>>41461495

You descend to the ground once you reach what you’re fairly certain you set out for in the first place.

It’s painted a vivid red color this time, and you can’t help but think it to be an appropriate color. The contrasting colors of Aya and Matthias’s snow covered fence evoke a slew of violent memories within yourself.

You quickly shake off those thoughts. There’s many things that need your careful consideration right now, but the more pressing matter at this moment is finding refuge from this cold.

There are a few option available to you, one of them standing just a few yards ahead of you, but you can’t help but feel like it would be an invasion of privacy. There’s also your former home, which you can only guess as to how it’s deteriorated. You could also return to the palace, or see if Izu is upset for you leaving without saying good-bye.

>Stay at Aya and Matthias’s house.

>Head back to your former home.

>Return to the palace.

>Return to Izu and Marissa.

>Write in.

>>41461537
>Head back to your former home.
See what this is like. Also think Marissa needs some space.

>>41461537
>>Head back to your former home.
But Stop by at MArissa's to wish them well before we go home.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

Hello again, everyone!

>>41461576
>>41461633
We're headed back to our old home for sure, but rolling to see whether or not we head back to the cabin or not. (1 for No, 2 for yes.)

>Writing~

>>41461749

It wasn’t exactly fair to Izu to leave him like that, so you figure you’ll stop by one more time before the time comes for you to head back to your work.

You make it back to the cabin in much shorter of a time thanks to knowing what part of the forest it’s nestled in. But, immediately after landing, you know you’re not going to find what you’re looking for here.

The cabin is completely dark through its small window, and on the face of the door you spot a small note.

>”We’re out on a supply run, won’t be back for a few days. Izu said to leave to this note for when you’d come back. He also said he’d get you back for ditching him. Wish you the best!

The note has a distinct change in penmanship for the last two sentences, which can’t help but bring a slight smile to your face. After carefully folding the note and pocketing it, you swiftly set off back to where you’ll be spending the cold night.

[1/2]

>>41462451

The floorboards seem to creak louder, or maybe it’s just that everything’s quieter. One thing that’s certainly changed is how dusty your former home has become. Your armored soles leave visible prints on the ground as you walk.

You slowly trace the path you’ve traced thousands of times in the past, until you see something that catches your eyes. Faded footprints let you know that you’ve had a visitor while you were away, either a young male or a female judging by the size of the prints. How fortunate for them that you weren’t here to give them a proper greeting.

The prints head up the stairs as you follow them, they cross back and forth between all the rooms, and judging from the many repeated steps, they took a special interest in your ritual room.

A concerning thought causes you to rush back toward your room, where you see many vain attempts to break through the sealed door. You break the seal and head inside, directly toward the loose floorboard near the corner of your room. Reaching into the dark depths, you find that the hairpin you left behind in a rage is still exactly where you placed it over a month ago.

You roll the wrapped item in your hand.

>Leave it where it was.

>Take it with you.

>Write in.

>>41462486
Study the enchantment, learn all it can do, then break it.

>>41462486
I think we agreed that until the Usurper is dead it's a little bit too hot to handle.

then again, it might be useful for figuring out our current mental state.

>>41462486
seconding >>41462538

>>41462538
>>41462610
We'll go with the first two, and then I'll put up an option then if you want to break it or not.

>Writing~

File: id1.jpg (104 KB, 428x640)

104 KB JPG

>>41462694

There was a time where you could only take this item for its face value, but you’ve grown quite considerably since that time.

You remove the covering from the white hairpin and simply hold it for a few moments. This little accessory jump-started your research, and it you quite enjoyed the way it looked while you were wearing it. But, it also left your mind open to a wide range of unpleasant invasions, not to mention the occasional bout of excruciating pain.

With both hands tightly wrapped around its surface, you rest the hairpin lightly against your forehead, and close your eyes in attempt to sense its innate properties.

A voice of a familiar ruler floats into your mind. The Empress reciting the words you heard from this hairpin in the past, this time her voice is unobscured. Out of habit, you mouth the words to the ancient incantations that spill forth, and hear an undiscovered one while listening.
You deduce that this previously unheard incantation would allow passage into Kyraen’Asils, only if it weren’t currently walled off to outsiders.

