>>150286
Double, tripple and quadropele check just to make sure. Once you're done with that someone else should have turned in their papers and you can turn in yours as well.

Give the runes an especially close examination.

Brom 2010/03/21(Sun)07:53 No. 150289 ID: f98e0b
File 126918322242.png - (134.88KB , 800x600 , 2.png )

Let's see. All the attributes are there, probably, he's got the runes down right, he knows that. He glances up at the clock. Ten minutes left in class. He wonders briefly if he could go out early if he turned the test in. He's got places to be.

He goes over the test a few more times, letting half of his mind wander as he does...

Brom 2010/03/21(Sun)07:57 No. 150290 ID: f98e0b
File 126918345214.png - (283.60KB , 800x600 , 3.png )

A few things have happened since you first met Dio.

Operation Convert-The-Spook went well, and Everett has opened up a whole lot more to Dio and his friends. They all went down to some place on the outskirts of campus and generally partied for a while. The bartender just went into a back room and waited out, as he does whenever cyclopes show up. Everett's now spending less time with the arkers now.
Dio, for his part, had a great time.

Brom 2010/03/21(Sun)07:58 No. 150291 ID: f98e0b
File 126918350883.png - (57.47KB , 800x600 , 4.png )

And he's proud of how well he pretended not to notice how closely Jai and Everett walked back to campus together.

>>150291
Awww poor little fellow.

But I'm sure he will meet a nice gal in the future.

So what are his plans now that the test is done?

Choose Dio's New Spell Brom 2010/03/21(Sun)08:08 No. 150293 ID: f98e0b
File 126918409163.png - (313.54KB , 800x600 , 5.png )

He's also had a growth spurt and shot up a couple inches, and is beginning to notice the interesting ways girls walk. His fantasies about them, and Jai specifically, have involved progressively more close proximities and progressively fewer clothes.

He's distracted himself by studying advanced illusionary techniques under Orpheo's tutelage. He's added another spell to his combat repertoire.

Blind allows Dio to sever an enemy's optic connection in his mind, tricking him to into thinking he's gone completely blind. The effect can be maintained with concentration.

Entomb causes the subject to suddenly forget how to breathe. Unless they concentrate hard on figuring it out, they'll asphyxiate shortly.

Both spells have full synergy with other spells, and new combinations will be possible.

>>150293
Entomb sounds like an evil and nasty combat spell. Pick that one.

Blind. Seems less energy expensive, AND blind targets cant target anyone.

>>150293
Since you can cancel the effects of Entomb, that seems like a decent choice.
It's useless against things that don't breathe, but Blind is useless against things that don't have an optic connection - like giant magic eyes.

>>150293
I would say blind, as this could lead to new spells with partial blindness. And what with most of the potent mages having a magic EYE that governs their magic, I would say being able to manipulate eyes would be very worthwhile, ESPECIALLY if there is any fallout for plan convert-the-spook from the frat.

Like making only yourself invisible in someone's eyes.

I'd say entomb. It seem oh-so-very deadly.

Blind is growing on me. We could combo it with glamors to make illusions harder to keep track of. Plus other uses.

>>150304
Can we make an enemy see our illusions if they've been blinded? If so, I'd change my vote, because then we could blind someone and simultaneously reconstruct what they used to be looking at with an illusion, so that they don't realize, and then pile on all sorts of crazy hallucinations.

Otherwise, entomb and glamors can make our enemy's life a living fever dream.

>>150302
Brom confirmed that the magic eye is immune to Blind.

OKAY FINE LET'S DO ENTOMB

I gotta say I like the idea of Entomb too.

Blind is silly, as it invalidates many of our existing abilities.
Besides, Entomb provides a greater capacity to be fucking awesome.

>>150306
Well, in that case, Entomb.

combo entomb with a minor illusion of something holding them by the neck and they wont even think it may be magic making them forget.

Brom 2010/03/21(Sun)11:03 No. 150317 ID: f98e0b
File 126919460076.png - (72.14KB , 800x600 , 6.png )

Entomb strikes a chord with the sadistic side of Dio's spirit, and he and Orpheo have been practicing throttling each other all weekend. He's eager to try it out, so he turns in his paper and heads out to where, at Jai's urging, he's been going three or four times a week. The arena.

I like the idea of combining Blind with the glamours, they can make other types of sensations right? Touch, sound.....

Hmn, would using Blind with a visual glamour produce an exclusive visual feed? Like, cant see anything but the image we produce?

Brom 2010/03/21(Sun)11:12 No. 150321 ID: f98e0b
File 126919516669.png - (178.91KB , 800x600 , 7.png )

Dio's assigned Arenamaster is Jean Luc, just like Jai, and he's extremely open about when his students can practice. His arena has an open door policy, so Dio can essentially head there whenever he wants. Jean Luc's fighters regard bouts as opportunities to hang out and talk as much as beat the shit out of each other, and Dio's gotten to know the people there a little better.

He's got an appointment for a fight today with...

Pyramus the evoker, who as it turns out after knowing him better for a while is a great guy. He tried teaching Dio a bit of swordplay but Dio has to admit to himself he's sort of hopeless on that front.

Jai, who Dio hasn't really gotten an opportunity to talk to ever since she and Everett started hanging out together a couple days ago. Dio is determined not to be jealous.

Dahlia the illusionist, still an apprentice like Dio. By all accounts she's a prodigy of combat and misdirection, but Dio hasn't fought her and doesn't really know her that well.

>>150321
When you fight Dahlia hit her with an entomb right off the bat, followed by a glamor and some offensive magic.
No entomb for your friends, though.

Oopsie daisy I forgot to include this as the subject

>>150321
Dahlia. Illusions vs Illusions vs a near-stranger. An exponential learning opportunity.

>>150324
Dahlia, then. Dio can talk to Jai after the match.

Also an opportunity for exponential asskicking! Dahila it is! Jai later!

Why this seems so left-hand-ruley?

Dahlia's outfit is kinda cute, too. Is that her sparring outfit?

>>150321
Lets have a go at Dahlia to determine who is the real master of illusions.

