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Oh no, its your greatest challenge yet. A complicated emotional situation that can only be resolved by TALKING! You’re not really sure what to say. After all, you hadn’t really thought much about what is going to happen next. You have been too busy living day by day and fretting over Nathalie. You do your best to choose your words carefully.
”You are my best friend Nathalie. I know we haven’t known each other that long but I cant describe how happy I am to have you here safe. I-I don’t really know what comes next but I would very much like to say with you too.”
”Then its simple!” she breaks in ”J-just promise me right now that you will stay and then stay. There is nothing complex about it.”
You're not sure if you can do that, you don’t want to promise a future that you can't guarantee. Who knows what Jackson's plans are? Plus, how long can you live cooped up here in this castle anyway? You yearn for the outdoors and your heart calls you to adventure. You cant imagine a future without Nathalie, but that doesn’t mean you have to be forever tied at the hip.
”We had lots of fun t-today right? I know I did. I'm going to be here until my arm heals at least. Lets just enjoy the time we have together and cross the next bridge when we get there.”
Looking into her eyes, you can see that you’re saying the wrong thing. She is defiantly not buying into what you’re selling.
Nathalie just releases her embrace from you, and turns over to show you here back. Curling up into a ball you can smell the damage you may have just inflicted.
”I get it, its fine. You don’t want to be trapped here like me. Waiting to get old.”
It hurts because its true. Not that you could ever admit that to her, or even to yourself in this moment.
”I-Its not true! I-I want to be with you very much! Everyday even! You cant understand what I went through to save you. I-I KILLED men to save you! All these injures everything it was all for you. Nothing mattered to me, not even my life, nothing except bring you back to my side. Cant you see that I-... I...”
You don’t know how to finish that sentence.
”Yet you wont say a simple thing like 'yeah, Nathalie. I promise ill stay with you'. Thanks for saving me so I can spend the rest of my life alone in this room I guess.”

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You’re out of words, what else can you say? You are not very good at this, and you are unable to translate your feelings to audible speech. Communication between humans on a deep level is almost impossible between two normal people. So what chance do you have? As your options quickly start to slip through your fingers, you take a gamble and reach out to Nathalie. You slip your hand underneath her body and pull her back towards yourself. She doesn’t resist this at all, quit the opposite in fact. As you draw Nathalie in and spoon her, you can feel her start to gently push back against you in order to fit your contours. Her back pushes against your chest until your shoulders are basically touching. Her butt presses against you until you feel her in between your hips. You instinctively, want to put your hand on her hips. Unfortunately, your left arm doesn’t actually work. So you are stuck relying on your one good arm to hold her tight. She exposes the full length of her neck to you. You cant help but look at it with an intense hunger. [insight +1] “Is this a signal?” you wonder? Does she... want you to... do like in the story? Your legs start to intertwine. You need to calm down, you know this. But Nathalie just keeps pressing back against you, driving you wild. Your body starts to shake as it tries to resist your overwhelming desire to run your tongue up the full length of her neck. Just to see what it tastes like . You are doing everything in your power to stay still but then... She starts to grind against you. Slow fidgets at first, then a full on grind as her butt slides up then back down over and over again [insight +1]. She wants this, take her. She is yours. She is begging for it . Before you know it your tongue has left your mouth and has made contact with her neck. Your eyes roll back into your head as you taste the salt. [insight +1]

Once again Nathalie ruins the moment with her inane prattling
”What if they come back for me Kae? Why did they want me? They killed Mary, and they were in my ROOM Kae. While I was sleeping.”
her sentence ends with a small sob.
Its in that moment that you realize, its been you pressing Nathalie against yourself this entire time. Nathalie doesn’t actually look very comfortable at all as she silently struggles to escape your tight grasp. Your vice grip on her has made Nathalie's breathing quite laboured. How much... How much of her “signalling” was in your head? Why, why did you even want to lick her? You slowly release your hold of Nathalie and a quit rage starts to fill you. Rage at yourself, rage at the world, and rage at anyone who may want to hurt Nathalie.
”If anyone tries to hurt you, ill kill them.”
Even if that person is you?...

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... The next morning you say good bye to Nathalie and make your way over to Jackson's room. You didn’t stay for breakfast, as you couldn’t help but feel incredibly awkward around her. In the light of the morning you felt like your normal self, and everything you did the night before made you feel incredibly embarrassed. Why did you do the things you did? Why did you say the things you did? ”If anyone tries to hurt you, ill kill them”? What a violent thing to say. You don't want to kill anyone! You’re still dealing with the guilt from killing the people you have killed already! The right move is to simply run away with Nathalie if danger rears its head. Maybe spending the night was a REALLY bad idea. But on the positive side of things, it was the most relaxed rest you had since this whole adventure started. You didn’t wake up with any of your signature headaches or anything. You can even remember your dream today! You remember resting snugly next to a BIG blue cat. Turns out that your dream self was sleepy too. Additionally, Nathalie didn’t seem awkward or anything so that’s a plus, she seemed as well rested as you. Although, as you have come to learn, Nathalie seems pretty good at hiding her true feelings.

After enough intentional procrastination, you find Jackson's room. You can feel the BROODING atmosphere from all the way out here. You give the door a knock, but you get no answer.

>what do?

>>3450737
barge in, hopefully Jackson is indecent too

>>3450737
Just open the door and walk in

>>3450737
Call out

"Jackson, it's me, I'd like to talk"

If he doesn't answer or open the door, we get in

>>3450737
Knock again, call his name, wait for a bit and then get in.

>>3451266
this

damn, the hound is too dangerous, he wants to eat Nat too, we have to ask Jackson about it, he must know something since he has that helmet entity inside him too making he do things he may not want

>>3451266
+1

>>3451266
+1

So if Nat presses the us staying with her issue we might want to confess that we're possessed by a neck biting spirit and almost killed Jackson already. We're not safe and need to be exorcised.

>>3453755
yeah, that might be the case, we almost attempted neck biting her too. I think we should ask Jack about this stuff, he obviously knows more than us about it and it may help us decide how to deal with the spirit

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You give the door a silent tap. When no one comes to answer, you give it another, louder, knock. Yet again, no answer. Perhaps he is not interested in talking... None sense! He just doesn’t know its you. Knocking even louder you call out to Jackson through the door. ”Jackson its me, Kae, your lovable spunky companion that you would never want to hurt. I would like to talk” . Still no answer. You press your ear to the door and try to give a listen to whats going on in the room. When you hear nothing, you decide to take this investigation to the next level. [rogue] You give the door knob a courtesy turn to find it, as expected, locked. Kneeling down, you take out the picks you had prepared and get to work. The make of the lock is the same as Nathalie's, so it doesn’t take you any time at all to break in. With a gentle push the door gives way.

Before stepping in you wonder if Jackson could possibly be as “indecent” as Nathalie was. This possibility spurs you onward instead of slowing you down. As you step into the room you find... no one. The small room is empty of persons. [insight: 4]Yet you know Jackson was here recently, you can SMELL him. That old fragrance of blood, iron, and contained rage that you have gotten so familiar with. But you also smell something else... you smell... eggs? Turning your head you see a fresh breakfast platter sitting on a table near the door. Its much like the one you would have gotten to eat if you weren’t in such a rush to get away from Nathalie. It sure smells good and from the looks of it Jackson hasn’t eaten any of it.

