Shit, that "previous chapter" one links to two wrong pastebins ago.

38: http://pastebin.com/dD9437CT
39: http://pastebin.com/r3fVvXry

I've been waiting for this

You have had a very uneventful past few days.

You mean, capturing Paula was substantial, and the combined efforts of Cheryl and Eva managed to convince her to stop trying to kill you, making it safe to actually leave the kid unrestrained, but aside from that.

Monica has a huge scar along her right cheek now, and opted to get her long hair cut to a medium-short length ("more manageable. Hair can be caught in things, and I've neglected it for too long.") when you stopped in Dice to rest after the battle WITH Paula. (A local healer managed your more debilitating wounds, but unfortunately couldn't come along with you. He was kind enough to donate a small handful of elixirs, though. Named characters, conveniently, all have a single one on them now for an emergency) Cheryl recovered without much note, and Vaga has been pleasant enough conversation for you, though he doesn't really talk much to any of your other friends, preferring the company of his people.

At the moment, your group, surprisingly ahead of schedule due to how quickly you caught Paula, is catching a quick break, a convenient opportunity to speak to one (or more, if this turns out to be a long break) of your current companions.

For reference, that list includes Monica, Cheryl, Zoe, Vaga, Eva, several Garou you don't know, and a couple of Tarvosian nomads.

>A. Speak to someone (specify)
>B. Just rest up. If someone approaches you, so be it
>C. Train in solitude/skip to end of break
>D. Write-in?

>>42839124
Oh, and Misheil and POSSIBLY Paula. I knew I left someone off of that suspiciously short list, but didn't realize until right as I hit post.

>>42839124
>talk to Zoe
How goes sword practice?

>>42839176
Second

>>42839176
>>42839259
Naturally, you're spending this time with Zoe, discussing things in relative peace and quiet as other people discuss other things with other people in other places.

"So... How're you doing with sword training?"

Zoe shrugs a bit, an arm draped around you as she rests her head against you and sits close. "It's... Alright, I guess. Monica hasn't really had as much of a chance to train me between getting her face ripped open, Paula, and focusing on getting us all to Barst quickly. Eva and I are still keeping at it, though she's... Taking to it much faster than me." You nod and she giggles a bit. "You have a very unique view of sweet nothings, Ellen."

>A. Laugh alongside her
>B. Be offended
>C. No particular reaction to that

And...

>D. What's that supposed to mean
>E. You guess
>F. Write-in dialogue
>G. Don't say anything in particular

>>42839383
>A. Laugh alongside her
>E. You guess

>>42839425
Sounds good

>>42839425
>>42839506
"Eheh, yeah, I guess so..." You pull her a bit closer, and she nuzzles into you.

The next several minutes are filled with variants of "I love you" and assorted kisses, which, for the sake of time and priority, are only summarized as opposed to featured in detail.

You think back briefly, as your loving girlfriend sits by/partially on you, to the very depressed-seeming girl you met your first morning in Rakche's castle. Very quickly, long before either of you felt anything beyond camaraderie, meeting you seemed to turn her into almost an entirely different person.

You worry, briefly, that she might return to that sad state should something happen to you, but you banish the thoughts soon after. You can't be her ENTIRE world, even if you showed her to it when you first became friends.

>A. Bring up what she used to be like
>B. Let it be
>C. Write-in dialogue/action
>D. Skip to leaving

>>42839655
>A. Bring up what she used to be like

>>42839655
>A. Bring up what she used to be like
Teasing option i assume?

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>>42839699
>>42839712
"It's always made me really happy to see you so perky. I mean, when we met, you seemed... Well, nowhere near who you've been all this time."

Zoe pouts a bit. "That was so embarrassing. I was at this point in life where I thought nobody appreciated me, and I just sort of did things because I had to... That wasn't even that long ago, but, ugh..." She mostly seems fine with it, at least better than she could be, though. "I guess all this traveling's just put things into perspective, and I've had plenty of chances to feel like... Well, like I've actually been affecting things."

Gazing into her eyes, you tease, "sure there wasn't anything else motivating you~?"

She blushes and looks away, grinning and mumbling, "well, maybe a bit... Guess we'll never know what it was, though." With a mock-theatricality, she jokingly swoons into you, continuing, "oh, now how will I bear with realizing that I may never realize?"

Awhile later, your group continues onward as planned, you and Zoe having spent the whole break hiding away together.

Monica insists that the group hurry, naturally, and her and Eva's concern finds itself a very good reason to exist.

