>>1125297
It'd be nice to say we get it from our friends and our parents. That they encourage us and help us believe it'll be alright. Poetic. Hopeful.

But the simple truth is that, our friends hardly know. Parents don't bring it up much. Instead, we think about all the people we love and have met. We remember all the amazing people that we'd make sad, that we'd HURT if we lost control.

And so we make sure we don't. Simple as that.

B.

So what is the truth?

Prince chei 2026/04/18(Sat)00:24 No. 1125531 ID: 4a28e4
File 177647186828.png - (79.58KB , 800x600 , 703.png )

Choosing ourselves, huh? If I were asked this question, I'd definitely have to choose my friends. Without them, I'd still be back on Fishbowl sweeping floors! But in Ceri's case, there's no arguing she's made it this far thanks to her incredible inner strength.

Prince chei 2026/04/18(Sat)00:24 No. 1125532 ID: 4a28e4
File 177647187175.png - (84.18KB , 800x600 , 704.png )

To be honest, sometimes I'm not sure.
I love my body. My shapes and curves, despite what various mammals have said over the years.
But maybe I obsess over my body because it's harder to love...
...The rest of me.
But you're good and cute and sweet.
It's nice to hear that, especially from someone I showed my darker feelings to.
But my encounters with Daatra revealed that I'm no different from her.
I often doubt myself. I worry too much. I make impulsive decisions.
But in a way, it helps me understand Kharadra's message even more.
Loving yourself doesn't stop at your body. You have to learn to love your mind, too.
You can't just focus on your weaknesses. You have to embrace the good things about yourself.
It helped that Daatra basically beat me over the head with my good points.
She saw the good things in me the way I saw them about her.
I know I still have to work on it, but... I'm learning to love myself.
And I know that you can learn to love yourself too, regardless of whatever regrets you have.

Prince chei 2026/04/18(Sat)00:24 No. 1125533 ID: 4a28e4
File 177647187401.png - (102.91KB , 800x600 , 705.png )

Mistress...
Ceridwen...
....
Before me lay two paths. I've been struggling with... deciding which path to take.
....
Sometimes the price for one's hono(u)r is great indeed.
...?
Whatever it is, we'll be here for you.
Yeah!
I know. That's what makes it so hard.
Okay. Brace yourself, my lady, for this may come as quite the bombshell.
Trust me, I'm plenty used to bombshells and dramatic moments like this.
The thing is... I didn't come to Ilby-Vahan for adventure and fun.
We both know how dangerous the Dragon Riders are. Them and their powerful 'companions'.
But arresting or killing them is nearly impossible, because there's nothing special about them.
Anyone can use the Enslavement Ritual. Anyone can become a Dragon Rider.
That's why we have to cut them off from their source of power. To seek out the dragons they control...

Prince chei 2026/04/18(Sat)00:24 No. 1125534 ID: 4a28e4
File 177647187753.png - (86.92KB , 800x600 , 706.png )

...And eliminate them.

Music: Smol Shock


...!
I was tasked with investigating a possible dragon sighting and reporting my findings back to base.
To watch as they send their assassins equipped with that damned ritual to your home.
To do nothing while they murdered you for the crime of being a dragon.
That is my job. That is what I was trained to do.
To do otherwise is to betray my hono(u)r. To sacrifice all I worked for. To turn away from lifelong companions.
And yet...
Stop pretending it's hard when you already chose.
(Siphon...!?)
Yeah, you're right. I have made my choice.

Prince chei 2026/04/18(Sat)00:24 No. 1125535 ID: 4a28e4
File 177647188493.gif - (699.64KB , 800x600 , 707.gif )

There's an audible thud as the knife hits the ground.

(A ritual circle!)
(Was this all a trap!? Did he gamble on me seeing him and coming here to talk!?)
(How dare he...)
(...?)