Closing the door you wonder what to do with yourself. Jackson was clearly here and he will probably come back. You know this because all his stuff is still here. Everything except his sword. On further examination of the room you notice that Jackson's bed has been made and all the covers have been removed. What ever maid brought Jackson's breakfast seems to have also prepared this room to be left vacant by the end of the night.

>what do?
>wait for Jackson
>try to find Jackson by sniffing him out
>look through Jackson's things, specifically look for his helmet and examine it.
>eat Jackson’s breakfast before he gets back
>write in

>>3454936
>look through Jackson's things, specifically look for his helmet and examine it.
What could go wrong. Also,
>try to find Jackson by sniffing him out

>>3454936
>try to find Jackson by sniffing him out

Anything we do here would be something that Kae wouldn't do and it would further increase her insight, sniffing people never did that so let's find him.
It appears he was trying to escape without telling us

>>3454936

>try to find Jackson by sniffing him out

Welp, now we'll have to convince him to stay until our arm heals, damn this dude.

It's funny how outgoing possessed Kae is, shame she has a neck biting fetish when she is like this.

Also, I think by now the Hound knows that it goes away when he touches Jackson so he will probably try to avoid that.

>>3455026
Touching the helmet will just burn our hands man, let's not do it, the Hound is not that dumb....I think

>>3454936

>try to find Jackson by sniffing him out

>>3454936
try to find Jackson by sniffing him out
Je might be trying to kill himslf.

roll me a 1d20

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>3455463

>>3455515
nicu

>>3455515
Finaly a good roll here for once

>>3455565
finally anon, finally
>>3455541
do you need more or we're good?

>>3455814
He did say "a", singular

>>3455814
Finally, we made it. The DC..

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>>3455051
Reminder, Kae has held Jackson's helmet in her hands just fine in the past. She even had a vision once when smelling it. She got burned by it only that one time when Jackson himself was giving off extreme heat.

With the current state of Jackson's bed, you get the feeling that he may be trying to leave without saying goodbye. Damn him! Now you are going to have to convince him to stay until your arm heals. That man is such a bother, so damn headstrong. [female] But you can change him, you just have to rough it out for a bit. Then slowly, over time, make him see how his actions make things more difficult for everyone. Especially you! Staying here until your arm heals is whats best for the both of you. Now you need to make him think its his idea.

Taking a seat on his bed you try waiting for him a bit. [rogue] But after just four minutes you are already fighting the urge to look through his things. After all, what could go wrong? “Everything”, you realize. You could burn your hands on his helmet. you could get caught. you would be betraying his trust. But what else can you do? “You could sniff him out”, the thought bubbles up from a curious place in your mind. Its a skill you have seemingly started to have, yet you are not sure where exactly it comes from. You also don’t understand why sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. Is this a skill all people gain when they are older? You remember your uncle always had the ability to predict rainfall several hours before it started. He would say the feeling came from his bones. Maybe this is something like that? Thinking more about it, you also recall Jackson and Oleg were the only other people that you have SEEN specifiably trying to smell things out.

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Having just about enough THINKING you decide to go about DOING. Getting off Jackson's bed and taking a seat on the ground, you close your eyes and try to centre yourself. Then you start taking in deep breaths of air. In... and out... IN... and OUT... [insight:4] You can definitely smell Jackson immediately. He is everywhere in this room in fact. He was also outside, and down the hall... and... Those eggs sure smell good... Soon you find yourself not able to concentrate. The rumble in your stomach, and Jackson's scent being so overwhelming and near by, makes it very hard to triangulate where he could be. Getting off the ground you head over to the window, opening it you stick your head right out and start sniffing. Much better, from here you can get a better read on his location. He was... you take many small quick sniffs, he was here then he left the fortress and... then he came back. Oh yes, you can smell him. The real him, not a lingering odour. He is... close, very close. In fact he is...

”Kae” a voice calls out from behind, breaking your trance and making you jump. The scare is enough to almost send you right out the window. Looking back into the room you see Jackson closing the door behind him and resting his sword on the wall. I guess its a good thing he didn’t catch you looking through his stuff. ”so, you just let yourself right in?. [CHA:success] Examining Jackson’s face he looks a bit flustered, its not an expression you have seen him wear before. You suppose he doesn’t like people invading his personal space.

Jackson's current rageometer: [3/10]
>what do?

>>3457047
>Tease Him
>"Enjoying the view Jackson?"

>>3457047
Thought il come and talk with you since i heard you wore sulking and having been to see me or nat.

>>3457047
I wanted to talk with you, about what happened, and a few other things that I noticed happening to me and you might know what it is.

But first, thank you for helping me save Nat, and saving me at the end, it was difficult, in a lot of ways, but we did it.

>>3457055
This.

>>3457047
Thank him for helping us get Nat, say that we know it must have been very difficult to ignore the bad man on the helmet.
Speaking of him, who is inside the helmet anyway?

Time to get serious,but not angry, I'm tired of not knowing anything

>>3457047
Backing
>>3457077
With a small side of "I didn't want you to leave without me"

>>3457436
this

ask him to eat his food too, it's getting cold, if he says he won't or if he's not hungry, Kae should eat to not go to waste, yeah, because of that, not because she's fucking hungry

>>3457055
>>3457436
Both of these

>>3457047
Ask for some of his breakfast

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Then it hits you, the sudden realization that Jackson wasn’t flustered because he found you in his room. No, it was because he was admiring your butt! You didn’t think about the stance you were taking when you were trying to sniff him out. But now that you look down at your body, you quickly come to realize the lewdness of your pose! And him walking in gave him the perfect view! Unbelievable, your uncle was right, the best part of a woman is her rump and ability to cook! You disregarded the latter but the gods?/spirits? have seen fit to grant you with a undeniably firm and round butt to make up for it. Up until this very moment you had started to perceive Jackson as a lost cause. But now, that fire has been possibly reignited. He treated you like a child, and you supposed he saw you as one too. But as of today you are sure he at least SEES you as a woman. Stick up his butt Jackson has lewd thoughts too, you never would have thought it possible. Damn everything else, you simply cannot let this opportunity to tease the mighty infallible Jackson slip you by. Licking your lips you subtly arch your back even further, ”Enjoying the view Jackson?”. A look of shock and confusion crosses his face immediately, as if you had just accused him of murder.
”What? No I- “, his innocent face quickly turns into a scowl [rageometer +2]
”Stop acting like a god damn child”
But you are not done yet, you got him on the ropes and you believe that perhaps Ser Jackson Stonewalls protests just a little too much. So you put your butt out just a little bit more in his direction.
”You can touch it if you want too, I don't mind... If its you”, you do your best to look and speak sexy, but on the inside you are breaking apart. Your relationship has always been so serious up to this point, and you just cant let this sweet moment go.
”come on, come on, just reach out an-”
The last thing you expected was to feel Jackson's hand on your ass. But here it is, the MADMAN actually did it.
”J-J-J-J-J-J-J-JAAAACKK???” your face turns a bright red as you feel his rough hand give your butt a squeeze. You are absolutely frozen with shock. “IS-IS THIS HAPPENING?” you think as your mind races. “IS HE ABOUT TO DO THE SEX ON ME???” is your last thought before Jackson gives you a hard push and sends you right out the window, and falling to the earth below...

