>>43806367

That's why you came here, to the fairy kingdom, in the first place. To do your research, to make your plans – anything, really, as long as you're making yourself useful. Mia and Cassandra are doing their bit, as are Joseph and the new guy. That leave you to take Elliot out and see what you can learn here – at least here, in the fairy kingdom, the fop won't be able to spend any more of someone else's money. That's one thing demons have over humans – who ever heard of a demon working up a debt over something stupid?

With Elliot trailing behind you, you make a path straight for the archives. A few pixies pass you by, but none of them try to stop you – if anything, they hastily get out of your way, fluttering away down the corridor like startled birds. Nobody bars your path as you descend down the stairs to the archive, letting out a low sigh as you see the vast shelves, heavy with the weight of countless books. A dozen scholars could lose their lives here, all without making a dent in the sum total of the gathered knowledge. Assuming it is knowledge stored here and not cookbooks and fanfiction, or other such rubbish.

“Well!” Elliot says lightly as he takes in the sight before him, “With trees like that one outside, I'm not surprised they have so many books!”

Grunting something that comes close to a reply, you stride off down the rows of books. You remember... getting lost here. Lost in a maze of endlessly looping corridors while Amelia screamed for your help. An illusion, of course, but one that haunted your dreams for the remainder of the time you spent in that world. That bastard angel – and he never even got his comeuppance...

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>>43806372

You're still wandering aimlessly – are you supposed to, what, just pick a random book and start reading? - when you hear a quiet sound, the rustle of paper. Maybe someone to help you – or, even better, someone who can just give you the information you need! You're not an idiot or some kind of illiterate fool, but you'd be perfectly fine with skipping the book learning just this once. Time is of the essence, and the world is at risk.

Or so Amelia claims.

Shaking your head, your long braid slapping lightly against a stack of leather bound books, you turn into the next row and follow the sound of pages turning. A few paces more and you see the culprit. You... know her. You recognise her blank, masked face and the sweeping cloak she wears – and she wears not much else. Scathach, the wish old witch who once saved your sight with an act of esoteric surgery. You wondered if you'd ever see her again.

“Well now,” the female demon says with slow curiosity, “I wondered if I'd ever see you again.”

That was a thing she did sometimes, you recall, plucking the words right out of your mind. You never learned if it was some kind of magic, or if she was just supremely skilled at reading people. There might not even be a difference between the two...

“Now,” Scathach – she hovers at her desk, rather than sitting – purrs, “It's rare to see a human in the Hall of the Scholar-King. What can I do for you?”

>There's something wrong with my eye, the one you... replaced.
>We need your help with fighting The Shackle
>Scholar-King?
>Other

>>43806383
>>Scholar-King?

Then
>There's something wrong with my eye, the one you... replaced.

Then
>We need your help with fighting The Shackle

How's it going Moloch?

>>43806422

>I'm pretty good today, thanks!

>>43806422
>>43806383
This

>Still, you know that it cannot be.
Might have been if you joined earlier, she kinda only knew you for like 3, more like 2 days.

>>43806422
>>43806497

The Hall of the Scholar-King? You never knew this place had a name – you just called it the library, or the archives or the book place, depending on how you were feeling at the time. A pretty grand name, now you think about it, although the title itself means very little to you. You don't really know any kings, or any scholars, so...

“But you did, once,” Scathach corrects you, “The human Carnby, in time, was taken as Titania's husband. Even then, he spend so much time here in the archives that the people started to call him that, the Scholar-King. Titania herself ruled the kingdom alone, but she never made a decision without consulting him first. With his wise counsel and Titania's leadership, the kingdom flourished.” Scathach pauses here, sighing with contentment, “Of course, those days are long gone. Still, the name remains in memory of Carnby's noble contribution.”

You feel yourself smiling warmly at Scathach's story, reminding yourself to tell Amelia when you return to the human world. She'll want to know, even if she'd rather not admit it to anyone. You only knew her father briefly, but he struck you as a good sort. Maybe not WISE, but very smart. In the end, then, he was happy – you're glad of that. The happy memories fade slightly as you lower your voice slightly and tell Scathach that you've got a problem. Something wrong with your eye, the one that she once... replaced.

“Let me guess,” Scathach glances upwards, towards the ceiling, “Flickering back and forth between physical states, in blatant defiance of all logic and reason. Correct?”

Speechless, you feel yourself nodding. Was this, then, something she expected to happen, or just a lucky guess from a particularly cunning demon?