A woman clearly aligned with the Emperor's Flight, and several Cord Rebels traveling with her, end up coming within sight of your own party as you both travel towards Barst.

"Shit," Eva says, "they're bringing reinforcements to the city, they must be!"

>A. Let's cut them off!
>B. Let's let them pass!
>C. Let's try to bullshit them? (specify idea on how to do so)
>D. Let's... Let the boss figure this one out!
>E. Write-in?

>>42839976
>>A. Let's cut them off!

>>42839976
>A. Let's cut them off!

>>42840079
>>42840098
"Well, then, what're we waiting for? Let's hurry up and cut them off!"

Eva nods at your expertly thought-out plan. "Right... The rebels are gonna be less experienced for the most part, so the biggest threat would be the sub-ringleader herself."

Those of your number with wings are among the first to set off, followed directly after by the two nomads.

You recall a very brief conversation Misheil started with Monica. "Can I have my firestone now?"

"No."

"Just thought I'd ask."

>A. You rode in with someone
>B. You came in with the Garou
>C. You sat around and picked at grass the whole time

>>42840215
>B. You came in with the Garou
The ruff riders

>>42840215
>B. You came in with the Garou

>>42840232
>>42840302
The assorted mounted units flew on ahead, naturally, leaving you time to chat with Vaga as his lot marched forward.

"Wonder how that Yancy guy's doing."

"Well, I haven't heard anything from Ulir in awhile," you respond, humoring his attempt at conversation.

"Feel like we should be moving as a whole group," Vaga says, "I mean, we don't even have any healers with us AND we're babysitting a dangerous sorceress."

"Necromancer."

"Shitty kid who hates us all, you get my point."

By the time you arrive, the wolves' added presence is more than enough to scare away the various rebels remaining.

"Erh... Eheh, try all you like, but there's... No way you can clear out the other four of us... Barst will be overrun if it hasn't stayed in our hands anyway..." The Wyvern Lord dies shortly after, riddled with wounds from assorted lances. Misheil flaps her wings halfheartedly-menacingly and waves her Short Spear at fleeing rebels.

"Shit, four more? We got lucky running into these ones when we did, but..." Eva paces in place, looking puzzled, when she and Monica take a moment to discuss their plan of action.

"It would be wise to hurry back to Barst and hope we can clear the rest of them out from town," Monica says. "We'll have more people present, and will not need to be nearly as cautious in defending with healers than cutting the others off like this."

"Yeah, and what if someone beats us there?" Eva says, not really resolute so much as weighing options, "and if our opponents still have a presence in the city, ANY expected support could easily turn the tides if Garrus is losing."

"If Prince Garrus is losing, we have all the more hypothetical reason to return."

>A. Eva's got a point
>B. Monica's got a point
>C. Write-in?
>D. Stay out of this

>>42840541
>D. Stay out of this

>>42840541
>D. Stay out of this

>>42840607
>>42840653
Alright, yeah, not your area of expertise. You mostly keep quiet throughout the "meeting," though Eva and Monica both get more and more invested in their "suggestions" as time goes on. Ultimately, Eva pulls rank. "Look, we're wasting time fighting like this anyway, so I'm making an executive decision here. We're cutting them off even if we need to split up to get everybody in time. Nomads, you two bring Paula to town and watch each other's backs."

"...I don't think anyone knows that I've turned sides," Misheil says, "so... If I had my Firestone, perhaps I could handle one alone if I word things right..."

"So an excuse to defect and share our plans," Monica says sternly, "absolutely not."

"Hey," Vaga says, "I dunno. Her main interest is her little brother, right now, and as a big brother of a few seconds, I get where she's coming from."

"Didn't you ditch your sister back in Rakche?"

"Not helping my case here, boss."

>A. Vaga does have a point, though. Suggest letting Misheil handle this
>B. Monica's right. We can't trust her enough yet
>C. Not that you don't trust her, but it's dangerous to go alone
>D. Bow out again
>E. Write-in

>>42840839
>>A. Vaga does have a point, though. Suggest letting Misheil handle this

>>42840839
>C. Not that you don't trust her, but it's dangerous to go alone

>>42840839
>C. Not that you don't trust her, but it's dangerous to go alone

>>42840890
>>42840913
"Misheil, it's... Not that I don't trust you, but don't you think going alone is a little..."

"Dangerous?" She sighs and nods. "I suppose so..."

You find it personally impressive how you've managed to form absolutely no opinion on Misheil since she joined up.

