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She half-opened her eyes and mumbled. "Come back to bed my love, our childre-" Suddenly, she stopped speaking, leaving her mouth slightly ajar. Her eyes opened wide as she roused from her slumber as she realized what she had said and to whom. Her cheeks slowly turned a deep crimson, in a cute contrast with her blue hair, while her brilliant, mortified, emerald eyes stared at you.

This... this was what she had been dreaming? Your heart was about to burst. You didn't give her the chance to become more embarrassed. One of your hands slid next to her head to support your weight on the back of the sofa while you caressed the side of her face with the other. "I love you." you told her as you dived in to seal her lips with yours. The feeling of her soft lips was just as incredible as the first time you had kissed her, or perhaps even more. You loved her, you were sure of it now. But regrettably, that moment could not last forever and you pulled back. Your gaze became lost in her eyes.

She slowly blinked, still flustered. "It's not fair... I'm still dreaming." she grumbled.

You quickly dispelled her complaint. "No, no, this is real. I love you Schala. I have been in love with you ever since I first saw you during our fathers' funeral. You were a small ray of happiness in that sad day. Getting to know you has only made that childhood love stronger." Something compelled you to use the same words that you had used in your dream. For a moment you dreaded that her reaction would be no different, but your fear was completely unfounded, and you couldn't stop there. "You're not only the most beautiful woman in history, but also kind, gentle, selfless and so much stronger than you know... I can't believe how lucky I was to have met you."

Her eyes widened in surprise at your confession. A wide smile brightened her features while you spoke and when you finished she tilted her head, looked at you with that tender expression that made your heart melt and brushed her fingertips on your cheek. She stammered her first words, but quickly gained more confidence and her words began flowing fast and clear like a river. "I... um... I mean... I feel exactly the same. I-I love you too. I love you more than anything. I feel that I have always loved you, even before I finally learned who you really were. Two people with pasts so similar to each other... It could only mean that we were meant to be, that fate brought us together. When we met, it was like I found something that I had always wanted and never expected. You are everything that I dreamt, you give me hope. No matter what happens my love..." She swiftly leaned forward and buried her face on your chest while she wrapped her slender hands around your back. "I want to always be with you. Please, never let go..."

Your brain had turned to mush. You loved her and she loved you back. This... this must be what true happiness felt like! After a moment's hesitation, you returned her embrace, one hand on the back of her head, the other around her shoulder. "Nothing in the world will ever make me let you go." you finally said, your voice heavy.

"I'm glad..." was her muffled reply. She squeezed your back tighter. An eternity passed with you holding each other silently, but all too soon she shifted beneath your arms. "Um... I wish we could remain like this forever, but we can't, can we?"

Unfortunately, she was right. "Yes. We should get going." you rasped and let the fragile little bird that you loved so much free from your grasp. You pushed yourself up and watched as she untied her ribbon, removed her hairpin and began fixing her hair. Your mind slowly resumed its normal operations and you remembered what you had meant to do. "Err, have you seen my staff? I left it somewhere and I can't remember where." you asked her.

She paused mid-movement with her hands raised and a guilty expression. "Oh... I'm-I'm sorry, give me a moment." She dropped her hair, extended her hand forward and closed her eyes in concentration. A small jagged round hole then formed mid-air, about twenty centimeters in diameter, and her hand disappeared inside it. Almost immediately she pulled her hand back from the hole and she was now holding something that she didn't have before: your staff. There was a momentary distortion around it that briefly made your eyes hurt. The hole closed and disappeared and she presented your staff to you. "I, um... practiced with the Space portion of my element for the first time while you slept. This was the result, a pocket of folded space where I can store items. It should follow me in our travels, whatever we place inside will come with us. I would have never done it without your encouragement... Thank you, and I'm sorry I used your staff, it was the most convenient item to practice with."

Schala learned Space Manipulation I

You took it from her extended hand and secured it on your back. "You folded empty space and without an incantation either... That's incredible." There was no other word to describe what you had just witnessed.

She looked down and dismissed your praise. "It's not... It was so simple that I could have done it years ago if I wasn't so-"

Whatever she meant to say could have only be self-deprecating, so you acted quickly and didn't let her finish that sentence. She let out a small, cute yelp of surprise as you pulled her up by her still extended arm and went for a quick kiss. She giggled. "Not that I didn't enjoy it, but what was that for?" she asked.

You answered with a smile. "You were about to say something bad about the woman that I love. She may not be perfect but she's really great and I don't like it when people talk poorly about her."

She giggled again. "Oh... okay." was all that she said, then she pivoted on her heel, blanketing you with her long, dishevelled hair, and took a few playful steps away from you. You almost moved to chase her but quickly thought better. The others would have to come and forcibly drag you out if you didn't put a stop to at this. In the end, you remained rooted in place and asked her instead. "How do you call the place where you put my staff? And how much can you store inside?"

She pouted at your unwillingness to play along, but it only lasted for an instant before she laughed with a sound that was music to your ears. Only then did she answer your question. "I'm not sure what the maximum capacity is, I didn't test it thoroughly. It's just a guess on my part, but maybe a cubic meter? The boundaries are flexible, your staff would have been too big to fit inside otherwise, but I can't make the entrance any wider. I also couldn't think of a name. Do you have a suggestion?"

"Not right now, no." You answered her. Perhaps you would think of something later. For now, your thoughts about how useful it would be were interrupted when she resumed grooming her hair as best she could with her delicate fingers and you kept watching mesmerized.

Would you suggest a name for that space?
>Optional, (Write-in only)

You didn't really care to count how much time she took before she finished tying her ribbon and placing the flower-shaped hairpin back in its rightful place on her splendid azure hair. She then went to fold the blanket that she had thrown over you and you rushed to help her. After that too was done and the blanket was safely put away, she stifled a yawn, then smiled at you. "I'm ready." she said.

