>>39013878

Anyway, your haunches are sore and cold, so you pop out of your hiding spot not too long after hearing the voices disappear.

Marissa lets out a sigh of relief. “I thought we were going to have to run for our lives, I was so scared.” Her shadowy wings converge closely to her body to reflect this fact. She turns to you. “Let’s go home.” She pleads.

Scared? It wasn’t either of your lives that were in danger, but you’re fine with returning, you did get what you were after.

You hold up the vial with the leech to inspect its condition.

So much relying on this little thing…

“Go get Ellie then.” You march back to the portal without another word, and dip yourself into the darkness without waiting for your apprentices.

~

Your hand finds the metal of the tub, and you pull yourself back into your home with item in tow. This time you’ll have to keep track on whether or not your apprentices are keeping to their duties of feeding it.

Speaking of apprentices….

You trod over to Ellie’s tub, and reach into the congealed blood. Your hand grabs onto the pliant feeling of flesh, and pulls out an unconscious Ellie and place her on the ground, your last duty as babysitter tonight.

You take a moment to wipe off the bloody mess from your body, before heading off to your room to greet a familiar voice.

The moment you wrap yourself into the cloak, the voice fills your mind once again.

“You have con-“

Yeah, yeah, you know the drill by now, there’s only the matter of choosing what you want to expand your knowledge in. There's always the usual things, but maybe with a bit of creativity, something novel can be learned.

>Delving

>Pyromancy.

>Necromancy

>Write in.

>>39013941
>Delving

>>39013941
A way to meld our Pyromancy and Delving together.

>>39013941
>Delving
The real source of all our power

Hello again everyone!

>>39014045
>>39014193
Investing in pure delving.

>Writing

>>39014230

These little glimpses of what’s beyond the outer realm have enticed you for too long for you not to take any action.

With only that small thought as impetus, your body is suddenly overcome with a number of sensations.

The sight of the blood connecting the realms fills your mind, some aspect of the blood makes the connection more extensive than just plain water, but…

But! If you know where you’re going, you can focus the connections purely to that area.

Deeper realms can be delved into with the proper use of blood medium, and the shallower realms can easily be reached using plain water. With those proper connections to the deeper realms, you could delve into them fully maintaining a whole form, completely eliminating any nasty surprises.

Your arms give way from underneath you, causing you to collapse roughly into the floor. The wood panels become stained with the coagulated blood that you have yet to wash off you, but a fresher crimson, pours out from before your eyes.

You wipe the warm flowing liquid from your nose, it must’ve started from when you hit the ground. The ground…that you’re going to have to get off of eventually.

Arm in front of arm, you painfully drag yourself to your desk, to record the details of your latest delve and what you just learned into your journal.

Your whole perception is a bit fuzzy after finishing, so you rest your head on your desk.

>>39015162

“Sophia!”

Ugh, why can’t the voices just leave you alone right now?

“Sophia!!”

Is that even coming from your mind? It doesn’t sound like, it sounds a lot more like…

Marissa yanks you up from the desk. “What’s wrong!?” Her eyes filled with concern.

Your gaze finally focuses. “I’m fine.” You respond, rather annoyed. “There better be a good reason why you barged in here.”

She looks at the door behind her. “It’s Ellie, there’s something wrong with her.” She returns to looking back at you. “Come on!”

You follow Marissa back in her room, where Ellie lies on her bed, still unconscious, but shaking violently.

That’s certainly not good for her.

She begins to mumble something at first, making the two of you think that she may be trying to call for help, so you lean in closer.

“THE DEAL HAS BEEN MADE!” Ellie suddenly screams at the top of her lungs.

You both recoil from surprise, and fall back. Ellie’s shaking becomes more violent, and now she’s beginning to foam at the mouth.

“We have to wake her up!” Marissa shouts to you and begins to approach her again.

Do you now? You’re interested in what else she has to say, after you remember her supposed ability to perceive the other realms in her sleep. But her condition is certainly worsening, so it might not be worth it if she were to hurt herself, or worse.

>Wake her up.

