command, so she has a different idea what "Harm" means.

>>41574321
> Issue command (Specify)
Sit down, don't move or speak until I say you can.

>>41574365
>>41574321
This

>>41574327
Hiss and Aash have done it plenty of times. Maybe Tanni, being older and far more powerful could, do it willingly.

>>41574365
This.
>>41574356
There's no way that ripping out someones tongue couldn't be considered harm

>>41574356
>>41574383
>"I forbid you from hurting me. And I order you not to tell anyone else about this."

>>41574407
Oh, I forgot about that. Maybe she was playing chicken.

>>41574327
Tanni must obey the commands yes but unlike wishes, she is free to interpret them as she chooses.
You told her not to hurt you but that was a minute or so ago. As far as she knows, you might only have been talking about then since there wasn't a time clause.

That's what she was intending anyway. In reality, commands aren't THAT malleable. She would have been unable to rip out Cennen's tongue. But then she would have just held his tongue and made sure he couldn't speak until she could call for some guards to come up and remove his tongue for her.

>>41574456
Ok then we should rectify that with commands. Say she can never hurt us and never try to manipulate seduce us with either speech or her actions

>>41574321
>>41574456

>"I forbid you to cause me any form of fisical pain, as well as doing anything that might result in any harm towards me."

There, try circling around that.

>>41574522
>fisical
anon... please tell me you can actually spell physical

>>41574522
As above, no time clause means only 1 second. We got an expert weasel here.

>>41574492
We might as well forbid her from ever touching us too

>Sit down and shut up.

"Tanni," you cough out. "Sit down. Don't move or speak until I say you can. In the corner."

She frowns and stops attacking Rock, sitting down in the corner with her back to you. She twitches several times, a sort of full body flinch but otherwise remains still.
"I order you to NEVER hurt or harm me. Never. Don't ever try to manipulate me either."
There...that should hold her. Or so you hope.

Rock settles on your shoulder with all the weight of a slight breeze.
-She is dangerous. I would not recommend bringing her-

"What should I do with her then? If I don't end the wish-bond she'll follow us anyway and if I do end it, she's going to murder me. What am I supposed to do, kill her?"
You remember a different woman and shudder.

-No. You have already insulted the hospitality of a serpent that I believe was originally mostly benevolent towards us. You are in the wrong. Do no make it worse.-

"In the wrong? She tried to enslave me!"

-Semantics.-

"Do you have a better idea then?"

-Do you possess a way of altering her opinions of you once the wish-bond is gone? Or a way to remove memories? Or if you insist on keeping her, it may require a wish to make her happy to be with you and to forestall further sabotage attempts-

"...Maybe. That's not uh, very ethical though."

-You are a kidnapper-

What do you do then?

> Find your companions first.

> Kill Tanni.

> Make a wish (Specify)

> Brew up something.

> Issue command (Specify)

> Use a potion (Specify)

> Maybe you should just escape now while she's immobile.

> Other

>>41574711
Would our commands still apply if we removed her memory of it? Can we make a non-romantic love potion?

>>41574711
Command tanning to tell us what she had planned for us, and about tash.

>>41574711
>>41574791
This, but first, ask these questions
>>41573847

>>41574711
Tell Rock she kidnapped us first.

>>41574540
He's clearly talking about government revenue.

>>41574711
> Brew up something.
Major love potion
Or is this gonna lead to a second vote?

Rock got some weird sense if morality going on.

>>41574711
> Brew up something.

>>41574711
Make a very diluted snake oil or snake oil incesne get it into her system.

>>41574711

> Issue command (Specify)
Answer questions
before we do anything we should try and figure out what she was up to by trying to nab us, whats the deal with her and tash etc.
Also i think we ought to try and ditch her as soon as possible. This is grief we don't need.

>>41574711
Command Tanni to tell us what she wants in exchange for our freedom and what she is willing to trade for removal of the wish bond.

Also get her opinion on spirits, see if there is any promise or oath that would bind her to negotiations. Make it clear that the wish bond is just leverage, that we don't want to kill her unless we have to.

But we HAVE been travelling with Hiss a lot. After we set the terms and all, call in Hiss before we make any final decisions.

>>41574808
No to the former, yes to the latter.

>>41574866
Hospitality is a big deal for Rock and she's sort of peeved about it. On the other hand, she doesn't really see a problem with slavery. Spirits 'enslave' other spirits in the Dreaming all the time, it's how things work there.

Rock is also, slavery apologist or no, the moral center somehow because everyone else is either amoral or is Aashenpreet.

>>41574711
> Brew up something.
Major non-romantic love potion

Alright, brewing seems to be the victor. Writing.

>started off with one snek
>now has three sneks
Cennen is moving up in the world.

>>41574711
Voting for talking and not potion brewing. Let's stop this moral backsliding. Instead, we should get Hiss in here and order Tanni to let her eat her soul a bit.

>>41575085
She can't do shit to snake souls.

If word about this got out, it would mean death for both of us. Being bound by a human will surely destroy Tanni's reputation, and I'm pretty sure humans who know about the wish bond are priority targets in Quesh. Maybe we can use this to strike a deal with Tanni.
>>41575096
Not yet

>>41575110
If she could Aashenpreet would be dead the second they were alone.

