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'Departure', right.
You're glad nothing has changed much since the winter festival. You haven't been in either the shape or the mood to deal with any serious duties that may have sprung up. Fortunately, the festival has ended, the season is changing, and Tuile even got some very important treaties signed. She's doing great for someone who is supposed to be filling in as ruler of her kingdom.

Now, with all their duties completed, and the festival drawn to a close, and the major crisis sorted out. That means the time for departure is upon you. Today is the day that all the princesses, and their heroes, make their way back to their homelands.
Yuuki will return back to Bruschetta. Eileen and Dorje will go back to Carancha. Louise gets to go home to Catland, for better or worse. Cody and his bride will board their ship and return to Pastillage. You're still not sure where Kayda and Greta will go, but that's not your decision.

Which leaves you here. Well, leaves you and a certain other hero. You feel a smile creep across your face merely thinking about it. Ever since Aligot told you about the new friend who will live at the shrine; you've been unable to keep a straight face. Atsuko hasn't been awake to hear any of your ribbing, but you have some good ones for her when she wakes up. Such as 'Isn't he a little old for you?', but also 'I didn't know you liked big guys'.

That's a concern for another time, though. You adjust your voice, and try to find your coat. You don't want to waste too much time. There's the sneaking suspicion deep down that today is going to fly by faster than you had hoped.

Your coat easily slips over your shoulders, and you quickly tie the lace around the collar. Now, you look presentable.

Now, what to do?

>Morning drinking. A man has to have his routine.
>Gather everyone together for breakfast.
>Go see if Atsuko is awake.
>Check in on everyone individually, make sure they're ready to leave.
>Other?

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>>2093807
>Morning drinking. A man has to have his routine.

>>2093809
Jezus, it feels like I’ve been missing these threads for quite a long time. I can remember that Yuuki used to have a thing for Jack, and now she is going to date Anne.

I kind of wondering with whom Jack will end up, a harem or just his booze.

>>2093807
>Morning drinking. A man has to have his routine.
>Gather everyone together for breakfast.
Might as well drink our better stuff and not down it all at once. Be classy or something.

I forgot to add: If you have any questions, ask now because the only other place to ask me questions about this quest will be twitter after this thread! I'm up for anything!
>>2094307
>I kind of wondering with whom Jack will end up, a harem or just his booze.
I think Tuile and Madeleine has been set in stone at this point.

>>2093807
>Morning drinking. A man has to have his routine.
>Gather everyone together for breakfast.

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What kind of question is that? You know exactly where you have to go this early in the morning.
You gently open the door, and try to shut it as silently as you can behind you.

You make your way downstairs to the only part of the castle you wish to see right now, the bar. The bartender immediately stands up and grabs some bottles off the shelf behind him. He's now trained to the point where he only has to see your blue coat to know what to make.

You're a fine man, bartender.

Oh, speaking of which. When you're done here, maybe you should get everyone together for breakfast. It may be your last time everyone is together for a very long time. You should make the most of it.
You turn your head to notice Louise bounding into the cafeteria. She would be a good start to spread the word on the breakfast you have planned. You quickly down your third shot, and try to see if anyone else you know might be trying to have breakfast.

Dorje humbly walks from the training yard, and smiles at you as he enters the cafeteria.
Okay, so that's two. With a gulp; you quickly consume your fourth shot and stand up from the bar.

"Leaving so soon?" The bartender aptly points out how you're walking away early. He was already pouring your fourth and fifth shots.
"Aye'll be back later. Thar's somethin' aye need to tend to this mornin'." You intend to return for your mid-morning rounds, and your brunch rounds. Not to mention the after-lunch rounds.

The cafeteria is bustling, as usual. Louise quickly tracked down Dorje and is complaining at him about something or another.
"-And another thing! The next time you two go out, you're going to have an adult with you! Got it?!"
"..fine."

"Hay ye two." You try to defuse the situation, "What's up?"
"Good morning, Jack." Dorje says, bashfully.
"Jack! Glad you're here!" Louise seems upset about something or another, "Dorje and Kayda kissed last night!"
"She kissed me on the cheek!" Dorje tries to defend himself.

Louise seems absolutely furious, "What are you going to do about this?!"

"Louise, Louise." You feel like you've maybe been asleep longer than you realized, "Go get everyone for breakfast, we'll discuss it then."
"Everyone?"

"Yar, even Yuuki. N' Cody if ye can find him."

Louise huffs, "Fine, but this better be a good punishment for him."
She stomps off, and leaves you with Dorje.

Immediately you pat him on the head.
"Atta boy, but ye should know that yer the one who should be doin' the kissin'. Girls love that."
"What?!" Dorje is immediately flustered.

"Why dun ye go get your bride. Aye have an announcement for all the heroes this mornin'."
"She's not my bride!"

"Go on, hurry up." You shoo him off, and then take a seat at one of the tables.

Okay. Now, with that out of the way, what are you going to tell them when you see them?

>Big, sappy speech about leaving Biscotti behind.
>Nothing, just a regular breakfast.
>In fact, don't bring it up, even.
>Other?

>>2094937
>Big, sappy speech about leaving Biscotti behind.
>Something something a toast to beating Atlas

>>2094937
>A toast for the fight, Atlas, and beating up that crazy kraken.
>Big, sappy speech about leaving Biscotti behind.

>>2094475
So no Atsuko?

>>2095024
She didn't quite make the cut, but she's found someone else as of late.

>>2095253
Well that is a shame. Was hoping she would be part of the jackbowl.

posting in epic final thread to an epic quest

>>2095256
She's probably happier this way. Atsuko is my favorite, too.

>>2095329
Thanks for stopping by!

Writing!

>>2095256
Whereas my only complaint is that I'd have preferred we only had Tuile.

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The maids finish pushing some of the tables together for your breakfast. Which is just in time because Louise walks in with Yuuki in tow. As in literally pulling at her arm and dragging her into the cafeteria. The whole time, Louise seems to be happily chatting to her while Yuuki looks to still be groggy and tired.
"And he KISSED her!" Louise explodes with the fury of a catholic nun. "Can you believe it!."

"Yeah, sure Louise." Yuuki yawns.
Suddenly, she looks up and notices you standing there.

"You're awake?" Yuuki blinks.
"Yer awake?" You ask right back to her, with a grin. "Get some coffee, Yuuki. Aye wanna say somethin' to everybody."

She seems more than happy to separate herself from Louise, and then return to the back to ask for a pick-me-up.

Kayda walks through the door with Dorje giving her a wide berth. Behind the two is the smiling face of Cody.

"Aye, ye awake?" You smile at Cody. You already know he's had a rough couple of days.
"Mostly." He takes off his hat, "I'm glad to see you're up and around."

With that, all of the heroes are gathered here before you. Yuuki sits across from you at one of the empty seats. Dorje, Louise, and Kayda sit as far from one another as they can. Which is a shame, because you don't like them leaving each other on such a sour note.

"Erryone, thanks fer comin' by this morning."
"Something important happen?" Yuuki seems confused.

"Aye, ye should know exactly what it is. Today is the day ye leave." You say, as straight as you can manage.

The table goes silent, and every person sitting here turns their gaze toward you.
"Oh shoot, that is today, isn't it?" Cody sighs.
"What's today?" Louise blinks.

"It's the last day of the festival." Kayda clues her friend in, "So I think the princesses are going home."
"Which includes us." Dorje frowns. "I had no idea it was today."

"Now, ye hafta know that the princesses are representative of their kingdom."
"Of course I know that." Dorje rests his head on his palm.