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... You land on your good arm and have a small tumble as you hit the earth several feet below a fraction of a second later. You didn’t have far to fall since Jackson's room is only on the first floor. The damage to your ego is greater then the damage to your person. You quickly get up and see that your tumble was noticed by a few giggling women. There is nothing worse then being laughed at by strangers, you have to ESCAPE. Turning back to the window you were just pushed out of, you hope to climb back in. Unfortunately, Jackson stands firm and blocks your path. A smug look of satisfaction disappears from his face so fast that you barley believe you saw it in the first place. His eyes scrutinize your broken arm, and he reaches out to touche your cast.
”What happened to your arm?” [rageometer -1]
You wiggle your broken arm at him as best as you can.
”One of the bandits hit me with his mace and broke it, you were THERE. Can you let me back in now?”
He continues examining your arm with a stone faced expression that you are far more used to.
”Alright, but no more of THAT kind of humour.”
You nod your head in agreement and he picks you up, then places you back into the room. Not that you needed his help or anything.

You take a seat on the floor and slouch out of view of the gawking women. Jackson takes a knee next to you and starts to brush off some of the dirt and grass that now clings to your clothing. ” A battlefield is a very dangerous place, maybe your arm will teach you some prudence.” As Jackson seems to lose himself in examining your other wounds and pulling a leaf out of your hair. You silently examine him as well. You saw Jackson get stabbed numerous times, you have even seen him bleed from those wounds. God damn it, you even SHOT HIM with an arrow on accident. Yet he looks completely fine, there is no stutter in his step, no pained movements. The man shows no signs of any injury what so ever. After several moments of silence the two of you manage to speak at once ”Jack I-”.
”listen Kae-”.
More awkwardness...
”Are you hungry? Have you eaten?”
”No, not yet. Are you going to offer me your breakfast? Aren't you going to eat it?”
He gets up and returns with the breakfast plate.
”I have already eaten recently”
[Bushmen] You have lost much of your apatite, who could eat now? Yet you cant stand to see the food get thrown away, less then a month ago you were starving and everyday was a challenge just to sustain yourself. There is no way you could just let this fine protein rich meal waste away. So you start to eat it in silence, while Jackson just stares out the window and basks in the sunlight.

Halfway through your meal Jackson starts to talk with you, well, maybe not so much AT you as just talks NEAR you. [rageometer -1]”Something, feels off. I don’t know what it is but something is wrong, I can sense it in my bones, in every fibre of my being. I feel like the reality we are in now isn’t the right one. Something was supposed to happen or I was supposed to do something. But it didn’t happen, or I didn’t do what I was supposed to. I haven’t been myself the last week. Even today I feel... misaligned.
But how can that be you wonder, you saved Nathalie with Jackson's intervention. You cant think of things turning out any better then they had. You put the tray down and stand next to Jack. You gently place your hand on his bare shoulder. It feels oddly cold, the heat that usually radiates from him, even on the coldest of days, is absent.
”That cant be right Jackson, You saved Nathalie and you saved me! What else could you have done? It was hard fought but we did it together”
His brow contorts into a frown. [rageometer +1]
”We? I saved your friend and I saved you. I killed, and I killed, and I killed for you, all YOU did was shoot me in the back”
Oh god, he remembers that. [rageometer +1]
”And for what? What was the point of all that killing? To save one person? I fucked something up, I can feel it. And now I’m being punished, I have wanted from the path because of you and now I cant even feel the warmth of the sun on my skin.”[rageometer +1]
The speed at which Jackson seems to be getting angry is alarming to say the least. You do your best to calm him down. With your good hand you hug Jackson's arm and place your forehead on his shoulder.
”R-regardless im very very thankful for everything you have done for me. And you came for me remember? I did my best to lead you, I don't know what you were supposed to do im sorry.
He seems to be calming down, or at least is not getting any angrier.
”Those bandit were killing people, you rescued and saved many people not just Nathalie with your actions. I know it must have been very hard for you to ignore the bad spirits in your helmet.
He slowly turns his head to face you. [rageometer +1]
”what”

You try and get serious, you have to confront Jackson about what is happening. Not just to him but to you as well. You do your best to explain your interpretation of events.
[bushmen]”The bad spirits in your helmet Jackson, when the earth gets-”
Jackson definitely has no interest in listening to you. He pulls his arm free of your weak hold.
”What pagan blasphemy are you spewing at me now you accursed witch, what devilry do you whisper into my ear?
Jackson is starting to look VERY scary, you start to back away from him. Its hard to imagine that just a few moment ago you were having a small laugh at his expense.
”Is it you? Are you what is out of place? Are you the blight that I was meant to burn clean?”

Jackson's current rageometer: [7/10]
>what do?

>>3459199
>"I'm sorry about teasing you like that, I didn't want to make you upset."
>Start crying a bit

>>3459199
Oh gezz i mean nornaly i would be in the woods but I'm no witch, i cant do anything
Idk if we cant talk him down we can always hope out of the window and ran/ scream.

>>3459199
>"No."
>Leave

>>3459199
>"I care about you Jackson"
>"I made a promise to myself that I would be by your side no matter what."
>"If I was a witch I would have asked you to cut me down a long time ago."
>"I don't want to see that helmet turn you into a monster again."

>>3459199
Ok Jackson has autism about him being magic let's never bring this up again, I think Jackson may be a lost cause.

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Uuuuuuhh, maybe Ill need to do a vote on this one.

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>>3459199
only 7/10? pffft

>"Who are you calling a witch
>Ser. stewpot wearing
>tantrum throwin'
>crimson dyed
>manure smelling
>trunk swinging
>troll kissing
>red thumbed
>austistic
>arbalest stealin'
>head twistin'
>poignard suckin'
>witch burning
>retard"

>>3459199
It came for me, don't you remember? You came to my prision and set me free, but at the time you called me Hound, the bad spirit didn't seem to want to kill me, he seemed to want my help.

>>3459199
Say

>Apologies for being dumb, armor doesn't make people do bad things! People just do violent things in armor, which made me think for a second that the helmet was bad. Sorry!

>Then burst out crying, and have a meltdown about being weak, and needing Jackson to do anything. If he is getting calmer,

>start apologizing for biting him, while calling ourselves a freak for it. If this doesn't make him RAGE,

>say that we're grateful for Jackson bringing us to the city. After all this is done, maybe we should somehow ask him to train us.

Sorry for wall to text, but we need to calm Jackson down, and Kae letting everything out while being appeasing might just do he trick.

>>3459199
>>3459199
Me? A witch? And what about you? Where are your wounds? How did you recover so quickly?
When I talked with you that night it wasn't you, it was someone else and you know it, and when I took out your helmet I was able to talk to you, so tell me, what are you? And who is that? *pointing to the helmet*

Did we touch his skin? Maybe we should to lose the insight.

