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Welcome back, heroes of the new age, to the one hundred and third installment of Mecha Space Pirate Quest. As always, I'm Wong, your host, and today...for now, at least...you are Sir Gaius Wesker, the assumed identity of former UJCIDF Ensign and SOUL Squad A's melee specialist, Heinrich "Caesar" Merrow.


Previous Threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Mecha+Space+Pirate+Quest%2C+Collective+Game%2C+mecha
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Mecha%20Space%20Pirate%20Quest
Master Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/sSHs0QmF
Rogues' Gallery: http://pastebin.com/E9ZcDLfG
Fleet Gallery: https://pastebin.com/MN2ZNnBm (NEW!)
Brazilia's Kawaii Space Jam Gallery: http://pastebin.com/pZtRmbWS

Last time we saw you, you'd just seen your girlfriend, Naomi Heim, again. She's firmly in the clutches of the Project Neverland L-Series supersoldier known as Turpin, a fact which Turpin casually held over you despite not seeming to realize your true identity.

Right now, you are struggling not to flip the table, draw your monospear, and put it through Turpin's spine. At least you manage to keep it together until she's exited the back patio of the cafe. Countess Tabitha Roosevelt, your ostensible boss and co-conspirator, is giving you a very worried look.

>[Bottle those emotions up, which is bad for your long-term mental health but preserves your image as a cool badass knight]
>[Let them out, let them all out, even if you don't look cool doing it]
>>
Also, sorry for the late start! I thought this had posted about twenty minutes ago, but no, captcha was being a shit and while it showed as properly checked when I went to post it claimed I'd done it wrong, and I was distracted reviewing the last thread so I didn't notice immediately.
>>
>>2129773
>[Bottle those emotions up, which is bad for your long-term mental health but preserves your image as a cool badass knight]
Grit those teeth
>>
>>2129773
oh, so this is happening
>[Bottle those emotions up, which is bad for your long-term mental health but preserves your image as a cool badass knight]
its what dad would do
>>
>>2129773
>>[Bottle those emotions up, which is bad for your long-term mental health but preserves your image as a cool badass knight]
>>
>>2129773
>>[Let them out, let them all out, even if you don't look cool doing it]
if you bottle them up, you'll just end up flipping desks. Vent them carefuly.
>>
>>2129773
>[Let them out, let them all out, even if you don't look cool doing it]
>>
>>2129773
>Hold off on your outburst

Hi Wong. How you bean?
>>
Part of you had thought in a way you recognize as irrational and childish that this must all be some big mistake, that Naomi was a regular girl, that the real Green Man Clone was somewhere else, being alien and creepy and not at all like your assertive, down-to-earth girlfriend.

What you just heard blasts that vain hope out of the sky like a missile barrage. You're smart enough to know what she's referencing. You know what it means. Somehow, she's remembering what the Lady herself must have experienced during planetfall...and yet, there's another layer to that. Your dad. Your dad tried to comfort her, at least in her recollection of events. You've never thought of him as a bad man, just implacable, stubborn as a mule, a grouch to his very bones, an insurmountable obstacle in pursuing your life goals, but you never would have imagined he might have endangered his mech by descending into the atmosphere to try to comfort what he thought was a dying Green Man. It's a part of him you barely know. Sure, he's your father, for all of his faults he was there for you when you got hurt or frightened as a child, but you're his son. It may be a fact you've tried to run away from, but it's still the truth. So you channel him. You take a short, annoyed breath, like you've seen him do when he's trying not to say something unkind to someone. You furrow your brows, tensing up your ears, and you sigh, letting just that sound out instead of breaking furniture and running Turpin down.

You have to admit, part of your frustration is with yourself. How are you going to steal the new goddess or whatever of the Avalonian people? You know you must. You know you will...but how? Are you willing to risk becoming a Paladin yourself for that?

>[Play it safe in your plans]
>[Do whatever it takes]
>>
>>2130003
>>[Do whatever it takes]
>>
>>2130003
>>[Play it safe in your plans]
>>
>>2130003
>[Do whatever it takes]
No time for half measures.
>>
>>2130003
>[Play it safe in your plans]
dont drink the cool aid unless you have to.
>>
>>2130003
>[Do whatever it takes]

At least becoming a Paladin gets us in range of the GL if the other option is assassination when worst comes to worst.
>>
>>2130003
>>[Do whatever it takes]
In for a penny.
>>
>>2130003
>[Play it safe in your plans]

I'm rather against turning our back against humanity.
>>
>>2130099
It doesn't necessarily have to be just humanity. I see this as the Char option. If we can send a enemy on our side to their death so we can secure allies and help our fellows, I say we take it.
>>
>>2130003
>[Play it safe in your plans]

We must not go down Floyd's path
>>
>>2130117
Your analogy is lacking.

Caesar would be rendering himself incredibly vulnerable by becoming a Paladin. Not because of the status or rank, but because the Lady physically changes the Paladins.
>>
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"No matter what it takes, I'm bringing her home." You tell Tabitha quietly. No matter what. Damn the costs, you'll save her or die trying. "Where is Turpin going now?"

"To the Lady." Tabitha's face is tight with unspoken worry, "Sir Gaius, I cannot and will not send you to your death by helping you follow her there without invitation. The Lady's garden, the forest created by the fall of her strider, is impenetrable to those she has not called for specifically."

"So how do I get in? Maybe we could ambush her on her way there." You keep a cautious eye out for anyone listening in.

"Maybe, but I doubt it. Bradamante...no, Naomi...will defend her to the best of her ability in this state, and something tells me she's going to be wary right now. She doesn't like me, and I don't like her, and it's not as if I don't know how to hire assassins. I am, after all, a proper lady." Tabitha pats your shoulder, "Go get us some tea, take a moment to get your head straight. If you're really, really prepared to do whatever it takes, and if you're as good as I think you are, then you'll get an invitation. It's inevitable." You wonder why her smile is so sad, but you think you know.

Gerin.

She describes how she wants her tea prepared in what sounds like far, far too much detail for you, and you fetch a steaming kettle of a rounded sort with a serpentine spigot you're not used to. Avalonians seem to take gravity for granted so easily. You wonder if living on a planet does something to people's minds, all of this wide-open space and the endless wheel of the sky above. The Martians have always struck you as a little bit different, after all, and the Avalonians are the same way. You set the kettle and teacups down, and she raises an eyebrow at you, "A-hem."

"Oh. Sorry." You pour the tea, and she smiles, taking the cup delicately in her hands and taking a sip.

You try to imitate her, and she shakes her head slightly, "Don't slurp, Gaius. You're trying to drink it too quickly, it's served in small cups for a reason. Savor each mouthful. Slow, refined sips. Like me."

You sip again, trying not to be impatient, but it seems to meet her approval. Once the first cup is finished, she tells you what's on her mind, "Each Paladin is invited to stand before the Lady, receive her touch and augmentations. Bradamante should be there, and then...I don't know. There's so much more I don't know than I thought. That's why I have to do this. I need answers. I need to know the truth about the Lady, about my people, about what the true purpose of this war is."

