>Character sheet
http://pastebin.com/sYia7YGa
>Rules
Same system as Become The Dragon Quest. If you don't know what that is, it's best of three d20 rolls. I name a stat that sums up what you're trying to do, and if I don't name a relevant skill, you try to fill in the blank based on what you're trying to accomplish. “Break open the door” might be Strength based, but if you've been playing baseball after school and there's a lead pipe nearby, you could apply your Baseball skill to the roll. A 20 on the die is a crit threat, and if either of the other two rolls is 20 or higher after mods, it's a critical. A crit fail is when you have two or more 1s. So far this system has worked out well enough. We'll get into combat rules as needed, but in basic terms you have wounds, not HP, and the worse the wounds, the more penalties you accrue while doing other things.

Most Important Rule:
Have fun.

>Write-in

>>44333504
>What do you recommend? Jenni, is there anything you want?

>>44333504
Mongolian beef, steamed rice, and some tea please.

>>44333504
>Write-in. "I'll let the lady choose."

>>44333594
>>44333619
Basically the same thing, mesh them together.

You give Wong a smile.

“I'll let the lady decide. What would you like, Jenny?”

Jennifer turns red but keeps a straight face, turning to Wong.

“One order of the house special, a bottle of sake and two glasses, and tea.”

He nods and walks away, and Jennifer glares at you.

“Jenny? Really? It's demeaning.”

You shrug.

“It's cute. But I won't call you that if you don't want me to.”

Jennifer closes her eyes.

“Call me whatever you like, but I reserve the right to take offense, and to let you know if you go too far.”

You nod slightly and relax a bit, looking around.

“So is the service here any good? Have you been here before?”

As you say that, Wong reappears with the sake and cups, and as he sets them down his hands are filled by a tea pot and two tea cups. He sets them out on the table, bows and vanishes. Jennifer looks at the bottle for a moment, then at you.

“Will you be drinking at all?”

>Just tea, thanks
>Sure, may as well. I don't want my teacher getting tipsy.
>Only a little bit. I don't need much.
>Other (write-in)

>>44333740
>Sure, may as well. I don't want my teacher getting tipsy.
Jenny a cute

>>44333740
>Sure, may as well. I don't want my teacher getting tipsy.
We can handle our booze, more or less.

>>44333740
>Sure, may as well. I don't want my teacher getting tipsy.
>Only a little bit. I don't need much.

>>44333740
>Only a little if I do.
Shit's weird outside.
Max wits needed.

>>44333740
>>Sure, may as well. I don't want my teacher getting tipsy.

You nod and slide your glass towards the bottle.

“I may as well since you ordered it. I don't need my teacher getting tipsy, otherwise my lessons are gonna turn sloppy pretty face.”

Jennifer fills your glass halfway for you before pouring her own, filling it to the brim. She brings it to her lips and inhales briefly before taking a slow drink from it.

“I don't care for sake all that much, compared to other drinks. But it's not bad. I went to a parent-teacher conference one day, this big event at the school. One of the teachers raved about the stuff and made everyone try some of the stuff he had made himself. Something about healing mineral water or something.”

You nod and take a sip from your glass. Compared to beer it's like drinking fire, and you cough slightly as you adjust to it. Jennifer pours you a cup of tea to chase it down with and returns to nursing her drink.

“I know that it's not the first thing on your mind right now, but... it's weighing heavily on me. I know that you're a good person, and that if push came to shove you'd probably help me, and claim me as your own. But I would rather you be happy, whatever that means. I wanted to say that now, while I'm still detached enough from you to think logically about it and not so involved that it's painful to say.”

You look into your glass for a moment and top it back off.

>You're over-thinking things. Just take them as they come.
>I'd be happy with you. Maybe not the happiest, but happy.
>So you're saying that you don't think we're a good match?
>No comment. I'm not talking about it right now. Let's just relax.
>Other (write-in)

>>44333989
>>I'd be happy with you. Maybe not the happiest, it'd take time to work that out, but I'm sure I'd be happy.
>>So you're saying that you don't think we're a good match?

>>44333989
>>I'd be happy with you. Maybe not the happiest, but happy.

>>44334013
>>44334015
All of this and then
>if I were to claim you, what would it mean for you? You'd lose a lot, wouldn't you? I'm not exactly rich...

>>44333989
>No comment. I'm not talking about it right now. Let's just relax.

>>44333989
>>44334013
Seconding. Let's see what she thinks.

>>44333989
>>You're over-thinking things. Just take them as they come.

>>44333989
Jokingly
>So you're saying that you don't think we're a good match?
Then
>You're over thinking things right now, just let things come as they do.
>And I guess we'll take it from there, whatever that means.

You swirl your drink and take a sip.

“I'd be happy. Maybe not the happiest, but happy. I don't know if I believe in soul mates or anything like that though.”

You pause for a few moments and turn back to her.

“Are you worried we wouldn't be a good match or something, if that were to happen?”

Jennifer chuckles quietly and takes another drink.

“I'm worried that we would be, but that everything around us would poison it. Patrick, Sammy, the vampires... Whatever reason brought you to this town, you have a reason to stay. I don't. I fear this place, deeply. I think we'd do alright, but that the circumstances would make things difficult.”

You nod and top off her glass for her.

“You almost sound like you're looking forward to it. Don't you have a lot to lose? I mean, I'm not rich, I'm not exactly powerful.”

Jennifer reaches out and takes hold of your hand.

