>>39675351

The two of you walk through the market proper. With how trade continues on, you’d think that no one was murdered here just a few minutes ago. Peculiar, maybe average people are more used to death than you had first thought.

Every single merchant gives their humble greetings to Ali as she walks by, and almost every patron that sees her does the same. All refer to her as Madam Ali.

“You’ve been busy.” You quip as Ali accepts a sample of fresh fruit.

She looks you over with a skeptical eye. “You’re one to speak.”

“Just a fashion change.” You flick your hair out. “I was actually thinking about red.”

“Just a fashion change then.” Ali says as she offers you a piece of fruit. “Beyond that, I heard you’re partially to thank for the defense of my market.”

“Completely true.” You hold your chin up high.

“Well then, I ought to thank you somehow…” She rubs her chin in thought. “I’ll send something by your house soon.” She eyes glance to you at her side. “There are five of you in that place now, right?”

Ugh, damn her observant eyes.

You neglect to comment on the matter.

“I’m sure I’ll think of something.” She suppresses a grin. “Anyway, let me ask you one last thing before we get down to the business I have in mind…”

She pulls out a small ledger from her breast pocket. “Do you know anything about who’s responsible for those creatures that attacked my market?”

Of course you do, but you almost can’t stand to give up precious information, especially to this woman. Yet, this investigation might go a lot quicker if you have Ali’s help, and there’s no telling what Sayuline actually has planned.

>Inform her of your information on Sayuline.

>Tell her you don’t know anything more than she does.

>Write in

>>39675390

>Inform her of your information on Sayuline.

>>39675390
>Inform her of your information on Sayuline.

>>39675390
>Tell her you don't know anything more than she does.
Never trust a blonde
Hey Auri!

Hello again, everyone!

>>39675453
>>39675463
Spill the beans.

>Writing

>>39675390
>Inform her that you know a lot, but you're not quite ready to compromise certain people who were involved.
At least, they aren't enemies. yet.

>>39675604

Her help would be beneficial, not that you’ll ever admit it aloud.

You give her a brief summary of your dealings with Sayuline, her summoning ritual, and your suspicions that she has something bigger planned for the future.

Ali makes a final note in her ledger. “She sounds dangerous.”

You adjust your cloak. “Not any more than you or me.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” Ali stops walking.

She led you to a small park area just outside the market. This lot has always been empty, but it seems that someone has placed vibrant green grass where there was only once dirt. Several families idly pass the time here, while the two of you sit opposite each other on a white picnic table.

Ali starts. “I’ll get right to it.” She flips through her ledger. “I see that you have not purchased any sort of blood for quite some time.” She looks up from her ledger. “Please don’t try to deny it.”

“Always watching over me like a hawk.” You scratch your cheek in boredom. “Your point is?”

“You’ve been delving, clearly often.” She motions her hand at your hair and eyes. “All that delving is sure to eat up a lot of fluid medium.” She snaps her ledger shut. “If it meant the chance to learn something new, you’d kill everyone here before you’d waste your time using water.”

Her observations are astute as always, unfortunately.

[1/2]

>>39676414

You smile slightly. “I see you still remember the basics of delving.” You respond, thinking of simpler times.

Ali clears her throat. “Anyway, you have a source, and I want that source.” She shrugs. “Of course, I’m fair in my dealings. So instead of sending some hired dogs to retrieve it, I’ll make you an offer.”

“I’m listening, for now.” You motion for her to continue.

“Bring me your source of blood, or a replacement and I will give you that tome Vicki carries around.” She leans forward. “It's an original, written in one of those realms, not here.”

“What are the contents?” You lean back. “I’m not accepting without knowing what I stand to gain.”

Ali laughs and shakes her head. “If I tell you about the contents of the tome, then you’ll just derive your own techniques to achieve them. I’ll just tell you that the focus of the writing is on interrealm travel. Of course, we’ve come up with more uses for the writings than just that.”

Intriguing, without a doubt. But is it worth giving up one of your advantages over everyone else?

“If that doesn’t interest you, then feel free to ask me for something else.” She shrugs again in thought. “A new home maybe? I’m sure that hovel of yours is getting rather cramped.”

>Accept her offer for the tome.

>Refuse her offer.

>Write in.

>>39676449
>>39676449
Tell her that if she were willing to accompany you on a delve we would be willing to show her where to buy one of her own.

>>39676449
>>39676496
This in exchange for the tome of course.

>>39676414
Although experimenting with using water to go to the shallower realms IS on the table. Coming back not covered in blood is a definite plus.

