I'm afraid this is a very precious item that cannot be entrusted in just any hands. If you'll call up my associate (Gramleza) I can entrust it to them.

>>1127782
That's actually a very good idea, yeah.

Otherwise, Maya Din can hold it for us with her iron body if Gramleza is unavailable, if Abdle can get her attention in the lantern.

>>1127783
Go with Maya Din.

Absurdity DeVoid 2026/07/05(Sun)15:07 No. 1128980 ID: 8d1947
File 178326407452.jpg - (3.91MB , 2887x3828 , side quest 111.jpg )

Possible answers to the question that was asked:

A) Follow Bobbie inside the room.

B) Stay with Abdle outside.

B) we trust you

Tio 2026/07/05(Sun)04:18 No. 1128970 ID: 1de1ba
File 178322511712.png - (3.40MB , 2445x1263 , 11-2.png )

Smell Brandubh near the entrance, seems he waited.
"There's the young courtier! Tell me, Edrachin - has she yet fallen to her knees, aghast, struck dumb by your roguish charms?"
"I- I was there to thank her!"
"Ah, 'course - that's what you smell like. Gratuity."
"Wait what?" Sniff at myself.
He keels over chittering.
"Oh, piss off!"
"Wrong liqui-"
"Whisht it, you bockety cod!"
"Yeah I'm cod, aaaaall the lasses wanna swallow some a' me!"
"Don't men eat cod too?"
Nearly falls laughing.

"Anyways, git, can we head to the docks?"
"Pfhaha - sure, sure, though it's the right opposite direction. Gonna take a bit."
Leave the shrineforest, start walking along the river.

"Why the docks?"
"The druid, she seemed a bit startled. Kept mentioning a 'gilded ship', something about it being bad luck."
"Well, wouldn't worry too much, she smells easy to spook. Probably just the ship granda and all the others caught, been the talk since they came in."
"What?"
"How d- oh, right, Fog had you under right after that, didn't it? He can tell it himself, if he's awake."

Through the town, smells start getting a bit overwhelming, so many people, feelings, things.

Tio 2026/07/05(Sun)04:19 No. 1128971 ID: 1de1ba
File 178322514744.png - (5.57MB , 2360x1640 , 11-3.png )

Scents change passing from the town center into the iascull orchards. Wet, heavy, lush, organic.
We walk along the dikes, large, sturdy trees holding together the banks on the rushing river. Past each side grow dense rows of still firm, yet rather sagging-branched trees wrapped in waxy vines, surrounded by ferns, themselves encircled in canals packed with cattails and algae, bridged by narrow wooden rails, fish darting between reeds and insects buzzing about. Surely farmers go about its maintenance, but through such dense foliage they are barely seen.

In the distance, faint rumbling. Slowly approach the sound, crashing water, suddenly -

Tio 2026/07/05(Sun)04:19 No. 1128972 ID: 1de1ba
File 178322516025.png - (18.85KB , 1455x664 , 11-4.png )

...
It is... vast. Blue. Beautiful. The breeze, the scent:

Home.

"Beauty, isn't it? Never get tired of this."

...


"...how do we get down?"
"The stairs." _Smirk._ "Pulleys're off, broke yesterday."

Out of my fascination, I see some others bustling about a building on the cliff's edge. Repairing, complaining.

"Oh that reminds me, I have to repair the roof for mom good luck with that Tio bye say hi to granda for me!"
"Wh- AGAIN?" And he's off.

Closer look at the edge.
Long way down.
Seaside cliffs to the left and right, a small few skerries and islets scattered along.
Ships docked at the wharf below, at its end a strange one of black material, segments shining deep brown and yellow.

...seems I'll have a while to think. Anything before/while/instead of heading down? Try to recall something?

>>1128969
The problem isn't that she's above your challenge rating, it's that she's a racist nutjob. Ah, well.

>>1128972
You might want to consider building some guard-rails. Nothing fancy, just stick some rusted weapons in the ground and tie a few ropes across each pommel.

Recall if the stairs are safe, or if it's better to wait for the pullies to be repaired.

Absurdity DeVoid 2026/07/04(Sat)18:23 No. 1128948 ID: 5c7515
File 178318940922.jpg - (152.71KB , 620x483 , sca 1127.jpg )

Mori Tsurugi: "How would your girlfriend feel about you needing to become intimate with these bunnies in order to convert them to your side?"