>>150330
but they're both students.. still in school.
Fight to learn. If you win, don't flaunt it too much, and be willing to share. Hopefully Dahlia will do the same if things go her way.

You can probably learn some of your own weaknesses from fighting Dahlia.

Brom 2010/03/21(Sun)12:33 No. 150345 ID: f98e0b
File 126920002381.png - (161.79KB , 800x600 , 8.png )

>>150329
No, they both use specially designed suits to avoid killing each other.
Dio puts on his and enters the arena.
"Hi," says Dahlia, walking in from the other side. She's about as tall as he is and wearing something a little more, um, form-fitting. "It's Diometricus, right? I'm Dahlia." She summons a giant red hand.
"Call me Dio," says Dio, summoning a green one and shaking it.
"It's great to see another illusionist in combat," says Dahlia. "Usually we're too busy studying or meditating to have fun. Plus I don't have to crane my neck if I wanna talk to you."
"Spirits, I know," says Dio. "Everyone's gigantic around here."
"You're the guy who took down the shifter, right? I heard about that. That was sick."
"Well, I mean," says Dio, glad his helmet is hiding his blush, "I had help."
"Doesn't matter," says Dahlia. "You've got to tell me all about it later. I heard you did a replication feint combined with a snap-focus with a double material summons active."
"Gave me a headache."
"It must have."

"Okay, mon trèz petit illusionists," says Jean Luc. "You know zer rules, three deaths and done. I'll leave you to it. Begin."

>>150345
She's already playing mindgames with you, dude. You'll need to purge your mind of all sexual thoughts. She is the ENEMY. She is your FOE. There is no room in battle for matters of the heart.

Murder her.

Mind Jolt + Nerve Lock combo, the sample combo given in the last thread. Lets fuck. her. up.

>>150345
Entomb + Nervelock.

>>150345
Lets try out that fancy new spell. Hit her with a combined entomb/nervelock.

"Alright, let's do this. Sorry if I hurt you."

Then get things started. I'd say that making a new friend/ally is more important than winning this fight, but both is better than either.

>>150346
Yes Dio remember to not be distracted by your burgeoning pubescent drives.

But as you draw from the power of dreamer's perhaps we can later find some way to exploit our your fantasies and dreams to power your combat prowess?

Brom 2010/03/21(Sun)13:34 No. 150364 ID: f98e0b
File 126920368530.png - (205.93KB , 800x600 , 10.png )

Nervelock + Entomb=Autoasphyxiation
"Alright, let's do this. Sorry if I hurt you." says Dio, letting fly with his spells.
Dahlia tries to reply, but her arm suddenly shoots up of its own accord and her hand clamps around her own neck. She just nods instead, gasping for air, and extends an arm.

With a whooshing sound, an entire ballista bolt shoots out of her sleeve.

>>150364
Dodge to both sides (one an illusion the other you.)

>>150364
Maintain your focus while dodging to the side.

>>150364
An entire ballista bolt? Wow, she's fast with summoning items. Too fast. I think it's fake. That spell combo we just discovered is WEIRD though.

I like the mirror-dodge idea. Even if it's fake she won't gain an advantage from forcing Dio to dodge.

>>150364

Try catching it!

>>150373
In addition, make a surprised noise come out of the illusion.

>>150364

Alternatively, summon item + shield. Probably pretty obvious, but it might have enough solidity to hold more easily.

To make mirror Dios, I think he'd need to let go of the autoerotic asphyxiation spell.

Just run and dodge! She'll run out of air eventually!

Hmn. Are physical moves allowed in magebattles?

>>150381
Apparently the asphyxiation only requires one half of his mind to maintain.

Brom 2010/03/21(Sun)15:03 No. 150393 ID: f98e0b
File 126920901249.png - (119.33KB , 800x600 , 11.png )

Dio dodges one way and summons another Dio who dodges the other. He- wait. He suddenly feels a sharp impact in his side.
"Touchè," calls Jean Luc.
Wait what?

Dahlia's still gagging, trying unsuccessfully to regain control of her arm with one half of her mind. With the other half she pulls from her dreams a large curved blade, which somehow looks even bigger and more intimidating next to her petite frame.

She summoned a real weapon and then displaced where it appeared. Clever girl...

Drop the Nervelock part for Mind Jolt, while keeping Entomb going. Back off, but don't otherwise worry too much about defense; that should be confusing enough to keep her off balance for a bit.

unless she displaced her whole body! she is standing next to where she looks like she is.

>>150393
WAIT a second

She's invisible, poking you while the illusion fires obvious attacks! Look at that ribbon on her ear. That's not the same ribbon as she was wearing before, and she also has no 'hit' marker on her back.

We're fighting blind. Fuck. I think we're going to lose. Ignore the 'Dahlia' facing you and listen for footsteps. Start running around, summoning more and more lesser phantasm mirrors of yourself.

>>150393
Take note of the fact her ear coverings now only have a single blue wrap, only on one ear, and she started this fight with one on each ear.

Now, as an illusionist, what possible reasons could there be for it to vanish so? Possibly a resevoir for premade spells? Or perhaps a side effect of creating this type of body double (should that be the case?)

Your mind is your weapon Dio, now think.

While maintaining the entomb (if possible, the nervelock too for the combo, but the entomb is most important). DO NOT LET HER GET A BREATH

>>150393
The one we can see has no hit counter... we are fucked.

Unless... unless she's faking us out by pretending to be a double?

>>150393
She can't be attacking us while actually invisible, but the one we see has no kill counter. Perhaps Dio should use his eye?

Brom 2010/03/21(Sun)15:57 No. 150413 ID: f98e0b
File 126921223149.png - (101.06KB , 800x600 , 12.png )

>>150410
The oculus simply improves vision. It gives no power to see through illusion. Dio, however, sees something is wrong with the girl in front of him and immediately shatters his greater glamor into a number of lesser mirror images of him.

Suddenly the fake Dahlia in front of him fizzles out of existence and she is across the arena, coughing violently, goring one of his clones. She guessed wrong.

>>150413
Keep choking her while making all of the clones and yourself keep your distance from her.

