>>44289069

Meditation is a fitful slumber as you struggle with Dramir's sorrows, hatred, and thirst for revenge. As you awaken in your claimed bedchambers, you hear the sounds of a waning day as the Concerto Crickets tune their instruments before their nightly performance. The hustle of the liberated Guisi dies down as you can see through the window, fires built up to burn away the chill of the night and allow the many freed to celebrate as well as remember those that have returned their threads to Thespia.

A deep breath fills your lungs with the crisp smoke of burning wood, uttering a slight cough.

Dramir's gone silent in your heart once more, waiting and watching for the resolution you've offered to his grief.

There's a creak at your back as the door opens, the red-furred ears of Eko peeking in before the rest of her head follows. She looks at you with a vacant animalistic stare for a moment until her eyes come into focus. “Hello there Reaper. Are you feeling well?”

“As well as I might.” You say just a step above a whisper. Her ears flick as they catch your words.
“I'll be leaving tomorrow morning to face the Lord of Bikanel Manor. I've been told that he's a naive, insufferable prat, but we'll see.”

The fox woman meanders further in, her footsteps as gentle as they might be stepping over the freshly fallen leaves of autumn. She starts to reach out as she nears, but she catches your gaze and falters, keeping to herself rather meekly, “It is not the business of we Proteans to interfere in affairs with Thespians in such a way. At best, we like to stay out of the limelight... If I were to accompany...”

>>44289089

“I do not believe that I even began to ask you to ask that you come with us.” You turn more fully, and stare at the fox woman as her ears droop under your scrutiny. “You assisted me, and you saved those children... However you let the others die. I am not sure what to think of if you call that avoiding Thespian disputes.”

“I... am sorry.” Eko nearly mumbles before raising her volume, “Magic of the Thread may be imposing to some, however to a PoP magician like yourself, I am nothing. If only you could smell the concentration of Fate that you pacted Thespians command. If I'd intervened with that Murderer, I'd have died as well. Who would've...”

“I do not need excuses Eko.” You turn away from her, clenching the rim of the window as you consider your choices throughout her imposed silence.

>[“I would have you with us. However, do not expect us to forgive that.”]
>[“As mad as I am, I understand. You're free to come with us if you wish.”]
>[“Do what you will, however I will not tolerate it if you follow us.”]
>[Write in.]

>>44289104
>[“As mad as I am, I understand. You're free to come with us if you wish.”]
Only 40 minutes delay.

>>44289104
>[“I would have you with us. However, do not expect us to forgive that.”]
Took you a while

>>44289104
>[“I would have you with us. However, do not expect us to forgive that.”]

>>44289104
>[“I would have you with us. However, do not expect us to forgive that.”]

>>44289104
>[“As mad as I am, I understand. You're free to come with us if you wish.”]

>>44289104
>[“Do what you will, however I will not tolerate it if you follow us.”]
Fuck her

>>44289104
>[“I would have you with us. However, do not expect us to forgive that.”]

>>44289104

“It will take time for us to forgive, if ever we do.” You stare at Eko with a harsh glare. “However you are welcome to join us to atone if you have any respect for the dead.”
Turning away from the fox, you look out to the sky as it slowly changes from Sol's day to Luna's night, the colors of transition painted across the vast sky into the far horizon as He sets to the West.

“I... understand.” Eko says, barely above a whisper before scurrying off, slamming the door.

With a deep exhale, you can feel a tremble within yourself as the conflict between how much you'd like to understand her and the grudge that still lingers for her failure. “Have I not already said that without forgiveness you will not find lasting peace?”

“...” Dramir is silent for a moment, “This wound is still fresh. It will take time.”

“I'd appreciate if you didn't let it bleed into my words.” You say through grit teeth as your head pounds.

“And allow you to let others walk over the memory of the dead while wearing my face?”

“You do not even try to listen, do you?”

“What is there to listen for when you're no better than those that would tell me to stay my hand when we are wronged.”

“Just be quiet.” You yell out, slamming your fist into the wall, with a hard thud against the brick. It hurts, but the voice ceases its prattle and the pounding headache stops again.
With each passing moment you grow weary of the choice to keep this face... Yet there are still things unfinished in this role.

>[Pay respect to the dead at the fires.]
>[Speak to the Scythe for its opinion.]
>[Listen to something's voice...(This room, this bed, the pen upon the desk...)]
>[Write in.]

>>44289678
>[Pay respect to the dead at the fires.]

