>>3770032
>>find Wulf and share a meal with him. You still had questions. Maybe he'll know a place to clean up.
What description and tags would you want for the archive?

>>3770032
>>just eat quickly. Maybe you can slip into town without being noticed.

>>3770056
>>>3770032 (OP) (You)
>>>find Wulf and share a meal with him. You still had questions. Maybe he'll know a place to clean up.
>What description and tags would you want for the archive?

Collective game and samurai widow quest should be enough I think.

>>3770032
>>find Wulf and share a meal with him. You still had questions. Maybe he'll know a place to clean up.

>>3770032
>>find Wulf and share a meal with him. You still had questions. Maybe he'll know a place to clean up.
done
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/3755939/

>>3770059
It is done
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/3755939

You took a moment tidy your rumpled outfit as best you could and make sure your swords were neatly fastened at your hip. You hadn't seen any signs that these gaijin had evil designs for you or your babies, but you'd rather be safe than sorry.

For a moment you thought about slipping out into town. But a lone pregnant woman was bound to draw attention, and your coin purse was so light you wouldn't be able to do much. Instead you decided to seek out the big German from the other night.

It was no great surprise when Wulf met up with you shortly after you left the small room you'd been given. He had the observant nature of a fighter. Not wary, but always watching. "Kasumi," he said with a crooked smile. "would you join us for breakfast?"

"we," you glanced meaningfully ar your middle, "would like nothing more."

Wulf laughed and took up position a respectful distance beside you. You could tell he was watching you closely while you decended the stairs, but you'd rested up and didn't need a helping hand this time.

The long tables from last night were more full than not. A good number of Japanese-mostly poor looking peasants-were bent over bowls and plates. They eyed you warily, obviously more interested in your blades than anything. You didn't blame them, not all samurai were as honorable as you.

"Sit," Wulf pulled a chair out for you at the edge of the room, away from the rest. "I'll bring you something, hmm?"

You noticed a ripple of calm among the peasants now that there was a sturdy table between you and them. You decided to allow Wulf to serve you, though you were perfectly capable of doing so yourself.

Wulf returned a few moments later with a plate of bread, beans, and cabbage. "did you sleep well?" he asked, clearly trying to strike up a conversation.

>be polite, but sussinct. Keep your cards close to your chest and don't risk spilling anything.
>be open. He's clearly not a servant of lord Haikon, and you could use a friend.
>do something else (write in)

>>3770074
>>3770079
I have the best players, thanks!

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>>3770108
>be polite, but sussinct. Keep your cards close to your chest and don't risk spilling anything.
>do something else (write in)
Ask how the mission survives and gets along with its neighbors

>>3770108
>be polite, but sussinct. Keep your cards close to your chest and don't risk spilling anything
Ask him if he could accompany us in the town? Carrying a sword everywhere would be too noticeable.

>>3770108

>>3770111
>>3770116
seconding + write-ins

>>3770108
>be open. He's clearly not a servant of lord Haikon, and you could use a friend.

"yes," you said, glancing briefly to your belly. "as well as could be expected under the circumstances." you took a quick bite of the tough bread and quickly changed the subject. "this mission," you asked, "how does it operate?"

You saw a glint in wulf's beady eyes. He could tell you'd changed the subject to be evasive, but he didn't press you on anything. "the church supports us," he said. "some of the brothers have skills to support us with."

You suddenly remembered the arquebus you'd taken from the assassins sent to kill you. You didn't know the first thing about firearms, but they were a gsijin invention. Maybe you could ask someone about that. But later, you wanted to feel out these people first. "the daimyo allow you to work?"

"for the most part," said wulf, "we care for the sick, the poor. We do what they'd rather not be troubled with."

"and when you do more?" you motioned to the cross hanging on a wall. It was a striking idol for something so simple, you'd give them that.

"maybe we ease off. Maybe we spread a little coin around." wulf shrugged. "we're here to do the lord's work on the lord's time."

You nodded. You could appreciate that ethic, though the weigh in your belly reminded you that your work was on a much tighter time table.

"Kasumi," wulf looked sheepish. It didn't suit a man so large and craggy. You noticed him glance at your sword a few times. "ah, it's not every day a pregnant woman with a sword wound on her face rides cross country."

>tell the truth
>lie
>don't answer

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>>3770140
>tell the truth
Fuck it, we should say a little bit at least. That Lord will probably send some goons and maybe offer gold for information about our whereabouts. Better to get them to like us and maybe get an in with our childs claims.
>>3770140
Can you tell us when you're writing and what choice won, QM?

>>3770145
Yeah will do.

>>3770140
>tell the truth
But not right now in front of these other people. Just be vague and tell the whole truth when we're alone and with Wulf and the father.

>>3770151
Support

>>3770140
>>tell the truth

Votes called for "tell the truth, but discreetly"

"No," your said with a wry chuckle. "I imagine it's not." you helped yourself to another mouthful. Your twins had calmed down now that you'd convinced then mama wasn't going on another grueling hike with naught in your belly but very precocious ballasts. You were pretty sure one of them had even fallen asleep. If only you could be so calm.

"I had to run," you said. "run with what I had on my back, lest my life and that of my twins be forfeit."

"your... Husband?" asked wulf carefully. It took you a second to realize what he was approaching. He thought your husband threw you out in a drunken rage. Considering the clientele of the mission it would be an obvious thought, and you could tell he only asked because he wanted to help.

Still your blood boiled at the thought. "my husband is a good man," you all but snarled. "was..." you caught yourself cradling your belly like a drowning man clinging to a scrap of flotsam. "No, three men came to kill me," you kept your voice low so only he could hear.

Wulf muttered a sound of shock and disgust. "who would do such a thing."

"men without honor," you said. "mercenaries probably."

Wulf's face hardened at that. He looked angry and ashamed. His meaty paw closed into a fist on the table. "what will you do next?"

>go into town. You've got a little money, you could at least get some new sarashi, start planning your revenge.
>ask wulf to take you into town, maybe his presence would throw off anyone looking for you
>business can come later, what you really need now is a bath. See if you can find a place to clean up.

>>3770202
>business can come later, what you really need now is a bath. See if you can find a place to clean up.

>>3770202
>ask wulf to take you into town, maybe his presence would throw off anyone looking for you

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>>3770202
>business can come later, what you really need now is a bath. See if you can find a place to clean up.

>>3770202
>business can come later, what you really need now is a bath. See if you can find a place to clean up.

>>3770202
>>business can come later, what you really need now is a bath. See if you can find a place to clean up.

Votes called for taking a bath!

New thread already? Previous one won't die till sometime next week.

"next..."you mused, resting your hands on your belly's northern hemisphere and idly stroking your sleeping twins through your kimono. "next I take the bath I'm long overdue for, as I'm sure you noticed."

Wulf's nose wrinkled. "I wasn't going to say anything, you being out guest and such." he stood, offering you a hand to help you out of your chair.

You didn't need his help, but only just. The hearty gaijin meal was heavy in your stomach and you'd forgotten how pregnant you were. You were more used to kneeling than sitting and you nearly made a fool of yourself.

Wulf laughed. "I'm afraid we don't have a bathhouse like the one in town. It'll take time to heat wstery"

"you needn't worry," you said. "a cool bath would be bracing I think." it was a half truth. You'd bathed in your share of mountain streams before, the cold didn't bother you. But that wasn't the reason a steam bath soured your taste. So soon after being nearly killed in an onsen you'd rather something else.

" you're a hardy woman," said Wulf. He lead you to a room and opened the door without looking inside. There a few good sized wooden tubs, one of which was occupied by a girl.

She was a teenager, maybe a little older. Slim and lithe, but with the wiry strength of someone who worked hard for their living. Her eyes skipped over your belly to your swords. "hello," she said respectfully. "I... I didn't know there'd be others."

Wulf grunted, still carefully not looking at anything. "I'll be out here."

>respectfully ignore the girl. Communal bathing is nothing new to you, you just want get clean.
>talk with her. She's from around here, she could tell you about (write in:subject)
>on second thought, you'd rather head to town.

>>3770236
Isn't new thread per run the norm?

Actually, question for the thread: do you prefer one thread per run or the alternative?

>>3770250
>respectfully ignore the girl. Communal bathing is nothing new to you, you just want get clean.
>>3770253
Threads have 5 days bump limit so it is allowed for qms to make threads every 5 days (the old one was no longer bump able). I prefer that to using the same thread until it gets archived.

>>3770253
We can do it your way if you want, but depending on how often you do run, you could end up filling the board with like 5 of your threads.

>respectfully ignore the girl. Communal bathing is nothing new to you, you just want get clean.

>>3770259
I prefer waiting till they reach one or two pages on the board before falling off.

Thanks, anons. I'll make sure I'm not spamming the board.

>>3770250
>talk with her. She's from around here, she could tell you about (local gossip, town, traders etc)

>>3770250
>talk with her. She's from around here, she could tell you about (write in:subject)
Lord of this town, ships, market, nearby places from here

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>>3770267
>>3770266
>>3770250
This

>>3770250
>talk with her. She's from around here, she could tell you about (write in:subject)
Who runs this town, and which faction they’re affiliated with, local trade and food, that sort of thing.

Looks like talking won. Calling and writing!

Hey QM, how old is the MC? Like 20 or like 26 or...?

>>3770321
I'm gonna bet she's mid 20s mostly because she's strong enough to hike her way in the condition she's in but experienced enough that she's more dangerous with a blade than most.

You're 28, but you're in great shape what with the whole "trained warrior" thing. Kasumi's more athetic five month pregnant (with twins no less) than most of /qst/.

There a limit to her abilies though, her twins are very much a burden.

You set your swords aside, but close enough that you could still grab them in an instant. "hello," you said, slowly loosening the belt tied low around your unmistakable bump. You'd been wearing the same outfit for so long it felt like a second skin. Peeling off your kimono felt like a bath in itself. "I hope you don't mind the intrusion."

"oh. N-no." she stammered, staring at you with wide eyes. You could follow her gaze crawl all over you, taking in you muscles with awe. Your arms, your back, your abs... Okay, your abs went away months ago, but the point stands. She looked at you like you were some kind of war kami. "I'm, I'm Maya."