>>150414
i think the choking ended, you can't cough when choking.

>>150413
Maintain the Entomb for as long as possible, if for no other purpose but to shut down her options. Can't do much if you can't breathe. Still, she's proven pretty crafty, so don't think the lessor glamors will keep her at a distance forever. I'd suggest summoning up a knife or two, see if you can peg her at a distance. We still don't know exactly how she fights, so staying on your toes is a must.

>>150413
Drop the Minor Glamors (if we move our sound will probably show which is real anyway) and hit her with a Mind Jolt? She'll probably come out of that quick though being used to illusions.

Drop the Entomb. She's not going to pass out from it. Keep your lesser glamours up, and have them take up knives. Summon Item knives yourself. Everyone throw at once!

Oh, put LOTS of fake knives in the clones, and your hands as well. Just launch a goddamn hail of knives at her.

Why is she coughing? Are you not choking her any more?
How does a greater glamor realistically react to encountering another illusion? If your illusion were to smack full force into something that isn't there, would it pass harmlessly through, pretend to take damage, or perhaps fizzle illusions altogether?

This is why you need AoE.

You can't make a quick modification of your choking spell to, say, completely shut off conscious input to one of her legs or something, can you?

>>150421
That's what Nervelock does.

Okay.
You tried your new spell. Now fall back on the ones you're familiar with.
She was just starved of air. Physical activity will be tougher and more tiring for her.

Dio, new plan. Drop the entomb and summon some throwing knives. Make sure the minor glamors have them as well. Quickly spread out in front of her and throw knives at her, making sure the minor glamors throw theirs as well.

Brom 2010/03/21(Sun)16:50 No. 150428 ID: f98e0b
File 12692154029.png - (59.44KB , 800x600 , 13.png )

Dio drops the entomb, but enough damage has already been done. Dahlia drops to the floor, coughs shaking her small frame. "Touchè" Jean Luc calls out.

>>150428
Time for a follow up. Arrange the minor glamors and yourself in a half circle before her, summon knives for yourself and your glamors and throw at her.

Epsilon 2010/03/21(Sun)16:52 No. 150430 ID: f21281
File 126921552192.jpg - (20.17KB , 538x424 , vreenak-fake.jpg )

>>150428
IT'S A FAKE.

>>150428
Unless it's an artistic error, the ribbon on her ear jumped sides (>>150364, >>150393: Left; >>150428: Right).

>>150438
(it is not artistic error)

>>150438
>>150404
ribbons is clues jimmothy. gots to find the real ribbonses.


Still wondering about what happens when illusions collide. If you don't know, maybe you should start throwing major illusions around and find out.
Or alternately, can you summon some dream super-balls and send them bouncing around the room at high speed, looking for real surfaces to impact?

Goddamn it, another illusion. Unless she purposefully switched the ribbon...

No, it's more likely that she created another illusion. However, that sword is real, and she did stab your illusion. She is nearby. Throw one dagger at her, and another to the left of her.

Use Lesser Glamor + Summon Item to make sure she doesn't know where the real Dio is.

>>150428
>>150439
So, her illusions are mirrored. The first one was wearing it on the left ear, and that one disappeared when the one with it on the right ear appeared and killed one of the glamors.

She may not know about this flaw. It also may not be a flaw and she could be planning to use it against us.

Hate to say it, but we should take the fifty/fifty risk and press the advantage.

Brom 2010/03/21(Sun)17:50 No. 150461 ID: f98e0b
File 126921903276.png - (84.10KB , 800x600 , 14.png )

Dio duplicates himself and lets fly with a cloud of knives, two of which are real, just as another Dahlia, this with her ribbon on the original side, appears behind him and charges at him, sword out.

>>150461
Have one of the illusions dodge out of the way, while you and the other fakes continue your assault. Then, when she's distracted, turn and get her with a knife.

>>150461
The sword on the ground is glowing as if it's Focused. That means it is fake, because obviously one of the Dahlias is an illusion and you can't Focus something with half your mind.

So, this new Dahlia is either another illusion meant to expose the real Dio, or she's just going to slice up all three at once.

Scatter! Wait for the summoned daggers to hit their target before summoning more to throw at this new Dahlia.

I would like to point out that it's a little odd for her to be able to destroy one of our illusions on one side of the field, get 'hit' by Entomb and then immediately come running from the other side of the field without catching her breath.

The new Dahlia is the illusion, I bet.

Where you see her is frequently where she is not.
Stop using unidirectional illusions. Especcially with attacks. Maybe fuck with the room's geometry.

yes, have a fake act like it's trying to dodge while the other and you act like illusions.

>>150467
If it's not then that hit we got on her earlier was fraudulent. And it obviously wasn't because the guy in charge wouldn't have called if it was.

Best to be on the safe side, though. Make one of the copies dodge out of the way and have it start running away.

>>150461
Note this new one has a 'life meter.' if it's an illusion it's probably a fairly good one.

>>150462
I am tempted to agree here... a panicked break with an illusion might work. We've already shown ourselves as less experience on the battlefieldm she may underestimate our resolve.

>>150461
Mimic the sound of Jean Luc's voice crying out 'stop' or something Jean-luc like. She might hesitate.

you could make a greater glamour of yourself appear behind her and 'accidentally' make a noise and, when detected, panic and try to run away, while you do something crafty like summon a crossbow and shoot her down.

Alternatively, you could summon some form of explosive or sharp object, ad the mask it as a copy of yourself and have it hurt dahlia when she attacks it, leading her to believe that that copy is real.

>>150481
I think that would be against the rules.

Brom 2010/03/21(Sun)19:04 No. 150506 ID: f98e0b
File 126922345891.png - (102.39KB , 800x600 , 15.png )

The daggers fly straight through the Dahlia on the far side of the arena. The Dahlia charging at Dio ignores the scattering mirror images, dashes right up to Dio, and softly pokes him with the end of her blade.
"Touchè," calls Jean Luc. Dio throws up a hand. "Ten seconds," Jean Luc says.

