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>>1813361
"You want to throw the Fairest of Lands in my face?" you roar. John crosses his blades, stopping your overhand chop, but that's fine; you punch the flat of his short sword with your Contract-enhanced fist, scoring it deep. "You seriously want to dredge up the Giant, here? I was a slave."

"You were a torturer," John spits. You feel it just before you move; a spike of concrete spears up where you were just a second ago. "You and all of his other lapdogs! You haven't changed. None of you ever change!"

You swing at his sword, hammering it with hits from Bifrost. Your instructor's voice screeches in your memories ("Stop flynning you fucking cunt!") and in a fit of madness you mutter that it's not flynning, you're trying to hit something...

John's higher than he just was.

The Fairest ascends on a tower of stone that pushes out from the moving City-Hedge, taking swings at your head as he's carried out of reach. Stairs spiral out beneath him, and you ascend without hesitation. The first blow that fails to connect with your temple turns out to be John's loss; you smash the flat of his cracked and scored blade with Bifrost's hilt, shattering it into a dozen pieces that you immediately send into his thighs.

Damn your luck, he's still standing, but the rivulets of flashing, pulsing blood are still good to see.

You deal 1 damage

The tower gets higher and higher, clawing its way into the sky, swaying in the wind and with the motion of whatever this structure is. John ascends the growing stairs, getting his distance, and you take a moment to look down.

You are on the back of a massive moving Hollow, whose legs of segmented silver and concrete crash it through the Hedge walls, making it surge through chunks of path towards some strange horizon. The mortal world is no longer in sight; you have gone deep into the Thorns.

You look back up. John throws away the pit of some fruit, his face stained with the healing juices of it.

"Come and claim me, lapdog," the Fairest challenges. "Just you and me."

"You keep throwing that word around, but the only person acting like one of the cousins is you!"

John finally loses his temper. He points his blade at you, but when the tight beam of light bursts from it you're already moving, ducking low to avoid the burning beam. The Giant gave his Daylight Blades to his favorite pets, and the Stained Glass Swords to his soldiers...

You vault the stairs two at a time, Bifrost swinging. John's spiral curves to the right, a design he remembers on reflex, meant to throw off right-handed attackers, but you're a southpaw and he's given you an advantage. You swing with big, savage blows that chip and chunk his blade.

When he tries to retreat higher, realizing the folly of his rage, you manage to smash his sword against the concrete of John's own tower.

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>>1813416
Without a word, the Fairest turns and leaps, landing on another tower that ascends from the back of his moving Hollow, keeping his momentum to leap again.

You hear an almighty crack from the base of your own tower.

> Jump! (Athletics against difficulty 10, Foot Chases specialty applies, you may spend for Flickering Acumen; gain VALHALLA AWAITS)
> Down! (Athletics against difficulty 7)

And now surprising no one I was riding the line of being late to work and must now flee to Gainful Employment. Votes, obviously, remain open.

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

Thank you all for reading and participating!

>>1813420
>> Jump! (Athletics against difficulty 10, Foot Chases specialty applies, you may spend for Flickering Acumen; gain VALHALLA AWAITS)

Really wish I knew an appropriately Norse expression for "GERONIMO!", but I don't, so that'll have to do.

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>>1813420
>> Jump! (Athletics against difficulty 10, Foot Chases specialty applies, you may spend for Flickering Acumen; gain VALHALLA AWAITS)

>>1813420
>Jump! (Athletics against difficulty 10, Foot Chases specialty applies, you may spend for Flickering Acumen; gain VALHALLA AWAITS)

>>1813420
>> Down! (Athletics against difficulty 7)

>>1813420
>> Jump! (Athletics against difficulty 10, Foot Chases specialty applies, you may spend for Flickering Acumen; gain VALHALLA AWAITS)
>> Spend 1 for Flickering Acumen
Incidentally, how much Glamour do we have left?

>>1813434
I'd guess you'd be asking for the Valkyries' attention?
So kinda "witness me!"?

>>1813420
> Jump! (Athletics against difficulty 10)
I have a feeling failure here is gonna be really bad so spend the rest of our Flickering, all of it!

Side note, how much health do we have?

>>1813841
>>1813885
I can't open the document while I'm a phone but this info is currently accurate on your sheet in the OP. You want the health value in the brackets.

>>1813919
Ah, thanks. I wasn't sure how often you update that.

>>1813420
>> Jump! (Athletics against difficulty 10, Foot Chases specialty applies, you may spend for Flickering Acumen; gain VALHALLA AWAITS)

Spend one for flickering

>>1813420
> Jump! (Athletics against difficulty 10, Foot Chases specialty applies, you may spend for Flickering Acumen; gain VALHALLA AWAITS)
Spend 1 Glamour for Flickering Acumen.

>>1813841
>>1813434
OOOODDDDIIIIINNNNN!!!!

>>1813420
>> Jump! (Athletics against difficulty 10, Foot Chases specialty applies, you may spend for Flickering Acumen; gain VALHALLA AWAITS)
Also shout "HALT VILLAIN!"

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Rolled 4 + 5 (1d10 + 5)

>>1813420
>Jump! (Athletics against difficulty 10, Foot Chases specialty applies, you may spend for Flickering Acumen; gain VALHALLA AWAITS)
>Spend 1 for Flickering Acumen

>>1814917
Pretty glad he didn't call for a roll yet.

>>1813420
> Jump! (Athletics against difficulty 10, Foot Chases specialty applies, you may spend for Flickering Acumen; gain VALHALLA AWAITS)

>>1814917
Welcome to the quest, my friend. I'll generally call for rolls after the voting is done so that votes aren't influenced by the available results, but it's nice to have you here.

Also I'm stealing that picture.

Called, writing. You're going to attempt to jump.

You gain VALHALLA AWAITS (+1 to all rolls). You're still DISTRACTED (-1 to all rolls). You spend 1 Glamour for Flickering Acumen (+1 to this roll).

Roll me 1d10+5, twice.

Rolled 1 + 5 (1d10 + 5)

>>1816256
VALHALLA AWAITS

Rolled 6 + 5 (1d10 + 5)

>>1816256
SHINY AND CHROME

Rolled 9 + 5 (1d10 + 5)

>>1816256

>>1816273
Jesus anon

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>>1816278
Witnessed

>>1816278
6 + 5 = 11; Success.

Writing.

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>>1813420
Nothing this big falls quickly, not even obeying the will of its master. Before you can doubt you sprint, gaining momentum, flashing Glamour to the Flame within to seize your perfect moment. Your senses sharpen, and you catch the happenings below in your peripheral vision.

The battle on the ground has devolved into a firefight, with crossbow bolts and flintlock balls flying and people being thrown out of cover by the lurching and jerking of the increasingly unstable Hollow (what had John called it? Mirror, Mirror, you think...). Bits of its concrete shell have thinned and even now collapse to feed the towers and platforms. The Rook fights with an exposed control panel, chonking back levers with that same cold, mathematical fury on his face that you saw at the Arcade. In the split second before your attention focuses on the ledge, you see him pull a flintlock from a pocket that definitely does not contain one and shoot the Beast sneaking up on him without looking away from his work.

And then all is the moment. You leap over the yawning gap below just as John abandons his own platform for the next. Those below look up for a moment when they hear your voice cut through the sounds of gunfire and Contracts.

"Valkyrja! Freya!"

You land and sink Bifrost into the concrete on instinct. It was the right call; the Hollow shudders and jolts, throwing its combatants to the floor again. The spidery legs have stopped mid-stride; they wobble, unstable, unsteady, before they collapse, throwing up dirt and Thorns and the detritus of the Hedge. The calls of frightened Hobs and Hedge Beasts fill the sudden silence, along with the roar of something big and angry in the distance.

"Blow this for a game of soldiers," John spits. "I don't need your wretched city. Have it! I'm leaving."

"You aren't going anywhere, Rainbow John," you call back.

The Fairest laughs and gestures. "Can you shape the Hedge, lapdog? Then I can do as I please."

Thin spikes of concrete jab up through John's feet, catching him by surprise and making him shriek in agony. The upwelling of blood through his ruined boots runs off his tower in thin rivers.

"Don't stop to gloat, dickbreath," Erin calls from below. "Helpful advice for your next life. Fuck him up, Colors!"

Radiant light encases John, rippling over his skin and making the air around him smoke and steam. He gestures sharply, sucking up the material from the towers, creating a wide platform of concrete that the two of you stand on. It hovers in the air through his will and Wyrd alone.

