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Character and setting info: http://pastebin.com/u/MagicalPrincess
Archives (Episodes 1-59): http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Start+Over+Quest
Archives (Episodes 60+): http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Start+Over+Quest
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MagicalMarquise
Ask.fm: http://ask.fm/MagicalMarquise
Collection of character descriptions (WIP, courtesy of anon): http://pastebin.com/pzYffs0R
Collection of quest art (NSFW): http://imgur.com/a/2nEyB/layout/grid (NSFW)

>>502839
>”Tama seems to enjoy herself”.
>”What do you propose I do?”.
Afternoon, MP.
I'm tempted to ask if she wants a tournament too but let's not make her more mad.

>>502839
>>”Well I can't really stop this now”.

>>502839
>"Your concern is great to see, but remember she's a monster - you can't assume she's best treated the same as you or me. The tournament seemed a fun way to discern people's reaction to her and get them used to her, in a way we can control."

>>502839
>”Well I can't really stop this now”.
>”Tama seems to enjoy herself”.

And yay for catching this live, its been a while

"I think we need to calm down and try and see this rationally", you're a little confused on what to do, Bryld sounds quite intransigent on the topic but what she's saying is neither wrong nor illogical.

"Well go ahead, because all I see is people playing with a giant spider's still immature feelings and I can't see that ending well!", she crosses her arms to further mark how much she disapproves. As if her very visible frown and straightened ears weren't enough.

"First of all we have to deal with the fact that I really can't stop this now- yes I know I should have", you anticipate her, and she shuts her mouth before she starts berating you again, "But now's too late. And besides, Tama seems to be enjoying herself".

"You're putting her on a pedestal and making people fawn over her, of course she's enjoying herself right now", Bryld rolls her eyes, "I mean I would too but then there's the fact that the victor would kind of expect something from me and I rather choose my partners myself if you please".

"Yes, but consider the following: she's a monsters", you say it with as much tact as possible, "I mean it's surprising enough that she's being this well-received, they're organizing something in her name? I'd count that as a victory, not as some kind of disaster to avoid. This way we're going to have everyone get used to her presence and introduce her in our society. Well, in a somewhat weird way but still...".

Bryld takes a deep breath, you stare intently at each other as someone passes by with several bolts of cloth, shouting orders and directions to other people carrying even more of that. Once they're past, and a more acceptable level of commotion sets in around you, she sighs, "But you don't know her, Lillith. For all we know she's used to the idea of just taking whomever she wants as a mate with no concept of consent, and don't come and tell me all the participants are willing and know what they're getting into, I've seen at least one of them being dragged to his doom".

You chuckle, "Oh it's all in good fun, besides all they have to do is just lose on purpose, don't they?".

"That's assuming there is at least one of those cute boys of hers who actually wants to do what she expects him to do and be okay with it", Bryld rolls her eyes, "And frankly I'm starting to think we're not doing a great job at avoiding rape".

“I think you're overreacting a little, they're also doing this to keep busy, I mean look how much work they're putting into building this tournament field, it's clear they were just looking for an excuse”.

“Look Lillith, I'm serious”, she grabs your shoulders and then your face, her stare straight and stern, “I want Tama to have what she wants as much as you do, but I don't want to have to make sacrifices. Take responsibility and make sure this goes with everyone's full, informed consent”.

>”Will do”.
>”Why don't you do that?”.
>”I don't think meddling is a good idea”.
>”Other?

>>502865
>>”Will do”.

>>502865
>”Will do”.
Righty-oh!

>>502865
>"Will do."
>"Would you like a tournament of your own? I'll join."

>>502865
>”Will do”.
Fiiiiiine

>>502870
I guess some teasing will be okay. Hopefully.

>>502874
All in good fun c:

>>502877
As long as Bryld agrees!

"Will do", you agree. At least it will calm her down for the time being. Hopefully.

"Please make sure you do because if two more arachne have to join, with one of them being even more sexually repressed than Tama is... Oh, and within a few years we'll have giant spider kids crawling about all over the place, you may want to tell people about that, it's going to be a direct consequence of your very actions here", she notes, pressing her finger against your chest.

"Hey, I didn't do anything!".