"Maya," you smiled and slipped into the cool water. The tub wasn't quite big enough and you ended up with your knees breasts and belly breaching the surface like fleshy islands. "it's nice to--"

"are you a samurai?" she cozied up to the edge of her tub. You saw the childlike interest of a simple farm girl.

"Yes, Maya-Chan," you said. Maybe it was your pregnancy supercharging your hormones, but you felt more maternal kindness than annoyance at her simple nature.

"wow," she gasped. "I've heard samurai can cut bullets in half."

If only that were true. "I'm afraid thats--"

"are you having a baby?" Maya flipped from subject to subject with all the focus of a hummingbird. "you look like you're having a baby. My sister had a baby but she was bigger than you."

"Yes, Maya," you said. "I'm having a baby, but not just yet. I have..." you though. Your quest to bring justice to lord Haikon wasn't something you wanted known publicly. You got the feeling Maya couldn't keep a secret if her life depended on it. Unfortunately, your brief pause was all the space she needed to start talking again.

"I'll never have a baby, I don't think I'll ever get married." Small wonder why. "are you married? Your husband must be so"

"Maya!" you snapped.

"sorry," she muttered. The girl might be simple but she knew when she'd crossed a line.

"who rules this town?" you asked.

"oh, lord Kaito," said Maya. "sort of. He's... There's so many people coming and going nobody rules."

(1/2)

Wait... so OP wasn't a faggot and this quest actually did pick up?!

(2/2)

That tracks. Your lord had railed at length about the inability for lord Kaito to involve himself in anything that didn't come in a bottle or come with a skirt. At least that meant the local authorities wouldn't be looking for you.

"This town does trade?" you asked.

"oh, yeah!" said Maya. "big ships all the time. From China, from the west... You ever been to the west? I don't know if I'd want go they smell funny and their food is so strange."

"I haven't" you said, deciding to risk one more question. "what's around?"

"you mean around town?" somehow she starts talking faster. "oh, lots of stuff. Mountains, farms, I think there's an onsen a day's ride from here--"

You winced at that.

"--I've never been though. I haven't been a lot of places. Really just the family fields and stuff."

Great. She was a country bumkin with no knowledge beyond an apparent hatred of silence. You closed your eyes and sank into the water to get this over with.

You were faintly aware of her jabbering on, but you'd done your best to tune her out like a kabuki stagehand while you scrubbed yourself clean.

Finally you hauled yourself from the bath and dried off as best you could manage. Putting on your old clothes partially ruined the way you felt, but you weren't about to walk around naked. "good day, Maya," you said to eye country girl who was somehow still jabbering.

"all done?" Wulf asked.

>I'd like to go into town now, maybe get some clean clothes. (you're strapped for cash, but not broke. At the least you could pick up some new sarashi)
>do you know anything about firearms? (you still have that arquebus from the onsen.)
>write in

>>3770407
OP is kinda a faggot but it turns out /qst/ really wanted to be a pregnant Japanese women

Right now I'm trying to dial in just the right amount of horn to get maximum engagement

>>3770408
>I'd like to go into town now, maybe get some clean clothes. (you're strapped for cash, but not broke. At the least you could pick up some new sarashi)

>>3770408
>I'd like to go into town now, maybe get some clean clothes. (you're strapped for cash, but not broke. At the least you could pick up some new sarashi)
>>3770360
Wow, she old, did she not get married until recently?

>>3770408
>I'd like to go into town now, maybe get some clean clothes. (you're strapped for cash, but not broke. At the least you could pick up some new sarashi)

>>3770408
>I'd like to go into town now, maybe get some clean clothes. (you're strapped for cash, but not broke. At the least you could pick up some new sarashi)

>>3770436
She didn't get knocked up on her wedding night, and I figured anon would be happier playing a more Ara Ara oneesan type than a young mother.

Nothing I wrote specifies her age though I'm open to discussion..

>>3770408
>do you know anything about firearms? (you still have that arquebus from the onsen.)
>>3770414
Gotta mention our breasts more

>>3770449
>She didn't get knocked up on her wedding night, and I figured anon would be happier playing a more Ara Ara oneesan type than a young mother.
My new headcannon is that she got pregnant during ultra angry training sex with her husband that spooked the local wildlife and the servants. And possibly some Youkai as well because holy sweet crispy fuck there are people who get broken bones doing what you two do in the cover of night girly.

>>3770457
>>>3770414 (You)
>Gotta mention our breasts more
Your wish is my command, anon. Pregnancy has done your fighter no sins


>>3770459
>>>3770449 (You)
>>She didn't get knocked up on her wedding night, and I figured anon would be happier playing a more Ara Ara oneesan type than a young mother.
>My new headcannon is that she got pregnant during ultra angry training sex with her husband that spooked the local wildlife and the servants. And possibly some Youkai as well because holy sweet crispy fuck there are people who get broken bones doing what you two do in the cover of night girly.
That seems about accurate, yes.

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>>3770449
Sorry, I just have autism about things like this because Nobles married at like 14-16 and the Japanese used women like slaves basically, as well as having 10 kids as most people in those days did. You're right about the appeal, but if she studied martial arts and had a proper master, she might be wise beyond her years, so to speak, and could be a few years younger, 25 maybe. I'm also autism about biology, which is why I say that. This is obviously a fantastical quest though, so you could easily handwave it and I would not complain about it, just I felt compelled to say something now.
>>3770457
What the fuck dude, everyone notice her breasts being described as islands, but she's pregnant. QM said no lewding preggers

>>3770469
She's a respected female samurai, let alone one still kicking ass while carrying twins, so this is already wildly fantastical.

I could make her younger, maybe 24? Still old enough to be a woman with experience with a blade.

And finally, I said no such thing about lewding the Mc!

>>3770469
I didn't mention anything about lewding anon. I'm just helping the QM write an optimum amount of horny.

>>3770472
Okay, let's settle on 26. She's at the top of the hill and has years of experience but she's not quite losing her youth yet and she'll have enough to defend her kids till they're adults.

>>3770472
You said you didn't want images of pregnant samurai grils that were pornographic, so I just associated that with text, too. Silly me

>>3770483
26 sound good. The perfect mix of youthful strength and experience.

Also calling votes for going into town.

>>3770492
I was grumbling about it being hard to find tasteful images for this quest. I'm not writing porn here, but just because kasumi's preggers doesn't mean she can't find her way into someone's bed...

>>3770504
Hentai!!!! Qm is a pervert

>>3770508
I said hot pregnant sex, not handholding

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>>3770504
Here I tried to draw a pregnant female samurai with boobs holding a solder with those wooden shoes.

>>3770514
Your effort is appreciated!

>>3770514
Sword*

You grunted in the affirmative and reached up to cradle your chest through your kimono. You'd bound your sarashi as tightly as you could bear, but you swore your breasts were growing bigger by the day. You were certain they'd gotten far more tender, and the dirty cotton of your sarashi itched with each breath.

You needed some new clothes. Between the gold you took of the assassins and what little you'd brought with you to the onsen... You probably wouldn't be able to get a complete change of clothes, but you could at least replace the parts riding close to your skin.

"Wulf, I..." the big gaijin was staring at the ceiling with cheeks the color of cherry blossoms. You did just grope yourself in front of him, so maybe that was to be expected. "sorry."

"No need," he said kindy. "I've been on campaign, I imagine it's twice as uncomfortable for you."

You shrugged. Discomfort wasn't something a samurai complained about. Not when there was nothing to be done about it. "I'd like to go into town," you said.

"I'll come with you," said Wulf without hesitation. The big German squared his shoulders. "I'm sure you could take care of yourself, but... After what you told me..." his face went dark like a shadow passed over his soul. "if anything happened to you, uh... I've got enough stains on my soul."

You knew he meant well and took it in kind. "thank you, Wulf." you felt your twins shift inside you. Apperently naptime was over. "from all of us. I was actually going to ask you to come."

Wulf smiled, gratified. "you going to bring those?" he pointed to the blades in your hip.

>yes, bring both. A samurai without her sword is no samurai at all
>leave the katana, take the wakizashi. It's smaller, which means less reach but also it's easier to hide.
>no weapons. You're trained with the naked fist. Even pregnant you're confident in your abilities.

>>3770543
>yes, bring both. A samurai without her sword is no samurai at all
Attach them to a horse so they won't be so visible

>>3770543
>leave the katana, take the wakizashi. It's smaller, which means less reach but also it's easier to hide.

>>3770543
>leave the katana, take the wakizashi. It's smaller, which means less reach but also it's easier to hide.
Isn't the wakizashi like, the true samurai sword or something? I forget its significance.

>>3770543
>leave the katana, take the wakizashi. It's smaller, which means less reach but also it's easier to hide.
>>3770558
Only samurai can carry blades as long as a katana. But wakizashi is the one you use for commuting sudoku I think.

>>3770457
>>>3770414 (You)
>Gotta mention our breasts more

>>3770543
Yo. This more to your tastes?

>>3770571
Sure

So, questfags: I'm going to have to cut the session off pretty soon. Would you rather start the expedition into town now or make that a complete run?

>>3770586
Save it for later. We might run into some goons.

>>3770586
A little teaser/intro and leave the rest for the next session

>>3770607
>>3770586
Okay, I'm fine with this is QM is still looking for a decision. Just mention the track there and wulf talking about the town, then it ends as it comes into view.

I'm gonna call votes for
>Just bring the Wakisazhi
and
>small teaser to the trip if I have time.

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"Just the one," you said, patting the shorter of your two swords. If you nestled it under your kimono just so you should be able to hide it from casual observation. And if the observer was less than casual, well... There was a reason you'd practiced every day until your fingers bled. If anyone tried to threaten you or your precious passengers you'd cut them down in a blink. That was the idea anyway, you didn't want to think about how it might work in practice.

The market square was a short walk from the mission, and while Wulf kept giving you side-eye glanced you managed it without issue. You'd hiked across frozen mountains last night while starving, a brisk stroll into town was nothing with a full belly. Well, full-ish. Your twins had largely monopolized your breakfast and your tummy was already starting to grumble. You shrugged it off for now and kept walking.

