Ask her what her beef with Lothar is. He seems like a very responsible and very cool dude.

Now would be a good time to plan for how we will respond to the guards' (likely continuing) interest in finding Ivet.

Until then, we should suggest that Ivet use a disguise or druid form to avoid being recognized.

also go "Hey girl, what did you see in him? I thought hate those antlered, emotional perverts. Was it the sexy goatee?"

>>407283
She saw what everyone sees when they get into a relationship, whatever they want.

>>407310
So...
the sexy goatee?

>>407272
I support Seven's idea.

>>407272
Filling her in on the details we left out before is a good idea, and I support it.

>Also: "I would have rather learned from you."
God, no. Quite apart from bringing up something we'd rather not have her think about too much, this is creepy and presumptuous of us. Just because Viktor has little practical knowledge of how relationships work doesn't mean he needs to start acting like a ridiculous autist.

>>407283
>>407274
She had us get rid of him because she didn't want to worry about his bullshit. Therefore we shouldn't make her worry about it.

is she a friend of the insane dryad? (if so we should get her uninsaned).
Also, any other friends she has that could have gotten hit last night she wants to check up on.

Maybe we can buy her a present that will cheer her up. Something small

>>407323
i agree. that's like... way too far.

>>407323
just in case, adding my vote here so we don't make sure a horrible blunder.

>>407323
Yep.

And let's go for a walk. Walks are really nice. Enjoy each other's company in nature.

ChildOfAB 2012/05/03(Thu)01:48 No. 407527 ID: 3ce5b2
File 133603491085.png - (577.44KB , 720x1500 , 53.png )

You don't know how to read Ivet's behavior. She seems to be trying to act normally, but you can tell she's more reserved and nervous than you're used to seeing her. You want to talk about what's bothering her, but it seems like she either doesn't want to or doesn't know how to broach the subject. You're left mildly bewildered and default to pretending nothing's wrong until you can sort it out in your head. "I think I've partied hard enough for a while," you joke.
She chuckles briefly. "Yeah I don't know why I...just throwing it out there."
"Why don't we go sell the treasure?" you suggest. "Is there a place we can buy magic items in town?"
"Yeah, there's some pretty good ones. We might want to take the hub out to some other cities, though. Dayseal is pretty much all magic people, but they're probably gonna rip you off if you're not in their little cult. Fourgate is big enough to have some nice shops...yeah, we'll figure something out," Ivet says.
"If we're going into the inner city, maybe you should get some kind of disguise or turn into an animal. Aren't the authorities looking for you?" you ask.
Ivet ponders a moment. "I don't want to use an animal form, because then I won't be able to talk. I've got a big robe I can throw on. Hang on, I gotta grab your loot, too." She starts to turn around and head back towards her door. You start to stand up to follow her. "Wait right here, I'll be back in a second," she says, and disappears into her house, shutting the door behind her. Your heart sinks as you realize she's not letting you into her house anymore.
Moments later, she re-emerges, wearing a large robe with a part that covers the lower half of her face. You also notice that she's changed her skin tone in her face to a bluish-grey. You can faintly detect a jingling sound coming from her satchel.
"Alright, let's go," she says. "But hey, since I gotta wear a big goofy disguise, shouldn't you change forms too? Someone might recognize you from the party."
You briefly ponder what form to change into, but more of your thoughts are preoccupied thinking about what you're going to talk about with Ivet on the long walk into the city. What do you do?

Start by just trying to break the ice a little - ask her what she thinks is a good form.

>>407529
I was going to suggest the dragonborn form, but I like this more.

Match her, look like a larger male in a cloak with skin and hair colored like hers.

>>407538
Yeah this. Hopefully you'll look like adventurers from a similar order/custom. Probably not too conspicuous.

talk about how you learned you may be the shard of a dead god.

>>407564

Don't do that. That way lies library-wards!

>>407538

yeah, ok.

ask about Dayseal and their cult- we're a shapeshifter, we might be able to trick 'em into thinking we're something they revere or something.

>>407538
Yearp, sounds good. Ask if you look alright.

>>407538
Yes do something similar. Large-ish male in heavy robes. Maybe with long dark dreadlocks and again a beard. Give it something to stand out, like a scar across one eye with the eye completely white. That kind of detail would probably throw off anyone looking for shapeshifters. Just in case. You should probably bring up the fact that your prison break was more of a case of you eating your way out. Your true form has grown a few sizes and you've gained some some supernatural abilities. You did research on the Ungolan Empire and found mentions of a god named Teyu who appeared to at least once be represented by a three-eyed tentacled head. It would also be nice to get out of the city to cut loose for real. Getting rid of the talpid threat could be interesting, but it would be best to have powerful allies if that Singer creature might be around.

