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Zipangu called this area ''Blessed Retreat'' with good reason. Situated inside the unified tengu clans homeland, this temple was a large complex built around the tallest mountain of the island nation, Machitehew, instead of one central location. Several large temples to welcome guests stood at various altitudes, and your very important case meant the winged Mamonos clans welcomed your group into its secluded mountaintop, a tranquil sanctuary built to house forty people (whereas lower temples could welcome hundreds of patients). Here is where people with serious soul illnesses are treated.

With one grand open-air hall meant to channel the energy of portals, this area offered a gorgeous view of the mountainous horizon (ending with hints of the northern capital) while hiking trails leading into snowy forests sinewed downward toward the northwest like serpents, directly opposed to the main stairs leading straight down the mountain. A commune room acted as a general meeting, leisure area with intellectual games, an eatery, and a spot for performances to keep the atmosphere lively. In the deeper areas of the temple, a small library was positioned near the most expensive alchemical instruments -all things meant to process foods and medicines for soul healing- with plenty more to discover should anyone wish to impose themselves.

Hildegarde, Ambrus, Banu, and Elina had done so immediately upon arriving. The secluded Tengus allowed anyone to explore as they wished, soul doctor's rooms, alchemical logistics, pantries... everything was judged safe enough for Teruko's daughter to explore, let alone a pair of crippled warriors like you and Hao.

Animals also lived throughout the temple grounds. A family of cats (with four kittens) and two wizened old dogs lazily patrolled wherever they wanted with the casual friendly nonchalance brought by a lifetime of human companionship and a community of crows lived amongst the trees and roofs, brazen enough to hop on tables and steal unsupervised food.

Tengus believed relaxation was the most important first step toward healing souls. The next step was for you and Hao to start improving your situation.

Your first day here had been an unrecognizable blur, your companions took care of everything. Your health, your meals, even your sleep... The pain transferred into you from Hao combined with Muribel exhausting heat had completely knocked you out well before traveling here through a portal. Combined with the lethargy of Shereen blood rituals, you and Hao were knocked out by afternoon, you don't remember anything afterward.

''You understand, yes? No cheating, stick with the food, diet.''
''Yeah, thank you, Teru.''
''Will do.''

The white lizard nods, satisfied with the look in your and Hao's eyes.

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A special plant endemic to this mountain could prove to be Hao salvation. People called it Everblue, a magical tulip-like flower that grew on top of a three-foot-long hard stalk inside a special clearing prepared by the tengus. They absorbed the energies of each major alternate dimension while sustaining themselves with lingering magical energy, the residing clan figured out long ago a special medicine by breaking these flowers down into a special paste that can be dissolved in water, fruits, and vegetables. Eating them for a while energizes the soul and makes it more malleable against reality's impregnable hold: a vital first step for a major ritual.

Putting it simply, you and Hao will be drinking glowing water and eating vegetarian for the next two days. Thankfully, paste-laced food isn't too difficult on your oversensitive nerves. It is, unfortunately, still a mighty struggle to eat... Hao has it so much harder than you, too.

''Now be careful darlings. I promise to have a solution soon... endure best you can.'' Her red eyes almost glower with her determination.

''Please don't overwork yourself, Teruko.'' The constant pain radiating throughout your body prevents you from giving in to the temptation of patting her shoulder. This short, new mommy lizard truly is one of the best friends you could have hoped for. ''I trust you.''

Tomiko (the winged lady who inspected your knight when you first arrived in Zipangu) and two additional Tengus doctors had arrived on the temple ground to inspect Hao situation (one of them a man, too. The Umeno clan leader himself). Add Teruko, Ama, Mina, Vilma, and Deruella, the number of sharp minds tackling your woes was a source of great comfort.

A shame you cannot cast magic safely, otherwise, you would have insisted on joining them. You won't be able to use your magic for your treatment, everyone told you Focus would be incredibly painful so you haven't tried to prove them wrong.

''I'll be released by supper.'' Says the good doctor, a teasing smile resting on her face as she spots her husband and daughter behind you. ''Methink it's finally time for you to learn how to change our darling!''

''Is it bad if this is the childraising duty I don't mind paying people for?'' Reply Ambrus, his tiny girl hiding behind his leg. ''No escape, huh?'' He concludes, easily folding to his wife's red glare. He's still recuperating from the struggle in the palace, the raven-winged doctors were also on his case. The burnt pieces of his soul needed the same diet treatment imposed on you to heal.

Gods, it's terrifying to think that without Hadraniel and Mattheus, one of them would have undeniably perished. Teruko had lost her right arm in the struggle and has no intention of taking any treatments to replace it before your and Hao's health situation is settled down.

You'll... Ah, better not think about your missing limb.

Satisfied, Teruko left the open hall filled with your companions.

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''Everything is so interesting with Monsters. No way would a place like this work back home, the Everpeaks are far too treacherous and the church wouldn't allow a house of healing outside their supervision.'' Anais filled the silence quickly, she had fulfilled her intention to come.

You still can't figure out why. Enduring a kidnapping, being shoved naked inside a dirty ship, and subjected to whatever humiliating whims Ensan wanted mustn't have been easy, she should be with her family. Kreszenz princess had instead insisted on coming here with enough spirit to convince her dad (mustn't have been easy given how ready he was to storm Zerase fortress by himself). You doubt the Tengus are appreciating all the blood magic going on...

It doesn't matter. Anais is a smart, energetic girl and good company too. Your brain boils with pain each time you take a step, you can worry about pleasing people after you regain enough capabilities to function normally.

''Fuu...'' Hao let out a breath and find the strength to smile. ''...Interesting is where is Arawn, yes?''

Anais expression is a flash of confident surprise. ''Is he? I'd say the girl who single-handedly opened the way for our victory is just as enthralling.'' The playfulness of Hao's smile managed to cause a brief creep of redness to color her pale face. ''I mean, interesting is where all of you are. Shereen told me quiiiiiite a few interesting things, especially with my bodyguard...''

''Fun bath time!'' Hao giggle, hold up her hands... and a jolt of agony ripple through her small frame and inevitably travel into your nerves like a slow crawl of magma. Sweat briefly erupts out of your skin as your entire body enters a short-lived feverish heat that nearly sends you on the floor because of sprawling vertigo.

Thankfully the moment passes quickly enough to not impact your balance.

''...Sorry...'' Hao squeak is a heartbreaking whisper of guilt. Her agony is a multitude worse than yours, the pain makes her tremble and lean on the table used by your group.

''Don't be.'' Sieglinde gently continues, trying her best to be calm despite her stiffness. ''We'll make damn sure you'll be fine.''

The powdery white manifestation of Holy magic escaping out of Elina hand brought (far too temporary) relief to your knight's agony.

Hao natural good-hearted energy was a curse with this disease. Zerase necromantic rot hadn't taken hold inside Hao's body because of her Whitening. It slipped into the cracks of her soul, but instead of turning her into a revenant puppeteered by the pharaoh, Mother Earth's treatment caused the spell to spread into her link, thereby infecting you and, potentially, everyone else if left untreated.

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This spell lingered inside her soul, causing a constant paradox: death and life cannot coexist, it is a simple matter of positive and negative being present inside a living soul. This wretched agony was reality itself rejecting Hao soul, her body remained healthy. Eating, bathroom breaks, sleeping... Nothing was abnormal, yet all of these activities needed sedation against pain for your poor knight, your troubles were similar.

If this neverending pain is enough to cripple you, it's going to kill Hao. She's resisting much better than you ever could, being able to walk and talk is a stimulating agony for her, yet she still manages to force a wry smile on her sweaty, tired face.

''Be faithful with your treatment and the way to relief will open.'' Says Hadraniel. She had officially followed your group here to be the ''queen's eyes'' but made it obvious she wanted to spend time with her little sister instead. ''I'll wager if they don't show results in two or three days, your doctor will make a whip out of her hair.''

''She'll shave them all first. I'm feeling like exploring the snowy trails, anyone wanna tag along?'' Ambrus commented, emerging out of a nearby room with his daughter, having quickly finished his fatherly duty.

''Let's have a good start for today!'' Shereen suddenly imposed herself. The last time you saw her she was sitting on the ground with a pair of kittens sleeping on her, completely lost in her little world. ''You feeling good, Anais?''

''Mmhm. You got the sterile needle and anesthetic, Hild?''

''Of course milady.'' Hildegarde produced the item.

Despite remaining cold, Hildegarde looked easier to approach, her red gaze held patience and neutrality instead of the sharp edge of angry worry that often made her so uninviting. She had also completely supplanted the Tengus servants with fetching anything your people wished for.

With a nod to her fellow royal, Anais brought the medicine for the ritual.

''Are you sure?''
''It's okay Hao.'' Shereen gently interrupted your guilty knight. ''All we need is a nap, I don't want to stand there and see you suffer when I can do something to stop it.''

Hao can only give a sad acquiescence, she's always been the type to feel guilty whenever someone helped her.

With two days of Ama and Deruella's tutelage, Shereen had improved enough to handle a ritual by herself. First was modifying the medicine (with a supplement of slime) to directly enter Anais bloodstream after applying it to her skin, then she prickled her skin with a needle allowing to Shereen would extract the blood and turn it into fumes. After a few breaths, the anesthetic would allow Hao to function somewhat normally by dulling the pain until nightfall, whereupon the girls would do this ritual again.

The problem was that it completely knocked out the pair of princesses. Only a very strong painkiller was effective enough to give Hao the semblance of a normal day, Anais and Shereen always ended up sleeping off most of their day

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A sacrifice of their time for Hao and your peace of mind.

As they operated, a brief inspection of your link revealed a lingering tension. Elina, Sieglinde, Klesiah felt a similar strain whose origin eclipsed you, perhaps an inevitable aftereffect from Hao and your shared agony...

It's a weird thing to admit but now that you have some genuine free time, you have no idea what to do.

This update will concentre on your relationships with those closest to you with important decisions about the future coming later, with how to handle Hao disease being your obvious most important concern.

With that in mind and given our protagonist's rather crippled state (left arm is missing and feeling constant pain), you won't have the energy to accomplish things like practicing your magic or progressing your Magitek mastery. You can only do one activity for the entire day, with evening activities potentially happening afterward. (Alas, you're in too much pain to indulge in nightly romances!)

>Go with Ambrus and his little daughter, Lisbeth. You're in good enough shape for a small hike, you can still see plenty of greeneries with the lingering snow. Teruko is not only your doctor but one of your closest friends, getting to know her family better is something you'd like.

>Have a chat with the exorcist reading by himself. The man is a willing prisoner, he has the talent and opportunity to escape whenever he wants. What's keeping him here? If the dogs are sitting with him, he's probably not a bad guy.

>Indulge in one of the Tengus service, what they call ''Memory Craft.'' You, Hao, and one other of your links could experience a scene, a moment, a harmless memory carved into a gem. A few hours without pain, free of your illness... It's tempting.

>You have enough energy to try and broach an important topic. Gather your links and get a final opinion on Ama presence in your group, Shereen has been accepted but that hospitality doesn't extend to the witch she wants to help...

>Free. (If you want to speak with Hildegarde or anyone else, specify what topic.)

Anais and Shereen are going to be unavailable until your sickness is cured. You might have a chance to chat with them in the evening before they redo the blood ritual. Teruko, Ama, and Deruella will be busy until there's finally a cure for your girl, too.

>>5419829
>Indulge in one of the Tengus service, what they call ''Memory Craft.'' You, Hao, and one other of your links could experience a scene, a moment, a harmless memory carved into a gem. A few hours without pain, free of your illness... It's tempting.

Could this process be modified somehow to allow us to reach out to what remains of Zhu?

I get that making concrete progress towards bringing her back is probably going to need to wait for our return to the Throne.

Also it's good to see this back.

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>>5419845
>Could this process be modified somehow to allow us to reach out to what remains of Zhu?
Perhaps. Only by investigating will you find an answer, you'll get better details with this choice.
>Also it's good to see this back.
Indeed, choom indeed. My fingers are jittery. I'll give this around 30-40 minutes before proceeding.

>>5419845
I can back this. If fantasy BD's will allow us to talk with Zhu in the future it's a tech worth pursuing.

>>5419851
That anime kicked my ass choom. Also, Rebecca is best girl fight me.

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>>5419935
I genuinely liked the game storyline. Anime was a goodride, great motivation to make me continue my plans for scifie quest.

Aiming to post in 15 minutes.

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When you asked to borrow Zhu gem, Shereen made an interesting comment.

''You think it's possible too?''

You weren't the only one to have a flash of inspiration after the crow people described their ''Memory Craft'' practice here. You had to brace yourself when holding onto that precious gem because contact with your skin sent agonizing jolts throughout your limb, making you wonder if this was similar to grasping a piece of coal out of a fire.

''I'll tag along.'' Klesiah said, standing behind you. ''I don't want you to start embracing Focus despite all the warnings, y'know?''

''Always unwilling to admit your feelings, hm? It's cute, but only because you're you.'' Klesiah is far, far too weak against overt affection. Here she is now, clearing her throat, fighting the urge to give you a light punch, her whispering response ''not in public, moron'' is exciting.

That and you honestly needed someone to open doors for you. The blood ritual only made your life tolerable, not normal. The rest of your friends busied themselves with a card game introduced by Hadraniel, something she fetched out of a random storehouse.

--

A stone cabin was your destination, right before the hiking trail leading into whatever marvels Machitehew had to offer(same road used by Ambrus and his daughter) and, with a closer look, this was no quaint little cottage. The doors were as reinforced as the walls, the lack of windows would easily prevent any thefts and reinforced your impression that whatever was inside was precious.

Thankfully someone was already inside when your trio arrived (Hao was able to walk -with some enduring effort- after the ritual.) One of the many winged folks here was inside, documenting the items. A quiet, red-haired lady with similarly colored wings extending out of her hips sat behind the only table. With glasses on her face and a youthful look similar to Hao, she gave the impression of an educated girl.

''Oh! Are you here for the memories?''

''We've been offered something like that. Can you give us details?'' Klesiah entered first, ensuring nothing was in the way that you or Hao could bump into.

''Of course, of course. Take a look first, you see these gems?'' Student (might as well give her a nickname) gestured toward the items behind her desk.

Sure enough, dozens of precious stones were on display inside a large display case, each ones annoted with something like A-2 or F-I. She was showing a small fortune here, these gems were all nicely cut into thin, long squares made with all kinds of precious gems.

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''We call them Sensor Stones. Inside dwells memories carefully crafted by my clansmates, anyone can delve inside and experience something new without any worries, without any strains put on anyone's soul. It's important to understand these memories cannot imitate life complexities, our craftsmen explore all kinds of peaceful areas with various amounts of excitement and reproduce them inside spells of souls.'' Student carefully takes an emerald and hold it forward, inside dwells a shiny, slowly moving spiral. ''For example, here is the experience of fishing on a peaceful lake on a warm afternoon... It would be possible to jump inside and swim but trying to row back to land will ''break'' the memory and prematurely end your experience.''

''I see, I see. You could be projected into a festival and enjoy the festivities, but trying to talk with people won't work.'' Klesiah summarize.

''Indeed. Interactions are impossible, no matter how much our craftsmen try to replicate genuine discussions.'' The winged girl nodded while pinching her glasses. ''It is possible for linked people to experience them together, although you'll need specifically crafted gems if your numbers go beyond three. Also, the memories are consumed after use, it's important to appreciate what you can.''

Three, usually two women and one man, was the norm when it comes to soul links.

''Fascinating.'' This is what dedication to exploring and understanding souls can produce, huh? Amazing, not quite like Magitek, but you can appreciate the labor of the Tengus. With time, it could lead to something great. ''I've got another question, is it possible to, say, create a pathway with a soul dwelling inside a gem?''

Putting a hand inside your pocket doesn't feel like your skin is tearing itself away from your bones, a dull aching pain is the consequence of producing Zhu's gem. Its inner shine creating a strong golden aura is the sign that she's in there, sleeping. Alive. The shades changes depending on her mood.

''A soul...? Student peeks at your precious stone. ''You mean there's someone alive in there?''

''Long story, yeah.'' Klesiah answer. Behind you, Hao finally enters the cabin; she'd taken her time to enjoy the fresh cold air of Machitehew.

''That's...'' The crow girl doesn't need to say anything else, she's out of her depth. She tries her best to appear competent by briefly examining her note (giving you and Klesiah time to explain these Sensor Stones to Hao). ''...I have no idea. I'll go find someone who'll be able to answer, okay? Don't leave! Feel free to read my catalog. There's about... a hundred memories we've got detailed here, don't be afraid to make your choice.'' Out she goes with surprising nimbleness, the awkwardness of her hip wings don't come close to touching you or your knights.

''Is it me or did she look a little afraid?'' Klesiah muse. ''No matter, cmere you two. She called them memories, huh? What do you think, Hao? What would you like to do?''

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>Free
The potential choices here are far too much to list. The Sensor Stones allow you to be transported into various peaceful events or ''scenery'' so it would honestly be far simpler for you guys to decide on what you want to experience and with whom. Three people would open all potentials (meaning complex events like a big festival or even a martial art tournament) beyond that, I'll give a proper list.

If left to Hao, she would like to experience a wide open plain, preferably atop the fast-running lizard mounts she tamed with her clan back home. There is a gem like that, too.

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>>5419964
Oh so I was right. These really are not-BD's. So it's us, Hao, Klesiah, and Zhu's gem/soul right? What would Klesiah like to do? What is the general feeling that Hao and Klesiah would like to experience? Do they have any of that primo hardcore degenerate shit on offer? Y'know, Hand Holding with or without innocent loving cuddling and hugs?

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>>5419975
>So it's us, Hao, Klesiah, and Zhu's gem/soul right?
Yeah. Going back to fetch Elina and Sieglinde is possible, too. The world is wide open here, even if you're crippled.
>What would Klesiah like to do?
She'd like to humor Hao, Klesiah is having a case of serious indecision here. Arawn won't press her too hard, she's honestly unsure with all the choices listed in the catalog.
>Do they have any of that primo hardcore degenerate shit on offer?
You...!? This is a place of healing! A place of relaxation! If you wanna get dirty, then you'll have to initiate it. Birds have nothing like that listed, pervert.
>What is the general feeling that Hao and Klesiah would like to experience?
You can feel hints of lust clinging to Klesiah no matter how hard she tries to push it down. Klesiah is feeling on board with Hao idea, she's never ridden any horses so the experience could be fun. Otherwise, something that could potentially entertain Zhu is what she'd like.
Hao is fully wrapped in nostalgia after mentioning her wish about the plains. That and guilt with a whooole lot of constant pain.

>>5419982
Hmmm... so either go with Hao's idea or go with something like a martial arts tournament? Zhu's a real Khornate berserker who *loves* fighting if I remember right so that'd be right up her ally. Hao loves a good scrap too correct? Would the latter option give Klesiah a chance to discharge her lustful energies without... y'know, this and that?

Also, could we use focus inside the "dream" and not have shit go haywire? Pretty sure we can't use any of our support magics like link deepening and the like but what of reinforcement and soul arms? What of our gauntlet? Do we still have it with us?

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>>5420008
>Zhu's a real Khornate berserker who *loves* fighting
That she does.
>Hao loves a good scrap too correct?
Yup.
>Would the latter option give Klesiah a chance to discharge her lustful energies without... y'know, this and that?
Well... um... Live and learn?
>Also, could we use focus inside the "dream" and not have shit go haywire? Pretty sure we can't use any of our support magics like link deepening and the like but what of reinforcement and soul arms?
Unlikely. Activating magic would mean doing it on your body, too.
>What of our gauntlet? Do we still have it with us?
Yup, still here. You don't wear it now on account of your oversensitivity.