"You want me, lapdog?" he hisses. "Come and claim me."

"You aren't going to try to get your Hollow moving?" you ask.

"What does it matter? We're undone. I either kill you all here, and then I can do as I wish, or I am dead, and all that is left me is my final act of revenge against the traitor Courts that let so many be taken. You think yourself free? You're deluded, lapdog. Just sleeping at the door of a new master."

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>>1816630
Your cloud of glass catches up to you, and you hold it tight to your body, ready to catch and defend, before charging to meet your enemy head-on. John adopts a boxer's stance, light on his feet. He sidesteps your slash and jabs; you deflect with a push of glass that sizzles and melts against his radiant armor.

"How in fuck are you still standing?" you demand.

"Sheer valor, lapdog." John explodes into the offensive, fists flying at your exposed face. You swat; he sways. You slash, he ducks and jabs his burning fingers into your thighs, which explode with light that sears your entire body.

You suffer 4 damage, reduced to 1 by your Armor

John pushes you back, hard, with his hands, and you go with it because dear fucking Gods that hurts. That he's still standing is amazing, but there's nothing you've met yet that won't die if you hit it with Bifrost enough times. He's good but he's let his powerful Wyrd become a crutch.

The two of you circle, warily, while Erin calls out encouragement from below with a certain cruel bloodlust.

> Take a hit to give one; you can take more than he can (Melee against difficulty 8; take a hit)
> Stall him out. He'll bleed out eventually, if you can avoid his magical attacks (Athletics against difficulty 8; you can spend for Flickering Acumen)
> Use Goblin's Malignance to redirect his anger at himself (1 Glamour, Wyrd against difficulty 10, anger the Summer Court; ???)
> Bury him in molten glass. Drown him, encase him, break him! (4 Glamour, Wyrd vs. his Athletics)

You have acquired a wound penalty (-1)

Current Health: 8/12 (-1)
Current Glamour: 6/13
Maximum Glamour Per Turn: 4

>>1816680
>> Take a hit to give one; you can take more than he can (Melee against difficulty 8; take a hit)
This our best shot I think, we can't really afford to waste much more time. And it's the lowest DC with the wound penalty

>> Take a hit to give one; you can take more than he can (Melee against difficulty 8; take a hit)

(Although the 4th option is cool, I too am afraid we have to take the easiest approach)

>>1816680
>Take a hit to give one; you can take more than he can (Melee against difficulty 8; take a hit)

>>1816680
He took quite a few hits to the legs, didn't he?
Does he seem hampered by that?
meaning, can we assume that his athletics suffered to a notable degree?

>>1816751
He did, but at the level of fucked up he's displaying dude should be some grade of on his knees, passed out, or dead. Instead he's standing and fighting.

>>1816898
Can we roll Occult as a free action to see what weird Gentry blessing he has ?

>>1816680
>> Stall him out. He'll bleed out eventually, if you can avoid his magical attacks (Athletics against difficulty 8; you can spend for Flickering Acumen)
Spend Flickering Acumen

>>1817038
To be honest there's too many it could be. He might just be that tough (Iron Stamina; Jesse had this), he might be using Winter contracts, he might have a pact with his Hollow (Goblin Vow...)

They all add up to basically the same shit, though, so there's that. If you keep killing him he has to die eventually.

I gotta hit work. I'll update when I get home; votes and Q&A are open.

>>1816680
I'm a little confused, didn't we lose 4 health last thread due to him sucker punching us at the start of the fight?

Also, don't we have, like, 3 armor right now due to our armor and the glass thing? At least, I thought that was activated before the fighting started?

>>1817386
He got you for 4, reduced by armor to 1, yes. Your armor is active, which is why it has a value in brackets on your sheet.

>>1817394
Oh, I was just being an idiot and misreading it. Nevermind me and my piss poor reading comprehension

>>1816680
>Take a hit to give one; you can take more than he can
Spend 2 flickering to beat past our penalties

>>1817394
shouldn't he be taking damage from our ability? The glass armor does 2 damage supposedly

>>1817502
That's...one of the things I've been contemplating? In the base system, that Clause doesn't do reactivate damage. Here, I dunno. At the moment I'm leaning 'no'.

>>1816680
> Bury him in molten glass. Drown him, encase him, break him! (4 Glamour, Wyrd vs. his Athletics)

>>1815202
I'll post the others I have as we go. I have lots of eyes.

>Bury him in molten glass. Drown him, encase him, break him! (4 Glamour, Wyrd vs. his Athletics)

"Lapdogs don't bite. I do a lot more than merely bite!"

>Take a hit to give one; you can take more than he can (Melee against difficulty 8; take a hit)
> Spend 1 Glamour to cancel out the wound penalties

>>1816680
> Take a hit to give one; you can take more than he can (Melee against difficulty 8; take a hit)
Put out your best 'come at me, bro' pose and yell MOLON LABE

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I think there were clock eyes mentioned once.

>>1819023
>MOLON LABE
?

>>1819560
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molon_labe
>tl;dr
Spartan '(come and) take it'.

>>1819571

She's Viking, not Spartan.

>>1819696
well then point me to a viking inscription of the same spirit. Molon labe's what pops up for awesome action quotes lifted from history.

>>1818383
Lap dogs bite all the time. Vicious bastards are usually poorly trained.

Called. Sorry about the delays. Looks like our option is to take a hit to give one. Roll me 1d10+4, three times.

Rolled 5 + 4 (1d10 + 4)

>>1820857
Let's go!

Rolled 10 + 4 (1d10 + 4)

>>1820857

Rolled 1 + 4 (1d10 + 4)

>>1820857
Woo! More Vox!

>>1820940
...That'll work.

>>1821014
Horry shiet Bapmang! That is no bueno! I must now commit sudoku to atone for my shameful failure.

10 + 4 = 14; Success, Overkill.

>>1820893
>>1820940
>>1821019

I think we've got some sort of Three Bears shit going on here; one roll was Too Low, one roll was Too High, and one roll was Just Right...

Of course, Too High isn't /really/ a thing.

>>1821972
One roll Too Low, one roll Too Low, and one roll Just Riiiiiiiight, yeah.

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>>1816680
You hear the crack of flintlocks from below, in rapid succession; the Crow is shooting his collection off, no doubt. You feint left, baiting John's column of concrete, and lunge towards his right side. He lunges, copying your earlier maneuver where you warned him off with a stab, expecting you to break off.

You don't.

Bifrost is thinner than most other blades; its construction means it's only as thick as it has to be in order to physically exist. It's easy to lose track of the blade if you stare at it from the edge. All blades will turn on or stick in bone - that's the nature of edges and bone - but Bifrost has, so very often, served you well by diving between ribs where metal blades might get stuck, or deflect off.

The trouble is, usually people stop fighting you when you do that, so that they can attend to the sudden and urgent business of dying. John's probably not going to do that, and that means this is going to hurt.

John reaches for your face while you slash at his gut. You catch the widening of his eyes as he realizes that, yes, you're going to be this insane, that this is happening, but it's already too late. He grips your face, burning and melting the glass of your body with that horrible rainbow light, while Bifrost cleaves his flesh and buries itself in the bone of his spine.

You suffer 4 damage, reduced by your Contract-based armor to 3

You turn away, breaking John's grip. He tries to lurch back, but glass in bone is a hell of a thing. He's still struggling when you bring your boot up and kick Bifrosts's blade through his spine and out the other side, spilling blood and viscera onto the concrete.

He's still alive. Somehow. The light around him flickers and fades, and the power of his Wyrd crawls back, making the air shimmer and swim. You can feel the platform descending gently, probably at Erin's command once John was no longer gripping it.

"The Courts," your enemy wheezes. "They...they betray us all, lapdog. So many taken...so many..."

You raise Bifrost over his chest, point-down, in silence. After a moment, Rainbow John nods and lets his head fall back.

"To Evenhanded Tyr, the blood of the wicked," you murmur, before you thrust your blade into his heart, and then Rainbow John is still.

The Hollow absorbs the concrete stolen from it, but from the sound of the cursing and clanging at the controls, the Rook is having a hell of a time. It picks itself up with a shudder and starts to walk back towards the mortal realm, but even your limited magical knowledge tells you that this thing will not survive its master for long. The oaths that keep it are coming undone.

The others, in all their battered glory, approach slowly. Most of John's men are alive, if unconscious, though the broken corpses strewn across the surface of the Hollow speak to the ferocity of the battle. Thomas the Crow is dead, or he'd better be, considering his extraordinary headlessness.

