>>31525369

“OhMyGosh! Yes! Pancakes let’s do that!” Mica gleefully cheers as she hops onto the bench by the main countertop in the Rentoup’s spacious kitchen. As she sits down, the oldest of the two women here, Nolan and the rest’s mother you think, approaches.

“Hey now, let me take that jacket for you,” she says while placing a hand on one of Mica’s shoulders, “you don’t want to get syrup on it do you?” Mica quickly sheds the offending garment as the woman takes it. Then she comes up to you. The large, complicated looking three part bun she has her golden hair in reminds you of a croissant. Even while completely full from Gil’s double portions breakfast, the food Nolan and one of his sisters cook up smells enticing.

“Fera? Hello?” The older woman draws out her hello with a sing songy trailing that snaps you out of your reverie.

“Oh! Yes, um,” you hold out your right hand, “It is good to meet you Miss Rentoup, ma’am?” She takes your arm and gives it a firm shake.

“Aw, please no need to be so formal.” She lets go to hold out her hand for your coat. “Tanya.” She smiles, highlighting a lot of the same kind of wrinkles in the same places you see on Gil’s face.

>[ ] Pass her your coat. We’re not in a huge rush right?
>[ ] Politely decline, someone’s waiting on us.
>[ ] Custom

File: 1397696757588.jpg-(64 KB, 550x550, empire-sloth-tower.jpg)

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>>31525386
>[ ] Pass her your coat. We’re not in a huge rush right?

Just for a little bit. Talk about Antonia along with whom we think is causing all this mayhem.

>>31525386
> 17:31

You posted this quest immediately after I left to the store to pick up some coffee cream. Funny...

>>31526391
I have that luck

>>31526484
It gets worse. I have to take my mother to the hospital to visit one of her friend's mother. I may be out all night now...

.__________________________________.

>>31526596
Here's hoping the hospital has free wi-fi.

>>31526331

You unbutton your jacket. Tanya takes it from you quickly, making a loud whistle once she sees the armor you just remembered you are wearing under it. This set is more well fitted than you thought.

“Well, well, well would you look at that?” She raps a hand against the scales that cover your chest. “You certainly aren’t taking any chances.”

“Hah, thank you ma- uh, Tanya.” You sit down next to Mica at the bench. Nolan passes a plate full of pancakes and bacon to Mica. The sister walks behind you, leaving a small glass of dark brown syrup next to Mica, who of course digs in with vigor.

You think she’s trying to say something about your birthday present in between the mouthfulls of breakfast but, none of it is intelligible. Soon Nolan takes a seat next to you with his own plate, and a second he passes to you. “Wow! Wh, where did you get that from?” He sticks a fork with some pancake in his mouth as he passes you another fork with his other hand.

“Early present, uh, thanks but I already ate.” You see Nolan’s mother appear again as she takes the pan Nolans sister had just had passed to her from Nolan.

“Oh, don’t be bashful, we have plenty.” You feel the bench underneath you shift and hear it groan slightly as you notice Gary has now sat down next to Nolan. The sister shows up from nowhere again already with a plate ready for him.

“Ah, uh, no really. I’m a little too full right now actually.” You eye the plate.

“Well at least have some juice girl.”

>Cont.

>>31527276

Gods they’re so nice, it’s really weird. You manage to catch a glance of the sister’s face when she passes you a glass of orange juice. She’s about as tall as you are, and seems the same age as Rory. Her hair is brown like Gary’s is, it’s also about as long, not even enough to cover her ears.

You take the glass offered and take a sip before turning to Nolan. “Morning, by the way.” He nods in kind, a bit of bacon sticking out of the corner of his mouth as he smiles. “Actually, me and Mica are here because there’s been a complication.” He stops mid chew, then quickly swallows the bit he was working on. “Antonia Cross had me meet her a few minutes ago.”

“Yeah, yeah, I remember. Yesterday she said she wanted to meet so she could pass off some of her extra compresses.”

