>>Further agitation of Maria will put her into the DANGER ZONE.

I assume Kenny Loggins will be involved somehow.

hee hee look how red he is~

and you'll never acquire either without practice! go on~

How about we fly stright in to the danger zone?

Maria 2010/09/27(Mon)22:48 No. 235081 ID: 96fb33
File 12856528816.png - (109.48KB , 640x480 , 26.png )

>>235059
"Did you make any advancements with your work?"
"Huh? Oh, no, it's more of a textbook than anything. For reference. I had to remake it since those 'adventurers' screamed something about black magic and tossed my old one in the river."
...I see.
>>235060
We're going to the White City to examine their libraries, at Vandis' suggestion. Pay attention.

"When do you think we should leave?"
"Hm...Now is fine. The twins stuck around just in case, but they're already leaving so..."
"You have brothers?" Hadrian calls from the beds.

...Oh, I never did fully explain my connections to him. Oh well. Good conversation for travel, I suppose.

Tom has forgotten about the damaged book!

Maria social skill has reached a second level!
Maria's major abilities now include LADY-LIKE ETIQUETTE and SOFT PEACEKEEPING.

>>235081
Proceed to next check point! Also for a laptop touch pad you are drawing ridiculously well, my god.

Maria 2010/09/27(Mon)23:51 No. 235107 ID: 96fb33
File 12856566714.png - (150.93KB , 640x480 , 27.png )

>>235082
The tale thus far.

Beginning ~ 2010/09/27(Mon)23:54 No. 235110 ID: 96fb33
File 128565684394.png - (151.08KB , 640x480 , 28.png )

Maria, a young maiden of thirteen, is told to do the laundry. This horribly thought out chore was revealed to be the excuse of her mother, the Queen, to inform her of the existence of her twelve brothers.
Maria's insane father only wished for a daughter, and would have killed her siblings. Ever calm, Maria decided to locate her brothers, bringing her childhood friend and cousin Walter for company.
Their paths crossed with a powerful demon that is known as The Raven, and all but Walter's left arm was taken to be devoured.
Maria walked on in a horrified daze and came upon a bridge, under which was nailed a bitter yet strangely polite demon.
Promising to provide him Walter's arm and the kingdom's protection, he became Maria's replacement companion and recieved the name Tom.

Result ~ 2010/09/28(Tue)00:06 No. 235118 ID: 96fb33
File 128565757756.png - (164.45KB , 640x480 , 29.png )

Tom and Maria enter The Queen's Keg, a bar owned by a Forest Folk man named Rhell. They learn the existence of Woman-Eater Forest, as well as a marriage taking place between a Winter Folk and a Human in Halland, causing the town to be barricaded.
The two suit up, Maria in a gender-disguising outfit, and leave for the forest.
Upon arriving, however, they are attacked by two of her brothers, Cain and Abel. Maria learns all of her brothers live there, along with a man named Vandis and the demon he is raising.
Her brothers refuse to come back, so Maria returns to her castle, bringing along Tom if only to fulfill her promise.

Goal Renewal ~ 2010/09/28(Tue)00:21 No. 235124 ID: 96fb33
File 128565847334.png - (183.07KB , 640x480 , 30.png )

When home, Maria is plagued with a vision of Walter falling to his death, possibly instigated by The Raven, purely for amusement. She is soon comforted by Tom's clumsy attempts at socializing with her and the appearance of a tenacious eighteen-year-old suitor named Hadrian.
Maria sees a young Winter Folk she has seen before in visions interested in training her recently uncontrolled scrying after she sorted through her suitors.
Neither events took place, however, due to an increased focus on "Princess Beam" causing Maria to explode with light.
In a conversation with Maria's insane father, Tom reveals she was concieved through a crystal that almost always births females, with the side effect of dangerous skin conditions. Angry with her own condition, Maria set off on a new quest to cure herself of it. She brings Hadrian along as well.
The trio go to Woman-Eater Forest to seek help from Maria's brothers, but only find Vandis' young RedEye Demon child, Leral.
Leral guides them to his home, where Vandis eventually arrives and discusses their quest. Vandis brushes them off with a suggestion to go to the White City to acquire medicine. His quickness to avoid them was revealed to be his discomfort with the pile of corpses in their cellar, which he uses to feed Leral.