>>3459270
You did touch his skin
>You gently place your hand on his bare shoulder. It feels oddly cold, the heat that usually radiates from him, even on the coldest of days, is absent.
You didn't lose insight

>>3454936
>this pic

QM....did you...? are we in....?

Is this what I think it is?

>>3459199
> Your helmet is magic dude. Don't you remember my yanking it off you? Also my bad on shooting you, I was aiming for the other guy but you moved.

>>3459199
Wait, is this rageometer New? It's sure helpful.
>>3459266
Backing this

Im going to close the voting here so I can try and but this all together

>>3459747
I thought it would be a fun mechanic for this conversation arc

>>3459375
Dreamer, you never learn

Rolled 10, 2, 8, 16, 12 = 48 (5d20)

Im actually going to need three 1d20s, you guys are trying to beat or get close to my roll

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>3460759
1

>>3460759
Yamero

Rolled 6 (1d20)

Ok this time with feeling

I did the mean to delete it fuck

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>3460759

>>3460790
the hero we need!

ok now also roll me a 1d20

>>3460848
oh wait, thats 2 1d20s

Rolled 10, 9 = 19 (2d20)

>>3460848
They see me rollin’

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>3460851
why do you torture us so?

here's my 1 for you

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>3460851

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QM notes:
When you met Jackson, he was wearing his helmet. In fact, he wore his helmet through the entire first chapter. He wore it during the encounter with the witch when he went all brain dead murder hobo. But he also wore it when he took care of you, dressed your wounds, fretted over you, confided in you about his childhood, and cooked for you. In fact, the first time you saw Jackson without it was a day after you arrived in THIS town. What you are not seeing in this chapter, is me growing Jackson into a fuller character. This is the character he has always been, you are just learning more about him. Things learned about him in the first chapter, have as much weight as things learned in this chapter. They don't contradict each other.

I just thought this was important to note because I know some people here probably jumped in and didn’t read the archives. Which is fine. I just felt it was information Kae should have about this topic. In case you want to peruse this topic in the future.

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You’re first instinct, is to escape. With every step back you take from Jackson, you put yourself into a deeper corner. You can try out the window but that would be going through Jackson, and the other option is the door. But Jackson would be on you before you could open it. You don’t have your trusty sword, you don’t have your big knife, and your arm is in a sling. Surely Jackson wouldn’t attack you in your current state, right?

”Oh geez, I-I mean normally I l-live in the woods but that doesn’t make me a w-witch! We killed the witch remember? You got her yourself and I lead you there remember? Jackson?”
Jackson stares you down and continues to box you in with every step.
”Sorry for teasing you before I- I don’t think you like me or anything I was just joking. To make you laugh haha”

You see the only way out of this bad situation is to calm Jackson down. Yet at the same time, you cant just keep bowing out every time he gets mad over some little thing. That helmet is HURTING him you are sure of it. You must confront Jackson about it, anything else would be letting him down. Just like you couldn’t abandon Nathalie, you cant abandon Jackson to his possessed armour. Even if that means physical harm to your person. [Occult fascination]Besides, you are tired not knowing what is happening to you. This conversation is a gateway to other questions.

You plead with Jackson to see reason: "L-look at yourself Jackson! Where are your wounds??? How did you recover so quickly? I SAW them stab you! When I talked to you that nigh it wasn't you, it was someone else and you know it! Who are you?"
you point to the helmet
”and who is THAT?”[rageometer +1]

You feel the wall hit your back and you have nowhere else to backpedal too. Jackson has wedged you into the narrow space between the bed and the corner of the room. As he closes the last few steps of distance between you and him, you consider trying to roll over the bed and escape. Yet you stand strong and face Jackson with all the courage you can muster.

”Can't you see that I care about you Jackson?
Your thoughts fall on the young woman who’s head Jackson crushed between his hands
I don't want to see that helmet turn you into a monster again." [rageometer +1]

Jackson pulls back his arm in a telegraphed backhanding pose. You shut your eyes and brace for the impact that never comes. [rageometer -1]
Through grinding teeth Jackson forces himself to talk
”No, you're wrong. There is only me, Im your 'monster'. There is no one else to blame. Just me. I did it all. Just like my Father. It was always ME

Jackson starts to shrink before you as his anger implodes inward. [rageometer -1]

He looks so pitiful, squeezing his sides and almost keeling over. You cant help but extend a hand and attempt to comfort him.
”Bu-but it came for me, don't you remember? You came to my prison and set me free. It attacked the guards and at the time you called me hound. The bad spir-”[rageometer +2]

Jackson slaps your hand away and shoves you hard into the wall, hard enough to knock the spunk out of you but you’re still standing. Before you can recover he pins your wrist to the wall and sticks his finger in your face.
”I came to rescue you, it was my decision to do so. No spirit, no force, just me.”[rageometer -1]

You’re still not convinced, there is still clear evidence that his helmet is related to his mood somehow. But you can clearly see that, true or false, Jackson truly believes that he is in charge. Maybe... Maybe you got it all wrong? You surrender this battle, for now.

”Ok Jack, you know whats best. Im sorry”

You cant help but start to cry. After all, this is a very emotional situation. You don’t want Jackson to hurt any more then you want him to hurt you. And your accusations have clearly hurt him. Jackson seems to be suffering from some kind of trauma, and you trying to bulldoze at the heart of his problem probably doesn’t help. Before Jackson, you were alone, cold, hungry, and every day was more miserable then the last. Even though Jackson has but you into a few battles, life with him has been much better. You always dreamed of being an adventurer, and he has in some ways granted you that life. He has feed you, sheltered you from the rain, and even provided company; such as it is. Without Jackson you would have never even have met Nathalie and you would have never been able to save her. For all his faults he has done much for you. Maybe he is right? Maybe you ARE a witch. These things that have been happening to you, is that what being a witch is?

”I'm sorry I bit you Jackson, I don’t know whats wrong with me. I don't know why I did it, I-I just felt like I had to. My thoughts weren’t my own, it like something was controlling my body. If I really am a witch, then kill me. Just kill me. [rageometer -1]
[insight:4]”You’re not a witch, but you are infected. I know, I can SMELL it on you.“

Jackson brings his nose to you cheek and starts sniffing you like a dog. Moving from your face to your neck and even up your arm. [CHA:Success] You feel him let go of his grip on your wrist. Instead he quietly places his hands on your hips and gently pulls you closer to himself and off the wall. He continues sniffing at you but at a slower less frantic pace.[rageometer -3]

”It sits inside you like a small seed waiting to blossom. Some days, its almost like it isn’t there at all.” [insight + 1]

>>3461302
[insight:5]
[Jackson's rageometer: 4] (if this hits 10 then partys over)

>what do/ say?

>>3461303
>Ask him if he knows how to get rid of it. Maybe we need to be strong enough to repel it, or subdue it?

>>3461303
Also, before I go to bed, I really liked the touch of Jackson trying to calm himself down by telling us, and most likely himself as well, what he believes he did.

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Also, how do you feel about Jackson touching you and sniffing at you? Do you like Jackson being so close to you, or not do much?