"So, ye can't expect to stay forever."
"I know.."

"Listen, everyone is sad about leavin', me most of all." You say exactly what you think, "But ye have to know that the last month you've spent here has been the single most important month of our lives. It's taught us evrrything we needa to know about being a hero. Aye can say from the bottom of my heart, thank ye. Thank ye all fer bein' the greatest crew a captain could ask fer."

That last sentence elicits some quizzical looks. You try to follow it up before you lose the mood.

"Now, a toast! Te every hero here, and even Atlas! A toast fer the future of the crew."
You take a swig of your flask, and set it down on the table.

Yuuki quickly takes this time to ask an important question.
"Jack are you sure you're alright?"

>I'm fine.
>What?
>Can't a captain have a little heart-to-heart with his crew?
>I'm a little buzzed
>Other?

>>2097657
>What?
>I'm fine.
>Can't a captain have a little heart-to-heart with his crew?
>It isn't like we all can't just get together again right?

>>2097657
>>Can't a captain have a little heart-to-heart with his crew?
>>I'm a little buzzed

>>2097657
>What, were you expecting me to drunkenly slur 'Get out of my castle'
>Can't a captain have a little heart-to-heart with his crew?
>I'm a little buzzed

>>2097657
>>What?
>>I'm fine.
>>Can't a captain have a little heart-to-heart with his crew?
>>It isn't like we all can't just get together again right?
I do not want to say we're buzzed.
I want this to actually mean something.

>>2098434
Maybe mention being unusually sober

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"What? I'm fine."
"Are you sure?" Yuuki presses the question, "You haven't been drinking, have you?"

"What? Did ye expect me to drunkenly slur 'git out of my castle'?"
"I did." Cody smirks.

"No, not at all, it's just.. Doesn't seem like you to address us all like this." Yuuki seems puzzled by this entire conversation.

"Can't a captain have a little heart-to-heart with his crew?"
"Yeah, but heart to hearts with you only happen over a pint."

"Listen, it's not like I didn't have a couple'a drinks."
That sentence is met with at least two separate sighs.

"But!" you try to salvage this, "Aye'm unusually sober for this time of mornin', and I wanted to let ye know how impressive all of ye have been the last couple of weeks."

"Are we going to see each other again?" Dorje seems oddly depressed.
"What kinda question is that? Of course we will." You try to downplay the underlying mood of the room, "It isn't like we all can't just get together again, right?"

"Yeah, I guess so." Dorje sighs.
"If Charlotte isn't busy, sure." Louise frowns.

"Great, then that settles it. It's not like this is the last time we're havin' a get-together like this. Aye just wanted to congratulate you all on beating the last few weeks, and more importantly, beatin' Atlas."

Everyone's eyes seem to turn off you for a moment; you ignore it and carry on.
"That is not somethin' to take lightly." You immediately take your flask out. "Here's to beating the greatest hero the world has ever seen!"

"I'll drink to that, too."

You turn to see what everyone's eyes have fixated on.
"Speak of the devil." You see none other than Atlas! He walks into the cafeteria with Atsuko supporting his stride. She's so short compared to him that she's almost like a tiny walking cane that he's leaning on.

"Atlas! How're holdin' up?" You and Cody both take to Atlas' side and relieve Atsuko of having to support him.

"I have been better, I must say." He directs himself to a chair, and sits down with a clunk. The wooden implement almost strains under his weight. "But thanks to this kind lady here, I'm feeling much better."

>What kind lady?
>Oh, Atsuko.
>I gotta say, Lass. Aye didn't know ye liked bigger guys
>Isn't he a bit old fer ye?
>Well ye two make a cute couple
>No, leave Atsuko alone. She's had enough.

Also

>So Atlas, where ye be headin after this?
>Why're ye up?
>Maybe you should go back to bed, get some more rest.
>You really want to drink a toast to us beating you?
>Other?

>>2100756
>No, leave Atsuko alone. She's had enough.
As much as I wanna rib Atsuko I get the feeling she won't be in the mood for it

>You really want to drink a toast to us beating you?
>So Atlas, where ye be headin after this?

>>2100756
>>I gotta say, Lass. Aye didn't know ye liked bigger guys
>>Isn't he a bit old fer ye?
>So Atlas, where ye be headin after this?

>>2100756
>Well ye two make a cute couple

>You really want to drink a toast to us beating you?
>So Atlas, where ye be headin after this?
>Still going to be eating grass out in the middle of nowhere?

>>2100756
>No, leave Atsuko alone. She's had enough.
>Ask why though
>A toast to Atlas, for being the toughest nut to crack.
>So Atlas, where ye be headin after this?

>>2100756
>Well ye two make a cute couple
>So Atlas, where ye be headin after this?

Pretty sure he won't stay away from everyone, if only because Atsuko won't let him.

>>2102848
At least Atsuko's place is far enough from busy places that the noise and movement won't keep him up.

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"I gotta say, Lass. Aye didn't know-"
That's when you notice the bags under Atsuko's eyes. It's clear that she's having a harder time recharging Atlas than Keiko is having to recharge you. Which makes sense, because Atlas was nearly completely drained by the end of the festival.

One of her droopy-eyes rises to meet yours. She appears to be bracing for whatever childish insult you have planned.

Instead of getting under the ice fox's skin; you decide to change tactics mid-sentence and play it easy on her.
"-that ye wanted to be a summoner. Congratulations, Atsuko. Ye should get some sleep after this."

Her jaw practically drops to the floor. It seems like no insult was actually the most shocking thing you could have said. You adjust your voice and turn your gaze to Atlas.

"Atlas, you really want to drink a toast to us beatin' ye?"

"Why not?" Atlas lazily takes the flask from your hand, "It's not every day that it happens."
With a motion, he pours the 'good stuff' right down the hatch. Quickly he covers his mouth with his arm and starts hacking and coughing.

"Why did you do that?" Atsuko sighs.
"I think, I think Jack is right." Atlas coughs, "Beating me was an accomplishment that everyone should share. In a way, I'm happy that I lost. I was tired of wandering the land, searching for purpose. And-"
He sighs, it's clear that he's still tired and is only being kept here on sheer willpower alone.

"I think you need to go back to bed." Atsuko pull at her new hero's arm.
"No, I'm fine." He stubbornly persists.

"Where ye gonna go now, Atlas?" You offer him another drink from your flask, but he refuses.

"I think." Atlas cuts himself off, and nearly nods off in his chair.
There's an awkward moment where Atlas doesn't say anything, but instead glares at his feet.
"He's asleep." Atsuko sighs.

"Why did he even get up?" Yuuki seems worried.
"Aligot told him about everyone leaving, and he didn't want to sleep through it."

"Are you really his summoner, Atsuko?!" Louise pipes up with the awkward questions. "I heard that you read a scroll and did some weird magic and now you're his summoner!"
"Well, yes." Atsuko lightly sighs.

"Why?" Dorje follows up with another question. "Were you worried about him?"
"Are you two in a relationship?" Louise follows up with a hard hitter.

"I'm NOT in a relationship!" Atsuko blushes, "He was sick and going to die, and I was compatible with him. That's all!"

>Did ye want to be a summoner?
>How do ye like it?
>Don't antagonize the fox.
>Are ye okay with him living at the shrine?
>Shouldn't he get back to bed?
>Other?

>>2105983
>Nice of ye to do it, lass.
>Headpat Louise while talking.

>>2105983
>>2106062
+1

>How do ye like it?
>Are ye okay with him living at the shrine?
>Wonder what happened to his previous summoner?