Hanako: "She understands my work and what is needed to achieve my goal. She has no problem shearing me with others."

Absurdity DeVoid 2026/07/04(Sat)18:26 No. 1128949 ID: 5c7515
File 178318961685.jpg - (153.40KB , 620x483 , sca 1128.jpg )

Mori Tsurugi: "Oh, I didn't know that your relationship was like that."

Hanako: "Well, we don't talk about it, but to convince that both her and I have changed, we became intimate with Akane, the person who saved me from my environment. She was satisfied with how much the two of us had developed."

Absurdity DeVoid 2026/07/04(Sat)18:28 No. 1128950 ID: 5c7515
File 178318971363.jpg - (233.16KB , 674x700 , sca 1129.jpg )

Mori Tsurugi: "In that case, if we manage to get out of this place victorious with all the enemies defeated. There is something that I want to prepare for you. A big surprise."

Hanako: "I will give it my all to make your plan a reality."

With that, Hanako and Mori Tsurugi went with great enthusiasm onwards to finish this mission. The first half of this chapter has been finished. The other part, called "The tip of the spear" Will start during november 1.

Now that this part is over, I will use the end of it as more of a way to talk with you all about the story so far. So, how did you like this chapter compared to the first one?

There is a drastic departure between the first and the second chapter. I am not saying it is bad, just different. The enemies become more freakier, the battles are more complex and longer. The whole tempo was a breakneck speed, for the story and updates schedule. For some parts of the story I didn't even get the chance to post a suggestion.

An exciting challenge. Looking forward to the next part.

Well, if Gaybe isn't cooperative with the plan, we can offer him the 'alternative' of remaining Nixxy's pet and risk terminal snu-snu and/or predation.

An important detail of the plan should be to ensure the disguised changelings and the mice they're imitating aren't seen together or in dofferent places (e.g. Kol and 'Kool' being seen together). Otherwise, snooping court agents might figure put their plan. Casey can shapeshift to disguise herself, but Kol will have to actively avoid his copy while in public (possibly with his spirit-jaunting).

Also, might be a good idea to establish clear coded phrases as identifiers, so the mice don't mix each other up in case the other two of the hive are much better at disguising themselves.

Once the hive is fully on board, a thorough training montage is in order. Especially in the carnal arts - the Fey have lots of poses to reference from the mind palace.

Are kelpies the natural predators of changelings or something? Or is that just a threat she's always ready and willing to pull out if needed?

In RL folklore, Kelpies are mythical amphibious horses who swim in lakes and lure people to ride them... So they can drown them and then devour them (leaving entrails behind on the shore).

When the crew first learned about Nixxy, they panicked and assumed she was gonna be a dangerous fey. We've seen Nixxy unsettlingly unhinge her jaw to eat a drumstick, so she's certainly a carnivore. The mice take her threats of eating people seriously - luckily she seems to prefer sex and is a playful sweetheart.

I imagine less adorable kelpies/violent fey engage in predation / hunting of people, possibly tricking them with fey law and masquerade rules to do so. But this is a lighthearted lewd comic, so we'll hopefully never meet such fey.

Let us be fair, as long as Fennel is anywhere near nearby (...and disagrees), no one is getting eaten... it just might get close.

Alright time to hunt down two more fey, quick question, where are they and why is one in the bakery?
Then again, how many places in this town are connected to our mice?

Time to give bug boy the sales pitch. Be nice, he seems timid and you don't have a lot of time if he gets scared off.

Go left. Looks like a symbol for comms.

Go center

hmmm left

Right. I think it leads to the armory, and if they freak out, you want to keep the away from guns. (For their own safety, of course!)

Go left.

I wonder if it would help or hinder to tell the girls this skeleton is not large enough to be Vax...
Probably will freak out Mina even more with the idea that they might be reanimated. Better to not even mention and hope the thought didn't occur to her.

Have we tried using that lever yet? Probably shouldn't while there's skeletons around though.