Also ask Ivet what she is going to do about this revolution. Davin is a bit weird, but there might not be much of an outer city left for long unless something is done.

Also get some more information about Ivets mission with Avara. Were they possibly just put on the chopping block? Is it possible that Singer is the new god the talpids are worshipping?

Regarding magical goods it would be good to get something that prevents from sonic attacks. Your nemesis isn't called Singer for nothing. Small items is probably the way to go so you can still turn into tiny animal shapes. Might be good getting something for hurting ethereal/noncorporeal foes though. Don't want any undead mages slipping away again.

How about a small, unimposing disguise?

Kobold~

>>407809
Heh, even if we don't end up going with that one I kind of want to see Ivet's reaction to it.

>>407809
Be TWO kobolds. Holding hands.

>>407910

Now's probably not the best time but remember this for later!

ChildOfAB 2012/05/04(Fri)02:46 No. 407915 ID: 3ce5b2
File 133612480639.png - (503.50KB , 720x900 , 54.png )

You decide to go with a form that complements Ivet's. There are certain tells that would make her identifiable if they know she can adjust her appearance, the greatest of which is what superficially appears to be hair, but is actually more papery. You start to sculpt a new form to match hers while you're still too far out of sight for anyone to see your tentacles, and you add prominent white hair, which should help people fill in the details with what they think is under Ivet's hood. You copy the grey-blue skin coloration and make a similarly-designed robe, and tuck your scroll into the back of what passes for your belt. You don't match any creature you recognize from the books you read, but Thoth and a few others you've seen don't seem to fit into descriptions of any races you're aware of, either. You also give yourself a scar across your right eye, just to add more superficial detail. You hold your arms out and ask Ivet for an opinion.
"Looks fine," she says, and starts to walk out from the concealment of the tree root. "Reminds me of some sort of eastern hero. And, we match, so that should help with the disguise."
You nod, and shift your voice to one you think matches your new form better. "So I neglected to mention some things while Davin and Lothar were here. First, I did some research on ancient Ungolan religions. I found a god named Teyu, who was represented by a three-eyed face with horns and tentacles. I think I and the Singer are related to him in some way." It's frustratingly difficult for you to tell Ivet's reaction; the hood is obscuring her face from your angle. "We might even be fragments of him."
She turns to look at you with a mix of concern and surprise. "That sounds...well, crazy, to be honest." She raises an eyebrow. "But, I believe you. It fits, and I've seen you do some crazy things." She turns back the way she was facing.
"Yes, speaking of which, I can do more crazy things," you reply. "I didn't so much escape prison as eat my way out. I grew a lot and I gained some supernatural powers."
"Ooh! Like what?"
"Well, so far all I can do is shoot beams of magic and make water hover around myself. Oh, and I can see living things through solid objects." You make sure you're not missing anything. "Oh, right, and I can make myself weigh less."
"Good," she says, "then we can take the scenic route." She points to a long suspended rope bridge from a ways further down the ledge you're on to a tree further into the center.
You look around the surrounding area and see a path winding its way around the trunk of the tree, with several larger platforms built into the side of the tree. Your distant gaze catches the birch tree and you're reminded of something else. "Oh right, I also ran into someone I think is the dryad of the tree from last night. I think she was affected by the insanity spell. She also gave me a scroll. I think it is the same spell the Singer used last night, it makes a symbol that causes insanity when it gets triggered." Ivet doesn't seem to react, so you elaborate. "She was reanimating the dead from the party."
Ivet turns to look at you. "Yeah I...am not sure that was the spell. She's always been a little, well, let's say eccentric. Did she tell you anything else?"
"I think she mentioned the Singer. She wasn't making much sense, though. Other than that, and telling me you left as a vulture, not anything important. Do you know her?"
Ivet turns away. "Not that well, really. It's not our problem, in any case." The two of you have reached the rope bridge, swaying gently from side to side. She gestures to it. "After you."
Something about this whole situation bothers you. "How does this city continue to exist? It seems to be on the brink of war from the inside. The Singer is showing up and eating people, Mother Oasis is capturing and brainwashing the citizens, and everyone goes to party at the local necromancer's. It all seems unstable."
Ivet shrugs. "Most of those problems are new. From what I understand, people out here have always had a problem with the government, but it only became serious during my lifetime. But it's only during that time that Mother Oasis really even made herself visible as a public figure, too. I mean, she was always running things, but there are all these guilds and agencies...I guess you don't stay in charge of the same city for centuries if you put your face on everything, though. I think it started when there was this group, maybe twenty years ago? I was barely old enough to remember. Anyway, this group was trying to revere Mother Oasis like a goddess or something. She refused them, though, forced them to break up. Apparently, since then, she's been more visible to the public, and things got bad, and then they just kept getting worse. Last night was the most arrests at once that I can remember." She shakes her head. "Anyway, yeah. It IS unstable. It just turned unstable, and I still don't know how things will settle. Remember, you just got here. This has been building up for...well, a long time."
"Davin seemed to think Mother Oasis was responsible for the Singer," you say. "But I thought you and Avara were supposed to be doing some sort of diplomacy thing with him? I'm assuming he's the one the Talpids worship."
Ivet sighs. "Avara was. I was tagging along because I know my way around the underground better than she did. Though, I think she just wanted company, really. But they collapsed the tunnels and sealed us in with them..."
You don't want to upset her, but you feel like you need to figure this out. "What was the plan supposed to be, though? What was supposed to happen?"
You can see Ivet tense up a little bit. "I...I don't actually know. I'm sure Avara trusted me, she just... she said she wasn't allowed to tell anybody. It wasn't because she didn't trust me enough." You think you hear her voice crack at the word "trust".
Speaking of trust, you really want to earn it back from Ivet, but now you feel like you've gotten yourself involved in some sort of emotional landmine. You might want to comfort her somehow, or get her mind off the subject, or something. And you're starting to think that pretending the whole library thing didn't happen isn't going to do you any favors, but you know enough to recognize that you probably shouldn't bring it up right this second. You really wish you were better at this.
What do you do?