The Present Maria 2010/09/28(Tue)00:45 No. 235129 ID: 96fb33
File 128565994832.png - (134.18KB , 640x480 , 31.png )

An explosion in the tunnels underneath the forest wake the three in the middle of the night. Tom managed to save Maria from harm, but the danger to her person triggered a blind rage in Hadrian that led him to eradicate the culprits. Perhaps already traumatized by previous events, Maria thought little of it.
Cain and Abel escort the group out of the forest and to an enormous hot springs establishment.
Maria discovered an apparantly blind child locked in a room. When he became violent, her panic caused her to learn how to delve into people's minds. Not expecting it, she fell down the staircase. The child did the same, but managed to injure himself with his weapon.
After this situation, Maria learned a new ability and a new skill.

Since then, the three traveled with nothing of interest occurring-

We fought a bear and ate it.

Besides a ferocious battle with a bear.

You can start watching us again, we've arrived. Where were you for the past two weeks? I didn't even know you could vanish for that long.

>>235129
Mushroom convention at Walta. Shit was awesome. So what is going on?

Looking pretty Solid Snake there, Maria. On a sneaking mission?

>>235129
Vacation, we need it from time to time.

So, are you there yet? I'm just gonna assume you are and say get on with it. Chop chop, that princess beam isn't going to cure itself.

>>235129
Our collective mind functions outside time and as such, we need occasional bouts of reflection to continue understanding what's going on and to remember all the hints and such the author has thrown as us.

>>235129
So where are you right now? Let's get our bearings. Speaking of bears you should've made its skin into a blanket, that would have been fantastic.

Bears scare the hell out of us.

Maria 2010/10/02(Sat)11:08 No. 237122 ID: 96fb33
File 128604289711.png - (151.21KB , 640x480 , 32.png )

>>235130
>>235135
>>235162
>>235207
We're currently situated in the forest surrounding The White City, which is apparently closed off.

It doesn't look closed off to me, but Tom assures us that it is 'locked up like a starving Hilldragon with Heceydotis'. I'm not sure I want to know what that means.

"Alright, listen closely. The main thing about these guys is that they are insufferable pricks. They make up advanced technology and complicated architecture just so they have a reason to gloat. These guys are straight-laced and act like a military regime. And they fight like one too. If you screw up, they will make a serenade of despair of which the only instrument is your screams and begs for mercy."
"uh"
"So stick to the plan, alright? Enter through the back garden on the upper level, and try to look for a guy with a scar running from his jaw to his neck. Tell him you're with me."
"What do I do?" Hardian enquires.
"Stay hidden in the garden. If she screws up, get ready to level the entire city."
"I can do that!"

Maria 2010/10/02(Sat)11:09 No. 237123 ID: 96fb33
File 128604298575.png - (189.94KB , 640x480 , 33.png )

>>237122
I decide not to mention the perilous climb.

I'm sure I can manage.

Honestly, the White City is not very white. Such things come with age, I suppose.

>>237123
The... ECRU CITY.
The... OFF-WHITE CITY.
The... EGGSHELL CITY.
The... ISABELLINE CITY.

Yeah, not feeling it.

Wait you can level entire cities?!

I'm sure we can, with out powerful lasers and all, but... HADRIAN!? I am so confused.

Well Maria, get climbing.

Don't worry, Hadrian can go all berserk mode or something.

Don't you guys remember the time when he was surrounded with fire... and smiling. I think he might be able to level a city or two.

And if that fails we always have PRINCESSU BEAMU!

OMG TOM IS SO HOT.

>>237123
Maria: Climb that tower!

>>239169
Cen: Go back to #fiveohfive!

Maria 2010/10/11(Mon)16:38 No. 242214 ID: 96fb33
File 128684029260.png - (171.73KB , 640x480 , 34.png )

>>237132
>>237212
>>237245
>>237487
I'm assuming he meant Hadrian would decimate the entire population. No less disconcerting.
>>239169
I never thought of Tom as attractive. He just seems kind of awkward and angry. Maybe if he smiled more.

Now that I think about it, I wonder what Tom thinks of me? He's only tagging along so he doesn't get attacked, but on this new quest, he seems much more helpful.

he is starting to like you. maybe not LIKE you like you. but he definitely sees you as a friend.

>>242214
He seems the type to reciprocate but not advance, so... he's warming up, I suppose.

Maria 2010/10/11(Mon)17:48 No. 242244 ID: 96fb33
File 128684450560.png - (82.81KB , 640x480 , 35.png )

>>242217
>>242220
I hope he can open up to me, eventually.