I'll work on posting another update tonight, I think knowing if interacting with Zhu is possible or not is too important a choice to leave in the air.

>>5420015
If we can than we go with a tournament. She'd like that and we really owe her quite a lot. Both from before we died and after we came back.

Did she ever get around to telling us where to start looking for Hecate? Also, how's that little girl we saved doing? Forget her name off the top of my head but like Zhu she was also in need of a new body and we sent her here along with not-Kamen Rider magitek master dude.

Oh! We also have something of his that needs to be returned! That belt. Saved our ass multiple times but it *is* his and we did promise to give it back if we survived. We've yet to break one yet and I don't want to be on his bad side. Could always use another techie. After all, once Hao's good and fixed we're essentially a "patron". We not only go on quests, we'll be creating ones for others to try to complete. Can't do it all ourselves and thankfully we don't have to!

>>5420017
Oh, just remembered one more thing. We're down an arm aren't we? If so we need a new one if the old one cannot be recovered or regenerated. Wonder if we could put a gun or something in it...

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>>5420017
>Did she ever get around to telling us where to start looking for Hecate?
Yeah, it was background details before she went into the big sleep.
>Also, how's that little girl we saved doing?
Leena. You don't have any concrete news yet, Lady Umeno's husband and twin daughters went to accompany Adam on his quest to help her.
>>5420020
>Oh, just remembered one more thing. We're down an arm aren't we?
Yep. You slashed off your left arm when you were trying to resist all the souls in Muribel. Bad business, that. Teruko did the same to escape the pincer of a scorpion lady

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Hm, I'm a bit rusty. I'll only be able to post tomorrow, sorry. At least my health and life in general have settled nicely, all I need is some time to return to my usual rhythm. I'll make sure to pour more energy into our tale once we reach the weekend.

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>>5420058
The critical data point we really need is if Zhu is a viable participant in the totally not Braindance.

If she is than a martial arts tournament BD is right up her (along with Hao's and Klesiah's) alley. The closer the final match was the better. For that's what she (Zhu) always sought. A close fight. A close fight in service of a truly greater good/end was/is her dream if I remember.

Her true dream was to fight. Fight for a truly wonderful end. To be an ultimate and deciding factor in an apocalyptic battle between Good and Evil. The "Fight of her Life" we owed her as she put it.

She straddles the line between Chaotic Neutral and Chaotic Good. Rebecca and Zhu are peas in a pod aren't they?

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>>5420082
>A close fight in service of a truly greater good/end was/is her dream if I remember.
It would be her preferred death but not her dream. She never stated it outright but Arawn figured out that Zhu always wanted to be ''needed'' by people she loves. Hence why she never really appreciated traveling the road or why she easily avoided hedonism altogether. She would LOVE to indulge in all kinds of pleasure... but only with those she genuinely values.
Her dragging Arawn into an oath about this fight was more of a way to keep him around then finding a Valhalla end.
Member, Zhu talked about her love of fighting plenty... but did she ever really mention dying, outside some bravado moment?

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Indecision was a novel experience, perhaps it was the first time since your awakening in Muribel that no outside stressor imposed its influence on your or your companions.

''Thinking about it now, this whole thing almost sounds like a fairytale. Being able to experience a homely village festival without having to walk there sounds too good to be true...'' Klesiah commented while flipping through the bird-woman catalog. ''...Though I suppose most of the magic is lost if you can't speak with anyone. Probably why people with links are encouraged to partake, though it says in there they do have a few things for lone wolves.''

''A place made just for us, something that will disappear after we see it...'' Hao tries her best not to sound too ragged. Gods, she looks so vulnerable, your inability to headpat her is a crime.

''Amazing, someone replicated a ballroom.'' Klesiah flashes you a grin. ''Can you imagine Zhu wearing some super chique dress, hair rolled up like those nobles love to do? Hao would be fetching in whatever she wears, too. Hell, I wanna see how Siggy could impress us and Elina. Angels are cheaters, they look beautiful without effort!''

Chique? Must be an expression from the Kingdoms.

''I'm not sure Zhu would be able to keep herself from breaking the experience, especially if we go and throw her into it without explaining.'' An amusing prank, but it'd be far too heartless. Zhu gave up her remaining time -and the best fight of her life- to give your allies a better chance against Zerase. Being able to reunite so soon would be... it'd be nice. There's also Gardy. You'll be able to see him soon.

''No worries,'' Klesiah says while perusing the book again. ''Give her a hug or a kiss, and she'll calm down. Zhu totally like being watched, too.''

Huh...What? Hold on here.

''Watched? Hm?'' Hao furrows her brows, you can almost feel her investigative intent sniffing through your link.

''I'm suspecting you're doing some projection here, blueberry.'' There -is- something spicy dwelling inside your knight. A heavily repressed intent begging to rush out.

''Plains are very big and so, so open.'' Hao's tone is a whisper that can almost be called sultry. ''It would be fun at night, especially on full moon, yes. Hao would love to hold all friends!''

''Ah... um, holding... I mean yes, hold us through how to experience your homeland!'' Klesiah is feeling enough embarrassment to make you feel self-conscious.

Not due to what Hao was implying. Someone was approaching, her angle allowed her to spot them first, and she has a little trouble with handling affection in public.

The crimson-haired crow-lady had brought a tall, elderly man with dark wings full of white stripes spreading out of his hips, you immediately identified him as the clan leader of the Umeno clan, Keldan Umeno.

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''Sir Umeno!'' Your fear of pain easily won over any urge to bow. For a man to display monstrous traits mean one thing: he's older than Daiyu reigns and managed to master his Corruption enough to survive till today.

Pinching his long, thin white beard, the man greets your trio with a wave. He's tall and thin similar to a scarecrow with skin showing his age with marks of time and battles, the hands he moves display long, bony fingers. Despite being a picture of bad health, Keldan voice is strong, his steps assured, and his breathing translates his inner fortitude and assured confidence. Long white hair falls below his shoulders highlighting his authoritative face.

''Good day once again, dear guests.'' He releases his gray beard, turning toward his clanmate. ''I'll be helping them, thanks for coming to me''

''Please do not worry about keeping any... let's say pedigree. I have accepted all of you as my important guests.'' Keldan continues, his naturally grim features softening in a warm-hearted smile. ''The first step toward healing is relaxation, Ellie told me something mighty interesting indeed. You claim to possess a living soul inside a gem?''

''Long story, mysir.'' Isn't that a Muribel expression? ''Your student spoke the truth, my group has been wondering if it would be possible to have her experience one of these memories. I'm linked with my comrades here but not the one slumbering inside''

You hold up the precious, beautiful shiny golden gem, shades of blues have started to appear, hinting at Zhu's mood. Is she dreaming in there?

''Hmm, that is indeed a very precious stone. I've seen for myself an angelic soul dwelling inside a sword, so why not a gem? The woman inside is fully human?'' Your nod prompts him to pinch his beard. ''Goodness, what a fearsome will. To survive, glow so beautifully without a body... does she know about her state?''

Speaking about Zhu is causing inevitable grief to radiate out of Klesiah and, ever vigilant, Hao mirror the feeling out of pure empathy.

''Yes, she entered this gem willingly.''

''A fully human soul that didn't break apart despite the horrible truth of her body's death.'' The elder pinch his lips inhales deeply and wipes the overflow of humidity out of his eyes. ''You have something very precious indeed, young man. A soul like this deserves healing.''

With a gentle gesture, Keldan waits for you and Hao to step away so he can walk behind the large counter, asking for Klesiah to put the catalog on its surface as he goes.

''I do believe it could be possible to create an interaction, I've personally helped Hadraniel speak with all of her family during her long coma but... human souls can be so much more intense than angels, without an active soul link either... Hmm.''

''You've never tried something like that?'' Despite your best attempt at keeping a diplomatic face, a smile sneaks up on you. You've seen people experience a whole lot of ''first'' since Elina pulled you out of the Throne.

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''Never with a human, I've only worked two artifacts with living souls dwelling within.'' Keldan responds softly, examining the catalog. ''And before you ask, using your nature would be a mistake Arawn, because I believe your friend soul could... attach itself to yours, or pull yours inside her domain. Nasty complications is a mild way to put it.''

''But it -is- possible to have Zhu experience something with us, right?'' Klesiah's voice shakes with barely concealed desperation.

''I've accomplished similar tasks with an angel and a Mamono soul, dear lady. As a doctor, I won't accept excluding humans. I believe the safest way to do it would be to create a pathway for your friend to walk into, she'll have to show initiative.''

''No worries about that.'' The initiative isn't something Zhu lack.

''Alright, alright.'' Keldan moves his gaze away from the catalog to examine your trio. ''I do think it's possible, but not today, you should start a treatment of Everblues as well, lady...?''

''Klesiah.'' She masks her disappointment by doing that classic hair swoosh Sieglinde so often does.

''This will be a delicate experiment, the sheer intensity of a human soul without a body might shatter even the best laid foundations of the many stages laid out here.'' He briefly gazes back at the many gems behind him. ''Thus making your souls malleable is the best way to compensate. Eating -and sticking with- Everblues laced foods will accomplish exactly that, tomorrow evening will be a good time to try.''

''Would it be dangerous?'' You're not sure if it's worth disturbing Zhu if there are genuine risks.

''No, if your friend believes she's in a nightmare the worst that would happen is the dream inside one of my gems being dispersed.'' As he speaks, the patriarch frown, pinching his long beard. ''Thinking on it now, this could create a stressor on your slumbering friend's mind... But I'd say that we ought to try again if she panics. She'll grow used to the presence of your souls after a while.''

Zhu often commented about people's colors, she must have already gotten used to your and Klesiah's souls.

''Eating something from a strange plant can allow us to speak with Zhu?'' Klesiah speaks after a short silence, prompting a fatherly expression to form on the elder.

''Souls are wondrous things, my dear. Life will always be hope, that is the one truth I've discovered in my long life, next one would be not struggling alone... but I'll wager you've already figured that one out.'' He winks. ''Would you care to partake in a memory, the three of you? You're from Xel'iotha aren't you, dear lady?''

Hao's breath caught in her throat, she take a moment to control her excitement, to avoid any overt movements else agony would ruin the moment.

''Home... good and bad. Mostly bad but the plains always great.''

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''A ruthless and beautiful realms indeed, I've visited the plains about... ''He whistles, searching his memories. ''...twenty years ago and recorded a peculiar experience in a gem that nobody ever chose, figures it would take a native to appreciate a work of art.''

''I know everything here almost by heart.'' Keldan continues, hands on the table, mimicking a merchant. ''Why not partake? It'll be good training for coaxing your friend out of her gem tomorrow.''

>Klesiah looked excited when she mentioned the ballroom. Why not indulge? Seeing both of your knights in beautiful dresses would be more than enough to steal your heart, isn't dancing an excellent way to ignite passion?
>The plains of Xel'iotha, a chance for Hao to revisit her home, even if it is an old illusion... You'd be downright heartless to refuse.
>Free
Would you like to make visiting Zhu a non-negotiable choice for tomorrow evening?

>>5420721
>The plains of Xel'iotha, a chance for Hao to revisit her home, even if it is an old illusion... You'd be downright heartless to refuse.

There likely won't be anything stopping us from doing it again at a later date, so we can see more things.

>>5420721
So we can't let Zhu out of her cage right now but we can tomorrow? If we can't have Zhu join us now I'll default to doing whatever will make Hao happy. If we can we try to make Zhu happy.

Also, if we can't have Zhu join us now she is going to join us ASAP. She at the very least needs to know that her sacrifice wasn't in vain and that everyone she cared about (and those we hope she'll come to care about in the future) made it. It'd help her to rest easier I'd reckon.

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>>5420790
>So we can't let Zhu out of her cage right now but we can tomorrow?
Yup. You'll need to start the Everblues treatment to give her the space she needs to occupy one of the memories.
Plains it is

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''The beautiful green plains, freedom manifested.'' Keldan chuckles to himself while plucking an emerald out of its casing. ''Follow me, we have a dedicated room for this exercise.'' He takes a small bag from under the wide desk while walking ahead.

How you wish you could give Hao some reassurance. She was putting a brave front, but your knight's nervousness felt difficult to stomach.

--

Keldan led you into one of the temple's many rooms. Four beds, more than enough space to be comfortable with alchemical light giving a sharp white illumination, his first act was to close the only windows and rummage inside one of the cupboards to extract a thin cylinder. Then he placed what he took from the storeroom, a container with bright blue powder, on its surface, gently pouring its content inside the alchemical appliance.

''This will produce fumes that will calm your bodies but also reinforce my soul, allowing me to bring you within the gem illusion. Your condition will not manifest inside.'' He says, producing the emerald out of his pocket. ''As you relax on the bed, you'll be able to feel your joined souls and after a little while, you'll feel mine seeking permission, it'll be my way to bring you inside your little vacation.''

All of your recent memories with interactions of souls are contaminated by Ama voyeurism. You've got to remember this man is a doctor, he doesn't mean you any harm.

''Also, this particular Sensor Stone is a little barren, I have reproduced what I've seen to the best of my abilities but, it has been a while, you should be able to add a little spice of your own, my dear.'' He says while looking at Hao. ''This memory is an illusion wrapped within the reality of our world, it will be fine for you to inject a little of what you remember of your home.''

The full prep work takes twenty minutes, with most of it spent getting yourself and Hao comfortable. The blood anesthetic was working well but lying in bed was still extremely painful for your dear knight, that agony inevitably transferred to you. Slowly but surely, lethargy crept over pain, inducing a sense of semi-awake state.

Events proceeded as you've grown to experience when it comes to souls. An ever-flowing river with newly formed pathways transforming into interlocked fibers that soon evolved into a bridge... Rather silly to describe, it's how you've made sense of it. Keldan's presence manifests by opening a door toward your destination.

--

Your first sensation is the wind on your skin constantly lifting your hair, your vision focuses on an infinity of green with faraway hills. There's a freshness in the air different from Machitehew, it is hotter here but not uncomfortably so. All around is green without trees only grass growing to reach your ankle. You've seen the sea, this is a similar, differently colored infinity.

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''Yeah, this was my home. Wide enough to feel scared.'' Hao's voice doesn't have that adorably charming awkwardness here, she's probably thinking in her native tongue, your soul translates her intention flawlessly. ''Big enough to feel incredibly lonely.''

There's a strange stillness here, not unlike the wide arid landscape of Muribel. It wouldn't feel suspect to see someone materialize out of the horizon.

''I don't think the centaur plains can rival this... this open space. You're right, it makes you feel so tiny.'' Klesiah says, grasping her hair, willing it into one long braid.

Looking good.

''To survive the lands, ones need companions. That man said it's possible to modify things, I'll try a little something... It should work if I think about it hard enough, that's how Arawn does it.''

''I can't give you any advice here, way out of my depth.'' You reply reaching for Klesiah hand. Her look of surprise is downright precious and the fact you can touch her without pain is further proof of how good of an idea it was to indulge in the crow-people craft.

''Whoa!?'' You nearly fall on your blueberry when a big animal suddenly manifests next to you.

A gods damned giant lizard appeared out of thin air, a beast nearly matching you in height, clearly weighing more than you. Bright red scales on the outer edges of its body combined with discolored white ones toward its center, soft red plumages spread out of its back and arm, growing down to reach a thick, heavy tail. Murderous talons on its feet and hands translated murder, all dwarfed by the most impressive jaw you've ever seen, crowned by dozens of sharp needle teeth. The bipedal lizard snorted a loud ''pfuh'' as you got your bearing.

If you were facing that beast in the flesh, you'd come very close to pissing your pants. Mother Mercy.

''Hehehehe. Yup, that's my boy alright, I remember him juuust right. Don't be scared Arawn, you'll always have my whole heart''

''These... These are, he's your mount, your people mount?'' Klesiah's hands wiggled, searching for an absent glaive.

''He's my Adamant.'' Says Hao, rubbing the underside of the beast's jaw. Not only is that lizard taller than her, but he can fit her entire head in its mouth!

''I left him with my tribe when I escaped, they wouldn't harm him. Had I known I'd meet my true family...'' Your dear trivial knight shakes her head and jumps on the predator saddle with amazing ease. ''...you guys will have fun riding em, trust me!''

''How do your people even feed these... these predators!?'' Klesiah stiffen when another biped walked next to her, this one was blue and white. A similar beast patiently waited next to you. A dark, white scaled one.

They weren't as well defined compared to Adamant, especially the eyes. Adamant looked alive, these seemed comparable to meat puppets, easy to control.

Hao imagination is occupied by her mount.

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''There's plenty of migratory herbivores throughout the plains, these guys don't eat that much either. They get thirsty often so we see them around lakes or dwelling inside forests, although some breeds have evolved to be satiated by blood too.'' She gives the reigns a serious tug and the lizard snort derisively. ''Oi, don't go starting with me.'' She kicks Adamant sides, prompting the beast to whip the air with its tail.

''Apparently one of Demon Lord Damien's lieutenant unleashed a scourge of these guys in an attempt to break the tribes, they ran around killing everything that lived, starving us of food and sustenance. People united against him and the sages gathered their strength to dispel all the hexes and evil magic that made these guys frenzied, they did the same with all the salamanders he unleashed too. Horses grew extinct in the war, so we found another way to survive. Despite looking like lizards these guys can endure winters.''

Slowly, carefully you manage to climb on top of your... mount? It doesn't move as you clumsily sit on the saddle, finding a comfortable spot might be impossible.

''We'll take it slow.'' Hao says, taking a few steps and stopping her mount with such ease, they might be breathing in synch.

''Y-yes, slow.'' Despite knowing she wasn't in danger, Klesiah still felt intimidated.

''Seeing you bounce is going to be great, blueberry!''

''Aren't you a brazen girl!? Whoa, it's moving!'' Klesiah nearly hugged her mount to keep her balance. ''How do we call them!?''

''Raptor! Play on word with predator!''

''Fairly sure there are birds called like that.'' You say, getting slowly used to all the damn bouncing. This lizard got one hell of a stride, you'll have to hold on when it starts running.

''None where I'm from!'' Hao smile reminds you of that night she showed you that hill back in Throne Town. Her happiness is an infectious waterfall, an emotion so gentle, pure, and strong, your eyes irritate with newfound humidity.

>Have Hao talk about her tribe, her people. Try to stay broad, and avoid intimate topics.
>See if Hao would be willing to share the reasons why she left her tribe. You know she took an heirloom with them and it had something to do with her mother's death, but the language barrier coupled with all the misery surrounding Ama made it impossible to have a good, real talk. Until now.
>How confident is your knight atop her steed? See if she's willing to show her prowess. How does she fight, atop Adamant?
>Free.
One choice won't bring an end to your exercise. I'd rather avoid dumping a big load of texts by adding everything!
I probably won't be able to make a new post tonight. Gonna try, no promises.

>>5420945
>Have Hao talk about her tribe, her people. Try to stay broad, and avoid intimate topics.

The "scene" should probably be set first before moving on to deeper topics, should we be comfortable moving forward / the opportunity presents itself.

>>5420955
I'd like to talk about the intimate details of the why she left her tribe but this anon's right. Ya can't just cold approach something like that. Second.

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With how rare horses have become because of the previous Demon Lord rampage, you doubt your past self had any chance to ride one. Your mount may be casually walking but its thick, heavy legs made you feel each step, prompting you to hug its flanks with your thighs and constantly remind yourself not to slip out of the stirrups or pull on its harness, those leather ropes aren't used to keep your balance. Having to lean left or right because of its big head was annoying but looking at Hao made it obvious it was a habit you had to develop, girl was showing off by walking backward!