you don't deal with emotional things like this right after they happen. she'll think more clearly, and probably more lenient, a while afterwards. maybe a after few days, maybe a week, maybe more, I don't know. but not now, that's for sure. just go.

>>407915
Give her a gentle hug.
Not a quick one, either, hold it until she gives you a cue.

rub her back with one hand. not a lot just a slight contact sort of thing. and the fact she is talking to you shows you didn't lose trust. she is just mad about it.

>>407915
Emotional harm heals slowly. It takes time. You need to prove you aren't going to betray her ever again, and in order to do that, you need to simply stay with her. An apology, later, when she isn't so upset, will do a lot of good, but now's not the time.

Instead, focus on keeping her safe. Maybe >>407939 , but really, ask her if she needs help with anything or if there's anything she wants to do. It's not like you've got anywhere specific to be, right?

Touching is risky, if accepted is good, but if rejected it makes things worse. I wouldn't go for comforting hug unless she is crying.

Solution is >>/questdis/362006 but victor wouldn't know it

>what do
"It must hurt so much to lose your best friend that way.
There were times I thought you might have died in last night attack and it felt... my heart...
How do people make such a thing stop hurting?" Why would victor know... until she tells him that is

At this point a comforting touch is appropriate followed by.
"The Singer will pay for this with his life"

>>407963
fuck no, this is so goddamn cheesy.

I wish I had been on in time to suggest after the last update, because, no offense, but you guys really suck at this. Here's this big sexual elephant in the room waving its big elephant dong around some other girl's weird branching vagina while we're spouting off facts, hounding her with questions, and making her doubt that her recently-dead friend was even her friend at all. good fucking job. We needed to address the padma thing.
>You want to talk about what's bothering her, but it seems like she either doesn't want to or doesn't know how to broach the subject.
You don't fix these kinds of things by not talking about them. Did we make a mistake? Probably, yeah. But Ivet and Viktor are not romantically involved, and she knows he is pretty clueless about this kind of thing. Unfortunately, we're going to have to take a step back before we can take two steps forward. We should have bitten the bullet and explained what happened, and thrown in something about how we do not care about this other girl. She broke up with Davin not because he slept around, but because he slept around while he knew that doing so was outside the boundaries of what Ivet was comfortable with. Monogamy is clearly not the norm in this culture.

Gah, I am rambling. Okay, what to do now? Comfort her, tell her you're sure it wasn't a matter of Ivet not being trustworthy enough, but Avara being so trustworthy herself that she didn't want to break her vow of secrecy. Tell her you're sorry for her loss, and yeah, I like MrTT's direction he went in with telling her you were worried that you lost her too but for the love of god do not use those exact words he posted.

