Rolled 93

>>22992940
Grab it and throw it right back.

Rolled 14

>>22992940
Start shooting.
Target Priorities:
-Gareth
-Dirae
-Anakata
-Stirge

>>22993008
>grab the sparking thing
How about we just get away from it?

Rolled 54

>>22992940
Shoot Gareth, I want to kill that bitch right away.

>>22993041
Get away where? We're trapped.

>>22993008
Are you deficient? Dodge, motherfucker!

>>22992940
Kick it right back.

Rolled 32

>>22992940
shoot cylinder

with a gun

>>22993087
And risk splash damage? Better just catch it gently.

>>22993104
Kicking it away works better than throwing it back.

>>22993057
We have room to maneuver, surely. That is to say, dodge it.

>>22993117
Better we catch splash damage from it impacting the Forged than it go off in our hand.

Come on, the man -er, woman- knows how we operate. She KNOWS that our first instinct would be to catch it.

>>22993123
nope we're in an alley.

>>22993104
>>22993121
you could roll for the action....just saying...

Rolled 27

>>22993154
I was hoping we'd be able to use the 93 to kick/throw it back.

Anyway, last roll for shooting.

>>22993008
It's probably a grenade or something, but maybe with that roll we can get it to not hurt the mind controlled girl.

Rolled 58

>>22993154
I guess i could. Just don't blame me when it ends horribly.

Astora, seeming to understand what the sparking thing was, dodged out of the way, while the wolves were growling and snarling at the Forged, keeping them busy and stepping out of savage tail lunges.

For your part, you took a step forward and kicked the object, sending it sailing toward the five, where it exploded into light and sound, the crack deafening and blinding them, as Anakata started snarling curses and covering her ears, though Dirae and Gabriel seemed unbothered. Kee, however, was still out of it.

Or so you thought, until Kee raised her hand, frost drifting from it, as three trolls crawled out of the snow, frost drifting from their skin, and their flesh hanging from their bones.
They were the forge workers, you recognized.
They were also all dead, cold, piercing blue lights coming out of where their eyes used to be, as the lunged forward toward Astora.

Rolled 38

>>22993194
Take down the closest troll with a shot from the Sanctis rifle.

Then throw any cold-iron arrows we have at Kee

Rolled 39

>>22993194
Protect Astora, try to shoot the elf, if she goes down than maybe her hold over the girl will go away.

Rolled 74

>>22993194
shoot gareth with an iron arrow

Rolled 55

>>22993194
Where is Gareth? Shoot her, obviously.

Rolled 93

>>22993194
she can handle her self. take out the two big Gs the elf first then angle

all else is secondary with angle gone the forge stop might stop with the elf gone the zombies stop they are prime targets

>>22993260
The last time we said "she can handle herself", she lost her familiar.

Rolled 55

>>22993194
I'm starting to think we should use a tenacity point.

Rolled 89

>>22993194
speak to the wolf familliars
"HEY WOLFGUY, GET HELP SEND OUT FOR REINORCEMENTS; DON'T JUST RUN HERE TO HELP US"

Rolled 41

>>22993333
Not yet unless I roll a 1
Protect our lady. Shoot skeletons.

Rolled 66

>>22993260
>>22993194
Gareth is the biggest threat - eliminate her, and Kee ceases to be a threat as well. Use the rifle, kill Gareth.

With sudden, burning pain in your arm, one of the trolls went up in flame, as Astora backed up, but the troll ignored it, still flaming. You, for your part, raised your rifle to Gareth, and pulled the drigger. The resulting explosion slammed the weapon back into your shoulder, and the slug slammed right into Dirae's shoulder, who'd stepped in the way. Her arm quickly started melting, white sparks eating away at her wound-
And Astora screamed, slashing her claw at the trolls who kept approaching her, regardless of whatever wounds they accrued.

You turn to the wolves. "Hey, Kev! Get help!" You cry.
One of the wolves turned to you and nodded- but then a Forged tail slammed into the base of it's neck, and the wolf vanished.
The other one howled, in pain, covering it's ears with it's paws.

Rolled 20

>>22993280
its cool we got a village full of magic people here some one can heal her if she gets wounded
I rather her hurt then us all dead

also familiars seam to appear when n danger this just could be the event needed to bring it back

>>22993333
I agree but kill the leaders now

>>22993379
not rifle, cold Iron arrows

Rolled 100

>>22993390
Great, now we're fighting Forged as well.

Just shoot Kee in the head unless we have a clear shot on Gareth. Advocating Tenacity point to do this.

>>22993390
Alright guys, stop fucking around. Time to play defensive for our friends here, okay?

First thing's first, get those trolls off of Tori or she's fucked. Second, get her to get Kev the fuck out of there or he's fucked. They can go for reinforcements - we're in a goddamn CITY of gifted.

After that, we can try to focus on the enemy. But if we keep fighting like this, we're going to lose everything anyway.

>>22993443
DO NOT SHOOT KEE IN THE HEAD

>VETO VETO VETO VETO
>VETO VETO VETO VETO
>VETO VETO VETO VETO

Rolled 81

>>22993390
New plan. Take the Forged out of the equation. That is, after all, why we crafted the rifle in the first place.

That way Kev can, hopefully....wait, he's got a human body.

>>22993443
I do NOT support shooting Kee in the head, even with that roll. I do, however, taking a clear shot on Gareth if we have one.

>>22993443
Let's do the Gareth part.

Rolled 67

>>22993390
dammit...

continue to shoot the big G's

<to the weapon>
"hammer, I need you to cooperate with my friend" then hand the warhammer to tori

>>22993443
Shit no. She is not responsible for her actions. Hitting any of them other than Kee is fine, Gareth especially.

Rolled 51

>>22993462
Unfortunately killing Kee might be the only way to save ourselves or Astora.

Either way, if the 100 means we can shoot Gareth, go for it.

Rolled 79

>>22993390
Pull Astora close, make sure she's out of immediate danger.

>>22993507
Stop and consider the consequences of killing Kee for a moment before you advocate doing that.

We'll have killed a witch under strange circumstances which will be difficult to explain to anyone. At best we'll be expelled from Sanctuary, likely permanently. At worst, her whole house comes down on us AND the Castara family, AND every house sympathetic or with something to gain.

Not to even fucking mention that we would be killing an innocent person.

Don't even consider it a fucking option.

>>22993524
Out of...THERE IS NO OUT OF IMMEDIATE DANGER IN THIS SITUATION!

>>22993546
I meant if the Trolls get close enough to start swinging, pull her close, but whatever.

>oh god every time i go to sleep, shit hits the fan big time

do not shoot Kee, i repeat, do not shoot her.

