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>>43738108

Still, weather aside, you're feeling pretty good about things now. Cu – his name, he told you once, meant “Hound” - will live. In time, his wounds will heal, leaving him with nothing but a set of new scars and a story to go along with them. Truth be told, you always liked his scars – you'd let your fingers wander across each gnarled crease in his otherwise smooth and perfect flesh while he told you the familiar stories of how he got each of them. Sometimes he'd twist the details a little, turning the same encounter into a heroic conflict or a comedic farce, depending on his mood, but that was okay with you. It was the act of telling the stories that you liked, not the words themselves.

Suddenly, you wish he was here with you. He could stand at your side, just like old times, and you could fight together once more. Certainly, he'd make a better companion than the one you currently have. Cu wouldn't let you fight alone, with the only excuse offered being a wardrobe malfunction. Honestly – Elliot isn't a bad guy, and it was admittedly nice to have him around while you were grieving, but he's certainly got a long way to go before you'll forgive him. You're glad that he's walking behind you and can't see the grimace that crosses your face. He'd probably say something like-

“That's not very ladylike,” Elliot calls out to you, a faint note of humour in his voice. You turn, shooting him a dark, accusing glare. “Hunching your shoulders like that, I meant to say. Someone might think you're having a bit of a temper tantrum.”

Gritting your teeth, you take a breath and force your face into a more “ladylike” expression of composure and speak to the foppish young man. About last night, you begin...

“Yes?” Elliot replies, his voice suddenly becoming guarded.

>You owe me some damn answers
>I'm willing to put it behind me. Just don't let it happen again
>Other

>>43738110
>You owe me some damn answers, faggot

>>43738110
>I'm willing to put it behind me. But we are putting our lives on the line, can I trust you with mine?
I honestly don't know which would sting more

>>43738186
>>43738110
Like yours better, this.

>>43738110
>>43738186
This

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>>43738186
>>43738200
>>43738283

You're willing to put everything that has happened behind you, you begin carefully, but-

“Oh, how magnanimous of you, simply charming really,” Elliot mutters, loud enough that you can clearly overhear his snide tone. Considering you're the one offering your hand in friendship, he could drop the attitude for a few minutes.

BUT, you repeat, you're both putting your lives on the line out here. All you want to know is this – can you trust him to watch your back? He can keep his damn secrets, but only if they won't come back to haunt you or your friends.

“Well,” Elliot begins, a note of petulance remaining within his voice, “My personal life is really none of your business, so I don't see why this is such an act of grand generosity, but I suppose I should thank you for it. I'm sure you've got plenty of lovely little secrets you'd rather keep close to your chest, but I shan't pry either.”

That doesn't answer your question – can you trust him, or can't you?

“Christ love, you can be a right bloody hard arse when you want to be,” the foppish young man sighs, looking up at the sky in exaggerated despair, “Yes, you can trust me. I've already gambled my life for you people, and I don't see that ending any time soon. I'll be seeing this thorny issue through to the end, God willing – and she must be willing, I rather think, or she would have kicked me out the moment she saw me.”

Okay, that last bit makes you laugh a little. The tension in the air dissipates a little as you smile at Elliot's comment – exactly the result he was hoping for, you don't doubt – and you turn away from him. Maybe, in time, he'll share his secrets. Until then, they're his to keep.

“Better keep moving then, shouldn't we?” he announces briskly, “Before we catch our deaths out here.”

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>>43738309

Together – the silence a more amiable one, rather than the uncomfortable stillness from earlier – you proceed towards the old mansion. The snow gets worse as you approach, thickening the air with a swirling mist, but you can see enough of the horizon to keep an eye out. At one point, though, you see a dark shadow looming through the snow. The silhouette of a single guard, standing stock still. Holding a hand out to get Elliot to wait, you watch for a moment longer. Nothing, not a trace of movement.

Slowly, holding your phone tightly by your side, you creep closer to the shape. It's one of those soldiers from before, their face hidden behind an absurd, cone-shaped helmet. Their thin body is frozen solid, a thick skin of ice coating it completely and snuffing out any sign of life it might have once had.

“Got caught out in that weather from before, I don't doubt,” Elliot speculates, rapping his knuckles against the rigid body, “Bloody hell, and I thought we got bad weather.”

It if was dead, you warn him, it would have started to crumble. It must be... sleeping. Frozen solid, true, but put into a state of suspended animation rather than outright killed. Would you have shared the same fate, if you were caught out in that storm? You don't want to imagine what it might be like...

Shaking the grim idea from your mind, you point to the old house looming up from the horizon. There it is, you tell Elliot, right where you left it. You were worried it might sprout legs and run off.

“You ARE joking, of course,” Elliot replies, “Although, I will admit, after everything else we've seen here...”

You were joking, you assure him. Now that he's mentioned that, though, you're not really sure. Stranger things could happen, you suppose.

>>43738385

The auction house stays where it is as you approach it, pushing your way into the deserted structure. If there were supposed to be new guards stationed here, there is no sign of them. More sloppy discipline, or some sinister plan?

“Decor hasn't improved much, has it?” Elliot asks as he steps carefully around a long damp marking on the thick carpet. It squelches as your boots sink into it, dirty water – melted snow, of course, rising up to slosh around for a moment before soaking back into the cloth. Privately, you agree with him. This place is revolting, with the stench of dampness rising up from all corners. Glancing back, you notice that the front doors hang open on broken hinges. “You guessed it,” Elliot shrugs as he notices your stare, “Petra wasn't in the mood to knock.”