Does Ivet eat? maybe ask her if she wants to get something to eat along the way. And I don't mean people, I mean Viktor should try some regular food just so we can start learning more limits for his whole digestive thing. Girls + food + feelings is an okay combo. Don't bring the padma thing up now, but after you've sat down and gotten some time to talk, maybe then just tell her you feel like the two of you need to talk about what happened. Just be totally open and honest with your explanation, she obviously values that. Good communication is really all you need. She might get angrier right now in the short-term, but it will be so much better for you in the long-term. We've been going about this whole mess in a sort of childish way. Remember what Lothar said?
>Someday, you're going to have to learn to be accountable for your own fuckups
>Grow up
Take a page out of Lothar's book. You know why he's so cool to be around? Because he speaks his mind all the time and doesn't play games. Be more like that.

Easiest thing to say is to admit your sorry about the lesson. Don't offer an excuse or anything. You can have a private conversation and make it have meaning now.

>>407992
Oh, and for fuck's sake, don't bring up the "animals in the branches" thing. That book was written from the perspective of some sort of epic sex wizard. She slept with an Aboleth. We don't need to be like that.

Do not wait much longer to breach the subject about your sexual encounter.

But yeah, not immediately, this is a bad time. Also uh, the thing is, we need to make it clear that we regret doing it. It obviously hurt her to find out, and it hurt us to admit doing it. We shouldn't make excuses about it, but we need to acknowledge that we made a mistake and that we hurt her and we're storry. She knows we don't know a whole lot about social stuff already, and that's pretty much our only excuse. We should've talked to her about it first. We should've told the undine more about Ivet's behavior, so she could get a better indication of whether it would fuck things up for us. We should've gone to find Ivet earlier.

A gentle hand on her shoulder sounds great right about now.

She needs to be open with her feelings and not expect a week old autistic shoggoth to read her mind. Get mad at someone because they break a promise or lie to you not because they're ignorant.

>>408033
I don't think she's mad at Viktor, just upset about the situation. If she was mad at viktor she would probably have disowned him as hard as she disowned david and the harpy girl.

>>408048
She didn't let us into her house.

>>408075
True, but she still wanted us to eat Davin. It could be worse~

No suggestions at the moment, but I am not surprised she's upset. I'm picturing this being some kind of pushy-pully thing soon that ends up with them kissing~

"Ivet, I feel like we need to talk about what happened to me. I sense that you seem a bit... upset, but I'm not exactly sure why, and I can only guess that is because I'm not well-versed in your culture. Could you please explain, so I know what to be sorry about?" Smile sheepishly.

The only way to really talk about this with her is to be pretty straight forward. I don't know if we want to put it /quite/ this bluntly, but this is the gist of how we should approach this, in my humble opinion.

I think telling her that we recognize that she is upset and would like to know why, but also don't want to pressure her. We'll be ready to listen when she's ready to talk about it.

No touching. That just seems a bit creepy.

>>408810
Doesn't know how physical affection works.

ChildOfAB 2012/05/08(Tue)01:52 No. 409675 ID: 622e4f
File 133646712770.png - (522.36KB , 720x900 , 55.png )

You stop and put your hand comfortingly on Ivet's shoulder. "I'm sorry you lost your friend. I'm sure it wasn't that she thought you weren't trustworthy, but that she was so trustworthy herself that she didn't want to tell her secrets. Do you want to talk about it?"
Ivet stops and sighs. "No, not really. Thanks, though."
With the topic being cut off like that, you aren't really left with much to say as the two of you walk across the gently swaying bridge. Your gaze is drawn to the plaza and the tiny people bustling about below like insects. The forest below is so alive. Nearly everywhere there is a gap in the trees, you can see people milling about on the ground. Small impromptu structures dot the landscape below, some built into the trees. Many types of animals move through the forest, and you can see the occasional harpy or other winged creature perched in the canopy. As you near the other end of the bridge, the massive branches of the tree that the bridge is tethered to cast dull, mottled shadows over you and Ivet.
"I'm glad we took the scenic route," you say. "This place is really beautiful."
Ivet turns to face you, and you can tell from her eyes that she's smiling a little sadly. "It really is. I try not to get too used to it living here, but, well..." she trails off.
"Are you hungry?" you ask, changing the subject. "I feel like stopping to get something to eat on the way."
"Oh? Well, yes, I'm kind of hungry. But for you, it's going to be more crowded around here, but we can probably find some way to get somebody alone..."
"What kind of things do you eat? I haven't even tried any other sorts of food, I might like it, too," you say, hesitantly.
Ivet chuckles a little. "I forgot you haven't tried eating anything other than people. I'm sure we can find some food somewhere. I don't need to eat very often, but I eat normal stuff, you know, fruit and vegetables and meat and things. Most people will share their food, and a lot of people just love to cook. It's usually considered polite to give them something in exchange, or help them grow their garden or something. I grow some mushrooms that some people like to eat for fun, too. Tending mushrooms is a little different than plants, and most people don't bother."
"What do you mean, eat for fun?" you ask.
"Oh, well, they eat them, and then after a little while they start to feel and experience things differently. They don't affect me or a few other types of creatures, so I'm not totally sure how to describe what it does," Ivet explains. "I can use them as raw materials for a couple of the spells that I can cast, though."
The two of you reach the end of the bridge and step off onto a large platform attached to one of the branches. You start to wind your way down to the ground, traversing pathways and ladders, passing through other similar platforms occupied by groups of mostly elves and fey, with a few unusual creatures here and there. You and Ivet chat idly as you pass through a few conversations, two musical groups, an unabashed pair of nymphs having sex with a satyr, and many clouds of sickly-sweet-smelling smoke.