“Everyone in this city is bound by a set of rules. The rules of humanity, or the rules that govern how different types of monsters interact. Except you. You're a human who follows only his own rules. So long as you're alive, you're strong. And I can make you stronger. Money isn't something I care about, it's... the salve that eased the pain that Patrick would inflict on me. But I can be happy living humbly.”

Wong returns with a large plate of fried rice and a pair of forks, smiling and bowing as he turns and walks away. Jennifer releases your hand and looks at the plate, before taking a bite.

“Not bad...”

You try some. It's like the takeout you used to get at home, but a little fancier and less greasy. You dig in, with Jennifer mostly watching you eat and occasionally having another forkload. You clear the plate with her and polish off the sake, and Jennifer pulls out a pair of silvery coins and sets them on the table.

“Another bottle for the road, or are we good to go back to the room?”

>Let's blow this popsicle stand
>Another? Sure
>Your call
>Other (write-in)

>>44334342
>Your call

>>44334342
>>Let's blow this popsicle stand

>>44334342
>Let's blow this popsicle stand

>>44334342
>>Let's blow this popsicle stand

>>44334342
>Your call
>I would need to /know/ you'd keep my secrets, and that there wasn't the slightest possibility of being overheard, if I were to tell you.

So...if you're willing to give me that oath under the truth spell, and help me find a way to protect ourselves from anything overhearing, I'll tell you. And then you could decide if you really want to be tangled up in this.

>>44334375
>>44334389
>>44334410
We do need to have this>>44334419 conversation with her, probably as soon as we get back to the room.

You shake your head and rise to your feet, helping Jennifer up.

“Let's get out of here. I want a clear head for practice, and I want you thinking clearly too.”

You offer your arm to Jennifer and she takes it, and in a single step you find yourself outside the restaurant. You're not sure how you knew it would work like that, but the knowledge suddenly came to you. You head back towards the motel and a man in a black trenchcoat walks towards you, opening one side wide.

“Care for a trinket, sir? Something for the lady perhaps?”

The inside of his coat is lined with watches, jewelry and metal rods. You can feel the magic radiating off of the cache of goods.

>Politely try to excuse yourself
>See anything you like, Jenny?
>I don't have much on me, but I'm always happy to support a local businessman. Tell me about your wares.
>Other (write-in)

>>44334485
>>I don't have much on me, but I'm always happy to support a local businessman. Tell me about your wares.
Then
>See anything you like, Jennifer?

>>44334485
>>Politely try to excuse yourself

>>44334485
>>I don't have much on me, but I'm always happy to support a local businessman. Tell me about your wares.

>>44334485
>See anything you like, Jenny?
>>I don't have much on me, but I'm always happy to support a local businessman. Tell me about your wares.
Strange man selling magic items? That's NEVER not fun.

>>44334485
>>I don't have much on me, but I'm always happy to support a local businessman. Tell me about your wares

Jennifer could work as a teacher at the school and room with Meliora might help the situation

You shrug a little and smile.

“I never carry much money and I just spent most of it in there, but I'm always happy to support a local businessman. Tell me about your wares.”

The man gives you a toothy grin and pulls out one of the metal rods and a watch, tapping them together.

“This rod can give you the exact position of an object that it has touched. It can only be attuned to one object at a time, but it's handy for tracking things down. And this watch is a fixed point in time. Every time it hits midnight, whatever state it's in, it'll reconstruct itself and bring itself back together. Great for party tricks, surprising the garbage man or if you're just in need of a watch that can never be destroyed.”

You nod slightly and turn to Jennifer.

“What do you think? See anything you like?”

Jennifer points to a piece of jewelry, and the man chuckles and puts the watch and rod away, pulling out a gold necklace with an amber pendant.

“This necklace allows the wearer to become utterly silent. It was worn by an ancient thief, used to steal riches from kings. Now it's used by men who like their wives to shut up.”

He laughs heartily at that, and Jennifer frowns.

“I don't see anything I like then.”

You nod slightly.

“Well then...”

>Sorry, but if the lady says no... You know how it goes. We'll leave you to it.
>I'll take the watch, how much?
>How much for the rod?
>I can give you two gold coins for the necklace but that's all I have
>Other (write-in)

>>44334708
>Sorry, but if the lady says no... You know how it goes. We'll leave you to it.

>>44334708
>>How much for the rod?

>>44334708
>Sorry, but if the lady says no... You know how it goes. Have a good night.

>>44334708
>>Sorry, but if the lady says no... You know how it goes. We'll leave you to it.

Have pleasant evening

Schmooze roll, +1

Rolled 9 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>44334815
BARTER

Rolled 15 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>44334815

Rolled 9 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>44334815
Do not anger the were-jew, I guess.

>>44334866
>>44334863
He has something she would like.

>>44334815
QM, if he says anything about how he's slitting his own throat with this deal, I'm going to vote for kicking him in the shin.

>>44334963
I don't get it. Also that's a weirdly specific analogy for him to use.

>>44334989
It's a running gag from Discworld.

You shrug and smile at the man.

“Sorry about this, but if the lady says no then... Well, you know how these things go. Have a good day though.”

You walks past him with Jennifer and he turns around, pulling one of the rods from his coat.

“Give me all your money.”

You slow to a stop and reach into your pocket slowly.

“All of it? Every last coin?”

The man nods and grins, and you glance around briefly. Several sets of eyes are on you. You close your eyes and grin, laughing a bit and going with the first thing that comes to mind.

“So you'd threaten an ally of Lily's then, huh? The one human in this city who she's chosen to befriend and have work for her, and you're trying to mug him while he's out on a stroll.”

You look at the man and smile.