You're not surprised, really. Now, you came here for the enchanted dagger that Shikome mentioned. Her room was supposed to be upstairs, wasn't it? Then again, you wouldn't want to miss anything else that might be lurking in some dark corner...

>Get the dagger and leave as soon as possible
>Search the place carefully. It's deserted, so there's no need to rush

>>43738417
>>Search the place carefully. It's deserted, so there's no need to rush

>>43738417
>Get Dagger
>Check if there's phone reception, contact the others and tell them you'll search more carefully
>Search more carefully

>>43738417
>Search the place carefully. It's deserted, so there's no need to rush
Petra could use a weapon not connected to her Demon.

>>43738417
>search the place carefully. It's deserted, so no need to rush

HOWEVER, It's still the demon world, so don't do anything stupid like split up. >>43738437 also has it right, make sure gateway isn't getting fucky on us.

Maybe there is a need to rush.

>>43738463
>gateway isn't getting fucky on us.
Find Nebiros, problem solved

>>43738526
That one was a freebie. I mean we know he's chill, but if he keeps doing favors for us he's gonna expect a few in return. Like playing with Alice...

>>43738526
As long as the storm isn't happening again Gateway should be fine.

Should.

>>43738543
or worse, a sleepover with Alice. In the human world.

>>43738463
>>43738441
>>43738437
>>43738434

You want this place checked carefully, you tell Elliot. Anything that might serve as a weapon – you could all use something, but Petra would appreciate it mos of all – or as information. There's no way of knowing what else might be hidden here, either tucked away carefully or simply forgotten. Then again, there's also no way of knowing what survived the storm. Anything noted down on paper, well, you can forget about that. Still, you add, you're staying together and keeping an eye out. Demons can appear out of nowhere – literally, in some cases.

“Right,” Elliot nods, frowning a little as he takes another sniff at the rank air, “Not to distract you from all the important searching, but this place could really use some-”

If he says scented candles, you warn him, you'll leave him here.

“Never mind, then,” he announces cheerfully, taking the rebuke in good humour, “Say, don't suppose you know if we've got decent reception out here?”

Frowning a little – you were starting to wonder about that yourself - you take a quick look at your phone. The Gateway app seems stable – so if nothing else, you've got a quick exit – but when you call Petra's number on a whim, you hear nothing but a shifting tide of static on the other end of the line. Mundane calls are out, it would seem. Better than nothing, perhaps, but you still can't count on any reinforcements.

“Ah, but that's the best thing about living out in the countryside, isn't it?” Elliot jokes as he opens a desk and peers inside, wincing at whatever he sees there, “Privacy, peace and quiet, all that lovely stuff?”

Sure, you mutter as you turn a painting other to check behind it. Just a regular painting. Privacy is great and all, but he shouldn't get any ideas.

“Perish the thought!” Elliot laughs.

>>43738543
If she kills us, she has no one to play with anymore.

>>43738618
Something tells me she doesn't make that distinction until its too late.

Then moves on just as fast.

>>43738644
We should support Alice to be the champion of this cycle. I'm wondering what world she would create.

>>43738612

Together, you work your way from the bottom of the house to the top floor, checking bookshelves – most of the books are ruined by water, their pages hopelessly stuck together – and anything else that might harbour a secret. The pantry, a formidable room with a door that wouldn't have looked out of place in a bank vault, is ransacked. There are a few nuggets of what looks like unworked gold – you pocket those – scattered about the floor, but that's all.

Shikome's old quarters are where you really get results. You take each painting off the wall, one by one, until you find a deep recess clawed out from the wall beneath. This little cubbyhole certainly wasn't placed here when the rest of the house was built, but it was added afterwards by a furtive desire for secrecy. Reaching into the dark space – you wince a little, expecting something to grab your hand with every moment you spent in there – you feel something cold. Taking the object out, you examine it carefully.

A short dagger, obviously built without a single concern devoted to practicality, with the blade hewn from some glossy black stone. It has no real edge to the blade, but the point looks wickedly sharp. A thrusting weapon, then. It's also pretty small – the thing would look like a needle in Petra's grip.

“That looks awfully like obsidian, wouldn't you say?” Elliot wonders, peering at the thing, “Never seen an obsidian blade like that though. It's not carved, that's for sure. Looks more like it was poured into shape.”

You murmur an agreement, being careful not to cut yourself as you turn the weapon around in your hands. There's no indication of what it might do – other than stab people, you mean – but something about it looks somehow familiar. Shaking your head, you glance round to Elliot. You've got what you came for – time to leave.

>>43738691

As you're returning to the entrance, you hear deep footsteps causing the damp wood of the floorboards to creak loudly. There's something here – just a single demon, judging purely by the footsteps. Something that could float or fly, on the other hand...

“Bloody hell,” Elliot mutters, “Wouldn't bet on that thing being friendly. Sounds like a right heavy bugger, don't you think?”