>>1128959
Hmm, we saw many skeletons in the ritual room. We might have an infestation on our hands. Most likely the snake lady summoned them all while the captives were disabled, and then... well, it makes the most sense for her to play a sort of game with them to force us to come down and deal with it. The captives have been chased around by the skeletons and I wouldn't be surprised if one of them is up that trap door the skeleton is jumping at.

Anyway, my general plan hasn't changed. Message your party and tell them there's skeletons down here of an unknown quantity and you're not gonna be able to handle them alone. Since they're mostly-mindless constructs your party members should be able to descend safely.
You could try scouting out the other doors I suppose, to see if you can get an idea of how many there are and what they're currently doing?

Sneak up on it, use the sickle to hook it's spine and YOINK IT OUT.

>>1128961
Actually... I think when you get near the rope you should be within range for telepathic messages.
Pass along as your spell talk at an opportune time and don't call attention to it.

To Evel’yee:
Try act natural so Mina doesn't notice.
The skeleton is an iruxi but it's not tall enough to be Vax. Probably too clean too.
I don't want the idea that it might be what was done to them in Mina's head but if she realizes the possibility by herself you can at least reassure her that this one was someone else.

Just... be careful. Some necromancers found a way to turn bonemeal into animated skeletons.

Fun fact: Bones aren't just for stability or armor. Living bones produce blood. If you crack one open you might see a bunch of holes; that's not a disease, it's because the inside of your bones is spongy to produce the blood. After rigor mortis, the inside slowly dries out until it becomes almost as stiff as the rest of the bone, but a freshly harvested bone can be cracked open to collect the stuff.
And you can make a tasty butter from the part of the bone that produces blood if you harvest it before it dries out, but I'm sure you already know that... mmm.

So: testing. Once the party's done bashing this thing to pieces, saw open a large piece and see what's inside. If the bones are still 'fresh', we might have something to work with...

I’d like to choose C! Taking the splinter to the mender is probably the better decision. If A gains a lot of favor though, trying to plug the hole shut seems like the option a panicked child would do.

I think you would be impressed you actually found it. B) to look at the ink.

C) This must have been what the mender was looking for!

C
OH NO! THE WORLD IS BLEEDING TO DEATH! WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!

B. You were curious and touched the strange new substance. Perhaps a bit too curious and splashed it around a bit.

>>1128805
"...I deserve this. Just don't fucking enslave my unborn children."

>>1128805
>too good to be true
You haven't even heard the deal yet.

>>1128805

Disco very trustworthy

Silence 2026/07/03(Fri)13:57 No. 1128907 ID: 6d1406
File 178308704436.png - (59.60KB , 515x304 , Mech484.png )

>>1128806
This is more than true, 3 billion credits. You look to Hannibal who gives a shrug and says. "There's at least a chance."

>>1128810
"...I deserve this. Just don't fucking enslave my unborn children."

Disco looks offput. "I don't think you're that bad off. It'll be some work but we can come to a mutual resolution. We saw how you piloted that unit, for somebody who has very few augments such as yourself, it was impressive."

"I have debts with the ITA," you point out.

"We'll clear those, especially with that little fiasco that their "rogue" element caused," Disco says.

>>1128827
>>1128832
You point out you haven't even heard the deal yet.

Message too long. Click here to view the full text.

>>1128907
1, you want a clause in your contract that says if a mission is exceptionally lucrative it reduces the length of your service. Proportional to the remaining debt, of course.
2, are they gonna put a bomb in your head or something to make sure you comply?
3, is this a secret deal?

...can't think of a 4th one offhand.

Don't answer!

Got a window or peephole to see who it is?

>>1128916
I keep forgetting about the hand and remembering only band practice and donuts and stale cereal

There are house rules?

Anyway

inspect those photos on the mirror

>>1128824
>I would like to close the doors and avoid more boarders joining the current mess.
>rolled 6, 6, 16
Two more rounds for boarders to swim through, then Cricket can get that hatch sealed on the third - IF you're willing to spend 2xp to lock in training on "Nightcraft Hangar Bay Ops & Maintenance" (or something roughly equivalent).

rolled 16, 17, 8, 11, 19, 20, 4, 3, 7, 1, 4, 17, 9, 9, 12, 9, 19, 18, 11, 12 = 226

---

>>1128410
>Paprika, that was almost us when we landed in the castle!
"You mean after we got tossed up into the sky together? The innkeeper said it was kind of a long shot that we survived..."