You heard the market before you saw it. Voices in languages you didn't even know existed filled the air as merchants from elsewhere on the home islands competed with those from China, India, and the West for the coin of passers by. You saw silks, spices, every kind of thing you could imagine was on display

A man at a stand not far from you was frying up a vast bowl of noodles. Your mouth watered at the smell, your twins stirring inside you as your body processed the rich sent. It smelled right, not like the gaijin food filling your belly. The man at the stall must've noticed your hungry look. Were you licking your lips? You wouldn't put it past you. "Come, Come!" He waved you over with a tong. "Is good for baby!" He pointed to your swollen stomach, drawing the eyes of a few passers by. You blushed. You weren't aware that you were quite *that* pregnant. "I give good price."

>EAT THE NOODS
>Try to restrain yourself...

Gonna call it here for the session. Vote will determine how I start the next post. Will post in this tread, further updates at my twitter (https://twitter.com/qmsamurai)

Cheers, you've been a great audience!

>>3770725
>EAT THE NOODS
If we say no, he'll fucking yell more and more and bring even more attention. Maybe Wulf can help pay for this, we don't have much.

Did you draw that? What was the original image if you edited it?

Where's thread 1?

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>>3770751
Look in the catalog. It's also on suptg if you somehow can't find it.

>>3770732
I just added the bump (which sorta looks more like she's fat or just ate too much instead of pregnant.) the original version is... Higher in the thread I think.

>>3770725
>>Try to restrain yourself...

>>3770725
>Try to restrain yourself...

>>3770725
>>Try to restrain yourself...
My danger senses are tingling

>>3770559
No that's the tanto I think. Basically a dagger.

>>3770725
>Try to restrain yourself...
Mention we have some shopping to do and if we have any left over we will stop by.

>>3770725
>Try to restrain yourself...

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>>3770732
Alright, I'll switch my vote to this:
>>3771292
Even though I think this is more to bring attention to the village that a pregnant woman has just come into town, then poisoned noodles

>>3770858
It does look more like she's fat, desu. That image isn't in this thread or the first one.

>>3770751
>>3770074

>>3771511
>It does look more like she's fat, desu. That image isn't in this thread or the first one.
This^
Pregnant women usually have a more rounded belly to account for the size of the fetus.
Fat niggas get rolls.

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>>3771511
>It does look more like she's fat, desu. That image isn't in this thread or the first one.
>>3771606
>Pregnant women usually have a more rounded belly to account for the size of the fetus.
>Fat niggas get rolls.
Yeah, it's not my best work.

Gonna call votes for "Try to restrain yourself" too and work up an OP for the next run. I'll put it in this thread when I'm ready.

As always, updates at my twitter: twitter.com/qmsamurai

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This look better, art-critic-fags?

>>3771641
It's a good start.

>>3771641
It looks better, but I think the biggest problem is the top slouch that curves so far low, at least, from what I can tell.

>>3771654
>>3771641
and her breasts hang breddy low in that pic.

>>3771656
I see it. Because of the way the Kimono hangs on the body, makes it look like the rest of it is there instead of the body being it's own thing.

>>3771659
Yeah... I'm not totally happy with the edit, but it's better than nothing for now.

>>3771669
It's cool man. At least you're putting effort into this weird ride.

>>3771674
>>3771669
I don't really think it's that weird, the concept is interesting. The effort in editing the images is appreciated, it shows ethics and diligence. Could maybe just find another image that might be easier to edit, idk.

>>3771676
>I don't really think it's that weird, the concept is interesting.
Fair enough. I still remember Anal Prolaspe Quest. And this quest was less strange than that.

What is Samurai Widow Quest: You are Sakura Kasumi, a samurai made masterless when the evil Lord Haikon killed your lord, husband, and everyone you knew in a sweeping grab for power. You had to run with nothing but the clothes on your back and a burning need for vengeance. Oh, and you're also five months pregnant with twins so you're on a bit of a clock

Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Samurai%20widow%20quest
QM's twitter: twitter.com/QMSamurai

=====

You stared at the bubbling pot of noodles, trying not to lick your lips as the smell washed over you. You were hungry. Honestly, ever since you started eating for three you'd been in a perpetual state of at least mild craving. Unless you were actually eating right at that second, you'd always have a tiny voice in the back of your head reminding you that you *could* go for a bite. You'd gotten pretty good at ignoring it.

"No," you said with a dismissive wave. "Maybe later."

"Is good price! Good price!" the seller insisted. "Baby grow big and strong! You come back later!" It was more of a command than a request.

"Hey," Wulf stepped forward. The big German had the face of a thug. Craggy, scarred, and lopsided from years of fighting. He'd never been anything but gentle to you, but it was obvious he could turn on the thuggish brute when the situation required it. "The lady said no," he growled.

"Oh... o-okay," the noodle seller muttered, shrinking under Wulf's broad shadow.

"Impressive," you muttered, cradling your belly protectively. You'd hoped to go more than two steps into the market before everyone was alerted to your condition. But that cat was out of the bag now.

Wulf shrugged. "I wasn't always in the ministry."

You looked him over. You'd been a warrior all your life, and your collection of scars was nothing compared to his. "That much is obvious." You pursed your lips, looking around for a stall or booth that'd sell clothes. You needed new sarashi and *bad*. Anything else was optional given your limited funds.

"Where too?" asked Wulf, hovering close to your off-side.

You bit your lip and scanned the market. A display of shimmering silk caught your eye. A booth filled with beautiful kimono and elegantly embroidered yutaka. They'd have what you wanted, you were certain of it. But the both was placed right on a corner. The whole market would be able to see you, and it'd be hard for you and Wulf to watch all the angles. On the upside, the whole market would be able to see you, so the odds of getting stabbed in broad daylight were low.

On the other hand, you noticed a shop a few streets down. Their selection might be limited, but the place looked like it catered to a lower-end clientele. Considering your limited funds, that would be for the best. It was enclosed too, easier to watch the entrance. Of course that also meant that if someone did get in they'd have a much easier job of gutting you.

(1/2)

As a third option, you saw a westerner selling his goods from booth. He had a dour-looking man standing guard over the merchandise while he pitched. You doubted he'd have what you wanted, but you were certain neither he nor his security were on Haikon's payroll. If nothing else it would be a safe place to stop by.

>Visit the corner booth, it's worth the risk.
>Visit the clothing shop. If worst comes to worst you can fight your way out.
>Visit the westerner's booth. Who knows, maybe you'll get

>>3771674
>>3771676
I'm glad you liked it! For what it's worth, I think this image captures what I'm going for Kasumi more. >>3771628 An elegant badass who just happens to have twins on the way.

>>3771694
>Visit the clothing shop. If worst comes to worst you can fight your way out.

>>3771694
>Visit the westerner's booth. Who knows, maybe you'll get
Good for hiding. They won't expect the proud Sakura to wear gaijin clothing.

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>>3771706
>>3771694
Hey, switch to westerners booth, he probably sells shit for cheap and it's the safest option. I also think if he sells westerner clothing, it might help us blend in with the nanban as just some poor soul and not worth noticing.

>>3771694
>Visit the westerner's booth. Who knows, maybe you'll get

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Votes called for checking out the gaijin's stall.

You motioned to Wulf and meandered towards the gaijin's stall as inconspicuously as a woman your size who'd just had your pregnancy announced to the whole square could.

You got a few passing looks, but none that lingered for long. Thankfully you didn't notice anyone look away too quickly, like they were eager to get away and find someone to sell you out to.

It took you longer than expected to make your way to the stall. People bustled all around you, and while your belly did give you a degree of courtesy there was only so much the crowd could do. Finally you made it to the stall.

A bored looking man with skin tanned to leather gave you a passing glance. His eyes floated over your belly and instantly he disregard you as a threat. Normally you'd be inclined to talk to the seller about the lax quality of his security, but today you were happy to have a low profile.

Another man, clearly the owner, shook hands with a departing buyer and bustled over. He was short, about even with your chest, and his ruddy face seemed to exist solely to support a bushy red beard that sprawled in every direction imaginable. "welcome, welcome friend," he said with a deep bow.

When he stood you noticed his gaze flit from you, to Wulf, then to your belly (were you really showing that much?) then back to Wulf. You saw a spark of realization dawn. He must think you're Wulf's wife. An exotic little trinket dolled up for the occasion.

>let him think what he thinks, it could be a useful persona to assume.
>correct him. Wulf is your... Friend,for lack of a better term.

>>3771796
>correct him. Wulf is your... Friend,for lack of a better term.
Okay, there's only so much one can tolerate.

>>3771796
>let him think what he thinks, it could be a useful persona to assume
Lone pregnant women are usually stigmatized

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I'm curious, does anyone actually check my Twitter, or do you just check the catalog?

>>3771824
I've kept this thread open, but I checked the twitter a few times to see if you said anything about running soon or otherwise.

>>3771809
Okay, switching to this:
>let him think what he thinks, it could be a useful persona to assume.
A Samurai would kinda throw away all "honor" to serve the greater good, and especially since she's a mother.
Maybe we could grab onto his arm to sell it, or something? Just make it so it's normal and not anything noteworthy besides a new nanban and his trophy waifu in town, in case people come asking.

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>>3771847
>>3771796

>>3771857
That's excellent art, anon! I'm still deciding what good rewards for content like that would be, ideas?

I'm thinking a reward of insight:you can learn something you ordinary wouldn't get handed to you. Or getting to change a detail of the setting to your favor or something...

>>3771857
Wait, were you seconding a vote?

>>3771862
Yes, I switched my vote and put in a suggestion of some sort of action to make is not worthy of much note, make us seem normal besides interracial marriage. It doesn't have to be grabbing onto his arm, it's just a suggestion, whatever is normal in the culture of either.
>>3771860
I don't know, it's kind of easy to just post images. I haven't found any pregnant Samurai waifus, kek. I have a lot of images in my folders, so I'm just going through them and posting something suitable for this quest. If there's Youkai and shit, it could be like she can sense the spirits of people and get visions or vague senses of them, so basically like what you said but maybe more detailed and explained than just being given knowledge for meta reasons. The change in detail of the setting seems kind of op, even if it's just a rock, so I would be careful with handing out these rewards for anons to use. Maybe you could offer rerolls, like, Kami sama is guiding us and fixing our mistakes. Could just be an all in one thing. There's such things called "destiny" or "fate" points, that are used often enough in quests. They come from rpg games like ASoIaF and DND and such, so it could just be "destiny" point that can give us an edge in certain situations.