“Right, those, whatever they are. But when we arrived she was deathly ill.”

Nolan puts his fork down. “Huh? But she was fine last night.”

>Cont.

>>31527826

“She’s been sick with a cold or something similar for a week now, she’s been dealing with it by using this endurance salve.”

“A salve and not a potion?” Nolan says. You see his larger brother lean forward to peek into the conversation.

“Wobs duh diffhrenss?” Mica slurs through a mouthful of fried breakfast.

“Salves last longer. They’re also way more expensive.” Nolan says, before taking a drink of his juice. “Wait, why is she using stuff for endurance and not, like, medicine?” You start to answer him, but then stop when you see the other adults present.

You may have already said too much...

>Tell him now? [ ] Yes [ ] No
>Custom.

>>31527846
TELL HIM

>>31529134
Well, I'm back. The hospital had 4chan blocked so I couldn't come back once I was there.

>>31529134

You lean in to quietly speak to Nolan. “Antonia hails from lower Arcto, apparently the air down there is different. This is the first time she’s been under the sky and not a mountain range. It’s severely weakened her body.”

Nolan fiddles with his glasses, reseating them on his nose. “Deep lung, right...” He leans closer. “Wait, why are you whispering? Should I be whispering?” He whispers.

“Antonia lied to her handlers or goons or whatever they are, so that she could leave early enough to attend the Forging. There’s some kind of therapy that safely handles it but it would have taken too long. So she’s been getting by on this salve that she says soldiers use.”

Your focus switches from Nolan’s face to his brother’s behind him as he leans forward into the conversation. Gary notices you staring at him and conspicuously goes back to eating by himself.

“Why would she do that?” Nolan says, now quickly eating his food.

“I don’t know, but I said I would help her.”

“Then why are you here? Can’t you just have Sister lick the sickness away?”

You stop dead. You hadn’t thought of that actually. You almost never get sick, and the one time you did, chicken pox go figure, Sister tried to clear it from you. It didn’t work, and she got sick as well, which is weird you don’t think cats can actually catch that from people.

However, you did feel better for a few hours. You felt great.

>>31529786

>[ ] “That’s a good point...”
>[ ] “No, no, no. Too temporary. Besides, I think I know what happened to her supplies.”
>[ ] Custom

>>31529819
>>[ ] “That’s a good point...”

And...

>[ ] “No, no, no. Too temporary. Besides, I think I know what happened to her supplies.”

Mechanically-wise, would it be?

>>31529925
>>[ ] “No, no, no. Too temporary. Besides, I think I know what happened to her supplies.”

I'll change it to this.

>>31530007

“No, no, no.” You shoo the idea away physically with your hands. “Too temporary. Besides, I think I know what happened to her supplies.” You lean forward again, but Mica interrupts before you can say anything.

“Iori’s been messing with the two other teams! He stole Antonia’s not-medicine and he uh...” She sits back down from leaning over your shoulder. “And he... did... something... nefarious to us! I think.”

You laugh. Somehow, you were so busy worrying about your party that you never actually told Mica why you needed to double check her gear in the middle of the night.

“No, I don’t think it was Iori.” You pat Mica on the shoulder, then turn back to nolan. “I think Rory might have done this.”

“Rory? Why?” Nolan sets his fork down on his empty plate. “We saw her last night, and all... And you didn’t see her at all after we left the banquet.” Mica seems to be at a loss as well.

“Sister followed a scent from Gil’s lodge, and she confirmed it was Rory’s by following the trail back to her home.” Nolan scratches the back of his head.

>Cont.

>>31530753

“Why would Rory slash your bow?”

“So she can win I guess?” You shrug. “Maybe she even thought it was funny. But if she was behind this as well.” You turn to Mica, leaving the words unsaid.

“But Rory was so nice yesterday!” Mica punctuates her sentence by shaking her hands nervously.

