It's date time.

You are gonna wanna wash yourself, fix the holes in your clothes(or grab some new ones) and then take her somewhere nearby that's naturally beautiful. You can present the carving that you are going to finish overnight there.

1/2 Fen 2014/09/07(Sun)22:06 No. 593258 ID: d470e9
File 141015276569.png - (25.05KB , 800x800 , 99.png )

>Well if there is anything to show her around here now would be the time to do it.
There may be one place, but it can't be shown now. But, I think she may enjoy the view at the top of a tall shroom tree very much, so I'll plan on showing her at the last morning. Somehow, I'll need a way to get her to the top of the tree. Sunset is also nice, but I want to be able to show the finished idol to her then, as well.

>If you plan on stealing her away from him you need to know as much about Shup as you can.
I may want to ask her later, but it is a dangerous subject.

"Are you busy tomorrow?"
>"No, I really have nothing to do. There's a lot to learn from your tribe, though."
"You're probably the only person outside of the tribe who has ever said that."
>"Ahh, but it's true. For instance, how did you get the hay to build this hut?"
"Oh, it wasn't much. The lower elevation in the forest you go, the taller the grass gets. We traded with a farther tribe for some of their hay."
>"Ah! Yes, trading is - oh, you would already know how your own tribe trades. Anyway, I'll be around tomorrow, if you'd like to talk."
"I'd offer to teach you one of our games, but our only games involve, well, can't do much with stepping stones or without physical contact."
>"True. I learned a little bit, and they're very physical, I don't think I'd be much good."
"Doesn't it take a lot of time to get from place to place with those stones needing to be placed down?"
>"Longer, yes, but my attendants have gotten very good at laying them out in front of me. They're very athelic. Oh, anyway, Shup does have some board games, though."
"Board games?"
>"Yes, sort of like little puzzles."
"I... don't think I'd be very good at those."
>"They can be very easy to learn, I think you'll be just fine."
"Then I'll give it a shot, if you think so."
>"Please! Right now?"
"Can we?"
>"Shup is planning our route back, right now, and most of your tribe sets up for the night, so I don't have anything to do."

2/2 Fen 2014/09/07(Sun)22:06 No. 593259 ID: d470e9
File 141015278788.png - (28.46KB , 800x600 , 100.png )

That's all I need to hear, so Lily leads me into the building the mountain kobolds were carrying by themselves. The stone bearers look at each other strangely, and don't follow us in. The main chamber, where I first saw Shup and Lily, is empty, and Lily guides me into the back into a small chamber that must be her bedroom.

I feel like a bad dust tornado that blew into this pristine building.

"I should have gotten washed up and had some better clothes for this. I'm tracking dirt everywhere."
>"It's really fine, Fen, the housekeepers honestly get nervous if they look like they're not pulling their weight around, and I think they were just a worry away from 'happening' to find an 'accidentally' dumped bucket of muddy water on the floor. So, don't worry about that." Lily says, pulling out a flat piece of thick paper and some well carved idols. "This is Kimankara. It's something that a lot of warband leaders play, they say that it helps a lot with thinking about unit cohesion and complex planning. Each person gets a turn, and can move up to three pieces so long as those pieces are touching each other. I'll explain the rules."

She does so, and we play some rounds. I'm not good at it, but I do get better a few games in. I can tell Lily is going easy on me, but I think she's enjoying herself, and that's what matters too. I don't really get this sort of game, but somehow, I like it. I think it's just the fact that I'm alone wi-

I'm alone with Lily.

>>593259
Alone with Lily, in her bedroom. Mention it'd be a scandal if anyone found out. You could be in here kissing, for all anyone knows.

Actually, come to think of it... maybe this would be a good time to tell her your long-term goal. To become a champion, and a noble, so that you have a chance of being with her.

Put some of your focus into the game, and ask her to play seriously for a bit. This is supposed to be good for commanders, which means this could help you too. Pay attention to how she moves her pieces, think about why she's doing it. Try to guess at the strategy she's using, because it's probably a better strategy than you've been using.

>I'm alone with Lily.
Well, now you know why they were giving you odd looks.

But, more bluntly, so what? It's not as if you're going to ravish her now. Or like this fundamentally changes either of your situations.

All you can really do at this point is enjoy her company. And the fact that she trusts you.

>>593261
Try and be careful about how you say your goals... Something like being envious of Lord Shup, wishing to know what it's like to even have a little bit of power... But that you suppose you'll just be out here, with your Tribe.
While the training with the soldiers will help you keep your tribe safe and well off, some strategy training would help. If she plays seriously, and explains your mistakes and how she took advantage of them, you could learn from that, right? If you think so, let her know.

Yeah alone in a small portable building with thin walls. I would bet anything there are at least two people listening in on you right now.

It would be nice to tell her that you are not going to give up that easy. That you have plans to win yourself a title and her heart. But this is probably not the best place to do it.

If you do have a overwhelming urge to tell her your plans be subtle about it. Say that she has inspired you to follow your heart and leave the village to follow your dreams. If there is a way to get what you want out of life you are going to find it quickly.

She should know what you are getting at.

>tell her stuff
Dunno, I'm almost of the mind that we shouldn't be souring our first real chance to have a good time together with our half-baked and far-fetched plans. It'll only make her feel bad if she has to explain why it won't work, or let us down, or worse, pities Fen's naivete.

>>593271
Okay, pose it seriously. "I'm not going to be giving up... I mean, not on everything. I've had dreams of becoming something more, and I understand that the chances of it happening are low, but if I don't take the chance and become somebody, I'll just regret it for the rest of my life.
"I mean, I don't envy Lord Shup his Mythril status, but I do envy his Nobility. Just... Becoming a Wood Noble is enough to help out a family or tribe.
"But I'm rambling on personal goals... I don't expect you enjoy listening to it, do you? We came in here for the game, so we should try and focus on it."

Keep your thoughts clean Fen. If not for the situation you both are in this would be a great time to do a little flirting and see where it took you.

But does not mean you can not enjoy your time with her while it lasts. Just avoid putting your foot in your mouth if you can.

If you were really alone I would tell her how you feel and that you are not going to give up that easily. That you have a plan to win your own fortune and nobility through some nebulous plan your brother might have. Or maybe skip that last part.

Whatever you do its best to assume that a servant or two are listening in on you. That's sort of what servants do. When they are not busy working they are spying and gossiping.

>>593259
>The stone bearers look at each other strangely
>I'm alone with Lily.
errrrrrrrrrrr you know that it doesn't really matter if you don't actually do the old 8 legged lizard with her if shup suspects that you did, right?
that means you either get a witness in here or you might as well just sex that lady up right now. a hard choice to make, i'm sure, but do consider if it's worth losing your limbs for.

>>593319

Hmm good point. In some cultures if a married woman even goes to another mans house its considered adultery. And you are all alone with her in her bedroom.

With how you two have been acting some people are going to assume that the instant you came in here you started wildly making out.

Look, don't tell her you have some insane plan to become a noble and win her. She'll object, even if only for your own sake. It also puts an unfair amount of pressure on her and just makes it more likely you are gonna have problems with Shup.

Instead, use this limited time to get more personal with her. Ask her about her home and family, her dreams and desires. This is the most private moment you are ever likely to have with the woman, don't ruin it with a potential sour note.

She's been expressing an interest in you and your tribe, now it is time for you to express an interest in hers. If you wanna get all teary eyed and proclaim your love... well I'm not saying don't be honest, but don't go blurting out that you have a plan and you'll save her from her situation, because you don't and you can't.