"So am I. Let's go." You answered her and turned towards the door.

She confidently strode up to you and ruffled your hair. "There. That's better." she declared. Was it? If she said so, you couldn't really disagree. You shrugged, took her warm hand and stepped out of the room and then the house.

It was a bright day outside. The sun was shining from up above. You must have overslept, it was getting close to mid - wait a moment. Sun? Bright day? Had you unknowingly passed through a Skyway to some far away place? Were you up above the clouds again? You shielded your eyes with your hand and raised your head to look up only to confirm that the roof of the Dome was indeed still up there, but a sun was now shining from its middle.

Schala laughed melodiously at your confusion. "Are you surprised? It's the Sun Disk that we made together. I configured it to follow a day's schedule and left it with Lucca before I returned to your side. She must have mounted it up above while we slept before the time for its false dawn came."

"It's beautiful. But it was all you, I didn't do anything! You brought day inside the dome by yourself." you protested.

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"You did plenty, did I not already tell you so? Its light wouldn't have been so bright if you weren't there..." she replied demurely.

You had no answer to that so you just let go of her hand and hugged her by the shoulder. Her joy was your joy. But she soon squirmed out of your hand. "Marle told me where we would find them when we were ready. This way!" she said and began moving quickly, with a spring in her step, towards the administration building in the center of the dome. You followed closely and unthinkingly leaned forward to take her hand once again. Could you have been addicted to her touch? No, that was ridiculous. Your mother had taught you better than to believe something like that. As you walked, you came to wonder if the joy that had been infused into the disk somehow permeated its rays, bringing joy in turn to all who were touched by them. Your own mood was evidence to that, as were the merry people that you passed on your way. But then again, you loved her. How could you not be happy? And these people could look forward to a happier future thanks to the help of your new friends, your love and, a little, thanks to you. It wasn't strange that they'd be happy, even if it wasn't influenced by magic.

You retraced yesterday's steps towards the administration building, but turned at the last moment towards one of the other buildings that were close by. When you turned the corner you saw that Chrono was practicing with his sword in front of it, fluidly moving from stance to stance and eviscerating unseen enemies with his strikes. If he noticed you, he didn't show any sign of it.

You called out to him when you came close enough. "Good morning Chrono! Where are Marle and Lucca?"

He stopped mid-swing, sheathed his weapon - a katana, he had called it - and turned to address you. "Morning. They're inside. Wanna spar? Practice weapons, no magic."

You couldn't deny that you wanted to see how you measured against him directly, but you had things to do and you had spent too much time in the Dome already. Should you accept?
>Accept his challenge.
>Refuse for now.
>Other (Write-in)

If challenge accepted
>Fight on his terms.
>Fight with your real weapons instead.
>Go all out, fight with your real weapons and magic.
>Other (Write-in)

Party information: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/frozen-moment-chronoqm
Thread archive: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=ChronoQM
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChronoQm

>>5506194
>>Accept his challenge.
>Fight on his terms.
dew it

>>5506192
>Optional, (Write-in only)
>Spacial Storage

>>5506194
>Accept his challenge.
>Fight on his terms.
I still remember what the old dream man said about not rushing if we don't need to.

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>thread begins with Schala’s flexible folds accommodating length of our staff while we’re asleep
I like where this is going


Sorry, sorry.

>>5506194
>accept
>on his terms
A friendly spar, and to familiarize each other with our moves. Maybe we could later use what we learn to come up with a combo attack?

>optional name
We could use something short and maybe not immediately apparent in case we need to refer to it in a hurry. Pocket should be fine, no?

>>5506194
>>Accept his challenge.
>Fight on his terms.

>>5506194
>Accept his challenge.
>Fight on his terms.

>>5506192
>Optional, (Write-in only)
Pocket space

>>5506194
>>Accept his challenge.
>Fight on his terms.

>>5506192
>Dimensional Inventory
>>5506194
>Accept his challenge.
>Fight on his terms.
It's good training. Just remember to pick a practice staff

>>5506194
>Accept his challenge.
>Fight on his terms.

Alright, I'm gonna need some dice for this. 2d100, best of 3 for you and Chrono. This is not a straight opposed roll, Chrono has a total of +13 over you. He gets +20 for being more skilled at melee, you get +2 for the Strength and Speed Capsules you have taken and +5 for Schala's encouragement.

In the meantime, I'm also going to have a runoff vote for the optional name since it won't delay the next update anyway. I'll try to have it out before Christmas, but no promises.
>Spacial Storage
>Pocket
>Pocket space
>Dimensional Inventory
>Let Schala decide from among these

Rolled 46, 64 = 110 (2d100)

>>5507010
>>Let Schala decide from among these
And let her mix and match and if she wants to

Rolled 83, 44 = 127 (2d100)

>>5507010
>Spacial Storage

Rolled 40, 10 = 50 (2d100)

>>5506519
Pocket is nice name, and it could come in handy if we have to store something quickly like you said. But I'm worried that it might cause confusion.

>>5507010
>Let Schala decide from among these
If she has any other suggestions let her feel free to use them as well.

>>5507010
it appears luck was with us this day.

also
>>Let Schala decide from among these
after all it's her invention and ability

Rolled 73, 22 = 95 (2d100)

>>5507010
>Pocket space

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Merry Christmas everyone! I hope your wishes come true!

>>5507973
You too and all the fellows!
For a future better than we even dare hope it to be.

>>5508140
Couldn't of said it better myself.

My apologies for the delay folks, holidays have been far busier than I thought. The quest will resume next week, after New Year's.

Just thought I should let you all know you that I'm still here, just having trouble getting back into writing after my holidays. I refuse to give up though. This quest will continue until it reaches its end, it loses all players or I literally die, whichever comes first. In the meantime, thank you for your patience.