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>>1822711
You put your hand back on Bifrost's hilt, but hesitate. There's something more to be said, over John's body. Vickie looks at you with a strange expression, somehow both anticipatory and afraid.

> "Justice is done."
> "Here lies a traitor and a coward. I curse him; may he never enter Valhalla."

>>1822719
>"Justice is done."

>>1822719
>> "Justice is done."
A coward he wasn't

>>1822719
>> "Justice is done."

Damn, I was gonna look up some sort of saying or prayer to tyr to put in as a write in but I couldn't find anything.

>>1822719
> "Justice is done."

Sorry for the disjointed run lately, folks; life's been...hectic. I'll leave this for the morning and try to get some real sleep.

Hopefully between relaxing today and a relatively easy shift anticipated tomorrow I'll be able to actually focus worth a fucking damn on Thursday when I have my other day off.

>>1822719
I can't help but feel that this, while "Justice", isn't really done.

It's sad that John became the monster he fought, but that's a path any of us could go. His war wasn't evil, just how he went about it. Abused and twisted by the Lord we shared we can't deny that slave or not we shared somewhat in the making of him. That we were unable to save him, in order to save others.

Like the guy was a tragic figure.

So

> Justice is served, for his victims even as he himself was one.

>>1822815
Please don't force yourself on a update schedule, your health comes first.

>>1822815
>>1822838

Screw this guy. If I could find where you live I'd tie you to your computer and shoot you full of meth until the quest was done.

But seriously it's not like anyone is paying for this. Slower but better quality is better than shittily churning stuff out until you drop.

Just imagine how much easier it would be, though, to organize it if you had some sort of updateable scheduling alert for people instead of just leaving threads up for days.

Some sort of twitter account or something.

>>1822871
>ust leaving threads up for days.
Not really a problem on qst, and other QM's do it too.

>>1823256
It's mostly just me tweaking his constant refusal to get a twitter lol. Then he could not post for days instead if trying to get one post in a day.

Called, writing. Prolly my only update before work, but we'll see.

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>>1822719
You look around. John's men, the conscious ones, have defeated looks on their faces. In the distance, in the direction of the door that Vickie barred earlier, you hear people crying. The mortals, probably. You can't make out the expression on Erin's face (that blindfold is a hell of a thing), but most of the others that give you their attention have tired, maybe a little confused looks.

You pull Bifrost from John's chest, flick the blood from its blade, and raise your chin. "Justice is done," you tell them. "We can go home with our heads held high and tell our friends and neighbors that they can rest peacefully in their beds. Who here will lay out the dead?"

"I will," Erin and Vickie say at the same time. The two of them look at one another, and then share a quiet nod rather than pick a fight.

You turn your attention to Forum. "Can you take your cousin - miss, I never caught your name - and see to the children?"

"It's Jasmine," the Ogre apprentice the Rook brought says. "And yes, Dame Eriksdotter."

Erin approaches, Sally close behind her, and looks down at John's ruined body, filled with shards of glass. "You fucked him up pretty good," she comments. "Tough bastard."

"He leaned too much on his Wyrd," you say. "...I need to spend more time training."

"I need a sparring partner," the ex-pirate says, with a half-hearted shrug. "You need healing, or you're going to keel over when you stop doing the Elemental thing."

"Treat the most wounded first."

"Alright." Erin claps her hand on your shoulder, and you feel the warmth of Eternal Spring knit your wounds, replacing lost blood and setting broken bones.

You heal 3 health.

"What did I -"

"You are the most wounded, idiot," Erin snaps. She stoops and picks up John's torso, indifferent to the blood, and walks off, leaving Sally to take his legs. "Fuckin' morons," the pirate mutters, before she finally leaves earshot.

There's not much to do but wait. You settle in for a long ride home atop the teetering Hollow. The pain, when you finally go back to normal, is a throbbing, all-over thing, which makes sense considering how hard you got slapped around by huge blocks of concrete. Your face aches. It won't scar - you hardly ever scar - but you know that you're half-slagged and feeling every bit of it right now.

Eventually, the Rook emerges from below, his jacket splattered with blood. The Wizened takes a seat next to you, resting his wrist on his knee and staring out over the Thorns. He coughs, deep and wracking, and spits a thick gob of slimy mucus away from the two of you.

"This thing is going to crash," he says, after a moment. "We'll be safe. It will stop when I tell it, and continue to fall apart, but the things inside of it will be here, waiting to be salvaged."

"An opportunity?" you ask, looking at him.

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>>1823669
"Inherently. But that's not why I bring it up." The Rook takes a deep, shaky breath; his hand trembles, the telltale sign of a man coming down from adrenaline. "Colors, this salvage belongs to Autumn. We lost lives for this mission, the lives of loyal and devoted Courtiers. There has to be recompense for that."

"Spring, Summer, and Winter sent people too," you point out.

"And they didn't pay the price. Autumn did." The one-eyed look you get has no fury in it, not like you expected. "I will not beg you for your backing, Warlock Knight. But I am asking for it."

> Agree to back Autumn's claim to the salvage
> Refuse
> Write-in?

>>1823674
>Write-in?
>"I will back your claim regardless, but sharing among the other courts may just prove useful in the long run... It doesn't have to be much, and it /is/ just a suggestion."
I do hope Rook takes the suggestion though.

>>1823704
>Write-in?
>"I will back your claim regardless, but sharing among the other courts may just prove useful in the long run... It doesn't have to be much, and it /is/ just a suggestion."

>>1823674
this>>1823704

>>1823674
>> Write-in?
Compromise: Half guaranteed, or first pick, or something similar. Everyone pitched in and helped, but Autumn paid the bulk of the long term cost.

>>1823674
>> Agree to back Autumn's claim to the salvage
Rook was kind enough to tell us. Don't break his trust, now that we've finally earned it.

>>1823674
>"I will back your claim regardless, but sharing among the other courts may just prove useful in the long run... It doesn't have to be much, and it /is/ just a suggestion."

>>1823813
Supporting

>>1823674
Back his claim like >>1823704
, but Spring gets first pick for us having killed John. Or would he say that we paid nothing either?

>"I will back your claim regardless, but sharing among the other courts may just prove useful in the long run... It doesn't have to be much, and it /is/ just a suggestion."

>>1823704
>This

Called, writing.

>>1824607
>, but Spring gets first pick for us having killed John
This is a weak argument. Rook took a huge risk trying to stop the city from walking into Hell, instead of aiding his Autumn brothers and sisters.

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>>1823674
You consider it for a moment, which the Rook treats with patience. It's not like either of you are going anywhere fast; right now you wouldn't get up from sitting if you were paid to. You're so exhausted that even the thrill of victory is on your To-Do For Later list.

"I'll back you," you say at last. "But...if I can make a suggestion, sharing might prove more useful in the long run. At least enough to be symbolic."

"Mm." The Rook lets out a long breath and ends up in a hacking cough; he spits away from the two of you. He's still shaking. Cautiously, you reach for his shoulder. The Rook tenses, and you pull your hand back, only for him to shake his head.

Gently, oh-so-gently, you lay your hand on the Wizened's shoulder and squeeze, and the onetime Prince of Autumn lets you.

"Been awhile?" you ask.

"No. It's like this every time, for me. Like stage fright," he says, ruefully. "...Stage fright for murder. I wonder if gladiators felt this way?" His eye is on the smear of multicolored blood where John's body was. "...You've sharpened your Wyrd. The dreams, they just get worse. The deeper you go, the more you reach your hands into the tangle of Time and Fate, the more you remember, for better and for worse. Usually worse. Maybe John never knew you at all. Maybe he did. But he couldn't forget any more. And he couldn't live with remembering."

"Are you sure you're talking about John?" you ask, softly.

"I know I'm not." The Rook coughs and sucks in a shuddering breath. "...Her name was Izzie. She had red hair, and this flickering smile, like she was afraid someone might see. I loved her."

"What happened?"

The Rook is silent for a long time. When he answers, his voice is barely a hoarse, wet whisper.

"She banished me from the Fairest of Lands."

* * * *

You stop to bury the dead in the part of the Hedge closest to the mortal world, after the Hollow grinds to a halt. Their possessions, carefully packed and labeled, are on the backs of the Rook and of Jasmine. There's not many teens that were in John's moving city, three girls and two boys, among them the punk you caught tagging the wall less than a week ago. You march them in the center of your formation, keeping them in the position of greatest safety. No one has dared to celebrate yet, not until you're back home and in the arms of the Freehold.

