You awaken as the first slivers of dawn break in through the window.

You feel better rested than you did yesterday morning, but you can probably attribute that to your earlier bedtime and the fact that you actually slept in a bed this time. A bed proffered to you by the woman currently lying on the bed next to yours.

Well, lying might not be the right word. She’s more kind of… curled up with her arms and legs wrapped around her pillow. Her blanket is nowhere to be seen, and her sheets are an absolute mess. You never knew her to thrash about in her sleep like this. Sure, when you and Klaus first brought her to the orphanage she had night terrors for a while, and you honestly couldn’t blame her.

The night when you met her was a fucked up night for everyone involved, she had lost her parents in a way that you would not want to see anyone you care about go, all three of you almost lost your lives, and you had to kill a man to make sure that didn’t happen.

You shake your head furiously. Digging that up won’t do you any good. It’s in the past, and in the past is where it will remain.

Right now is the present, and presently you should-

>[ ] -wake Melissa up

>[ ] –at least find Melissa’s blanket

>[ ] -let her be, get ready for today

>[ ] Other

>>38937226
>[ ] -wake Melissa up

>>38937226
>>[ ] -wake Melissa up

>>38937226
>[ ] -wake Melissa up
Sis it time to wake up

>>38937226
>[ ] -wake Melissa up
Wakey wakey

>writing

“Melissa!” You call out.

No response.

You get a little closer. “Melissa!”

Not even a twitch.

You poke her in the cheek. “Melissa!”

Holy shit, what the hell does it take to rouse this girl? You decide to swipe the pillow that she’s clinging on to. “Meliss-AH!” Grabbing for her pillow, her fingers find your shirt instead.

After a few seconds and a lot of struggling on your part, you find that you have now taken the pillow’s place. Melissa’s locked her arms and legs around you, and somehow she’s still fast asleep.

"Well, this probably couldn’t get worse…" You say.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
"Giles, Melissa, are you two in there?" You hear Marcellus ask from outside.

"son of a bitch, I had to say it didn't I?"

>[ ] Fuck it, call him in

>[ ] Desperate times, desperate measures.

>[ ] Other

>>38937707
>[ ] Desperate times, desperate measures.

>>38937707
>>[ ] Desperate times, desperate measures.

>>38937707
>[ ] Desperate times, desperate measures.

>>38937707
>[X] Desperate times, desperate measures.
Time to do the sibling special

>>38937707
>Grizzled dude comes in
>HAHA, youth.

Desperate times sounds entertaining

>writing

>>38937766
Wow, I may suck at describing people. Marcellus is actually like... 20

Something about this Melissa deal kinda bugs me. When she was drifting off to dream land, she murmured something about how she loved Giles... considering her deal with Klaus was just a few years ago, that seems like a pretty fuckin' big leap. Were we the REAL childhood love interest? Was her 'fate designated' man (Klaus) overwritten, when our Devil D sauntered into the picture? Horrible as it sounds, it looks like she's acting on buried feelings.

>>38937992
Eh, it was five years ago. She was just a kid when she liked Klaus

>>38937874
Huh. I kinda pictured a 30 year old dude, with a beard, and a big sword.

>>38938026
Old enough that Giles fully expected them to be doing it, when he was giving them 'privacy'. I think it was mentioned that he found it odd that he never heard any 'sex sounds'.

Okay, think. What did Melissa used to really hate…

Ah yes, there is that. Sorry about this…

Quickly, you wriggle one of your hands around her back where her underwear is. Then you get a good grip, and pull them sharply upwards.

Melissa gasps, and her eyes shoot open. “Giles. What…?” She asks, her eyes still wide as she tries to process what’s going on. “OH MY GOSH!” She screams and starts trying to push you away, but the two of you are still kind of tangled.

“Lady Melissa? Hang on, I’m coming in!” Marcellus says, and you hear the door being unlocked.

Melissa’s struggling ends with you on the floor and her on top of you, straddling your waist. And it is like this that Marcellus sees you.

His face turns red, Melissa’s face turns redder.