“Mica, even I know Rory isn’t exactly on the up and up in Lukewater.” You see Gary washing a dish on the other side of the countertop you sit at. When did he get up? How is he so stealthy?

“Damn!” He laughs into the sink while slowly shaking his head. “Back when it was our turn for the forging, we stuck with easy pranks. Like peanut butter in the other team’s boots.” He shuts off the water and turns around to face you three, hands on the counter. “I guess that ol’ armor ain’t just for show then? All out war out there?”

>[ ] “I’m not going to waste time getting back at her.”
>[ ] “And she’s drawn first blood.”
>[ ] “And Iori needs to be held accountable for his charges’ crimes.”
>[ ] Custom

>>31530782
>>[ ] “I’m not going to waste time getting back at her.”

>> Custom
"My loosen bow string is already fixed, and I'm going to help Antonia feel better before we all leave. Let's not lose our cool over these inconveniences."

>>31530954

You stretch your sore arm before folding both of them across your chest. “I’ve already repaired my bow, I’ve already promised to help Antonia, and we’re not going to lose our cool over these hiccups.” You turn back to Nolan and Mica, you see his mother and the sister watching as well. “I’d rather worry about the trip itself. It’s dangerous enough.”

It looks like your posturing actually worked this time, the number of Rentoups that apparently like you just rose by at least three.

“Well,” Nolan stands up. “I’m all done with preparations, are we all heading out to talk to Rory?”

>[ ] Find Rory
>[ ] Find Iori First.

> Bring Mica and Nolan with you? [ ] Yes [ ] No

>>31531575
>[ ] Find Rory

"It wouldn't hurt to try to ask her for the salves back. But I wouldn't be surprised if she denied any wrong doing out right either."

> Bring Mica and Nolan with you? [x] Yes [ ] No

>>31531684

"It wouldn't hurt to try to ask her for the salves back.” You unfold your arms. “That is if she doesn’t deny any wrongdoing out right." You head back around the table in the middle of the kitchen. “Um, Tanya?”

“It looks like you three have business then.” Tanya reaches out and is handed all three of your coats, by the sister. Amazing how they are all on the same wavelength like that. You take your jacket from her and carefully put it back on. “Really is a shame you couldn't sit down and have a proper breakfast with us.”

“If you don’t mind waiting a few weeks,” you look to Nolan, “I’d be glad to visit.”

“WE’D be glad to visit!” Mica takes her jacket and tosses it back on. Gary opens the door for the three of you as you head back out.

>Cont.

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>>31532315
>“WE’D be glad to visit!” Mica takes her jacket and tosses it back on.

>>31532315

You know Rory usually can be found in the northern half of town, although it’s still early morning. There’s a chance she could be found at Cork’s. She may also just still be at her home, which you think is in the same area. You could also go to Iori and ask him where she is. He might have already gathered his charges like you did.

Splitting up makes the most sense you think.

>[ ] Look for her at her home, Mica and Nolan can check the other two places.
>[ ] Look for her at Cork’s, Mica and Nolan can check the other two places.
>[ ] Check if Iori has gathered all of them, Mica and nolan can check the other two places.

>SENSE+PERCEPTION 6d10 to keep an eye out.

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>>31532528
>>[ ] Check if Iori has gathered all of them, Mica and nolan can check the other two places.

File: 1397713076634.jpg-(119 KB, 720x720, no-need-to-be-upset.jpg)

119 KB JPG

Rolled 4, 5, 6, 9, 9, 3 = 36

>>31532602

Dice roll fail.

>>31532602

Don't forget to roll that set!

>>31532622
Haven't forgotten. Just momentarily forgotten how to roll.

>>31532602
>>31532620

“Right. Mica, Nolan,” you look to the two of them as you start crunching through the snow again, “I’m gonna check in with Iori in case he’s already gathered his charges. You,” You look to Mica, “should check for Rory at Cork’s, and Nolan, you know where the Wintercast’s home is right?” He nods, busy cleaning his glasses. “If you find her, just ask her about the salves, I can get Sister to help with searching for them if Rory doesn’t want to help.”

