>>942733
Let's try playing as Niklaus for a while.

>The side story will not affect Dionaea's story.
That's not true. If Niklaus gains something useful that Dionaea can use, then that would count as affecting Dionaea's story, since she would use whatever Niklaus gives her.

Same thing if we make poor decisions and something bad happens to Niklaus while we're playing as him. If Niklaus gets kidnapped, injured, or killed, that would affect Dionaea's story by removing an ally that can help her.

Let's go with Niklaus. I imagine it'll give us some backstory, which may help our decision making in the future.

I'm still curious about Niklaus.

Is this coming back?

Dionaea 2020/08/22(Sat)15:57 No. 974888 ID: 9c6850
File 159813706585.png - (133.40KB , 907x794 , 251-groggy.png )

>Dionaea: 3
>Niklaus: 5

[ Niklaus is an indirect player character, and cannot hear or speak to you. However, you can influence his mental state by making suggestions or simply by reacting, which will influence his reactions and thereby the decisions he makes. ]

The sun has risen outside Niklaus's bedroom window. After his midnight parley with the terrifying shadow-creature that has taken over his basement, he was left with little time for sleep. On the other hand, he probably wouldn't have used it well anyway. His head aches, and his eyelids feel like stiffened leather.

Dionaea 2020/08/22(Sat)15:58 No. 974889 ID: 9c6850
File 159813708699.png - (162.13KB , 907x794 , 252-gracie.png )

As if on cue, a relentlessly cheery rat woman with a bright, syrupy accent knocks and enters the room with a plate of food. "Morning, my lord! I hope I am not bothering you, but it is ten-o-clock already, so I brought you some breakfast."

"Thank you, Gracie, you're too kind. I don't deserve you. How was the tavern last night?" Niklaus asks.

"Well enough, sire, well enough! We earn our keep downstairs." She pauses. "You could have told me you were having a visitor, you know. He riled up poor Sosa, I think, she said she wasn't feeling well and turned in early."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know sh-- he was visiting either. I don't know why you keep that goblin around, honestly. All she does is sit around and mope."

Dionaea 2020/08/22(Sat)15:58 No. 974890 ID: 9c6850
File 159813709681.png - (125.59KB , 907x794 , 253-frown.png )

Gracie fixes him with a rare frown. "My lord! She is family to us as if she were our own kin. What if your father lived and heard you say such things? He welcomed her in and bid us take care of her." Niklaus winces, and she continues. "She does what she can, she is simply... different. I don't believe she is lazy. I won't hear of putting her out on the streets."

"All right, all right. Forget I said anything. I lost the right to tell you what to do a long time ago. I'm just trying to put the pieces back together and get us out of this mess." Niklaus sighs.

Dionaea 2020/08/22(Sat)15:58 No. 974891 ID: 9c6850
File 159813711293.png - (114.38KB , 907x794 , 254-curiosity.png )

"Yesss...." Gracie chitters her teeth anxiously. "I would never presume to put my nose in your business, my lord, only--"

"Gracie," Niklaus groans.

"Only surely you are not meaning to keep us in the dark on this! The assassin the other night, and this strange mouse appears, and--"

"Gracie."

"And you tell me he is some kind of far-flung cousin of yours, and he can help you with your debts," Gracie continues. "And you do not want to tell us who, or where, or why, or how. How are we to take that? Please, sire."

"Gracie!"

"Niklaus," Gracie pleads.

"No," Niklaus says firmly.

Gracie looks defeated. "As you wish, my lord. You have your world, and I have mine. I just... I worry."

"I know."

Dionaea 2020/08/22(Sat)15:58 No. 974892 ID: 9c6850
File 159813712258.png - (159.55KB , 907x794 , 255-breakfast.png )

Gracie leaves, and Niklaus eats his breakfast. Tempting as it is to spend the rest of the day in bed, he should really get out of this armor and go downstairs. It is good, as a lord, to be seen. The least he can do is put on a brave face for his servants. Gods know there isn't much else he can do for them now.

Maybe, while he's down there... he could go peek in the demon's box? No, that would be stupid. She already distrusts him enough. He really is curious what she does down there all day, though. Maybe he'd open it and there wouldn't be anything inside at all. Nothing but shadows.