"No but you're the monster brigade leader aren't you?", she squints at you, "She's under your responsibility, and so will her future kids be. And those of any other monster you'll decide to bring in. I know enough things about you".

"Look", you smile, "I'm a priestess, not a kindergarten teacher".

"Well tough luck because when people reproduce the new generation isn't born adult, and you're the one they'll go to when they'll need to figure out what to do when pony-sized spider start scuttling all over the place and eating all the biscuits", she gives you a strange grin. Unfortunately, she also has a very valid point.

On the bright side, you won't have to worry about it right now. Well, not "immediately" now. In the future. You are also casually reminded that you have no idea what an arachne's gestation period is, but again, that's a problem for the future.

"Besides", she continues, "Don't you have a certain Stanley to meet? You've been keeping him waiting for long enough, haven't you? These military types don't look like the sort that like to be made to wait".

She is correct, they came looking for you when you were out to look for Tahenohan and accidentally met this Krystal person instead. Part of you hopes there won't be hard feelings for that slap you gave her across the face, you could do without making more vampire enemies after your most recent escapade. You were going to visit him and brought Tama and Tahenohan along and... Well, then this tournament thing happened.

"I will, you... Try and keep everyone out of trouble until I come back, alright?".

"Right", she sighs, crossing her arms again, "Try to not do something stupid before the next ten metres".

"Will do", you repeat, and turn, and then you turn again, "Are you sure you don't want a tournament of your own?".

"No".

"I'll join".

She turns you again and gives you a solid kick in the butt to push you onwards.

Finding Stanley's tent isn't tremendously difficult. Apparently he has the rank of colonel and is the de-facto leader of the Reconquista's military force and responsible for the safety of Maner and all the lands so far conquered, even though he really doesn't have much of a garrison, both in terms of personnel and structures.

At least not yet.

>Go in proud and announce yourself.
>Ask the guards outside to announce you.
>Pay a visit to Cassilda first.
>Try and get a feeling of how the tournament grounds are coming up first.
>Go check on Tama first.
>Other?

>>502881
>Ask the guards outside to announce you.
Let's be all proper and stuff

>>502881
Everything went better than expected!
>Go check on Tama first.

>>502881
>>Pay a visit to Cassilda first.

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>>502883
>>502885
>>502889

>>502891
Your frustration is simply too cute, MP!
Fine, I'll have a visit with Cassilda too then.

Actually, there's one thing you need to do before you go visit Stanley. Considering the situation you are in and the way you've been used to deal with everything in the military part of the camp, you believe you just got yourself in a pickle from which only one person can bring you out scot-free. Or relatively so, at least.

And she's as easy to find even if she's a lot less... How to put it, rigid? Ordered? She has a very relaxed appearance, at least on the outside, and she never gave you the feeling of someone who's excessively disciplined or that sweats the small stuff.

You can hear her laugh before you can see her, and when you do find her, you see that she's sitting at her usual table with Taum. Taum of all people. They are playing cards, too.

"... And that's when I went and said "Hey I'm sorry, but if this skirt is yours then what's it doing on my table?" and the owner like, tried to leap over the counter but he fell flat on his face", he laughs as he says that, along with Cassilda. You missed what came before so of course you have no context.

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey! Lillith!", Cassilda immediately spots you and widely waves. Strange how there's a chair for Taum too now, so she doesn't have just one, "Come over here".

"Lillith? Ay! Red Devil!", he waves too.

You don't really have much choice but to join them, considering you came here to see Cassilda in the first place. You didn't expect her to be in company, not that you never expect her to be in anyone's company of course, she must have friends and the like, it's just that you've never seen her with someone else before. And, of course, there's no chair for you when you arrive.

"You play Briscola Lillith?", Taum immediately asks, but his question is overridden by Cassilda's initiative.

"You know I expected you to make a name for yourself in short order ever since I gave you that assignment", she explains, giving you a sly, foxy smile, "Didn't know it'd be so short and so grand. A tournament?".

"A fecking tournament!", Taum agrees with a laughter of his own, playing a card on the table right next to the deck. There's a face-up card stuck at the bottom. You think you know the rules but you've only played this twice in your life at best.

"For the hand of a maiden", Cassilda insists with no small amount of sarcasm.