No doubt about that, you agree as you slink down the corridor. But it sounds like the thing is standing right in the entrance of the house. At first, it seems like a confrontation is inevitable, but then you remember the side entrance. You slipped through an open side door the last time you were here, sneaking in without anyone seeing you. It hadn't helped you very much – you fell into Shikome's trap nevertheless – but you might be able to escape that way. Worth a try, at least. Then again, the demon might be useful to you...

>Try and slip out quietly
>Confront the demon

>>43738697
>>Confront the demon

>>43738697
>Confront the demon

>>43738697
>Confront the demon

>>43738697
Let's at least see if we can see the demon before committing to fight it? Might be a Fiend or some shit, knowing our luck

>>43738819
>Fiend
nah, not enough death happened

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>>43738710
>>43738717
>>43738738

You're not just going to slink away without a fight, not today. Once, you might have sought to sneak out like a thief in the night, but no longer. If this demon interloper – whoever it may be – has information, you want to pry it from their grasp. Then, if it proves cooperative, you might just take it under your wing. You're merciful like that.

“Fighting, are we?” Elliot asks in a whisper, “Suppose I'd better tag along then, shouldn't I? After all, I wouldn't want you thinking I'm a coward, now would I?”

Well, you admit with a cool smile, it certainly won't hurt. Then, hushing him with a gesture, you creep down the last of the corridor and poke your head around the edge of the doorway. You only take a brief glimpse – you're prepared to fight, but you don't want to lose the element of surprise if you can help it – but that glance is enough. The demon stomping around beneath you is a lumpen thing, built like an ogre and just about as feral looking. Purple skin, patterned with dark stripes, is visible through a crude tunic. The thing carries a large club – an iron cudgel about as crude as the thing itself – and grunts softly as it wanders about.

That doesn't look too challenging, you think to yourself. Big, sure, but slow and stupid. You've seen Wingless fight – she can run rings around an oaf like that.

“Hey,” Elliot murmurs, “You want me to fight? I think my talents would be wasted on simple fisticuffs. How about I cripple that chap down there, leave him as easy prey?”

>We're both fighting
>Okay, let's see what you can do
>Forget it, we're taking the quiet way out

>>43738878
>We're both fighting
"We got numbers, we should use them. Pretty much had to back then."

>>43738878
>We're both fighting
knowing how to fight as a team is more important than individual strength.

>>43738878
>>We're both fighting

>>43738878
>>We're both fighting
Guess we're going with fisticuffs after all

Also does that dagger remind anyone else of the deathstone? That was pretty much a lump of obsidian I think.

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Rolled 2, 9 = 11 (2d100)

>>43738909
>>43738923
>>43739061
>>43739080

Wasn't he just talking about being ready to fight, you ask, isn't it a bit early to have a change of heart?

“Well, no, but-” Elliot begins, but you shake your head sharply.

If he fights, you'll outnumber him. You've got the numbers, so you should use them. That's how you had to fight, back in the day, and it's high time that he learned that. Knowing how to work as a team is important – more important than being strong alone.

“I'll tell your redheaded friend that you said that,” Elliot warns you.

Fine, you shrug, it's a lesson that she could do with learning as well. Seeing that you've called his bluff, Elliot shrugs extravagantly and follows you as you stride out into the open room below. Wingless bursts into life besides you as you walk down the stairs, the sound of her sharp heels muffled by the thick carpet. Elliot follows, rather reluctantly calling up Fortuna. At the sound of your approach, the ogre below looks up.

“You!” it grunts, “You'll regret comin' here, I'm Sui-Ki, and this is MY home now!”

“This frigid dump is your home?” Elliot calls out from behind you, “Couldn't do any better, could you?”

“Huh!” Sui-Ki growls back, “Cold never bothered ME much – but you humans will freeze here!”

>Please roll 2D100, for Wingless and Fortuna. I'll take the highest of the first three!

Rolled 29, 1 = 30 (2d100)

>>43739167
>Those rolls
Ouch.

Watch me get worse somehow.

>>43739167

Rolled 64, 63 = 127 (2d100)

>>43739167
Ha! Ha! Time for SM/tg/!

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>>43739202
Alright I am laughing pretty hard right now.

Rolled 33, 88 = 121 (2d100)

>>43739203

Rolled 82, 56 = 138 (2d100)

>>43739167

>>43739202
You called it.

>>43739167
>Fine, you shrug, it's a lesson that she could do with learning as well.
Hey she was a team player for the short time we fought with her back then. Though I suppose Amelia reined her in a little. A job that Mia seems to be taking as well.

>>43739227
If he calls it, does that negate automatic critfail on 1?

>>43739290
I actually don't think we have critfails. I remember someone getting a 1 in the last cycle and nothing coming of it. In fact I think the demon did well since the other rolls were good.

>>43739310
Great news.

>>43739310
>>43739290

>Yes, I don't really use crits at all. A 1 is just a pretty bad result, but there will be other dice to pick up the slack
>Just don't roll 3 ones

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>>43739337
>Just don't roll 3 ones
No promises.

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>>43739215
>>43739220

Wingless is quick to make the first move, vaulting effortlessly over the balcony and landing, sword drawn, before the ogre. As she brandishes her blade in a gesture of silent menace, Fortuna elegantly descends the stairs, the wheel mounted within her torso slowly beginning to spin as she gathers mystical power to herself. Laughing crudely, Sui-Ki hefts his iron club onto one shoulder and advances.