Right, time to get dressed.

Let's talk to our subjects and learn more about them. And we know part of what 'our cousin' was up to: riling up Sosa. Dig into it.

Is there anyone you haven't spoken to in a while?

Might as well talk to your servants and see how they're doing and what they know. After last night any more surprises might be nice to know about before they come bursting into your room in the middle of the night.

Dionaea 2020/08/23(Sun)21:01 No. 974970 ID: 9c6850
File 159824167701.png - (128.42KB , 907x794 , 256-dressed.png )

Gracie's words stir some sympathy in Niklaus for his former servants. Truthfully, part of the reason he has left them to their own devices for so long is that he is ashamed to face them. Their lives are more difficult and uncertain now, and it is entirely his fault. He maintains a relationship with Gracie only because she is so unrelentingly cheerful that it is impossible to feel judged by her.

But perhaps that should not be so. Maybe it's time he really faced the consequences of his actions. After all, if the demon is able to somehow free him from his debts, he will presumably have to go back to go back to telling them what to do (even if it's just "keep doing what you're doing"). That will be easier if he has spoken to them within the last few years.

He changes out of his armor and into some regular clothing and heads downstairs.

Dionaea 2020/08/23(Sun)21:01 No. 974971 ID: 9c6850
File 159824168958.png - (127.82KB , 907x794 , 257-stairs.png )

Normally, he likes to go for a walk in the afternoons, to clear his mind. But first, he can stop to talk to some of his servants. And maybe he should talk to Sosatoush.

That may be easier said than done, though. When he was a young master, he scorned the goblin, considering her weak and incompetent. He could not, and still does not, understand why his father took her in. It is not a common practice to open's one home to goblinfolk. From the stories he heard as a boy, it was a very risky move by old Master Irontail. Giving goblins a place in your home is a good way to wake up with your valuables missing, or your throat slit.

Obviously, that never happened, and the goblin proved to be nothing more than useless dead weight. So he also could not understand why his father continued to feed and clothe and shelter her year after year when she provided him nearly nothing in return. Being a child, he acted on this curiosity in the only way he knew how: by relentlessly bullying her.

So that bridge may be in need of some repairs.

Dionaea 2020/08/23(Sun)21:01 No. 974972 ID: 9c6850
File 159824170606.png - (128.85KB , 907x794 , 258-servants.png )

"Ah, the Irontail lad graces us with his presence," says a servant when he enters the foyer.

"Watch your tongue, Arend," another, portlier rat admonishes him. Niklaus remembers that her name is Vera. "Have some respect for his father's memory." She seems to be cleaning the tables here, presumably in preparation for opening for business later tonight.

"Have you seen Sosatoush around, Vera?" Niklaus asks. "I'd like to speak to her."

Vera blinks hard in confusion, taken aback. "Why?" she asks, then catches herself. "Er, begging your pardon, sire."

Niklaus pauses, trying to figure that out himself. Gracie mentioned something about the demon harassing her. Maybe at least he ought to find out what she did so that it doesn't come back to haunt him. After all, Dionaea has not exactly exhibited a lot of subtlety in his opinion. Maybe the goblin knows more than she should.

He's about to answer when Arend interjects. "Well, she's not here, milord. Gracie sent her to the markets to pick a few things up." He pauses. "...So she could be anywhere, really."

Sigh I guess you can talk to her later, after your walk. Maybe these two can pass the message along that you're looking to talk to her.

Going to the market seems like a terrible idea, and we'd rather talk to the goblin here anyway. What is our daily routine, besides moping and waiting for death's sweet embrace? We didn't have a plan to pay off the debt before Dionaea showed up.

...probably should clean the blood up at some point.

Anyways might as well ask your servants how things around here a going and if they've heard anything interesting recently. Might give an idea on how to plan your day.

Maybe stick with your daily routine until Gracie gets back.

Dionaea 2020/08/25(Tue)01:54 No. 975046 ID: 9c6850
File 159834568418.png - (90.65KB , 907x794 , 259-aggravated.png )

Niklaus's shoulders droop at this setback. Ugh, of course. He should have known nothing would ever be easy in this miserable town.