“T-terribly sorry, I hadn’t realized-!” Marcellus turns his back on the two of you.
“No! This isn’t what it looks like!” Melissa says.

>[1/2]

“Marcellus, get in and close the door.” You say. This will require some explanation…
Melissa looks between you and Marcellus, seems like she’s still not sure what’s going on herself.

“First off.” You say, lifting Melissa off of you so you can stand up. When you put her down she hugs her knees and keeps her head down out of embarrassment. You locate her blanket and toss it over to her, and she immediately throws it over herself.

“Thank you…” You hear from under the covers.
“S-… so what happened here?” Marcellus asks, still very much red.

With a sigh, you retell what happened in the five minutes since you woke up.

“Oh… Terribly sorry for intruding like that. Didn’t mean to put either of you in that… spot…” Marcellus says.

“So what did you come by for?” You ask.
“Right! Laura wanted have breakfast with you two, so she sent me down to extend an invitation.” He says.

And you thought that you woke up early…

“Go on ahead Giles, I’ll catch up.” Melissa says from under the blanket.

>[ ] Get dressed and go

>[ ] Talk to Melissa for a bit first.

>[ ] Other

>>38938405
>Other
''It's okay, i'll wait you''

>>38938405
Talk sounds good. Get her to open up.

>>38938405
>[ ] Get dressed and go

>>38938405
>[ ] Talk to Melissa for a bit first.

>>38937874
Alright, he's twenty, and has a ponytail (I believe). Anything else?

>>38938405
>>[ ] Talk to Melissa for a bit first.

>writing
>>38938503
He's actually pretty androgynous. And the sword he uses is closer to a sabre.

>>38938626
Thanks, Smiley, good to have that cleared up.

You point at Marcellus, then at the door, then at yourself, then at Melissa.
Marcellus nods in understanding. “I’ll tell Laura that you’ll be up shortly then.” He says.
You nod, and he leaves.

Then you go over to where Melissa is hiding under her blanket, and sit down back to back with her.
“I thought I said to go on ahead.” She says.
“You did.” You say.

She takes a long, shaky breath in, and the lets it out. “You want to talk” She says.
“I do.” You say.

>Talk about
>[ ] What she said in her sleep last night

>[ ] Klaus

>[ ] What she was dreaming of when you woke her

>>38938818
>All options
We need intel, dudes.

>>38938818
>[ ] What she said in her sleep last night
>[ ] What she was dreaming of when you woke her

>>38938853
Aye, this.

>>38938818
>[ ] What she said in her sleep last night

>writing

“So what were you dreaming about?” You ask.
“Seriously?” Melissa says.
“Melissa, your bed was an absolute mess. You and I know that there’s only one reason for that.” You say.
You hear rustling under the blanket behind you, and Melissa leans into your back. “Fine… it was… I was dreaming about… that night…” She says.
“I thought as much, the red night was tough for every-“
“Not that night… the other one.”

The other…? Oh. “You mean the night Klaus died…” and you left. You leave off without saying it, both of you know what you meant.

“I waited for you to come back…” She says. “It was three days before I finally gave up. I tried looking for you, I tried having someone track you down, and even up until I left for Analask I was keeping up on rumors of the Master Thieves.” She says.

She looked for you… you didn’t think she’d do that. You hoped that she would just move on. “I'm sorry... but you shouldn’t have-"You say.

An elbow strikes you hard in the side. “I don’t want to hear that from you. I was worried about you, that's all.” She says.

Things get quiet, and they stay that way for a minute. But something else is on your mind. “So… last night… You kind of… said you… you said you loved me… in your sleep.” It takes a while to get out, but you finally say it.

“I did?” She says. “Are you sure?.”
“Pretty sure.”
“I-... I was probably dreaming about something.” She says.
“A good dream, I hope.” You say.
She pauses for a second, then leans her head back into yours. “Yeah.”

>Anything else?

>>38939677
Go get food and little princess

>>38939677
Cuddle. Cuddle so damn hard.

>>38939677
Say "sorry for being so selfish back then"
Get ready and go to breakfast

>>38939756
This, please, for fuck sake.