>>39676449
So they've weaponized the delving process into telefragging and teleport-cutting. But we already have the hairpin, so unless this thing has blink....

>>39676449
We need that leech.

Tell her that we know of a place where she could find the source of our supply and that we're willing to show it to her. For a price.

>>39676449
>Accept her offer for the tome.
Well just get Marissa or ellie to go get it for us or something.

>>39676496
Yeah, Lets do this.

>>39676449

>>39676496
>>39676509
>>39676520
I could back that, but instead of the tome, construction materials(so Laurent can do something useful while we delve), regular deliveries of food for 6-12 months(so we don't burn our stock again), and a bed?

>>39676449
>Accept, but only tell her where to get the leech. She'll have to pay for it herself.

>>39676496
>>39676520
>>39676449
These

>>39676617
That tome is worth much more than that.

>>39676496
Going with this offer with the tome since most people want it. Active negotiations in progress, so an update shouldn't be too far off.

>>39676694

“If you’d be willing to accompany me on a delve, I’d be more than willing to show you where you can buy multiple of your own. In exchange for the tome of course.”

You see her tense up for the briefest moment before regaining her composure. You suppress a smile, she won’t delve, not then, and most certainly not now.

Oh, how our pasts often come back to bite us at the worst times.

“I’m afraid I can’t accept that offer.” She sighs and shakes her head. “Since your source is in one of the other realms, just tell me where, and once I confirm it to be true I’ll give you the tome, on my word.” She responds wearily.

Well, it isn’t much more than you were getting to start, but at least it saves you the legwork.

>Accept.

>Refuse.

>Write in.

>>39676882
>Write in.
Since you'll be doing business with that source, I don't suppose you could slip what kind of things they find value in?

>>39676882
You'll have to be able to barter with the merchant for things. If you sweeten the deal I could give you a list of what he'd buy. Also be warned he's sneaky.

>>39676882
>>39676882
>>Accept.
This way we don't have to give up another feather

>>39676882
Try to see if we could get some mundane supplies. If she refuses then just accept her offer

>>39676882
>Accept
Let's not push our luck

>>39676993
This

>>39676882
change>>39676972
to>>39676993

>>39676882
>Accept.

>>39676993
This works, she already sending us over some sort of "treat" so I'm sure she'll agree.

>>39676993
>>39677011
>>39677017
Just a little bit more.

>Writing~

>>39677063

“Sounds promising, but it’d be great if you could throw in a few extra supplies. You know, so that my hovel brings less shame to the neighborhood? Maybe some foo-“

Ali interjects. “You’ll get the building supplies and nothing more. Do you accept or not?”

You flick your head to the side. “I accept.” You grin wildly.

Ali stands from the table. “Vicki.” She announces firmly.

You hear a heavy thud behind you and turn to see the young girl standing up from the ground and dusting off her rear.

“Here…oww.” Vicki takes on a more dignified stance.

“Sophia here some has information for us, take it down and then report back to me when you’re done.” Ali flips through her ledger. “I have some business to take care off about renovating a mine.” She turns her glance toward you. “A pleasure to see you again, Sophia. You’ll receive my gift by the end of the day.”

Ali stares for a few moments at the swarming activity of her market.

“I look forward to the fruits of our deal, eagerly.” She returns back to the market proper.

“So uh, you have something to tell me?” Vicki asks fumbling with a small notepad, finally settling on having it upside-down.

“I do.” You respond, intently. “But, why don’t you tell me more about yourself? Where do you come from?”

An opportunity to learn more about those who work for Ali, perhaps.

Vicki scratches her cheek with a pen, and much to her dismay finds that she used the writing end. “I-I believe you have something to tell me?”

You smile at her brand of.evasiveness. “Of course.”

After describing the location of that outer realm merchant, you bid your farewell to Vicki and return home.

~

[1/2]

>>39677902

“He’ll be my apprentice. I’m more capable of taking care of him than you are!” Marissa pulls Izu toward her side of the couch.

“You’ve taken "care" of everyone in town. He’ll be my apprentice because I’ll be a much better influence for him.” Ellie tugs him back toward herself.

At the sight of you returning home, Izu frees himself from your apprentices and attaches himself to your hip. “Welcome home.” He announces hugging you tightly, face buried into your side.

“I’m fine. I’m fine. Nothing happened that I couldn’t take care of.” You attempt to pry him off your side to little avail. He’s stronger than he looks.

He looks up at you with his bright green eyes. “Did you bring me something?”

“You were expecting something?” You drag yourself and him to your usual seat.

“You said you would!” He sits on the arm of your chair.

