>>43686875

Heedless of the various fairies looking at your assembled group in amazement and wonder – humans are rare here, you remind yourself – you glance around at your companions. Petra is scowling hard, her restless fingers digging away at the wooden table and occasionally flicking away a long splinter. Cassandra, by contrast, is completely still, staring off into space with hollow eyes. Elliot is fiddling with one of his “lucky” coins, walking it back and forth across his knuckles with a flawless, but distracted, grace. Finally, Joseph looks the most uncomfortable of you all, acutely aware of his status as an outsider – he is very careful not to meet anyone's eyes.

The silence gnaws away at you, leaving your nerves ragged and jittery. It's so different to the warm, friendly laughter that you were able to share back at your house, not so long ago, that you can scarcely believe that it's the same people involved – or that so little time has passed. Just to break that awful silence, you clear your throat but – before you can say anything – Cassandra speaks up.

“I'm staying here,” she whispers, her voice nevertheless reaching you all, “I'm not leaving his side. Not until... not until I know he's going to be okay.”

Petra's voice is the next one to be heard. “I'm going back to the mansion,” she announces to nobody in particular, “I want to fight someone – anyone.”

“I understand the situation,” Joseph protests quietly, “But you're all forgetting that we've got a job to do. We need to rescue Leon, don't we? I'll do it myself if I have to.”

This isn't right, you insist, Amelia told all of you to stick together, not to go running off on their own. She said...

“She isn't HERE!” Cassandra snaps, her outburst drawing staring eyes from all around the hall. The words seem to hang there, in the air, for a long time. “She isn't here, Mia,” Cassandra repeats sadly.

>>43686879

With that anguished cry, silence once more descends upon the group. You find yourself wishing for someone – anyone – to tell you what to do. To pick a side – because that's what this is, isn't it? Your group – once a tight knit operation – is starting to come apart at the seams. Too many differences of opinion, different wills tugging in their own directions, to survive without a single, strong voice uniting you all. Maybe the cracks had been there all along, you realise with dismay, just hidden beneath the surface.

The urge to run away, to return to the human world as quickly as possible, creeps up on you. It's a selfish desire, the urge to label everything as someone else's problem, but you can't deny that it has a certain bitter appeal. It's only the thought of Marco, held prisoner in some lonely northern castle, that holds you here. Maybe, with time, you can rally everyone around again. It's a tough time – they all need their time. Still, you don't know what to do...

>Cassandra, you shouldn't be alone
>I'm coming with you, Petra
>You're right Joseph, we've got work to do
>Elliot, what do you think?
>I need some time alone as well
>Other

>>43686886
>>Cassandra, you shouldn't be alone
ELLIOT sticks with you
>>You're right Joseph, we've got work to do
and Petra comes too. Rescuing Leon is going to involve fighting demons, yes?

>>43686886
>You're right Joseph, we've got work to do
Give them time. Meanwhile we'll work.

>>43686886
>>43686926
and uh, after Cass feels up to it, I suppose Cass and Elliot can check out the mansion.

>>43686886
This sounds like one of those "pick your alignment" questions.
>>43686926
Has it right though. Keep the gang together as much as possible

>>43686886
>>43686926
This

>>43686926
>>43686927
>>43686931
>>43686956
>>43686972

You can see that this recent disaster is weighing heavily on Cassandra's shoulders – you're not exactly sure why, but you're starting to get an idea – so she shouldn't be alone. Not at a time like this. You say this quietly, but with a resolve you wish you felt. They need a leader, and some absurd twist of fate has left you in that position.

“Mia, I just need some time...” Cassandra begins, but you raise a hand to hush her. She obeys – thankfully – without dispute.

She shouldn't be alone, you repeat, and that's why you think Elliot should stay here with her. He might not look it, but he seems pretty reliable in a crisis like this. Silently, you think back to the very first encounter you had with a demon and recall how he helped calm you. Even as a pair of strangers, he had offered his shoulder to you. That's the kind of thing Cassandra needs right now. You almost expect Elliot to protest at that, or at least offer some kind of barbed comment, but he simply nods. He can read the mood as well as anyone else.

“So what about you?” Cassandra asks softly, a little more life and energy creeping back into her voice.

Joseph is right, you tell her, you all came here for a reason. You've got work to do – work that will probably involve hunting down some demons. That's why, you say as you turn to the redhead, you'd like Petra to come along as well. There's no need to split up and all chase after different things, especially when your real objectives all lie in the same direction.

“The mansion...” Petra starts.

The mansion will wait, you add, won't it? Besides, if – and you're not forcing anything here – but if Cassandra feels up to it, she could take Elliot to scout it out a little. Just a suggestion.

>>43687120

The table is silent as everyone considers your words. Frankly, you have no idea what they might be thinking – Cassandra sounded a little more active but her eyes are still haunted, while Petra attacks the table with renewed force. Joseph is perhaps the only one who looks even remotely pleased with the outcome, your support for his idea clearly bolstering his confidence. You've made a friend there, you realise, for the time being at least.

“We've just been given our marching orders,” Elliot says wryly, “By a bloody fourteen year old.”

“She's right, yes?” Petra decides, standing up abruptly, “Here or there, it doesn't matter to me. I'll fight at your side. Now, you,” she points at Joseph with a typical lack of grace, “You're coming too, of course. Your idea in the first place, yes?”

“Of course,” Joseph sounds irked by the implication, the suggestion that he would back down now, “I'm glad everyone is willing to see sense. This is no time for us all to lose our heads. The sooner we leave the better, in my opinion.”

That's right, you decide, but is Cassandra...

“She's in good hands, Mia dear,” Elliot tells you calmly, “We'll get along famously, and if the lady here feels like taking a stroll, I'd be happy to be her escort. It's the least a gentleman can do, after all.”

A better escort than he provided last night, you think to yourself, but you keep that little bit of spite to yourself. No need to ruin a good moment by dragging up the past. Trading nods with Petra and Joseph, you all get to your feet and move out, through the hall and into the surrounding forest. Moving forwards like this... it feels good.