>Stop Marissa and continue listening.

>Write in.

>>39015204
>>Wake her up.

>>39015326
I'll go with this for this choice. But as always, if it's one person, I'll have to end the thread early.

>Writing~

>>39015520
I dunno where the other went.

>>39015520

No sense in losing her for something that's likely very little more than some random rambling.

You and Marissa both prop Ellie up, and you take the chance to give her back a firm smack to clear out all that foam that’s in her throat and wake her up at the same time.
After a few solid knocks, her shaking lessens, and her breathing levels out, with only her back worse for the wear.

Her brow scrunches likely from the pain, but as you lay her down she’s already returned to a normal sleep.

“You’re lucky Laurent wasn’t around for that.” You watch your apprentice’s steady breathing. “Keep an eye out on her for about an hour before going to sleep.” You order Marissa, who simply nods while watching Ellie as well.

You yawn deeply. This was one hell of a way to end your small vacation, and perhaps a little too much too quickly, because your whole body is unusually fatigued.

“I’m off to bed.” You turn to head out of their room. “Come get me if she starts that again.”

“Good night.” Marissa calls quietly after you as you leave.

After washing up, you eagerly return to warmth and comfort of your bed. Your drooping eyes stare at the boarded up window across from your bed.

You really ought to have those boards taken down, it’s not like Manolo or his pets are going to attack you from beyond the grave…well if he died normally they might, but he’s little more than ashes in air by now, and with any luck, those ashes won’t blow back your way.

You drift off to comforting, and thankfully dreamless sleep.

[1/2]

>>39016468

~

You start breakfast alone, as your two apprentices are still firmly asleep, alone at least until Laurent finally comes walking into the house with a meek and apologetic look on his face for coming home later than he said he would.

You’re about to ask him where he went, before a firm gaze from him essentially stops your question even before you ask it.

“Well…” You shrug, not pushing the matter any further. “Come join me for breakfast at least.”

As he removes his gear in the entryway, you spot faint red specks on his mask that weren’t there the day before. You elegantly start your breakfast as if not noticing a thing.

Then a firm knock comes from your front door yet again.

You quickly look at him to confirm whether or not he brought someone with him, but a vehement shake of his head cements that Laurent doesn’t know who’s on the other side of that door.

As of late, nothing good has come from anyone who knocks on that door.

>Ignore it.

>Have Laurent see who it is.

>See to it yourself.

>Write in.

>>39016494
>See to it yourself.
Have Laurent be ready.

>>39016494
>See to it yourself.
have laurent hide just out of sight in case we need him

>>39016494
>See to it yourself.

>>39016521
>>39016544
>>39016707
And you just started breakfast too.

>Writing.

Maybe we should have gotten control over observing the act of delving rather than performing.

To see if part of Ellie is stuck in the deeper realms and if we can figure out how Marissa's shadow works.

>>39016758
But aren't we the one who makes them transform into those forms? they'd need us to be there to do those things

>>39016825
Then direct that sight on our own soul....thing. Besides, researching how the shadow manifests in the human world would be good, too.

Also, can we take them with us to deeper levels?

>>39016897
As it stands now, you've yet to go to a deeper realm on your own volition, so trying to bring them along with you is unlikely to succeed.

Good questions~

>>39016957
At the very least, we should explain the whole Venn Diagram thing to Marissa and Ellie. That's one tidbit they deserve to know AND is a relatively harmless bargaining chip for them to use if they need to sell information.

As for CHOOSING where to go, that will probably wait until they can defend themselves.

>>39017032
I'll try to set up some prompts soon where you can choose how much information you want to share with them.

>>39017032
>>39017145
to elaborate, We can tell them that, and if they're ever interrogated, they have a great excuse:

>"We don't know anything else. She CALLS us apprentices, but in the end, it was quid pro quo: Unless we made a breakthrough and learned how to choose which realm to go, we didn't get taught anything else."