>>44289678
>[Pay respect to the dead at the fires.]

>>44289678
>[Pay respect to the dead at the fires.]

>>44289678
>[Pay respect to the dead at the fires.]
What does PoP stand for again?

>>44289743
Pact of Players. Or Pact of Partnership.

Proteans cannot make pacts like Thespians can, this is why they trend towards other methods of manipulating fate.

>>44289678
>[Pay respect to the dead at the fires.]

>>44289678
>[Speak to the Scythe for its opinion.]

>>44289678
>>[Speak to the Scythe for its opinion.]
if Dramir is being like that, going to the dead may not be wise.

>>44289678

Walking down from the Barrack's Office, you step upon the sodden, infertile earth of the broken mining camp and head towards the fires as some Guisi walk around the fire, others simply watch the ceremony for the dead. Elder Sam of Donner's Pass among one of the groups staying out of the way.

Cornel, Valce, and Gaffer all look on upon the ritual, solemnly joining in the slow pace around the fire when they see a space opening up.

Part of you doesn't quite understand the significance of the ritual. You see Mira in one pass of the mourning walk.

As you approach, you consider whether or not you should join... Then you step forward and wait for a space where you can slip into the circle. Walking with the others, you start trying to reason out the meaning behind such a ceremony. Then, you hear the words of the Pyre:

“-Luna take the threads of the dearly dead and lend them unto Sol. May he make them whole once more and come to our shores, and be woven once more at home. May Luna take the threads...” It repeats. Though born for a singular purpose, the blaze of the pyre knows its lines even as those that tend the fire feed it.

>>44291005

You can feel the stares of those that look upon the ritual.

“This is not the funeral that we'd perform at Aurel, yet it will... It will do.” Dramir whispers as he listens to the repeating fire. You wonder if the other Guisi can hear its leading chant. Dipping your head down, this simple march goes on until late at night...
Awaking before the break of Sol's dawn, you pack what provisions you can, saying little to others as you ready yourself for the journey ahead. Sleep did not come easily to you the previous night with yours and Dramir's disagreements. With decent travel clothes that you “acquired” from the Danhor's stores, you feel more like a Thespian ready for the road this time.

Too early for the many to pay attention to your departure, you do your best at keeping a low profile. Not many of the Thespians here hail you as “The Reaper Of Aurel,” at least, not without some snigger of a mocking tone. The ones that followed you, that believed in you the most are gone, all that's left is... well, whoever shows up to the north gate. Waiting against the palisade, you can't help but feel that pain in your heart as you say goodbye to this place. A nearly thankless liberation, a hero all but scorned, yet...

“I never asked to be a hero. The only thing I desire is that the blood of the Hylon and their thralls runs across Thespia.” Dramir whispers into your mind grimly.

As you await, Odette is the first one you see approach. She answers your gaze with her own, and settles beside you. “Anyone else coming?” She asks.

>>44291025

“Mira, perhaps Eko. When Sol peeks over the mountain range, we go.”

Some time passes and Mira is the next to come, avoiding your gaze as she arrives. Saying nothing, she looks over Odette, her gaze lingering on the White-Haired woman's slowly vanishing horns.

“We wait a little longer.” You say, “When Sol peeks over the mountains, we depart.”

Time passes and Sol's golden lining peers over the mountains with a willful gaze, the fox hasn't come yet.

>[Wait a little longer, stay hopeful that she'll arrive.]
>[Depart, it's no use if she chooses to stay. You'll be fine without her.]
>[Write In]

>>44291058
>[Depart, it's no use if she chooses to stay. You'll be fine without her.]
Lingering will do no good

>>44291058
>[Depart, it's no use if she chooses to stay. You'll be fine without her.]

>>44291058
>[Depart, it's no use if she chooses to stay. You'll be fine without her.]
A shame but waiting would send the wrong signal

>>44291058
>[Wait a little longer, stay hopeful that she'll arrive.]

>>44291058
>[Wait a little longer, stay hopeful that she'll arrive.]

>>44291058
>>[Wait a little longer, stay hopeful that she'll arrive.]

>>44291058
>>[Depart, it's no use if she chooses to stay. You'll be fine without her.]

>>44291058

Looking back, with Fox's absence at the time that Sol rose from beneath the hills. The glowing Sphere hits the sky and bursts to flames. You walk the long road to Bikel, the deep tracks of carts and carriages that must've taken this road before along the path. Odette follows beside you, and Mira between the two of you.