Rolled 42

Grab astora, shoot the forged, have her ride the wolf to safety.

>>22993591

one wolf just got slashed so i doubt the other one is going to be in any condition to run for at least a few minutes.

hopefully losing only 1 of his 2 wolves is only half as bad, being soultorn is suffering.

You keep your composure, taking a deep breath, and raising the rifle again-
But Anakata slams into you, knocking you away, trying to punch you, as you easily parried it with your rifle, and knocked her away, raising your sights to Gareth, and pulling the second trigger.

The second resulting explosion tore through the air and slammed directly into midsection, making her collapse, white sparks drifting from her belly.

Astora's scream suddenly cut off, as troll claws tore into her shoulder, and you whirled around, pulling the slide on your weapon and firing both slugs, as they slammed into the two trolls closest to her, blowing them to the ground.

Two forged tails slammed down toward the second wolf, but, still whimpering, it adroitly dodged out of the way.

Some powerful Force from nowhere knocked the Forged's tails to the ground, pinning them there, and you could see Cedric, levitating, hand extended, with light warping around his hand

"Sky, more witches are coming, and Gareth is dying!" Dirae called.
"That *is* a problem." Gabriel- Now Sky, apparently- said, tapping her chin.

Guys, don't be so impulsive. You are on a text board, you have time to stop and think about what you're typing as you type it.
Don't just panic and suggest the first thing that comes to mind, think it through. What are the consequences of your suggestion?

Rolled 54

>>22993696
Fire at Gareth AGAIN.

Rolled 14

>>22993696
put a bullet in Anakata

then put one in the remaining troll zombie

Rolled 61

>>22993745
I'll support this.

Rolled 40

>>22993696
Switch to bow, shoot Gareth with cold iron.

Rolled 18

>>22993696
Give Gareth one for the road

Rolled 67

>>22993696
Tenacity point to kill Gareth, with our bare hands if necessary.

Rolled 40

>>22993696
Dammit guys Astora still has a troll on her, kill the troll.

Rolled 33

>>22993785
Yeah I think actually *killing* Gareth is what we need to accomplish here.

"Cedric! Keep them off Astora!"

>>22993810
>>22993745

Seconding these.

>>22993834
We only had four bullets in the rifle. So I advocate bashing Anakata as hard as we can with the rifle and reloading.

>>22993834
then maybe help out with a roll? Those aren't exactly gonna do it.

>>22993882
In that case I advocate shooting the undead troll and using the butt of the rifle on Anakata.

>>22993696

Cedric is hard at work with a forged, anakata and trolls need to die (again appearently)

we also need to separate Kee from the bitch-group.

Rolled 90

>>22993696
Fuck it, just shoot Gabe

"Cedric!" You cry. "Keep them off Astora!"
"Will do." He said, and with a wave of his hand, blew the remaining troll back, dashing it against the stone wall of one of the surrounding buildings.
You charge, slamming the end of your rifle against Anakata's head with a savage blow, knocking her to the ground, and making your way to Gareth, grabbing at the slugs on your rifle, loading them in.

That's when Kee's wrist twisted, and the ground below you yawned open, as her Gift of Earth grabbed at your ankles and tripped you.

"There, now you see?" Sky asked Gareth. "If you don't help me, then Abel here is going to kill you. If not..."
"Fine." Gareth spat, the widening hole in her torso sparking as you kicked at the stone around your ankles. "I'll help."
"Okay then." Sky said, and gave her a smile. She snapped her fingers, and Gareth, Kee, and Anakata vanished, leaving just her and Dirae still there. Reality twisted, and looked like it wasn't real for a moment- like it was painted on the inside of a sphere.
Slamming your rifle butt against the stone holding your ankle there, you smashed your way free, getting to your feet again.
"Thanks for your help with winning her over." Gabriel- Now Sky- said.

Rolled 78

>>22993974
Shoot Sky/Gabe with the Kraken arrow.

>>22993974
Burn a tenacity point to absorb Dirae. She's a shard, right? Maybe we can retrieve shards even if they aren't ours.

Rolled 2

>>22993974
Well that went fucking terribly.

People, we have two tenacity points. At parts like that we need to be willing to spend them.

Rolled 54

>>22993999
thisthisthis
Use a tenacity if needed.

>>22993974

shooting either of them now won't really help unless Sky is actually using her real body...

i'm willing to to spend points if it means significantly hurting Sky from which she can't easily recover.

>>22993974
Garbriel, return that girl immediately.

>>22993974
"You're cheating. Return Kee unharmed and I won't cheat back."

>>22993999
>>22994009
>>22994019
>>22994043
>>22994037
So it seems like we're pretty much in agreement to use a tenacity point, but we need to think this through. Can Dirae teleport? We don't know. We might want to stab Gaberiel with the Kraken arrow, and then snap Dirae's neck or something, otherwise kill her or incapacitate her.

Rolled 22

>>22994088
Yeah but it won't do anything. We've killed Sky/Gabe multiple times now, the arrow will just mean she can't move and then just teleport away.

>>22994084
Seconding this.

>>22994102
Sky/Gabe said previously 'She'd even use her real body'. The implication being that previously her/his body was fake. This will be the first time we'd killed them since that incident.

>>22994088
Use it to get Kee back then, because using it to kill Gabe or Dirae wont work.

Rolled 37

>>22994123
We shot her in the head seconds after she started using her real body.

>>22994127
Ahh fuck, that's right.

"Gabriel, return that girl immediately." You say, drawing your bow, kraken arrow set into it.
"I can't." She said. "I need Gareth."
"You're cheating." You say. "Return Kee unharmed and I won't cheat back."

She tilted her head... and then sighed, and raised a hand.

With another snap of her fingers, Kee slammed into the snow, unconscious, the Glamour fading.

Dirae, her entire arm melting away, suddenly gasped, eyes widening.
"... He has a key." She said.

"Oh, goddamnit." Sky said vehemently, and raised her hand to snap her fingers again-
And you knew, more than anything, that you could slam the kraken arrow into her throat before she and Dirae vanished. But it would... cost you.
>Tenacity point to arrow Gabriel/Sky?

>>22994154
Do it.

Rolled 93

>>22994154
Yes. Fucking do it.

>>22994154
No, it's not time yet.

>>22994154
The end can't come before the end. No.

>>22994154

woah there, she's talking about the hammer isn't she?

do we really want to lose this arrow now?

we got Kee back, and GadeSky seems a tad upset with us having a key.

don't use it.

>>22994154
Nope, the cost is going to be something stupid like someone else dying.
Exabyte is tricky guys, don't take his candy, don't get in his windowless van. He's not gonna give up his BBEG right here just like this.