You raise your cup, on impulse, "To our endeavors, then, my countess." You feel as if you've aged a bit, more mature and serious. Many of your earlier decisions were impulsive, but this time you know what the consequences might be. You know that you're prepared to sacrifice your humanity and become a Paladin.

"To our endeavors, my brave knight." She toasts you, and the two of you drink.

[Continued]
>>
>>2130147
Is this tea with milk and sugar?

Cause that shit is disgusting.
>>
>>2130171
Hey shut up.
>>
>>2130171
Who the fuck cares?
>>
"So, how is your tea?" She tries to make conversation.

You consider the question, "Warm." You decide.

"I mean the taste." She looks as if she's trying to decide whether or not you're making fun of her.

"Kind of sweet, is it supposed to be this color?" You look down into your cup.

"It's called rose tea for a reason." She replies.

"Is it really made from roses?" You ask.

She nods, smiling, "Yes, from whole dehydrated rosebuds, it has numerous health benefits."

"So we're...drinking flower juice." You try to process that.

She snorts, "Here I thought Jovian knights had some class. She catches your smile, realizes you're teasing her, and blushes, "S-shut up."

"As you wish, my countess." You sip your tea smugly.

She huffs, "I remember telling you something about calling me that, I'm sure I'll remember it presently, but..." Her expression softens, and she closes her eyes, "It's good to be home, away from the fighting."

"Weren't you only in one battle on Mars? Well, and at 16-Psyche, but you weren't really in the line of fire." You question her.

She shakes her head, "The Duke's forces had several brushfires to put out elsewhere...and a few we had to just abandon to your people...before an agent gave us the coordinates to safely gate into the Solar System. I haven't been home for years." She sighs, "Listen! Just listen to those gulls, Gaius!" A heart-deep ache is in her voice, "And the sea!"

You hear it too, the mournful calls of the gleaming white birds high overhead, and deeper, underlaying all the sounds of the bustling city...a soft, murmuring sussurus. The splash of water on stone, the inhalation and exhalation of a body of water that could swallow Auditorium's lake and not rise a fraction of an inch.

>[Roll 1d10+10 Intelligence+Awareness]
>>
Rolled 7 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>2130179
>>
Rolled 9 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>2130179
>>
Rolled 4 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>2130179
>>
Rolled 7 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>2130179
>>
...One of those gulls isn't a gull, it's not moving correctly. It's circling like they are, but constantly moving directly over you, or at least appears to be. Its wings gleam too brightly, and aren't moving at all, making you suspect it's some kind of old-fashioned remote-control drone rather than a bird. Maybe it's just someone playing with an electronic toy, or maybe you're being watched.

Paranoia is a slippery slope and all too tempting to slide down, but the day seems abruptly much less pleasant. Calling her attention to the drone immediately, while it's still not doing anything threatening, might alert whoever's spying on you if someone is indeed using it to observe you, or more likely, observe her. You refill the cups again, and pass the next hour deliberately talking about nothing important with the Countess. She's eager for it, telling you all about the shops in the city, about her piece of the planet, what it exports and imports, about all her favorite places in it. Love for her home swells in her voice as she tells you all about it, infecting you with its rustic charm. You let yourself fade into it and try not to think about your mission.

Eventually, she puts her empty cup down, stands up, and stretches her back, pressing her chest out. A light wind off the sea ruffles her skirt, and she smiles, "To the castle, Sir Gaius. I'm eager to see it again."

[Continued]
>>
>>2130196
them thighs
>>
>>2130196
Worst girl in a series filled with bad waifus.
>>
Weird, it's absolutely impossible to post threads on /tg/ right now, no matter what, even if the captcha SAYS you solved it correctly, it will say you did it wrong when you go to post.

Making threads is also the only thing you can't use legacy captcha for.
>>
Also, I'm oddly tired, which is weird because I got plenty of sleep. Game resumes tomorrow.
>>
Wong confirmed for having the flu, game continues in this thread Tuesday, I'll hopefully be able to answer questions and such meanwhile.
>>
>>2132206
Ahhh, that I know all too well. Tis the season for sharing. As for questions, how colonies does it take to get to the feddy center of a Jaburo pop?
>>
>>2132239
One, but you need to be spineless, heartless, and have an interchangeable head and ass.

So, basically be Zeon.
>>
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>>2132206
Is there any chance of best girl appearing even if not as Clemmy's daughter? Maybe a fan? A relative? A love interest for any of the second gen protags?

So... How about details on Roake's Waives's families? We have seen some people, but besides parents and siblings, do they have any other relatives? It has been some time and I don't remember everyone's backstory...

For example... What are the closer relatives alive to Lori and Fatima? Aren't they from big clans? What about Clemmy?

>>2130196
We should warn her about that as soon as possible and note if it react to sound or if its just filiming us.
>>
>>2139168
. . . . Seriously? Fatima has a cousin that's part of Moe's trifecta, she runs an orphanage and pilots a mech. She's the only daughter of dead parents who were tight with Hakim, hence the whole marry/murder inheritance.

Lori's family is all dead of plague and her cousin is - there's a whole sub-plot we're currently involved in about it. It was just retouched on in the last Ceasar thread. It's been recurring.

Come on dude.

Next you're going to ask about Karen aren't you.
>>
>>2139710
I'm asking about if there is still anyone else that we don't knwo about, I don't remember Wong telling us that those are the last one alive of their families.
There is also the fact that old models of families often included people more removed than just siblings and cousins... We don't know if Tabitha is the only cousin of Lori alive, for all we know there could be a lot of second and third cousins alive in lesser nobility roles.
>from the person who knows a lot of far removed relatives from the lineage of his Great-Great-Grandfather.
>>
>>2140374
If they were important, Wong would have mentioned their extended family.

Now stop trying to make the already massive cast list even worse.
>>
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>>2140407
Eh, I think that making Wong thinking about that may bring something good out of it, and I trust his jugdment on deciding if there should be more characters or not.

DUEL ME.
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>>2140407
You would think that not responding to BA would stop his shitposting.

You would be wrong.
>>
>>2141547
Is that really that shocking?
>>
QM's curse in full effect today, but at least now I have working internet and plenty written up.
>>
You've never been inside a real castle before, and honestly, it's a bit...disappointing. You'd never tell the Countess that, but it really is something of a let-down to be inside a real castle. It's just a big, multi-story building with a lot of unused rooms, a lot of noise and people around, and a lot of dark stone and woodwork fashioned into crow motifs. Compared to the simgames you're accustomed to, it's a huge letdown. It doesn't even have a drawbridge or a moat. Red Siren's castle is a mark of her power and opulence. This, on the other hand, is an extremely practical building, someone's home and the home of their servants. There are winding staircases up to the top of the walls and needle-tipped towers, but aside from the AA missile systems and a fine view from the battlements there isn't much atop the walls and the towers are used mostly for storage, according to the Countess. She tells you that when she was a girl her bedroom was in one of them, but when the war began she had her quarters moved to the military base in the tunnels below the castle.