>>41575125
She would probably want to use Aash for practice. But If the time comes, I tink we'de be able to talk her out of it

>>41575067
Are major love potions permanent?

>Brew

It doesn't take you that long to improve upon the minor love potion to make something more potent, one with sparks of Art flickering through its depths.
This isn't romantic or sexually inclined but drinking should still make Tanni obsessed with helping you.

Tanni is still sitting in the corner facing the wall, unable to move or talk. This is a pretty big thing to drop on someone. Unless you give her your antidote, you're pretty sure it lasts forever.

> She tried to feed you one. Do it.

> See if you can try for some sort of deal instead now that she knows how much trouble she could be in.

> Other

>>41575193


> See if you can try for some sort of deal instead now that she knows how much trouble she could be in.
we can hold it as a threat, but i don't like the idea

>>41575193
> She tried to feed you one. Do it.
It's the only way. She'll kill us for sure once the wishbond is gone

>>41575193
>> See if you can try for some sort of deal instead now that she knows how much trouble she could be in.

>>41575193
> She tried to feed you one. Do it.

>>41575193
> See if you can try for some sort of deal instead now that she knows how much trouble she could be in.
It that fails use the potion.

>>41575216
Threatening her with it will only make her want to kill us even more when the wishbond is gone.

>>41575193
Deal first we can make her drink the potion id it doesn't work.

>>41575193
> She tried to feed you one. Do it.

>>41575193
Get rocks opinion.

>>41575275
If we threaten her she'll pretend to work with us and then do everything in her power to stop us.

>>41575193
Voting for dealing before we make any irrevocable decisions

>>41575254
enthralling another snake comes with all kinds of thorny issues we can't possibly predict. Meanwhile we have the ability to force this at any time.

Also this is a drastic action take while we still are totally unaware of what we're dealing with.

I don't doubt it's efficacy I just prefer that morally dubious actions be taken with a degree of consideration

>>41575254
>>41575300
Rather have to deal with that than more on Cennen's psyche. He's not an edgelord faggot. Give talk a fucking chance.

>>41575300
That's why we make her tell us if there are any oaths that she will abide by, dummkopf. We can always make her drink the potion otherwise.

>>41575330
It's not edgy. She's an evil snake overlord. This is hardly different ethically from nobbling her in the first place.

>>41575300
We still have two wishes, and she already has to obey our commands. Why don'twe order her to work in OUR best interests, and to discuss her interpretation of orders with us prior to obeying them?

>>41575254
>>41575300
No need to threat. We're in the same boat, If somone found out about it we'd die first.
Doing this gives us a chance to earn her cooperation, but if we used a potion to force her will, she'd have even more reasons to kill us if she ever got free

>>41575335
Kek you really think there's a binding oath she will take and that it would matter to her at all? You're an idiot.

>>41575299
Rock's opinion: Neither of these options are desirable but you should feed her the potion as it is safest for all concerned. Spirits are repurposed or changed all the time so I don't understand what the problem is. I am also a soulless monster from a realm of insanity.

>>41575382
Haven't even asked yet asshole. We can spend some time talking to her. Besides, this isn't d&d and she isn't an orc baby, and she's treated us better than Hiss so far.

>>41575381
We're absolutely not in the same boat. Getting nobbled might hurt her rep a bit but we will be put to death if anyone finds out and she'll kill us the second the wishbond is broken. And she's gonna get her human to break it for her.

>tfw surrounded by naive moralfags

>>41575391
Rock is a shitty moral compass. Fucking Ann Rand up in here. Spirits suck.

>>41575434
>tfw you're trying to not have the character turn into a full grimderp egdelord like Tiger and Co. voted for.

>>41575434
Nobody has nixed the potion, we just want to talk to her first. With her magically compelled to be as honest as possible if we command it.

>>41575454
We need her help. We won't do anything bad to her, all the potion does is prevent her from screwing us over or killing us.

>>41575391
Rock is objectively right.

>>41575474
It'd make her a yandere, minus the sex. You really want to deal with that? Cennen is already having issues with this, He'd talk before using it.

Alright, looks like 'deal' edges out over potion by just a bit. Writing.

>>41575508
>yandere
no, she'd really like us and want to help us.

>>41575508
. . . . Glad deal won, because you just engaged my fetishes. Yandere vore snek

>>41575410
By getting nobled she's put conastrictor power at risk. What would happen if the people knew about the wish bond? Do you think the other constrictors will just give her a reprmand?

>>41575381
perhaps not the same boat, but i take your point. Though we have changed the power dynamic it may not be possible to reach a temporary accord. I don't doubt we've made a lifelong enemy and should keep that in mind.

As to the contentious edgelord debate. I don't see it as totally out of character for cennan to do evil shit, but i do feel like one thing we have been consistent on is his desire for alchemy to used responsibly. Even in the face of extreme duress. creating and using this flies in the face of that, I feel like he would have to be much more directly threatened to consider crossing such a line.

>>41575534
No "people" will ever find out about it. Just snakes that already know about it. And yes, the other snakes are unlikely to punish her.

>>41575526
No she'd be obsessed with helping us. Obsession is NEVER a good thing. Talk first.

>>41575533
Not touching that.

>>41575548
Exactly he'd talk, if she scoffed he'd tell her exactly what he has done with what he ahs and exactly what the potion would do. It's a last resort.