>>22994154
No, we said we wouldn't cheat if he returned Kee, let him go.

>>22994154
Don't use it. Instead burn the tenacity point to Cheat and teleport Gareth back here.

>>22994243
I'll support this.

>>22994243
We JUST said we wouldn't cheat.

Come on, we're better than her.

We need to make sure Astora is alright, let them go.

>>22994154
I vote No. It's not time, and she may well be trying to get us to do just that - use it before it's needed.

>>22994154
Do it.
Gareth might bleed out if we stop Gabe from getting back there and saving her.

>>22994302
This is why I voted do it.

>>22994276
Fuck her. Fuck our word. Fuck the rules. Cheat. She's been cheating the entire time, and I don't want Gareth out and about fucking shit up. We're NOT better than her. The only thing that makes us think so is our pride, and it will be our downfall.

>>22994154
Voting no, arrows too important to waste now.

Slowly, you let up on the draw, and lower your bow.
She nodded, and gave you a slight smile, before vanishing with Dirae.

There was suddenly the sound of rending metal, and one of the thick, heavy plates that made up the forged's armor shot away, torn off by powerful hands made of stone.

You and Astora looked over to Cedric, who was still levitating there, tearing the Forged apart.
"... what?" He asked, and punctuated the question by smashing the second Forged with his Gift of Earth.

"Kee!" Kavan cried, running up to her, out of the alleyway, before pulling her unconscious form into a hug. You make your own way to Astora, but other than bad scratches on her shoulder, she was unharmed.
"I'm lucky they were undead." Astora said, quietly, as you took out your bandages and bandaged her.

>>22994322
But didn't Cat say we had to use the Hammer and the Spear to kill her permenantly?

We'd be wasting the arrow.

>>22994276
Tenacity points aren't cheating. Nat100s are cheating, sometimes.

>>22994338
"Try and keep the power cores intact, Cedric. I might need them."

>>22994338
"Kev, are you alright?"

He's half soultorn, so we'd best pay him some attention.

"Headcount, everyone say your name and whether or not you're okay!"

>>22994338
Hold the girl.

Fucking hell. That arrow would stop Gabe from doing anything for YEARS.
Now Gareth will be fine, and we've wasted our sanctis bullets for no gain.
You people are fucking stupid. THE WHOLE POINT OF THAT ARROW IS TO STOP GABE.
Also, your samefagging is pretty fucking obvious.

>>22994338

Cedric please make sure it can't move or harm anyone but keep it mostly intact.

i'm going to turn it into an ally.

>>22994418
Where the hell are you getting 'years' from? Exa never said anything about permanent paralysis. In fact I'm pretty sure he said it would last about a day.

For a long time, you simply hold Astora, as she curled into your arms, eyes closed, breathing deeply.
"Kev, are you alright?" You ask, turning to him.

"I'm fine." He said, getting to his feet, his sister in his arms. He looked to the point where his familiar died.
"It hurts, but... I don't get soultorn unless they both die. Leftie will be back in a few days."
"Cedric, try and keep the power cores intact. I might need them."
"I'm just tearing off their limbs." He said.
"We should get back inside." Kev said. "It's cold."

>>22994418
The gain of using the sanctis bullets was in saving the lives of Tori and all her friends. I'd say they were well spent, and I'd gladly spend them the same way again.

>>22994445
Okay, whatever. But it still would have made Gabe stay for at least a day, which is more than enough for Gareth to bleed out.
Now she's fine and we've still wasted our bullets.

>>22994418
Pretty much this.
Although we can make Sanctis bullets again, we gained nothing out of this. We gave Gabe exactly what she wanted with this engagement.

>>22994497
As you said, Sky has her assistants. She wasn't going to bleed out and die, and even if she did, she'd be back again because the only way she can die is some weird shit with the Hammer and Spear.

You're wrong, you didn't get picked, and nobody is samefagging. Get over it you big baby.

>>22994489
"They're not coming back, and I should be here to explain if anyone important turns up."

Try to remove something essential from the Forged so they can't be reactivated without it.

>>22994489
"Sorry about your sister getting involved in this, Kev."

>>22994489
Let's build a gauss-rifle using the power cores when we have the chance.

>>22994418
>Wah, my vote didn't win
>must be samefag
Quit yer bitchin.

>>22994489
"Yeah. Gonna deactivate the Forged first, I'll join you guys in a few. Don't go far, I'd like to talk."

"Yeah, gonna deactivate the Forged first." you say. "I'll join you guys in a few."
"We'll be in Haven." Cedric said, and, with a hand, lifted the wolf and Kev, the group soaring over the buildings. Astora's hand firmly around your waist, as she held you close, you made your way to the forged, reaching into their bellies and prying loose the plates protecting their programming. You quickly pulled out right where their wax mind would be-

And you hear an ominous click.

>Roll for running away from boobietrapped Forged.

Rolled 5

>>22994636
Really?

Rolled 74

>>22994636

get away and shield Astora with our body!

Rolled 20

>>22994636
Run. Like. Fuck.

Rolled 79

>>22994636
Astora and us are dead.

Rolled 24

>>22994636
Wow.

Rolled 43

>>22994652
Of course.

Rolled 77

>>22994636
Great, so we don't get any salvage either.

Rolled 58

>>22994636
Oh shit. Shield Astora.

With one hand, you grab Astora around the waist, lifting her off the ground and running down the alleyway, carrying her and shielding her with your body.

You didn't run far enough.

The explosion sent deadly brass shrapnel every which way, the shockwave almost lifting you through the air, the shrapnel shooting straight toward you--

And your arm burned badly, the pain almost unimaginable, as your entire body spasmed. Flames enveloped you and Astora; red flames, born from her gift, the fire licking at your arms and legs. You tripped into the snow, the deadly shrapnel flash-evaporating around you, the heat doing nothing to you at all.
You were immune to Astora's Flames, the same way she was.

There was a moment of silence after she sat up, looking at the sparse remnants of the two Forged.
"... Abel. Are you okay?" She asked, in a small voice.

>>22994777
"Thanks to you, yeah."

Rolled 6

>>22994777
"...I think so."

>>22994777
"Hey, I'm not dead. That's a surprise." Kiss her.

>>22994777

"looks like... i really won't be burned by your gift." try to smile through the extreme pain.

>>22994777
pretty sure I am...have I still got all my arms and legs?

"Looks like... I really won't be burned by your gift." you say, giving her a strained smile, and she kissed you, putting a flickering, flaming claw on your chest.
"You're right." She said, holding her wrist, trembling from the pain. "You won't."
"... Have I still got all my arms and legs?"
Astora looked you over. "You do." She said, and pulled you to your feet- then she pulled you close.
"I'm sorry I didn't believe you about her." She said. "I just saw a little scared girl, and ... it looked like you were bullying her, to me."