>>43687183

You're about halfway through the forest – close enough, you guess – when you hear something. A faint rustling off in the distance, like something small and quick moving through the undergrowth. None of the dangling ferns or long grasses move though, save for the slight stir caused by the breeze. You glance at your companions and trade shrugs, none of you certain of what the noise could have been. Maybe it was just an outside noise – this wilderness makes a change to the city you've spent your life in. You're just starting to move again when a whispered voice calls out from some unknown distance.

“Hey human...” the voice murmurs, “Hey you...”

“Our left,” Petra mutters to you, nodding her head slightly to her left. That's odd... you were about to say that the sound was coming from your right. Certainly closer to your right than your left, at least.

“I'm over here, you worthless humans,” a faint giggle follows that sly insult, “Can't you hear me?”

“Wait a minute,” Joseph stops you suddenly, “Stop. Everyone stop. Why did we come out here?”

What, you ask slowly, what is he talking about?

“We were supposed to be looking for that Leanan Sidhe, asking around about her,” he shakes his head slowly, “So why are we out here?”

“Don't listen to HIM,” the distant voice spits, “He's worthless, what does he know? Come HERE, to me!”

Something isn't right here.

>Follow the voice, maybe it can help
>Return to the castle – as quickly as possible
>Other

>>43687259
>Return to the castle – as quickly as possible
Ehhhhhhh. I'd rather talk to Titania.

>>43687259
>Either show yourself or were heading back voice.

>>43687259
Are we allowed to burn the forest if they keep fooling around like this?

Do we even have fire demons?

>>43687299
No. For all we know this is just one fairy fucking with us. Do not get the entire kingdom pissed at us for burning down their forest.

>>43687259
>Return to the castle – as quickly as possible
did Titania have someone lead us out to prevent us from exploiting the negotiating advantage?

>>43687354
I don't think so. I feel that this trickster is fucking with the humans for fun.

>>43687278
>>43687354

There's a spooky voice coming at you from an unknown location in a mystical forest. Why, exactly, would you think following it to an even more unknown location would be a good idea? This isn't some horror movie, where people wander off and get slaughtered one by one. Not that you'd know anything about horror movies, of course, especially the really gruesome ones. Of course.

Back to the castle, you declare, before you get distracted even more. Perhaps something about your weakened resolve – everyone is still a little rattled, after seeing what you saw – left you wide open to this demon's tricks. Whatever the cause, you have little desire to make things worse by walking into an obvious trap – hence returning to the castle.

“Aw,” the voice coos in disappointment, “You lot are just no fun. Don't you want to come and listen to what I have to say? It's really good – I promise!”

Not listening, you say aloud as you walk back the way you came. Whoever they are, you're ignoring them and they can't do a damn thing about it.

“Yeah... well...” the voice trails off for a moment, “Yeah, you'd better run! Stupid worthless humans, you got lucky this time! Next time, I won't let you slink away like that!” Another giggle follows that delusional boast, one that you very deliberately ignore. Honestly, who would take bait that obvious?

“What a rude little creature,” Joseph wonders aloud as you return to the castle, “Are all demons quite so obnoxious?”

“Of course not,” Petra smiles slightly, “Some are obnoxious in all kinds of different ways, yes?”

...You don't think Nadja is obnoxious. You LIKE her.

>>43687535
>Of course not,” Petra smiles slightly, “Some are obnoxious in all kinds of different ways, yes?”

I'm imagining Daisoujou ringing his bell repeatedly next to Petra's head right now.

>>43687585
I miss him even if he didn't do that much. He was a smartass

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>>43687535

Once you're within the castle, you lead Petra – who seems to know her way around the place regardless – and Joseph to the same chamber you last met Titania within. It seems like she'd be the best place to ask for information – if the queen doesn't know what's going on within her kingdom, she's clearly not a very good queen.

When you arrive, Titania is sitting on the same throne as last time. In fact, the entire scene is nearly identical to the last time you saw her, down to almost the finest detail. The empty throne beside her has a fresh garland of flowers on the seat, circling the vacant crown, but that seems to be the sole difference. It's surreal, in a way, and conveys a strangely dream-like atmosphere over the entire scene. Titania herself smiles softly as she studies you all, her sweeping glance only pausing for the briefest moment as it passes Joseph. Then, with absolute calm, she speaks up.

“So,” she says, to introduce herself, “More humans. I understand you saw a rather ugly scene today, out by the front gates. I apologise for any discomfort it caused you, but please understand that this is a trying time for all of us and speak nothing of what you saw. National morale, you understand, is a fragile thing at the moment. The people would be... troubled, to know that their hero has fallen in battle. His wounds will mend, but his reputation would suffer for it.”

Petra only shrugs slightly when you glance across at her. Reputations? National morale? This isn't what you were expecting from a kingdom of fairies. This is more like... Soviet Russia. Regardless, you're not here to spread gossip. Well, unless it's gossip about Leanan Sidhe – then you're all about rumours and whispers.

>We're looking for a fairy. Leanan Sidhe.
>Can you tell us what happened?
>Other

>>43687688
>We're looking for a fairy. Leanan Sidhe.
>Can you tell us what happened?

>>43687688
Priority on
>We're looking for a fairy. Leanan Sidhe.

But if she doesn't mind us asking also
>Can you tell us what happened?

>>43687688
>>We're looking for a fairy. Leanan Sidhe.
>>Can you tell us what happened?
We'll likely face whoever it is that fought your hero, and it would benefit us both if such a foe is taken down. Heck, if you want us to, we can leave them alive, but weakened or with information to help Cu beat them in a rematch and regain his honor.

>>43687744
>We'll likely face whoever it is that fought your hero,
Hmm? Why would Mia think that?

I mean OOC you are probably right, but I don't see why we would offering our services just yet. All we are here for is information.

>>43687744
I think Mia knows way too little of the situation to start offering stuff like that. Just a simple 'What happened?' makes more sense right now.

>>43687823
everyone's been saying that the fairies are kinda sorta allies

They've been having trouble with the slavers as well.

Cu was sent to protect their borders from said slavers.

Ergo whoever it was was probably a slaver.

And who knows, maybe Cass will want to do it either way, as Mia is starting to guess the relationship.

