>>218892
>>Breakfast

Welcome back Smiley

>>218892
>>Go see what Derrick and Ilica are up to

>>218892
>>Go see what Derrick and Ilica are up to

>>218892
>>>Breakfast
Food.

>>218918
Good to be back

>writing

"-Go see what Derrick and Ilica are up to" You say.
"You don't want to get breakfast?" Emi asks.
"Then breakfast" You say. "Derrick, Ilica, and then breakfast"

Emi smiles. "Sounds good to me. Ilica's room is right next do-"

Suddenly the door bursts open, cutting Emi off mid-sentence.

"Gooooood morning~!" Ilica says, as she tromps into your room.

"Good morning" You reply, unfazed by her sudden appearance.
"Ilica! Didn't anyone teach you to knock?" Emi asks.
"Oh, sorry" Ilica says. She then walks backwards to the open door, and gives it a quick couple of taps. "May I come in?"

"But you're already-..." You say, as Emi cuts you off.
"You're awfully chipper this morning" Emi says.
"I'm going back to the guild after breakfast" Ilica says. "Daniella said that she knew someone who could show me how to use the hand crossbow I got in Sherton"

"Cool" You say.
"You're welcome to join me, if you want" Ilica says.
"Maybe" You say. "I think Madelaine wanted to check out that cave today"
"When did you talk to Madelaine about the cave?" Ilica asks.

>Tell them what happened last night

>Don't worry about it

>Other

>>219080
Tell them about it.
Also mention how much getting hit in the crotch hurts.

>>219080
>>Don't worry about it

>>219080
>>Tell them what happened last night

>>219080
>>Tell them what happened last night

>>219080
>>Don't worry about it
We'll walk it off...

>>219080
>>Don't worry about it

>>219080
>Tell them what happened last night

>>219080
Additionally:
>I think she likes you, Derrick

She got red-cheeked when we told her about his crush, and she walked back to bed with a bit of a spring in her step.

>>219114
Granted, we don't HAVE to tell him that she found out from Yuu telling her about his crush.

>writing

"We talked things out and we sparred" You say. "She was a little rough on my groin, but otherwise it was fun"

"You mean she.... hit you down there, right?" Ilica asks.
"Yes" You say.
"Oh thank god" Ilica says.

"Why? What else would she have done?" You ask.

Ilica steps over, turns you to the door, and pushes you out of the room. "Nevermind that, I'll tell you when you're older" She says.

>I'm older now, technically

>Fine, let's go find Derrick

>Fine, let's go find breakfast

>>219209
>I'm older now, technically

>>219209
>>Fine, let's go find breakfast
Foood!

>>219209
>I'm older now, technically

>>219209
>>I'm older now, technically

>>219209
>>I'm older now, technically
Oh Yuu. Sweet summer child.

>>219209
>I'm older now, technically

>>219209
>I'm older now, technically

>writing

"I'm older now, technically" You say.

Ilica continues to shove. "You are not" She says.
"Yes I am" You say. "I'm older than I was when I asked"
"That was like ten seconds ago" She says.
"And I'm ten seconds older" You reply

"I mean actually older" Ilica says, as she removes her hands from your back. "You know, like... when you know more"
Emi slithers up and puts a hand on Ilica's shoulder. "I think what she means to say, is that she'll tell you when you're more mature" She says.

"That's the word!" Ilica says. "Thanks. I knew that there was a word for that, but I just couldn't think of it"

"When will I be more mature?" You ask

Emi and Ilica look at each other, and then they both shrug.

"You should probably ask an adult that question" Ilica says.
"Oh" You reply. "Well... there'll be adults in the dining hall. Let's go there"

You turn and head towards the dining hall. Ilica and Emi follow.

"I didn't mean right now!" Ilica calls out.

>cont.

You enter the dining hall and find it pretty much empty, save for Derrick and Pip.

"Good morning" Derrick says.
"How's it hangin' new bloods?" Pip asks

"How's what hanging?" You ask.
"You" Pip says.
"Me?" You ask.
"Yep" Pip says.

"Hanging from what?" You ask.
"From life" Pip replies.