>>22994914
"No, don't worry about it. That's what Gareth specializes at."

>>22994914
No, I'm sorry for bringing my problems here. I just wanted to give you some time, and it all turned out badly.

>>22994914
"You were getting hit by a Glamour so you couldn't see through it, not your fault."

>>22994914
It's not your fault, I should have though the situation through more thoroughly, enchantment is powerful stuff.

>>22994914
"I know, that's what she wanted everyone to see. She was layering multiple glamours. I had never even thought of that before.
C'mon, let's get back to Haven. I have to go apologize to everyone."

>>22994957
"And I have only Veez to thank for getting us out."

"No, I'm sorry for bringing my problems here." You say. "I just wanted to give you some time, and it all turned out badly."
"... I just wish I was useful." She said. "I have the most powerful combat Gift, and I can hardly use it because my familiar is dead."
You hold her for some time, and then kiss her again.
"C'mon, let's get back to Haven. I have to go apologize to everyone."

The two of you made your way back to Haven, through the dark, abandoned streets, and walk in. Namira was asleep again, and Kee was quiet, absentmindedly petting Cedric's familiar, her brother sitting next to her, and Cedric himself leaning back against the wall, eyes half lidded.
"We're back." Astora said. "The Forged were trapped."
"Welcome back." Cedric said. "Toad came by to ask what happened, but she left just a few minutes ago."

>>22995051
"What did you tell them?"

I guess I should leave as soon as Ariana is able to take me.

>>22995051
"What'd you tell her?"

>>22995051
"Shame, would have liked to meet her.

I need a drink, I really need a drink."

"Shame. Would have liked to meet her." You say, and take a seat. "I need a drink. I really need a drink."

The girl absentmindedly petting the kitten slid a bottle to you.
"Vodka." Kee said, and closed her eyes. "Wish we could've met in a better situation. Instead..."
"Instead we're all going to get cold iron necklaces." Kev said. "Not going to let her do that mindfucking bullshit to us again."
"Yeah." Kee added.

>>22995051
"Okay first thing's first, I need a fucking drink."

After taking a nice long drink,

"Second, I need to apologize. Those were my enemies, not yours. I never wanted or intended for them to come here, but they did. And they harmed all of you. They wouldn't have if I wasn't here.

I'm sorry.

I figure you guys deserve answers. So ask, and I'll answer as best I can."

>>22995116
"Good idea."

>>22995116
Take a swig.

"It's a good precaution, though she's probably not going to do much in Sanctuary, probably going to spend her time fucking with me and my group and our plans to stop a crazy fucker from taking over the world with Forged."

>>22995116

cold iron necklaces... i'm going to need some of those.

>oh man, those nice troll blacksmiths. i feel really bad now.

You take a swig from the bottle, as Astora made herself comfortable next to you.
"It's a good precaution, though she's probably not going to do much in sanctuary. Probably goign to spend her time fuckign with me and my group, and our plans to stop a crazy fucker from taking over the world with Forged."
"That girl, with the blue hair." Cedric said. "She didn't have a name, like you. Is that who you mean?"

>>22995116
Drink the drink.

How long have you guys know Gareth?

Rolled 50

>>22995180
"Yeah. Gabriel, or Sky, it seems now."

>>22995180
Revoting to say this:
>>22995135

>>22995180
Give Astora a swig, take a swig ourself. We need more alcohol after today.

"Yup, name's Gabriel, she cheats. I mean cheat as in not following the rules that govern existence, it's annoying as hell. She doesn't like to stay dead.

How long did you guys know Gareth? How long did you think you knew her?"

>>22995180
Yeah, that's Gareth, previously an old guy from the vale, and a few other miscelanious people.

I keep killing her but she keeps coming back.

>>22995180
"Yeah. And she was a he for a while. Was called Gabriel, now called Sky."

"Yeah." You say, and give Astora the bottle. "Gabriel, or Sky, I guess, now. She cheats. I keep killing her, but she keeps coming back. I need to apologize. Those were my enemies, not yours. I never wanted or intended for them to come here, but they did. And they harmed all of you. They wouldn't have if I wasn't here." You say. "How long did you guys know Gareth? How long did you think you knew her?"
"I met her a week ago." Kee said, the arrow in her hand. "Even with the cold iron, that's what my memories say."
"... That was before you got here." Astora said, sliding the bottle back to you.
It was empty.
Apparently she'd swigged the rest of it.
Cedric, without needing to be asked, reached over the sleeping Namira and grabbed a few more bottles and set them on the table.

>>22995282
"Makes me think she had other plans, originally."

>>22995282
She only got out a few days ago, that doesn't make sense.

>>22995282
"I wonder what she was doing here, I don't think she expected me to show up like this."

Drink more, drinking is good for you.

"Makes me think she had other plans, originally." You say.
"Then it wasn't your fault." Cedric said. "They were here before you were. So you have no need to apologize."
"Well." Kee said, taking one of the bottles and prying the cork out of it, frost still drifting from her hand. She upended it, and took a deep drink from it. "At least I got laid. Sorry about that scratch, Astora."
"It's fine." Astora said. "It isn't too deep, and you were glamoured."

>>22995282
Doesn't matter, I released her, it's still my fault.

>>22995363
"You're lucky. Everyone else who she's slept with has died, most of them through suicide."

>>22995363
I think we should just be drinking for a bit. See if we can get Tori to give us a headscratch with that claw of hers. It must be like one of those crazy headscrachers that give you headgasms.

>>22995363
"That's a cool Gift Kee, you always have a nice cold drink. What Gifts do you have anyways?

You got laid and you didn't commit suicide, that's pretty much the first time it's happened with Gareth."

Keep on drinking.

>>22995397
Yes, we're immune to her fire so she could put a bit of heating into it to make it ever better.

>>22995363

positive thinking, keep it up, it will help.

If we want to poke at Cedric, we can ask: "How come Kee's allowed to have a girlfriend if Tori can't have a non-warlock husband?"

"That's a cool Gift, Kee, you always have a nice cold drink. What Gifts do you have anyways?"
"Frost and Names." She said. "One lets me raise the dead into shambling minions, and the other lets me tell what peoples' names are. That's probably why it didn't occur to me that Gareth was tricking me, since she used her actual name. Hey, Kev, where's Leftie?"
"Dead."
"Again?"
"Again. It'll be back."
"Well, you got laid and you didn't commit suicide. That's pretty much the first time it's happened with Gareth."
"Fucking elves." She responded.