''Don't hold onto the feathers or wrap an arm around their necks, boys especially hate that! Females tend to be more docile, but you're sitting on males so careful!''

''R-right. Gods this is bouncy!'' Despite her difficulties and nervousness, Klesiah was adjusting.

''You've got plenty of mass, blueberry. It'll cushion you.''

''Now what is THAT supposed to mean!? Do I need to crash my lizard into yours?'' Klesiah nearly got up on her stirrup but couldn't keep her balance and promptly sat back, causing her raptor to snort.

She's enjoying herself far more than she wants to admit. She's probably trying to keep some amount of decorum as the senior knight, while the temptation to tease her further is mighty tempting, you decide to give her a small respite from Hao's merciless attention.

Your wild knight can be surprisingly aggressive. Her affection for Klesiah travels nakedly through the link, which further fuel her desire to see more reactions.

''I'm curious about the tribes that inhabit these lands.'' Thankfully you're close enough to your companions to keep a level voice. ''Yours, others... Taming these beasts mustn't be easy.''

''Hm.'' Hao gives you a pensive, meaningful look. A surprisingly intense ambivalence emanates from her. ''Curious Arawn is always handsome.'' Goodness, she's so earnest you can't resist feeling embarrassed.

''I don't like the tribes so I won't be fair when talking about them.'' Hao continues and suddenly throws her entire body leftward, prompting Adamant to jump and land facing the way forward. Thankfully she doesn't impose a quicker pace, you and Klesiah are slowly but surely getting used to the reptiles carrying you.

''There are six major tribes throughout the plains of Xel'iotha, each of them spawning cadets branches whenever there are enough resources and fervor to do so. A traveler can easily assume there are countless tribes with their own identities but all of them trace their origin to one of the chosen six. Wanna make a guess why things are staying like that?'' Oh ho, she's giving you an easy quiz.

''I'll assume it's because these six tribes were the only ones remaining after the Great Crusade?'' Your mount snorted as you spoke. Rude.

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''Mmhm.'' Hao nods. ''They were the ones with enough strength to resist and adapt, strength is the obsession of the tribes.'' There's a distinctive sharp edge in Hao's tone now. ''It isn't like Throne Town. People over there are proud, proud to be strong, proud to be intelligent, and proud to help, it's why Teruko solution with Corruption has become so popular: it is a validation of their strength. These Mamonos are proud to put themselves in danger to exterminate people's poisonous surplus. The plains are different: strength is all, strength has to be pure.''

That last word makes her pause, for a dozen seconds, the noise of your walking mounts is the only thing resonating in the wide, empty land.

''There are three types of people in a tribe. Those who provide are the strong. The elders give counsel, help lead the tribes and raise children. The servants maintain.'' Hao glances back at you and Klesiah. ''Were we from the plains, Shereen would be our servant. Arawn and I might become ones because of our condition.''

An instinctive twist of your guts makes you flinch. Nobody in this world will make your little fluff a servant. Nobody.

''My lord shows a strong reaction.'' Klesiah has a pleased smirk and bestows you with an approving nod.

''A harsh land demands a harsh people is how people delude themselves into believing this way of life is okay. Servants are a commodity amongst the tribes, to be exchanged or bought as needed with weak men being viewed as especially precious.'' Hao shakes her head. ''I don't like my home, especially after seeing Throne Town.''

Not so noble savages.

''My people compete endlessly for strength and purity of purpose, a grand tournament is held every five years where each of the major tribes sends sixty warriors to battle in a deadly competition. Whoever wins leads us for five years and must prepare the next Nadaam, thereby relinquishing power.''

''What about your tribe, Hao?'' Klesiah ask. ''Your family name is theirs, right? Dasyu?''

''I'd love to change it to Loukanos.'' Oh crap, that smile and warm voice struck a deadly blow.

''My dear knight, I'm genuinely afraid of the day you'll become fluent in Common.'' She's -way- too good at this flirting game.

''Hehehe.'' She can laugh despite all the emotional baggage. ''My tribe is indeed the Dasyu. They are travelers and breeders, explorers of the wide territories to identify the strongest nest of raptors and tame the alphas or steal the eggs. Probably the only tribe with an accurate map of all the territories outside Zen.''

Hao mood is a constant flux of duality. She dislikes the people inhabiting the plains but her love for this sea of greens and the beautiful, fearsome raptors is beautifully honest. Speaking about the tribes isn't easy, but she's happy that you and Klesiah are taking a genuine interest... The mood between the three of you is a good one.

''You two have gotten the hang of keeping yourselves balanced, let's start a jog.''

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>Try for a more intimate topic. Hao's life, her childhood, her family...
>Get to know these raptors. These creatures seem to be a walking paradox. Fearsome carnivores that can be tamed? Man-sized lizards who don't need that much food? They can handle winters? Fascinating!
>Free
Choices here are valid too >>5420945

>>5421757
>Try for a more intimate topic. Hao's life, her childhood, her family...

We will probably have a chance in the future to learn more, so we don't everything now. Though depending on what she says it might be either encompassed or be able to intuited based on what was said indirectly.

Balancing levity, tact and how we feel will likely be difficult.

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>>5421776
Hao -did- declare her love for you during act 2, so walking on eggshells might not be a good idea either. This is the first real chat you have with her though

>>5421789
Can we hold Hao's hand while we ask her about intimate things? I want to see what happens if we engage in hand holding!

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

Handling the increased pace isn't difficult, your mount kept itself surprisingly upright while carrying you forward with its strong legs, and the flat ground helped immensely with keeping your balance. These raptors are capable of much, much more speed, Adamant whipping tail, and mocking snorts might be hinting at a desire to run.

These mounts are projections of Hao's imagination, her precious partner truly placed itself inside her soul.

''Okay, getting used to it.'' Poor Klesiah was tense enough to break something with her spine, she's putting a commendable effort.

''Your life here was a difficult one, Hao?'' It's more of a statement than a question, she had fully expected it of course but she still wince.

''No.'' She looks back to you and Klesiah. ''Arawn had it much harder, I saw some of your dreams before you told us your past in that kingdom...'' Her sincere empathy and gentle love drown her bitterness. ''Hao life was easy because she was born strong, born to a strong woman, amidst strong people.''

Duality dwelled inside her. She didn't want to speak, yet wanted to share. She knew you were willing to listen to her, yet felt insignificant. You and Klesiah were far worthier of worry and help.

She's... being so honest, so naked with her emotions. Gods above, to think you met her by chance, inside that cursed forest of death.

''My father was a traveling warrior I think, never heard much about him.'' Hao begins, gesturing for you and Klesiah to slow down to a walk. ''My mother was a shaman of the Dasyu, one who devised omens in the sky stars and a mage of wind, she'd often help our leader and even advise important guests from other tribes.''

''I was born to pursue strength, that's what the elders saw in me.'' Hao directs your trio to climb up a small hill, observing how you and Klesiah handle yourselves. ''Train. Fight. Break a few teeth. Wrestle. Saddled from dawn to dusk. Spend weeks out in the plains with hunters, learn how to track, how to keep up. Luckiest children have the chance to kill popos by jumping on them, sink a sword in their soft throat.'' As you reach the top, she stops her mount. What lies ahead is a vast, infinite, almost totally flat horizon of green.

Land of freedom indeed.

Neither you nor Klesiah need to give Hao encouragement, she can feel it.

''That's a normal childhood for a child of the plains. Do well, and you are praised, I enjoyed it until I grew old enough to realize my mother always gifted me her compliments and rewards when I didn't dominate others. One day, a family of monstrous refugees bought my tribe service to be led away from the plains, and that's when I realized that a father exists.'' Carefully she starts walking down, taking a moment to smile at Klesiah as she nearly wraps an arm around her lizard's neck.

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''So I started to pay attention to what was happening inside my tribe, to ask quiet questions to my mother. Why are servants always so sad when nobody is looking at them? Why is it okay for warriors to be so aggressive against them? What happens with those servants judged ''useless' who absorb my surplus of Corruption?''

''Ah...'' Klesiah gasped, Hao nodded grimly. No need to explain.

''My time with the Dasyu wasn't difficult. I was born strong and soon managed to provide for the tribe despite my youth but the more I talked with my mother, the more I felt something was off, that I didn't belong. The lands beyond the Green Faith made me wonder if there were places where a man could choose his mate, someplaces where an unlucky weak servant could be given a chance to smile, where the children I beat in mock fights or racing could be pulled up instead of slapped. The strength of the tribes is hollow, my mother was the only person I could speak to. I had no friends because I couldn't bring myself to respect anyone, but I was wise enough to keep that quiet.''

She makes it sound easy but a childhood like that must have been miserable. Being unable to connect with your community -your entire world on these plains- and being receptive enough to other people's pain at a very young age would create a terrible sense of loneliness.

''Then my mother died.'' Hao makes a sharp click of the tongue, her Adamant start jogging, you and Klesiah manage to follow without any troubles after an hour on the saddle.

''The Naadam is the most sacred event for the tribes, everyone is obsessed with believing that it is the most honorable, fairest way to choose a leader of the strong.'' Her big lizard snorts loudly. ''That's bullshit. The months before the competition create the most treacherous, dishonorable acts you will ever see across our World Tree. Cadets tribes are sacrificed in raids to weaken rivals, others try to enrich themselves with vicious foray beyond the plains, make deals with foreign Supremes...''

''Our leader wanted to force my mom into serving the tribe at the competition, a strong, talented mage of wind would have been an amazing boon. One night she went out to negotiate... and came back wrapped in black.'' There's a burst of fiery anger, you can almost feel her hands hardening against the leathery ropes of Adamant harness. ''Hao had to deal with it, these things happen in the land of the strong.''

''Eventually, this rancor led you to steal your tribe artifact?''

''Mhm.'' She smiles, sorrow dwells harmoniously within her. It is the strangest emotion; a beautiful sadness, a wound she's resolved to heal, yet can't. A strong child of the plains. ''No friends or remaining family. I was being forced to participate in the upcoming Nadaam, I only wished to live with Adamant, so I got into my first-ever argument with our leader. When she mentioned that I was dishonoring my mom memory, I understood why people can be angry enough to murder.''

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Stealing that axe had been her way of lashing out.

''Do you think you two can find a moment to explain all of this to Siggy, Shereen, and Elina?''

''Huh?''
''Su-sure... That's a whole lot to take in.''

''My boring story isn't a lot.'' Hao smirk. ''I wanna spend my whole life with Arawn, Klesiah, Siggy, Shereen, our angel, and everyone precious around them. No secrets. My old life is gone and I gained something else.''

''We'll... find a moment. I promise.'' Damn. She's a bundle of surprise.

>''Don't you want to find your Adamant, Hao?''
>''I honestly feel like I need to gift you something. First, that hill in Throne Town, then you gifted us victory in Muribel...I'm a poor excuse of a lord.''
>Free
Old choices are still valid, of course. These remarks will steer the conversation a certain way, hence why I'm making them into actual commitment.

>>5421934
Not easy to hold hands on top of big murderous carnivorous lizards.

>>5421945
>How confident is your knight atop her steed? See if she's willing to show her prowess. How does she fight, atop Adamant?

We need things to be happy, healing is no time for circular reflections on past events that we had no control over and can't change.

I'm not sure that we could track down the Adamant by ourselves and I'm not sure that a replacement would be the "right" call, without risk so I'm not sure that we should suggest it at this point in time though is worth holding onto for the future / once we have recovered and we're in another lull.

Also Self-depreciating talk won't help us make this a happy conversation or is the right time for this kind of turn. even if it was an accurate depiction of events if somewhat uncharitable, and overlooks our limited contributions

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>>5421958
To be fair Hao was the biggest champion of the entire battle, nobody managed to create such an opportunity.
Too late to answer now, so I'll continue tomorrow.

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>>5421964
We should hug her now. Well, best as we can given how we're mounted. Transmit warm feelings and all that.

Then we get a wee bit adventurous. The other anon suggests Klesiah prove her prowess. How about we pit Hao and Klesiah against each other for the grand prize of holding our hand? How far are they willing to go to commit the most lewd of acts with us? Dare they risk shattering the Braindance over such a thing? I'd like to see what happens!

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>>5422088
>How about we pit Hao and Klesiah against each other for the grand prize of holding our hand?
Hao has so much of an advantage here, you should come up with a fair trial!
I feel like the girls would rather punish Arawn arrogance, surely he can come up with a better prize!

Is the enigma that is Hao Dasyu easier to understand now?

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>>5422096
You make that sound like a bad thing. Still, we can up the ante by offering a kiss. An innocent kiss on the cheeks at first and on the lips if they truly insist because we wanna make them happy. No tongue though because of practical reasons.

I mean, once you're already dueling with your tongues you're just a short hop to "This and That" as the Zipangese would put it and that would surely shatter this braindance the instant someone "stripped" if ya catch my meaning...

We don't have to say that or even imply it. They both should just know. Though if Klesiah is repressing enough horni energy and we somehow break that dam for some reason...

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>>5422120
Interesting take, although I have to admit that I can't think of anything that would allow a friendly competition in these circumstances. Arawn isn't self-centered enough to force Klesiah in trying to beat Hao in a cavalry challenge and he's savvy enough to not propose something like a sword fight because it'll sorta kill the mood. Defaulting to having Hao showing off is better in this case unless you can give an idea of course.
You can easily trigger Klesiah horni energy without dangling a prize in front of her.

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>>5422131
Banging will surely shatter this BD so lets not. Besides, we've already established that Arawn/Gardy isn't that kind of dude.

We don't have to force anything. It's just a change of subject. Klesiah is feeling the urge to do something and we're all mounted and they're both our "knights" so what harm is there in a friendly competition?

Very friendly mind you. Klesiah is a lightning/electro mage. Hao is a mamono who knows all about how to leverage that. Mamonos seem to be able to trade their "humanity" stat for bonuses if ya catch my drift.

Neither of them get to do what they can on those fronts. Most of all because embracing focus or surging corruption levels will likely shatter the BD for safety reasons. Old human man seems to have grasped this and built them with this in mind. Better to lose a chip than to unleash a corrupted horror of a mamono or a mindbroken human magipsycho upon his patrons...

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>>5422152
In that case, having Arawn bump up the difficulty of the ride and maybe propose a race (that you will participate in) would be a good way to make a friendly competition. You're right in saying that doing magic would break the memory of this Sensor Stone, it was built to appreciate the wide plains of Xel'iotha, and adding its (not so) native species in it is enough ''logic'' to remain consistent with what's been constructed but imposing more will likely ruin your fun.

Having a race would be the only way I can think of to make your proposition work. Arawn will participate, too. This Lord ain't so high and mighty to snobs his knights.

>>5422167
I can get behind that. If we roll well and win we get to choose our own pleasure. Hand holding with innocent cuddles, hugs, and the like!

Few know what dark desires lurks within the hearts of men. Those with eyes to see and ears to hear know the truth. Hardcore explicit sex is pleb tier. Hand Holding and hugging is true degeneracy!

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I think I can combine that with the little showoff. Hao is giving Arawn much to think about, as always.

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''Thank you for being so open, Hao. I'll do the same once we have an opportunity after you get healthy.'' Honest empathy, appreciation, and even a little admiration dwelled inside your blue knight.

''Have you spoken about your childhood during our past travels?'' You comment.

''You mean to say you've forgotten our meeting when you were a kid?'' Her theatrical anger manage to make you wince. Ooof. You -do- remember, weren't you about...10? ''I've always avoided thinking about the future, I'm starting to think it wouldn't be bad at all to have you, Hao.''

This prompted your jogging instructor to stop her mount, her mood was drifting into good-hearted excitement with a deep sense of satisfaction. Hao is truly great at managing her emotions.

''You're making me excited, lady knight.'' Her colorful gaze sharpened with warm, teasing intent, leaving Klesiah momentarily dumbstruck... and readily willing to embrace temptation.

''You're pretty good on your lizard, right Hao?'' You've got to start a distraction. The sincere love you feel for them is creating an undeniable influence, this illusion isn't going to last if passions ignite!

''A challenge?'' She turns with her beast to look at you, no smile or link is needed to feel her confidence.

''Nothing so arrogant, I'm curious what these lizards can do, and you're the best one to show me.'' As you spoke, Klesiah managed to maneuver her mount next to you.

''Good! Running is life!'' Hao last word is a yell punctuated by another one of those absurd spinnings jumps, the thumping of her raptor landing feels downright evil, it reminds you of the reverberation caused by that undead beast of the necrotic forest. Adamant takes off in a sprint before anyone can place another word.

''Whoa.'' Klesiah put your feelings to words. That lizard is fast.

Adamant galloped into the plain so quickly that Hao would only be heard by screaming your lungs out. Its head lowers slightly while her rider lifts herself on the stirrup, wind visibly pushing her dark hair back. She's too far for you to identify her exact movement but when the raptor jump in the middle of its sprint, you and Klesiah stop breathing. The beast let out a triumphant, snarling yell that echos into your position, Hao somehow motivates it to continue running after that two-man-sized bounce, it's momentum cause it to slide on the ground briefly, its deadly talons cutting grass and digging up a chunk of dirt when it goes into another gallop.

''She has to be embellishing her Adamant capabilities!''
''Or bodily reinforcement isn't exclusive to man and monsters.''

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When Hao starts zigzagging while coming back, handling her beast into a drift at each turn, you're impressed. When she maneuvers Adamant into two consecutive jumps, you begin to disbelieve. When she reached the last hundred meters and stood on her saddle while keeping her balance with the leather ropes, logic demanded dubiety. Then her lizard dug its talons into the earth, the abrupt braking launched Hao (or she did it herself) with near-deadly momentum and height. She landed roughly, her well-trained beast already moved to her flank, both stopping no less than five meters away from you and Klesiah.

''Still got it.''

Applauding was the only thing you and Klesiah could respond with. If this is the full extent of her capabilities... How big a boon to your party will it be to reunite them?

''I got an idea.'' You're feeling excited, there's a little fire burning your guts. Feels good. ''How about a race?''

''Bad idea!'' Klesiah protested but her raptor snort loudly while scratching off a patch of grass. ''Hey!''

''What are you ready to lose?'' Hao grins, fully indulging in arrogance. ''Being called mistress for a night sounds great.''

''You didn't win yet, we'll see about wagers.'' Shit, you don't speak without thinking often and it always leads to... situations. ''Let's climb that hill, we're probably approaching our time limit.''

''Oi, I didn't agree!''
''It won't hurt even if you fall!'' Hao walked close enough to tap the side of Klesiah mount, sending it in a forward trot.

Your poor blueberry could only fume with dread.

The wide view of the plain made coming up with a makeshift course easy, especially since you could will items in existence.

''Three flags?'' Hao commented when they appeared. ''A large zigzag? Hm...''

''We can race by rounding them and have our finish be the straight line between the green and yellow one.'' As you spoke, you realize how easy it was to maintain these items inside the illusion: Klesiah and Hao maintained them after acknowledging their existence, freeing your mind from the preoccupation of remembering their placement.

''Good, good. Feel like making a wager, my lord?'' Mother's mercy, you want to win now. Hao is being way too smug!

''Not me!'' Klesiah huffed, she'll still participate despite her protest. ''You'd better be right when you said it wouldn't hurt to fall!''

''Hm...''
No getting out of it now.
>Make a wager? What should it be?
Rolling 1d20 will happen after we agree to one or not.

>>5422860
So what kinds of things are we able to wager? What are our girls putting up? It sounds like Hao wants Klesiah to call her "mistress" for a day. Is that her wager? What kinds of demands can they make of us if we lose?

