you play as Argia Candente, the silver-haired Hand of Ansàrra. After proving your worth in your darkest hour, your Goddess has blessed you with many gifts. But the door to the Night opens, and the final hour looms…# # # # # #Welcome to the eight thread of Argia Candente’s thrilling adventures! Our scatterbrained, silver-haired (sporting a newly-found F-cup, by Ansàrra’s grace) Holy Knight (fully-fledged now!) with a penchant for daydreaming and less plagued by self-doubt after Ansàrra’s own blessings, on a quest to save the world from the resurgent Seven Sisters and their demonic rule..For tomorrow dawns in darkness, and you may have to bear the light of Her sun upon your very shoulders…So, without further ado, let’s take a look at where we come from.And then let’s decide together where we are going.
>>6357652### The sealed verses ###>ARCHIVES:>First Thread: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2024/6012263/>Second Thread: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2024/6049645/>Third Thread: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2024/6098808/>Fourth Thread: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2025/6154957/>Fifth Thread: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2025/6198478/>Sixth Thread: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2025/6240838/>Seventh Thread:https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2025/6309570/Thanks everyone for all the votes! Will we get every thread gilded? Make my mom proud and do your part, anon!>Voting Link: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=sunseeker
>>6357655### A post a day keeps the Seven at bay ###Update schedule: usually one updateevery 24-48 hours. Moving on, for each update you can expect between two and four posts (previous players know this might be a lie… ten-posts updates…) depending on narrative pace and player interaction. I will do my best to reply to questions and suggestions!Notice: new players, please feel encouraged to interact and play! I promptly made the summaries you see attached to these posts just for you. The more the merrier the marred, as they say in the Night Lands…
>>6357656### The lay of the land ###Rules Recap:We vote by majority to decide actions. In rare cases, if a tie happens I may incorporate both options if narratively possible or interesting. This does NOT happen for combat rolls.Usually, options are highlighted in red, blue, green (with no special meaning for the colours, I just think they are neat), and there is almost always an invitation, in bold, to add suggestions and discussion. Discussions and questions are highly encouraged as they may give you numerical bonuses or allow you to skip dangerous situations!We (generally) use a Best of Six 1d100 roll against a DC, plus bonuses.>natural 1 is a critical failure, natural 100 is a complete success.>crits in the same roll cancel each other
>>6357657 ### Dubs and Trips and Crits ### Roll vs DC for most checks. You might need to win more than once.Combat roll is (generally) Bo6, comparing rolls in succession (my first roll vs your first roll, etc.) and counting successes against my rolls (usually you need to beat only 1 or 2 of my rolls)If you or I get dubs, trips or more on the rolling post we add the following values/effects to what was just rolled and only that:>dubs: +18>trips: automatic critical success>quads: permanent bonus + kiss on the cheekOnce you got quints and you gained a nice permanent bonus.these rules apply to my rolls as well but only to the first one (as I use a single post for my rolls)>Write-Ins:there will be the occasional prompt for these. Interesting ideas or suggestions may be incorporated in the update even if they don’t reach a majority.Discussions and questions are highly encouraged as they may give you numerical bonuses or allow you to skip dangerous situations!
>>6357659 # # # Lore! And Stats # # # Pasta?Pasta!>Lore and Important Characters: https://pastebin.com/By6W3xxD(you will find yours and other character's bonuses here in this file):>MC and stats (also refer to the updated character sheet I will post further down) https://pastebin.com/CuxGS43X>Anon's spicy pasta that explores what might have happened that night our Knight got her V-card revoked...https://controlc.com/7391da03# # # # # #And now, the news…
>>6357660# # # Silver Knight Quest Thread VIII # # #Under the tender rays of Her sun, the day stretches, and you sit in Sandora’s wooden cell, watching the expressions change on her face.Rubida and Soralisa know much of what you are saying, so Rubida just sits properly, waiting for you to finish, and Soralisa kicks and swings her legs. Sometimes her fingers find yours and you entwine your hands.Sandora, ever the attentive teacher, glances at this exchange, but she does not comment on it.It feels so peaceful. You suppose part of it is—gorgeous weather, you are a Knight at last, you are going to see your family again.Now, if only the world did not end before that…The Asterite finishes eating the meager lunch reserved for diplomatic prisoners, then wipes out every plate you and Soralisa brought from Rosandra’s home.As for the auburn-haired Inquisitor, she is just as happy sitting silently in a corner. You doubts she even drew one breath ever since you all came here. Then again, she does not need to.At last, Sandora puts down her fork and looks at her lap, at her empty plate. Perhaps she is contemplating the hole in her stomach which must be filled right now, or the hole in the world that the Sisters are about to create.“The Worm,” she whines finally, her green eyes widened in shock, as she rests her head against the side of the cell. “We found its image in the Temple. Oh, Starless Night. To think I would have to be alive for its resurrection.” A pause. “Too late to ask his Imperial Majesty for a raise, I guess…”“The key to getting rid of it,” you remind her, you remind everyone as your eyes look for Rosandra, whose hazelnut gaze is already trained on you, “is to find this pivot, which is located somewhere close to the Worm. Willow is linked to it. Uh, a pivot is the spot around which something turns,” you add with a little smile. Pride would be your downfall, but it feels good to show how much you learned. Your right hand traces a circle, the gold glinting in Her sunlight. “So we find this spot and close the door to the Night.”[cont.]
>>6357661“Easy,” Sandora croaks. “At least one of the Sisters is going to be there, I suspect? Oh, and what of the effects of this door opening? The circles of the affixed stars are the gears of this door’s lock, Argia Candente! We Asterites depend on that.” She cups her shaking head with both hands. “The—The entire Throne risks dissolving in a deflagration of teratomorphic magic!”You remember the half-dissolved rogue Asterite you were sent to catch in the Temple. Little more than a mass of liquefied organs and mutated skin, and yet its pernicious magic would have been just as dangerous, had he not been burned to a charred wafer by Ansàrra’s own might.It should have been your crowning moment, but then Willow…You furrow your brow and stand up.“We will have to be faster, then. How long can the Throne last if the Worm rips through the heavens?”“I have no idea! We are doing bad enough as it is!” You have never seen her so shaken. So you cross the tiny room, your steps kicking away empty plates and you sit in front of her, taking her hand with your own golden on.“I need you to give me an answer, Sandora.”She stutters, blinks. Gives you the same look Rosandra did when she started to consider you under a new light.It still feels like you are wearing far too large boots for your size.But what keeps you from stumbling is you are walking in Ansàrra’s footsteps.And if you do stumble… She will be there to pick you up again.“We h-have…” she sighs, composes herself. “We have reserves. Our dreaming jewels can hold the collapse at bay for a little bit.”“I thought Silt was the thing that kept you alive?” Asks Soralisa, perking up. Rubida gives her a chilled glare. Not the right moment.“They are the same,” Sandora explains. “Silt is just the dust of shattered dreaming jewels, but their whole form is much more formidable.”Soralisa opens her mouth again, and Rubida clamps her arms around her, dragging her into a silent hug.Sandora, though has guessed her question. And graciously answers.[cont.]
>>6357662“The dust comes from the Borderlands. Remember?” She pulls down her robes exposing her scarred shoulder. “I went there for a time. The Silt blows from the desert, but for those who can cross it, there are still larger shards to be found. That’s the gist of it.”“How many of those jewels do you have?” You ask, going back to the topic.“Nobody knows! The Throne has reserves of its own, and each Accademia keeps some in store. But they certainly would not share with each other.”“At a glance, then.” You stand up, pacing back and forth. “One cycle? Five nights? Four?”Sandora shakes her head, runs her hand through her locks as she mentally counts.“Maybe two.”“Starless Night”.“There is a score of Asterites in the Thronelands. Each of them will need some, and more and more. My own Silt reserves are running dry.”“And you will need… ‘more and more’ as the Night advances,” you hiss.“So we may be blessed by the absence of this heathen soon enough,” Rosandra muses.“She is an ally and a friend,” you snap. Sandora’s eyes snap wide. Rubida and Soralisa’s breath caught in their throats.Rosandra quirks one of her dark eyebrows.“I will not see her harmed. Do we have any of these Jewels in the Holy Land?”“Why would we?” Rosandra scoffs.“The Adversary certainly has some,” Rubida interjects. You blink, turn to her, who rolls her eyes at you. “Do not give me that look, Candente. It makes sense for her to have them. Makes for a secondary leverage in the Thronelands. Her hooks run deep everywhere.”“Not everywhere,” Rosandra quips.“She was in Argia’s cell! Coming and going however she wanted!”You raise your hand, Rubida scoffs and adjusts herself, Soralisa still straddled on her lap.“That is one source. Then… then there is the matter of Willow,” You add. “I want to snap this pivot without it collapsing on her. I want her safe, and I want her sane.”You do not expect cheers, and you get none. Three of the other women here have been on the receiving end of Willow’s betrayal.“She is a lost kid,” Sandora sighs in the end, “but she might not be a lost cause.”“And she was still somewhat kind to me. Even if she stole your first kiss,” Soralisa grunts.“I will let Candente decide on this. There is little love lost between Willow Stark and I. But Salicera Fors was good to us for a time. Somewhat. Oh, I have had enough of Stranders…”You glance at the open sky, at Her sun, with a half smile.“All things considered, I reckon we do not have much time,” you add, sitting next to Rubida and draping your arm around her shoulder, grateful for her support. “Perhaps a couple days, plus two nights of buffer before the Thronelands go up in flames.”[cont.]
>>6357664“Worse than flames…”“And we need to understand what this pivot might be. How to strike it. And where Willow is.”You sigh. There might be someone who knows where Willow is. And where to find the Jewels for Sandora.But even with everything that happened between the two of you, you are not sure if your friends would be ready for a collaboration… Alternatively, it would not be bad to finally find Master. Or deal with Sandora’s future.Or you could focus on finding a way to save Willow, first.You close your eyes, alone with your own thoughts once again.[cont.]
>>6357665Willow is the key. Better to find a way to break the door around her, and then you can think of ten thousand ways to spank her hide crimson, after you have saved it…Sandora now knows everything. Perhaps she can join forces with you: this is why she came. The Academies might know something, after all they work with Stars, right?It was madness then, it is madness now. But after all you shared, the bond you have with the Stilladìa is still there. You will try to contact her and rope her in an alliance against the Sisters.Add a suggestionWelcome back. If the new captcha doesn't stop me from posting on /qst/ ever again, nothing will. While my patience is tested, thank you for being here. Showtime.
WE ARE SO BACK! PRAISE ANSÀRRA, my weeks are blessed again>>6357667>Sandora now knows everything. Perhaps she can join forces with you: this is why she came. The Academies might know something, after all they work with Stars, right?Before we make talk of alliances with the ancap devil we should probably focus on grabbing more brain power into our party, which is reinviting Sandora to Argia'sseraglio manipolo, /ourheathen/ shall suffer from moregirl camaraderie whatever she likes it or not.>>6357660>Anon's spicy pasta that explores what might have happened that night our Knight got her V-card revoked...It was my pleasure to write it qm, knowing you liked it already makes me giddy
>>6357667>Sandora now knows everything. Perhaps she can join forces with you: this is why she came. The Academies might know something, after all they work with Stars, right?Lithala isn't very amenable to our efforts to save Willow, and none of our friends are likely to work willingly with her. Even if we can get our polycule on-side, and Sandora, Rosandra will 100% not suffer the Adversary.Welcome back, QM!
The Thread went up 2 and a half hours early.>>6357667>Willow is the key. Better to find a way to break the door around her, and then you can think of ten thousand ways to spank her hide crimson, after you have saved it…Willow's got a plan right. hopefully we've not inadvertently fucked it by becoming a knight after she told us not to. But it's not like we had a chance not to either.