“Or if she didn’t do it.” Says Mica. You turn back to her, she has the usual smile back.

“Right...” The three of you split off once you all hit Bell Street.

You actually have a pretty good idea where Iori would be right now, town hall. You wouldn’t say the two of you are alike at all, but he’s about as straight forward and serious about stuff like this as you are.

>Cont.

>>31532987

>2x9 to keep an eye out.

As you pass into the central plaza, you notice that the snowman from yesterday is gone, or rather, melted. Which is odd, considering how cold it still is here. Lying next to the tree still crooked from yesterday, a pitiful lump of snow with some sticks poking out of it sits.

You can see a few people in town hall trough it’s windows now. You almost walk right past her when you spot Rory loitering by a side entrance to the hall. She paces back and forth fiddling with her purple and black scarf.

That was easy, now what angle are you going to take here?

>[ ] Sister is close by, have her keep an eye on Rory while you get the others.
>[ ] Just be up front. Speaking one on one shouldn’t be too confrontational if we’re out here alone right?
>[ ] Feign ignorance, you think the term is “small talk”?
>[ ] Maybe we don’t have to speak with her at all, Sister can check if Rory still has any lingering scent from the containers.
>[ ] Custom

File: 1397714500251.gif-(2.62 MB, 600x338, just-a-bait.gif)

2.62 MB GIF

>>31533006
>>[ ] Feign ignorance, you think the term is “small talk”?

>>31533052

You walk around the corner to the side of the building she stands by. She doesn’t seem especially agitated. When she sees you she stops pacing and adopts a more lax posture, sticking her hands in the insulated pockets at the front hem of her peacoat.

“Oi, Voodoo's up early.” She smirks and tosses her hair with a head flick.

“Big day, of course I’m up early.” You gravitate toward that same tree you spoke to Gil by last night.

“So I ‘eard you, the witch, an’ lumberglasses all had a riot with that snowman yesterday.” She leans forward into the first step as she starts walking toward you leisurely. You laugh and shrug.

“Yeah, yeah, bit of a surprise that one was.” You stretch your hurt arm, then your ok one. “I wonder if it wasn’t just a ploy by Andrea to get us to pick up some healing potions before we left. You know, just in case.” Rory pulls an arm out of her coat to adjust her scarf a bit.

“Yanno, funny thing, I was ‘eadin back to find Alex, tell ‘im the third prize was found. ‘E finds me first.” She pulls the other arm out to complete a big gesture. “All ‘alf naked like you lot were, nasty new shiner that closed up his right for a bit.”

You slide down the tree to a seated position, giggling. “Oh wow! Is he ok? He didn’t need any meds did he?”

>SENSE+EMPATHY 5d10 to read Rory.

Rolled 2, 6, 1, 7, 10 = 26

>>31533325

>>31533433

>No matches, height 10 to read Rory.

She scoffs. “Heh, you shoulda’ seen the otha’ guy.” She looks off to the sunrise that still slowly gathers its strength. You can’t tell if this is just her usual bravado or if she noticed the comment about meds at all.

“So what are you doing out here anyway?” Your head lolls to the side inquisitively.

“Same thing you are ah think.” She claps her hands together. “Puttin’ off talking to Iori as long as ah can.”

“What makes you say that? Maybe I just wanted to find out which one of the statues I bounced off yesterday.”

“Please, girl, you don’t stick around town for as long as you can ‘elp it.” She look at you over her shoulder, giving a smirk before looking to the east again. “You met with the princess a while ago, coverin’ all your bases right?”

“You got me,” you hold your hands up in surrender. “I’m here to talk to Iori sure enough.”

>[ ] Try to get her to slip up again.
>[ ] Stop beating around the bush.
>[ ] Custom

>>31533655
Option 1

>>31533737

>5d10 get rollan
>What say?