His first blow is a heavy one, swinging his club right down into the sodden carpet before Wingless. Although the violence angel darts away from the blow, her movements blurring, it crashes into the ground with a damp crash. Floorboards beneath creak and strain against the force of the blow, while it causes a rush of water to gush up. Before the spray has a chance to settle, Sui-Ki exhales heavily, filling the air with an even greater chill than before. The droplets of water freeze in an instant, causing a thin mist to fill the air.

Wingless bursts through the mist, her sword raised, and slams straight into Sui-Ki, knocking the ogre off-balance. As the brute is wavering, Fortuna spins her wheel quickly and a pillar of wind crashes down into the demon. That's the final straw, and the floor beneath both Sui-Ki and Wingless collapses with a loud crash.

Crying out in outrage, you run down the stairs and drop to your knees before the hole, heedless of the cold air gripping your lungs. Peering down, you see a cold light from below. You had been expecting to see the basement, but the pair of demons broke through even that stone floor. Even deeper below is the rough, untamed rock of a natural cavern. Strange...

“Wait!” Elliot calls out from behind you, “Don't do anything stupid, just wait a bloody minute!”

>>43739449
Maybe this'll lead to the Fortress if we are lucky. That'll give us a stealthy approach.

>>43739449

So you wait, frowning as you look down into the newly uncovered cavern. Is Wingless down there? You can't see her...

Elliot returns a moment later, carrying a spool of rope. “Knew I saw this somewhere,” he tells you with a wink, “Didn't think it was much use at the time, but I thought it was worth remembering. Never know when you might need-”

Great, you tell him as you snatch the spool of rope from his hands and start to look for something to tie it to. Something solid, something that should take your weight. A quick search later, and you end up tying the rope to part of the ruined door frame. It's not great, especially with the wood being as damp as it is, but you couldn't find anything better. It's a risk you'll just have to take...

“Now hold on,” Elliot grabs your arm, his grip hard with suppressed fear, “Do you HAVE to go down there? Can't you just, I don't know, call her back? Blow the old dog whistle, you know?”

...Well, you could do that, you admit, feeling rather foolish. Then again, you do sort of want to explore down there, and you don't know what happened to Sui-Ki. If it survived the fall, it would still be down there...

>Explore the cavern
>Call Wingless back to you and leave

>>43739519
>Explore the cavern
"If we can recruit Sui-Ki, he might have information that could help us regarding the Fortress and if not more manpower doesn't hurt."

>>43739519
>Explore the cavern

>>43739540
>>43739598

You're going down there, you tell Elliot as you tie the rope around your waist, and he can't stop you. If Sui-Ki is alive down there, you want to catch up and see how much information he's willing to share. With Wingless at your side, you reckon that he might be feeling particularly generous today. Besides, you're curious – if you're lucky, the tunnels down there might lead you right into the fortress. A stealthy way in would be perfect.

“Bloody hell,” Elliot sighs, running a hand through his floppy hair, “I hope you're not expecting me to go down there with you. Wouldn't it be safer to have someone waiting up here, just in case this rotten piece of rubbish gives out on you?” He nods to the crooked doorway as he says this, in a voice that suggests he'd give it a kick, if it wasn't for the risk of it breaking.

That's fine, you tell him in a calm, quiet voice. That's what you were going to suggest. Now, before you can lose your nerve, you step backwards into the hole and let the rope snap taught. Grunting with exertion, Elliot holds tightly onto it, slowly letting the rope play out in short bursts. Gradually, you descend down into the chilly cavern beneath. When you reach the bottom, you slip out of the rope and look around.

The walls here are slick with ice, with a darker shade of ice marking a trail leading off into the distance. Blood, quickly frozen in this frigid temperature. You follow the trail, taking careful note of the various scars and craters decorating the walls. Wingless and Sui-Ki fought here, trading blows as they surged down the tunnel. Frowning with worry – one good blow would be enough to cripple Wingless – you follow the winding tunnel. The air is silent and still, with no sounds suggestive of a battle.

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>>43739821

When you reach the end of the trail, a warm smile reaches your face. Sui-Ki is lying, face down, on the ice-slick ground with Wingless sitting, her legs folded primly, on his back. Her sword is resting, point down, on the base of his neck where a single push would be enough to end his life in an instant. Looking up at the sound of your footsteps, the blindfolded angel smiles sweetly as Sui-Ki bellows with pain.

You expected nothing less.

“Crazy girl!” Sui-Ki bellows, his voice echoing, “Get off me, damn it! Go to hell, the lot of you!”

Now that's just rude, you mutter as you stoop down, peering into his battered, bloodied face. Could this fool really offer you any useful information? Well, there's only one way to find out...

>Do you know where these tunnels lead?
>Are you one of those slavers?
>Will you serve me, or should I have you finished off now?
>Other

>>43739894
>Do you know where these tunnels lead?
>Are you one of those slavers?
>Will you serve me, or should I have you finished off now?
"You look like the kind of guy who likes to get into a fight. Stick with me and you'll get plenty of them."


Pretty much in order.

>>43739894
>>Do you know where these tunnels lead?
>>Are you one of those slavers?
>>Will you serve me, or should I have you finished off now?

>>43739894
>Are you one of those slavers?
>Do you know where these tunnels lead?