Maria notes Hadrian has stopped moving.

"What's wrong?"
"I don't think Tom's brilliant plan was completely thought out."

say "well, we are already all the way up here, you want to climb all the way back down?"

>>242244
Leap over to that other tree branch thingy. Better yet, position yourself so that Hadrian is grabbing you by your legs and have him throw you over in a swinging motion, but first, have him build enough momentum so you can go flying into the sky with your girlish light frame. Trust me, this will totally work.

>>242244
It honestly didn't sound like it. ...Why are we sneaking in again? And not, like, walking the in front and asking around?

>>242244
Wait, why doesn't he think the plan is thought out?

Also, ask him how he can decimate an entire city by himself.

>>242248
We're sneaking in because the city is locked.

Clearly we needed a grappling hook to progress. Let's get down from here, and find ourselves a Forest dungeon. Those tend to have climbing tools in them.

1/4 Maria 2010/10/17(Sun)21:20 No. 245387 ID: 96fb33
File 12873756586.png - (74.22KB , 640x480 , 36.png )

>>242247

2/4 Maria 2010/10/17(Sun)21:21 No. 245388 ID: 96fb33
File 128737569315.png - (74.79KB , 640x480 , 37.png )

"Hadrian."

4/4 Maria 2010/10/17(Sun)21:22 No. 245391 ID: 96fb33
File 12873757451.png - (55.46KB , 640x480 , 39.png )

Crazy plans are the best plans.

YESSSSSS

>>245391
Inspect self for branch-related injuries.

Maria, this is an espionage mission, so make sure you are fully camouflaged. Peer through the leaves and look out for any guards or anyone that you can steal clothes from to fit in.

>>245391
Maria: Try to remember the basics of CQC.

Maria 2010/10/20(Wed)21:22 No. 246484 ID: 96fb33
File 128763497453.png - (138.77KB , 640x480 , 40.png )

>>245394
ow

No injuries.

>>245398
This appears to be an orchard. The trees seem to have given their fruit already, or maybe they have yet to blossom. I don't recognize the type.

Despite how easy it is to sneak about in an area with the padding of grass and the cover of trees, there is only one guard.

...? Where are the rest...?

The guard seems to be thinking heavily on something.

See if you can't land feet-first on his head.

>>246484
I'd say mind pierce him, but that might give away our position. If you think you can manage to get some information out of him without alerting him that you're there, give it a try. Otherwise, let's just continue with the mission.

>>246484
Fling something nearby like a stick and make a disturbance. Sneak by when you have the chance. If you really want to, you could just bash him behind the head when he turns around.

elves are ninjas. you only see that one but more are hidden.

>>246496
You only see the one elf, but unbeknown to you, there are two more elves sneaking up from your flanks!

Maria 2010/10/20(Wed)22:10 No. 246507 ID: 96fb33
File 128763782743.png - (173.44KB , 640x480 , 41.png )

>>246485
Too far.
>>246489
My arm is weak. A demon would not buckle.
>>246486
MIND PIERCE is still at a low level! Maria can only retrieve IMPORTANT MEMORIES.

Continuing then.

The orchard becomes more and more like a forest the closer I get to the castle.

I think I'm within running distance to the door by now.

>>246507
RUN FOR IT

Make a dramatic entrance.

>>246507
Too risky. Get closer to the ground and survey the area first.

Locate a cardboard box.

>>246507
Might be a trap. Sneak up there instead.

>>246507
You could MIND PIERCE him anyway. He seems to be thinking about SOMETHING. Let's find out what.

Maria 2010/11/01(Mon)19:23 No. 251291 ID: 96fb33
File 128866461113.png - (287.96KB , 800x600 , 42.png )

>>246511
>>246512
>>246514
>>246545
I'll leave you to figure that one out by yourselves.

>>246601
Well This is completely pointless.

hahahahah HUUUUR GRASS IS GREEN

>>251291
Hahahahaaa, haaa. Ahh. Alright. Time to be a ninja. Sneak that shit, snake!

>>251291
Can you get close enough to peek in and get an idea of what you're up against?

Maria 2010/11/05(Fri)12:46 No. 252807 ID: 96fb33
File 128898640641.png - (161.86KB , 640x480 , 43.png )

>>251297
Maria has infiltrated the city!

So I'm looking for a man with a scar down his chin.

...This looks no less like a castle on the inside than it does on the outside.

>>251354

There doesn't seem to be anyone in this area either. The garden seems to be an easy entry point. I'm a bit uncomfortable with this.

