Wew! More DLQ!

I do not have a problem. YOU have a problem.

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>>1128677
"Are you a necromancer?" you ask, curious. "You don't feel like it, but I can't imagine there's a reason for you not to be."

"I'm not," James admits. "I do dabble some in kineticism. I'm good with wood."

"Why - the stakes."

"Mhm. Among other things. There's almost always decent wood to hand." James gives you a long look. "You will be the first elf in the family and part of a very small selection of non-humans. That's not bad, but expect a certain amount of, ah, commentary about that."

"And elders slapping uppity younglings?" you hazard.

"...Seen that, have you?"

"Rose Cult," you answer, pointing down.

"Of course it was." James sighs. "I should probably visit them too. They still at the family shrine?"

"A lot of them are deployed in the defense of the Dungeon right now," you tell the vampire hunter. "They're fell fighters, though. They know their business."

"No one has ever accused a la Croix of being bad at what we do." James gives you something almost like a smile. "And I don't think anyone will any time soon."

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>>1129152
You are Brianna la Croix, necromancer, and James has been here for about two days now. He's asked you not to go too far if you can avoid it, while he learns more about the situation in Glen and speaks to Henrietta and, to his surprise, Amalie, about the proposal.

Nate's been gone for most of today, and you figure out why when he pulls up in a carriage with an impish grin on his face.

"You had Shankbird Day awhile back," the Hero teases. "Care to take a day off with me?"

"I - sure! Where're we going?"

"There's a festival going on in Kurt's Crossing," Nathan tells you. "I thought we'd attend in style."

Nathan opens the carriage door for you and helps you in, and he signals the driver to set off. Kat coughs from your feet. "Am I invited?"

> Sure
> Nah, take the day to yourself

AND

> Talk to Nate about something (what?)
> Let him pick a topic

>>1129245
>Double date with Nae and his shadow?
> Let him pick a topic
We've been making a lot of decisons. Let's take a break

>>1129245
>> Sure
> Let him pick a topic

>>1129245
> Depends - Nate?
I'm leaning towards it just being Brianna and the cute Hero, but I also don't want to alienate Kat.
> Let him pick a topic.

Gonna call and write at midnight. Getting more coffee in the meanwhile.

Called, writing.

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>>1129245
"Sure thing, Kat," you tell her. "We may end up asking for some alone time at the festival but I'm sure you can get on in the crowd. Just remember that folks won't be, um. Used to you."

"Why would - oh right, necromancy is illegal most places. I'll behave," she promises. She slides up the side of the carriage and looks out the window, her ears twitching in catlike glee.

"At least you didn't kidnap me," you note. "Amy knows you did this, right?"

"I told her," Nathan agrees. "I didn't want to worry her unduly. She has this idea in her head that you're going to go back down there on your own to try and 'spare' the two of us."

"...That would be stupid."

"It'd be noble."

"And stupid."

Nathan ruffles your hair and scoots closer to you. You put an arm around his shoulders. "Things are looking up. I've got high hopes."

"You know...so do I," you admit. "For the first time in a long time, so do I."

"You know, it's been awhile. Don't you have a birthday coming up or something?"

You had. It came and went already, months ago, and you'd said nothing, and you're not even sure why. Was it because you were busy? Just lost track of the time?

Maybe.

> I...don't celebrate that any more. Too close to home.
> Months ago. I forgot about it, like we forgot about some other things. Like Hearthsgrave, y'know? We've been busy.
> Sure [Lie about when your birthday is]
> Write-in?

>>1130495
>I...don't celebrate that any more. Too close to home.

>>1130495
> I...don't celebrate that any more. Too close to home.
It reminds me of who I'm not celebrating it with.

>>1130495
> "I did. Came and went months ago, to tell the truth. I had only just met you guys, and it felt..wrong, to celebrate without family. Then, we were neck deep in things, and there just wasn't time."
> "Now though? Its almost over. We're so close, and when its done, I'll have you, and Amy, and maybe some fluffy bird and mocha babies. You think being a Hero's tough? Try being a parent."

'Kay, I gotta hit bed. Votes remain open.

Questions, comments, discussion, feedback, and criticisms remain welcome and appreciated.

Thank you all for reading and participating!