You turn to Cedric. "How come Kee's allowed to have a girlfriend if Tori can't have a non-warlock husband?"
Everyone in the room, save cedric, sighed.
"Not this *again*." Kee said. "Now you're going to make him babble on about how I need to become a mother, like that's my only purpose in life."
"I'll stay silent, don't worry." Cedric said.

Namira twitched in her sleep, and suddenly sat up.
"... It's waxing." She said. "... I'm going to go uh... be a bull."
"Have fun." Astora said, with a wave. "We know where the liquor is."

>>22995501
"Sorry about that. Didn't mean to press on it.

So, do any of you have questions?"

>>22995501
"I'll try not to drink all of your alcohol, but I promise nothing."

Get more alcohol, acquire head scratching from Astora.

>>22995501
Speaking of liquor, down our drink.

And hold Tori's claw.

>>22995501
"Anyway, Cedric, just because I'm not a warlock doesn't mean my bloodline is worthless. As I understand it, my bloodline is actually quite notable."

>>22995685
Did we say that last thread? I wanted to say it. So seconded I guess?

>>22995685
yep the old man got around now we gotta find his spear lol

"I'll try not to drink all of your alcohol, but I promise nothing."
"Technically, it's my alcohol." Astora said.
"Hey, I bought the vodka." Kee said. "Even sent my familiar all the way to Kalid to get it."
"So, do any of you have questions?"
"I don't." Kev said. "You have your own thing going, and I've always been able to wing it."
"I can ask later, if any questions bother me." Cedric said.
"Anyway, Cedric, just because I'm not a warlock doesn't mean my bloodline is worthless. As I understand it, my bloodline is quite notable."
"Oh? Do tell." He said. "I'm interested in hearing it."
"But it doesn't matter what his bloodline is." Astora said. "Because I'm going to marry him regardless."

Rolled 73

>>22995753
well, according to Cat, I'm a living direct descendant of Kristoph himself...

>>22995753
Well, I recently discovered that I have a sister down in Atlask, who is the regent-head-mayor-thing. Which is kinda neat. Dad really got around a bit.

>>22995753
"Well, my father was Ezekiel, a rather famous adventurer, my mother and her mother did...something notable, but I don't quite know what, and according to the crones I'm a descendant of Kristoph himself."

>>22995808
Add "and the Merfolk are indebted to her for it" after the mother part.

>>22995753
"I wouldn't ask for anything else. Still, it bugs me that I would be considered ineligible because I'm not a warlock."

>>22995808
No! That Kristoph bit was told to us by Cat herself and we can't repeat that.

>>22995753

"i'd like to meet the person who can change your mind about that."

i suggest trying not to seem like we're bragging about our family tree/achievements.

>>22995808
"Cat said I had rather significant ancestry even further back, as well."
Rather than name Kristoph directy

"Well, my father was Ezekiel, a rather famous adventurer, and my mother and her mother did... something notable, and the merfolk are indebted to her for it, but I don't quite know what, and according to the crones, I'm a descendant of Kristoph himself."
"... A descendant of the very first Order Knight." Cedric said. "That's rather impressive."
He shrugged. "I'd be interested to know if Kristoph's bloodline carries any Gifts."
"... I didn't know about that until just now." Astora said. "That's what Cat said, isn't it?"
You nod.
"That is interesting." Astora said. "Maybe that Spirit of Flame in the mansion knew about that."
"The what?" Kee asked.
"It's impolite to ask about ancient secrets, you know." Cedric said.
"It is a secret, Kee. Shhh." Astora said, before upending another bottle. "I still prefer ale."
"... Yeah, but you're the only one who's willingly taken rosemary." Kev said.

>>22995878
We can't repeat the prophecy, but she didn't say anything about not telling anyone about Kristoph. and if they know that the crones know about it, they won't freak out.

>>22995920
Rosemary makes Tori hilarious!

But we have Ale to thank for her new claw.

>>22995920
"Rosemary never did anything to me or my sisters, so I doubt there are any gifts in the bloodline. But who knows, maybe it's recessive or something."

>>22995920
"Tori on Rosemary. Now that was entertaining."

Chuckle a bit.

>>22995920

i doubt my family has gifts, but we do have a knack for finding trouble.

you, could be a little more sensitive to rosemary than other witches, haven't met enough witches/warlocks who've had the stuff to be able to judge that.

why take it willingly?

>>22996046
Because it gets them high.

File: 1360101401054.gif-(312 KB, 452x339, homestuck___rosemary_gif_(...).gif)

312 KB GIF

i like rosemary

"Tori on rosemary. Now, that was interesting." You say, and chuckle. "But we have Ale to thank for her new claw."
"Her new claw?" Cedric asked.
"He carved it!" Tori said. "While I was drunk, I asked him to."
"Wouldn't that hurt like hell?"
"Yep." She said, and wiggled her claw's fingers, before ruffling your hair with it.

"You need your hair cut." She said, running her claws through your hair.
"Pff, ragged hair is in nowadays." Kev said. "It's the style for warlocks."
"No it isn't." Cedric said.
"Pfft, it makes you more warlocky if you can throw your bangs over one eye." He said, and did so, to show everyone.

>>22996096
"...For some reason I now want to punch you and tell you to stop being a whiny bitch."

>>22996096
Keep on getting our hair messed with, make appreciative noises.

"Then you can't see properly and you look like you're trying too hard to look mysterious and warlocky. Longer hair gives people something to grab, harder to take care of in the wilderness, and I'm not a warlock so I don't have to follow their fashion trends.

Tori, if you think my hair is getting long I'd like it if you would take care of it."

>>22996096

maybe if it gets in the way of fighting but it hasn't bothered me at all... although i would never have it like you right now, no offence but that's just not practical.

Rolled 57

>>22996127
"...even if I know you aren't...it's just this sudden urge....

>>22996127
No need to make enemies of friends we just met.

>>22996191
But it's funny. Besides, we're apologizing as well.

>>22996127
>>22996158
Hehe, I like these.

"For some reason, I now want to punch you and tell you to stop being a whiny bitch. Even if I know you aren't... it's just this sudden urge..."
Cedric chuckles. "Has the same effect on me, too."
"Hey, the girls eat it up." Kev said. "and that's what's important."
"Then you can't see properly and you look like you're trying too hard to look mysterious and warlocky." You say. "Longer hair gives people something to grab, harder to take care of in the wilderness, and I'm not a warlock so I don't have to follow their fashion trends."
"... Damnit, good point." He said. "But you already bagged the best one, so you don't *need* to look good anymore."
"... I'm mildly insulted by that." Kee said.
"Well, you're my sister, so I can't call you the best one."
"Tori, if you think my hair is getting long, I'd like it if you would take care of it."
"I will." She said, and continued scratching your head with her claw. "But not tonight. Maybe in the morning."
She stretched, and then pulled out her pocket watch, flipping it open.
"It is almost an hour from midnight, anyway. We should go let Sansa and Ariana know we're alive."