File: sy1.jpg (847 KB, 900x900)

847 KB JPG

>>39016725

At least they had the decency to knock, which means that they won’t be so bad, at least to start…

You quickly head to the door, and push Laurent off into the parlor room, out of sight, but certainly not too far off in case you need him.

You take a deep breath to collect yourself before opening the door, and then go for it.

There’s a face you haven’t seen for a while.

On the other side of the doorway stands a young woman with a naturally coquettish expression on her face.

“It’s certainly been some time since we last saw each other, Sayu.” You greet her with extra emphasis on her nickname. “I won’t even ask how you managed to find this place, Sayu.”

She’s visibly annoyed by your demeaning tone, which is good, perhaps it might get her to share more information than she would normally.

“Hello, Sophia.” She says stiffly, trying to maintain her cordialness. “I was wondering if we might share a few words…” She looks over your shoulder. “In private.”

You slightly tilt your head to the side, in thought. She’s proven herself to be trustworthy, in a watchful sort of way. At least you know that she isn’t likely to attack you, so you step out of your house, closing the door behind you.
[1/2]

>>39017763

You gesture toward yourself. “Here I am.”

“Thank you.” She says, then immediately takes upon a more serious countenance. “I’m on the verge of completing a very important task.” She anxiously twists her hair around. “But the helpers I usually use have all left me. Damn their guild.” She says with a bitter tone of voice.

Intriguing fact, one that brings up a lot of questions.

“What exactly is the task that you were on the verge of completing?” You ask, masking your interest.

She glances around herself. “I can’t go into detail unless you choose to help me, and even then, I won’t be able to tell you everything.”

You through a skeptical look at her. You’ve never been a fan of vagueness.

“Look, I’m desperate here.” She announces almost proudly. “I wouldn’t be asking your help if I wasn’t. But if you’re at all interested in learning more about other Occult practices, then it would also be beneficial for you to help me. So don’t be stupid.”

Or you could just have the information forcefully if you –truly- wanted it, but of course you’re not going to tell her that.

“What kind of work would I be helping you with?” You ask, annoyed at her last words.

She scoffs. “I just need a pair of hands with experience in this sort of thing. Some physical work, but it’s nothing out of the realm of what you likely usually do.” She looks at her timepiece. “Look this is a very time sensitive matter, so I need to know now whether or not I should set my sights for another helper.” She says scornfully of your wasting her time with so many questions.

With that tone of voice, you’d swear that you were the one asking her for help. Immediately you’re less interested in helping at the drop of the word “physical.” But maybe there’s a way to get the information you want without actually doing any work.

>Recommend one of your apprentices help her.

>Help her yourself.

>Refuse the whole offer.

>Write in.

>>39017816
>Recommend one of your apprentices help her.
Have Marissa do it.

>>39017816
>Recommend one of your apprentices help her.
Marissa

>>39017816
>Why did the helpers leave
give me your best excuse

>Damn WHICH guild?
Very important question. This could make or break the deal.

>>39017966
In this case, she's referring to the original guild, the one that Matthias and Ellie once belonged to.

>>39017816
>Help her yourself.
We got time, we just finished a delve anyway so no more for a bit

>>39017816
>>39018013
then I guess it's fine.

>Recommend one of your apprentices help her.
Marissa

>>39017947
>>39017956
>>39018069
First mission for second apprentice.
>Writing~

>>39018130

You ran your hand through your hair. “I’m not going to help you...”

Her expression immediately sours, and then she begins to storm off immediately there after.

“But.” You call out after her. “I’m going to have my apprentice Marissa assist you with this important task.”

She turns around, and her sour expression lightens, but it still has an annoyed edge to it. “I’d prefer to have the person with the most experience. Are you confident in her abilities?”

Not overly, but if she’s given the proper motivation, she’d capable of doing just about anything. And looking over Sayuline’s figure and face, you have an idea for what motivation that will be.

“Of course I am.” You respond confidently. “I trained her after all.”

“That’s hardly a comfort you know?” She crosses her arms.

She knows just how to annoy you so well.