“I hope she brings me back, so I can watch what she does to you for your stupidity.”

The man stumbles back a bit, eyes wide, before bolting away. The people around you immediately start to walk away, ducking into alleys and out of sight. Jennifer looks at you, confused.

“That was... rather impressive, but...”

You nod slightly.

“I don't think I'll get to use that again for a little while. Anyway, let's head back.”

You walk with Jennifer back to the motel, and you sit back down, toying with the lighter. Jennifer gets changed, back into her suit, and you ignite the flame to practice some more while Jennifer sits on the bed, occasionally offering you tips.

“Let's try to kick things up a notch. Try to draw the flame up and away, like you're trying to carry a piece away from it. Let's see if we can get you carrying a flame in your hands before the end of the night.”

-

Spirit roll, +2

Rolled 15 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>44335046

Rolled 5 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>44335046

Rolled 4 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>44335046

Rolled 2 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>44335046
pls

>>44335081
Pls no.

You draw your hands up and away from the flame, focusing your energy between your hands. A gentle, even and constant flow seems to work best, and you're able to draw the flame away and sustain it for a few moments before it vanishes. Jennifer kneels opposite you and nods to herself.

“You've got the basic idea down, but you're not letting out enough energy to keep the flame going without fuel. You need to concentrate more. This might be all you can do for now, but if you do this exercise, a little every day, you'll be able to carry the flame around. From there we can work on ignition, as well as making bigger flames and controlling them.”

You nod and repeat the motions, sustaining the flame slightly longer each time. As the tired feeling begins to set in you can keep it going for about five seconds before it gives out. Jennifer sighs.

“Maybe you're afraid of it. You might have a subconscious fear that you'll be unable to contain it, or that you'll hurt me or yourself.”

She moves to your side.

“Let's take another little break while you recover. I've got some things to tell you about how you recover magical energy, and some concepts that might make it easier to understand.”

>One more try. I'll clear my head of fear and go for it.
>Sounds good, I was getting tired anyway
>How about we do something else instead? (write-in)
>Other (write-in)

>>44335230
>>Sounds good, I was getting tired anyway

>>44335230
>>Sounds good, I was getting tired anyway

>>44335230
>One more try. I'll clear my head of fear and go for it.

>>44335230
>>Sounds good, I was getting tired anyway

>>44335230
>Sounds good, I was getting tired anyway

You nod and close the lighter.

“I was getting kinda tired anyway. I could do with a rest... So, about magic.”

Jennifer nods slightly.

“Magic is about energy. When you use magic, it's like using a muscle. You're taking energy around you and turning it into another kind of energy, or directly into matter. Your own energy comes from within, and replenishes from outside over time. So far you've been using just enough of your own energy to feel tired without burning out, and you've been recovering faster than normal because of the channel carved by that ritual you did.

It's easier to recover from lots of little spells than one big one, because little spells have less waste. You could probably sling a few fireballs around and burn out, or keep going with little tricks like these and burn out much slower. Burning out is bad though. If you ever hit empty, your magic will stop working completely, and you might need a few hours, sometimes days in some cases, to use your magic again. You'll also be severely weakened during that time.

Your reserve comes in three components. Yours has three because of your blood magic. You have your aura, your internal reserve, and your blood. Energy flows into your aura and from there flows into your blood and your internal reserve. When your internal reserve is full, your blood magic will recover faster, and the opposite is also true.

In terms of measuring your energy levels... Some people like to find a common, simple spell and cast it until they almost burn out, then use that number as their measuring stick. The usual spell for testing your pool is a magic blast spell, using raw magical energy, focused into an orb and released. It requires a certain amount of energy to become stable, which is the same for any mage, and so it's a convenient measurement.

As for your blood... Once you complete the next ritual, you'll never run out of energy for it. The problem is sacrifice. The cost of blood magic isn't in magical energy, but in things to give up for it. Like the telekinesis spells, which burn calories directly. You'll have to be very careful with it.“

>Let's try that fire thing again, I think I get the idea now.
>Maybe I should rest a little longer then, make sure I'm topped up.
>Other (write-in)

>>44335503
>Let's try that fire thing again, I think I get the idea now.

>>44335503
>Let's try that fire thing again, I think I get the idea now.
We want to get strong fast.

>>44335503
>>Let's try that fire thing again, I think I get the idea now.

Spirit roll, +2

Rolled 1 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>44335540
Don't explode.

Rolled 2 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>44335540
Fire dance!

>>44335546
>>44335553
Is this where it all goes horribly wrong? Fire magic? Again?

Rolled 16 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>44335540

Rolled 1 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>44335540
Come on save me.

>>44335555
I have mastered the art of not wanting what I want so I get what I want which is what I don't want.

>>44335563
Oh thank the RNGods
>>44335570

>>44335555
We survived thanks to tragedyanon.
Nice quads.

>>44335570
>>44335553
>>44335546
what the goddamned fuck?

>>44335640
I dunno. Maybe we've gotten rid of the terrible rolls

You light the flame once again and focus.

“I'm gonna give it one more go... And if I don't get it properly, I'm gonna go back to the basics.”

Jennifer rests a hand on your shoulder.

“Remember, you're already doing better than I expected. Don't try to force it. Just let your growth happen naturally.”

You nod and close your eyes. You imagine a mass of energy between your hands, energy flowing into the center and radiating outwards, like gas from a vent. You bring the mass towards the flame and open your eyes, lifting your hands away. The flame is small, and it sputters at first, but you gently push a little harder, focusing on a constant flow in a single direction.

The flame doesn't go out.