>>6357697>Willow's got a plan right.>Willow's plan:>cut Argia's connection to Ansàrra with her cool night sword, denying her faith and very reason of being>then kidnap Argia back to earth>while letting Argia's world and entire reality be destroyed by the seven sisters>while abandoning Soralisa and Rubida behind to die alongside everyone else there btwLithala is right, earth really isn't sending them their best, the real alliance between the Stilladìa and Ansàrra will be when they establish an immigration control just for stranders.
>>6357745Stilly would consider Annie one of the worst stranders, though.
>>6357747I'm not so sure about that, for all of Ansàrra's shortcomings she still saved everyone else by exterminating the Kiengiri and keeping the seven sisters at bay,even if the Stilladìawas betrayed and hates how men became too dependent on Ansàrra's blessings, even though they will probably go to war in the next century over their philosophical differences and their vision of mankind's future, I think Lithala can concede about Ansàrra's crucial role for the world's future.Willow on the other hand is willingly going to help Lithala's most hated enemy end her world, all so she can keep Argia for herself in true yandere fashion, while leaving said world at the seven sisters' mercy I'm not surprised Lithala was dismissive about "saving" Willow at all, hell only Argia really wants to save her (after smacking her rear red with her golden right hand).
>>6357778>Willow on the other hand is willingly going to help Lithala's most hated enemy end her worldWhat other option did Willow have; Completing the mission was going to cause issues, so she had to do "something". What should she have done?>All so she can keep Argia for herself in true yandere fashionSo what happens to Willow herself when she gets "found" to be a Strander during the Accolade after the mission had it been successful?>while leaving said world at the seven sisters' mercyIt's not like Ansàrra doesn't have everything in hand, just trust the plan. Willow's probably not necessary.>I'm not surprised Lithala was dismissive about "saving" Willow at allIt reflects poorly on how she would handle things going forward should she seize power successfully. And to some degree why, at least in my view Argia wasn't swayed by her Faustian offer.>Only Argia really wants to save herSo what is it that the others can't see?
>>6357660>Anon's spicy pasta that explores what might have happened that night our Knight got her V-card revoked...I don't recall this, was this posted in the qtg server ?>>6357667>Sandora now knows everything. Perhaps she can join forces with you: this is why she came. The Academies might know something, after all they work with Stars, right?anyway, welcome back OP
>>6357778Willow has legit reasons to far that this is a grim world of darkness where Ansarra is also evil. For a while, some of us were pretty sure Sunmommy was going to kills our silver-haired doofus for no reason, and Willow has the added context of knowing what anime is, what isekai is, and what an evil isekai anime church is.
>>6357697>The Thread went up 2 and a half hours early.sorry momAlso, thanks everyone for coming back and casting your votes. I see there's some lively discussion already (would not be this Quest otherwise). I see Sandora is eking a victory already but I will leave 24 more hours for voting.Thanks everyone for the welcoming messages anon. I missed this.may this thread continue to be blessed by the dice gods.
>>6357667>Sandora now knows everything. Perhaps she can join forces with you: this is why she came. The Academies might know something, after all they work with Stars, right?
Sandora now knows everything. Perhaps she can join forces with you: this is why she came. The Academies might know something, after all they work with Stars, right?At last, you stand.“Can Sandora be escorted on the shore?”Rosandra jolts.“A Heathen shall not be suffered to touch Holy Land with—”“I was a Heathen for a while,” you interrupt, your voice calm.Weird.This game, this dance… you were always so terrible at it.But now the words come out almost on their own. You are just stating what happened. Is it enough to survive this terrifying dance?You hold Rosandra’s brown gaze. You do not expect her to lower it and she does not.“You have proven yourself, Argia Candente. But this does not allow you to break long-held rules out of a whim.”“Do the same rules dictate we should treat a diplomatic mission as a threat?”“They entered Maduan waters.”“And they did nothing to deserve an Eye of the Sun to the face,” you grimly remind her. “At least let’s provide her with better quarters. Not a cell.”Rosandra sighs.At last, you both look away at the same time.“You never cease to be a headache, Argia Candente.”You share a small grin with Rubida, is glowing from the way you handled this.“I am grateful,” the Asterite says, standing up as well. “But good food and a comfortable bed will do nothing for me when the time comes. If one of the Sisters incarnates, the energies inside my body are going to bloom and burst out in a flower of misshapen meat. I had no idea something like this could even happen.”“We will work on it,” you reassure her. “Soralisa, I need you to work with our resident teacher. Try to discover where this pivot might be and how to break it.”You turn to Rosandra.“If we find this place, can we even fight the Worm? You were there the first time.”[cont.]
>>6358483Sandora’s green eyes go wide, and not with sea-sickness.The Inquisitor was there, of course. She had been there since the very beginning, but for Sandora it might still be strange to consider the actual age of the auburn-haired, bandaged woman.“That is a kinder way to put it than most,” she sighs, running a hand through her mane. “She refers to the time Saint Bragia Lacresta dispatched the Worm, six centuries ago,” she adds. “Just to make sure everyone understands… I was in Madua at the time. The attack came like a thief in the night, got us all by surprise. I fell asleep in its maw like everyone else.” She turns her face away, flushing at the memory. “I was as useless as a cut lifeline.”Right.Only Bragia knew what she precisely did to kill the Worm the first time, and you did not stop to ask her precise instructions the last time.Who else could help?You raise your eyes to Her sun.But no miracle vision fills your eyes.Which means only one thing.You will have to work for it.Such is the Will of Ansàrra.It carried you throughout all this, even in the darkest times, like with the Well, when that mask whispered to you and—Wait.“It was a pilgrimage,” you whisper.The other women glance at you, in silence. Only Soralisa seems to guess what you are about to say.“The Well. Remember?” Rubida winces. Soralisa shakes her head.She only arrived at the last moment after all.The only one who was there with you until the end, was Willow.“Those people outside of the Well! The ones with the…” you splay your hand in front of your face. “The cultists! How did they know how to find that spot?”“The Sisters speak in dreams and nightmares,” Rubida whispers. “My uncle suffered from many a sleepless night ere his downfall.”“Well. If there is one thing I know about the Seven is that they would not do anything without an audience. We need to find the cultists and track their movements.”“Those must have been in the past already,” Sandora points out. “If the Worm’s resurrection already happened, then there must have been a great movement of people past the last few cycles. After your friend… left.” She bites her lips. “Are you sure you want to do this for Willow?”“She is my friend. Like you said.”“Ha. No other reason needed. Sounds like you indeed, Argia Candente.”Soralisa clicks her tongue, shares a longing look with Rubida.“We can give her the benefit of the doubt. She was singled out by the Seven. Sunbirther knows what venom they poured into her ears.”“One last time,” Rubida agrees.[cont.]
>>6358484“I will deal with it. You just have to stay with me.”“Where else would we go? Though I would not mind taking a break to kick Astoria in the ribs. Rubida got such a fine hit! I have been jealous,” Soralisa grins.“A proper lady ought to know when to turn silk into steel,” Rubida replies.“So. We find tracks. Movements. Hints. Whatever it might help. Next, the matter of the Dreaming Jewels…”“No, Argia,” Sandora shakes her head. She sits back on the bed, looks at everyone of you. This time, even Rosandra. “We cannot lose that much time.”“But you said…”“If the Seven return, if they open the Door to the Night, it might just as well mean a return of the Kiengiri as a race.” She pauses as a chill wind seems to blow inside your chest. “Have you given it any thought? They want to open that door to bring something back. Someone. We cannot hope to stand, if that were the case.” She taps against her cheek. Just like when she told you to punch her in the face if everything else went bad… “I have taken countermeasures of my own. When I came, I hoped we would have more time, but if such is our misfortune we must ride with it. Luckily for you, I have mastered the art of living without sleep.” Sandora chuckles. “I can be your teacher, at least in this.”We are fit for storms.Your father’s voice echoes in your mind.“I will not ask you if you are sure. Very well, then… we track the cultists… unless someone has another idea?”“It is a desperate move, Argia,” the Asterite reminds you. “Those tracks might have disappeared. There is a chance we might find something, but it is a stretch.”“Can you contact your Asterite colleagues? They might have more hints about where to find the Worm.”“It is going to wear me out, but I can send a few dispatches. I just need a blade.”“Good. At least we have that.”It does not feel that reassuring.Sighing, you look at the sky again, at the silver streak the cleaves it in two.It is still there. Her brother’s pulverised body.As long as that ring is over there, you still have time…But you need to find way to use it in the best of ways.You set your hand over your brow, thinking, doubtful, but thinking…[cont.]
>>6358486The Seven speak through nightmares… you felt their pull from the wound in your chest, but that is fixed now. Unless… Rubida still has her mark on her right arm, doesn’t she? If you follow that trace to your inner world… though that would mean risking a contact with Celaeno…You will play it safe and let Sandora and Soralisa try to find the right tracks. You can even ask Carnaval help. This would keep you and your friends the most protected.Or you could reach out to Lithala. She was always one step ahead of everyone else, besides Ansàrra Herself. And she was already getting prepared. If you find the right words…Or perhaps there is another way. If Argia thinks about Bragia’s early history, she might find a hint… for you to guess.Gave some hints about this last thread that Argia might be able to connect
>>6358488>hintsDamn, Sunseeker, it's been a bit. Uhh...Well, she was in the Night lands when she gave birth to the Worm. Did we have any IC way to know that, or infer it? On thing might be that this place alone is never touched by Ansàrra's sun. As for where in the Night Lands, once could reasonably assume a Kiengiri ruin, as they're obsessed with their lost golden age and IIRC that's also where Bragia and company encountered their Sister for their showdown.Beyond that... I got nothing.
>>6358585>and IIRC that's also where Bragia and company encountered their Sister for their showdown.Nice suggestion anon, if we are supposed to infer from Bragia's early history maybe the abode where they faced Merope the first time could be a hint? At least Argia was present when she saw the whole fight.>Damn, Sunseeker, it's been a bit. Uhh...Kek I'm also terrible at puzzles, in any case if we fail to figure out I say we gamble hard and chat up Celaeno what is the worst that can happen right?
>>6358601We already hugged Satan and got good-girl pats from God, so how bad can a bunch of Assyrian transhumanists who take turns in the cuck chair for the sake of some sister-shtupping isekai edgelord be?
>>6358488>You will play it safe and let Sandora and Soralisa try to find the right tracks. You can even ask Carnaval help. This would keep you and your friends the most protected.
>>6358488To be clear, if >>6358585 fits for...>Or perhaps there is another way. If Argia thinks about Bragia’s early history, she might find a hint… for you to guess.Then I'm going for that. If that's off-base, or in a tie-breaker situation, I'm all aboard>The Seven speak through nightmares… you felt their pull from the wound in your chest, but that is fixed now. Unless… Rubida still has her mark on her right arm, doesn’t she? If you follow that trace to your inner world… though that would mean risking a contact with Celaeno…
>>6358585>this place is never touched by Ansàrra's sun>Kiengiri ruins>obsessed with their lost golden age>>6358601>infer from Bragia's early historywell, damn.I'll start writing in a couple hours.