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>>5422865
>So what kinds of things are we able to wager?
The possibilities are so broad that I'm having difficulty narrowing things down. There's no limit, honestly. Yes, seggs stuff is okay too. Alternatively, maid outfits...
>What are our girls putting up?
Nothing stupidly humiliating, they trust Arawn. Kinky is fine, pranking your other links is fine etc.
> It sounds like Hao wants Klesiah to call her "mistress" for a day. Is that her wager?
Oh, it's a little more than that. She wants to be Arawn and Klesiah ''mistress'' for a night. And given how the dices are likely to end, she'll get it.

>>5422879
>maid outfits
The only "problem" I can see is how we get this past the others, since we came up with the idea.

>>5422879
So Hao wants snu-snu? Don't think we can do that so long as every touch brings nothing but agony. That gonna be a voucher she gets to hold onto?

Now we've already seen Hao in a maid outfit with Teruko but Klesiah has yet to be in one. I mean, there's so many wonderfully sexy clothing opportunities for the both I can't rightly agree on one for either right now.

Can we get them to agree to let us play dress-up with them in the future? I want to see them in many outfits. Maids, Mikos, Qipao, man I could go on for hours...

If that's acceptable that's my vote for the wager. Fun times with them and wardrobes!

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>>5422887
Life finds a way. Why even hide it?

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>>5422888
>That gonna be a voucher she gets to hold onto?
Mmhm. How long did it take you to ''consume'' your dice poker winning against Elina again?
>Can we get them to agree to let us play dress-up with them in the future?
Absolutely.

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Rolled 1 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

Rolling for Klesiah.
Hao really like the idea of playing dress-up so the dc has been lowered quite a bit... still, winning remains unlikely.
Give me 1d20, only one roll count. If we get a disagreement about the wager itself, we can decide later.

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>>5422901
That was a minus 3.
Not that it matters, off the saddle she goes.

>>5422901
Wager for clothes is fine, I'll let the other Anon roll.

As I don't want another 20

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I'll be updating tomorrow no matter the roll, Arawn and Hao are going to be far too exhausted to do anything but eat for the evening, so I'll move things toward the next little happening.
Now let's see that 20

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>5422926
Now you've put me on the spot.

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>>5422927
Good effort.

>>5422901
Klesiah truly has lancer-tier luck fitting as her primary weapon is a spear if I remember right. Nat 1 whenever it really matters!

So Hao liking our idea has her now only trying at half-ass tier instead of going all out?

>>5422927
>>5422929
Ok so did we still lose but only just or are we still getting blown the hell out?

Also, Klesiah is wearing that swimsuit if we somehow managed to pull out a win. Pretty and sexy without being outright slutty. We have a winner!

>>5422954
She fights with a glaive. I'm a huge nerd for polearms.
>So Hao liking our idea has her now only trying at half-ass tier instead of going all out?
Let's say she fully indulges in the distraction.
>Ok so did we still lose but only just or are we still getting blown the hell out?
You'll be able to finish the race, bravo!

>>5422958
Welp, Hao is gonna get to wear the pants for a night and she'll get *her* 3-way it seems.

That or we inspired her and it is Arawn and Klesiah who shall dress as Hao desires. Seems her imagination and tastes run parallel to our own...

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>5423004
Well the other anon originally wanted me to roll so lets see how the gods may have declared our fate had I not had other errands to run...

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>>5423125
Ooooh dear. What could have been...

>>5423126
Ok so Hao gets to make us her personal harem for a night.

We still don't know what that entails and let's be honest if she drags us into another BD she could cycle us through hundreds of different outfits.

The real question at that point is if she gets to truly record what we went through. Klesiah in a swimsuit, Arawn in a speedo, etc...

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Starting from the hill was a mistake. Hao truly made it look easy; a raptor at full sprint shakes in a hellish way, almost enough to make your teeth shatter from the force! Added with a downward momentum and...

''Whoa whoa whooooa!'' Klesiah completely misses the first turn, her mount keeps running forward. You barely restrain a laugh when she yells out ''Ooof!'' while falling off the saddle.

Hao doesn't give you any mercy. Her Adamant plants its talons on the ground, and slides for a single second to make the turn. You manage to hold onto your lizard boy, and lean to the left, he makes a good turn but nowhere near the expert drift of your nomad rival. Only a few seconds to think before reaching the next turn, which thankfully goes well, your boy seems to adapt to your weight as it manages a slide equal to Adamant.

Well isn't enough to win!

You do your best to hold yourself up on your stirrups, imitating Hao posture. Your lizard endures your weight flawlessly, you begin to gain a little on your opponent by making another one of those turns by mauling the earth, unfortunately, the last straight line is impossible to conquer. Adamant maintains his speed flawlessly, your beast cannot gain on it, and your pride can be satisfied with knowing you didn't lose ground. The entire thing is over after two minutes.

''Good effort!'' Says the victor, gracing you with a thumbs up.

''Should I start calling you mistress now?'' Your irritation only serves to fuel Hao's smug satisfaction. You're a bit more competitive than you thought.

''I'll decide later.'' Maybe standing on top of big carnivores is warping your mind, Hao is giving you a predatory impression despite being so friendly.

''I'm tempted with wanting one of my own.'' Klesiah announces as she reaches your duo. ''Knights deserve fitting steeds.''

''You serious about that, blueberry?'' There's an intense look in Hao colorful eyes.

''I'll sleep on it.'' Klesiah remains confident.

''I think our vacation is over.'' You interrupt them. ''Look to the sky.'' Can't point with one hand.

At first, it looked to be an immense cloud, by the race end the entire sky had grown a soft, lukewarm white that was now obscuring the far horizon.

''Fun afternoon.'' Hao says, getting down from her mount. ''I'll be a little sad now, but it's okay. Goods come with bad.''

Being pulled out of this beatific realm isn't violent. It's a slow change of perception as if being stuck asleep with a waking mind...
Pain, your miserable lot, impose itself far too soon.

Your remaining time goes by in a blur. Tengus have plenty of activity in the evenings for entertainment once all the doctor's sojourn for supper, making for a big crowd indeed.

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Elina, Sieglinde, Hao, Klesiah(without her partner Mina, the shard is away on business), Shereen, Banu, Anais, Hildegarde, Ambrus, Teruko, their daughter, Deruella (who seems to love lounging -on- her slimy maid), Ama even the exorcist... Your group made for quite a crowd, added with your crow's hosts meant the evening held around twenty guests, prompting the Tengus to put on a few theatrics that, unfortunately, barely held your attention. Eating the Everblues nearly knocked you and Hao out (she also insisted on Shereen eat some...?)

The clan leader, Keldan, dabbled in theaters. He put on a solo show with masks, colorful fumes, and a few instruments where he described the origin of Machitehew. The mountain is a living thing, a slumbering titan from the War of Pretenders sent to sink the island into the sea. The island goddess of the sun plunged into his heart, warming him into a slumber to last until the world ended with the water dragon enriching his body with life, forcing amends for his destruction.

Fascinating, unfortunately, you have no idea when you fell asleep.

--

''Do you, Sieglinde Jawahir, take this man, Armand Avignon, as your lord and husband?''

''...'' She hesitated for a few seconds. ''I do.''

Inside Throne Town cathedral of Unity, Sieglinde sealed her fate in front of the megalopolis's most influential denizens, even a few representatives of foreign Supremes were in attendance.

Seeing her standing so alone in this crowded, echoing room makes it difficult for you to resist sparing her the agony of this nightmare, but your desire to know her more intimately kept you steadfast... and that dress is a distraction you willingly embrace. White, frilly, pure, lonely, her dress projected all of these feelings with all the grace befitting a fiery-haired bride. Her face concealed by an opaque veil couldn't escape your all-seeing eyes, for you were lucid in her unconscious dream, yet it gave Sieginde such a mysterious allure. Her stony expression didn't fit what should be a blissful occasion; she is used to disappointment.

''I do.'' Responded the groom, smirking at the mermaid bishop. Sieglinde wasn't paying attention to anything he said afterward, those two simple words made her clench her hand into a fist.

Armand had the features of a handsome man, yet Sieglinde dream kept changing his face whenever your attention slipped away from him. Young, rich, powerful, with a naturally playful aura enhanced by luxurious, brightly colored clothes, he had carved enough of an impression in Sieglinde psyche to project a constant feeling of gaudy excess. His mother was attending, standing next to Sieglinde to further reinforce the utter dominance of the Avignon family. In this dream, the woman had the disposition of a crone: tall, thin enough to break from a hand squeeze, nearly malformed face from sheer ugliness with maliciousness oozing out of her like a bad smell.

Lord and husband.

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Throne Town barely finished purging the influence of two widespread, influential cults during the last two years (the Sabbath -a group thoroughly hostile to the concept of a Demon Lord- and a poisonous philosophy of Deruella) while the kingdom of Lescatie bordering the all-important city was ascending. Its royals and nobles were on the cusp of uniting the Old World in a web similar to the Allied Kingdoms, and so for the good of her beloved home, Sieglinde had to marry the second prince to stop a very, very dangerous war. It didn't matter that she was firstborn to the Demon Lord, times did not favor Mamonos. Mankind had already figured out a way to breach into Throne Town dimension during the Great Crusade, Sieglinde fear of history repeating itself was well-founded.

She had already planned to sterilize herself with alchemy once she left for Lescatie. She is prepared, having done her research on this depraved family.

These Avignon somehow managed to enjoy all the excesses of wealth and influence without self-destructing. Father and mother had shrewdly maneuvered their way throughout the Church's labyrinthine inner-working to earn vast concessions for reinforcing their kingdom without losing influence over the realm by coercing or persuading the many bishops and clerics sent to oversee investments to slowly but surely invest in Lescatie instead of keeping the church interest. Bordering a Demon Lord with no lust for war was a blessing, allowing them to spread their economy into outside kingdoms with the excuse of an attack that was always a few years away from being unleashed. Their two sons even wormed their ways into foreign courts; talents hadn't skipped a generation, and everyone could easily look away from the depraved manor inside their reinforced capital. Strong army, strong allies, strong family, strong sons, soon-to-be peerless heirs from the princess of Gwynedd and the Demon Lord firstborn...

Sieglinde knew she was a trophy. A pet of that envious second son who could finally pretend to beat his older brother in one thing: a prettier, better wife.

''Five years. I'll find a way out in five years, Throne Town will have recovered.'' Sieglinde's voice resonated in your head. Remorse smoked out of her like a dying flame, Belphegor had exploded with raw emotions yesterday, forcing Sieglinde to arrest her or else her beloved aunt would crash this day with murder in her heart.

That would force Daiyu to execute her if she wanted to salvage any hope of diplomacy with mankind... But she knew her mother would rather go to war instead. Sieglinde's hands tightened into fists, hidden under her heavy dress, she couldn't keep from grimacing when that man pulled the veil off her face, it got stuck on one of her horns, the fact he didn't give a damn had left a nasty impression in her heart. I'm prized meat. Yet my tail can skewer him right now, so easily.

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Her bitter self-deprecation was hard to endure, should you stay as a powerless witness to her dream?

''I object! Object, object, object, ooooobjeeeeeeect!'' The scream of Sieglinde salvation momentarily burst all the walls of the cathedrals wide open, so strong was Zazawu's yell that it nearly made you panic. His giant frame appeared as an oily silhouette in your host's mind-eye, a warm giant of safety in the background, a strong enough feeling to wrap your heart in peace.

Relief was keeping Sieglinde quiet more than surprise. Daiyu Jawahir was already at the altar, having simply appeared out of thin air in this dream, and unlike everyone else, she was perfectly detailed, nothing obscured her stalwart existence.

''How many of you standing here today personally witnessed my objection to this marriage?'' In Sieglinde dream, Daiyu voice was beautifully strong, yet warmer than the imposing Demon Lord you've come to know and respect. ''I refused once, in private when the proposition was made. When my daughter met this prince, I said no with many witnesses hearing my will. The Demon Lord objected twice, have I not warned there would not be a third time? You so-called noble Mamonos have grown bold indeed to disrespect your liege so openly!'' With a fist held up, she shook her arm toward the assembled monstrous guests. The majority were nobles and natives of Throne Town.

Their absences would have sent a powerful message. Humiliating perhaps, but it would also give a sense of unity.

''Your ladyship, good mother-in-law-'' Daiyu nearly jammed two fingers down Armand throat. She glared at him and his mother for one second, then gestured with her chin for the aquatic bishop to leave. A silent threat, her green gaze translated murder.

''I know your game you foolish, overreaching Lestat. I understand the benefit, a marriage would be perfect indeed to create a chance for diplomacy amongst our people. Yet the Demon Lord said no, this marriage was set up without my blessing so why should I accept leaving my Sieglinde to a family of disgusting psychopaths? Do you think the secret of all these dead pregnant women could be buried so easily?''

Sieglinde had done her homework a little too well, it was obvious her employed infiltrators would also inform their lord. Only the hindsight of time taught her that true geniuses are the only ones who never forget little details during long, stressful situations.

''Your ladyship, these ru-'' This time, Daiyu interrupted the young man by grabbing his jaw, prompting the ten armed escorts in the first row to jump on their feet but the futility of assaulting the Demon Lord and the strongest known Supremes together was more than enough to dissuade an assault.

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Daiyu wasn't looking at him, her attention was placed on the mother who, in Sieglinde mind, had transformed from an odious crone to a regular person, an older wizened woman you could only assume to be the Avignon matriarch. Blond hair with graceful streaks of gray, skin suitably tanned by Lescatie tropical climate, and enough jewelry to overshadow the bride.

''You have only yourself to blame. As one mother to another, I gave you a chance.'' Daiyu whispered at the horrified woman.

Warm blood splattered across Sieglinde face when the Demon Lord killed the groom. Calling it a surprise was an understatement; Sieglinde dream became foggy, impossible to observe as a maelstrom of colors and lights made you wonder just how chaotic the situation had been.

To kill the second prince of a powerful neighboring kingdom invited to her capital... Sin is too weak a word to describe this treachery.

''The Demon Lord shall no longer be ignored!'' Daiyu spoke in front of an indistinct crowd, more of a large stain than actual people with Zazawu remaining in the back, trapping them inside. The wail of a nearby mother made Daiyu sound almost maniacal, a fitting look given what transpired. Her wings had grown twice their size, her hair glowered with a sickly, powerful green.

''There will be no independence, no freedom or compromise in my town, my domain.'' Proclaimed the Demon Lord. ''My predecessors ruled with a harsh mailed fist and henceforth I will, for that, is what you Mamonos have earned. This marriage is the start of a new war and all monsters, daughters, mothers, sons, and fathers in your domains will contribute. Our precious capital is now -firmly- within my fist, you'll be visited by some of my people to ensure everyone will bleed against our battle with humanity.''

Thus began the Demon Lord tyranny. Yet, despite the horror, the pain, and the people's hatred of having a true tyrant of a mother, Sieglinde only felt relief. She had buried deep, deep inside the horror she felt at becoming a trophy for a truly disgusting family. To have her ambition scattered by the overwhelming will of her mother's love only roused gratitude.

'' I haven't been able to find your father.'' Daiyu spoke gently, that final word lit Sieglinde gorgeous hair on fire, that spark of hatred nearly combusted her entire fragile dream. It was only Daiyu hand on her cheek that kept your beloved demoness calm. '' I'm sorry, I forgot I wasn't the only one who suffered from Lisbeth passing. Even if you're an adult... I'm still your mom. I lost sight of that for a while.''

Despite life's tumultuous trials with being Throne Town administrator and oldest daughter of the Demon Lord, Sieglinde always knew that her mother would be her most stalwart ally. Even if the world would become her enemy, she knew that her family would -always- help but, now... Your lover's uncertainty flowed without filter into your heart.

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Daiyu had gone into a magically induced hibernation. There was no safety net anymore. Once this news inevitably spread, Sieglinde's instinct whispered a belief so deeply held, you nearly accepted it as a fact.

Changes will rock the human and monsters worlds. This could be the prelude to a new era, a new Demon Lord.

--

The gentle light of morning is the first thing you notice through your windows when you regain proper means of your senses.

Odd, the sleeping medicine should have you knacked until noon, you're feeling surprisingly good.

The agony brought by your mattress and blankets is a dull, hot throbbing spreading throughout your bones, similar to a tolerable toothache. Hao is in deep, sweet slumber, perhaps that's why you can venture to touch a few things now.

Elina and Sieglinde are awake, your beloved demoness too full of intense emotions to be accurately summarized. Frustration, fear, guilt, sadness... You don't get the impression she wants to be left alone, her feelings are all curled up into a prickly ball.

>Go find them. You're awake and worried, they know it. Mamonos have no love for indecision.
>You'll be a third wheel by going. Remain in your room, relax until people start to wake up.
>Free

>>5423675
>Go find them. You're awake and worried, they know it. Mamonos have no love for indecision.

Even If it was only to let them know that we're up, that the Everblue has had some positive effect.

>>5423675
Sieg needs a hug. Let's go find her and give her one.

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>>5423682
>>5423685
Sieg it is. The following scene will have a rather big influence on your relationship, there won't be any bad or trap choices here.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbFGqZ_U3YM

Being able to dress without help is one little joy you missed.

Finding the angel and the demoness is no trouble, they sit near a garden of displayed Everblues in a quiet corner of the temple away from prying eyes. Both of them are leaning against a wooden rail, Elina is the only one to see your arrival, Sieglinde eyes are too downcast to notice you.

''Hey, not too much pain? Not hiding anything?''

''Nope, maybe the Everblues are already having an effect, or Hao deep sleep gives me relief. Hungry?''

''Not yet, it always takes me an hour or two to have the pangs after waking up.'' Elina rosy-red wings twitch, Sieglinde thick tail does the same despite being firmly planted on the ground.

With firm resolve, you endure the searing hotness spreading into your arm when your hand land on the demoness's head.

''H-hey...Stop that.'' Her first instinct was to slap your hand away, but she has too big a heart to do that.

''I saw your dream.'' It's a little difficult to keep your voice calm because of the pain, but you manage. ''It's okay if you don't want to speak about it Siggy.''

''Saw it too.'' Elina reveals what you've been suspecting. ''Shouldn't be happening cause of Arawn being our nexus, but it did. Badass mom.''

''Pfeh.'' Despite self-derision, a fleeting smile grace Sieglinde features for a precious second. ''She became a tyrant.''

''True, but I don't care. When a king says no it means no, why shouldn't it be the same with the Demon Lord?'' Elina makes herself more comfortable by leaning on the rail.

''The bond you two share is beautiful.'' Your honest opinion causes a sudden shake of Sieglinde shoulders. ''...she's not dead, I'll dedicate my time and effort to reunite you.'' Holding onto the railing provides an unpleasant sensation, the pain dispels any lingering sleep, helps you concentrate.

''Second.'' Elina deadpan support almost make you laugh.

''Mom communed with Mother Earth during our long sleep, the sealing was their agreement.'' Sieglinde red gaze is firmly planted at a point on the ground despite the beautiful flowers behind her. ''The Demon Lord -and- humanity goddess are sealed because of me.''

''Let's not pretend it's not true.'' She senses the protest coming from you and Elina. ''I kept my disease to myself for years until it grew worse enough for some paltry hypnosis to make me go out of control.''

''I don't think Daiyu saw it like that.'' Elina says gently. ''Neither Mother Earth, I won't pretend to know what it is that made them agree... I wanna believe it was an act of love. A mother for her child, a bystander who could help.'' Elina is clumsy but she means well.

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''I've always been afraid of making mistakes.'' Sieglinde move her left, clawed, deformed hand to cover the majority of her upper face. ''Everyone but me pays the price. That marriage? Throne Town folks had to live under a miserable leader. Now my Corruption will be the root cause of a lot of death. People will sense opportunity when the news spread, the Allied Kingdoms are likely to implode in anger, foreign Supremes will start sniffing around...'' Her voice stops, her emotions curl inward, lashing into her heart, hurting, hurting, hurting...