>>252807
Explore with caution. I am expecting an ambush.

>>252807
Put your ear to a wall and maybe you can hear something.

It's occurred to me that we're supposed to tell Scar that we know Tom.

...but "Tom" is not Tom's real name!

I'm starting to agree with Hadrian that Tom's plan does not seem very well thought out. I hope we're just a distraction for him or something.

Since we're already in, Maria, all we can do is keep moving and try to complete our objective. Stay alert!

Maria 2010/11/05(Fri)22:49 No. 252994 ID: 96fb33
File 128902255120.png - (96.28KB , 640x480 , 44.png )

>>252819
nnnnnnope

>>252994
Okay now run around as fast as you can looking for whatever you are looking for. There are no guards around here and if they are, you can begin a fun chase sequence. Trust me, this will totally save you time.

>>252995

Make sure Yakkety Sax plays in the background whilst doing so.

Maria 2010/11/07(Sun)10:12 No. 253690 ID: 96fb33
File 128915357193.png - (106.30KB , 640x480 , 45.png )

>>252995
>>253006
Is the music really necessary?

yes

Maria 2010/11/07(Sun)10:13 No. 253692 ID: 96fb33
File 128915360052.png - (167.62KB , 640x480 , 46.png )

oof

Panic, then Run Away.

get a look of his face, if it's the guy we are looking for then YAY, if not then make bright flash (princess beam) to blind him then ether knock him out or flee.

Maria 2010/11/07(Sun)10:50 No. 253699 ID: 96fb33
File 128915583477.png - (108.06KB , 640x480 , 47.png )

>>253695
>>253698
The man stares blankly at Maria.

Maria is panicking too much to release Princess Flash!

say "i saw a broken tree in the courtyard"

>>253699
"Hablibabaleeblablugubloo."

Panic so hard you come back out the other side into calm.

>>253699
Running just makes you look more suspicious.
Say you're looking for a guy with a scar and it's very important.

Maria 2010/11/28(Sun)22:23 No. 260590 ID: 96fb33
File 129101183499.png - (98.70KB , 640x480 , 48.png )

>>253780
"Hablibabaleeblablugubloo," Maria blurts, in an attempt to say many things at once.

The man lifts Maria.

"Wah!"
"It's dangerous right now. You have to stay out of the city."
>>253797
"Ssscar--"
"No going past here. Demons are dangerous."

Try not to become ticklish.

>>260590
Kick him. "My best friend is a demon!"

>>260667
Or "Some of my best friends are demons" you know two right? And there is no need to get specific.

>>260590
Scream "Bad TOUCH" repeatedly

Maria 2010/12/03(Fri)02:40 No. 261518 ID: 96fb33
File 129137281034.png - (163.52KB , 640x480 , 49.png )

>>260667
>>260775
Maria engages in a more polite variation of these suggestions.

???

Do you? I assume from your personality and previous reactions to suggestions that you would take this path. I wjust say it.

????????

"S...Some of the best men I know happen to be demons. Following that, some of the most ruthless men are human."
"What boss says, goes," He mumbles, seemingly uninterested in Maria's rebuttal.
"Your boss seems to have an unfair bias against demons."
"...If you're for the demons, then it's best if I bring you to the boss."

Is that good?

No idea.
It isn't, at all.

Well, we might as well go see what the boss has to say.

Follow him for a bit, look for a chance to get away before you get there.

>>261518
Ask who the boss is. He might be able to help us find that Scarfaced man who knows Tom.

>>261518
...wtf, Mr. Narrator.

Maybe the boss is the man we're supposed to find. ONWARD.

Maria 2010/12/10(Fri)22:02 No. 263562 ID: 96fb33
File 129204735765.png - (78.22KB , 640x480 , 50.png )

>>161562
"And who might this...boss...be?"
"Not a clue. We just follow him around and listen to what he says."
"That's a little...Is that really such a good idea?"
"We're like lost dogs. We don't really care about the morals of anyone we're following. We just like to follow."
"And if he leaves you?"
"Then we get someone else to follow."

The hall contains nothing but the occasional instance of a door. No chance to escape.

The man stops at a larger door.

2/3 Maria 2010/12/10(Fri)22:03 No. 263563 ID: 96fb33
File 129204742646.png - (113.84KB , 640x480 , 51.png )

>>263562
The centre of the city seems to be a large downwards spiral, with doors dotting all the way down.