>>6358488>The Seven speak through nightmares… you felt their pull from the wound in your chest, but that is fixed now. Unless… Rubida still has her mark on her right arm, doesn’t she? If you follow that trace to your inner world… though that would mean risking a contact with Celaeno…
>>6358488There is a place that matches your guesswork.It could actually be two places.But one is the lost wastes of the Kìtum. You have never set foot there, but you know the tales: of the destroyed towers of the Kiengir, their black shafts still burning, still bearing the brunt of Ansàrra’s final assault, when She brought down the Old Sun upon them. The land is choked with teratomorphic dust.A graveyard of memories and tyranny, a few hundred miles to the north of the very Holy Land.To say that it also borders the Sea of Candèa!But no.You should think like a Sister to guess the workings of her mind.You have seen Merope: how haughty she was, to her own ruin. She was blind to both the Sun-Birther’s plan and Lithala’s last-moment bet. So, if you were to come back to life, to finally incarnate after all those thousand years, where would you do it?What place would you call home?What place would it be closest to your beloved, to the ring of silver that encircles the world?And that second place makes too much sense.You have also never been there—but Saint Bragia did.The Sisters know the Stilladìa will fight them. They must have chosen her old homeland as a way to twist the knife even deeper.It is what they would do.“Willow is in the Night Lands,” you mutter.Silence wraps around you.You turn to the spectacle of Rosandra’s face, stunned.“That is… the farthest place from the Holy Land. Why mount an attack when they have to cross half the world?”“It is right under the planetary ring. And it is not just Ansàrra they are fighting against.”“The Stilladìa,” Sandora snaps her fingers. “Right! I should have made the connection myself! Curse this lack of sleep.”“I would love to let our enemies consume each other,” Rosandra growls. “But if it is as you suggest, that would only mean the victor would be so much stronger.”“We cannot leave the Stilladìa alone,” you say. You slip.The silence that follows feels much more like thin ice.Like the sort of treacherous terrain that would have swallowed you whole, at one point.“The Sisters are the bigger enemy. We can focus on the Adversary later. Perhaps even join forces together. For the present.”“You have spoken to her,” Rosandra hisses. “The Trial is past, so I shall not ask myself if she has poisoned your mind. I shall ask you, Argia Candente. Can I trust you?”“Yes,” you reply at once.“Then I shall.” Rosandra holds up her hands. “You know the consequences of your failure.”[cont.]
>>6358884You look at her stunned.“I would have expected…”“Walking in the light of Ansàrra leads us through dark places,” Rosandra explains. “I would be a fool to doubt you after what happened, even if I will express my displeasure if we ever are to breathe the same air as that wretched being.”The seething hate in her voice feels like a river of lava.How ironic, knowing what you know.Perhaps one day, if Lithala desires to, there will be room for the whole truth.For now, you will pave over the cracks.Are you… behaving like Ansàrra right now?Truly Saint Bragia’s heir, are you not?“Alright… alright. We have a plan. And we need supplies, ships, everything. Fastest route! And…”“And we need to know where she is. Where the Worm is.” Rubida raises her hand, attracting your attention to ground you. “The Night Lands are vast. We can’t look under every rock while the world breaks around us.”Your eyes fall upon her right arm.“No. No we cannot. Rubida… I need you to lend me your arm.”Her eyes widens as she covers it with her healthy one.“H-How so?”“There is a connection. Like my old wounds, but that was cleaned up after the Trial. Yours is the last one we have to the mind of the Sisters. I can use it to pinpoint their location.”“You would face Celaeno,” Rosandra whispers. “If I was not used to your bravery being foolish, Argia Candente…”“If anyone else has a better plan I will be happy to hear it,” you add. Look up at the sky.If the Sun-Birther has any revelations for you, it would be the time to share them.But then again, that is your tiny, mannish, animal desires speaking.Not Her indomitable Will.No revelation comes.You will have to do with what you have.[cont.]
>>6358885“I will do it,” Rubida agrees. “But I need a bit of time to prepare. Please.”“You will have it. Sandora and Soralisa, I will still need that check on the cultists. They are going to be there, we need to gauge their numbers. And reach them before…”“You also need to sit down and drink something,” Rubida pulls you onto the closest seat. “You may be made of gold but you certainly are not made of stone. And the only one who has eaten anything so far is our Asterite.”“I… yes. Sorry. I got a little too involved.”“Same old,” Rubida says setting a kiss on your lips. Sandora makes a face like gagging, but you ignore her.“Speaking of things you need,” Rosandra is right next to you, her bandaged fingers tapping over your metal upper arm. “It has been a while since I have seen you swing a sword. Gold does not rust, but flesh and bone certainly do. You need some training.” A glint goes off in her eyes. “And you are in luck: everything falls to its proper place.”You will accept her offer. Rosandra may show you things she would never be able to do anyone else.Actually you would still prefer to spar with Master. And recruit him and Carnaval… Good idea, but finding the Worm is more important. You will deal with Rubida first… after a quick lunch.Add a suggestion. Keep in mind time is limited# # # # # #Well, I'll be! I did not expect anons to connect how Argia should have been able to guess the Night Lands thanks to her experiences inside Lithala's memories. Good job everyone! Making a retarded QM proud... how dare you...
>>6358888>You will accept her offer. Rosandra may show you things she would never be able to do anyone else.Finding willow is all nice and good but Argia will still have to fight her anyway, since it's inevitable Argia will have to face and fight a much more powered up willow I vote for her to train with someone away above Argia's current strength, which is rosandra, master is definitely powerful too, but Rosandra is still a monster hag with a millennium of experience under her belt, she can use whatever rosandra can teach her combat wise>“We cannot leave the Stilladìa alone,” you say. You slip.I know lithala is your oshi Argia but please keep the fangirling to a minimum, you can get your discounted bragia merch from your idol later.>I did not expect anons to connect how Argia should have been able to guess the Night Lands thanks to her experiences inside Lithala's memories. Good job everyone! Making a retarded QM proud... how dare you...it was a good puzzle qm and I definitely have to thank the anon who put the puzzle together by mentioning Bragia's battle with merope.>>6357828>I don't recall this, was this posted in the qtg server ?Nah back then I posted the link in the last thread (#7), I don't really post those at qtg it fits more here.
>>6358920>discounted bragia merch from your idolkek>I definitely have to thank the anon who put the puzzle togetherIt is often a challenge to figure out how the character should know a thing that I know OOC, but I have practice. I'm glad it worked!>>6358888>You will accept her offer. Rosandra may show you things she would never be able to do anyone else.
>>6358888>Actually you would still prefer to spar with Master. And recruit him and Carnaval…Getting a second opinion on the plan and seeing if we borrow a heavy hitter or two could prove very useful.
>>6358920>Nah back then I posted the link in the last thread (#7), I don't really post those at qtg it fits more here.I missed it, so I assume it was after the ending of the quest
>>6358888>You will accept her offer. Rosandra may show you things she would never be able to do anyone else.
>>6358888>“Same old,” Rubida says setting a kiss on your lips. Sandora makes a face like gagging, but you ignore her.I missed my homophobic scholar>You will accept her offer. Rosandra may show you things she would never be able to do anyone else.
okay, 4 to 1, we have a clear majority. Writing.
>>6358888You will accept her offer. Rosandra may show you things she would never be able to do anyone else.You do get a quick lunch, though.You finish the last of your meat while looking at the sea, sitting on the stone balcony of the closest Flame Temple. Rubida and Rosandra are with you, while Soralisa and Sandora are out there on the ship.It was not just the Inquisitor: none of the priests would accept the Asterite, so she had to wait on the ship. At least you managed to get her and Soralisa as many books as you could. They would probably be able to find something… but you will have to trust Rubida with the rest.She gives you a glance, the empty mug of fermented milk and hone resting in her lap.“Better?”“We all needed it.” A pause. “I had started to enjoy the calm, and now this happens. May the Sun-Birther preserve us all.”“Still, I’m glad Sandora is with us,” you point out. “It feels like our journeys were not for nothing.”Rubida gives you a smile, but then her hand goes to rub her right arm.“This might be harder on me than that time you left me alone in the Well.”“I would ask nobody else.”“You cannot, Candente. Do not try to put honey on your words. You are far too good at it, and it ruins everything else.”Was that a backhanded compliment?“Still, I will do it. Of course I will.”You stand, setting the plate on a stone table and reach out for Rubida, drawing her into a tight hug.She hugs you back.Not long ago she would have smacked you in the face for daring to touch her.She used to mock you.All to protect her friends from what she believed to be your curse…Truly, everything falls to its proper place.“I will need you to refine your meditation and focus on your inner world. I will go looking for the Seven, but you will have to hold the door open.”Rubida snickers.“It feels like we are still in the Well, after a sort.”“I do prefer the light out here much better.”“And I do prefer the company.” She entwines your fingers, rubbing her thumb against your palm. “I have given it some thought. Do you still believe that Willow did all that just to save your soul?”“Yes. She is misguided. And jealous. Probably a thousand other things I do not have the brains to name.”“Bother not. I would add a couple thousand more myself.” Rubida leans against you, sets a kiss on your cheek. “But I will admit she was good to me, until the moment she was not. When it comes to being kind, I’d rather follow your lead.”“She does not deserve what the Sisters would do to her. Still. She does deserve what I am going to do to her.”“Soralisa will want to watch—”“Uh…”[cont.]
>>6359577You pull back, redness spreading over your cheeks. You did not mean to—“One thing that has not changed about you. You are still so easy to fluster. Please do not lose that innocence, Candente. Do not let Willow take it away… or the Adversary… or the Seven.”You nod.Rubida gives you another quick kiss, then stands up and walk away.“I will find a place where to meditate and focus. If you two want to spar, it might be a good idea to find a better place. The balcony is quite narrow.”“That will not be necessary,” Rosandra explains.Following her habit, she sits on some narrow spot, overlooking the fall from the Temple’s edge to the rocky shore, one hundred feet below. Always perching like a bandaged crane.She swings her legs towards you and advances, her gaze following Rubida even after she disappears inside the Temple.“You have many noble friends, Argia Candente. I trust the Sun-Birther will be kind on madama Dell’Obertengo. And if I am mistaken, her Anthilian blood will provide some help.”“Have you seen it before?”“I was there before Her sun was born, Argia Candente. I have seen many losses and many pointless victories. Yours have insofar been far from pointless. But you need your sword sharpened.”“I am ready.”Rosandra snorts, amused.“How eager. If that is true, please sit down.”You blink, surprised, but do as she says, choosing the same spot.“Now, dreamfast with me.”She sets her bandaged hand against your face, and at the touch, you feel like falling… falling… falling…[cont.]
>>6359578# # # # # #When you blink, you are not in Madua anymore.It is an open field, red dust surrounding you, all the way to far-off hills that wrinkle dark to the horizon.The sunlight… is different.The sky is darker. A deeper blue, like the inside of a painted teacup. The sun is—it is not Her sun.It is far smaller, paler and seems distant. The light barely warms up your skin.And in the sky there lays a moon… like Earth’s moon?But this one is larger. And from the dark patches on its skin you see the outline of an empty orbit, a hole where the nose would be, the ridge of human teeth… hanging there in the heavens.“You have recovered sooner than I expected. Good.”Rosandra steps out of your shadow. For the first time since you have seen her, she is not covered in bandages, but wears a shirt that falls loose over her slender body, and a pair of short trousers that expose her legs and feet.“What is this place?”Though you have a hint. It does not feel like Lithala’s memories, but it is similar enough.“Why, it is just the same,” she grins. “The very same shore. Ere the sea came back.”You knew Rosandra was ancient. To feel the span of centuries, of millennia… it is a completely different thing. Your knees feel like giving out.“Before Ansàrra.”“There was never a time before Her. But these were the dark years before She drew Her light for us all. Now. Do you have any idea why I brought you here?”Yes.You open your mouth to explain.Something hits you in the chest.Breath and blood and bone bursts out of you. You look down at where Rosandra’s arm pierces you right under the cameo.Your vision goes black.The pain envelopes your like a blanket of thorns.I did not—She withdraws her arm.You fall on your knees.“You are slow, Argia Candente.” Her bloodied hand covers your vision. “Even in dying.”She grasps your skull and—You draw in a breath. Stumble back.Rosandra is in front of you.Not a drop of blood on her body.You palm your chest.It is still whole.Oh.[cont.]