>>593323

I think this is the most reasonable plan.

1/5 Fen 2014/09/08(Mon)21:21 No. 593398 ID: d470e9
File 141023649020.png - (24.54KB , 800x800 , 101.png )

>So what if you're alone with her?
Er, yeah. This isn't much different than normal!

I have an itch to tell her that I want to become a noble or otherwise get enough power to support her and her family.

But.... no. Not right now. I'm just some borderlands barbarian to everyone north and south of here.

"Would you like to play another game after this, Lily?"
>"I would, unless you're getting tired of it?"
"Not at all! Actually, uh... I'd like you to not hold back. I'd like to get good at this game, so please let me know how you beat me at this so well, because I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing wrong."

She smiles, and sets the board up again.

2/5 Fen 2014/09/08(Mon)21:21 No. 593399 ID: d470e9
File 141023650456.png - (47.54KB , 800x800 , 102.png )

Between games, I ask her about her own family and life. It seems easy and a world away. She also talks about other distant lands, like the coastal reefs of Fisher's Run and touring the infrastructure and road systems of Shup's Goldyard.

"By the way... I really can't help but worry a little bit about our situation. I'm not, uh, you know, trying to make anything of it, but if anyone was to catch us alone in your bedroom... should I be here?"
>"Mm... probably not, but please don't let that stop you. My attendants are really protective of me, and this is the only place I can go without anyone hovering over me. Well... that's not entirely true, but at least the kobolds around us are out of sight."

I leave it at that. The walls honestly don't seem that thin, but I have no idea.

We play a few more games. She's good at it, but she says I'm getting better between a yawn of hers.

>"It's gotten late. Let's do this again tomorrow, Fen."
"It'll be my pleasu-"

I hear some people coming up the stairway.

>"Hm.. you leaving might be a little awkward, sorry, Fen. Lizi, can you let him out?"
>"Yes." I nearly jump. Someone speaks from the floor boards. "Fen, turn around, slide down to the ground, turn around again, and leave forward."
>"Sorry for the quick goodbye." Lily says. "We'll have a better chance tomorrow."
"Y...eah. Sleep well, Lily."

3/5 Fen 2014/09/08(Mon)21:21 No. 593400 ID: d470e9
File 141023651422.png - (47.37KB , 800x800 , 103.png )

I feel like that exit is as awkward as leaving out the front, but I do so, and wander back to my home to work on my figurine. Zizi tells me that our mother might know a thing or two about carving, so I crawl to her tree hole. Apparently she had a hobby of it when she was in the north.

>"That is a very good knife, Fen." she says. "It's not really one for carving, though. You didn't steal it, did you?"
"No, no! Of course not. Tevliss let me have it. Well, borrow it. I'll probably return it to him tomorrow night."
>"Good. Remember to thank him."
"I'm... not a kid anymore."
>"You aren't? It's so hard to tell, we hardly see each other even within the same tribe. You, Zizi and Kiki are so close to each other."
"We've been so busy. I'm sorry, I didn't get a chance to catch up over the last week."
>"I know. Whenever I've seen you, you were always working hard. I heard from Zizi about Lily. I want to recommend against pursuing her, but not as much as I want you to follow what you want."
"... thanks, mom. By the way, do we have any new shirts?"
>"Hmm... no, I don't think so. I do have some fabric, so I can start on a new one."

4/5 Fen 2014/09/08(Mon)21:22 No. 593401 ID: d470e9
File 141023652409.png - (213.92KB , 800x800 , 104.png )

I get a little bit of sleep, and the figuring is mostly done. I can finish it up before tomorrow morning. Tevliss and Shemi come up to me soon after breakfast.

>"Hey, Shrimp."
"Hey Tevliss. I thought you two were going to be busy today?"
>"Yeah, we are, so I'm gonna keep this short. Was thinking I didn't want to see my week's worth of training to just get pissed away. So first off, I expect to see you practice some footwork and swing forms today to make sure you remember all of it and can keep practicing. Second off, I've seen your sticks for swords, it's gonna be a goddamn waste of Tevliss's training just to see you club someone in the face with a stick all day. I'm giving you a sword."
"I kind of like my own sword."
>"That thing? It's done you well?"
"Yes. I'm familiar with it."
>"Yeah? You can say that this thing is solid, and it's not gonna go break on you?"
"It's always felt sturdy in my hands."
>"You attached to it? Like a friend?"
"Yes, I am."
>"And it helps you out in a fight?"
"A lot of the tribes around here just use clubs."
>"The hell does that have to do with anything?"
"I mean, yes, it does."
>"Let me see your sword."
"Alright."

5/5 Fen 2014/09/08(Mon)21:22 No. 593402 ID: d470e9
File 141023653455.png - (25.13KB , 800x800 , 105.png )

SNAP

I guess one of your last lessons with Tevliss should be proper weapon maintenance then.

Just be happy it happened in his hands and not in the middle of a fight.

>>593402
Oh jeez. It's not supposed to do that, it's supposed to bend. Well, thank him for showing you your sword was crap.

>Lizi
Man, Lily has her own ninjas!

>>593402
...ouch. Rather unrelenting in your lessons, aren't you.

I guess the lesson here is not to get a sentimental attachment to a weapon. Or maybe not to hand over your sword.

Great, even if you were never gonna use that again there's a LOT of people here who could use a sword.

1/2 Fen 2014/09/09(Tue)18:33 No. 593476 ID: d470e9
File 141031283794.png - (36.49KB , 800x800 , 106.png )

"Okay, I get your point, but a lot of other people here could have used that sword."
>"Yeah, should've left it with one of your enemies so they can get killed trying to use it. But fine, consider it a trade, my good sword for your dragon shit. This thing was your friend? Well here's your new friend, and it's not going to break on you when you need it most. This one bends. And it's balanced. You ever make a dime, then your next friend should be custom-fit. And for fucks sake I'd better not see you swinging it into trees. Just actual training dummies and bodies. In fact, Shemi, can we just 'forget' to pack a training dummy?"
>"Yeah, and the quartermaster can 'forget' a few coins in your pay.
>"Yeah nevermind. Fen, this blade ain't touching anything but other people. Goddamn, do I need to give you a sharpening stone too?"
"I have one, and I know how to sharpen a blade."
>"I don't trust you."
>"Well why don't you just invite him over to your house and feed him breakfast in bed?" Shemi asks.
>"Fuck you Shemi. Fen you're just getting the sword. If I ever see you again, this thing better be pristine."
"I'll do my best, but if you don't trust me, you can tell me what you know about weapon maintenance."
>"No. Follow me."

2/2 Fen 2014/09/09(Tue)18:39 No. 593480 ID: d470e9
File 141031318967.png - (78.69KB , 800x800 , 107.png )

Tevliss brings me closer to the village's center, and has me practice some of the forms that include a variety of movements.

>"Hey, conscript!" Tevliss calls out to Zizi as he walks by.
>"What's up, Tev?"
>"Don't call me Tev. You still remember how to take care of a sword, yeah?"
>"Yep."
>"Get your brother to treat the new sword right. The only one snapped in half."
>"Yeah I was wondering when that'd happen."
>"Now spar with him. Real swords. Just test out the swings, shrimp."
"Alright." Tevliss had me spar with him a few times with real swords so that I would be forced to practice a lot of control.

The week was informative, I think. I still can't beat Zizi, but Tevliss showed me why I'm not as good as him. What Zizi is doing is now familiar, he just does it better. It doesn't fill me with confidence, but it does give me the sense that I've got a chance to be good.