Anyway, Monica ultimately relents on letting Misheil have her stone back... Provided that YOU be part of the same group as her.

It turns out to be a group of two, and the various other parties split up with varying amounts of wolves and named characters.

Vaga sees you both off. "And here I thought we'd miss out on all the real action," he says, chuckling and elbowing you in an affectionate manner. "That Monica chick's putting a lotta faith in you, letting you handle this sorta thing on your lonesome. Think you can live up to the hype?"

>A. Certainly
>B. This is a terrible idea
>C. Both A and B
>D. No
>E. Write-in dialogue
>F. Be silent

>>42841088
>C. Both A and B

>>42841088
>E. Write-in dialogue
Well, I do have to continue on being Dain's bane.

>>42841088
>A. Certainly
>Be safe Vaga

>>42841126
>>42841145
>>42841155
"Well, for the record, it's still a super risky plan AND my presence removes the defining aspect of Misheil trying to go alone, but... This is me we're talking about, and you know I can't take a break on being Dain's biggest pain in the ass."

You share a laugh before urging him to be safe.

"Yeah, yeah, I learned my lesson about trying to be heroic. I'm part of the largest of the three other groups and everything."

Awhile later, you and Misheil get closer to a group of advancing rebels led by another wyvern-riding woman. The two of you take cover before you're spotted, however.

>A. Ask what she has in mind
>B. You have an idea (specify)
>C. Remain silent
>D. LOUDLY DISCUSS THE APPROACHING FORCES
>E. Write-in
>F. Attack!

>>42841301
>A. Ask what she has in mind

>>42841301
>A. Ask what she has in mind

>>42841322
>>42841341
"What'd you have in mind, again?"

"Stay out of sight and close by. I'll try to trick them into turning around. If things sound rough, take action in your preferred way."

You nod and stay out of the way as Misheil flies into sight, "desperately" approaching them. "They've... They've surrendered. Barst has fallen, and General Derrick wants all reinforcements to return and not risk their lives, and..."

"Wait... Weren't you that manakete who was with Al and Tena's post? Where've you been all this time?"

>A. Spring into action!
>B. Wait for it...

>>42841458
>B. Wait for it...

>>42841458
>B. Wait for it...

File: FireManaketeFE1.png (373 B, 56x75)

373 B PNG

>>42841472
>>42841475
"Yes, I was... Captured when they took over Bord Village, but I escaped, headed straight for Barst. From there, I was sent straight here to tell you this."

"And how'd you get through them, if Barst has fallen?"

"They... They... Didn't recognize my disguise. I got rid of it when I was past them, since it's sort of inhibiting, but they thought I was just an ordinary girl running away."

"I dunno..." The probably commander pauses, leaving a moment of tense silence, "why were YOU sent?"

"They captured all the surviving wyvern riders. They sent me along with a few other manaketes who weren't hurt in the struggle?"

"And that leader of yours, Erche or whatever her name was-"

"Erche, yes."

"Erche, she approved of this?"

>A. Spring into Action!
>B. Wait for it...

>>42841606
>B. Wait for it...
Shoulda decided on a code word

>>42841606
>B. Wait for it...

>>42841606
How far away are we?

>>42841739
Enough that you would be able to intervene at a moment's notice/whim and hear most of the conversation, but far enough that you'll be out of sight behind a large enough object (which you are).

Whether a moment is enough time or not, however, is a gamble.

>>42841711
>>42841720
Looking down for awhile, Misheil doesn't say much.

"Well? Did she?"

Ultimately, Misheil decides to make one hell of a bluff. "Erche is... She's dead."

"Shit, you weren't lying about being back, then... Happened just a little bit before we left. C'mon, you'll be safe with us back in-"

"N-no! I don't... I want to get back to the rest of the Fire Dragons. Now, at this time, we... Need to stick together."

The rider groans. "Alright, I won't stop you, then, but... The rest of you, return without me. I won't endanger you by having you pass through enemy territory alone."

"You... You really don't need to do that..."

"Oh, but I insist."

>A. Spring into action!
>B. Wait for it...

>>42841851
>B. Wait for it...

>>42841851
>A. Spring into action!
I guess we might as well. Their backs are turned now right? Probably with their guard down

>>42841851
>B. Wait for it...
C'mon....

>>42841887
>>42841913
"...fine," Michalis says, "but only you. These rebels, they're not soldiers like you, and they still have so much more than I ever did... Don't risk them all just to get me back."

