>>2701298
>>Down by the limits of the city you can spot a building built right into the wall there, with a group of guard moving some heavy equipment. Maybe they’ve got some interesting things in there?

>>2701298
>Defences

Now come on people, We all wanna see the big guns.

>>2701298
>>You can see that the city has three defensive walls. Considering this is some kind of deathworld, checking out their defenses could be interesting.

>>2701298
>Down by the limits of the city you can spot a building built right into the wall there, with a group of guard moving some heavy equipment. Maybe they’ve got some interesting things in there?

Let's see what their tech looks like.

>>2701298
>>You can see that the city has three defensive walls. Considering this is some kind of deathworld, checking out their defenses could be interesting.

>>2701298
>Down by the limits of the city you can spot a building built right into the wall there, with a group of guard moving some heavy equipment. Maybe they’ve got some interesting things in there?

>>2701298
>>Down by the limits of the city you can spot a building built right into the wall there, with a group of guard moving some heavy equipment. Maybe they’ve got some interesting things in there?

>>2701356
>>2701350
>>2701339
>>2701317

Armory it is.

Writin'

I'll be a little disappointed if we're leaving this job without Mono performing at Sierra's brother's bar. Damn I forgot the name...

Just as a heads up from the previous thread, we're swiftly coming to the end of this crossover. If any of Handler's players have any specific requests/commissions for John, now would be the time to hash them out OoC.

>>2701426

There is going to be a bit of a celebration to help end things, where it'll happen will be up to vote.

>>2701298

Coming to a crossroads, you let your eyes wander about the area, eventually coming to a stop nowhere within the city oddly enough. No, your focus turns to the three decently sized defensive walls that for the city’s outer perimeter. Whoever set them up wasn’t an idiot, as they’re spread apart from one another far enough to allow time to react in case of a breach. Dotted along the stone structures are numerous turrets and emplacements, guards in full battle armor and armaments spread out in them.

Then, your gaze comes down to the sight of a team of guardsmen maneuvering a piece of heavy machinery, a rather familiar piece of heavy machinery. It’s like someone took a Howitzer artillery piece and replaced the majority of the mechanisms with clockwork, but considering that the barrel, and likely the shells themselves, appears to the in-line with what you’re familiar with you have no doubts as to what exactly the piece is capable of. They’re a bit far away, out in the flat between the second and the innermost wall, but they are making their way towards the city. Curious...

With your interest properly piqued, you head down the road towards that area. This path is clearly not part of the main roads, as the number of people on it and forges to the side quickly falls off, leading to more barrack-styled buildings. These ones are far quieter, and mostly empty, that the previous area, so you travel on your way without further issue.

Coming to the end of the road, you path through a gate with only a skeleton crew of soldiers manning it, none of which look twice at you, and reach the flatlands between walls. Off in the relative distance, that team of soldiers, odds are good they’re more engineers than anything else, are taking their cargo off to a simple building that’s recessed right into the inner wall. From what you can see of it, it doesn’t appear to be a defensive emplacement or gunnery position of any kind, as it lacks any turrets or areas for guards to man, but, nonetheless, that’s where they’re going so you suppose that’s where you’re going as well.

[1/2]

>>2701539

[2/2]

As you make your way towards said building, you watch the team take the artillery piece inside, using some kind of larger accessway, likely purpose built for the task, that shuts behind them. Arriving after a few minutes of strolling along at a leisurely pace, don’t want to arouse suspicion this early on, you frown at the simple face that you can’t just continue following them and, instead, head inside using the unmarked door a couple of meters away.

It’s not locked, which is a good sign, and there’s an attended desk nearby, another good sign, behind which a young man works away at some job or another. He can’t be older than 18, which likely makes him some kind of intern; this might be easier than you thought.

There is no sign of that team of engineers in this room, there’s no one else in here besides yourself and the intern for that matter, though you do spot an open hallway right across from you leading further into the building.

Now, what to do…

>Just walk on up and talk to the intern. Who knows, maybe they give guided tours here?
>Just walk across the room and explore this building further yourself. It’s not like the intern is really paying attention to you.
>Leave and go take a look at the defensive walls and emplacements.
>Other

>>2701545
>>Just walk on up and talk to the intern. Who knows, maybe they give guided tours here?

>>2701545
>>Just walk on up and talk to the intern. Who knows, maybe they give guided tours here?
Also prevents us from wandering into places that'll get us in trouble.

>>2701545
>Just walk on up and talk to the intern. Who knows, maybe they give guided tours here?

>>2701545
>Talk with the intern

>>2701545
>>Just walk across the room and explore this building further yourself. It’s not like the intern is really paying attention to you.

>>2701545
>Just walk on up and talk to the intern. Who knows, maybe they give guided tours here?
Bloody tourists, wandering into secure facilities like they own the place.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Artificer+Quest
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Magical%20Girl%20For%20Hire

>>2701545
>Just walk on up and talk to the intern. Who knows, maybe they give guided tours here?

>>2701775
>>2701620
>>2701588
>>2701559
>>2701554
>>2701550

Intern it is.

Writin'

>>2701545

You’re a bit tempted to simply walk inside. From what you can see, there’s not actually any sort of security, which is really rather odd, aside from the intern himself, so you could probably get away with it. Then, your own words about keeping a low profile come around to bite you in the ass.

If you ended up causing an issue after saying all that, Lorilel would never let you live it down if she found out…

With that sobering thought in mind, you stride up to the desk and, after noting that the intern is just working on paperwork, clear your throat, “Excuse me.”

The poor guy doesn’t quite jump out of his skin, though given how he freezes in place and nearly drops his quill it’s a damn near thing. With a shaky breath, the intern looks up at you and responds, “M-Miss? Ah, uh, w-welcome to the Armory. Are you here for a job?” He reaches around below what you’re able to see, looking around for something or the other.

“Not so much,” you answer him evenly. “Just wondering if you did anything like guided tours or the like. Haven’t been here before, and the place seems interesting. Figured it wouldn’t be smart to just start wandering around, though.”

“A tour?” The intern looks back up at you with a frown, “Ma’am, this is a private Daimyo facility. C-can I see your papers?”

Ah. So this is government. “Wasn’t aware of that, actually. Apologies. Don’t have any such papers- was just interested in the tech I saw getting carried here.”

The good thing is that his expression doesn’t worsen at your words, though it certainly doesn’t soften, “That’s alright, ma’am. If you need pap-”

“XIAO!”

[1/2]

>>2702302

[2/2]

A voice, belonging to a man far older than the intern’s, rings out from the open hallway, which, interestingly enough, results in the blood practically rushing out of the young man’s face. Turning to face the newcomer, you watch a thin, yet grizzled man with gray hair stride out from further within the building, his hardened gaze firmly locked onto the clerk’s position “Xiao, where’s the crate of spare clockwork parts? I was told that they’d be prepared ahead of time!”

If the kid was freaked out before, he’s outright trembling now, “Na-Naofumi, sir, the report I got said that they were put out into Armory 1C this morning. A-and if they’re not there, then the crate should still be in the storage rooms.”

“You little shit…” He glowers at the intern, before apparently just noticing that you’re here as his gaze swings over to you, “You, you’re still young. Come help an old man out would ya?”

“S-sir, that’s agains-”

“Ah, damn the protocol! I’m not throwing my damn back out for some lazy fuck!” Motioning dismissively to the younger man, ‘Naofumi’ turns to regard you fully, “You comin’ or what? Don’t got all damn day!”

This old man...he’s got a lot of brass to just toss out orders like that. Then again, old folks tend to be like that. Just look at you.

>Might as well do SOMETHING with your time. Might make it go by a bit faster.
> “Sorry, but I work strictly for pay.”
> Other

>>2702305
>>Might as well do SOMETHING with your time. Might make it go by a bit faster.
this is for fun anyways

>>2702305
>Might as well do SOMETHING with your time. Might make it go by a bit faster.

>>2702305
>>Might as well do SOMETHING with your time. Might make it go by a bit faster.
Consider it payment for an unofficial tour, though we're not doing any actual work for free.

>>2702305
>“Sorry, but I work strictly for pay.”
Fuck you, you little shit. We're older than you, so beat it, kid.

>>2702331
>>2702333
>>2702338

Hang with the old guy it is.

Writin'

>>2702305

Yeah, this is probably going to be the most amusing way of passing your time. Even if this old guy is a bit of an ass, giving him a hand would get you a look at some interesting tech. So, with a thin smile growing on your face, you nod, “Sure, where are we going?”

“Just follow me,” Without another word, ‘Naofumi’ turns on his heel and walk back into the hallway he came from.

Walking further into the building, you note the intern slumping back into his seat, a hand firmly planted against his face as he gets back to work.

Easily catching up to the older man’s long strides, you walk alongside him through the sparse, blank hallways. There’s the occasional door to break things up, but you don’t enter any of them until you come across one that Naofumi stops at.