>>43806662

“I didn't expect it to happen,” Scathach admits, “But I had considered the possibility. Considered it, and dismissed it as impossible. There should be no way for a physical object like your eye to revert between states. In this world, it should just be a human eye – nothing else.”

So, you say slowly as you consider Scathach's definite words, she has no idea what's causing it?

“Well, if I had to guess...” Scathach's eyes focus on you as she thinks, “Due to the simple impossibility of it, a physical change would require an irregularity in countless metaphysical laws. That alone would hint at a kind of corruption, a degradation of the underlying fabric of reality. I'm not saying that's definitely what's going on, but...”

You're not sure you want to hear any more. Could this be the same underlying problem that might – eventually – lead to the end of the world? Scathach begins to think on that question but, before she has a chance to answer, you cut her off with a different question. You don't really have time to get bogged down in complicated debates – wizard shit, in other words. You're here to get her help in fighting The Shackle.

“What a strange coincidence!” the demon chuckles, in the voice of someone who doesn't believe in coincidences, “I'm here doing research on that very same subject. Perhaps we can pool our resources? I'm trying to learn how to kill something that cannot be killed – a fascinating subject, as I'm sure you'll agree.”

Sure, but has she found anything useful?

“The beast has two layers of defences,” Scathach tells you slowly, pointing at the open book before her, “A veil of illusions, banished by the light of the full moon, and a skin that turns aside all mortal blades. No wonder Cu Chulainn was defeated – that boy liked playing with that spear of his far too much...”

>>43806717

So you can't hit the damn thing unless the moon is shining on it and even then, hitting it won't actually do anything? You scowl hard and think. What, then, should you do to kill the bastard?

“Magic, one would expect,” Scathach flips a page on her book, “Burn it, shock it with lightning, flay the skin from its bones with killer winds. Really, using a sword or a spear is the most mundane thing you can do to someone. If you must murder, do it with a little bit of imagination at least!” She laughs cruelly for a moment, before the sounds of her mirth die. “Still, something bothers me...”

Something other than the fact that this beast mopped the floor with the fairy's greatest hero, she means?

“The Intoxicating One shouldn't be this smart,” Scathach murmurs, “He's not a fool, but this kind of defence is far beyond what he SHOULD be capable of. I suspect the presence of some other demon, working behind the scenes. A silent partner, perhaps? Ah, but you'll be the one to discover that, I'm sure. To that end, I have a gift to offer you – something from my personal stock. So, would you have something to attack with, or something to defend yourself with?”

>Attack
>Defend

>>43806793
>Attack
You know me Scathach.

>>43806793
>Attack
By the way is your old services still available?

>>43806793
>Attack

The defense is probably better desu, but this is Petra we're talking about

>>43806856
Maybe we can have Cass get her shield back. That thing was great.

Blocking Megidoloans and Fire of Sinai.

>>43806813
>>43806841
>>43806856

“Hold on a minute,” Elliot murmurs, “Got to just place a quick bet on this one. This is the most certain I've ever been about a bet.”

...So what if you're that predictable? You know what you're good at, and you like to stick with it. There is literally nothing wrong with playing to your strengths. Still seething with irritation, you return your gaze to Scathach and tell her that, yes, you'd rather attack.

“Let it be so,” Scathach intones, sweeping her hands across the desk. The air shimmers as her gloves hands pass through it and, after a moment, the shimmering light resolves itself into a long, heavy bladed sword. You're no expert in swords – identifying them, at least, but you do notice a slight red tint to the metal. “A sword of fire,” the demon tells you, “To light the way, wherever you might find yourself.”

Right, you say as you pick the weapon up and feel its comfortable weight in your hand. But more importantly, you'll be able to kill shit with is, yes?

“Yes,” Scathach sighs, “It will suffice for that task. Now, if you please, I have work of my own to attend to. Return here whenever you like, however, and I can forge new equipment for you. With, of course, the appropriate components. Demons, fresh and willing.” There is a note of pride in her voice as she says this – of course, she always did enjoy her work. You brought her many demons once, and her results never disappointed you.

Now then, with that useful information – and even more useful equipment – under your belt, it's about time you returned to the human world. The others should be getting back as well, unless they ran into any kind of trouble along the way.

>Return home
>Have Scathach forge a demon first

>>43807045
>Have Scathach forge a demon first
Oni

Instead of the that metal collar? jaws? last time maybe turn him into a strength enhancing necklace. Kinda have to be a tad more incognito when we revert to the human realm.

>>43807045
>Have Scathach forge a demon first
Oni

We will teach Dullahan to fight via example!