For the most part along the way, you're all silent, and don't look back to the camp with all of those that would send you out to meet the enemy alone. Sol traces himself across the sky, shining on through clouds, and letting his warmth glow upon the surface of Thespia. It's a nice feeling overall, away from the woods, all of you having abandoned your rags. You're more like something of an adventuring party now, out to take the world one place at a time.

Some part of you faintly remembers traveling upon roads long ago, though the memories feel intermixed with Dramir's nightly ventures of cloak and blade.

Night comes upon the road and you haven't passed anyone heading out this way. Makes sense, the road's far from a main one, and the Danhor that left must have informed others that coming back this way is dangerous.

Under Luna's light, the three of you start a fire and take the time to rest.

“Bikel shouldn't be far from here, we should be there by midday tomorrow. The manor watches over the town.” Says Mira with a distant stare and a faint frown.

>[“Did you know Bikel before?”]
>[“How are you holding up Mira?”]
>[“Odette, are you okay?”]
>[Say nothing.]
>[Write in.]

>>44291993
>[“Did you know Bikel before?”]
>[“How are you holding up Mira?”]

>>44291993
>[“Did you know Bikel before?”]

>>44291993
>Do you have any information about Bikel that could help us?

>>44291993
>[“How are you holding up Mira?”]

>>44291993
>Explain the finer points of our situation as Faceless, and maybe the twins as well.

>>44292131
...In what way?

>>44292131
Talking about the twins seems like something that would go horribly wrong

Better >>44292079

>>44292131
Let's not.
I mean how the fuck do you expect them to take that they are simply playing their role for the xth time and can do nothing on their own to change that?

>>44292146
first, making sure that Oddete and Mira both know the same things about us. Less confusion overall.

then explain that there are forces that are very deliberately trying to manipulate us, because if they find out AFTER the fact, they might get pissed.

>>44292162
I'm pretty sure Oddete wouldn't like it if something on the magnitude of her family dying happened AGAIN without her being prepared for the possibility
>>44292194
They're both diverted from their "roles", so whatever they do now is up to them.

but eh, if you guys don't want to do it, I won't lose sleep over it.

>>44292263
>They're both diverted from their "roles", so whatever they do now is up to them.
Is it though?
I mean if it where that simple to "liberate" someone from "fate" the twins wouldn't need us

>>44292297
Oddete wasn't a bloodstained warrior. Also, you know, she was dead.

Mira is technically still close to her "canon" role, but I don't know how much the snake is related to that. And she was able to protect the children, at least.


So they may not have any control yet over the ULTIMATE fate of the world, but not many people do. To them at least, this is a step down a new path.

>>44292423
As I see it they still play along to the tune,
While we and the twins change the tune.
Dunno if it's understandable what I mean.

If my interpretation is right they themselves can't change anything as long as we and the twins don't stop the cycle.

>>44292528
>>44292423
>>44292297
>>44292263
Can you clarify about this Dran?

>>44291993

“Mira, you seem familiar with the place, did you know Bikel?” You say as the campfire crackles and hums its own campfire tune.

The girl looks up at you, illuminated by the flames, you can see the tinge of fear and sadness in her eyes, “It was my home. Before the new Lord took over, the Danhor and Guisi there were neighbors. We farmed and wove outside of the town while the Danhor made arms and armor for other garrisons... We lived away, but they never hurt us until the new Lord told them to.”

Odette lays a hand upon the girl's shoulder as she looks troubled, “It's been a while since we've had trouble with the Hylon and Danhor, not since the King of Blades vanished and the Hylon courts went crazy looking for the one they claimed to have ruined Three generations of swordsmen. There was rumor that the Reaper did him in during a stormy night... Yet no one could confirm that they were any more than that.”

“The King Of Blades, Acer.” Dramir whispers within. Again you hear that name. Rava and Avar, didn't they offer the face of the King Of Blades? They took down the one that would be called the Ruiner of three generations of swordsmen?

“How did he ruin three generations of swordsmen? What kind of man is that?” You ask, looking to Odette, the fiery glow of the bonfire giving her a golden halo as it paints her white hair burning hues

“I've heard... That he had bested others with the sword from his youth. That he put down grandmasters that boasted of their skills and even claimed the title “King Of Blades” Before the age of twelve.”

A prodigy. You think to yourself.

Odette finishes, “That's all I've heard of that...” She shrugs.