Thank the gods, there's nothing stupid or desperate enough to attack a group of this size, at least not a-hunting today. Forum opens up the gate back into the disused bar, and your group stops to file through.

You catch the punk on reflex when she turns to flee back down the path.

"No!" she screams, as you haul her towards the gate. She kicks, thrashes. "No! Please! Don't make me go back!"

"You don't want what They have to offer," you tell her, firmly.

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>>1826060
"I don't care! I can't go back home, I can't, let me go! Please!" Her fingers claw at the doorframe, until you yank her through. Jasmine catches the young punk and restrains her until the gate snaps shut. The girl stares in mute shock, and goes limp in Jasmine's arms.

"I'm sorry," you murmur.

The girl's eyes tear up, and she sinks to her knees when Jasmine lets go of her.

"Take me to Wonderland," she whispers, before she starts to cry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcGg8GXiaNg

END PART ONE: TAKE ME TO WONDERLAND

>>1826066
Whelp.

I suppose we should look into that a little too.

What an arc.

>>1826066
>The Rook is silent for a long time. When he answers, his voice is barely a hoarse, wet whisper.
>"She banished me from the Fairest of Lands."

Jesus Rook, jesus.

Thanks for running vox, looking forward to arc 2

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INTERLUDE: HEATHENS

Your phone blows up all to fuck inside of five minutes. From what you can tell it's been three days, give or take, which is pretty good as far as trips into the Deep Hedge go. You text Fancy back - [I'm back. Alive. Gonna be busy.] - before alerting Ramona. Summer soldiers show up to look everyone over and take the kids to the Juniper Building. Jasmine and Forum go with them, to give their reports and just in case anyone else gets ideas about leaving.

"I'm going to the Arcade," the Rook announces, and then he, too, is gone, hand in his pocket.

Erin and Sally leave with even less ceremony.

"So...what'cha thinking, Fearless Leader?" Vickie asks, into the silence of the bar.

> Go home. Get real sleep. [Timeskip to giving your report]
> Tequila?
> You're pretty fucked up. You should go see Sally Sticks.
> Go tell Trista that her dream was real and it kicked your ass
> Is Fancy busy? On the one hand your face is all fucked up, and on the other hand this is a non-optional part of the Dating Colors Experience...
> Write-in?

>>1826087
>> Tequila?
if she's not up to that
> Is Fancy busy? On the one hand your face is all fucked up, and on the other hand this is a non-optional part of the Dating Colors Experience...

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Thanks for reading and participating through our first arc, ladies and gents! I had a lot of fun and I look forward to continuing on this with all of you.

Like in Dungeon Life Quest, the intention here is that the story follows a Chapter-Interlude-Chapter pattern. Unlike in Dungeon Life Quest, Cinderella Sanction has a more open-ended plot structure; while some events are essentially reactive, the goal of interludes is for you - the readership - to decide the plot threads you'd like to follow up on, to set Colors' goals and aspirations, and thus to shape the plots of the upcoming chapters by establishing what she desires, what she's afraid to lose, and what she cares to defend.

Interludes are also a good time to improve your abilities, but I'll be expanding on that in the morning when I wake up.

I need to pass out; votes remain open.

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

Thank you all for reading and participating!

>>1826097
Need more...data to provide feedback When's the next Quest ;)

Rook being in love with someone in Arcadia.(His Keeper?) that's really something. Really adds to his character.

>>1826087
> Is Fancy busy? On the one hand your face is all fucked up, and on the other hand this is a non-optional part of the Dating Colors Experience...

>Write-in?
If Vickie needs to talk we could stay, though.

>>1826087
>Tequila
Nothing ends a quest like booze

>>1826087
> Tequila?
Operation: Drunk Vickie is a go.
Also curious as to what drunk Colors is like. Probably hammy as fuck.

>>1826087
> Tequila?

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>Is Fancy busy? On the one hand your face is all fucked up, and on the other hand this is a non-optional part of the Dating Colors Experience...

>>1826087
>Tequila?
Been putting this off for far too long.

> You're pretty fucked up. You should go see Sally Sticks.
> Tequila?

We could do one after the other. Maybe both at the same time? One helps the other, I think...

>>1826087
> Tequila?

Fancy is too emotionally draining at this point.

>>1826087
Also we should see about getting some updated weapons. The sword is cool and all, but it's 2017 and we need a ranged option.

Or maybe something to counter the Wyrd.

The Lady of the Lake is still out there too.

By the way, what about cashing in that favor we we're promised by that monarch woman ? What about healing Rook;s arm and his phlegmy cough ?

>>1826087
>> Write-in?
>Cash in that favor you were promised.

>>1827232
>>1827247
Misery Monroe's favor can wait until after your report. Though you are technically entitled to it at any point now that you've fulfilled your word it's not precisely pressing. Take your time. Think about it. You've got 20 more days to decide.

Incidentally, you're obligated to defend and protect the other three members of your Motley for that same length of time.

Also called, writing.

>>1827231
If you mean a gun, there's so many ways that can go hideously wrong I can't even begin to co8unt them.

Magic+guns is a bad idea, always.

>>1827748
Out of curiosity, how so?

Also, if guns really are that bad an idea, we've made some rather impressive strides in crossbow technology.

>>1827903
Guns contain bullets. Bullets are essentially small self contained explosives. The number of ways to cause those self contained explosives to malfunction without magic is vanishingly slim. However, when you introduce pleges, pacts, and magic, there are all sorts of very bad things that can happen:
a bullet doesn't quite finish moving from magazine to chamber and jams because fate said so

the gun heats up and the bullets within decide to explode (Color's own blood can do that)

the trigger mechanism fails at a critical moment, and then finishes being pulled while you shift your aim, killing someone you didn't intent

the gun you used to kill a person somehow ends up as the centerpiece of a completely unrelated murder

Magic makes guns a liability.

>>1827914
Some of those are true, but I imagine that the firearms designed by Changeling smiths and tinkerers are specifically designed NOT to fall prey to such things. Maybe by including Cold Iron in its construction?

And your last point can be applied to ANY personalized weapon, like Bifrost. Plus, even if mundane forensics fail, a Lost with a Contract to Memory or something similar may be able to track down the actual culprit regardless of where or on whom it was found.

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>>1826087
You rub your face, immediately regret it, and then decide, fuck it. You need to unwind. "I'm thinking of a bottle of tequila, honestly."

"One, she says," Vickie echoes, with a smile. "C'mon, I've got a place. I assume we're walking?"

"I'm going to be dreaming about cars with spider legs for fucking months. Yes, we're walking."

"Good, we can pick up the Wise Men at the liquor store on the way." Vickie starts moving, forcing you to catch up.

"Wise - are we not going to a bar?"

"I said I had a place, not a bar. You think I own a bar? I can't run a bar, I'm bad with money." Vickie flashes you another grin and starts whistling, with her hands in her pockets.

The stop at the liquor store involves no less than three bottles each of Jim Bean, Jack Daniels, and Jose Cuervo.

"The Wise Men," Vickie says, as she hands you some of the bags. "Jim, Jack, and Jose. 's what Dad always said."

"How much drinking do you think is going to happen?" you ask, in vague bewilderment.

Vickie shrugs. "Enough? Who knows. C'mon."

"At least tell me what I owe you for the liquor," you insist, following her.

"You're my guest."

"Vickie -"

"You are my guest," the Darkling emphasizes. "Guests eat and drink free. C'mon, c'mon!"

"You're oddly excited for what promises to be a super depressing conversation," you protest, picking up your pace to keep up with Vickie.

"Just go with it."

Vickie ends up leading you to an apartment building at the edge of traditional Freehold territory, one of the old brick numbers propped up primarily because the fines for being in disrepair would bankrupt everyone living in it. For the same reasons, the front room with the mailboxes is swept nice and clean, but the moment the two of you leave the first floor you see the signs of hastily-concealed neglect. The peeling wallpaper that's been taped back, the subtle scent of trash left just a day or so too long. She produces a preposterously large ring of keys from her jacket and feels her way through it one-handed as the two of you reach the top floor.

She opens up an apartment at the end of the hall and invites you in. The place smells lived-in, faintly smoky and faintly dirty, with mismatched furniture. An honest-to-God NES sits plugged into the TV through some complex arrangement of cables. Adapters, maybe? Who knows. Vickie sets her stuff down on the dining room table while you lock the doors before doing the same.

Wordlessly, the two of you prowl the place for intruders before she takes a seat on the kitchen counter with one bottle of the Jose and you take the only chair with the Jack.