>>43687823
>>43687879
but I can concede it might be too much

>>43687902
For now at least. She just doesn't really know how the fairy court works like we the players do yet.

>>43687703
>>43687726
>>43687744

Well, first things first, you want to make your most immediate intentions known. You've only known her for a brief time, but Titania strikes you as a fairly forwards sort – the type of person to respect openness and honesty. That's why you waste little time in asking her if she knows anything about Leanan Sidhe, the fairy you are currently seeking. When the queen is silent for a moment – perhaps thinking about what she knows, perhaps thinking what that information might be worth – you add that she might have a human within her clutches. A human you need to find.

“I see. That would not be unusual,” Titania taps a finger on the arm of her throne as she thinks, “Tell me, do you know why she would seek a human?”

Again, you glance across as Petra, who coughs awkwardly and looks down at her shoes, before looking to Joseph, who merely offers you a look of blank panic. Biting your lip as you think, you return your gaze to Titania. Something about a... love nest, perhaps?

The queen laughs gently at that, allowing a hint of warmth to enter her expression. “Oh my, you don't know? Then I shan't spoil the surprise. Yes, I know where she has made her... nest. There is an old tower to the West of here, long disused, that she has made into her home. She rarely leaves – I believe she has plenty to keep her amused.”

That little comment causes Petra to stifle a sudden laugh, covering it up with another forced cough. Glancing around awkwardly, the redhead struggles to keep a straight face. Moving on, you say hastily, if she doesn't mind then maybe she could tell you what happened? That... scene outside?

Titania, at that, heaves a heavy sigh before answering.

>>43688025

“I believe I mentioned, last time, that those slavers from The Shackle have been invading our borders for quite some time,” a faint frown – the equivalent of a snarl of rage, for most people – crosses the queen's face there, “Simply put, I have grown tired of them. In time, I will see their leader broken and dethroned, but for now he remains well guarded. It is said that his fortress, in the North of the demon world, is guarded by several layers of defence.”

You listen carefully at this. You'll be attacking that fortress yourself, before too long. This certainly presents an opportunity – perhaps you can pool your resources?

“Other than the storms that wrap their way around the fortress – and sometimes reach down into the rest of the land, as I understand it – it is said that the area is stalked by a beast that cannot be killed. Overblown rumours, I had assumed, and so I sent my knight to slay it. Unfortunately...”

You can probably guess the rest. She sent this knight – the hero of the fairy people – to slay a beast that could not be killed, and it ended up exactly as you might have expected. You don't say that of course – you have some tact, after all – but you nod respectfully and wear an expression of the appropriate sombre regret. A terrible tragedy, you tell her carefully.

“He will heal,” Titania replies, with a strangely casual tone, “But I trust you will mention none of this to anyone outside this hall. Oh, my mistake, please convey this news to Cassandra. I believe she will want to know what happened. Tell her that Cu Chulainn will survive. That should lighten her heart. Now, if you please, I would have a moment's privacy. I must plan my next move.”

All three of you nod at that, leaving the audience chamber quickly. You know where you're going next – that's a start.

>Petra, why were you laughing like that?
>We should bring Cassandra the good news
>Let's get a move on. We're heading West

>>43688101
>>Petra, why were you laughing like that?
>We should bring Cassandra the good news

>>43688101
>Petra, why were you laughing like that?
>We should bring Cassandra the good news

>the type of person to respect openness and honesty
>Titania
Mia is gonna get eaten alive
>>43688101
>Petra, why were you laughing like that?
>Let's get a move on. We're heading West

>>43688101
>>We should bring Cassandra the good news
>>Let's get a move on. We're heading West

>>43688137
Actually according to Moloch Titania fell for Carnby because he was a simple honest man, which was a huge refreshing change of pace from the constant Oberons. He might have changed her a little.

>>43688137
>>43688184
Titania RESPECTS openness and honesty plenty. she just doesn't use it because that's a sucker's game.

>>43688113
>>43688133
>>43688137
>>43688148

Before you leave, you decide, you should really bring Cassandra the good news. Well, maybe the “not quite terrible” news might be a better way of putting it, but still. Like Titania said, it should lift her spirits somewhat. As you're returning to the dining hall – assuming Cassandra is still there, of course – you ask Petra why she kept laughing. Just what are you going to find, when you go knocking on Leanan Sidhe's door?

“Laughing? Ah, no reason, yes?” Petra tells you hastily, struggling to wipe the smile off her face, “I'm in a good mood now, better than before – that's all!”

Huh. And your other question?

“How should I know?” Petra shrugs, “Fairies are strange, yes? Their ways are not ours to understand.” Despite your frowns – you just can't read that curious look on her face, no matter what – Petra shows no sign of giving you any concrete answer. You're about to ask again, and whine until you actually get some information, but then the redhead speaks up again. “Ah, there's Cassandra! Getting ready to leave, it looks like. We should hurry, yes? Catch her fore she leaves!”

How very convenient. Regardless, you rush forwards to meet Cassandra as she strides out into the corridor. Before she can get a word in, you hastily tell her the message Titania gave you. Cu Chulainn will live, you tell her before adding – of your own volition – that he'll be as good as new soon enough. Her reaction is... surprising. First gasping with surprise, she quickly pulls you into a tight hug.

“Oh thank God,” she breathes, “Thank you, thank you!” She holds you like that for a long moment, her body trembling beneath her coat, before releasing you and taking a step back, wiping at her shimmering eyes. “Um, I'm sorry about that, it's just... well..”

>>43688418

You understand, you tell her with only a little bit of a lie. You can understand her feelings, but not exactly the reason behind them. Someone she knew once, in her previous life? You make a mental note to ask about it later, perhaps while you're heading out West with Petra. She'd probably know, and it'll be something to talk about on the journey. Either way, speaking of heading out West...

“Oh, of course!” Cassandra forces a laugh, “I was going to head North, Elliot convinced me that I'd feel better for getting out and... oh, you know what I mean. You must have an idea of where to look, right? Did Titania tell you, did she ask you to do anything for the information?”

No, you tell her with a trace of confusion, she just told you. Is that... bad?