"That is what I just said, yes. Glad we're on the same page."

There's a few moments of murmuring and assorted ramblings it's difficult to pick apart as the rebels presumably leave.

"Let me give you a ride."

"Thank you. It can get... Tiring to fly around on my own untransformed."

You peek out for an instant, seeing Misheil riding on a wyvern's back, Short Spear still strapped to her back (not that you didn't know this), and the wyvern rider addressing the crowd and bidding it farewell.

Misheil gestures for you to get back down, apparently getting odd looks after you do so, since she defends herself with "swatting at a bug..."

In short, the rebels in question make themselves scarce, the woman asks Misheil, "ready to go?" After some silence and presumed nodding, she continues, "alright, then, let's hurry up."

The duo flies by your hiding spot, and the woman's last words are "who in the-" Well, they continue into "no, please don't worry about fighting, I've-" when Misheil readies her short spear, presuming entirely the wrong target until it gets rather painfully shoved through the back of her head/neck.

Misheil has a clean shot at the wyvern from her current position before flying over to you, not even needing to use her Firestone.

>A. That was fucked up
>B. That was impressive
>C. That happened. All there is to say about it
>D. Write-in reaction

>>42842146
>B. That was impressive

>>42842146
>>B. That was impressive

>>42842181
>>42842185
"That was... Pretty impressive, actually."

"She was the only real threat on her own," Misheil says, "but wars aren't won by singlehanded powerhouses. None of you would be alive right now if they were." She points out her Firestone.

"H-hey, was that a threat?!"

Misheil shakes her head. "No, I'm just saying that I was probably stronger than any single one of you back there and then."

>A. You kinda doubt that
>B. Maybe yeah
>C. Write-in?

>>42842146
>B. That was impressive
If I had any doubts they're gone now.

>>42842310
>A. You kinda doubt that

>>42842369
"I dunno about that, I mean, Victoria was handling you perfectly well all on her own before I even-"

"Point taken! Let's just get going!"

"Er, going... Where, exactly?"

"...good question! All I had figured out was 'improvise a way to stop some of the reinforcements.'"

You believe that the closest party to your own was set to be Princess Eva's (the pegasus sisters and Vaga were in other parties), and everyone else was going to be fighting somewhere beyond that.

You could also just get going straight to Barst from here.

>A. Go and help Eva
>B. Take the time to try and assist one of the further-away parties (may be a colossal waste of time)
>C. Just return to Barst
>D. Write-in
>E. Misheil decides

>>42842538
>A. Go and help Eva

>>42842538
>>A. Go and help Eva

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3 KB PNG

>>42842585
>>42842612
You opt to lend your support to Eva and the Garou accompanying her, taking all of a few hours to figure out where they were along the route they'd taken.

The biggest sign to their location was a pair of wyverns clashing in the sky. Their visibility, you may say, was the ENTIRE sign that you didn't just run around for nothing.

You can't really make out which is which from where they are compared to you, though one seems to be at an extremely clear disadvantage.

The Garou on the ground below, you soon discover, are not insignificantly outnumbered by rebels.

>A. Keep watching the skies
>B. Aid the wolves
>C. Stand around
>D. Leave
>E. Write-in?

>>42842738
>B. Aid the wolves

>>42842738
>A. Keep watching the skies
>B. Aid the wolves

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3 KB GIF

>>42842759
>>42842768
"Alright, Misheil, no need for subtlety here! Let's hurry and help out!"

Misheil nods in understanding and clutches her Firestone. She grins toothily, saying with a newfound vigor, "I've missed being able to do this!" From then in, she stomps in with the various transformed Garou, freaking out some rebels as she spits fire at their feet.

You, meanwhile, continue to focus on driving them back, alongside some wolf ally you don't know and never will get to know.

Many rebels make the mistake of assuming you're the least threatening person on the enemy side, at which point you prove yourself to still have some of your "least forgiving" reputation.

Many rebels are cut down, mashed up, or roasted thoroughly before those who survive ultimately determine that this isn't remotely worth it.

Your answer for who the clearly-losing rider was is proven to thankfully be the one you hoped it would be when a spindly fellow with a goatee and his draconic mount plummet, stabbed and slightly singed.

Eva flies down. "You guys get lost, or just finish up early?"

>A. The latter
>B. The former (if now is at all the time for sarcasm)
>C. Let Misheil answer
>D. Write-in

>>42842951
>Just look at her with a "What do you think?" look

>>42843015
You shoot her a glance, giving the princess a very specific look. No, not that one. Not that one either. Yes, that one, that's it.