>>3461392
I imagine Kae feels a bit nervous over Jackson sniffing her all over, and is probably blushing a little bit in the "IS HE ABOUT TO DO THE SEX ON ME" kind of way. The way Jackson is acting right now seems almost like a curious dog, maybe Kae should pap Jackson to show him he's a good boy?

>>3461303
And how do I control it?

>>3461392
Nervous, he's acting like a dog, but it's also kind of normal? We are able to sniff people out too.
The important part is that he calmed down

>>3461303
Hmm, so he trully believes that there was no fucked up shit going on when he was burning, calling us hound and trying to strangle us later, and when we nabaged to break his trance he was just a tired dude that was not even understanding what was happening.
Maybe he has the same thing we do, an infection, but his is from the positive side and wants him to purge the evil, it's probably activated by his rage or proximity to the evil source too, since when he was calm nothing happened, and he probably doesn't even remember what he did.

for a question I like >>3461365
trying to find a way to control it

>>3461392
Right now I'm kinda afraid he'll do something, he's been nice to us but we never know when he'll turn, but now he's calm so I guess I don't mind

>>3461303
Something along the lines of
>"Im so glad you noticed. I was afraid i was going mad"
>>3461392
Physical contact is always nice. Jackson is more trustworthy than most other people, even if he is a bit scary at times
>Enjoy the moment while it lasts

>>3461392
Nat gets touchy a lot and its very nice, this is nice too, no reason to be alarmed.
She never sniffed us out though, maybe because she's younger she can't do it like Kae and Jack can?

>>3461303
I sense it sometimes, I talk ehat I eouldn't and do what I don't want, how can I make it stop?

>>3461392
Let's file that feeling in the weird but nice drawer

Also backing
>>3461365

>>3461392
Probably best not to say/mention much about it either, dont wanna get thrown out of the window again

all this sniffing begs another question too

"Are you a Hound too, like me?"

>>3461392
It's shit.

Need 2 1d20s

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>3462481

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>3462481

>>3462483
>>3462488
come on jackson, tell us everything

with the rolls we are getting lately we should change our focus from fighting to talking with people

question QM: will we level up after the epilogue? I'm hoping to see if we can grab a perk to mitigate or at least soften the effects or our repeated 1s

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>>3462483
>>3462488
oh geez

>>3462496
Im still thinking about it, but as of right now I dont think so.

Figures we'd get this ridiculous good luck in an epilogue thread lol

No update today friends. I want to spend some more time on the drawing and I have to do some things for me ol'mum today.

>>3462901
sure thing boss, take your time, thanks for the heads up.

>>3462901
Take your time mate, don't rush greatness

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>>3464343

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His words are ominous, but they don’t scare you. Maybe its because they come from Jackson. He is someone you... trust. Even though he can be scary at times, and you never really know where the two of you stand. Its also hard to take what he is saying seriously, when he is sniffing you like a dog. Which is, admittedly, starting to make you blush. Your mind so quickly turns back into lewd thoughts. Even in this dangerous situation, with Jackson literally telling you that you're cursed. You cant help yourself but be receptive to his proximately and weird behaviour. Perhaps its just in your nature to seek companionship, and for others to want to hold you close. You had lived for years without anyone, but now you seem to be unable to live without someone. You wouldn’t mind it at all if he, maybe, pulled you closer.
”So I really am cured? I thought that maybe I was going insane”
”You are going insane, thats how it starts.”
Jackson seems surprisingly calm, and his relaxed posture softens the blow of his words.
”How do I stop it? How do I cure myself”
”No cure, there is only death in your future.”
You sink your face into Jackson's shoulder and It takes him by surprise. You’re finally communicating, and you are starting to see why he, maybe, didn’t want to explain things to you in the first place. Its possible he was trying to protect you.
”How do you know all this Jackson? Are you sick like me?”[insight +1]
”Yes, I have been suffering from this illness for a long time.”
[CHA:Success] Jackson takes firm hold of your legs and lifts you onto the bed. [rageometer -1] You can sense the anger leaving him. He is much more relaxed now then before. Since you offer no resistance, Jackson seems to be letting himself absorb your good vibrations unhindered. You wonder if you should reach out and touch him or give him a pat on the head. But you worry that you may trigger him again. So you simply sit still and let him press against you.
”Why did you have to go and follow after me? I told you to stay Kae, why didn’t you listen?”
You’re sure that its a rhetorical question. Not that you are prepared to respond anyway.[occult fascination] Making him mad would be counter productive when you are finally getting so many answers.
”How do I... Control it?”
”you figure that one out. You tell me”
”How do YOU control it?”
”I don't, my Lord Solar has simply graced me with a path to redemption. I atone for my sins by acting as his tool and burning out the taint wherever he wills to send me. Sometimes that means snuffing it out while its still just a spark. This is the first time I have failed him. I don’t know what I was supposed to do.”[rageometer +2]
In a small reversal of roles, Jackson rests his forehead on your shoulder.

[insight:6]
[Jackson's rageometer: 5] (if this hits 10 then parties over)

>what do/ say?

>>3466423

Well, we know what he was supposed to do, he was supposed to kill Ratko, but Ratko help us fight and even tried to rescue us, I don't want to rat him out.

"sometimes I feel like hurting people, like I hurt you that day, I don't want that, before, if I touched you, it would go away, but now it doesn't.
Can you ask him what to do, will he guide you?"

>>3466423
"And if...no..when your lord tell you to kill me?"

>>3466480
-minimal meta/power gaming
Kaes level of insight doesn't have direct causation to the weird way she is acting. You had 0 insight yet still wanted to put your friends fingers in your mouth. Your insight levels only effect how hard it is to control your cravings.

>>3466419
>"I want to help you in your quest, Jackson"
>"Could we sit like this, just little longer?"

>>3466423
Now is the time to give our friend head pats, he clearly needs them, pet the top of the dog's head and tell him he will figure it out.

>>3466621
This.

>>3466423
Headpats for punished Jack, he's a good boy at heart.

Ask him if he needed to kill someone like us?
Can we sniff Ratko out? We should try that.

>>3466621
This.

Is anyone around to roll me some CHA d20s?

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>3470986
Time for me to fuck this up.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>3470986
>>3471067
And I’m posting on a different IP since nobody else is here.