You slowly get to your feet and focus on the flame, using one hand to help fixate your mind on the fire and keeping it alive. You guide it through the air, moving your hand carefully to avoid extinguishing it. Jennifer claps and smiles.

“Now cut off the flow of energy and let it go out before you hurt yourself. I don't want you burning out or burning yourself.”

>Let's see how far we can push this. One more step forward.
>Probably right. Back to basics.
>I think this is a reasonable exercise now though.
>Other (write-in)

>>44335786
>I think this is a reasonable exercise now though.
I can probably do this in the morning. The challenge will be learning to get it just close enough to burn our beard off without burning our face. Screw shaving

>>44335786
>>Let's see how far we can push this. One more step forward.

>>44335786
>>I think this is a reasonable exercise now though

File: 1370758172551.jpg (97 KB, 1058x705)

97 KB JPG

>>44335786
>Let's see how far we can push this. One more step forward.

>>44335786
Fuck it, I'll>>44335846
Change to >>44335881
But I'm telling you, it'll all end in tears.

Spirit roll, +2

Rolled 8 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>44335964
Hail, Vyoter.

>>44335932
>inb4 Oliver burns off a hand and ends up with a prosthetic that Presence moves for him.

Rolled 7 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>44335964
Roll dem bones.

Rolled 1 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>44335964

Rolled 15 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>44335964

Rolled 2 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>44335964

>>44335973
Haha *fizzle*

>>44336023
You think we're getting out of this with a fizzle?

>>44336038
With a 9, probably at a -3 due to exhaustion? Yea. Maybe some fatigue and a small 1st degree burn. It won't be too bad. Best of 3 rolls, not average.

>>44336128
Sorry, a 10. One below our median point

>>44336128
It would be more upsetting to get off scot free for being stupid and rolling poorly than actually suffer a punishment, to be honest.

You shake your head.

“I can picture the energy and control the flow. I want to see how far I can take this...”

You hold both hands in front of yourself and take aim at the wall. The mana blast spell, or whatever it was, becomes stable with enough energy, and it's a basic spell. You concentrate on the image in your mind, a ball of energy with a shell trapping and containing it, ready to be released. You pour energy into the shell that you imagine, trying to make it stable, to contain the firebomb you're creating. You focus so much on pouring energy into the shell that, for a brief moment, you forget to keep the shell balanced. And like a bubble, it pops, releasing all its energy at once.

…

You wake up on the bed. Your hands hurt a bit, and your eyes sting a little. You carefully lift your arms to examine your bandaged hands, and Jennifer turns towards you. She's sitting on the bed beside you, reading through your hemomancy book.

“It was rather impressive watching you do that. You managed to push even further along than you should have been able to. I guess rune magic really will be a specialty of yours if you're advancing so rapidly. That said... You've probably burnt yourself out, and your hands will need a day or two to recover. Nothing too serious, but you'll want to take care.”

She closes the book and sets it aside.

“It's dark out now, I wouldn't recommend heading outside, but... you can if you want to. I can walk you back.”

>I'd rather stay here tonight, it's safer and the company isn't bad
>If I don't have much choice then I guess we're stuck together
>With my hands like this, how am I supposed to pay you back?
>I need to get back tonight. It'll be a risk, but we can make it.
>Other (write-in)

>>44336180
Tragedyanon, I doubt if it'll be anything big, we didn't crit fail.

>>44336215
>With my hands like this, how am I supposed to pay you back?
Jokingly
>I guess I don't really have much choice. I'll stay, like I promised.

>>44336215
>With my hands like this, how am I supposed to pay you back?

>>44336215
>>If I don't have much choice then I guess we're stuck together


Morons thanks for fucking up our magic.

>>44336215
>If I don't have much choice then I guess we're stuck together

>>44336215
>>I need to get back tonight. It'll be a risk, but we can make it.

>>44336274
We'll just be tired for a bit.
>>44336215
>With my hands like this, how am I supposed to pay you back?

>>44336215
>If I don't have much choice then I guess we're stuck together

>>44336215
>I'd rather stay here tonight, it's safer and the company isn't bad
I'm not voting for lewds here. But we're beat up and she'd have to come back alone.

>>44336295
And no magic and fucked up hands. It was stupid to push


>>44336300
Yeah good luck with that.

>>44336300
I stand with you on a determined lack of lewds.

>>44336338
It was, but it was a split vote, so I switched, and now Oliver knows his limits.

>>44336351
I oppose your determined lack of lewds.

You pause and look at your hands. They don't feel too bad, but that might just be some sort of lotion or ointment. Then again, a day or two to recover? They couldn't be all that bad. Jennifer might be overreacting a bit.

“With my hands all bandaged like this, how am I supposed to pay you back for the gifts and the lesson?”

Jennifer's cheeks turn pink and she rolls her eyes.

“Honestly...”

You smile and sit up slowly.

“But seriously, if I don't have a choice then we're stuck together. Not that I particularly mind though.”

Jennifer nods a bit.

“I've got the nightie from the other night to wear to bed. I didn't expect we'd be sharing, so the bed isn't all that big. Honestly, I was expecting you to turn around and tell me that you'd have to leave to do something.”

>I cleared my whole night for this, magic is important
>I cleared my whole night for this, you're important
>Not tonight, no. We lucked out. If I've got a club meeting or something then we might need to cut it short.
>I can just take the floor, I've done worse.
>Rock paper scissors for the bed?
>Other (write-in)

>>44336375
I oppose your opposition of his determination.

>>44336383
>>Not tonight, no. We lucked out. If I've got a club meeting or something then we might need to cut it short. And I like the nightie.