Prince chei 2026/04/18(Sat)00:24 No. 1125536 ID: 4a28e4
File 177647188951.gif - (547.85KB , 800x600 , 708.gif )

Apparently older versions of the game didn't show this part, so those players had to use their ~imaginaaation~

As you inspect the circle, you realize that it's incomplete.
Not only that, the lines are drawn shakily, and have been smudged out in places.
It portrays a person wracked with guilt and indecision, a person unable to go through with their plan.
Siphon was right. Duke had made his decision long ago.
Maybe he just needed to convince himself of that.
From now on, I am no longer a puppet of Snowhunter.
Let my knife no longer cut for a cause I don't believe in, but instead for those worth fighting for.
See? That wasn't so hard.
I can't exactly ignore the fact that you've been keeping this from me...
...But I realize how difficult the situation must have been for you.
To realize the 'beast' you were sent to kill was actually a person with their own hopes and dreams.
What made you change your mind, exactly?
I'm surprised you even need to ask that question.

Prince chei 2026/04/18(Sat)00:24 No. 1125537 ID: 4a28e4
File 177647189471.png - (294.03KB , 800x600 , 709.png )

You remember our adventure in that strange cave, right? It wasn't so long ago.
The moment I saw that woman dive for the RITUAL CIRCLE, my mind went into overdrive.
It implored me to strike first, to strike swiftly.
But for the first time, it wasn't to protect myself, or for the sake of my mission....
...It was to protect someone who had grown so dear to me.
I've... never felt something like that before.

Prince chei 2026/04/18(Sat)00:24 No. 1125538 ID: 4a28e4
File 177647189718.png - (108.40KB , 800x600 , 710.png )

Though I kept my intentions from you until now, everything else was spoken with sincerity.
The feelings we shared, the earnest conversations we've had... I meant everything I said.
More than anything, I wish we had met under better circumstances.
But I do not regret that we met at all. For the first time, I'm going to follow my own path in life.
I shall devote myself to you, and only you, forevermore.
It's hard not to be charmed by your chivalrous words...
...But I don't think I can just act like nothing happened.
That's okay. Saint can earn your trust again with some time.
To start, why don't you go ahead and tell me about these 'Snowhunters' of yours?
At this point I think it's best if we have no secrets between us.
Of course, my lady. I'll tell you what I know.
On the surface, the Snowhunters are tasked with hunting meat to help feed the hungry.
And originally, that was all we did. But that has since changed.
They've started taking bounties. Hiring assassins to do their dirty deeds.
It stopped being about helping people, and started being about who pays the most money for their 'jobs'.
Greed and corruption rule that place now. Ever since Mittens was ousted for speaking out.
Mittens...?
She was... someone I treasured deeply. Someone who...
....
I'm sorry. It's... painful to think about. Long story short, she's no longer a part of my life.
Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.
Despite what happened, I foolishly remained a loyal lapdog for the Snowhunters.
At least... until now.
It's hard to give up everything you know, even if you know it's wrong.
It was easier to convince people to do that with Chei around...
...But Ceri is a pretty good 'Chei' herself.
I do my best.
I guess the next question is, how much do they know about me?
Like I said, we were acting on a rumor that a dragon had been sighted here.
We get enough false positives on that front that it should be trivial to convince them there's nothing here.
Do you have any idea who gave them that rumor?
....
Adele Fonzarelli. Tell me. Was it a female galeacoma?
I'm afraid I don't know, mistress. They didn't consider that important enough to tell me.
That bitch. I knew she'd try something like this.
Are you sure? She wants Skif to make you a slave, not to kill you.
...I guess that's true. For her, I'm just some 'prize' for Skif to claim, and he can't exactly do that if I'm dead.
Worry not, my lady. I shall report that no dragon lives here, and collect what information I can.
....
If it's too hard to trust him yet, I'll watch him for you.
...Yeah. Thanks.

Prince chei 2026/04/18(Sat)00:25 No. 1125539 ID: 4a28e4
File 177647190020.png - (159.39KB , 800x600 , 711.png )

I won't let you down, mistress Ceri. I shall earn back your trust ten-fold.
That's probably enough drama for one day.
Yeah, it's getting pretty late.
Farewell for now. May our next meeting be under better terms.
Bye, Ceri!

We fade to black.

You spend a few moments alone with your thoughts. You lift your head, taking in the silent beauty of the Cliche' Tree.
There's no denying the effect it's had on you. Has it been a faithful ally, or a stoic nemesis?
Only its swaying leaves know for sure.
You stand up, brushing away the leaves that cover your body.
Maybe it's time to say goodbye. To leave it for future generations and their heartfelt confessions.
Better to do it now than to forever lose the chance as the prospect of living a normal life begins to slip away.
Goodbye, Cliche' tree. May your leaves paint the schoolyard for many years.

