"Lovely evening" Coswell says, as he joins you at the bow of the ship.
"Bit cloudy for my liking" You reply. You've spoken to Coswell quite a bit while you've been on this ship. Mostly for lack of other things to do.

Actually planning your entrance into Analask took no time at all. Getting an army into the city would have been a monumentous task. Getting one man, experienced in stealth and methods thereof, will be a cakewalk. There will be some decisions to make once you're inside, but you can make those on the fly.

With the planning finished and the ship turned around, you caught Melissa up to speed on your various adventures. She was none too pleased that you brought Selene into such a dangerous place, but it wasn't really all that dangerous until Cassandra showed up...

"Clouds will help you out tonight, won't they?" He asks.
"Not really" You say. "When you're sneaking around by water, you want clear skies"
"Why's that?" He asks.
"Well... clear skies and at least one dark moon, actually" You say. "But even if you can't have that, the shimmering on the water can work to your advantage if you know how to use it. Move with the water, and your form can look like a trick of the light"

"Interesting" He says.

Yes, it turns out that Coswell dies indeed say things other than 'yes m'lady'. He's actually quite the interesting fellow...

As to the reason why you've been spending so much time with him... well... after scolding you, Melissa decided to lock the door and spend some "quality time" with you and Elda. It was fun, for a while. But you noticed yourself getting pushed off to the side more and more, until you wondered why you were taking part at all...

Which is why you're up here... It's actually kind of ironic, how the 2 women who you figured loved you now love... each other...

>[ ] Go down and see how they're doing

>[ ] Check over your preparations

>[ ] Talk to Coswell about when you'll be arriving

>[ ] Other

>>43168635
>>[ ] Check over your preparations
>>[ ] Talk to Coswell about when you'll be arriving

>>43168635
>[ ] Go down and see how they're doing
Holy shit why do you keep cuckolding giles

>>43168635
>>43168712
This.
Also did we cuck ourselves?

>>43168755
>>43168753
Marcy wont betray us

>>43168755
Melissa is the worst girl imaginable at this point. It's actually kind of impressive how awful the romance has been in this quest.

>the 2 women who you figured loved you now love... each other...

Hot damn, Melissa works FAST.

>>43168819
at least it's a good opportunity to dump them both and end up with marcy.

>>43168819
Smiley must be grinning like a maniac at the fact that the 'Childhood Love Interest Trap-Waifu' was picked, considering how grueling the shitstorms were.

I'll actually admit to messing up the romance a bit in this quest. Once more, this was the test quest.
Mistakes were made, and they will be learned from.

>writing

>>43168963
It's damn fine for a test quest, don't you worry.

>>43168963
Quest tag line, "Mistakes were made."

>>43168925
It's kinda funny that Melissa used to be super affectionate and loved us since childhood before we started the relationship but now she just loves any and all women.

>>43169056
Well we were warned that she was a slut.

>>43169056
pissed me off is what this did. and here I was feeling kind of bad that we were going after Marcy behind Melissa's back. Turned out she hasnt given a shit about us since we foun her porn stash. Pretty shitty character change if you ask me. especially since she was so head over heels for us when we met her.

"So, how are the preparations going?" You ask.
"Well enough" Coswell says. "We've finished with the boat and everything else. All that's left is to get close enough and wait for night fall"

You nod. The Dark Night is tomorrow night, which is why you'll be going in tonight. The plan is to find Laura and Selene (if she's there at all), and get the hell out before night fall tomorrow.

"There's an awful lot resting on your shoulders" Coswell says.
"Having doubts about my ability?" You ask.
"No. I was just thinking about how lucky we are to have you around right now" He says. "I don't think that there are any questions about your ability at this point"

"Thanks" You say.

As it turns out, Coswell was the first person to join Melissa's company. He was more than happy to regale you with tales of the waif of a girl who popped up in Searise out of the blue wanting to buy a merchant fleet...

"Not long now" Coswell says. "Best get ready. We'll be at the point in less than an hour, and you'll have the darkness you asked for not long after that"

You stare off the bow at the horizon. From here, you can just barely see the highest spire of the Palace. You'd like to say that you remember the view from up there, but the Gambler is not a fan of heights.