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>>43807045
>Have Scathatch forge Oni first

Ha! Ha! Time for SM/tg/!

>>43807100
>strength enhancing necklace
Why not a spiked collar ?

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>>43807270
>Petra in a collar and leash
>mfw

>>43807270
Either or. Both fill up the Neck slot.

The necklace I had in mind had Oni's fangs or something.

>>43807323
lewd

>>43807100
>>43807147
>>43807200

You could use her services, actually. You've got a sword capable of cutting through demons, true, but you still need every advantage you can get if you hope to go toe to toe with a lot of them. That means, in this case, offering up one of your “friends” to the cunning witch.

“Then step into my office,” Scathach tells you, holding out her arm and leading you down the row of bookshelves. When you come to what you first assume to be a dead end, the demon waves her hand and the wall ahead of you vanishes. Inside, a large forge flares into life as Scathach approaches. “Place your device here, please,” she tells you, pointing to a flat tray at the bottom of the forge, “And make your offering.”

Sorry pal, you mutter under your breath as you tap Oni's icon, it's nothing personal. You do ask Scathach if she can make anything more subtle this time – the last time you sacrificed an Oni, you ended up with something that looked like a bear trap to wear around your face. Not really something you can walk about the human world wearing.

“Picture it in your mind, then,” Scathach whispers as you close your eyes, her voice creeping into your ears from what seems like all around you. “Picture it, the thing you desire... No, not that you fool, the ITEM you desire!”

You feel your cheeks burning as you focus your mind on... other things. A moment later, following some alien impulse, you know to open them again. Floating in the forge, bathed by flames but unharmed by them, is a necklace of brutal looking teeth. Reaching out, you take the necklace and string it around your throat, letting the strength within fill your body. It feels good – like you could take on the world.

“Feel free to return here at any time,” Scathach tells you as you turn to leave, “I welcome the chance to practice my skills.”

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>>43807413
>Picture it, the thing you desire... No, not that you fool

>>43807413

“What a strange woman,” Elliot says breezily as you both leave the castle, “Tell me, are all the people you used to know so peculiar? Not that I'm complaining, mind you – I've always been a fan of life's more eccentric types.”

You think back, scanning your mind. Pretty much, you decide, but then what did he expect? Demons and fairies have no reason to behave like sane, rational human beings. Even the most human looking of them have their fair share of quirks and peculiarities. Then again, you add with a smirk, he's got his own brand of craziness. Just once, you'd like to see him wearing a T-shirt, or something else ridiculously informal.

“Well that's never going to happen,” Elliot shoots back, “It would be a crime for a gentleman like myself to go anywhere in such slovenly attire! You might be happy, dressing like white trash all the time, but...”

Yeah yeah, you cut him off, taking your phone out and flipping to the Gateway app. You've had this little back and forth many times before, and you've become pretty damn efficient at it. This time though, you're in a hurry. Time to go home.

“Right then,” Elliot says, grasping your urgency at once and getting his own phone ready, “Shall we?”

Without bothering to answer, you press the icon and feel the shuddering transition take hold of you. The world around you grows twisted, the distant scenery fading out into blackness as the buildings around you stretch up, distorting until they loom over you like insane sculptures. Tensing up with sudden fear, you look down at your feet and see nothing beneath you, just inky blackness and a faint light around your feet.

“Little flies,” a sneering voice echoes out around you, “I've caught you at last...”

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>>43807521

>>43807521
>little flies
>panic.gif

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>>43807545
>>43807556
I don't think this is the same thing that keeps bothering Mia. This is something else

>>43807621
Yeah Counter Strike Source wouldn't try to pit Petra against Amelia. That just won't happen.

This is probably somebody from the Shackle pissed off at us fucking with their operations.

>>43807521

You've been here before.

This labyrinthine other world that existed outside and beyond any sane and rational world, as well as the chaotic existence of the demon world. You came here once before, and you came very close to never leaving. This is where you lost your eye – nearly losing your life in the process. There wasn't much in that other world that scared you, genuinely terrifying you, but the idea of being drawn back into this place certainly qualified.

And now your fears have come true. You're back here, and you've got no way to return. No magic ring or heroic rescue. Gritting your teeth, you close your eyes and try not to panic. That would be a lot easier, if it wasn't for one little thing.

“This isn't happening, this isn't happening,” Elliot mutters under his breath, hugging himself tightly as his voice rises and grows shrill, “This can't be happening!”

Over and over, he repeats that maddening mantra, the words turning a corkscrew in your mind until you have to fight down the urge to punch him unconscious. You'd be alone, but at least it would be quiet.