>And, hehe, I agreed to be paid in statues back in the City of Needles!
"Ok, you lost me. What's that have to do with anything?"

>...I could just disappear in here.
>Would you dance with me under this sea of pseudo-stars?
Despite being caught more than a little off-guard by the request and everything else that's happening, Paprika manages to come back with a dreamy "Oh Nat...I thought you'd never ask." Dancing in such an awkward space with an invisible partner presents an interesting challenge, but Paprika is a consummate professional. She carefully lifts and guides Nat around any obstacles and ends with a mostly-graceful tumble that leaves the two lying on the floor together. "So uh...have you always been able to go invisible like that?"

>>1128645
>Oh dear.
>>1128649

Message too long. Click here to view the full text.

rolled 14, 17, 1, 19, 20, 4, 8, 1, 2, 17, 17, 7, 2, 8, 4, 20, 2, 4, 8, 10 = 185

---

Reiko groans off-comms. "Whyyy..."

So: Either the 'immigrants' can't hear her or they don't speak Trade, their challenge rating is higher than anything the team can take, Branu might get angry if Reiko throws them out into space, or might get angrier if she doesn't...
Cricket has gone missing, while Natalina (who ironically hasn't gone missing because she's invisible) and Paprika are too busy doing the hanky panky and turning their psychological issues around.

And now all her favorite snacks are soggy.
Wonderful.

Reiko (still linked) directs the ship AI to 'jiggle' the iced-up doors with a combination of pseudo-physics designed to crush multi-form polymorphic crystalline structures, especially since the surrounding 'liquid water' is highly oxygenated somehow. If she can get control back to the doors, maybe she could try out a Binary code by having the door open-and-shut at specific intervals to communicate at a distance. Or just lock the doors, blast off, and call this expedition a bust.

>>1128856
Definitely accepting this proposal, hopefully with reikos help they can get the doors closed off.

rolled 14, 3, 5, 9, 5, 20, 8, 2, 1, 8, 10, 20, 3, 1, 11, 7, 7, 7, 13, 19 = 173

---

>"Ok, you lost me. What's that have to do with anything?"
(Before calming down via dance) "I thought I was being clever, but I made a deal with something ancient that doesn't think like we do. What if frozen copies are easier, hehe, or faster than working stone? I'm sure she didn't ask to be killed a thousand-countless times over and over," Natalina waves a hand at the outside, "but that's what ha-ha-happened! "

>"So uh...have you always been able to go invisible like that?"
The arkus gives her girlfriend a funny look. "That was metaphor. I know numenera can make things ambiguous at times, but you're looking right at me."

>"Nat, I'm not gonna let you go out there all alone. Is it really that urgent?"
"I think we may have accidentally triggered a crusade. We're a lot more likely to change minds if we step in before the violence starts."

The arkus checks her cyphers. If the problem is her heading off [i]alone[i/]... She can't normally take anyone else with her when she shreds the walls of world, but the things she carries or wears make it across just fine. Maybe she could carry a shrunken Paprika with her? Or... perhaps if they attached the hiding alarm nodule to the sensor tusk, Paprika could attack to force it insubstantial and they could both fall out? Although that might be a problem if the tusk is currently being used as a weight-bearing landing strut. Or Natalina could exit through the wall, and Paprika could go the long way, through the molten metal? (Though opening the door might damage the sensor tusk, and even if Paprika's heat-proof, shoving through all tha

Message too long. Click here to view the full text.

>>1128886
Animal videos! Building a birdhouse is interesting, but you might get too absorbed into it when you're just trying to pass time. The spooky ghost video looks like a clue to something we shouldn't worry about at the moment. Cute animals are always fun.

But also set a timer first if you've got one. That way you can be sure you won't be late.

the ghost video will either be AI slop which might be good for a laugh, a shitpost which could be good for a laugh, or maybe someone saw your robber. If the video isn't to long maybe give it a peek and we'll let you know if it's the same guy that we saw last night or not. Then maybe the bird house video if for no other reason then to give yourself something to think about throughout the day that won't give you stress.

Ghost videos feel like they will help the most with the current mystery.