>>38939756
Backing

>writing

>>38939756
goddamn it guys, I am in the kitchen for 5 minutes and suddenly you ship Giles with the wrong girl

>>38939981
Melissa is best girl, fellow anon. Deal with it.

>>38939981
>wrong
that's a funny way to spell best

>>38939981
I suspect it's a situation where there's a handful for her, and a lot of apathetic people who aren't gong to stop it.

You carefully turn around so as to not let Melissa fall over, and then you wrap your arms around her.

“I’m sorry for being so selfish. I guess I never really thought about what it would be like for you…” You say.
“Better late than never, I suppose. It’d sound more sincere if I didn’t know you better, though. I just have one question.” She says.
“What’s that?” You ask
“Just what exactly do you think you’re touching?”

“Well, your knees of course.” You say. She had them right about here when you threw the blanket over her… Wait, no. Her legs are down there, you can see them poking out under the blanket. So what are you-

Oh.

“I think I’ll go get dressed.” You say.
“You go do that.” She replies, and you retract your hands and stand up. “Your clothes for the party should be over there.” A hand pops out from under the blanket and points over to where there’s a bag hanging on the closet door. “You can put it on now, if you want.”

>[ ] Party suit up

>[ ] Wait until later

>>38940038
>[ ] Party suit up

>>38940038
>[ ] Party suit up

>>38939993
>>38939994
>>38940012
and now I am out of soy sauce. I bet you guys are responsible for that too.
>>38940038
>>[ ] Party suit up

>>38940075
writing

You try to think of something more to say to Melissa, but come up blank. Defeated, you walk over, grab the bag off the closet door and head into the washroom.

Inside, you splash your face a few times. What the hell has been your problem lately? You’ve never been good with people, but you’re setting some new lows lately. Has Melissa’s presence set you off kilter somehow?

You give yourself a quick wash with a wet cloth before pulling out the individual pieces of the suit and putting them on.

It’s very well made, and you’re surprised that it fits pretty much perfectly. That man… ‘Coswell’ you think his name was, did he make this whole thing without ever measuring you?
The suit itself is mostly blue, and a very vibrant, royal blue at that. The pants and vest are blue, with a pair of blue gloves and a white shirt.

Once you’re dressed, you head out.
“Snazzy” Melissa says, now dressed casually in a short, red dress similar to the one she wore yesterday.
“Just one thing…” You say. You happen to have a few things that will match this.

You go into your bag and pull out a pair of long, brown leather duelling-style boots, and a hat. “There.” You say.
“Ready to go?” Melissa asks.
“You’re not getting dressed?” You ask.
“No, Laura wanted to make a big thing of it so her and I will be doing that later.” She says.

Not sure what the big deal about putting on dresses is. Must be a girl thing…

Not one to pry into the secrets of the female psyche, the two of you head out.

>[ ] Apologize again

>[ ] Ask what she’ll be wearing

>[ ] Ask____________

>>38940542
>[ ] Ask what she’ll be wearing
Although I'll bet anything she'll just smile and say it's a secret.

>>38940542
>[ ] Ask what she’ll be wearing

>>38940542
>[ ] Ask____________

>"So, any plans for afterwards, presuming everything goes well enough?"

I figure to let the dress be a surprise. (Also I prefer Laura.)

>>38940619
True that

>writing

“So, what’ll you be wearing?” You ask as Melissa locks the door and the two of you head over to the central stair.

“Classified” She says, poking her tongue out at you.
You look at her suspiciously. “You aren’t going to show up in that nightgown are you? I wouldn’t advise that, surprising one person with how little you’re w-OW, ow, ow, ow okay, okay. I’ll stop.” You say, before one of Melissa’s hands gets your nipple in a deathgrip and twists.

“Seriously, if you’re going to be like this all night…” She says, looking exhausted already.
“Alright, I promise to behave… now can you please stop that?” You ask.
Melissa eyes you strangely, before giving you one last VERY HARD twist and letting go. “You can consider that punishment… for earlier.” She says, blushing ever so slightly.