Don't ever run a quest. The curse is real, it strikes unexpectedly and it hits you where it hurts. When I was planning this quest I thought I was prepared for anything that could go wrong, but I really wasn't. I have since learned the error of my ways.

>>5522107
I'm now very worried about what happened

>>5522107
If this is writer's block I completely understand. I hope it's nothing worse than that.

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>>5522107
Our wishes and prayers go to you, friend OP, whatever you're going through. Don't ever despair, or force yourself into a corner.

Stories have such a habit of expanding out of control, don't they?

Be safe!

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"Sure, let's spar. I accept your challenge, and your terms." There was no real reason to decline, you decided. Following the old man's advice had worked tremendously for you so far, and he had also recommended that you don't hurry your journey. You would be fighting side by side with Chrono in the future - and the past, more than likely - a friendly spar would be great to familiarize each other with your moves. "But I don't have a second staff with me, much less a practice one. Where will we find one?" you added, after a brief delay.

He had already began unclasping his scabbard at your acceptance and your inquiry caused him to raise it towards in the wall behind him. He pointed to wwo weapons that were perched on it, a sword and a staff made out of some non-reflective black material. He had everything that you'd need prepared beforehand. "When did you wake up?" you asked him in astonishment.

He shrugged. "Used an Enertron instead of sleeping." was his nonchalant reply as he began walking towards the black weapons on the wall. Oh, that made sense. It hadn't been nearly as uncomfortable as you had been lead to believe, but while not sleeping had its advantages, namely the eightish hours you could use in a more productive way, it also had some massive disadvantages that made you reluctant to rely on one. It wouldn't have restored your mana, it wouldn't have allowed you to dream - unpleasant as last night's nightmare had been, you wouldn't have confessed your love to Schala without it - and no less importantly, it would have forbidden you from falling asleep in your love's lap and deprived you of feeling the most comfortable pillow of your life.

Setting these thoughts aside, you turned to address the blue-haired princess who had been silently standing by you all this time. "Schala, can I put my staff in your, err... Spacial Storage?"

"P-put your... in my, um... Special Place?" she stammered, tilting her head to look at you quizzically and with a faint blush spreading in her cheeks.

"Spacial, as in Space. I, err... have been thinking about some names for your new ability. Spacial Storage was one. Another is Pocket Space, or just Pocket, in case we need to refer to it in a hurry. Or how about Dimensional Inventory? What do you think about them?"

She crossed her arms, placing a finger on her sensual lips in contemplation. "I don't dislike any of them. Um... I think I could combine them, to an extent. It's not really a dimensional space, but... what do you think of the name 'Extradimensional Space', or 'Space' for short? You're right that we might need a shorter name, but Pocket might cause confusion. Notwithstanding the fact that women's garments come with no pockets..." she grumbled.

"It's great! In that case, can you store this in your Space for now?" you extended your hand towards her, with your Iron Staff balanced on your open palm.

She nodded happily and took it from your hand, her long fingers lightly brushing against your palm, then made it disappear in that small hole that lead to her now-named Extradimensional Space. When she was holding nothing again, she hastily grabbed you by your tunic, lifted herself on the tips of her slippers and pecked you lightly on the cheek. "Win." she whispered and your heart began thundering. This was no longer a friendly spar, but a contest. How could you disobey such a simple command from the Princess of your heart?

In the meantime Chrono had finished retrieving the practice weapons and he threw the staff to you as soon as Schala stepped away from you. You caught it in the air and swung it a few times as a test. It was lighter than your Iron Staff, but well balanced. The material it was made of was dull, a little rough and softer than wood. A hard enough hit could cause pain but no injury. It would do. Your opponent was strong and skilled. He had dispatched on his own and with relative ease an R-series robot, the same kind that you had needed the assistance of magic or surprise to defeat. You couldn't underestimate him. You raised your staff and took a combat stance in preparation. "Best two out of three solid hits?" you asked him.

Chrono grinned and nodded, then raised his black sword in a salute and secured his own footing. Almost instantly, he charged forward in an overhand thrust that was easily parried, only for him to switch into a series of quick blows from alternating directions that were all nonetheless just as easily parried as the first, succeeding only in making you take a few careful steps back to prevent him from getting near you. His onslaught petered out and he waited just out of reach, his face unreadable. None of his strikes had come close to connecting a solid hit. Was he not taking you seriously? You'd teach him how big a mistake this was! You took another step back and built up momentum to spring to an attack that would take advantage of his apparent carelessness. With a cry you thrust your staff forward towards his torso but it was exactly what he had been waiting for. He pushed your staff aside with the side of his Katana, then slid his blade down its length, preventing you from moving it in position to block his counter-attack. There was nothing you could do to stop him from hitting your fingers in a solid hit that would have cutting them off with what would have been the sharp edge of his sword if this had been a real weapon.

"A point for you." you said through clenched teeth. Your fingers smarted as he retreated with a grin on his face. A sharp sigh was heard from behind you and you turned to see Schala clasping both her hands tightly in front of her chest. Your eyes met for a moment, but you quickly looked away and prepared for the next bout, your determination renewed. You couldn't disappoint her. You would win.

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You were the first to go on the offensive this time and advanced with a guarded jab. Chrono tried the same move, but you wouldn't make the same mistake twice. You arrested the momentum of your swing and pulled your staff back before he could push it to the side again. Without breaking your movement, you swung low with your staff's bottom and he had to jump back to avoid getting his legs swept. You couldn't give him a chance to recover, so you immediately stepped forward and closed the distance, swinging with the top of your staff right at his head. He blocked with his katana and your weapons locked between you. He grinned and put more strength in his sword. You struggled to maintain the lock, but he began pushing your staff back millimeter by millimeter. He was definitely stronger than you, but being stronger was not all in a fight. You abruptly let him win this contest of strength, rotating your torso and pushing his sword slightly to the side of your body as his own strength carried him forward, while you let go of your staff with one hand and hit him in the chest with your open palm - you would have aimed for the throat if this was a real fight. He was staggered and off balance and you quickly swung your staff, stopping mere inches from his unprotected face.