He pulls open the door, revealing a room filled from floor to ceiling with wooden crates baring labels across them. The old man walks down the line of them, muttering something to himself as he goes, until he comes across a particular one that he stops at.

“So, this it?” you mutter as you look across the room. “Mind telling me what these are for, or is it need to know?”

Turning around at you words, Naofumi glances about before responding, “What? All this crap? Naw, this is all spare parts and components; can find ‘em in any market selling metalwork in the city. These ones here,” He taps the crate he stopped at, “Are the ones that I need to do some repairs, so hop to it.”

With the old man being so gracious as to step aside, you walk over to the crate and easily pick it up from its location, the weight of it not giving you any issue though the amount of dust on it is a slightly different story. Resisting the urge to sneeze, which would rather ruin your current image, you calmly turn to Naofumi and speak up, “Alright, then. Where to?”

There’s a second where he’s giving you a slightly judging look, but it quickly fades and you catch the barest hint of approval cross his face, “This way.”

Being led back into the hallway, a task made a bit hard given the size of the crate in your hands, the trek to what you assume is ‘Armory 1C’ is far shorter than the one to here, and you walk into the second floor of a relatively open room. Carefully navigating a nearby set of stairs, you come to what’s some kind of workshop.

[1/2]

File: Naofumi_NowGettoWork.png (41 KB, 194x173)

41 KB PNG

>>2703042

[2/2]


Only most workshops aren’t quite this open, and almost all of them aren’t containing a Howitzer in for repairs.

“Over here, over here,” Naofumi’s voice snaps you out of your thought, and you follow him to the side where there’s a barebones workbench set up, placing the crate of supplies down beside it. The older man wastes no time grabbing a nearby crowbar to pry open the wooden top, pushing it to the side to reveal that its filled to the brim with pieces of clockwork gears before sorting through them. Most are pushed to the side with contemptuous huffs, though slowly a pile of ones that have been placed on top of the bench forms.

You watch him sift through the lot, idly taking note of all the various pieces. “So, repairs, huh? Are you the chief mechanic here?”

“Ha! Not even close,” Apparently satisfied with what he’s got thus far, Naofumi grabs a few tools and moves over to the massive cannon in question. The thing doesn’t look too bad, aside from the usual wear and tear, though you do note that an entire section of it has been entirely removed. Maybe that’s where the delicate equipment is held? “Just a contract engineer that’s qualified to work on these Siege Cannons. ‘Course, around here if you know which end of a wrench to use you qualify as a damn engineer.”

...Oh. “That’s...slightly disconcerting. What happened to most of the trained individuals?”

There’s a few sounds of bolts being loosened, the engineer evidently hard at work, before you get a response, “Who? The guys who made these things? Lady, the design of these canons is at least two centuries old; they’re all bloody dead.” The noises end, and Naofumi comes out of the guts of the machine with some kind of mechanism suffering from rusted and cracked gears. Taking out several smaller tools, he gets to work replacing the damaged parts with their relatively new counterparts.

Clockwork cannons and the people that originally designed them are dead? You honestly have a hard time imagining that to be TOO difficult to replicate...so long as they had a reliable way to make the metal and refine it, which they apparently have considering these parts are common; at least according to Naofumi. Heck, Owlia would probably be able to figure out the mechanics without too much trouble if she took a bit. Then again, it’s likely a bit different for them…

>Ask about his prior working experience. For all his foulness, he does seem to know what he’s doing.
>Ask if he’s encountered anyone else he’d considered qualified in the city. Maybe he knows John?
>Ask about what exactly the deal is with the Daimyo. From what little you’ve seen, they’re got a bit more reach than the average city guard.
>Just stay quiet for now.
>Ask something else

>>2703047
>Ask if he’s encountered anyone else he’d considered qualified in the city. Maybe he knows John?
>Ask about what exactly the deal is with the Daimyo. From what little you’ve seen, they’re got a bit more reach than the average city guard.

>>2703065
Supporting

>>2703047
>Ask if he’s encountered anyone else he’d considered qualified in the city. Maybe he knows John?
>Ask about what exactly the deal is with the Daimyo. From what little you’ve seen, they’re got a bit more reach than the average city guard.

>>2703047
>>Ask if he’s encountered anyone else he’d considered qualified in the city. Maybe he knows John?
>>Ask about what exactly the deal is with the Daimyo. From what little you’ve seen, they’re got a bit more reach than the average city guard.

I have no clue how relevant this dude is, so let's go with this I guess.

>>2703150
He was the mechanic on the train John and Sierra took when shit went down, and his daughter works for John’s shop after she was rescued from that Vampire Lord he fought.

>>2703047
>Ask about his prior working experience. For all his foulness, he does seem to know what he’s doing.
>Ask about what exactly the deal is with the Daimyo. From what little you’ve seen, they’re got a bit more reach than the average city guard.

>>2703047
>Ask if he’s encountered anyone else he’d considered qualified in the city. Maybe he knows John?
>Ask about what exactly the deal is with the Daimyo. From what little you’ve seen, they’re got a bit more reach than the average city guard.

>>2703047
>Ask about his prior working experience. For all his foulness, he does seem to know what he’s doing.
>Ask about what exactly the deal is with the Daimyo. From what little you’ve seen, they’re got a bit more reach than the average city guard.

>>2704379
>>2703645
>>2703453
>>2703150
>>2703096
>>2703065
>>2703093

There are some questions to be asked.

Writin'

File: Naofumi_NicetoMeetYou.png (190 KB, 310x466)

190 KB PNG

>>2703047

Thinking about it, you wonder where exactly John factors into all of this. Since he lives in the city and all, you’d think they wouldn’t have the issue of inexperienced technicians with the Artificer around. Well, only one way to know for certain, “Is there anyone in the city you would consider ‘qualified’?”

That gets a pause out of the older man, as he stops what he’s doing to look over at you, “Not many, that’s for damn sure. The bastard they wanted to hire for the job was out of town; didn’t say a word of where he was going.”

Huh. Interesting. “What do you mean, didn’t say a word? You know him, then?”

“You could say that,” He gives off a huff of what could be disgust, looking over one of the replacement parts. Apparently satisfied with its condition, Naofumi continues, “Didn’t even leave a note saying how long he was gone; just that it was ‘important business’ or some bullshit. Guess whose free time they decided to cut into because the fucker wasn’t around?”

“Ah, yours then.” You’ve got a fair idea of just who ‘he’ is, all things considered, but probably best to just leave it be for now and let the guy vent. “Seems like that’s caused you a lot of trouble. You don’t strike me as the type to just nod and say ‘yes sir’.”

“Irritating as it is, work is work,” Turning back to the part he pulled from the cannon, he begins removing some piece of clockwork, “The coin is good, even if I’m being forced to handle someone else’s mess.”

Without it being outright said, you get a feeling him and John have some history, “I’m guessing you’ve got an earful for him when he gets back?”

“Damn straight,” The engineer grins slightly, working said piece into the mechanism, “The smug bastard won’t know what hit him; just have to remember to bring my spanner.”

“What, no monkey wrenches available?” you find yourself snarking. He’s...alright, when he’s not targeting it towards you. “Seriously, though, need any help putting that thing together? I’ve got time for now, and while I’m not exactly a trained engineer, I have elbow grease to spare.”

“Hold this thing up in the air,” Naofumi motions towards the mechanism, “I need to replace a few gears in the lower section, and putting it on its side is just asking for something to come apart.”

You step over, and although it takes a second to find a proper hand-hold, you manage to lift the thing without much trouble. As far as you can tell, it looks like half of an auto-loader; specifically the part that removes the spent shell during a reloader. Pretty advanced, considering it’s composed entirely of clockwork gears.

[1/3]

>>2704911

The engineer crouches down to get to work, a tool in each hand. With a few clicks, he pulls something covered in cracks and gets to work putting together a replacement, “So, what’s your story missy? Freelance or Guild mercenary?”

You raise an eyebrow, but all things considered, your getup probably tells that story well enough. “Freelance, of a sort. Me and mine mostly just go wherever, and take whatever pays well.”

“Mmm… And you’re here ‘cause you smell some coin to make?” Snorting lightly, Naofumi finishes putting together a few pieces of gears before getting to work on putting the replacement in, “Ya kinda missed the real rush; anyone with extra coin to spare was dropping it a month back. But, there’ll always be work to do; between the Guilds and the Daimyo there’s always the demand for muscle around here.”

“Interesting to know.” Probably better to not mention any specifics, or the fact that you just came off a job. “I’ll have to keep it in mind. Shame we missed the major stuff, though. Anyway, just lemme know when you’re finished. In the meantime, though...just how long have you been at this? If there’s not that many people that know what they’re doing, but you’re one of them, you’ve got to have no small amount of skill, right?”