ChildOfAB 2012/05/08(Tue)01:53 No. 409676 ID: 622e4f
File 133646719297.png - (876.95KB , 720x1726 , 56.png )

As you approach the ground below, you can smell the smoke from a small fire below, carrying the taste of spices, vegetables, and meat. An Elf with enormous pupils waves to you idly as you approach and goes back to playing with her hair, lounging against a male Nymph playing a lute. He, a drum-bearing Halfling, and a Pixie with a fiddle are playing a lively upbeat tune, and a Thri-Kreen tending the food greets you and Ivet warmly as you approach. "Hello! New faces on these travelers."
"Hello there," Ivet says, "Yes, we are passing through from the underground, enjoying the view. It is very beautiful here."
"Perhaps you will rest and enjoy some food?" she asks. "We are all one clutch here, one family." She offers you each a stick with a variety of roasted meats and vegetables skewered on it.
You and Ivet say your respective thanks, and Ivet offers the cook a small bag from one of her pouches, who rushes excitedly to another elven creature lounging nearby and shows him its contents.
The two of you wander idly to a small rock wall overlooking the inner city, and Ivet drops her hood and mouth covering to pop a roasted red vegetable in her mouth. You tentatively sample a bit of the cooked meat, but you don't find it much to your liking; to you, it tastes like they tried to cover it in other flavors to hide the fact that it's been dead for more than a few seconds. You inspect the twisting pattern of the massive tree's roots as they wind their way down the steep slope below, trying to swallow the knot in your throat to talk to Ivet about what is bothering her. Finally, you remember what Lothar said to Davin about being accountable for your mistakes, and you speak up.
"Ivet, I feel like we need to talk about what happened after I went to prison. I feel like I upset you, and I..." you hesitate to say that you don't know why, because you've got a pretty solid bet that it has to do with having sex with Padma, "...I want to talk about why that is," you finally say.
Ivet tenses up and swallows, then looks away. "I'm not upset!" she replies quickly. "I mean, okay, maybe... Look, Viktor, it's not even...I mean I don't have any say in what you..." You can see the bluish skin tone she adopted turning more indigo. "Bluh," she groans frustratedly, and pulls her cowl up over her face.
You're not sure how to respond to that outburst. After a moment of silence, you ask, "Ivet?"
"Do you remember right after we got into town," Ivet asks through the cloth over her face, "and I asked you how you felt about me?"
You try to fight your rising tension. "Yes," you respond.
Ivet pulls the cowl back down and looks at you, her cheeks almost totally purple at this point. "So you really don't understand why I could possibly be upset?"
You bluster for a moment. "Listen, Ivet...I made a mistake. The girl at the library didn't mean anything to me, I was just too excited by the prospect of learning something new that I didn't stop to consider the repercussions. I'm sorry."
"Augh," Ivet grumbles and looks away. "Look, can we just not talk about this? Let's just go get your stuff sold, okay?" She pulls her hood over her head and roughly bites off a chunk of meat as she walks towards a path winding down the incline.
You droop a little in defeat. "Yeah, okay."
End Chapter 3.

Ugh, fuck. Sorry, man... That is an uncomfortable moment. I still don't really get why she's being so shy about talking about sex, though. I mean, she's a grown woman. Ugh. Whatever. You care a lot about her, work with it. I think you're going to have to start doing things like surprising her with chocolates or flowers or whatever the equivalent would be for her kind. Be sweet and romantic with her. You'll win her back.

No worries, brotha man. You're cool.

I told you man

I told you about awkward!

>>409676
Don't press the issue. It's too fresh a wound, and she's suffering from internal conflict over it.