"Pip..." Derrick says.
"Sorry, I know. Don't confuse the new guy" Pip says. "Especially not around a cat and a snake. Jeez, the two of you in one room is enough to make a poor little mouse like me nervous"

Ilica sighs and sits across from Derrick. "I wouldn't eat you" Ilica says. "You look like you'd taste bad anyway. Right Emi?"

Emi gives you an uncomfortable look, and lets out a nervous laugh as she slithers over to sit down next to Ilica.

You shrug and do the same, sitting next to Emi.

>Where is everyone?

>Why would Ilica or Emi want to eat Pip?

>Tell Derrick about your encounter with Madelaine

>Other

>>219384
>>Why would Ilica or Emi want to eat Pip?

>>219384
>>Where is everyone?

>>219384
"Do I look tasty? What do you think I taste like? Maybe it'd be good."

>>219384
>Tell Derrick about your encounter with Madelaine
>where is everyone?

>>219398
take a bite out of our arm

>writing

"This place is pretty empty. Where is everyone?" You ask.
"The other knights came and went, and so did the guard" Derrick says. "Altea's actually waiting for me right now, but I opted to stay behind to see you guys"

"So why is Pip here?" You ask.

Pip smiles and hugs Derrick's arm. "I couldn't leave my Ricky. He'd be so lonely without me" She says.
Derrick rolls his eyes. "I told you I'd be fine" He says.

Pip Pokes out her tongue at Derrick in response.

"And what about Madelaine and her crew?" You ask.
"I think they slept in" Derrick says. "Though it looked like they were treating a pretty nasty bruise on her forehead"

You frown. "Oh..." You say.
"What's up?" Derrick asks.
"Was that you, Yuu?" Ilica asks.
"Yeah..." You say. "We sparred for a bit last night. I didn't think I had hit her that hard"

"Take it from me, Yuyu. You hit like a truck" Pip says, putting a hand up to her side. "I'm not actually all that fragile. You need to learn to watch that demon strength of yours"

"Oh... sorry" You say.
"Don't be sorry" Pip says. "Just... maybe next time you could pull your punch just a teeensy bit?"
"I guess" You say. "In my defense, I didn't know for sure that you'd be there"

"That's true" Pip says. "Hopefully you won't need the blindfold next time"

You nod, as a server enters the hall. They take note that there are 3 new people, and head out.

When they leave, there's a bit of a silence...

"So..."

>Yuyu?

>Pip seems pretty attached to Derrick

>Should I go check in on Madelaine?

>Other

>>219487
>>Pip seems pretty attached to Derrick

>>219487
>>Pip seems pretty attached to Derrick
Derrick is living that dense protag life, isn't he?

>>219487
>>Should I go check in on Madelaine?

>>219487
>>Should I go check in on Madelaine?

>writing

>>219487

>Should I go check in on Madelaine?

"Pip seems pretty attached" You say.

Derrick sighs. You get the feeling that he knows.

Pip smiles. "Of course!" She says. "Somebody's gotta give... him..."

Pip straightens up and lets go of Derrick's arm, her eyes locked on the hall's entrance. You turn to see Altea standing there with a half amused grin.

"Good morning Commander" Pip says.
"At ease" Altea says. "Are you two coming? I can't wait all day"

"Yeah, we're coming" Derrick says, as he stands up and starts walking to the door. As he passes you, e puts a hand on your shoulder. "I'll tell you about it later"
"Kay" You say.

Derrick and Altea leave the room, and Pip scampers off after them. "Hey! Wait for me!"

...

"I wonder what that was about" You say.
"Beats me" Ilica says. "A better question would be: where is food?"

You shrug. "Probably on it's way" You say. "So... should I go check on Madelaine? From what Derrick said, she might be kinda hurt..."

"She's probably fine" Ilica says. "Mean girls like her tend to have tough skin"

"I am fine, thank you" Madelaine says, as she enters the room. "And thank you for the compliment, backhanded as it might have been"

"Whoa, how did you hear that?" Ilica asks. "Were you standing outside the door waiting for someone to bring you up as a subject?"
"No" Madelaine says. "Who even does that? I just got here"

>Ask if she was eavesdropping

>Ask if her head is okay

>Ask if she still wants to see the cave

>Other

>>219621
>>Ask if she was eavesdropping
>>Ask if her head is okay

>>219621
>>Ask if her head is okay

>>219621
>>Ask if her head is okay

>>219621
>Ask if she was eavesdropping
>Ask her if she's mature.