Enchanted rope
Ice Oni

Man, todays a good day!

Also we should grab that ikusa or whatever its called and get Hua Po to that it out and RECRUIT IT

>>43740113
Eh Ikusa's aren't that great. Just physical and not very good at it. I mean we could shove it into an item but even then we could find stronger demons to itemize.

>>43739923
>>43739931
>>43739945

Does he know where these tunnels lead, you ask first, just a general direction?

“Uh, these ones?” the brute grunts, his voice slightly muffled by the ground, “Not these ones, I guess. All the tunnels, 'bout these parts, lead to the Lady's domain. S'where she holds court, does her thing, you know.”

No, actually, you don't know. You nod up to Wingless, who twists around and presses his face down into the dirt with the heel of her boot. When you give the second nod, the signal to let him up, Sui-Ki is coughing and spluttering.

“Ugh, that's just what I heard! Never went down that far myself. I like the cold, but not that much!” the brute coughs again, a few drops of blood flying out. You grimace at that – maybe Wingless got him in the lung. “All I know is, the Lady is the one makin' all these storms! She has a thing, a deal with the boss!”

The boss, you ask curiously, and who would that be? Does that mean he's one of those slavers you've been hearing about. A moment's silence – Sui-Ki is clearly reluctant to answer – and you nod for Wingless to grind his face into the dirt again. When his choking voice rings out again, she lifts her boot.

“Yeah yeah, I'm one of them!” Sui-Ki protests, “Just for a laugh though, just a joke! We all joined, all my buddies, but it's just for all the fightin' we do. Gettin' to beat on those stuck up fairies, y'know?”

At that, you fight down the urge to have Wingless separate his head from his shoulders. He's still useful, you tell yourself. He said he likes fighting, right? Well, there will be plenty of fighting if he sticks with you – so how about it? You guarantee that you won't cut his damn head off if he agrees to join you.

“...Ain't got much of a choice, do I?” Sui-KI grumbles, “Gotta say, you sure know how to make a guy listen!”

Well, you're learning.

>>43740196
>“Ugh, that's just what I heard! Never went down that far myself. I like the cold, but not that much!

Hmm whoever this Lady is, she probably has an affinity for Ice. Something to keep in mind.

>>43740196

Now then, you say to yourself as the two demons vanish into your storage, what next? Getting back to the surface would be a start, true, but you can't help but want to indulge your curiosity. Who is this “Lady” that Sui-Ki mentioned? These tunnels should lead you to her domain, but...

Nope, no way. That's a dangerous road to start down – both literally and figuratively. You really shouldn't start down that path on your own, especially without anything to ward against the biting chill in the air. It's pretty bad down here, but the wind that gusts from further down the tunnel is even worse, cutting through you like a razor. Better to come back later, when you feel fully prepared to deal with things. For now, you should make your way back to the auction house. Elliot will be worrying, no doubt.

“Hello down there?” Elliot shouts when you return, your footsteps echoing up from the cavern, “Cassandra, I really do hope that's you I'm hearing!”

Yes yes, you tell him as you pull the loop of rope around your waist and tighten it up. Now, is he ready to pull you up?

“Bloody hell, you don't half like giving me all the hard work,” the fop grumbles as he starts to pull the rope, the thick cord growing taut as he takes in the slack, “God, if I knew it would be this hard to pull you up...”

He better stop right there, you shout, before he says something he regrets. You're not heavy – you're not! In the end, with a great deal of curses and complaints, Elliot manages to pull you back up to the surface. You imagine that the disgusting carpet is the only thing stopping the young man from collapsing back onto the floor in exaggerated strain. Rude.

“So...” he gasps, making a pantomime of wiping sweat from his brow, “Back to the fairies?”

>Please choose a character
>Cassandra
>Mia

>>43740399
>Mia
Meanwhile...

>>43740399
Petra, since you like third options so much

>>43740399
>Mia

>>43740428
Well aren't you a cute little Neutral.

>>43740399
>Mia

I think we can cut back to our leading lady now.

>>43740399
>Mia

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>>43740427
>>43740445
>>43740448
>>43740458

>http://pastebin.com/4keHKgX4

Your name is Mia Vespucci, and you've just had what could be charitably described as an “educational” experience. Frankly, you kind of wish you hadn't.

Still, you've rescued Leon from the clutches of his amorous captor – taking you one step closer to completing the task Amelia gave to you. In all honesty, you're more focussed on moving forwards than resting in your laurels – rescuing Leon is great and all, but Marco – your father – is still out there, held captive by the Intoxicating One himself. Whoever that is. Rescuing him won't be nearly as easy as beating up a lusty fairy either – you'll need preparation, planning, new recruits...

“Still sleeping,” Petra announces as she enters the hall, shouting across the length of the room to you. Leon, you assume she's talking about. Fair enough – the young man probably had a lot of rest to catch up on. An easy smile on her face, Petra crosses across and sits opposite you. “I have a good feeling about this, yes?” she says, “We're making progress quickly. I think Amelia will be very pleased with us, yes?”

Sure, you tell her, but you're not finished yet. You tell her about Marco, and your doubts. Will you ever be ready to rescue him? The fortress alone is guarded by “a beast that cannot be killed”, or so Titania claims. She saw what it did to their famous hero, didn't she?