"How?" asks Dio.
"You have a tell," says Dahlia, her voice much too clear for having had her windpipe crushed for half the bout. "We all do." Another ribbon fades into view on her other ear.

Start creeping one of the walls out subtly with lesser glamor.

Save it for a late game 'come out of the wall' trick.

>>150507
Oh ho, fuck yeah. Become one with the wall Dio.

Also, Mind jolt the bitch. So Lesser Glamor+Mind Jolt combo?

>>150495
I don't.

Anyway, screw this noise. Nobody gets to know where anybody is. Glamor up an obscuring mist.

Summon dream beartrap.

>>150506
So, she must've... broken out of the Entomb rather quickly. Then she threw a cloaked summoned item at the illusionary Dio to break it, and poked herself with her sword while 'revealing' herself.

Madness.

Fine, let's try something different. Create MIRROR MAZE!

Unless you can knock a point off her in one second, she wins.

Either way, compliment her skills.

also uh we should try to get the hell away while throwing daggers. Unless she's just going to rush us and hit us again, since she has two hits.

I know what happenned.

We forgot our one-liners.

>>150533
I think 10 seconds refers to the 'break' Dio called by raising his hand.

Anyhow... the wall trick or the mist trick sound good. I favor the wall trick as the mist would likely only put us even.

Obviously, the ear ribbons are her tell, can't tell what your tell is... then again if we could and corrected it then it probably wouldn't be a 'tell' now would it?

>>150506

Spot her. Put an illusion spot that isn't visible on her; that'll put a stop to the invisibility and hiding shenanigans.

And then SUMMON A GATLING GUN.

>>150506
AH

The ribbons, they represent portions of her focus, perhaps?

So now that both ribbons are present, this is her real form, able to be harmed?

good idea! give her a highlighter-pink afro (short hair) or something.

>>150543
No, what happened here is Dio is relying on his fake images too much. Granted that's a big part of being an illusionist, but when you get to the point you are depending on your images to get you out of trouble, you've already lost.

They're distractions to confuse and catch your enemy off-guard and nothing more. They aren't there to keep you alive or use as a sort of shield; the moment they become so you are quite literally gambling on your life, which isn't smart.

>>150514
This plan sounds interesting and might work.

An interesting thought has just occurred to me. What would Mind Jolt + Entomb do? I mean, Entomb makes them forget how to breathe, and Mind Jolt causes confusion/insanity, so a combination would..?

>>150848

Why don't we do this, then colour her hair pink and do it up into an afro?

Brom 2010/03/23(Tue)16:44 No. 151171 ID: f98e0b
File 126938789268.png - (256.27KB , 800x600 , 16.png )

"I'll tell you it after the match," says Dahlia. "This is really fun, Dio. Most people just give up and start blasting all over the place."
"Five seconds," calls Jean Luc.

"Why haven't we hung out at all?" she asks, as Dio gradually begins to extend the left wall out ever-so-slightly using Lesser Glamor. If he keeps the illusion simple he can easily sustain it. "Aren't you in my Languages class?"
"Yeah, I think so," says Dio. "We-"
"Begin," calls Jean Luc.

Dio and Dahlia both leap backward and blast spells at each other. Dio tries out a Mind Jolt/Entomb combination, but Dahlia throws up a block around her mind to keep him out and replies with a blast of jittering numbness that threatens to crumple Dio's legs from under him. He quickly splits his minds off at the cortex, becoming two separate people for a split second, then snaps back together and avoids her attack completely.

They stand across from each other, winded.

>>151171
Either wait a bit to recover your breath, or try something simple. Any creative ways to confuse her?

>>151172
Aha, but YOU'RE NOT WEARING ANY PANTS!
Illusion away her clothing (make it look like it's gone) and attack her.

...You could try making YOUR pants disappear...

>>151171
Okay, she's proven she can close the distance between the two of you quickly. Her attacks have consisted of closing the gap between the two of you to get in a stab. I'll venture to say you aren't quite so skilled in close range combat so either:

A) Attempt to confuse her with a greater glamor while striking her blindside with a dream weapon that'll give you some range advantage or
B)Create some distance and pelt her with a mix of dream knives and lessor/greater glamor knives.

If she can block your mental attacks and reply with her own, it means she's getting a handle on your attack style. We STILL don't know the extent of her abilities, but based on what we have, you're going to want to put the pressure on in another way. You can still do this, Dio.

Make an illusion of a sunflower sticking out of her head, but make sure it can't pass through her field of vision so she doesn't know it's there. That should help you keep track of her.

Also, pantomime throwing another bundle of knives in an arc, but don't actually make any, just to confuse her.

"Aww, now I don't get to see what Mind Jolt plus Entomb does! Forgive me for my curiosity if that offended you." While badassly dodging an obviously incoming attack. Try and make you go invisible so you can get into the walls without her figuring out you're IN THE WALLS WOO WOO

I think nudity would be rather inappropriate to use here, even if it were effective. It would totally ruin Dio's chances with Dahlia.

So... I'm thinking... straightforward knife-tossan battle.

If you do go invisible, make sure to remember putting in some Lesser Glamor footsteps going in all sorts of directions. And shadows on the ground.

Brom 2010/03/23(Tue)19:03 No. 151206 ID: f98e0b
File 126939620696.png - (108.59KB , 800x600 , 17.png )

>>151173
>>151177
No no no, dammit. There will be no vanishing Dahlia's clothes, exposing her full, round rump and... and... perky... fucking puberty. If it's not invisibility it's your own weird teen libido getting in the way.

Summon Item + Lesser Glamor = Checkmate Da, Lesser.
Dio distracts himself by finishing the summons of the fake wall (it is now just large enough for him to conceal himself in), then hauling back and letting fly a full cloud of daggers, real and otherwise. Two Dahlias leap toward him, batting one of the real daggers away. However, another one goes straight through left-ear-ribbon Dahlia, marking her as the illusion.

Dio mimics throwing another, invisible knife, trying to fake her out, and Dahlia buys it. She dodges out of the way of nothing in particular. Her attention is off him for a second...

Disappear behind wall, summon an anvil or other similarly heavy object atop real dahlia, and glamor one atop the illusion (if it's still there).