He doesn't feel like leaving the manor yet. Maybe there's a chance she hasn't left yet? He could take a look around for her. Maybe check the cellars...

Normally he doesn't like to spend much time here. The Irontail estate is nothing but bad memories for him. He likes to walk around the town, window shop, feel the fresh air, try and find new places to relax and unwind. Nothing takes his mind off his troubles like being alone in the breeze and sunlight. But now... he feels more connected to the place, the last few days.

Where was he? Might as well try to gather some information, he supposes. "Have you two heard of anything interesting going on lately?"

Dionaea 2020/08/25(Tue)01:54 No. 975047 ID: 9c6850
File 159834569191.png - (115.21KB , 907x794 , 260-admonish.png )

"Wh... are you joking?! There's been bloody murders in town every night for the last three nights! A whole farming village nearby was wiped off the map!"

"Ah... I meant something less bleak..."

"Everyone's worried sick, sire! Try to be a little less oblivious!"

"All right, Arend, that's enough..." Vera murmurs.

let them know that's part of the reason why you're kinda here. You were aware of some things happening last night although not the details and that's why you wanted to see everyone just to see how they're doing. Maybe see if there is something you can do to ease their minds, like I don't know, maybe ask if they'd prefer to take the day off with pay... or something. Tensions seem high, and for good reason, but maybe offering some small benefits if for no other reason to ease their minds might go a long ways.

Check the cellars, the manor can't be that big. You might bump into someone or make sure there's nothing to be done, so you can continue on with your day.

The murders all happen at night and so do any attempts on your life, so it'd be good to step out and find somewhere relaxing to go over your options. And figure out just how worried people are about recent events.

Dionaea 2020/08/25(Tue)22:02 No. 975093 ID: 9c6850
File 159841814930.png - (67.38KB , 907x794 , 261-darkness.png )

Niklaus raises his hands to calm the servant-rat. "I had heard bad things were happening, that's why I came through to check on things."

Arend goes back to sweeping resentfully. "We can take care of ourselves, lord Irontail. We've had to."

Yeah... Niklaus doesn't like to hang around here much. But he still feels like he needs to talk to Sosatoush, so he decides to look around the building for her before he goes out.

He heads down to the cellars, where it's nice and quiet and dark. "Sosatoush?" he calls out. "Are you down here?"

The shadows have no response for him.

Dionaea 2020/08/25(Tue)22:02 No. 975094 ID: 9c6850
File 159841816105.png - (89.82KB , 907x794 , 262-shadow.png )

There's a lot of storage rooms under the manor. They're pretty empty now, since he sold most everything of worth in the place, but the servants still keep things down here as a pantry, since the cool air preserves them well.

"Sosatooooush?"

Inspect the box. Dionaea likes to sleep in those.

Alternatively, say "Cousin Bartholomew?"

>>975094
Look at that aura... Yeah it's probably just gonna be a bunch of shadows in there.
Hey, remember that magic she said was somewhere in your manor? Maybe you can go rooting around in storage for anything that could potentially be the item. Then lay it aside for the demon to inspect later.

Don't bug a sleeping demon. She's hungry.

didn't dionaea SPECIFICALLY say not to disturb that one, specific, box? are you really going to do that?

>>975094
Try giving the nearest box a good thump.

Dionaea 2020/08/26(Wed)21:48 No. 975140 ID: 9c6850
File 159850369168.png - (72.05KB , 907x794 , 263-approach.png )

Niklaus steps into the room he set aside for Dionaea's use. Did he imagine that dark aura? The deepened shadows spreading out from the box? It seems that way; when he blinked, they vanished.

He feels a heightened apprehension as he approaches the crate he saw her climb into two nights ago. She is definitely inside it this morning. He can feel his heart beat faster as he approaches it, until it's so loud in his chest that he's concerned the sound might wake her.

Dionaea 2020/08/26(Wed)21:48 No. 975141 ID: 9c6850
File 159850370268.png - (83.30KB , 907x794 , 264-timid.png )

She never explicitly told him not to open it while she was hibernating, and yet a wordless murmur in the back of his head buzzes with disquiet at the possibility. What if he disturbs her? He has no idea how deeply she slumbers.