“Bikel would be a nicer place if the lord were gone. If he were to die...” Mira whispers to herself, then looks to you. “We are going to kill him, right?”

>>44293036

“Right?” Dramir repeats within.

>[“Yes. He's the one to blame for this mess. He'll meet his justice.”]
>[”We'll see. I'd like to speak to him to see how he answers.”]
>[“It'll all be resolved one way or another.”]
>[Write in.]

>>44293058
>[“It'll all be resolved one way or another.”]

>>44293058
>[“Yes. He's the one to blame for this mess. He'll meet his justice.”]
The twins offered us rather nice faces.

>>44293058
>[“Yes. He's the one to blame for this mess. He'll meet his justice.”]
Ask whether they know what he is "King" of

>>44293058
>[”We'll see. I'd like to speak to him to see how he answers.”]

>>44293058
>[“It'll all be resolved one way or another.”]

>>44293058
>[“It'll all be resolved one way or another.”]

>>44293111

Only the most worthy for you. Each one offered is a paragon among their Arche.

>>44293326
How nice of them

>>44293058

“It'll all be resolved one way or the other Mira. If the Lord deserves death, then he'll be killed. Otherwise, n exile may be a more fitting punishment.” You say and the girl looks at you for a moment.

“I hope you're right. “She turns over away from the fire to sleep, her needle shimmering in her hair.

Odette looks to you from across the fire, her eyes looking as though to ask something.

“If it's about my identity, as an imposter, Mira already knows.” You admit. Odette's eyes go a bit wide.

“And she didn't tell anyone?”

“She was my confidant. She knew that others may fear me if I exposed myself as an imposter.” You squeeze a hand, making a fist, “It's nice having others that know, if only so that I'm not expected to act as The Reaper all the time.”

“And you... don't know who you are... Right?” She asks, an inquisitive look as she inches over closer to you.

“No.” You admit with a sour smile, “I woke up without a name, put on this face, and I'm still only learning everything.” You say with a deep exhalation.
“I'm glad... To have friends join me on this journey. Though I'm not sure where we'll be going after Bikel.”

Odette looks away, into the night, “... Thespia is large. There may be someone who's got an extra face somewhere that's yours, or another that's... missing somebody.”

>>44294105

You grimace at that line of thought, if what the twins said is true... you're an anomoly that exists outside the cycle of fate... No one should know of you. “Yeah. Somebody somewhere. If it's fate, we'll meet again someday.” You turn away yourself, laying down without another word.

There's a silence until you hear Odette do the same, shuffling around about the ground.

The fire flutters and grows small, “Oh. How awkward...”
The next day, the outskirts of Bikel come into view, smoke rising high into the sky from the furnaces of smithy, ovens of bakers, and kilns of potters. You all raise hoods to hide your horns as you come closer to the outer reaches, keeping your identities at least partially hidden from afar.

The Town doesn't seem to be on alert, however in the distance you can see the Manor up on the hill watching over the western end of the town and casting its shadow as Sol slips into the western drip of the sky.

>[Enter as travelers, try to arouse little suspicion and collect information for a way to enter the manor discretely.]
>[Wait until Nightfall, enter the streets during curfew and slaughter anyone unfortunate enough to trespass upon your mission.]
>[Approach the town and announce your intentions. If the Danhor have any dignity or respect, they'll simply take you to the gates.]
>[... Purge this horrible place. They betrayed the Guisi and you will grant them all the death they deserve.]
>[Write in.]

>>44294119
>[Enter as travelers, try to arouse little suspicion and collect information for a way to enter the manor discretely.]

>>44294119
>[Wait until Nightfall, enter the streets during curfew and slaughter anyone unfortunate enough to trespass upon your mission.]
Just sneak through though trying to not arouse attention

>>44294119
>[Write in.]
Enter at night and sneak through the settlement to get to the manor unnoticed

>>44294119
>[Enter as travelers, try to arouse little suspicion and collect information for a way to enter the manor discretely.]

>>44294197
Seems like the best idea.
Not sure whether Guisi could simply enter as travelers

>>44294197
This

>>44294197
>>44294164
Those seem smart

>>44294119

Night falls with gravity, and you can feel the land turn from sanity. As Sol sets, the day breaking under Luna's pallid grace, your party descends into Bikel.

Several guards stand watch at the checkpoint from the outskirts, taking their patrol under the light of hanging lanterns that glow with an etheral light. The three of you watch their patrol and put your hoods down as your horns lengthen into your alternate forms.