>>41575515
Good work, blatant samefags

>>41575548
Nah, she likes to play too much. Honestly so long as we don't damage her too much or anything she might actually respect us despite us being human.

>>41575590
Only 4 votes dick wipe. 7 total. Hardly a samefag.

>>41575590
>I'll accuse something of samefagging, surely that will show that they're wrong
Go suck a snek hemipenis

>>41575548
What's worse/edgier, killing someone or making an enemy into a friend with a brew?

>>41575672
Snake cloaca

>>41575680
>What's worse/edgier, killing someone or mindraping an enemy into a friend with a brew?
FTFY! Also depending on the quality of the death and quality of the mindrape.

>>41575680
Dude, we're just talking before deciding. Talking gives so many more options.

>>41575694
>mindrape
>if I use buzzwords I'm right

>>41575705
>Calling something a buzzword
>Not debating the fact it's entirely accurate
>Strawmanning instead
Nice counter-argument.

>>41575680
my intention was actually to imply that i don't think it's edgy but i do think its not the right thing to do. Indeed Cennan has done worse thing, and actually though i didn't vote for it and think it was rushed into with kind of murderhobo enthusiasm that comes from exercising ones amusing powers without considering consquence i do think the late murder was in character for cennan. I'm not one of the folks that was mad about it.

But I like that the character has a constant battle between his virtues and his power, and i think in this case we have the opportunity to continue that struggle in an interesting way. Plus I really think we need to ditch this snake as soon as possible. We really do not need another such being and this is starting to look worryingly like a harem.

>>41575727
>Strawmanning
Now I'm using ad hominem and calling you an idiot for not knowing what strawmanning is

>Cut a deal

There's no need to get hasty about this, you decide. Wouldn't want to do something that you can't undo after all. You've been down that road too many times.
You want to do something GOOD with your alchemy in the end after all and you're not sure if this qualifies. Maybe it's not something to get used to using lightly.

"Hey Tanni, you can talk now. And move, I guess. But not too much!"

She turns around, looking spectacularly tired.
"Are you done?"

"No. I order you to always tell me the truth. Let's make a deal."

She grinds her teeth but says nothing.

"Look, do you know what this potion is? It's a stronger form of the one I made for you earlier. You don't want to drink it, do you."

"I don't."
She doesn't look afraid.

"So let's get down to business then. The way I see it, I think we're in the same boat in regards to this. Nobody wants any news of this curse getting out, do they? Certainly not your peers in the Invisible Court. If they find out about this, I'm probably dead."
You pause, seeing if she has anything to say. She does not.
"But I don't think you come out of this well either. At the very least your own standing will plummet dramatically. You're very old, I can't imagine how many younger serpents are out there just waiting for the chance to take your place. How am I going with this?"

"More or less accurate," she says. "If the Maharaja was more active, he'd probably kill me himself. I'll be a laughing stock at the very least."

"I wonder how Attaraan would take that?"
Did you touch a nerve there?
"I remember Tash saying that he was encroaching on your position lately, thanks to all his good suzerain work at the House. Is that true?"

"Tash says a lot of things," she mumbles, her voice stripped of all its usual majesty. "He has a very pretty mouth."

"Is it true?"

"Yesssss."

1/2

>>41575756
Dude she's a bored long living noble who plays the great game with other snakes and humans. She's still laughing you notice. Imagine when she talks to Hiss about the wishbonds we've had and what we've done with them. We're interesting, the best thing ever.

Glad potion dags weren't around in earlier threads for dealing with Hiss.

>>41575799
Is it true about Attaraan or that Tash has a pretty mouth. ? Order her to answer clearly and unambiguously.

>>41575799
"So yeah, seems to me that we both have something to lose here. And wouldn't you know it, we have some enemies in common. So how about we make a deal? I'll release you from the wish-bond if you swear not to try to kill me or to hinder me or my companions in any way. Does that sound fine?"

"No."

"Eh?"

"No, none of this sounds fine. What did I even do to invite this? I gave you a home, food, anything you could want. And all I wanted you to do was something you were going to do anyway!"

"You couldn't give me freedom."

"No human is free."

"Really? We're not the ones cursed to serve, you know. Soooo, about this deal?"

"I'll swear."

"And you won't break this oath? Remember, I'm ordering you to speak truthfully!"

"I will....not. I swear that I will not seek to hurt you or to hinder you, either personally or through any indirect means. The same for any of your companions. I will uphold this for as long as I live."

You nod, weighing that over in your mind. That seems good.
"Then you have my apologies about this whole mess. Anything else?"

Tanni twitches, still unable to move.
"Please remove your wish-bond now and I will send you and your companions on your way. I give you freedom, for all the good it may do you."

> Use Serpentbane to break the wishbond

> Make two more wishes. (Specify)

> Make some more commands first. (Specify)

> Give her the potion anyway.

> Ask Rock for their opinion.

> Other

>>41575986
> Use Serpentbane to break the wishbond
I'm voting for this only so I can be proven right once she screws us over later

>>41575986
I think it's honestly time to get Hiss into this, before we settle anything.