Prince chei 2026/04/18(Sat)00:25 No. 1125540 ID: 4a28e4
File 177647190564.png - (474.76KB , 800x600 , 712.png )

Day 7 - Night

For the final time, it's time to train our stats!


Vote for two options!

A: Speed
B: Vim
C: Vigor
D: Mind
E: Magic- Polymorph
F: Magic- Invisibility
G: Magic- Teleportation
H: Magic- Portal
I: Magic- Fire
J: Magic- Ice
K: Magic- Electric
L: Combo Magic- Giant Growth
M: Combo Magic- Death Portal
N: Combo Magic- Rapid Escape
O: Combo Magic- Charged Polymorph

B B

IIRC on the final night you get bonus progress for training physical stats. Or maybe it was all stats? I didn't test very much.

B B

B, B

B, B

L and, shaking things up a bit, D!

I do not deserve your forgiveness. I will serve my penance with hope that I will do right by you.

>>1125540
L , B

L/L

Prince chei 2026/04/20(Mon)21:49 No. 1125667 ID: 377177
File 177672176045.png - (47.57KB , 800x600 , 713.png )

>IIRC on the final night you get bonus progress for training physical stats. Or maybe it was all stats? I didn't test very much.
You do! I forgot to mention that, sorry. And yeah, it's only for physical stats. I read in an interview that this is because gaining those stats requires you to beat the hardest music minigame, and when they added the 'no audio' version near the end of development they gave that one a boost too.

They probably did that so the game didn't punish people who couldn't hear the music, but in hindsight it does mean you can get those bigger boosts for basically free, huh?

Game balance is hard.

...S-so I'm told.

Anyway. VIM got a lot of votes, so let's go ahead and train it twice!

Prince chei 2026/04/20(Mon)21:49 No. 1125668 ID: 377177
File 177672176453.png - (351.10KB , 800x600 , 714.png )

Speaking of questionable game balance: Holy cow! That's... that's a lot. Well then! We swole, folks!

Now then, let's go on our daily NPC rounds!

Prince chei 2026/04/20(Mon)21:49 No. 1125669 ID: 377177
File 177672176661.png - (35.41KB , 800x600 , 715.png )

I think I'm getting better! The mental exercises must be doing their job!
I'm no longer stressing out about my runway show!
Oh, is that so? Congratulations! Hope it goes well!
Thanks! It's saving so much stress not having my clothes fall apart all the time.

--


It also saves a lot of money.

Prince chei 2026/04/20(Mon)21:49 No. 1125670 ID: 377177
File 177672176834.png - (33.50KB , 800x600 , 716.png )

Notice anything?
Whoa, your chest looks totally flat now! All without magic! Kharadra really is a clothing wizard!
Yeah, you weren't kidding! That lady's a genius!
I'm definitely gonna spread the word about her store to all my trans friends.
I think she cracked the ralian code with this 'monokini' thing.
A 'monokini'? What's that?
Imagine if you took a thong, but anchored it around your shoulders instead of your hips.
That can't be comfortable.
It's not!
But it's not as bad as I thought it would be, either.
And it's the first time I've felt happy about how I look in my clothes in as long as I can remember, so I'll take that trade-off.
Thanks a bunch, I never would've checked out her store if not for you.
I'm glad I could help!

--

Sir! If you don't stop being so loud and disruptive, I'm going to have to escort you out!
AAAAAAAA Did you hear that?! The guard just called me 'sir'!!

--

I can't believe he called me 'sir'!!!! AAAAAAA!

Prince chei 2026/04/20(Mon)21:49 No. 1125671 ID: 377177
File 177672177075.png - (63.58KB , 800x600 , 717.png )

Hi! Need help with another package?
Sure, if you're willing!
So who are you delivering to today?
Let's see...
This is actually my last package for the week! It's for a 'Ceridwen'?
For me? Strange, I don't remember ordering anything.
Oh! Maybe someone got me an offer-- a present! How lovely!
Oh, sorry, I misread. This says to find you because you'd know where the actual recipient is located.
Ah.
It's for a miss... Outissa? It contains a weird mushroom-looking thing, the "lover plugger for plug lovers".
Huh. Not familiar with this particular item.
But yeah, if you leave this near the lake I'm sure she'll manage to find it.
Got it! Thanks for the help!