That perks your attention for a while...but not for long. The base itself is awfully pedestrian too. There's something you realized early on after first encountering Avalonian forces, and that is their technological inferiority to the UJCIDF. Knights might be larger than typical Jovian mecha, but they aren't as advanced or efficient, even if many of the newer ones you're seeing look as if they can fly. The biggest problem the UJCIDF has, and the only reason why it hasn't won this war already in your opinion, is that your own forces were set up to efficiently combat small-scale planetary rebellions and ward off pirate activity, which was all they were needed to do until recently. It fills you with a small glow of remembered pride to think of how quickly SOUL rose to fill that gap, before remembering General Fairchild curdles your stomach and you return your attention to the tour.

Undersea tunnels provide egress for the castle's garrison of Knights, which is rather small considering how many were lost in the Solar System and how many more are assigned elsewhere, which she explains, “...For centuries, war in our civilization has been ceremonial at most and nonexistent in the main. Armies were raised by individual nobles more as peacekeepers and enforcers than as actual soldiers. We didn't even have striders until the Lady built the first ones for us. One of the major challenges facing us as a civilization has been the formation of a real military and getting the soldiers to accept commands from nobles they haven't been following their whole lives. Being made physically superior to regular humans, we Paladins can expect obedience from most of Avalon's soldiers, but some of the lesser officers encounter...dissatisfaction in the ranks. Kennedy officers, for example, with that atrocious accent that they don't even TRY to burr off...ugh.”

[Continued]
>>
She shakes her head briskly, then continues “Yet, we can't simply pair officers up with only soldiers from their homelands, and when we can it leads to problems too. On Qu'lir, the Paladin in charge of the actual ground operation was backed almost entirely by troops from his own lands, who were willing to follow him to the death and refused to question his orders even when he spiralled towards insanity. In that case, it was unavoidable, but the Lady predicted it would lead to problems, and so we have taken to missions and training with more...jumbled...forces.” She lowers her voice, “Duke Rothschild-Beauchamps also believes, for some reason, that it's to prevent a cult of personality from forming, that if a hero arose in this war who had overwhelming, unquestioning support, it could threaten the established order.” She glances around the tunnel where you're observing through a plasteel wall the ocean up above. Some kind of coral covers much of the tunnel, but you can still see through little clear patches the glittering green-gold glow of the sunlight on the surface high above. It's an eerily beautiful thing.

“What's going to happen to those Kennedy officers with Countess Loriette gone?” You ask, surprised to find your voice rather hushed. The sea still awes you, as you suspect it has awed men since the first nomadic cro-magnons found themselves on its shore.

“Nominally, at least, they're under my command.” Tabitha's mouth forms a tight, hard line across her face, like a scar, “However, Turpin informed me via official message that she's had them assigned to patrol duties on three separate worlds for the time being. For my own safety, she said, in case any of them might believe I had anything to do with their liege's ouster. More likely, she's using the Kennedy troops as a private army, I doubt they know the truth of what happened.”

“Maybe someone should tell them?” You suggest.

“Creating dissension in the ranks would be disastrous. Do you know what Hakim the Kinless did to rival Saracen warlords and any cleric who wasn't willing to discard Sunni and Shi'ia to embrace his new branch of their faith? Mars is a red planet in more ways than one, it's not just your people we have to worry about.” Her hands tighten into fists, “Or the Pirate King, Starwind. For all of my augmentations I dread his black strider more than I dread your father in this day and age.”

To your surprise, you feel a little hurt by that, “Hey, his legend is completely real, don't talk as if my dad's some washed-up old man.”

She smiles sadly at you, “That's a cute expression you have, very protective. I hope to see it in my defense more often.” She tousles your hair, “I wasn't being unkind, but I'm still young as Paladins go. Older than you, yes, but...”

“How old are you again?” You ask.

[Continued]
>>
Her tousling hand tenses into a blade, coming down hard on the crown of your head. You yelp in pain, and she harrumphs, “It's rude to ask a lady her age! Anyway, I've heard Merrow's story, but I've actually SEEN the Pirate King fight. Put him at the head of a solar army, and it would take one of our senior Paladins to defeat him, especially if my suspicions about his strider are true, and he really has created a garage-built ersatz Paladin of his own.” She gives you a pat, “I didn't crack your skull, did I?”

“I should be fine, it's pretty thick.” You reply. “By the way, is it safe to talk about this here?” That drone you saw earlier is still worrying you for some reason. You've heard the theory that instinct is a result of the subconscious tabulating many bits of conflicting information to form a picture your conscious mind hasn't put together yet, and so you're willing to err on the side of paranoia.

“Of course.” She gestures around her, motioning for you to continue walking with her, “These tunnels are my sanctum. I've taken every precaution. Otherwise, I couldn't rest easy here. This maze beneath the stone and sea is the true castle of the Roosevelt clan, and I do not brook intruders in my domain.” She sighs, “I wish I could show you more of the town, but there's a war on. In a few days, we board another train for the Planetary Capital of-”

“Minas Tirith.” You guess, “I've read those books!”

She throws her arm around your neck and digs the knuckles of her other hand into your scalp, “Don't be a smartass!”

“You named EVERYTHING after them!” You protest.

“Our planet was colonized by eccentric neo-romanticists from Earth who idolized the concept of a virgin fantasy world where civilization could avoid its past mistakes! Of course they were full of nostalgia! Stop making fun of us!” She continues the noogie.

“But I'm not! You're the one who's embarrassed!” You protest.

“I like to read! How am I supposed to keep a straight face when I have to deal with the twin sisters who rule the Moria clan and they're both horrible little goblin women? They don't even get the reference!” She clonks her forehead against yours, then winces, “Ow.”

[Continued]
>>
>>2141763
This is getting way too Tsu to handle.
>>
“It looks like I found a weak spot in the invincible Paladins, the UJCIDF would give me a whole colony for that.” You joke, bonking your forehead against hers in retaliation.

“It's because your skin is so dry, you wear your helmet all the time, don't moisturize, and who knows what funguses grow on your skin from staying in your room so much? You think I didn't notice you hardly leave it on the way to Avalon? You can't fool me that easily!” She flicks your forehead with one fingertip.

“That's not true, I left my room all the time!” You protest. “Too much!”

“Because I bullied you into it.” She huffs, then pauses, blinking. One of her arms is around your neck, and she's leaning on you, chest to chest, with you supporting most of her weight. You put your hands on her shoulders at some point to try and remove her, but it's more of a touch than a grab because you're not actually going to manhandle an Avalonian Countess. Your lips are not very far apart at all. With your armor off, you notice how soft her chest is. Jove preserve you. You feel guilt wash through you, remembering Naomi's smile, and as Tabitha blushes...both of you see something in the other's face that makes you let go and step back. She smooths out her extremely practical red-and-black uniform, adjusts her gunbelt, and opens her mouth to say something...then pauses abruptly, and covers your mouth with her hand, cocking her head to one side with a sudden glare. She's not looking at you, her attention focused on something else, something far away.