>>1130495
>Months ago. I forgot about it, like we forgot about some other things. Like Hearthsgrave, y'know? We've been busy.
> Write-in?
>"There were a lot more important things to do, it's no big deal" (Half lie)

>>1130495
> Months ago. I forgot about it, like we forgot about some other things. Like Hearthsgrave, y'know? We've been busy.

>>1130495
>> Months ago. I forgot about it, like we forgot about some other things. Like Hearthsgrave, y'know? We've been busy.


I wonder what Hearthsgrave is. Is it similar to Dia de los Muertos?

>>1130495
> I...don't celebrate that any more. Too close to home.
>>1130806
this.

>>1131857
Sorta, yeah. Hearthsgrave is a day of celebration and remembrance for the departed. It generally involves bonfires, festivals, and the building of shrines at the graves of your lost loved ones or family members. Those who know the proper rites can call the dead to come and speak on Hearthsgrave, one of the few examples of a legal use of what is technically necromancy. In the absence of a local necromancer, the local priesthood generally learns the necessary rituals.

Aight, called, writing.

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>>1130495
You sigh, guiltily, and shrug. "It came and went months ago, to be honest. I forgot about it, like we forgot about stuff like Hearthsgrave. Y'know? We've been busy. And I'm not sure I was in a good place to try celebrating then anyway."

Nathan nods. "I've been thinking about that kind of thing lately. Birthdays, that is. I always celebrated mine at the anniversary of the orphanage's founding, with Mrs. Applegrove and then later with Harry. That's coming up in a month or so, but I realized yesterday...you know those thoughts that just pop into your head while you're doing something unrelated?"

"Yes," you and Kat say at the same time. You ruffle the shadow's ears.

Nate gives you a rueful grin. "I realized I could ask Natalia when my actual birthday is. Not sure that I want to know."

"I don't think it really matters when it actually is," you say with a bit of a shrug. "I think it matters to have the people who love you there to celebrate it."

"Does that mean we can still pin you to having a birthday party?"

"I didn't say that," you say quickly.

"Pretty sure you did," Kat comments.

"/Whose side are you on?/"

"Well /someone/ went and gave me free will, so I think right now I'm on the side with a party," your creation answers loftily.

"She's been spending time with Amy," Nathan confides.

"Damnit. I thought that sounded familiar."

"What's this festival?" Kat asks Nate, curious. She can't stop staring at the spring weather outside; you've lost track of the seasons, in the Dungeon where they are a matter of depth rather than time, and you realize with a frown that the new year came and went while you weren't paying attention too.

Damn. You need a calendar or something.

"Kurt's Crossing has a Flower Festival every year," Nathan explains. "It's nothing fancy, but there's flowers and dancing, and a special market for the day, and food you don't really get any other time of the year. And...you know, it's a nice way to spend a day."

"I wonder why Glen doesn't have a flower festival," you muse, curiously.

"Being parked on top of a massive death pit that defines the town's economy sort of puts a damper on your willingness to celebrate just about anything," Nathan points out.

"...You're not wrong." You pause. "...How'd you get the carriage."

"I may have bribed the driver to strand Amalie in Glen."

"/I see Kat is not the only person who has been spending time with Amy holy fuck./"

>>1132177
>In the absence of a local necromancer

Do we count as a local now?

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>>1132466
You hear the music before you catch sight of Kurt's Crossing. The river village is decorated in a riot of ribbons, flowers, and flags that have all the glory of spring on joyful display. The town square is dominated by a market full of performers and vendors, and at various places you can see bands or just lone musicians, performing on fiddles or drums and, in one place, a quartet of some of the most aggressive flutists you've ever seen.

Nathan clears his throat and hands you a card. Your own handwriting on it reads, "One (1) hour of not worrying about responsibilities."

"Been sitting on this one for awhile, have you?" you tease, taking the card and tucking it into your breast pocket. "I make no promises about what happens if I, for some reason, need to do my job while we're here."

"I wouldn't expect you to, but I checked ahead and no one booked any phantasmal orchestras."

"Can I go?" Kat asks, giving you a wide-eyed look.

"Just stay safe," you tell her. "Meet us back at the carriage by dusk if you don't find us sooner."

The shadow pushes herself through the gaps between the carriage door and its frame and zips off into the celebrations.

"Got an idea of what you'd like to do first?" Nathan asks.

> Go dancing
> Try some of the food in the market
> Anything going on in the river?
> Let Nate take the lead
> Write-in?