“Oh,” Cassandra pauses, thinking for a moment, “I wouldn't worry about it! She might ask for a favour at some point but, well, I'll help you do whatever it is. It won't be a problem, right Elliot?”

“Frankly, I don't have the foggiest idea of what's going on right now,” Elliot offers you a self-deprecating smile, “But I assume you all know what you're doing. I'll just, oh I don't know, follow behind you and look charming. Might as well play to my talents, wouldn't you say?”

Sure, you say after an awkward pause, you'll... you'd better be off. Got a lot to do, you add lamely, and there's no point in wasting any time, is there?

“No point,” Petra agrees, giving Elliot a harsh look. She hasn't forgotten about his little vanishing act last night either, it would seem. “Come, Mia, we'll cover more ground this way.”

Right, you agree, giving Cassandra one last reassuring smile before you both go your separate ways.

I just realized. All the people meeting him are going to be complete strangers without Bloody Sisters Amelia and Cass with us. Though I suppose an Amelia name drop will jog some memory.

The question is, does his memory end with him dying at Alice, where his humanity was left behind or does it end with Amelia ripping the Magatama from his neck?

>>43688558

It takes you a moment to find West once you've left the castle. You have to walk over to Titania's rather creepy statue – it's a little unsettling now you know that it has about as much visible emotion as the woman herself – and look up at the sun. As Petra squints up at the sky, you're certain that her eye flickers for a moment, wavering between ice blue and a vivid green. When she looks back, however, and points out what she claims to be West both her eyes have returned to normal. Maybe... maybe it was just a trick of the light?

“A fine day, don't you think?” the redhead asks, with apparent cheer as you're walking along. Forced cheer, perhaps, unless she really is happy enough to be moving forwards?

“Well, it makes a change from the constant snow,” Joseph admits, “I never was a fan of cold weather. Give me a nice warm afternoon in the sun, any day of the week.”

Talking about the weather – how very British. Marco always said that when people talk about the weather, it's because there's something else they don't want to talk about. You asked, in reply, if the TV weather reporters were very dishonest. You both had a good laugh at that – and even now, the memory brings a smile to your face. Still...

>Petra, your eye...
>Who is this Cu Chulainn guy? Cassandra seems to know him
>Joseph, how are you holding up?
>Other

>>43688787
>Joseph, how are you holding up?
Then
>Who is this Cu Chulainn guy? Cassandra seems to know him
Then
>Petra, your eye...

Not a fan of doing 'all the things' but... all the things please.

>>43688787
>>43688827
yeah

>>43688827
>>43688847

Joseph, you ask carefully as you remember that this is his first time here, in the other world, how is he holding up?

“Me?” Joseph sounds a little surprised, as though he wasn't expecting anything to ask after his well-being. That's probably the case, actually, given his history with the rest of the group. That's... more than a little sad now you think about it, and you resolve to keep an eye out for him in future. “Oh, I'm keeping together,” the young man tells you, “You'd think it would be some earth-shattering revelation, wouldn't it? Learning about some whole other world. But, you know, I'm dealing with it.”

“You got it easy,” Petra tells him bluntly, “This time, we've got a human world to return to. Last time, we were all thrown into this world with no chance to go back. To survive, we all had to do things, yes? Things we shouldn't have to do.”

An awkward silence greets that little comment, neither of you willing to ask about whatever dark deeds Petra is eluding to. After a pause, you clear your throat and ask about Cu Chulainn instead. This previous cycle, did Cassandra know him during it?

“She knew him,” Petra laughs at her own comment, “She knew him very well, in fact, and repeatedly. Not my kind of thing, you understand, but she seemed happy.” A faintly nostalgic smile passes across Petra's face for a moment, “It is a difficult thing, to face losing the person you love. You never know how you'll deal with it until it happens.”

Oh, so that's... You nod thoughtfully, more pieces of the puzzle sliding into place. No wonder she was so distraught, seeing him like that. His arm...

>>43689184

“But he will mend, yes?” Petra nods confidently, “Yes, fairies are made of sterner stuff. A little magic, some time to rest and he'll be as good as new. These fairies have very impressive magic, they can do amazing things. In fact, they were able to give me an eye – a brand new one!”

Her eye, huh? You swallow hard and steal a glance at her face. Both of them, still a regular human blue. Striking, certainly, but nothing out of the ordinary. For a moment there, you mention slowly, her eye was...

“Yes?” Petra asks, with a worrying amount of feigned ease, “What about my eye, Mia?”

Well, you hesitate, it looked green. Just for a moment, you mean. As the words leave your lips, Petra freezes, grimacing for a moment before lurching back into motion. She looks like someone receiving bad news, the kind that they've been fearing for a long time.

“It's under control,” she tells you after a moment, “I'm dealing with it, yes? It's being dealt with.”

But...

“Look,” she interrupts you, “The tower. That must be it, yes?” Following her extended finger, you examine the crumbling tower rising up out of the forest. It looks like the kind of tower that should contain a kidnapped and captured princess, locked up in the very highest room. That would make you the brave knights coming to rescue them, wouldn't it? The thought brings a faint smile to your face, especially the mental imagine of Petra throwing some helpless princess over her shoulder and carrying her off.

“So,” Joseph asks carefully as he looks at the wooden door, thick and studded with metal rivets, “Should we knock?”

>Knock politely, wait for an answer
>Summon a demon and go in loud
>Other

>>43689340
>Knock politely, wait for an answer

>>43689340
>Knock politely, wait for an answer

Leon is going to answer in a robe with a cup of coffee.

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>>43689340
>Knock politely, wait for an answer

>>43689383
>Leon is going to answer in a robe with a cup of coffee.
"Aye, fuck off, I'm busy."

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>>43687535
>Temptation

Could this be the work of best demon?

I hope not. It's too early in the quest for that.

File: Metatron.png (20 KB, 510x556)

20 KB PNG

>>43688558
>Frankly, I don't have the foggiest idea of what's going on right now

And that's why I like you Elliot.

>>43689383
>>43689360
>>43689428

Shrugging, you knock politely at the heavy wooden door, wincing a little as the loud clunk of your knock rings out through the forest. You wait a moment, waiting for an answer that doesn't come, before knocking again – harder this time. Another moment of silent patience later and you deliver a third knock, this one hard enough to leave your knuckles red and aching. Finally, this one gets a response.