I am not trying to force you to do anything that you are not comfortable doing. But on the other hand I believe that having someone to talk with other then us might be beneficial to you psychological well-being. You talk differently to your family and to your friends. I just want to see you happy and not worried all the time, you deserve better than what you are getting right now.

animal videos. You deserve to chill with cute aminals and not concern ourselves about the robber.

B 2026/07/02(Thu)21:10 No. 1128876 ID: 35d66b
File 178302663229.gif - (39.89KB , 640x480 , 25.gif )

It's dark in here, but there's a flickering light coming from one of the movie rooms.

B 2026/07/02(Thu)21:11 No. 1128877 ID: 35d66b
File 178302671980.gif - (74.24KB , 640x480 , 26.gif )

Entering in, you find the place deserted. The aisles of chairs are empty, and the screen shows nothing but-

B 2026/07/02(Thu)21:13 No. 1128879 ID: 35d66b
File 178302678666.gif - (47.67KB , 640x480 , 27.gif )

"Hellooooo!"
A male voice spills out from the projection booth.
"I have proof now! Betty is a FUCKING LIAR! Right here!"
How should you respond to that?

Let's see it then

Roll it!

>>1128785
Whatever's easier for you!

>>1128786
yeah no preference

more smaller updates so I don't forget what is happening between them!

>>1128785
Happy however it comes.

>>1128793
Reasonable. It lets us chatter at the crew while they work too, which might make writing dialogue during the updates easier.

Buckwheat 2026/06/28(Sun)16:37 No. 1128682 ID: ac2578
File 178266463579.png - (7.32KB , 800x600 , 100.png )

>maybe Pickford could explain why he told us to "stay safe" and not "the forest is infested with vermin. You need to leave."
Kaari: “Why didn’t you warn us it’d be a good idea to leave instead of just, stay safe."

Pickford: “Didn’t know things were this bad ‘round here. Bum rangers…

>Right now we need to stop the bleeding. Get that medkit.
>Her friends are no doubt watching the entrance. Going out doesn't seem like a good idea.
Kaari: “Ugh, moving her probably isn’t a good idea. She’s probably got others watching the entrance to the mine. Anything useful in the medkit hanging up there? Should try to wrap her up and get her stable.”

He rushes over and pulls a roll of gauze out from the kit.
Pickford: “Don’t make me regret showing ya some mercy now.”

She snarls out in pain, but allows him to dress up the wound.

>Tell him that Judith is already on her way with a wheelchair, but it seems we might need a second one...

Message too long. Click here to view the full text.

>>1128682
I don't think Rosary's moving around like that. You have the pickaxe and the axe, too. I guess if needed you could tie her up a bit.
Lana, though, is she coming around?

Leave something heavy on her legs, like that box of dynamite. It won't exacerbate her injuries since her legs are fine, and if she tries to move it, Kaari can stab her before she has time to get loose.

>Pickford: “Course, that leaves you alone with her… Shoot.”
We can probably use a minecart to wheel her out of here with him. Is there one nearby? Meanwhile you'll stay with Lana and wait for the wheelchair, you'd rather not have to sit with that scary bear after what she put you through.

This will give us time to get that jinx of a fox out of the crates without the donkey knowing.

>>1128735
Mine cart. Maybe a wheel barrow.

>>1128705
Oh, cool!
Theres already bags and bags of white paint to use!
Little and big bags!

>>1128717
This is true, but it's also a literal translation of the message.

One has tto take into account the phallus-themed insults that actually Romans used, which are...

Ummm.....

You know what? Let's just use the phrase you proposed and have the little troll repeat it so many times, it gives the shrine a new coat of paint.
He'll pay for the extra spray cans, of course.

>>1128717

> It's nonsense to tell a roman to relocate to penus

Maybe he's inviting Romans to the shrine

Tell the goblin that it's so nice that he's offering to paint the shrine in scripture - and so insufferable that he misspells his Latin. Which is why you're going to force him to do it another 100 times, in different sizes, and be sure to paint across every inch of the wall.

>>1128707
Wait, I just realized something. The Butt Priestess didn't exactly specify what she hates about the Dick Shrine or what she wants us to fix about it. We just kind of assumed she wants the graffiti cleaned off, but maybe she hates the shrine itself and wants it covered or something. Might want to clear that up before we commit to a plan.

They are wearing your same clothes?