>>2105983
>>How do ye like it?

>>2105983
>Are ye okay with him living at the shrine?

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You walk up behind Louise and gently rub her head. Her hands fight to keep her hair from coming undone.
"Well that's nice of ye to do it, Lass. How do ye like it, so far?"

"I don't know, I haven't done anything but sleep yet." Atsuko holds her head.

"Charlotte says she has a fuzzy feeling around me. Do you feel that, too?" Louise seems excited.
"I can't tell." Atsuko yawns. "I think that's just because you're cute."

Louise pouts, and you rub her scalp some more.
"Greta says that she sleeps better when I'm near. Have you felt that?" Kayda seems curious, too.
"I've been sleeping a lot, that's for sure." Atsuko gives the best non-answer she can give. It's clear she's on the verge of collapsing, as well.

"I wonder what happened to his previous summoner." Cody chimes in with another question that had been hanging on your mind.

The room is silent for a few moments. It seems like this question is one that at least half of everyone else at the table had considered at some point.
"I don't know." Atsuko replies. "I haven't talked to him enough to find out."
"How much have you talked to him?"
"Just a few times. Aligot was the one who told him about me being his new summoner. He apparently didn't like the idea."

"Why?" Louise blinks.
"He thinks they should have let him die on the battlefield." Atsuko rubs her eyes, "Or something stupid like that, I don't know."

Next to her, Atlas continues to sleep in his chair. It's funny how someone so stubborn and terrifying can look almost at peace.

Now is the best time as any to ask another important question.
"Are ye okay with him living at the shrine?"

"I don't have much of a choice, do I?"
"Well, he could live someplace else." Cody seems to be concerned.

"Like where? The shrine is still my home."

>Maybe you two should start living at the castle
>Shrine is good.
>Shouldn't you be a demon hunter?
>Taking over for Camille for the next few months?
>Maybe now is a good time to travel the world with him.
>Nah, talk about that later.
>Other?

>>2107440
>Shrine is good.
>Shouldn't you be a demon hunter?
It's something that they have in common, and Atlas promised to teach us about it anyway. Hell probably end up working with all of us.

>>2107440
>Shrine is good.
>Shouldn't you be a demon hunter?
>Take over for Camille for the next few months?
>Maybe teach Keiko to take over some of the shrines responsibilities

>>2107440
>Shrine is good.
>Make Atlas a shrine person too?

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"The shrine is a good place for 'im to stay." You think about it, "That would only make five people there. Maybe ye can teach him to be a shrine, man, person, somethin'."
"I'd love to have some help, but it only works with women." Atsuko rubs her eyes, "They have to be maidens, at that."

"What's your plan if you got a boyfriend, then?" That seems to be where Yuuki's mind went first and foremost.
"I was hoping Keiko would take over by then." Yuuki keeps rubbing her eyes, " I don't know what I'm going to do, now."

"Keiko can perform the rituals now, right?" Kayda seems to have picked up on something. "Why not just leave it to her and, yknow, travel the world?"
"Shouldn't ye be a demon hunter, anyway? Ye should be doing Camille's job. She's gonna be out fer a few months. Just teach Keiko what ye need to do, and have at it. Ye might not get another chance."

"I can't do Camille's job. I don't know anything about hunting demons."
"Yar, but aye know someone who does."

You look over to Atlas. Who almost seems like he's going to fall forward in his chair and right onto the floor. Atsuko, recognizing the danger, quickly tries to sit him back up.
"Let's talk about that later. I think both of you need to get back to bed." Cody kneels down next to Atlas, and sits him back up. "Jack, you want to help me get the big guy back to his room?"
"Aye. Ye all get some breakfast now. We're adjourned."

Everyone stands up to go get something to eat, and you gently pick Atlas up by his left arm while Cody gets his right. Picking him up isn't hard, but you can clearly feel his weight against you. You imagine he could beat most knights in his castle by just stepping on them.

Atsuko lazily stands up and follows you back to Atlas' room. You get to his door, and have difficulty carrying him into the room. You drop him onto the bed, and the lumber almost cracks under his weight.
Atsuko walks in and sits on a twin-sized bed set just across from Atlas. She rubs her eyes once more.
"Thanks, you two."
"Hey, any time you need us."
"Try te get some rest yeself, Lass."

"Hey, Jack."
You turn toward Atsuko.

"Do you really think I could do it? Be a demon hunter?" Atsuko seems to be eager for your answer.
You're not sure what else to say except, "Of course, Suki. Ye may be the only one who can."
Instead of chewing you out; she instead smiles in a warm way.

You step out of the room, and gently close the door behind you.

"Well now what." You walk alongside Cody back to the cafeteria. "We got a few hours until we leave."

>Yar, let's go eat.
>Nah, I got someone I need to talk to.
>Like Aligot.
>After this, let's all hit the town.
>In particular, the bar.
>Other?

>>2109263
>Yar, let's go eat.
>After this, let's all hit the town.
>In particular, the bar.
>How about an "until next time" drinking contest?

>>2109263
>>2109360
+1

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"Yar, let's go get breakfast first, and we'll think about it."
"Sounds good to me."

"After this, let's hit the bar."
"Old habits die hard, huh Jack?"

"Just a 'until next time' thing." You smile, "Besides, aye want a rematch on that drinkin' contest with Tuile."
"I didn't realize that it was a contest."

"It is, but she doesn't know."

Cody laughs, and the two of you proceed back to the cafeteria. You get breakfast and announce to the group that you plan to hit the town after this, and more specifically, the bar. The reactions were about what you expected.

"I'm out, if I drink after breakfast I'll throw up." Yuuki frowns.
"Hey! Hey, before we leave, can we go shopping?" Louise seems to have just heard the 'town' part.

"Dorje, what are you going to do?" Kayda seems confused.
"W-well, I-"

The boy suddenly notices Louise glaring daggers at him from across the table. He meekly takes a bite from his plate, and changes his answer.
"-I think I'll just do whatever Yuuki is doing."

"Fine, we can go shopping if the men want to hit up the bar." Yuuki sighs. You get the feeling that her heart isn't into it.
"Yeah!"
"Thanks Yuuki." Dorje sighs.

"You should think of things you want for the trip back, and souvenirs or something." Kayda gets Louise's attention with those words.
"Right, the trip back. To Gallete."

Wow, Louise looks almost as cracked up about going back to Gallete as you would.
At least everyone can agree on one thing: to hell to Catland.

That pretty much settles it. You finish eating your breakfast in relative peace. There's some small-talk exchanged, but everyone seems to be treating the prospect of leaving like a dark cloud that hangs over the table. Something to simply not speak of, and pretend that it doesn't exist.

"Oh, shoot. Right, I need to go pack. Thanks for the food everyone." Dorje quickly excuses himself. You take this opportunity to stand up and excuse yourself as well.

"Meet you at the bar in ten?" Cody smiles.

"Yar, but first-"

>Gotta go get Tuile. Aye'm not lettin' her beat me.
>And Madeleine, if aye can find her.
>And hell, why not Aligot.
>Gonna check on Keiko
>Other?

>>2110211
>>Gotta go get Tuile. Aye'm not lettin' her beat me.

>>2110229
Actually, let me change that to...
>Gotta go get Tuile. Aye'm not lettin' her beat me.
>Gonna check on Keiko

>>2110231
Seconded

Also if we run across Madeline she's invited too, but let's not take too long looking around if she's off doing something else.