>Slap Elliot
>Calm him down peacefully
>Make a move. Leave him here if you have to
>Other

>>43807698
>Calm him down peacefully

No sense in panicking, yes?

>>43807698
>Calm him down peacefully
Try at least.

If that doesn't work then
>Slap Elliot

>>43807698
>>Other
Punch Elliot unconcious

>>43807735
We might need backup killing whatever is causing this.

Though I wonder if he is seeing something different.

>>43807698
>Calm him down peacefully

>>43807782
>>43807733
>>43807713

No, as much as you want to punch the scrawny fop unconscious, it wouldn't help in this situation. Not even the vilest of tortures could get you to admit this, but you don't want to be left alone here. Besides, dragging around his dead weight would only slow you down – and you don't want to be left with an awkward burden in a place like this. Relaxing your clenched fists, you take a firm grip on Elliot's shoulders and look him in the eye.

“This isn't right,” the young man stammers, “This just isn't right!”

Of course it isn't, you tell him as gently as you can manage, none of this is right. That doesn't mean, however, that he should panic. Panicking won't help either of you, yes? As you speak calmly to him, you can feel his slender arms trembling beneath the rough tweed of his suit. In a way, his fear only makes things worse for you – he's always been so calm, facing the abnormal and awful with nothing more than a smirk and a quip. Now though...

“C'mon, Red, tell me this isn't real,” he says hastily, a quivering smile crossing his lips, “Lie to me, if you have to!”

He knows who you are – that's a good start. That doesn't help you, though, with the next issue. IS this real? Maybe this is just some nightmare, drawn from the depths of your mind in an attempt to paralyse you with fear. If that's true, Elliot should be seeing something different...

Elliot, you snap, what is he looking at? What does he see around him?

“I don't want to look,” the young man stammers, “I can't...”

Buildings, twisted buildings and darkness beneath his feet – is that what he sees?

“Darkness beneath my...” Elliot freezes, looking down at his feet, “No, it's... wait...” He looks up at you again, the panic slowly leaving his eyes, “This ISN'T real!”

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>>43808018

That's all it takes, both of you refusing to believe in this phony vision of hell, for the illusion to break. It crumbles around you like the ruins of an ancient building, succumbing to decades of erosion in a matter of seconds. Relief washes over you in an awesome wave, and you soon find yourself laughing along with Elliot in desperate joy. You don't even mind that he grabs your arms and cheers openly.

When the last lingering remnants of the illusion fall away, you both find yourself standing in the fairy kingdom once more, surrounded by the tall trees and bathing in a deathly silence. No, not a silence – there is a low and menacing hiss seeping through the air from behind you. Turning, you push Elliot away and jump backwards, leaping away from the demon that lunges towards you. The thing is a horror, a blasphemy of writhing tendrils, and you feel your lips twisting into a sneer at the sight of it. In your hands, the sword begins to burn with flickering flames.

This monster right here, this is something you can fight. This is something you can kill.

>Summon Dullahan and fight
>Fight it on your own – you need the exercise
>Rouse Elliot so he can fight
>Other

>>43808053
>Summon Dullahan and fight
Fight together with her. Give her a few lessons.

Elliot should be able to get up on his own, we only pushed him out of the way.

>>43808053
>Summon Dullahan and fight
>Rouse Elliot if you can

>>43808088
>>43808053
This

Elliot's okay right? He just got knocked on his ass correct?

>>43808053
>>Summon Dullahan and fight
So I guess Half Life 3 is still unconfirmed. I don't want to jump to any conclusions but Mastema could do illusion stuff last time, couldn't he?

>>43808143
Yeah, but Pisaca can totally do that stuff too.

>>43808127
>Elliot's okay right? He just got knocked on his ass correct?

>He's fine, but he's pretty rattled. He CAN fight, but he'd need some time to recover first on his own

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>>43808053
Grin you psycho bitch, grin.
>Summon Dullahan and fight
Team up that fucker

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Rolled 19, 18 = 37 (2d100)

>>43808088
>>43808143
>>43808256
>>43808096

Tightening your grip on your new sword, you tap Dullahan's icon to summon the demon. Fighting like this, openly and honestly, is just what you needed at a time like this – something to clear your mind and banish those lingering memories of fear and helplessness. Here, with a good blade in your hand, you're anything but helpless.

No time to sit about, you call to Elliot as you and your armoured demon begin to size up the slavering monster before you. Nothing about it suggests any kind of intelligence – no hope of talking this one down. Not that you were planning on, of course.