Coswell clears his throat. "And by 'get ready', I meant 'go say goodbye to the lady'." He says.
"Yes!" You say. "Right, yes. I'll... go do that now... I guess"

>[1/2]

>>43169056
Romantic idealism is the name of her game. She spent so long loving Giles, wishing to see him again, that any other 'desires' had to be buried. She didn't feel the connection that she wanted, I'm guessing, when they started getting intimate.

Now that she's out (kind of), and has willing partners, she's cutting loose.

>>43169140
I think it's time to dump her.

>>43169147
From what I can tell, she still loves him, they have a strong bond, and what not, but she's slowly come to realize that she can't love him *that* way.

>>43169169
dude we've already been dumped like old horse shit. At this point poor Marcy feels like a consolation prize. So many girls appeared to be "best girl" for different reasons and now the one we actually picked, Melissa, got pushed to the sidelines by the circumstances that forced us to hang with Marcy for a few weeks. Don't get me wrong, Marcy is awesome. but after this it almost feels like our waifu choice didn't matter at all since Smiley apparently wanted Marcy from the start.

>>43169248
It actually felt like he was pushing Laura tbh. Unfortunately, player volatility blew that straight to hell.

>>43169147
to me it seems like smiley decided to change her entire character halfway through the quest

You head down to the lower deck. The few crewmen down here give you a nod as you pass them on your way to Melissa's cabin. You reach the door and try to open it, to find that it's locked...

"Locked me out, did she?" You mumble, as you pick it open with the skill gained from years of practice.

You open the door and walk in to find the room empty. You walk over to the mirror and check yourself over. Elda was kind enough to give your hair a trim during your 2 week stint on the dinghy, and Coswell cleaned it up quite nicely earlier today.

There's a new scar on your face, from your fight with the Angel in Elemeer. A burn mark from where your melting cane dripped down. You gingerly brush it with your fingers, and scowl.

"Aww, don't make that face" Melissa says. You see her approaching from behind you in the mirror. "I think it adds character"
"I don't like it" You say.

"It'll grow on you" She says.
"I bet you 100 silver that it won't" You say.
"I'll take that bet" She says. "We missed you this mornning"
"Yes, well... there's only so much room in that bed of yours..." You say.
"Room enough for 3" She says.
"3's a bit of a squeeze" You say. "2 seemed like a better number"

Melissa sighs. Her expression changes from her usual cheer, to a sad look. "I know why you left..."

>[ ] It's not that

>[ ] ... we need to talk

>[ ] Other

>>43169307
>[ ] ... we need to talk
dam right we do

>>43169307
>>[ ] ... we need to talk

>>43169307
>[ ] ... we need to talk

>>43169248

We could try to talk this through with her, we knew going in that she was interested in a non-monogamous relationship and any non-monogamous relationship is built first and foremost on communication. If there isn't a solid talking out between the partners then situations like this happen when one or more of the parties begins to feel excluded or put on the backburner which is not a feeling anyone wants.

So actually approach her, get all this out in the air, withdrawing is about the worst thing that can happen especially since she hasn't given us any historical basis for not trusting what she says.

>>43169307
>[ ] ... we need to talk
go be a dyke somewhere else

>>43169373
the thing is we don't really want a polyamorous relationship

This isn't about hating her, or anything. THIS is what she is, and what she likes; she can't pretend that Giles can be a part of that.

>writing

>>43169483

Did I miss the thread where she came out as lesbian, I was always operating on the assumption she is bi

"Yeah... we need to talk" You say.
"Are you mad?" She asks.
"No... maybe..." You say, letting out a sigh. "I'm not really sure... I don't exactly have all that much experince with this shit... do I get mad? Do I feel sad?"

"You could try being happy" She says.
"What about this is going to make me happy?" You ask. "Look... I tried the whole 'multiple woman man' thing. It doesn't work. It's not me. I don't like it"

"Since when were you the expert on you?" She asks.
"I've always been the expert on me" You say. "And I know enough about you to know that this is not going to work"

"Now you're mad" She says.
"Of COURSE I'm mad!" You say, struggling to restrain your voice. "I... I was ready to put aside my life for you, Melissa. Put away the cards, the knives, the feathers, all of it, and be yours. It was only after I decided that, that you decided that you didn't want me to just be your, and that you didn't want to just be mine either..."