--

A lot of packages headed for the lake lately. Do people actually live there?
Surely not!

Prince chei 2026/04/20(Mon)21:49 No. 1125672 ID: 377177
File 177672177298.png - (53.98KB , 800x600 , 718.png )

Here's what I've been working on today.
It's pretty hard!
Honestly, I thought I was never going to learn this song...

Music: ????


A few seconds into the song, Ceri's expression changes:



Hearing the song should make it obvious why. The responsible dev has gone on record saying he's not sorry.

I'd be sorry.

We could make the dev be sorry.
By looking cute and pitiful?
Well if we want to go into the cute realm we could steal all the slissas.
Yes! We pocket the slissas until the devs meet our demands!

That's about as much of it as I can play right now.
So... what do you think?
(Who saw this coming? Everyone? Literally every single person? Cool.)
(Just be glad I didn't pop up a familiar picture while it played.)
(We're more classy than that.)
(...But not classy enough to avoid playing it in the first place.)
...I don't know how to read that series of emotions you're making.
Gah! Was I making faces? Does that always happen when I think to myself!?
Uh...
It uh, it makes me want to be loyal to my partners and do my best not to disappoint them?
Whoa. That's an oddly specific thing for my music to make you feel.
I'm... good at finding the deeper meaning behind the notes?
For instance, I feel like I've heard the same three notes my entire life.
Ah, so you're capable of noticing motifs! Maybe you should take up guitar, eh?
Haha, maybe at some point.

--

It'd be nice to have someone else to play with, you know?
W-we'll see.

Prince chei 2026/04/20(Mon)21:49 No. 1125673 ID: 377177
File 177672177507.png - (38.29KB , 800x600 , 719.png )

The conference today was fun in ways I didn't expect.
Oh?
Well, I met up with the specialist and decided to go bottomless to the conference with them.
Turns out a lot of the attendees were also in various states of undress.
The casual behavio(u)r was so extreme that it made things much less stressful.
This is quickly becoming a city where you can dress as little or as much as you'd like!
Must have been a huge relief.
It sure was! Since it's warmer here than up north, I think I might go nude for the rest of my visit!
A winning strat.
There's a lot of fun to be had here if you don't mind the lack of pockets!
I hope I can one day be as confident as you seem to be, Ceri.
Hey, if you're ever visiting up north, why don't you look me up? I'd love to show you around my own town!
I look forward to it!
And if you ever need a doctor, feel free to give me a call. No dress-code required!
That's what I like to hear.

--

I'll be here a few more days. I'd like to 'hang out' with the locals a bit more.

Prince chei 2026/04/20(Mon)21:49 No. 1125674 ID: 377177
File 177672177805.png - (53.51KB , 800x600 , 720.png )

It's just as you predicted! This would make for a much more suitable base of operations!
And the neighbo(u)rhood's real friendly, too!
We should move all our stuff over post-haste!
But darling, are you sure we can afford the rent?
Fear not! I've charmed the landlord into giving us a discount!
Marvelous! This will be a wonderful place to raise our children!
Children? My dear, we must wait until after our adventure to consider that!
Oh, that's right! First things first!
Yes! Once we settle down for real, we can fill the world with offspring eternal!
Oh, darling, that would be lovely!
(I should introduce them to Penny. She probably knows all about the bush economy.)

--


Miss! What do you think of this location?
It looks very... homely?
That's what I was saying!
From here we shall expand outward, adventuring to our hearts content!
We simply must take in all the sights!
(Dunno how much there is to actually see out here in the middle of nowhere, but I'm not gonna ruin their excitement.)

--

(As quirky as they are, this is some serious relationship goals.)