“Let’s see… I’ve worked for almost sixty years as an engineer; fifty of which were as the chief engineer of a train,” Pulling something else out, Naofumi against repeats the repair process, “Ain’t a damn thing made of metal that I can’t work on.”

You nod in approval. “Impressive. Been around and about, huh? I can respect that. Takes a lot to stick to something like that as long as you have. I can see why they pulled you in, if that’s the case. If you don’t mind me asking, what happened to that train job? Doesn’t look like you retired...”

The sounds of work suddenly stops, and the engineer turns from the workbench, “...A certain smug bastard showed up and stole the caboose.”

Oof. “My condolences. You at least have this as a backup, at least. But on that front, that does bring to mind another question. The guard and the Daimyo. Pardon if I speak out of turn, but it feels like the guard here are...abnormally influential, so to speak.”

[2/3]

>>2704912

[3/3]

Naofumi continues his work, throwing the ruined part into the pile of similar ones, “You are aware you’re in a Daimyo facility, right lassie? Whatever, don’t matter. You’re right in that the Daimyo have some serious reach around here; can thank the Councilor at the top of ‘em for that. He’s been a slippery snake for some time, but most recently he’s been riding the influence he gained from not being a corrupt shit when two of his coworkers tried to pull a coup a month ago. Lucky bastards were killed by their own co-conspirators before anyone else could get to ‘em.”

“Ahhh.” Yeah, that’d do it. “Well, it’s no really concern of mine, just something I noticed and was curious about. I appreciate the answer.” So, either the Councilor plays fair, or is just that good enough to hide his tracks. Wonder if he’s being talked to now or what. Wouldn’t surprise you if he was in the know about your clients…

“Keep that attitude of mild interest in check, miss; you’ll live longer that way.” He puts another gear in before stepping back and motioning towards the table, “Ya can put it back now.”

You take care to set it down gently; don’t want anything jarring out of place. “Well. There you are. Hopefully time well spent. Naofumi, was it?” Dusting your hands off, you nod at him. “It’s been interesting to speak with you. If we don’t meet again, I wish you luck in life.”

“Ya, ya, keep ya pretty words to yourself missy; I ain’t dyin’ anytime soon.”

>Will continue shortly.

>”Let’s get down to business, shall we? I am more than happy to continue honoring the relationship that you were so instrumental in forging but, given current circumstances, I wish to know exactly what such a large gathering of influential members of the Genovese Syndicate means for my city.”

…

>”They’re likely just squabbling over what was in that Ruin; this kind of bullshit is just par for the course. Give it a week and it’ll all blow over.”

>”Of course, of course. I do wonder what they found to cause such a stir, hmmm?”

>”You know what the deal with the kinds of contracts I get; can’t talk about what was in there for a while.”

>”Such a shame.”

…

>”There is one last question I have for you. The… ‘outsource’ mercenary team that was with you. There are no records of previous contracts matching their description, no mentions of peoples who have hired them in the past; from what I can gather, they did not so much as exist a week ago. Are they a threat to Shirahoro?”

…

>”No idea. They could, but all things considered I doubt it. You’re not an idiot, Sun, just don’t do anything stupid and there shouldn’t be any issues.”

>”I have no intentions of starting issues, but it is my job to keep tabs on these sorts of things but thank you anyways. Now, John, go home and get some sleep; you look like you need it.”

>>2704915

You are John Hoelscher, and after one hell of a week you just might end up getting a bit of a break. At least the walk back to your shop isn’t a long one, and there aren’t vampires roaming the streets.

It’s the little things in life you have to look forwards to.

The streets of the Earth District are filled to the brim with people, most of them fresh out of work, but considering this is the usual for this time of day you navigate the crowds without an issue. Taking a turn off of the main street, you head down the much quieter side street that leads to your shop. Before you know it, you come up the place that’s been through quite a bit since you’ve gained ownership of it; from being abandoned and derelict, to restored, to war torn, and back to functional. The blood stains probably won’t ever come out of the storefront floors, but no one really seems to notice them at this point.

Of course, now you’ve got a new little monster attempting to break in through the windows, “Hidia what the hell do you think you are doing? I lock my doors for a reason.”

“What, you run a store and don’t let people window shop?” The line would be far more understandable if Froste didn’t have a strong hand on her shoulder, honestly looking, for once, a touch disapproving at her erstwhile girlfriend. That hand quickly jerks her back, and it takes one glance between you and the elf to cow her. “Okay, sorry. But really, I wasn’t like, gonna steal anything. You’re cool! I just kinda...wanted in for personal reasons.”

Froste fixes her with a look. “‘Personal reasons’, dear? And what might those be?”

To your surprise, she blushes, HARD. “...Can I just NOT say it right now? It’s not exactly for polite public conversation…”

You just stare at the two of them, hoping that there really not about to ask you what you think they might, before you pull out your set of keys, “Just tell me inside.”

Thankfully, your lock hasn’t been broke in the time you were gone, and the door opens smoothly. Walking through the storefront, you note the thin layer of dust that’s formed over everything with a frown; gonna have to clean that off later. Making it past the counter to the back, you look over your workshop and forge fondly, also noting that nothing seems to have been misplaced.

The moment is ruined utterly when Hidia bolts past you, beelining for the stairs and shedding parts of her armor in the meantime. You hardly have enough time to open your mouth before she opens hers, pausing on the stairs briefly, “Bathroom! Where?!”

[1/2]

>>2705063

[2/2]

“Upstairs, door on the left,” Is your almost automatic response, and before you can really process what’s going on the elf is gone, only parts of her armor and footsteps from overhead telling of her existence. Turning to look over at her girlfriend, you look at her blankly before speaking up again, “...Did she really not go at all this past week?”

“To be fair, it’s happened before,” Froste says, still with that look of disapproval. “One of her habits I really could leave behind.” A sigh, a shake of the head that’s all too familiar. “I trust all is well with you, then? No thefts, nothing misplaced? No concerns?”

Walking over to the large crate that you keep your supplies in, you confirm that everything is in order, “Doesn’t seem like there were any issues. Last time, the place was pretty thoroughly trashed.” Pushing it back into place, you walk over to your workbench, still littered with assorted crap, and unload meger remains of what you left on this job with.

“Well, that’s pleasant. I’ve no clue how long we’ll be waiting- however, I have little doubt Hidia will want to...indulge for as long as we ARE here.” She leans against the wall, folding her arms in resignation. “On the way here, she wouldn’t stop mentioning that little armor project of hers for you. I feel she thinks it a challenge to overcome- to develop something superior to your own work BASED on your own work. Which I should say is a compliment, odd as it sounds.”

You look over at the elf flatly, “Why am I not surprised she’d try something like that? Whatever, I’ll take the compliment anyways. Exactly how long are you lot planning to stick around anyways? Essie doesn’t seem like the type to take a vacation after a job.”

“She’s not so bad,” is the prompt response. “We’ll be off once we get payment, true, but we just tend to not stay very long in areas we take jobs, after they’re done- at least, we normally don’t come back any time soon, unless extenuating circumstances bring cause. Something of a shame, really, I get the feeling Hidia would rather enjoy an extended stay…” She shakes her head, dismissing the thought. “At any rate, I personally wouldn’t say no to a bit of proper R&R. Actually, are you aware of any good eateries here? I might fancy a good meal..”

“There’s a few decent enough places around here. However, knowing Dutch, he’s probably a few blocks away from showing up and declaring a victory party. There’s more than a few good places for that, but I’m thinking it’d be best if we…”

>Just drink in the shop. It’ll help contain the madness.
>Have Dutch set aside one of the Genovese bars for you. Can’t complain about free booze.
>Head over to Eden Hall. See if Ryu’s stoicism holds up when you crash his bar.
>Head over to the Dragon’s Lair. Plenty of space to party and deal with the aftermath.
>Other

>>2705066
>>Have Dutch set aside one of the Genovese bars for you. Can’t complain about free booze.
We were contracted by them, seems appropriate.

>>2705066
>Head over to the Dragon’s Lair. Plenty of space to party and deal with the aftermath.
Plus, the dumplings are pretty good.

>>2705066
>Head over to Eden Hall. See if Ryu’s stoicism holds up when you crash his bar.

>>2705066
>>Head over to Eden Hall. See if Ryu’s stoicism holds up when you crash his bar.
Need class

>>2705066
>Head over to Eden Hall. See if Ryu’s stoicism holds up when you crash his bar.

>>2705066
>Eden hall

Time to get pissed and kiss our girlfriend in one of the best bars in the city

>>2705066
Give her all of the options so she can pick for herself.


Although wasn’t dragons lair a designated trabbu free zone with the vigilantes around? That might clash with someone’s idea of a party. Personally I’d go with Ryu, either by relaxing at his joint or by taking his recommendations.