For a moment, you have trouble tapping into the bloodlust that incites Dramir's transformation, and then it goes through. Odette notices, and touches your hand, as she draws close for a whisper, “Are you ready for this?”

With a grimace, you close your eyes, “Only time will see.” The patrol of the guards around the entrance is heavy. Two stand forward at all times, a few walk the street in two man pairs, and one watches from a tower with a bow and arrow slung over his back.

Passing quietly would require some kind of distraction... Or you could plow through with force...

>[Approach the guards as a kindly older man. Gut them when their guard is down.]
>[Have Odette take down the watch tower with her bow, it'll cause enough of a distraction that you can slip by.]
>[Set a fire. If they're worth their salt, they'll react to that. Might get out of hand...]
>[Have Mira approach them and distract them while you and Odette slip by. She'll have to catch up her own way.]
>[Write in.]

>>44294709
>[Approach the guards as a kindly older man. Gut them when their guard is down.]
The oldest one in the book

>>44294709
>[Approach the guards as a kindly older man. Gut them when their guard is down.]
Classic Guisi

>>44294709
>[Set a fire. If they're worth their salt, they'll react to that. Might get out of hand...]

>>44294709
>[Set a fire. If they're worth their salt, they'll react to that. Might get out of hand...]

>>44294709
>[Approach the guards as a kindly older man. Gut them when their guard is down.]

>>44294709

Repeating a tried and true tactic, you swiftly put your horns away and signal for Mira and Odette to hold as you go forward alone. As you approach, the guards stare at you with a sheer scrutiny. Once you draw within ten paces, one of them challenges you.

“Hoi there sir, what credentials do you have to walk the town past dark?”

“I'm simply here to see my granddaughter,” You lie with a kindly smile. “If you'd let me through, I'd happily go on my way.”

You take another step closer and they lower they slam their pikes into the ground, “Lord Saren does not permit anyone entry after dark without official business!” The guard yells, to alert the attention of the others. You can sense that he's a bit unnerved by your presence despite only seeing his eyes from beneath his helm. They betray his unease.

“Is there... Nothing I can do to persuade you?” You take another step closer. “I really... Must see my granddaughter.” You can't help but to let bloodlust slip as your control over your face has waned.

“Stay back!” The speaking guard drops his pike into a forward position to ward you away, his partner does the same. The guard observing from the watchtower cautiously knocks an arrow into his bow, he thinks that you don't notice.

“Sir, I beg that you spend the night at The Tragic Hamlet Inn and wait until dawn.” The guard yells out, clearly faltering with your presence. “I may even let you meet my own granddaughter.” The guard says, clearly sweating and attempting to stay cordial despite his fears.

Likely, they think that you're someone to be feared. Likely, they're anticipating the Reaper...

>[Take his advice and turn back. This leaves a poor taste in your mouth.]
>[“I'm afraid I can't do that.” Rush them both.]
>[Drop the facade and demand to be taken to Lord Grant.]
>[Write in.]

>>44295201
>[Take his advice and turn back. This leaves a poor taste in your mouth.]
Shit. They are too high on alert

>>44295201
>[“I'm afraid I can't do that.” Rush them both.]

>>44295201
>[Take his advice and turn back. This leaves a poor taste in your mouth.]
Back to plan B
Fire it is

>>44295201
>[Take his advice and turn back. This leaves a poor taste in your mouth.]
Think tactical, Dramir

>>44295201
>[Take his advice and turn back. This leaves a poor taste in your mouth.]

>>44295201

As you start to relax and smile more sincerely, you feel a jolt of pain run through your body as Dramir disagrees with your choices. You nearly double over, wincing as it feels like your skin wants to crawl off, and yet you hold it on.

“Sir? Sir? Are you okay?” The guards say as they slowky approach, pikes still extended.

“No. Think Tactically Dramir. I told you... They're not to blame.” You whisper to yourself.

“They are right here, Odette is ready to kill the archer, and we can dispatch these two with a mere flick of our power and you seek to relent? You seek to call it tactics?”

“I've told you. We do this a way that gives us peace. Killing them won't bring Aurel, or your family back!”

There's an explosion of raw emotion beyond description. You catch spirals of anger, fear, disgust, and betrayal as the threads of the face pull harder away from you, forcing you to physically hold the face on as well as pull with your own willpower. “And now you run? You told me you'd see my way through!”