"Tie." he said with a smile as you allowed him to retreat and resume his stance. You nodded and you two began slowly circling each other. For a moment, it seemed that neither was willing to begin the exchange that would finish the match, one way or the other. Schala came into your view as you moved, still clutching her hands in front of her chest, and your eyes quickly darted to her, then back to your opponent. But even that momentary distraction was enough. Chrono surged forward and you were hard-pressed to parry his thrust, or the series of blows that followed. He was swinging faster and harder than before and every attack came a little closer to hitting you, pulled you just a little more out of position, as he slowly but steadily pushed you back. No, it couldn't end like this! She had commanded you to win!

"Go Chrono!" Your salvation came from behind you, in the form of Marle's voice. Chrono's eyes went wide at the sound and he looked past you instead of at you, causing him to miss with his low swing entirely. This was all you needed, as you shifted the move that would have barely parried the blow to instead swing your staff towards his leg, tripping him up and sending him sprawling to the ground on your side. You let out a sigh of relief and let your staff drop as you turned around and extended your hand to your fallen friend. You had won!

He didn't hesitate to take it and you helped him up. "Thanks." he said with a wide smile.

Suddenly, something soft collided with your back and you went tense for a moment before you recognized Schala's slender hands wrapping around your torso from behind. Her rush caused her long, blue hair to swing forward and partially envelop you in her tresses as her head came to rest on your shoulder. "Well done!" she exclaimed. There was a brief pause before she added "...my love." in a far more quiet tone. You gulped hard. You could feel her softness on your back. Your heart swelled, while your arms remained paralyzed and useless under hers.

"If you are done, can we move on to that video please? We've spent more than enough time in the Dome, don't you think?" Lucca said, standing cross-armed behind Marle, anxious to get going.

"No! That video can wait. It's not fair, you should have a rematch! Tell him Chrono!" Marle objected, gesticulating wildly as she spoke between you and Schala on one side and Chrono on the other. He shrugged. He did not seem nearly as upset about his loss as she was, yet he did not move to pick up his proper sword either. He wouldn't refuse a rematch.

"I, um... was hoping we'd train some more today, like we did after we woke up yesterday..." Schala squeezed a little tighter. She sounded hesitant with her request. You had promised to keep training her, but you were sure she'd accept it if you chose not to do it right now. You had also decided you wanted to learn more about Enchanting from her, so you could enchant her hairpin together. She wouldn't even be disappointed if you suggested that instead.

You had to make a decision. What would you do next?
>Go watch that video.
>Have a rematch with Chrono.
>Train Schala in hand-to-hand combat.
>Learn Enchanting from her.
>Other (Write-in)

Good to see this back!

>>5523846
>Train Schala in hand-to-hand combat.
No need to rush things, like that old man said. The video can wait.

>>5523846
>Train Schala in hand-to-hand combat.
It doesn't hurtbto be prepared

>>5523846
>>Go watch that video.

>>5523846
>Train Schala in hand-to-hand combat

>>5523846
Hnng.
We came here for a reason and we've already asked our new friends to wait a lot. On the other hand, we know the video is going to be a mood killer and have no idea what is going to happen next so this might be best shot at enchanting...

"I didn't want the dream to end..."

>Go watch that video
>Promise we'd steal what time we can for the mutual training.

>>5523900
That video will shake us, I know it will. Especially since Gaius is still mostly ignorant about Lavos.

>>5523846
>Train Schala in hand-to-hand combat.
Let's enjoy the moment before we witness the end of the world.

>>5523846
>Go watch that video.
>Promise we'd steal what time we can for the mutual training.

>>5523846
>Train Schala in hand-to-hand combat.

>>5523846
>Go watch that video.

>>5523846
>>Go watch that video.

>>5523846
Tough choice, seems that its between racing to it and training up.

>>5523846
>Train Schala in hand-to-hand combat.
I'll play it smart.

>Train Schala in hand-to-hand combat.
>>5523854
>>5523867
>>5523876 (1 post id)
>>5523915 (no posts before this update)
>>5524530
>>5527306 (no posts before this update)

>Go watch that video.
>>5523872 (1 post id)
>>5526927 (1 post id)
>>5527298 (1 post id)

>Go watch that video
>Promise we'd steal what time we can for the mutual training.
>>5523900
>>5523916

I'm calling it now for training the girl in hand-to-hand combat before watching the video. No ETA on the update, I can only tell you that it will not be today.

I don't want to start disregarding 1 post ids and new voters. Don't make me.

>>5527460
pal, it's a short thread, you ain't special

>>5527460
Are one of the 1 ID's me? I don't remember which post is which one was mine and there's no (You)

>>5523867
Ok, this was was me.

>>5527463
You have to admit it is a bit weird to have so many 1-id posts, though I hope you're right about it not being samefags.

>>5527460
my brother in christ it's the second vote of the thread

>>5527460
I reply both at home and at work which cycles my ID. I've been involved for two threads now, though hadn't voted in this one yet due to holiday madness

"Of course! I promised I would train you, we can't miss a day." you reassured her. The video could wait. Like the old man in your dream had said, there was no need to rush things. She should be better prepared for the coming battles and you couldn't deny that you'd enjoy every extra moment that you'd spend together.

"Thank you! I'm glad..." she purred and tightened her hug once again. Your mind went blank as you felt her softness pressing on your back and she rubbed your chest, spreading a wonderful warmth across your body.