>>151206
Jump into the wall while creating some shimmer in the air as if you don't quite have a handle on turning invisible, and put a shadow on the ground a little ways away from it. Have the shimmer run off in one direction while the shadow goes in another. Add some footstep sounds too if that would be more convincing.

When an opportunity presents itself, throw a dagger.

>>151211
This is not a bad idea.

>>151211
That is a fairly sound double feint.

>>151211
This is good, too. Also another whole youdouble would be effective along with this.

Brom 2010/03/23(Tue)20:35 No. 151241 ID: f98e0b
File 126940175218.png - (210.30KB , 800x600 , 18.png )

Dio dives into the wall right before Dahlia turns around, and hastily summons a few lesser glamors, a shadow, a shimmer, a footstep.
Dahlia turns back to where he was standing, cocks her head, then raises her hands and blasts both glamors. Dio can feel the waves of nauseating energy emanating from the spells throbbing in his own mind, even from this distance. He moves toward Dahlia as quietly as possible.

Brom 2010/03/23(Tue)20:37 No. 151242 ID: f98e0b
File 126940184126.png - (91.58KB , 800x600 , 19.png )

He summons a throwing knife, takes careful aim, and throws directly at her side. It slaps into the protective magic encasing the illusionist's suit and flips off, end over end. "Touchè," calls Jean Luc.

>>151242
Now keep a decoy in there, throwing more knives, and another coming out to attack her, while a third moves along the cover slowly and you yourself attack. If that's too much, then just use the first decoy and the second.

>>151242
Okay now have there be an illusionary foot sticking out a little ways away from you.

Then just throw another dagger at her when she goes for the foot.

>>151244
"It seems like you've gotten... the shaft." Since you come up from behind with a knife for a backstab.

isn't there a 10 second talk break thing?

>>151243
>>151244
Combine these two. Send out one decoy to attack her, and leave a foot sticking out of the wall close to you (but not too close).

>>151247
Already used.

If we're making a decoy, make it look like someone who isn't us.

Whatever happens, do not try to attack her again immediately. She'll almost certainly be elsewhere by the time you do and it'll just give away your position.

>>151242
Should have gone for two knives. Would have gotten both hits then.

>>151271
i think that it would have counted as one attack not two hits.

Quick, spin around and shoot her! Use a single knife and catch her off guard. Assuming you can do this faster than the multiple knives and many illusions, otherwise, stick with that I guess. The point is to catch her off guard.

Can you create an invisible platform to lift yourself up on while invisible while creating the illusion that you're still on the ground? Even if she notices your tell, she probably won't be able to guess where you are.

>>151242
Send an illusion out from the wall to attack her while you relocate to another area.

Lets see, I think trying to hit her with a knife a couple of more times won't work. But it will make her distracted and focus on physical attacks, so then we hit her with an entomb+mind jolt combo and see if it works this time.

Brom 2010/03/24(Wed)11:06 No. 151417 ID: f98e0b
File 12694540176.png - (75.01KB , 800x600 , 20.png )

Dahlia spins around, looking for him. Dio crafts an illusion of himself that dashes out of the wall and flings a dagger at her. She glances at it for a moment, finds his tell, ignores it, then turns to examine the wall it leaped out of. She steps out of the way of the real dagger that flies out of it a moment later.
She pokes the wall and her finger goes through. "Now that's clever."

Hug hand, stab note.

Imean, grab hand, stab girl.

>>151417
Drop the illusion and hit her with a nervelock while summoning up a spear to stab her with.

now just have an illusionary arm come out a ways from her, and have it throw a knife, since it's just the arm it shouldn't have whatever your tell is on it, if it does then you know that your tell is now on your arm.

you could also make a greater glamour and give it a real knife and have it rush her, she may disregard it because it is just another illusion not expecting it to have a real knife.

>>151417
Silently levitate up into the air, then make five hominid monsters and have four close in from behind her. Once she turns to look at them have a fifth try to sneak out from the wall behind her.

Then drop an anvil on her, then set the room on fire, then set asynchronous strobing kaleidoscope illusions on each of her eyes, then run up and stab her, then grab her from behind, summon a spike trap, and pitch her forward onto it, then tell her "You know, you're actually pretty cute" and kiss her on the nose before gut-jabbing her, then make a bunch of duplicates that are all slightly larger than yourself and hide in one of them while you bum-rush her with a zweihander, then fill the place with fake walls, float into the air, and inscribe a summoning symbol on the ceiling in your own blood.

If all that fails you should propose to her because you have met your match.

>>151420
Can you give an illusion a real knife? Because this would be a really good idea.

Make the illusionary decoy have a different outfit to make it look like you're trying to find the tell.

Brom 2010/03/24(Wed)12:17 No. 151427 ID: f98e0b
File 126945825599.png - (177.11KB , 800x600 , 21.png )

Greater Glamor + Summon Item = Baleful Glamor
>>151422
Dio wills a real knife into the hand of his glamor, then flings it toward Dahlia, his illusion charging at her. She casually runs it through with a harpoon and starts to step through the wall to where Dio is hiding.

>>151427
What did I saaaay..... GRAB HER HAND SO SHE CANT ESCAPE AND STAB HER WITH A SUMMONED BLADE!

>>151427
She's close enough, can you just hit her directly?

>>151427
Summon a new knife in your own hand and try to get in close and stab her. She seems to favor large weapons and if you get in close enough she won't be able to use them on you properly.

Its the real her, don't grab! NEVERLOCK AND STAB!

IT'S ANVIL TIME!

Summon an anvil above her, make yourself invisible or otherwise get yourself away from her, and if you have enough time, summon up a little note with a clever one liner like 'Checkmate.' or 'Look up.' or 'You're kinda cute, you know.'