>>3771862
By the way, idk if you're posting from your computer or phone, but if you're posting from your computer and you use either Google Chrome or Chrome derivatives, or Firefox and Firefox derivatives, I recommend downloading the 4chanx plugin. It will put all replies to a post in that post, and you can click on them to make them pop down there instead of moving to it. There's also a bunch of other features like showing all the boards at the top of the page and being able to open all images in the thread at once and stuff like that.

>>3771888
I appreciate the thought, but I'm phone posting for most of this. I have free time out the ass but no access to my computer. Such is life.

Anyway, calling votes for "play the trophy waifu"

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>>3771898
Why don't you have access to your computer? Couldn't you reset your router ip or something? Unless you work all day or something but it's a boring job.

>>3771915
>>>3771898 (You)
>Why don't you have access to your computer? Couldn't you reset your router ip or something? Unless you work all day or something but it's a boring job.
That's pretty much it.

He thought you were a trophy. An exotic toy dolled up in the trappings of her faraway land to look pretty for her western husband. It was degrading, and if you had your way you would have corrected his misconception with a quickness.

But you couldn't have your way. There was more than your ego on the line here. Your twins had nobody to rely on but you. If you were going to keep them safe, you'd have to keep alive. If your lord and husband would ever see justice it could only come from the tip of your blade. For your children for your honor you would suffer any indignity.

You put on a smile. Like the smile of the courtesans you'd seen pass through your lord's castle. A pretty smile devoid of any spirit. Submissive like a doll. "this is beautiful," you said, picking up a random trinket with your voice a note higher than usual.

You stepped close to Wulf, almost folding into him. You caught a flicker of suprise on his craggy features, then a knowing look of understanding. He put his arm around you, resting his meaty paw on your hip.

He was strong, you could tell that much clear away. But you could also tell he was terrified. He felt like a man trying to feed a bear. He seemed aware that putting one finger out of line would sign his death warrant.

"you have excellent taste," said the bearded man. "imported from Spain, very nice."

"very expensive," grunted Wulf.

The seller wilted slightly under the German's glare. "your husband I take it? Might I say you two make an excellent match!"

You felt your stomach turn. Your husband was dead. But you bit back bile and masked your disgust by fanning yourself.

"yeah," Wulf said, carefully inching his hand over to cradle your bump. Your twins had swelled your stomach until your kimono was nearly taut. You could feel his hand shake against your belly. "with another on the way, think you could cut us a deal?"

"Yes, yes of course!" the seller said. "Scott McAllister is always happy to deal!"

He proceed to display his wares. There was a wide selection of jewelry, none of which you'd ever wear even if you could afford it.

Next he showed off clothes in what assumed was a western style. Some looked rather good, in another life you might have considered picking up a gown or two. But you didn't have quite the coin to spare for some novelty dress. In any case you worried what the right boned bodice would do to your babies. Still, you made a few cooing noises at the exotic western fare to sell your disguise.

(1/2)

(2/2)

Sadly, the one thing he didn't have were sarashi. And as the itchiness in your tender breasts reminded you sarashi were the one thing you needed. Eventually Wulf excused the two of you. When you were safely out of sight he drew back his hand like he'd been holding a red hot iron.

"sorry," he said carefully.

"you played your part well," you said.

>"... But be mindful of doing it again."
> say nothing. He helped sell your act and... You have to admit there was something comforting about it.

>where to next? Open stall or the shop?

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>>3771932
You could buy a cheap notebook solely for us? You can get those small ones for like 200 usd. And I looked back at the previous thread and it said your isp died. How does that even happen?

>>3771967
>>"... But be mindful of doing it again."
Say it more in a teasing way then a threatening one.

>>3771969
I dunno, man. I couldn't get internet for a bit and I assumed interest had petered out. I didn't bother to check until a few days later when I noticed a ton of replies/interest

>>3771967
>"... But be mindful of doing it again."
>Visit the clothing shop. If worst comes to worst you can fight your way out.

>>3771967
>"... But be mindful of doing it again."
Some humility for us.
Quietly thank him for playing the part. Maybe apologize to him for forcing this upon him without asking later.

>>3771980
Most of it was cussing you out for abandoning after 1 post......

'cause op is a faggot. It is known. Hope I'm making a good redemption arc though.

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>>3772005
>>3771988
>>3771967
This

Votes called!

You appreciated that you'd forced a very uncomfortable part on him with little in the way of warning, and you would admit he played it well. But... That kind of affection...his hand caressing the children in your belly like they were his... You couldn't deal with that, at least not yet. "please," you said softly, "be mindful of doing it again."

"Of course," said Wulf. The big German fell a half step behind, giving you a little more space.

It didn't take long to get to the shop. It seemed that the wealthier buyers flocked to and around the stalls and booths with their exotic goods from far off lands. The little shop was more a local establishment.

It was old too. Small. You nearly bonked your head on the door frame. Wulf seemed to find that funny until he took a step and actually did whack his head on a low hanging beam.

The shopkeeper laughed and motioned for the two of you to come in. "I'll make a lot of money on him," he chuckled, waving generally at Wulf's largeness. "and you," he waved to your bump. "twins, yes? I can tell my wife..." he laughed to himself. "you're getting big, yes? Maybe new outfit, hmm?"

"maybe," you said ambivalently. Your belly wasn't big enough to cause you difficulty, but only just. You didn't think about how life would grow harder if you let your quest for vengeance drag on too long. "just sarashi for now."

The little shop keeper shrugged. "my wife said that too... Then she took half the store!" he laughed at his own stupid joke and tottered out with two rolls of bindings.

"This is very nice," he said, handing you one end of one roll. It was indeed very nice, you knew it would feel good even against your tender skin. "this," he motioned to the other. "not so much, but very cheap."

You thought for a second. You could afford either, but... How much would the nicer material bite into your megre reserves of cash. It could be the difference between going hungry and feeding your precious twins.

"she'll take the nicer set." Wulf placed a coin on the counter. You... Suppose he had fondled your belly earlier without asking. Maybe he thought he still owed you? Part of you wanted to refuse, but the nicer fabric felt so good against your skin...

Before you could answer, the door swung open. Three men walked on, with the last closing the door behind him. They were dressed in simple clothes, but they stared at you with murderous intent.

One by one they pulled clubs, daggers, and maces from their sleeves.

>what do?
>roll a d6. I'll take the top three of the first four

>>3772112
Judo throw the lead thug into his friends, steal a club, then start beating them.

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>3772112
>what do?
Throw the cloth and maybe the coins at them and then pull the Wakizashi out and fuck em up.

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>3772135
Forgot the roll.

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>3772112
If there is a hallway we hold off at the end forcing them through the narrow bottleneck and kill them one by one.

Draw sword of course. The narrow environment is better suited to the short sword we brought.

How do they even know what we look like, we killed the only people who saw us, and our clothes. Do they go around attacking any pregnant woman?

>>3772112
>>3772149
Is there a bottleneck behind us?

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>3772112
I'm just here to roll for the other players choices oh Shogun.

>>3772149
Word gets around. You're at the town nearest the place you were ambushed, you're wearing the only clothes you have, which aren't as drab as possible, and you're a pretty big woman. You're obviously a warrior, obviously pregnant, and obviously not from around here.

Behind the scenes I rolled 4d6 drop lowest to see how the outing would go. I rolled 5. You got hideously unlucky.

>>3772160
You could try to fall back into the stock room, but it's pretty cluttered.

Anyway, your rolls suck, but somehow you pulled out a decent total. I'll use that for whatever you settle on doing. (right now looks like going sword is winning, but I'd like to see at least one more vote.)

>>3772135
Bladed weapons are objectively better when facing against unarmored foes. Please at least switch to using sword or stealing dagger or both. I think a Judo throw might cause too much damage and draw attention from outside, but I'm okay with it so long as we don't start using their clubs. Maybe throw the cloth and coins then judo throw while they're distracted or extended out?

>>3772174
I thought it was supposed to be after a certain time has passed the winning vote gets chosen.

>>3772206
Some QM's do that, some QM's wait for more consensus. I'm asking you to switch your vote.

>>3772174
>Judo throw while pregnant.
We want one of the kids to die right?

>>3772213
I don't want the Judo throw, I made it clear, but I'm willing to compromise with that anon.

>>3772209
I'm clearly outvoted, so just go with the winning vote. We do need to get info out of one of the thugs, though.

>>3772206
I'm letting the discussion play out, there wasn't enough of a majority for me to feel like calling votes.

Also,
>judo throw
>five months pregnant

>>3772219
True, maybe wulf can grapple one or we just put a blade to the last ones neck or something before killing him

>>3772222
How about we take take on and have wulf throw another while grappling with the 3rd?

>>3772228
Sure, but my problem is a throw might send them outside the store front, and I'd rather the fight be contained within so we can talk with the store clerk guy and maybe negotiate a deal where he takes care of them or something. At least so a bunch of people don't see us and try to arrest us or whatever.

>>3772232
>arrest us
Like who?

Also fighting in the guys store means we may have to pay more or go buy somewhere else.

Guys gonna have a ruined shop and a bad mood.

>>3772246
I don't know, the local sheriff or whatever is the equivalent. Either way, if we get it outside, it will bring way more attention to us. If we kill these people in here, we'll have at least a day more to plan whether to leave or not. Also, we're pregnant. Maybe the guy will give us a discount or at least not charge us for the damage because they attacked a pregnant woman.

>>3772232
>negotiate a deal where he takes care of them

I doubt that he'd want to get involved with the local authorities, seems like foreigners would be treated worse by them. That, and by fighting in the store would risk the products.

>>3772252
or we can loot their corpse.

I'm going to call votes for breaking out the blade.

>>3772257
The store clerk is Japanese, I'm pretty sure. I meant take care of like, hide and discard the bodies elsewhere, but you're probably right about him not wanting to get involved and being upset.
>>3772259
Do you really think they will have clean sarashi on them? I'm not against looting them, obviously, but I don't hold my hopes on just looting them.