>>2110211
>Gotta go get Tuile. Aye'm not lettin' her beat me.
>Gonna check on Keiko

>>2110211
>Gotta go get Tuile. Aye'm not lettin' her beat me.
>Gonna check on Keiko

Keiko is probably bored and lonely with her sister out of commission.

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"-But first, aye'm gonna go check on Tuile. Aye'm not lettin' her beat me at any drinkin' game."
"She managed to just eek out a victory last time."

"Yar, but aye think that was just a fluke."
"You been drinking this morning?" Cody asks with a smile.

"..Maybe."
"Hah, then I look forward to this rematch. See you at the bar."

He strides out of the room with a laugh, and you instead realize that you need to check on someone else real quick.
Keiko.

You don't want your summoner to wake up, search the castle, and think you've gone on some grand adventure without her.
Besides, she's probably bored and lonely without Atsuko to keep her company.

You head back up to your room and gently open your door. Keiko is roused by the creaking of the hinge.
"Jack?" Keiko replies with a haze in her voice.

"Mornin' champ." You sit down on your bed, opposite hers. "The others are going shoppin' in town before they leave."
"Leave?"

"Yar, remember? Today's the day the heroes leave."

That seems to be all the motivation Keiko needs. With a snap, she's standing upright and searching for her clothes.
"Alright, meet me out front when yer dressed."

You leave the room to give your summoner some privacy. Knowing Keiko, she'll be dressed before you even get to the end of the hallway.
You're going to take this time to go and rouse the lady of the castle.

Knock, knock.
There's some shuffling, before the door opens.
"Ooh." Tuile peeks out the door, and then opens it fully when she notices that it's you. "Coming to visit me in my room? How bold."

"Normally aye'd accept, but today's the day."
"'The day'?"

Tuile tries to think about what you're referring to, but then sighs. She clicks her tongue as the realization hits her.
"That is today, isn't it?"
"Yar. We're meetin' at the bar for one last drinkin' contest. Ye wanna come?"

"Absolutely. Let me get dressed and I'll be there."

You let her get dressed in privacy, and sure enough Keiko has managed to beat you to the castle gates. You hoist her onto your shoulders, and set out for town.

--

Yuuki gladly takes Keiko shopping with the other girls. She tells you that they'll be back at the bar in an hour after they get a few things for the trip.

You head inside and find that Cody has found a table for everyone when they get back. You sit down across from Cody.
"Cards?"
"Cody, aye know ye better than that." You laugh.

>-But sure, fer old times sake.
>Just don't clean me out
>How about a round of drinks, first?
>So, if ye don't mind me askin-
>What are ye and the bride gonna do?
>Where's Camille gonna stay?
>Other?

>>2111949
>Just don't clean me out
>If you ever need to hide, you know where to find me

>>2111949
>-But sure, fer old times sake.
>What are ye and the bride gonna do?
>If you ever need to hide, you know where to find me

>>2111949
>-But sure, fer old times sake.
>Just don't clean me out
>What are ye and the bride gonna do?
>If you ever need to hide, you know where to find me

>>2111949
>-But sure, fer old times sake.
>Just don't clean me out

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"Yargh, sure." You know better, but this is a special occasion. "Fer old times sake. Just don't clean me out."
"I'll try." Cody smiles, "What'll it be?"

"How 'bout Blackjack, aye actually have a chance at winning some of that."
"Sounds good." Cody takes out a pack of unused cards. He knows better than to use his marked deck against you. "Let's deal."

You bet a few coins just to get started, and Cody matches your bet.
The first couple hands go pretty good in your favor. You're actually a lot better at cards than you used to be. Or maybe Cody is going easy on you; it's always hard to tell.

"Hey." A thought enters the conversation, "What're ye and yer wife gonna do?"
"Go back to Pastillage." Cody slides a card across the table. "She still has princess things to do."

"Really? Well, just'a let ye know, if ye need a place to hide, Biscotti is always open to ye."
Cody smiles, "That's really kind of you, Jack."

"Fer my crew? Anythin'." You pick up the card, and immediately ask for another. "Aye don't want any of my crew to be on the run."

Cody slides a second one toward you, "I don't think that's going to be a problem, Jack."
"Yar, really? What're ye mean?"

Cody sets his hand down, and then reaches into his coatpocket. From it, he pulls a slip of paper with the royal Pastillage seal stamped on the back. He slides it to you.
"Read that."

You pick up the paper and start from the top. It's mostly a ton of rote upper-class jargon, but there's a few sentences that stand out which you read aloud.
"'Hearby as of this date.'" You feel your brow raise, "'We declare, under Pastillage royal authority, to be the proud adopter of the cosigner to the bloodline of Pastillage lineage.'"
"Yeah, that's a lot of words, huh?" Cody smiles, slightly.

You read to the last line of the parchment.
"Cosigned, Camille Costade."
"That's right."

"So, er, what does that mean?"
"It means Amaretti has some long, long reaches." Cody smirks. "She pulled a few strings, and got the royal council to adopt Camille officially. She's nobility, now. A relative of the princess herself."

Something about that seems strange.
"Uh, dey can just, do that?"
"They can in Pastillage, apparently." Cody takes the paper back as you slide it toward him, "Either ways, Amaretti doesn't seem angry about it anymore. She's been much more calm the last few days. And with this, Camille won't have to worry about hiding her secret anymore. She was gonna come live in Pastillage, even."

"So she's ain't angry anymore?"
Cody clicks his tongue, "That's going to take some more time. She's not resentful of Camille, and that's all I was worried about." He draws another card, "She can be as pissed as me as she wants, though."

>Hey, it's a good start at least.
>So Camille being royal blood means your child will also be that?
>Does anyone else in Pastillage know?
>Y'know, before Felice was told to shut her mouth about it.
>Don't bring it up, keep playing cards.
>Other?

>>2112620
>>Hey, it's a good start at least.

>>2112620
>Hey, it's a good start at least.
>So Camille being royal blood means your child will also be that?

>>2112620
>Hey, it's a good start at least.
>So Camille being royal blood means your child will also be that?
>Does anyone else in Pastillage know?

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"Hey it's a good start at least." You deal a card in, "Does Camille bein' royal blood mean that yer child will also be that?"

"That it does." Cody takes the card, and deals another one of his in. "It also means any other kids I have with Camille are also royal blood, practically princes."

"That's great." You smile, "Does anyone else in Pastillage know?"
"Besides the royal authority, nope." Cody nonchalantly takes a card, "And according to the law, they don't have to know either."

"That's wonderful." You drop your cards into a pile as the last card is slid to you. It's an eight, and you needed at most a four. "Maybe ye should name yer first kid Lady Luck."

"Aw it's just intuition Jack. Aren't you a gambling man?"
"Only if aye know the odds."

"You can't let odds run your life. It's instinct."
"Aye guess that's why aye'm not a gamblin' man."

Your discussion is cut short by a hooded woman sitting down at the table next to you.
"Howdy stranger." Cody smiles.
"'Ey there, sexy." You wink at the cloaked figure. "Can aye buy ye a drink?"

"You certainly could." She puts her auburn-colored tail up to your face. "But only if you deal me in."

"Ye sure ye wanna play cards against Cody, Tuile?" You're worried about Tuile doing something like betting the castle in a drunken haze.

"Aw, I know how to play some cards." Tuile pouts. "And I know my limits."
"Yar, but ye never played against Cody."

"What is this, Blackjack? That's a child's game, deal me in for some poker." Tuile rests her head on her hand.
"Now you're talking!" Cody seems overly excited about Tuile's proposition.