"Glasses?"

"Not clean," Vickie admits, before she takes a slug from the bottle. "I don't use this place a lot."

"What, you live somewhere else?"

"I dunno if I'd say I live anywhere in particular," the Darkling evades.

"How do you afford the rent?" you ask, looking around.

"Rent might also be a strong word for my relationship with this place."

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>>1828399
You give up and take a drink from the Jack ("That's the spirit!" Vickie encourages). It burns, but, then, it's supposed to. "So...how did you imagine this going?"

"I dunno. Drink until we don't feel weird. Talk honestly. Maybe fuck if you're down for it."

You choke on your whiskey.

"Don't waste the booze!"

You clear your throat. "Anything off-limits?"

"I dunno, just the shit we don't answer? I mean, the idea is to dredge up the shit we don't usually talk about, so...fuckin' hit me?" Vickie gives a complicated shrug before taking a long pull from the bottle. You are honestly amazed she can hold her breath that long; when she finally puts it down (shaking her head vigorously) the level of liquid is much, much lower.

> Alright. You said twice now that religion's hard for you. What's up with that?
> You lied to me. About your family.
> You always go for casual drunk sex after a big win?
> No, /you/ hit /me/. What'cha burning to know, Vik?

>>1828418
> Alright. You said twice now that religion's hard for you. What's up with that?

>>1827914
You do realize that each an every item on that list can be caused by purely mundane means?

Your arguments could all be applied to anything, making it effectively "magic makes weapons a liability." Or perhaps "phones" or "car keys."

>>1828418
>> You always go for casual drunk sex after a big win?

>>1828418
> You always go for casual drunk sex after a big win?

>>1828441
You realize that without magic, those 'mundane means' only happens a very small percentage of the time, right? With magic, it's 100%. So instead of jamming happening only, say, every so often, an ensorceled gun would be jamomatic 3000 with absolutely no chance of the bullets coming out.

>>1828506
Just ignoring all the changelings using guns so far in the quest, are we?
.

>>1827914
>>1828506
Stop using Dresden logic, that isn't how it works here you goobs

>>1828609
I mean the Rook was using a gun in this very thread.

There was a troll with a shotgun earlier too.

>>1828575
>>1828609
did you miss the part where I said 'ensorceled' guns? That means guns that got pledged or magicked to do jack shit. Guns that doesn't got ensorceled is just regular guns with their regular performance.
On the flip side, guns can also be enchanted with pledges/what have you, and be better.

Also take the individual Changelings' personal theme. Some just can't make peace with gunpowder and must make do without guns, some have the blessings of Smith and Wesson themselves.

I am not arguing that guns won't be completely useless, I am arguing that the 'mundane means' that this anon said >>1828441 would be multiplied with magic coming in the equation.

>>1828611
Ignore them, they're using logic from a Book Series

>>1828628
sorry for including you in my post then

>>1828639
s'all right, miscommunications happen all the time.

>>1828418
>> You always go for casual drunk sex after a big win?
Please say it in a off-hand manner. We don't want to make her mad again.

>>1828628
Okay. So what you're saying when you talk about "ensorcled" guns is they can be cursed to not work? Or enchanted to work better?

Because all I can find in the rules of the setting is that Cold Iron bullets don't work that often.

And while the thematic component is valid, it doesn't necessarily apply here for Colours who is trying to change. Really if the Lost want to be players in politics with the Mask dropping, they're going to have to get used to guns.

Not every one of them, but definitely the ones acting as enforcers of the Courts.

Guns are simply too useful.

>>1828758
Well, looking at the rules there's some ways to hinder usage of a gun, maybe not on the gun itself but on the person using the gun. Goblin Oath could theoretically be done with a clause hindering the use of a gun. Fortune's Bane just makes the target really unlucky; maybe a changeling could even focus it only on gun-related hazards. There's also Waspshot, which is a kind of bullet that always hits the mark even if they're behind cover - at the cost of your gun's integrity.

I'm trawling the entire set of books for gun-related stuff, and post here as I find them.

Another one that affects the user of the gun in question is Fickle Fate. A Contract of Mirror called Chrysalis could, by stretching it a bit, transform its Changeling user into an object - imagine a Changeling that transformed into a gun. Contracts of Artifice has Touch of the Workman's Wrath, which can disable or seriously damage a device or equipment - including a gun. Same contracts also have Unmaker's Destructive Gaze, which can disable or damage equipment or device by only staring at it hard. Tatterdemalion's Workshop allows one to MacGuyver an Ork gun. Goblin Oath, Shooter's Bargain blesses a ranged weapon to be exceptionally accurate for the next three rolls.
There's also the Token, Ribbon of Nevermiss, that enhances the range and accuracy of a gun, but only for three shots before it's damaged. Stingseed is probably what Forum got on his arm through that shotgun.

>>1828418
>> Alright. You said twice now that religion's hard for you. What's up with that?

>>1828418
>Alright. You said twice now that religion's hard for you. What's up with that?

>>1829034
>question is Fickle Fate. A Contract of Mirror called Chrysalis could, by stretching it a bit, transform its Changeling user into an object - imagine a Changeling that transformed into a gun. Contracts of Artifice has Touch of the Workman's Wrath, which can disable or seriously damage a device or equipment - including a gun. Same contracts also have Unmaker's Destructive Gaze, which can disable or damage equipment or device by only staring at it hard. Tatterdemalion's Workshop allows one to MacGuyver an Ork gun. Goblin Oath, Shooter's Bargain blesses a ranged weapon to be exceptionally accurate for the next three rolls.

Could be just that guns are low damage or people have the wrong stats for them, too.

>>1829239
Which is very Tabletop Game. Ranegd Options are usually weak or have a drawback, while Melee Options have good strength to counter their range drawback. Very possible that guns can't be buffed enough to get past beefy things armor, for ex.

>>1829243
>Very possible that guns can't be buffed enough to get past beefy things armor, for ex.
They use rifles to hunt alligators and elephants but ok. We saw what one shell of Elfshot did to a Winter Ogre.

>>1829352
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GunsAreWorthless
Just sayin', this is a thing a LOT.
also saying, I have no clue about the underlying game system of this and how it rates.

>>1829243
To be fair, the drawbacks are usually the same as using guns in real life: Accuracy takes work, ammunition is a limited resource, and guns are often hazardous to the user in melee.

>>1829493
You're going to have to explain that last one.

>>1829475
I wasn't even referring to the tropes, I just play/read a lot of magic settings.

>>1829521
Well, for one thing, attempting to use your gun as a gun when someone is already at melee range (not closing, that's a different kettle of fish) is ill advised, because they're free to whale on you while you get your muzzle into position.

Using your gun as a melee weapon isn't much better, really - you CAN pistol whip, but it's a fairly obvious motion. Longarms give you the option of rifle fighting, but you have to know how to do that (it's not hard, but unless you've been trained you'll have to actively think about it, which introduces openings).

And then there's the possibility of your opponent getting your weapon. Which honestly should speak for itself.

'Kay, we're currently swinging a tie between the religion question and the casual sex one. I'll give it until 1:45 EST to be broken, otherwise I'm throwing a die.

>>1829606
>Write-in
>Make the religion question pillow talk after the casual sex ?

>>1829625
Not gonna fly.

>>1829625
One, Religion is horrible pillow talk.
Two, "casual sex thing" was supposed to be talking about casual sex, not actually engaging in it.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

'Kay, die roll it is. 1 is religion, 2 is the sex thing

>>1829651
So be it. Writing.

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>>1828418
"You mentioned something about food?" you ask, before either of you get too drunk to remember it. Vickie hops down from the counter and pops open the freezer at the top of the fridge.

"Lemme think here...lasagna work for you? I've got pot pies and stuff. Sandwich shit in the fridge."

"Pot pies sound a bit better? Given, you know..."

"Yeah, yeah, more bread. Comin' up." You were expecting something store-bought but the foil-wrapped pies that Vickie pulls out of the freezer look homemade. She digs out a cookie sheet to put them on, sticks four of the large pies on it, and starts the oven preheating before she hops back onto the counter and takes another drink.

"You, ah, you wanna slow down there?" you ask, gently.

"I prefer it when my booze hits me all at the same time. C'mon, waiting on you Fearless Leader."

You roll your eyes. "Fine, fine. You always go for casual drunk sex after a big win?"

"I mean, not drunk necessarily," Vik admits. She bops her boots against the drawers beneath the counter in a steady, thoughtful rhythm. "Girl's gotta have some fun, though. Grabbed Twitch after the whole Excalibur thing, which was...that was a thing." She sighs. "Poor bastard got murked later that year, of course. But, yeah, I blow off steam. Same as you."