“I don’t think I did… actually.” You punctuate your last word with a poke to his side, causing him to fall to the ground. You turn to your apprentices. “What were you two fighting over anyway?”

Marissa chimes in. “Little Izu there shows some talent, at pyromancy at the least. So we decided that it would be best if I took him as my apprentice to teach him about being an Occultist.”

“You’re lying!” Ellie pulls on her tail angrily.

The two of them begin having a spat while you turn your attention to Izu.

“Is that something you want?” You ask the young boy.

He nods happily.

Then he’ll be…

>Your apprentice.

>Marissa’s apprentice.

>Ellie’s apprentice.

>Write in.

>>39677943
>>Your apprentice.

>>39677943
>Your apprentice.

He's our kid you guys can back off.

>>39677943
>>Your apprentice.
He's our son. We're gonna treat him like it.

>>39677943
>Your apprentice.
with some weapons training from Laurent.

Boy needs some testosterone.

>>39677943
>Your apprentice.
He's our clone thing.
I have a funny image in my head where us and Matthias co-teach him.

>>39677943
>>Your apprentice.

>>39677965
>>39677971
>>39677984
>>39678010
>>39678050
>>39678080
Unanimous decision to take him under our wing.
>Writing~

>>39678050
>send him to Matthias and Aya
>Izu really likes them
>They look even more like a married couple

I'm surprised Marissa doesn't just use her powers on Ellie. She might be less out of control than we thought.

>>39678546
I never thought her to be evil, just a little bit weird given her past.

>>39678572
It's hardly evil to get a fellow apprentice to do your chores or back down from a little squabble.

>>39678595
didn't we make her promise not to us them on anyone we trust?

>>39678803
Nope she tried to glamour us.

>>39678111

You look into those two emeralds he has for irises. “Then he’ll be my apprentice.” You hardly finish your sentence before he gets up to hug you.

“Awww, how is that fair?” Marissa leans forward trying to grab at the boy, as he quickly hides behind your chair.

“Yeah! You already have us!” Ellie adds.

Izu pops his head out. “That must mean you two aren’t very good apprentices.”

You laugh heartily at their two expressions of outrage.

“Alright.” You pull him out from his hiding spot. “We’ve got something to discuss right now, so run off and play for a bit. Maybe see if you can find Laurent-“

You stop when you see Ellie shaking her head sadly, suggesting that he must not take fondly to a literal creation of the Occult.

“Go play in my room. We’ll practice your pyromancy after.” You follow up.

“Okay.” He scampers for the stairs obediently.

“Don’t break anything or else I’ll break you!” You call out after him.

Ellie smiles at you teasingly, while Marissa stares at you in outright jealousy.

You shut down any further discussion on that matter with a stern gaze. “Your report on those transient channels, did you find anything of note?”

[1/2]

>>39678913

They both shudder in remembrance. Marissa starts. “It was all a waste of time. We found one of those disgusting channels and went through it. Ended up maybe twenty yards where we started in three times the time it would take if we just walked.”

“That was just one!” Ellie insists. “There are sure to be many more than the one we came across, we have to keep investigating.”

“You’ll have to do it on your own.” Marissa stares at her fingernails. “I held up my end of the deal, so there's no way I'm going through one of those things again.”

“Mrrrgr.” Ellie does a poor job concealing her frustration and then turns to you. “I’d like to request permission to investigate the channels on my own.”

You open your mouth to speak, but Ellie cuts you off again.

“I know that I’ll find something worth your attention, so please!” Ellie bows her head down slightly.

You sigh and rub your temples in thought.

She’s clearly passionate about the matter, which you do like. But overall, if it’s a waste of time, it’s your job as her mentor to get her to move on. But one more search on her own couldn’t possibly hurt, could it?

>Let her go on her own.

>Volunteer to go with her.

>Write in.

>>39678958
>Volunteer to go with her.

>>39678958
>Tell her not to bother

>>39678958
>Let her go on her own.
I don't want to be in outer realms while the inner realms are ripe for the picking

>>39678958
>have her prove she has a means of defending herself

Rolled 2 (1d4)

>>39678983
>>39679044
>>39679058
>>39679140

Looks like it's time for a tie-breaking roll.

>Writing the winner

>>39679170
You shake your head. “Turn your attention elsewhere, these channels you’ve found are a waste of time.”

“But…” Ellie searches for a reason to refute your ruling, but is pulled back by Marissa before she has the chance. Her eyes are welling with tears.

“I’m sure you’ll discover something else in no time. You’re almost as talented as I am after all.” Marissa rubs Ellie’s back to comfort her.