Damn it, you were hoping that you wouldn't get put on the spot for this.
"Awright deal me in too."
"Yes!"
"Hah, great. Let's get the first round of drinks going." Tuile waves at one of the waitresses. She immediately gets the hint and heads into the back to pour you some drinks.

"So, what were you two discussing before I came along?" Tuile takes five cards, without a hint of the danger she's walking into.
"Just this." Cody takes the same piece of paper and slides it over to Tuile. She reads it for only a moment before she instantly understands what it's trying to say.

"Oh.. my.. GOD!"
She blushes slightly as she realizes that her excited squeal went above the noise threshold for the room.

"..Is this real?" Tuile folds the paper back, and hands it to Cody.
"Certainly is."

"Does that mean Camille can be your wife, now?"
"It's complicated." Cody looks at his cards with the face of a gravedigger. "I'll raise."

>Raise.
>Oh shoot, that means he has something good.
>Try not to think too much about the game.
>Think about the drinks instead.
>Call.
>Fold.
>Other?

"Oh, by the way, Jack." Tuile breaks your concentration. "Do you know what Kayda is going to do? Is she leaving for someplace today or staying?"

>I don't know.
>Wanna go ask after another hand?
>Yuuki will be done in an hour.
>Prolly stay here.
>Probably go with her friend to Gallete.
>Other?

>>2115322
>Call.

>Probably stay here. Could send her with Louise but I hated catland from just visiting, I can't imagine living there.

>>2115322
>Prolly stay here.
>We should check with her, though.

>>2115322
>Try not to think too much about the game.
>Think about the drinks instead.
>Call.

>I don't know.

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"Aye'll.. call." You think you probably have the best hand you're going to get.

"Two pair." Tuile takes a drink.
"Three of a kind." Cody almost instinctively reaches over to take the few coins on the table.

You manage to surprise him though when you flip your cards down.
"Straight." You take a sip from your mug.

"Son of a-"
"I thought you said you weren't any good at poker." Cody laughs.

"Novice luck." You slide the coins toward you. "Maybe my luck is finally turnin' around."
"I hope not." Cody deals out five more cards to both you and Tuile.

"Also, Tuile. No aye do not know what Kayda is doin'." You pick up the cards in front of you and try to keep from grimacing. "Prolly stay here. COuld send her with Louise but aye hated catland from just visitin'. Can't imagine living there."

"That's.. a surprisingly popular opinion, actually." Tuile smiles.

You take two cards and slide them to Cody. He deals two more cards for you

"We should check with her, though." You continue. "She'll be back around in an hour."
"It's been an hour, Jack." Cody seems to state that as a matter of fact.

You look up at the cuckoo clock on the wall and-
"Holy shit it's been an hour."

"That a problem?" Tuile takes another card.

"Yar, the day is goin' by too fast. They're leavin' in the afternoon, and it's almost the afternoon."

"Yeah, sure is."

The three of you continue to play cards in silence around the table. Tuile is far better at poker than you are, and she's almost matching Cody in a few hands. That said, no one beats the master.

Just like you, no one beats the master of drinking.
"Pretty good drinks today." You break the silence.
"Yeah, they taste a lot better than usual."

"They should. They're from the good barrel in the back." Tuile smiles.

"Ye give someone a tip?" You ask, jokingly.

"No, but I happen to know the waitress here. She helps me keep my secret."

"What secret?" Louise excitedly pops up at the end of the table. "I want to hear a secret, tell me!"
"Hey Louise." Tuile rubs Louise's blonde hair into a frazz. "What'cha up to?"

"The maid told us to hurry up because we leave for Gallete in an hour." Louise pouts.
"An hour?" That's sooner than you expected.
"Oh geez." Cody drops his cards.

"W-well." Tuile tries to keep a happy mood. "What else did you do?"
"We got dresses, and I got a new outfit for Ethan. Look, Tuile, look!"
Louise holds up a hooded, black vestment with a frilly miniskirt. It attaches to the outfit with a very well-polished set of black suspenders.

"..Louise that's a dress." Tuile seems worried.
"And?" Louise blinks.

"Ethan is a boy."
"..Okay?"

>Nope, no problem here.
>Bring up the difficulty with Louise.
>Ask if Kayda knows what she is doing
>Try to go find Yuuki, ask how long until they leave.
>Other?

>>2118180
>Try not to laugh
>I'm sure he'll love it. Maybe some matching earring to go with it?
>Ask if Kayda knows what she is doing

>>2118180
>Girls usually wear dresses, Louise. He'll look good in it sure, just don't make him wear it outside all the time. Do it too much and you'll hurt his feelings.

>>2118180
>Nope, no problem here.
>Drink

>>2118180
>Try not to laugh
>I'm sure he'll love it. Maybe some matching earring to go with it?
>Ask if Kayda knows what she is doing

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Pfft.
You quickly take a drink to wash down the laugh that almost escaped your throat.

"Girls usually wear dresses, Louise." Tuile tries to rescue Ethan.
"So? He looks so good in it!"
"He looks good in it, sure. Just don't make him wear it all the time, you might hurt his feelings."

"Not all the time, just when he wants to look good. He'll look like royalty!" Louise seems dead-set on this.

Yes, you do feel sorry for the poor boy, but at the same time-
"Aye'm sure he'll love it." You take another drink. "Maybe he needs some matchin' earrings to go with it?"
"Oh! That's a great idea!" Louise's eyes light up.

Tuile looks back toward you with a smirk. She joins in with a suggestion of her own.
"His hair is pretty long, too. Maybe you should get something to style it with, like a bow?"

"A bow! I didn't even think of that!"

"Maybe some nice shoes, too." Cody throws one in, and smirks.

"Wow! I need to go back to the shop, then." Louise folds the dress up in her arms. "I wish Yuuki and Dorje could come along, they had to go pack."

Wait, what?
"They're packin' up?"
"Yeah! The maid said their caravans were almost ready too. So they had to go back to the castle early. Keiko and Kayda are waiting outside, so I won't be alone."

"Hey, real fast. Do ye know what Kayda is doin'? Is she stayin' in Biscotti or goin' someplace else?"

Louise blinks. "You know, I didn't think of that. Let me go get her, and you can ask!"
"Well, ye dun need to, just-"

Too late, Louise is already halfway across the room. That kid has too much energy.

Cody drops his hand onto the table, and then stands up.
"I should go check and see when my bride wants to leave, too."

"You leaving, Cody?" Tuile seems a little worried that he might just leave forever.
"No, no. Just gonna go check on her real quick. I still need to come back and wake Camille up."

You drop your hand onto the table. Too bad because it was a full house.
Cody freezes in place as he watches Louise drag Kayda in. He clearly wants to watch this unfold.

"What? What's going on?" Kayda asks, inquisitively.
"Just a quick question." Tuile adjusts her voice, "Do you know if Greta is staying or leaving?"

"Leave? Where would she leave to?" Kayda frowns. "She can't go back to Konditorei, Gilles is there."
"Yes, but is she going to stay in Biscotti or go to maybe-"

"Gallete!" Louise interjects, "She could go to Gallete! Then we could see each other every day!"

"I- I'd love to, but. I'm not sure Greta would." Kayda doesn't seem like she wants to keep talking. "I don't think we can hide in Gallete."
Louise blinks, "Why?!"

"I think, I think you'd have to ask Greta about that."

"No, no. It's fine! I know the princess. She can-"

>Louise, I think you should listen to Kayda.
>Kayda, why don't you go ask Greta what her plans are?
>Louise, let's talk to Kayda alone for a minute
>Okay, whatever works for you
>Not your problem, drink and let them sort it out
>Other?