You try to rub the pain out of your chest to no avail. Looks like you’ll have to live with this for a while. “So what are your plans for after the party?” You ask.
She looks surprised. “Oh, I was just going to take my ship back home tomorrow. This is only a short visit, I’m afraid. For both of us, I assume.”
You chuckle nervously. “Yeah, once my contract is up I’ll be needing to find work again.” You say.
Melissa sighs. “Maybe you wouldn’t have to worry about this stuff if you quit messing around.

>[ ] Maybe you’re right…

>[ ] That would be boring.

>[ ] Other

>>38940899
>[ ] Maybe you’re right…

>>38940899
>[ ] That would be boring.

>>38940899

I am doing what I love, but having a home to go back to after the jobs would be nice I suppose. Never gave it too much thought before.

>>38940899
>[ ] That would be boring.

>>38940899
>[ ] That would be boring.

>>38940977
I like this one. Seconded.

>writing

>>38940899
>[ ] That would be boring.

“That would be boring.” You say. It really would be.

Melissa sighs.

“Don’t get me wrong. I do this because it’s what I enjoy doing, and I’m damn good at it. But I guess…” You stop and scratch your head as you decide how to word this. “Maybe having a home to go back to might not be so bad… I’ve never really thought about it before.”

Melissa stays quiet for the rest of the walk. It isn’t until you’re a few steps from Laura’s door that she stops and grabs the back of your shirt.

“Think about it… okay?” She says. She’s looking down, and you can’t see her eyes from under her bangs. “That’s all I ask, even if you decide not to. Just promise me you’ll consider it.” She says.

“Alright.” You say. All she wants is for you to think about it, you owe her at least that much.
Melissa looks up, and her face is back to its usual mask. She takes a deep breath, lets it out, and then heads over to Laura’s door and knocks.

>[1/2]

“It’s us.” She says.
“Come on in!” Laura says.

The two of you head inside and Selene jumps up from Laura’s lap and runs over to say hello.
Melissa gets down on her level and gives her a big hug, and then you lift her up and do the same.

“O-… oh. Hello…” Marcellus says. His face turning red the moment he sees the two of you.
“Come in! Sit down! Breakfast is on its way, and then it’s dress time!” She says. Laura sounds excited about this. A little odd for the adventurer princess to be excited about dresses, but who are you to question what people get excited about?

>[ ] Talk about dancing

>[ ] Talk about who might be there

>[ ] Talk about this morning

>[ ] Other

>>38941427
>[ ] Talk about dancing

If we can catch Laura alone, talk with her privately later on about the whole 'stopping regicide' thing.

>>38941427
>[ ] Talk about who might be there

>>38941427
>>[ ] Talk about who might be there

>>38941427
>>[ ] Talk about dancing
>>[ ] Talk about who might be there

Can we do these? and definitely talk to Laura about the whole plan to off her and her sister.

>>38941427
>[ ] Talk about dancing
>[ ] Talk about who might be there

>writing

“So, about the party. When did you think would be a good time to dance?” You ask.
“As soon as possible.” Melissa says.
“Yes, that would be nice…” Laura says.
“Really?” You ask
“One dance rule. Everyone is going to want to be the first. I’ll be fine for a little bit, since most of these people are either intimidated by my stature or put off by my… reputation.” The way she says that, it’s no secret that she hates her reputation. “So you should go and steal Laura’s first dance as soon as you can.”

Yes, you very much like the way she worded that. “Will do.” You say.
“Thank you Giles, I know I’m asking a lot…”
“Not a problem. You say that like it’ll be a chore to dance with a lovely young lady like yourself.” You say.
Laura blushes. “Thank you.”

“Anything else I should know? Like people who I should watch out for?” You ask.
“Roderick.” Melissa says.
“I kinda figured that. Anyone else?”
“Anyone who you see associating with Roderick.” Melissa says.
“Okay… it might be easier to just ask who’s friendly, there’ll probably be less of them.” You say.
“There’ll be quite a few people there, I’ll be sure to introduce you to anyone of interest if I have the time.” Laura says, looking up as she thinks, like she could somehow see into her own brain if she looked high enough. "Ah! Dalen and Zen will both be there, you absolutely must meet them as well!"