You slowly stand up from your chair. “Report to me if you do. You two are free for the rest of the day.”

How disappointing. Here you thought you’d be getting some interesting news. You shake off your dissatisfaction as you head upstairs.

You find Izu rolling around the Fidelis stone on the floor of your room.

“Look!” He holds the stone close to your face. “It’s got a smile on it. I wonder how it got there…” He stares at the rock intently.

“Yeah, very strange.” You pluck the rock out of his hand and return it back to the cabinet before you even risk speaking.

[1/2]

>>39679798

Best to see where exactly the boy is in skill before you begin instructing him.

You lean forward to match his height. “Besides that little yellow flame you made before, is there anything else like that you’re capable of doing?”

He ponders your question for a moment. “I don’t think so? Should I be able to do more?” He asked with clear worry in his voice.

“Well, you’re still young, so I think you’re fine.” You pat his head. “For now, anyway.”

If that little yellow flame is all that he’ll ever be capable of, then that will truly be the worst deal you’ve ever made.

He looks up at you with a strange look in his eye, but it’s only there for a second before he smiles warmly at you again. “Are we going to go practice pyromancy now?” He shadowboxes with the air. “I want to be as strong as you are someday.”

“Sure, sure.” You deftly grab one of his punches and hold it there as he tries to wrest his small hand free.

Now the question is where. You’ve never instructed anyone in pyromancy before, but there is a practical master that lives not that far from you.

>Instruct him on your own for now.

>Bring him with you to Matthias’s house.

>Write in.

>>39679846
>Bring him with you to Matthias’s house.

>>39679846
>Bring him with you to Matthias’s house.

>>39679846
>Bring him with you to Matthias’s house.
Aya needs to meet people.

>>39679846
>Instruct him on your own for now.
no one can know

>>39679846
>Instruct him on your own for now.
I want to show matthias that we're that good at pyromancy

>>39679859
>>39679868
>>39679906
Time for another house-call from the marriage adviser.

>Writing

>>39680005

It’s probably better for both Izu and Aya that the meet more people, albeit neither of them are human in the traditional sense, but they’ll make do.

You finally let go of his hand. “Go get one of your new coats. We’re going somewhere else, so that you can learn even more.”

He scurries away excitedly, but stops in the doorway. “Can I wear your cloak instead? It looks so cool.”

“Absolutely not.” You cross your arms. “It’s not even your size…” You spy a bundle being held underneath his shirt. He runs of giggling once you spot it. “Get back here!”

~

You adjust your cloak as you watch Izu explore the neighborhood ahead of you. He eagerly waves at everyone he sees, gaining some mild looks of curiosity, but most people are enthusiastic to greet the energetic young boy.

He promptly returns to your side. “Hey, are Matthias and Aya nice?” He asks while staring at a dog across the road.

You rub your chin in thought. “Matthias acts like a tough guy, but he’s really a big softie.”

He nods sternly at your words.

You continue. “Aya on the other hand is extremely shy, but she’s really kind once she gets to know you.”

“Should we have brought a gift?” The boy asks with concern in his eyes.

You laugh at the notion. “Not for Matthias, no. But, maybe next time you can for Aya?”

Izu seems lost in thought for a moment before running off ahead of you again. He stops by a small growth of wilted daisies and begins plucking the desiccated plants.

You stop next to him, as he already managed to bundle several in his hands. “Izu, you know you can’t give a girl wilted flowers…” The flowers are engulfed in his pale yellow flame.

He holds vibrant purple daisies up to you. An innocent grin forms on his face.

[1/2]

>>39680886

~

Izu is close at your hip as you knock violently on the door.

Commotion and cursing can be heard from inside, and a few moments later a paint speckled Matthias opens the door. “Just my luck, you have a knack for showing up at the…”Matthias catches a glimpse of Izu as he pokes out from behind your hips. “Who the hell is that?

“Long story.” You reply with a grin.

Aya comes rushing to the door at the sound of your voice, but then tenses up when she spots Izu. She hastily hides behind Matthias’s back. She and Izu are locked in a very strange stare down, amber and emerald looking into each other.

“Come on…” Matthias tries to grab her, but she remains fixed to his back. “He’s just a kid, he’s probably more scared of you than you are of him.

You feel the grip on your cloak tighten. This isn’t going anywhere.

>Force Izu to step forward and give Aya the flowers.

>Wait until Aya feels comfortable enough to make the first move.

>Write in.

>>39680910
>>Force Izu to step forward and give Aya the flowers.
Come now, didn't you get her a gift?

>>39680910
>Force Izu to step forward and give Aya the flowers.