You cough.

"Don't give me that, you fuck Pixie Chasers," Vickie gestures at you with her bottle. "I'm astounded you didn't sleep with Fancy. You guys a thing or what?"

You frown, open your mouth to answer, and take a swig of the Jack instead. "I dunno. Which she says means 'no'."

"That seems like one of those things you oughta be sure about," Vickie points out. "She gonna come for my kidneys if we end up doing this thing?"

"I didn't say I was gonna do this thing!"

Vickie holds her hands up in a pacifying gesture. "Not assumin', not assumin' at all. That a hard no?"

"...I dunno."

"I am having a hard time reconciling Indecisive Colors with the person I just saw chase a man into the sky without a second thought," Vickie says; her expression turns wistful, even a little dreamy. "...That was amazing. Call Fancy."

"What?"

"Figure out your shit, Colors! C'mon, give her a call while you still have your fuckin' faculties so I know if I've got a shot at making up only one bed."

> Vickie, it's a hard no
> ...Alright, fine [call Fancy]
> She said we're not a thing. That's pretty decisive [Lust]

>>1829689
>Vickie, it's a hard no
Not because we don't like her and not because we don't do casual sex, but Vicky kind of put it in perspective. If we want a chance at something good with Fancy, we gotta play it straight with her. Serious dating is serious dating, and Fancy said it was at least serious dating, as in lookign for something permanent.

I am totally aware i may be a minority in this thinking.

>>1829565
You have to maneuver ANY weapon into position to strike with it. Lognarms are cumbersome to use untrained in melee, but I don't think anyone's advocating carrying one around. I at least read this as "Colors needs a handgun or PDW.

And ANY weapon can be disarmed and used by the opponent, guns aren't special in that respect.

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To address the gun thing:

Changelings use guns. Many changelings have unusual training in more archaic weapons, because Arcadia's timeless nature means that most are "raised" in lands that still favor swords and axes, crossbows or chains or even stone clubs. They come home with exotic skills that they then favor on Earth because they are familiar, but guns aren't just useful, they raise less suspicion than walking around with a shitload of African throwing irons.

That in mind, while guns are vulnerable to certain Contracts (since they're complex machines), the biggest issue facing a Changeling and firearms is the question of the Hedge. The deeper you go, the less complex machines in general - guns included - work right. If you're not a regular hedgewalker, you're fine. Gun it up. If you are, you either use something else, or you make yourself a Hedgespun firearm. This same reason is also why the Rook tends to pull out flintlocks; they work for deeper than more complex modern firearms do.

Y'all do recall that I mentioned Colors' lack of firearm possession was primarily aesthetic, yes?

>>1829689
>> ...Alright, fine [call Fancy]

>>1829689
>Vox writes a new quest
>hours of writing for each update
>sex talk comes up
>twenty minutes

And our verbose lich maintains smut being awkward for him.

>>1829689
>> Vickie, it's a hard no

>>1829701
I agree with you at any rate

>>1829739
Life's been awkward for me. Real life's been interrupting while I settle in with the new roommate and address changing situations with my insurance, my work schedule, etc.

Also I was drunk yesterday.

>>1829756
It's fine, mate. Just making a bit o' fun.

I acutally kinda like the pace over longer but more sparse runs.

>>1829689
>> ...Alright, fine [call Fancy]
Time for Colors to ESTABLISH BOUNDARIES

Speaking of, hitting work now. Gonna be closing up shop tonight so expect me back hella fucking late. I haven't forgotten the need to talk about improving Colors' abilities. Votes are open, and I'm available for Q&A.

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

Thank you all for reading and participating!

>>1829737
>>1829784
We're gone for days, no word about us from anyone, she's probably worried and the first time you call her is to ask if you can fuck someone else?

Maaaaaan use your heads

>>1829689
>> She said we're not a thing. That's pretty decisive [Lust]
I actually disagree with this being an in-character dialogue option for Colors. I think she'd be more likely to fall back on her "i don't really know what this is" option because of her admitted inability to know what she wants, and then she'd just go with it. she loves a pretty face, after all.

>>1829833
Just for my own certainty, you are still voting for it?

I'm having a real hard time here, we're not actually in a thing with fancy, but we did take a pretty big step in that direction when we made that pledge, even if it was mostly about being honest and up front.

I'm sort of leaning towards calling, but calling someone who you have a major attraction to, which seems mutual, to ask if we can lay someone else seems a bit strange, it could also be seen as being true to our pledge.

Though it is possible that fancy would find it amusing and might lead to over the phone teasing, if I am reading her responses correctly so far... But more likely that it will lead to some sort of drama I did not expect, like it tends to do.

>>1829689
>> Vickie, it's a hard no
... at least while they're under pledge to protect each other.

>>1829839
>>1829839
Yes I am. Also please don't be discouraged by my comment, I think you've rightly set us up in a hard choice and I'm interested to see how anons respond. I just wish we had an "uhh idk" option, so to speak

>>1829689
>>1829887
Raises a decent point. We're kinda done with the job, but technically we work together for another month and who knows what comes up in that time.

So, supporting this.

>>1829689
>Vickie, it's a hard no
Some good arguments against this, as much as I like Vickie, it is sadly not the right time.

>>1829890
That's what Write Ins are for, anon, always feel free to Write In.

Vox likes them.

>>1829945
Personally I have a tendency to forget about write-ins being a thing if it isn't specifically listed in the votes.

>>1829927
I should have added that I fully support >>1829887 , we're all technically still on the job.

Sorry for making it more confusing.

>>1829812
well we weren't gone for days. more like half a day

>>1830206
READING
COMPREHENSION

>>1830206
Three days, anon. Which for a hedge run, isn't bad, mind you. but it's still three days, no word, and we told her we'd be doing something dangerous

But vickie needs us as a friend and as a pledge companion, so we're sticking by her - without sex, because we have a chance at a Very Good Thing with Fancy, and we promised we'd tell her if it wasn't serious. Sex with Vickie is defintiely nothing serious for either her or us, but with Fancy in the equation, it could kill a Very Good Thing. So, no sex with Vickie, but we can be her friend, if she lets us and we don't fuck that up too.

>>1829689
> She said we're not a thing. That's pretty decisive [Lust]

I just don't want to end up married to fancy right away.

>>1829890
The thing about Colors, as I read her, is that she's extremely confused about what she actually does want, and is trying to reinvent herself, which really doesn't help. So making a snap decision when pressed (lightly)? Totally makes sense.

>>1830380
Do keep in mind that this isn't a VN. I don't play romance by routes or flags.

It's a fucking slaughterhouse in this store today. Tonight's update may be late.

>>1830423
....now i'm curious. And you've dredged up unpleasant images which are going to stick in my head for the rest of the day.

If I have nightmares, you're the one that's gettign the story, Vox, and I will psychically make you rad it despite yourself, because you will always be wondering, "what kind of inspiration did I give that witch with a single damn sentence."

Just so you know.

>>1829689
Guys, Fancy said "Rope me in if you're going to get with that friend of yours."

I think the correct answer is a threesome.

>>1830519
Vickie doesn't do Pixie Chasers, and she sees Fancy as a Pixie Chaser.

That's a one way ticket to a bloodbath, and not the fun kind.

>>1830537
> bloodbath
> not the fun kind
I'm confused, those words make sense individually, but put them together and they're gibberish.

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>>1830542
Well go with 'battles are bloodbaths and can be fun" for the sake of yours and the QM's sanity.

>>1830423
Vox, I know you don't play that way.

It's more that some Anons wanting to live out their dream of a stable GF will hop on the Fancy Train right away.

They're already using it as an excuse to not hook up with others.

Which I'm sure Fancy will totally be cool and impressed with and not pissed that we're putting her on a pedestal like some reverse pixy chasing thing. Haha.

>>1830692
Are you trying so hard to not project you're actively voting against some sort of projection?

whoa, projection ception

>>1830692
Generally I agree with this; I don't wanna see Colors bang Vicks NOW, buuut that doesn't mean I'm supporting Fancy, or that I'd be opposed to Future Non-Contracted Vicks. It's just... Bad Timing.

>>1831017
Yeah I can agree with that. Maybe when the pledge is over, that was a good argument against it.

Just not the "hard no" answer because Muh Fancy

>>1830718
It's more like why are you so scared of casual sex when that's kind of Colours thing.