>>2705066
>>Head over to the Dragon’s Lair. Plenty of space to party and deal with the aftermath.

>>2705066
>Head over to Eden Hall. See if Ryu’s stoicism holds up when you crash his bar.
Remember to call in the rest of the team

>>2705066
>Head over to Eden Hall. See if Ryu’s stoicism holds up when you crash his bar.

>>2706455
>>2705400
>>2705276
>>2705113
>>2705098
>>2705090

Eden Hall it is.

Writin'

>>2705066

There’s a few good choices, each with their own benefits, but, especially considering the disposition of the elf in front of you, there’s one that really sticks with you. Oh, you can’t wait to see how Ryu takes this. “I know a place back in the Water District. It’s a bit pricey, but it’s a hole in the wall joint and I know the guy who runs it; shouldn’t have any issue getting him to reserve the place for us.”

“Ah.” She cocks her eyebrow at ‘hole in the wall’, perhaps not quite convinced of the idea.

Before she can say anything else, however, she’s cut off by your rather accurate prediction, as you can hear the door to your shop open scant moments before Dutch yells out, “YO JOHN! I GOT MY PAY, WHERE ARE WE GONNA DRINK TONIGHT?!”

Motioning for the elf to give you a moment, you lean into the doorway, “We’re going to Eden Hall tonight, go grab the others.”

A few seconds of silence pass before the gunslinger responds, “Where the hell is ‘Eden Hall’?”

“Just tell everyone to meet up here and we’ll go from there,” Listening to the sounds of your old friend leaving, you turn back to Froste with an amused smile on your face, “You were saying something?”

“Apparently not,” she huffs. “Well, I just hope the fare is worthwhile. I'll not say I'm not open to new experiences, obviously, but my palate can be discerning!”

“She means she hates onions!” Comes a far less stressed voice from the top of the stairs. “They mess with her gut!”

And suddenly pale turns to beet red. “COULD YOU NOT, PLEASE!”

“Nope!” And she’s walking down like there absolutely nothing wrong. “Otherwise whatever you get is gonna have onions and you're not gonna notice and then horrible things will happen!”

The face on this woman right now.

[1/2]

>>2708839

[2/2]

Trying not to smirk too hard, you watch with amusement as the normally regal attempts to regain her composure before cutting back in, “I’ll make sure to tell Ryu not to make an onion cocktail for you.”

A small, yet high pitched hissing sound is the only response she can manage as she tries, gamely, to both hide her face and still maintain composure. She's, unfortunately, failing.

“So where we goin’?” Hidia asks blithely. “Wherever it is, I hope they have good soup.”

That gets a raised eyebrow out of you, “You know we’re going to a bar, right?”

A blank look tells the tale. “..No. Peach cocktail, then. I like fruit drinks.”

“Don’t worry about it. I know the guy; he’s not gonna force you to drink whiskey straight,” You shrug at the end of your statement. It’s odd, really, that the elf’s got such an aversion to alcohol; especially for a mercenary, “Unless, of course, you want to.”

“We’ll see!” She shrugs.

“Anyways, just hang out for now,” Turning back to your worktable, you continue sorting through your gear. Despite how much you lost, you did come out of everything with that strange rifle and lockbox intact, “Dutch’s got a knack for tracking down people, though I doubt Gladiator or Archmage will be joining us. Unless, you’d like to get something to eat before we head out?”

“Oh, I'm entirely fine with whatever, now!”

What now?

>Go get something to eat
>Work on a project in the workshop
>Timeskip
>Other

>>2708840
>>Timeskip

>>2708859
>>Timeskip

>>2708840
>>Timeskip

>>2708840
>Timeskip

>>2708859
>>2708892
>>2708894
>>2708950

Timeskip it is.

Writin'

Hellooo!

Guess who's here for like. A day or so. StoryT forgot to throw this up, so I'm doing it.

------------------

In what seems like no time at all, several voices brings your attention to your storefront. Stepping out of the workshop, you arrive just in time to watch Dutch and the rest of the mercenaries step through the front door. Your friend’s got his usual cocky smirk across his face, though given how Emma is smiling right alongside him he hasn’t gotten himself into any more trouble.

At least, not yet. You are about to go out drinking, after all.

“Everyone made it, sweet!” Hidia cheerfully proclaims from behind you, following you out of the workshop with her girlfriend closely behind. There’s still the slightest hue of pink in her cheeks, but aside from that the haughty elf has managed to retain her composure. “So, we're off? No one missing anything?”

“Nothing on my end,” With that, you hop over the counter and return the gunslinger’s grin. Addressing the rest of the group, you feel it grow, “So, who here is ready to get plastered?”

Hidia, Emma, and to your surprise Essie all seem more than game. “Here here!” “Finally.” “Hope its good stuff.” Froste is more apprehensive, but stays silent. Yuna is the only one that seems to see the coming potential storm. “Oh dear…alright.” And, naturally, Dutch is more than happy enough to cover that up with enthusiasm, “WHOO!”

Amused at the response, you answer with probably the last thing they’re expecting, “Alright, so the first stop we’re gonna make is to the only bar in the city where you can’t get drunk!”

Hidia almost literally trips, “Wait what?”

“You’ll see when we get there,” Snickering to yourself, you motion for everyone to exit the shop, “C’mon, I gotta lock up.”

Once the lot of you are out on the street, you make sure to firmly lock the front door before turning to lead the group through the Earth District. Making it to the main street, which is in full display this early evening, you turn towards the port and begin making your way through the crowd.

“Kinda surprised you're so for this, boss.” Emma notes as you all walk. “Normally you wait, huh?

Essie just shrugs. “This one was a bit rougher than normal, so call it an early reward.”

The girl perks up at that. “Oh. That’s nice of ya, boss!”

“Besides, you're newest, so you get sobriety duty. Make sure no one does anything stupid.” Even Yuna snorts out a laugh at that, and Emma's stuttering complaints follow for several minutes.

(Cont.)

>>2709099
Who are you again?

>>2709109
Coming up to the Water District, the crowds in the streets thin considerably, as there’s few left out working this late. With a bit more room to work with, you walk alongside the others, easily remembering the way to Ryu’s bar in the relative center of the District. It’s not like you’re a regular customer of his, given your job and recent events you haven’t exactly been overflowing with coins to throw around. Regardless, there’s no issues in the bare cobblestone streets, any potential ones likely warded off by the size of your group alone, and you come up to an unmarked door, a classy sign proudly displaying the bar’s name being the sole marker.

“Subtle,” Yuna notes.

Turning around, you throw your thumb over your shoulder, “Yep. Not exactly a dive bar here, but not a bad place to start given the occasion.”

Dutch chuckles at that, “Ya right, I’m sure that’s why we’re here.”

Hidia looks at you curiously, “Why are we here then?”

“Oh, did I forget to mention?” Grinning over your shoulder, you reach over and easily push the heavy wooden door open, “The guy that runs this place is Sierra’s brother.” And with that, you walk right in.

(And a pause for now.)

>>2709110
I dunno, he sounds familiar. I think he did one of those quests that involved magical girls, but I can’t remember the name for the life of me...

>>2709110
>>2709116
Meh, it was just a little thing.

Well. Ryu did want a bar tending challenge, didn’t he.

>>2710106
somehow, I really don't think that giving him a hellish problem that could turn rowdy, is a especially fixable by calling it a challenge.

>>2710297
The challenge lays in tranquilizing every patron before they start causing trouble.

>>2711061
Now thats just...........

Sign me up

>>2708840

The light chime of the bar’s doorbell rings out as you step through the threshold, revealing the almost sparkling interior of Eden Hall. From your experience, you’ve never seen it so much as even vaguely resembling dirty, but this is almost ridiculous.

Essie nods in approval. “Nice.”

“Pretty swanky,” Emma agrees.

“I have to admit, I'm impressed with the decor.” Froste concedes with a tilt of her head.

“Welcome!” That crisp, familiar voice rings out from behind the bar, neatly calling your attention to where Ryu is smiling at you all. Just like always, he’s got that practically serene expression on his face. On anyone else, it’d be infuriating, but on the male elf it just simply isn’t.

Striding in with that same grin on your face, you walk right up to the only other patron here and sit down next to her. Fighting the urge to laugh, you pretend to not see Sierra almost jump out of her seat and speak up, “Good to see ya, Ryu. Hope nothin’ too exciting happened while I was gone.” Any response he might have had is interrupted by both sides of your face being firmly grabbed and you quickly find yourself pulled into a nice, deep kiss.

Yep, it’s good to be back.

“Nice.” Emma says lowly. Fortunately, she's the only one that feels the need to be a peanut gallery.

It’s only until a polite cough that Sierra decides to relinquish her hold, one that you weren’t planning on asking her to, and you both turn to where her brother is looking at the both of you, “Sir, Ma’am, this is not that kind of establishment.”