Elina looks at you in pleading silence. She's not good at giving comfort.

''What will be, will be. You have a family, Sieglinde, one of blood and another of bonds.'' Her lips curl into an angry. Sad and angry, her body doesn't show it but oh it dwells so much within.

>''How was it, growing up with Daiyu?'' (Talking about her mother might hurt, this is likely to bring a memory of her father as well but... speaking about Daiyu should help, right?)
>'' Your sisters, how were they when they were children? I don't think you've ever told us the age gap between you three.'' (Remind her she's not the only one her mother loved so fiercely.)
>''There is... something I've been worried about. Our links, love in general.'' (A change of subject could be for the best here. Show your vulnerability, Sieglinde strongarmed Zipangu into launching an experimental ship to rescue you, she's not receptive to worrying about herself.)
>Free
This discussion will have a fairly important impact down the road relationship-wise, could even lead to a end of romance with Siggy and/or Elina. Nothing negative though, it'll just be a change of your bonds. There is no failure state, I'm not aiming to entrap.

>>5423766
''How was it, growing up with Daiyu?'' (Talking about her mother might hurt, this is likely to bring a memory of her father as well but... speaking about Daiyu should help, right?)

>'' Your sisters, how were they when they were children? I don't think you've ever told us the age gap between you three.'' (Remind her she's not the only one her mother loved so fiercely.)

I fell like a broader combination of the two would work better as to focus on the wider network of support that Daiyu had cultivated and maintained over the years, and point out that in no way that she was alone in her dealings and efforts, and that for the most part that it has endured the recent shake up and is still functional. And should provide a basis to at least allow for the maintenance of most of the current holdings with some work. As I don't believe that they had been given too bad a deal, under Daiyu's time little ground should need to be seceded if any at all.
It might be worth it for both of them to speak to Hadraniel to get her perspective on this, and her own period of rest

While the forces arranged against us surely will take advantage of what has occurred, it is not without our own opportunities to reinforce our existing ties and create new ones. and if she feels she needs guidance or advice there is no shortage of people that could be approached freely for help all that would need to happen is that the request be made.

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>>5423766
Damn, pressure's on here as for me Sieg is still best girl and I don't wanna screw up her route.

I would point out that while Daiyu would do anything for her daughters (and likely anyone she loved to be honest) she wasn't an idiot and she was ultimately an idealist with noble dreams of peace and harmony between the races of man and monster.

She (and big ME) wouldn't have pulled this stunt if they didn't have absolute faith in us to carry this through to the best possible end. All of us. Including her. We can, and we will, find a way through all of this where we aren't stacking bodies like cord wood. We will find a way to deal with that corruption and bring them back to us all safe, sound, and healthy.

They believe in her. We (both us and everyone around her) completely believe in her. And if she can't believe in herself than she can believe in the us that believes in her!

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>>5423826
>>5423853
Hm, interesting perspective. I'll let the ol nogging brew and try to answer tomorrow, though I might need to let my neurons cool down a bit.
>It might be worth it for both of them to speak to Hadraniel to get her perspective on this, and her own period of rest
Speaking with Haddy is always possible, of course. I totally forgot to mention her in the list above too, I knew I should have trusted my guts... Although I'll say that Elina spent a long time with her older sister yesterday, might have gained a little wisdom of her own. Although for now, Arawn words will take precedence.
>Damn, pressure's on here as for me Sieg is still best girl and I don't wanna screw up her route.
There's honestly no screw-up here. It's Siggy first big moment of weakness and vulnerability...

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I'll be resting for today, gotta regenerate my brain juices. Thread will resume tomorrow.

>>5424527
Ah robowaifus. I wonder if they lie in our future?

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>>5424543
I desperately want to make the four companions of my sci-fi quest sisters robogirls. I know perfectly well it is pure indulgence and fetish insertion but the idea speaks to me on a primal level.

You did meet a golem with a soul in this quest, but if a robowaifu ever happens, it won't be with Arawn as a protagonist. His love life is completely stocked!

>>5424555
I'd be down for that so long as it makes sense. There is always something to be said for a full or nearly full Ganic in the mix after all.

Oh, and if it wasn't obvious I meant to tell Sieg what I wrote above. Should serve as a better pep talk than Elina could give.

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The long silence that follows is a difficult one. No tears or sobs punctuate Sieglinde agony, her breathing remains calm despite her bleeding soul. You direct your gaze toward the flowers, beautiful things, heralds of Hao salvation...

They do not glow in the morning.

She's trying not to show vulnerability and doesn't need to investigate your soul to know it's backfiring. You're starting to understand this feeling now; love. It radiates throughout your entire being, body, and soul, deafening the agony of your condition, sharpening your mind around the strong, lonely woman that is Sieglinde.

''Sieglinde, did you have any extended family when you grew up or after your sisters were born? Belphegor and Zazawu were the only ones?''

While she looks at you in confusion, Elina is afraid. You're bridging the most sensitive of topics so casually... forwardness is what Siggy needs.

''There wasn't anyone else. Belphegor, Zazawu...''There it is, molten rage, tightening fists, tail scratching off a patch of dirt like yesterday's raptors. ''...my father.''

''Not easy, being the eldest. Weren't you born fairly late during Daiyu reign?''

''Asking my age?'' Sieglinde makes an amused snort, prompting you to look, your peaceable confidence is starting to rub on her, she's relaxing. That spear for a tail isn't digging in the soil anymore. ''...72.''

''It took more than a hundred years for her to work up the courage to have you.'' Heavy is the crown. ''She loves you and your sisters with an intensity I can't describe.'' It was humbling, after what you've experienced with Zerase... A true mother's love.

''Life... wasn't easy. My sisters were incredibly hard to handle.'' Now that is surprising, their relationship has been friendly, even close from what you've seen. ''Deruella nearly died from a disease that had my family scrambling for a cure, Martha took that occasion to flee, without Belph and Zaza, my life wouldn't be the same. They helped so much... I can't imagine how many chances they had to betray my mother.''

''Neither ever will. Your mother, you, and your sisters aren't alone. Wasn't Zazawu the first one who objected inside your dream?'' That big fuzzy giant always makes strong impressions. ''I don't doubt you've had a rough past. Your relationship with your sister and your mother had its patchy moments, are you afraid Daiyu's situation could create friction with your sisters?''

''Kinda...'' That was one of the most significant layers of fearful negativity holding Sieglinde heart. Zerase clarified one thing: a divided house allows outsiders to bring tragedy. ''...Mother's always been the pillar. I've taken care of the city she built our home in, she's the one who did her best to salvage Deruella's constant machinations or keep tabs on Martha's endless journey. Deru has always been ambitious, the things she did... She wanted power outside her name, avoid sharing the influence of Supremes like Belph and Zaza and she got it.''

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''Humans call her Felwhore for corrupting the realm of Lescatie, you can guess how much of a swing that was in Mamonos favor: the war started on bad terms for us, then out of nowhere the entire frontline is conquered.'' Sieglinde take a moment to breathe, red eyes looking almost glazed as she continued sharing her worries. ''She wanted to spread her philosophy of Épanouissement all over the world. It was little more than a fancy way to indulge in hedonism, no matter how hard we tried, I and mother never managed to pin her down... Not even the reconquest of Lescatie by the church was enough to convince her of the failure of her worldview, but when she reused her strategy in Zipangu, things changed.''

''You got wounded, your Corruption altered.'' Elina whispered.

''I don't know what motivated that change.'' Sieglinde tapped one of her horns. ''She suddenly wanted to ally the fluffy queens against the church lightning assault and once the conflict was over, she stayed behind... and eventually became the new princess tutor.''

''I remember those years, things were super tense because nobody trusted her, she often kept me company. She's the one who labored the hardest in making Kin sure could even be born. I remember her studying Tsukiyomi Corruption, making frequent trips in portals.'' Elina commented gently.

''I trust Deruella.'' There's no need to prove your confidence, Sieglinde can easily feel it but you make the effort of putting strength into your voice. ''You have valid reasons to be doubtful after all you've known Deru since she was born. She hasn't given me any reason to doubt her sincerity. She, along with her maidens, infiltrated Muribel and did their best to help me while keeping with Ama's unknown rules...Banu would have died without your sister's -and her maidens- help, that's certain. That could have easily led to a cascade of negativity with Shereen, leading to a different future.''

''That's true, I... That slipped my mind.'' Details are always obscured when marred in negativity. Her tail coiled gently.

''Martha never shook things like Deru.'' Sieglinde was undeniably grateful about that. ''We were very close when she was younger but as she became an adult, she wanted to be completely independent... Even going far enough to mask her name, she became a person outside our family for a long time, Zazawu was the only one who could track her down.'' The redhead heaves a heavy sigh. ''She'd show up at random times, get in an argument with my father most of the time and leave. Martha never opposed us like Deruella...''

''I believe in both of your sisters. They won't run away'' Being able to genuinely comfort someone is a precious feeling, your smile is honest as the girls look at you silently. ''That's what Shereen taught me. I don't need a logical explanation, I beleive and you can feel it, yeah?''

''Arawn...'' Indeed she did. Her gaze drifted toward the flowers.

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''Mamonos aim to have two families, right? One of bonds to accompany the blood? I do love you Sieglinde.'' The way her shoulders shake at that word is adorable. ''I don't have the arrogance to reject your blood or demand you choose me over them. I won't reject the influence they have on you, instead, I'd like to be there when you -and they- need us; you'll do everything you can to help them, that shouldn't be your burden alone.'' The jolt of pain that travels your arm when you squeeze the railling force you to pause. ''Especially now.''

''I honestly think our girls are of similar minds.'' Elina continues, and Sieglinde looks completely dumbstruck. ''At least, I am. I've found out I've got a sister, yeah, but Haddy has her own life here in Zipangu, and I -know- she'll pour her soul into finding a compromise if our groups come into conflict... again.'' A buzzing nervousness is annoying her, it shows in twitches of her wings and the way she keeps opening and closing her hands.

''I don't remember much of my life before Zipangu agents pulled me out of... my troubles.'' You can feel the cold sweat tingling her spine. ''I've felt alone ever since, meandering without knowing what I wanted until I heard the rumor about the presence inside the Throne. Arawn coming out of here was one hell of a surprise, I honestly thought I'd find someone similar to me: no connections, no past that mattered, no future, only a gray existence....'' She leans back on the railing, tilting her head at an awkward angle while looking back at you and Sieglinde. ''...Tried to be the perfect little angel yet there I saw this man with no memories making new friends by the day and already pouring his energy into finding an ambition by the weekend. One hell of a wake-up call lemme tell ya.''

''So I don't mind supporting you Siggy, or you Arawn.'' She jerks back on her feet, running a hand across her face to remove wild strands of blond hair. ''I don't have a dream of my own, spent years looking for one without results. I'd rather pour my energy into the people I care about instead, meaning I don't mind giving your relatives a chance, Siggy. We'll have to ask our other gals, but I'm thinking we'll be of similar minds.''

Klesiah killed her father and ended up fleeing the Allied Kingdoms, Hao rejected the plains, and only her mount remained anchored in her mind. Shereen doesn't need any explanation, and Zhu... she's been a vagabond her entire adult life. It is pretentious to assume you know what they'd think but you are confident none of them will see Sieglinde family as a burden.

''I've recently found out Gwendolyn is my little sister, and that dark elf who accompanied Ama was my caretaker when I was young... My blood, my duty as an elven prince won't take me away from you, Siggy. I swear.''

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''I-I...Aaah.'' Sieglinde sigh shake her body. ''This link is unfair.'' Gentle humidity trickle out of her eyes, she's too proud to show them. She turns away to lean on the railing, observing the Everblues with her face down.

''I've got more logical positivity to add.'' Her biggest weakness. ''Mother Earth views every thinking being as her children, Daiyu first act as a Demon Lord was to spread true sentience through Corruption. Mamonos aren't instinctively obeying anymore, they can think and be people for the first time with independent realms. The church remains divided, but there are enough people who view monsters as true believers -humans- to make it nearly impossible for the Allied Kingdoms to be of one, united mind. Mana and Daiyu ambition is close, isn't it?''

''How many angels are guarding them in Muribel? Ten thousand? I'd call that a contender for the mightiest host in the world. Diplomacy with Zipangu is good enough for us to stay here without needing to watch our backs... Your fears are perfectly valid, Siggy. I believe we have the tools and unity to heal your mother and keep your family -all of it- whole against our coming trials. You won't be alone to keep your relatives alive, I don't think your sisters will betray or run away anyway. They have a mother in need of help.''

A long, peaceful silence follows. This moment won't be enough to dispel all of the stress and negativity gripping your beloved heart(it will never truly go away), the burgeoning comfort slowly taking hold of her tells more than words or action. There's also a strange, almost buzzingly warm sensation gently floating out of Siggy. Hmm, peculiar.

''Aaah...'' She sighed. ''...I think I can believe it.''

''Ya know.'' With a coquettish grin and a warm flow of mischief, Elina interrupts. ''This whole thing about supporting your relatives kinda sounded like a proposal.''

!? Gah! Damn it! Your spine going rigid hurt!

''T-that is... no I mean... Really?'' Sieglinde's face sharing her hair color is precious.

''I'd marry you.'' Elina continues, reaching to touch one of Sieglinde horns. ''Too bad Arawn can't touch any of us, this place is a perfect little spot.''

''Elina...'' Sieglinde's growl of warning is ineffective. She glares at the hand slooowly trailing her horn and does nothing when the angel places it on her cheek.

Elina pulls Sieglinde into a hug without any hints of lust or mischievousness. ''Let's take a week or two for ourselves. After that, we'll confront the world.'' Says the angel, her halo glows, showing her determination.

''I wanna try a little something today.'' She continues, firmly grasping Siggy bigger, dangerous hand. ''I want to see if we can share this discussion, this memory, with Klesiah, Hao, and Shereen. Perfect place to try, yeah? Memories are intimately tied with souls.''

''A..ah?'' Poor Sieglinde was experiencing a little whiplash.

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''Your girls are going to be busy today.'' Elina winks to you, gently tugging Sieglinde with her. ''Gotta maintain that harem!''

''O-Oi! We haven't...''

''Wanna hear in detail what happened in the bath before we got to Marleon?'' Oh crap.

''I do.'' Sieglinde is serious again, however her expression remains soft when she looks at you. ''...Thank you, husband.''

WHAT.

The redheaded demoness is the one who drags Elina away, she nearly goes on a full sprint, and the angel needs to beat her wings to avoid kissing the ground. They disappear in a flash of feet, leaving you alone to handle the pain of your excitement.

''Ahaha... oh man.'' tears briefly crawl down your face, you have no idea why. Eclosion of sentiments perhaps? It's good. Something inside you is settling. A wobbly mental pillar reinforce its foundations.

Husband.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aSHhQkKPiw

--

Anais, Shereen, Ama, Deruella, Teruko, Hao, Klesiah, Elina, and Sieglinde will be unavailable today.

Banu, Hadraniel, Ambrus, Mattheus (Exorcist), Francine (Daiyu slime companion) are the ones who'll be able to keep you company. There's also a new arrival, an Undyne who is very confident about the healing capabilities of her hot spring... Ambrus found her during his hike.

I can give more elaborate choices tomorrow if you guys want, tonight my brain is gone.

You guys know Sieglinde well, I'm impressed. Arawn will make a good husbando soon enough.

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>>5426478
She... she called us her hubby? But... but we haven't gotten married or formally proposed yet! Not that I'm complaining or anything but oh geez now we gotta think of how to best do that. Marrying her would give us major political pull as well as fuck with all the monodominant factions in the church so it works on multiple levels.

Still, I guess we've maxed out Siggy's affection meter with this so I take it as a major win regardless. I guess we're also getting more comfortable with being a hubby with a harem. They insisted after all wasn't exactly our idea...

Still, having a vague idea of what our choices of companions for this day might entail would be nice. I would like to try and bro it up but Francine always did interest me. A not-Shoggoth and "prince" of the Red World. Plus she's a living Trauma Team if she wants to be. I wonder what time spent with her means...

>>5426565
Oh, also, isn't Francine part of Deru's posse and not Daiyu's?

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>>5426565
Things would have potentially changed into a more platonic love down the line if you hadn't mentioned her family and Arawn willingness to fully embrace it, he made her understand she doesn't have to choose between him, her bonds, and her relatives. With her mother being in a very precarious situation now, Siggy really did feel vulnerable... And you guys chose well. Mentioning Daiyu and Mother Earth similar objectives was a good little mental push, too.

Now though, I'm thinking we'll all embrace the Sieglinde train. Her rotten luck might have finally turned around!

>Still, having a vague idea of what our choices of companions for this day might entail would be nice.
I'll post some proper greentext tomorrow but spending time with each of the actors would just mean getting to know the better, Arawn needs to be fairly careful while moving around.

>>5426569
Yes, my mistake.

>>5426573
>Her rotten luck might have finally turned around!
There is still the Elven enclave that might be worth discussing or at least figuring out a plan of action for, since I don't think that this won't get out of hand should things reach them through the wrong person, at the right time.

>Spending time with each of the actors
I think meting up with Banu, Hadraniel, Ambrus and Lisbeth, as we're probably going to need to start learning somewhere since our hand is likely to be quite busy in short order, pending the out come of the discussion to discuss happenings and the impeding fallout of the "Cabal" finally forming, and the implications on the wider world and our pelvis

>>5426649
>impeding fallout of the "Cabal" finally forming
Hm, I'm honestly at a loss about that, gonna need a reminder of what you mean here.
>and the implications on the wider world
That'll come in due time indeed. Knowing what's up with the enclave is going to be very difficult since nobody here visited it in recent memories.
Embodiment of Love is a good manager. Little sis is learning from the best.

>>5426650
>"Cabal" finally forming
''Your girls are going to be busy today.'' Elina winks to you, gently tugging Sieglinde with her. ''Gotta maintain that harem!''
I was inferencing that they(the girls) are finally getting around to properly formalizing the arrangement(s), that will be "needed" going forward and as such going to be "presenting" a unified front in their efforts.

>very difficult since nobody here visited it in recent memories.
I guess that arranging a meeting between diplomats / liaison at a "neutral " court e.g. not Throne Town as that risks raising questions or durest / compulsion though one of our partners that might have some method of contacting them to allow them to take what they learn back might be best, though probably won't me a major concern just yet.

>>5426652
>I was inferencing that they(the girls) are finally getting around to properly formalizing the arrangement(s), that will be "needed" going forward and as such going to be "presenting" a unified front in their efforts.
Ooooh. Heehehehee. Dummy me.
>I guess that arranging a meeting between diplomats / liaison at a "neutral " court
The Enclave is on church land directly overseen and protected by their armed force, it'll be very difficult to communicate with the elves without inquisitors sniffing out what's happening. Either way, that's a problem for later.

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>>5426653
Ok, so there's Klesiah, Siggy, Elina, Shereen, and Hao right now. If we add in Zhu and Vilma that fills out the whole week. Could be more if they insist but they're the one's I'm recalling off the top of my head.

Also, while I do love Gazers and still want to touch Gwen's eye stalks that'd be weird if we went further than that. We'll keep it platonic on that one. I can only hentai so hard...

>>5427121
Oh, well, then there's Gardy and I do want him to get a waifu but sharing the body complicates things. Gonna have to find a way to harmlessly swap who's "driving" as it were if we want that golden ending on that front.

Bestest buddy deserves happiness too!