“I'm sick of being used, criticized! By you and those twins! How dare you say that to me you faceless monster! … How by Luna are you holding onto me?!”

“By Luna! What is happening to that man?!” Someone shouts.

“His face is peeling off? What Hee-Joki Sorcery is this?!”

“Shoot him!”

You hear an arrow fly, though your body is not pierced. A structure falls with the tumbling crash of breaking wood as a man screams.

You feel something lasso around your waist as you're pulled back into the darkness, still keeping hold of Dramir, your face.

>>44295804
huh.
Didn't expect this turn of events

>>44295804

The guards scramble, torn between helping their fallen comrade and pursuing the strange man whose face peels off. Faced with the more immediate threat, they rescue their injured comrade from beneath the fallen wood. Better to lose a stranger in the night than a brother of the guard.

A pair of the guards usher him away to infirmary and others replace their position on the watch.
Tugged away from the road, you struggle to keep Dramir on, latching on as he does everything he can to pull away. “Dramir.. I'm sorry. Please. Please don't go. I- I need you!”

“Let... Go of me!” Another thread snaps free and you wrangle it back only for another to get loose.

“Dramir, what's wrong? Can we do anything to help you?” Odette says with solemn worry. You can barely see her as Dramir attempts to reclaim his eyes.

“Odette...” You start to say, “Do not call him Dramir, I am Dramir!” Your voice abducted by his methods, “I'm sorry, I'm trying to... Hold... On...”

Odette's hands freeze as she knows little of what to do.
Mira looks on with a blank expression as she has no idea what's transpiring before her. “What's happening to him?”

“The Face he's wearing... It's rejecting him. If it comes off and he falls asleep, he'll forget us.” Odette's hands shake as she looks between the parts of you that are faceless and the parts of you that are Dramir.

“It is impressive that he's holding a hero's mask against their will.” A familiarly dreary voice whispers across the clearing.

>>44295829

At the word, Odette, jumps up, summons her bow, and pulls back an arrow, “Who are you?!” She calls out.

The man stays where he is. “A friend, and one that can help. Please, I only need to tell him what he needs to hear.” His voice is not pleading, instead, it's dismally solemn for one that intends to help.

“You...” You start to say, recognizing the voice. “YOU!” Dramir screams as soon as he understands who it is. “Help... Me...” you croak out.

“May I?” Avar says with unwavering silver eyes, gesturing to your personal struggle upon the ground.

Odette lowers the bow, “Hurt him and I shoot you dead.” She says through grit teeth.

“Listen here Faceless.” Avar starts, “Some heroes may get testy when their ideals are mocked or ignored. You are who you are and I've seen how kind you can be. I will not say that it is wrong. However. What you should do when faced with this is to not merely hold onto, but subdue the face. He will not listen to reason, and as such, you must fight.”

“How... Do I fight?” You manage to get out as you force the face on for a moment.

“By showing unwavering determination. It is up to you to force the mask to do what you wish. You must have learned something of yourself now, something that is enough to make someone as stubborn as Dramir to understand. What do you think is the focus of your true Arche?”

>Answer: Your true Arche... Where must it draw power from?
>Trust
>Kindness
>Understanding
>Empathy

>>44295839
>Understanding

>>44295839
>Understanding
I think atleast

>>44295839
>Understanding
What the fuck

>>44295839
>Understanding

>>44295839
>Understanding

>>44295839
>Understanding

>>44295839
>Understanding
Wow

>>44295839
>Understanding
I am more and more regretting not changing the face when we had the chance

>>44295839

“I must.. Understand...”You manage to croak out even as Dramir peels further away.

Avar stands before the three of you in the dark, a terrible visage with his dreadfully imposing presence. He doesn't smile, merely staring on at your predicament. “To understand. Indeed, that is a major focus of your Arche one long forgotten that both the Guisi and the Hylon clearly lack. Neither understands the other and therefor this ridiculous conflict continues. If you can understand the plight of another, then you must know how it feels when you bring the blade down upon them as well.”

You start to stand, holding onto Dramir now, not forcing him to stay with you, but letting him go quite suddenly.

His form peels off of your body, and you're left with the blank slate that you started as, memory intact- for now.

Avar disappears, you hear the lingering words “Aqueis Vapor.”