"I'm not desperate enough, thank you", Taum grins, "And even if I were I wouldn't even know where to stick it in".

"That's for someone else to figure out", Cassilda smiles, playing a card of her own without even looking and sweeping up Taum's before they both pick one from the deck, "But I don't think you're here for this, aren't you, commander?".

"Whoa whoa wait, does she outrank me?".

"The chair you're sitting on outranks you Taum, never forget that", she sounded serious.

>”I need your help with the tournament”.
>”I need your help stopping the tournament”.
>”Who's participating?”.
>”What can you tell me about Stanley?”.
>”Do I outrank him?”.
>Other?

>>502913
>”Who's participating?”.
>”What can you tell me about Stanley?”.

>>502913
>”I need your help with the tournament”.
I'm sorry I'm late!

>>502913
>”I need your help stopping the tournament”.
>”Who's participating?”.
>”What can you tell me about Stanley?”.
Oh boy.

>>502913
>”Who's participating?”
>”What can you tell me about Stanley?”

>>502913
>”I need your help with the tournament”.
>”Who's participating?”.
>”What can you tell me about Stanley?”.
Hi MP

"Who's participating in the tournament?", you ask. You decide it's better to be as direct as possible with this kind of woman, especially if you're in need.

"You should know who's participating, it's your tournament", she smiles.

"I know you know. I need to know as well", you insist.

"Cute boys", she chuckles, "Which means young boys, usually. The cute you get to be when you're past twenty is a different kind of cute that the more... Mature women appreciate, but I figure, since this friend of yours seems so young, we should get people around her age to participate. Makes everything easier when it's someone your age doesn't it?".

"I have to make sure-".

"That it's cadets? Yes, they are. For the most part. Got their baptism of fire right in this Reconquista", she continues, "Not quite like the volunteers who are... Well, auxiliaries at best, with all the respect I can have for captain Agnes her troops are unfortunately quite ridiculous and useless. Oh don't worry! We were planning to organize something anyway, to get the constant training and drills going and have some fun, healthy competition once in a while. Need to get our minds off the constant, unknown dangers if for a moment, without lowering our guard".

So it was just an excuse.

"Oh and don't bother about those rumours that they're being dragged in against their will because the girls find it funny. Even if it was true, all they'd have to do was lose on purpose".

"Yeah girls are terrible", Taum adds with a grin, "They whine and complain all the time and then do terrible things to other people".

"Good thing there's no girls here, right Taum?", Cassilda smiles.

"Well present excluded of course". Of course.

"What can you tell me about Stanley?", you then ask.

"Colonel, commands everyone, he says jump you jump, he's not the kind that wants you to ask "how high", you just jump and give that jump all you got. By the way I heard he's been looking for you", she begins staring at you with the hint of an amused smile on her lips, as if she didn't need to look at the game to play it. You think she's easily winning anyway.

You might, in fact, not want to make him wait too long. Or maybe Cassilda's just pulling your leg, it's hard to tell, she's not an easy person to read.

“He has”, you confirm.

“Well I don't want to tell you to get going because I'm not an order-giving kind of person”, she explains, “But you should get going. Taum I hope you still have coppers in your pouch”.

“How about we double up for the next game?”, he grins.

“I'm fine with you giving me twice the money, yes”, she agrees without qualms and lets him shuffle the deck for another game as she lets her three tails wag freely.

>”I gotta go”.
>”You think they're fine with Tama's presence?”.
>”You know what Tama wants, don't you?”.
>”You sure this tournament thing will go all right?”.
>”Taum didn't you say magic users were icky?”.
>”You're just betting coppers?”.
>Other?

And of course I'm stuck on a phone for this session an cant really vote properly :/ I was looking forward to the tourney as well.

>>502940
>>”You know what Tama wants, don't you?”.
>>”You sure this tournament thing will go all right?”.

>>502940
>”I gotta go”.
>”You sure this tournament thing will go all right?”.

>>502952
I doubt we'll get to it anyway anon, not with all the chatting lined up!

>>502940
>"Only coopers? Girls..."
>Shake our head in disappointment as we walk away

>>502954
I mean, we gotta enter it and win it! Imagine demonic giant spider kids! Obviously kidding, but we need to teach Tama stuffs.