“Go away!” a shrill voice cries out from within, “I'm really very busy!”

Uh, you pause for thought before raising your voice to shout back, is Leon there? A human man, kind of rough looking? After shouting that, you press your ear to the door and listen for an answer, or any other sound. You can hear, maybe, the faint sound of movement from within. Then, a slow and rich laugh.

“He's here,” the voice replies, almost immediately shifting from shrill to low and warm, “But, ah, he's a little tied up at the moment I'm afraid. Could you come back later, perhaps? Like, perhaps never?”

How rude, you remark to yourself as Petra stifles gales of hysterical laughter with the heel of her hand. Does she mean that Leon is busy with something? What would they be...

Oh...

Suddenly, a lot of things make sense – and yet somehow, you wish they didn't.

“You see, Mia,” Petra manages to gasp out between laughs, “When a man and a woman love each other very much... Ah, but we need to break up this party, yes? The honeymoon period is over, I think, and real life beckons. I'll get her to open this door, you can put money on that!”

Eh, maybe that isn't such a good idea...

>Keep trying to get the door open
>Let Petra try
>Other

>>43689711
>Let Petra try
Alright I'm curious. Have at em Petra.

>>43689711
>Let Petra try

>>43689711
>Let Petra try
Odds of violence?

>>43689711
>>Other
Try to decipher whether the female voice we're hearing right now is the same one we heard over the phone, the one claiming to be Leon's fiance.

>>43689778
High

>>43689778
Petra and Leon are in the same vicinity. Think about that for a minute.

>>43689711
>Let Petra try

Slav vs. Sidhe, live on pay-per-view!

>>43689861
Y'know, Petra seemed a little enthusiastic about that two girl one guy scenario Elliot was talking about.

>>43689878
Moloch says she enjoys lewd stories.

>>43689878
Impossible. Petra is pure

>>43689896
Pure violence and carnal desire you mean. She's so horny her eyes keep turning blue!

>>43689893
If she enjoys lewd stories, we should let her chat with Lilim for a bit.

>>43689931
*green

Her eyes are naturally blue.

>>43689955
>the joke
>Your head

>>43689931
Honestly, I can only see this ending with Petra getting behind Leanan Sidhe and giving her a German suplex.

>>43689968
not that guy but i dont get it

>>43689968
Guess I don't know that particular figure of speech. Oh well.

>>43690003
Turning blue is a euphemism for not getting sex to the point things are changing colors from build up. Thus I used a reversal on the eye color to make a joke.

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>>43689736
>>43689760
>>43689778
>>43689792
>>43689861

“Excellent!” Petra announces with a broad grin, clearing her throat before hammering her fist on the door. “Bitch, open this door!” she roars, causing both you and Joseph to jump in shock, “Open up before I burn this tower to the ground! I don't care if it's made of stone, metal or bullshit, so show your damn face!”

“Mia,” Joseph tells you, struggling to keep a confused smile off his face, “You should probably cover your ears.”

No no, you say quietly as you shake your head, you're actually enjoying this. You're already learning a lot today, why not expand your horizons a little? Although, you will admit, your attention does start to waver a little when the redhead's English language skills run out and she is forced to resort to a barrage of foreign profanity. As an off-hand thought, you wonder what Leon's fiancé would say if she knew he was here. Now you think about it, didn't her voice sound pretty similar to the one you heard coming through that door? Hard to compare them, given that they're both pretty unfamiliar, but...

After a long and violent moment, the door finally swings open, revealing a tall blonde haired woman wrapped in a robe of dark silk. She looks, quite frankly, furious. “Why can't you just leave me alone?” she snaps, “I'm TRYING to spend some quality time with my husband!”

“Tough shit,” Petra snarls back, plunging a hand into her pocket to pull out her phone. Leanan Sidhe sighs, waving her hand through the air with a dismissive gesture. Both Petra and Joseph freeze, their eyes growing blank and empty as some fairy magic falls upon them. You can feel it too, tugging at your mind, but it fails to ensnare you.

“Now,” the fairy sighs, “Won't you give me some privacy?”

>Fight her (Choose one demon)
>Try to make her see reason
>Try to wake Petra and Joseph
>Other

>>43690127
>>Try to make her see reason
Your husband needs to save the world

>>43690127
>Try to make her see reason
"Look we need to talk to Leon. More importantly Amelia needs to talk to him. Can you tell him that? Please?"
>Try to wake Petra and Joseph

>>43690127
>Fight her (Choose one demon)
Nadja

>>43690127
>Break out Nadja

>>43690228
>More importantly, Amelia needs to talk to him.
>"THAT FUCKER'S BEEN CHEATING ON ME, HASN'T HE?!"

>>43690127
>>Try to wake Petra and Joseph
Leanan Sidhe used BREASTS
It's super effective!
Petra is confused!
Joseph is confused!

>>43690330
"Let me rephrase, the God of Creation over in the human world wants to talk to him."

File: Nadja.jpg (153 KB, 1040x1688)

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Rolled 58 (1d100)

>>43690194
>>43690228
>>43690236
>>43690330
>>43690357

Look, you begin carefully, hoping that the sound of your voice will rouse the others from their stupor. No luck so far, so you decide to continue. You just need to talk to Leon, that's all. Just to talk with him for a few moments.

“You?” the fairy looks down at you for a moment before shrieking out a haughty laugh, “Oh honey, he won't be interested in someone like you. Look at you, flat as a board! Me, on the other hand...” she poses for a moment, thrusting out her chest in a way that causes her compulsive aura to tug harder at your waking thoughts, “He's got all this, what more could he want?”

The world, you force yourself to reply, the world needs your husband. To save it. As you mumble the words you try to kick Petra's shin, but in a subtle way. She stirs, but her eyes remain fixed upon Leanan Sidhe's... assets. Why is she so vulnerable? Shaking your head, trying to clear all unnecessary thoughts, you blurt out that Amelia needs to talk to him. Wait, did you just...

“Amelia?” the fairy screams in a fit of capricious rage, “Who is that? Another one of those rotten harlots trying to steal my husband away from me?”