Prince chei 2026/04/20(Mon)21:49 No. 1125675 ID: 377177
File 177672178102.png - (25.76KB , 800x600 , 721.png )

Ceri! I can mostly see again! I can finally take these glasses off tomorrow!
Congratulations! Did you manage to finish your book?
No, but Lester read it aloud to me last night.
Wow! All that tension and denial building up all week, and your friend helped bring you to the peak!
...Was it satisfying after all that buildup? Did you get your happy ending??
Nah. Mostly sequel-bait for the next book in the series.
Nooooooooooooooooooooo!

How cruel!

Prince chei 2026/04/20(Mon)21:49 No. 1125676 ID: 377177
File 177672178373.png - (62.17KB , 800x600 , 722.png )

Man, this green lady's a good listener. Talking to her makes me homesick...
And you work out when homesick?
Naturally.

--

I can't help but tell her why I'm doing all this.

We'll go ahead and talk to her companion:

My new friend is very excited about fitness.
She told me she wants to be as acrobatic as her role models, the Power Park Rangers.
Don't they use wires to pull most of those stunts off?
....
Er, I mean yeah! It's real impressive!

--


(Even with my high ARMO(U)R, I don't want them beating me up for ruining their worldview!)

Prince chei 2026/04/20(Mon)21:49 No. 1125677 ID: 377177
File 177672178692.png - (61.76KB , 800x600 , 723.png )

Oh hey! Ceri's parents aren't often seen outside their homes.

Oh! Hey, Dad!
Hey, babygirl.
So what brings you out here?
This is where you and your friends hang out, right?
The UNDERWATER BASE, was it?
We call it UNITY BASE now, heehee.
Part of me wants to check it out, but... I don't want to intrude on your business more than I have.
Come on, accepting I'm an adult doesn't mean we can't still show each other stuff.
Heh, I guess that's true.
I'm just worried the place will be... overwhelming for you guys.
That just makes me more curious!
Eheheh... I dunno if I'm hyping it up too much or not enough.
Tell you what. How about we visit Unity Base together after Dragon's Day?
(That way I can warn them so we don't walk in on them having sex or something.)
Sounds good! Er... but I'm not able to breathe water like you and Mom.
It's fine! We have a submarine we use to get from here to there!
Really!? You guys were able to pay for something like that?
I'll... explain everything to you when we visit for real.
I'm gonna be thinking about this all day now.

---

Looking forward to it.

Prince chei 2026/04/20(Mon)21:49 No. 1125678 ID: 377177
File 177672179196.png - (435.50KB , 800x600 , 724.png )

It's actually pretty hard to get a screenshot of this image without Ceri talking over it, but in this case I feel it's appropriate to keep her dialog. This is it!

Wow, I guess this is it, huh?
What?
This is the last time we're gonna do this!!
W-why would you think that?
...I dunno. I guess I'm just not used to how quickly time's been passing lately.
The last few weeks felt like years, and then this past week felt like it all happened at once?
Haha, sometimes it really feels like that.
We'll keep doing this with you as long as you want us to, dear.
Yeah. Maybe it'll be offscreen, but that doesn't mean it won't keep happening.
Thanks for breaking the 4th wall to cheer me up, guys.
Anyway, I guess D-Day's just around the corner, huh?
Yep! Are you gonna invite any of your friends?
(Hmm. I could invite the entire hoard...)
(...Or just the ones I feel a special connection with, to keep it kinda small.)
(I think I'll invite Daatra regardless of what I choose.)
(She's my sister now, after all. She's family too!)
(Or maybe I shouldn't invite anyone, even Daatra? There's no telling what Mrs. F might have planned.)
Who will you invite?


I believe this is the final decision of the LP. Let's make it count!

Time for the most powerful tie.
S-Siphon! Don't encourage them to do that!

A: Everyone!
B: Just those you're closely bonded with.
C: Just invite Daatra.
D: Don't invite anyone extra.

C D minimal danger

B.

C/d. Just Daatra.

Just Daatra.





Just Daatra.

C, D.

C, d

>>1125678
Primary: A: Everyone!

Secondary: B: Just those you're closely bonded with.

A.

C!

B! The core hoard

or A to make someone draw a group shot of literally everyone in the same scene at least once

B, a.

B/a

C. We can take her.

A, C

Everyone. POWER OF FRIENDSHIP!

A , b

A pls

A / b