>>6359579“Ah— I… I think I see now.”“Good. This kind of training gives us all the time we need to smooth out your edges, Argia Candente.”“O-Or bash them in,” you sputter. Pain still radiates from where she broke through you like wet paper.She could have destroyed you in a blink.It is only thanks to your faith that you are still here.“Whatever it takes. We are about to face one of the Seven. I am sure you understand the gravity of such an endeavor.”“I do.”Rosandra shows you that smile she reserves for when you manage to impress her.“Worthy words from the pupil of Ibardo Delebasse. I always thought his teaching methods were a bit too soft. Sure you can withstand a bit of rough play.”You nod.Hold out your hand and your sword, the one you pulled out of the twisting tree, appears from the grip all the way down to the blade.“Now, I will make a valiant attempt to keep my movements readable, Argia Candente. Let us discover how many times I have to kill you before you learn.”You raise your sword, taking on the Lion’s aggressive stance.Just another chance to make Master proud.>Combat rolls!>Now, there is no way you can fight Rosandra on even ground, so you will just have to score a 160 to show you are trying.>Best of Six, 1d100+24+18+36 (total +78), Critical on a Nat 97-100. A Nat 1 is not a critical failure>DC 160Best of luck anon…[cont.]
Rolled 33 + 78 (1d100 + 78)>>6359581
>>6359581Rosandra Brusera Da Roccafonda, Knight of Gerofalco+178 with bare hands+166 with any weapon>At any time Rosandra rolls a number that contains a 6 (i.e. 16, 26, 36, 6 and so on), she can count that roll as a critical success. She counts Natural 1 as a simple number, not as a critical failure.>Any time Rosandra scores a critical success, she acts before her opponent.>Any time Rosandra risks suffering any kind of damage, she rolls 1d6. If she scores a 6, she prevents that damage.>Any time Rosandra has suffered any kind of damage that was not prevented, she rolls a 1d6. If she scores a 6, she recovers that damage.>Rosandra has access to any Sanction. She is granted any Sanction at no cost, with no roll. Sanctions cast through Rosandra have any effects doubled and maximized.>If Rosandra embibes the blood of a believer, any Sanction cast through her has its effects furtherly tripled.I have fond memories of when the thread comments debated about fighting Rosandra and what kind of chances you might have...
Rolled 17 + 78 (1d100 + 78)>>6359587GodDAMN.>>6359581Uh, r-rolling... Bracing for impact
Rolled 100 + 78 (1d100 + 78)>>6359581Ahhh I was missing those combat rolls qm, may the dice carry Argia to survive Rosandra's rough play (or fewer deaths).>>6359587>spoilerAnd I remember how Soralisa and Rubida were stupified over master sparring with argia with a blindglass weapon back at thread #3, turns out that doesn't even count as rough play to Rosandra.nice to know that my suspicions about fighting Rosandra meaning instant death were correct, I feel vindicated kekonce again it's a top 3 major achievements from anons that we managed to get Argia to befriend this monster hag, right there up with the quints
TOTAL HAG DEFEAT! PRAISE ANSÀRRA!
>>6359606We even got a six...
Rolled 24 + 78 (1d100 + 78)>>6359606Incredible stuff happening>>6359581rolling just for the participation trophy and for the rare quints
>>6359606>>6359608
Rolled 15 + 78 (1d100 + 78)>>6359587Nice to see this is back sun!>>6359606Holy shit anon!
>>6359606anon...once again, dice carry this quest.>>6359608Rosandra is a Dark Soul boss but Argia is a Bloodborne player>>6360210thanks! It's good to be backnow, I'll leave roughly 8 more hours for rolling, after this, given we have a Crit, I'll add the update. But if anyone gets any more 100 Nat I'll add a small permanent bonus, just to celebrate Argia's awesomeness.
Rolled 17 + 78 (1d100 + 78)>>6359581I'll get this last roll in. We'll give Rosandra our best.
>>6360322good job anon. nice dubs!
>>6359581>Anon gets a Nat 100dice carrying this quest once again.# # # # # #You die a few times.Once when Rosandra hits you in the head—or where your head would have been. Her strike burst it into a thousand gooey bits, a red and silver flower to paint the dust with.But soon you recover.Once when she just jumps ahead, away from your thrust, and lands behind you, grasps you by the arms and breaks your back over her knee, and for good measure she rips you apart, splinters of bone cracking like thin branches.But soon you recover.Once when she just kicks you in the torso, sending you flying high, and when you come back she has the same bored expression on her face, and she elbows your in the neck—That one was almost painless.But soon you recover.She also kills you when you hesitate.When you try to strike ahead.When you try to defend yourself.Again and again and again.Soon you recover.“Getting tired, Argia Candente?” She goads you with a grin.“Perhaps a bit.” You spit on the sand and rise your sword towards her. “It means I will just have to do it tired.”“Good thinking!” She praises you, and then she jumps and Rosandra is just a dark shape moving too fast for your to blink, and she has shattered your pelvis and as you fall she crunches your neck under her bare foot.Again.You are pretty sure it has happened before.But what you must do——she kills you again——is to stand up——again——and again——she pierces your orbit and pops your eye and your brain——and again——and again——and again—And then you raise your sword just right. You step to your right and you smash into her with your golden hand, and—[cont.]
>>6360396Rosandra slaps your fist away, then kicks you in the sternum. Your ribs crack inward, your gasp as your heart gets smashed.Again, then.“Are you getting tired yet?” She asks you, gently helping you stand. Rosandra takes a few steps back, still just as relaxed as when she first killed you. “A bit frustrated.”“How so? Dying is a bit tiresome but usually it only happens once. I apologize if this—”“No,” you shake your head. “I’m just a bit frustrated because I am not learning quickly enough.”Rosandra laughs.“Ha!” She says when she overcomes her mirth. “Truly the Sun-Birther knew what She was doing when I was set on the path that led me to you, Argia Candente. Now, again.”And again.It takes you time to learn, truly. But learn you do.Rosandra’s movements, her tells. You are sure she can change it up in a moment, but as she said, she is trying to stay consistent.When you will face the Seven and their servants, you will not even be given that courtesy.It takes a little longer to die, each time.Like the droplet carving through rock, you find yourself winning precious seconds.Just a heartbeat or two.But—You die again.And then, the next time, you accept it. You are going to die. She is going to kill you.So you relax your body and once more you put yourself in the hands of Ansàrra.And when Rosandra raises her arm to strike, you see it. Your body acts before your brain.A blessing, for sure.Your golden hand dashes forward, catches Rosandra’s bandaged wrist, pulls it forward, and you use her own momentum to slash at her with your sword.Your weapon hits something.“Ah, Argia Candente.” Rosandra looks down where your sword has pierced her skin. She oozes a red-ruby blood which paints her bandages crimson, though the lines from Ansàrra’s own golden blood remains starkly visible over it. “A fine strike indeed.”“S-Sorry,” you say, this time because your tongue is faster than your brain.Rosandra laughs again. She pulls her arm back and the wound closes itself. Her blood comes back into her veins. Everything is as it had been.“How proper of you to apologize. I hope this means you do not consider me an enemy.”“No.”“Not even after all the times I killed you?”“This was just training.”She nods.“Now—how do you feel?”[cont.]
>>6360397Strange question. You check yourself.Your body feels lighter.Your arms stronger.And your aim more precise.“A bit… perhaps a bit better than before?”“Just a bit better,” she smirks.“Training seems to work, then.”“You tell me. This has certainly improved you already. Now… I have my own ideas, but you were the one who faced this Willow Stark. I know she is highly-regarded as a skirmisher, and yet you seem to fear her for different reasons. Perhaps I can teach you something else, next?”Has she ever faced one of the Seven? Any specific suggestions? Besides what you already know…You are mostly worried about ways to save Willow herself. The real battle will inside her heart and for her heart. Has there ever been someone who came into the light of Ansàrra after abandoning it?Perhaps just more melee training. (if choosing this option, repeat a roll: 1d100+81, DC 170)Add a suggestion or request # # # # # #>Your skill with your sword has greatly increased! You gain +2 for passing Rosandra’s challenge, and a further +1 for doing so with a flair (total: +3, see updated character sheet)
>>6360398>You are mostly worried about ways to save Willow herself. The real battle will inside her heart and for her heart. Has there ever been someone who came into the light of Ansàrra after abandoning it?
>>6360398>You are mostly worried about ways to save Willow herself. The real battle will inside her heart and for her heart. Has there ever been someone who came into the light of Ansàrra after abandoning it?We did see Rosandra proselytizing to the Throneland's villagers after healing them two threads ago, Rosandra must have some experience in dealing with heathens's countless fears and doubts over Ansàrra's intentions by using more than just the threat of overwhelming violence.>>Your skill with your sword has greatly increased! You gain +2 for passing Rosandra’s challenge, and a further +1 for doing so with a flair (total: +3, see updated character sheet)Sweet, even sweeter to see that number in the character sheet qm (and all it took was Argia dying countless times until she memorized Rosandra's moveset like a true Bloodborne player), makes me tempted to train again just to see if Argia can get a bigger drop of blood from Rosandra, but frens come first
>>6360398>Has she ever faced one of the Seven? Any specific suggestions? Besides what you already know…Rosandra is terrifying and especially eager to torture apostates. I really don't think she's the one to ask about Willow's immortal soul, or prospects of living to again see the Sunbirther's mercy and set foot on Her Holy Land's soft soil. She'll just be like "lol, no, stick her on a spike and parade her around as a warning to those who haven't strayed already."
>>6360398>>You are mostly worried about ways to save Willow herself. The real battle will inside her heart and for her heart. Has there ever been someone who came into the light of Ansàrra after abandoning it?
>>6360398You are mostly worried about ways to save Willow herself. The real battle will be inside her heart and for her heart. Has there ever been someone who came into the light of Ansàrra after abandoning it?You lower your sword, looking around yourself, at a world without Ansàrra.Or rather, at a world before She was revealed.The blasted surface of the Moon. Was this Her brother’s form, ere She pulverized him?This is an unkind place.And kindness is not something you would associate with Rosandra.Yet, a memory stirs. Back in the Thronelands, when she did set you and your friends off to a completely unnecessary mission, all to free those villagers from the serpent men.It certainly allowed her to better understand your character, but she did it unprompted.And when you told her about the cultists, she refused to go and butcher them on the spot, even if that was what you expected.Maybe she will surprise you once more.“There is one thing.”She nods, waiting for your words.“I was thinking of Willow.”The crease on her brow shows you are walking on thin ice again.“She used to be on our side, if barely. Is there a way to bring her back? Will Ansàrra accept her if I manage to get through to her?” You look at your golden hand.The two entwined squares on your back pulsate.You suffered through all this and more, and gladly so. Surely at this point Willow will understand that your faith is stronger than her fear.“Faith cannot be imposed.” Rosandra crosses her arms over her chest. “A believer’s house can be taken away. Their belongings, their friends, their family. Their life, even.”For a moment you are back on the Temple, that flash of molten gold falling upon you like the final curtain.“But their faith cannot. And as such, it cannot be given by others. If this girl wants to come back to the Sun-Birther, if she truly wants to, then her salvation might be arranged.”Your heart jumps in your throat.“And yet, it will all be up to her. I cannot lure in no more than you can convince the ocean to jump into your mug.”“Willow is doing all this because she thinks she is saving my own soul. From giving it to Ansàrra.”“Then she is committing a theft. Robbing you of your choice.” Rosandra plucks on a bandage strand, tying it back with the others. “Thieves are not known for putting back what they once tried to steal. You would have to convince her.”Your shoulders slump.But how?[cont.]
>>6361243At least your goal is a bit clearer now. Rosandra put it in the right way, you feel: she robbed you of your choice, in the depths of the Temple of Saint Bragia.Now she is doing even worse, accomplice in the theft of the world.The only thing she cares about is you.And only because she wants to prevent Ansàrra from stealing your soul. Which She never did…… in fact this entire ordeal with the Stilladìa and the cameo and all the truths you had to go through only happened because you had the freedom to do so.So you will have to make Willow understand you did all this by yourself.Uh.She is going to be thrilled.“Has it ever happened? For someone to come back to Ansàrra.”Rosandra breathes through her nose. She gives you another of her looks, but it’s as if she’s looking inwards.“The Sun-Birther’s grace is boundless. It has happened. More than once. Often even the most foolish do turn right.”“Oh.”“Oh indeed, Argia Candente.” She raises her face to look at the sky. Not at the pale haphazard sun, but at the one that will take its place. Hers. “This Willow may have been ensnared by the Seven, but she has robbed you of choice indeed. Until she gives it back, there will be no helping her. Not even from you.”“I… I see.”How typical of Rosandra. Cleaving right through everything, reaching the core of things.Now you just have to convince Willow to listen to you.How are you even going to do anything like that, you wonder…Your hand coils around your cameo.Well.Perhaps the way you have done anything else so far.You’ll just do it.“Now, there is one more thing that—” Rosandra trails off. She blinks. Raises her hand.[cont.]