“Maybe so,” Petra nods sagely, “But we'll just have to kill it harder than he did. Easy, yes?”

You snort, laughing hard into a clenched fist. Life, for Petra, must seem so simple and clear cut. If it moves, and she doesn't like it, hit it. If it doesn't move, or she does like it, don't hit it.

“That's not fair,” Petra protests, “Sometimes I hit things that don't move as well. Punching bags, yes? Ah, but a girl like you wouldn't know – never seen the inside of a gym, have you?”

Well...

>>43740727

“Ladies,” Elliot, entering the hall with a flourish, says, “We're back from the frozen north. Please, keep your applause to less than a minute – I'm the modest sort, you see.”

“Speaking of never seeing the inside of the gym...” Petra grins, clapping twice – two slow, sarcastic sounds that ring out, “Cassandra is with you, yes?”

“She went to the healer's, said she had a very important thing to do,” Elliot shrugs, “Say, um, I couldn't help but notice – while I was there – a certain rugged gentleman dozing nearby. Should I assume, from that, that you've found your man?”

“He's not my man,” Petra scowls, as if the idea itself is insulting, “But that's Leon, yes.”

Is that, you ask carefully, a problem? You remember the allusions to their colourful history that Elliot had made – owing money to certain people, and hiding out lest Leon try to squeeze the money out of him. You'd really rather not have your little group breaking down into infighting because of a stupid gambling debt. So if there's anything Elliot needs to do or say...

“Ah, not a thing,” Elliot tells you hastily, his voice growing shrill with suppressed panic, “Just, you know, if he should happen to try and knock seven bells out of me, would you do me a favour and, uh, stop him? You know, if it isn't too much trouble.”

“Maybe,” Petra begins with a cruel smile, “You should pay your debts, yes? I wouldn't be very happy if someone owed ME money.”

“Oh yes, just pay the debt, why didn't I think of that?” Elliot rolls his eyes, “Let me just get out my bulging wallet and peel off some bills. Because, you see, the only reason I hadn't paid if off until now is because I LOVE living in mortal peril!”

Hopeless, you mutter as you shake your head in mock despair, those two are hopeless. Before you get dragged into their argument, maybe you should go somewhere.

>Visit Cassandra
>You saw a library earlier...
>Take a walk in the forest

>>43740879
>You saw a library earlier...

Hey Moloch, you totally forgot Joseph's existence again huh?

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>>43740923

Entirely correct

>>43740923
>>43740879
Actually scratch the library vote

>Take a walk in the forest
Have Hua Po show us around.

>>43740879
>Take a walk in the forest

>>43740879
>Take a walk in the forest

Let's look for not Mara.

>>43741118
>>43741010
>>43740987

You feel like getting some fresh air, you say to nobody in particular as you rise from the table. As you're leaving the hall, you almost walk right into Joseph as he is entering. Murmuring an apology – you flat out didn't see him there – you slip past him and hurry down the palace corridors. Now you feel the need to be on your own even more, fleeing from some perceived awkwardness. You were supposed to be looking out for Joseph, not running right into him!

By the time you reach the entrance to the forest, you feel able to see the funny side of things. Stretching, letting out a heavy sigh, you stride into the trees. The warmth here is lovely, especially compared with the chill weather that awaits you in the human world – or worse, the savage weather in the demon world. Here, though, you can relax and enjoy yourself. You summon Hua Po and let the little fairy guide you into the forest, her body glowing like an oversized firefly. The woods are silent, peaceful and-

“Hey you!” a voice calls out from the trees, “Yeah, you! On your own this time, huh? Got a lot of guts for a punk kid!”

Of course, there was that. Some loudmouth trying to lure you out into a trap. How... relaxing.

“So, um, boss?” Hua Po asks tentatively, “Are we going to, ah, go and see what they want?”

Well, you'd have to be pretty foolish to wander into such an obvious trap, but you've got to admit to a certain curiosity. Just what could be out there, shouting constantly for you to fall into their clutches? You do sort of want to investigate things, and it might lead to something good. Still, you ARE on your own...

>Follow the voice
>Do something sensible instead (Write in)

>>43741222
>Follow the voice
Worst comes to worst we can throw Leanan Sidhe at it and run. Though I doubt thats necessary knowing who it is.

>>43741222
>Follow the voice
You gunna get recruited.

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>>43741292
>>43741357

“Boss, this is bait,” Hua Po says quickly as you take a step into the forest, “I mean, this is really obvious bait.”

Sure, you tell her, but you're still going to take it. You were curious, from the moment you first heard that irritating voice, but at that time you had other things to do. Better things to do. Now though, all you've got to look forwards to is watching Petra and Elliot bickering with each other – and really, if you've seen that spectacle once, you've seen every variation of it. Besides, if you linger around them too long, one of them will expect you to take their side. No thanks.

“So you're really going to come this way?” your unseen enemy taunts, “Hah, you failure of a human, I'll give you a real treat. Just you wait!”

Glancing down at Hua Po – the little fairy gives you a helpless shrug – you march off into the undergrowth. Your footsteps crash and rustle through the long grass and ferns, but you care little about the noise you make. You can make as much noise as you like, considering that you're trying to attract attention. After a short, but fairly strenuous walk, you stumble into a clearing. The last time you were viciously taunted by that irksome voice was some time ago, and you're starting to wonder if you took a wrong turn somewhere. As you go to sit on a fallen log, a shrill laugh pierces your ears.