No no, you correct yourself hastily, Amelia is the god of the human world! Leon just needs to talk with God for a moment, that's all!

“Too late for excuses, dear!” she snaps, “I'll defend the purity of my love from people like you, no matter what!”

Oh this isn't what you wanted, you insist as you summon Nadja to fight on your side. This isn't what you wanted at all! As the two demons square off against one another, you rush between Petra and Joseph, tugging at their sleeves and shouting at them. They've got to snap out of it!

>Please roll a D100, for Nadja. I'll take the highest of the first three

Rolled 24 (1d100)

>>43690565

Rolled 13 (1d100)

>>43690565
He aint that pure

Rolled 11 (1d100)

>>43690565
>Mocking Mia's chest
Rude desu

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>43690565

>>43690630
>>43690628
5 seconds...goddamnit

>>43690630
WELP.

>>43690628
yeah, no, u deserve that 11

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>>43690636
I... I'm sorry.
I think Mia just turned gay

I mean I guess we still have Hua Po and Lilim in the holster.

>>43690654
It was a roll for Nadja and I dunno if Sihde is using Marin Karin this time around.

>>43690590

Nadja holds out her bone necklace, rattling the gristly totem as she gathers magical power about her. Leanan Sidhe laughs seductively, making no attempt to evade the attack – if anything, she seems to be eagerly anticipating it. When the bolt of lightning manifests itself, so much slower for some reason, it seems weaker than normal. Rather than the blinding spear of white light that you've quickly come to recognise, it looks more like a failing lightbulb. Still, if flies straight and true, hitting the enemy demon in the chest. A hit, yet the flickering power seems to crawl across her skin without effect.

“Oh, so that's what you're into?” Leanan Sidhe asks mockingly, “Then, it would be rude of me not to reciprocate!” Her words are gleeful as she kneels down before Nadja, the young fairy making to effort to move, to dance away from the demon's outstretched arms. Leanan Sidhe's hands find Nadja's cheeks, tilting her head up so that the taller fairy can plant a strangely chaste kiss on the child's forehead. What... what sorcery is this?

When Leanan Sidhe stands, releasing Nadja, you see that the little fairy's eyes are blank. No, worse than blank, they have a malicious life in them – a giddy pleasure at the thought of dealing you harm. So... so what now?

>Try and get Nadja to snap out of it
>Swap her for another demon and press the attack
>Focus on Petra and Joseph for now
>Other

>>43690839
>Swap her for another demon

Go with Lilim. Fight sex appeal with sex appeal!

>>43690876
>>43690839
Alright lets go with this.

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>>43690876
Lightning didn't work out so well before. Are you playing to lose?
I wouldn't blame you

>>43690839
>>Swap her for another demon and press the attack

summon Lilim and counter seduce petra and Joseph to fight for us!

>>43690839
>Swap her for another demon and press the attack
Lilim

>>43690898
Actually, I figured she'd no sell Marin Karin.

File: TurnonCNN.jpg (9 KB, 350x268)

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MARIN KARIN FIGHT!

Rolled 77 (1d100)

>>43690903
>>43690899
>>43690897
>>43690876

>In that case, please roll 1D100 again. Best of three, like the last time!

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>43690979
This is silly.

Rolled 39 (1d100)

>>43690979
COUNTER SEDUCE

>>43690985
>>43690979
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo3qDvU-UI8

Rolled 72 (1d100)

>>43690979

"That's right Leanan. Your assets might be greater than Lilim's. But you're forgetting one thing.

Tight.
Virgin.
Succubus.
Pussy.

File: Hoy.png (48 KB, 137x139)

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http://www.siliconera.com/2015/11/17/shin-megami-tensei-iv-final-adds-isabeau-as-a-partner-character/

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>>43691082
Well, hot damn.

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>>43691117
http://www.siliconera.com/2015/11/17/heres-what-the-cast-of-smt-iv-are-up-to-in-shin-megami-tensei-iv-final/

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>>43690985

Perhaps you panic. Certainly, it seems like you lose your mind for a moment but soon, an idea comes to you. This old hag isn't the only one capable of winning over hearts and minds – you've got just the thing!

Lilim answers your call, appearing from your phone in a flourish of light and an indulgent yawn. After stretching – flaunting her body, you don't doubt – Lilim turns around to give you a thumbs up, accompanied by a cheeky wink. This battle... this is the strangest battle that you've ever been in. Weakly, you return Lilim's grin and urge her forwards, a plea for her to be careful on your lips. Swishing her hips, the pointed little devil tail curling up into a flamboyant heart shape, Lilim approaches Leanan Sidhe. You feel, just for a moment, a ripple of magic stirring the air. As the ripple passes, you can't help but notice Petra's eyes turning from the curvy fairy to Lilim's slender form.

“Ha! You think that's going to impress me?” Leanan Sidhe sneers, although her expression wavers, “Although you ARE a cute one, and that adorable little tail...”

“You think so?” Lilim says sweetly, moving close enough that she can take Leanan Sidhe's hand in her own, “I'll let you touch it if you want...”

“Let me?” the fairy, you notice, seems slower now - confused maybe, “What makes you think you can stop me?”

“I'm much faster than you,” Lilim answers, before her face turns wicked. A massive jolt of power surges through her, the powerful lightning blasting Leanan Sidhe from her feet. “Since I don't have all that USELESS MEAT slowing me down!” the devil shrieks, laughing cruelly as the fairy, blackened and smoking, slumps to the ground. This fight, it would seem, is over.

>>43691188
RrrrrreOWWWWWWWWWWR!!!

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>>43691188
Dayummm

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>This whole combat

>>43691188

“What?” Petra slurs, shaking her head as she comes to her senses, “What was that? I was having a dream, a wonderful dream...”

“You were?” Joseph is quicker to reply, clearing his throat and tugging his jacket a little further down, covering his hips, “Uh, I didn't dream anything. I think it must have hit you harder than it hit me. You were closer, I suppose...”