>>6361244# # # # # #You blink.Rosandra takes her hand away from your face.Sunlight on your skin.The right kind. Warm, golden and welcome. You are in your own time once more.And from above the Temple comes the whooshing of wind, and a crinkling of crystal.You gasp, looking up at the thousand crimson shards in a shape of wings.At the alabaster-pale woman carrying an old man in her arms.Carnaval touches land next to you and pours Master on the ground. His grey eyes shine like stars and he looks like a renewed man.“Look at you,” he says. Reaches out and pulls you in a hug.“Oof.”“I knew it. I knew it. I felt it in every one of these old bones!” He laughs.You blink, and blink, but wet damp tears still run down your cheeks.“Master—” you gasp.Did he see? Did he see you at the Trial?He was evidently swept up by Carnaval. You might want to share you know how it feels now…You hug him back and show off your golden arm!Or add a suggestion. Master is here!
>>6361247>You hug him back and show off your golden arm!
>>6361247>You hug him back and show off your golden arm!Hey, we get the reunion (and back-up) after all! Good news, anons!
>>6361247>He was evidently swept up by Carnaval. You might want to share you know how it feels now...Master deserves to know /ourknight/ proudly got her V-card revoked>>6361244>“This Willow may have been ensnared by the Seven, but she has robbed you of choice indeed. Until she gives it back, there will be no helping her. Not even from you.”So if we want to change her heart, Willow has to be convinced this is ultimately Argia's choice, that nobody is stealing her soul and that it's freely given.Yeah that's not happening. Even if Willow is convinced that this is Argia's choice she will think that Argia is being deceived and will proceed to kidnap her anyway, I'm already seeing this ending in a fight to the near death and Argia will probably have to break all of Willow's limbs, then smack Willow's rear with her golden arm until her cheeks are darker than her nightsword before a change of heart is an option. mindbreaking is an argument right?Jokes aside at least she will be in the right mindset about Willow's complaints on the custody of Argia's soul and where to start to address them
>>6361299Honestly, I think the heart of Willow's issue remains as it ever was: she doesn't believe in, or respect others' autonomy. She still has that superiority complex where everyone else is "NPCs." She's an edgy Reddit (well, 4chan) atheist, and she is pretty sure she is in an anime isekai world where everyone is as or more mindless than normies back home. Argia is her waifu, but she still thinks she's "christcucked" by an evil Italian woman who has brainwashed her, and she thinks far less of all the other people in this world.Right now, I think that showing her that we are, genuinely, "thinking with our own head" is the answer, and finding a way to prove to her that even if other people prefer not to or don't do so for other reasons, it doesn't mean they and their lives and feelings are irrelevant.We essentially need to deradicalize a femcel
>>6361325>We essentially need to deradicalize a femcelShe a lesbian, not a femcel, anon
>>6361576What did anon mean by this ?
>>6361389She's both. She is a lesbian who isn't getting action from anyone and is a bitter misanthrope about it.
>>6361247>You hug him back and show off your golden arm!Hug him!
the hugging council has spoken...writing.
>>6361247You hug him back and show off your golden arm!Then you squeeze him into the tightest hug you can.He barely lets out a huff. Master is as tough as an oak and just as ancient, so even your renewed strength does little to bother him.You are also fairly sure that if Carnaval’s embrace did not crush him, you certainly will not.“You have become stronger,” he muses, withdrawing from the hug to give you a once-over. “Look at you. Same silver hair, same eyes. And yet you walked through the fire and back.”“I spoke with the Sun-Birther,” you confess in a whisper. It still feels like something you ought to keep secret, or something that happened once in a legend, certainly not to Argia Candente.Carnaval’s eyes widen.“And?” He prompts you.“She was warm. She gave me a chance to stay, but I wanted to come back. To finish what I have started. And to save Willow.”He blinks.Right.“Salicera Fors.”You doubt Carnaval has told him everything about what you did.“But that is why I was training with Rosandra and I will then be busy with Rubida. That said, look!” You flex your right arm, displaying how your new arm glistens under Her sun. The honeycomb pattern like broiling waves of golden heat. “I survived the Trial and got this in turn!”Master’s eyes open in wonder. He passes his hand over yours, unable to speak.“But what happened to your hand?”“I—” you hesitate. But no: he deserves to know everything. “It was burned. By a Sanction. It didn’t last!” You quickly add. “And it was all part of the Sun-Birther’s design, as always. I just…”He hugs you again.Just cradles you between his old arms.[cont.]
>>6361996You go back to that time when he first gave you your cameo, now nestled between you. The day when everything started.And now you are here with Master, again.And perhaps, everything will be right once again.“You’re safe,” he sighs.“Yes.”And even Rosandra and Carnaval decide to keep silent for a while.# # # # # #The shadows have lengthened when you have finished to update Master on everything, while Carnaval and Rosandra are discussing some other matter, giving you two some needed privacy.You told Master everything, and spoke for what felt like hours. It probably was.“So,” he says, leaning forward to place his hands between his knees, his bear brushing against his chest. “When I picked up all those years ago I had no idea you would end up holding the fate of the world in your hands. I would be more worried if those hand were my own.”“Do not say so!” You raise your hands, scandalized. “I just—I did—”“All that was required of you. Which is not little, Argia.” He chuckles. “If I had known, I would have gotten out of that cell earlier. I missed your Trial… ah. What a bother. One more to add to this old man’s pile!” He slaps his hands over his thighs and stands up. “But now we are all here once more. You are planning to leave for the Night Lands, then.”You nod.“I will go with you. And Carnaval as well, of course. As for our Asterite friend, there are a couple spots in the Night Lands which hold Dreaming Jewels proper, or at least some silt. I know a few very kind men who would promptly part with their stocks given the current situation.”You can’t stop your grin at Master’s cavalier way of describing his planned breaking and entering.“That would be a relief.”“Oh, for me first. I trust my fellow man’s kindness, but if things go sour I will welcome the workout.”“Besides the one Carnaval gave you, Master?”“Hear hear,” he grins as well. “You sound like a woman who has learned more than one lesson.”“To be fair, I got taught,” you point out. “Soralisa was, uh, very energetic. And Rubida too.”He laughs, full of mirth and relief.[cont.]
>>6361998“Ah, those two! You have finally found the water for your tree, haven’t you?”“I did,” you agree, turning to look at the Temple’s entrance. Your good mood slowly shifts towards duty.“And now I need to lead Rubida down a dark path.”“You two will make it.” He sets his hand over your shoulder and then helps you stand up as well. “There is a light that never goes out.”You give him a smile.You have seen it.Master stretches himself and then turns towards Rosandra, who is sitting on the parapet’s edge (where else?) as she keeps discussing with Carnaval.“I will join the ladies. As I said I am rusty. Even the movers and shakers were shaken by Argia Candente, so it is my turn now.”He raises his hand, three middle fingers extended.You do the same.“Thank you, Master.”“Nay, thank you Argia.”And with that, he’s walking downhill to join the two others.You look at them for a moment. Three of the most powerful and dangerous people you know, discussing together like old friends.Probably it is what they are.Master has his own trees, after all.You then leave the comfort of the afternoon light, entering the Temple.The Priests bow their heads at your passage.Word has spread.You still would prefer they did not. It feels supremely unnecessary. You are just some country bumpkin from the Sea of Candéa, and that has changed little.You cross into the deeper parts of the Temple, take off your shoes, your clothing, and at last you find Rubida sitting with her legs crossed, her head bowed so that her black hair covers the marble floor.Right outside of the inner sanctum, her naked body bathed by the golden light.Your eyes linger on her right arm, the dark patch of skin where she was marked, all those years ago.[cont.]
>>6362001If the Seven had not interfered with her life, you doubt she would have been as guarded with you at the very start. She might not even been set on her path to become a Knight.You two would have never met, and now—Now you would not have a way to try and contact Willow, or locate their Worm before it fully opens the door that looks onto the Night.As you sit in front of her, Ansàrra’s words echo in your head once again.Everything falls into its proper place.You blink.That felt like a memory, and like an echo.With a mirthful satisfaction to it.You nod, agreeing.Then you extend your arm as Rubida opens her blue eyes. Such a deep tinge. So different from your icy hue. Hers almost look like painted pottery, so thick that blue is.“Candente,” she groans.“I have come. Have you found…”“Just give me your hand.”You comply.Rubida’s fingers slide against yours as your palms touch.You two close your eyes at the same time, and you are falling together into the darkness.You pray that light follows you. You will have to keep that close.>Roll: 1d100+18+36 (tot +52), DC 120 for result number 1 and DC 140 for result number 2. Best of 6. Dubs and trips apply.
Rolled 61 + 52 (1d100 + 52)>>6362002
Rolled 26 + 52 (1d100 + 52)>>6361998>“Oh, for me first. I trust my fellow man’s kindness, but if things go sour I will welcome the workout.”>“Besides the one Carnaval gave you, Master?”Reminder that Argia and Master are pussy bros now>>6362002rolling
Rolled 90 + 52 (1d100 + 52)>>6362002>“I will go with you. And Carnaval as well, of course. As for our Asterite friend, there are a couple spots in the Night Lands which hold Dreaming Jewels proper, or at least some silt. I know a few very kind men who would promptly part with their stocks given the current situation.”Master will teach us how the cavalier's way to loot everything on sight kek
>>6362016They both did their sacred duty as Annie acolytes, and helped train a future temple prostitute
>>6362019Starless Night I'm on a roll lately
Rolled 39 + 52 (1d100 + 52)>>6362002I am just tired from work or isn't 18+36=54 not 52?
Rolled 86 + 54 (1d100 + 54)>>6362002math is off. 18+36 = 54....
>>6362019>>6362110We got this.