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>3470986

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>3470986

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”Where you supposed to slay someone like me?”
”I don't know, my enemies aren’t always a 'someONE'. I just remember the SMELL, this time it was made by a 'someTHING'.”[rageometer +1]
Jackson starts to squeeze down on you, as he gets angrier he uses you as a outlet.
”I HATE the smell of it, it just makes me so damn ANGRY. Just thinking about it drives me INSANE.”[rageometer +2]
As Jackson starts to rage out at unseen enemies, he becomes blind to the pain he is starting to cause you. Soon, you are forced to let out a loud cry to remind him just who he is clamping down on. [rageometer -1]
”Im Sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you like that.”
Jackson tries to back away from you, but you don’t let him go. You cling onto his shirt and pull him back, something he accepts with reluctance. When he is close enough you pull down his hood and start patting his head as if he was a dog.
”I’m not that fragile Jack, I just didnt want you to lsoe focus. Also, im sure you will figure out what your supposed to do. I believe in you”
Jackson doesn’t seem to take too the petting, but he doesn’t seem adverse to it either.
”uuuh- unless you’re supposed to kill me! Then I hope you never figure it out- ee hehe.”
You have a good idea who Jackson may be looking for, and that person is Ratco. Yet you find yourself unable to tell him. What if you’re wrong? If you tell Jackson about Ratco does that mean he's going to kill him? Will that be on your hands? You decide the best thing to do is keep quit for now and maybe try to sniff Ratco out later. Maybe investigate the situation yourself first to make sure you’re not condemning an innocent man. Jackson almost attacked you, his most loyal companion! Who knows what he may do to a eccentric stranger.
”Jackson, what are you going to do if... 'when' your lord tells you to kill me?
Jackson sighs
”I tried to explain it to you countless times but you just don’t listen. So ill try explaining it to you AGAIN. And please listen THIS time, im not repeating this stuff to you for my own sake. Lord Solar is not MY lord, he is OUR lord, If he directly told YOU to kill ME, then I would expect you to comply. If he came from the sky and told me to throw you into a chasm I would ask how deep. Understand?”
You fanatically nod, but this religion stuff Jack preaches at you constantly has always gone over your head.

”Our Lord Solar, or 'King Crimson ', is the head of the pantheon and has power over everything. He is the great grandfather of our entire race, he personally created the lower pantheon of gods to guide us, and is personally responsible for pretty much every good that has happened in your life. Everyday that goes by with pagans like you not praying and thanking him for banishing the darkness every morning, makes me SICK. But I DIGRESS, because im already losing you.”
”So im supposed to worship him and he will save me?
”DONT interrupt. And no, Solar holds dominion over many things, but the act of redemption is something he takes a personal hand in. I can already tell that isn’t for you. I have been HOPING that if you PAYED ATTENTION to the lessons I have been trying to give you. Maybe then, through one of the gods, you can find your own salvation.
Jackson seems satisfied with his explanation, but then thinks back on it and corrects himself
”Im not telling you to not worship our Lord Solar, im just saying that while worshipping Sol you can also be worshipping other gods. But not your fake pagan gods, the real gods. Ok? Good. [rageometer -1]
You don't buy it. If the air spirits don’t hold up the sky then what prevents it from falling? Its just illogical.
”Of course Jack, sure thing.
”The things I have been trying to tell you since we started travelling together, have importance. You must do as I tell you, and trust that I have your best interest at heart.”
”Well... Why didn’t you just explain all this to me right away? Why are you so vague about everything all the time?”[CHA:Fail][rageometer +3]
”I do it to keep you safe, you damn brat. Just TALKING about it gives IT power, me EXPLAINING this to you has made you sicker. You incept the darkness into their minds when you speak of the horrors that are now in yours. I can SMELL it growing in you even now. It propagates through you, and infects the people around you. It makes those you infect act CRUEL, it warps the earth and enrages the beasts. It sickens the world around you until you cant open a door without finding a practitioner of the foul magic.” [Permanent insight +1]
Jackson seems right at the tipping point, so you say nothing. You don’t even move. He takes your face in his hands and forces you too look him right in the eyes.
”You at least did that right? You at least didn’t tell anyone about what you saw in those woods that night, right? I told you specificaly not to tell anyone and you listened RIGHT?”
Oops, you did. An entire tavern full of people in fact. Your first instinct is to lie but you know you’re going to get caught if you do
”uuuuhh... “[rageometer +1]

[10/10]
Jackson's eyes close and he seems to be quite literally, frozen with rage. You slowly slide your face out from between his trembling hands. Jackson starts to look like a volcano that is about to burst, as his whole body starts to vibrate. You take this as your cue to exit stag left and climb right out the window.

”KAE, we are leaving TOMORROW. I can delay no longer. Meet me at the castle gates by sun up.”

As you make your way back towards your room, you soon hear the sound of muffled screaming and splintering wood. The sounds start to draw a crowd as you move further and further away from the epicentre...

Pick one and only one.
>Go with Jackson
>Stay with Nathalie

>>3471417
>Stay with Nathalie
>Take what he said to heart and try praying to Solar (even if it won’t do anything, it’s the thought that counts).

>>3471412
>Stay with Nathalie

Until our arm heals at least, ask him where he is going.

>>3471417
>>Go with Jackson

I really hate the idea of going but there's a few points I think Kae can reach the conclusion to go

First, after last night I think we saw and remember how we felt around her, we wanted to hurt her and if what Jack said is true it will only get harder to control ourselves, and even if we don't hurt her, we may infect her like we are right now.

Before going tho, tomorrow morning we should ask Jack what will happen to the people here, if he sais they are doomed like he said for the ones of the previous village, we should just turn back and stay, to try and save Nat of the incoming doom.
If we end up going we should say our goodbyes to her and tell her we will try to visit as soon as we can, and we will write for her every chance we have, she is our best friend and gave us the best memories we have until now
Give her our knife, we won't be here every night to protect her but that knife always protected us, so if someone tries to enter it will help protect her too,

>>3471545
oh, and steal [rogue] a book about Jackson's gods, maybe we can find one that suits us like he said, not that Solar asshole tho, that guy seems like an ass

>>3471545
Well, I'm still undecided, I'm worried she'll die off screen like a chump from some bullshit if we just up and leave

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>falling for the lord solar meme

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>3470986

>>3471417
>>Stay with Nathalie

>>3460857
>>3471417
>King Crimson
Imma be honest Jackson, your god makes no sense.
Anyway:
>Stay with Nathalie
I don't feel like getting strangled in my sleep by this madman.

>>3471417
>Go with Jackson

>>3471417
>Go with Jackson
I think we are more likely to die if we dont follow him

We should probably tell him about Loki and what he did to us when Jackson calms down

>>3471417
>Go with Jackson

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Im going to leave this open for longer today because its a big decision and I want everyone to vote.

Tomorrow ill but out the final update and end the chapter

>>3471417
>Go with Jackson
Apologize to Nathalie maybe, before we leave. like tell her that she wouldn't be safe around us.
>>3471732
also,
>implying he wouldn't strangle us before he leaves, because we're be a danger.

>>3471417
>Go with Jackson
Maybe tell him we got taken advantage of, and were intoxicated when we told people we killed a witch? Also we should preface it with saying we know that it probably doesn't matter, but we want to tell him.

>>3474839
>>3472166
>tell Jackson Loki molested you

to what end?

>>3471417
>Stay with Nathalie

>>3471417
>Go with Jackson
His rage is maxed out, I want to see if we can break the limit.

That was just for the conversation arc, Jackson's rage has no upper limit

>>3476033
I'm sure that there's a physical limit to the anger chemicals his brain can produce and absorb.

>>3471545
Well, after giving it some thought I get your argument, but I'm still too afraid of her just being killed off so I'm going with
>Stay with Natalie.

But even if we end up going with that psycho I would like to at least say our goodbyes and tell her we will write her about our travels, maybe tell her were we are going so she can write back too, she is the first true friend we have and I'd feel like shit if we at least didn't try to visit her in the future.

>>3475172
Th reason is to explain why we blabbed about killing a witch. ie, because someone was trying to take advantage of us.

>>3476161
That makes sense, and he did meet loki when we were in town.