I ship it.

>>39680910
>Force Izu to step forward and give Aya the flowers.
"I'm surprised Aya isn't all over him, the others sure loved Izu here."

>>39680910
>Force Izu to step forward and give Aya the flowers.
>>39680949
Probably because she ain't human

>>39681001
I'm trying to make conversation here.

>>39680910
>Steal flowers from Izu
>Give them to Aya
>Supplement them with ring you prepared for this very occasion
>Propose

>>39681051
Oh, you.

>>39680935
>>39680943
>>39680949
>>39681001
Time for him to man up!

>Writing~

WHAT'S HAPPENING

>>39681137
We're shipping our clone child thing with an demon female thingy.

>>39681137
Cute shit. You know to induce that special kind of fear in us

>>39681137
Hello there!

File: 1426926083953.jpg (40 KB, 423x393)

40 KB JPG

>>39681158
>>39681164
I justj hope this doesnt spiral down to anything bad...

>>39681096

You forcefully pry the boy off your leg. “Come now, didn’t you get her a gift?” You give him a little push with your knee.

He looks back at you meekly, but you don’t budge.

Once he sees this, he lets out a heavy sigh, and gathers his resolve. “I brought these…” He holds up the purple daisies in an outstretched hand. “So that we could be friends.”

Aya stares at the flowers for only a brief moment before snatching them up in her hand. She affectionately looks over the petals before pointing vigorously at them in front of Matthias.

“No!” Matthias finally manages to pull Aya off his back with no resistance at all. “We almost finished with blue, so I’m not letting you change your mind again…” He stops and the two of them stare at each other, communicating with unsaid words.

“I think that purple would be better for a room.” Izu chimes in, interrupting their little mental spat.

Aya nods forcefully while pointing at the boy.

Matthias just narrows his eyes and looks at both you and Izu. “He’s a creation of yours somehow, I just know it.”

~

[1/2]

>>39681913

The four of you walk past a mostly blue, but partially pink colored living room to enter the kitchen. Izu and Aya both look over a book of paint swatches as you inform Matthias about what you learned about the other factions in the area.

He breathes a sigh of relief when you finish. “Sounds like things are finally coming under control around here.”

“Maybe…” You take a sip of your tea.

“Sounds like you’ve got something on your mind.” Matthias replies, rubbing dried paint off his hands.

“It’s nothing.” You wave that thought off. “Anyway, I was wondering if Aya could maybe gauge Izu’s pyromancy, he’s got quite the strange ability.

“Hmm…” Matthias glances over to the two of them arguing over a selection of reds. “Yeah, if she’s okay with it.”

They apparently were listening to your conversation as the both drop the book and nod impatiently.

~

In the backyard, You and Matthias watch as Aya carefully inspects the palms of the young boy’s hands. After a few minutes of this, she gives a firm nod to Matthias.

“Invoke your flame.” Matthias calls out to the boy.

Izu gives a firm nod, before bring to life a pale yellow flame in his hands.

“What the…” Matthias leans in with curiosity.

The flames feed into Aya’s hands as if they truly belonged only there. They grow larger than anything Izu could ever muster. She pulls the flames away from Izu’s hands, and begins to manipulate them as she sees to be truly fit for them.

~

>>39681933
Okay, that's where I'm going to end it for tonight. I want to thank everyone that played today! As always, 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.

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

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

>>39681972
thanks for running too tired to question.

>>39681972
Thank's for running Auri!

>>39681972
thx 4 runin budi gud thred
why doesn't marissa make ellie into her devoted mind slave who does all her chores and never argues?

>>39681972
Thanks for running Auri! Last few threads have been 2cute4me haven't they?

>>39682018
You're very welcome! And that's okay, maybe next time.
>>39682030
You're also very welcome!
>>39682053
While I can't allude to what exactly Marissa's motives are, keep in mind that Ellie was one of the first people see met when she started her new life as an Occultist. Also, you're very welcome!
>>39682097
You're very welcome! I wonder if that might change...

>>39682153
>I wonder if that might change...
NO AURI NO

File: 1430015937831.gif (109 KB, 205x260)

109 KB GIF

>>39682153
>I wonder if that might change...

>>39682245
>>39682274
Yeah, maybe a change from cute to sweet? Or maybe a different flavor?
Nothing you guys can't handle!

File: 1430045639596.gif (246 KB, 120x200)

246 KB GIF

Thanks for ru-
>>39682153
>wonder if that might change...

>>39682443
You're very welcome! Everything will be fine, I'm sure!

With that, I'll be stepping out for the night. Until next time!