Both of them should focus, you murmur as you fan yourself, trying to shake off the inexplicable warmth suffusing your entire body. After all, you're not done here. Leon is still in there somewhere, and this old lady isn't going to offer any more resistance. She looks barely conscious, her unfocussed eyes pointing straight up to the sky. Definitely not in any shape to slow you down.

“Ah, Mia, I'll go first, yes?” Petra says quickly, “To check for, ah, ambushes. Any more of them. Last thing we need right now is her twin sister, yes?” You nod, giving her the go ahead, and she heads cautiously into the house, the word “twins” still lingering wistfully on her lips. She returns a moment later, looking somewhat embarrassed. “Clear,” she says, fighting back a smile, “We've got our man.”

“Aye fuckin' right you have!” a ragged voice shouts from within, echoing from the walls, “Who the fuck are you people? The fuck is going on here?”

He sounds... pretty mad about something, you remark as you enter, was he okay?

“Dehydrated,” Petra says with a smirk, “Exhausted probably. He's got all his limbs though, and nothing more than a few scratches. We've all had worse, yes?”

“I've not,” Joseph points out as he follows you inside, stepping over a pair of causally discarded metal shackles, “And I don't think Mia has either.”

Right, you reply, not quite sure what you're supposed to be agreeing to. When you reach the bedroom, though, you understand.

Today has been a learning experience for Mia.

File: You know what this is.jpg (3 KB, 225x225)

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You know what. We need to keep Leanan alive because I need to ask her to make something for me. Muahahahahahaha.

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>>43691514
>You know what this is
The start of an epic new meme?

>>43691389

Leon – the man you take to be Leon – is tied, his arms and legs spread, to the wide luxurious looking bed. To be fair, it looks like an incredibly comfortable bed, but you wouldn't want to be tied there. The only thing even close to clothing he wears is a folded sheet, draped neatly across his hips. Numerous scratches and bruises, along with something that looks like bite marks, form a vivid pattern up and down the length of his muscular torso. Why would be be all scratched up like that?

“Ah,” Petra laughs nervously, “Adult stuff, yes? Maybe you shouldn't have seen this...”

“One of you bastards wanna tell me what the fuck is going on?” Leon rasps, the words coming from a dry throat, “So I was talkin' to this lass in the pub, right? She says, “Come back to mine and fuck my brains out”, so I say “Hell yeah”, only then I wake up here. Crazy bitch starts rantin' about consummating our marriage, and it's been non-stop since then.”

“Non-stop?” Petra asks, raising her eyebrows.

“Well if sounds fuckin' good until you gotta sit thought it yourself!” the bound man snaps, “Lyin' here, hours on end...”

>Please, stop. We'll get you out of here
>Excuse me, do you know the name “Amelia”?
>It's a long story. She was a fairy, you see...
>Other

>>43691633
>Excuse me, do you know the name “Amelia”?
>It's a long story. She was a fairy, you see...

>>43691633
>Do you know the name "Amelia"?

>>43691633
>It's a long story. She was a fairy, you see...
The real question is if she's recruitable now

>>43691633
>Please, stop. We'll get you out of here
"We'll explain in detail later."
>Excuse me, do you know the name “Amelia”?


Debating if we should namedrop but, at the very least it get him interested enough to stick with us and see her.

>>43691633
>tied
Tied with what Moloch?

Rope?

ENCHANTED ROPE?

Yes, this is our new dank meme and it is ten times better than PETRA IS GAY FOR AMELIA!

>>43691715
Easy enough right?

'Get in my phone so we can transfer you into Leon's phone once he becomes a Devil Summoner so you two can be together.'

>>43691758
Eh I'd put your dank meme lower on the scale.

Cause all it does is make you come off as a spaz.

Work on your memefu nigga.

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>>43691789
>Le pish posh, I'm a Britbong stereotype

>Le jk, reverse trap and all those chips and bangers and mash

Better?

>>43691656
>>43691701
>>43691715
>>43691718

You clear your throat, not sure where you're supposed to look. It's a long story, you offer. She was a fairy, and then...

“Who are you callin' a fairy?” Leon slurs, trying to fix his weary eyes on you. He seems vaguely delusional, perhaps brought beyond logical thought by his, uh, experience. Tiredness might do that to a person. “You sayin' I like dudes? It was one time – one! - and I was pissed outta my fuckin' head! Get it?”

You... didn't actually ask, but okay. One time, very drunk – message received and understood. You think about how else you might explain the reality of his situation to him, but nothing really comes to you. Truth be told, you're having a little trouble understanding everything yourself – assuming, of course, you wanted to understand. Which you don't. At all. Sighing, you press a hand to your forehead and ask, instead, if he knows the name “Amelia”, if it sounds familiar at all to him.

“Uh...” Leon flops back against the bed – maybe you should untie him, or something? - and thinks out loud, “Was she the one in Glasgow? Or on the train? No, she was... Name sounds familiar, but...”

Sighing again, you start looking around for something to cut him free with. That's when he blurts out another burst of speech. “Aye, she left me! That's her!” he coughs from the exertion of shouting, “She's the lass who left me hangin' in the fuckin' wind!”

So now he's got her confused with some ex-girlfriend who walked out on him? Well, it's a start...

“No, you daft arse,” he groans, “She really fuckin' pissed off and left me to die. I... wait... that was a dream, right?”

So he does remember. That's... good, isn't it?

She did kind of warn you Leon. Ran off immediately, but still 'there was an attempt'

>>43692015

After that, his last burst of rapid speech seemingly taking up the last of his stamina, Leon flops back down on the bed and starts to snore lightly. It's a bit of a relief, to be honest. Explaining things wasn't going to help much, and you weren't sure how else to deal with him.

“Probably the first sleep he's had in ages, yes?” Petra grins at you, taking a knife out of a deep pocket to cut the rope, “Clothes. Do you see clothes anywhere?” A quick search under the bed reveals a crumpled pile of human clothes, some ripped with the force of a very hasty removal. Not perfect, especially in the kind of weather you might find in the human world, but it's better than having him strut about in a sheet.

“That's good,” Joseph says as Petra saws through the rope. “Uh, I'll dress him... I guess...”