3/3 Maria 2010/12/10(Fri)22:08 No. 263566 ID: 96fb33
File 129204769976.png - (67.64KB , 640x480 , 52.png )

>>263563
A man comes out of a door to the left.
"You caught one?"
"A human sympathiser."
"I'm not defending all demons," Maria snaps. "I just meant that some are good people."
"I see why you took her in. We'll get the boss to judge her."
I'm beginning to get a good idea of what happened.
"Where are the Forest People?"
"Huh...? Oh, they evacuated once we got past the first layer of defenses. None of us are interested in manslaughter, so it's as good as a conquest."

>>263566
Point at him and shout "SCAR!" really loudly and embarrassingly.

Doesn't that make these peolple the invaders?

This guy has an eye scar... Unless he's got another scar on the other side of his face, ask if the boss has a scar.

a mouse is fine too Maria 2010/12/26(Sun)14:12 No. 266905 ID: 96fb33
File 12934015502.png - (60.16KB , 640x480 , 53.png )

>>263582
>>263797
"Scars seem to be a theme with you," Maria says clearly. "Inside or out."
"And have you ever watched a loved one being torn apart before your eyes?"
"Yes.""And by what?"
"The Raven. He was playing music by a tower, threatened us, and then flew away with most of my cousin and our horses."
"And he didn't touch you?"
"I would assume he thought it was funny."

I would be monumentally shocked if he did it for any other reason, if I had to be perfectly honest.

2/4 Maria 2010/12/26(Sun)18:01 No. 267003 ID: 96fb33
File 12934153024.png - (29.19KB , 640x480 , 54.png )

>>266905
"It's rare to see a survivor of The Raven still siding with demons."
A boy not much older than Maria herself exits the door the red-haired man was standing by.
"Boss..."
"Arms off your side, you're not trying to impress anyone. So what is a young boy like you doing here all alone?"
"I could ask the same," Maria says bitterly. "I came for medicine and the library."
He looks unimpressed.
"Do you have a mother?"
"Yes."
"I don't. All I have left of her is a cheap necklace she was going to sell."
"I'm sorry to hear about your loss."
"If you're not lying, you've experienced the feeling too. Shall I tell you of my goals?"

This is pretty stupid altogether, but why not.

Maria 2010/12/26(Sun)19:46 No. 267041 ID: 96fb33
File 129342158569.png - (11.31KB , 640x480 , 55.png )

>>267003
"My sources tell me The Raven lives in the kingdom to the Northeast, Jereda. I'm going there..."

Walter 2010/12/26(Sun)19:48 No. 267042 ID: 96fb33
File 129342172156.png - (41.27KB , 640x480 , 56.png )

>>267041
"...To kill him."
"If yer gurlfriend ain't dead, why go to th' trouble?"
"It's personal revenge, obviously. I'm not positive she's actually safe, either."
"If ya say so."

Walter 2010/12/26(Sun)19:50 No. 267043 ID: 96fb33
File 129342183560.png - (70.91KB , 640x480 , 57.png )

>>267042
"So how do I look?"
"Like I could beat ya down with a little spoon."
"But could you?"
"'Course not."
"Then I look perfect, don't I?"
"If ye say so. Me'n the kids'll be followin' ya until you get there though, arright?"
"Of course."

A bunch of souls in a library 2010/12/26(Sun)19:55 No. 267045 ID: 96fb33
File 129342214987.png - (98.77KB , 640x480 , 58.png )

"I thought you said you HAD THIS UNDER CONTROL."
"I did! I do! It's not my fault he attacked them! Aren't you his babysitter, or something?"
"It's none of my business if he gets his jollies torturing people, and the 'death' was obviously an accident! I had no reason to interfere!"
"Then it's the Guides' fault for promoting violence!"
"You're the one narrating to the Guides you imbecile"
"Listen, I got this! ...Augh, they delinked!"
"How do you have this in any wa--"
"Hey everybody! Listen, if Walter gets to Jereda, he dies. So continue as usual. Except convince him not to go there. Okay? Now, I'll see you next session!"
"HAV-"

wow that took forever A bunch of souls in a library 2010/12/26(Sun)19:56 No. 267046 ID: 96fb33
File 12934221861.png - (109.93KB , 640x480 , 59 - end.png )

>>267045

Maria already thinks Walter is dead, so... What's the loss, Soul McRailroad?

>>267125
Hehehe. Best name for Mr. Narrator ever.