>>502940
>”You know what Tama wants, don't you?”.
>”You think they're fine with Tama's presence?”.
>”I gotta go”.

>>502960
What, like...lewd stuffs?

>>502962
Society stuff. Not lewd stuff.

>>502965
Right you are!

>>502962
>>502965
We can do both. Plus, we get an army of demonic spider babies and fufill our long-had dream of conquering the world!

Bad anons, we already have bunnybutt and elfbutt.

>>502978
I suppose you can never have too much butt?

>>502982
Spiderbutt is huuuuge though!

"Are you sure this tournament thing will go all right?", you ask, failing to hide a little bit of uncertainty you harbour within yourself.

"Yep, pretty sure", she nods sagely, "The tournament will go all right and will be repeated over and over, albeit it might not have the... Interesting stakes it will have on its first run. But you don't care about that you're worried about what will happen when the winner will face a young and horny giant spider girl".

"I might be", you admit.

"Well that's why I made you commander wasn't it?".

The smugness of her smile rivals that of Krystal. How come you so often find yourself surrounded by this kind of people?

"You know what Tama wants, don't you?", you have to make sure, even if you know it's a stupid question.

"Yes. I hope you're prepared for the consequences, because all monsters in Maner will be under your responsibility", she picks up three cards, then stares at you again, "All. Monsters".

"Does that include-".

"Those you have yet to bring under your banner. I suggest you hurry and see Stanley if you want to correct that situation before it gets out of hand. Who knows, there might be another horny something around, waiting for nothing but a chance to wreak havoc, and we have none but you to blame so... Get going sweetie".

You know when to take a hint. You wave and leave, and go straight for colonel Stanley's tent.

When you reach it, the guards immediately look at you as if they were expecting you. "We've been expecting you", one says, enticing you to come in and gently pushing you inside, "Come, the colonel's been waiting".

It's quite sudden the way you are flung inside a relatively large circular tent, well-furnished with a large table, two bookcases and a few smaller tables and nightstands. There's even a set of curtains to separate the area in which you assume the colonel sleeps, and they're currently closed.

Three people stand around the table, with a large, very old map spread open across it and scribbled all over with red and black chalk. You're no expert, unlike Bryld, but you suspect this was one of the old, pre-war maps, meaning the geography they have there is wrong. Which would explain all the chalk marks.

One of them straightens up as you come in; he is wearing black and gold trousers held up by a strong girdle, and nothing else. His naked torso, glistening from the perspiration, is sometimes adorned by grizzled hints of fur on his well-toned pectorals; he passes a hand over his short hair, almost completely greyed out from its original black, which he then rests on his hip. You can see he has an eagle tattooed on his shoulder, which reaches down to his elbow, as if diving for the prey.

“I've been expecting you”, he says, his tone gruff and blunt.

>”I had my hands full with a tournament”.
>”Sorry for being late”.
>”Reporting for duty, colonel!”.
>”Pleased to meet you”.
>”Are you colonel Stanley?”.
>Other?

>>502994
>”Reporting for duty, colonel!”.

>>502994
>”Reporting for duty, colonel!”.

>>502994
>”Pleased to meet you”.

>>502994
>”Reporting for duty, colonel!”.
It's the only correct answer

>>502994
>”Reporting for duty, colonel!”.

>>503007
But aren't we more of a civvie even if we're to be the brigade leader?

>>503015
>But aren't we more of a civvie even if we're to be the brigade leader?
we are so far, but it's the respons that will earn you the least shouting from someone in higher command that you have kept waiting

"Reporting for duty, colonel!".

"Easy", he commands. He seems to have a perpetual frown on his square-jawed face, or at least you hope he's not showing some disappointment towards you. He scratches the back of his head, and the simple gesture visibly sets in motion his well-developed musculature. His body probably wouldn't be much of a sight if he had his tabard on, but without it it's hard to take the eyes off it.

To his sides are a man and a woman you do not recognize. The first has a bristly brown beard that's quite grizzled, though not to Stanley's levels, and his bare arms are quite hairy at the fore, with large callous hands. The latter has her blonde hair, with irregular streaks of white, held in a ponytail, with little escaping from it except for some well-cared sideburns, and her arms are relatively large and well-muscled too, though you also spy a scar on her side beneath the tabard, which both are wearing with nothing underneath, like many others in the camp.