>>1132468
Probably, when you're around.

>>1132493
>> Try some of the food in the market

>>1132493
>Try some of the food in the market

>>1132493
>Try some of the food in the market
Always and ever, food!

>>1132493
> Let Nate take the lead.
This is his show; let him be in charge for a little while.

Also
> In one place, a quartet of some of the most aggressive flutists you've ever seen.
AQUALUNG!

>>1132493
>> Let Nate take the lead

Has James been properly introduced to Kat? If so how did it go? What are the feelings and comments of other la Croix that have been introduced to Kat?

>>1132621
He has not yet been. Kat has been shy about it and Bri is not sure she's wrong to be so. "Rogue shadows" are high on the list of things the family hunters tend to put down.

I gotta hit work. See y'all at 9 or so.

>>1132635
While I absolutely understand how James might initially be nervous of her, can Kat even be referred to as a Shadow anymore? She has at least some physical substance, intelligence and emotion, and has an actual soul. Hatchet is just a mortal man, and he's probably ten times as dangerous. Our girl is one of a kind.

>>1133027
>Our girl is one of a kind.
"Unique" is different from "stable". I'd bet he's seen all kinds of "unique" things that have tried to kill him.

> Try some of the food in the market

Let's ease into things here.

Also, wow, dem callbacks to their last date and the deck of favours. It has been a while, hasn't it. So many things happened since then. High time for a weekend indeed.

Correction: I have been asked to stay and will be home closer to 10 PM EST.

>>1132493
> Keep an eye out for a present for shank bird

>>1134270
> Get her a bucket of bird seed, or something super-shiny.

>>1133027
The only thing out of the ordinary on that list is the soul. I /have/ been over this before.

Called, writing shortly. I need more coffee.

I'm sorry folks. I got some bad news earlier. I'll...I'll try to write in the morning.

Votes re-opened.

>>1136363
Damn. I won't pry, but I hope things get better Lich.

>>1136363
Don't push. Bad things need to be coped with before anything else gets done.

>>1136363
Take your time, we're not going anywhere.

Okay. That was a shitshow of a day but I shouldn't delay any longer; called, writing.

>>1139198
Appreciate what you do for us, Vox. Brewed a cup in your honor.

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>>1132493
It's not even a hard decision.

"I could eat," you tell Nathan. He gives you a grin and asks the driver to drop you off near the market. After the carriage pulls to a stop you get out and help Nathan down; he stretches, then takes your hand.

The market is filled with people, both folks from Kurt's Crossing and visitors from the river ships, travelers, and visitors from Glen. You catch sight of a harpy perched atop the general store, nibbling something with a far-off but happy expression; the citizens below him sometimes shoot a glance up, but mostly leave him to his peace.

"C'mon, let's get a bouquet," Nathan tells you, tugging your hand excitedly.

"Are you sure that's the word you want to use?" you ask, laughing.

It is definitely the word he wanted to use.

Kurt's Crossing takes the 'flower' part of 'Flower Festival' a lot more seriously than you expected it to. Nathan buys an arrangement of edible flowers, cunningly made from cooked meats, from fruits and vegetables, spun from sugar, even edible blossoms lightly frozen in caramel. You eat a bacon flower with a sense of childlike glee while Nathan procures rose hip tea ("I know, I know, but it's the festival...") and an arrangement of candies in various colors and flower shapes.

Finding a place to sit and eat turns out to be a bit of a bitch, but you manage to steal a table when another young couple gets up from it.

"I haven't seen you this excited in ages," you tease.

"I always did love this," Nathan confides. "Mrs. Applegrove met her late husband at this festival too. She always made sure we had the chance to come."

"Aww."

"Did you have anything like this in the Marsh?" Nathan asks. He takes the last caramel flower before you can. Bastard's surprisingly fast when he wants to be.

"Well...not for spring," you admit. "But midsummer we'd have a dance, which was great. Grandfather taught me to dance, and I always did love it." You grin wistfully and look towards the music. "Kissed my first boy at one of those," you admit. "Shy guy by the name of Cassius who told me he liked my coat and asked why I painted my face for the dance. He's gone now, of course, but...it was nice."

Nathan squeezes your hand, and you squeeze back and look back at him.

"Dancing is a given, I think," he muses. "But is there anything else you'd like to do while we're here?"