>>44336383
>>Not tonight, no. We lucked out. If I've got a club meeting or something then we might need to cut it short.

>>44336358
And is easy pickings for just about anyone. No magic and no use of hands.

>>44336383
>I cleared my whole night for this, magic is important
>I cleared my whole night for this, you're important
>I can just take the floor, I've done worse.

>>44336383
>I cleared my whole night for this, magic is important
>I can just take the floor, I've done worse.

>>44336383
>Not tonight, no. We lucked out. If I've got a club meeting or something then we might need to cut it short.
I don't like the nightie.

>>44336383
>>I cleared my whole night for this, you're important

>>44336383
>I cleared my whole night for this, magic is important
>I can just take the floor, I've done worse.

>>44336383
>I cleared my whole night for this, you're important

>>44336383
>I cleared my whole night for this, magic is important
>I can just take the floor, I've done worse.

You chuckle quietly.

“I mean, we lucked out in that regard. There's no track practice, no meetings... But I've gotta keep up the facade of being a normal student. If those things come up then I've gotta find a way to balance it out. But don't worry, I'll keep you up to date. This stuff is important to me.”

You leave it vague as to what's important to you, and you rise from the bed.

“I'll take the floor tonight, I've done worse. We'd be right on top of each other on the bed.”

Jennifer nods slightly.

“That's true. But you're hurt. You should take the bed. I can make do. We shared your bed the other night, but I don't want to accidentally roll on top of your hand or something and hurt you more.”

You sigh softly and look at her, smirking.

>I insist, take the bed
>Alright, fine, be noble, I'll take the bed
>Well we can't both feel bad for the other. Let's flip a coin.
>To hell with it, let's share.
>Other (write-in)

>>44336530
>I insist, take the bed

>>44336530
>>To hell with it, let's share.
It's not like we haven't before.

>>44336530
>>I insist, take the bed

>>44336530
>To hell with it, let's share.

>>44336530
>>I insist, take the bed

>>44336530
>>To hell with it, let's share.

>>44336530
>share
"What's the worst that could happen? I get a cramp?"

>>44336530
>I insist, take the bed
Because I don't trust you assholes to not vote for lewds or the QM to just advance the time and not give the option.

>>44336530
>>To hell with it, let's share.
We can sleep head to toe

>>44336530
>>Well we can't both feel bad for the other. Let's flip a coin.

>>44336530
>I insist, take the bed

>>44336617
>>44336595
>>44336577
>>44336553
Look at your interval there. Ease off on the blatant samefagging, anon.

“Jennifer. I insist, take the bed. I'll be fine. I'm not going to sit around and inconvenience you just because I was being silly with fire or stuck around longer than you thought I would.”

You walk over to a nearby chair and begin inspecting it, checking for a reclining mechanism or removable cushions to make a mattress out of. Jennifer walks over and hugs you from behind.

“Thank you.”

She releases you and heads for the bathroom, and you get to work making a shabby bed to sleep on. It's not going to be an easy night of sleep, but it'll be a night of sleep. You make yourself comfortable and close your eyes, peeking at Jennifer as she walks out and heads for the bed.

“Good night, Oliver. Sweet dreams.”

You mumble your reply, acting more tired than you actually are, and do your best to clear your mind. After a little while you slowly begin to drift off.

…

You find yourself in a strange room full of melting objects, and Angie is sitting on the ceiling in her robes.

“Huh. Looks like somebody pushed themselves pretty hard today. Learning magic or something? Or did a magic-eater maul your aura?”

>I'm learning how to use fire magic
>The latter. I got nommed on.
>I've had worse. So what's with all the melting?
>Other (write-in)

>>44336636
Stupid phone made me hit the wrong links. You know who you are, though.

>>44336666
>I've had worse. So what's with all the smelting?

>>44336636
Eh. Yeah, it's suspicious. But we've had worse instances of samefagging, and lewd slows down the plot.

Not to say I won't be writing stuff anyway for my own benefit, but you get my point.

>>44336666
>>I'm learning how to use fire magic
>>Other (write-in) The hell is a magic-eater?

>>44336666
>I'm learning how to use fire magic


QM, why'd you side with the blatant samefag, who as much as admitted he was doing so here?>>44336584

>>44336666
>I'm learning how to use fire magic
>I've had worse. So what's with all the melting?
>whats a magic eater?
>Oh also those occult kids grabbed an Illusion tome behind your back. Need an aide for the club Angie?

>>44336713
Well first of all, I wasn't samefagging. Second, that vote didn't even fucking matter, because it's first to three. You dumbass.

>>44336698
I'd be fine with fade to blacks, I just dislike the blatant cheating and wrench in the plot.

>>44336733
First to three
>>44336537
>>44336553
>>44336567
Look at the time intervals. That's blatant, samefagging.

>>44336713
...you raise a fair point there. Hmm. I wish there were a way to properly avoid samefagging and ensure an actual, proper vote without and funny business...

>>44336713
>Quotes a fourth vote for an option and says it was samefagging because it said something
>Ignores the actually relevant votes in his preferred option that were suspicious because of his bias
I'm sure the first three votes for sharing being non-identical and just over a minute apart is total coincidence.

>>44336760
The first two could have been, but the second and the third are within less than a minute of each other, so they couldn't have been, which is more than could be said for your option.

>>44336764
Eh. It's cause of the waifuing. It's just annoying.

I'd ignore people that throw around samefag accusations at any point where it can't be semi-proven like the opening vote of a thread if I were you.