Regardless, you quickly and thoroughly commit the words to memory.

As far as you can tell, the enchantment on the hairpin is mainly just a record of words, slowly doled out to the mind, but there’s something else inside to latch onto and take advantage of curiosity and desire.

You can’t help but think that this little hairpin couldn’t have fallen into more appropriate hands than your own, and the sheer coincidence disgusts you.

[1/2]

>>41463277

In your quiet fury, you feel the faintest sensation emanating from the hairpin. What interests you is that it’s not coming from any enchantments placed upon it, but from the bone that makes up the hairpin.

What you felt for the briefest of time, was a forceful desire, or need to reunite with something immense, perhaps not only in size, but in mental presence. It was uncaring, sightless, and almost babbling maddening nonsense to not only you, but for all the universe to hear.

You immediately cease your inspection into the item and consider the best course of action for this unpleasant item. It appears that there is still something to be learned from it, but it might not lend itself to your desires without consequence, yet.

>Return the hairpin where it was.

>Take the hairpin with you.

>Destroy the hairpin.

>Write in.

>>41463293
Can we plant it somewhere where we can bait that mental presence?

If not, Return it to where it was.

>>41463293
>Return the hairpin where it was.
Maybe it's connected to paradise?

>>41463293
>>Return the hairpin where it was.
It's from beyond the Anciliary manta.

>>41463336
It doesn't seem like either side has the possibility of reuniting, yet.
>>41463394
>>41463400
Back under the floorboards.


>Writing~

>>41463479

You’re not prepared to let go of any knowledge you can gain from it, but you’re certainly not going to let it influence you while you figure out what exactly to do with it.

After rewrapping the hairpin, you return it to its hiding place, and dust yourself off once you’re done.

You turn your attention to your bed. The mess of covers you left behind all have a visible thin layer of gray dust.

Someone really needs to clean that up…

You sigh and return to the hallway to inspect what exactly this intruder made off with. More than an armful of your candles were absconded with, as well as one of your delving tubs.

Rotten thieves.

What you find, or don’t find in Laurent’s room is quite telling of who’s been here to visit. A completely and carefully cleaned out space stares back at you, telling you that a certain weapon has likely found a new place to call home.

Your apprentice’s room is even more telling of how the dice fell in the aftermath of the festival. Ellie’s side of the room is thoroughly vacated, but Marissa’s looks largely the same the last time you saw it. The intruder’s footprint’s lead only to Marissa’s closet where it appears only her more tasteful dresses were taken.

Whoever was here seemed to have material gain in mind, probably, but that does very little to assuage the contempt weighing on you.

Ellie and Laurent likely made off together to one of nearby human settlements, you can’t say that you disagree with their course of action,
considering how dismal things are around here.

Things have changed…

[1/2]

>>41464098

You can’t help but to think those words, especially as you’re coughing and struggling to air out your covers. Only after a considerable amount of work are you satisfied enough to begin getting ready to sleep. After removing all of your gear, you feel as if a weight has been lifted of your shoulders both figuratively and literally and collapse into your bed.

Perhaps a bath? But then you’d have to clean out the tub and prepare the water…

In the morning. You think as you slide as many covers as you can over your exposed skin. In the morning.

~

Just a few minutes after you drifted off to sleep did a sound shock you straight awake. It was if something slid against a wall, but you’re not sure from which direction it came from.

You bolt out of bed and grab your dagger. You listen for the sound again, but hear nothing.

>Check outside the window.

>Head downstairs.

>Write in.

>>41464142
stealth on
Start blocking off rooms with seals one by one, until we find the intruder.

>>41464142
>Check outside the window.
Seal entrance to the room.

>>41464142
>Check outside the window.
Downstairs if we see nothing, and maybe do >>41464196

>>41464196
Armor is off and would take quite some time to put back on, so we'll go with tossing on the cloak for the protection that gives.

>>41464198
>>41464207
Sealing off the door and checking outside.