Grinning from ear to ear with savage anticipation, you nod to Dullahan. She'll take it from the left, you'll hit it from the right. If he FEELS like it, Elliot can help. You shout that last bit, but the young man shows no sign of rousing from his dazed stupor. He doesn't look like someone who was celebrating just a few minutes ago...

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

Rolled 14, 10 = 24 (2d100)

>>43808302
Get em!

>>43808302

Rolled 36, 58 = 94 (2d100)

>>43808302
>Those rolls

baka

Rolled 82, 98 = 180 (2d100)

>>43808302

Rolled 9, 50 = 59 (2d100)

>>43808302
It's go time, yes?

>>43808341

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>>43808344
Dullahan's learning.

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>>43808344
Jesus, why the fuck do we roll so well? It's making me paranoid.

>>43808371
Nah its just Karma for Dullahan's performance against Oni. Even things out.

>>43808344

Now you see why you needed to be paralysed by an illusion, if THIS was to be your assassin. It moves so slowly, like all of its boneless limbs are caught in molasses. Sure, it looks disgusting, especially with that slavering mouth dividing its torso, but just being nasty to look at isn't enough – it needs to fight like a human, pushed to the brink of death.

Once, you were that human. Not any more – this time, you're the survivor. You're the victor.

As the drooling demon lunges towards you, you hop backwards out of its reach, letting it flail wildly at empty space. It groans pathetically as it does so, that loathsome mouth biting and chewing at nothing. As it begins to straighten up in preparation for another attack, you stride closer and thrust with the sword. It feels so natural, like an extension of your own arm, and it takes very little effort to plunge the blade right into that awful mouth. Reeling backwards as the flaming blade begins to cook it from within, the demon lurches back into Dullahan's range, tugging the sword out of your grip as it does so.

Dullahan failed you once before, but this time you've got no complaints. She steps smoothly aside as the enemy stumbles past, before bringing her sword around in a rapid arc that parts its head from its body. A fatal strike, but Dullahan lets her blade flash out once more regardless. With that second flourish, the demon falls apart, cut vertically down the middle. Dissolving rapidly into a vile-smelling soup, it isn't long before you can retrieve your burning blade. Shaking some slime from it, you slide it back into your belt.

That felt good.

>>43808562

Taking a deep breath to help wash away the last of the adrenaline filling your body, you stride over to Elliot and offer him your hand. He takes it gratefully, and you pull him up from the grass. You nearly chide him for skipping out on the battle like that, but... you can't really bring yourself to do so. You were both subjected to a nightmarish illusion, and he doesn't have half the experience you do. He buckled – it happens.

As he dusts himself off, you can't help but wonder what would have happened if you'd been alone. Without someone else to ask about the vision, you might very well have taken it for the real thing. What, then, if that loathsome demon had crept up on you while you were lost in your own mind? No doubt it would still be pushing chunks of you into that yawning maw at this very moment. The idea alone is enough to make you shudder.

“Close one, that,” Elliot says, reading your expression, “Nasty bloody trick that thing played on us. I hate to think what would have happened if... Well, no point worrying about it now, is there?”

No point at all, you agree – as if you hadn't just been imagining that exact same thing in vivid detail. Better to put it behind him, you tell Elliot. Learn from it, but don't dwell on it. You say this as you start to wander through the forest towards the exit. Once you're back in the demon world, you can Gateway out to the human world – for real, this time.

You're both walking for a while before Elliot speaks up. “Hey Red,” he asks, “What did you see?”

>Ignore his question
>Answer it
>Answer it – but only if he tells you what he saw
>Other

>>43808709
>>Answer it – but only if he tells you what he saw

>>43808709
>Answer it - but only if he tells you what he saw

>>43808709
>>Answer it – but only if he tells you what he saw

>>43808709
>>Answer it – but only if he tells you what he saw
Obviously a bunch of debt collectors

>>43808709
>Answer it – but only if he tells you what he saw
How long was Petra in that maze? Then she gets fucking blinded at the end.

>>43808773
>How long was Petra in that maze?
I can't remember exactly but I think it was about a day or something. I think she mentioned that starving to death had seemed like a possibility
>>43808746
>Obviously a bunch of debt collectors
>"There were so many of them! All those cricket bats!"

>>43808709
>Answer it – but only if he tells you what he saw
Time to pry!

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>>43808746

>>43808736
>>43808741
>>43808742
>>43808746
>>43808773
>>43808971

Sure, you'll tell him what you saw – but only if he tells you what HE saw first.