“HaHAH, you thought you escaped me? Thought you gave me the slip, did you?” the voice calls out from behind you. Slowly, you turn and look up at the small winged girl in one of the trees. She grins victoriously at you, “You can never escape me!” she shouts, puffing out her chest with pride.

You... weren't trying to escape her – you were trying to FIND her!

“Uh...” the girl hesitates, “What?”

>I wanted to find you. Want to join my team?
>Let's just fight and get this over with
>You're annoying. I'm leaving
>Other

>>43741543
>I wanted to find you. Want to join my team?
"You seemed bored. Want to stick with me and go on adventure?"

>>43741543
>I wanted to find you. Want to join my team?

>>43741543
>>Other
Summon your Pokémon

>>43741543
>>I wanted to find you. Want to join my team?
Or we could just duke it out and I'll force you to join my team.

>>43741683
Might be best to leave that extra bit unspoken, just for now. See if she agrees or not right off the bat.

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>>43741598
>>43741622
>>43741683

You wanted to find her, that's what you said. You came here, you tell the winged girl carefully, to find her. She must be pretty bored, if her idea of fun is hanging out in a forest all day shouting abuse at passing strangers. She should be your friend instead and go on adventures, do adventure stuff. It's fun, you promise her, really!

“Fun?” the demon puffs out her cheeks, like someone trying to make themselves look as menacing as possible – pretty difficult, considering her small size. “I, the fearsome demon Moh Shuvuu, can't be swayed by something as petty as fun! I crack open men's skulls and feast on their brains, a failure of a human like you cannot possible compete with me!”

You look curiously at the demon. Despite her words, you find it pretty difficult to see her as a serious threat. She looks like the kind of girl who would shoot hundreds of bullets at you if you gave her half the chance, but that's not so intimidating. Frankly, you'd rather not beat her up if you can help it – you'd feel pretty bad about it, to be honest – so why doesn't she just skip the nonsense and sign up?

“Grrr, why won't you be afraid of me?” Moh Shuvuu cries, waving her little fists in the air, “I'll... I'll show you how fearsome I am, really! I just... I just need to think of a way to do it!”

Well, you offer, she could join your team. Then, when you're fighting all kinds of other demons, she can show off her skills. You'll definitely fear her then!

“Good idea!” the silly demon announces, “I'll fight for you and then, when everyone else is destroyed, you'll have no choice but to fear me! This is what I, the fearsome demon Moh Shuvuu, have decided!”

That's... really great, you say as you force a weak smile. What's with this attitude? Still...

>>43741848
Moh Shuvuu a cute, as usual.

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>>43741848
>“I'll fight for you and then, when everyone else is destroyed, you'll have no choice but to fear me! This is what I, the fearsome demon Moh Shuvuu, have decided!”

I like her already.

>>43741848
>She looks like the kind of girl who would shoot hundreds of bullets at you if you gave her half the chance
Is Moh Shuvuu a touhou?

>>43741848

This all felt like a strangely pointless diversion, but it at least gave you an excuse to get out and about for a bit. Maybe everyone will have calmed down a little by the time you get back to the fairy kingdom – they certainly couldn't get more worked up. Honestly, did Amelia have to deal with so much bickering and arguing when she was, well, human? It seems impossible that she could get anything done, if these were the misfits she had to work with.

Then again, considering what she said about Joseph, maybe you got off lightly...

You're still wondering about that when you return to the castle, only to be greeted by the very people you were thinking about. Assembled in a single group, you realise just how many people there are – certainly more people than you've ever known at any other point in your life. Elliot and Leon are standing at opposite ends, refusing to even look at each other, while Petra and Cassandra make up the middle of the group. Joseph takes a while longer for you to notice – he's in the back, not really making much of an impression. Still, if Leon is up and about...

“We're heading back to the human world,” Cassandra tells you, a trace of sadness in her voice. Would she really rather stay here?

“That's right. Isn't that lovely?” Elliot shrugs, “It's like coming home to rainy old London after a nice long holiday. Still, got to be done and all that. We've got to take this one,” he nods towards Leon, who bristles angrily at the mere gesture, “To see the boss. Get him all kitted out and – if I may be so bold – into some clean, intact clothes.”

Back to the human world. Meaning, of course, back to your house. Honestly, they treat that place like a hotel...

You wouldn't have it any other way.

>I'm going to have to stop there for today. Next thread on Sunday, I hope, and I'll stick around for a while in case of questions.

>>43742070
>Elliot and Leon are standing at opposite ends, refusing to even look at each other.

Man the story between those two must...something. Probably very awkward.

Thanks for the run boss. Cass and Leon say anything to each other when they met up?

>>43742148
>Probably very awkward.
I just want to know if they fucked

>>43741943
Honestly, she sounds like what Cirno would be if she specialized in Zan rather than Bufu.

>>43742148
>Cass and Leon say anything to each other when they met up?

Nothing of any real consequence - mostly just:
>What the fuck is going on?
>I'll explain everything later
Repeated a couple of times

>>43742185

They did.

>>43742192

She's the strongest!

>>43742268
>They did.
Welp

Random question, but if the characters from this quest had Persona Tarot Arcanas which would think they would have?