Lucca crossed her arms and looked at you two with a smirk. "Of course you do. You can't say no to her, can you?" she teased. No, she was wrong about that. You had refused the promise that she had asked of you, you had insisted past it when she blamed herself for what you had chosen to do to protect her, you had not accepted it when she had refused to eat or take Balthazar's enchanted items. You could say no to her, just... maybe not when it came to something that she wanted for herself. But that wasn't really a bad thing, was it? It wasn't like she was a spoiled princess making unreasonable demands. The things that made her happy were so simple that your heart ached at the thought that she didn't have them already.

You were still struggling to form your answer when Marle interjected. "Come on Lucca, don't be like this. Do we have to hurry to watch that again, or even return home?"

Lucca uncrossed her arms before she answered. "Yeah, I'm just messing around. I'll find something to tinker with while these two 'train'." She put air quotes around the last word and even winked. Wait, what did she think you would do?!

"You need a weapon." Chrono was unexpectedly the next to speak, looking towards you and Schala.

"I'm sorry?" The blue-haired girl still clinging on your back sounded as confused as you were.

"You gave me yours." he answered and pointed at the sheathed sword that had been placed in the wall of the building near you. Oh, that was right. This was the sword you had found in that warehouse and later encouraged Schala to give to him. You remembered it now, as well as the way you had felt when she had.

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Marle piped up immediately after him. "Yeah, we promised we would get you a new one. Come on, we should go right now!" Yes, they had made that promise, but so had you, when she was reluctant to part with the ill-fitting sword. You had wanted to be the one to gift her her first real weapon, something to treasure as much as she treasured the hairpin. You even knew a weaponsmith back home who would not refuse a request like that. But it was good that she'd be able to defend herself sooner, wasn't it? You had even told her that weapons were just tools and nothing more. Why then did you not feel happy that she'd get such a useful tool so much sooner than expected? And - you just remembered that too - she had cryptically replied that even tools could dream. What could she have meant? In all the excitement, it had slipped your mind to ask her.

"Really? Now?" Schala asked and tensed up almost imperceptibly. There was a some apprehension in her voice.

"Yes! Come on grandma, you can let grandpa go for a moment." Marle nodded enthusiastically and approached quickly.

"I'm not- We're not..." your love protested, but Marle began giggling as she pulled Schala away from you. Your breath caught when your Princess allowed herself to be removed from your back, dragging her hands across your chest. Grandchildren? With her? No, you couldn't dare imagine that. Not yet.

Marle's enthusiasm was contagious for most. As she half-dragged Schala, Chrono walked briskly and picked up his sword, then turned, extended the other dull, black sword towards Schala and asked her "Can you put this in your Space?" Wait, how did he know... oh, of course, he was there when you had asked Schala to do the same for your staff. You almost spoke up, asking her to give it back to you, but you wouldn't need it before you finished your training with her.

"Her wh-" Lucca began asking, but was left speechless when she saw Schala open a crack in space with one hand while she took Chrono's sword - by the dull 'blade', you were momentarily relieved to see, their fingers never came close to touching as yours had been - and stashed it away. "What is that?!" Lucca asked while you were left feeling guilty over your unworthy thoughts.

Schala hesitated for a moment before explaining. "It's... an area of space that was folded with my magic and can serve as storage. Give me anything you don't want to carry on you and I'll put it away. We called it 'Extradimensional Space' or 'Space' for short." As she spoke, you suddenly realized you were still rooted in spot, so you rushed towards the others, matching their pace when you came to be a few steps behind them as they walked.

"That's all kinds of impossible. How can Magic violate the laws of physics so... casually? You'll have to tell me everything when we find the time!" the scientist declared, making your love laugh with a sound that should have eased your heart yet failed to do so.

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"Don't lose that katana. They will fight again and next time, Chrono is going to win!" Marle hit her open palm with her fist as she exclaimed.

"I will not. And he will not. Now that Gaius knows how he fights, Chrono will not be able to land a single hit." Schala replied haughtily. Chrono was a stronger opponent than she was giving him credit for. You wished you could share her certainty about that, as you wished you could share her cheer in general.

Marle narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth, but Lucca reacted quickly to speak over her and change the subject. "So, Schala, you said you're not going to get a sword again?"

Schala deflated. "Um... no, it was too heavy. I'll..."

"Shortswords are lighter." Chrono replied quickly.

Lucca spoke again after him. "You should pick up a gun. Ranged weapons are safer and guns are easy to use and deal a lot of damage."

"Cossbows are more accurate and pack a punch too, that's what you should choose!" Marle asserted, glancing sideways at Lucca.

"They are not, as a rule. Guns are more technologically advanced and therefore better." was the purple-haired engineer's answer.

Marle's smile turned mischievous. "You think so? Then I challenge you to a marksmanship contest while Gaius and Schala train!"

Lucca adjusted her glasses and grinned at Marle in return. "Challenge accepted." she replied confidently. "Though Schala will have chosen her weapon before that."

Your Princess turned around and locked her eyes with yours. "But if I choose a ranged weapon then we won't... um... Gaius? You've been awfully silent. What are you thinking? And, um... can I have some water?" your love addressed you as she slowed her pace, breaking Marle's hold over her in the process. She manifested the rift that lead to her Space, reached inside for her canteen and extended it towards you.

"Of course." You deliberately brushed your fingers against hers, took the canteen from her hands and filled it, gaining time while you thought how to answer her question. There were pros and cons to every weapon she might decide to use. You had previously suggested that a dagger would suit her best and she hadn't disagreed, but was that really the best option for her? And should you tell her right now about the source of your unease?

>Tell her that you wanted to be the one to gift her her first real weapon, you will keep nothing secret from her.
>Don't, not right now. It will only ruin her mood.