> I dunno!
> Honestly? I kinda want to listen around town and see what Kurt's Crossing thinks of the craziness around Glen
> We've /got/ to bring something home for Amy
> This town have a bookstore?
> Write-in?

Choose up to 2.

>>1140512
>> Honestly? I kinda want to listen around town and see what Kurt's Crossing thinks of the craziness around Glen

>>1140512
> Honestly? I kinda want to listen around town and see what Kurt's Crossing thinks of the craziness around Glen
> We've /got/ to bring something home for Amy
Work and fun, maybe even pic up a little something for Nate and Bri to play with when they get back.

>>1140512
> We've /got/ to bring something home for Amy
> Wanna go for a romantic boat ride?

>>1140512
>We've /got/ to bring something home for Amy
>This town have a bookstore?

>>1140512
.....bacon flowers.....SOMEONE GET ME FUCKING BLEACH SO I CAN GO TO THE PROMISED LAND!

>>1140512
>>1140530

>> We've /got/ to bring something home for Amy

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>>1140545
Anon, the promised land is Earth. Witness pic related and know joy in your heart.

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>>1140550
Its...its beautiful.

>>1140550
Just one sniff and you'd be in the hospital for a triple bypass.

Sorry about that long delay folks. I had some shit to sort through. In an honest-to-god unrelated story, the next few days/weeks may be delayed or interrupted by helping Dad out; he just got knee surgery (it went well) but needs time to recover before he can just go running around again.

I gotta hit work; votes remain open.

Questions, comments, discussion, feedback, and criticisms remain welcome and appreciated.

Thank you all for reading and participating!

>>1140512
>> Honestly? I kinda want to listen around town and see what Kurt's Crossing thinks of the craziness around Glen
>> We've /got/ to bring something home for Amy

>>1140614
>he just got knee surgery
That's bad.
>(it went well)
That's good!

Take care Vox, family is important (unless your family are a bunch of cunts)

>>1140512
>I dunno!
Nate wears the pants

>>1140512
>> We've /got/ to bring something home for Amy

>>1140614
Glad to hear your old man's doing alright.

>>1140699
I think Bri and Amy prefer it when he /doesn't/ wear pants.

>>1140512
>> Honestly? I kinda want to listen around town and see what Kurt's Crossing thinks of the craziness around Glen
>> We've /got/ to bring something home for Amy

>>1140796
That's for later. Be all manly to get the VTs going.

>>1140512
>> We've /got/ to bring something home for Amy
>> This town have a bookstore?

Aight, I'm home. Gotta hit the dishes, then will call and write. If someone wants to do me the kindness of a tally that would be great, otherwise I'll handle it when the dishes are done.

Aight, called, writing.

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>>1140512
"We've definitely got to bring something home for Amy," you insist. "She'd love this. I'm actually sorta surprised she's not here."

"She encouraged me to take you one-on-one. We...kinda spend a lot of time together," Nathan admits. "I think that bothers her. Like, when you need your time to yourself she and I are generally together, so..."

You shrug. "It happens. And I didn't mean to imply that it's bad to have you all to myself. Still, I'd love to get something for her, get her excited to go next year."

Your husband nods and you take the chance to steal the last bacon flower. "You do seem to like shopping," he teases, while you eat the salty bloom.

"I'll object when you stop saying things that are true."

"Pfft. No fun. What else?"

You swallow and look at the people of Kurt's Crossing. "I kinda wanna hear what the folks around here think and feel about what's going on. They've got actual royalty in, you know, the vicinity as it were, plus all the stuff Henrietta's been doing and their new neighbors and all."

"That sounds like work," Nathan says dubiously.

"Well, it's not," you answer loftily. "I'm being a good neighbor-to-be."

"Bri."

"Nate."

The Hero gives you an exasperated sigh. "Fine, fine. Have it your way, but I'm taking the last sugar flower."

You pack the candies into their box and tuck it beneath your arm. You're probably going to need a sack at some point today, but for now you've got Nate and a festival to move through. Children run around underfoot, playing games or trailing behind parents, and you smile at the sight.

You almost drop the candies when you see the soldiers, until it registers that they're in what passes for parade armor out here in the edges of Starfall and that it's Captain Marsh with them.

"Miss la Croix!" the soldier beckons. You give Nathan a 'help me' look but there's no helping you; Marsh is walking up. "I had not expected to find you here."