>>22996096
"Is there anywhere I can get it cut in Sanctuary?"

>>22996219
"Yeah, that's not a bad idea."

>>22996219
"Only if you promise to continue this head scratching in the cuddling room later."

Give her a kiss, grab a couple bottles of alcohol to take with us, pick up Astora and have her carry a few more and wander back home.

Rolled 45

>>22996219
what are the odds we'll be getting a visit or a summons from some crone or other involving the explosion?

>>22996219
"Sounds good to me.

It was a pleasure meeting you all."

Pet Ced's familiar on the way out.

>>22996276
Might want to hold off on petting people, you know, in case it's wierd.

>>22996339
But it's a fluffy kitten, and other people were petting it.

"Only if you promise to continue this head scratching in the cuddling room later." You say.
"It's not called the cuddling room." She said. "It's called the-" You silence her with a kiss, and then scoop up a few bottles, dumping them into Astora's lap; before scooping her up.
"It was a pleasure meeting you all." You say. Cedric gives you a nod, and Kev claps a hand on your shoulder.
"It was nice to meet you, Abel." Kee said. "Perhaps we'll speak again, some time."

Giving Cedric's familiar a pet or two, unable to resist the infinite fuzziness, you make your way out of Haven, back toward the mansion.

While walking, however, you walk past a large Owl, and several Giftless, standing there with their familiars. The Owl gives you a judging look, and then turns to the wrecked Forged shrapnel and the dead trolls- but she lets you walk right past.

Some time later, you make your way into the Catastra mansion, warm once again, a sleeping Astora in your arms.

"Welcome back." Ariana said in one of the sitting rooms, the chessboard in front of her, and Sansa sitting on the other side. "How was Sanctuary? Did she show you to Haven?"

>>22996353
So we ask first

>>22996367
"It was a definitely a good day out until the Forged attacked, but other than that it was fine."

>>22996367
"It was quite nice, until Gareth showed up. She's gone now, though."

>>22996367
"I had a great time, enjoyed myself, went to Haven.

Then Gareth and Gabriel showed up with a pile of Forged, but honestly it wouldn't feel right to have a week without having to fight her, I've gotten so used to it."

>>22996367

things didn't go according to plan but really, when do they ever?

tell her the story

>>22996367
>infinite fuzziness
EVEN HERE THE FUZZY BECKONS, LISTEN WELL TO YOUR GENES, HEIR OF KRISTOPH. FOLLOW HIS MASTER'S WILL AND FIND THE FLUFFIEST.

"I had a great time, enjoyed myself, went to Haven." You say. "Then Gareth and Gabriel showed up with a pile of Forged, but honestly it wouldn't feel right to have a week without having to fight her, I've gotten so used to it."
"What?" Sansa asked.
You take your own seat, setting the bottles aside, pulling a blanket onto the sleeping Astora. You quickly tell them what had happened, and how things ended up. Eventually Ariana sighed, and closed her eyes.
"... I also have bad news." She said. "From the other side. We found a pack of wild maenad, and... well... they said that Eldin was dead. That the Forged killed him. His pride is gone, now, and they've split up into different prides."

>>22996498
Oh no. He didn't run? Damnit.

Are their any Meanad left in Amberway?

>>22996498
"Shit, that's bad. Good thing I wasn't there, huh?"

>>22996498
"Fuck. I didn't like the guy, but keeping the Maenads together was useful as hell. Now we have unorganized roving bands of Maenads to deal with."

>>22996498

well... damn. how is everyone holding up now?

>>22996498
"It's just getting worse and worse."

>>22996498
"I think I'm going to head to bed."

"Oh no." You say. "He didn't run? Damnit. Are there any Maenad left in amberway?"
"They talked about Galatea's pride keeping things there." Ari said.
"Well... damn. How is everyone holding up?"
"Tannis is okay, surprisingly. When she heard that Galatea's pride was making sure people were safe, she calmed down a lot." Ariana said.
"I didn't like the guy, but keeping the Maenads together was useful as hell." You say. "Now we have unorganized roving bands of Maenads to deal with."
"The prides intend to fight the Forged, though, so that's good news." She said.
"It's just getting worse and worse." You say.
"It is." She said. "But... we got stopped, once, by men with ballista. Skiitaran men. They've been ready for the Forged for years and years, and built weapons against them. We should be safe, there."

>>22996640
"That's good to hear.

Do you think you'll be able to send me back tomorrow?"

>>22996640
"I'm more worried about Gabe, now that she's got Gareth helping her as well."

>>22996640
"I should probably get back soon then. When are you going to be up to using the 'Gift of Sticking Your Hand in Rocks' on me again?"

>>22996640
How soon can you send me back? Not that I want to leave.

Is Kale alright?

"That's good to hear." You said. "Do you think you'll be able to send me back tomorrow?"
"I don't know." She said. "I still can't use it at all."
"How soon?"
"... I don't know." She said.
"Is Kale alright?"
"He seems fine, I think. He hasn't been like that since I talked to him."
Astora mumbled something, and sat up.
"... You shoulda' woke me up." Tori said, still rather inebrated, her eyes bleary. "Hey, Ari, I brought a present for you. For you and Sansa."
"What is it?" Sansa asked, and Astora brandished a hand to the bottles.
"... Alcohol?" Ari asked.
"You're both adults, you can handle it." Astora said. "Just don't do anything stupid."

>>22996841
"Yeah, like spike it with rosemary or something.

*more seriously* Thanks for all this Ari."

>>22996841
Keep one of the bottles for ourself, we could use a bit more drinking.

"Don't drink too much you two. And don't spike it with Rosemary until you're older, it's very potent to Witches. I'll see you two in the morning, we can talk more then. I'm tired and I think Tori needs some sleep.

Tori, would you mind directing me to the cuddle room?"

>>22996841
Take a drink.

"To family!"

>>22996935
I think 'friends' would be more appropriate

You steal one of the bottles.
"Don't drink too much, you two. And don't spike it with rosemary until you're older. It's very potent to witches. I'll see you two in the morning, we can talk more then. I'm tired, and I think Tori needs some sleep." You say, and pick Tori up again, putting the bottle in her lap.
"Tori, would you mind directing me to the cuddle room?"
"Okay." She said, with a mischevious grin. She pointed you this way and that through the labrynth that was the catastra estate.