AND

What kind of weapon would you recommend for her?
>Nothing, you don't want her to get a weapon now.
>Gun
>Crossbow
>Sling
>Shortsword
>Staff
>Dagger
>Other (Write-in)

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Alright, I'm very sorry guys but this isn't working. The stress is getting to me, I'm always too exhausted to write and I'm filled with guilt when I think about how this is the second thread where I was sure we'd get to see that Lavos video, it's only the 3rd update of the thread and I'll probably not even be able to finish a 4th before it archives. The good news is that if all goes well my situation will substantially improve after the middle of February. I'm putting a pause on the quest until then so I can focus more on making that a reality. Gaius's journey will continue and the next thread will be up on Tuesday February 28th, afternoon or night Euro time. That's a promise and I don't make those lightly. I know you've heard this before and been disappointed by quests that ended up dying and so have I, but I'm not going to disappear without a trace. I'll still lurk and occasionally post on /qtg/ and if you happen to want to message me directly, I'll be periodically checking my twitter, or you can more easily find me on the /qtg/ discord. Thanks for being such wonderful players. See you around!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVn0YCMyVU0

>>5538433
>Tell her that you wanted to be the one to gift her her first real weapon, you will keep nothing secret from her.
>Gun
Princess with a Glock
>>5538434
I hope you manage to deal with whatever has been dragging you down QM.

>>5538439
Actually I think I'll go with
>Sling
>Shortsword
She can choose which she prefers

>>5538433
>Don't, not right now. It will only ruin her mood.
>>Gun
she's got that accuracy ring doesn't she, it should help
>>5538434
I was kind of expecting this, I appreciate the honesty

>>5538433
>Tell her that you wanted to be the one to gift her her first real weapon, you will keep nothing secret from her.
>Dagger

>>5538434
No worries QM. We'll be here.

>>5538447
Marle got that ring, Lucca won't like the result of their contest.

>>5538433
>Tell her that you wanted to be the one to gift her her first real weapon, you will keep nothing secret from her.
Ah yes, the irrationality of love. Also it's best to at least talk about it than let it stir inside of us, and it's a good chance to know what Schala meant about tools being able to dream.
>Dagger

>>5538454
You think she'll wear it? Wouldn't that be cheating?

>>5538433
>Don't, not right now. It will only ruin her mood.
>write in
>How about we line up all the weapons in front so she can test out everyone until she finds the one she likes?

>>5538434
I hope to see you then i guess. Stay safe.

>>5538434
I'm usually not good with saying things, but I wish you the best QM.

>>5538433
>Tell her that you wanted to be the one to gift her her first real weapon, you will keep nothing secret from her.
>Dagger

I'm >>5527306
My id probably changed since I'm phoneposting.

>>5538433
>Don't, not right now. It will only ruin her mood.
We can tell her about it when we get her a better weapon in some other time. Let the others bond over her weapons.

> Dagger
I don't think anyone else uses daggers, so no overlap or fighting over weapons, and they're easier to hide in her vests, if it ever comes to a sticky situation. Also, it should only be for extreme situations, she should stay distant and buff the party in most cases.

>>5538434
No worries QM, shit happens. I'm liking the story (though I do wish we'd move slightly faster) and hope you can sort through whatever you're going through

>>5538433
>Tell her that you wanted to be the one to gift her her first real weapon, you will keep nothing secret from her.
>Dagger

>>5538433
>don’t right now, it will only ruin her mood
Impulsive promise stemming from possessiveness doesn’t seem as important as her ability to defend herself

As for the type, hmm. Staff or a polearm seems a decent compromise between putting her at range and not denying her the melee. Although if she ends up treating training as excuse to get physical with Gaius it could lead to picking up wrong habits…
What about a staff sling?

>>5538434
Don’t worry OP & take things at your pace. I appreciate your desire and commitment, but don’t break yourself on it! And best of luck with whichever pressure or difficulties the life, fate or man throws in your face. Here’s wishes for you to preserve faith & hope & love in your heart.

>>5538433
>Tell her that you wanted to be the one to gift her her first real weapon, you will keep nothing secret from her.
Honesty is the best policy in a couple.
>Dagger
>>5538434
Be well QM.

>Tell her that you wanted to be the one to gift her her first real weapon, you will keep nothing secret from her.
>>5538439
>>5538454
>>5538485
>>5538503
>>5538638
>>5538991

>Don't, not right now. It will only ruin her mood.
>>5538447
>>5538486
>>5538570
>>5538805


>Sling
>Shortsword
>>5538443

>Gun
>>5538447

>Dagger
>>5538454
>>5538485
>>5538503
>>5538570
>>5538638
>>5538991

>How about we line up all the weapons in front so she can test out everyone until she finds the one she likes?
>>5538486

>Staff
>>5538805

So, we will resume next thread with telling her and suggesting a dagger. Thanks for the kind words everyone, I really appreciate it. Not much has happened since last I asked, but it's the end of a thread so if you have any feedback, positive or negative, or anything else you'd want to say or ask, I'd love to hear it. (Please be something other than the slow pace of the updates, I know that's been a problem.)

This thread has been archived at the usual place, https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=ChronoQM

There's also a small surprise brewing, I hope you'll like it.

>>5540156
>spoiler
I'm sure you won't disappoint.

File: Schala Frozen Moment.jpg (2.09 MB, 3400x4677)

2.09 MB JPG

Here it is. A small sneak peek of what comes next, drawn by https://twitter.com/Calamancyy

>>5543743
She's ready to shank

>>5543743
Cute

>>5540156
Just caught up with the quest, leaving some feedback as requested

>How are you liking this quest so far?
Loving it

>No promises, but is there something you'd like to see more or less of in the future or that could be improved?
I’m unfamiliar with Chronotrigger, but the existence if the Whirlwind skill implies other martial skills. I’d like to see us be able to learn/use some more of those rather than just generic “attack thing with staff”. Not that the combat has been bad, it’s been fine, just something that can be improved I think.