Brom 2010/03/24(Wed)13:12 No. 151441 ID: f98e0b
File 126946154293.png - (167.02KB , 800x600 , 22.png )

Dio snags Dahlia's sleeve and snaps her arm's connection to her mind with Nervelock. He swipes with a summoned knife, but she dodges just in time to make it skid off her, not doing enough damage for a touch.
She's casting

Brom 2010/03/24(Wed)13:14 No. 151444 ID: f98e0b
File 126946164346.png - (44.51KB , 800x600 , 23.png )

Blindness + Lesser Glamor=Blindfold
Oh, shoot.

>>151444
Blast everywhere with Entomb.

you still have her arm! stab sideways!

>>151444
Drop low to the floor and attack with a larger weapon for a bigger reach. Swipe her legs.

>>151444
Oh crap it's possible the one you got is an illusion.

Ok only two things you can do right now. Remember that you can see, she didn't actually do anything to your sight. You can still see just fine, the darkness is only in your mind. Will it away and it will be gone.

Second thing. What you grabbed may or may not have been an illusion. Not much you can do about that right now though. Get closer, push her down on the floor and stab. Hopefully it's the real one.

Use Autoasphyxiation on her now. If she's real, then you just took out her other arm. If she's fake, then at least you got to a point where it can be gone quickly.

Brom 2010/03/24(Wed)13:44 No. 151457 ID: f98e0b
File 126946346157.png - (59.78KB , 800x600 , 24.png )

Dio can't really do much but dive forward, stabbing with the knife and firing off another Autoasphyxiation. The Dahlia he connects with is definitely not an illusion, and he bowls her into the ground. He flails at her with his knife...

"Touchè and bout," calls Jean Luc.

"Wait, who?" asks Dio.
"Miss Dahlia wins," says Jean Luc.
"Gack," says Dahlia.

>>151457
Well, turn off your spells, now that the bout's over.

>>151457
Congratulate her on her victory and ask if she would allow you a rematch once you have trained some more. Also ask her if she would be willing to teach you a few tricks and maybe train close combat with you.

>>151457
Stand up, offer her your hand. You don't really need to see to do this...
When you feel her head is close, whisper, barely audible:
"You also won my heart."

>>151461
Okay, that's a little sappy. Just ask her if you'd like to hang out more. I dunno what sort of thing you guys do for dating...

Don't forget to exchange tells.

no wait! while you are trying to get up cop a feel! you're blind so you can just blame that.

>>151474
Brilliant!

>>151474
>>151478
NO NO BAD IDEA

Brom 2010/03/24(Wed)14:39 No. 151482 ID: f98e0b
File 126946675266.png - (78.86KB , 800x600 , 25.png )

>>151474
>>151478
No. Dio thinks he wants to get to know Dahlia. He's not going to grope her, no matter how dry the thought makes his adolescent throat. Besides, she quickly dispels the blindfold around his eyes. He clambers up and offers her a hand. I think we might be made for each other, he wants to say. No. You won my heart. No. wait. Want to hang out more. Fuck it, he can't. Instead he says, "Good match. We should do this more often. Maybe you could teach me some of those tricks?"
"Sure," says Dahlia. "I'll have to remember that wall thing. That was just a lesser glamor, right?"
"Yeah," says Dio. "Hey, so what was my-"

"Okay, children. Bonne combat." says Jean Luc. "Hit zer locker room and get back into civves, zen come see me for a pass to class if you need one,"

Kill Jean Luc for perpetrating the strategic interrupt.

>>151482
Well go into the locker room and take a shower. And try not to think about her lithe athletic body, standing there with water and sweat glistening on her skin as she slowly rubs in soap. Yeah don't think about that, thinking about that body and the perky firm tits would just be silly.

Meet up with her once you're done with the shower, and she has taken her shower, the water running of her as she gets out and dries herself with a towel. Then talk a bit with her about tells and ask her again if she would like to train close combat with you. Especially grappling would be fun.

...perhaps you should take a COLD shower.

in before your tell is a government secret, part of a large conspiracy that will lead to Dalia dying soon.

>>151482
Don't worry kid it's just the hormones... it'll settle down after while... somewhat.

>>151482
Ask her what your tell is on the way to the locker room, and tell her when you're free from classes and where you'll probably be then.

>>151485
>>151484

I get that the situation with Jai has some of us ready to move on, but damn since when did we give up so quickly on love conquest? Just because she's showing interest in Everett doesn't mean Dio should just let years of friendship and awkward hormonal sexual tension go out the window.

>>151482
Well, it was a good run. Best mosey on into the showers. Afterward meet up with Dahlia and chat. You can use wanting to learn more illusionary combat skills as an excuse to get to know her. Since, you know, you don't know much about her.

Brom 2010/03/24(Wed)18:48 No. 151556 ID: f98e0b
File 126948168812.png - (202.56KB , 800x600 , 26.png )

Dio heads to his own ready room and takes a shower. He is completely ignoring, he likes to think, the visions of what must be going on on the other side of the arena, in Dahlia's locker room, despite the voices of puberty that whisper in his mind.
Afterward he changes back into his robe and heads to talk to Dahlia, but finds the door locked, with a note taped to the front. He hears running water and muffled music from the other side of the door.

The note reads:
"Dear Diometricas (Dio will ignore that),
Your tell was in your underwear. You were wearing boxers and I could see the seams on the bottoms making a bump on your pants. None of your duplicates had that bump because you didn't give them underpants. It's a v. common mistake to make. I'm sure when you're wearing a robe it doesn't even register.
I take long showers & I don't want to hold you for your next class, so maybe we can talk about the fight during Languages.

-Dahlia :)"

Oh god she was staring at your crotch all fight man.

question if it would be a good idea to forgo boxers next match...

Am pretty sure boxers don't make that big of a bulge. Might want to make sure our clones are anatomically correct next time.

Brom 2010/03/24(Wed)19:13 No. 151568 ID: f98e0b
File 126948321150.png - (204.16KB , 800x600 , 27.png )

Okay well this here will be a fun moment to not ever think about or bring up again ever.

Dio heads to go get a pass from Jean Luc. He needs to go to a Bio Lecture across campus and he's probably going to be a minute or two late.