“About time you took one for the team, yes?” Petra snipes, “You think that sheet was covering him up when I got here? I saw everything!” Before the two of them can bicker any more, you take Petra by the sleeve and lead her from the room. From outside, you can hear Joseph grunting with the strain of lifting and dressing Leon, but at least it isn't long before he announces the task as complete.

“So now we've just got to drag him out of here,” the young man says when you come back in, “Easier said than done – he's a heavy one, this guy. Lots of muscle on him.”

“Leave that to me,” Petra says, hefting Leon's limp body up and supporting him on one shoulder. She looks like someone dragging a drunkard home from the pub – something not too different from the truth.

“Oh, this was on the side of the table,” Joseph adds as you're leaving, handing over a mobile phone. Leon's, it must be. Amelia will be able to do her thing with it, when you return to the human world.

>>43692240

As you're leaving the crumbling tower, Leon still slumped against Petra's shoulder, you hear a frail voice calling out to stop you. Looking back, you see Leanan Sidhe struggling to rise from the grass you left her in.

“Don't... don't take him away from me,” she pleads, “I can't bear to be alone. I can't live without him!”

Even after everything, she refuses to let him go? Obsessive only begins to describe this old hag, but some part of her heartfelt plea does strike a chord with you. It's only a trace of sympathy – she would have killed you in an instant to protect her little “marriage” - but it's enough to give you pause. Maybe, if she was under HIS control...

>Work for me, and I'll put you under his control as soon as possible
>Sorry lady, but this marriage is annulled
>Other

>>43692278
>Work for me, and I'll put you under his control as soon as possible

>>43692278
>>Work for me, and I'll put you under his control as soon as possible

>>43692278
>>Work for me, and I'll put you under his control as soon as possible

I want to see Leon recruit, like, a Jack Frost next and have Leanan get super fucking jealous of it. Or maybe a Legion.

>>43692278
>Work for me, and I'll put you under his control as soon as possible
We need to get everyone a demon waifu.

>>43692278
>Work for me, and I'll put you under his control as soon as possible

>>43692346
Cass
>Choo Choo

Leon
>Leanan

Elliot
>Fortuna?

Joseph
>Wingless?

and of course

Petra
>Amelia

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>>43692414
>mfw when Choo Choo is the prettiest.

>>43692414
>Joseph
Neutral Gabby

>>43692454
I think you're on to something.

File: Larry David.gif (6.98 MB, 500x337)

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>>43692454

>>43692303
>>43692322
>>43692340
>>43692346
>>43692398

Sighing, you force yourself to face her and nod slowly. If she works for you – briefly, you stress – then you'll see about transferring her to his control as soon as he can summon demons of his own. It won't be long, you say again, you've got the technology. She just needs to have a little patience.

“Oh... fine,” the fairy pouts, her humble act already starting to fall away now that she's got you wrapped around her little finger, “You and me, kid, it would never work out. It's hard, I know, but you'll need to give me up eventually. My true love needs me, don't you know? Why, there are countless woman out there just waiting to steal him away-”

Please, you say simply, stop talking. You're just holding onto her for a moment – this isn't a working relationship or anything. Just a brief alliance of convenience.

“So cold!” Leanan Sidhe feigns a shiver, “But I suppose a girl like you, no meat on your bones, would be cold. That's why I'm the-”

Stop. Talking.

“FINE,” she sighs loudly, vanishing into your storage – presumably to harass the demons within. This has been a strange day – a very strange day – and it isn't over yet. Shaking your head in weary resignation, you hurry along to catch up with Joseph, Petra and the still slumbering Leon. Now, it's just Marco you need to find. No problem, you murmur to yourself, not a single problem.

>I think that's a decent place to call things. Next thread on Friday, I think, and I'll stick around for any questions. Thanks to everyone for a pretty amusing thread today!

>>43692541
Thanks for running! Is she going to do that all the time?

>>43692631

Leanan Sidhe? Well, she doesn't have anything in the way of direct-damage magic. It's pretty much healing and charm magic only, for her.

>>43692541
Thanks for the run boss.

That was an...interesting combat session huh?

>>43692726
>That was an...interesting combat session huh?

Well, it makes a change from the usual ultraviolence!

>>43692788
What did Cass and Elliot do up North?

>>43692541
Thanks for running, Moloch.

So is Elliot really a reverse trap? Because I've kind of already associated a voice to his/her dialogue...

>>43692820

I'll cover that next session!

>>43692865

Yes, I can confirm that there's a girl under that suit. Sorry!

>>43692886
I'm gonna try my damnedest to keep that a secret in-game

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>>43692886
Goddammit, This is gonna be Makoto Yuuki all over again...

>Captcha
>Gaylord drive
>mfw

>>43692912
Leon's going to throw a wrench in that. That or Petra is just going to kick down her door sometime while she is getting dressed.

Referring to Elliot as 'her' is weird.

>>43692940
>Makoto Yuuki
Isn't that the guy from Persona 3?

>>43692944
Why would Petra randomly burst in on Elliot? Just to be a dick?

Also I guess this is probably going to be confirmed later, but that dude Leon mentioned was probably Elliot

>>43693003
>Why would Petra randomly burst in on Elliot? Just to be a dick?

Next time there is an attack and Elliot is taking her time getting dressed up.

>>43693003
Yeah. Took me forever to stop calling him Minato.

>>43693039

And he can't even sleep in his suit - the creases would be so uncouth. Simply unacceptable!

>>43692541
So....are Lilim and Leanan teaming up and bothering Nadja?

>>43693491

Liliim and Leanan are too busy bickering over that little "useless meat" comment! Nadja, on the other hand, is watching and laughing.

>>43693513
Can we assume that Petra was seeing the Amelia Harem Dream?

>>43693549

Correct!
And it was more wonderful than words can describe

>>43693579
What was Joseph thinking of?

>>43693619

He wasn't charmed, he was just hypnotised by Leanan's rack
I'm kidding. He was under his spell, but he didn't see anyone in particular. There's just nobody in the world that he's that close to!

Really though, there's a lot of sexual tension going on in the group and the only person who's really been able to release it is Leon many times and against his will

So I suggest the Lilim room. So everyone can just work it out of their system and then get back to work helping save the world. Incubus coming soon