>Writing~

>>41464302
i would have voted to put the armor back on.

I assumed that the armor was comfortable enough to sleep in, what with being rather unprotected in this location.

>>41464196
>>41464528
There's a chance for it to be put on in the writing, so on it goes!

>>41464577

After sealing off your door, you immediately swipe up your cloak and head straight for the window. You make nothing out in the snowy darkness, especially with the constantly swaying shadows of the trees in the dim moonlight.

Slowly, you seal tree after tree in place, until the point were only your ears let you know that the wind is still present outside. In that moment, in your periphery, a shadow slides out of sight. It was quick, whatever it was, and unfortunately you can’t see the area it headed toward from your window.

Grumbling under your breath, you put on your armor as quickly as you can. It’s laced poorly, but it will last long enough for you to deal with whatever’s outside.

Your door swings open to your will, and you stealthily make your way downstairs. Every step is carefully measured, with feet dexterously avoiding the creaking floorboards.

Once you reach the parlor room, you silently make your way toward the window, but immediately stop when a shadow drags along the shut curtains. There’s no way to what exactly it was, only that it’s very close to the side of the house.

Cautiously twisting the doorknob, and pulling with just the right amount of force, you manage to open your front door with the only the faintest shudder from the frame. The cold night greets your warmed body with full force, causing your eyes to water slightly.

[1/2]

>>41464954

You wrap along the front of your home and stop to peer past the corner. You breathe a small sigh of relief and annoyance when you see the culprit of your alarm was just a single bird, a large crow to be exact. It stares idly up and down your house as if searching for something.

…

You immediately pull your head back behind the wall. Were you followed? Is it capable of reporting back to him? If so, was he clever enough to send out his crow? Is it indeed his crow?

Questions race through your mind from the sight of this dark bird, but one rises to the forefront of your mind.

What should you do next?

If you were indeed being followed this entire time, then killing the bird would be the wisest choice, to prevent it from reporting back whatever it can report. If it is the Chosen One’s crow, and it just happened upon your house by coincidence, then killing it would arouse suspicion to this area. Maybe it's just a random bird?


So many variables.

>Kill the bird.

>Watch until the bird leaves.

>Write in.

>>41464984
Any rats we can necromance up for a distraction/ attacking the crow and making it look natural?

>>41464984
>Kill the bird.

>>41465016
You'd have to find a rat, prepare the ritual circle, and then hope that it stays there the entire time. Unless there was a way to make sure that it doesn't move...

>>41464984
Seal the bird, then find some natural method to kill it.

A branch, or fallen "debris" from the house.

>>41464984
>>41465074
this

>>41464984
>>41465074

>>41465074
>>41465087
>>41465095
Accidents happen.

>Writing~

>>41465136

Without any hesitation you seal the crow in place to think of your next move. It stands awkwardly with one talon in the air. The bird is strikingly warm as you grab it off the snow.

If someone cares enough to search for this soon to be deceased bird, then it being lost to the wind as ash would arouse some suspicion to this area. An unnatural looking death would also do no good.

Inspiration comes from the flight you took earlier through the neighborhood. So many dilapidated roof sidings just waiting to come crashing to the ground…

Watching you set this accident up would have been quite the amusing sight if anyone were around. It takes several adjustments before you feel that the bird is in just the right spot. It only takes a slight nudge to send the heavy piece of metal crashing to the ground. Only at the instant before impact do you release the seal, and watch as large mess is made upon the snow.

Only when everything is said and done do you realize quite how cold you’ve become. Maybe you’ll have that bath now, after all.

~

[1/2]

>>41465878

The morning light comes later than you’re used to, but even so, you spend another night with an unpleasant sleep. Most of your waking hours were spent mulling over your recent unusual state of mind. Unfortunately, even with all that thinking you’re hardly any closer to figuring out the cause of all of it

You’re certainly not going to let it get the best of you, so you resolve to be more wary of everyone, even those who you might not consider to be a threat. Your free time was fruitful in many different way, but you think it’d be best to remove yourself from the area.