“Oh bugger,” Elliot sighs, as though he had been expecting that answer, “Maybe I'm not THAT desperate to know.”

Fine then, you tell him with a shrug, you weren't particularly desperate either. You can both just carry on like this, neither one of you wanting to talk about it. That's what you do for a while – walking in silence – before Elliot finally speaks up.

“Ah, look. I'd rather keep this between you and me, okay?” he says, hesitating a moment before continuing, “I was back at my old secondary school. I recognised it right away, lord knows I spent enough time in that bloody place. All of a sudden, I was younger – I must have been, oh, thirteen perhaps? That's how old I was when it really happened, and I suppose I must have been reliving it all.”

Reliving what, you ask as you stop walking, sitting down on a fallen log, reliving some terrible memory?

“Probably the most terrible one I have,” Elliot tells you quietly as he sits next to you, “It was late, after school, and I was lingering for some reason. That bit, I can't remember. Anyway, I heard a noise coming from one of the empty classrooms and so, like a bloody idiot, I went to see what was what. There were, I think, three guys from one of the older classes and they'd cornered a girl from my year. They were, ah, attacking her.”

They were what, you ask, beating her up?

“No,” Elliot corrects you gravely, “They were, you know, attacking her. I knew, there and then, that if they'd seen me, they would have...” he pauses here, swallowing heavily, “Killed me, I suppose. So, um, that's where I was. Standing outside that classroom, listening to this... attack. Never saw that girl again after that, you know, and I don't think I was ever the same. Bloody hell, now you've got to tell me yours, right?”

>>43809139

You swallow hard, tongue flicking out to wet your dry lips. You'd been expecting something... else. Debt collectors swinging a variety of blunt instruments or something like that. After hearing his story, you're not even sure how to put your own one into words.

“C'mon Red,” Elliot laughs nervously, the sound having a shrill kind of craziness to it, “You're really going to leave me swinging in the breeze after that? You've got to tell me, otherwise I'll be thinking about that bloody nightmare for weeks. At least I'll be able to think about YOUR bloody nightmare this way!”

Fine, you mutter. This all happened in your other life, in the world of transition. You were exploring – wandering, really – when you entered this place. A labyrinth, designed to steer roaming demons away from a hidden enclave of humans. It took you to a place outside reality, with no way for you to return home. There, lost and hopeless, you had wandered for some time – you can't even remember, now, how long it was. For a time, it seemed like your fate would be either starvation or suicide. Then, you were attacked by some formless monster.

“And that's what you saw?” Elliot asks quietly, “That monster?”

Not that thing, you bark out a blunt laugh that surprises even yourself, you killed that thing stone dead. As it was dying though, it lashed out at you – it blinded you, gouging your eye right out. In the end, you were left there – blinded and helpless – until Amelia found you. That was your nightmare, you tell him, reliving that hopeless wander though an empty world. Now, you cry as you leap to your feet, time to leave! The others will be waiting, yes?

“I'm sure,” Elliot nods, “Ah, I could do with a nice cup of tea to settle my nerves.”

>>43809139
>They were, ah, attacking her.”
>They were what, you ask, beating her up?
>“No,” Elliot corrects you gravely, “They were, you know, attacking her. I knew, there and then, that if they'd seen me, they would have...”
Petra was kinda dense at this moment huh.
Is that the moment Elliot decided to crossdress?

>>43809291
>implying it wasn't actually Elliot

>>43809306
I don't think so. That story didn't seem like the victim pretending to be the spectator.

I think >>43809291 is right though.

>>43809192

Thankfully, your real journey back to the human world goes off without a hitch. You both appear, out of sight, in an alley not so far from Hyde Park. Some cunning aspect of the device, you realise, seeks out a place hidden from view to place you. Fortunate, considering that two humans appearing out of thin air might attract a little more attention than you'd like. When the realisation sinks in – you're both safe, beyond all doubt – you share a long sigh of relief.

“I wonder what happened to everyone else,” Elliot says, almost to himself, “I'd put money on them getting the easy ride though – something about you, Red, must attract trouble. Maybe the fact that you go seeking it out.”

You just don't like to be bored, you tell Elliot with a grin that is only slightly forced.

“I couldn't possibly imagine how anyone like you could ever manage to be bored,” the young fop tells you, “Or how anyone around you manages to be bored for that matter. Still...” he checks his phone and lets out a curious hum, “I wonder if the group can spare a few moments. Fancy that cup of tea? I don't live that far from here, actually.”