>"Alright, I'm outta here." Tevliss says to me, like he's not going to see me again. "See ya, shrimp."

>>593480
Yeah right. "Goodbye Tevliss! We'll meet again someday, and when we do, we'll see if the student has surpassed his master!"

See yah, Tev. And thanks.

Well, looks like he doesn't expect you to be conscripted, but we'll see what happens.

You do want to give Lily her gift before the group moves on, especially if you might not be coming with.

If that happens, we'll deal with that then. Maybe find a way to the northern empire yourself.

Fen you got far enough in a week to see the basics of what your brother does. And he was apparently pretty hot stuff. You still have a long way to go but nothing moves a man forward like having a goal. Just remember to practice every day if you can from now on.

Well get your new sword put away properly and thank him for everything. Then get your gift ready and give it to Lily. Make sure to get it to her early because when there party leaves it will be to busy then.

If anything happens with Shup just roll with it. And if not you can spend a few days gather supplies and make your own way north after figuring out your brothers plan.

Tell him someday, you are gonna visit the empire, and you are gonna find him, and you are gonna buy him a drink.

Is that sword really, really short or are you just holding it at a weird angle?

1/2 Fen 2014/09/12(Fri)19:35 No. 593861 ID: d470e9
File 141057574355.png - (63.21KB , 800x800 , 108.png )

>Finish the present before Lily leaves

"Oh, wait, you guys are still leaving tomorrow morning, right, not sooner?"
>"Yeah?"

It sounds like I have time after all.
"I think I'm going to visit the empire someday, Tevliss, and I think there's a good chance we'll meet again. I'll be better when we meet, though! Thank you for everything."
>"Yeah yeah."

>How long is that sword?
It's a moderate length, really. It's actually heavier than I would like, to be honest, but I think that with a bit of practice I'll like this sword after all.

2/2 Fen 2014/09/12(Fri)19:35 No. 593862 ID: d470e9
File 141057575539.png - (48.51KB , 800x800 , 109.png )

I end up spending part of the day with Lily again once I find her.

"Will you have any free time tomorrow morning?"
>"Yes. We'll be getting up soon after sunrise, and making final preparations to go. I don't have much to do, after all, since my attendants will be packing my things for me."

We play some more board games, but eventually just find ourselves chatting without bothering to set up the game again.

>"So what do you plan on doing, Fen?" Lily asks.
"About?"
>"Your life. Do you think you'll be happy here?"
"Er... well, I think so? Uh..."
>"I'm sorry, it's inquisitive, but while you've been informative, you've always sounded like you just don't like it here."
"... it's true. I was thinking of getting conscripted."
>"Whatever commander takes you in, I'm sure will be happy they did. I could give you some recommendations... oh, no, I think Zizi will be better for it. He should know what you want more than I do."
"Yeah... maybe."

It's tough to hold myself in and say that I want to pursue it. I'm almost certain that Lily can see that I want to say more, but instead of asking, she changes the subject to her own goals of medicine practice. She's less interested in a war medic for serious wounds, but rather to practice general health and longetivity for others.

"I've got to do something, actually. If it's not too much trouble... could we meet again a bit before sunrise?"
>"Hm? Ah... yes, yes, I will be. I'll wait outside of my housing and keep an eye out for you."

I say that without thinking. I would like to be able to bring her to a place with a nice view of the treetops. To do so, I can bring her to a nearby location to the top of a tree, but I don't know if her rule counts the top of a tree as the ground. There's also a location overlooking a small cliff that would be good, but it's outside of our territory, and I would need to convince a couple of soldiers to go along with us, as I just don't think that me bringing Lily outside of our safety zone would be looked at well.

Hmm for that sort of thing it would probably be best to ask Shup or one of Lily's guardians for there permission. Maybe say you want to show Lily the sights before they head off tomorrow and see what they think. That secret guard Lizi might also be a good person to ask.

Unless you learn more from your brother all you can really say is that you are going to find a way that a guy like you could be with a girl like her. So if you want to tell her any more than that you had better go badger your brother into coughing up his plan.

So get permission to show her someplace nice. Talk to your brother so you can let her know what your intentions are without looking like a fool. And give her a nice parting gift.

I know its dangerous to openly tell her your intentions but its worth the risk. She needs to know and you need to know how she will respond.

Go to a guard and tell them you wish to show Lily--and Lord Shup, if he's interested in joining her--one final sight in the morning, but it's a short ways away and would need an escort.

As genuinely interested in the peoples as Lord Shup is, he might actually be interested in something that they can enjoy, like the sunrise. Who knows, even if conscription doesn't happen, he may enjoy it enough himself, or recognize the enjoyment others can experience from it, to come out here more often... Likely with Lily.

>but I don't know if her rule counts the top of a tree as the ground.

>There are some people, like myself, who are never allowed to set foot on soil outside of the empire's borders without good reason
Trees aren't soil, even if they grow out of it. If she related the rule verbatim, I think she could go tree climbing. Maybe.

Heck, it's even probably safe, since she has ninja to make sure she doesn't fall.

...going off in a small group to show her something, on the other hand, almost seems like you're tempting fate. You're asking to ambushed, something to happen to her, and you to be blamed.

1/6 Fen 2014/09/13(Sat)23:40 No. 594006 ID: d470e9
File 141067684748.png - (35.53KB , 800x800 , 110.png )

"Could I speak to one of your attendants alone for a moment, Lily?"
>"Ah? Sure, that won't be a problem at all."

With that, we wish each other well, and go off to the side with one of the stonebearers.

"I wanted to bring Lily to the top of a tree to view the sunrise." I say, deciding against going out of town. Even with a few guards, I don't trust neighboring tribes to not do anything that I might get blamed for. "Is it possible for her to walk on the tops?"
>"Walk? On a tree?"
"The tops are actually very solid."
>"Why would she want to do such a thing?"
"I think she may enjoy the sunrise."
>".... the rule said the ground, but the rule wasn't made thinking these trees could be walked on. But, fine, she might be disappointed if I get in the way, so I'll bring a rug and a ladder so that she doesn't need to touch the tree directly. If it means that much, then get up well before sunrise and meet me in advance to help me set it up."
"I will, thank you."

2/6 Fen 2014/09/13(Sat)23:40 No. 594007 ID: d470e9
File 141067685754.png - (33.66KB , 800x800 , 111.png )

It's nerve wracking. Eventually it looks like it could be done, but I feel like there's some more carving I may want to do. And carving where I shouldn't carve will make me have to start over and do a rush job. I end up staring at it for hours without doing anything.

>"Get sleep, Fen. We are back to our normal hunting lives tomorrow." says Kiki.
"Right..."

3/6 Fen 2014/09/13(Sat)23:41 No. 594008 ID: d470e9
File 141067686540.png - (38.56KB , 800x800 , 112.png )

I can't sleep at all, though, so I have no problems getting up in time to help the stone bearer set up the tree climb. Lily eventually makes it.

>"Good morning, or, end of night, Fen. I'm hoping that you like my company so much that waking up this early is worth it for you.?"
"I'm more worried about my own company."
>"So, what is going on?"

I was surprised I could convince them to go along with my plan.

"You couldn't touch - well, walk on any trees, so..."

4/6 Fen 2014/09/13(Sat)23:41 No. 594009 ID: d470e9
File 141067687905.png - (15.44KB , 800x800 , 113.png )

"I had your stonebearers bring out some rugs, a ladder..." I can't believe I did this. "....and a lot of generosity towards me." This is going to be awful if she doesn't like sunrises. "Thank you very much." I say to, I think it's Neph. "Lily, the view at sunrise is very nice. We're still within our territory, so it's entirely safe, if you'd like to join me..." I rehearsed this a lot, I didn't mean to say 'join me' like some...thing... "...at the top of the shroomtree." It's too early, we're going to have to wait awkwardly for awhile.