"This is not the cuddle room." You say, looking out into the baths.
"I know. Set me down." She said, as you did so, she gave you a kiss. "If this is going to be one of the last nights we spend together..."
She slowly removed the dress and furs she was wearing.
"I want to spend it right."

The next morning, you woke up, covered in ash, lying in the remnants of Astora's bed, embers and sparks still drifting up from her, floating in the air. Tori was asleep on you, her own clothing charred away. She opened her eyes, and gave you a kiss.
"G'morning." She said, smiling lazily, gently running her claw over your chest.

>>22997001
Kiss her. "Again."

>>22997001
"oh god does this happen every time"

>>22997001
"You're beautiful when you're on fire. But I think both of us could use a bath, and I could use a haircut."

Let's just take a bath, I'm not sure whether we should bother putting on pants.

>>22997001
"Well... that was something else entirely."

"You're beautiful when you're on fire." You say, and kiss her. "But I think both of us could use a bath, and I could use a haircut."
"We could." She said, and got to her feet. Then she sighed.
"I'll need to pull another bed out of storage." She said. "At least now I know why they had so many metal ones."
She gave you another kiss, and then tossed you some pants, throwing a slip on herself, as the two of you made your way into the baths.
"Let's not get distracted this time." She said, stepping into the water.
Even more time later, the two of you were out, and cleaned, sitting in one of the rooms, as Astora was behind you with scissors, snipping at your hair, a comb in her mouth. She swapped the scissors and the comb, fussing with your hair a bit, before going back to cutting.
"Morning." Ariana said. "You're up early, Astora. Sansa's making breakfast."
"Mhmfhmfmhm." Astora said, through the scissors, before taking them in hand again. Snip, snip.

>>22997192
"You're quite good at this, Tori."

>>22997192
"Morning Ari, did you and Sansa enjoy the alcohol? How are you feeling, manage to avoid the hangover?"

"You're quite good at this, Tori."
"Mfm fmhmrm." She said.
"She used to cut my hair for me." Ariana said. "Well, she still does, but not since my coming of age."
"Did you and Sansa enjoy the alcohol? How are you feeling? Manage to avoid the hangover?"
"I did, but... Sansa didn't. She had... way too much." Ariana said. "She was hilarious with her Gift of Flow, though. She'd trip over a chair and then do some kind of flip and land on her feet."

The goat in the corner made some kind of tired bleating noise.
"You can't headbutt me or your headache'll get worse." Ariana said, waving a finger and stuck out her tongue at the goat. It just sighed.

>>22997326
"Looks like I'll be safe for today then."

>>22997326
"Try the goat cure for hangovers. Ram a wall with your head until you're numb."

>>22997326
"The cure for hangovers is always more alcohol."

>>22997326
"Did you find the Goat Tunnels in your drunken state? Just stumble into them?"

"Looks like I'll be safe for today, then." You say, before Astora threw a towel on your head.
"Done!" She said, and started rubbing the towel against your head, wiping away all the cut hairs. With a twinge of pain on your upper arm, all the shorn hair burned away.
She whipped the towel away, and gave you a straight, even look- and then a grin.
"You look nice." She said.
"... Hey, Astora?" Ari asked.
"Hm?"
"... I just want to say that you look... a lot better. Than you did. A lot healthier."
"... It doesn't hurt anymore." She said. "I was able to sleep. I'm not... not as soultorn as I was."
You suddenly got an image of the shattered mirror, the cracks slowly fading.

>>22997500
"Hopefully it won't be long until you get your familiar back, in that case."

>>22997500
"It won't be long now."

>>22997500
"Hopefully it fixes itself completely soon. You'll be okay, you're strong.

I wonder how everyone reacts when you're better faster than they possibly could have expected."

>>22997500
Might I suggest, when we have a quiet moment with Ari, that we tell her about the mirrors? After all, it was her Gift that woke this particular talent, and she's trustworhy.

"Hopefully, it won't be long until you get your familiar back, in that case."
"Due to... what you did." Astora said, and you nodded.
"Due to what?" Ariana asked.
"... I'd like if you didn't ask, Ari." Tori said. "For... a similar reason why you asked me not to ask about your final gift."
"Oh! Okay, I won't ask." Ariana said.

You turn down to the goat. "Did you find the Goat Tunnels in your drunken state? Just stumble into them?"
The goat slammed into your knee, knocking you to the ground and bruising your shin- again- before curling up into a ball.

>>22997659
"Ask yourself, Sansa, was it worth it? The final headbutt, was it worth the pain?"

>>22997659
"Ha, totally worth it. You'll never find the Goat Tunnels and the secret Goat Tower with that attitude.

So Tori, shall we get breakfast?"

"Hah, totally worth it." You say. "You'll never find the goat tunnels and secret goat tower with that attitude."
The goat's next bleat promised death.
"So, Tori, shall we get breakfast?"
"We shall." She said, as Ariana picked up the goat.

You all moved to the dining room, and Sansa was already there, pancakes sitting on everyone's plate, complete with butter. She was quiet, grumbling to herself and scooping plenty of jam onto hers, as Astora took a seat across from you.

>>22997756
Ticle the goat.

>>22997756
"Thank you for cooking these, Sansa."

>>22997756
"Oooh, pancakes. Thank you Sansa, this looks really good.

Try drinking plenty of water, and if there's any willow trees around grind up some bark from them and eat that. It'll make you feel better."

"Ooh, pancakes. Thank you for cooking these, Sansa. This looks really good." You say, and she simply nodded, heaping more jam onto her pancakes, as you take a fork to yours.
"Try drinking plenty of water, and if there's any willow trees around, grind up some bark from them and eat that. It'll make you feel better."
"Thanks." She mumbled, and took a huge bite out of her jam-slathered pancake.
"Oh, also." Ariana said. "My Gift of Shadow came back last night. I don't know if I can send you back yet, but I should be able to soon."
"... So I won't be able to keep him another day?" Astora asked, pouting.

>>22997894
"Hopefully we'll at least have half a day."

"How far away from the Skiitaran border are you, Ariana?"

>>22997894
"Sorry Tori, saving the world is important, it only barely edges out spending time with you."

Give her a kiss before returning to pancakes.

>>22997894
"I'll admit, you gave the term "burning passion" a new meaning."

"Sorry, Tori, saving the world is important. It only barely edges out spending time with you. Hopefully we'll have at least half a day."
"Okay, good to hear." She said. "Because I'll need to talk to you later."
"How far away from the skiitaran border are you, Ariana?"
"Well, we passed Dalruan already." Ariana said. "And we're not far from Neras, which is the skiitaran city between the Free Cities and Skiitara proper. We should reach it today."
"I'll also need to talk to you." Sansa said. "Before you go."