Brom 2010/03/24(Wed)19:28 No. 151579 ID: f98e0b
File 126948413588.png - (100.87KB , 800x600 , 28.png )

It wouldn't have mattered, in any case. It's impossible for him to pay attention. He just gazes out the window, pretending to take notes and doodling spaceships and Jai and bunnies and swirls and Dahlia and bubbles and swords and Jai and Dahlia.
He thinks of how long he's known Jai, and of the faint smell of jasmine that follows her around and of her hand in Everett's. He thinks of how Dahlia flowed through the arena, how he has never cared less about a defeat than he did just now. He doesn't know. It's all fucked up. The professor looks up at him and he dutifully draws a kangaroo.

His next class is Languages.

>>151579
Remember what Jai said... Play the game a little. Test the waters.

>>151579
There is little worse than the feeling of knowing what you want, but not how you want it.

>>151579
It was an good fair fight, and you learned something. Why would you care that you lost?

More importantly, you need more attention to detail. The fact that you left visible lines is bad. Think what such a slip-up could have meant in a real fight.

dating is fine, if it does get serious then good for you, but for now you aren't looking for someone to spend your life with so if you do break up later then it's okay and you can still be friends... unless you got to 3rd base, then even if you do stay friends for a good time it's just gonna be awkward to be around each-other.

>>151579

Stop over-complicating things. For eff's sake, your young, just hit puberty. Let yourself relax and become less clumsy before hitting things up. You don't have to make any choices now, and stop worrying so much. Just go with the flow.

>>151579
Well Dahlia seems you like you. And with her there is no stupid Everett around. See if you can't talk with her some during language class.

She has two tells by the way. She forgets the point counter and the ear ribbons get split up. Could be she is negating the underwear thing by not wearing any.

I suggest you try and "relieve some stress" soon. Making an illusion of an attractive stripper should help. Don't make it like anyone you know because that would make you feel like a creep or guilty.

Can... you feel and touch Greater Glamor if you know where I'm going with this? I'm not saying do anything creepy and sure, asking someone out is a much more productive and healthier, but in case your too shy the option is there.

Hopefully, you didn't get too 'excited' during that fight, because since she was constantly looking in that general area, she'd probably have spotted it right off. But then... maybe that's why she had such a nonchalant air about her toward the end, hm? 'seams making bumps in your pants' indeed. Nudge nudge wink wink.

>>151667
congratulations. Yer fukkin creapy.

Hey Eivr, get ready for the woulda-coulda-shoulda regrets from the fight that teach you what to do next time! They are a vital part of the learning process, after all. You could have put up an illusion around yourself and jumped out of cover behind the illusionary wall. Then she would have seen your tell, whatever it was, and ignored you, so you could poke her. Man, don't you feel stupid now? Next time you'll get her, just you wait.

>>151680
HAH

Alright kid. I've got a plan.

To compensate for a very embarrassing loss to a cute girl, we're going to restart Project Summon Ethereal Servant. We know how we fucked up with that Arboreal Star now, so we can begin again and get it right this time. Since the ritual preparation takes forever, we can get a head start now and scrawl the rune circle in your room with regular chalk and then trace over it again with the special chalk when you amass enough of it. You'll also have the time to double-check and correct all of your mistakes this way.

If you pull this off, bitches will be all over you. Everett may be tall and mature, but does he have a shapeshifting servant at his beck and call 24/7? No. No, he doesn't. Advantage: Dio.

>>151948
I fully support this idea.

>>151948
But seriously, be diligent in checking your work and ensuring you have as potent of wards and bindings as possible in effect, even if it means it takes longer. You don't want to mess up again.

Brom 2010/03/25(Thu)14:49 No. 151965 ID: f98e0b
File 126955376830.png - (149.79KB , 800x600 , 29.png )

>>151656
Maybe you're right. Dio tries to take his mind off troubles by
>>151948
>>151957
>>151960
planning out a second attempt at a summons. He's had to promise Orpheo not to do any more summons without asking him first, but he almost always says yes. He'll try summoning again tonight. Maybe he'll borrow Jai's crossbow.

He's sitting in Languages, sketching out the summons rune waiting for class to begin, when Dahlia enters, silently.

>>151965
Oh man oh man. Maybe she will sit down in front of you to the left. Then you can check out that ass without any problems.

Oh yeah and keep your mind on that rune. Wouldn't want to mess it up a second time. Although then you would have another kick ass story about beating dream things. Although messing up two times in a row wouldn't send the right message.

>>151965
Wave at her!

>>151965
When you're finally ready to do the summoning, ask one of the prospective ladies to be there. If you succeed she'll see you're awesome and be impressed. If not, you have backup.

Brom 2010/03/25(Thu)15:26 No. 151970 ID: f98e0b
File 126955597373.png - (139.94KB , 800x600 , 30.png )

Dio waves at her as she walks in. She ignores him, brushing right past him on a beeline to the back of the room. She sits and takes out her notes, not looking up.

Class starts. The teacher's buzzing about present progressive conjugations of the Furlesian word for "To prepare apples in the way ideal for leaving as much of the flesh untouched as possible while removing the skin".

>>151970
Looks like she wants to check out your ass some more.

Make sure you have to correct runes and pay some attention to the teacher.

Also was all that just one word?

okay, is anyone else behind you? if not, illusion a 'sup?' on the back of your head. or, if you think you can aim it right, on the back of the chair in front of her.

How's that pronounced anyway?
Looks like some /b/ faggot wrote graffiti on the back of her chair.

Shouldn't you not be distractedly drawing a summoning rune? Something bad could happen. Don't draw that in class.

>>151972

I don't think acting un-scholarly will improve your relationship with her, seeing how focused on learning she is.

...of course, it may be that the Dahlia you're seeing is actually an illusion, and the genuine article carefully is monitoring your reaction.

>>151977
point. well then keep working.

Keep working. This shit is important.

Brom 2010/03/25(Thu)16:04 No. 151988 ID: f98e0b
File 126955828186.png - (136.14KB , 800x600 , 31.png )

Dio sets one half of his mind pondering the runes and the other taking notes.
Both are surprised to see words suddenly forming on the desk in front of him. Dahlia's projecting a glamor onto it.

>>151988
Read the rest man read the rest!