It takes you a moment to realise that he just invited you over to his place. You... don't know what to think about that.

>Reject him outright. You're spoken for
>Let him down gently. You're still on the clock
>Accept his offer. Maybe you could do with some time to unwind
>Other

>>43809373
>>Reject him outright. You're spoken for

>>43809373
>Accept his offer. Maybe you could do with some time to unwind

"He" is reasonably aware that Petra is Ameliasexual, it's just tea.

>captcha is waterfalls
That seems just a little symbolic.

>>43809373
>Accept his offer. Its honestly probably just tea.

I don't think talking about rape and starvation in mazes gets one in the mood.

>>43809373
>>Accept his offer. Maybe you could do with some time to unwind

>>43809373
>>Accept his offer. Maybe you could do with some time to unwind
The world isn't going anywhere for the next hour or so

>>43809449
>>43809373
Pretty much this. Besides wasn't Petra at Elliot's place before when Mia went missing?

>>43809408
Has it been that overt?

>>43809373
>>Reject him outright. You're spoken for

>>43809504
>>43809500
>>43809449
>>43809408

Well... maybe you could use a little time to relax and unwind. The world isn't going to explode in the next hour or anything, and it IS just a cup of tea. It's not like he's inviting you over to the orgy he planned or anything, yes?

“Of course not,” Elliot tells you, “That's next week.”

He laughs aloud as you splutter, taken aback by his utterly deadpan delivery. Okay, you admit when you've both recovered, he got you that time. You actually believed him for a moment there.

“Really?” Elliot raises his eyebrows, “I fear you've severely overestimated either my pulling power or my budget, depending. No, I'm afraid the most I'll be able to stretch to is a cup of my finest. There might be something a little harder tucked away somewhere – ah, innuendo entirely unintended – but I think we should keep our heads clear. You never know when the others might call, or need us to do something important. Wouldn't do to be as drunk as a lord if that happens, would it?”

Small talk fills the void as you return to his apartment building – a rather dismal concrete monolith not to dissimilar to your own. As you look up at it, you recall what happened not long after you first met. Mia had gone missing, pulled back into the demon world by some irregularity in the barrier. After looking around, Elliot had suggested coming back here to wait things out. You'd almost punched him, then, taking his offer as an attempt at hitting on you. Now, only a few days later, you never thought you'd be coming here willingly.

“I should warn you,” Elliot tells you, “My lodgings are hardly suitable for a man of my poise and dignity. Cash flow problems, I'm sure you understand.”

Considering the kind of shit-pit you live in, anything would seem glamorous to you.

>>43809373
>>Accept his offer. Maybe you could do with some time to unwind

File: Elliot.jpg (148 KB, 450x703)

148 KB JPG

>>43809775

You've got to admit, Elliot really does live in a shitty apartment. It's messy and cluttered, with the wardrobe being the only thing in the entire place that looks even remotely taken care of. Looking at the place, you feel a few of your assumptions about Elliot shattering and falling away. Weren't gay guys supposed to be neat and tidy?

“Ah, don't worry about the mess,” he tells you bashfully as he waves towards a seat, “I've been so busy lately that I've not had time to keep things in an acceptable state. Maybe I should just move over and live with Mia – now that would be a lovely little home to come back to!”

You've got to agree. It's been nice these past few days, staying at somewhere that doesn't present itself as a health hazard.

Elliot laughs to himself as he fiddles around in the kitchen, emerging a moment later with two cups of tea. You smell yours cautiously – no alcohol smell there – and take a sip. It's good – just the thing to lift you up after a hard day. As he drinks his own tea, Elliot looks you in the eye for a moment, as though he's evaluating you. Whether he's pleased or not with what he sees in you is unclear, but he breaks eye contact a few seconds later. “I must confess,” he says slowly, “I had an ulterior motive in bringing you here.”

Did he now...

“I needed to ask you something,” Elliot's voice is deadly serious, “Please, try and be as objective about this as possible.” He waits a moment, but then when you remain silent, he continues. “Do you trust Amelia? I mean, absolutely and blindly trust her? Like I said, please think very carefully about this.”

>Of course I do!
>Maybe there are... moments...
>Refuse to answer
>Other

>>43809939
>>Maybe there are... moments..

>>43809939
>Of course I do!
"I mean, she's changed some since last time, but I know she is trying her best."

>>43809939
>Of course I do.
Why do you ask?

>>43809939
>Of course I do!
I owe her a lot. And she is the only thing keeping this world from ending like it should have months ago.