>>44336856
Accusations of samefagging seem to disrupt threads almost as much as samefagging itself.

You look around a bit and grab the lamp from the table. It turns into droplets, flowing out of your hand.

“I'm learning fire magic. But this isn't the worst dream I've ever had. How come everything is like this though?”

Angie jumps down and lands next to you, poking the wall, which jiggles like gelatin.

“Your mind and body run on magic. Not a ton of it, but enough that when you run dry things tend to break down a little. Your mind recovers pretty quick since your body pours energy into it to keep you alive and sane, but your body is having a harder time. Chemical reactions happening slower than normal, that kind of thing. That leads to less oxygen in the blood, less sugar in your veins in the right amounts, and your brain suffers a little bit. Your dream is reflecting the internal meltdown.”

You nod slowly and lightly touch the door, which wobbles and falls apart into shards, almost like broken glass.

“Alright. Next question, what's a magic-eater?”

Angie laughs a bit.

“Exactly what it says on the tin. They're a little like vampires, except they eat magic instead of blood. They consume the aura first, then the reserves. If they finish feeding you turn into a husk, and with an infusion of magic they can raise you as a new magic-eater. They keep tombs filled with husks at the ready to replenish their ranks in an emergency.”

>That is weird and strange and I don't like it.
>What are their weaknesses?
>So about that book you took from the occult club...
>Wanna play some more poker or something?
>Where were you last night?
>Other (write-in)

>>44336933
>>Wanna play some more poker or something?
let's see if we can win back that book from her

>>44336933
>That is weird and strange and I don't like it.
>What are their weaknesses?

>>44336933
>What are their weaknesses?
>bust out the poker deck and start dealing while we talk.

>>44336933
>What are their weaknesses?
>So about that book you took from the occult club...
>Wanna play some more poker or something?

>>44336933
>Weaknesses
>Where were you the other night?

>>44336971
We haven't even asked if we can have it yet. She might just give it to us.

>>44336933
>That is weird and strange and I don't like it.
>What are their weaknesses?
>So about that book you took from the occult club...
>Wanna play some more poker or something?
>Where were you last night?
Just do everything.

>>44337030
This, I'd say priorities are magic eaters, weaknesses thereof, illusion book, and then everything else.

>>44337066
you're my weakness anon

You conjure a table and a deck of cards, starting to shuffle the pack while you sit down and make a chair for Angie.

“That sounds pretty strange... Kind of like a zombie apocalypse waiting to happen. Why haven't those guys taken over the world yet? What are their weaknesses?”

Angie sits down across from you and shrugs.

“Magic shaped into spells gives them indigestion, and they need a ton of magic to raise a husk. Since they can't gather magic effectively on their own, they trick other people into helping them or gorge themselves so much that they can animate a body. I think their biggest problem is how long it takes them to feed. Generally when a magic-eater attacks someone, they know magic exists. That knowledge alone can sometimes trigger a subconscious spell to form, which can ruin their appetite. Since they can't just rush someone, they have to arrange the situation carefully to avoid spoiling the meal.”

You nod and deal out the first hand of cards.

“By the by, about that book you got from the occult club...”

Angie smirks a bit.

“Returned to its rightful owner already, sorry. It was stolen goods, and Bradley has a knack for uncovering things he really shouldn't know. But his hourglass says that he dies from a magical mishap, so I've let him keep two books and a wand that he thinks I don't know about. He only has two weeks left to live before he blows himself up.”

You look at your cards briefly. The makings of a straight, not bad.

“Gotcha... By the by... You didn't visit last night... what happened with that?”

Angie chuckles a bit and leans back with her cards.

“Missed me, huh? Or were you worried about me?”

She yawns softly and sets her cards back down.

“I had an important meeting to get to and couldn't split my focus at all.”

>Play a few rounds to pass the time
>Ask Angie about something
>Other (write-in)

>>44337259
>>Play a few rounds to pass the time
>Ask Angie about something, advice on what to do about Sammy and Jennifer?

>>44337135
Why thank you. Coffee is mine. AND IM OUT. I shall die

>>44337259
>Play a few rounds to pass the time
>Tell Angie about Calculus teacher selling kids off for magic books. Ask if the school could use a new teacher. Especially in Jennifer's specialties. Also ask if she could use a Student Aide in Occult club.

>>44337259
>Play a few rounds to pass the time
>Not gonna lie, I was a little worried about you. This has become a nice decompression routine.

Luck or cheating?

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>44337440
luck

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>44337440
Luck

>>44337440
Luck

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>44337440

And Sleuth roll plus Perception, +2

Rolled 15 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>44337617

Rolled 17 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>44337617
HAha, it's my turn to fail now idiots!

>>44337638
*But it refused

File: Later Homo.jpg (100 KB, 500x499)

100 KB JPG

>>44337638
YES, I LOOOOOOOOST

WHY I DO LOOOOSE AT EVERY THING I DO

KILL ME

Rolled 8 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>44337617

You play some games for fun with Angie, but your hands suck. You can read Angie fairly well, but your weak cards mean you lose half the time regardless. As you play you ask her about a few things, what to do about Sammy and Jennifer, what to do about your Calculus teacher, whether Jennifer could apply to work there and if she needs any help with the occult club.

“I'm not gonna dictate your love life for you, but I'll answer your question with another question. Does it really matter? You know, deep down, what you really want. Maybe what you want is just to mess around and hope for the best, and that's fine. Maybe it's to live up to some sort of ideal because you never knew your mother growing up and you don't want to live through what your father had to deal with, and that's fine too. The only one who can judge you right now is yourself. You're the only one you're stuck with.