After a few moments, she lets go, and draws her pistol, “I heard giggling, I think we have a spy.” Her eyes are positively murderous as she marches off down the hallway.

[Continued]
>>
It's not long before you hear it too, right around the time Tabitha slams her palm on a button besides a door and marches into a dusty observation room looking out over the seafloor. Dame Morgan Grey yelps, her hair in disarray and one strap of her tunic hanging down over her arm, while Pierre Blanchett blushes furiously, his shirt unbuttoned, and steps in front of her to preserve her modesty.

Tabitha's eyes widen until you can see the white all around the iris, “Dame Grey!” Her voice cracks like a brandished whip, “This is not what I expect from my most trusted retainer! I thought you had more discipline than this, can't you at least wait until you've returned to your own home before seducing my guards...men...” She takes a second glance at Pierre, “Who are you? I'd remember if any of our soldiers had a haircut like that.” Her hand inches towards her gun.

You know Pierre is, indeed, an infiltrator into Tabitha's forces, but he's on your side, “Countess, he's-”

“HE'S MY PIERRE! HE'S BRAVE AND SWEET AND GOOD FATHER MATERIAL AND WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!” Dame Grey wails, her usual cool completely dissolved, “I-I was going to tell you but...but the moment just was never right and...and I thought if I taught him proper manners first you'd approve. You've always looked out for my family, your ladyship and I wanted you to know I did well for myself...” Her shoulders droop.

“And where is Pierre from? That sounds awfully like the sort of name a Kennedy vassal would have.” Normally you'd think she was just being uncharacteristically petty towards her exiled cousin, but in light of what she said earlier about Turpin, that's reasonable.

“He's from...” Dame Grey stammers.

For once, you're the one with the best social grasp on the situation, “Europa. I think one of his parents was the chief weather administrator for his home colony, which is pretty close to nobility. The Blanchetts are a wealthy and respectable family.”

“Europan?” The Countess blinks. “Hang on, I know that surname from somewhere...”

“My sister ran off and married Roarke Starwind. I guess eloping runs in the family.” Pierre grumbles.

“He was my squad leader.” You mention in a muted voice.

The Countess gives you a very cold look, “You knew he was here, didn't you?”

You adjust your glasses and try your hardest to channel Roarke, your dad, Colonel Stern, and Garret Luxol simultaneously, “I had no right to get in the way of love.”

[Continued]
>>
“You knew, and you didn't tell me.” The corners of the Countess' mouth turn down ever so slightly, and her eyebrows draw inward just a millimeter.

Unfortunately for her, danger only whets your abilities, “Of course, it wasn't my secret to tell. I trusted them to do so, and they did.”

“No. I. Caught. Them. Caesar.” The words fall from her mouth frozen and cold.

“Indeed.” You nod sagely, “They would have told you shortly, though. It was a matter of romance, not YEOWCH! Let gooo!” She's pinching your cheek so hard her fingernail is digging into the corner of your mouth.

The Countess gives the happy couple a sweet smile, “Congratulations on your nuptials, Morgan. I know you'll be happy together.”

The Dame hugs Pierre's arm. It almost looks like she's holding your squad leader back from rescuing you as the Countess drags you out of the room, “Thank you, your ladyship!”

“In...indeed, thank you! Be brave, Caesar!” Pierre salutes you the way you salute a fallen comrade as his coffin is ejected into space. “Remember who's depending on you!”

Right, Naomi.

Eventually, Tabitha lets go of your face. “If we weren't being summoned to the Capital so soon to stand before the Queen so she can recognize you personally, I would give you a mop and make you scrub every inch of this compound.” She threatens.

“Alright. I'll do it when we get back.” Agreeing seems like the fastest way to keep her from getting angry.

She blinks, blushes, and shoves you, “You don't have to be so agreeable! It's a punishment! Besides, I'm not actually going to make you do it.”

You heave a sigh of relief, which seems to satisfy her, “Do all knights have to go through this?” You ask, “Does the Queen do this for each and every soldier of Avalon?”

“Only strider pilots are knights, since the war began. There are some for whom it's a titular thing but...the Lady's revolution changed a lot and many of the old order were disenfranchised.” She explains, “No, this is special. It's a reward for your heroism on Titan, the Duke, Duchess and I made sure you received the bulk of the credit for being the vanguard.”

[Continued]
>>
“The Duke and Duchess fought an army.” You protest.

She shrugs, “They're Paladins, standards are higher for them. You acted with unsurpassed gallantry, brought my favor back intact, defeated the enemy commander and an enslaved Cavalier of great renown, and did it all while being a rare solar aborigine convert to our cause. It looks good to make a show of knighting you. The Duke and I are being rewarded, too. Destroying a Gate at the very heart of the Solar System is quite a coup, even if I think it's more of a symbolic gesture than a practical one. It's just going to force the Saracens to rely on their allies more until it's repaired.”

“It will sting their pride, though.” You note.

She nods, “Hopefully.” She sighs and pats the cheek she pinched, “I'm being unkind, gloating about victories over your people.”

“So long as it means I get Naomi back, I can take it.” You tell her.

She hesitates mid-pat, and withdraws her hand, “Ah. Naomi. Right.” She looks down at her feet momentarily, than back up at you, “And what if...what if you can't? What if she's just gone?”

“I'll get her back.” There's not a hint of doubt in your voice.

“I...I'm sure you will.” She can't keep the doubt out of her voice. She turns her back to you, “Well then.” Her voice isn't as steady and confident as usual, “I'll give you the day to yourself. Do as you will, I imagine you'd like some time alone.” She starts to hurry away.

Her shoulders are tight. Her posture is tense. You get the feeling based on your great knowledge of simgame plots that it would improve things if you called after her. Maybe. On the other hand, you're emotionally a bit of a mess yourself and have no idea what you'd say. On the other other hand, when has that ever stopped you?

>[Call after her]
>[Let her go]
>>
>>2141802
>>[Let her go]
Its never going to work out, all it'll be is just pain for both sides. She'll find someone better for her soon enough.
>>
>>2141802
>>[Call after her]
>>
>>2141802
>[Call after her]

Just a "My Lady" and a salute with a grin should be enough.
>>
>>2141802
>>[Call after her]
>>
>>2141802
>>[Call after her]

damn my bleeding heart
>>
>>2141802
>>[Call after her]

Rin is too cute.
>>
>>2141802
>[Call after her]
>>
I'm dying of a headache and we're continuing this tomorrow, but meanwhile, you selected calling after her, so...

>[What say?]
>>
>>2141931
>Hey, You dropped something
>Leave
>>
>>2141931
>Why do I have to be Guinevere caught between Arthur and Lancelot?
>>
>>2141931
"I know it's reckless, and the chance that I fail is there. But I still need to try, and I'd do the same for anyone else I cared about. Including you. Even if that means I need to taze Turpin in that smug face of hers and THEN beat her in her own mech. But I can't do it alone. That's why I trust you to have my back. So, even if I end up jousting at wind mills, I look forward to fighting alongside you and ending this war right none the less."
Then spill your pasta and do a corny salute.
>>
>tfw you never liked any of the fate chicks anyway

Which is easy considering there are like, 3 actual women and the rest are genderbent dudes.