“Betcha he wishes otherwise,” Emma pipes up again, despite an elbow from Essie “So, do you run the place?”

“Correct,” Smiling at the rest of the group, the elf favors the girls with a polite bow, “Welcome to Eden Hall.”

The lot of them, surprisingly, give a small bow back. “Glad to be here,” Essie says easily as she steps up. “You came very well recommended.”

Ryu glances over to you, “Well, then why don’t you all have a seat?”

“After you,” Essie offers.

“Unless you wanna keep to yourself and your girl…” Emma snickers. The others are silent, though you notice Yuna trying to tilt the brim of her hat down- is she embarrassed? After an awkward moment, the mercs sit down, Dutch taking the remaining seat beside you.

[1/2]

>>2715520

[2/2]

Setting aside several glass, the bartender looks over you all, “So, what will you be ordering tonight?”

“Nothing too heavy to start,” You offer, all things considered it’s reasonable. Besides, this isn’t the kind of place to go get smashed at, “I’ll take a beer.”

“Beer for me!”

“Peach Cocktail, please!”

“You got margaritas? Gimme one of those, blueberry if you got it. I apparently can't drink too much...”

“Have you any white wine?”

“Strawberry bellini, if possible.”

“Mimosa. And Emma will have that margarita virgin style.”

“SERIOUSLY? Augggghh...”

“Being the sober one tonight then?” Ryu comments, already working on the various orders.

“I didn't even have a choice!” She laments. “Stupid seniority rules…”

“Quite the misfortune then,” Smiling slyly in his usual way, the elf gives the wolfgirl a small wink, “But, perhaps, this misfortune can bring you some good fortune as well. Would you mind if I picked your drink for you?”

She blanches. “Uhhhhh….I guess?”

“As long as it's nonalcoholic,” Essie says.

Given her one last glance, Ryu gets to work on mixing the cocktail. There’s no flourish to his movements, but you can’t deny the elegance to them. In no time at all, he’s pushing eight filled glasses, each one a unique shape, across the counter to you all.

There’s a quiet moment where you all are focused on your drinks. There’s nothing special about your beer, but after over a week without any kind of alcohol you’re glad that you’re not drinking slop.

Almost draining your glass in one go, you place it back onto the counter. The simple moment is broken when the gunslinger lets out a happy cheer as he finishes off his beer.

Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.

>”Anything happen in the city while I was gone Sierra?”
>”Ryu, anyone interesting walk into your bar recently?”
>”So, Essie, what’s next for your motley crew?”
>”Be straight with me, Hidia, just how much stuff did you walk away from the Ruin with?”
>Other

>>2715523
>>”So, Essie, what’s next for your motley crew?”

>>2715523
>”Anything happen in the city while I was gone Sierra?”

>>2715523
>”So, Essie, what’s next for your motley crew?”
>”Be straight with me, Hidia, just how much stuff did you walk away from the Ruin with?”

>>2715523
>”Anything happen in the city while I was gone Sierra?”

>>2715523
>>”Be straight with me, Hidia, just how much stuff did you walk away from the Ruin with?”
was it one fully loaded heli or two?

>>2715523
>”Be straight with me, Hidia, just how much stuff did you walk away from the Ruin with?”

>>2715523
>Miss me sierra? anything interesting happen while i was off

>Hillda, how much did you nick.

cant ask ryu, client confidentiality and all that.

>>2715523
Nice to be back, Sierra.
So what’s the news in the city?

>>2715523
>”Anything happen in the city while I was gone Sierra?”
>”So, Essie, what’s next for your motley crew?”
>”Be straight with me, Hidia, just how much stuff did you walk away from the Ruin with?”

>>2715523
>>”Anything happen in the city while I was gone Sierra?”

>>2715523
>”So, Essie, what’s next for your motley crew?”
>”Be straight with me, Hidia, just how much stuff did you walk away from the Ruin with?”

>>2716323
>>2716298
>>2716120
>>2716081
>>2716048
>>2715946
>>2715755
>>2715697
>>2715632
>>2715628
>>2715542

Conversation ho!

Writin'

>>2715523

Deciding that pacing yourself is overrated, you pick back up your beer and down the rest of it. Probably a disservice to the brew, but ah what the hell. Pushing the empty glass across the counter, you turn to properly face the elf beside you, “So, Sierra, anything excitin’ happen while I was out of town?”

She glances to the side at you, those dark emerald eyes looking at you for a second, perhaps trying to figure out if you’re serious or not, before responding, “Mmm, it’s been quiet. People are a bit nervous, even with the Daimyo around no one’s going to be forgetting what happened anytime soon, but other than that there haven’t been any issues. Oh, Hotel Cardinal is having its grand re-opening next week. Any chance of you joining me for the ceremony?”

“I’ll let my boss know that I’m busy,” Giving her a wink, you look over to where the mercenaries are. There’s not much talking from them, which is a rather good sign, though out of all of them Emma looks almost longingly between her drink at the collection of spirits on display behind Ryu. Oh well, her loss at being the new gal on the team. Hidia snickers at her a bit, and you can see her lean next to Froste, whispering something that leads to a small snort and a light slap on the arm from the prim elf. “Hey, Hidia, just how much gear did you walk away from that Ruin with?”

She locks eyes with you for a bit, and the rapidly cycles through everyone else, flitting from person to person before settling back on you, a cheesy smile that fails to disarm any worries. “Uhhhhh...not everything?”

“Dear,” Froste says flatly.

“Like a ton of measuring tools and a few loose pieces an’ stuff,” she admits. “Configure them right and I figure they could be real useful in my technical research. Science is a slow and steady walk, not a sprint.”

Grinning at the slightly amusing sight in front of you, you can’t help but needle her, “You leave a few bolts in the floor for the rest of us then, huh?”

“Duplicates, sure!” She grins right back.

“Better get out of town before those idiots from out West figure it out,” Motioning to Ryu to get you another drink, you turn towards their glorious leader, who is silently listening to your banter, “Speaking of that, what’s your plan for your motley crew going forwards, Essie?”

She takes another swallow before answering, taking her time to savor the vintage. “Mmm...well, head out, naturally. It'll probably be a bit of proper rest before too long, let Hidia and Froste sit down and do what they do best, but after that we’ll likely be taking on a few independent contracts, if they come our way.”

[1/3]

>>2717624


“I hope to take a bit of a respite myself to renew myself,” Yuna says quietly.

“I'm gonna whine about not getting to drink,” Emma grouses, “And maybe see about writing that song.”

“Maybe add in a verse about your desire for alcohol, hm?” Froste teases, idly waggling her flute of wine.

Emma snorts. “Aw, you hush, stuffy. Not like you could even appreciate a stiff drink.”

She blinks, leaning back slightly. “I beg your pardon?” Her half smile is...worrisome. “If I recall correctly, you’re the one that required us to rather quickly evacuate the LAST bar we patroned…”

“He was slimy! And YOU didn't even see it! You were busy!” She counters. “And that doesn't matter! You still wouldn't appreciate a good hard drink if it bit you in your plush bum!”

She tsks. “I certainly HEARD it! And I'd thank you to not reference my backside like that!”

“Yeah, those are my privileges!” Hidia confirms. You didn't need to know that. “And I'll have you know she got great tolerance!”

Emma snorts. “Oh yeah? Then how about-”

“No drinking contests, Emma. You're still on watch.” Oh, right.

“DANGIT!”

“Too bad!” Hidia crows, before she gulps down her own tipple. Froste snorts...before downing her own. “Give us another! I'm gonna hug her SO HARD later!”

“You do get clingy, dear…” Froste says, nodding sagely.

The chime of the door opening interrupts everyone, calling your attention to where a pair of businessmen are looking over you all with questioning looks.

“Welcome!” As always, Ryu calls out welcomingly, smiling comfortingly at the two men before looking at you with a polite, but firm expression that just screams ‘please leave’.

Pushing yourself out of your barstool, you turn towards the door with what you hope is an easy smile on your face, “Sorry ‘bout that gents; we were just leaving.” Thinking fast, you grab a couple of gold coins from your pocket and push them across the counter, “We’ll work out the change later.”

[2/3]

File: Sierra_LookingStuffed.png (184 KB, 422x580)

184 KB PNG

>>2717627

[3/3]

Making sure everyone else is following, Sierra included, you stride out of the quiet bar into the early night.

“Aww...he had good drinks,” Hidia complains.

“He did,” Essie agrees. Murmurs of general agreement follow.

“Soooo…” Emma lets it trail off.

“So what, we needle John’s girlfriend now?” Hidia blurts out of nowhere. She AND Emma both turn to her with grins.

“Needle who now?” Looking over the mischievous pair, the muted sound of thunder fills the air as the elf channels lightning across her fingertips.