Your math teacher is doing some shady things, and she's probably going to end up getting herself caught pretty soon. If you wanted to have Jennifer work there... that would solve the protection problem since she'd be a member of the faculty. Just make sure it's what she wants, and that you're not just doing it to make your own life easier. You're having a hard time deciding what to do, don't take an easy way out.

I've got the occult club taken care of for the most part, but I don't mind a helping hand. Just make sure you stay away from Bradley if you can. In two weeks when he dies, that club will fall apart without a strong leader, and you don't want to be caught in he fireball and unable to help that bunch of misfits, right?”

You throw down your hand and sigh. No net losses or gains on either side. Angie chuckles a bit as she evens out the secrets you gambled over the course of the game.

“This was fun.”

You nod and smile.

“It was. I like doing this sort of thing. It's relaxing. I was worried about you last night.”

Angie smiles sleepily.

“You're sweet, Oliver. You're always looking out for people, always paying them compliments. It's no wonder people like you. Of course your romantic life is going to be difficult, you're going out there and being sociable around a group of people who live in neat little boxes defined by rules. If they're not in an arranged marriage they might as well be, y'know? Then you come in, Mr. Dashing Human Fellow, and shake things up.”

Angie slumps against the table.

“It's getting close to wake up time for you. Same time tonight then?”

You nod and smile as the world fades away around you.

“See you then.”

You awaken to find yourself on the bed, and Jennifer is on the makeshift mattress you made from cushions and pillows. She's shivering a little bit, shifted halfway and curled up, with her suit jacket over her for a blanket.

>Continue your pattern of bailing without waking the girl up
>Wake Jennifer up and talk to her
>Put the blanket over Jennifer and slip out
>Other (write-in)

>>44337896
>Put the blanket over Jennifer, kiss the top of her head, and slip out
Stupid girl, letting herself freeze for us.

>>44337896
>>Put the blanket over Jennifer and slip out

>>44337896
>Other (write-in)
Pick her up and put her in the bed, kiss the forehead, and slip out.
Tell her to go back to sleep if she wakes up.

>>44337986
Second this instead of >>44337947

It's the same intent, but nicer.

>>44337896
>>44337986
This

Sneak roll plus Conceal, +4
Strength roll, +0

Rolled 1 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>44338053
Sneak

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>44338053
Strength

Rolled 12 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>44338053
oh god, please, dice, conceal

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>44338053

Strength

>>44338060
nice.....

Rolled 9 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>44338053
Sneak

>>44338077
At least my strength was better

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>44338053
Strength

>>44338086
SAVED

>>44338093
We were okay >>44338063

You ease out of bed slowly and carefully and make your way over to Jennifer. You peel away the jacket and carefully lift her up. She's not all that heavy, but you move carefully to avoid waking her and gently deposit her on the bed before tucking her in. You give her a light kiss on the forehead, and turn to the pile of stuff on the floor.

You take your time packing up to avoid disturbing Jennifer, loading your bag up with your new training supplies. You look at the piles of powder and take a picture to make a necklace or something later, a unique pattern of colors that represents your magic. You finish loading your bag and spot Presence hovering over Jennifer, grinning like a maniac. She reaches down to poke Jennifer, looking at you the whole time. You solemnly shake your head and mouth that if she does that then you won't help her after all, and Presence retreats back to your bag with a silent sigh.

You head for the door, your stuff shifting in your bag a bit, and you pause as the stones clank together. You turn around and look over at the bed. Jennifer is looking at you, hugging a pillow to her chest and curled up in the blanket. She doesn't look upset or worried, she's just quietly watching you leave.

>Leave without a word
>Until next time
>Want me to stick around or are you good?
>Text me when you get home safe
>Other (write-in)

-

Last post of the night. Next time you've got your movie night with Sammy and Andrea, and lots of fun stuff planned for that. Probably Saturday, methinks.

>>44338170
>>Want me to stick around or are you good?

>>44338170
>Want me to stick around or are you good?

>>44338170
>>44338189
>>44338193
>Want me to stick around or are you good?
If she says she's good, walk back over, give her another light kiss and then
>Text me when you get home safe

If she wants us to stay, obviously we'll stay and cuddle a bit.

>>44338170
Thanks QM

Ah to heck with it, one more post.

>>44338276
Sleep's overrated anyway. ^_^

You give her a smile.

“Are you gonna be alright, or did you want me to stick around.”

Jennifer turns over, facing away from you.

“You were going to leave anyway. I was hoping that you'd stay a little while, maybe go for some breakfast, but I'll be fine. I do appreciate your thoughtfulness though.”

You set your pack down.

“So is that a yes or a not to you being alright?”

Jennifer curls up a little more.

“I'll endure what I must, you know that. I'd like you to stay, just for a little while, but I'll manage either way.”

>Stick around for a bit
>Head out
>Give her some affection and then leave
>Other (write-in)

>>44338295
>Stick around for a bit
It's not like we have anything to do.

>>44338295
>>Give her some affection and then leave

I gotta get to school, I was trying to let you sleep in. You deserve it.

>>44338295
>Stick around for a bit
I didn't want to wake you, you looked tired.

>>44338322
It's Saturday, anon. We don't have anything til the evening.

>>44338295
>Stick around for a bit

>>44338295
>Jennifer curls up a little more.
Aww. Let's lay down and spoon her for a bit. Nothing sexual, our hands are still hurt after all, but we can hold her for a bit.

I'm gonna duck out here. I'll write up a longer post about what happens with Jennifer and the lead in to the rest of the day for the next OP. Any solid yes or no things you intend to do?