Why does captcha always ask about chips

>>41575986
> Ask Rock for their opinion.
She telling the Truth Rock?
>Brew up a Mist version of Snake oil/knockout poison and have it on hand.
> Use Serpentbane to break the wishbond
warn her of the side effects and get clearance first.

>>41575986
> "Why would you uphold this oath. Once the wishbond is off you could easily kill me. It would even make your life easier, so... What's compelling you to remain true to your word, honor, tradition?

>>41575986
Can we take any parts of the alchemy set with us to improve our brewing?

>>41576083
You can't fit it into the pack.

>>41575986
. . . Call in Hiss. FFS.>>41571455

>>41576102
Oh. Then I want to at the very least make a few brews with it before we go.

>>41575986
>>41576058
Here, also, we should ask her for an actual, mysticism free, desctiption of the compact.

>>41576051
No. We don't want Tanni to know that we have another snake with us.

>>41575986
I'm very much against breaking it right now, we need to regroup with everyone before and do some brewing with the setup. We've kept Hiss hidden from her, now's the time to bring her out.

>>41575986
Talk to her about Tash before breaking the wish bond. Also put on the table that she wI'll support Hiss. FFS. Freedom includes freedom to get killed by her, we need more than that.

Saying this as one of the no potion voting dags.

>>41575986
> Ask Rock for their opinion.
also
>>41576125

>>41575986
Make use of the alchemy set one last time.

>>41576152
We have a wish to burn to make her forget about Hiss if need be.

It's always chips for me!

>>41575986
Voting to negotiate for more than freedom. She has to support us and Hiss. We still have two wishes, for crying out loud.

>>41576152
Attaraan and Tash are on their way here, they both know we're with Hiss

>>41575986
>Use Serpentbane to break the wishbond

>>41575986
This is a shit deal. We have her over a barrel go full jew.

>tfw anons go full retard once again in this quest.

>>41576271
Be more specific anon. What are you referring to?

>>41576271
the problem is everybody can get behind snake catching, but once you have the snake nobody can agree what to do with it.

>>41576320
There is a consensus on expanding the deal

>>41575986
I am altering the deal. Pray I do not alter it further.

>>41576165
Saying "FFS" in both of your votes makes it pretty obvious that you're samefagging

>>41576361
Yes, I am all the votes. I'd go after the dag fag first for samefagging.

>>41576361
I'm down for final call votes since you're so butthurt about samefags.

>Question her further
> Ask Rock for their opinion

You narrow your eyes.
"That's a nice oath. But why would you uphold it? Once the wish-bond is gone you could easily kill me. It'd make your life easier to do so, even. What are you swearing on? Honor? Tradition? Aashimid?"

"My ambition."
Her voice rings clear, unsullied from the defeated tone it had once been.
"All you have hurt is my pride. And while that certainly stings, I am neither young or impulsive enough to pursue it above all else. Letting you go serves my goals best."

"How so? Speak truth!"

She rolls her eyes, somehow taking control of the conversation.
"Because I want to use you. I won't be manipulating or exploiting you but it has become clear to me that we already share the same goals. You're a knife and just because you've left my hand doesn't mean you won't follow the trajectory I've thrown you. You want to stop Attaraan and Tash, I can see it in your face every time you hear their names. So I'll let you go and I'll honor our deal because petty slights to my pride aside, you are more useful to me alive. There, was that honest enough for you?"

You stop to think, unsure where to go from here. You don't like her reasoning but you also cannot fault it. What else would be more important to her? And you know she was telling the truth.
Still, the idea of being her tool is an unwholesome one.

You turn to Rock, who is still nestled on your shoulder.
"What do you think?"

-It seems fine to me. If she is speaking truth then she is correct. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with being used by another if your goals are aligned.-

"Hiss wouldn't like it."
If Hiss knew, she'd probably do something stupid like change her goals on principle.

-Hiss doesn't need to know the full details.-

"Oi, Rock. We're not going down that path."

-She harms you. This is a small grievance in comparison-

"It's a healthy relationship!"

1/2

>>41576483
I'm not butthurt, I'm just pointing out how obvious it was. Hardly anyone says FFS. It's clearly the same guy. It probably didn't really influence the outcome anyway.

>>41576537
Tanni just looks up at you with hooded eyes, only getting one side of this strange conversation.
"I'm willing to offer more if you wish, just to get this over with."

"Do you want gold? Goods? Food? My body? That Dhinapreet you seemed so fond of?"

That last barb must have been intentional and you can't stop yourself from flinching.

"Whatever else you want, I'll give it to you. Just spare me the indignity."

> Make additional demands (Specify)

> Use Serpentbane to nullify her wishbond.

> Make two more wishes.

> Call the deal off.

> Issue command (Specify)

> Make a wish (Specify)

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Pray

> Other

>>41576592
>Use Serpentbane to nullify her wishbond.

Honestly I'm fine with this and thinking back to all the "Meanwhile" epilogues where people hate us and we make enemies everywhere we go I just don't want to make this any worse. Fuck it.

>>41576592
>Ask her about the compact, then use a wish to erase that question from her memory

>>41576592
Dinahpreet, some small pittance gold, as much of your alchemical stock as I can carry, a mule and my wagon.


Also some bits of the lab we can take and pack with a collapsible brew if possible.