Her smile back at me completely devastates my misgivings towards this plan.

5/6 Fen 2014/09/13(Sat)23:41 No. 594010 ID: d470e9
File 141067689432.png - (215.28KB , 800x800 , 114.png )

I'm still nervous, though. I lose all my words once we're at the top of the tree. She doesn't say much either, but she doesn't look bored. I don't know what got in my head to try to be incredibly romantic about this. If Shup sees us here like this.... the stonebearers probably already told Shup. I could have tried to invite Shup indirectly as well, but I was afraid that he would actually accept.

It feels like years till the sun comes up. Yet despite it's for the wrong reasons, I wished it would last a few more years.

"Lil-
>"Fen. Oh. Sorry, you first."
"No, you."
>"I've got something for you. Well, a couple things."
"Ah? I, uh, I have something for you. But, you first."
>"Neph, please bring it up... thank you."

6/6 Fen 2014/09/13(Sat)23:41 No. 594011 ID: d470e9
File 141067691498.png - (62.54KB , 800x800 , 115.png )

>"Okay, so, first off is just something small, really... it's not a proper present, it's just a little spare board game set of Kimankara. You seemed to get into it, and I do hear that in good times you do have lots of spare time, so you can probably teach someone else how to play. The real thing I meant to give you, though, is this.

>I noticed that you had some troubles with your shirt, and it seems like fabric around here is rare. This is a fabric piece of treated dragon cloth. As armor, it's fine, but it's extremely durable. It's almost immune to normal wear and tear, and resistant to getting torn up. It's what the mountain kobolds in elite forces are often given as normal wear, since they usually pokes holes in most other things."
"Oh... wow. Uh, mine is..." Mine is nothing in comparison. "It's just a little figurine, actually. Since you took interest in our tribe, I thought you might like, uh, a souvenir." The forest god's image to us is important enough to feel like sacrilege to call it a 'souvenir', but I can't imagine Lily would see it as much more.
>"Ah! Fen, that's lovely. Who made it?"
"Well, I had help."
>"If you did most of it, then you're very good! Thank you, Fen, I'm going to keep that with me."
"Thank you. It's not much compared to this, though!"
>"Yes, it is. You made your own by hand. This is... just wealth that was given to me, that I'm passing on to you since you have more use for it then me. Oh... do be careful, though, it is very expensive, and just wearing it kind of makes you a target. So... be very careful, and only use it for ceremonial gear! Or, that's what I would say, but it's a rectangle right now, and you can make it into anything you like."

Well, you should probably bring the dragon cloth to your mother, since she's the one who's been making stuff for you. Of course, asking her to make it for the sake of a ceremony to honor Lily's suggestion is a good course of action.
Now that she's seen the sunrise and received traded gifts, wish her, uh, happiness, I suppose is the proper thing to say? Wish that she has a happy life, and fare her well. Let her know you probably will just use the cloth for ceremonial garb, though how exactly is something you'll have to take some time to think about. Even if she feels that it was just wealth given to her, it's still a rarity for your tribe, and you don't want to screw up and waste it.

Hmm, I actually think to reduce chances of making us a target for having it, we should probably make little emblems for everyone in the tribe with it. Custom cloth types depending on the person that uses it, an arm band, a bandolier, whatever. Each one with a custom-made emblem.

And to make our emblem have special meaning, have it simply be a Flower Lily. An emblem can't be meaningfully robbed by the rival tribe. Armor could. Odds are that flower lily emblem on our chosen cloth strap type will last us our lifetime.

Well, this went pretty well, actually. She liked the sunrise, and she cared enough to find a gift for you too. (And yeah, maybe hers was better, but only since she has access to resources you don't). And it's something she noticed you needed- that's definitely taking an interest. You should be happy.

Don't decide exactly what to do with the cloth, for now. You can work it out later, and get your mother to help you, since she's good with that kind of thing. (Although, if it's that tough, I wonder what we're gonna cut it with).

Tell her that you will treasure the gift and make sure to use it well.

Then give her a little speech if you feel up to it.

Say that you are happy that you met her. That before she came here you were coasting through life with no goals besides living for tomorrow. But now you realize that there is a big world out there and it has something you want that's worth any risk to obtain. While it will not be easy to chase after it you are not going to give up.

And hopefully someday very soon she will be there to see you realize your dream.

Should be vague enough for anyone listening and she should understand what you are going for.

Thank her for everything and oh just hug her you fool. Or bumble around for a bit and ask if that's alright first. It's probably the last time you'll be able to see her alone.

1/3 Fen 2014/09/14(Sun)09:41 No. 594051 ID: d470e9
File 141071290936.png - (53.37KB , 800x800 , 116.png )

"Thank you, Lily, I'll make sure to use it well. It's morning now, so.... you're going to have to go, soon?"
>"Yes, but not this moment. I like this spot, Fen."
"... good. Well..." I have trouble finding the words. "I'm very glad I met you. I wasn't really wanting to go anywhere until you came, but I'd like make something of myself."
>"Then please promise me you'll do your best to succeed, because it sounds like whatever you're going to do, it's going to involve fighting. It'll just be awful if you run off and get killed because you met me."
"Ah, don't worry, I'm going to make sure to practice against Zizi a lot now, because if I have to fight people like Tevliss for my life... well, right now, I really would die, and that's not my goal in life."
>"Good! But it sounds like you want to do more than just get conscripted."
"... I'd like to be put in a position of power where I can take care of everyone close to me."
>"Like a noble?"
"If I can, then yes."
>"Oh, Fen, Fen... Fen... you're not going after me, are you?"
"..... if I am?"
>"Fen, even the most gloriously celebrated warriors took years before becoming a noble. Although it's not been officially set as of yet, Shup and I are to be engaged at the end of this coming winter." She leans in close, and whispers to me. "Oh... if I knew for a fact you would become a noble, then, well, as I once said, I would be highly interested in getting to know you better. I think highly of Shup, and I could see living my life at his side being content, but.... ah. I can't be so reckless as you. I just couldn't face my family. I believe in you, Fen, but to my family, I would have turned down a mithril noble in favor of a barbarian that wanted to become a noble."
"I understand." Egh, she is interested in me, and that's good, but it also means I've managed to make this awkward for her. It might have been easier if she just didn't care about me... no, no, I don't think that's true at all. "I'm not asking anything of you, Lily. Whatever happens, I wish for you to have a happy life. Would it be too much to ask for, well... a hug?"

Her stonebearer chimes in from below.
>"No!"

>"I'm sorry, Fen, but I can't..." she says at a normal volume, but then lowers to a whisper once again. "Not directly. Please stand up."

2/3 Fen 2014/09/14(Sun)09:41 No. 594052 ID: d470e9
File 141071291668.png - (73.60KB , 800x800 , 117.png )

I do so, and she unfolds the blanket and wraps me in it.
>"This is good enough, I hope."
"More than I could have hoped for."
"Goodbye, Fen, I hope to meet again one day."
"We will. Goodbye, Lily, I'll help you down."

3/3 Fen 2014/09/14(Sun)09:42 No. 594054 ID: d470e9
File 141071294786.png - (188.07KB , 800x800 , 118.png )

It's going to be hot, today.

Good work Fen, you let her know how you feel without forcing it on her are making things awkward. She likes you, if circumstances were different I'm sure she'd want to be with you.