>>2118955
>Louise, I think you should listen to Kayda.

>>2118955
>Louise, let's talk to Kayda alone for a minute
Does this mean us and Tuile?

>>2119195
us, Tuile, and Cody.

>>2118955
>Kayda, why don't you go ask Greta what her plans are?
>Louise, let's talk to Kayda alone for a minute

>>2118955
>Louise, let's talk to Kayda alone for a minute
>Wern't Gallete's assassins working for Konditorei?

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"Louise, I think you should listen to Kayda, here." Tuile tries to spare Kayda some of the heat.
"I am listening to her! S-she just doesn't know what she wants. So she needs to-."

"Real quick, Louise, can aye speak to Kayda alone?"
Louise blinks, and realizes that you're going to talk to Kayda and maybe ruin her plans.
"Okay.." She pouts.

"Thanks, go make sure Keiko is safe." Tuile rubs Louise's head, and Louise walks out of the room.

"'ey Kayda. Ye really want to go to Catland? That place is kinda a hellhole." You say, bluntly.

"It's not that I don't want to!" Kayda seems defensive. "It's that.. I don't think I can. Gallete and Konditorei are really close. They were economic partners until the recent.. incident."
"Mm." Tuile chimes in, "The assassins from Gallete were working with Konditorei, too."

"Yeah! We can't stay there. How do we know that they don't already have agents in Gallete waiting for us?"

"Where are you going to stay?"
"We don't know yet. Someplace far away from Konditorei and Gilles."


"Well, ye have to think of a way to tell Louise, then. Maybe ye should go ask Greta what her plans are and have her break the news to Louise instead of you?"
"I could do that." Kayda sighs, "But I don't like having to tell Louise that I'm not going with her."

"You have to tell her eventually." Tuile smiles. "It's better to tell her now as she's about to leave than have to tell her in a letter after she's already gone, right?"

"I guess so."
"Just go get Greta to break the news to 'er. She might cry, but ye rather have that than have her genuinely offended." You take your last drink from one of the many empty mugs next to you.

"Okay, I'll go do that."
Kayda turns and walks out of the bar, and you stand up as well.

"Where are you going?"
"Te say goodbye to everyone." You don't want to do it, but you feel like you should. "If they're packin', that means they're leavin' soon."

"I'll come too." Tuile stands up. "I want to thank them personally. Where do you want to start?"

>Let's visit Dorje's summoner, we haven't talked to her much
>Anna and Yuuki, they might be leaving sooner
>Let's go see how the thing with Kayda and Louise goes.
>'Ey Cody, let's go to yer ship and we can say goodbye to Amaretti ourselves.
>Other?

>>2120960
>Let's visit Dorje's summoner, we haven't talked to her much

>>2120960
>Let's visit Dorje's summoner, we haven't talked to her much

>>2120960
>Let's visit Dorje's summoner, we haven't talked to her much

Maybe hint that Kayda and Greta wouldn't mind a friendly host for a while.

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"Let's visit Dorje's summoner, first. We haven't talked to her much. What's her name again?"
"Eileen."
"Aye, right, Eileen."

You leave the bar, and let Cody go talk to his summoner. You'll be catching up with him later, you're sure.

The caravans are already starting to line up in front of the castle. Each one with a different destination, and a different group of people readying them. You spot Dorje in the crowd, helping to hoist a trunk on top of a carriage.

"Hay, Dorje."
"Oh, Jack!" Dorje pushes luggage one last time, "Sorry I didn't get to the bar. I was told that we were leaving in a few, and I wanted to help Eileen pack."
"Aye, that's fine, Lad." You rub his head, ruffling his hair. "More importantly, have ye said goodbye to Kayda, yet?"

"Oh, no I haven't."

"After ye get done here, go tell Kayda how much you'll miss 'er." You smile, "Ye want to make a good impression on ye future girlfriend."

Dorje blushes, "I, I didn't think about it like that."
Tuile steps in, "Kayda would really like that, but before you go-"

Tuile leans down and takes Dorje into a hug. His expression turns to puzzled for a minute, before he uncomfortably returns the hug.
"Thank you for everything you've done for my kingdom." Tuile releases Dorje from her grasp, "You are welcome inside this castle any time you please."

"T-thanks princess."
"Just 'Tuile', please."

"Whars yer summoner, anyway?"

Eileen emerges from another carriage, and quickly approaches the two of you.
"Tuile, and Jack!" You don't know Eileen well, but you know she has a very soft, feminine smile. "Did you two come to say goodbye? and-"

She notices the flustered look Dorje has on his face, as well as his ruffled hair.
"-Have you been hugging Dorje?" Eileen tries to hold back a grin.

"Maybe a little." Tuile's tail sways behind her. "But we're mostly here to see you off."
"Aye, thanks fer visitin'. Are ye two going to be back anytime soon?"

"Spring festival." Eileen shrugs. "So a couple months or so."
"Heh, seems like forever from now."

"Well, we look forward to seeing you then."
"Aye, try te take care of yerselves. When are ye leavin'?"

"As soon as we're packed here. So maybe in twenty minutes?"

"Y'know." You bring something up that just crossed your mind, "Kayda and Greta could use a friendly place to stay fer a while. Ye think Carancha would mind bein' their host fer a bit?"

Dorje immediately blushes, furiously. Eileen looks as if she's really considering the proposal.
"You know what. I think we could have something arranged."

Eileen looks back and grins at Dorje. He is petrified in place with a giant streak of red on his face.
"Go ask Greta if they would mind, when you get the chance."

"Aye, will do. We'll be back around."

You leave Carancha's caravan, and then set off to your next destination-

>Cody.
>Yuuki and Louise are talking about something, maybe go see what they're up to.
>Go find Kayda and Greta, ask them the important question.
>Other?

>>2121298
>Yuuki and Louise are talking about something, maybe go see what they're up to.

>>2121298
>Yuuki and Louise are talking about something, maybe go see what they're up to.

>>2121298
>Go find Kayda and Greta, ask them the important question

Quick, while Yuuki is distracting Louise!

>>2121298
That's a good idea actually

Changing my vote from >>2122425 to
>Go find Kayda and Greta, ask them the important question.

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You point out Yuuki and Louise having a very serious conversation. You can already take a wild guess as to what it might be about.
Instead of interjecting yourself into their conversation; you decide to take this opportunity to slip past them and into the castle. Now is a good time to speak with Kayda while Louise is occupied.

You set foot inside the castle, and quickly come face-to-face with Greta and Kayda.
"Yar, hey, what's up?"
"We're waiting for Yuuki to tell Louise that we can't go to Gallete." They look on, worried.

"So ye already talked 'bout it?"
"We talked to Yuuki about it, yeah." Kayda sighs. "She said that she would break the news so we wouldn't have to."

"That's nice of 'er."
"Yeah, but I already know how Louise is going to react."

"Did you tell her that you can't? Is it because of the treaty?"
"Sadly." Greta leans against the nearby wall. "Gallete has an extradition treaty with Konditorei, and we're both technically fugitives. They could have us sent back there."

"Yar, but there's no way for 'em to do that." You think about this for a minute, "Not with two heroes on yer side."
"I don't want to have to worry about that. I don't want to sit up at night anymore worrying about someone busting down the door." Greta seems awfully candid. "I'm not even sure if we can stay in Biscotti. We got really lucky the first time that Pomelo was around."

Right, Pomelo did sort of save the day there.

"Aye have a suggestion, if ye want to hear it."
Greta blinks, "What is it?"