Then Explain the side effects to her and
> Use Serpentbane to nullify her wishbond

>>41576592
> Make additional demands (Specify)
A bunch of gold and Dhinapreet(Hiss)

>>41576592
>Brew some awesome stuff if possible
>get supplies for the trip
> Use Serpentbane to nullify her wishbond.
also
Healthy Relationship quest GO!

>>41576320
'Cennen catches a snake but doesn't know what to do with it' could be the summary of the entire Quest to be honest.

Sorry about the delay there by the way, I was taking a phone call.

>>41576592
Her support for your patron, and their ambitions for which she will be rewarded if they are successful. Two favors to replace the wishes, at a later time, to be decided but nothing that Will cost her her life or station. In return, we will brew potions she deems useful before we leave and promise to try to advance her position as well if possible and not at the expense of our patrons goals. Rock shall be witness, as a representative of the creator and a neutral party.

Thank her for her hospitality, and tell her that she is truly an example of nobility snake or not.

>>41576592
> Make additional demands (Specify)
Gold, Dhinapreet, use the lab to make a permanent collapsibility brew, shrink the individual pieces of the lab and pack them in a small case

>>41576592
Maybe there's some way we could still collaborate to deal with tash and attaran? Surely she could pull a few strings to help us out.

>>41576660
It's obvious that Cennen can't hold all these snakes.

So we're all in agreement that catching her was absolutely retarded right? Can we try to be smarter in the future please?

>>41576820
No

>>41576820
it was like Everest anon. Cennan has to climb these mountains, even if the only thing at the top is the trail back down.

>>41576820
>smarter
>this audience
I wish anon.

>>41576820
Apparently our players want to have impulsive fun at the expense of any other goals we might have.

>>41576820
Dude she was going to enslave us. That's not how we roll. Not involving Hiss is going to hurt though.

>>41576882
Waah Waah Waah people don't play how I want. Get over it rollplayer. It's half the fun.

>>41576820
Wherever I am, I must nobble

>>41576592
Get Hiss here

>>41576882
I'm the one who wants to ask about the compact, so that we can know it's weakneses beforehand and it doesn't splatter Hiss on the walls when she confronts it. What do you want to do?

>>41576989
Collaborate with her to investigate tash and take down attaran.

>>41577020
Not mutually exclusive, and we're here for the compact in the first place.

>Expand the deal
> Use Serpentbane

"You know what? You're not wrong. I do want Dhinapreet, please send for her post-haste. I also want gold, a wagon and a mule to pull it and your alchemical lab here."

"Done."

"And...would it be too much to ask for some help?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"If you really want my help against Tash and Attaraan, wouldn't it best to uh, pull some strings or something? Look, I'll be honest with you. I have next to no idea how any of this invisible court business works. But surely you could do something to stop them in that realm."

She laughs.
"I can tell you don't. Very well. I swear on my ambition to uphold all of that. You will receive my collaboration. Now annul the bond."

You give your bottle of Serpentbane and she drinks it without hesitation. You could have given her the love potion with that! Maybe she could tell.
She shows no change as the wish-bond drops away. Surely the temporary loss of her souls should cripple her socially a little.

She laughs again.
"I think I've learned something today, Cennen. I have become too secure in my pride and today I paid the price for it. Feel free to pay me a visit sometime. I might have a Vtriya position that's open?"

You shake your head.
"My answer to that is still no."

"Worth a try. Maybe you'll change your mind."
She's suddenly so carefree, so nonchalant about the slavery you nearly forced on her mind. It makes you feel better. She clearly has nothing but the best intentions for you.

"Is there anything else you want or should I just call for Dhinapreet and your other requests to be prepared at once?"

> You want to ask her some things first (Specify)

> "Why are you so fine with this?"

> "I don't suppose that bath favor is still good?"

> No, it's time to go.

> Brew.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Other

>>41576592
I can't figure out why Tanni is completely unsurprised by our spirit amigo

>>41577168
I mentioned earlier that she didn't seem too surprised. But then again, you can't take any of her reactions at face value. She is exactly as surprised or as vulnerable appearing as she wants to look.

Tash has much the same (his general unflappability) but he's not as good.

>>41577165
>> "Why are you so fine with this?"
> No, it's time to go.
How come Rock has not surprised you in the slightest?

>>41577165
> "Why are you so fine with this?"
> My companions, where are they
> Brew.

>>41577165
> "Why are you so fine with this?"
> Tell her what we know about what tash has been up to

>>41577165
>She clearly has nothing but the best intentions for you.
uh oh, we probably fucked up there. On guard
> "Why are you so fine with this?"
> Brew.
Collapsible lab was a good idea

>>41577165
> "Why are you so fine with this?"
> Give her the improved love potion as a gift/apology

>>41577165
> No, it's time to go.

>>41577165
Creator's seed, if I had met you as I was before. Snakes are always willing to bite, and I bet your ambition is hungrier than any serpent. I guess we're partners in crime for now, and it's up to me to keep from being the one caught next.

The lady seems to enjoy some harmless flattery, let's indulge her a bit while getting the Fuck out while we can.

>>41577165
> She clearly has nothing but the best intentions for you.
This is false

>>41577165
>She's suddenly so carefree, so nonchalant about the slavery you nearly forced on her mind. It makes you feel better. She clearly has nothing but the best intentions for you.

Tell her to cut that shit out.