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>>5427121
Zhu is likely to be the last person accepted by the girls for a relationship. It took the entirety of Muribel for Shereen to be accepted and Arawn to genuinely fall in love with her. Little lich, unfortunately, doesn't make our elf heart go doki-doki. Gwen is Gwen, she'll be very very happy to know she has family but romance is... difficult.
>>5427124
Gardy is genuinely asexual. (So is Zazawu for that matter). Both have lots of paternal love to give, at least.

Posting choices in around 10 minutes.

>>5427130
Well we're the ones who decide who is in and if we're gonna have a harem the lich is on the list.

The only reason she isn't already in is because of circumstance. She was a romantic interest (still is) until we got ripped away from throne town thanks to Ama's machinations.

Come to think of it Ama is also a potential harem member now. The only question is if she'll try to get in as I don't think we're going to actively pursue her ourselves. Lots of baggage there Though there was that time in the baths...

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Given the number of busy little bees for this day, here are the free people who can keep you company.

>Spend time with Hadraniel, you're sorta officially dating her little sister now. The Embodiment of Love oughta be the best person to give you a little coaching... right?

>Banu has been hanging around quietly for the last few days, doing a little soul treatment of her own. Why not spend time with her? It'll be the first time you can speak to her without either of you being stressed out of your minds.

>Ambrus is going to play fetch with the dogs and likely show his daughter how the game work. A passing invitation from him make you understand you wouldn't be a third wheel.

>Mattheus is spending time with the cats while reading, the exact same thing he did yesterday. Might be wise to take this opportunity and talk with a genuine exorcist.

>A new arrival, a lady Undyne (water elemental) has been preaching the benefit of her ''health Hotspring'' and is really trying to get people that aren't crows to try. Ambrus nearly flee every time they cross paths, too.
Hildegarde and Francine will give this activity a try, and so will Banu and/or Hadraniel if you don't keep either of them company. Place has a proper wall to separate the sexes, no worry there.
With your condition, the water could be an amazing relief or torture. No in-between.

>Free

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>>5427147
>Well we're the ones who decide who is in
That... well you can try I suppose. It's been a year, things change.
Ama is in one hell of confused, tight spot now that she's in her -true- body. She'll have her chances of interaction once Hao treatment is decided.

>>5427149
>Ambrus is going to play fetch with the dogs and likely show his daughter how the game work. A passing invitation from him make you understand you wouldn't be a third wheel.

Giving this choice 10 more minutes of waiting, then I'll start working.

>>5427194
I can get behind broing it up. Can we rope Mattheus into this somehow? We do need more bros.

Also, does Ama's true form really look like Abby? It kinda fits but I liked the kumiho form better...

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>>5427210
>Can we rope Mattheus into this somehow?
Unfortunately, Mattheus natural creepiness is too much for little Lisbeth to handle. She'll need more time to get used to him.
>Also, does Ama's true form really look like Abby? It kinda fits but I liked the kumiho form better...
Yes. Kumiho form was a shell, a puppet a projection.. Your witch is a short blonde, not too dissimilar from Anais.

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''Ground's not too hard on ya?''

''Princesses medicine is working, I'm fairly sure the girls are going to do some soul shenanigan today so Hao's intensity will lessen.''

The small forest surrounding the summit temple was indeed difficult ground but nowhere near enough to vanquish you, the space between trees made walking comfortable, it was the uneven ground causing your knees agony. The freshness of the mountain was good, the tengus weren't expecting snow until next month. A pair of big fluffy dogs were accompanying your tiny group, their wagging tails and energetic strides made their evident age a simple number. They were well trained indeed because whenever Lisbeth approached them to sink her little hands in their furs, the animals would dutifully slow down to let her do whatever she wanted. She could put her hands in their mouths, and they'd do nothing(her dad promptly warned her to stop).

That little girl is adorable. She's an exact miniature of Teruko aside from scales patches placed differently on her face and a spear-shaped tail. She kept giving you big eyes (piercing blue like her dad) when you accompanied Ambrus and kept hiding on his flank, but after ten minutes she forgot to stay shy.

''Hm, she got used to you mighty quick.'' Ambrus stated. ''I oughta have insisted on having the exorcist with us instead of yielding to our little princess here.'' Then he threw the fetching stick, prompting both dogs to run and the little lizard stared, mesmerized.

''I got the impression you wanted to ditch the temple quick.''

''That Undyne got ideas I don't agree with.'' Ambrus snort. ''I'm a one-woman dude, though I'm not too sure if it'll last. Loud, proud, obnoxious ones like her though? Hard pass.''

''Oh? Having some heart trouble?'' Goodness, you aren't a good love coach!

''Naah.'' Ambrus threw the stick again, keeping his eye on his daughter more than his aim. For now, the kid looked satisfied by watching the dogs running. ''Has to do with Titania, our fairy. When Teruko found her back in Zen, the poor lass was dying, only way to save her was by literally merging their souls. She's been slowly getting better with time, able to leave, interact, live.''

''And love.'' You add, earning a nod from him.

''That fight in Muribel taught me just how vital she is to how I fight with Teru, wouldn't be standing here without her. Or glass-dude and Hadraniel, buuut hey, that's just my little harmless trouble. This Everblue paste taste bland doesn't it? Being a meat-man is an existential trial.''

''Definitely, I'm not picky with my food, but this thing makes everything taste like water. I can tell the cooks are trying hard too.'' Sticking with vegetables was boring enough.

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''Don't wait on eating laced cucumbers, mine had gone all disgustingly soft, I thought I was biting into rotten ones.'' On his fourth throw, Lisbeth walked toward the dogs, prompting both of you to carefully watch her journey. The excited dogs welcomed her arrival and didn't try to resist when she took the stick for herself and began a slow walk back.

''I've noticed we got several people with soul issues, come with being warriors?'' Banu has some trouble, Ambrus consumed part of his during the battle, Teruko fairy, Hao, yourself...

''Yup.'' Ambrus attention goes to his daughter as he squats to her level and tries to instruct her how to throw. She insists on giving his stick back and gestures for him to do it instead. His slightly scarred face has nothing but endearment

So he does, and this time, the stick goes far enough to clatter on a distant tree. Lisbeth immediately loses interest and proceeds to walk around the forest. ''Don't go too far!'' Ambrus warn loudly, his girl simply throws him a confused look.

''Man, young kids confuse me. She grew up so fast, there's a smart little twinkle in her eyes, but the fact I never know if she understands me stresses me out.''

''She's certainly a quiet one, I know she's too young to speak, but I haven't heard a single thing out of her.''

''Yeah, that has me a bit worried. She does make some noises here and there, but man, she's a quiet little one even at night. I'll wager me and Teru are blessed.''

Perhaps it's a quirk of her monstrous race. You keep that observation to yourself.

''So, thinking of being a dad soon?''

''Pfft!'' Gods damn it, you feel for that hook line, and sinker. ''Don't tease a cripple!''

''Ah! Oughta be a little careful now, your girls have that aura of love-love happiness around them... Take a married man to see that, believe me. Gotta watch out for a soul link quirk.''

>''Oh yeah? What could it be?'' (A discussion about soul links? Sound interesting, especially with another man.)
>''I'll manage. How do you handle being a new dad? Since you sound so confident, I could use some tips.''(Is this a good way to test him back? Ah well, it'll be an experience.)
>'' Speaking of links, what do you think of Teruko... attachments? She honored the Demon Lord by naming your firstborn after her late daughter, are you guys cool with... all the implications?'' (That's a question that has been nagging at you. You've sworn to be Sieglinde -and her family- ally, knowing your comrade's disposition is important.)
>Free

>>5427305
>''Oh yeah? What could it be?'' (A discussion about soul links? Sound interesting, especially with another man.)

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Little busy tonight, having some distractions. I'll concentrate on making a proper session tomorrow and sunday. We should be able to get all the way to finishing Zhu little event tomorrow, alongside this little time between men.

>>5427334
I can get behind this. His wifey may even be an expert on this phenomenon. I am also a bit concerned about this "quirk" he mentioned. Might be something to worry about.

We'll get a further interaction with him after this right? Could really use another bro.

>>5427422
Of course. I'd say 3 more interactions before moving onto Zhu would be good.

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''Got yourself an age-old secret that only married men discover?''

''Nah, I don't need something like wrapping Teru around my finger. Plenty of tense marriages out there no doubt, but me and my girl are tight, our arguments barely last thirty minutes thank to our joined souls.'' As he speaks, Ambrus move around a tree to keep a proper eye on his daughter. Lisbeth had found a squirrel and found it fascinating, she kept rounding under its perch to get a better viewing angle. ''You know about the most popular contraceptive, yeah?''

''Okay, I thought I could predict where you were going, I'm completely oblivious now.'' You're up to date on that. One peculiar alchemical potion taken by the man 15 minutes before actions makes things safe.

Ambrus chuckles. ''Strong desires and emotions can do funky things with your link.'' The dogs interrupted him by returning their toy. Ambrus gave them a new throw after another quick inspection of his daughter's activity.

''Lovemaking gets intense, I'd describe it as primal. Natural reproductive urges can completely invade you and your link during those moments. Add intense emotions with strong souls, things that shouldn't happen, do.''

''Wait.'' Realization hits when you look at Lisbeth, she had grabbed a stick and tapped on the tree trunk while the squirrel remained on its high perch. ''Lisbeth wasn't... planned?''

''There's never a perfect time to have a kid, buddy.'' The dogs returned, panting loudly, more than eager for another fetching. ''You adapt. Me and Teru were responsible adults, a little miracle still happened.''

Huh... Good to know. The girls -barely- managed to hold themselves back during that episode in the bath... Then again, with how things ended...

Crap. This... could be dangerous!

''Yep. Looking at you now, I'm thinking there'll be a spark inside someone after six months.''

''Please don't joke about that!''

Ambrus laughter briefly attracts the attention of his adorable kid. The noise of your conversation motivates her to slowly approach.

Choices here >>5427305 remain valid.
>Ask his take on the general state of relationships with Mamonos. He's a native of the Allied Kingdoms, which is strictly monogamous and now he's in a polygamous culture.
>Free

>>5428282
>Ask his take on the general state of relationships with Mamonos. He's a native of the Allied Kingdoms, which is strictly monogamous and now he's in a polygamous culture.

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I've been feeling low energy for the past two days, it's not that unusual to get a downturn like that, I'll be taking things slow till my stamina return. I really wanted to finish Ambrus little session today but I think I'll only be good for another short answer.

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>>5428331
I can get behind this one but I'd also add a bit of insider knowledge. See, he and Teruko have to know Daiyu's ultimate ambition. The whole "polygamy" thing is but a function of necessity due to mamonos only being capable of producing females.

Should Daiyu's ultimate ambition be realized the current major gender imbalance in mamono lands would be rectified long term. I bet Daiyu looks forward to that day. She just hasn't gotten around to making it happen for reasons I've posted before. Damn hard to find people you can trust to delegate that task to and whatnot.

>>5428599
Basically, the whole situation with Ambrus and Teruko is the ultimate end goal of what Daiyu would consider an "ideal" relationship.

Titania is a complication not too dissimilar to what we have with Gardy. Sharing the body on every level that really matters complicates things a great deal. Still, it's essentially monogamous. Shit happens and all but the ideal situation remains. One human with one other human with extra exotic bits as Daiyu's plan/goal was to truly fuse the races of man and monster such that ultimately the "females" having exotic bits is just seen as normal. Just as the males lacking them is seen in the same way.

Gah! I'm frying my own brain here but basically I agree with the other anon but there is an interesting tangent this conversation can go down and I'm curious if Ambrus will catch on and lead it down that route. He's a meathead warrior/solo but Teruko wouldn't have wed herself to a wall of muscle without some brains behind it. Like Conan, his "barbarism" does not detract from his actually considerable intellect. Dude's rather smart, but if given the choice between "talking" through a problem or "cleaving" it he'd choose the latter more often than not...

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>>5428599
>>5428618
Discussion will indeed make a little detour toward that subject, if I could have stopped falling asleep on my chair throughout the day I'd have posted. Ah well, we'll see tomorrow.

>>5428626
My only regret is we still don't have Gardy present to provide commentary or lip on this front.

Damn do I miss bestest buddy. Hope we can re-fuse with him soon so he can get right back on it as it were...

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>>5428642
I'd love to make our inevitable reunion with him the end of our thread. It'd make a perfect segway into act 3... We'll see what happens.

>>5428652
If we can actually re-fuse with him after all this shit he may well be able to tell us how we can actually land one of our end goals.

That is, how can we go full fusion mode without triggering the totally not "Counter Force" and getting us both killed because of that.

I've suggested we try and channel Gardy like a Biometal from the Megaman series to enable around 90 percent of what he could do back in the pretender age in the here and now.

I mean, he's practically that already. We just have to, well, learn how to best do that without triggering the anti-Eldritch Horror algos that both big ME and Father Sky seem to employ to keep this world from getting overrun without genociding all sentience as, well, it takes sentient beings to fail SAN checks and go full on cultist mode...

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A crow began to make itself heard near the dogs, one of them had enough of running back and forth while the other, clearly fatigued by its age but still full of youthful enthusiasm, was forced to stop its quest when Lisbeth careful trot carried her next to it to grab its beloved stick. This time, she tried a throw and earned a distance fitting a three years old arm.

A mesmerizing spectacle, mini Teruko is dangerous.

''You were born in the Kingdoms right?'' Your question bring Ambrus back to reality, his nod prompts you to continue. ''How do you feel about the way Mamonos handle their relationships?''

''Hmmm...'' With a crossing of his arms and a rubbing of his clean-shaven face, he takes his time to think. ''...I've gotten pretty good at not giving a damn about things that don't affect my life. I'm Teruko's man, she's my woman and that's where I left my care, people live their life, it's a big world. Still, I do have some thoughts now that you're asking.''

''My father is a deadbeat drunk and my mother died when I was fifteen from his abuses, can't say I've lived a good example of this ''monogamy'' thing, especially with you, Siegfried, and Kyorn being the only examples of the alternative I've talked with, a man get's a bit biased y'know?'' He chuckles. ''I feel like it's too soon to judge monsters about this whole thing. I've stood in castles older than, probably, the vast majority of Mamonos cultures, their dependency on mankind makes it difficult for them to grow on their own.''

''Daiyu goal after giving all the species true sentience has always been to grant Mamonos the possibility of birthing males, do you think monsters are happy with this state of affairs?'' That was always something that nagged at you... and it likely always will.

''Who's to say they'll change that much if that becomes possible?'' He replies absentmindedly. ''That bitch of a pharaoh had at least one thing right: monsters can only become fully self-sustaining by being free of mankind's influence... but I dunno mate, don't think the races will intermingle on a scale she'd hope for. At least, not until enough time pass to make it all feel normal.'' He rubs his chin and takes a moment to inspect his daughter. ''Monsters managed to create something unique out of necessity. Their weird dating, marriage, and soul link works out in a way that isn't too dissimilar from us human, the problem is numbers. And unlike Kingdoms folks, relationships here look much more wholesome cause of their soul linking.''

Another pause, another look. Lisbeth was sitting with both dogs next to her, each seeking pats.

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''Without one, I wouldn't have married Teruko.'' Ambrus continues. ''When I met her I was still stewing from a bad relationship, stuck in a ''women are meatsack'' attitude.'' The memory sting, and he can't resist a cringe. ''She proposed one out of necessity to allow us better coordination and let her fairy heal me quickly since we handle to handle those purges freaks of the iron kingdom. Feeling somebody else emotions is a trip but you get used to it, having an intuitive knowledge of her sincerity and desperation to help people -not just her own race- do things to a man. I don't think my case is that special when it comes to relationships with monsters, those links are the lynchpin of good relations I'd say.''

''Hm... That is a good conclusion, I agree. I didn't exactly choose this... harem.'' Honestly? the word doesn't feel good on your tongue. You're one man, one lost elf with nothing in this world. Elina pulled you out of oblivion, and Sieglinde gave you everything you could have hoped for afterward. Friends, purpose, a place to belong, and now... affection. ''Maybe I'm a bit afraid to grow callous or greedy, like this a blanket card to fuck whoever I want.''

''Naaah, your girls will stop that attitude real quick.'' He grins as he looks at you. ''Siegfried and Kyorn told me they had similar fears at the start of their relations, the sheer fulfillment brought by the link and time spent together was enough to dispel that, especially since your happiness spread into em. No need to actually -be- together. Mamonos tend to be go-getter, active women but their men often become their pillars, I honestly think this sharing practice is because Mamonos have this natural tendency to forge ''bond-families'' as they call em. Outside nobles, blood families look honestly pretty small, heavily dispersed throughout communities.''

''Now you're making me wonder how much the biology of Mamonos affects their relationship.'' Ambrus eyebrows raise at your observation. ''Canine monsters tend to give birth to two girls, insects are probably fairly... unique too.''

''Oh yeah, I've heard dragons need five years to reproduce!'' He points out.

Damn. No wonder they haven't taken over the world. ''Takes a village to raise a child as they say, yeah? If a lady knows she'll likely have two children in her first birth or could face some complications because of her race, accepting bond-sisters might be a normal way to think.'' You can't recall the girls feeling jealous of this sharing.

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''Warrior species must have some energetic kids.'' Ambrus mutter as he looks to his daugther. She was starting to venture a little too deep into the forest.

You've been so preoccupied with the general state of Mamonos humanities that you genuinely forgot about the complications brought by their mixed biology. Of course, they are fully human but to discard that influence is foolish indeed, things might not follow the path you're predicting if that problem with native males is solved... but it'll at least be much better than now.

''You should probably think of becoming a social scientist or something.'' Ambrus chuckled after coming back, having successfully redirected little Lisbeth. ''Probably midday now, our second daily dose will be waiting.''

Indeed. you haven't paid attention to it now, but your links have grown... dimmer, and so has your pain. Your girls are up to something.

>Free
>You can ask Ambrus one last thing if you so wish. Choices mentioned above are still valid.

>>5431128
Interesting take. Still gonna try to realize Daiyu's ambitions though. Like I've said before there are far too many wonderful monstergirls not getting a chance to experience love and a happy family!

Still, we should catch up with Lisbeth and make sure something bad doesn't happen. Maybe talk about kids and the like? I mean, the dude's not wrong about someone getting preggers in the near future if, well, the inevitable happens. The girls are starting to get thirsty and we aren't exactly unwilling...

We should also mention meeting up, training together, and otherwise becoming friends in the future. Once more, we do need more bros in our life. I wonder what big Zazawu is doing...

>>5431138
>Still, we should catch up with Lisbeth and make sure something bad doesn't happen.
No worry there, Ambrus already stopped her little journey.
>We should also mention meeting up, training together, and otherwise becoming friends in the future.
A good thing to ask, one can never have enough sparring partners. And you reminded me that I forgot to put a little something which will fit in nicely with asking him something else.
I'll give it its usual 30 minutes of waiting for confirmation.

>>5431142
So we're going to ask about kids and becoming friends right? That's the gist of my vote. Also, what's the other thing about?

>>5431147
>So we're going to ask about kids and becoming friends right?
Hecking wholesome, of course.
>Also, what's the other thing about?
A question Ambrus want to ask Arawn, you'll see.

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''So, how does it feel being a dad?'' Your questions prompt a chuckle.

''Complicated,'' Ambrus answers, casting his blue eyes toward his daughter. ''Real happy, but a bit scared. No manuals when it comes to being a dad. Most of my subordinates in my outfit have kids, but the literal leader can't go mingle with a topic like that. Bad look.''

Your little group was walking back at a pace lazy enough that you're unlikely to reach the temple in the same five minutes it took to get here, Lisbeth's little legs weren't quick, and she was stubborn enough to impose her pace.