>>219634
crap, i meant
>Ask if her head is okay
>Ask her if she's mature

copy/paste betrayed me.

>writing

"Is your head okay?" You ask.
"It is now, no thanks to Meyu..." She says.

"What happened?" Emi asks.
"They left me in bed this morning, because they thought the headache was just because of... uhh... 'that time of the month'..." Madelaine says. "I was lucky that Zaine thought to send the castle's healer up to see me"

"You didn't tell them that I hit you?" You ask.
"No... that might not have ended well" She says. "They're kinda protective. Sometimes too much so"
"Oh" You say. "Did you think they'd try to beat me up?"
"Without a doubt" She says.

"If it makes you feel better, my groin still hurts" You say.
"Ah... sorry" Madelaine says. "You probably don't want Jade down there either... or maybe you do, I don't judge"

You have no idea what she meant by that, and it obviously shows on your face as Emi explains.

"Jade's magic is like mine... but different" Emi says. "You know how I create the water, and the water heals?"
"Yeah" You say.
"Well... she just uses herself" Emi says. "Very effective, but kinda... personal"
"I know" You say. "I accidentally sat in her in the baths, remember?"
"Oh yeah..." Emi says.

Ilica chuckles. "Yeah, talk about awkward" She says.
"She seemed alright with it" You say.

"At the time, sure" Madelaine says. "She was super embarrassed when I asked her about it this morning"
"Oh..." You say. "Should I apologize?"
"Up to you" Ilica says, as her ears flick towards the door.

You turn to se the same server bringing in breakfast for the three of you. He them takes note of Madelaine, and heads back out.

>cont.

When the food gets put down in front of you, you realize how hungry you are and dig into it.

Within no time at all you're done, though I;ica and Emi aren't, and Madelaine has yet to recieve breakfast.

"So..." You say. "What's everyone doing today?"
"Right, you have the day off" Madelaine says.
"I do" You say. "I was thinking about just relaxing, but that sounds boring"

"You could come with me" Ilica says. "I was gonna head down to the guild for the day"
"Hoping to see little Hella again?" You ask.

"No!" Ilica asnwers in a rush. "I mean... uhh... maybe. Probably... yes. GAH! That's beside the point! Daniella said that she could hook me up with someone who can show me how to use the hand crossbow I got in Sherton"

"Neat" You say. "What about you, Madelaine?"
"Me? Oh... I was gonna ask if you wanted to show me that cave" Madelaine says. "If it's not too much trouble... or if you want, you could show us where it is, and tell us what to look for and we'll head there ourselves"

You nod and turn to Emi, who smiles.

"I was going to spend the day here with Jade" Emi says. "Her tehnique is different from mine, so I want to see how it works"

"What about you?" Ilica asks.

>I guess I could head to the Guild

>I did say I'd show Madelaine the cave

>I'll stick around here for the day

>Are there any other interesting places in the city?

>Other

>>219761
"I can be your healing subject, I can handle getting bruised some more if it would help you learn."

>>219761

>I did say I'd show Madelaine the cave

Reaching hearts and minds

>>219761
>>I did say I'd show Madelaine the cave

>>219761
>>I did say I'd show Madelaine the cave

>>219761
>>I did say I'd show Madelaine the cave

>writing

You shrug. "Well, I did say I'd show Madelaine the cave, and I'd like to go back there myself" You say. "We didn't really get to examine it too closely before Ilica saw the skeleton and- mmph"

Ilica puts a paw over your mouth. "Thaaat's okay. She doesn't need to know what happened after that" Ilica says, as she takes her paw away.
"O... kay" You reply.

Madelaine raises an eyebrow, but shrugs it off. "If we're going then I should probably let Meyu know" Madelaine says, as she lays her head on the table. "As soon as breakfast arrives..."

Her complaint is punctuated by a loud growl coming from her stomach, and then a loud groan coming from her.

Almost as if on cue, the server comes back in and puts a plate in front of her. Madelaine sniffs, looks up, and smiles. "Thank you~" She says, as she picks up her utensils and digs in.

The server bows politely, and then steps out.

You talk with Ilica and Emi while Madelaine stuff her face, mostly about what you should bring with you on the trip.