>>22998094
"Sansa, is this the type of important talk that needs to be private or can we get it out of the way right now?"

>>22998094
"Can we just do it now?"

>>22998094
"Is there anything else you want to show me, Tori?"

>>22998119

I say we be a bit more gentle with it than this, were going to be part of the family soon which will make her our sister as well, time to start treating her with a fair amount of respect considering she already is not pleased with us.

>>22998094
We should give Sansa a fair ear, she already isn't our biggest fan.

"Sansa, is this the type of important talk that needs to be private, or can we get it out of the way right now?"
"... It's not important." She said. "But it's private."
Ariana's eyebrows met, but she went to eating her pancakes.
"And Tori, is there anything else you want to show me?"
"It can wait." Tori said, finishing up her pancakes, before kissing you on the cheek. "I'll be in the atrium. Don't get lost!"

>>22998230
No promises.

Then go off to hear what Sansa has to say.

>>22998094
"Affirmative"

>>22998230
"Love you Tori, no promises on that."

Finish pancakes and find somewhere private to chat with Sansa.

>>22998230
"I'll do my best."

To Sansa: Is now good, then?"

"Love you, Tori. No promises on not getting lost." You say.
"Love you too." She said.

You finish your pancakes, as does Ariana, before Ariana wiped off her plate and made her way out of the room.
"Is now good, then?"
"So uh." Sansa said. "After yesterday, and the whole Primm thing... I rethought my opinion on you. I don't... dislike you. I just had to say that."

Rolled 2

>>22998290
noted and remembered, need a hand with the dishes?

Rolled 51

>>22998290
"Good to know. Thanks, Sansa!"

Go find the Atrium. Rolling for it.

>>22998290
"I don't dislike you either, you're a nice person and a dear friend to two of my favorite people in the world. Sorry for bringing up the Goat Tunnels so often.

I'm going to be gone for a while, keep an eye on Tori for me, please. She's very dear to me.

Want some help with the dishes?"

Rolled 51

>>22998366
More dice, but I'd rather get lost.

Rolled 10

>>22998366
>>22998438
Double 51's! A mediocre success!

"I don't dislike you either." You say. "You're a nice person, and a dear friend to two of my favorite people in the world. Sorry for bringing up the goat tunnels so often."
You sigh, and she turned to you.
"I'm going to be gone for awhile." You say. "Keep an eye on Tori for me, please. She's very dear to me."
"... I will." She said. "Keep an eye on... well, everyone. If I had better gifts, I'd ask Ari to send me through the shadow to help, too."
"Want some help with the dishes?"
"Golems." She said, , and then tilted her entire chair back, balancing on the rear legs. "Clean the dishes." Then she sat normally again.
"I have them do it." She said. "But now I'm going to go take a nap. My head isn't nice."
"Thanks, Sansa." You say, and get to your feet, as some of the small clay golems picked up your plate.

You make your way out of the kitchen, and, on what you *think* is the way to the atrium, you get promptly lost. At least... until you hear a soft, low song; one you remembered, vaguely. Following the sound, you creak open the door, and Astora was lying there, in the grass, staring up at the sun, singing.
It was nothing like Ari's Song, her Gift of Peace, that made your heart pound madly, and your blood rush like it was exploding through your veins. It was no magic component, no ancient, powerful Gift passed through generations, no legendary ability spoken of epics... but just a simple, sweet song.

Soon enough, the song was over, and she didn't seem to notice you yet.

Rolled 21

>>22998545
"That's the second time I've heard you sing, and I love it."

>>22998545
Start singing a song that we know, maybe one our mother or father taught us, and go see her.

Rolled 71

>>22998545
See if we can sneak in.

Rolled 90

t>>22998583
Rolling for song.

"That's the second time I've heard you sing." You say, and sit down next to her. "And I love it."
"I had a lot of time to practice." She said. "Back when Ariana lived in the tower. Just... five years of being here, alone, during the day, and Haven at night. That was my life."
She met your eyes.
"Did you know that we stopped off at the barbarians on the way up here?" She asked. "Without my dragon, they... didn't care about me. Just the familiar."

>>22998659
"Well, I'm not going to lie. Being a dragon is pretty cool, but you deserve a throne of naked women no matter if you have a familiar or not."

>>22998659
"Does that bother you?"

Rolled 81

>>22998690
...and even then, for me you'd outshine them all...

>>22998659
"Isn't it a good thing you've got people who'll care for you, familiar or not?"

"Does that bother you?"
"It does, yeah." She said, quietly. "I just... I just hate the idea that someone judges me because of my familiar, or because of my claw, or my gifts, or my heritage."
"Isn't it a good thing you've got people who'll care for you, familiar or not?"
"It is." She said, with a nod, closing her eyes.

Rolled 18

>>22998823
"There will always be people like that in the world, Tori."

Embrace her.

Rolled 9

>>22998823
If you like we could spend today down with the barbarians, and I could out barb them all.

>>22998823
"I love you, Tori. I always will."

>>22998823
Give her a hug.

"I love you because you're Astora, not because you have a dragon."

Then sing an old song of our own.

>>22998823
But tori, the familiar IS you. You got it because of who YOU are. That's something to be proud of.

You pull her into a hug. "I love you because you're Astora, not because you have a dragon." You say.
"That's why I trusted you with Ariana, months ago." She said. "Because you don't judge people like that."
She sat there for a while, quietly, before raising her hand to the sunlight, claws twitching.
"... So, here's me formally asking you if you'd like to join the family." She said. "After you kill Gabriel."

>>22998990
Astora would be the one to propose. Anyway, say yes.

>>22998990
Sorry tori, but I have many more women to bed before I get tied down.

>>22998990
"How could I refuse? I'd be overjoyed."

>>22998990
"Sure, sounds good. I'll try not to die."

Rolled 68

>>22998990
"I abel byrne will take you Astora Catastra to be my wife at the soonest possible convenience after the death of gabriel."

>>22999066
I laughed, but no.

Say yes.

>>22998990
I'll marry you so hard you'll be popping out babies like a Browning machine gun.

>>22999106
seconding.

and when she asks "what!!?!" just smile

"How could I refuse? I'd be overjoyed."
"I'm glad to hear it, Abel." She said, and gave you a kiss. "I know I did that horribly, but I couldn't find the books on all the official ways to ask a suitor to marry them."

"Abel?" Ariana said, walking in through the door. "We're just outside Nerull, and Tannis is asking when you'll be back. She misses you, she says."

>>22999188
"Can you tell her I'll be back soon? Just...five more minutes."

Rolled 19

>>22999188
"But I am back."
Rolling to click fingers and be back.