>[1/2]

The way she talks, it sounds almost like she’s a little short on friends…

Come to think of it, you don’t think Melissa has told them about Selene’s dream. Maybe you should…

>[ ] Tell them about the dream

>[ ] Leave it be

>>38941960
>>[ ] Tell them about the dream

If this is the only opportunity before the dance, YES.

>>38941960
>[ ] Tell them about the dream

>>38941960
>>[ ] Tell them about the dream

>>38941960
>>[ ] Tell them about the dream
Better now than never.

>>38941960
>>[ ] Tell them about the dream

>writing

“Melissa, did you end up telling Laura about Selene’s dream?” You ask.
Melissa straightens up, and her face whitens. Just when you thought she couldn’t get paler…
“No…” She says.

“Selene had a dream?” Laura asks, looking around at everyone in the room. “What kind of dream?” She says to Selene.
“Don’t remember. Was scary.” She says.
“She told me what it was, apparently-“ You begin, but Melissa grabs your arm and subtly digs her nails into it.
“I need to talk to Giles in private for a moment.” She says.

Melissa drags you back out into the hall and shuts the door behind you. “What are you thinking?” She asks in a whisper.
“I’m not following you…” You say.
“It’s a prophetic dream you dunce. Telling them won’t make a god damn difference, I know it won’t.” She says.

“Just what the hell do you mean?” You ask
“I… had a similar dream. About the Red Night back in Tulia. In my dream, Klaus and I both died…”
“And?” You ask.
“And we didn’t.” She says.
You wait for her to continue.
“The difference between my dream and reality was you…” She says.
“Please explain.” You say. If you have to wring every detail out, you will.

“In my dream, Klaus fought that blond guy alone. He won, and then we hid. The mob found us, and…” She stops.

That isn’t how things went down at all… You and Klaus both fought the blond guy. And when the mob showed up, you drew…

You drew them off.

>[1/2]

“I get it. But what does that have to do with this?” You ask.

“I… know what you are…” She says. “I don’t know how you pull it off while still having a name, but I understand. I don’t know if they will too.”

She knows about you. No… she’s known about you this whole time and never said anything…
“But I have a name. Just because I can do… that… doesn’t mean that I’m-“ You say.
“Then you’re something else. Either way, people like you… they aren’t met with tolerance. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t tell them. I’m just saying that you should be VERY careful.” She says.

Then she turns around and goes back into Laura’s room.

You have a decision to make…

>[ ] Tell them the truth

>[ ] Make something up

>[ ] A little bit of both

>>38942592
>[ ] Tell them the truth
we're leaving after the party anyway so what does it matter

>>38942592
>[ ] Tell them the truth
I...gah. I'm worried this'll go ultra badly. I say tell them the truth, but try to be extra-gentle about it.

>>38942592
>[ ] Make something up
Telling them won't change anything. It's up to us to make sure it doesn't happen

>>38942592
[ ] A little bit of both
ease up to it.

>>38942592
>>[ ] A little bit of both

>>38942592
>[ ] A little bit of both

I want to tell the truth but...

>>38942592
>[ ] A little bit of both
We can probably omit the detail of Selene's death. A prophetic dream of an unresolved ambush won't blow our cover.

>>38942717
I'd wager that's the most important part, personally. I dunno, I just was thinking forewarned is forearmed, but if fate is only deterred through direct interaction...

>>38942748
Yeah.. I'm not sure if a devil can alter events by giving people info they wouldn't have had originally or if they have to do it directly in the moment

>>38942748
Yes, but if we do tell them about Selene's death and then end up changing fate, that's gonna blow our cover. Better to keep the details murky for now.

>writing

I kinda feel like we need a QM call on this one: Can fate be altered through a Devil's indirect action or no?

>>38942816
You don't know. This isn't something that's been recorded and it certainly isn't something Giles has personally tried

>>38942850
Nerts. Alrighty.