>>41577357
Bet you wish we'd used the potion on her now.

>>41577371
Never

>>41577371
But muh morals

>>41577354
Nigga wat

>>41577165
> You want to ask her some things first (Specify)
Ask what she knows about the Compact.

>>41577371
Nope, fuck off edgemeister.

>>41577371
nah man this situation is much more interesting than having a fawning super powered sycophant who would probably just fuck us over anyway.

Now we just have to be even more terrified all the time.

>>41577304
This.

>>41577427
>>41577165
This, it's part of Attaran's power base after all.

>>41577165
> No, it's time to go.
you're a plant now btw

>>41577304
>>41577452
Nope we are burning that thing once we leave.

>>41577165
>>41577225
Here, adding this
>>41577427

>>41577304
Seconding this.

>>41577304
inb4 she crams it down our throat

>>41577427
Shit, adding to this
We should ask what all the constrictors are gathering for

>>41577304
>>41577452
>>41577489
You guys know this >>41577500 is a very real posibility

>>41577489
>>41577500
That is retarded why?

>>41577552
A show of our newfound trust in one another?

>"Why are you so fine with this?"

You scratch your head at her display, trying to match this Tanni up with the one you know. Or the one you thought you knew.
"I just don't get it. Why are you okay with this?"

"Oh? What do you mean?"

"I kidnapped you! I could have made you into a slave forever!"

"But you let me go and I'm not. Instead you've agreed to do the task I wanted you to do. Isn't it funny how these things work out?"

What? When she puts it that way, it makes it sound like you just got played. But you couldn't have been. Her voice is playful, letting you know that it's just all a joke. And when you look at her, at her unmasked face, you can see just the slightest hint of fear and vulnerability in her eyes.
Yes, it's clear that she's afraid of you. You're in control.

She leans forward and you jump back, flinching away from her deadly hands. She giggles and jabs a finger lightly at your chest.
"It just goes to show, really. You're still just a human. So you best be careful when you go further. It doesn't matter what kind of powers or Art you have, you'll still be playing at a disadvantage in the House."

Oh shit, the Compact House. You nearly forgot all about that!
"Uh, can you tell me some more about the Compact? We need to be prepared when we get there."

She shrugs.
"What's there to know? It's exactly what it says it is, a compact between us and Aashimid. Redemption, if you believe it."

"And do you?"

"A snake gives nothing freely, Cennen. I cannot imagine Aashimid is anything different. I've been there only once for I have no interests in the spiritual. The pleasures of the material are more than enough for me."
The way her voice rolls over 'pleasures' sends shivers down your spine and prompts a rather embarrassing reaction.

You look down and sigh.
"Stop that. Cut it out. Why are you even doing that now?"

"Oh, I'm just bored. Plus it's fun to tell you what to think."
1/2

>>41577371
>implying that would have done shit
Hiss loves us way more than that potion could cause, and she's still a domestic abuser. Love doesn't stop sneks from being overly violent assholes.

>>41577552
A gift, an apology? I don't really care what she does with it as long as she doesn't use it on us, even better if she uses it on Tash as a punishment. I just choose to believe this is past us and trust the snek, I didn't expect the vote to win anyway.

>>41577588
Someone isn't paying attention

>>41577599
inb4 she legit wants the dick after we impressed her with our "cunning" plans

>>41577670
It's a trick, anon! Don't fall for it!

>>41577599
You guess it's fine as a joke. She has a disarming manner about her and you really like the way she laughs. You could listen to her all day.

"But no, I don't want anything from the House. A lot of pilgrims practically live there, you know, all seeking to leave their bodies behind and to ascend. Most of them are just afraid of old age."
You get her message immediately. There is a large amount of elder serpents at the Compact House. That's probably more dangerous than anything else.
"Personally I think it's pathetic. But who knows, maybe one day when I'm finally at my edge I'll take the climb. But really, there's not much to the House. It has priests and a bunch of pilgrims, all working to reach the promised attainment. I've been told that spirits occasionally drop by but that's it."

"Is that all?"

"Yes. Would I lie to you?"

"...Yes?"

"That's a good sign, you're not too far gone. Right now it looks like a crush or a passing infatuation. You should probably leave before it gets too bad."

"Before what gets too bad?"
There's something you're missing here.

"Nothing to worry your pretty little head about."
The inadvertent compliment sends your head spinning, a faint blush on your cheeks.
"Now shoo, go get your companions and get out of here. It's not going to be good for you to spend much longer around me."

"R-right."
She's so considerate. Why did you ever try to nobble her again?
"But one thing. I think you should have this. As a gift, a sign of trust."

Before you know what you're doing, you've given her the love potion you planned on using on her.
She looks at it and smiles.
"Thank you. I don't exactly need it but it might be a nice ornament. Now really, get on your way."

> Go find your companions.

> Go brew.

> You need to ask her some more things. If she's okay with it, that is.

> Use Potion (Specify)

> Other

>>41577779
Her finger... When she... God fucking dammit

>>41577779
> Go find your companions.
Ah shit we have to leave before we fall in love with her

>>41577779
> Use Potion (Specify)
love potion cure. we made on of those, I believe.

>>41577779
>> Go find your companions.
get out while we still can, we can figure out her voodoo later

>>41577779
> Go find your companions.