>>3772265
>thugs get paid to kill woman
>woman kills thugs and takes their money

Simple enough yes?

>>3772274
What if the guy doesn't want to take the money in fear of being a collaborator in case people come by, or he just doesn't want to deal with us anymore? Or maybe he just gives us the cheap shit for free and tells us to fuck off. I don't know, we'll see what kind of person he is after the fight.

>>3772281
>What if the guy doesn't want to take the money
Merchants gonna merch.

Your hand slid accros the equator of your belly until your fingers closed around the concealed hilt of your wakizashi. You were about to tell the shop keeper to hide when Wulf noticed the intruders.

He turned at the noise of their arrival. In one smooth motion his gaze swept over their weapons and hardened into a furious glare. His arm came up as his body turned. The big German slammed his elbow into the face of the nearest thug, hitting with such force his face melted like butter from the blow. He crumpled to the ground, his mouth a bloody mess of shattered bone and loose teeth.

You were slower on the draw, but only just. One thug swung his Dagger at you, aiming squarely for your babies. You parried his strike and counterattacked with your short sword. You sliced at his arm, severing tendons from muscle. His knife fell from his hand and you stepped in. With a quick blow you opened his stomach and turned to the last attacker.

Wulf was already on him. The big gaijin held the thug against the wall, his meaty paw crushing the man's windpipe while he kicked ineffectually at Wulf. The German growled, his face was a mask of fury and... Relief. No blow the thug could manage even made Wulf blink.

"stop!" you barked. You recognized the man Wulf was slowly but surely snuffing out. Gaeta, a ronin without honor. Before his lord exiled (for good reason you remembered, he was lucky he wasn't killed) him he'd visited the castle once. Just your luck, you ran into one of the few of Haikon's hunters who's actually met you.

Wulf eased up his grip just enough to let the ronin breath, but kept him suspended in the air.

"Gaeta," you leveled your blade at his gut. "why?"

"you don't know what it's like," he snarled through a clearly bruised windpipe. "living as a ronin. I bring you in... Haikon will give me a castle."

"and thirty pieces of silver?" Wulf was furious. From the acid dripping from his lips you assumed that was a vicious curse indeed.

>run him through.
>let Wulf kill him.
>something else.

>>3772347
>something else.
Question if they told anybody about us and who else is in the area and what exactly was their mission, whether to come here and back or roam the area. Activate keen honed instincts and senses, and also some "encouragement" to get the truth from him.

>>3772357
This works. After that, take care of him.

>>3772357
Supporting

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>>3772347
QM, you might want to start a time limit to vote. Like, Half an Hour or so, it'll make more people vote in a timely manner because it'll make them conscientious of making their opinion known before it ends.And also so I don't have to wait so long for updates.

>>3772448
That's a good point. I'll enforce that coming up, but for now votes called.

Awesome image, BTW. Just needs a baby bump

>>3772458
The image has a weird perspective thing going on, either that or she has man hands. Her stomach kinda looks fat so it could be construed that she's pregnant, though probably not third trimester pregnant.

>>3772473
>>3772458
Actually, it could just be thick gloves, but the stomach does look like it could be pregnant.

>>3772473
You're not third trimester either, though twins so it somewhat balances out.

>>3772487
Yes, what I meant was, the armor would probably only be good for little bit, so that image probably shouldn't be used officially except as an example or I guess after giving birth.

"did you tell anyone about me?" you let your sword tickle at his stomach. You'd always been good at picking out lies, and your pregnancy had only heightened your instincts when it came to protecting your babies.

"n-no," grunted Gaeta. "just saw you... Thought I'd try."

You squinted. "Haikon didn't send you?"

He shook his head as vigorously as he could manage. "Haikon doesn't know you're alive."

You scowled and pressed your blade against him. You cut through his clothes but left the skin unbroken. "why were you here? What was your mission?"

"foreign... Whores," he gurgled. That made sense, both from what you knew about Gaeta and... Well, everything. News travels fast, but not that fast, Haikon wouldn't have been able to send more men after you so soon.

You snarled and ran him through. As his body made its last twitches, you turned to the shop keeper hiding behind his counter. "are you alright?"

He slowly stood, looked at the carnage, and angrily spat at the nearest corpse. "what kind of man attacks a pregnant woman!"

Part of you wanted to comment that you'd made a fair showing of yourself even in your condition, but you restrained yourself.

"you still want these?" he waved to the sarashi.

You bit your lip and cleaned your blade on a scrap of cloth from one of the dead men's tunics. Wulf was busy methodically stacking their corpses and sorting their belongings.

It wasn't much, weapons far inferior to yours and little in the way of armor. But true to Gaeta's claim they had enough gold between them for a night of exotic whoring. You assumed, you'd never partook yourself.

"look at this mess..." the shopkeeper shook his head and divided the coins into two equal piles. "look, I've got a busssines to run, but trying to kill you..."

What was left was enough for a week or so of hot meals. More of you skimped pm lodging and slept under the stars... You could pick up some more clothes while you were at it.

>just buy the nice sarashi.
>get a new kimono and hakama. It'll be nice to have something clean to wear and maybe it'll make you less recognizable.
>something else

Vote will be called 30 minutes from this post unless extenuating circumstances happen.

>>3772491
I can always give it a run with the ol ms paint.

Also, would anons find it useful for me to post an image of how pregnant Kasumi is, even if I can't find a girl who's also a samurai badass? Just as a reference point.

>>3772502
>get a new kimono and hakama.

>>3772507
Just draw a stick figure with a ball on its belly and make it bigger as she progresses. Simple.

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>>3772502
>get a new kimono and hakama. It'll be nice to have something clean to wear and maybe it'll make you less recognizable.
>>3772507
Sure, no harm. Probably you can't do anything with that image because of the angle but if you want to spend the time, it's appreciated. Regarding the example of her pregnancy, eh. I think most people can imagine how fat a a woman is at 5 months with twins.

>>3772502
>get a new kimono and hakama.

>>3772502
>get a new kimono and hakama. It'll be nice to have something clean to wear and maybe it'll make you less recognizable.
Don’t forget to apologize for the disruption. Maybe buy a ribbon or strip of silk to tie up our hair, too.

>>3772540
>>3772502
If we get a ribbon or something, make it cheap. We don't want to get rich shit to make us stand out more.

Votes called!

You collected the sarashi almost greedily. Just feeling the fabric in your fingers you could tell it would be far more comfortable than the set you were wearing now. While you were here, you went ahead and purchased a second set of clothes. Nothing fancy of course, you chose nice drab colors that could blend into a crowd as easily as they could a forest. You were never much one for adornment, and your husband's preference in your clothing largely ended with "on the bedroom floor."

You made sure the fabric was robust, and you were a little more generous with the sizing than you'd normally be.Your belly was already starting to fill out your kimono. You weren't sure how much longer it would take to deliver the vengeance Haikon so richly deserved, but you wanted to be prepared. "I apologize for the disruption," you said, handing over the gold with a bow.

The shopkeeper shrugged. "It couldn't be helped," he said, spitting at a bandit's corpse again.

You bit your lip and thought. Maybe a ribbon would help cover the damages, or act as some small token of appreciation for his discretion. If nothing else, you needed something to tie up your hair. You've always had remarkably fast-growing hair. Even braided it already fell past your shoulders. Your husband had always liked how you looked with long hair. You'd been growing it out just for him when...

That was it. You decided you weren't cutting your hair until Haikon lay dead at your feet. "And a ribbon," you picked a nice silk one. The black blended into your long hair well enough, but the material was strong and clean. You'd never know when a strip of strong silk cloth could come in handy.

You and Wulf left the shop with your pockets marginally heavier with gold than when you arrived. You reached up to tie back your hair and winced when the old sweat-stained sarashi you were wearing bit into your tender breasts. Changing was definitely your top priority. Well... second-highest. A firm kick from one of your twins and a loud gurgle reminded you that you hadn't eaten in hours. Those noodles still seemed delightful, and you had a little coin to spare.

The two of you walked back through the market, carefully watching for any more thugs while trying not to look like you were looking. You couldn't help but notice the way Wulf scanned the area. Precise, methodical, trained. Between that and the way he'd so brutally handled Gaeta's men you were certain he had a history before the mission.

>Ask Wulf about his past
>Talk about something else (write-in)
>Noodles first, talk later. Mama's hungry.

>>3772629
Uh... votes called 30 mins from now.

Next update will probably be the last for a while, if not for the night. I'm planning on running an extra-length session tomorrow if enough of you will be there.

>>3772629
>Ask Wulf about his past
Ask if he's a ronin like us

>>3772629
>>Ask Wulf about his past

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>>3772448
Does she look pregnant (enough) now, or just fat?

>>3772676
Wow lol, you could work for a hentai game company, not that I look at that stuff. Yeah, it's fine enough, because of the perspective, so if you looked from the side, it would be rather large. The biggest problem sorta, is the hands in the way, because the belly should probably be a little higher, but otherwise, it looks much better and you did a bang up job of it.

>>3772686
I shifted her belt down to give her belly more room, that might be why it looks that way.

This time the noodle vendor didn't need to yell. Fighting had worked up your already prodigious appetite, and the twins just would not settle down until you mama got her lunch. You happily bought a large bowl for a thoroughly reasonable price and cradled it close to your breast until each breath you took was at least half noodle steam.

You fished around for noodles and glanced over at Wulf. You could tell he had a story, and you knew he hadn't been vocal about it. But after that display in the shop... "I'm thinking you weren't always a missionary?"

Wulf shook his head. For a second it looked like he wanted to end the conversation right there, but then you saw a dam break. His features softened and he glanced at you with... almost a smile. "No...," he said with a sigh. "No, I wasn't."

"Were you a ronin?" you asked before slurping down a mouthful of noodles. Now that was what your stomach was used to. Rich and sweet and savory in all the right ways. You could feel the both sitting heavy in your gut and warming you up from the inside. "A man without a master?"

"Oh, I had a master," said Wulf bitterly. "Money." He shook his head and scowled. "I was a mercenary. A landsknecht."

"Rand-sco-nect-to?" you said, the harsh gaijin word feeling wrong in your mouth as you tried to pronounce it.