Also, while I appreciate the “take your time and enjoy the journey” approach that gives us flexibility to explore and do the things we want, it worries me that there is no time pressure to balance this. I’m worried it could turn into the players exploring absolutely everything in every location and doing all the options, because why wouldn’t you? Especially with level ups happening when we sleep. This could drag the story on and be tiring for you and I think it would be less interesting to read. I would suggest some sort of time pressure, not necessarily something super urgent, but something to push the story along and make sure we don’t sit around and twiddle our thumbs. Or if this was intentional that’s fine too.

>Is there something you particularly liked?
I like the characters, their interactions, and the mystery/plot. I enjoyed the romance, even if it did develop rather quickly. It sounds like you’ve been relying heavily on characters from the game, so I’ll echo others in saying I think you would be fine using OCs, and I think it would help spruce it up and differentiate the quest from the game.

>How do you all pronounce Schala's name?
I’ve read it as Shala. Did you have a canon reading for it?

>Chrono Trigger, the game this quest was inspired by, is one of my favourites of all time. Have all of you played it?
Nope


As for the romance topic, I think it’s been handled well so far, but I think it shines better when the focus of the story is not on the romance itself but when it seasons the story. I think you said it would be transitioning when we leave the dome, but I just wanted to get that thought in.

>>5540156
Also, what would have happened if we chose not to follow Schala through the portal?

>>5543743
very cute!

my misgivings about dagger is that we're going to need her to be ready to cut people in close range, starting with practicing on us - our exercise sessions will be literally about improving her ability to carve us up. I feel it's a bit cruel to her. But I suppose it is a good holdout weapon at very least.

>>5544758
Thanks anon, it's a treat to get feedback as extensive and well-thought-out as yours.

>I’d like to see us be able to learn/use some more of those rather than just generic “attack thing with staff”.
I'm afraid I probably won't be able to deliver on that, for a couple reasons. One is that I just don't have many good ideas for other purely martial techniques that can't be broken down to "attack thing with staff", and it would feel really weird to gate simple hits behind specific techniques. There are still some that you'll have the chance to learn, just not too many. And the other is that I've come to believe combat flows better if the prompts are more often about general strategy than using specific techniques on a turn-by-turn basis. Spells will work well enough for variety, I think. Though if you do have ideas, drop them in the thread and Gaius may end up adding them to his repertoire.

>Also, while I appreciate the “take your time and enjoy the journey” approach that gives us flexibility to explore and do the things we want, it worries me that there is no time pressure to balance this.
>Or if this was intentional that’s fine too.
Oh, it was very much intentional, at least so far. I like time limits, but only when they make sense, and it didn't really make sense. I also think that a story works best when the pace varies, with slower moments when you have the time to explore and interact and more frantic sections when you don't really get the chance to stop and smell the roses without consequence. There will be more of both in the future. Remember, you are being hunted outside the safety of the Dome and have no way to acquire supplies.

>I’ll echo others in saying I think you would be fine using OCs, and I think it would help spruce it up and differentiate the quest from the game.
Noted. It is true that almost everyone you've met so far has been a character from the game, but there have been a few OCs already (other than Gaius and his family, the blind little girl did not exist in the game, for example, or her father who you have heard about but not met yet). You dodged some chances to meet a few back in the kingdom of Zeal when you run into Schala and run away with her so quickly, but there will be more in the future.

>I’ve read it as Shala. Did you have a canon reading for it?
Nope, that's what makes the question interesting. The game is old and has no voice-acting. There is no canon reading of her name, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the proper pronunciation has been a matter of debate for decades. But if you want my own personal reading, it's Shala

>>5545935
She did find it hard to attack you in your previous training session, didn't she?

>>5544759
>Also, what would have happened if we chose not to follow Schala through the portal?
I'm very glad that you asked!

WHAT IF
>"Gaius!" She rose her hand towards you and an instant later - she was gone. The portal shrunk down to a small, red, glowing ball. The pendant fell to the ground.

>You...
>>Didn't.

No, you couldn't just rush after her like this. This wasn't cowardice, it was just... you didn't know where the portal would lead. There was no guarantee it would send you to her. It could rip you apart, send you to the distant past or future or to another world entirely. You had to be rational about this. The Kingdom's scholars could study this portal and find a way to safely retrieve her, but you'd have to tell them what had happened first. They would surely spare no effort to rescue the Kingdom's beloved Princess.

You recovered the pendant from the ground and left the cave with a heavy heart and one last look at the red, glowing ball inside which she had disappeared. Evading the Gosnell was not difficult now that the Princess wasn't slowing you down - a harsh thought, but no less true - and you rushed southeast, towards the Skyway.

Your first surprise came when you run into Dalton and his entourage on your way back. He had sortied to combat the threat of that monster so close to the Kingdom's entrance after the Blackbird had proven ineffective against it and he was very interested in your tale, after you showed him the Pendant to prove your words. So interested that he insisted that you accompany the expedition and lead him to the cave.

You did not encounter the Gosnell before you reached the cave, but that wasn't much of a surprise. Your second real surprise came when you entered the cave and found that the red ball had disappeared entirely. There was nothing left that could lead you, or anyone else, to the Princess's location. The sinking feeling in your stomach did not last long, however.

It was interrupted by the third surprise, when Dalton punched you in the gut and ordered you under arrest 'for the abduction and murder of Princess Schala'.

.
.
.