>>41577779
> Go find your companions. NOW
> Ask Rock if we look like an idiot
> Drink the antidote for the love potion before we meet Hiss
Also, we should warn everybody about the potion we just gave her.

>>41577837
>>41577808
She didn't use a love potion or anything, she can make anyone fall in love with her if she talks to them for too long. That's why we have to leave.

>>41577670
Nah, not really. She has a whole harem of men and woman who are missing most of their souls for that sort of thing. Plus the ability to enslave any human she wants for more. What she does with Cennen really is just her messing around for fun.
If she actually genuinely truly wanted it then Cennen probably wouldn't even know, he'd think it was his idea.

>>41577779
> Go find your companions.
>>41577670
If anything she wants us as a servant even more now because let's face it, nobbling her wasnt clever but our method definitely was.

> Go find your companions.

Tanni calls out and a pair of Ishmin arrive in only a few minutes.
"Take the foreigner to the other foreigner. We're done here."

The two Ishmin escort you down several marble corridors until you arrive at a set of chambers that strikes you as a somewhat shabbier version of your own apartments. Aashenpreet is waiting at the door, leaping forward and drawing you into a hug the moment she sees you.
"You're alive! Thank Aashimid!..What happened to your face?"

"Long story, I'll tell you later."
You look around the room and spot two servants, two beautiful Quedeshi men wearing silken robes and little else.
"Uh...was I interrupting something or-"

"No! They came with the room and I can't get them to leave!"

"Alright, I believe you."
Aashenpreet frowns at you but she seems mostly happy to see you safe.
"How's Oster by the way?"

"He's fine. Hiss dropped by wearing a very strange body last night and made sure that he wasn't going to do anything stupid."

"That body is a long story too. I really will explain later. Where is he, anyway?"

"He was just out from meeting with her. They're planning something. I'm just here to watch over his room while he's gone."

"Well he and Hiss can stop planning, I've solved everything. The lady is letting us go. We're bound for the Pilgrim's Way before nightfall."

"It's about time," Aashenpreet says. "I didn't expect us to be in this city for so long. But it only should be a day's journey from here."

> Wait here for Hiss and Oster.

> Go get the cart and the mule and the alchemy lab ready first.

> Use this time you have to brew!

> Other

>>41578087
> Go get the cart and the mule and the alchemy lab ready first.
Fuck I really hope hiss and Oster don't fuck things up

>>41578087
>> Go get the cart and the mule and the alchemy lab ready first.

>>41578087
> Go get the cart and the mule and the alchemy lab ready first.

>>41578087
>> Go get the cart and the mule and the alchemy lab ready first.
I'm not sure any of these options is more likely to appeal to Hiss, but if she does decide that she wants to mess shit up maybe we can be ready to make a quick escape

>>41578087
> Go get the cart and the mule and the alchemy lab ready first.
Ask Rock to find Hiss and Oster

> Go get the cart and the mule and the alchemy lab ready first.

"So were you and Oster sharing rooms?"

"No, but they let me come here since I didn't want to be alone."

"Really? They didn't let me do that."

"Yes but that makes sense. You were the valuable guest. So you spoke to the lady? What's she like?"

"She's...nice. Really nice. Way nicer and more forgiving than I deserve."

"Better not let Hiss hear you talk about her like that, Cennen. You sound like you've fallen in love."

"Nonsense. Now let's go."
You can only hope that Hiss and Oster aren't up to something diabolical that could mess everything up at the last minute.

You signal for the two Ishmin to return and they escort you and Aashenpreet to a small courtyard, one almost entirely enclosed by the huge complex with a single road leading out. A wagon is awaiting, it isn't exactly fancy but it's serviceable and it has a patchy mule sitting out in front. And in it is a small sack of gold and a purse of shrikes that should be able to pay for anything you need.
Also inside is a sword, one made from that strange rippling steel that the Ishmin use and a thick tome. The book is written in Quedeshi and you can't read it but flipping through it you feel heartbeat start to race.
These are alchemical diagrams! A whole shitload of them! This is an alchemy book of some sort, as haphazard as it is. Where did she get this?

"What, did you think that you're the first alchemist I've ever met? That's a diary written by one of my pets a century or so ago. It might prove useful, should it not?"
The familiar voice rings out, as melodious as ever.
Tanni walks into the courtyard, her mask still off. She has both her hands full, carrying a struggling person under each arm. You recognize Oster immediately, his Quedeshi mask knocked askew and with a black eye. Held in the other is Hiss in Dhinapreet's body, hanging limply but still awake and conscious. Her eyes glitter when she sees you.

1/2

>>41578338
Tanni is officially best girl

>>41578338
"I found your friend doing something strange with your new lover, Cennen. He got a little violent and to uphold my end of the deal, I didn't hurt him that much. Here you are."

She drops both of them into the dust and you immediately run forward to help Hiss up. She takes your hand urgently, letting you pull her up.
"Cennen! What happened to your face!"

You let Hiss embrace you, even wearing the body you loathe so much. You've only been apart for a day but it feels so much longer.

Tanni clicks her tongue and you look back to her, Hiss's grip on you suddenly tightening when she looks at your face, at the way you look at Tanni.
"Now, now," Tanni says. "Get going. Send Tash my regards."