Ilica suggests that you grab a knife or something from the armory, since you can't use your mageblade. While Emi makes sure you remember the important/boring things like food and other supplies...

Once Madelaine finishes, she turns to you. "Okay. I'm gonna go let Meyu know what's happening" She says. "You coming with? Or should we meet you somewhere?"

>I'll go with you

>I wanna see the armory

>I should pack a lunch or something

>Other

>>219859
>>I should pack a lunch or something

>>219859
>>I should pack a lunch or something

>writing

"I dunno. Do I need to bring a lunch or anything?" You ask.
"We can feed you" Madelaine says. "It's the least we can do, since you're showing us where the cave is"
"Okay. That makes things easy" You say. "So... now what?"

"I dunno. I guess I'll go get them and bring them down here" Madelaine says as she stands up. "gimme a minute. I'll be right back"

Madelaine walks out, leaving you with Ilica and Emi.

"Are you sure you'll be okay on your own?" Emi asks.
"Why wouldn't I be?" You ask. "Plus I'll be with Madelaine and Meyu and those other 2 guys. They seemed pretty strong"

"I know" Emi says. "I'm allowed to worry about you, aren't I?"
"I guess" You say. "I don't see why you would have to worry. I can always hold my own"
"Says the guy that gets lost at a moment's notice" Ilica says.

"I do not" You say. "I made it back to the castle from the hunter's guild fine"
"And then it took you 20 minutes to find the baths" Ilica says.
"But I did find them" You say. "I just took a detour because I got excited"

"Just promise you'll be careful, okay?" Emi asks.

>Okay

>What if being careful isn't the best move?

>You can always come along

>Other

>>219927
>>Okay
>>You can always come along

>>219927
>You can always come along

>>219927
>>Okay
Yes mom...

>>219927
>>What if being careful isn't the best move?
There is such a thing as being too cautions.

>writing

"Yes mooom..." You say.

Ilica gives your head a swat. "Don't be a smart ass" She says. "We're allowed to worry"
"I know..." You say. "I'll try to be careful. Unless being careful looks like the wrong move, because there is such a thing as being too careful"

Emi sighs. "That's all I ask" She says.
"Yeah, I think one is enough skeletons for that cave" Ilica says.

"What if the portal is actually just a skeleton dispenser?" You ask.
"I doubt that" Ilica says. "That seemed more like a warning. A sort of 'this is what will happen if you don't leave this place'"
"And you're going back..." Emi says.
"I'll be careful" You say.

Emi sighs again. "I can't tell which one is worse, the knight's 'training', or this trip"
"At least with this trip, if someone is shooting at me I know they're hostile" You say. "And I'm actually pretty good at avoiding arrows now"

"That's probably the last thing I want to hear" Emi says.

At this point, Madelaine comes back into the dining hall.

"Okay, I got 'em. You ready?" Madelaine asks.
"Yeah" You reply. "Let's go"

That's all for tonight!

Next thread will be a longer one on Sunday, so be ready.

As always I'll be sticking around for questions/suggestions.

I also plan on rebooting Into the Aether at some point in the near future, as a simple writing project as opposed to a quest. I was wondering how many people here would be interested in reading that.

Emi and Ilica are best moms, cant wait to fug one of them or both

>>220009
Great thread, Smiley!

Regarding your reboot, are you planning on writing up a pastebin, or something?

>>220039
I dunno. Maybe wordpress? I liked pastebin for shorter things like stat sheets and smut, but as this will be much, much longer, I'm looking for a better place to post it.

Feel free to make suggestions about that.

>>220059
Feel like it'll work better as a story, than a game?

>>220073
Sort of. If I took one thing away from running Blood Moon, it's that a losing battle does not go over well in quests. There are a lot of plot points and character arcs (Main characters losing fights, things seeming truly hopeless towards the end) that just wouldn't fit well in quest form.

Another thing I learned from Blood Moon is that I cannot do 2 quests at once, as I simply do not have enough time to sink into a second quest. Whereas the pacing this way can be slower, with a chapter being finished and released every 1-2 weeks, instead of having to run a 5-10 hour thread every few days.

>>220097
Makes sense. There's the fight against Kalki that should have left him far more thrashed.