>>3476123
I get it, I could not give two shits about jackson at this point but I really believe that leaving is the best for Nat, we are building up insight like crazy and the Qm said that the more we have the more difficult it is to control ourselves, until we find a way to reduce insight or keep it in check we are a danger to her.
I'm sure she noticed we get strange some times, if she can believe us that we are trying to get better and will visit when we can that would be nice, but sending letters is something I want to do, yes.

Yea guys if we stay with nat we're gonna literally eat her

>>3476161
Thats not how that went down. Things only went downhill AFTER you told that story, up until that point you were having a great time.

>>3476187
Jackson never met Loki, he only saw him when you found Loki bleeding out.

>>3475172
As a means of justifying what we did. First time around alcohol and friendly faces.
Important to do when he has calmed down tho, while showering him how sorry we are about it

>>3476650
Oh yeah, I forgot the fucking retard monkeys who were playing back then were crying about some dumb fucking character jackson strangled for helping a magic user. Oh and how they decided to hate him because "muh waifu" they only knew for two paragraphs, so they decided to ignore what Jackson said, despite him being the expert on this shit. God I hated that shit. I wish we could retcon that entire event of us spilling the beans as drunken bad memory.

>>3477030
Oh yeah here's a good idea. We hadn't been around people before, and thought we could be friends, and that killing a "horrible evil" as Jackson was always calling it, would be a good conversation starter. Showering him with our regret is a good idea, but maybe slip in a carefully as possible, that even though he wanted to protect us, it caused more damage for him not to tell us the whole truth about the demon

>Go with Jackson

That way lies adventure

Its hard to be totally alone on the fortress grounds, yet you still manage to find a nice bench to sit on and recline. Even though you are forced to sit next to a man peeling an apple, he doesn’t seem to want to bother you if you don’t bother him. You find yourself facing the sun, Sol's warm rays are nice on such a cold day. After a few moments of rest, your mind starts to digest everything Jackson told you. “Meet me tomorrow morning” he says, thats pretty damn brutal. [Hunter] its late into autumn now, if you had to guess Jackson is probably worried about the coming snowfall. If you stay here too long then its quit possible the two of you could be trapped by snow on the road. [Bushmen] Normally its around this time that the Bushmen would gather together deep in the woods. Although you’re not sure if there are any bushmen left, if last year is anything to go by. For all you know, you could be the last survivor. The hardest part about all this is what you’re going to say to Nathalie? How in the world are you going to say goodbye? You're mind was already made up by the time you snuck out the window, but that doesn’t mean the decision came easy. Wherever Jackson goes, you will follow. [Grand Destiny]You cant help but feel that your destinies are linked together in someway, yet you are unable to guess as to how.

Your growing bond with Jackson isn’t the only thing that made you come to the decision to go. You have felt something eating you up from the inside for a while now, Jackson has only confirmed your suspicions. What would happen if you suddenly snapped while in Nathalie's presence? Like you did with Jackson... If something like that happens again then at least Jackson will be around to absorb it or stop you. Nathalie may not even survive something like that. You can't lie to yourself anymore, you wanted to do things to Nathalie last night. Now these thoughts make you sick, but last night... ”UUUUGGGGGGGHHHHH” You let out a loud groan as you clasp your face in your hands. The man next to you finches from your sudden outburst but doesn’t move from his seat. You still hoped to have more time with her. Even now, the more time you sit here wondering what to do next, is less time you have to spend with her. Realistically speaking, who knows when the next time you are going to see her will be? You need to process everything Jackson has told you first, to get it out of your head. Then you will go see Nathalie, and wing an apology and goodbye. Yes, that is for the best.

The most interesting thing Jackson told you, was right at the end. “When you TALK about it, you give IT power”. What does that mean? Just explaining to you what the problem was makes the problem worse? How does that work exactly? And why did he get so angry? I mean its Jackson, he is going to get angry. But you were as respectful and as lovable as you could be! Looking back on that night at the tavern, when you got drunk with Loki, when exactly did the atmosphere change? Everything bad that night happened AFTER you told the story, even Loki was being nice before then. Did you infect all those people with your words? Did you infect Loki? If Loki was such a bad guy, then why did he tell you how to find Nathalie? Did he feel guilty about what he did? If so, why would he feel guilty? Its all so confusing... You also wonder if your “infection” has something to do with your lack of dreams and morning headaches. You wonder if Jackson may experience the same problems. You, at the very least, hope he will be willing to discus how to make living with your condition more bearable. Its very importation that you learn everything you can from him. After that, who knows?

...

three hours later you find yourself walking the steps towards Nathalie's room. You still haven’t figured out what you’re going to tell her. But what you do know, is that you cant tell her the whole truth of it. If what Jackson says is right, then that would be putting her in danger and possibly “infecting” her. You know that anything you say is going to sound like “I picked Jackson over you”. But thats not the case! You prefer Nathalie! But you and Jackson are... Complicated. Either way, this is how you want to spend the rest of the day. Here with Nathalie. You cant tell if the guards are the same as from before, they all wear the same heavy armour helmets. Not that it matters, since they don’t stop you from knocking on Nathalies door or prevent you from entering her room.

Nathalie looks pleased to see you, she doesn’t say anything but you can tell she is waiting for news. “how did it go with Jackson” her eyes hungrily ask, “are you going to stay or not?”. Buying time before saying anything, you enter her room and pace around. When you finally muster up the courage to talk to her, you find that she is standing right behind you! The smile on her face is heavenly, one that you would love to protect. Yet you can see it start to slip away as she looks into your eyes and sees the truth.
”Oh”
”Nathalie, im sorry”
She doesn’t seem to be able to look you in the eyes anymore.
”Go, please. Leave”
Nathalie swivels on the spot and turns her back to you
”Wait Nathalie, lets talk”
”Get out of my room, right now”
Her voice is surprisingly calm, yet the venom in her words corrode you from the inside. She cant possibly mean what she is saying right? You slid your arm around her waist and try to hug her from behind
”Nat- please...”
Nathalie immediately loses her composer as you start to touch her, she fanatically fights against you and pulls your arm off her.
”DONT YOU DARE TOUCH ME! GET OUT! GET OUT OF MY LIFE”
You are shocked by her sudden out burst, and you are not sure what to say. As you take a step back, she turns around. You see, accompanying the tears running down her face, both the love and hate in her eyes.
”I SAID GET OUT!”
[STR:3]She tries to shove you but ends up being pushed back herself, while you barely move at all. You can see this only agitates her further, so she starts to pick up things to throw at you! A book, a pillow, basically anything she can get her hands on . [AGI:4] You let some of the softer stuff hit you while dodging anything that may actually hurt. You reach out and grab her wrist in an effort to calm her down, but she just flails against you unsuccessfully. She seems to get more and more upset. Eventually she breaks down all together and falls down to her knees. Speaking through her tears her voice comes much weaker.
”Please just leave, please... please...”
You let go of her arm, and leave her to sob quietly. Walking out her room you gently close the door behind you before breaking into a run; so that the guards don’t see you cry. You run until you find the room that was made ready for you. You fumble with the key and slam the door behind. Then you rummaging through your things. You quickly find the object of your search, your trusty green cloak. Squeezing it tight, you let yourself cry into it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJLNLWv-nmM