How much time had passed? Days, weeks, months? It was impossible to tell. Time was just a blur, most of it spent suspended in the air in one of the Palace's holding cells, unable to move a muscle while inside the force field. The monotony was broken only when they pulled you down for another interrogation, always asking the same questions. What had you done to the Princess? Where was her body? With access to healing magic, there were so many inventive ways to make you talk. Yet your answers never changed from the truth that they wouldn't - couldn't believe.

Something was different this time though. You were removed from your cell and left alone in a dark room, chained to the back wall. The chains were unnecessary, you wouldn't have had the strength to attempt to escape even if you were left unbound. No one was there to interrogate you. It was just like the time when the Queen herself had visited you, early in your captivity. She hadn't believed the truth, of course, and had grown increasingly angry at your protestations and refusal to admit that you, as she had put it, had seduced her pretty, foolish, naive weak daughter with honeyed words and petty baubles, lured her outside the safety of the Kingdom and done horrible things to her. Her anger had only ended when she began blasting you with Lightning until you were left unconscious. Unconscious, but not dead. You could not be allowed to die before you told them what they wanted to know.

The door opened and a slender, hunched figure stepped in. Your eyes struggled to adjust to the light, but you couldn't tell who it was. Not until you heard her voice.

"Gaius?"

"...mom?" you croaked harshly, your parched mouth struggling to form even this simple word. All this time, you had been unable to even create a drop of water to quench your thirst.

"My sweet little boy, what have they done to you?" she asked and walked towards you, until a force field crackled and arrested her movement. She would not be allowed to approach further.

Your mother took this in stride. She put her palm on the barely visible barrier that separated you and spoke quickly with a strained smile. "My baby... don't worry. Mom will take care of everything. I appealed to the Queen, mother to mother, and she showed mercy. She agreed to release you to house arrest, she will allow me to tend to you. She just... she just wants to know one thing." she gulped before continuing even more quickly, her question coming in a single breath. "Where is her daughter's body?"

You jerked forward, causing your chains to rattle, letting a moan escape your lips. Your mother... even your mother didn't believe you.

The glow from the barrier intensified as she pushed her hand forward and spoke again. "Shhhh. I know it's not your fault. I know you didn't kill her, or do any of the horrible things that Dalton said you did. It was an accident, wasn't it? You two fell in love, ran away together and had the misfortune to encounter that monster. It didn't eat her, I trust the man who performed the autopsy. She must have slipped and fell while you were running away. She either hit her head, or fell into a chasm, or... it doesn't really matter. This is what happened, isn't it my boy? I know how painful it is to lose the person that you love, I can only imagine how much worse it is to have seen it happen in front of you... to blame yourself for her loss. I can't blame you for constructing that fantasy about her disappearing into a portal, and the Queen doesn't blame you either. Not anymore. She just... she just wants to bury her daughter next to her husband. Please Gaius, she just wants to grieve, as a mother. You should let go and begin grieving properly too. I know I haven't been a good mother since my Notus left us, but this time, I'll be here for you, my sweet little boy. We'll get through this together. Please..." Her voice broke at the end a tear streaked down her face.

What could you say to her plea? You were even beginning to doubt your own memories. Was that portal real? Or was it, as your mother had said, merely an elaborate fantasy you had constructed out of the guilt you felt over getting the Princess killed, a fantasy that you had come to believe yourself? You opened your mouth, but when you began speaking the sound came out horribly distorted and you stopped talking in surprise. Your vision began swimming. There were... waves everywhere you looked, as if the room and everything in it was bending in impossible ways. Your first thought was that you had finally lost your marbles completely, but your mother was looking around in confusion as well. Whatever was happening, she saw it too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO8FIDzpvXo

What was going on? This would be a question that you'd never know the answer to, as reality itself broke apart around you and everything ended.

ENDING 02: ENEMY OF THE KINGDOM

>>5546236
Bravo!
I'm glad we didn't refuse.

>>5546233
>I just don't have many good ideas for other purely martial techniques
Fair, now that I think of it, it’s difficult for me to think of martial skills to implement here that wouldn’t either be used all the time, infringe on how combat has been written so far, or make little sense in the setting. For example, I think of things like “disarming strike” or “feint” or “power attack”, but there would be little reason not to always do that in melee, or if you limited it, it would be difficult to justify in-setting (why can he only do this technique 3 times a day?). I think you’re right in that your current system wirks fine for diversity, and I do like the direction of voting for general combat strategies. I’ll look forward to what new techniques we can learn.

>>5546236
Kinda scary how some of these choices lead to instant bad ends. Though I guess the ones you’ve shown that did were kind of obvious. If we do end up holding the idiot ball or make some grave miscalculation, I hope there would be some mercy.

I wonder why Schala being absent / dying / being “processed” by the machines in the future causes reality to collapse. I wouldn’t think it would cause a paradox in Gaius’ time for Schala to suddenly not be there anymore, unless somehow timetravelers were already present and impactful, and Schala’s absence disrupts the future such that it creates a paradox for the time travelers?

>>5546254
So am I

>>5546268
>Kinda scary how some of these choices lead to instant bad ends. Though I guess the ones you’ve shown that did were kind of obvious. If we do end up holding the idiot ball or make some grave miscalculation, I hope there would be some mercy.
Good. You should be kinda scared. There would be some mercy, yes, but you shouldn't just count on my mercy to bail you out. Choices have consequences and sometimes those consequences can be severe. I'm not your enemy, I want you to succeed and reach a happy ending, but I also believe that a happy ending is meaningless if it's preordained. You will have to continue making the right choices, as you have so far, to reach happiness.

I believe the 3rd ending that you narrowly avoided, and whose details I can't reveal just yet, works well as a showcase.

>>5547280
>I believe the 3rd ending that you narrowly avoided, and whose details I can't reveal just yet, works well as a showcase.
Let me guess, is it Schala dying to the gosnell/robot?

>>5547313
I can neither confirm nor deny that.