You take a deep breath in, and slowly let it out.

…

Nope, still nervous. Odd, it usually works for Melissa when she does it.

You decide that the best course of action is to tell them that she dreamed about an attack, but say nothing of her dying. No need to engender unnecessary fear.

So you enter the room, and that’s what you do. Laura and Marcellus sit and listen intently, this applies directly to them after all. Selene really doesn’t seem to remember her dream. Melissa looks happy for some reason.

“Thank you for telling us about this.” Laura says. She looks worried, but not overly so.
“Yes, I shall certainly sleep with one eye open for the next few nights.” Marcellus says.

After that, breakfast arrives. The meal passes with little of note, save some idle chatter about the party. It seems like the news of Selene’s dream killed the mood a bit, but hopefully it will be worth it in the end.

As soon as everyone is finished breakfast, Laura jumps to her feet. “Okay, boys out. It’s girl time now!” Laura says.

Marcellus shakes his head and gets up to leave. “Well, I did know this was coming. I was going to head to my room and wait there while they finish up. You’re welcome to join me if you’d like.” He says.

>[ ] Hang out with Marcellus

>[ ] See what Cedric is up to

>[ ] Try and find Eleanor

>[ ] Other

>>38943040
>[ ] Hang out with Marcellus

Why the hell not. Maybe something interesting will come of it, intel-wise.

>>38943040
>[ ] Hang out with Marcellus

>>38943040
>>[ ] Hang out with Marcellus

>>38943040
>[ ] Hang out with Marcellus

>writing

You shrug. There are certainly worse things you could be doing.

Marcellus leads you out of Laura’s room and into the one next door. “Well, here it is” he says, waving you in.

You go in and the first thing you notice is that there is a pair of panties sitting on the floor beside his bed.
Marcellus’s face goes white when he notices, like he somehow forgot about them.

“Looks like someone had a fun night.” You say, walking over to where there are a couple of chairs.
“Y-yeahhhhh… I’ll just put that somewhere... Please don’t tell Laura about this.” He says, walking over and picking up the discarded underwear.

“I won’t. Though… if that happened to be Eleanor’s, I’m sure her mother would be interested…” You say.
Marcellus visibly shakes. “No, it isn’t hers… In fact, could you not tell her about this either? Or anyone for that matter? It’s a bit personal…” He says.

>[ ] Sure

>[ ] I don’t know…

>[ ] Other

>>38943385
>[ ] Sure

Ooooh, scuttlebutt. I have to admit I'm curious.

...unless it's his. Then not so much.

>>38943385
>[ ] Sure
He's already caught us once in a compromising situation and remained discreet. We may as well follow suit.

>>38943385
What does Marcellus's voice sound like? You already said 'he' was androgynous could we be dealing with a crossdresser?

>>38943385
>Sure.

Repay his silence from earlier, yeah.

File: imgres.jpg (10 KB, 259x194)

10 KB JPG

>>38943385
>[ ] Sure
you like wearing panties don't you marcellus?

>>38943385
>[ ] Sure
But you do realize Elenore would have loved to be where those pantie's owner was last night.

>>38943439
He sounds younger than he looks, but other than that nothing to note.

Also
>writing

>>38943385
>>[ ] Other
It's your's isn't it?

>>38943040
>It’s a bit personal...
Mulan alarm. MULAN ALARM.

>>38943628
Oh, shit good catch there I read it but it just didn't register.

“Sure” You say. You really have nothing to gain from this, and he was nice enough to keep your little morning conundrum a secret.

“Thanks” He says, putting the errant piece of underwear away in a drawer.
“Those aren’t yours are they?” You ask.
“G-gods no!” He says, reeling back in shock.
You lean over in your chair and smile “So whose are they?” You ask.
Marcellus sighs. “They belong to one of the kitchen girls… Anna I think her name was.” He says.

You look at him expectantly.
“No, I am not giving you details about my sex life that I technically shouldn’t even have and why am I even telling you any of this?” He says, flopping down on the chair next to yours and burying his head in his hands.