>>6362019anon drops another banger>>6362054>isn't it 54yes, I was tired or retarded (guess what)
If there is not a roll in the next two hours I'll consider >>6362019 and write the update anyway. There's still a slot available so if someone wants to try for a crit he's welcome
>>6362002>Best roll: 90+54 (both checks passed!)You are spending a lot of time inside people’s inner worlds as of late.Latest was Rosandra, and you have journeyed through years’ worth of the Stilladìa’s memories.You even visited the Sun-Birther’s.This one though might be a little closer.Rubida is just besides you. She links her arm with you, trembling like a leaf in the winter’s wind.To your right, a garden stretches, followed by a beautiful ripe orchard. There’s a dark-haired child, a little girl with long dark brown hair and eyes shining like blue stones, running towards a tall and gangly man who shies away from the sunlight, sitting under a patio.You have not come here to witness that.Gently, like she was made of glass, you wrap your right arm around Rubida and lead her away from that spot in her past. She shivers against you.Almost the way she made you shiver yesterday, but that was a much happier conundrum, with warmth spreading throughout your body, and Soralisa there as well.This is you holding her. Cradling her.“I—” she hesitates, leans against you. You are just barely taller than her. Rubida is a trained, fit young woman. She seems to weigh as much as a snowflake. “Sometimes I still cannot get over how I used to treat you.”“I thought we discussed it already. I do not—”She grasps your wrist.You let her finish.“I wanted—nothing more—than—” she gasps, takes in a deep breath that makes her shoulders tense. Then she releases. “I could not have Soralisa suffer through what I did. If there even was a sliver of a chance, I would not allow it.”“I know.”“Countryside wisdom, perhaps?” She chuckles, but it feels more like a shudder. She looks at you. “You can look.”Rubida stops.The orchard is dark now. Not the darkness that comes soft with the night, but an inky blot that weighs like sorrow upon both your shoulders.Rubida holds up her arm.Shows the dark patch where her flesh was forever ruined. Mangled and melted.You nod.Brush your fingers against it. Black grime comes off.You pull away, the grime puffs up and out like smoke, it dances, it wafts in the airless wind.Is it strange, how fearless you feel?The spot where fear usually pounds at your heart feels like rock now. Like a solid core that’s been broken, rebuilt, broken, rebuilt.Wonder if it’s because Rosandra has killed you enough times today.Wonder it’s because your friends are all there for you. Like Master.Yet, you know.You are a puppet who trusts its own strings.And like strings you pull at the darkness, then you mutter:“Udu ru umu dili.”Argia is gonna get banned in chat
>>6363551Rubida wails, her teeth clattering as she clenches her jaw.You did not speak in your own tongue. There was no need to.The blasphemy echoes through silly things like languages or words or traditions.Kiengir words make way for themselves.The sun is just another star.The strings react.They flash out towards the horizon, curving through the sky, like dark shooting stars, like arrows from the very bow of Night.They carve black lines and your mind follows them, past the shore and the sea, past the ocean, and then towards a dreary shore, dry land where not even the light of Ansàrra can reach, under the thick blanket of the rotting corpse of Her brother.And there, under the silver cover of the ring, the strings find their resting place.Rubida screams. Does not pull back but she covers her eyes.She does not want to see.You do not allow yourself the same courtesy.A few details stand out.The cup made of entwined flesh and bones.A sinuous shape that reaches up to the sky, gnawing through the upper air. Taking gulps of sky and clouds.And the ruins of a small town.Something lingers there—Your cameo flickers.The memory of a tiny thing.A hand-made medallion. Made of wood, during a feast. A moment of joy and dance, when a white-haired girl, as pale as snow, with eyes like burning coals and black horns, had made it.Lithala was always fond of carving, after all.You clench your free hand. For the poor woman who is inside the pile, for what was left, the tinge of gleeful cruelty. A life gladly broken.With the eager callousness of the people Ansàrra had erased from history.“Please—” Rubida grunts.You understand. She is not made like you, she cannot bear the same brunt, you would not ask her to.You pull away, right before a Presence as deep and vast and dark as the broiling blackness that lays gurgling behind the holes between the stars sets her Eye upon you. You feel a ghost of blue—Kiengir blue.But you pulled away.Barely. Just in time.Before that Presence squashed you like a worm in the mud.Rubida sobs against you. Shaken.Not broken.“It’s over.”[cont.]
>>6363552You pull her into a hug, let her face shiver against your chest. She holds you, holds onto you.“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, it was necessary. Now we know. We can go there.”The spot is clear in your mind, and you could bet, in Rubida’s mind as well.The Night Lands, two hundred and seventy miles inward, where the dry rivers meet, behind the hills of glowing copper, past the burned field.You can see it as clear as the sky growing softer around you two.Stars appear.Not feverish and gleeful like the Sisters. The gentle, inane night lights that speak of simple wanderings.A calm wind carries itself over the plains.You are back in Rubida’s backyard.There is nobody around but you two.“It’s over,” you assure Rubida.She sniffs, pulls away. And rubs at her wet eyes.“I made a spectacle of myself, Candente.”You cup her cheek to dry her tears, when something pierces through the air.You turn to see a black blade, a blade seemingly carved out of the night sky full of swirls and blue and white points of colour, arch and cleave a space for itself.That space falls down like a curtain.Inside, there is a face you have not seen in a long while.Your heart jumps into your throat.Her eyes are the same brownish grey you remember. Her jaw is set.The girl’s gaze hardens when she looks at Rubida so close to you.She still wears her hair in a long braid.Willow’s mouth curves. The smile she gives you feels like a tired, stretched echo of the confident grin you admired.“Caught you,” she says.Well if she’s there, it’s time to deliver #correction.[/spoiler]With Rubida next to you, you are reminded of how she used to think you a hopeless case. Try to reach out to Willow.It’s two of you here. Soralisa is still on the boat, but you can try to buy time and send her a message. She has to be present for this. If choosing this option, please roll a 1d100+54, DC 120.
>>6363554>With Rubida next to you, you are reminded of how she used to think you a hopeless case. Try to reach out to Willow.Correction can be administered once she has given herself over for judgement. Doing so right now will just mean she gets away.
Rolled 14 + 54 (1d100 + 54)>>6363554>It’s two of you here. Soralisa is still on the boat, but you can try to buy time and send her a message. She has to be present for thisAs much as I want to vote for correction, I say stalling for time and letting Soralisa join in is the best call to argument Argia's growth, Rubida's inner world is hardly the best battleground for a duel..worst case scenario willow will be extra mad at Argia for the double ntr kek>>6363552You pull away, right before a Presence as deep and vast and dark as the broiling blackness that lays gurgling behind the holes between the stars sets her Eye upon you. You feel a ghost of blue—Ah I knew it wasn't going to be that easy, we escape a sister's gaze only for her to send Willow to find her scent like an attack dog
>>6363554>With Rubida next to you, you are reminded of how she used to think you a hopeless case. Try to reach out to Willow.We got what we needed from the link, the exacting details of the plans are less so at this point.Focus on her and how she's doing. We've not spoken for a while now, must have been hard. Avoid giving her an easy opening to escalate by not asking about the "why" she did what she has.
>>6363554>You turn to see a black blade, a blade seemingly carved out of the night sky full of swirls and blue and white points of colour, arch and cleave a space for itself.So the blade appeared outta nowhere, cut a portal/opening and then willow appeared ? neat>With Rubida next to you, you are reminded of how she used to think you a hopeless case. Try to reach out to Willow.
>>6363627>..worst case scenario willow will be extra mad at Argia for the double ntr kekSurely Willow knows that Maduan knights are into polyamory? Did this misanthropic lesbian nerd really get thrust into an isekai where she is a total chad-stacy super-knight surrounded by fawning bisexuals and NOT score with Sora or Rubi at all??
>>6363554>Well if she’s there, it’s time to deliver correction.
>>6363554>With Rubida next to you, you are reminded of how she used to think you a hopeless case. Try to reach out to Willow.
/qst/ hath spoken.writing.
>>6363554With Rubida next to you, you are reminded of how she used to think you a hopeless case. Try to reach out to Willow.Your golden hand twitches.Willow’s eyes follow the movement. She winces, her eyes crinkling with weariness.Then she looks at Rubida. At you again. “You have changed.”To think it has not even been a whole month.Since the last time you spent time with her, you laughed with her. When Willow whispered all her secrets to you, while the others slept.Since she trusted you and only you with her biggest secret.“I have been through a lot,” you reply. Your hand moves up, away from your weapon, to brush against your cameo.Willow puts her black sword down. But she does not sheathe it.She takes a step forward, her figure billowing like smoke, rippling like vapor as she traverses the border between inner worlds.Rubida stiffens.“And you have not changed at all, Salicera Fors.” She raises her chin. “Always doing whatever you want. Entering someone else’s world without even asking for permissions.”Willow’s lip purse. She glares at Rubida—brownish steel against blue stone—but neither lowers her gaze.“I am asking now,” she adds lowering her head. “Happy? And that is not my name.”“Unkindness begets unkindness.”“How true. So now that we are all being terrible to each other once again, can you stop it with the passive aggressiveness? Terrible vibes, man.”Rubida blinks. Frowns.“I beg your pardon?”“Nevermind. I came here to talk with Argia anyway.”“Have you shut your door behind you? I have already seen one of the Seven, I do not want to see another?” You ask.Willow turns. The bleeding hole between worlds is still there.She shrugs.“Hell if I know.”[cont.]Willow you USELESS ledyba
>>6364339“Then this conversation is over before it begins.” You drape your arm around Rubida’s shoulders and draw her away. Out of her orchard, out of here. Before something follows that is far beyond your skill to withstand.“—hey. Wait!” Willow’s voice grows shrill. “I just wanted to talk! Honest! I—”You whip your head back. Let go of Rubida and walk up to Willow. She is just as tall as you are, but the fury boiling in your blood makes her pull back a bit. A red flush blooms over her cheeks, her lips parting. Those are the same lips that gave you your first kiss.This is no feast under the stars, though.“Talk. Was there no room to talk, when you left us in the Temple?” You jab your golden finger against her chest, metal against metal. “You betrayed us. You left and you haven’t shared a word since. What have you been doing? Opening the door to the Night! Putting yourself in the hands of the Seven! And all this for what! To keep me from deciding what to do with my own soul? At least the Stilladìa asked!”You are out of breath.Willow looks pale. Almost ill. Her eyes look sunken, covered by deep dark circles.“You are a pup—”You grasp her cloak, pulling her so close your noses touch.Your heart is beating fast.“Do not call me a puppet. Do not dare even mention that, Willow. Or, Sun-Birther be my witness, I will knot your tongue so hard even the Seven will not be able to untie it.”Willow’s lips part breathlessly. By now her flush has spread to her ears and her chin. She’s trembling.Then she lowers her gaze.“You have given in. To your sun goddess. You have given her your soul, wholesale, haven’t you?”“She,” you reply in a hiss, grasping her chin to force her to look at you, because by all that is gold she is making you lose your patience, “asked, Willow. Gave me a choice. The two most powerful beings in the world have spent the last few years playing a wargame with my soul. And neither of them used lies or trickery. You did.” You push her away. Almost to the point of shoving her into the bleeding wound she opened. “And yet I am here to extend you a courtesy you do not deserve. I made a choice.” You tilt your head towards the hole. “Now make yours. Rubida’s inner world does not wait.”[cont.]
>>6364341Willow is breathing hard. She sets a hand against her face. Panting. Her eyes shift between you, your hand—it’s clear what path you chose—and Rubida.“They would not follow us. You are nothing to them. They are just going to take their boy toy and split. No skin off our back, right?”More confirmation that Lithala’s suspicions were true.They are going to try and bring Ansàrra’s brother back.With all that entails.You shake your head.Willow lets out a wail. Like a chained dog struck behind its ears. She turns to look at the hole she opened, at her sword.She hesitates.Raises her sword an inch.Then she sheathes it.Her shoulders slump.She points behind her. “So I poked a hole through Rubida’s dreams. Big deal.”“That is not just a dream!” Rubida shouts. She has stayed silent until now. “And this is the second time you strike me so thoughtlessly.”You sigh.“We cannot stay here. Rubida. Leave, get Carnaval to take a look at it. Even better, ask Master. He’s good with this sort of thing.”“I am not—”“You are.”You turn to look at her.Rubida’s blue eyes widen at the sight. At the way you will not allow her to say anything, to argue, to do anything but follow.There used to be a time when she would have smacked you into a pulp for daring to look her way.If anything, this might mean you have a chance with Willow too.Or at least that is what you want to believe.“You are, because I need you to.”“Candente…”“Now.”Rubida stiffens again. But then she bites her lip. Nods.She glances one last time at Willow.The Strander raises a hand.“I—I did not mean it.” Rubida lets out a long hiss through her teeth. “For real! I did not want to hurt you. Or Soralisa. It’s not like I got off on it! It’s just, well… when you have a goal, you do anything to achieve it, right?”“To the point of betraying those who you called friends?”Willow runs a hand through her locks.Lowers her head again.She would not meet Rubida’s eyes.She tries very hard not to mouth an agreement. But it is loud enough in its silence.“We are giving you one last chance, Salicera Fors.” Rubida shields her eyes. “The best among us is gifting it to you. Squander it not.”Rubida covers her face and she fades away in a cloud of sparks.Now it’s just you and Willow.You hold out your hand.“Let’s leave.”Willow touches your hand.And you two disappear.[cont.]