In terms of affection
>Just cuddling
>Making out is fine
>Pay her back for the gifts

In terms of other things
>Tell her you're going to try to get her a job at the school
>Tell her you wanted to let her sleep in and didn't want to disturb her
>Arrange another meet up before next Friday
>Other (write-in)

The affection thing is first to three, the other stuff I'll let you guys figure out on your own. I'll look over the thread when I wake up and see what the general consensus was.

>>44338396
>Just cuddling
>Making out is fine
And
>Tell her you wanted to let her sleep in and didn't want to disturb her
>Tell her we could try to get her a job at the school if she wanted it.

>>44338413
>>44338396
Sure, dunno about making out really given that if we get her a job, she's got the safety she wanted if not the pack.
But it's whatever.

>>44338396
>Pay her back for the gifts

>Tell her you wanted to let her sleep in and didn't want to disturb her
>Arrange another meet up before next Friday

>>44338396
>Pay her back for the gifts
But otherwise, the same as >>44338413

Explain about the job first, and that she'd be safe. If she still wants us after that, then
>Pay her back.

>>44338396
>Pay her back for the gifts

>Tell her you wanted to let her sleep in and didn't want to disturb her

>>44338396
Team Creole, late to the party again.

>Pay her back for the gifts
Got three already, but I support this choice.

>Tell her you wanted to let her sleep in and didn't want to disturb her

And afterwards ask her to find a basic primer on Rune Magic. Then segway from that into the possibility of modifying all the werewolf curses, eventually. And then float the idea of creating a small sympathetic link between us and her, so she could draw on a tiny bit of our magic, and we could draw on a tiny bit of her supernatural vitality.

>>44338619
>And afterwards ask her to find a basic primer on Rune Magic. Then segway from that into the possibility of modifying all the werewolf curses, eventually. And then float the idea of creating a small sympathetic link between us and her, so she could draw on a tiny bit of our magic, and we could draw on a tiny bit of her supernatural vitality.
I really really like this idea, btw. Thank you, whichever anon planted it in my head.

Unrelated, but do any anons know how to neutralize hydrofluoric acid in leather? I really like these boots, and don't want to throw them away if I don't have to.

>>44338396
>>44338464
I second this, tell her about the job opportunity first, make it clear she doesn't /have/ to stay with us to be safe,

And if she still wants us after that
>Pay her back for the gifts, with interest

>Let her decide when we next meet.

>>44338396
Nothing is a solid no at this point.

>>44338396
>Pay her back for the gifts

>Tell her you wanted to let her sleep in and didn't want to disturb her

>>44338464
And this isn't a bad idea, so long as we make it clear that we're giving her options, not forcing anything on her.

>>44338396
>>44338413
This.

>>44338660
Baking soda.

It's kind of annoying that you put a "last post" message and then continued running.

>>44341295
I didn't think people were going to go back. I wanted to leave off at a point that would let me move forward with the story, not reopen the scene with Jennifer and drag it out for a few posts to open the next thread. And it was only one post and a follow-up vote.

http://strawpoll.me/6346588 If you don't mind one last clarification vote, it would be appreciated folks.

>>44342171
Looks like Oliver's gonna put that silver tongue to work.

>>44342370
Seems so

File: circleBeardBM_468x407.jpg (38 KB, 468x407)

38 KB JPG

>>44342171

i don't even...

>>44342171
What's the point in us even voting for things in the thread if you're just going to give people who haven't bothered to stay up for the thread the option to rewrite our choices?

>>44348250
I did bother to stay up for the entire thread, I just thought the QM saying the thread was over meant it was, you know, over. And evidently so did other people.

>>44348343
same also type sage in options field to avoid thread necromancy.

>>44348343
>>44348357
Obviously not everyone, as he got plenty of responses overnight. So, sorry you were left out, but it's still rather shitty for him to allow a rerole of votes just cause a couple people missed. That's like abandoning a thread because someone had to work instead of taking part.

>>44348472
your night is someone else's morning. For example I voted when I woke up and there was only 1 other voter at that time. Furthermore given the massive impact n the story, the "TAKE HER NAO!" players need to think. Common failing of quests with lewds or smut is players fucking themselves over for it, and unlike most Qms BTQM will not pull punches on the consequences.

>>44348472
I'd consider saying the thread is over when he knows there are people who want to sleep, and really should be asleep, but aren't solely because they want to stay up for the thread, then starting the thread again twenty minutes later somewhere around a hundred thousand times more shitty than allowing a do-over on a vote after such an event.

I say this as one of the people voting to take her.

>>44348512
That's why I asked him to switch to fade to black, instead of writing out the smut.

I voted to take pay her back because really, Oliver's spent more time with her, knows more about her, and she's shown far more affection to Oliver than Sammy.
But he shouldn't be claiming anyone. He's 17 years old and has been a drifter his whole life, that sort of commitment should be scaring the pants off him.

He should suggest the job to her as another way she can get out, and then go slow from there. He has to be able to get trust anyone he stays with with ALL his secrets, after all. He doesn't have any one that he can trust like that.

>>44348927
Yeah I agree, also you forgot to sage. Now Angie will kill you for thread necromancy

>>44348686
Also, I see your point, but if QM only wanted certain people to take part, he'd demand everyone establish a tripcode and message them to him on Twitter or something. This is an anon board, anyone can take part, and as long as they read the archive they're welcome to.

>>44348958
So what? The only reason to do that is to hide this discussion from the front page

>>44349262
Or keep people from getting their hopes up