>>43742314
Amelia (Season 1 at least)
>Magician
>The Magician is all about all about self-motivation, perseverance and getting shit done. The card represents wanting to achieve something and having the self-power to achieve it.

Cass
>Star?
>The Star is a card of hope, optimism, regeneration and enlightenment. It’s one of those feel good cards that people like getting because it means that there are better things to come sometime in the future.
>Reversed, the card means that you’re dwelling too much on negative issues, or you’re getting distracted from finding all of this hope and etc.

Dunno about the others.

Mia might be a Fool maybe.

>>43742268
>Cass and Leon doing it

...Okay Moloch, now you're just fucking with us.

>>43742314

I was actually thinking about that the other day. Here's what I was able to come up with:
Petra: Chariot
Cass: High Priestess
Leon: Tower (possibly Devil)
Elliot: Fortune
Joseph: Justice or Hierophant
Amelia: Magician
Mia: Probably the Magician as well, but I'm less sure

I have a pretty slapdash knowledge of the tarot though!

>>43742406
No Elliote and Leon. Cass has Chu Chu

>>43742406
No, Elliot and Leon fucked,

>>43742406

Ah, no! That wasn't what I meant at all! I meant Leon and Elliot! Cass is the faithful type, no question

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>>43742192

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>tfw you think Chu Chu got keked 4 half a second.

But I do like the idea of Leon deciding to experiment with his sexuality only to end up fucking another woman. Its like the reverse of suprise buttsex

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>>43742439
Fuck, I knew I misread that.

>>43742544
>>43742599
It's like a very Lawful coffee morning in here
Seriously though. I've got to wonder just how Leon/Elliot happened.

>>43742616
Alcohol was likely involved.

>>43742616
Easy.

>Oy, you owe Harry Right Hand money
>I'll fuck you if you don't break my kneecaps ;)
>Uh . . . sure.
>Thank God that was a woman

>>43742616

Simply put, Elliot put on a skirt and went out for some casual sex. They hooked up with a very drunk Leon and went back to Elliot's place. Come morning, Leon wakes up and finds Elliot being a dude again. After the inevitable freakout, he flees. They don't see each other until Elliot shows up at a card game and borrows a lot of money. The rest is history!

Alright we almost have full elemental spread for Mia and a information dealer.

Now what cute girl has ice powe-
I miss Undine.

>>43742725
We all do, Undine was based. Still now she's head of the Amala network, probably got a rank up too so she's on Titania's level.

>>43742710
Wow, so Elliot raped Leon? I'm triggered Moloch. And then he got raped again for days by some crazy lady. This is not ok. I just came here to relax and now I'm experiencing PTSD. You need to apologize and quit questing.

>>43742771

Don't be silly, men can't be raped! :^)

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>>43742771
Ironic shitposting is still shitposting Pat. :^)

>>43742805
Thread's over I can shitpost as much as I want now.

Enchanted Rope. Enchanted Rope. Enchanted Rope.

>>43742796
Ha! Ha! Time for /pol/!

>>43742796
If its not spoiling for something later, what would have going to the library have gotten us?

>>43742821

You fool, now Elliot possesses the power of rope! No innocent men are safe!

>>43742854

Titania was there, and she would have talked a little about the previous cycle. Amelia and Carnby, mostly

>>43742870
Damn that would have been a nice moment. Still glad we got Moh though.

>>43742887

Well, I'm sure the opportunity will arise sooner or later.

Also, Moh Shuvuu is 2cute. Making her ridiculously chuuni gave me a sensible chuckle as well

>>43743045
So yeah. Amelia, Cass, and Leon. The oldest crew is back together.

Next thread will be interesting.

>>43743152
I honestly can't predict how things are going to go down.

Just kidding. It's going to be a disaster. Is there anyone in this quest who isn't seriously dysfunctional?

>>43743303
Joseph

which is why we keep forgetting him

>>43743303
Undine? Mister Black and Red?

>>43743324
Kinda waiting for Joseph to get on with it and turn evil already. It's going to happen, I'd put money on it

>>43743329
We need to go see 2dads again sometime. They're pretty cool

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>>43743362
>Kinda waiting for Joseph to get on with it and turn evil already. It's going to happen, I'd put money on it

I'll bet against you on that. I think he genuinely wants to make things right and he even said he resents the fuck outta Mastema.

>>43743362
>>43743398

Like many characters, Joseph's ultimate fate will largely be a result of other choices - Mia's in particular!

I'm awake, and now Mia is starting to fill her roster.

I hope you guys aren't planning on finding the Deathstone just so Mia can recruit Alice.

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>>43745218
Uhhhh. Maybe?

>>43745218
>aren't planning on finding the Deathstone just so Mia can recruit Alice.
Well I am now.

>>43745269
>>43745287
just as pla- I mean, SIGH, of course you are.

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>>43745287
>>43745313
Max capacity demons in the last cycle got up to 12 right?

>Mia has half her team of cute little girls
>The other half is ALL THE FIENDS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqOF1MnZnrc

>>43745366
Leon recruits Pale Rider.jpg

>>43745366
>Mia meets Matador
>Truly you are an opponent I cannot underestimate! Have at thee!

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I wonder if there can be multiple Deathstones.

Daisoujou and Petra went together well I think.