''You're still yourself despite being a father.'' He continues. ''Dreams, aspirations... it all changes, but I've still got a core that is real stubborn in following. I love my merc outfit, built it from nothing, got my reputation, love to fight, to make a difference, and leave my marks in this harsh world of ours.'' As he holds out a tight fist, Lisbeth imitates him. There's a magnetism to him now... You've seen similar charisma before, no wonder Teruko fell for him. ''I think the mark of being a good parent is being able to juggle your ambitions and dreams with the time needed to forge a good bond with your kid... Course sometimes you can't, and I gotta say, people who sacrifice their time for their kids without making em miserable in the process are the most admirable folks in the world.'' He sigh. ''Your circumstances are what matter most, when the kids come, things change. You adapt... but you don't stop being you, I'm still learning so that's the only advice I got.''

The future is scary, it always will be. Freeing Daiyu and Mother Earth from their shared prison will undeniably be the goal you and your links strive toward, how would things change if...?

''Hell.'' Ambrus continues, catching you off guard. ''Without Daiyu, I might have had to stop the merc business so Teru would have a safe place to stay. I've got savings, true but not enough for a long, happy life with three people. Now, Lizzy here got a place to stay long term, a college of magic and corruption is a good enough village. I do have a bit of debt toward this so-called evil Demon Lord... and Teru like your group a whole lot. That girl, Hao? She's sharing Lisbeth's maternal flame with her.''

''Really?'' That makes you stop walking. ''Teruko loves Hao like a daughter?'' Having genuine confirmation does surprise you, it's no figure of speech anymore.

''Ayup, so I figure I oughta take the times and get to know the peeps my woman is so fond of, eh? I'm still wondering if I should punch you for that forest episode...'' Despite his friendly grin, there's a hint of menace dwelling in his blue eyes.

''...not now, please. I have no excuse, Mamonos might be sturdier than normal humans, a pregnant woman is a pregnant woman.'' You had no real idea what you were doing back then.

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''Aah we're cool, nothing bad happened in the end.'' He waves dismissively. ''I know Teru can be intense to handle and she must have been stewing for months in the college with nothing to do, I'll just keep the privilege of breaking your balls here and there.''

A lull in the discussion allows your little group to gain significant ground, the dogs are in familiar enough territory to run back into the temple compounds.

''Say, Ambrus.'' He stops, but Lisbeth doesn't, and for a moment, both of you carefully observe the kid walking by herself into the temple. Banu spots her immediately and, after seeing you with her dad amongst the trees, keeps the little lass company. Probably time for her midday nap.

''Good people.'' The man mutter.

''Think you'd fancy a spar in the future? I know Hao would love a good fight, I could use a partner whose intentions don't come clear to me.''

''Sure thing, bud.'' His hand nearly collides with your shoulder, it's your tensing that stops him. ''Sorry... Anyhow, going tavern hunting while rejecting Mamonos advances sounds like the kind of unethical fun I can get behind!''

Well, well. Are you making a friend, Arawn?

''Say, I'm remembering a little somethin' I wanna ask ya, Arawn. About the arm.'' He gestures at your missing limb with his chin. ''Teru's got your problem, I've heard you've picked up a knack with magitek, yeah?''

''I can wield weapons and tools, I'm nowhere near good enough to be an expert.''

''There are prostheses, right?''

''Indeed.'' Belphegor and Martha would be much better placed to answer. ''Corruption interferes with the processes of wielding Magitek equipment but I'm starting to believe otherwise. Martha used an invention during my trouble in the college, something that creates artificial soul links and safely breaks them. Monsters could use it without trouble and of course in Muribel, she was using a gods damned metal armament... no clue what to call it but she was bowling into monstrous formations without trouble.''

''Huh, so the tech might work... See, it takes around four months for an Alraune to organically grow a lost limb. We both know how important the coming ones are gonna be so Teru's not too keen on going sleeping, especially since her healing talents are likely to come in clutch and there are fairies in the forest of the elves, Titania could work as an ambassador...'' He rubs his chin once more. ''... I want her to take the treatment, of course, she's my wife and she lost an arm.''

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''I can't give you any guarantee, it could take just as long -if not longer- to make a prosthesis that works for a Mamono.''

''Give me your take, your guts are enough for me 'cause I keep leaning both ways.''

You can't afford to waste time regenerating your limb with a plant monster but Teruko is another story and unlike her, your compatibility with Magitek has been proven. Hm...

>She should take the plant treatment. There's no real replacement to what she lost, she'll be able to return in perfect health after the treatment.
>The Magitek option has more upside. Teruko fight by summoning, keeping herself at a distance, coordinating with her husband, and healing with the power of her fairy. Losing an arm is a big deal indeed but she can adapt without it and during that time, it'll give Martha a more immediate objective to keep her focus...
>Free
The next little event with be about Zhu, might be a long post so I'll post tomorrow or the day after.

>>5431344
So I take it the Alarune treatment will lay Teruko out for the next 4 months? She won't be able to do anything, be consulted, or anything?

>>5431421
Hibernation for four months, yes.

>>5431423
Hmmm... her knowledge and expertise might be needed between now and then.

Since we've already seen a proof of concept (i.e. a working prosthetic) with Athena I vote we try to chrome Teruko up. She's technically a warrior species like Athena right? That should also make the development easier.

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>>5431579
Actually, Athena went into the organic option. She did have a magitek prosthesis during the crisis.
>She's technically a warrior species like Athena right?
No, Teruko race is a cousin of Athena species, both are lizards. Warrior species are creatures like Minotaurs, Spider-Ogres etc. Big, mean girls.

>>5431589
I could have sworn we saw her using one. Even sparred with her and won landing us that shield that saved our sorry asses from Zerase's BS.

Now she could have decided to undergo the treatment to get her organic arm back but that raises other questions like why didn't she do it sooner? I mean, she lost it around 10 years before we showed up if I remember right.

Point is I swore we saw her with one that worked like a dream and if her and Athena's species are related that means we aren't starting from nothing. It'll take us dedicating time and resources to it but porting that tech over for Teruko shouldn't be too hard. 4 months sounds doable. Year tops.

>>5431597
>I could have sworn we saw her using one.
That was the case during Siegfried quest, I think I did take due precaution to avoid mentioning her having a magitek prosthesis... but my memory might be slipping. At least a prosthesis would have stood out to Arawn.

Might need some rereading on my part.

>>5431601
Found it. Thread 49-2. She had a silver prosthetic arm. Thus that knowledge/tech is out there and we know about it.

Kind of makes sense that Athena didn't get her arm regenerated if she had the kid shortly after that crisis got resolved. Mothers don't wanna miss any part of their children's lives if they have a choice. Maybe they'd get it regrown after they grow up completely but until then chrome it is.

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>>5431608
Look like I was misremembering, yup.

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I'll be restarting our sessions Monday. I need to refill my brain juices, taking it easy during the weekend oughta do it.

>>5432768
It's cool. We can wait for quality.

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Your day progressed lazily after your moment with Ambrus. With the girls busy by themselves and most of the guests engaging with more of the tengus activities, you relished in the rare pleasure of isolation. The serene sights of the mountain were a joy to behold, especially the wide horizon offered by many little viewing platforms across the temple's outside paths.

Shereen had loaned you Zhu gem for now, and even if holding it was similar to grasping a piece of hot coal, the pain felt worth it.

--

''So... Is that Zhu girl your lover?'' Anais question sent a shiver of agony throughout your body when your spine stiffened.

''I-I huh...'' Many feminine eyes looked at you with far too much amusement. ''...We are old companions, not exactly childhood friends but close.''

''Old wounds?'' The princess lean a little closer to you, her blue eyes and gentle, vulnerable expression made a dangerously seductive combination.

''I'd say they've healed now. We've spent plenty of time together during the last two months.'' You glance at Klesiah, who smirks silently in response. The girls... Your girls have gotten dangerously close after their activity today, of course, they kept a stubborn lid on whatever it is they've done.

Even Shereen answered your questions with this frustratingly warm ''earn my answer'' as if you were some... man who couldn't resist his curiosity. Cornering her did nothing!

Your link is making it far too easy for them to tease you.

''Hmm...'' Anais leans a little closer but stops when you stiffen, worry briefly flashing on her features. ''And you're telling me you've reunited these disparate lovers out of the goodness of your heart?'' She says, redirecting herself to gently touch Zhu's glowing gem.

''Yes.'' Ama is quick to reply and just as speedy to deflate under all the glares thrown at her. ''Well, I had more than simple empathy behind my reasoning, but my magnanimous heart was still a motivation!'' You had to constantly remind yourself that Kreszen princess and this damnable little witch weren't sisters

Short blue-eyed blond girls with very long hair and strong personalities can confuse an ailing mind like yours.

''I've never lied to Arawn!'' The witch tried to emphasize her words but only sounded squeaky.

''Yet...'' Vilma grunted, then silenced further snarks with a healthy gulp of ale. ''How did someone like you managed to gather people skilled enough to orchestrate that tragedy in the college...?'' She muttered, shook her head, and after glancing at you, smiled gently.

''Who -exactly- allowed you to kill that vampire again, little sunshine?'' There it is, that seductive glamorous charisma. Ama bravado completely deflated upon suffering Vilma return glare of course, but that fearsome core was still dwelling somewhere.

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''I've honestly begun to believe you're far too young to be so old.'' Replied the pink-skinned lich. ''Confused me back then, even more so now.'' With a shake of her (non-hooded head, she wasn't hiding her face anymore) Vilma took another alcoholic mouthful.

Her crimson cloak was a fitting trophy indeed.

Zazawu must have drilled her thoroughly, she had grown during the past year. Vilma atmosphere wasn't the same, with no constant weakness, or fidgety agitation. She was able to look anyone in the eyes without faltering.

The middle ground of the temple was hosting a larger crowd for this supper. All the soul doctors had reached a consensus about Hao disease, a ritual will be taking place tomorrow... You're glad your good knight had decided to take the heavy painkiller and retire early today, adding her apprehension to your own might have made it impossible for you to function this evening. Now, Teruko finally enjoyed some time with her family, and the additional crows created a lively atmosphere.

They weren't the only additions. A portal had opened earlier today and delivered new arrivals: Belphegor, Martha, the queen-mother of Zipangu with her daughters with that somber bodyguard, Mylen, and even a pair of angels. Unfortunately, you couldn't catch up with your goat friend because she had to see Sieglinde and leave afterward while the nine-tailed fox had business with the Umeno clan leader and also left through the portal afterward, accompanied by one of the new angelic arrivals.

Meaning that, for the foreseeable future, the crows hosted a new sizeable group.

Mylen, the strange silent bodyguard you keenly remember during that awful time of your youth. The heirs of Zipangu central realm, Kin and Agathe. Bram, the leader of the angels exiles. And Martha. If -Father willing- tomorrow's ritual goes well, the next few days are bound to be animated.

This brouhaha explained your current situation now, sitting amongst the oddest girls of the temple. Sieglinde was spending quality time with her sisters and, judged by the constant warmth flowing into you, their intimacy was precious indeed. Elina had been dragged by her sisters for a ''family introduction'' that slowly but surely seemed to evolve into making fun of Mylen. Siegfried's kids were off exploring the compound, probably supervised by one of the crows. And the exorcism wasn't by himself for the first time since your arrival, he and the angel Bram had been talking for an entire hour.

''Pardon my lateness.'' A warm, manly voice invited itself to your busy table. ''Your young friend isn't here?''

''Hao decided to retire early today, she'd like to give Shereen here a chance to meet with our friend.'' You explain, gesturing at the shiny gem on the table.

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''I see... I apologize for not giving words earlier and for making a quick promise.'' The elder Tengu pinched his long, thin beard, expression sharpening into a mixture of guilt and awkwardness. ''Hosting a human soul can be much more intense than I first realized and, unfortunately, the gem I had in mind to use is currently used by someone else. My grandson-in-law took it before going south to help with that young girl's situation... Leena is her name?''

''Wait, you've got news!?'' Ama and Shereen got up in perfect synchrony.

''Good ones.'' Keldan usual soft demeanors return. ''His letter was short, but he told me they managed to convince our southern Oni leadership and their lizardwoman overlord to work together in making a grand ritual to find potential sites of powers that could be hosting emeralds of nature.''

''They did...?'' Ama sounded intense, midway through disbelief and anger.

''He told me they've reignited one and found the nature gem they needed to give young Leena one more year of lifespan. It's not a perfect solution, but they've at least gained time.''

''Reignited!?'' The little witch's high voice caught a few curious stares. ''Bullshit!''

''I wouldn't believe it myself, had the queen-mother of central Zipangu not come in person today to inquire about this business.'' Seeing the intensity of Ama emotions motivated the old man to calmly reciprocate. ''Young Leena has been given precious time, my granddaughter will be joining her husband and kids down south tomorrow after we finish your healing ritual.'' Kendal gently bows his head. ''I'm sorry Arawn, Klesiah and you too, good Shereen. I cannot safely have you meet your friend without that gem.''

''That's fine.'' Shereen didn't need to fake a smile. ''Leena is at least safe...''

The patriarch excused himself afterward.

''Pfuh.'' Ama loudly sat on her chair. ''Unbelievable.''

''Big deal?'' Anais asked.

''You've seen what a modern mage can do with almost a thousand pearls. If people can reactivate extinguished sites, things are bound to get complicated after a few years.''

''Why wouldn't the gods demolish these sites if these pearls are so dangerous?'' You had to ask, even if your mind was tired and groggy from pain, curiosity kept you active.

''A few were destroyed.'' The little witch speaks while holding her forehead. ''But doing it on a grand scale would have resulted in plenty of ecological disasters. Mankind civilizations were already on the brink of collapse because of all the Pretender wars, they couldn't go and make another widespread catastrophe.''

''We'll deal with that in time.'' Shereen dark furry hand reached across the table to rest on top of Ama fist. ''Aren't you glad that, at least, Leena was given time?''

''...Yeah.'' Ama admitted, defeated. ''There's that, at least.''

Seems your evening has been freed.

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>Inquire about Vilma year within Zazawu Red Guard. All of her friend were indisposed of busy, she has clearly changed from the experience.
>Ask Ama about her Kitsune body. What was the point of it, if her real self lingered on the moon?
>Talk with Kreszen princess, Anais. What does she intend to do now^ Her blood won't be needed to keep you sane from the pain after tomorrow.
>Free.
I think I'm coming down with a flu, sorry for the delay.

>>5438579
I'm a little torn. I do want to know about Vilma (she was always second best girl for me) but getting Ama back to full power would be immensely helpful with pretty much everything going forward now that we've converted her to our side.

These mutually exclusive? Can we do one and then do the other? Won't have time for everything as I feel we really wanna be well-rested for that ritual but there's enough time for two right? I just know if we ain't at 100 percent something's gonna go horribly wrong.

>>5438618
Arawn only has enough energy for one discussion, yeah.

>>5438621
Will Vilma be around tomorrow after the ritual? What about Ama? If I gotta choose I'd like to take the one that we can't really put off.

>>5438623
Both are planning to remain for a while, Anais might have to go back soonish, but not as soon as the day of your ritual.

>>5438627
Also, ama doesn't really have anywhere to go, she can't go anywhere. That's a topic to tackle later.

>>5438628
Well, we can't really give Vilma headpats like I'd wanna until we're cured so I think we'll go with Ama right now.

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Ama option it is. I'll be posting tomorrow.

>>5439063
Our first conversation with her in peacetime after we converted her to the cause of good. Well, it was Shereen's doing mostly but we made sure she didn't die!

Really gonna have to do something about totally not-Nyarlathotep eventually. I think he said he was going to be in the elf refuge but that probably changed since we killed his avatar. Plus hey, we have a personal grudge to settle with the floofy bastard. The fact that we'd be doing the world (and Ama) a favor in seeking out our vengeance is just icing on the cake.

>>5439104
>Our first conversation with her in peacetime after we converted her to the cause of good.
Conversion is a bit too big a word, although she might fully step into the role during act 3. She's out of her comfort zone now, that's for sure, the things she knows are bound to be invaluable...
>Really gonna have to do something about totally not-Nyarlathotep eventually.
Infesting you (and a kid) with a soul parasite was just his way of saying hello, be gentle!

>>5439109
Oh we'll be gentile. Gentile in the sense he probably won't have time to feel us killing him. It's gonna be swift, certain, and total. No chances are to be taken in regards to his elimination from existence.

We're gonna be damn sure he ain't coming back once we end him.

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Hmm, I wanna make this discussion a little longer than one answer, I'll open tomorrow early.

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You could guess two reasons why the general animosity toward Ama wasn't erupting into ugly confrontations. First was her undeniable feebleness: she hadn't shown any magical competence after being pulled out of her domain and combined with her weak, cowardly demeanor, she had grown easy to underestimate. Second was Shereen, your girls had described everything that happened when you were unconscious to Anais and Vilma... Nobody else had the guts to confront Tuilelaith, let alone convince her not to finish her old vendetta.

This is the kind of business amongst Supremes that weak little folks like you aren't supposed to stick their nose into, otherwise, your next trip to your grave will be permanent.

As the discussion moved toward the topic of Zen with the girls exchanging the very little information they knew about the place, Ama squirmed under your gaze. She even blushed, sitting there silently, scared, ready to submit.

''Arawn?'' Shereen called you.
''Yeah, there's something I wanna ask our witch.'' You reply. Unable to lift your Everblue-laced glass of water, Anais helps you drink.

She's... Why is it that Klesiah and Shereen are letting her do this? Oh well, count your good fortune, Arawn.

''About your... shell? Or was it a previous body?'' Ama straightens her lazy stance as everyone's attention converges toward her. ''How'd that come about? We're speaking with the real Ama now, yeah?''

''D'you think I'd have taken so many precautions to neuter you if I didn't invite you into my place? You and Shereen are the best pair of players I've had fun with, and that needed a proper congrats.'' The short witch huffed, imitating that haughty, almost sultry demeanor that belonged to her previous self. Except now she looked adorable now.

''Neuter?'' A laugh still manages to escape you despite knowing fully well how much pain that causes in your ribs. ''Wrong word, little lass.''

''Lass!? Listen here!'' With a cute thump on the table, Ama leans forward, quickly noticing the general difference in height between her and everyone else. ''Shut up. Been wearing my heart on my sleeves here, don't go mocking me. You and Shereen were the only two people in the world to see my true self, now that privilege has been extended to far too many people...''

''See the upside, you've wronged almost everyone here, and now we're all having some mighty hesitation with hurting a kid.'' Ama almost falls for such an easy bait, she makes this adorable open-mouthed expression while glaring daggers at you.

''Whatever.'' She groused, flopping on her seat. ''That body, my foxy self was a safe way for me to interact with the world. It was similar to Mina, a shard of power... except there was far more than a little piece in it.''

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''This isn't wine...?'' Ama commented while looking down at her glass, and seeing all the eyes on her, understand she had to continue talking. ''I made it with pearls after observing the world long enough... It was me. Nothing special, no other soul in there or dominated individual. I wanted to create something that could handle Pearls of Powers, and transform one type into another because I knew Mother Earth and Father Sky couldn't find all the sites of powers. Came mighty useful in the end, huh?''

''That's why you were so confident with your plan.'' Shereen smiled, she didn't need to force her gentleness. Perfect mood to cool tempers.

''I wanted to see what you'd do with my gift.'' Ama confidence returned with a broad smile as she gazed at Shereen.

''I think you wanted a companion.'' Reply the fluffy princess.

''Pft, no. I can't remake it now, whatever that bastard poisoned me with kinda screwed me up. Or maybe I'll need to make another trip to Limbo... Something's missing. The only thing I've got now is my memory.''

Interesting. Ama ''created'' the ninetailed kitsune you've come to dread, there is certainly a big... difference between who she truly is and that fox.