She gets it. "Heh, yeah... Ask a stupid question's what they say. But at the same time, other people say there aren't any stupid questions, and sometimes the same people say it... I guess they're just hypocrites, though. Man, though, morale on the rebels is just SHOT. That's gotta be a good sign for how things are with Garrus..." She stares at nothing in particular before shaking her head. "I won't bore you gushing about him, though. Let's regroup with the other... Groups, and then head right back. Ahaha, oh, man, how pissed is Lars going to be that his reinforcements aren't coming?"

>A. Very
>B. Depends
>C. Be silent
>D. Just skip to the regrouping
>E. Write-in response

>>42843187
>A. Very

>>42843187
>A. Very

>>42843187
>>E. Write-in response
As soon as he sees me, he'll probably explode.

>>42843247
>>42843333
"Very, very pissed." You frown. "I hope he isn't trying that whole 'one-prince army' thing..."

Eva shakes her head, patting your shoulder. "Don't worry about that. He knows better than to throw a big murder-tantrum because he's screwed. It'd just make this aspiring continental hero look... Well, like a dick. I mean from what I've heard some of you guys say about him he is still seen as that, but I mean like. On a grander scale. He's polarizing right now, not completely hated."

Eva rambles for awhile about Lars' mindset. It's actually pretty interesting stuff, but little that hasn't been at least shown if not told over the span of your adventure.

After she's done, you all head off, encounter the pegasus sisters and the wolves backing them up on the heels of a victorious battle/driving-away/Wyvern+Wyvern Lord slaying (apparently they immediately broke out a triangle attack, so Cheryl claims).

Vaga's crew is the closest to Barst City, which makes sense since they had the furthest to go before reaching their probable opponents. They were done by the time you arrived as well.

As everyone fills everyone else in on what's gone down, you all have a moment to relax. A lot of other people are already in various groups.

>A. Speak to Eva and Monica
>B. Cheryl and Zoe
>C. Misheil and Vaga
>D. Skip all that nonsense
>E. Write-in?

>>42843454
>C. Misheil and Vaga

>>42843592
You choose to spend time with your shapeshifting acquaintances.

"...and what're you gonna do if you still don't know how the Ulir campaign's going when we head back West? Or... Or if Michalis was hurt there?"

Gritting her teeth, Misheil responds, "then I'll fly there myself and RAZE whoever is responsible! I'm only here until this campign's over."

"I know, I know... You're awful shortsighted for someone who's ideally gonna be around forever, you know that?"

>A. Say something (specify)
>B. Keep listening to their chat
>C. Look for someone else instead
>D. And skip

>>42843693
>Well after all this is over, You could both probably be hired full time by Garrus you know? Might be a good idea to think about the future,

>>42843731
"Well, I mean, you could stick around under Prince Garrus, you know?" You butt in.

"...not interested. I'll figure out what to do with the rest of my life when I'm on the way back to Michalis."

Vaga's the next one to pipe back in. "Well, not to say I'm all for Ellen's tendencies to jump straight to military recruitment, but you can't be Michalis' guardian forever. Sounds like he was managing fine without you, and in like... A million years, he'll be a grown man. The years'll fly right by, and you'll have spent so many of our lifetimes dedicated to someone who doesn't need you."

Misheil simply snarls and floats off.

>A. Go after her (something to say preferred, or at least whether you agree or disagree with his points)
>B. Keep speaking to Vaga (something to say preferred, or at least whether you agree or disagree with his points)
>C. Find someone else quickly
>D. Write-in action/dialogue
>E. Skip all this nonsense

>>42843842
>A. Go after her
>So i think we can both agree on vaga being an idiot by saying that, And I wasn't talking about military service, There's plenty of other jobs to do under Garrus, And I'm pretty sure Michalis is going to sign up with Miles so you two would probably see each other alot.

>>42843872
"You know I have a point," Vaga says as you go after the Fire Dragon.

You end up finding her standing around on her own, and when she hears you approach, she bursts out, "what?!"

"Look, look, Vaga was being... Insensitive, when he said those things earlier. That much is obvious. I didn't mean being a knight or soldier particularly, though. I meant, like... Staying in Neir, whatever you would do by that logic. I mean, it looks like Michalis is going to end up joining the Great Miles, but..." You stop yourself, mid-sentence, realizing an error in your train of thought.

"But what."