Wulf looked at you like you'd grown a third head--which... technically speaking you were in the process of doing, but still. Then his craggy face split into a smile and he howled with laughter.

You pursed your lips and scowled. His Japanese wasn't nearly good enough to be so amused. "You fought for coin?"

He nodded, his face going dour again. "I did... if you want to call it fighting."

You remembered what he'd said earlier. He was in Japan because it was as far as he could get from Germany. You'd heard of men running from their sins, but never men who ran that far. "Oh," you said quietly. You could tell it was the subject you shouldn't discuss in public.


>Going to call it there for now. Next update will be a clean-sheet with no vote, but you can discuss things you want to make sure get done!

>>3772753
What the fuck, did this guy help the Prots burn churches down and kill priests and rape nuns?

>>3772790
Really, none of those words mean anything to Kasumi

>>3773216
Cheeky, I'm asking you, but it was more of a rhetorical question because I know it's rhetorical

>>3773806
because I know it's Meta, I mean.

It was a short walk back to the mission. Just long enough for you to fill your belly with noodles and start to get hungry again. Oh, the joys of carrying twins. You couldn't remember a time where you went more than ten minutes without feeling at least a little peckish. On the upside though, you had a fresh change of clothes. You could finally get out of the one outfit you'd been forced to flee with.

You tipped back your noodle bowl and gulped down the last bits of broth. Beside you, Wulf stifled a laugh. The big German was a mercenary, a Landsknecht--a word you're never going to say out loud again. The one time you tried your pronunciation was so awful he burst out laughing. You weren't sure what that entailed, but apparently it lead to him fleeing to the other side of the world and finding religion. You figured it was the kind of story one was told, not that one asked about.

"What?" you said, wiping your mouth with the folded-back end of your sleeve.

"Lotta noodles," grunted Wulf.

"I'm eating for three," you pointed aggressively to your belly.

"Yeah," he said with a distant half-smile. You could see the conflict written large on his craggy features. He didn't know what to do with you. You were a widow, a mother to be alone with nothing. You'd been jumped for the second time in three days by men wanting to kill you. But you'd also handily dispatched them all, gutted them like fish right before his eyes. "What's your plan now?"

"Well..." you jostled through the crowd. You were further from the market square now, but there were still people bustling about in the narrow streets. "I was going to clean up after the fight."

"No, I mean..." Wulf shook his head as the two of you turned down a street towards the mission where you'd been staying. "Your plan."

You pursed your lips. You had a full belly, or as full as could be expected under the circumstances, a bed to call your own, a fresh set of clothes, and if Gaeta wasn't lying Haikon didn't even know his assassins had failed yet. That gave you some breathing room.

>What's the plan?
>Votes called... let's say 45 mins from this post

This vote won't lock you in to any particular path, but it will influence where the general flow goes. I didn't want to open with a super momentus vote.

>>3774149
1) Find paying work to buy enough supplies to disguise ourselves comfortably from HaIkon
2) Locate a place safe enough to stay to have our twins that won’t be easy for Haikon’s forces to find or deal with. This includes our father’s lands.
3) Find a group to travel with to the safe area, then give birth, recover, leave twins with someone who can take care of them and is willing to after a few months of being a mother.
4) Make an alliance of people who are willing to fight Haikon.
5) Kill lord Haikon.

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>>3774149
>>3774180
I will agree to something like this, but I would suggest even staying here with the mission for a few days or a week at least, we could maybe even stay here longer with the mission and leave the kids with them. They probably have sympathy for us and would defend kids, especially if they realize what they have to gain from helping the future lord of these lands.

>>3774193
Oh, yeah, we can stay here for a while, like a few weeks, but eventually we’re going to need to leave to throw off Lord Haikon’s minions, either before or after they find out and set the mission on fire to set up a mid season plot arc.

>>3774180
More or less this. Although it will probably work out differently

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>>3774180
>>3774193
You're only five months pregnant. You can go looking for saftey, but finding a place where you can give birth isn't a pressing priority, and it'd mean putting vengeance on hold for probably the better part of a year.

>>3774206
How can we get vengeance while pregnant, though?

I'm gonna say votes called for "Have baby first, vengeance later."

>>3774206
That’s what the earning money bit is for.

Anyway, how far away is our father’s castle, and how long would it take us to get there?

>>3774242
I just don't see how we can have vengeance now. The Army is raised and shit is on high alert, and we're pregnant and without allies. Our skill is nerfed, we need to be at full power to assassinate the lord and his collaborators.
>>3774244
Who is our Father, I forget. I thought we were just some peasant who trained under a master and became a Samurai through skill?

>>3774246
>Who is our Father, I forget. I thought we were just some peasant who trained under a master and became a Samurai through skill?
Your father's a Samurai, but not a Daimyo. You could get to him in about a week if you take the quickest path, but his castle is on the opposite side of Haikon's territory from where you are.

>>3774206
Our fighting skill will only get worse as we gather allies and form a plan for vengeance. Better to get the big thing out of the way first. The good thing about having twins is that we don't have to go through the full 9 months. Most will come out early.

>>3774251
>>3774244
Won't Haikon have dudes watching our Father, or even try to attack our Father, since he attacked our husband and killed him? He might even say he killed us too so he doesn't seem incompetent, causing war and shit. I think it's a bad idea to go to our Father, even if this doesn't happen, he'll definitely have people watching him for signs of us heading there and he'll ambush or assassinate us and potentially even get our father hurt.

>>3774260
Would we have a distant cousin or someone we could go to that's not watched by Haikon?

>>3774266
I don't know, but probably. A lot of the noble houses were literally descendants from the Emperor because basically son of the Emperor who wasn't heir joined one of four houses which were noble houses, but like, only imperial family members who didn't succeed joined them, or something like that, so they would be given lands and then typically take the name of the castle or land as their family name and made a new noble house. So, basically, even if that's not true for us, most of the nobles are related in someway and if our ancestors married nobles, then we definitely have cousins somewhere. The only problem is if there's cousins who like us. There might be a conspiracy going on too, Haikon is ambitious to attack us. The other question is what period is this. Is this after Sengoku and in Edo or?

>>3774285
It's ambiguously during the Sengoku. I'm playing a little fast and loose with chronology to mix in all the bits and pieces I want.

>>3774292
Okay, then it makes sense he attacks us. Then I would ask, whether he has support from his liege lord and if we're apart of a larger plan, our lands anyways, which may tie in with the conspiracy point I brought up.

>>3774295
>>3774292
And if our liege would help us.

>>3774295
Him being Haikon?

>>3774297
Yes. Do both of our houses serve the same lord?

Maybe we could get Wulf or someone from the mission to check out Haikon's lands and shit and see how things are. Maybe we could sneak in?

>>3774301
They both serve the Emperor and Shogun, yeah.

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"I need money," you said simply. You were already thinking of ways to make it. Some... less savory options were already floating in the back of your mind, but you quickly squashed them. You still had your honor, and you were far from that desperate. "Money to support myself, to disguise myself, to carry me safe out of Haikon's territory."

"You're running?" Wulf cocked an eyebrow.

"For a time," you said, clasping your hands under your belly and cuddling your unborn twins as tightly as you dared. You could feel them stirring in their sleep, content now that your lunch of noodles was percolating through your system. "Until I have my babies at least."

"Really," Wulf gave you a look.

You shook your head. "You'd rather a pregnant woman go into battle?"

"What?" Wulf held up his massive paw. "No, I..." you watched him tense up like he was facing a wild animal with altogether too many teeth. "I admit I read you wrong. You seemed... a samurai with a fallen master..."

"You thought I'd endanger my children for the sake of honor?" you asked. Oddly, you felt flattered by the accusation. It... could be argued that avenging your lord and husband was your highest call, that you should focus on that to the exclusion of all else. But how could you seek vengeance in your condition? Surely waiting, giving birth, recovering your strength, and fighting at your peak form would be the reasonable thing to do.

The big German shrugged. "You're a better fighter than any woman I've seen." He glanced cautiously at your belly. "Better than most men I've seen, actually."

"Hmm," you said noncommittally. You had noticed a certain heightening of your instincts. Your body was on permanent maternal overdrive protecting your unborn twins. Still, you were certain you'd reach a point where even that couldn't overcome the burden of your steadily growing belly. "For one of your experience, that is a high honor."

He shrugged again, clearly not interested in discussing much of his past.

"Perhaps I could stay," you said, stepping into the mission with a sigh of relief. "For a few days at least."

"I'll ask the father," said Wulf. "But... I can't imagine him turning you down."

You parted ways and went to change into some fresher things. You'd barely loosened your belt when something fell to the flood with a muffled clang. A few coins wrapped in a scrap of paper. You didn't--The walk over. You'd bumped into someone in passing. He must have slipped it into your belt.

You bit your lip and unfolded the tiny package. It was enough coin for a meal or two, but you were more interested in the note. "You still have friends, Lady Sakura," it said.

>What's next?

Votes called in 30 minutes

>>3774319
Rack our mind for who would do such a thing.

>>3774319
>>3774328
This, also get changed and talk with the Father about staying here, then get all our shit together and situated and reflect on our options.

>>3774319
See if you can recall the handwriting, then try to remember what the person who slipped it to you was dressed in.

Votes called for a smattering of the above

You stared at the note, turning it over and over in your hands while you wracked your brain for... for anything of consequence. You didn't recognize the handwriting at all, and you couldn't remember who'd slipped the package into your belt. The market square had been so crowded, it could've been any of a hundred faces that you could remember. You swore to be more vigilant in the future.

At least the note was friendly. That gave you a measure of comfort. With your lord dead and Haikon no doubt assimilating his lands your ledger of allies was looking dangerously thin. You weren't sure where you could turn, save the Shogun himself. But... if this note was true... You'd have to keep your eyes open.

You kept the note in the back of your mind while you changed into your new clothes. It felt good to have something fresh against your tender skin. You collected your old clothes into a neat bundle, hopefully you'd be able to wash them soon. You might be a samurai, but you knew how to wash your own things. You'd always prided yourself on your self-reliance in the field.

But first, you had to secure a place to stay for the near-term. You made sure your outfit was proper and returned your katana to its rightful place alongside your trusty wakizashi and wandered out to find the father. You found him in the main hall, leading a circle of peasants in... some ritual or other. You waited politely for him to finish while trying not to eavesdrop.