"Mrs. la Croix now," you correct. You shake Marsh's hand when he offers it. "Nate, Amy, and I got married."

"...How did -"

"We just did," Nathan interjects. "And that's honestly all that needs to be said about it. If the gods wanted to object they had ample opportunity."

"I suppose so," Marsh agrees, after a moment. "Enjoying the festival thus far?"

"I am," you relax, some; this isn't nearly as awkward as you thought it would be, given your ongoing history with Marsh. "Nathan and I were just touring the village, and thinking about looking into the wares to see what Amy might like."

"A good glazier?" one of the soldiers behind Marsh asks. The Captain elbows him in the armored gut while you try not to laugh.

"Her dad used to make glass," you muse. "Before...some things happened. She told me about it."

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>>1142656
"There is a glassmaker here in Kurt's Crossing who preserves flowers in glass," Marsh tells you. "I have no idea how he keeps them whole and unharmed but he does, and they remain beautifully preserved forever. Perhaps your wife would like one?"

You share a look with Nathan. "You know, she might," you muse.

"We should move our post for the time being," Marsh admits. "Please, enjoy the festival, and congratulations again."

The soldiers leave, and you feel oddly happy to have caught back up with Marsh. It's nice to see the guy's committed to his change of heart.

"The other guy wasn't wrong about giving Amy windows to throw people through," Nathan points out.

You punch him in the arm.

> Get Amy one of the glass flowers
> Wouldn't Amy prefer something she could use to make her own art?
> Get a teasing gift
> Ask that harpy what kinds of gifts /they/ give each other
> Write-in?

>>1142658
>> Ask that harpy what kinds of gifts /they/ give each other

>>1142658
>Wouldn't Amy prefer something she could use to make her own art?

>>1142658
>Wouldn't Amy prefer something she could use to make her own art?
I have never known an artist to refuse tools and supplies.

>>1142658
> Get Amy one of the glass flowers
> Wouldn't Amy prefer something she could use to make her own art?
UGH, so hard to choose!

I wonder if maybe Amy will take up a different trade once all is said and done? I think this glass flower stuff might be magic or alchemy.

>>1142658
>> Get Amy one of the glass flowers

>>1142658
>> Get Amy one of the glass flowers
Why not? Amy will probs like anything we give he, so give her something we like to give her that she likes.

>>1142658
>> Get Amy one of the glass flowers
>> Wouldn't Amy prefer something she could use to make her own art?

por que no los dos

>>1142658
> Ask that harpy what kinds of gifts /they/ give each other

Okay. So. Here's the deal. I woke up this morning sick as hell and I've been trying to focus enough to do much of anything all day. This has failed entirely, so: thread is open for Q&A and discussion.

>>1144023
In setting, does divinity cause autism or is autism just necessary for divinity?

>>1144061
Little of A, little of B. Gods are not terribly social creatures, even on the best of days. The creation they made for a variety of reasons can have issues relating to them - and they to it - because of the unavoidable status of the one as the maker and the other as the thing made.

And there is no instruction manual for divinity. They learn as they go.

>>1144083
They should write one

Also, what effect did the resurrection have on river?

>>1144949
She's kinda stiff and essentially permanently missing two cups of coffee. Like Nathan she's not about to win any endurance contests. Unlike Nathan it's mainly her back and shoulders.

>>1144997
So mostly aches and pains not full cripple?

Hope everyone is doing alright.

>>1145273
Aye, as I mentioned at the time.

>>1146134
Still sick, unfortunately. But still open for questions and discussion.

So. Topic for idle discussion.
Necromancy academy -> lots of necromancers -> government has access to lots of necromancers.
How do we ensure that training necromancers does not result in state-sponsored zombie armies?

>>1146768
-> lots of necromancers ->
Here. Spamming out necros isn't going to do anyone any good. It'll push demand down, lowering living standards and making them more willing to take on ...less scrupulous work. Our experience is more about "the village necro" anyway. Instead, we keep the school small, give lots of time to each student, make sure they don't just learn /how/ to use necro, but /why/.

Gov't might like to have zombie armies for military uses, but they are draining on the actual necromancer; I can't imagine many would be willing to sacrifice so much life for a simple paycheck. The few that are though, we can't do much about; some will always slip through the cracks.