Can I ask folks objecting on the basis of your pledge with Vickie to elaborate on your reasoning?

>>1831142
Could be seen as an abuse of power.

Then again, if it was something that would help Vicky it could be argued that we would owe it to her unless it would harm us to do so. Can't say we with our vice of Lust don't want to do it.

>>1831142
I don't want Colors to have casual sex with Vickie because 1) I don't feel comfortable just jumping into the sack with her for just shits and giggles, 2) I'd rather get to know her more as friends before even considering making that kind of jump, and 3) Fancy is actually very good for Colors, as she somewhat represents that promise of a New Life that nearly all Changelings hope for. Having those kind of roots and relations, with love and joy in the mortal world that they were stolen so abruptly from, is what so many of the Lost are fighting for. Doubling so for Colors, considering her efforts to move beyond her Past with a capital P, onward to something better with the move to the Spring Court.

Not saying that Vickie isn't cool as hell in her own oddball way, or that a relationship with her wouldn't be worth pursuing, but she's also got serious baggage to sort through (just like Colors does), and I actually think I prefer the idea that Vickie and Colors could become adopted sisters like Brianna and River.

>>1831327
So all OOC reasons with a dash of missing DLQ.

>>1831379
Mate, you can belittle everyone's reasoning all you want. Ain't gonna change anyone's decisions

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>>1831397
Can't stop people from making bad choices. But you can point them out.

>>1831418
Opinions mate, opinions. It's all hot air

The heck is that picture supposed to be?

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>>1831431
better gems

>>1831418
>>1831607
Fucking seriously dude? Do you have beef with Captain Planet and Beetleborgs too?

Please kindly refrain from starting shit over your unrelated damage. /co/ is that-a-way.

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>>1831647
Salty over Gems?

>>1831647
Just to be clear, it was implied that the re-imagining of the characters was "just an opinion" but a crap one, to highlight how not all opinions are equal.

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>>1831607
Pfft. Real better gems here.

>>1831647
Optionally, ignore the troll and filter his ID if you can (with or without 4chanx).

Alternatively, I wouldnt mind waiting until he gets tired of shitposting and goes to bed.

>>1831142
Mixing work and pleasure, mainly. While the pledge is up they're already bonded one way; and while the coast /may/ be clear, it just feels like the Wrong Time.

It's hard to word; it just seems.... odd, conflicting, and maybe a bit squicky when already bonded.

Nothing against the Colors Dating Experience with Vicks with the pledge out of the way, tho.

>>1831778
If I had known how triggering that picture was going to be I would have gone with something else.

>>1831749
I'm honestly more mad that I just had to see this pic with my poor innocent eyes, but it'd be appreciated if folks could, I dunno, refrain from starting shit for no reason. I realize what community I'm asking this of but there was a nice chill feeling in DLQ that's persisted thus far. I'd like to keep that.

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>>1831774
ya call that best gem comic? We must dissent!

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>>1831813
Gotta do something between updates.

>>1831813
See? Productive shitposting below.

>>1831831
Oh god please tell me this is Jojo with Gems.

>>1831842
Not really, but they do use gems as special ability resources. And there's even a cursed gem as a villain.

>>1831852
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PF7kkO1oyqI

What the fuck is a gem?

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>>1831908
Sexy special rocks you want to fuck.

Called, writing.

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>>1831913

>>1831981
Why do you think gems are used in courtship and weddings?

Being "rock hard" isn't a euphemism.

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>>1831981
Also why do you think Colours is so popular with women?

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This seems kind of early in the quest to really be making a decision.
I really hope we're not about to piss off Fancy. Or Vickie for that matter.

>>1832099
Because she's pretty and kind of innocently cute.

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>>1829689
You reach for your pocket, but - no. You put your wrist back on the table. "Nah. It's gonna be a hard no, Vickie, for a few reasons. Starting with the bit where you still technically have to follow my orders."

Vickie opens her mouth, shuts it, and then goes, "...Yeah, you've got a point. That gets tricky when you're doin' the whole...thing..."

"Yep."

"I'm trying to imagine it and it's already gone wrong like six times in my head and that's with enthusiastic consent on the table," Vickie says, her eyes thoughtfully distant. "Oven's warm enough, I'm gonna stick the pies in."

"It hasn't dinged?"

"Don't question my pie methods, Fearless Leader." Vickie slices an 'x' into the top of each crust before she sticks the cookie sheet into the oven and sets the timer for a little more than an hour. "Guess I'd better do some dishes while we talk so we can eat. I'll get glasses clean too."

"I can help," you say, starting to rise.

"Sit'cher ass down," Vickie says firmly, turning to point at you. "Guest. My house."

You sit'cher ass down. Thankfully, the Jack isn't asking anything of you but your thirst.

"I do like you, if you were wondering. Not like, swooning over here or anything but aside from the whole 'warlock' thing you seem pretty decent. Enough to make me think maybe there's something to this whole idea that you had to break your oath, that something was too sick and wrong to abide," Vickie comments, quietly, while she fills the sink. "I don't sleep with folks I can't respect."

"I appreciate it," you murmur. Vickie pauses to drink from her bottle while the suds rise in her sink; she slides dishes into it one-handed. "Fancy thinks you're sweet on me."

Vickie coughs and sputters. "Fancy can keep her shit to her own damn self. If I'm after your love I'll damn well tell you!"

You grin while your Darkling friend isn't looking.

"You said something, when you jumped after John," Vickie says, between scrubbing out glasses. "Val-something? Valkija?"

"Valkyrja, Freya," you tell her.

"What's it mean?"

"They're...the first one's a title. The English version is 'valkyrie', the choosers of the slain. They convey heroes who die in battle to Valhalla, or to the service of Freya, Goddess of Shieldmaidens, their queen and first among them. As, um, as a female warrior, Freya is my concern, and I'm Hers."

Vickie is quiet for a long moment. "And that other guy, Tyr?"

"God of Justice, one of the four Gods of War, and the patron of those who practice duels, single combat, and monomancy."

"Huh. I never really got polytheism. Even Mom's kinda...she runs a one-god kinda cult from the big chair, you know?" Vickie hoses down a sink full of sudsy dishes and places them, one at a time, on a rack or a towel on the counter, to dry. "Dad always had the Big Guy to turn to, I guess. Y'know, Jesus."

"And you?" you ask.

"...Not so much."

You tilt your head, and speak in a gentle voice. "You prayed, before the fight."

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>>1832132
"That was for Dad," Vickie says quietly. "...My whole family got fetches, you know. Mom and I spent ages figuring out where they went. After they got kicked out of their old church over the whole 'homeless shelter' thing they started running some congregation downtown, out of a little hole in the wall. We took 'em out, wanted to...to leave a space, for Dad and my siblings to come back to. But they never did. Never ever." Vickie sets a glass down with a shaking hand and takes a long, long pull from her drink. "Mom loses her mind, one piece at a time. Turns her back on Dad's ministry to become...whatever she thinks she is. Dad's still stuck in the Fairest of Lands, if he's not dead. My siblings too. The church shuttered, got bought out by some new-age youth ministry with no fucking balls. So I keep the faith. For Dad. Or. I try to. I go through the motions. I pray the prayers he taught me, keep his cross with me. I dunno. He's not here to, you know?"

Vickie hops up on the other side of the counter, dishes only half-done. "Mom shouldn't've done him like that," she says quietly. "Now he's got a traitor for a wife and a liar for a daughter. No loving fucking God would let the Fairest of Lands exist."

> ...That's why you said you couldn't receive my blessing.
> It's good that you keep part of him close to you.
> You profane his beliefs more by pretending to them than you would by setting them aside, Vickie
> Say nothing
> Write-in?

>>1832144
>It's good that you keep part of him close to you.
It's a hard call, but I'm going with understanding. Be kind of a hypocrite if we blamed her for being a warlock of sorts.

>>1832144
>It's good that you keep part of him close to you.

>>1832144
> Say nothing.

Sometimes people just need you to listen.

>>1832144
>> It's good that you keep part of him close to you.

fuck it's either this or nothing

>>1832144
>Say nothing

So surprising no one I'm not gonna have time to update before work. It's an earlier shift, though, so I'll be able to update once or twice tonight, followed by having tomorrow off. Votes remain open.

>>1832144
>>It's good that you keep part of him close to you.

>It's good that you keep part of him close to you.

>>1832144
>> ...That's why you said you couldn't receive my blessing.

>>1832144
> It's good that you keep part of him close to you.

>It's good that you keep part of him close to you.