"Maybe ye should hide out in Carancha fer a while." You smile, "Carancha is a ways off from Konditorei. Plus Dorje would be thar." You wink at her.

Kayda's face immediately turns red.
"W- what are you implying?!" She squeaks.

"I think that's a great idea!" Greta claps her hands together. "No one would look in Carancha! But, shouldn't we ask Eileen, first?"
"Ye should go ask her yerself. Aye already pitched the idea to her and she seemed to like it."

"Isn't that a good idea, Kayda?" Greta takes her hero's hand, "What do you think? Wanna go ask Eileen right now?"
"Well, sure, but shouldn't we wait to see what Louise does-"

"WHAT?!"
You hear a churlish shriek from across the courtyard. Followed by lots of chatting between Yuuki and Louise.

"Too late." Kayda sighs.
"Go try n' find Eileen, okay?" You pat Kayda on the head, "She'll be leavin' soon. And ye don't want to get left behind. We'll deal with Louise.

You take a drink from your flask, and prepare yourself to face the cat hero.

>Cont.

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"But I don't WANT her to!" Louise cries to Yuuki.
"It's not like you're never going to see her again." Yuuki is patting the near-crying girl on the head. "It's just going to be a few months, and you'll see her once more."

"I don't want to wait a few months.."

"Aye take it ye told 'er about Kayda."
"I did.." Yuuki frowns.

"It's just not fair!" Louise hugs Yuuki, "I thought she was going to go to Gallete, with me!"
"I know, Louise. I know it's hard to say goodbye to your best friend." Yuuki hugs her, tightly. "But they won't be safe there. You have to understand."

"They will absolutely be safe there!" Louise protests, "They'll be safe because they'll have me!"
"You don't want them to sit awake at night to watch for intruders, do you?"

"But they won't have to!" Louise whines, "I'll be there!"

>You don't want to sit up at night worrying about intruders, do you?
>Some things are bigger than you can handle by yourself.
>It would be more peaceful this way.
>Cheer up, you'll see her again real soon
>Other?

Reminder, if this thread happens to fall off and I haven't reached the stopping point I had in mind, we will have a part 2 thread. It may not be very long, but we'll have one. I'm not leaving this quest hanging.

>>2123353
>You don't want to sit up at night worrying about intruders, do you?
>Some things are bigger than you can handle by yourself.

>>2123353
>Headpat
>Offer some sympathy - talk about how it does suck when you have to leave others behind.
>But Kadya needs to do this so that her royalty is safe, she'd feel very bad if something happened to her, and wouldn't that make Louise feel bad too?

>>2123357
Thank you for that.

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>>2123353
>Headpat
>Offer some sympathy - talk about how it does suck when you have to leave others behind.
>Cheer up, you'll see her again real soon

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"I'll be there, isn't that good enough?!" She continues to cry into Yuuki's dress. You walk up behind the two.

Gently, your hand reaches over to Louise and touches her scalp. Your hand is quickly met by Tuile's hand; who had the same idea that you did.

"You don't want them to sit up at night worrying about intruders, do you?" Tuile offers some words of sympathy.
"I would sit up with her.." Louise moans.

You start gently scratching her scalp. Tuile takes a more forward approach and starts combing through Louise's blonde hair with her fingers.
"Some things are bigger than you can handle yerself." Yuuki tries reasoning with her.
"Nothing would be bigger than Kayda and I.."

"Louise, listen." You kneel down to Louise's eye level. "It sucks when you leave others behind, aye know."
"I don't want to be alone, again." Louise's cheeks are red.

"You're not going to be alone, Kayda." Yuuki wipes the tears from Louise's cheeks.
"Ye have Charlotte, and have Ethan and now, Elise."

"Listen, when you leave someone behind, that doesn't mean that they're gone forever. You'll see Kayda again real soon."

Louise clearly doesn't seem to be taking it very well. She simply leans back into Yuuki's hug, and keeps her face hidden.

"Louise, How about this." Tuile smiles, and tries to get Louise's attention. "Every week, Jack and I will bring Keiko over to Gallete to visit."

"..You will?"
"..We will?" Ugh, visiting catland every week. You feel Tuile nudging at your side, and you quickly respond with "Yar, we will."

"If you could do that.. I would really like it." Louise is still crying, but not as hard as before. "But what about Kayda?"

"She'll be fine. You'll see her again soon enough."
"I'll be worried about her every day." Louise frowns. "What if Konditorei finds her and I'm not around?"

"She's not gonna be alone." You give her a light hug. "She's going to Carancha, no one will find her there. Dorje lives there; so she's well protected."
"I'm still worried.."

"Louise."

>Cont.

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Louise looks over her shoulder, and is met with Kayda seemingly appearing behind her. Kayda's arms droop over Louise's shoulders loosely.
"You don't have to worry about me, Louise. I won't be alone. I can write you anytime I want."
"That's not the same.."

"If I write you every day, then. Will that be the same? It will be like we're living right next to each other."
"Kayda, I'm-"

Louise loses all sense of composure, and her tears flow freely. Kayda quickly wraps her arms around her best friend, and even she slowly succumbs to the moment.

Oh darn it, Yuuki. It's okay if two little girls cry, but do you have to do the same thing, too?
Yuuki kneels down and drags the two girls into a hug. You quietly excuse yourself, and Tuile follows closely behind.

"Did ye really need to volunteer me to visit Gallete once a week, Lass?"
"What? Got something better to do?" Tuile gives a wry smile.

"Aye dun know; beatin' nails into my hand, drinking myself into a coma, pissin' into the wind, learnin' to breathe underwater-"
"Do you have something better to do than make Louise happy, I should ask?"

You sigh, heavily. "No."
"That's the spirit!" Tuile grabs your arm. "Who knows, you might even come to like Gallete!"

>Not likely.
>Don't push your luck.
>Let's visit Eileen again, make sure everything is okay.
>Nope, time to find Cody before he's gone.
>Other?

>>2125460
>Damnation seize my soul if I give Catland quarters, or take any from them
>Nope, time to find Cody before he's gone.

>>2125460
>Aye, if I somehow get to beat good sense into every last one of em.
>Nope, time to find Cody before he's gone.

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"Aye, sure. Only if aye get to beat sense into every last one of 'em." You grumble.
"Aww, Gallete is a good place once you get to know it, and once you learn to stay away from the castle." Tuile gives you a pat on the back.

"Aye dun want to 'git to know it'. The day aye give Catland quarter is the day damnation takes my soul." You take a flask out of your coat, and quickly take a drink. "Same goes fer the day Catland gives me quarter."
"It's just once a week." Tuile smiles, "Besides, you liked the bar there. I'm sure you'll find something else you like."

"No. Quarter, Lass." You repeat once more.
"So, where to next?"

"Cody." You cough, "I want to catch up with him before they leave."
"Lead the way."

You walk toward the very obvious airship parked just inside the castle walls. Pastillage always manages to have everything they own look bright and shiny. The entire airframe glistens like a mirror in the sunlight. It must be something about squirrels and shiny objects.
You approach the airship and hail the guards. They let you both on with ease, and you approach the main hold of the ship.

The doors opens before you even get to them, and a familiar figure emerges.
"Camille!" Tuile immediately notices her friend step out from behind the door. Quickly, Tuile walks up and embraces her in a hug, "What are you doing here?!"
"I think I live here, now!" Camille laughs, and returns the hug. "Did you come to see Cody?"

"We came te see everyone before ye took off."
"I'm glad you did! We're leaving in an hour." Camille smiles, "Come in, come in!"
"If you don't mind."