Also, the decision to make a school isn't certain. We rushed into the decision because it sounded cool and it implied we wouldn't be looked down on for our profession anymore. James is right as well: you really think we're the first to try something like this? Maybe we should do some research into who failed in the past any why.

And, unrelated to above; Nate brought us out so the two of us could spend some time together /separate from Amy/. It's nice that we're thinking about her, but we should be thinking about the one in front of us now.

>>1146617
I see that osteoporosis can effect even the most powerful of undead. You have my sympathies.

>>1146853
I don't think the decision to found a school was rushed, but you are correct that we need to be careful of who we are training and why. This is a serious matter, and anyone without the proper morals and understanding shouldn't be allowed to tamper with Death.

We /will/ have the kingdom's legitimate Demonologists like Cook available to us. They can be something of a model for what we want our eventual graduates to be like.

As for business opportunities, they could make a killing in places like Wrackholm, where they can be dedicated exorcists and mediums.

>>1147049
I guess rushed wasn't the right word, but I stand by the rest of that part. That decision felt pressured by a need to 'fix' this country's problem with necromancy, alongside a desire to not be ostracized for helping people. Honestly, I think that if this country really needs necromancy, despite getting along just fine without it, we either have one of the family branches seed a new branch here, or start one ourselves. It'll keep numbers down, be self-teaching, self-policing, self-regulating, and safer overall. And James is still not wrong: If this is such a great idea, we can't be the first to think of it. If we do go through with it, we need to learn from the failures of the past.

And, to be honest I expect us to either end up being too busy running the Dungeon or being dead to run a school anyway.

Finally here after archive binging. Live thread at last.

>>1147194
Welcome to the thread. Quick, provide Vox feedback!

>>1147202
Uh, feedback huh. I wish Vox elaborated on the rest of the world a bit more, so I can totally "borrow" it for tabletop purposes. Also I miss the mild focus on the ecology and mechanics of the Dungeon floors themselves. The first few threads had an explorarory feel and a sense of purpose to tge dungeon. Lately the Dungeon has felt indistinguishable from a standard city and environs.

>>1147221
Some of that goes back to the roots of the inspiration, namely Undermountain. There's floors of that place that are just...hyper-specialized, like the Cornucopia or the Sunless Sea are, and as a result they ironically end up feeling more normal because you can feel how they slot into the system.

Also welcome to the thread! I'm sorry it had to be while I'm sick.

>>1147172
I'd make a joke about Brianna being capable of both, but I don't think I'd want her to go with the Lich option if Nate and Amy were gone.

>>1147194
Woooo! Welcome to the party! This is where the cool (read: dead) kids hang out.

>>1147234
I understand the issue, just lamenting. The sense of a Dungeon like this is why I'm a fan of megadungeons.

In regards to sickness, its quite alright. I've been sick for the past month straight, so I can empathize.

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>>1147194
Welcome, have a complementary death pic, coffee optional(if your a heathen)

Okay folks. I'm gonna call and write at 8 PM mostly in the interests of actually being able to write. I'm putting on some tea, getting something to eat, and gonna do this shit. This is your last chance to get votes in.

> Get Amy one of the glass flowers

Called, tallying, writing.

>>1149387
Whoa, hold the phones here. Who are you and what did you do with Vox?

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>>1142658
You decide you quite like the idea of the glass flower, and tell Nate as much. It doesn't take much to find the glassmaker; he is, as one might imagine, the only dedicated glassmaker in the village. It is not a usual profession but, then, Kurt's Crossing is not a usual village, considering its neighbors. The man in question is a little older, and reminds you some of your Grandfather, especially when he gives you an easy, welcoming smile.

Some of the flowers are already on display, atop narrow silvered mirrors, but his shop has many works of art in glass, as well as one or two knives which, while marked 'Display only', are tellingly sharp.

"It's not often that I get both members of a young couple in here," the glassmaker muses, wryly. Nathan blushes that deep blush he gets when someone's caught him being all romantic. "Had a fancy for something to remember the festival by?"

"We did," you agree, with a little grin. "We'd been hoping to get our wife something."

"So I see. I had thought that story made up on a lark, but the details are here before me. The dark sorceress, the one-legged boy. Your wife has metal wings, no?"

You laugh while Nathan nods mutely.

"These times /are/ interesting," the glassmaker continues in that same shameless tone. "Had you a thought for what you'd like?"