>>6364342# # # # # #When you come back, you are inside your own world.A secluded spot.A rocky shore on the coast of a vast inland sea.The Mar da Candéa glistens like diamonds in the distance, while the murky water that murmurs upon the pebbles is reddish with algae.The wind carries the scent of grapes. And dry earth.Willow sits on a mossy rock, her legs drawn to her chest. Her sword is still sheathed.“Why did you do that?” She pleads. “After everything I did. I was—I had to give birth to that thing!” Willow’s hand darts to her belly. “Have you any idea how—fuck! Fuck, Argia! It was…” she runs out of words. Her eyes shine with tears unshed. She blinks hard to keep them that way.Willow sniffs and shakes her head. “And now you just gave it to her.”You find a spot where you can sit. An old large tree left here by the last storm.“Why didn’t you say anything?”“What would have changed?” She shakes her head. “Nothing! You are too stubborn! You would not have listened!”“Willow.”“What?”“Am I a mirror?” You point at your own face. “Am I made of glass?”“Listen, I know what you mean…”“That is what I am trying to explain!” You raise your arms to the sky, your rage getting the best of you. When Willow was still just a shadow, a bitter memory, you could try to keep the lid of your emotions close. But now she is here. You can see her, and listen to her, and touch her. And slap her, perhaps! “You cannot know! Yet you dare act like your word was final. You walk with the inane confidence of a goddess. And let me tell you I have met at least two and neither acts with your arrogance!”“I don’t want you to disappear!” She shrieks. “What would I do without you? Y-You are like me. You are the only one who is—”“The Stilladìa was right in this. Earth is not sending their best.”“You—you say that, and yet… ah!” A feverish smile appears on her lips. As if she knew something that would shatter your worldview so thoroughly you will be forced to tell her she was right. “Hey… do you want to know something, Argia? A little secret, just between you and me.”You think you know what Willow is about to say. You will listen.“Your next line is…” Argia is so confident she interrupts.You are not interested. She has to learn she can’t just make it all about herself. Or about you.Add a suggestion.thanks for playing
>>6364343>You are not interested. She has to learn she can’t just make it all about herself. Or about you.
>>6364341>Willow’s lips part breathlessly. By now her flush has spread to her ears and her chin. She’s trembling.Kek, barely a minute together and Willow is already weak in the knees around Argia.>>6364343>You think you know what Willow is about to say. You will listen.Ansarra's isekai is old news already, but why stop Willow when she is making another mistake? I'd rather watch her confidence shatter (again) when it slowly dawns on her that Argia isn't even fazed by the news, then seethe at the realization that Argia not only knew it, she still chose Ansarra over Willow anyway.
>>6364343>You think you know what Willow is about to say. You will listen.>>6364352I must say that I disagree with your framing, and REALLY think we should not ohrase it that way. We didn't choose Annie over Willow; there is no contradiction there, except where Willow creates one. Ansarra is our goddess, our spiritual leader. Willow is the woman we first kissed and cuddled and shared secrets with. Our relationship to Ansarra is not romantic or sexual... And even if it was, we're from a culture of sapphic polyamory, so it isn't a matter of choosing one or the other unless Willow decided to be possessive/jealous about it due to her own American sensibilities.
>>6364343>“Your next line is…” Argia is so confident she interrupts.
>>6364399This is me, by the by.
>>6364343>You think you know what Willow is about to say. You will listen.Things only stop being possible when either party stops trying. And besides she mighty actually tell us something "interesting".____As an aside what is it that Willow would have had us do differently? that wouldn't have resulted in our execution, or death.Argia wasn't given an opportunity to go with Willow at the temple, even if she had wanted too.It's not like we had an answer to Fighting off Rosandra at the farmhouse(even with throne backup), would likely result in death; or worse injuries sustained and still being detained and returned to Madua, whilst giving cause to "fail" the trial, so Argia dies.Lithala was unwilling to help significantly, let alone effect our escape unless we signed a contract for our soul, and that enlisting her help with "saving" Willow was off the table as part of the terms. Which would have resulted in a transfer of ownership so not actually helping.Its apparent that the others were not going to prevent the trial of Gold from occurring, so what was Argia supposed to do down an arm, and without weapons or armor.Maybe she could have jumped from the platform but Willow never turned up to intercede.
>>6364343>You think you know what Willow is about to say. You will listen.
/qst/ emphasizes the importance of listening.writing.
>>6364343You think you know what Willow is about to say. You will listen.Willow’s face has regained some color. She truly believes what she is about to say will have any relevance on how you feel.Nothing but a genuine ‘I’m sorry’ would.But you let her speak. You could bet on what she’s about to say. She has been with the Seven, after all…“Go on,” you sigh.“Ansàrra is a Strander.” Willow’s eyes glint. She pats herself on her chest. “Like me! She comes from Earth, too! So, she’s not a goddess, okay? She’s just someone like you and me. Y-You don’t have to follow someone like that.” The grin on her lips wavers. “Alright? Do you get it now?”You rub your forehead.“I very well knew.”Willow freezes.“Y-You. You what. You knew.”“I have known for a while.” You let your arms fall between your legs, looking at Willow with a rueful smile. “You have not met Her, have you?”“I have!” She stands up. “Back in the day! When—”“What did it smell like?” You interrupt, your voice as light as a feather, yet heavy enough to make Willow hesitate. To push her to sit back on the rock, draw her arms against her chest, making herself small. “When you saw Her?”“L-Like nothing.”“Not like you said. That rotten egg reek. Like asphalt.” What a silly word. You have committed it to memory, though. It really felt important, and now you take it out, wielding it like a sword.“I—I did not pay attention, why are you asking me?”“Because I was there. I have seen Her twice. Once in someone else’s memories, and once She has graced me with Her presence. It smelled like dry earth and wine grapes ready for the harvest. As I told you once already. It smells like home.” You pause, rubbing your hands together. “You are too focused on roots and beginnings, Willow. Things grow and change. I am giving you this chance because I think you can. Please do not disappoint me.”“I—I…” she stands again. Trembling. “H-How can you do all that? For a Strander! For a pretender, and interloper! She’s just some fake in a fake world! Sh-She will just gobble up your soul and forget about you!”“Perhaps.”“Why then?”[cont.]this brings me back to that time in Thread 1 when anon correctly predicted the first of this quest's many twists
>>6364748“Because I put my trust in Her.” You show her your metal hand. “This one is also new. I lost my hand when Ansàrra’s own flame burned me. She rebuked me, as part of my test.”“She did what?!” Willow screams, jumps ahead and grasps your hand before you can even move. Even with all your renewed gifts, she is still fast. A reminder.She is still dangerous.Willow’s fingers roam over your golden hand, playing with the honeycomb patterns and its inlets.“Are you okay? Does it hurt? Where did you get this?”“Ansàrra gave it to me. After my Trial. She has restored me.”“She shouldn’t have burned you in the first place! That’s—”“Probably. But I was the one who decided to touch Her flames. And, when I visited her, She did something else as well.”You stand up. Willow is still holding your golden hand, but your blue eyes glint like finest steel. You tilt your head until her ragged breaths push move the strands of your silver hair.“She apologized.”Willow’s jaw moves like she were trying to drink from a bitter chalice.“I apologized. I just… you would never have listened.”“The goddess you hate so much gave me far more credit than you ever did.”Willow jolts.She lets out a wail.Leans over you. Never letting go of your hand. Sets her forehead against your shoulder.Something wet and warm falls upon your shoulder.One drop, two.It does not stop.“Why not me… why haven’t you listened to me? Why…”“Because you do not trust me. You do not trust anyone, Willow. Yourself, least of all.”“I—I can still save this. I have plans. We can just… we can just be by ourselves. I can show you. I have—I know how to. There’s a nice place back home we can be by ourselves. J-Just the two of us. I can get a job. Whatever. I will flip burgers, I don’t care. I can show you around. T-The internet! I can show you cat videos and we will be shitposting together and it will be perfect and… auughh… oohh…” Willow grits her teeth as she cries against your shoulder. Her hand still grips yours.“I have made my choice,” you remind her with a soft whisper. She jolts. Raises her puffy face, streaked by heavy tears. “You have taken it away one time. I will not have it robbed once already.”[cont.]don't ask me on which boards Willow posted...
>>6364749You pull away, if only slightly, if only to straighten her and make her look at you level in the eye. Just like that time with the Stilladìa in the dungeon. She made sure you had your dignity.Willow cannot make a choice without such dignity.“You can still come back.”Willow opens her mouth. Glances at her side. Then at you.“I—”“It will hurt. Soralisa and Rubida are not happy with you, as you have noticed. And others will not treat you as kindly as I do. There will be a period of adjustment.”“A-Adjustment. Like…” her throat bobs as the last of tears fall off her chin. “Burned at the stake, more like.”You purse your lips.“I have friends in high places. Most high. There will be no burning… but there will be a period of probation, for sure.”Willow knots her eyebrows.You can read what she’s thinking.Bowing and groveling. Asking for mercy from a goddess she does not believe into.Not that it makes much difference. Ansàrra is real, even if Willow does not want Her to be.The humiliation would sting.“It would get better.” Tentatively, you set your other hand on her shoulder. “I can be there.”Willow gulps. Her eyes grow softer.“But the others…”The way she say those words gives your pause for a moment.The rough edge in her voice.Then you understand.“I have shared a night with Rubida and Soralisa.”“Together!” She wails.“They insisted.” A chuckle. “And it was just after the Trial. You cannot complain. You were the first to steal my kiss, after all.”“D-Do you regret it?”“I do regret what happened later.”“That I left.”“That you took away my trust.”“I…”Willow’s braid swings in the wind.Her eyes look past you.Her other hand twitches by her side, closer to to a bundle of stitched buttons and fabric, and also close to her sword…You grip her hand before she can reach her sword.You let her hand wander.
>>6364750>You let her hand wander.I say we walk the walk and allow Willow to make her choice too, doing otherwise will only prove that Argia doesn't really believe that she can change anymore. Worst comes to worst everyone is still with her there, Rubida should have let everyone know about Argia's predicament at least.Funny that once again Argia has to decide if she can trust an interloper with her life AGAIN, just one day after she did the same with Ansàrra. >“She did what?!” Willow screams, jumps ahead and grasps your hand before you can even move. Even with all your renewed gifts, she is still fast.Willow's is so shocked by the golden hand that she didn't even notice Argia's new measurements (courtesy of the sun-birther) yet kek
>>6364750>You let her hand wander.
>>6364748>this brings me back to that time in Thread 1 when anon correctly predicted the first of this quest's many twistsWas it the guy who predicted that Stilly and Bragia were the same ?>>6364750>You let her hand wander.
>>6364750>You let her hand wander.Go for a hug, though. If she's about to aft on jelaous impulse, that may give her pause to properly consider her actions... Also, to notice the boobjob, kek.
>>6364813>the guy who predicted that Stilly and Bragia were the same ?What can I say? It takes a merchant to spot a merchant. "The nose knows," kek.
>>6357826>>6357888The saddest irony of all this is that despite Argia doing her darndest to convince Willow to accept Ansàrra in her heart and that everything can be forgiven with time, she fails to account on how Willow doesn't want to STAY in her world anymore, the mere fact that Ansàrra exists and everything she represents terrifies Willow to the bone, which Argia can't understand because Willow's upbringing is just as alien to her the same way asphalt is, hell Willow would have already bailed and left it under the seven's mercy if not for the fact that her drove her to it is to save Argia from AnsàrraAlas this is a setting where Argia is not only okay with her soul being "gobble up", she is rewarded for her convictions so Willow's entire eloping fails flat on her face.She is probably the only isekai character I saw in recent memory that actively aims to go home after getting the opportunity to do so (but not before bringing her silver haired gf alongside her)
>>6366033checkedalso, very interesting analysis anonI'll be writing now.