Um..ask Simone and Uberto if they know whether the identity theft victims are people who entered the well. It might be the clones come into existence when someone arrives in this world.

It definitely feels like going that way is a bad idea. Let's investigate from a safe distance and leave if it looks like we angered something.

(1/1) kpwlt 2026/06/30(Tue)15:34 No. 1128760 ID: 127310
File 178283364129.png - (19.50KB , 700x700 , u25p1.png )

>So something killed your clones? But were they protecting you, or targeting you?

Is it possible to say?

>Ok, from now on, we move as a group. Everyone stays in sight of eachother at all times. Also we can't trust anyone we meet down here, they could be clones.

Sam creeps back to the stragglers and seizes their wrists.

SAM: “Oh, okay, there have been some developments that mean we all need to stay together. We can’t let each other out of our sights, and we can only trust ourselves. Got it?”

Sam is met with murmured agreement.

>...I guess the Well made clones of you already, and they were killed. Or this is an aborted cloning attempt?

The Well made clones? So like the other Minister, there was an other Sam and an other Uberto?

Message too long. Click here to view the full text.

Slowly approach as a group. You're going to grab Mary and retreat to the lit camp.

Really? That's not the outfit I thought she'd be wearing after all these months.

Still, going to grab her would be a bad idea in the middle of that strange darkness.

Maybe the Jurist cloack can do it? If not, asking Simone and Uberto, and yes, even our spectral bird friend, if there is any way to retrieve without moving deeper in would help!

>>1128760
Huh, the thing was creating an illusion? Do the clone-bits look the same as before?
Let's go retrieve Mary.

>>1128349
Take a deep hiss
And just hiss a moment.
You need to hiss about this carefully
Theres got to hiss a rational hissplanation
That explains whats hissing on.
Exam ssssssstresssssss

Tell him where school is. It's in a government building.

Well, HRK is clearly overflowing with energy, so..

Let's make run a few laps around the park to tire him out.
Then, let's get him an ice-cream! That's always relaxing.

Finally, since he wants to do that exam he keeps talking about, let's give him a sheet of paper and a number 2 pencil and make him do the exam right here!

I think that should about cover it.

Make him experience a female orgasm?

The college exam center has been relocated to be taken at the nearest radio broadcast station.

>>1128485
Hey, maya.
You're gonna be ok.
Hes got a pure heart this guy.


You can let go of the tension youve been carrying, even if its just for a short time.
Compartmentalise everything.
The before and the worries about what may be, push them aside.
If you let those things crowd your mind, you'll have no room to absorb this respite you need.
Be present in this moment.
Take it all in.
Live in it.

>>1128487
>>1128488

This looks like a puzzle.
The second image seems right to fit in the bottom corner of the first.
Looking at it reminds me of one of those things you sometimes see in a captcha.
Move a group of seperate image components across the others until the message or image resolves.

Maybe im imagining things...

I don't know if I can unpack all that but, you're alright Maya.

and this guy seems alright too

But for the love of gods get the glass picked out of your hand!

>>1128485
...You got through it. I'm glad that you're feeling better, Maya. And you said you were getting better at handling it; that's a good sign! Not for our sake, I'll never blame you for your problems, but if it's getting easier to deal with, that means you'll get a handle on it sooner or later. And we'll always be here to help if you need us.

While the cute bunny is treating your injuries, would you like to... talk about things? Anything you want to get off your chest? Something we can do to help you feel better? Whatever it is, don't be afraid to ask.

It's going to be okay, Maya. Take things one step at a time. It's okay if you ask for boundaries from Swiss or anyone if you need them!! He seems to genuinely want to help you, but if you get scared or worried about stuff it's okay to say you're scared, too. I think he'll understand that at least.

Probably let him know about your hand first also... That one might be the most important wound to attend to at the moment.

Time to make the world a better place with your leadership, and maybe for an orphanage. To save the new genaration form going down the wrong path in their life.

Tell him it talks to the gods and they say he's a dick.

but in all seriousness you both did good

Tell him it made you a few friends.

Awwwwww mannnnnnn we’re gonna save the universsssssssse!!!

The ring isn’t for using, or talking about, lightly. I’m kind of afraid of going into detail. Let’s just say it gave us all hope.