"Never mind, I sort of... Forgot that Miles was planning on quitting the mercenary business when he's gotten his birthright back. Michalis is probably gonna just live well in Noba for... awhile."

"Then... I have no reason to consider your suggestion."

"Yeah, fine, that's fair."

Your break ends after that discussion, and from there nobody really has time to talk until you make it to Barst.

Eva flies ahead of the rest, claiming to want to scope things out, and a very quick-looking individual bursts out of the city's main entrance upon seeing the Wyvern Lord... And then turns his head towards the companions of said Wyvern Lord, steps incredulously closer to the figure as they land, and just... Drops to his knees, incredulously dragging his hands along his face.

>A. Approach
>B. Go around whatever that is
>C. Write-in?

>>42844026
>A. Approach
>yeah, no reinforcements are coming. Don't make this hard

>>42844026
>>A. Approach
What is his problem?

>>42844049
Second

>>42844049
>>42844052
>>42844067
"What's his problem?"

Vaga shrugs. "Sore loser?"

You approach Eva and presumably (yeah, you turn out right in a moment) Lars, seeing that his expression is shifting constantly past his hands, and his eyes are closed. "Er... Yeah, no reinforcements. Come on, don't make this hard. We sent your sister to this very city and everything."

"I... I know that I've lost, Ellen, but don't rub salt in the wound!"

You turn towards Eva. "What's with him?"

She shakes her head. "He's just... Really not all that used to things going awry like this."

>A. Oh, get over it
>B. Be silent
>C. Taunt him further
>D. Attack Lars
>E. Write-in action/dialogue

>>42844246
>>E. Write-in action/dialogue
Well, there's a silver-lining to all of this, you'll get to see your little sister. It's too bad that your mother isn't around for this reunion. You have a pretty badass, Mama.

>>42844282
Mother instead of mama, Mama just doesn't osund right.

>>42844311
I'm pretty sure Octo will make it right if it becomes a part of the post.

>>42844282
>>42844311
"Well, think about it. At least you're back with your little sister, like you and your mother have apparently been trying to do this whole time. Nothing's chaining you to Dain now-"

"-except for the massive network of allies I'd built up as The Successor." You dunno, something about those last two words screams "capitalized title." Lars continues, "that's... That's all left in mother's hands now." He breathes in deeply.

"It's too bad she's not in Cord," you say sincerely. "Where is she now, anyway?"

"...last I'd heard, she was going sent to the Ulir Archipelago, working directly alongside Durvan. Of course, it's hard for anyone to get word between Ulir."

"Hey, she's... Pretty badass, if that counts for anything."

"So was Ahua, and Erche. It really says nothing for your survivability." He drags his hands down his face. "Gods, what if she was sent there as punishment?"

>A. Have more faith in her
>B. Just know you can't affect that
>C. Slap him? (it won't accomplish anything particularly good except having slapped him)
>D. lmao she gonna die
>E. Write-in
>F. Let Eva handle this
>G. Head in

>>42844403
>C. Slap him?
>A. Have more faith in her
>It's a sad day when an enemy has more faith in her than her own damn son, You pathetic piece of shit
>G. Head in

>>42844403
>>C. Slap him? (it won't accomplish anything particularly good except having slapped him)
She did defeat a number of necrodragons on her own when I met her, and she does have a certain gift that I gave her. Hell. I'm still curious on whom she intends to use it for.

>>42844431
Second, He deserves that kind of berating for saying that kind of shit.

>>42844433
Not saying Ellen would realize it, but if anyone was expecting any payoff for that whole Killer Lance thing: she literally solely used it to support her claims as to what killed Roderick's crew. As to whether or not it worked... Well, Derrick knows how his brother really died. Make of that what you will.

Not saying Ellen knows all of this, just that it is an admitted loose end that probably won't be resolved in any POV character's line of sight in-story.

>>42844431
>>42844433
You slap him abruptly, Eva shooting you and him both a very shocked expression.

"I'm supposed to be her enemy here, and I have more faith in her abilities! This is the woman who singlehandedly fought several Dracozombies with a single hammer, threw her ass on the line secretly but directly opposing Dain... And someone she's only met once, who's supposed to be her ENEMY, has more faith in her than her son is... Sickening, pathetic."

Lars mostly seems preoccupied with lying on the ground, very undignified, and shocked with the sensation of being hit for the first time in you wouldn't know how long.