Just more reason to go out and conquer. In the name of love of course.

>>594051
you fools, he said no, that means it is not too much to ask!
what a missed opportunity.

Ah well.

Stay up there a little linger, and enjoy the heat before you come down.

Let's get some of that turned into a scarf or belt or something, which you will be wearing at all times. There should be enough left over to make some ceremonial garb as well.

Also get to your training. Pursue martial strength like a mad dog.

Well that went well. She knows how you feel and told you straight out that if you could achieve your goal in time she would be interested in dropping Shup for you.

Well no use making any long term plans until they leave. Shup is a wildcard and he could ignore you or conscript you or who knows what else. Just be on your best behavior and roll with the punches as they come.

I would carefully pack up your gifts and get them stored somewhere safe and private. Then maybe get some more training in with your brother while they get ready to leave.

>Her stonebearer chimes in from below.
>"No!"
Was that a "No, it's not too much to ask for," or "No, you cannot ask for that?" It would be quite humorous if the stonebearers were suggesting Lily agree to hug you.

Well, at the very least, you can hope that once you do become a noble (No ifs, young man, you go train with Zizi to ensure you have the strength to do so!), you can at least be friends with Lord Shup's estate. His estate including Lady Lily. I'm sure sponsoring a barbarian turned noble will get him a good bit of fame, after all, it does not sound like something he would turn down.

Go back to your village, ask your mother what sort of ceremonial garb she thinks could work best for the Dragon Cloth, and get back to tribal duties and otherwise training.

1/2 Fen 2014/09/15(Mon)20:45 No. 594281 ID: d470e9
File 141083913068.png - (50.98KB , 800x800 , 119.png )

I lay down for some time longer. I don't know why, but I don't want to move.

When I do get the energy to go, though, I head down, finding everyone of the northern empire gone, and some of us cleaning up. I head to my mother.

"Hey, mom. I got this, uh, dragon cloth. I don't know what exactly yet, but could you make something out of it?"
>"Oh, no, Fen, you didn't steal that, did you?"
"Of course not! Lily gave it to me."
>"Good. Are you doing alright?"
".... yeah."
>"That little girl must be richer than I thought, or care for you quite a lot. No, I won't tailor you anything made out of that. I can make adequate things, yes, but Fen, this piece of cloth is worth more than most people can get in a lifetime. That, and it is a tough material to work with. If we ever do something with it, we're going to have to hire the services of a proper tailor. For now, let's just keep it hidden in our lockbox to keep the dust off of it. To be honest, I'm not sure what we can do with it."
"Lily suggested that I just use it for ceremonial events, or perhaps make emblems, since wearing it by myself normally would make me a target."
>"She started thinking, but that conclusion is a little naive, don't you think? Dragon cloth is exclusively made in the northern empire, and how would it be seen wearing something like that, either as an emblem or during our own, neutral events? I'm sorry, Fen, lots of people would kill for this, but in our case, we have no use. If you ever go to the northern empire, though, it might have use. It's attention grabbing, but it's often the sign of nobility and elite classes, too, so would be pickpockets and muggers would think twice before targeting you."
"... okay. I'll think about it, and just keep it safe for now."

2/2 Fen 2014/09/15(Mon)20:45 No. 594282 ID: d470e9
File 141083913635.png - (22.82KB , 800x800 , 120.png )

Even though people are busy, the village seems quiet.

I ask Zizi to spar, using a training sword that Tevliss left behind after all. I do better. Much better. He's still better by a longshot, and I still get the impression he's going easy on me. Even though he's not a good teacher, he is very patient, and I don't think there's going to be a single time that he'll decline helping me train.

>"Finally getting the hang of things! So, you want to hear my ideas on how to get nobility?"
"Yes."
>"Okay then. First off, promise me you will not tell your sister! She'll kill me. Now, noble marriage may take awhile, but if you're gonna get up there fast, you gotta act fast. Now, who would trust just anyone out of the forest to become a noble after mere months of military service or whatever?"
"... would anyone?"
>"Anyone would if they see the benefit! You just have to go in wherever and take your surroundings as yours by storm. Now, that's not gonna happen if you just go to peaceful old northern Fisher's Run and get garrisoned in a port town in the off chance some enemy ships sail near. By the way, that doesn't happen. No, you've got to go big. You've got to go to the Dragon's Fall."
"The capital town?"
>"No, Fen, that's... oh wait, yeah, that is the capital, but it's also the name of the region. Anyway, you got two options that I see. You can enlist in the army there. Those guys get sent on some of the toughest missions, and are usually reserved for the best of the best. In your case, you're egonna need some recommendation or a test of skill or somethin', I dunno, I wasn't in that one. Anyway, you impress people there, and you can get anywhere. Now, a near guarantee to get nobility in a few months' time is to go opt to be a gladiator. There's a good sized arena I hear in the capital, and there's weekly games! The gladiators are well fed and taken care of to give a good fight, and people who give a good show get a good reputation."
"... why isn't everyone a gladiator, then?"
>"Well, the life expectancy of two weeks or so is a deal breaker for some. Most. Well, really, volunteers for the arena are pretty rare. But, all you gotta do is live! As long as you make a name for yourself, you'll be put against better and better fights, and eventually an exit route is given to you."

>Well, really, volunteers for the arena are pretty rare.
>eventually an exit route is given to you.
Hold on, is he saying that even if you volunteer for it, you're stuck in there until you get your "exit route?"
Regardless, as quick as that may be, you can't even beat your brother yet. You'd have a much better chance of making a name for yourself in the army, than the arena.

Well how far away is the wedding? That's the time limit you are up against.

Now the army is a good choice but could you climb the ranks fast enough? There are battlefield promotions but you would have to be in the right spot at the right time. Also you would most likely be working with a team of soldiers. Get in good with your platoon and you would make some nice connections and some valuable friends and allies for later. Depending on your time limit could be a good option.

On the other hand if you only have a few months until winter the Gladiator is the way to go. Quickly rising in the ranks would be more up to your own skill than anything. While I am sure some fights are to the death most would be more about playing up to the crowd and displays of skill.

So figure out how much time you have left and then ask your brother more about the levels of nobility. Can you be a wood noble with no holdings? Or do you get a land grant or something like it when you become a noble? You will need both status and enough wealth to help support your family and Lily's for this plan to work.

Also you have to account for Shup in all of this. How much more powerful is a Mythril noble compared to a wood noble? I doubt he will give up Lily just like that if you come knocking. So you need to make sure you can stand up to him physically and politically.

How long is a tour of duty in the army? If you got shipped off somewhere for six months it would be a problem.

Ask your brother more about how nobility works in the empire. Would becoming a Wood noble be enough or do you need to aim higher?

Ask how far you need to improve in your training before you start on a path.

...not that I don't appreciate the help, but do you really think I have a chance of surviving something like a gladiatorial arena? I mean, I've learned enough to see I have potential, but that's a far cry from being able to beat an entire arena's worth of lifelong fighters who have been forced into it for some horrible crime or another.

I mean, not that I'm not willing to risk myself, but I don't want Lily to feel terrible if I get myself killed jumping into this arena for her.

Well, either way, you kind of have to travel in the same direction, don't you? We should worry about how you're going to get to the north before we worry about what you're doing when you get there.

I know this is a bit out of line, but wouldn't a better way to achieve nobility be to unify the surrounding tribes and build a proper village here?