...You spend the rest of the day sulking in your room and getting your things ready for tomorrow morning. You are not sure exactly when Jackson is planning to leave, so you want to get up pretty early. You feel generally numb, and your head feels bloated from all the crying. The maid came twice to bring you a lunch and dinner but you refused both. For the first time in your life, you simply cant eat. So when you hear a knock on your door, you expect it to be the maid coming to help you get dressed for bed. Opening your door, you indeed see a maid. Yet this maid is unlike any other maid in this castle, because this maid is Nathalie herself! Dressed in a maid outfit!
”Can I come in? she asks quietly.
In your surprise you had frozen in the doorway. Moving to quickly get out of her way, Nathalie gracefully enters your room carrying a small wooden box. After poking your head out the door to see if anyone had followed her, you quickly shut the door and lock it. You are aware that Nathalie could find herself in quit some trouble if she got found out. Yet, what else could Jeraldo do to her? He already grounded her for life, and you don’t expect him to do anything drastic like cut her legs off.
”When you didn’t come back, I realized I would probably have to come to you.”
You are not sure what to say, now you feel like an idiot for not coming back. Were you supposed to? Did you miss something again? You open your mouth to apologize but Nathalie already shifts topics and presents you with the box.
”This is for you”
Immediately you seek to open it, but Nathalie shuts it on your finger.
”don't open it yet! Its a goodbye gift for later... Open it when you’re on the road ok?”
You hastily look for something to give her in return. Just the thing comes to mind! Your trusty dagger! Your uncle gave you this dagger, but you’re sure that he wold be happy if you gave it away to your very first friend.
”Take this in return Nat, its very special to me and I know it will bring you good luck. If anyone tries to get ya, just give em one of these!
You mimic stabbing some one in the gut with the knife and give it a twist. Nathalie admires the massive dagger after you place it into her hands. Yet soon she makes another request of you.
”Its wonderful Kae, but could I ask you for something else as well?”
”Anything”
”Could you do a self portrait? I would like to keep a picture of you, if thats alright. I hope its not asking to much?”

Not at all, you never felt happier in your life. Positioning yourself in front of the mirror, you start to draw yourself as gracefully as you can. All the while Nathalie watches you build up the structure of your drawing in silence, then awes as you slowly turn it into a semi lifelike representation of the real thing. When you’re done she thanks you for both the gifts. You wonder how she plans on getting back to her room. But when she starts to undo the laces of your pants you quickly start to realize that she has no intention of going back. When she finishes undressing you, she undresses herself. Wearing a similar, yet different, nightgown, she crawls into bed and waits for you with out stretched arms. Inside you worry about how dangerous this could be, but you don’t have the guts needed to tell her to leave. Nor do you want her to, you want nothing more then to place you face into her bosom and die. Following Nathalie into bed, you spend the night locked in her embrace. Although you didn’t feel any strange urges tonight, you did wait for her to fall asleep before examining the firmness of her butt. You’re happy to report that you won at least in that one department...

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...In the morning you sneak out of bed and let Nathalie sleep. Dressing yourself ain’t easy with one arm, but you manage to do it. Its good practice, because you certainly cant expect Jackson to help you take your pants off every time you need to pee. Gathering up all your things, and Nathalies gift box, you sit by the bed and watch Nathalie sleep for a while. You start to second guess yourself so hard, that you decide that you had better get going before it becomes impossible to do so. You lean in and kiss Nathalie on the forehead, then on the nose, before leaving her. Your steps are slow, yet you eventually make it out the door. Everything from then on becomes easier by comparison. You go down into the courtyard then out the gates. Only looking back a few dozen times. You are surprised to find Jackson sitting on a rock waiting for you. You had gotten up pretty early to make sure not to be late but it seems like Jackson beat you to the punch. The two of you don't talk at all...

...That night, after the camp has been set up and Jackson busies himself with dinner. You take to opening the Box Nathalie gave you. Among other things, inside is a bar of soap. You press it to your nose and give it a sniff. Its the same brand Nathalie gave you the night before. With it is a note that reads: “Im happy to see that the soap worked! Maybe it worked to well though, oops. Anyway, just because you are a big adventurer now, it doesn’t mean that you have to smell live one too.” [Gained [Nathalie's Soap], bathing with this soap will give you a +1 CHA bonus for 24 hours. 12/12 uses]. There is also a map of the local region, the page its writen on looks to have been torn out of a book. The final thing in the box is a portrait of Nathalie. The picture is much nicer then one of your own works, its even in colour! Nathalie looks a bit younger in this picture, yet its definitely her. A small inscription has been written into it.

Chapter end

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Thats it boys and girls, what a run it has been. Sorry I took so long putting this out But I have been pretty burned out on drawing / writing / and life for the past few days. Im going to take a month long hiatus to plan out the next chapter. I have some neet ideas but I need to put it all together. I thought Nathalie would win the Kae bowel but that Jackson skirts in a win.

Feel free to leave and questions / critiques / anything at all.

Also, would you guys like a interlude story about a wizard that helps flush out the world and follows in Kaes and Jackson's wake? or would you prefer to go str8 into chapter 2?

As always, thanks for reading.

>>3479354
thanks for running

I mean, we didn't really have a choice, if we stayed we would end up killing her, that's what I understood from it, if there was any other way I would have voted to stay.

will we get that thing about the others and what ifs this time around?

will we be able to write for Nat or even see her again depending on the comings and goings?

>>3479354
Beautiful and emotional scene, made my heart hurt, now we know that Nat really likes us.
Don't worry, we will learn what we can from Jackson amd figure out a waybto control this and them we'll be back.
Jackson will be our mentor in this whole infection business, he seems to mostly function normally so let's see.

>>3479354
Reading that ending almost made me wish we did stay with Natalie. This has been quite an emotional run, I really do hope Kae and Nat can meet each other again some day.

>>3479348
Thanks for running

>>3479354
Do the interlude story

>>3479391
You always have a choice

Sure, I didn't predraw portraits this time so the people you have not met will remain faceless.

You can write her letters and maybe you will meet again, it's a mystery

>>3479403
>>3479443
>>3479624
(/' -')/

>>3479858
Noted

>>3480055
If this whoel quest turns out to be an allegory fro abusive boyfriends that Kae is having in her coma, I'm stalking you and shivving you in your sleep.

'Nyway, good run!

>>3479354
Thanks for running sojourn
The guts theme was a nice touch to the ending of this chapter

Interlude could be cool, it could work as a time-skip of sorts if nothing major happens to Kae and Jackson for a while

Gf broke up with me, this quest is a nice way of forgetting her for some time <3

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>>3482552
>boyfriend
Can love bloom on the battlefield??????

>>3486401
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6LovY_DdEE
Im sorry to hear of your troubles, and im further sorry that there wont be more quest for you to read while youre sad.

But on a good note, the most positive change in ones life can happen after a breakup. You will never be as motivated as you will be when you start to get over her. Do your best to put that motivation to improve yourself to good use!

+ you will always have Kae's buns.

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>>3479354
>mfw I have to wait a whole month until more Dark Fantasy Quest