Rolled 3, 9, 8, 3, 3 = 26

>>31533771
"So, has anyone tried to put peanutbutter in your shoes last night? Or perhaps any other funny business. I heard that there's a prank or two commited before the forging. But I've haven't heard much happening in this one."

>>31533928
Typing on a tablet isn't easy.

>>31533943

That makes me feel slightly guilty about taking massive liberties with your dialog suggestion.

>>31534040
Meh. I was away for an hour. No biggy. I'll do it again if I have to.

>>31533928

“What about then?” Rory asks.

“Oh, just was curious if Iori has caught any tell of what sort of pranks are going to be pulled this year. Also to figure out if we want a truce on the prank front. That sort of thing.” You straighten out a few of the cowlicks in your hair, staring at Rory. “Did you know Nolan’s brothers and sisters all had peanut butter sneaked into their boots?”

>3x3 to Read Rory.

“Pff!” Rory practically snorts when she laughs a bit too hard you think. “Bet’er off siding with the Littlest Constable than Her Magisty Cross.” She starts walking back to the hall slowly. “There’s somethin’ off about ‘er. Iori’s ruthless, but Antonia ‘as backstabber written all over ‘er face.

Yeah, you got her now. She definitely has something to do with this. So eager to switch topics to gossip. She doesn't gossip with you. You don’t gossip with anyone.

Just how should you twist her arm about the salves?

>[ ] Be diplomatic about it.
>[ ] Be aggressive about it.
>[ ] Guilt-trip her.
>[ ] Custom

>>31534289
"How ruthless would Iori be, and what do you think would Antonia do for a prank?"

>>31534369
Option 3

"Would stealing someone's medicine the night before the forging be considered as ruthless for Iori?"

>>31534396
I added more. No idea when you're going to call

>>31534407
It a night. Dumb tablet
For cuttng me off...

>>31534369
>>31534396

You stand back up, patting snow off your backside. “And just how ruthless would Iori be?” Rory stops and gives you a curious look. You produce the small tin Antonia gave you earlier, inspecting the label on its front. “Spiriting away someone’s meds the night before seems pretty harsh.” You toss the tin Rory’s way, she barely catches it in time, fumbling it slightly.

She looks it over. “What are you... What?”

“I don’t think Andrea’s boing to be doing any backstabbing when she’s wasting away back here in Lukewater.” You take another step forward, just to let her know you’re dead serious about this. Rory takes a closer look at the writing on it’s label, then looks to you.

“This ain’t meds. And I don’t think I like what you’re insinuatin’” She bobs the tin in one hand nervously.

“What? That I think you took them?” You feel Sister reminding you to stay calm.

“Something like that.” Rory tosses the tin back, you catch it. “Doubly irked seeing as I never touched wonna these things.”

“Someone did, are you saying Iori didn’t put you up to it?”

“Iori di’int say boo.” She looks off to the side. “Argued him out of it anyway.”

“What?”

>Cont.

>>31534754

“‘E said ‘e was gonna take care of it ‘imself. Alright? I ‘ad nothin’ to do with it.”

“You know I don’t care one way or another if you’re lying, I just want to find where you hid them.”

Rory steps up to you. “We can go ask ‘im together like, I’ve been meanin’ to talk to the git about this crap anyway.”

“Oh, well uh, that works then.” Rory’s death glare manages to cut through her fluffy bangs

“Ah’m up for a little fun ‘n games an all that. But Iori was buggin’ the ‘ell outta me even before ‘e crossed the line like this.”

>FULL STOP.

>ARCHIVE http://pastebin.com/G3JFYrv1
>TWITTER @Sojourneyman

Sojourner Quest returns Sunday 5PM MST!

>>31534769
Mica knows all apparently. And no doubt she's found Iori too. I wonder what kind of trouble she's getting herself in.

Thanks for running!

Ey people, singular person, good night.

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>>31527826
>TYPO
The sister appears the same age as RACHEL not RORY.