All in all you think no one in this room is younger than fifty. Except for you, of course.

"Lillith Taiearth, I have heard a few things from you and your most recent escapades. Come closer", you didn't realize you were relatively far from the table until he commanded you to come closer, which you did, though admittedly not without some hesitation. "You have no military experience and you've never worked for His Majesty the king before, have you?".

"No sir, never have", you confirm.

"Well then, the first thing you have to learn is you do not treat his servants like toyboys and you don't send them on goose hunts", he sounds more stern than pissed off, though that is hardly of much consolation, "You make up your damn mind before asking, not after. You asked our forces to risk their lives to find a friend of yours and then you cancelled everything at the last minute and decided to go yourself".

It's true, you did. You didn't know Cassilda told him though, you thought it was something between you and her.

"Lieutenant Cassilda told me you already made amends, so I will let you off for this once", he then says. From the look in his eyes, you guess he's making an exception for you out of pity, "But play that trick again and you're going to spend a few days in the gallows, don't care if you saved the world. Are we clear?".

"Yes sir", you really don't have a choice, it was clearly a rhetorical question.

He nods, apparently satisfied, “Now explain me what this tournament business is about and I will decide against putting you in the gallows anyway”. He crosses his well-muscled, somewhat hairy arms.

>”It's an initiative to further peaceful relationships with monsters”.
>”I was told you needed something to get your minds off the constant threats, so...”.
>”I didn't decide it, it just happened”.
>”I'm mediating between the monsters' needs and ours”.
>”It felt like the best way to address the situation”.
>”It sounded fun”.
>Other?

>>503036
>”It's an initiative to further peaceful relationships with monsters”.
>”It sounded fun”.

>>503036
>”It's an initiative to further peaceful relationships with monsters”.
>”I was told you needed something to get your minds off the constant threats, so...”.
>”It sounded fun”.

>>503041
Basically yeah.

>>503036
>>503043
Supporting!

>>503036
>He nods, apparently satisfied, “Now explain me what this tournament business is about and I will decide against putting you in the gallows anyway”. He crosses his well-muscled, somewhat hairy arms.
Oh boy

>”It's an initiative to further peaceful relationships with monsters”.

I wouldn't point out that others just jumped the gun, painting us as a weak commander

"It's an initiative to further peaceful relationships with monsters", you explain, figuring he doesn't want to hear the long-winded version of it and wouldn't have the patience to hear your explanation, "And well it sounded fun".

The man on the right chuckles briefly, but is immediately silenced by the woman, who stares at you with a glare that makes you regret having added that last part, "I have nephews the age of the cadets that are going to participate to this tournament of yours, and I don't find the idea of them being raped by a monster fun".

"T-there's no rape, it's not going to happen", you reassure her. Wow, she might be a bit older than fifty after all, "We just-".

"The military has a very strict view on relationships", Stanley intervenes, his tone as patient as that of a high-ranked officer can be while dealing with civilian nuisances, "Many of us have husbands, wives and children in Maner, and it's not rare for a soldier's family to follow him or her as camp aides. But a soldier is a soldier of His Majesty and that's where his first loyalty is. There is no room for drama in this camp and I will have none of that. We frown on relationships between soldiers for a reason, Lillith. You do anything that sabotages our morale and I will have you punished for treason".

This must be what being a spoilsport feels like, except this one can actually make you go through some pretty harsh times. "Well sir I was told you needed something to get your minds off the constant threats, so-".

"You are not being reprimanded for organizing a tournament", Stanley remarks, interrupting you with a tone that may have made you think otherwise, "You are being reminded of your responsibilities as commander of the... Monster Brigade. Assuming you desire to keep such a name".

Oh, so this is when your duty becomes official.

"Now I am certain you have things to take care of for this tournament so I will be quick", he circles around the table and moves towards you, gently turning you around and pushing you outside while he says "We'll continue later" to the other two.

Once outside the tent, Stanley keeps pushing your back, directing you Southwards. His pace is quick and has no desire to slow down as he begins to lead you towards the civilian part, "The creature you just brought in won't be the only one under your responsibility. If your body has to be taken seriously and be of any relevance you will deal with the monster-type creatures we already have here. The non-humans, or however you want to call them".