Remember what Lily said Fen, she would be devastated if you just ran off and got killed chasing after her. Your fighting skills may be improving, but if you can't even defeat your brother then you may want to think twice about rushing into gladiatorial fights to the death. Ask how tough the army is, and how it compares to being a gladiator lifespan wise.

In any case, you're going to have to do or become something great to just swipe Lily away from Shup, greater than a Mithril Noble at least.

>>594306
It's a bit farfetched, but I like it. Although it may be a bit selfish to involve the entire tribe just for a girl...

Lily said she was going to be engaged at the end of winter. While its not full on marriage I am guessing you would have to have at least Mythril noble status to break things up after that point.

If its early spring I would aim for the army. Impress them to start and get into a elite unit and you will have on the job training and plenty of friends to watch your back. Being a soldier is a good profession with no limit to how far you can rise. Many a high general has sat on the throne in his later years. With a bit of luck and maybe some battlefield looting you could get the rank and wealth you would need in time.

On the other hand if its getting into the middle or late summer the gladiator route might be your only option. Successful gladiators tend to be immensely popular and have all sorts of wealthy patrons. Win a few games with flair and you could be a new rising star. But make sure to ask more about the culture behind the games and the rules.

I know in ancient Rome the arena was a lethal form of professional wrestling. Lots of plots and intrigues and the popular gladiators tended to watch out for each other. But your arena could be mostly bloodsports and 5 guys vs the ogre mage events.

>"Fen, even the most gloriously celebrated warriors took years before becoming a noble."

The army route is not a good long-term plan. However... going there for a little while could get you some more tutelage and a variety of experience, as well as some clout. If you can do some army work in preparation for putting your life on the line in the Arena, that would be best. On the other hand, even getting into that army would be a daunting task. You need some sort of edge before doing ANYTHING.

You need to train, and train hard, until you can beat your brother. Then you can go out into the world, and try to get into the high-risk army position thing. Get training there, reach your peak in physical ability, then go for the Arena.

I don't know that going out and getting Fen killed in such an extreme manner is the best idea. I like the unify the barbarian tribes idea. It's something that pays off for our friends and family beyond elevating Fen to such a position.

>>594477
The big problem with that idea is time. It could take years for a unknown tribal to unite the clans. Fen only has a few months to pull this off. He needs to get noticed and knighted fast.

>>594478
Get some sort of garment made from the dragon cloth. Approach one of the nearby tribes, act like the whole unification-and-conquest process is already halfway over and they just haven't heard. Do it right, and by the time they realize it was a bluff, it won't be anymore. You've seen how Shup acts, now; use that knowledge. Project arrogance and invincibility.

>>594526
This is not the worst plan I have ever heard. I don't know if the empire is going to be handing out noble titles to newly minted barbarian lords, but starting your own kingdom with blackjack and hookers might get you a queen. I don't know how excited Lilly and her family will be about the standard of living though.

Okay, guys, look...
>>594526
Uniting the barbarians? They're still barbarians. Lily doesn't want that. She likes the freedoms of Fen's tribe, yes, but all the tribes have different ideals, and a lot of them she would not like.
>>594307
Note that a lot of us are in agreeance that getting yourself killed is a bad idea, but think of this: Lily would NOT like it if you ran off to voluntarily join the Gladiators. That is purposefully putting your life on the line against the strongest trained people, whereas joining the army would just be putting you against some strong (Not stronger or stronegest!) people who your training would give you a chance against. The army generals aren't morons, they aren't going to send you on a suicide mission against somebody stronger than you, just somebody they believe you can handle, even if it will pose a challenge. You might have a risk of losing, but they'll have others to pull your ass out of the fire so that you don't die even if you lose.

Stick to the army. The only reason you should think about the gladiator arena is the worry that you'll commit some crime and be thrown in there, involuntarily.

Fen 2014/09/21(Sun)20:43 No. 595179 ID: 602cd8
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It's currently late winter. So, I've got just a about one year to become a wood noble. I think Lily hinted that all she wanted was to have someone that could care for her family, so in that regard, just getting wood noble is enough. But, she also said mithril nobles had far, far more political power and wealth than a wood noble, so to get a girl that Shup had his eyes on... it's complicated. I don't know about those things, but I get the impression it's weird.



"Zizi, what if I tried unifying all of these tribes? We could live in peace, and maybe the northern empire would give me nobility if I ended up handing them a village without them needing to lift a finger."

>"OOooooh.... Fen, that idea is creative, bold, rash, and the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Let me tell you why that's a bad idea! First off, we've enjoyed decades or centuries of aggressively being independent, some other guy trying to unify is gonna be a real tough thing. Second off, maybe the southern empire would go for that, but the northern one loves showing off their military and conquering by force. They probably won't like it if you do it for them. Third, I like it like this. Just last week I told you why this was the life! Sure it's hard, but it's simple and no one is under 4 layers of heels from a chain of command above them."

"Alright, alright, I get it. Really, though, what honestly are the chances of me surviving the arena?"

>"Good enough for a man on a mission!"

".... and what about the army?"

>"Good enough for a man on a mission!"

".... is it possible to be a wood noble with no holdings?"

>"Well maybe initially, but once you get wood nobility, you're not gonna be waiting long for some land to be given to you. There's more villages out there than nobles."

"Okay, well... Lily's going to feel just awful if I run out and get killed. If I go to the arena, can I honestly have a chance, when there's people there who have probably been fighting professionally for years?"

>"Uhhh... I dunno about that, Fen, most of 'em are just slaves that are kept around for entertainment, and don't really have their heart in actual fighting. You could probably beat 'em up right now! Pretty sure gladiators have access to trainers anyway."

"And the army? Is there room for advancement so quickly?"

>"Well, yeah. Look, summer's a good time for rebels to pop up. No one starts shit right before winter, it's way too cold up north. You sound like you're starting to second guess this, bro."

"No. You all would have to keep me chained underground to keep me from going. I'm just trying to be smart about it. Whatever it is I'm doing."

2/2 Fen 2014/09/21(Sun)20:43 No. 595180 ID: 602cd8
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Zizi and I go over it some more. It's possible to join the army for small periods of time, although Zizi says they won't invest as much in me if I just want to spend a few months there.

When I ask, Zizi is confident that I'll do well no matter what choice I make. Asking him just doesn't give me a realistic picture.

My plan, as I currently see it, is to stay here for the rest of winter and some of spring. I'll train as hard as I can with Zizi during then. Then, I travel to the north, so that I end up in the capital a little while before summer is declared. I'll join the army, then, for 6 months. Depending on how well things are going, I may join the arena during winter to try to finish off what I need to do to become a noble.

>>595180
Let's do this.

Sounds like a good plan. One thing to remember is that whatever path you end up on will be a violent one. Have you ever killed anyone before? Will have to get used to the idea before you head out.

Other than learning to fight you need to learn more about the empire and its culture. Do not want to get that far and then ruin it because you crossed the wrong noble.

And finally do you know how to read? Might be good to start now in between training with your brother. Might have to wait on it but never to early to start.

Sounds reasonable, for now.

>>595179
not a single one of the things he said was a reason for why you shouldn't do it. they are all reasons why he wouldn't like you to do it, and reasons why it would be hard.

Once you get to the army you will have to find out how they run things. There should be plenty of career soldiers there who have children and wives of there own. So they might have no problem with you running off and getting married over the winter break.

I wish you had a better trainer than your brother. He knows a lot but you said he was not the best teacher. I would spread your training out if you can. Sword work with your brother, Archery with your best hunter, and so forth if you can find people willing to help.

The more you know the easier it will be to impress the army recruiters. At the minimum learn to fight and take care of your own equipment well. Learning to read even a little would be huge. Being able to receive and send out written orders can be a big step on the road to becoming a officer.