"Ah, child." The father came over to you with a friendly smile, but you couldn't help but notice he approached from your off side. "Are you feeling better this morning?"

"Yes," you offered a humble bow. "Very much, thank you."

"Good, good." The father folded his hands behind him. "Will you be saying for the evening meal?"

"Actually," you asked carefully. "I would like to stay here. For the time being."

"Oh?"

You bit your lip. "While I consider my options."

He nodded. "You're welcome to stay as long as you need, but--"

"I am prepared to work for my supper," you said. "If that's what's required."

"Well..." The father glanced around him. "It's no job for a woman of your status, but we could use some help in the kitchen."

You bowed again. "I'm in no condition to refuse. Thank you." With room and board sorted for the immediate future, you felt a great weight lift off your shoulders. You thanked him again and returned to your room to collect your dirty clothes. They needed a good wash, and you understood there was a small brook behind the mission that would do nicely.

(1/2)

>>3774420
You tucked your washings under one arm and walked out to the brook. You actually enjoyed washing clothes, something about the simple repetitive labor let your mind rest. You could enjoy the peace and quiet of the babbling water--

"Hello again!" a girl sat by the edge of the water, washing a tunic of her own. It was Maya, the country bumpkin from the baths earlier. She was as simple as she was loud. This would not be a relaxing experience.

"Maya," you said through grit teeth.

>Just get this over with. Wash up quickly and try to tune her out.
>Might as well humor her. Could be good practice for when your twins come out.a

(votes called 30 mins from now)

>>3774423
>Might as well humor her. Could be good practice for when your twins come out.a

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>>3774423
>Might as well humor her. Could be good practice for when your twins come out.a
Ask her what it's like here and if she's Kirisutokyō no and what type of games and stuff she likes to play, she seems immature and we didn't exactly have a 'fun' childhood.

>>3774423
>Might as well humor her. Could be good practice for when your twins come out.

>>3774423
>Just get this over with. Wash up quickly and try to tune her out.

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Maya was loud, but you could tell that she had a kind heart. Poor girl probably didn't realize how annoying she could be. If nothing else, she seems like the carefree kind of girl you never got to be. "Wow," she gaped at you as you settled down onto your haunches. "Did you get *bigger*!"

You sighed and shook your head. "I had a hearty meal."

"Oh," Maya blushed and went back to scrubbing. "I like your new outfit, it's really pretty."

You dipped your head. Pretty wasn't what you were really going for. More drab and forgettable, but you could tell she meant well. "Thank you, Maya."

"You're a really pretty woman, lady Sakura," she said. "I think anything would look good on you, really. I hope I grow up as pretty as you."

Now it was your turn to blush. You'd never really thought of yourself as pretty. That isn't to say you weren't aware of a certain degree of desirability. You were married after all, and your husband had nothing but praise to sing of... certain attributes. But even then, your strength, your poise, your honor had all been the objects of his affection. Not so much your beauty or... prettiness. "I'm sure you will, Maya." You risked taking a breath, but she didn't interrupt again. "Are you... ah..."

"Kirisutokyō? No." Maya shook her head. "I just... I come here some times. It's a nice place to rest."

"That it is," you nodded.

"So, you liking our town?" Maya splashed aimlessly at the water. "Pretty busy, huh?"

"Indeed," you said, washing up with considerably more focus and care. "Is it always so busy?"

"Depends on the winds," said Maya. "You hear the rumors?"

You froze, your muscles going taut like corded steel. "Rumors?"

Maya nodded until her bushy ponytail bobbed like a junk in a storm. "Yeah, rumors. Lord, ah..."

"Haikon?" you felt your throat tense.

"Yeah, him. He's moving troops up soon. Actually already did, sorta." She shrugged. "Took one of the castles to the north."

Your stomach winged. Your home. If that was already under his command, slipping out of Haikon's lands would be harder than you'd hoped.

"A bunch of his troops passed through a few days ago," said Maya. "They, ah... 'took' a lot of my brother's crops."

You scowled. That sounded like Haikon.

"I hear a bunch more are coming though. Passing through at least." Maya shrugged. "I hear he could be making a play for shogun."

"I... see," you said quietly. Trying to break through his armies would be near to impossible if they marched at full strength and at full alert. Your hopes of escaping to carry your twins to term in peace looked fainter by the second.

Of course... if you could lay low and let the army pass over you... You were already inside his lands. With his forces on campaign there wouldn't be as many guarding the castles at the heart of his lands... Perhaps this twist of fate could be bent to your service.

"You see what?" asked Maya. She stared at you like a fluffy dog. Sweet, kind, and utterly uncomprehending.

"Oh, nothing," you brushed it off. You could brood more when you were alone in your room.

Maya flopped onto her back in the cool grass. "It was nice meeting you, really." She smiled at the sky.

>Just finish up and do something else (What? Remember you've still got that arquebus hidden away)
>Keep talking to Maya (about what?)

>Votes called 30 minutes from this update

>>3774180
I'm kind of railroading you away from that plan. It was too good, too logical, too *safe*. No drama, you understand, anon.

>>3774551
>Keep talking to Maya (about what?)
>“Who was it that Haikon sent that requisitioned your brother’s crops?”
>“How many people did he bring with him?”
>“Did you hear of any refugees coming from that castle that Haikon took? I have friends that were nearby.”

>>3774555
I do suggest that you don't do it too strongly, otherwise your players might think there's only one route to take and will take it out of sheer boredom or because they simply cannot provide what you want out of them. This is also the kind of action that if done strongly enough, will have players force the character to make out of character choices through sheer spite.

With that being said, I do appreciate you being upfront with the out of character information.

>>3774575
Normally I'd agree with you. But I wanted to give a good dramatic story, and "slip away quietly, wait around for four months until you give birth, make sure your babies are healthy, then go on the attack" seemed like it would be really boring to be fun. I tried to give solid in-universe reasons why you need to keep pushing ahead, pregnant or not.

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>>3774569
>>3774551
This, but, mention the friends as travelling merchants than people staying in the area.
If she blabs to people about talking to some pregnant newcomer, it might be more telling than some pregnant woman from a merchant family or something like that. I don't know, it just feels more suspicious to say you have friends who live there.

>>3774575
>>3774587
My problem is, it seems improbable we could take revenge while pregnant.

>>3774604
Your an honorable samurai. Your FIGHTING SPIRIT will carry you trough.

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>>3774613
Very well, QM-dono, our spiral energy will break through the heavens.

>>3774604
I agree. That's the biggest issue, there's only so much a character can do under the effects of pregnancy, much less one with twins. And the fact that if we're getting so hungry because of it, it'll slow us down to such a degree to make it undramatic.

>>3774613
We're a fookin pregnant woman on our own, even the 47 who avenged their master were allowed the levity of a year to plan things out and execute them.

>>3774625
Grace period, not levity. Point still remains.

"Who was it that Haikon sent to requisition your brother's crops?" you asked carefully. You tried to sound nonchalant, like you were just trying to engage with her story and listen carefully.

"Oh, I don't know," Maya shrugged. "Some Samurai with Haikon's banner. Wasn't the kind to answer questions, I think."

You'd met more than a few men who'd match that description. Brutish oafs infatuated with displaying their authority. Most forgot that Samurai were servants first and foremost. "Did he bring men with him?"

"I wasn't there," said Maya. "But... I dunno, I think? Enough to carry it all at least. There was a big army moving through."

You scowled. It would take an army to storm the castle, even by surprise. Though... with so many men afield... perhaps he wasn't the only one with surprise on his side. "You said they went to storm the castle?"

"That's what I heard, yeah," said Maya. "A lot of them. A whole army, really. Movin' fast as fast can be."

"Did..." you paused to choose your words carefully. Maya was no doubt a sweet girl, but... she had a tendency to talk. You'd rather she didn't accidentally spill to one of Haikon's men. "Did you hear of anyone making it out?"

"Of the castle?"

You nodded. You didn't know exactly what would've happened to those that remained, but rumors about Haikon's cruelty were too pervasive to lack a grounding in the truth.

"A few," said Maya. You saw her face darken for a moment. "Not as much as... more than there might've though." She propped herself up on her elbows. "I hear Sakura Tenzin held them off. A whole army by himself, just to get as many out as he could."

You smiled. That sounded like your husband. Valiant to the last. "He was a good man," you said.

Maya nodded. "Yeah, he was."

You blinked. Was she just being kind or... it didn't matter, you had to know more. "Did any of the samurai make it out?"

Maya shook her head. "No. I mean... not that I've heard. Just some retainers, some of them got cut down before they could go to ground, you know?"

"I do," you said, having barely escaped that fate yourself. "Maya..." you asked, a sudden realization crashing over you. "How do you know all this?"

"Huh?" Maya looked at you, the very image of a simple-minded farm girl. She picked a smooth stone from the stream, toying with it in her hand.

"These 'rumors'," you said. "And you knew my title. 'Lady Sakura'. I never told you that."

Maya smiled and shrugged. "Don't worry," she said, skipping the rock down the brook. "I'm a friend." Water splashed as the stone skipped. You blinked it away, but by the time your vision returned Maya was nowhere to be seen.

>What now?

>>3774681
Subtlety thank Maya, then head back to the mission. These foreigners don’t know the first thing of traditional cooking, and you’re going to drill it into their heads.

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>>3774681
>What now?
She will make herself known eventually, we should focus on settling in and becoming just a normal part of the mission and town not worth mentioning. Get that Gun hidden in the room but able to be used should they raid the mission or anything like that.
Also this:
>>3774698

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Looks like this is winding down. Think I'll end today's run here. You've been good fun, anons!

>>3774723
Seems to me you will often get stretches of only 2 voters on qst, since this broke up the great quest confederation on tg.

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>>3774735
Fair point. I'll keep an eye on the thread, maybe to another run tonight. But I've got things to do where I can't just sit down ant wait.

A week had passed after Maya pulled her disappearing act by the brook. You were working steadily now, paying for a warm bed and hot meals with hours over a hot stove in the gaijin mission's kitchen. Another samurai might have found it humiliating, working for foreigners and cooking for the lowest of the low. You didn't mind it. It kept a roof over your head, and you were slowly but steadily whipping the foreigner's cooking into shape.