“Oh, come on!” Hidia seems singularly unphased at the display, grinning widely. “What good is having a significant other for if not to embarrass them?”

“I could give you several answers,” Froste says dryly - before channeling her own spark on one finger as she continues. “That said, please do not threaten my significant other.” The plain tone makes it come off as less of a sincere threat and more of a required warning.

Sierra lasts a few more seconds, before snickering. At least she’s stopped doing that hand-taser trick, though the giggles persist until she’s able to properly contain herself, “Oh, ooh. I see. Alright, now we’re really going drinking. Unless, of course, the two of you would prefer to… ‘retire’.”

“I could say the same for you, hm?” Froste responds with lidded eyes. “I'm certain he hopes to...regale to you his stories.”

Before this can escalate any further, regardless of how amusing it is, you decide to intervene. In your infinite wisdom, that ‘intervention’ results in you slapping Sierra right across the ass. The look she gives you, red as a tomato, almost makes you burst into laughter yourself, but you instead grin at her before turning to your oldest friend.

“Dutch, where’s the nearest dive bar?”

> Roll me three 8d100’s please

(From left to right: John, Dutch, Sierra, Miranda, Izumi, Owlia, Cylica, and Mono)

Rolled 50, 67, 97, 91, 5, 83, 74, 24 = 491 (8d100)

>>2717630
Welp...

Rolled 57, 47, 91, 62, 12, 77, 43, 87 = 476 (8d100)

>>2717630

Rolled 89, 42, 77, 18, 15, 18, 81, 21 = 361 (8d100)

>>2717630

>>2717633
>>2717647
>>2717676

Alright, so we've got an 89 for John, a 67 for Dutch, a 97 for Sierra, a 91 for Miranda, a 15 for Izumi, an 83 for Owlia, an 81 for Cylica, and an 87 for Mono to wrangle them all.

Writin'

>>2717683
Uh oh. Izumi doesn't look so good.

>>2717818
She's very drunk, and found a mildly attractive guard.

>>2717822

It's even better than that.

>>2717835
A quite attractive Sierrabutt?

>>2717835
She's making out with Goo Hwi, isn't she?

>>2717843
eww, he's so OLD

>>2717848
It probably wouldn't matter as much when you have magic seeing eyeballs. Goo Hwi would probably see Izumi as a pretty hot GILF.

>>2717630

The first place you head to isn’t the worst, though it is rather crowded. Still, the lot of you manage to find a corner to fully occupy and in no time at all you’re laughing over drinks like you’ve known each other forever. Eventually, you settle your tab and leave before the place gets anymore crowded.

The second place is where things begin to get interesting, as the moving from beer and wine to whiskey results in you confiscating both of Dutch’s revolvers and knife before anything can occur.

The third place, however…

Well, there is a reason why you’re still here.

Currently, you’re comfortably sitting besides Sierra, she herself, despite drinking like a fish alongside you, doesn’t look like she’s so much had a drop while you enjoy a mild buzz, around a table with most of the others. Hidia is wrapped around her girlfriend’s waist like a snake while Froste alternates between giggling away and running her fingers through her girlfriend’s hair. On the other side of things, Essie is sitting silently; you can tell she’s listening intently but other than that it looks like she’s just staring off into space. Across from her, Emma glances around at you all, attempting to keep an eye out even with the couple of shots you caught, and didn’t bother mentioning, her taking. Off at the bar counter proper, Dutch is chatting up some local gal that looks vaguely familiar, but with the comfortable heat of copious amounts of liquid medicine in your veins you don’t worry about it much. Normally, you’d pay a bit closer attention to the gunslinger, but with the guy mostly defanged, can’t take his fists away after all, it’s really not an issue.

After all, there’s something far, far more entertaining to watch right in front of you.

“And it then that the bale...baleful nature of my situashun had revealed itself! For despite the words of the employee bein-being truthful, really, he was! There was, alas the fact that the vile man had espected-exhected-ex...he knew I was coming! He KNEW!” Yuna slams the table you're at, rattling the drinks; she's at least four in of...you forgot what she ordered, just that she found it ‘clean, and really sweet’.

It’s not even happy hour, yet here you are with drinks and a show; what a deal! Never one to let a good story stop early, you jokingly cup a hand to your mouth and mock-shout out, “Well, keep going! What happened next?!”

[1/3]

>>2717887

“TEN...ten...was it ten…?” she trails off for a moment, before shaking her head, oblivious to the situation. “TWENTY MEN, SURROUNDING ME! And, and, and there he was, that...that snake, that so called kingpin, that...he was a very bad man! And he had TWENTY MEN surround me in that dingy old store when I just- I came to queastun him, thasall! But then, THAAAT’S when I knew! I knew he'd sold the...sold the...she pauses, blinking for a long second. “Uh...s-sorry, I forgot what he-”

“The statue,” Essie reminds her casually.

“THE STATUE OF THAT POOR SWEET GIRL!” Not even so much as a thanks. “From her to her mother, it was! Carved out of solid wood, with a broken hand! She'd poured all of her love into that statue! It was desepicable. Simple horrble. So I, I take a step. And then another, and then the blades, they-” and here she actually gets up, drawing her blade swiftly and in a heroic pose “-fly!”

Oddly enough, her grip looks amazingly solid, the blade wavering only slightly.

Froste starts laughing happily and outright, almost doubling over though she’s prevented by the clingy bundle in her lap, “Go on, go on!”

Swaying slightly, though she still manages to look somewhat composed, Yuna begins spinning around, dramatically posing every once and a while, as she goes through the apparent motions of her story, “Two to the left of, parried and slain! Ttwo- no four to the right charge, and it was only my- my reflexes, yet always honed, what stopped them from...RENDING me asunder! I made to space myself and, and then I forced myself to heave a great chain, a- a large chain, the size of a great hound! It threw them -bang!- off balance, and they fell to me in the end in yet more swordwork, their faces ending with-with only regret for the sorrowful paths their lives had taken!”

At some point, you are going to stop this. Forget about getting in trouble with the bar, Sun would have a number of very pointed questions for you if the guard got called.

But like fuck are you doing that now, the gal’s just getting to the good part.

[2/3]

>>2717888

[3/3]

“The battle RAGED! Oh, how it did! The onslaught was-I though it was never- that it'd never stop! Never! But it did, in time and-and in pieces! And, and so I LEAPT up to the second balcony, it was astonishing. And he hadn’t left! He wanted to see me fall as-as-as so many do! They do! And they try to watch and, and gloat and they think they have me! But they ALWAYS! UNDERESTIMATE! MY! SPIRIT!” The last line being punctuated with banging on the table at each word, looking everyone dead in the eye...even when she runs out of words. “And his face was...ashen. Like, like newfallen from the- from the fire. It was the look...the look of a man who knew he had reached the end of his tale.” She finally quiets down, seemingly more somber now...at last. “I asked him...I asked him if he had anything to say, to, to repent, to regret! Anything. Anything at all.” She sighs, taking a pull of the last of her drink. “And he charges me with a hidden knife, the fool he was. It was nothing glorious, not like, not like how we fought just back there, it- twas a stab that ended his criminal empire. And the constable, he was glad. The daughter was avenged. The mother at peace. And the rest...is not my story.” She finally slumps back, clearly tired. “I need another drink.”

“Oh no you DON'T.” Emma quickly slaps her hand down, ignoring the whine. “You're gonna make me keep your butts in order, I'm doin it.”

“Awww, you're growing up so fast!” Hidia coos. “Maybe we'll let you lead a job one day!”

“You haven't led one either!” Emma grouses.

“But *I* could.” Froste boasts. “It's in my blood, dare I say!”

Emma laughs. “You couldn't lead a boat to water! You'd be too busy preening!”

Froste just laughs right back. “Ahahah, really? I'd claim I did fine taking this recent job seriously!” And then she turns to YOU. “Wouldn't you say, Mister John? After our little conversations?”

Looking at the elf, who at this point is pointing a finger right at you, from over your glass of whiskey, you down the bitter liquid, savoring the way it burns all the way down, before even thinking of responding, “Of course you’d be able to lead a team. All you need is a good set of eyes and defense as you do, though with your ego you wouldn’t even need armor at the vanguard.” Focusing on pouring yourself another drink, you miss whatever looks your comment elicits from the girls, and bring the glass back to your lips.

Damn this is some good whiskey.

>Gotta end things here for tonight. Tomorrow, we'll be switching back to Miranda, so see you all then.

>>2717889
Oh jees. That's amazing.
Thanks for the run QM.

>>2717889
I hope Miranda recorded this.

>>2717889

You are Miranda Styles, and the evening’s been...interesting, to say the least. In a good way, though. Always fun to go out drinking with pleasant company, especially considering just how cheap things are on this world. Even if the drinks they sell at your usual bars or clubs back home are in small motes, those add up quick. Maybe you’ll denine to splurge later; there is a 120 Large Mote payout just waiting for your team today.