"I was confused, Giles!" She says, as tears start to form in her eyes. "For the longest time I'd been... I'd never looked at a boy the way I thought I was supposed to... I thought that it was because I loved you, and that it'd be alright if I could see you again. It was never the way it was supposed to be! I tried! I really did..."

"Maybe..."

>[ ] We could try a little harder

>[ ] We should quit while we're ahead

>[ ] Other

>>43169692
>[ ] We should quit while we're ahead

>>43169692
>[ ] We could try a little harder

>>43169692
>[ ] We should quit while we're ahead

>>43169692
>[ ] We should quit while we're ahead
This relationship does nothing but hurt me

>>43169692
>[ ] We could try a little harder

>>43169692
>[ ] We should quit while we're ahead

>>43169692
>[ ] We could try a little harder
But only if she really loves us. It sounds like she's not sure if shes bi or gay

>>43169692
>[ ] We should quit while we're ahead

>>43169692
>[ ] We should quit while we're ahead

Well I can't say I ever understood it but there has never been a relationship I've seen work when one side of it is always going to be wanting something the other can't provide. So yes, better to end it early because neither party is going to be happy with it.

>>43169692
>>43169777
This, Alongside needing to know what looking at us brings her, and if it's anything like when she looks at a woman

>writing

Can't hate her for what she is, we just can't be what she really needs.

You sigh, not quite sure how to finish that sentence. That happens a lot to you.

As Melissa starts to cry, it becomes more clear. You pull her into a hug. "Maybe we should quit while we're ahead..." You say.

It is by no means the easy way. But this relationship has felt like a weight on your back ever since it started, you can see now that it's been the same for her. She really wants to love you, and the fact that she can't is killing her...

"What?" She asks.
"We had a good time" You say. "But... this all... I don't think either of us needs this"
"Are you..."
"I am" You say.

"You must hate me..." She says.
"On the contrary" You say. "You'll always be my sister. No amount of whatever the hell is going on here will ever change that"

"Are you sure?" She asks.
"Not really" You say. "But that's-"
"-never stopped you..." She says, sniffling and wiping her tears as she lets out a sad chuckle.

"And we'll always have the memories..." You say. "Well... us and everyone else who had the misfortune of having a room near ours..."

Melissa laughs through her tears. "Don't be an ass" She says.
"You ask me to fight my very nature" You say. "I make no promises"

She hugs you tightly, burying her head in your chest. You feel somehow... free. Like the weight's gone, and you can stand once more.

You smile as you kiss Melissa's head and stroke her curly red hair.

It feels good

>[1/2]

A few minutes later, after Melissa had calmed herself, Elda came back into the room. To loosen yourself up, and relieve some tension, you challenged the two of them to a rousing game of strip poker.

About an hour after that, with both ladies down to naught but their socks, a knock came at the door.

"What is it?" Melissa calls out. Her face is almost as red as her hair, due to her exposed state.
"Is Master Giles in here?" A voice calls.

"Aye" You say.
"The time's right, are you ready?" The voice asks.

"I'll be right up" You say, standing from your chair. You've not lost a hand yet, mostly because... "I've been cheating, by the way"

"WHAT?" Elda shrieks.
"I figured" Melissa says. "Aces in the sleeve?"
"Oh, please" You say.

"He... what?" Elda asks.
"I must be off now" You say. "You ladies don't have too much fun without me"
"Knock em dead" Melissa says.
"If all goes well, I won't have to" You say.

"Do it anyways" She says.

You give her a smile as you turn to exit the room.

>Anything to say before you go?

>>43170137
>break up
>immediately play strip poker
wtf is wrong with giles?

I dont really have anything to say though.

>>43170137

Nada, no sense in a tearful goodbye or anything like that, we're motherfucking Giles

>>43170137
>I'll get your sketch model back. <wink knowingly>

>writing

"Oh, did you want your sketches and books back?" You ask.
"My... oh. No, you can get them back to me later" She says. "Just bring me back my model"

You smile and tip your hat to her. "Very well" You say, and then you leave.