I just want to inform you all, if this backfires, I am going to laugh at you. No pity.
>>
>>2141954
>>2141931

Hahahahaha this + this >>2141814
>>
>>2141814
>>2141931

I already put my vote in.
>>
>>2141931
Do >>2141977
with >>2141814 and helmet tip as the corny salute.
>>
>>2141931
> I don't have the luxury of doubt. About Naomi, or about you either. She is my lover, you're my Lady, and I need you both. The Universe will just have to deal with me getting my way. That's what I have to believe to make it true.
>>
>>2141989

The funny thing is that in my head almost none of them look exactly like their portraits. It's why I get annoyed when people call Tabitha Rin or call NPCs by the names of the portraits I use for them.

...Josiah McAllister came very close to being Big Boss, but his personality and specialties just didn't match.
>>
>>2141814

This will get in.

>>2141943

As will this.

>>2141954

This is absolutely out of character for Caesar to say no matter how many people support it. Roarke can get away with occasionally making a bit of flowery speech because he has a reputation, ironically, of being still a cool and aloof, even scary guy, so when he says something poetic people go "wow that Pirate King sure is unexpectedly deep and sophisticated, it's so cool he opened up like that for us." For Caesar, though, it's a reference he just plain wouldn't use. Caesar in full Cool 10 mode is a bit like Rudolph Merrow in his prime, a stone-cold badass with icewater in his veins.

Because he's a giant nerd, though, he could make a reference to, say, "Cloud caught between Aeris and Tifa", or something similar...but that's a thing you guys need to vote on here and now.

Why, you ask, as I space this post out so you ll notice it? Because it's telling Tabitha "hey, I like you."

Now, it is already canon that Caesar has feelings for her, too. It's been canon for a while now. However, having feelings for someone, even if they're mutual, even if there's tension, is different from ADMITTING it. This right here is a CONFESSION, and requires more input than a throwaway line.

Now IF you want to do that now, vote for it. IF not, vote against it, but keep in mind that this isn't a generic VN sort of choice. It might be too soon, she might be in the wrong mental state, she might just think you're abandoning Naomi with that remark (Aeris dies, and there's even more drama with Arthur and Lancelot that ends with both men dead and Lancelot punished by God). Or maybe she swoons over it. Maybe it's what she's been longing for.

Either way, the choice is up to you~ Keep in mind what sort of person she is and what you know of her personality so far! Confess or don't!

Keep in mind, this is fairly deep into the quest and it's a lot easier to make a wrong choice now.
>>
>>2143133
would what I said work or would I need to rework it a bit? Also, can we swim? Because swimming lessons could be a promise for when we return.
>>
>>2143133
Think its not appropriate to confess here but i'm drawing a blank on how caesar should express himself without blowing the elephant in the room up but there should be some acknowledgement of the attraction between the two.
>>
>>2141977
>>2142111

These two are also getting in.
>>
>>2143133
Lets not confess.
>>
>>2143133
In the end, I think we should be a little honest, but maybe save full blown confession when we get back.
Part of it I see is she wants someone she can talk to and all that good stuff. She seemed to lack in people she could relate to and be close to normally. Either way, confessing we like her, that we consider her someone close to us, and would help in a crisis is good, along with seeing her as strong enough to help us as well. A mutual sort of relationship.
>>
>>2143133
No confessing.
>>
>>2143133
nah... maybe after we both get drunk.
>>
>>2143133
No confession.
>>
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"Hey, you dropped something." It's the first thing that comes to mind.

She stops abruptly, turns her head just a fraction, just enough for you to see the faint corona of an unhappy expression, "Is that a joke?"

"If it makes you smile, maybe. I'm not very good at this, I never have been." You admit. After all, it's true. The thing is, though, you're not sure you have to be. Right now, you're as cool as you've ever been. You remove your glasses, fiddling with them, then look directly into her eyes. "I don't have the luxury of doubt. About Naomi, or about you either. She is my lover, you're my Lady, and I need you both. The Universe will just have to deal with me getting my way. That's what I have to believe to make it true."

"And what if you die, Caesar?" Her voice is angry as she whips around to face you, "What if your lady has to watch her knight die? What about me? What about me is so evil that I have to watch everyone I care about die?"

"I know it's reckless, and the chance that I fail is there. But I still need to try, and I'd do the same for anyone else I cared about. Including you. Even if that means I need to poke Turpin in the eye with my stun baton and electrify that smug face of hers and THEN beat her in her own mech. But I can't do it alone. That's why I trust you to have my back. With you by my side, I don't need doubts, and with me leading your forces, you don't need them either. This isn't just about Naomi, it's about ending this war right, about having the will to lance through any obstacle, be it windmill or giant, in our path." You think she'd appreciate that reference, "There is nothing stronger than a human will. Nothing."

She buries her face in her hands, "You make me feel like some kind of villainess."

"Even if you were, I would still fight for you. You believed in me, you knew what and who I was and welcomed me regardless. I chose your service for a reason." A smile you know is corny crosses your face, and you salute crisply, "My lady."

She smiles "At ease...my knight."

[Continued...after a near heart attack from thinking I accidentally deleted this post]
>>
She sighs heavily, "I want you to know I'm not reassured, I'm not happy, but I understand. Sort of. I'm not going to stop being full of doubts, but...we can put a pin in this for now. Hopefully the Solar forces don't kill both of us before we have to solve this." She smiles, "Go unpack and inspect your mech, I'll have one of the maids summon you when it's time for dinner."

You do as she requests...and at dinner, you discover what you suspect to be her revenge.

Pierre and Dame Grey are both at the long, dark table where the Countess takes her meals when you arrive, along with some of the senior servants and the Countess herself. From a conversation you overheard on the way here, you know it isn't normal for the lady of a great house to eat with her servants, but Countess Roosevelt does things her own way, and is intently questioning them about the state of the castle, town, and the county outside it. Some of the people present introduce themselves to you as mayors of the outlying towns and overseers of various industries owned by Tabitha's family. They're all much more interested in Tabitha's return, but keep looking at you as if you're some kind of rare and curious beast once Tabitha explains that you're a knight she recruited in the Solar System.

...speaking of rare and curious beasts, you swear that she really is eyeing you with a wicked smile when dinner is served. You look at your dinner, and poke it with a fork, confirming that yes, yes there is some manner of small, tentacled animal in your food. It's not just some clever presentation, that is clearly some kind of tiny tentacled thing, some form of cephalopod on your plate. You don't mind a bit of fancy cooking, pasta or steak, although by habit you tend to eat a lot of meal bars, but your dad had a fairly straightforward sense of cuisine and so do you, and you've never eaten a hentai villain before. You look up at the Countess, betrayed.

She smiles like an angel of judgment, "Is something wrong, Sir Gaius?"

"What is this?" You poke the tentafiend again. You half expect it to wiggle at you.

She chuckles, joined by her underlings, "Calamari. Do eat up, I had the kitchens prepare it specially, the squid are locally sourced and quite fresh. You'll need your strength for the mission ahead."