1/2 Fen 2014/09/23(Tue)20:06 No. 595535 ID: 602cd8
File 141152796717.png - (92.68KB , 800x800 , 123.png )

>Have you ever killed anyone before?
Yes... sort of. I've inflicted wounds on two people that I hear died later.

>Can you read?
I can do a degree, but I have trouble with it.

>Being able to receive and send out written orders can be a big step on the road to becoming a officer.
I'll work on my reading ability, but mix it with Lily's board game, which I guess is popular with military leaders.

>Not a single one of the things he said was a reason for why you shouldn't [unite the tribes]. They are all reasons why he wouldn't like you to do it
Most of them were, except he doesn't seem to think the northern empire would appreciate an outsider doing it for them. Even if they did, I don't think I want to go against Zizi, and I don't think my tribe would think much better of it.

I don't rest much over the next few days. I train with Zizi while he's around, as top priority. I also have one of our better hunters start teaching me how to make good bows and how to shoot them, as I'm told that armies almost always use bows over slings. Apparently with the formations they use, needing room for a sling is a bad thing, and not enough people in the army know how to use a sling well, anyway. I dodge around questions as to why my motivation came with simply saying that I'd like to be able to get a girl like Lily if one like her ever comes around again.

I don't think one like her will. I don't want to say that I want to leave the village. To be conscripted is just part of our lives, but to want to go is something that almost never happens unless the village can't support its own numbers. My mother also takes up Kimankara. She's not bad, and we seem to be an even fight.

2/2 Fen 2014/09/23(Tue)20:06 No. 595536 ID: 602cd8
File 141152797769.png - (80.52KB , 800x800 , 124.png )

A couple of weeks pass. I'm terribly tired, but I can't stand the thought of wasting any time, so I start downing one of the left over rations of Zizi's that he lets me have.

>"FEN!" Kiki screams from across the village.
>"Sorry, bro!" Zizi's voice follows.

It's all followed by Kiki running up to me.

>"What are you doing?!"
"...eating.. breakfast?"
>"Zizi told me you are off chasing that pampered girl!"
"... what if I am?"
>"You are not allowed! Have you come to hate us? We can get you any girl, in this tribe or another. There are lots around. But your diseased brain wants to get a noble girl from the north who could not live here?"
"I don't want to live here for the rest of my life, Kiki."

She looks like she's going to stab me.

>>595536
Kiki is one of the few intelligent girls among the tribes. You aren't into incest, so you can't say anything on her appearance, but you certainly haven't seen an intelligent girl who was also beautiful, like Lily was. That's what you want. Beauty, intelligence, kindness, tact... Really, she embodies just about everything good.
Kiki, are you trying to force your brother to have a miserable life?!

I should point out that if you unified the tribes you wouldn't have to be offering the territory to the northern empire. You don't need a noble title or their approval, you just need the money and influence that could potentially provide you, so turning your little backwater into a thriving trading village would serve just as well, and bring improvements to friends and family. That said, it's really to tall an order for someone to do in one year.

As for Kiki... dude, you gotta just be honest with her. There's something missing from your life, there's a bigger world out there and you are gonna try your hand it, sooner or later. You've found something worth chasing and now is simply the time.

Before you start arguing with your sister remember that if you drive yourself to exhaustion you will waste time recovering. So do not be a idiot and get a good nights rest when needed.

Kiki I love you and our family but I have known for a long time that I was not happy here. I just never realized how bad it was until she showed up. If I want more out of life I have to go out and grab it with my own hands.

Our life here might be simple but its far from easy. One bad hunting season or tribal raid and we could lose everything we have. Even if things never work out with Lily I can at least try to find a better way of helping the people I love.

Kiki, I have family here, safety, but not satisfaction. I do not hate it here, but I cannot bear my seemingly pointless life. I feel like I'm simply drifting through to my death.

I'd like to chase after the girl, but I'm not an idiot, odds are very against me, but I'm mostly just using it as motivation to find something, anything that I actually need. It isn't about a girl or who I want to be with. I need more.
Why do you want me here so bad, Kiki. I know you care about me, but why keep me alive for just a bit longer if it just feels so empty here. You want a drone of a brother?

This isn't a decision we're making lightly. I'm not following my dick, or rage, or anything your expecting me to follow beyond the fact I have nothing here but family, and while family is important, all this is not enough for me. Hopefully, we'll see each other again when I'm a better man I actually like being.

>>595536
If she actually tries to stab you, disarm her to show her how much stronger you are now.

However, you need to make it clear you are not doing this lightly. You've never really been happy here. If you must leave to be happy, to follow your heart and dreams, you will, even if you don't want to abandon your family. Even if it breaks your heart to leave.

>unite the tribes?
There's also the matter that if you did, you'd be basically dragging your entire family and everyone you ever knew along with your scheme, and changing their lives for what you want.

That wouldn't quite sit right with me.

>You are not allowed! Have you come to hate us? We can get you any girl, in this tribe or another. There are lots around
*Sigh* We don't have nobles here, Kiki. There's no one to tell me I'm not allowed to try something different if I want to.

I haven't come to hate you. I know maybe you don't understand it, but I haven't been satisfied since the northerners came. There's some part of me that wants to see that world, and try.

>She looks like she's going to stab me.
I'm half inclined to let her. Get it out of her system, show her we're serious.

Do I look like I am lazing about pining over some girl Kiki?

I am working my ass off so I can go join the army, become a noble, and then steal her away from her fiance.

>>595536
she's not actually going to. no point in being afraid. (and even if she would, you should be good enough to dodge by now).

calmly explain that it's your choice how you will live your life and that you expect her to support your decisions.

1/3 Fen 2014/10/01(Wed)21:51 No. 596753 ID: 602cd8
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"Of course I don't hate you. Stop exaggerating." I've made it a point to be nicer, but she makes it difficult. She means well, but her ability to communicate is about as good as Zizi's teaching. She won't actually stab me, but sometimes she makes me wonder. "This isn't some light decision. I don't hate the people I live with, and I wouldn't even say I hate how my life currently is, but I'm far from happy with it. If I'm going to change it, I've got to go out and change it myself, even if the odds are poor."
>"You will not change how you live, you will only die!"
"If I continue this route, then I'll already be like a zombie."
>"Then choose a better route! Joining with the Dragon army? As a volunteer? That is suicide!"
"Zizi doesn't appear to think so."
>"Zizi does not think!" She does have a point, although it misses the current point. "What would our mother think?"
"She would want me to be happy."

She huffs at that.

>"Come, then! Let's ask her ourselves.

2/3 Fen 2014/10/01(Wed)21:52 No. 596754 ID: 602cd8
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Kiki runs off, and apparently manages to explain the whole situation to our mom in the time it took me to catch up.

>"I'm sorry, Kiki, but I've got to side with Fen on this."
>"What?!"
>"Have you ever seen him so, well, alive? Even if he does die, it's because he took a chance to make living worth it. Doing so alone is more living than many people can say they have. Fen, we rarely have tribesmen with your ambition, but I have seen them. Some of them decide it's not worth it, and stay here, but they didn't convince themselves fully. They live and die, and what I usually see is an old age of regret. Of course I'll just feel awful if I live to see you die, Fen, but I would rather see that than imagine you spending your autumn years feeling your life was wasted."

Kiki calms down. She's unhappy, but our mother is one of the few people who she won't be so argumentative against. She does wander off, but it's a calm walk, so I know that she's relenting. I hug my mother for that.