"Ellen, that was... Called for and kinda hot and I get where you're coming from, but... You really don't know the sort of place Ulir Archipelago is. The things that happen to those who make enemies of the people Aunt Alexia is actively helping enemies of, if they lose. I'm... Not saying she can't handle herself, but... Let her son be afraid for her, alright? He's worried. A lot of bad shit has been happening to our vision lately, and all at once right when he's trying to take action, and... Why did I say it was called for, exactly? That was really impulsive! I mean, I know you ARE impulsive, but Ellen. This is a bad time."

You leave partway through Eva's rant, stepping over Lars and introducing yourself to the city of Barst.

>A. What the hell do they know
>B. Eva's right. You were removing yourself to cool off
>C. You dunno what to think about her rant
>D. Write-in reaction

>>42844544
>B. Eva's right. You were removing yourself to cool off

>>42844544
>>D. Write-in reaction
My hometown got burnt and ransacked due to his teenage-rebelliousness phase, and he was the one that put me in that underground dungeon. He made me. He hast to live with the consequences of his actions now.

>>42844641
>>42844570
Yeah, you... Aren't sure what to say, or think, really.

Eva said a lot of things in a short timeframe, and you're just trying to wrap your head around the parts that pertain to you and Lars.

Either way, there's at least SOMETHING valid in there, at least enough for you to know that you were right to step away from the situation instead of saying much more.

Naturally, in the heat of this Eva-related frustration, you bump into Victoria and Mitchell, the latter still looking very dinged up despite his being able to move around again.

"Ah, Ellen," your Sniper friend says, "how was spending so many days alone with the royal pain herself?"

>A. Don't even get you started
>B. You thought she and Eva were trying to get along
>C. Not that bad, actually
>D. You'd rather not talk about it
>E. Acknowledge Mitchell
>F. Write-in dialogue/action

>>42844651
Second

>>42844663
>A. Don't even get you started
>B. You thought she and Eva were trying to get along
>E. Acknowledge Mitchell

>>42844663
>F. Write-in dialogue/action
You have to take the bad along with the good. Otherwise you'll be making enemies all over the place. Glad to see you in one piece.

>>42844677
>>42844741
"Urgh, don't even get me started on her right now." Knowing they'll be in good company, you allow disagreeable thoughts about Eva's treatment of you moments ago to form your opinion. Who the hell does she think she is, defending someone with all the blood on her hands that Lars does?! "I mean, most of the trip was fine, but right at the end... She calls me out for having the nerve to slap Lars!"

"I don't know the context, but I worry it would ruin savoring that entire sentence... You know what I mean now, do you not?"

Wait, no, this is bad. You breathe in. "I... Thought you two were trying to get along."

"Trying being the keyword." Victoria folds her arms and scoffs. "We've barely advanced beyond 'kill each other if we're in the same room,' but... Progress~!"

"Look, I'm just... Mad right now, but... She was fine for the most part and we had a disagreement." You take deep breaths. "You know that you don't want to make enemies all over the place, especially in high places."

Victoria nods. "I... Suppose so."

You smile. "Glad you're alright."

"You as well."

You look over to the ex-thief, who has just been watching this somewhat awkwardly. "Oh, hey, Mitch."

"...hey. Yeah, I'm just gonna go. Chill with Stefyn and Dama and them n' such." He shambles off.

>A. Keep talking to Victoria
>B. Find someone else
>C. Skip to the end(point of this chapter)
>D. Write-in?

>>42844677
Second
>>42844741
Since when does Ellen not like Eva? They seem to get along most of the time

>>42844817
>A. Keep talking to Victoria

>>42844817
>>D. Write-in?
So, how's everyone doing?

>>42844837
They normally get on fine. People get pissed at each other sometimes no matter who they are.

>>42844837
She did get turned too.

>>42844919
What?

>>42844927
*turned on

>>42844875
>>42844883
"So," you say, exhaling, "how're things over here?"

"Well, ever since the youngest of Garrus' siblings arrived a few hours ago, she's been keeping really close to Salia's room at the hospital."

"Aww... Wait, what happened to Salia?"

"She got speared a lot. She seems to have survived, will recover fine, but some things end up needing a bit more attention than the immediate healing. Anyway, Paula's mostly been asking if she can use her for necromancy when she's dead. Quidel's needed to be physically restrained from striking an eight year-old."

"Eugh. And... Uh, Nat, how's she been?"

"Better than she was. Byron and Biff have some to do with that, but General Derrick, of all people, has been surprisingly good at consoling her."

>A. okay cool whatever
>B. That General Derrick?!
>C. Good for Nat
>D. Immediate distrust
>E. Write-in

>>42844960
>B. That General Derrick?!