Above deck, your blackened boat is waiting. Under cover of the night, you'll be taking this boat into the docks of the Middle district. For there, you can either change into the military uniform you snagged during the siege of Searise and walk in through the front door of the Palace, or take the secret entry that you used to escape the first time.

You nod to Coswell, say your farewells, recieve blessings of good luck, and cast off...

The rowing is easy work, as the current is with you. The hard part is going to be not being spotted...

In principle, this is no different from regular stealth. In practice, it's a completely different beast...

>roll 1d20

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>43170418
set sail for fail

also captcha was boat pictures

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>43170418

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>43170418

>writing

File: Freddie.png (126 KB, 600x749)

126 KB PNG

>>43170473

As you get closer to the city, you can see more and more of the Palace. Several rooms are lit on the upper floors, including some that you can pinpoint from here. You see the King and Queen's bedroom, as you recognize it from the configuration of you would-be escape route.

A few windows over is Laura's room, which is lit. One over from that was the one belonging to Prince Louis and his wife... also lit...

They're probably letting people stay in them. You doubt they'd leave an experienced mage like Laura in a room that's as easy to escape from as hers would be.

As you get even closer, you start to see Lausts fleet. Their numbers are bolstered by the ships they took from Melissa, so there are a lot of ships out there. Chances are that they'll be lightly crewed, and every eye will be fixed outward...

So you lay a Silence on your ship, and hunker down. The Laustian lookouts will be watching for ships, not a little boat with one man in it. After all, who'd be crazy enough to do something like this alone?

The thought brings a smile to your face, as you close the distance to the ships. Once you're among them, you're in the clear...

>[1/2]

As your boat pulls up to the dock, you stand up and step off. Then you reach down and pull the three small plugs that were placed in the bottom of the boat. The boat fills and sinks into the shallow water, all but erasing any trace of your landing here.

You give the little dinghy a short salute as it goes down. It's served you well, getting you all the way to Melissa, and then all the way to Analask. You'll have to come back here and pull it up once the city is back in rightful hands.

With practiced silence you pad your way up the dock, ducking behind derelict crates while you take in your surroundings. There are a few guards here who you should have no trouble sneaking past.

The question is what you do after that.

You can change into the Laustian military uniform you stole in Searise and attempt to walk right in the front door of the Palace...

Or you can go down to the Lower District and use the secret entrance you escaped from.

Each one comes with its own risks. If someone sees through your disguise at the front gates, you'll be pretty much boned. On the other hand, using the secret entrance would mean a trip through the storehouses and dungeons before you can get into the Palace proper...

With that in mind, you

>[ ] Head for the front door

>[ ] Head for the secret entrance

>[ ] Other

>>43170861
>[ ] Head for the secret entrance
I'm pretty sure we'd stand out considering our race

>>43170861
>>[ ] Head for the secret entrance

>>43170861
>Head for the secret entrance

Even if the secret entrance somehow has guards posted, it can't possibly be more protected than the front.

>>43170861
>>[ ] Head for the secret entrance

My guess is that Cassandra's gonna make sure that we have a shot getting into the Palace; she needs us, if she wants to rip Fate a new one.

>writing

It's funny that we're arriving at Laust, heading to the palace, just like the beginning. Difference is we're heading for the back door.

You sneak past the guards on the docks with little effort, and make your way up into the Middle District. Then you turn and start heading down to the Lower District.

There's no one on the streets, which is an anomaly for a city like this. You figure that someone's set up a curfew. Which is bad for you, as there are no crowds to blend in to. Moving through the streets will be a cakewalk, but the bridge will make things difficult...

You decide to just go with it, and head for the bridge. As you walk, you flip your cloak and stow your hat and gloves to make yourself look more normal.

"Halt!" The guard at the bridge says. "No one's allowed out past sundown. Return to your home"
"Well... you see that's the thing, my home's over there" You say.

"What are you doing here then?" He asks.
"Well... I was with this girl, and uhh... well... you know how time flies when you're having fun?" You ask.
"Ahh..." He says. "I see"

You stand and wait while the guard refers to with his partner, doing your best to look the part of a nervous, slightly shamed young man.

"Off you go" The guard says. "But don't let me catch you again"
"Certainly sir! Thank you very much!" You say.