"Tash?," Hiss asks, utterly confused. She pries herself out of your grip and advances on Tanni, her eyes afire.
"And I don't know what you've done to Cennen but you stay away from hi-"

Hiss stops as Tanni grabs her hand and pulls her in for an embrace.
"Goodbye Dhinapreet. I'll miss you but I'm sure you only have good times in store. Live well."

"Uh," Hiss stammers, apparently just as vulnerable to her voice tricks as you are and without the forewarning. Her whole face flushes red.
"Yes. Thanks. I'll miss you too."

Tanni bows her head and shuffles off, a group of Ishmin falling in behind her.

"She's really pretty," Hiss mumbles in a daze. "Was I angry about something? I can't remember."

"It's not worth it."

"I guess not?"

> Alright, it's time to get going.

> There's still something else you want to do in this city first.

> Other

>>41578459
> Alright, it's time to get going.
Ask what they were trying to do

>>41578459
> Alright, it's time to get going.
> "So... What were you up to while I was gone?"

>>41578459
>> Alright, it's time to get going

>>41578459
> There's still something else you want to do in this city first.
Become Tanni's slave willingly

Really though
> Alright, it's time to get going.

>>41578459
>> Alright, it's time to get going.

>>41578459
Haha shit. We can never reveal our lewd snakebath or hiss will kill us

> Alright, it's time to get going.

You pack up the cart, Oster climbing on with a groan, nursing his eye.
"Don't wanna talk about it," he warns.

"So...what were you two doing?"
You have to admit that you're a little curious.

"Not much, not much," Hiss says. "Just fomenting dissent. We were going to attack the lady and hold her for ransom for your release."

You look at them as the wagon trundles onward, recalling the state that Tanni had presented them in.
"And how did that go?"

Hiss turns away before mumbling her answer.
"Not well."

"She didn't even fight," Oster whispers. "She just stood there and stammered while I got the crap kicked out of me."

Hiss slowly turns her head back to the front of the cart.
"What was that, Oster?"

"Nothing, nothing."

"But you attacked her, Oster?"

He shrugs.
"Naturally. Why wouldn't I? She's not that good looking and her voice gives me a headache. Just a really aggravating person in general."

"Not that it meant anything in the end," Hiss adds. "Though I guess it makes sense for you Oster. That was a serpent climbing the wrong tree, so to speak."
She laughs, as if she just said something incredibly funny. You don't get it at all and Oster just remains silent.

"But really," Hiss adds, "The quicker we get away from her the better. She's dangerous. But mark my words, one day I'll be back for her and I'll make her mine. Nobody treats me like that!"

She sits back down, this time right next to you. She waste no time in leaning in close with her disgusting corpse-body.
"Except you, Cennen. You can treat me like that."

"Uh...thanks?"

The wagon leaves the dirt and stone of the city roads behind, striking hard against the cool black stone of the Pilgrim's Way.
"I hope you're ready," Aashenpreet calls out from the front. "There's no more stops!"

>>41578705
Let's ask Hiss to change into her other quedeshi form, please.

>>41578705
I can't tell if oster is homosexual or asexual

>>41578745
Swordsexual?

>>41578705
>I'll make her mine.
Damn hiss falls in love fast.

Anyway, that's that for today folks. Thread's been archived and everything.
Will be an interlude in a bit so don't worry about that.

Next thread? Tomorrow hopefully though we all know how well that works out. Just keep watch on the twitter.

>>41578735
Oh she will. She just hasn't had the time yet.

>>41578783
Thanks for running

>>41578783
Your interludes always worry me. Give us a happy one sometime

>>41578832
What's an interlude without the threat of impending doom?

>>41578832
How about the POV of those two sisters whose names I can't remember due to lack of sleep?

>>41578869
Wasn't it Liss and Aina? It's been a while.

Interlude 16

Hiss ground her teeth as she sat in the back of the cart. How dare that jumped up worm treat her like that? How dare she make her, the princess of ALL snakes feel anything? She'd done something to her brain but now that she was miles away and the air was clear she could understand it. It had been a trick. A very embarrassing trick.
She was definitely going to have to get her revenge on Tanni later. Or better yet, attain enough Art so that she can eat her and gain her power.

A snore interrupted her thoughts, prompting her to look over to where Cennen lay. He was asleep, exhausted. It had been a good night.
And since he was asleep...

She took out the small parcel that Tanni had placed into her sleeve when she had embraced her and recalled the words she had whispered in her ear.
There was a note written on the parcel in Quedeshi, something that Cennen couldn't read.
'We know servants can be a troublesome bunch. Feel free to use this as you see fit'

Inside was a potion.

>>41578960
Ominous as expected!

>>41578960
I just wanted someone older who could rub off some wisdom in hiss... i'm sorry

>>41578993
I'd be worried if we didn't have an antidote. Plus hiss doesn't want us to be just a yes man.

Yeah don't worry, she isn't going to give it to you in your sleep or whatever. Just setting up that this is a thing that she has.

>>41579030
Is that the only interlude?

>>41579048
Yeah that's it.

>>41578996
How would giving Tani the mindrape potion result in that? Seriously how could giving her the morally reprehensible and highly illegal potion not bite us in the ass hard? Are you stupid? We were leaving Tani was not going to teach Hiss anything.