“Because I’m nosy, and you’re no good at saying ‘no’ when someone asks you something.”
Marcellus groans. “Can we please just drop the subject?” He asks.

You shrug, might as well give him a break…
Looking around his room for possible conversation topics proves quite fruitful. On one wall he has quite the impressive weapon cabinet, with every type of sword imaginable.
On the other wall is a trophy case, laden with some interesting looking spoils.
And in the corner… is that a guitar? Damn, you haven’t touched one of those since you lef- err… You suppose ‘abandoned’ is a better word now- since you abandoned Melissa.

>[ ] Swords

>[ ] Trophies

>[ ] Guitar

>[ ] Other

>>38943675
>>[ ] Guitar

>>38943675
>[ ] Guitar
We bard now?

>>38943675
>[ ] Guitar

>writing

“Oh, what’s this?” You ask, getting up and walking over to where the guitar is.
“Please tell me you didn’t find another one…” Marcellus groans.
You pick up the guitar and pluck a few strings. “Damn, this thing is way out of tune… when was the ast time you touched it?” You ask.
“That? Wow, I had totally forgotten I even had that around.” He says. That answers your question.

You bring the instrument back to your chair and set about tuning it. It’s been a long time since you’ve played, so there’s no chance that you’ll get it perfectly. But it’s still worth it to try.

“Didn’t peg you as the musical type.” Marcellus says as he watched you work.
“I’m not. Well, not anymore. Back when I used to travel with Melissa and another friend, we thought it would be fun to act like a travelling band.” You finish tuning it to the best of your ability, and then you try to remember one of the old songs you used to play.

“I don’t think I could see Lady Melissa doing anything musical.” Marcellus says.
“Neither did we. Turns out she has an absolutely beautiful singing voice. It just takes a bit of coaxing to get her to show it.” You remember the first few chords, and slowly the rest of a song comes back to you.
“And this other friend?” Marcellus asks.
You stop playing. “Personal” You say.
“Gotcha.” He says.

>[1/2]

With that out of the way, you continue your strumming. “So why did you have this laying around if you don’t play it?” You ask.

“Laura thought I needed a hobby, Selene thought it would be cool if I could be a musician AND a swordsman. I caved. Though it turns out that my fingers are meant for swords, not chords.” He says.

“I’d say your fingers are meant for a bit more than that. But that would be rude.” You say.

It takes Marcellus a moment to catch your meaning, but when he does his face turns bright red. “I meant for hobbies!” He says.
“That can be a hobby too.” You say.
Marcellus sighs. “I’m starting to regret inviting you in here.”
“Ah, but then who would serenade you as we both wait for the ladies to finish doing… whatever it is that they’re doing?”

Almost on cue, you hear a knock on the door.
“Come in!” Marcellus shouts.
And they do.

>[2/3]

Laura strides in through the open door, and you very much doubt that you’ve seen a happier princess in all of your days. She’s wearing a beautiful sky-blue gown that starts at a collar around her neck and comes down her chest to hug her slender form all the way down to her knees, where it loosens out a bit. In her (still very boyish) black hair is a lily of the same colour.

“Oh? That wasn’t you playing Marcellus?” Laura asks.
“I told you it wasn’t.” Melissa says as she comes through the door after Laura.

Melissa’s dress matches your suit in colour. It’s smaller than Laura’s, showing a modest amount of leg at the bottom and a (admittedly less) modest amount of cleavage at the top. There are a few ribbons here and there, and admittedly she is a beautiful sight. Similar to Laura, she has a blue rose in her red hair that matches her outfit

“Guys! Guys! Look!” Selene runs into the room and spins, causing her child-like yellow dress to flair out. Then she looks up at the two of you like it’s the best thing ever. Like The other two, she has a daisy in her hair that matches her dress.

“Now that we’ve all presented, we should get going. I’d like to arrive a little earlier than everyone else. The party is for me after all.” Laura says.

You and Marcellus both stand up, and you go and put the guitar back where you found it. Then the five of your make your way out.