Perhaps, if he just opens it as slowly and quietly as possible, he can sate his curiosity without angering her? Would that be so wrong?

Oh my, a genuine trunk, just like in the pirate fables that so overly romanticise a rather grisly business. Perhaps you can elicit some long lost excitement by imagining that it might contain more than some near-fossilised potatoes.

Oh, but leave the crate properly alone. You may have had your moments but you are not a complete idiot.

>>975141
Maybe... just a peek wouldn't hurt.

>>975141
If you disturb her and it's not an emergency, then your servants won't even find your body. You'd better leave her alone so that you don't piss how off and get yourself killed!

Let sleeping crates lie

Maybe try knocking...

You can just make something up if she wakes up and gets upset about it. Like asking what she did with Sosa that was bad enough it got around to your servants.

Dionaea 2020/08/27(Thu)22:25 No. 975214 ID: 9c6850
File 159859232342.png - (54.79KB , 907x794 , 265-lid.png )

Niklaus wavers indecisively, resting his hand on the rough wood of the crate. Opening it would probably be very stupid. He doesn't want to disturb her sleep, not just because it would anger her, but also because it might affect how well she can help him tonight.

But his reservations are not enough to stave off his curiosity. He very carefully lifts the lid, as quietly as possible, and peeks inside.

Dionaea 2020/08/27(Thu)22:25 No. 975215 ID: 9c6850
File 159859234899.png - (97.74KB , 907x794 , 266-dionaea.png )

The demon is curled up in a ball inside, her pure-black form barely visible in the deep shadows of the cellar. She lays still, occasionally shifting gently in her sleep. Niklaus is stricken by how vulnerable she seems. It's the first time he's seen her, even with her relatively short stature, look anything less than imposing and threatening.

He slowly lowers the lid and creeps out of the room. Sosatoush isn't down here, or he would have heard something. There are still some other rooms of the manor he can check. Maybe she's in the kitchen, or up in the tower. There are plenty of nooks and crannies a goblin could wedge herself if she didn't want to do her work. Or maybe she really did go out to the market.

Well, market is one of the places you usually wander to, right? May as well.

No harm in going to the market now.
I think.

It might be worth the effort to give Dionaea a way to lock her room in the cellar if she's so vulnerable when resting, but if she didn't ask for it she's probably not too worried anyway.

Off to the market, we're just burning daylight here.

Dionaea 2020/08/29(Sat)00:20 No. 975266 ID: 9c6850
File 159868565950.png - (324.17KB , 907x794 , 267-stroll.png )

Niklaus feels relieved when he climbs the stairs back into the light. Nothing bad happened, for once. Even so, after that nerve-wracking stunt, he definitely wants to go for his walk. If Sosatoush is still in the manor she's probably not going anywhere, and if not, he'll find her at the markets.

The sun feels good on his fur. As he walks, he listens to the birds chirping, the murmur of conversation around him, the clomping of footsteps and the rumbling of wagons. He enjoys the feeling of rough cobblestones under his bare feet, and the fact that no one gives him a second glance. He feels insignificant, worry-free.

He does not see any goblins on the way over, though.

Dionaea 2020/08/29(Sat)00:21 No. 975267 ID: 9c6850
File 159868570289.png - (229.27KB , 907x794 , 268-market.png )

It occurs to him now that it would have been prudent to ask Arend exactly what Sosatoush had been sent out to get for Gracie. As it is, he doesn't really know where to look for her. He'd have to get pretty lucky walking around in the crowd to happen upon the same part of the market that she's in.

Maybe he can narrow it down a little somehow?

It's probably something related to what they serve in the tavern. Beer? Food?

Suggestion 2020/08/29(Sat)08:15 No. 975282 ID: 1c1b7d

That's the masked assassin who was tailing Dionaea earlier. You know even less than she does about them, though...

Maybe just hang out wherever you can get the widest view of the market, then. You're not really in any hurry to talk so you're free to enjoy the day.

People watch for fun and profit

Try considering what it is Gracie usually does and use that to narrow down what she could have needed.

Considering that Goblins are not widely trusted, it may well be with a more familiar merchant.