>>6364750You let her hand wander.Willow’s hand shifts towards her sword.Stops right before the hilt.Instead, it closes around that bundle of fabric.Your shoulders relax.You have showed her kindness and you have given her trust once more.Will it be enough this time?“I was going to give you this,” Willow shows you what she made. It’s a stitched thing that might, if you were to feel very generous, approach something close to a doll. Or perhaps a—“You made this.”Willow nods.“With your own hands. A puppet.”“You like puppet shows,” she mutters, looking away. “I thought about that night. All the time…”You also did. Not all the time, because between that night and now you suffered all sorts of troubles. Traveled memories not your own. And you have also been killed many times, just recently. But you came back.Lithala had described her confrontations with Carnaval in a similar manner, had she not? Like throwing stones into the sea.In the end, the tide always won.“Well.” You pick it from Willow’s hands and try it out, slip it over your golden hand. It does not fit at all, with three of the fingers too long and the thumb sticking out. And the buttons to the side… “I am ugly,” you squeak, pressing your thumb against your hand, where the buttons are, so that it looks like a mouth that’s speaking. “But I am here for the show.”Willow laughs. And cries. She hides her face with her hand as she folds like bent paper, shaken by her laughter.“…oh… ohh, I missed this. Oh, god. I missed this. I missed you… ah…” “This might be the worst piece of fabric I have ever seen,” you chuckle. Still, you do not take it off. “But it is your effort that counts.”“You…” Willow dries her tears. Sniffles, looks up at the blue sky, at the silvery ring that cuts it in twain. “You are never going to come with me, are you? I could smite you, I could draw you there in chain, but you would never—you would never be you. Oh. Oh, what the fuck. I’m…” she shakes her head. “I’m such an idiot.”Only then she draws her sword.[cont.]
>>6366065The blade looks like a thin, stretched hole, filled with stars and the endless black between them.“I was given this.”“I see.”You do not step back. Nor do you summon one of your own weapons. You stand there, Willow’s puppet still upon the hand Ansàrra burned, which She healed.Everything falls to its proper place.You are still willing to believe that.“It’s some sort of special sword. It’s supposed to break your connection to Ansàrra or some shit.” Willow’s eyes run down the blade. “I wanted to use it to drag you away. You know. So we could be something together. I would flip hamburgers and come back home to you. You’d be waiting for me in a pajama and ask me how the microwave works. I would but you your first cellphone and I would watch you get obsessed with the algo. We would live a normal life.”“I do not understand half of those words.”“Yea, you wouldn’t get it.” Willow shakes her head. “You know what? I even liked it for a while. Playing the knight. The genius skirmisher. I never gave too much thought to Ansàrra, though. She was just, like, this boss thing at the final level, you know?”You draw your eyebrows together.“Yea. Sorry. That’s disrespectful and shit. Sorry. Ah, this thing is still here.” She swings her sword and throws it away.It plunges into the depths of the Mar da Candéa.A white plume of foam, and then—it’s gone forever.“Hnnf,” Willow sighs, her shoulders slump.“You feel lighter.”“I’m really fucking stupid.”“Ugly agrees!” You speak through your puppet.Willow lets out a choked laughter.“Oh, you.”[cont.]I happily notice how the new captcha is slightly less cancer. very slightly.
>>6366066She falls to her knees.The wind plays with her brown locks.She turns her head towards you, and you kneel in front of her.“You know—I can’t. You know I can’t. I don’t believe in Ansàrra. I do not think I ever can.”“What I believe,” you reply cupping her hand, “is that She understands. And I believe at this point it does not really matter. But she knows you matter to me.”“You do.”Willow leans forward. Her forehead touches yours. Praised be the Sun-Birther, she does not try to kiss you.Perhaps Willow has learned something throughout all this.“I could still go back. To asphalt roads and my parents who have probably split by now. And to whatever else is going on there.”You say nothing.The idea does not sit right with you.Even after all this, you do not want Willow to leave.“If you wish to—”“I wish to stay with you. What I do not wish is to share you with Rubida and Soralisa and all the other friends you made along the way because apparently you are a magnet for far better people than me.” A pause. “And especially I do not want to share you with an Italian who got too close with her big brother.”You frown.You are not sure what a ‘magnet’ or an ‘Italian’ might be, but she might be talking about Ansàrra. You file that away for the next time you meet with Lithala and Helias.“But I think I can live with it,” Willow adds. Her shoulders slump. “I’m a fucking mess. Can I stop being a mess alone?”“I can decide, but I can only decide for myself. The others will have to. And there will be some penance involved. Though I can intercede. Perhaps.”“The world owes you a favour just because you exist, Argia. There will never be a perhaps with you involved.”You draw her into an embrace.Still wearing her ugly puppet socket.Willow shakes. Shudders. But she seems to have shed all her tears, so all she can do is pant softly.You might still save her.Her soul, at the very least.But there is more to her than that.“We need to get you out of there.”Before the Seven erase Willow even from memory.She can pretend, for now. Leverage Celaeno’s self-importance. It’s a dangerous move but the only other move you see involves…… asking a certain friend for a favor. The Stilladìa has the means… you will just have to give her a good reason.Or, add a suggestion.well, I did not expect this development at all. I had a completely different structure in mind, but now you can play an extraction shooter with Willow. live.
>>6366067>“Ugly agrees!” You speak through your puppet. Willow lets out a choked laughter.So cute..how could asphalt every compete..>>6366067>… asking a certain friend for a favor. The Stilladìa has the means… you will just have to give her a good reason.Besides the obvious fact that denying the seven any kind of strength is in her interest or the fact that lithala is Argia's fren, or how she can bleed Argia dry for every future favour she will be owned after doing this, there is one more reason the stilladìa could be interested on willow.>“And especially I do not want to share you with an Italian who got too close with her big brother.”Willow SAW Ansàrra, before she became what she is, that's something nobody else had the privilege of every seeing, I am sure willow won't mind leaving open her own inner world so both Lithala and helias can learn more about Ansàrra unfiltered past.
>>6366067>… asking a certain friend for a favor. The Stilladìa has the means… you will just have to give her a good reasonI say we keep cooking with these bad bitches and see what happens
>>6366067>… asking a certain friend for a favor. The Stilladìa has the means… you will just have to give her a good reason.How convenient: Willow isn't prepared to stop being an atheist, and Lithala LOVES atheism! And she still needs a Silver Knight, since we're a golden girl now.
>>6366067>… asking a certain friend for a favor. The Stilladìa has the means… you will just have to give her a good reason.What are we gonna give her, though ?
>>6366347perhaps Willow can share her fanfics?or rather, Argia might try to offer something herself. especially considering her current position and role.
>>6366067>… asking a certain friend for a favor. The Stilladìa has the means… you will just have to give her a good reason.
>>6366067# # # # # #unanimity, so quick update# # # # # #… asking a certain friend for a favor. The Stilladìa has the means… you will just have to give her a good reason.Get her out of there.But how?Carnaval could fly there on her own, but would it be right to ask her to face the Worm and one of the Seven by herself? A shiver runs through you. The mere memory of your meeting with Merope is enough to make jagged shards run through your mind like a broken comb.No.It might not be enough. Even with how fast she is, you need to move at the speed of thought, like time wasn’t even…… time.“Oh.”“Hm?” Willow seems to have caught her breath. She gives you a curious look. “Even if you want to, I can—I can escape on my own. I will manage, I’m…”“I know someone who can help. But it is going to cost us.”“Ansàrra?” She frowns. “I have no idea what I can give your goddess, besides more years of service. If that would let me stay by you, I do not mind.”“No. No, I was thinking of someone else.”Willow balks. Her eyes widen.“S-Someone else? But—after you gave all your soul and everything, how can you think of someone else? Isn’t that like, blasphemy?”“I have given and received. I can still think for myself.”“Oh. I did not expect that. For… for real?”“No, for me.”“Nevermind. I meant… is that true? You can really still just move, do whatever?”“I can probably not flap my arms and fly,” you joke. “Now… you seem to know more about Ansàrra than the last time we met. How?”“I was shown something. A vision or whatevs. From back in Kiengir times. There were terraces and lots of them. Even the Sisters, and Ansàrra as well. She used to be a blonde, go figure.”“This could be useful.”“To this other person? Wait, aren’t you—” Willow pulls back, as if struck by a thought. “You are kidding. You are kidding, right? The pretender?”[cont.]
Rolled 5 - 1 (1d7 - 1)>>6366515It’s worrying she uses the same term as the Seven.“The Stilladìa. Yes.”Willow slaps her hand over her forehead.“But of course! Now I have to share you even with that bitch! I—”“She has a husband and is very much not interested.”“Hm. Ah. I thought. Well, given everything and… uh, you have changed, and stuff, so…” her eyes shift towards your chest.Ah.“The Sun-Birther has been generous.”“Yeaaa… must be from all that pasta. N-Not that I complain!”“Also, the Stilladìa is not a bitch. She has been good with me, even healed my hand back when it was still flesh.”“For real? I mean—really? Because that’s… well, uh. Kind of her. Nice move.”“But even like this…” you pull your thoughts away from Willow’s appreciation. “You were shown a vision. It might not have been true.”The Stilladìa made efforts to show you the actual facts. Everything that happened was real, supported by other people, by what you learned. And by what happened later.But the Seven are treacherous. Still, even like that, Lithala would be better suited than you to parse truth from lies. If not her, Elias.Also, this would not diminish the negotiation value of what you propose.Hmmm… you might truly have spent a little too much time with Rubida and Lithala……but if it can help Willow…And also, you have responsibilities now.You glance at Ugly, the sock-puppet covering your golden hand.Which is still beneath.The Hand of Ansàrra.Maybe it’s time for you to pull a few strings yourself.You will offer what Willow offers: info about Ansàrra’s past. Informations in exchange for safe, quick passage there so you can extract her… and kill the Worm.As above, but you will also throw in another promise: you will not directly oppose Lithala or her actions, not even if the request comes from Ansàrra herself.As above, but the promise will only extend up to Carnaval. The Sun-Birther’s Will is still absolute, friendship or no friendship.Add a suggestion# # # # # #by all means please ignore the roll at the top of of this post.# # # # # #
>>6366516>As above, but the promise will only extend up to Carnaval. The Sun-Birther’s Will is still absolute, friendship or no friendship.>Add a suggestion>And if it's not enough or if Lithala doubts your nerve when the time comes, then with the sun-birther as your witness and on your honor as a knight of Ansàrra you will openly pledge an oath of friendship in front of your master, Carnaval, Rosandra and your girls, swearing mutual aid to the adversary against the seven sisters and bearing no arms against each other.The Stilladìa already knows how much Willow means to Argia so there's no point on her trying to play coy on what Argia can or can not offer her, they both know saying no to Ansàrra is impossible, that ship already sailed the minute she made her pledge to the sun-birther in front of the Stilladìa herself (and I doubt she would respect someone that would willingly throw her loyalty away the minute things become inconvenient).However even if Carnaval, Rosandra or even her master outrank her, she can still think for herself, the sheer sincerity of the act should throw even the Stilladìa off her game at least. >“But of course! Now I have to share you even with that bitch! I—”That is, if Willow doesn't doom the negotiations before they even start.
>>6366516>As above, but you will also throw in another promise: you will interfere if it comes to direct confrontation between Lithala and Ansàrra.>You will also visit her with some regularity.
>>6366516>You will offer what Willow offers: info about Ansàrra’s past. Informations in exchange for safe, quick passage there so you can extract her… and kill the Worm.
>>6366516>As above, but the promise will only extend up to Carnaval. The Sun-Birther’s Will is still absolute, friendship or no friendship.I feel good about this.
>>6366516>As above, but the promise will only extend up to Carnaval. The Sun-Birther’s Will is still absolute, friendship or no friendship.Come on, Lithala. there are limits. But...>Add a suggestionIf she were to make Willow a knight, it would certainly be good fit, and we would be both hard-pressed to ever fight her and happy to visit often...