>[ ] Talk about pretty dresses

>[ ] Talk about making your entrance

>[ ] Talk about (Other)

>>38944176
>[ ] Talk about pretty dresses
>[ ] Talk about making your entrance

>>38944176
>[ ] Talk about pretty dresses

>>38944176
>>[ ] Talk about making your entrance

>>38944176
>[ ] Talk about pretty dresses

>>38944197
Good combo

>>38944176
>>[ ] Talk about pretty dresses

>writing

The five of you walk down to the big hall, with Selene leading the group while spinning and giggling like crazy.

“You ladies certainly look lovely tonight.” You say.
“Yes, I must say you’re all indeed a sight for sore eyes.” Marcellus chimes in.
“I’m glad you think so.” Laura chirps.
Melissa sighs. “Though I wish Coswell had toned it down a bit on the… y’know” She says, trying in vain to pull her dress up higher.

“Don’t worry, I’m sure the men around here are smart enough to avoid incurring your wrath by staring.” Laura says.
“They are not and you know it.” She says.

Selene finishes spinning and wobbles a bit as she makes her way back to the group. “Is my dress pretty?” She asks Marcellus.
“Absolutely” Marcellus says.
“Whose do you like best?” She asks.
“I honestly couldn’t say…” Marcellus says.

Selene looks disappointed, and then she turns to you. “What about you Giles?” She asks.
You get the feeling that Marcellus was the only one who got a free pass out of this one, as everyone is looking at you expectantly…

“Of course it’s-

>[ ] –Melissa

>[ ] –Laura

>[ ] –Selene

>>38944383
>Selene
Complimenting the kid and playing it off as humoring them is usually the safest

>>38944383
SMOKEBOMB!

>[ ] –Laura

>>38944383
>>[ ] –Selene

Pacify the loli.

>>38944383
>[ ] –Melissa

>>38944383
>[ ] –Melissa

>>38944383
Gonna have to go with Selene

>>38944383
>Why obviously it- HEY LOOK OVER THERE IT'S A DISTRACTION

>>38944383
>[ ] –Selene

>>38944383
>>Selene

The most neutral option.

>writing

>>38944383
We could make it really vague, and compliment each of them, on how their dresses bring out their inner beauty (Selen's beautiful blonde hair/yellow dress/Laura's brilliant blue eyes/Melissa's large...er than life will, and personality.) Three, utterly, divine flowers, I see before me.

>>38944383
marcellus

>>38944532
I like you.

>>38944532
kek

Well, there’s probably only one ‘safe’ option…

-you. You adorable little thing you.” You say, rubbing the little girl’s head while she smiles ecstatically.

“Hmmmm? You’d better watch out Laura. Looks like Giles has got eyes for your sister.” Melissa says.
“That is certainly a strange preference to have. Perhaps I should tread more carefully around him…” Laura says.

So much for the safe option… but this is an easy one to turn around.
“Well, if you two don’t like it then perhaps I’ll just have to take Selene out to dance. Would you like that Selene?” You ask.
Judging by her biiiiiig smile, you take that as a yes. She looks up at Laura. “Can I?” She asks.

Laura looks surprised. “Well… sure, I guess.”
“Just as long as you don’t forget your obligations.” Melissa says, hooking an arm over yours as you approach the hall. “Don’t look so confused. You’re my guest. We ‘arrive’ together.” She says.

Laura does the same thing with Marcellus, and her free hand holds onto Selene’s. “Are we all ready?” She asks.

“Absolutely.” Marcellus says.
Selene bounces with excitement.
“As I’ll ever be” Melissa says.
“Probably not, but that’s never stopped me before.” You say.
Melissa looks at you and rolls her eyes.

“Great! Let’s go!”

That's all for tonight! I hope you all still enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it.

The next thread will probably be tomorrow night.

As always I'll be sticking around for a bit to answer questions if anyone has them.

>>38944532
Inb4 we happen upon 'him', without him realizing, in front of a full body mirror, with bandaged chest, holding a dress up to 'him'self... gazing off into the distance, as if adrift in a dream of belonging...

>>38944635
thanks for the thread

>>38944635
Thank you for the thread.