>Tease her. She's put you through more than enough grief to earn a little payback.
>Ask Ama about her earliest memories. How did she even land out there, on the bloody moon? You can hardly believe it despite having walked its surface.
>Ask Ama about her future plans. She's rather stuck now, isn't she?
>What kind of abilities did she have? Is she truly incapable of anything now?
>Free.
Still kinda sick today, I hope it's not reflecting in my writing.

>>5440958
All of these sound fun so it's a bit hard to choose. Each "pair" of choices sounds compatible so it's a choice of chumming it up (tease+memories) or getting straight to business (plans+power discussion).

How much time do we have with our former arch-nemesis?

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>>5440980
I'd say Arawn has enough energy for two choices or a combination as you've suggested. Coming up with a free option is always a plus in my book!

Don't think I've got the strength for another answer tonight. I'll still give this choice 30 minutes as usual.

>>5440987
Well, she'll still be around and open for conversations after today right? Nobody's gonna kill her anytime soon are they?

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>>5441002
Given the fact the Tengus are housing the princess of Krezenz, the last living royal elf, central Zipangu two heirs, and all three of the Demon Lord daughters, a murder happening here would be the biggest dishonor for the crow clans. Shereen also sleeps with her at night.

If she's still alive, Ama would of course be open to talk. She's a glorified prisoner right now.

>>5441008
You make it sound like someone's gonna try to off her and Shereen by extension as I'm pretty sure she'd take a bullet for her if ya catch my meaning.

Too bad we can't exactly trust anyone to protect her ATM. Everyone of note has a grudge to settle. Still, now I'm worried about our former tormentor.

I say we chum it up a bit. I change my combination to be earliest memories and current capabilities. The later is done really hush hush. Walls have ears and if someone is gunning for her we want them to think her as harmless and weak as possible. Underestimating the target is a great way to fail an assassination attempt.

We can tease her at our leisure and there's not much point about planning for the future until after we're cured and have a better grasp as to what's going on in the outside world. That shit will affect our priorities. For instance, if sites of power start getting reignited in a big way we're gonna wanna power Ama back up sooner rather than later...

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>>5441015
The premise of your current situation is about sorting out your relationship and healing, something as important as an assassination attempt on Ama is... unlikely to happen.

>earliest memories and current capabilities
I can work with that.

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''So you're telling us you've always lived up there?'' Anais asks while pointing up. Darkness came early with winter onset, but the moon wasn't anywhere in the sky tonight. ''Now that's a miss.'' The princess played with her long hair.

''Our detour needed hundreds of pearls.'' You speak afterward. ''You must have spent some time in our realm. Otherwise, wouldn't the world assume you to be an Outsider?''

''Same questions,'' Ama comments, making a face halfway between pouting and awkward. ''You guys want to hear about little me huh? Better than a cold shoulder, I guess.''

''You don't want to?'' Ever kind, Shereen gives the witch a life-saving grace.

''Hrrrm.'' Ama groans, interlocks her fingers, and put her elbows on the table. ''Whatever. I doubt you guys will believe me.''

''I woke up on the moon one day, that's the earliest thing I can remember with some distinction. I think I lived up there for a long, long time... but it's all a mangled, confusing mess, one day my mind cleared up enough to make me realize I could think, and I suddenly gained the capability of an internal dialogue.'' With a snort and a derisive smirk, Ama briefly stops to glance at her audience. ''That happened during the middle of all the struggles with Pretenders gods and their followers running amoks... I could gaze into our world by looking at our big sphere, my vision projected itself in there.''

''I was able to travel anywhere like a ghost, floating around, traveling at an unbelievable speed... I could even dive into the sea, did you guys know the era of Pretenders had thriving undersea cities?'' She chuckles. ''When people talked, I instinctively understood what they said despite their languages... Still, all I could do was look. Sometimes, people would get this feeling as if I was there, it never lasted, but that's how it made me yearn for something more.''

''You've learned all about pearls by observing people like this?'' Shereen asked gently.

''Yep, although I wasn't doing it consciously, magery stuff was one form of entertainment amongst others. Most of the Sites of Powers I discovered were by happenstance or from spying on leaders and gods. Only one Pretender ever figured out my presence... Knowing fear, instead of observing it, was an experience.''

''What motivated you to become a witch?'' Vilma is unable to chase off her aggressiveness. ''Fuck with people like that?''

''I've always thought witches were cool.'' Ama doesn't try to be haughty or demeaning with the Litch. ''My contracts were empty shells, it was the ''gotcha'' moments that allowed me to hold influence over people. You know, Arawn when I put my shackle on you? I had prepared a ritual with astral pearls beforehand. All I needed was for you to let down your guard.'' An honest smile nestles on her lovely face. ''Rather fun, huh?''

''My father?'' That was a grudge you've been nursing quietly.

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''Worked so hard to cheat his way out of his contract that I decided he won my little game with him. He wanted my help, and he earned it fair and square... Unfortunately, the big tragedy happened not too long afterward. We can cover the details later.''

''We will.'' You could feel the weight of fatigue slowing your movements, keeping your head up was becoming an effort. Your day had been nothing more than self-indulging laziness, yet constant pain had the power of wearing down your nerves and energy. ''Sorry for the tangent. What can you do now that you stand with us in the flesh?''

Her ghostly experience makes her the perfect scout and spy. Someone who can travel anywhere, go through walls, and listen to people's conversations while remaining completely unnoticeable would be invaluable.

''Use pearls, I guess.'' Ama takes a while to answer and doesn't look away from her glass. ''This body reinforcement all of you got? No idea if it works for me. I've no magical nature, all I have is what's in my head, pearls. Old Sites locations, my stashes.'' She taps her temples. ''And it doesn't work nearly as well compared to my fox. I made that one for Pearl's manipulation, meaning it could handle a lot of pressure, and work very quickly with the energy without growing tired... As I am I now? I'm probably no different from mages of the Pretenders era.''

Her downcast mood causes a silence that she, herself, breaks with a derisive. ''Some witch now huh?''

Damn it all. You're feeling a genuine morsel of sympathy for this underserving villain.

''Any idea what you want to do next?'' Anais speak.

''Am I allowed to have a future?'' Reply the downcast witch.

''Yes. Your friend died to save me.'' Ama winces and groans after hearing the princess's statement. ''Out of everyone who joined forces to save my life, you're the one who deserves the biggest credit. I'd be dead without that petrification, so I'll extend my gratitude to you.'' Because she's sitting next to you, Anais is careful in her movement while leaning forward. ''If people here reject you, come to Kreszenz. My father and Hildegarde acknowledge your help, they'll keep my mom in line.''

''Sorry if it seems like I'm poaching a talented individual out of your retinue...'' Anais ignores everyone's stupefied expression to look you in the eyes. ''...This girl had done many unforgivable things, but I have a debt to her, and I believe now the reputation of the big bad witch of the swamp has been greatly embellished.''

''If our family is fine with you, Ama, then you can stay,'' Shereen adds gently. ''We'll figure it out amongst ourselves, you'll be able to choose where you want to go.''

''Eh.'' Ama doesn't say anything, she glares at her glass, wishing it was alcohol.

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''Guess that's good enough. the ones I really wanted dead were that bitch vampire and this blue necromancer, I've got one out of two on my list.'' Vilma stretched lazily, you made sure to avoid staring. She certainly has plenty of charms. ''Always believed the witch would end up as a casualty from me hunting her followers, truth isn't so easy to predict huh? Besides, I heard what Tuilelaith said. No Supremes have clean hands... You always become someone's villain after enough time.''

Ama's current predicament could also be a fitting punishment. All of her life, she's been safely segregated from consequences and risks. That isn't the case anymore, she might very well be suffering from stress for the first time in her life.

''Phew...'' You sigh, you are leaning on Anais despite the pain.

>Free
Arawn has enough energy for one last little discussion, then it's straight into a big day tomorrow.

>>5441826
This segues nicely into a conversation with either Vilma or Anais. They are options for another chat yes?

>>5441992
Of course, if you want to ask anything, feel free. I could post the result tomorrow while working on the doctor's meeting. It'll depend on what you want to ask though, like asking about the adventure Vilma and Klesiah went through during your coma won't work, Arawn will pass out midway.

Meaning, you have enough time for a short discussion.

>>5441996
Hmmm... well it's practically free to tell Vilma that we'd like to catch up after we're cured tomorrow. That year we were out had to be a wild tale.

What counts as a "short" discussion anyways?

>>5442009
>That year we were out had to be a wild tale.
Having Klesiah tell you would be better since she's had a much wilder time, Vilma only managed to get some action later on.
I'm planning of making a short quest (probably a max of 5 threads) during that year actually. Something very important happened during that time, we'll incarnate a new protagonist
>What counts as a "short" discussion anyways?
I'm honestly unsure myself. Hence the free option without suggestion.

>>5442011
Nothing I want to ask would likely qualify as a "short" discussion so instead let's chat about their schedule for the week and inform them that we'd really like to talk with them after we get cured.

We could also ask Anais about how one would get to Kreszenz from here. Portals seem to be luxury items that most people can't afford or can't be made by enough people or in enough quantities to make them viable for the common man.

That or how the hell she got captured might also work. I'd assume given the fact every eldritch horror, evil spirit, and vampire in a 50 mile radius is all about tearing her open to feast upon her unique blood that she has to have a major security detail around her at all times. Hell, Hilde's part of that and we've seen how good she is in a fight (i.e. damn good).

>>5442074
Actually, I think that's an answer. A quick ask about what they'll be doing tomorrow and, if time allows, a quick story about how they nabbed the princess.

Fuckery like that is something we need to know about so as to prepare against it.

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>>5442074
>>5442075
Sound good. Will make for a nice little update as I work on the big choice with Hao.

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You'll give Ama a little mercy. She's uncomfortable with being the center of attention now, mentioning Mimiru was poking at a still-healing wound... You can respect that grief.

''Do you guys have plans for tomorrow?'' Many surprised blinks welcome your question.

''We'll be laying out our options for you and Hao, we'll need the presence of your links for that too.'' Vilma is the first to answer, she tries to keep a tough expression, but her features melt into a soft smile after a few moments of you staring at her.

''Honestly? I'm going to be way too stressed out to do anything, I'll be waiting.'' Anais speaks gently, her concern laid plainly on her face.

In retrospect, it was a dumb question. ''Say, princess.'' Klesiah suddenly speaks, you're almost falling asleep in your seat. ''How did your kidnapping happen?''

''Yeah.'' You mirror your good knight thought. ''Where's Hildegarde by the way?'' The maid had vanished, maybe there were too many people...? Ah, damn you're tired, but it is too soon to go to sleep. You're honestly enjoying yourself here.

''Pearls fuckery, I've no doubt here.'' Anais straightens her stance while keeping an eye on the distance between both of you. ''My father went to negotiate with the miser doge of the Free City of Melkath to employ a portion of their fleet, I wanted to help him so I went with him... Negotiating with old men is a pain.'' She grunts and refreshes her throat with a gulp. ''Ensan somehow knew my schedule. I went to inspect the ships in the harbor with Hildy as one of my three bodyguards, the other two were senior knights handpicked by dad and my girl.''

''Next thing I knew, a group of five men lunged at us out of nowhere... I think they were drugged-up slaves, they came at us so quickly and without trying to protect themselves. My guys couldn't even form proper spells, their swords hacked into meat before I realized someone was touching me, then poof!'' Anais wiggles her fingers. ''Teleported into an empty warehouse and bagged while Hildegarde is giving their warriors a hellish time. I'm no expert on magic, but even I know something like that shouldn't be possible, at least not without consent.''

''Transposition.'' Ama interupt the princess. ''By consuming three Pearls of Powers the mage can transport himself and anyone touching him somewhere close by, doing that without a communion slave is very dangerous... You didn't have the time to notice someone looking passive, almost catatonic didn't you?''

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''Nope.''

''Then I'll assume Ensan had a communion slave. Her mom taught her well.'' Seeing the look of confusion on people's faces prompted Ama to continue. ''Pearls magic causes intense fatigue, one way to counter that is by transferring this strain onto someone else, hence Communion. One master for several slaves, by drugging up people the mage can create... something like a soul link and safely cast his spells while transferring the fatigue onto his slaves. For transposition, it is possible to use a slave as a focal point of teleportation.''

''A well-orchestrated scheme.'' Klesiah comment. ''She should be able to tell us how she came to know Anais movements, although I suspect we'll only get ''my mother told me'' for an answer.''

A new discussion around potential answers -all centered around Pearls- began and to your ears, felt little more than a blur. Sieglinde was having a good time with her sisters, Elina was having fun with Hadraniel's family, Klesiah's gentle love fill you with warmth... Yes, despite the pain and the freshness of early winter, you felt warm.

--

It should take me 2 or 3 days to write up our big moment with Hao, not because it's particularly long but because I've run out of writing fuel. I'll end our thread with the decision, you guys will have plenty of time to make up your mind.

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>>5443194
I think you've already hinted at what this choice entails. Either we simply make Hao whole again somehow that might cost us something minor to moderate or we do something rather unethical outside of a desperate situation that costs nothing to us but hits Hao like a malevolent Isekai Truck.

Knowing Hao and given how the latter option involves a combat power boost so massive it'd put her on par with a supreme level mamono in a straight fight... Hell we might have to find a way to talk her out of us doing something horrible to her!

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>>5443614
>I think you've already hinted at what this choice entails.
Well, Vilma presence was needed for the doctors... Let's say there's been some drama going on behind closed doors. Your good lizard knows the meaning of strength since she was born with it, and now she's not wielding it for herself...

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Gonna make this choice happen at the start of next thread, ideally next week. While things could be a little sad... I intend to make part 2 of this time off a bit of a ''golden time'' for our party. sugary sweet fun time before the inevitable... stressful trials.

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>>5453431
Oh good, OP isn't dead.

Well at least we'll have a pretty big say as to what those trials will be. It would seem at this point we've hit the "conqueror" or perhaps even "king" level of PC play.

Y'know, we're actually "somebody" on the world stage now who can now act upon it and influence the chessboard in a major way. What we choose to make happen will cause other things to happen which will determine the nature and intensity of our headaches (i.e. the kinds of encounters we're going to have to play through).

This is gonna be fun! Hope it goes better for us than pic related.

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>>5453491
>It would seem at this point we've hit the "conqueror" or perhaps even "king" level of PC play.
Indeed, though it'd be more accurate to say ''advisor'' I'd say since Sieglinde is going to be taking Daiyu's mantle. I'll also need an answer as to where we want to operate, but that can wait until the end of next thread.
>Y'know, we're actually "somebody" on the world stage now who can now act upon it and influence the chessboard in a major way.
Indeed. Tensions are extremely high in the Allied Kingdoms (more or less a bigger HRE) due to Daiyu sorta declaring war on the Cursed Swamp and having a sizeable party installed in Kreszenz north (only around 3k elite monsters, it is still enough to create a frenzy of GET OUT OF OUR LAWN for most kings and dukes). Church is on the brink of another civil war. The Old World political machine has been activated, you'll get the chance to meet with the human king of Gwynedd-Zipangu commonwealth during next thread...

Granted, this isn't really world-shaping, we'll be putting all of our concentration on the biggest, strongest human realm (according to Daiyu anyway). But things there matter since your sister realm will be the first one to pay if war breaks out. Levering the dwarven and elven remnant moral authority will be key since it's the only thing both races have now.

Of course, there's going to be some major... happening from other realms, but can't do anything about that now huh? Let's just say this land of ''Zen'' has been busy.

Act 3 will bring a definitive end to Arawn as a protag but it'll also be long as hell. I really want to treasure this peace our party earned.

I'm not looking for something inherently tragic, so Arawn oughta have a better time.

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>>5453539
Hey we're essentially the "Grand Vizier" at this point then. That's a *hell* of a lot of influence. Let's just say that I don't think we're going to be getting our State funding requests for magitek research rejected so long as we don't go absolutely nuts. We can't start running a Space Program like Kerbals right now, but most anything short of that insanity ought to be possible.

We'll also need an intel network. A damn good one that has minimal risk of getting countered or found out. I think Ama functioned as one at full power and if so that's gonna be a top priority for us. That'll take a few tech upgrades as we'll have to guide her and a few others through the Throne Dimension to get back to the moon and that's hella dangerous but Full Fusion won't kill us in there so all we gotta do is kit out Gardy and boom, done!

This all sounds like a ton of fun. The "PC" also being a "Patron" is the end goal of any self-respecting PC who's "doing it right" as it were. The adventurer aims to become a conqueror and the conqueror aims to become a king! Or in our case, the vizier to a very powerful Queen but hey if you play your cards right same difference. There's a whole TRPG system built around this concept. Hell, that progression is basically the collective tale of Conan! Good thing we love Siggy and want to be the best vizier/hubby she could imagine.

Well, things will work out well so long as we don't run into any inherently malevolent, sentient, and eternally hungry soul-drinking runeblades. Seriously, if you haven't read those books give em' a go. Good shit. Full of suffering and metal as all fuck.

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>>5453619
>We'll also need an intel network. A damn good one that has minimal risk of getting countered or found out.
Daiyu and thus Sieglinde have the best one in the entire world, but that's act 3 stuff and will be your undeniable greatest asset in the coming trials for keeping the diplomatic route alive. Belph and Zazawu are reorganizing everything off-screen. The Jawahir family is really lucky to have them.
>I think Ama functioned as one at full power and if so that's gonna be a top priority for us.
Yes, Ama observation capabilities were, simply, unrivaled. She could easily overhear any conversations, and spy on whatever someone is doing by tailing them like a ghost. Problem was that it was really difficult for her to expand her perspective beyond human means(meaning, she couldn't enhance her senses) and of course, seeing -inside- people required hands-on approach, as you've had the pleasure of discovering.
>the collective tale of Conan!
Funny you mention that, the few time I described Arawn, I mentioned him being naturally burly and strong. Gardy body is doing him plenty of good, his time in Muribel shaped him nicely for the girls too.
Well, there's an infestator who could work similarly. If I can find em, I might give em a chance. Only thing I like reading on my computer are vns
>This all sounds like a ton of fun.
I sure hope so, hence why I really want to do this little golden time for our crew... But I also need to introduce a few pieces. Still, there's no need to stress with next thread. Hao choice will be the most important thing to decide.

>>5453652
Well that spells it out for me then. If we can swing it buff up Lore: Demonic Throne and anything magitek that relates to warfare and restore Ama.

Ama needs to get back to the "moon" ASAP if I'm reading this right. We *need* that downright unfair intel network. Y'know how I mentioned "patron" players? Well, intel and logistics is where it's at if we're playing with that kind of mindset.

I mean, Ama was able to seemingly gather intel as a mere "ghost" of a little blond girl where most everyone was eyeing for a hint of pale fluffy tails and/or a contract.

That's how you'd want it to be if you were running anything close to an seemingly "omnipotent" intel network...

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>>5453676
So, you mean to say the big bad evil childish witch is smart?

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>>5453705
Yeah, she is. The big question is if she's really and truly on our side. Shereen has bought her BS fully and completely but that doesn't mean she's now one and fully one of the "good guys" as it were.

I am a sucker for redemption plotlines though and I do hope Ama is intent on such. I mean, if her intel network can be turned towards the good with no strings attached if we get her back on the moon...

I can't exactly spell it out but lets just say things get a *lot* easier if we pull that off.

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>>5453922
Well, Shereen pure heart seemingly impressed her enough to break the shackles she had on your soul... It takes a special someone to be presented with nearly absolute power and not only refuse it, but seek genuine friendship with the person wielding it. How many times did Shereen apologize for being useless?