I’m gonna miss you all! Try not to tear up!

>>1128572
It's opened up a whole lot of new possibilities.

We (and I in particular) will be waiting for you to do some very interesting things.

Use a preocuppied but understanding tone: "You... think armed conflict can't be avoided?"

If she means something else, something aimed at you, well... get angry. You are just a young little preceptor trying to help and she blames you instead. Play that up.

And uh... did you cast an Eye on Gazeti at some point? Casting a distracting illussion on our present company may be warranted soon, I feel.

Does she know you were dreading having to manage her insipid scheme? That's about the only thing related to Silver which you totally didn't act on, while some random monster conveniently removed your loose end's entire hand.

Does she know it's you who uh... totally didn't do any of that stuff?

Otherwise you've been nothing but genuine to her. Does she not believe your Martinets have been fused to the wall? That's what you wanted her help with, right? Does she think you're hiding the fact that the toilers are revolting, due to overzealous labor extraction on part of the mongers? Because I think she can see that from all the collapsed mines. She doesn't know you have an eye on her, does she?

Xerin 2026/06/23(Tue)01:39 No. 1128486 ID: 60438e
File 178217874477.png - (1.03MB , 1000x1000 , 195.png )

> Does she know you were dreading having to manage her insipid scheme? That's about the only thing related to Silver which you totally didn't act on, while some random monster conveniently removed your loose end's entire hand.
I can’t imagine she does.
…
It’s ridiculous to even consider. How would she even know?
………
Unless… could she already have spies among the mercenaries? No, that’s silly. I only just learned of their location how would she have embedded a spy? Regardless, it’s not even been an hour since I switched my eye from the toiler to the valkin. Even if Silver had managed to infiltrate their ranks to learn what happened to her patsy and assuming the spy would be aware of why she would matter at all there hasn’t been enough time for her to receive that information. It’s conceivable through magic but again I can only conclude ‘no’. I certainly don’t watch through her eye very often but I’ve never seen even a hint that she’s dabbled in such heresy with her own hands or through an intermediary. It would be too big a weakness if Steel learned of it and wanted to depose her. Maybe-

>Otherwise you've been nothing but genuine to her. Does she not believe your Martinets have been fused to the wall?
Genuine is a bit strong of a word but-

>That's what you wanted her help with, right? Does she think you're hiding the fact that the toilers are revolting, due to overzealous labor extraction on part of the mongers?
No, I-

>Because I think she can see that from all the collapsed mines. She doesn't know you have an eye on her, does she?
Quiet!

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>>1128486
Im torn over you.
I admire your abandoned goal to tear this place down, i even admire just aiming to gain your own freedom.
But, im not happy about poor asher.
That said, theres more than you to blame for how it went.

There is something ive noticed were significantly better than you at.
Maybe its because were not trying to keep so many plates spinning, but we havent missed any words like you do when lip reading through your eyes.

Oh, and your faith in numbers over technology is, unfortunately, as naive as your dream of tearing down the mountain.
Weapons are called force multipliers for a reason.
And it gives asymettrical warfare a distinct advantage.
The tip of their spear will be small enough to slip into places larger forces would falter and be murderously sharp, so to speak.
I dont say this to cause you undue distress. Well.
Maybe a little, because im still grumpy about asher, but not much.

In the same way your dream of tearing down the mountain was tempered by experience into something more acheivable...
Right now, you are as inexperienced in facing weapons like these as younger self was the realities of life in your mountain.
And, its worth remembering, technology develops with the pace of a rockslide, especially under the motivation of war.
Little bits at first, a percievable quicker slide of larger things... then before you can react a rumble and youre crushed.
Well, worth considering, eh?

>>1128536
No dice. Been trying to convince this fella to change his mind about his deeds and self all morning.
So far, he is deciding whether his stance should be "I don't care" and "Maybe I should start hating that Asher girl since you won't shut up about her."

C'est la mort, or whatever it is they say.

So!
I suppose we should discuss strategy with Silver on what to do while we wait for the Preceptors to gather.
Also, probably check back on what Steel and Haddik are doing right now, if we have the time.

>my mo- mentor.
D'awww! You almost said it.
Let's hope she feels the same way.
Who knows, she may even arrange for your exile instead of your execution if you get caught!