You give them a polite bow, and make yor way across the bridge with a wicked grin.

"You most certainly won't catch me again" You say once you're out of earshot.

>[1/2]

You give the same sob story to the guards at the other side, and they let you pass as well.

Then you return to the shadows, flipping your cloak back over and donning your gloves and hat. You retrace your steps back to the house where the secret entrance is... and find the door unlocked.

You slowly crack open the door, and you can make out a silhouette of a person. From here you can see that the secret entrance is open, and that the person is standing in front of it looking in.

You inch open the door until you can slip in, and creep up behind the person...

You recognize the frame, and the hair. They're slender, yet muscled, with dirty blond hair tied back into a ponytail. They wear a blue dress that you recognize, even though they have a less than feminine form.

Someone like that could probably go several years being mistaken for a boy...

They seem apprehensive about entering the cave, and you know why.

>[ ] Get the jump on her

>[ ] Offer to hold her hand

>[ ] Walk past her

>[ ] Other

>>43171329
>[ ] Offer to hold her hand
I want to say she's best girl but we'll probably learn something that makes her awful soon

>>43171329
>>[ ] Offer to hold her hand

>>43171329
>[ ] Offer to hold her hand

>writing

>>43171343
I really wish that Smiley players would stop using that word. None of these girls are 'awful'. Cassandra is awful; she ripped out the souls of countless loved ones, and threw them at us. Laura and Melissa aren't BAD people. Do they have issues? Most definitely. Have those issues led to bad decisions? Ayup. But they aren't worthy of only scorn. They've stood by Giles, and deserve more then that.

I'm the only one thinking that, in the end, Giles will just leave each girl with a kiss and go back to the desert or something to learn more about himself?

>>43171618
Probably, that doesn't really seem like him. At least, imo.

You come up behind her silently, gently wrapping your arms about her waist and resting your chin on her shoulder.

"If you want to go in, I could hold your hand" You say.

Marcy stiffens up like a board. "W-who-"
"Oh, come now Marcy" You say. "I'm gone for a month and you forget all about me?"
"Giles?" She asks.

You spin around her to face her from the front. "In the flesh, though probably a bit late" You say.

Marcy's face teeters between shock and happiness, and she throws her arms around you. "What happened to you? We were all worried sick!"
"I took a bit of a forced vacation down south, courtesy of Cassandra" You say. "Took a while to get back. What have I missed?"

"Not much. We've been laying low since you disappeared" She says. "You made Selene cry"
"Where is the little one, anyways?" You ask. "And please don't say she went in the passage"

"She... went in the passage with Kuma" Marcy says.
"Damnit..." You say, pinching the bridge of your nose.
"There was no stopping her... once she learned that Laura had been taken-" Marcy says.

You turn on a heel, and move towards the secret entrance.

"Wait, where are you-"
"After Selene" You say. "There is only one person in the entire world that CANNOT be in the palace right now, and she is currently in the palace. Coming with me?"

Marcy looks down the passageway with apprehension.

"I was guarding the entrance..." She says.

>[ ] Take her in (will slow you down a little)

>[ ] Leave her to guard

>[ ] Other

>>43171618
Gaaaay.

>>43171680
>[ ] Take her in (will slow you down a little)

>>43171680
>[ ] Take her in (will slow you down a little)

>>43171680
>Marcy, if I'm going in there, there's a chance that things will go tits up, and Kuma, Selene, and I'll have no back up, without your knowledge.
>I'll be here for you in the tunnel, but we have to HUSTLE. Think about everything and everyone at stake, here.

Essentially?

>Pep talk to get her ass movin' quick time

>>43171773
Maybe throw in something like
>I've still got your sword, remember? But you gotta earn it.

>>43171773
>>43171835
Hmmm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSh73d3TZcA

>writing

>>43171835
You can have my sword tho

>>43171773
>It's time to man up.

"You know the entrance closes, right?" You ask.

Marcy looks between you and it, shrinking away in fear.

"Tell you what..." You say, pulling her sword out of your cloak and placing it in her hand. "I'll give this back to you... careful though, it might be a bit heat damaged"

"What? Why?" She asks.
"I killed an Angel with it" You say.
"You what!?!" She asks.