Without the stress of hanging onto the face, you stare back into the inert eyes of the hateful Guisi. “I know that you don't like my methods. No more than you like mine. But you must know that you spread more despair for every one that you claim. Your wife, your love, she was Namour-touched and I saw the memory that you shared a moment of your passion. Losing her and your children, you act as a man with nothing left. A man that allies with others only for the sake of spreading the same despair inflicted like a rotting contagion. You want to help? Limit casualties and deliver justice with a steady hand rather than a jittery bloodstained one.

If you want anything to change, then you'll rejoin with me and watch carefully!”

>>44296308

Dramir's face stares back at you in stunned silence, a single tear drop forming at the eye and falling, splattering upon the ground.

Turning the face around, you let it rest against your blank visage. The threads unravel and embrace you once more, giving you the body, face, and physique of the man known as Dramir, the Reaper of Aurel.

You feel a guilt in the back of your mind like a child that was scolded, and can't help but chuckling about that until you notice that Odette and Mira watched all that transpire.

“Dra...mir?” Odette says with a hushed breath with her eyes in a near daze, “You're alright now, right?”

You squeeze your eyes closed, “Yes. I'm sorry for all that. We've been having disagreements of late ever since we spared the Danhor of the labor camp. We should carry on, are the guards still in disarray?”

“Last I saw, they were replacing their men after the tower fell and others carted off the injured.”

You begin walking back to the road, and walk towards the nearest place with a fire-source outside the purview of the entrance. “We set that wood aflame, they can take care of it while we infiltrate.”

“Dramir!” Odette follows after as you walk into an Inn with the scrawlings “Hamlet's Tragedy Inn” On the outside.

The innkeeper greets you with a hearty smile that you return, yet nearly ignore when he tries to ask you what you're doing.

“Who was that man? He knows you?” Odette asks as you throw a few coins on the counter and ask for a high proof liquer.

“He's an old friend.” You say, actually unsure of it yourself. “One of the few things I remember.” You blatantly lie as you take a bottle from the innkeep, and nonchalantly light a stick on fire with his hearth, heading outside before the baffled man can question your actions.

“Dramir, can you-” Odette starts as she chases after you.

>>44296320
Halting, you turn to her, “Odette, we've got work to do tonight, we can speak of this embarassment later. For now...” You shear off the bottle's top with a quick stroke of your scythe's blade, and shove a rag into the opening, lighting it with the burning stick.

“What are you-”

“Dramir thinks that we should do this to be effective.” With a hard toss, you send the molotov cocktail sailing right onto the tumbled wood of the watchtower, igniting it all into flames that shout something about burning all if Thespia to the ground as it laughs maniacally.

The fire rages on, causing a panic among the guards as you usher Mira forth and slip by them discretely with your party. So long as the guards do their job, the fire won't burn down all of Thespia and no one will die.

Keeping to the side streets to avoid responders, you head to the manor without any more competition.
Outside, you figure you have the choice to either introduce yourself at the front door... Take the garden entrance by scaling the fence out back... Or simply flying in through a window alone.

>[Front entrance. Surely you've an invitation, right?]
>[Hop the garden fence and enter through the back. Might be rude to enter unnanounced. ]
>[Enter alone through a window. Hopefully you don't catch Lord Grant with his pants down.]
>[Write in.]

>>44296460
>>44296320
huh doublepost

>>44296472
>[Hop the garden fence and enter through the back. Might be rude to enter unnanounced. ]

>>44296472
>[Hop the garden fence and enter through the back. Might be rude to enter unnanounced. ]
We brought them with us.
Entering alone would be counter productive

>>44296472
>[Hop the garden fence and enter through the back. Might be rude to enter unnanounced. ]

>>44296472
>[Enter alone through a window. Hopefully you don't catch Lord Grant with his pants down.]

>>44296472
>[Front entrance. Surely you've an invitation, right?]

>>44296472
>[Hop the garden fence and enter through the back. Might be rude to enter unnanounced. ]

>>44296472
The guards around the manor are in disarray between the report considering your incident at the front gate and the fire you went ahead and started. Many of them are torn between attending to the fire and obeying their duties to guard the likely paranoid lord of this manor.

Sticking to the shadows of a hedgebush and boosting the ladies up before letting yourself fly briefly to clear the fence in silence. The garden, while beautiful under the light of luna with a fountain sparkling with the streams of lunashine filtering from above, is absent of any guards given their predicament. Seeing a particularly opportune growth of ivy against the brick leading up to a window, you scale it with Mira ahead of you to pick open any locked windows with her crafty little needle, you right after, and finally Odette taking the rear.