“Alright then, I guess I hardly have a choice in the matter” Sayu says with a begrudging tone of voice. “Have her come by this address by noon. Let her know that she’ll be working non-stop for at least twenty-four hours.” She hands you a small piece of parchment with an address scribbled on it messily.

You accept the note, and give her a firm nod.

“…Thank you.” She flings her scarf tightly around her neck and leaves without another word.

That wasn’t so bad, but your breakfast is probably cold by now. You return back inside to not let the rest of it go to waste.

~

[1/?]

>>39019064

You take a final sip of your tea, relishing that it’s highest quality you’ve ever been sold before. As much as you hate to admit, that market is improving terrifyingly quickly.

“I have assignments for you two.” You point at Ellie and Marissa while holding onto your teacup. “Actually, it’s really only an assignment for Marissa, we’ll just be going over what you’ve learned so far, Ellie.”

The both of them perk up at your words.

“What kind of assignment?” Ellie enthusiastically asks as Marissa was barely opening her mouth to do the same.

“-She’ll- be assisting another Occultist that I know with an apparently important task.” You direct your attention toward Marissa. “Which means that you’ll not only have to be at your best, but be sure to take as many notes as you can.”

Marissa waits for you to finish talking “I-“

“Why can’t I go instead? I mean no offense to you Marissa, but you probably won’t be interested in that since it doesn’t have to do with transforming.” Ellie interjects.

“We’ll let Marissa be the judge of that.” You toss the note over to her. “Go to this address and at the very least introduce yourself, if you don’t want to help, then you can come right back.”

[2/3]

>>39019111

You highly doubt that she’s going to come right back.

Marissa takes a look at the notes contents. “I understand.” She says surprised at your supposed lenience.

“That settles it.” You stand from your chair. “Marissa, you’re expected before noon. As for you Ellie, we’re going to have a look through your journal to what you've learned.” You head for the stairs.

You practically hear the panic build up inside her. It’s very rare that you do your duty as a mentor, but when you do, you’re sure to be thorough.

Ellie swiftly follows you.

You’re actually quite impressed with her notes. Sure it can be incessantly rambling at times, but overall it hits upon on the important details and speculates on what the findings could signify.

Maybe you could give her some of your information, something for Ellie and Marissa to study and report upon through their own viewpoints. That’s what mentors do after all, and maybe one day they’ll actually build upon it in a way you didn’t. Or maybe that's better left in your head, you were the one that had to go through all the trouble to accumulate all that knowledge.

>Share with her the structure of the realms.

>Don’t share anything with her.

>Write in.

>>39019111
Because this is partially related to the Guild, the one Ellie just left?

>>39019159
>>Share with her the structure of the realms.
still the guy who voted for >>39017310
Nothing about choosing, nothing about water, just what we theorize from what we've seen about the deeper realms that we accidentally entered.

>>39019218
If you're referring to what Sayuline is doing, then no, it was revealed in previous threads that she has no official connection to the guild.

>>39019159
>Share with her the structure of the realms.
Tell her trade secret don't spill.

>>39019300
I mean that the guild might already have some beef with Sayu, and if they don't, seeing Ellie with her will.

>>39019218
>>39019395
>Writing.

>>39019400
That's true, but to be perfectly fair, the exact same thing can be said about you, haha.

>>39019438

You’re in a generous mood, and it always helps to have them on your good side when they have to be food for the leech.

You sit back on her bed. “Bring me something to write with, I have something important to teach you about delving.”

Ellie hardly lets you finish your sentence before she rushes over to her desk to bring you what you asked for.

You flip her journal open to the nearest blank page.

“It may not look like much.” You begin drawing the three overlapping circles representing the structure of the other realms. “But what do you think this is?”

She stares at it with a critical eye for many minutes, even to the point where you start to get bored waiting for her to formulate an answer.

She finally looks up from the page. “Does it have something to do with the three components of a complete delve?”

“That’s a good guess.” You say legitimately impressed with her answer. “But that’s not quite it.” You flip the journal back into her lap. “What you see in front of you is outline structure of all the other realms.”