He stopped pushing you, but you have to keep a good pace yourself to prevent him from doing so again. He seems at ease even around civilians with this attire of his, or lack thereof.

>”Where are we going?”.
>”I don't actually know how to organize a tournament”.
>”Am I going to answer to you or to Cassilda?”.
>”But what does a monster brigade DO?”.
>”Why me?”.
>”Am I in the military now?”.
>Other?

>>503076
>>”But what does a monster brigade DO?”.
>”Am I in the military now?”.

>>503076
>”Am I going to answer to you or to Cassilda?”.
>”But what is a monster brigade supposed to DO?”.
>”Am I in the military now?”.

>>503076
>Other?
just keep pace with him, I doubt anything we do will result in anything but a new reprimandation.

If anything, just suck it up, and show initiative when needed

>>503076
>”Where are we going?”.
>”Am I going to answer to you or to Cassilda?”.

>>503076
>”Am I going to answer to you or to Cassilda?”.

"What's a monster brigade supposed to do?", you ask him on the way there. You're not sure where you're going, so might as well ask some questions to fill the time.

"It's not exactly standard military organization, but the intent is that you will fulfill the role autarchs have amongst magic users while not being a recluse magic user living out in the wilderness. That and we need as many allies as we can, so if you can organize a decent fighting force with them it will be all the better", he seems willing to answer your questions, as long as they don't slow him down.

"So I am in the military now?".

"No", his answer is quick and with no room for doubt, "You are not a soldier and you have no combat skill, so do not fancy yourself one. For the time being, consider yourself a mercenary, we will sort out the details of your position if you prove it will be something worth continuing".

"Am I going to answer to you or to Cassilda?", you finally ask.

"You will answer my orders directly, and mine only", he is very clear on this, "Lieutenant Cassilda is an experienced veteran and a wise individual, you will listen to her and take her advice when she offers it, but she will not give you orders. No one will but me, brand it in your memory with a white-hot stoke because your life will depend on it".

You arrive somewhere familiar, the resting area where many barbecues and other firepits are placed so anyone can cook for anyone else, and there's plenty of room to sit, eat and socialize. There's still an impromptu stage for exhibitions but you don't see anyone playing this time either.

The person you are lead to is not unfamiliar to you either. Amazingly tall, with large bovine horns and an undeniable huge rack, it's Pam the minotaur, her brown hair flowing long behind her as she patiently and slowly, very slowly, peels potatoes.

"Howdy Pam", Stanley greets her, pushing you in front of her.

"Greetings Stanley", she answers, slowly but surely and offering a bright smile to both of you, "Hello again".

"You know each other already? Good. Pam, from now one this is your commander. She'll be able to help you with your problem".

As always, it takes a bit of time for her to react, but when she does, her eyes widen and she puts the potato (and the knife) down, staring at you like you're some sort of very amazing person she never expected you to be.

"You've met the centaurs already so be sure to pass them the news too. Don't take too long, I'll send the last one to your tent", Stanley then pats your back with more force than you were expecting, but the best of intentions too. "Best of luck, commander".

He immediately turns and leaves, certainly busy with much more pressing matters, while Pam bends over to grab your hands, her large size obscuring the sun but making up with a smile just as bright as she squeezes your hands, slowly but surely. "I am sooooo glad to hear this. I am sure we will get along greeeeeat".

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And this is it for Episode 72!

Thank you all for participating. Sorry for the short run AND the late start. Unfortunately my old modem decided it was fed up with me and suddenly killed itself, so guess who had to make a run to go buy a new one right when quest time was coming about?

You guessed right.

As always check my Twitter for the next episode's run time, though it will likely be Wednesday again.

>>503115
...worry

>>503120
Thanks for running!

>>503120
Thanks for writing MP, I'm sure we'll tournament it up next time or so.

>>503120
Thanks for all your efforts, MP! I quite enjoyed this chapter.

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>>503121
Be strong, you're in charge now.

>>503159
Thank you!

>>503131
Maybe not next next time, the tournament still needs to be organized after all, but it won't be too long.

>>503164
Are we going to need a pail for next episode?y