You step beside her and grasp her hand. "Come on, I'll tell you all about it" You say, taking a step forward.

Marcy shudders.
"I'll be right here" You say, giving her hand a squeeze. "I'm not about to leave you behind"
Her breath catches in her throat, and she nods. She then takes a step forward, and another, and another.

She walks forward with so much determination that you have to stop her so you can find the switch to close the entryway.

With the entryway closed, you light up and reduce a Blinding Flash dagger to act as your light source and begin your trip through the pathway.

"So!" You say. "I was in the glass desert..."

>[1/2]

just got home from work
see this thread
hype activate

"... and then I made it to the entrance, and just couldn't help myself whenI saw you with your back turned" You say, finishing your story as you reach the stairway.

"Wow..." Marcy says. "So... so you and Melissa are-"
"Done with, yes" You say. "An unfortunate outcome, but it's for the best in the end"
"Why did you get them to play strip poker?" She asks.
You shrug. "I wanted to lighten the mood" You say.

"But... why?" She asks.
"I killed an entire flight of angels, and you choose to focus on that part of the story?" You ask.
"Yes! Sorry... I mean, yeah. That's impressive. But... why strip poker?" She asks.

You cover your face with your hand. "Come on, it's only a little further" You say.

Marcy gives you a look, and you know she wants to ask again.
"Look, it seemed like a good idea at the time" You say. "Besides, they both have fantastic breasts. I could certainly think of worse sights for a send off"
"But..."
"Let's just go" You say. "The more you question my motives, the less my motives hold up to scrutiny"
"Fine..." She says.

You make your way up the stairs to the entrance, hidden away in one of the storage rooms beneath the Palace.

Now it's time to figure out where you're going. If Selene's in here, then she's looking for Laura. There are only so many places Laura could be...

You'll check-

>[ ] The Throne room

>[ ] The Dungeons

>[ ] Laura's bedroom

>[ ] Other

>>43172182
The suck part of this is that we might have to face brainwashed Laura, if Roderick's research paid off.

That being said, I kind of want to say
>Laura's room.

>>43172182
>[ ] The Dungeons

>>43172234
Fuck it, I'll vote
>The Dungeons

>writing

"All right... I guess we'll sweep low and move up" You say.
"Meaning...?" Marcy asks.
"Start with the obvious spots: The dungeons, and then Laura's bedroom. After that we start searching more methodically" You say.

"Gotcha" She says. "What about Selene?"
"Selene's looking for Laura. We find Laura, we find Selene" You say.
"What if Selene gets caught?" She asks.
"Won't happen" You say. "She's no master, but she has the skills to evade these guys at least. Failing that, Kuma is with her"

Marcy nods. "I'm out of my element here. Lead the way" She says.
"Will do" You say.

You sneak your way through the vaults to the exit. Last time you came through here, there were guards. This time there's nothing. You wonder if that had anything to do with Kuma...

Nevertheless, you continue forward into the dungeons. Making a quick check down each line of cells in synch with the patrols, until you see people you recognize...

Though they are not at all people you expected to see...

"Prince Louis... Princess Louise?" You ask.
"Who's there?" Louis asks. "Bless my heart, is that Laura's friend Gilbert?"
"Giles" You say.
"Giles! Yes" Louis says. "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same question" You say. "You're supposed to be-"

"Dead... I know. I've been informed" He says.
"I saw your head" You say. "Your specter was raised to fight your father"
"Falsehoods... meant to stir the wa-"
"Watch out!" Marcy shouts as she quickly steps between you and someone down the hall, and slashes an arrow out of the air with her sword.

You step up beside Marcy to see who loosed it.

It's Laura...

She knocks another arrow.

That's all for tonight!

Next thread will be some time this week. Probably Thursday or Friday.
As always I'll be sticking around for question/suggestion time.

FUCKING HELL SHE'S BRAINWASHED

>>43172515
Welp. We should shank Laura.

>>43172535
Great thread, Smiley! Looking forward to next time!

>>43172546
Holy hell you people like to jump to conclusions

>>43172546
It was established quite a long time ago that Roderick was researching mind control; she wouldn't marry him of her own volition.

>>43172535

Thanks for the run Smiley, can't wait to see the finale!