She takes a moment to digest what you just said. “Shut up!” She finally responds. “I’m sorry!” She immediately follows with. “But I was told my whole entire life that it’s impossible to map the whole thing.”

You rub the back of your head. “It’s not really a map…”

“But Sophia, this is amazing!” She stands up giddily. “You’ll be a legend even if you do nothing else.”

“Hold on there.” You stand up yourself. “For as long as I say, this is knowledge privy to myself, you, and Marissa only. Understood?”

She nods gleefully as if told to keep a juicy secret. “I understand.”

You walk over to her window and look out to the street. “I hope you do. You’d truly regret it if you let this get out.” You say coldly. "Do you understand that?"

[1/2]

>>39020380

“I…understand.” She repeats much more solemnly this time.

From down the street you see two figures approaching your house. A young blonde female clutching onto an annoyed looking young male.

You smile. “Go tend to the garden with Laurent. Matthias and Aya are visiting.”

You head downstairs before Matthias has the chance to bang on your door. You put on a smug grin as you open the door right in front of his face, taking away one of his favorite things to do since he was a young boy.

Aya cheerfully waves to you, glad to see a familiar face.

“Hello Aya!” You greet her kindly and then turn to Matthias. “And disagreeable company…”

“It’s weird to talk about yourself like that, Soph.” Matthias quips back and walks into your house without hesitation.

A few minutes later and the two of you are having a chat over coffee in the parlor room.

“Swear to everything, it was the size of this couch.” Matthias zealously regales you with an encounter with what sounds like a giant spider during one of his delves.

“That’s when you ran away with your tail between your legs?” You ask, teasingly.

“Actually…yes.” He says stoically.

The two of you burst into laughter after that, with Aya smiling at the two of you.

“Not the strangest thing I’ve met this week actually.” He leans back into the couch, with Aya resting her head on the side of his arm.

“A young girl at the market kept asking me where I found her.” He pokes Aya’s cheek. “Said it just like that, like she knew she wasn’t human.” He begins to rub his fist in her cheek lightly, much to Aya's dismay. "We left without saying anything."

Young girl at the market…. You give a quick description of Carmina, and ask Matthias if it was her that he saw.

“Yeah, that’s her.” He laughs to himself. “She can’t be that dangerous if you know her.”

Actually.

>Say nothing else on the matter.

>Just tell him to stay away from the market for the time being.

>Write in.

>>39020419
She was looking for Manolo. No more need be said.

>>39020419
>>39020456
I'll support this. It should be enough to spook him.

>>39020456
>>39020488
>Writing

>>39020602

You take a quick sip of your coffee before answering him.

“She was looking for Manolo, actually. They belonged to the same Order.” You say quietly as if she were in the other room.

His expression hardens. “Leave it to you to bring this sort of shit into town.” He sighs and rubs his eyes. “Whatever, it’s not me she’s going to want to kill if she ever finds out the truth.”

“That’s only if I don’t implicate you as well.” You respond with a small grin.

“You -would- do that.” He laughs slightly. “Well, if you’re going to be the bearer of bad news, the very least I can do is return the favor.”

You’re not a fan. But you nod for him to continue anyway.

“Rumor has it that there’s a few Occultist hunters in the area.” He nods his head to your backyard. “Other than that one, that is.”

He slowly slides himself out from under a sleeping Aya and stands to stretch his limbs.

“If what you told me about that girl is true, which I don’t doubt.” He sighs. “Then things could potentially get very dangerous around here, for all of us.”

Aya stirs lightly in her sleep, must be a bad dream.


~

>>39020953

Sorry, but that's where I'm going to end it for tonight. A bit quiet this time around too, but I'd still like to thank everyone that played today!

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post them in the thread, and I will do my best to respond to them, as usual.

If not, then I wish you a good day/night and hope to see you again next time!

>(Twitter)
https://twitter.com/QM_Auri

>>39021003
thanks for running auri!

>>39021003
thanks for the thread

>>39021028
>>39021115
You're both very welcome!

>>39021003
Damnit, I got called away mid thread. Thanks for running man!