She motions for you to come in, and you step inside. Pastillage's airship is nothing short of a mansion.

Inside, Amaretti is sitting at a tea table.
"Good afternoon!" Amaretti stands up to greet Tuile, "Here to see Cody?"
"Yes, but we're here to see you most of all." Tuile smiles. "I always hate seeing you leave."

"Yes, yes. I know." Amaretti runs her fingers through Tuile's hair, scratching her ears. "You've always been sad to see me leave, ever since we were little. Did Camille surprise you?"
"Yar, wasn't expectin' that." You pretend to not know about the paper.

"Well you should expect it, now. As of yesterday, we're sisters!" Amaretti approaches Camille, and then grabs her around the shoulder.
"Oh, sisters?!" Tuile pretends she didn't see the paper, either.

"That's right." Amaretti is beaming with pride, "I got a letter from Pastillage royal authority yesterday, they're going to let my father adopt her!"
"Congratulations, you two!"
"Yar, Congrats."

"It's, going to be a lot to get used to." Camille's tail twitches, "-but I have the best sister in the world, so I'm sure we can manage."
"Oh right, Cody went to shake hands with Aligot one last time before he went. Do you want to wait for him? Do you want tea?" Amaretti sits back in her seat.

>Nah, we'll go look for 'im
>Tea sounds good.
>We can wait a few minutes.
>We actually gotta get goin'
>Other?

>>2126203
>Nah, we'll go look for 'im

>>212620
>Nah, we'll go look for 'im
Or maybe just us, sounds like Tulie wants to visit here.

>>2126203
>Nah, we'll go look for 'im
>Tulie can stay here if she wants
>Remember that you were gonna give Aligot shit for sleeping with the rabit

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"Nah, aye'll go look for 'im." You smile, "Tuile, wanna stay here and catch up with the ladies, maybe have some tea?"
"Sounds good." Tuile smirks, "Bring him this way, if you get a chance."

"Aye, will do."

You leave and let the ladies do their talking. Tuile probably wants to ask some nosy questions about Camille and the baby. You rather stay out of that, honestly.

You walk back into the castle, and find your way to the library. It seems quite a few people came here to say goodbye to Aligot. Cody stands behind Yuuki, Kayda, and Dorje.

"Thank you so much for all of your help." You catch the tail part of Yuuki's sentence.
"It's fine, it's fine." Aligot seems exasperated by the crowd, "I should be thanking everyone here, instead. Thank you for defending my kingdom."

"Aw, don't be that way." Yuuki laughs, and hugs Aligot. Aligot blushes slightly at her pull. "You're going to come to Bruschetta to visit Cassata soon, right?"

"Ah, uh- Well. Me and Cassata are only-"
"I saw her coming out of your room this morning." Yuuki suppresses a smile.

"We were just talking." Aligot's face gets remarkably more red.

"..Are you going to marry Cassata?" Kayda blinks.

"Anyway." Aligot ignores that comment, "The answer is 'no', I can't come see Cassata anyway because of the curfew in Bruschetta's royal city. No men, remember?"
"I don't think that would be a problem." Yuuki smiles, "Just remember to tell us when you're coming, okay?"

"If I get some free time, I'll consider it." Aligot sighs, "But until then. Is there anything I can do for you before you leave?"
"Not for me, anything for the children?"

"Thanks Aligot." Kayda bows slightly.
"Thank you Aligot." Dorje shakes his hand, "You helped me learn magic, and the ways of this world. You're like an uncle to me."

Aligot's face turns even more red than before.
"Y-you're welcome, you two. Come back and visit anytime."

Cody turns to you, "Anyway, what's up?"
"Tuile is talkin' with your brides, she wants to say goodbye before ye leave."

"Alright, I'll be back there in a few seconds." Cody turns back to Aligot.

"Cody, it was great getting to meet you." Aligot puts his hand out to shake, but Cody instead wraps his arm around his shoulder.
"Stay safe until I see you next time, got it? And don't let that Cassata chick go. Visit her every time you get a break."

"Y-yeah, sure." Aligot nervously laughs. "You too."

Cody steps away from Aligot as the other heroes mob him with questions. Most of them being about his supposed relationship with Cassata. You'd love to watch him try to keep from embarrassing himself, but you have a date to keep.

"How mad was Amaretti?"
"Not mad at all, aye think ye lucked out."

"No, she just knows not to show it in front of people." Cody sighs. "What do you think I should do?"

>Calm down.
>Try not to bring it up
>Just accept you made a mistake and move on.
>Pfft, aye don't know.
>Develop a drinking problem
>Other?

>>2127911
>Calm down.
>Develop a drinking problem
>Forget that you have problems

>Bus seriously she only found out about it recently so just give it time, she can't be mad about it forever, right?

>>2127911
>Calm down.
>Just try an' stay honest I guess. Good to be faithful but I guess I ain't the best example of that. Still worked out though. If you can manage to be with both of them at once you're probably in the clear.

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"Well first, calm down."
"That'll take some time, I'll get back to you on that." Cody lights a cigarette in his mouth.

"Step two would be to develop a drinkin' problem." No lie, booze helps out with most problems in life.
"Can I substitute with a gambling addiction?" Cody coughs, "That's something I'm at least a little good at."

"As long as it help ye ferget yer problems; then just don't spend it all in one place."
"Hey, I usually come out on top, or at least break even."

"But seriously, she only found out about it recently, so just give it time, yar? She can't stay mad at you forever."
"I guess, but she can make that time feel like forever if she wants."

"Just try te stay honest, I guess. It's good to be faithful, but ye know how that worked out with me. Aye definitely ain't the best example of that."
"Yeah, but the difference is, it worked out."

"Aye think it'll work out with you, too. Ye just have to give it time. If ye manage to be with both, then ye'll make everyone happy."
"As long as I don't screw up again, sure." Cody drops his cigarette as he approaches the airship. He parts his hair, and prepares to meet his brides face-to-face.

You swing open the door and let him in. You can already tell that the atmosphere isn't as tense in here as it was outside. Tuile has been talking to the ladies, and they're even laughing.
That's a good sign!

"Hey sweetie." Cody kisses Amaretti on the cheek, and sits down next to her.
"How are the ladies doin'?" You sit next to Tuile.

"I was telling them about Ethan's new 'outfit'." Tuile is barely holding back a laugh, "I wish we could go get him and see him try it on, right now."
Amaretti giggles, "I saw the outfit that the castle staff put him in. I can only imagine what this new dress looks like!"

"Hay, aren't ye worried that ye may be stuntin' the boy? Can't be healthy to doll him up like that all the time."
"Yeah, but he looked so CUTE!" Camille counters with a laugh. "It's like he was made to always dress that way. I would have put a bow in his hair."

Cody reaches over, and asks you to pass your flask over to him. He takes a swig of it, and you laugh at the girls reaction.
"What's the matter, Cody?" Camille smiles.
"Just thinkin' about my maybe-future-son." Cody coughs, again.

"Don't worry about that, we wouldn't do something like that." Amaretti smiles, "Not unless it's really cute, I mean."

>I don't think that'd be very nice.
>Well, if it makes you happy
>Next time he's in town, I'm taking Ethan shopping for a nice set of armor.
>Good luck with that one, Cody.
>Other?

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We're about to fall off, but worry not! We will be continuing in a new thread once this thread falls.

>>2128290
>Next time he's in town, I'm taking Ethan shopping for a nice set of armor.
>Aye just think dressin cute should be yer own business.