Also, you were finally keeping your belly full. Now that you weren't trying to pull multi-day hikes on one meager meal the constant gnawing hunger was gone. Of course, you were still reminded that you were eating for three whenever you sat down for a meal, but you'd always had a hearty appetite. If anything, you were probably eating less than in your youth when you trained for nearly every waking moment.

Haikon's second waved passed through town the other day. You'd never been so frightened, you were certain your hand hadn't left your sword until long after nightfall. But his men had been marching hard, too focused on pushing his campaigns to spend much time looking for one samurai. That left you solidly behind enemy lines.

Sometimes, mostly at night with nothing to distract you but the gentle stirring of your twins in your belly, you thought about leaving. Just fading into the night and finding someplace safe and secluded to wait out the rest of your term. Putting your vengeance on hold until after you gave birth.

But sneaking through the lines with Haikon's army on the march seemed... well, you were a large and distinctive woman before your pregnancy. You could try to secret yourself away on a ship, but where would you go? It seemed like Haikon was at war with everyone, and more often than not he was winning. If you waited until your twins were born to seek vengeance you might be going up against the Shogun of all Japan.

No, you had a window here. Here, while his troops were flung far afield. Here, where you'd let his armies pass over you. If you were to have your vengeance, it would have to be soon.

So you trained. You trained every morning and every evening. You spent hours honing your skills with your swords.

"Kasumi," Wulf broke your concentration with his rumbling gaijin accent.

"Hmm?" you sheathed your sword with a flourish and turned to him. Your skin glistened with sweat from exertion, and you'd stripped to your sarashi and hakama. You could tell that he still hadn't gotten used to seeing you in that state of undress.

"You're not letting this go, are you?" he said, gingerly handing you a towel and trying not to stare. You weren't sure which he found more distracting, your brawn or your belly.

"I thought about it," you admitted, gently patting yourself dry. "I can't. If I don't stop him... me, my babies... we'll never be able to stop running."

Wulf opened his mouth, closed it again, then finally managed to kick himself over the edge. "So you're fighting?"

"It's all I've ever known," you drew your blade, tensing into a defensive posture.

"Then you won't do it alone," said Wulf.

You lowered your blade and looked at him.

"Look," said the big German. "I've done a lot of... helping you, keeping you safe... fighting by your side... it'll be something good."

>let Wulf join you
>Press him harder on why he wants to fight with you.

>>3774932
>let Wulf join you
“When you feel ready to tell me your story, I’ll be with you to listen to it.”

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>>3774932
>let Wulf join you
Tell him the full truth of us and why we want to do this, if we haven't already
Also
>You weren't sure which he found more distracting, your brawn or your belly.
:^)

>>3774929
>let Wulf join you

>>3774989
Warrior women are hard to come by in Europe. You're probably the first woman he's seen with traps and tris. Mixing all that with a pair of twins is confusing the poor kraut.

Also votes called!

"It won't be safe," you hiked up your Hakama. So far your condition hasn't impacted your fighting prowess much. Your heightened maternal instincts more than made up for the minor additional ballast in your belly. Unfortunately, your fashion prowess wasn't nearly so resistant. "Even with his troops afield Haikon still has many retainers."

"I know," Wulf crossed his massive arms with a stern nod. "Kasumi... I've lived through battles were we stormed cities, pillaged churches, fought for coin and whored it all away by the next morning. If I die protecting a pregnant woman..." he shrugged. "I'd be okay with that."

"You won't just be protecting me," you said. You idly laced your fingers under your southern hemisphere, tacitly taking some of the weight off while your twins shifted inside you. "Us..." you glanced down with an unbidden smile. "I'm going on the attack. I have to be."

"And you won't be alone," said Wulf. "Been around here long enough." He waved at the gaijin mission. "Some men are built for me. Me..."

"I saw you lift Gaeta by his neck," you said. "I know what you're built for."

His craggy features split into a smile. "Yeah... yeah, I guess so. You have a plan?"

"Find Haikon," you said, drawing your sword and admiring your reflection in the mirror polished metal. "Run him through. The details are a little fuzzy."

"Maybe you should start by putting a shirt on?" suggested Wulf.

>Get dressed, you've got revenge to plot
>If you're going to fight alongside Wulf he can't be so dour all the time. Tease him a little, then get with the plotting.

>>3775047
>If you're going to fight alongside Wulf he can't be so dour all the time. Tease him a little, then get with the plotting.
For a martial artist, the body is a weapon, and the Sword is the soul of that weapon. To look at my Katana is more intimate than to see my bare breasts, even. Then giggle when he's like, o-oh s-s-s-sorry

>>3775047
>If you're going to fight alongside Wulf he can't be so dour all the time. Tease him a little, then get with the plotting.
Verbally, not sexually. Still a little too soon for that.
>”While I’m not one to draw steel at a jest, Wulf, I have no compunctions at drawing wood.”

>>3775072
>>3775047
By the way, I would intend this as half joking half serious, because it's sorta kinda true.

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>>3775077
>Re-reads what I wrote

Goddamnit.

Just switch me to what >>3775072 said.

>>3775086
Just how thirsty do you think Kasumi is, my dude?

>>3775090
Her hormones are flowing hard, the only reason she hasn't jumped Wulf is because he's Nanban.

Also, OP is a faggot again. I gotta duck off to get some grub. Will call votes when I return and start writan.

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>>3775112
QM, it's kinda of weird to me you post Elf Samurai and stuff, will there be Youkai or will MC's hair and/or eyes change colors from something potentially?

>>3775167
I just liked the image. Anyway, vote called!

You swung your blade in a wide arc before catching it on your scabbard and sliding it home with a flourish. "Wulf," you said, turning slightly until your breasts--and belly--were in full profile. "For martial artists the body is a weapon, and the sword is the soul of that weapon."

He coughed, and you could tell he was trying to keep his gaze from wandering over your muscled back.

You walked passed him, bumping him with your hip ever so gently. "To see my naked blade," you paused, looking over your shoulder with a carefully-held look of martial detachment. "Is in a way more intimate than seeing my naked breasts."

He coughed again, sputtering and tearing away like he'd touched scalding metal. "Kasumi, I didn't..."

Your stony face split into giggles. "I'm just teasing you," you said. It was... well, when you thought to say it it was the truth. Wulf was wound so tightly, if he was going to be your companion he'd need to lighten up a little. But as the words passed over your lips you started to ponder how serious you'd really been.

Yes, you'd been trying to get a rise out of him, but there was a soul to what you'd said. Your blade was as much a part of you as your hand. And... now that you allowed your mind to dwell on it... there was something about his attention that felt good. A part of you felt guilty for even entertaining the thought, but you couldn't quite put it out of your mind.

You pulled your Kimono over your shoulders and quickly wrapped it so at least your breasts and belly were covered. It didn't seem to help either of you much. "I'll join you for dinner," you said, politely retiring to wash up after your exercise. The two of you parted ways and you quickly made your room to the bathroom.

You were alone in the cool water, which gave you time to think while you let your tired muscles rest. You had a small amount of coin horded away, and you knew Wulf had money of his own. If you wanted, you could strike out for Haikon's castle now and... storm the gates? Try and bluff your way in? No, none of those would work, you didn't even have armor.

Armor... that was the thing. You were large of stature, especially for a woman. You had a set made especially for you at your lord's castle, but you were sure even that would need work to adjust to your growing figure.

Weapons... you had your swords. You doubted if a better pair existed in all the world. You had an arquebus, but you still hadn't found someone to give it a look. Even if you did, you knew little in the art of firearms. Then there was the bow. You'd enjoyed sword fighting more, but you'd always been good with a bow. Of course, you'd always had to wear a breast protector. Still, that was a more reasonable collection of items to acquire.

You scowled, all your plotting wasn't quite enough to dislodge that lingering feeling of *something* you'd felt while training. You dried off after your bath and dressed for dinner, but barely three steps out the door you nearly plowed into Maya.

"Oooh!" The lithe girl all but bounced off your bump. Other than that one incident at the brook she'd never dropped her simple-minded farm-girl act. But you knew better now. You'd bet your life that she was a ninja. "Kasumi! You've gotten huge!"

You rolled your eyes, "It's been barely a week, Maya."

"Still," Maya wrapped her arms around your equator and smiled. "I mean... I guess..." she pulled away, holding her hands wide apart. "Okay, it was just me."

You smiled. This time you'd felt it. She slipped something into your belt. A tiny package wrapped around a few coins.

>Find a secluded spot and open it now
>You're expected at dinner, go eat with Wulf first.

>>3775315
>You're expected at dinner, go eat with Wulf first.
Wait to read it, in case someone else is watching.

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>>3775315
>You're expected at dinner, go eat with Wulf first.
>>3775328
It may be important to read it now, and I doubt people are watching or they'd have attacked us already, but maybe they're watching her... So i'll go along

>>3775315
>You're expected at dinner, go eat with Wulf first.

The note, whatever it was, felt like it was burning a hole in your hakama. You yearned to open it and relieve your curiosity, but you knew Maya wouldn't have slipped it to you in such a subtle way unless she had a good reason. She was subtle, you'd be subtle too. You pretended like the note wasn't there and made your way to the dining hall.

Wulf smiled at you from a table in the corner, rising to his feet when you entered. "Kasumi," he said, filing into position behind you as the two of you lined up to collect your dinners. You'd helped make today's meal, and you helped yourself to a heaping serving. You'd been eating a lot recently. After your long hike to the mission you never wanted to be that hungry again.

The two of you filed back to your secluded seats, and you rather carefully settled onto a bench. You still hadn't completely mastered the art of sitting like a gaijin, especially with your twins feeling heavier by the day.

"Are they..." Wulf gestured broadly at your belly, "is everything alright?"

You nodded. "Precocious is all. Strong."

"Like their mother," he said with a testing smile.

You nodded. "Yes."

>Just eat as quickly as you can. You want to look at that note!
>Tease Wulf some more, maybe it'll help the time pass.
>Something else

>>3775536
Hey, does Wulf know the full truth about us? i forget if we told him or just was vague about it.