>"She's just worried about you, you know. She'll be fine, and she'll come around. She always does, she's just not good with change."
"I know."

3/3 Fen 2014/10/01(Wed)21:52 No. 596755 ID: 602cd8
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>Get a good night's rest
It is possible that my training is worse off overall without rest, so I try to get to sleep earlier in the night. Still, any rest that I take is filled with an itch that I should be doing everything that I can do. My heart just isn't into sleeping the days away.

Eventually, after a week, I come to terms with it believing that training at anything below maximum is wasteful in itself, so I mix a decent amount of rest in. Nonetheless, regardless of what time I go to bed, I am always awake at dawn, and Zizi shows his support by waking up with me.

A month and a half or so passes us, and the shaman declares that spring is well underway. I'm not sure how the shaman decides what season it is, exactly, and come to think of it, I don't know why we don't use a calendar like I had seen the northern empire use.

Zizi follows me out of the tree at dawn the next morning as usual.

>"Ready for your big journey?"
"I've been waiting for this for several weeks. Of course I am."
>"That's my bro. Here, take this."
"A bag of... metal?"
>"That's silver. It's a decent amount."
"Oh, money? I don't know much about this."
>"Pretty simple, think of it like a universal good or service you can trade. Crap, I've got to explain the usual prices. The prices are pretty stable from what I heard so... well, we don't need you paying a full gold coin's worth for a meal. Food ain't that much, but people might try to convince you otherwise. I'm gonna share with you a bit of good info. When you get into marketplaces, people are gonna be friendly. I mean really friendly. But they don't have your intentions at heart! They're there to swindle all your money."
"Why?"
>"... yeah, I got a lot to teach you. Oh, to get to the capital, you just go northwest."
"That's it?"
>"Yeah. Just follow the roads. They all lead there in some sort of manner. And you can always ask for directions anyway. I used to have a map, but I traded it during the Great... well, Moderate Food Shortage of a few years ago. It's probably outta date anyway, with the rate northern kobolds rebel, villages and forts are quick to rise and fall. Oh, you gonna bring Lily's cloth she got you? If anyone can make something of it, that someone's out north. And like mom said, it's gonna be one stupid bandit to attack you when you wear it. Even if you're rough around the edges otherwise, you're gonna be too big a target for all but the biggest dumbasses. Yeah, you're probably safer with it on. Otherwise, you're gonna look like some no-name savage, and people'll give you a hard time for it. Oh, yeah, try to take baths regularly."
"I will. On both accounts." Lily made it sound like it might be dangerous to wear, but she probably meant out here with enemy tribes. It just seems right to bring the gift from the person who motivated me to go north in the first place.
>"Anything else you want to know before making your farewells here?"

>>596755
Yeah he didn't mention specific prices. That would help. Knowing how much is too much is important. Secondly, what items and materials are rare in the markets? Thirdly, does he know anyone out there we can contact for a friend in the field?

Well other than learning about money you should ask about where you should be sleeping during the trip. Once you get into civilization you might have to be careful where you settle down for the night.

Also ask about any factions up north you should be wary of. How to deal with nobles and other tribes and such.

Oh and ask about laws you should watch out for. Lily had that whole can't touch the ground thing so I bet there are other crazy things you might want to know about.

And the big question is how to present yourself to the army when you get there.

Oh! And food. What sort of city food is good?

Do you have any way of contacting the tribe while you're away Fen? Could you write a letter home?

Hmm ask for advice on how to act once you get into a town or city. How to avoid getting scammed by locals. Tricks on how to not look like a complete barbarian in social situations.

>"Why?"
Because money can be traded for goods and services. Food, water, tools, and little luxuries that make life easier. If a trader can can get you to hand more money over without thinking just by being nice or using tricky words, they've made their life easier or better with very little effort. (Also why theft is so popular. It's hard to steal work, but easy to steal the thing that gets you the same results).

Need a sense of scale? Ask Zizi what kind of wage someone would get for the amount of work you're used to doing to stay alive in this village. (If you know a coin is the equivalent of a full day's work, you'll respect that more).

Good general strategy, when you're not in a hurry, could be to hang back and watch how much other people are paying for something.

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"I'd like to know what I can actually get with this kind of money. How much do things cost?"
>"Uhhh... geez, it's been awhile. A few copper for a night's rest? Every town worth staying at's got at least one inn, cause most people don't have their own home. If there's no inn, it's probably remote enough you can sleep in the wilderness. Probably the same cost for a day's meal. Uh.. most places haggle though, so make sure you don't jostle your coin bag too much, otherwise you're gonna see prices triple just for you. And attract triple the bandits."
"I'll be careful."
>"Yeah, and you don't need to buy anything right away. You can just linger around markets and stuff and watch what other people do. Follow their lead and all."
"I was just thinking that. And what kind of factions should I watch out for?"
>"Besides the empire itself and the big 7 mithrils? I dunno. I was never into politics. The smaller factions get upturned all the time though, so I dunno anything up to date there."
"And any laws I should watch out for? Lily couldn't even step on the grass."
>"Oh, those are just hoity toity laws for the higher ups to look higher up. I mean there's gonna be laws for the peasantry, but it's just your basic stuff like no murder, no stealing, no looking at officials funny. When in doubt, eyes on your feet, body and mind to yourself."
"What city food is good?"
>"If the water's a weird orange or black, don't trust the merchants, you'd be better off dehydrated. Just use your head, you've got a better sense of good and bad food than any city 'bold."
"Do you know anyone out there that I can speak to? I'd like to be able to trust someone."
>"Careful who you trust! But yeah when you get up there to join the army, just tell 'em you're Zizi's brother. I may not've been in that army, but they'll know me decent enough to at least give you a shot at joining."
"Is there any way I should present myself?"
>"Nope. Just give them respect and your wish to join."

>Do you have any way of contacting the tribe while you're away Fen? Could you write a letter home?
Actually, there is. There's runners that Zizi sometimes sent home. It was only once every few months at least, though, and I'm pretty sure it's kind of expensive.

Zizi's answers are vague, but I try to get a scale of money.

"How much does an average peasant make in a day?"
>"Dunno, three or four copper I guess."
"... you said it was a few copper for a night's rest and a few for food, though."
>".... yeahhhhh. Watch your bag and your back out there, Fen."
"I don't like the sound of that... is there any way I can fit in and not act like I'm from out here?"
>"Don't open your mouth."
"I'm serious, Zizi."
>"Hey, so am I! Really. We have accents. We speak like barbarians. They'll know you're an outsider the moment you say a word."

2/3 Fen 2014/10/29(Wed)20:59 No. 599783 ID: 602cd8
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Zizi's answers to anything else get even more vague. If dad were around, I could have learned a lot of how things function, but as it is, I'm going to be about as prepared as I can get. Zizi starts giving me a few last pointers on my swordsmanship. It doesn't take long before Kiki and mom get up and give their farewells. Kiki doesn't look me in the eye, but she says she'll forgive me if I leave only if I make it back alive. I do promise that. Mom gives me some food, and some of her better bags to keep my stuff in while I make my last preparations.

Everyone else in the tribe comes one or two at a time throughout the morning to wish me farewell. It's somewhat awkward, as it's so rare for someone to leave the tribe like this on their own decision. Eventually, I have to go say farewell to the people who didn't find me, as I want to get a fast start this morning. I get a lot of mentions that no one will think worse of me if I stay.

Fen Quest - Thread 1 END Fen 2014/10/29(Wed)20:59 No. 599784 ID: 602cd8
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Which would almost be true, if not for myself.