>>43810140
>And she is the only thing keeping this world
She's just stalling the inevitable a bit. And the world ending is her fault too.

>>43810269
>She's just stalling the inevitable a bit.
You don't that just yet. Might be true. Might not.

>And the world ending is her fault too.
Yeah she messed up but its better than it has been in who knows how many cycles. Also not sure how that correlates to not trusting her.

>>43810140
>>43810048
>>43809996

Of course you do, you reply instantly. She's changed a little, since the days you knew her as human – of course she has, considering the circumstances – but she's trying her best. You know that!

“I see,” Elliot replies, his face and voice both curiously blank.

So, you ask a moment later as he sips his tea, why is he asking you this?

“Please, look at things from my perspective,” Elliot begins slowly, “So far, Amelia has been less than perfect – she's hardly the most reliable of people when it comes to keeping those demons from crossing over, and she's worryingly erratic. You saw what she did to Joseph – she can fiddle about in people's minds like they're nothing more than a box of toys. What if she did that to you, giving you this absolute loyalty?”

This “absolute loyalty” he's talking about comes from the fact that you owe her a lot. He knows all about owing people things, doesn't he? Ah, you spit, but he doesn't know about paying people back, does he? Besides, if it wasn't for Amelia keeping the barrier up, the world would have ended long ago!

“I understand, I really do,” Elliot holds his hands up against your anger, “I just wanted to know. In the interests of honestly, I'll tell you what I think. I do believe that Amelia has the best of intentions – I'm just not sure that her idea of the best possible outcome is the same as ours. I just wanted to make sure that, if everything starts going wrong, you won't turn into some murderous fanatic.”

That... you fall silent here, thinking about Joseph's absolute willingness to commit atrocities in the name of his god. Is that what Elliot sees when he looks at you?

“Well,” Elliot murmurs, glancing down so his eyes do not meet yours, “Not yet.”

>I won't end up like that, I promise
>Either way, this is none of your business
>We're finished here. I'm leaving
>Other

>>43810366
>I won't end up like that, I promise
"What did Mia say again? 'Go give her a piece of my mind'. You can trust me to do that if I feel we aren't going in the right direction."

>>43810366
>I won't end up like that, I promise

And >>43810397 this yeah.

She hasn't been human and interacted with humans in a long time. We just need people to remind her of stuff once and awhile which Mia pretty much has already been doing.

>>43810397
>>43810442

You're silent for a long moment after that, thinking hard about Elliot's implication. So what if you like to fight, and so what if you ARE devoted to Amelia? That doesn't mean you're about to start slaughtering innocents or beheading anyone who insults her. That's just... absurd. On the other hand, though, doesn't he have the right to be suspicious? He doesn't know her like you do – hell, he barely knows anyone in your little group, of course there's going to be... conflict.

You won't end up like that, you promise him in a firm voice. A long time ago – at least, it feels like a long time now – Mia talked about giving Amelia a good talking to, whenever the deity happened to start behaving badly. If you think things are going wrong, or even just heading in a direction you don't like, you'll be the first to tell Amelia about it.

“The second, I imagine,” Elliot corrects you drily, “Dear little Mia sees to be doing your job for you, in that regard.”

Well yes, you admit with a smile, glad to see the young fop taking you at your word. Amelia hasn't been human for a long time, you remind him, and she spent a long time without the chance to speak with her friends. She just needs to have people around her, to make sure she remembers everything about humanity. That's a job you're perfectly willing to do.

“You know,” Elliot says lightly, trying to salvage some of the mood, “You've never told me exactly what Amelia means to you. She's more than a friend, isn't she?”

You've never told him, you agree with a sly smile, and perhaps you never will. Doesn't he know that a gentleman never tells?

>I'll have to draw things to a close for tonight. Next thread, back with Mia, on Friday and I'll stick around in case of any questions

>>43810698
Thanks for the run boss.

I gotta run out the door, so see you Friday.

>>43810698
So did Elliot have any other motives for inviting Petra over?
Would there be an option to accept them?

>>43810698
>She's more than a friend, isn't she?”
Just a tad yeah.

Thanks for running Moloch.

>>43810793
Unless Petra is really jonsing for some casual sex I don't really see it.

>>43810736

Thank you for your contributions!

>>43810793

Well, there wasn't going to be anything indecent happening, that's for sure!

>>43810899
So here's a question. Was it really that Picasa that was putting Petra and Elliot into the illusion?

>>43811100
>Was it really that Picasa that was putting Petra and Elliot into the illusion?

Nope, it was something else