Of course, the first challenge to getting that is to actually get out of bed which, between the rather nice, if a bit thin, mattress and the massive amount of alcohol you downed late into the previous night, is a bit hard. Eventually, your hazy head clears enough that you’re capable of cognitive thought, allowing you to throw the sheets off of yourself and stand up.

The room you rented is really rather nice, probably due to the fact that you vaguely remember ordering the suite when you got it, if a tad sparse. It’s plenty enough for yourself, especially since it includes a mostly-modern bathroom, but aside from the set of five beds there’s little else in here.

Speaking of which, you pull back the covers over the windows to reveal the early morning sun rising before beginning your walk around to the rest of the girls. Between the fresh light entering the room and a couple of shakes, Mono easily wakes up as do Owlia and Cylica; your task made a bit less awkward when you confirmed that they were in fact still clothed. But, a bit predictably, Izumi does her best impression of a girl not wanted to go to school when you get to her, groaning out and pulling her pillow over her head, “Cease. I'll get up soon...”

You have to shake your head at her antics.“If by soon, you mean now. Come on, don't you want to get out of here? They should have our pay by now, and the sooner we get out of here, the sooner you can put all this annoyance behind you. I thought you had more professionalism than that.”

That gets her to lift her head up, scowling at you. “My professionalism is not my concern. Ow…” she winces at her own sharp tongue. “My honor...”

“Yeah, you lost that when you slammed back like, six or seven cocktails and gave a stirring dramatic rendition of one of your more tame missions. Complete with sound effects and pantomime.” The look on her face is a combination of mortified and despondent. “Soo...yeah, sorry.”

Wordlessly, she drags herself up like a slug as you pat her on the back. “Like a statue defaced by it's builder…And jackhammering still.”

[1/5]

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>>2719490

“Honestly? I think you might have endeared yourself to them with that stunt,” you admit. “Not everyone likes the stoic silent sort all the time. You should know that by now.”

“Mmmgh...just...tea, please. Then we go.” You can agree with that.

Thankfully, this inn has an restaurant attached to the building, a distinctly Eastern-style one at that, so it’s almost trivial to get an order of tea for your hungover teammate and a round of dumplings, apparently this place’s specialty, with a few sides for everyone. While you wait for the order, you keep an eye out on the other people in the room. No one really stands out to you, a couple of folks that are obviously mercenaries or adventurers making up the majority of them; none of them are armed, at least openly, and all appear to be fully engrossed in their own meals to pay you any mind in the first place. With that out of the way, you turn back just in time to catch your food arriving.

The smell that emanates from the platter that’s placed in front of you all alone nearly gets you drooling, a reaction that’s mostly shared with the rest of your team sans Izumi who has her head most of the way into the mouth of the cup of tea placed in front of her. Your server, a slightly portly kid, who can’t be more than sixteen or seventeen, smiles broadly at you before speeding off to the next order.

“So. Cashing out today?” Mono asks with her mouth half full of bacon.

“That’s the plan,” You nod before popping a dumpling whole into your mouth. It’s pipping hot, just like they should, and the meat within is well seasoned and cooked; you might just have to get some to go, “Shouldn’t be any issues, but if there are things might get a bit dicey. Just keep an eye out.”

“Here's hoping,” Owlia admits. The rest of the meal is pleasantly silent, the sounds of eating being the only thing filling the air.

Just like all good things, it eventually comes to an end. Specifically, it comes in the form of that server collecting your dirty dishes before smiling again and speaking, “Would you like to rent the suite for another night, ladies, or are you leaving today?”

“Today. What's the damage, then?” Not like you could afford another night...thank goodness Mono had gotten an urge.

“Five Silver for the suite, and seventy Copper for the meal. Please pay at the reception desk, ladies, and have a good day!” Collecting the dishes in one hand, the young man bows slightly before heading off towards the kitchen.

[2/5]

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>>2719496

Weird kid, but at least he’s got himself together, “Alright, go get that sorted, Emma. Grab anything you’ve forgotten and let’s head out.”
The wolfgirl grumbles a bit, but nonetheless ends up taking care of the issue. With everything squared away, your crew begins the trip to your last stop: the Genovese HQ.

It’s a nice day out, if a bit cold and with a biting wind coming from the water, though you’re late enough that the streets of the Earth District are filled with people either heading to, or at, work. Voices of every kind call out to one another, mostly from the various markets that crop up from street to street, ranging from aggravated to jovial. There’s nothing too noteworthy for sale, as most of the items for sale are things like provisions and cheap weapons, perfect for the groups of mercenaries and adventures that are shopping here. In no time at all, you’re onto the cobblestone streets of the Water District. Almost like the day that you arrived, you get several curious glances and odd looks from the people around. Either they remember you or you just move fast enough, but once again nothing seems to come of it.

A bit over a block from the building, you’re approached by a man, walking over from where he was standing at the corner, who wastes no time in telling you that the Don is waiting. Motioning towards where you were heading anyways, the grunt leads you through the front doors of the building, holding the door open for you all, and calls over to where a blonde woman is working the front desk.

You’re guessing she’s a secretary, as she announces your arrive into an almost archaic phone before nodding at you. Remembering the way up from before, you arrive at those double wooden doors and, after glancing back at your team for a moment, push them open.

Surprisingly enough, the Don’s here alone, an unlit cigar lightly pinched between finger and thumb and a thin smile across his face, motions for you all to come in, “My apologies for the delay, ladies, but while we have a bit more of a lax approach to bureaucracy here in Shirahoro, our Main branch is quite the different story. Regardless, I’d like to thank you all for a job well done. From the initial reports I’ve received, we’re looking to make quite the tidy profit out of this venture.”

“That's the hope,” you confirm. “Some resistance, as expected, but nothing we couldn't handle.”

“Stupid Blight can go somewhere, though,” Mono grumbles. “Caused more than a couplea headaches.”

“It eventually fell as well,” Cylica says easily. “However, I much appreciated the opportunity to discover an unusual technology.”

[3/5]

>>2719499

“Archmage reported on the issues, and your team’s swift retaliation to them,” Noding to you, the portly man turns towards Owlia and Cylica, “And I’m glad you found the Ruin to be intriguing. The team from the Main branch mirrored your sentiments; at least on the findings.” The thin smile on his face turns into a much sharper grin, “I heard you claimed part of the additional artifacts. As per our agreement, it is well within your rights as the original finders to do so, though I do wonder how you plan on transporting them.”

“We’ve ways,” you supply easily.

“As you say,” Letting the issue drop, the Don places his cigar down into the ashtray on his desk. “Now, with the pleasantries out of the way, shall we get onto the matter of payment?” Reaching down, he pulls up that same lockbox from the original meeting and deposits it onto the wooden surface, “This is the forty platinum coins worth of minted bars that is yours as per the base contract.”

“Thank you.” Taking it firmly, but respectfully, you proceed to undo the latches, open and count. You flick your eyes over to Izumi, who gives a subtle nod- she could see nothing wrong with it.

“And this,” Turning back to the mafia boss, you watch him pull out yet another lockbox and set it beside the open one, “Is the bonus for selling the artifacts you did not keep; totaling thirty platinum coins in minted bars.”

“Fantastic.” You can hear Mono make a choking noise in the back as you confirm this, as a sound of approval comes from Owlia and Cylica. Heck, you have a hard time pushing down a smile yourself. It's always good to get bonuses. “It's quite appreciated.”

All this, you can't help but gloat a little, as your mental link opens. *“So how's THAT for a job well done?”*

**“Haaaave to admit, I'm impressed! Talk about a coooooomeback tour! You and your little squaaaadron certainly raked it in on this one!**

“Ladies,” Snapping your attention back into reality, you look to where the Don is smiling at you all, “I’d like to speak for all members under my jurisdiction when I say that, whether for business or pleasure, you are all more than welcome with the Shirahoro branch of the Genovese family. I wish you all good luck in the future, and do try to spend that money wisely.”

For all the hassle...this was more than worth it. “Don't worry. We’ll treat it like it's our lifeblood. Pleasure doing business with you.”

With that, the five of you vanish out of this reality, well on your way back home.

[4/5]

I'm disappointed that we didn't get any of the stealth gear commissioned that I wanted.

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>>2719501

[5/5]

>”Hey, John, what happened to Dutch last night?”

>”Mmm… Not too sure about that. I’ve still got his guns and knife, so he couldn’t have gotten into too much trouble.”

>”Still, with everything that’s happened, don’t you think we should make sure he’s alright?”

>”Eh, it’s still… seven-twenty? I’d give it until noon to start worry. Worst come to worst, I’ll go check in with Sun if he’s gotten his ass locked up.”

>”I gue- Uh, who’s knocking on your door this early?”

>”No idea; I’ll be back in a minute.”