>>1832144
>> It's good that you keep part of him close to you.

Called, writing. Finally have my bedroom in fucking order again.

>>1835628
I didn't have nightmares. Rather, nothing worse than the usual.

So you do not receive a story involving your workplace being a slaughterhouse. you're welcome.

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>>1832144
You swirl your bottle, take a drink, and set it down. Vickie slides from the counter to finish her dishes in a hurry; the booze is starting to hit her, which you can mostly tell because of the exaggerated movements she's making.

"It's good, that you keep a part of him close to you," you say at last. "I'm sorry."

"Yeah, so am I," Vickie says quietly. "...Your turn. Deep dark shit."

"Like?"

"I dunno. I dredged up my past, what's up with yours? Leaving your mortal life behind twice has to have fucking sucked."

"Once," you correct. Vickie turns to give you an odd look while you take a slug of the Jack. "...Never tried to live it a second time. Dad doesn't know I'm back, or that I left. I made my fetch disappear and then never talked to him again."

"...Old girlfriend?" Vickie prompts. "Siblings? Mother?"

"Vickie, I was like...thirteen, when I was taken. There's no girlfriend. Mom skipped town when I was six, so no joy there. No siblings. Just me, Dad, some school friends, all of whom have kids of their own that are fuckin' teenagers now." You sigh and look at the oven. "...So I never bothered. Threw my fetch into the river and just...left it all behind."

"You weren't Spring then," Vickie says quietly. "Why would you do your old man like that?"

"I..."

> I talked myself out of it. This person I've become isn't the daughter he raised
> I was working through some shit, and then I got exiled
> I don't need to explain that to you
> I wanted to keep him safe from all this
> I was scared
> Write-in?

>>1835812
>> I talked myself out of it. This person I've become isn't the daughter he raised

>>1835812
>I was angry
>Not specifically him, nobody really in general. I was an angry, pissed off asshole who barely had enough sense to keep him out of it. I didn't exactly choose summer from a hat.

>>1835812
>Write-in?
>"Because I was angry, because I was scared, because whenever emotions come into play I have a tendency to make bad decisions."

>>1835812
All of the options, save the one about denying an explanation, seem like they would work. Colors was scared about what would happen if her dad saw what she turned into, the things she's done, and what could happen to him if the wrong people wanted to get to Colors.

So I guess I vote for this; >>1835824
Seems to cover all of the bases.

> I talked myself out of it. This person I've become isn't the daughter he raised

I like this one so I will back it.
>>1835812
>I was angry
>Not specifically him, nobody really in general. I was an angry, pissed off asshole who barely had enough sense to keep him out of it. I didn't exactly choose summer from a hat.

>>1835812
> I talked myself out of it. This person I've become isn't the daughter he raised
The person that he probably thought of as his daughter? Yeah, Colors killed her.

>>1835942
At least the father didnt have to identify his dead "daughter."

> I wanted to keep him safe from all this

>>1835812
>> I don't need to explain that to you

>>1835812
> I talked myself out of it. This person I've become isn't the daughter he raised

Heya so like this is Vox's consultant on pagan religion and iron age and medieval fighting, here to say that I'm shipping Colors and Vickie real hard cause I too am a damaged lesbian, and IF YOU FAGGOTS FUCK THIS UP FOR ME I'M TAKING VOLUNTEERS TO GET THOROUGHLY FISTED WITH VAMPIRE GLOVES COVERED IN SALT AND LEMON JUICE.

But seriously though, we've got damage Fancy can never understand. Committing to us would be something she may not be able to handle in the long run. Vickie... well we can't fix her. And she can't fix us. But we can make each other a little better every day and hold each other up when we slip.

Come on, folks, heed the wisdom and fangirling of the actual fucked up pagan lesbian fencer, cause I'm probably the closest person alive to Colors. And also because I know where Vox keeps his phylactery.

>>1835812
>> I wanted to keep him safe from all this

>>1836060
yeah but we already initiated something with fancy, so it's hard to start something new without seeming like you're leading her on.

>>1836060
Fuck off and come back when you're not starting with an argumentum ad verecundiam.

>>1836060
Vote heard.

Threatening anons over anonymous internet may have the opposite effect you want, tho.

>>1836366
That's just her brand, like me and grim metaphors.

I'm awake. Will call and write soon.

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>>1836060
> And also because I know where Vox keeps his phylactery.
C'mon now, we ALL now that the lich's phylactery is his coffee maker.

>>1836060
Man vox and all his friends have no idea how 4chan culture works huh.

At least vox learned over the course of DLQ

>>1836885
it's pretty hard to adjust to, I say we give her some time to figure out. I mean we all remember our first posts

This fuckin' day. Called, writing. Narrow winner is the 'angry' write-in.

>>1836060
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VdtTfQJCO2Y?rel=0&amp;start=51" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

>>1838710
..That..that is not how you post links, my friend.

>>1838710
just post the html link to the youtube video page and 4chan's systems does the rest, yo.

>>1838710
Let's try this again
https://youtu.be/VdtTfQJCO2Y?t=51s
>>1838758
yeah, I noticed
>>1838825
Thanks

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>>1835812
"I was angry, Vickie. I didn't pick Summer out of a damn hat." Vickie realizes she's cleaned glasses and passes you one; you pour a generous helping into it and put the bottle at the edge of your arm's reach. "I was...really, really angry. About everything. About the Fairest of Lands, about getting punked out of my own childhood, about...about this," you gesture to your face. "Especially about that. I barely had enough good sense to keep Dad the fuck out of it before I embarked on a career that I'll charitably describe as a rampage."

Your Darkling friend still has the eyebrows she drew under her hairline as a joke earlier, and she raises all four of them at you.

"...Philly's not a good town for us," you say softly. "Summer's not...not good there. They fell in with the mob, ages ago. Ate it alive from the inside. Turned it into something that exists to keep people angry and miserable. The other three Courts do their business with guns to their backs, in the long shadow of Summer that I helped make longer and darker."

"You wanna stop?" Vickie asks.

"I did skip town and join a different - oh, wait. The conversation."

"See you're not even the whole bottle in yet," Vickie points out.

"I feel like your standards are medically impossible."

"I feel like you're a lightweight." Vickie gets a glass of her own and puts what's left of her poor abused bottle of Jose into it. "You, um. You wanna tell me the oath you broke to get exiled from Philly?"

You sigh. "I killed the leader of the Hound Tribunal out there. I wish I could say it was a grand duel. I'd been...feeling weird. Unhappier than usual. Having doubts. You can't have doubts if you're a Hound. He invited me to his place, we talked, for awhile. I was feeling better, so we grabbed some drinks, he let me crash on his couch. And..."

"He try to touch you?" Vickie says in a hard voice.

"No, nothin' like that. Dude was a murderer, not a rapist. No, I just...I got up in the middle of the night and it all felt like bullshit. Like I woke up and the lies were just gone, you know? I knew that it was the Hounds making me unhappy, and Summer making me unhappy, and making everyone else unhappy. I dragged Bifrost into Marcus's room and just...did him in. Broke my oath to the Hounds. Skipped town as fast as I could skip it, after that. I was pronounced an exile sometime later."

"Wow." Vickie slides to the floor and takes a sip from her glass. "...Pies are almost done. Hey. Colors isn't your real name, is it? Or. I mean, your birth name?"

You shake your head. "Dad's name is Erik. Hence the whole...yeah."

"I like Colors. It's straightforward. Hell. You pick something to be sad about."

> Ask her something.

>>1839639
>Do you like being what you are - not who, just what.
>You seem to have fun with it sometimes.

>>1839639
I like this >>1839646
also
>tell her your birth name (if it doesn't cause unspeakable trauma)

>>1839659
Nah, there's some possible lore in the corebook that says a Changeling's True Name holds power over them. So is a normal human's, but a normal human can change their name easily - whilst Changelings have a deeper connection with their names.

>>1839639
>Supporting: >>1839646

>>1839639
>just...did him in
How many murders to qualify as a serial killer ?
(not counting John, but definitely counting the Fetch.)

>>1839805
Serial murder isn't just a numbers game, it's an MO one. That's why it's 'serial' murder and not 'mass' murder, which is still different from someone (like, say, a mob enforcer or a contract killer) who kills people on the clock.

Colors was a lot closer to that last one than anything else. Even then, she's comparing her behavior to the background mass of humanity.

Mind you, even without Summer taking a slice, Philly isn't a great town to be on the down-and-outs.

>>1839639
>> Ask her something.
What she's thinking about for a Favor.