"A flower," Nathan answers. "A friend suggested you to us for your skill in putting flowers in glass. Only...I'm not sure what flower."

"I might suggest a white rose," the glassmaker answers. He adjusts his apron, almost absently. "They mean devotion, for those that speak that language, and I imagine a marriage such as yours takes quite a bit of that, if I'm not too bold."

"White it is," you agree.

"Yeah," Nathan says, after a moment.

"Come see me just before dusk and I'll have your flower."

You lay down a pair of heavy golden coins on the counter. The glassmaker eyes them and bites one, bending it, and nods with satisfaction. "If you'll give me a moment, I'll have your change."

"I dare say you won't," comes your steady answer. "As I don't intend on accepting it. Thank you for your work, sir."

The glassmaker grins. "Enjoy the festivities."

You and Nate step outside of the shop, fingers laced together. "So...how exactly do you want to find out what the word around town is?" Nathan asks.

"I bet you anything we'll find it near whoever's selling the drinks around here," you suggest.

'The drinks' turn out to be mead, cold and sour-sweet, and there is, indeed, gossip near it. The happenings in and around Glen are strange. There's some musings about the 'demon girl' who was seen stepping out with a lad from the Crossing and is no longer, some chattering about the Duchess supposedly moving her seat there, for /whatever/ reason.

"This is shitty gossip," Nathan admits.

"I'm not really feeling it either," you agree, with a distant frown.

> Find someplace else to listen (where?)
> Do something else (what?)
> Wanna skip to dancing?

>>1151308
>Wanna skip to dancing?
ENJOYMENT MOTHERFUCKERS! (yay)

>>1151308
>> Wanna skip to dancing?

The rumors are an interesting reminder that the Dungeon isn't exactly looked on with fondness from the people who live nearby.

I think that 'The happenings in and around Glen are strange' is kind of a placeholder rumor though. These people live nearby, so they probably have some base familiarity with the place. I'd expect a comment along the lines of 'stranger than usual' rather than just strange.

It's like living next to a bright orange house where the resident has these big obnoxious stone statues the size of cars in his yard, but apart from the fact that he apparently grows his own kale, the guy's pretty ordinary. He's /weird/ though. It's when you find out that he's getting visits from the governor and that there's strangers coming and going at all hours, that he gets even weirder.

>>1151308
>> Wanna skip to dancing?

>>1151418
> I think that 'The happenings in and around Glen are strange' is kind of a placeholder rumor though.

Yeah, it is. I was kinda staring down the barrel of 'delay the update yet again' or 'give a mild copout and see if folks really deeply wanna pursue the rumor thing' so I went with the latter just to get shit moving along.

I'm not gonna be able to update before work, so there'll be time to think on if you do wanna pursue this line of stuff or not.

>>1151308
>> Wanna skip to dancing?

>>1151308
>> Wanna skip to dancing?

>>1151308
>Find someplace else to listen (where?)
>A picnic/barbeque/food-makign place
The best gossip is actually spread around food, not alcohol.

Okay. Gonna archive this thread and start a new one, mainly because, if we're being honest, the three day pause sucked all the life out of this one and it's one page fucking seven as it is.

Thank you for your patience with my indisposition.

Fuck it, gonna write the new thread in the morning. Four losses of data, one in the middle of saving, I ain't got the patience right now.

>>1155282
Hope things go well for you soon, Vox. Hang in there.

>>1155305
's just...frustrating.

I gotta go to work in about an hour, and as a result it's a little less than worth it to try and start a new thread right now. Shift's eight and a half hours. Assuming I'm in any condition, I'll update when I get home. If I'm not, tomorrow morning will be it.

I am sorry folks. I do not like these delays.

>>1155874
We can accept these kinds of delays

>>1155874
Considering your year-long spree of running /every single fucking day you absolute madman/, a few delays are more than acceptable. Take your time. Sit down, catch your breath, take a nap, have a cup of tea. Greatness need not be rushed.

>>1155874
We can wait.

I sympathize - Oroville Dam is starting to overflow, and I've just been called into work to help evacuees find places to stay.

>>1159113
Last I heard things were looking up, what's the situation now?

>>1159177
Just helping out at work for a bit to ease the pressure of everyone in the world running away from Oroville. It's a one time thing - the people checked in are staying for a while.

AT LAST

>>1161890
>>1161890
>>1161890
>>1161890