Reciting the incantation The Empress used to send you here flawlessly, you find yourself immediately upon the pulsating ground of the outer realm badlands. Your first venture into interrealm travel without delving, is quite successful, if you don’t count the landing.

~

You, Philomena, and Justina sit under a shaded canopy and watch over troop organization on an enormous scale from up high. Thousands upon thousands of flesh soldiers are goaded into formation by numerous martial officers. Seated under canopies much closer to the action, are the four heads of the martial council.

Given The Empress strict orders, this is as close as you can get.

“So, what did you in your free time, Sophia?” Justina asks as she fans herself, looking for something to entertain herself.

>Remain silent.

>"None of your business, failure."

>Write in.

>>41465931
"A little of this, a little of that. I'm sure my business would be to boring for a woman of "taste" such as yourself Justinia. Still it is rather shocking to see the village go to seed so quickly. "

Keep it subtle.

>>41465931
>"Did a bit of sightseeing. You?"

>>41465931
>"I'll tell if you tell."

>>41466096
>>41466144
>>41466157
Plying subtlety.

>Writing~

>>41466200

“Just a few things here and there. A little sightseeing, stuff like that.” You reach for you goblet of water and sip from it. “I’m sure my business would be too dull for a woman of discriminating taste such as yourself.” You smile past the goblet. “Why don’t you tell us what you got into, Justina?”

“You’re right, you are a bore.” Justina begins to fan herself more quickly and smiles at the opportunity to talk about herself. “Adding to my collection has gotten much harder since that dreaded festival, but I found a few dolls ripe for the picking.”

Philomena sighs in contempt. “You brought them back here, didn’t you?”

“Of course I did, you shiny-faced idiot.” Justina’s smile grows more devious. “How else would I get to play with them when I wanted to?” Her fanning has become quite rapid.

“Wipe the drool from your face.” You comment as you open your fan and cool yourself. “And you Philomena, how did you pass the time?”
Philomena pulls her face away from a small pocket mirror. “Oh, I just went to visit some old friends. We had lunch and spent the rest of the day catching up.” She answers politely.

You do your best not to show your amusement upon her mention food. “I hope you two enjoyed your break, because it appears as if we’re going to be busy very soon.” You nod your head toward the organizing armies.

[1/2]

>>41466955

Justina clicks her tongue disapprovingly. “What would we have to do with the army? Those grunts are perfectly fine dying on their own without our help.”

“But they will receive it regardless.”

The familiar voice causes the three of you to rise from your seat and bow deeply. Your actions are immediately waved off by The Empress.

She towers over the three of you with an ornamental paper umbrella in hand and adorned in elegantly flowing blue robes. “You’re still on break so enjoy it while it lasts. You might not be getting another for some time.” She opens the umbrella over her head. “Just know that you are expected in briefing tomorrow morning.”

With a smile of farewell, The Empress immediately disappears from sight, only to be spotted startling the four generals in the distance.

Justina groans as she slumps back into her chair. “She really knows how to spoil the mood.”

You slide back into your own seat. “Not like we had much of a mood to begin with.”

It makes for quite the unsettling sight to see three Intelligence Council members giggling amongst themselves, and that thought only spurs the three of you to laugh harder.

~

>>41466984
Okay, that's where I'm going to end it for tonight. A bit quiet this run, but I want to thank everyone that played today! As always, if you have any question 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 run!

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

>>41467020
Are we actually getting along with them? How's our read on them going?

>>41467031
You're getting along with them rather shallowly to make working together less unpleasant. Your read on them is that they're not people that you would ever truly like nor trust.

>>41467067
Thought so. How do we think we'd do against Philomena in a fight?

>>41467086
In your natural state, you're quite confident that you could defeat her, but you can only guess as to how well you'd do against her as you saw her when you were raiding those towns.

>>41467124
Have we checked how our amp dagger responds to our super heated flames?

>>41467143
You haven't checked that yet, but you might have more than ample opportunity to do so in the near future.

>>41467203
well thanks for running!

>>41467499
You're very welcome!

With that I'll be heading out for tonight. Until next time!

>>41467020
thx 4 runin budi gud thred