>[Roll 1d10]
>>
Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>2143412
"By your will, my lady."
>>
Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>2143412
Calamari is good, eat it damnit
>>
Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>2143412
>>
Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>2143412
eat the damn thing
fried calamari is god-tier
>>
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>>2143412
>you've never eaten a hentai villain before.
>>
>>2143415

Success~! Caesar not only eats it, he manages to enjoy it.
>>
"By your will, my lady." Nervously, you take a bite of the nearest tentacle. Then another, then another. It's delicious! Absolutely delicious! Once you've settled that, the fact that it's an ugly little tentacled beast or several doesn't just stop mattering, it makes it fun. You almost feel like a little kid again, thinking of yourself as some giant undersea predator devouring these squid.

"That was fantastic. Bless your chef." You lean back in your chair when you're done eating every last morsel on your plate, smiling.

Her subordinates look quite smug that you enjoy the local cuisine, one of them mumbling something about how you've probably never eaten real food before, and Tabitha herself looks quietly overjoyed, "Superb, I'm so glad."

Pierre gives you a tiny nod of approval while Morgan Grey wipes an imperceptible bit of sauce from the corner of his mouth, the big man fidgeting and complaining as she fusses over him.

Mikael, Morgan's adopted son, eats his food the way he eats everything, seemingly without hesitation or emotion, although he does eat it more quickly than usual. It's so easy to forget he's there. He creeps you out, there's no getting around it. You do your best to like him, you like his adopted parents after all, but even though he's never bothered you the way he stares is disconcerting.

>[Roll 1d10+10, Int+Perception]
>>
Rolled 1 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>2143456
Autism whispering powers activate!
>>
Rolled 4 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>2143456
>>
There's absolutely nothing unusual about anyone at the table. You drink some wine to clear your throat, then converse politely until it's time for dinner to end.

You'd planned on sparring with some of the other knights for a while, but you're much too full. Feeling pleasantly well-fed and a bit sleepy, you ascend to your room, shower, put on some more comfortable clothes, and climb out your window onto the roof.

The stars look so different from the ones back home, and yet so similar, glittering in the sky wherever you look, more and more of them as the sky fades from deep twilight green to velvety blue and finally to black. You see the distinctive glow of a spacecraft's taillights, and feel the cool breeze off the ocean alleviating the heat of the day.

>[Roll 1d10+10]
>>
Rolled 3 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>2143477
>>
Rolled 2 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>2143477
>>
Rolled 5 + 10 (1d10 + 10)

>>2143477
>>
Pretty mediocre rolling today.
>>
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Eventually, you leave the roof, get into bed, and fall asleep. Your dreams are very comforting, you save Naomi from a giant, tentacled Turpin using the new Drill Fork attachment on your Swordfish and wake up in a good mood. Which breakfast, a refreshingly normal meal of sausage, eggs, and beans, only heightens.

The Countess eats it with you, the two of you much more jovial than yesterday, although you can't talk openly in front of the servants...until one of the staff appears to call her away with news of some sort. When she returns, she has a puzzled, gravely worried sort of look on her face, and sits down hesitantly back in her place, "Hurry up, we're leaving today."

You glance askance at her, "Today?" Well, she did only specify 'soon'.

"There's no need to repeat it. Yes, today, it was supposed to be a week or so from now, but Turpin contacted me and says it's been moved up. I can't think of any reason why, so it's a bit suspicious, but I can't see how she would benefit from this. Besides, it's not like she can give orders to Queen Mina herself, no matter how high up in the Lady's favor she is, and if she could..." Her hand clenches into a fist, "She would find the nobles of this system quite unamused."

"I suppose I'll need to pack and prep the Swordfish." You remark, once you've swallowed the food in your mouth. This might be worrisome for Tabitha...but you were quietly dreading several days of 'relaxation' with no progress in rescuing Naomi.

"No, we have your measurements already, new clothes will be ready when we arrive at the Capital. I've already told the maids to grab some clothes for us for overnight, and for tomorrow and the next night. Our striders will be sent separately by air, it's all been prearranged. If Turpin thought she could make a fool of me, somehow, and catch me unprepared...well, she's got a hard lesson coming."

"If she's the reason why." You riposte, "There is a war on, perhaps the Queen just needs us on the front quickly?"

"I hope so." She sounds a bit grim, sipping her tea with a grimace. "I guess there really is no rest for the wicked. I hope the poor Duke is having a better time of it, he missed his family so much."

You smile, "I'm sure he is. Relax, everything is going to be fine." You promise her.

[Continued]
>>
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Once the meal is over, your bags are loaded into a groundcar, and you drive into town. Tabitha looks out the window, her hair whipping in the wind, "It seems like we're always in a hurry." She says wistfully, "I really wanted to show you more of my home. There is quite a lot here worth loving."

"There is." You agree, "But I'm glad I get to see more of your homeworld."

"I wish I could have seen more of yours. Nations that live in colonies, like so many metal bubbles, are fascinating in their own way. I always thought they'd be cold, grey, empty of life. Like one giant factory, mechanical and sterile and dead inside. I never thought they'd be so green." She rests her head on one hand, still gazing out the window.

"I never thought Avalonians would be so normal." You confess.

She smiles at you, and brushes her windswept hair out of her eyes, "May I ask you a question? It's not exactly a personal one, but I still want your honest answer, not what I want to hear."

You shrug, "Sure."

She looks away again, "Do you think we can live in peace? Do you think we could be friends with your people, as an independent country and not as just another Solar province?"

>[Yes]
>[No]
>>
>>2143566
>>[Yes]
>>
>>2143566
>[Yes]
>>
>>2143566
Not as long as people like Turpin and Fairchild are around.
>>
>>2143566
>>[Yes]
>>
>>2143566
>[Yes]
>>
>>2143566
>>[Yes]
>>
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>>2143477
Pic related

>>2143456
We should make the effort to hang out with Mikael though. Maybe joust with our mechs, find out how good he is.
>>
>>2143612
We should get him into classic video games.
>>
“Yes. Especially if we remove people like Turpin and General Fairchild.” You don't hesitate at all in that answer, it's how you feel in your heart, “You have the wrong idea about the League. We want new partners, new allies, new friends, not conquered territory. What good are captive provinces to the average Jovian voter? We have plenty of resources, and an industrial base to produce goods to buy more. Besides, occupying a distant system is expensive and difficult, there's a massive cost in labor, credits, and lives.”

“For Jovians, maybe I can take your word on that, but the Saracens?” She looks at you, raising one eyebrow.

“The Caliph's word is law on Mars and he wants the same thing we do.” Your voice is a little less certain.

“And his successor?” You inquires, in a tone that implies she spent her time in the Solar System doing her research.

“I don't know.” You admit, “But too radical a change in policy would surely result in censure from the Jovian government, and we have a military advantage. There's no SOUL on Mars.”

She pulls out her PC and brings up an image, of a huge mech whose lower body is reminiscent of a pillbug and whose upper body reminds you of a mantis, an ugly thing, sprawled broken in the dirt, “Taken from a Martian newsfeed.”