…

>”Alright, alright, who the he- Dutch? Dude, the hell happened to you last night?”

>”I’ll tell ya later; just let me in!”

>”Wha- What the hell did you get up to now?”

>”This ain’t the time, John! This is… This is like ‘that’ time again!”

>”...You stupid fucker. Get the hell inside.”

>”Thanks, thanks, I-”

>”JOHN!! JOHN! John!”

>”Naofumi, do you have any idea how early it is? Someone’s gonna call the Daimyo if you don’t quit yellin’.”

>”I don’t give a shit, ya bastard. Where’s that cocky shit of a friend of yours?”

>”Who, Dutch? No idea, haven’t seen him since last night. Why, what’s wrong?”

>”What’s wrong? What’s wrong!? I caught the bastard sneakin’ out of Sarah’s room, that’s what the fuck is wrong!”

…

>”Put the damn spanner away; I’m not the one who fucked your daughter.”


>ARTIFICER QUEST PART 20 END

>>2719511
Dutch isn't the one who slept with our apprentice?

The way he says it makes it sound like someone did, and now I'm curious.

>>2719501
>totaling thirty platinum coins in minted bars.
>40 Plat = 120 LMotes
>+
>30 Plat = 90 LMotes
Holy crap, that's a substantial bonus

210 / 5 = 42 LMotes per person
That's almost double some of our previous jobs. Plus major loot. Not a bad haul at all.

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>>2719507

What gear would you have liked? I'm sure Handler and I can figure something out, especially since it isn't an issue for the girls to be able to visit this world.

>>2719511

And with that, the AQxMGFH Crossover comes to an end. It's been one hell of a ride and I'd like to thank everyone from both quests for playing over the last several months. Now, Handler's a bit busy right now, but he'd like me to tell his players that he'll be back in a limited style soon(ish) and he should have a thread up in the next few days; mostly for recap and organization, along with some fat loot.

If anyone has any comments, criticism, questions, complaints, or just wants to meme the shit out the remainder of this thread, I'll be around until we fall off the board to talk to you all. In addition, I'll be on discord and twitter if you prefer to contact me that way.

Now, onto the topic of what the next thread will be/when it will be. A couple of months ago, I promised that I would put out the next part of Dreadknight Quest, and given how I wasn't able to do so that will be the next item on my agenda. I've still got some writing to do for it, mostly stuff for the introduction, but I'm gonna try to have it up sometime this Saturday, July 14th. I hope to see those interested there when it's up.

For those wondering about the next Artificer Quest thread, that'll be next in line after DQ. Those who have been waiting for a proper golem for the last year will be very happy with how this next story arc goes though I am a bit sad to say that AQ will only have two story arcs until it is over.

Cheers everyone, and have a good day/night wherever you are.

>>2719511
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Still though, kinda sad that we didn't get to trade some more stuff at the end. I thought we had more time even after they get paid, but alas.

Now that John's back home and not needing to fight any time though, he is free to completely disassemble everything he got for fully understood blueprints and technologies right?

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>>2719525

Oh, Dutch absolutely did.

>>2719531

The Don believes very much in the principle of rewarding good work. Besides, those fighter craft, including the ones the girls took with them, have a total worth of easily $5 Billion USD; the reward very much matches the items in question.

>>2719539

Yep. Main thing he'll get in the short term is access to Gauss-technology.

As mentioned previously, being able to reverse engineer that Hyperspace Bag won't be happening for another few years.

>>2719532
>especially since it isn't an issue for the girls to be able to visit this world.
I remember Handler saying that going back to previously visited worlds without an active contract is something very difficult to do.

Anyway, with the locals' ability to enchant their equipment, I was hoping for boots with a silence effect for sneaking around, thermoptic camouflage cloaks, a magical silencer for guns, and a clockwork auto-lockpick.

Also a set of combat knives with electricity/tasing enchantments on them that can double as anti-robot and stun weapons would be nice for those times we're supposed to take in a target alive, or we get a bonus for a no-kill run.

>>2719532
>since it isn't an issue for the girls to be able to visit this world.
eh, we've been discouraged from revisiting worlds without jobs in the past; something about the transporting not being cheap. If anons want to consider commissioning something, not a fan personally, we might consider them retroactively made and paid for.

>>2719539
The trouble with locally acquiring stuff for post-job use is it might be upfront cheaper, but the treatment costs more or less balance it out. It'd only really be worth the effort if you could get something unique and valuable. The mana generators, for instance.

>>2719544
If there's a pregnancy scare, can we laugh?

>>2719539
>I thought we had more time even after they get paid, but alas.
Every single job that Miranda has done, as soon as we get the payment, we get beamed out. Why do people think that will change after 8 jobs?

>>2719556
It still takes time for items to lose their cohesion; we can still get 3 to 4 missions out of an unfixed item.
Miranda's swords and mana stone guns, for example, are still unfixed.

>>2719555
>>2719532
Shit, right, the mini mana reactors; we need those. They're more dense power sources than our mana condensers.

>>2719532
I would have liked to have gotten Mono a musical instrument at some point, as well as make that gigantic axe Miranda got enchanted so she could use it without the power armor. Maybe a little cutlass for Jago, and a war fan for Prima, too.

>>2719568
The swords have been treated; they're actually the only things we've had treated.
The guns haven't though, and are likely due soon. Shame we haven't had a use for them since we picked them up, but without an ammo supply it's not surprising. I'm tempted to let them convert; it'd be interesting so see what their stats and costume modification would be. And I doubt they're worth much.

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>>2719559

You're free to laugh either way.

>>2719555
>>2719556

It's probably more of a judgement for Handler, but when we talked about that idea of having people go to this world to research the tech/Blight, he was very much intrigued.

In all likelihood, he set that rule up so that he could keep things moving meta-wise. We'll probably talk about it more, but I imagine that if you do get to visit John it'll be something like a 'shop'.

>>2719555
>>2719568
>>2719574

The only item John wouldn't be able to make easily would be that clockwork auto-lockpick. As for the gigantic axe, Izumi was able to use it with her physical enchantments, so Miranda should be able to do the same.

>>There's nothing to laugh about yet, unless Naofumi demands a shotgun wedding.

>>2719579
>The swords have been treated; they're actually the only things we've had treated.
That sounds right but I can't find when we did it.
And the pastebin has them giving us stat modifiers as if they're Attuned (merge into us when we leave the Intersection), so I don't know.

>>2719579
Pretty sure that since the guns rely on tech more then magic, they won't be converted, even the stone shotgun (as I think that it's because the ammo itself is magical, rather than the shotgun).

>>2719635
Took some digging, but I got it:
Thread 29
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/1296978/#1299317

>>2719662
The conversion isn't related to magic; anything taking offworld eventually Attunes without treatment.
Pretty sure this is intended to keep us from looting worlds dry, especially now that we have our bag of holding.

>>2719678
Thanks for finding it.

>>2719544
>>2719532
>>2719511
>Dutch fucked our apprentice
Ha, god damnnit dutch, now we gotta fix your shit

>Any mention of the word golem
HELL FUCKING YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

>CHAOS ARTIFICER
I don't know what it does, i don't really care, i just know that i want it.

>>2719539
of course we are gonna be dismantling shit

>>2719532
The cross-over was great. Thanks for doing it.

>>2719532
Thanks for doing this crossover it was nice!

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>>2719862
>>2719968

You're welcome to you both; was a blast to run.

>>2719805

>Ha, god damnnit dutch, now we gotta fix your shit

I'd recommend percussive maintenance for this one.

>HELL FUCKING YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

It's been a long time coming.

>I don't know what it does, i don't really care, i just know that i want it.

Yet another consequence of the events of this crossover. Surprisingly a lot of those, but, for reference, there were a number of metaphorical bullets dodged as well.

> pic very much related

>>2720573
noted
agreed
>those last two

Story T, we all love you and handler, really we do. But could you just...........stop scaring us shitless?

And yeah thanks to you and handler for this, it was fun

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>>2720615

But, anon...

You don't even know what the final AQ arc is going to be about

>>2720665
.........I....I need an adult.........And a night light........and cookies.......and a gun.

>>2720672
We're out of cookies.

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>>2720672
>>2720931
...But I AM an adult...

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>>2721014

I am an adult as well, though I suppose I'm the last one you want in this situation.

>>2720672

It's funny, really. I've had the final arc more or less entirely planned out since the train arc and, thanks to the actions you've made and the rolls you've gotten over the course of the thread, you've simultaneously managed to both get yourselves ahead and fucked yourselves in ways that I never saw coming.

Color me impressed, anons.

>>2721355
>you've simultaneously managed to both get yourselves ahead and fucked yourselves in ways that I never saw coming.
Welp... I sure hope it's our choices that were the good, and rolls that were the bad.

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>>2721397

Considering just how many nat 100's John's rolled...