>>42844960
>A. okay cool whatever
>C. Good for Nat

>>42844960
>>B. That General Derrick?!
I'm honestly surprised by that. You don't happen to know if he has a bone to pick with me?

>>42844960
>C. Good for Nat

>>42844974
>>42844986
>>42844992
"Wait, as in... The one with the Emperor's Flight?"

"Yes, literally one. He's... Bitter, very bitter, though he tries to keep it under wraps."

"I was... Sort of involved with the deaths of his family. Do you know if he has a bone to pick with me?"

Victoria shrugs. "If he does... He's very in control of his emotions. He also gets on very well with Gorman and Yvette. Dare I say he only gets on WELL with them. He just gets on in general otherwise. Tolerates, even."

"Why Yvette?"

"He 'respects her devotion,' or... Something of the sort. Maybe something to do with Alexia?"

>A. Discuss the events of your respective missions
>B. Talk about more pleasant things
>C. Report back to Prince Garrus
>D. Write-in?

>>42845025
>C. Report back to Prince Garrus

>>42845025
>A. Discuss the events of your respective missions
>C. Report back to Prince Garrus

>>42845038
>>42845042
You and Victoria share further details about your respective missions, prompting miscellaneous comments here and there.

You find yourself wanting to smack your probable-cousin Katina upside the head for trying to switch sides, but are also somewhat amused and touched by Lars' refusal to even consider her offer, and according to Victoria she earned a hell of a scolding from Yvette over it. There's not much more you COULD do.

"And in the end, YOU were the only one able to deliver any damage to Lars," Victoria says, laughing about her own inability to hit him in his faster form.

You're very proud of your prince, and seek to tell him so, and Victoria directs you to an inn nearby the city's hospital. Apparently Garrus has been staying there so he could more easily visit his sister.

Right when you approach the room you've been told he was staying in to report back to your dear friend, Eva steps up as well.

"Er... Did you need anything important?" Eva shifts her eyes awkwardly after your last meeting.

>A. Nah, go ahead
>B. More important than your stuff
>C. Sorry about earlier
>D. Make a particular comment about her words
>E. Write-in?
>F. Be silent

>>42845120
>A. Nah, go ahead
>Arguments happen, Don't worry about it we're still friends

>>42845120
>>A. Nah, go ahead
Seconding with this anon >>42845137

>>42845137
>>42845151
"Nah, you kids have fun."

She chuckles with slight embarrassment. "Shut up."

"Seriously, though," you tell her, "arguments like that happen to people, and I'm sorry I got mad at you, but... That doesn't mean anything, right? Like, long-term..."

"Hey," Eva says, patting your arm, "we both had a long few days, said some things, did some things... But no, it really doesn't mean anything. We're still cool."

"Uh... I can hear you in here... Hey, Eva, Ellen..."

You both chuckle a bit and say hi to Garrus before you leave Eva be, simply saying through the door, "you've done fantastically, your highness. It's an honor just... Knowing all that you've done." On that note, you leave the inn be as Eva goes to greet the prince.

There were a couple of battles of little note that happened after this climactic one, remnants of rebel forces and the like, but without General Derrick, Prince Lars, or ANY of the manaketes supporting them, they were pretty easily stopped. Garrus, Eva, Lars, Derrick and Yvette would spend the next several days working things out for how to deal with the rebels, but predictably, the first person mentioned would opt for a very merciful end of things.

>To be continued next thread
I feel like I have a LOT to introduce and establish in order to get the final act of our story moving properly, but little idea how to go about it.

Thanks for playing, everyone, and as always, you can find us on twitter and ask.fm as qmgrandflocto, and I'll be around to talk awhile in-thread.

>>42845269
As an aside, no, Derrick hasn't switched sides or anything of the sort. Derrick is just shit out of luck and knows it.

Lars is... Confused, currently. Worried sick about his mother, about his connections and his aspirations, but also happy to be back with most of his family. So in other words, his life is entirely the opposite of what it was until very recently.

Derrick is literally the last living member of the current iteration of the Emperor's Flight and partially blames himself.

I've decided your sword should be ready by the time you get back to Rakche/can go to Ladney.

>>42845351
Cool.
Thanks for running octo

>>42845483
Always a pleasure.

>>42845351
So uh how pissed is Derrick at Ellen? Or does he understand her reasons for it?Not ot mention his mother was a complete psychopath and his brother was following in her footsteps...