“Beaten by a Jovian mech.” You remind her.

“Anything that ugly has to be a prototype.” She asserts.

“Spoken like a woman from a culture whose mecha are all covered in heraldry and sculpted for a particular look. You'd be amazed at how ugly some of our mecha are.” You protest.

“Don't sound so proud of having ugly mecha.” She swipes your glasses, puts them on, and winks at you.

You need those to see!

>[Roll 1d10+15, Reflexes + Hand-to-Hand]
>>
Rolled 4 + 15 (1d10 + 15)

>>2143622
>>
Rolled 5 + 15 (1d10 + 15)

>>2143622
one luck
>>
Rolled 5 + 15 (1d10 + 15)

>>2143622
>>
Rolled 9 + 15 (1d10 + 15)

>>2143622
Tabby pls
>>
Rolled 10 + 15 (1d10 + 15)

>>2143622
Fucking wifi is shit tonight.

>>2143621
yessssssss
>>
Rolled 2, 8, 4 = 14 (3d10)

>>2143628
>>2143629
>>2143632
>>
>>2143643
This is just a fight to see who ends up on top isn't it?
>>
Rolled 3, 2 = 5 (2d10)

>>2143635
>>2143636

So far, she's winning!
>>
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>>2143647
Not if those rolls are against a 9 and a 10.

We still have our final move.
>>
>>2143647
Ahhh, such bullying. Warms the cockles of my heart.
>>
Rolled 7, 8 = 15 (2d10)

>>2143647

Parries. +3 Luck.
>>
>>2143655
oh that cheeky woman. Parrying with the glasses I assume?
>>
>>2143659

Barehanded, since you're just using your hands. Keep rolling! She's still got them!
>>
Rolled 4 + 15 (1d10 + 15)

>>2143663
Woman, it is on! +2 luck
>>
Rolled 6 + 15 (1d10 + 15)

>>2143663
It is on. Like Donkey Kong.
>>
Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>2143665
>>
Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>2143667

ITT: Caesar can't get his glasses back from a GIRL.
>>
Keep rolling, now she's on the attack after spending several rounds just smugly defending.
>>
Rolled 2 + 15 (1d10 + 15)

>>2143671
Oh boy, the bullying is real.
>>
Rolled 7 + 15 (1d10 + 15)

>>2143671
Caesar. Beater of giants, slayer of slingers. Still a huge dork.
>>
Rolled 10 + 15 (1d10 + 15)

>>2143671
Dice gods, this is some bullshit
>>
Rolled 7 + 15 (1d10 + 15)

>>2143671
>>
Rolled 9 + 15 (1d10 + 15)

>>2143671
Attack roll since we're spamming them. +3 luck
>>
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Rolled 2, 1 = 3 (2d10)

>>2143672

Trip Maneuver is +1 WA, Bearhug is -1.

Yes, her modifier is higher than Caesar's, she's a Paladin. Lori is Melee+H2H, Tabby is Guns+H2H
>>
Rolled 4, 1, 4 = 9 (3d10)

>>2143680
>>2143689
>>2143690

Caesar avoided being completely pinned!
>>
Rolled 6 + 15 (1d10 + 15)

>>2143692
All of our remaining luck on this.
>>
>>2143690

Not accepting that luck expenditure because you've used a fair amount already and didn't need it. Keep rolling!
>>
Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>2143699
>>
Rolled 6 + 15 (1d10 + 15)

>>2143700
Pffft. Scared we're going to "explode her core"?
>>
Rolled 2 + 15 (1d10 + 15)

>>2143692
BR is going to have a field day with these implications.
>>
>>2143701
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FEEL ABOUT THIS AFTER >>2143700
>>
Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>2143702
>>
>>2143706
So.. Tabitha gets a perk from Caesar, eh?
>>
Rolled 1 + 17 (1d10 + 17)

>>2143704

Too bad Thunderbird isn't here to roll 10s several times in a row.
>>
Rolled 2 + 15 (1d10 + 15)

>>2143710
>>
Rolled 10 + 15 (1d10 + 15)

>>2143710
No.
>>
Rolled 2, 2 = 4 (2d10)

>>2143711
>>2143712
>>
Right now Caesar has three limbs Pinned, Tabitha has his glasses, and he's prone. However, he still has one hand free, you can come back from this if you believe in yourself!
>>
Rolled 1 + 15 (1d10 + 15)

>>2143710
My ass is in danger!
>>
Rolled 5 + 15 (1d10 + 15)

>>
Rolled 5 + 15 (1d10 + 15)

>>2143717
Come on caesar no pussying out now.

>>2143718
Fucking rip
>>
>>2143718
Ok, thats enough rolling from me. Man the dice are having a laugh at me tonight.
>>
Rolled 6 + 15 (1d10 + 15)

>>2143718
Lots of duplicates.
>>
also why did we burn luck for a play fight but for the awareness checks you idiots
>>
Rolled 6 + 15 (1d10 + 15)

>>2143717
Blow in her ear!
>>
Rolled 1 + 16 (1d10 + 16)

>>2143718
>>
>>2143725
not*
>>
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>>2143725
Priorities.
>>
>>2143725
because I was busy when that roll happened.
>>2143727
at the very least, its mutual clumsiness.
>>
Rolled 9 + 17 (1d10 + 17)

>>2143720
>>
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>>2143726
>>2143724
>>2143702
>>2143701
>>2143699

Pretty sixy here you guys.

>>2143730
Mutual clumsiness? Double critfail?
>>
Rolled 2, 2 = 4 (2d10)

>>2143721
>>2143724
>>
>>2143738

Oh, wait, didn't even need those.
>>
>>2143740
You tried Caesar, but you are going to get snusnu'd. Thunderbird is not going to like this.
>>
You grab for your glasses, and she ducks her head to the side, “Nope!”

You grab again, and, giggling, she leans back just out of reach of your hand.

You make a more serious effort, and she turns her face aside, your hand brushing across her cheek as she flutters her eyelashes at you from behind your glasses, “Is that all?”

This isn't right. You've trained with Clemmy, she shouldn't be able to avoid you, so you lunge and grab at her, winding up on top. She, though, is quick as a cat even though she can't dodge, putting a foot on your chest and shoving you back as she bats your hand aside, “Try harder!”

“Give me those!” You protest.

She catches your hands as you grab with both at once, and surges forward, hooking a leg around yours. You fall down on your back, but you're a SOUL pilot and trained by the best, you break her hold. She looms over you, grinning, “Take them back.”

You manage to sit up, and grab your glasses and one of her hands. She's much stronger than she looks, it's like fighting with a python. You try to fumble your glasses back on, but she snatches them again, smugly pushing them up her nose with a fingertip, “This simply won't do.”