The Girl's needle works its way through a slight gap in the craftsmanship. In short order, the window pops open and the girl hops in. You hear a woman scream and quickly follow after into a room populated with steam and a naked woman still shrieking as she tries to scramble from the bath.

Mira holds her needle, between her fingers, a bit hesitant. You step forward, taking charge of the situation...

The woman cowers, supple rolls of noble fat giving her what one might call a rubenesque woman. She's beautiful, in her own right however, and her golden blonde hair is done up in an artistic curl, her golden star-shaped eyes denoting the clear appearance of a Hylon.

>[Calm the lady with a swift blow to the back of the head.]
>[Talk to her gently, tell her everything's going to be okay before gagging and binding her.]
>[Ignore her, open the door, and walk out as if nothing happened.]
>[Gut the bleeding cow.]
>[Interrogate her for information about Lord Grant.]
>[Write In.]

>>44296963
>[Calm the lady with a swift blow to the back of the head.]

>>44296963
>[Calm the lady with a swift blow to the back of the head.]
At this point speed counts more than manners

>>44296963
>[Calm the lady with a swift blow to the back of the head.]

>>44296963
>[Calm the lady with a swift blow to the back of the head.]

>>44296963
>[Gut the bleeding cow.]

>>44296963

You draw in close to the lady as she tries to scramble away, her wet flesh slipping upon the marble tiles of her bathing room. Taking a steady knee, you grab her firmly by the hair and still her screaming wit a sustained shushing.

When she finally quiets, you flash her a nice smile despite having your horns out, turn her head and give her a hard strike in the back, forcing her to fall unconscious.

There's a knocking on the door, “Milady? Are you well? Frightfully clean for our romp under the sheets?” A shrill squealing laugh makes your skin crawl. Odette draws her bow and marches to the door.

“Odette.” You start to say as you rise yo stop her.

“Trust me.” She says as she raises a leg. She squints for a moment as she concentrates and unleashes a devastating kick that takes the door off of its hinges, blowing it back. Walking out, she lifts the door with a foot, and firmly plants her foot upon the robe of a portly Hylon that you'd well assume to be the Lord.

“Lord Grant, I presume?” You say as you creep from behind Odette as she knocks an arrow lining it with the man's barely covered genitals as a persistent threat.

“Wh-who are you- Oh no... You are the Re-” He starts to shot until Odette pulls back harder on her black bow.

“Best be silent unless you want to lose your berries.” Odette threatens, bidding the man into silence.

“What do you people want? I wasn't expecting company you see, I.”

You pop a squat on the other side of the Portly lord, looking down at his face, “Oh, we'll tell you what we want... Though it's going to cost you.”

>End Scene.

>>44297314
Thanks for running.
I guess now there's going to be ~2 week hiatus?

Questions, Comments, Concerns? As always...

The Good, the Bad, The weird.

>>44297332
I wouldn't be adverse to running during new years day. Depends on you guys.

>>44297350
Nice thread , though a bit slow.
The face slipping off scene was great though.
Also new years day is rather bad I think

>>44297350
Dramir going against us was unexpected.
I'm neutral on running new year, but it's your decision

>>44297350
Middle of the thread the updates were rather minimal in the progress they made.
Otherwise I can't wait for the first Act to end and us getting another face

And it's time for bed. Fucking 9am

>>44297410
I've been drafting up more things about the other faces. I'm excited for the dancer because she explores the romance(adventure) genre.

But each face is basically going to explore another theme, genre, or conflict to bring more focus on who the faceless is.

Honestly, I'm impressed that you all elected for "Understanding."

It was close enough to what was being looked for.

>>44297376
I enjoyed my mental picture of it.

Remember: Avar commented how it was remarkable for you to hold on to a "Hero's" mask that was rejecting you.

>>44297441
>It was close enough to what was being looked for.
Was what you looked for "empathy"?
Or a write in?

>>44297441
It's "trust" isn't it?

>>44297562
>>44297571
At least we agree it's not kindness

>>44297767
I mean looking at Avar "kindness" seems rather farfetched

>>44297767
>>44297861

Kindness is occupied by another Arche, I think Mira actually mentioned that her marks were araflour early on(they're waning now)

Avar and Rava are Dramani, what are we talking about here?

>>44297912
Wait I thought the faceless was originally the same arche as the twins