You lunge, right hand extended, and she catches your wrist, pinning it over your head, and shifts over on top of you, her legs hooking around yours to pin them in place. It's like fighting a girl-shaped octopus. You've sparred with Clemmy plenty of times, and once or twice Roarke showed you how to throw a punch, and you took basic classes at the Academy, but most of that was in hard styles. Clemmy is a brutal fighter, and the Pirate King is legendary for the power in his fists. This is different, a refined, intellectual knowledge of how joints work and how to exploit them, putting your limbs at angles where you can't get leverage to apply your strength. “That's better, you're fighting so hard. That's the spirit you need.” She coos, smirking.

You manage to keep your left arm free, though, and you try again to grab your glasses. She almost fails to preserve their place on her nose, but swats your fingers aside a centimeter before you make the grab, catches your wrist, and pins it. You squirm helplessly. Her cheeks are slightly red, and she begins breathing more heavily, biting her lower lip, “Caesar...” She leans down close, stray strands of her hair tickling your face. She licks her lips. "I got you, didn't I?"

>[Tabitha...]
>[MY GLASSESSSS!]
>>
>>2143744
>>[Tabitha...]
Fuck it, she earned the snuu snuu. Though.. the moment those glasses break due to her actions..
>[MY GLASSESSSS!]
>>
>>2143744
Uh.

>[Tabitha...]

PIRATE PROBLEM SOLVING! BITE THE GLASSES OFF!
>>
>>2143744
>>[Tabitha...]
>>
>>2143744
> [Master] teach me your way of fighting!
>>
>>2143726
>>2143744
Alternatively still blow in her ear. The fight is not yet lost!
>>
>>2143744
>[Tabitha...]
>>
>>2143744
>>[Tabitha...]
>>
>>2143744
Best endings right here right now.

So.

Uh.

This IS Tabitha and we aren't stoned and getting assassinated right?
>>
Pardon the delay, I had to reread an earlier thread to make sure I had some details correct.
>>
>>2143744
>>[Tabitha...]
>>2143692
>>2143704
I KNEW IT.
>>
“Tabitha...” You can't think of anything to say. Your heart is pounding. Your face is red. Her lips are so close to yours, and so inviting.

“I know this is wrong. I know you might hate me. I know, I know, and yet...it's not that I can't stop, it's that my heart won't let me. Caesar...” She breathes that last word fiercely in your ear, “I've spent my life certain of things I now doubt. I don't even know what I'm doing with bringing you here, sheltering you, helping you, what I'm hoping to happen. You say you don't have time to doubt? That's fine for you, but I have plenty of doubts, for the first time in my life I don't know what's ahead...except for one thing, one shape. Yours. I have no doubts about you. So forgive me this one time, forgive me please, and I won't ever doubt again.” She leans down, “I can feel your breath in my ear...I can feel your pulse. I don't know who or what to pray to anymore, but...” She kisses you. It's a fierce, hungry kiss, not remotely chaste or innocent, a kiss full of want. You're not sure how long it lasts before she pulls away, running a hand down over the front of your uniform...

...and the groundcar comes to a halt. She glances around at the armored divider between the passenger cab and the driver, at the tinted windows and the train station outside them, and leaps off of you, her face scarlet, hurriedly fixing her hair, “Don't you say a thing. We'll talk about this later.” Her voice is like a diamond, so much compressed into something so seemingly transparent.

She's silent and foreboding all the way until you've boarded and are sitting in your private booth, the train starting to lurch into motion, when at last she looks at you with a sad smile, “Am I an idiot?”

“I don't have any room to talk.” You tell her softly.

The silence stretches for several miles, before she speaks again.

“I want something impossible.” She groans.

“So do I.” You agree.

Many more miles pass before she speaks again.

“Exactly. If you can't defeat me, how will you defeat one of the first-generation Paladins if they try to stop you from retrieving Brada-er, Naomi?” She sighs and shakes her head, “I helped you, at first, because I had sympathy for what you were doing, and now...look at me. Someday, that girl is going to take you from me, or we'll both die trying to make that happen."

"It doesn't have to be both of us." You tell her.

She smiles bitterly, "How does a guy like you know so little about women?"

You shrug, "I've only been with one before."

She smiles wryly, "What a twist of fate, I've only been with one person before too. Maybe that's why I understand so little about men." She chews her lower lip, "Even if, somehow, someday we come to hate each other...I'll never breathe a word of our secrets to anyone. That kiss..."

[Continued]
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"Attention, all passengers." A polite, automated-sounding voice rings out over the loudspeakers, "Attention all passengers. A break has been detected on the track ahead. Repair services are on their way..." You feel the train slowing down, "This vehicle will be making an unscheduled stop until repairs are completed, estimated delay time less than one hour. For your safety, do not exit the train at this time, as you may be left behind. Complimentary first-class meals will be served to all passengers at the usual time. We apologize for the inconvenience, please enjoy the rest of your ride."

"Well, that's-" You manage to say, before you hear the sound of breaking glass and screams from a nearby compartment.
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Date of next session to be announced tomorrow. We MIGHT play then, or put it off, it depends on how wiped out I am after work. We're also coming up on vacation and holidays, when we won't be playing.
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>>2143803
Thanks for running!

I'm sure this has nothing to do with the failed perception check.
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>>2143802
Can't wait for the showdown with the Green Lady when we throw in that we're here to do for Naomi what our Dad couldn't do for her - save her.

Hell let's save the Green lady too. Mother Daughter bowl anyone?
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>>2143809
>yfw the Green Lady is really just a brain dead husk that is being kept alive through silly greenman photosynthetic biology

We all know that Turpin is actually the Lady and what everyone thinks is the Lady is really just a chick in body paint sprinkled with leaves.
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>>2143816
>Inb4 the queen is a meat puppet for the green lady, who in turn is a salad puppet of Earth
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Wow
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>>2144119
And there he is. If only you could have rolled, this could have been stopped.
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>>2144233
Blame the fact I have DnD on Wednesday nights.
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Waiting.... ;(
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>>2149166
Tis' the flu and holiday season, Brazilanon.

Wong's probably recuperating from all the eggnog.
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Alright, so I had to be sure about the date. So, here's what's going on. We're actually ahead of where I'd planned to be, and, while I'm normally quick with coming up with the smaller details of the bigger story going on, sometimes the cart catches up to the horse, and this is one of those times. Often the difference of a few days makes the difference between having good ideas and having to wing way too much...and to add to this, with holidays and my vacation going on, there won't be many people here. Game resumes January 3rd, which is, I believe, the Wednesday right after New Year. The holidays matter, go spend them with your family. Merry Christmas, everyone.
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>>2150024
Merry christmas wong.

Have a great time with your family.
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>>2150024
>TWO WEEKS WITHOUT MSPQ
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Merry Christmas and happy holydays everyone!
But seriously, don't blame me for shitposting the quest general to death and being banned after this.
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>>2150024
Happy Holidays and Brightest Blessings!

Thanks for all the work you put into this. It's seriously one of the best quest run on 4chan.
.
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>>2150024
Merry Christmas, Wong. And Jove bless us, every one!

And I'm glad to hear that we're moving faster than expected. with the less frequent running, I was worried you might be getting overly frustrated and losing interest, I'm glad to hear that's an overly paranoid worry.




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