Hmmm, ask her how she removed the undergarments tell issue.

>>151988
Haha more smart than studious, I like this one. Read the whole message.

Tell her what you're working on. It might impress her.

Awesome. How well do you understand the class? If you're all good, you could shift the note taking side to conversation, if otherwise, the rune drawing side.

Addendum: Make sure, when you reply to dahlia, that you do so under an awesome alias, such as xXDi0W1N237Xx.

Ohoho, gonna skip class then? You could project an illusion to take your place while you leave, but if you get called on to answer a question... well whatever, you're already a prodigy in this stuff, and Dahlia could help you if you really screw it up. Can you make part of your paper invisible to only you to read the rest?

Brom 2010/03/25(Thu)16:12 No. 151998 ID: f98e0b
File 126955872813.png - (118.10KB , 800x600 , 32.png )

>>151991
>>151993

>>151998
Tell her your plans of attempting another summon.

Also, ask her how she got over her beginner tell.

Spread the joy. See if you can write "the game" on her desk in glamor.

>>151999
Getting your summon approved by Orpheo before telling her would be the prudent option.

>>152003
That wouldn't be very attractive:
"So, wanna hang out sometime? I'm so bored"
"THE GAAAAME"

How about replying with large semitransparent letters floating above her desk, and bending light such that only somebody looking from her angle of view could see it?

>>151998
Say you're good for some talking, you were working on other stuff anyways

>>151998
How about we set one half to taking notes and the other to talking to Dahlia? The rune sketching is basically done anyway right?

Brom 2010/03/25(Thu)16:54 No. 152026 ID: f98e0b
File 126956127920.png - (123.36KB , 800x600 , 33.png )

Dio stops runing and responds, and they strike up a conversation.

Brom 2010/03/25(Thu)16:54 No. 152028 ID: f98e0b
File 126956129223.png - (142.59KB , 800x600 , 34.png )

Dio tells Dahlia about the summons he’s thinking of performing. She offers to lend him some chalk but he’s fine, he says. Orpheo’s supportive enough on his own. This gets them off talking about mentors and teachers and then life.

And they talk for a full hour. About, well, pretty much everything. They trade illusion tips and combos and tricks. They stifle laughter over stories of roommates and embarrassing situations and stupid stuff they’ve done. They discuss homework then boys then girls then Arcanopolis politics (treading sensitively around the Ark Fraternity) and the Alienation and then spirits and what happens to us after we die.

Brom 2010/03/25(Thu)17:00 No. 152035 ID: f98e0b
File 126956161226.png - (379.60KB , 1200x1000 , 35.png )

They introduce themselves to each other. Dio tells her about his fight with the dreamthing, and how he studies and has fun and about life in the slave markets a long time ago.

Dahlia is the daughter of two arcanopolis magi, so she’s a second generation Cyclops. She was born with the oculus already fully formed and on her, which has led to a lot of interest from the arkers but really, they’re creepy, doesn’t Dio think? She usually keeps pretty closely to herself and only really talks with people in her common room or who she fights with.
She’s a horror movie buff, the trashier the better. Well, she’ll watch most stuff, except Sports Networks. She doesn’t get team sports, somehow. Why watch when you can do? And why bother when the arena’s so much more exciting? She’s trained for combat magic since she was seven years old, and is an avid fencer. She listens to string music, swing, and speed metal. For bouts. Oh, also for fun she’s a techie for the Acting department. Did Dio ever see The Storm in the Summer? She did the lightning for that. It would have been so much more impressive if the leading man hadn’t been such a sissy. She tried dance, once. Thought it would have a lot in common with swordfighting. Didn't work out. No improvisation or imagination. Just the same motions over and over. And she felt so stumpy next to all those long-legged, slim ballerinas. She wonders why she told that to Dio when she hasn't even told it to her best friends. He's really easy to talk to.
By the way, speaking of scary movies, her common room’s watching The Metal Glen tonight. Does Dio want to come see it? It’s a classic.

Sounds good, and now you know why she kicks so much ass, though it probably wasn't difficult to surmise. She probably told you that thing about the dancing because... well no offense, but you're pretty much as short as she is.

>>152035
Yes. Dio wants to watch The Metal Glen.

...

I'm honestly scared to let you go see that movie, but too curious to let that get in the way of suggesting you go.

>>152035
You'll love it... psychological thriller. Just don't try summoning anything from it, seriously, trust us on this.

>>152035
"Easy to talk to" is a precarious position. If you're not careful you may end up friendzoned. Also go see the movie. I guarantee you'll be scared out of your wits.

Introduce yourself the same way, focusing on what you two have in common.

oh man. after watching that you will be scared of dummies and water coolers for weeks. also, no matter what, do not scream, you are the guy. screaming and clinging to your arm and accidentally pressing their breasts into your shoulder is what girls do.

>>152035
Watch it with her despite your possible revulsion at the content of the film.

Brom 2010/03/25(Thu)19:06 No. 152141 ID: f98e0b
File 12695692073.png - (163.48KB , 800x600 , 36.png )

The class ends, and Dahlia waits for Dio at the door. She extends a sleeve and they walk out of class, talking about each other. Dio tells her about his friends and his ill-fated attempts at learning the piano and his love of scenic, sweeping landscapes and photography and about his insecurities about his height (she empathizes) and about his growing appreciation for the arena and battlemagic.

He's got about an hour before the movie, and his classes are done for the day. The campus is his oyster. He can go to the library or the gym or the arena or his common room. Jai's in class, but he knows for a fact Pyramus is going to be around the gym, punishing the dummies there. Dahlia says she's off to the theater to tech some illusions for a show. She'll meet up with him later unless he wants to tag along.

Ahh you can hang out with her later. Go to the gym, you could use a workout.

yes, following her everywhere will make you seem a little stalker like. and now that you are growing maybe a work out would be good.

>>152142
>>152143
Workout and get some advice from your awesome pal.

>>152141
Holding hands! Good sign. Better not seem too clingy, though.

Let's go to the gym and practice a bit with various applications of our spells.

>>152141
And work out like MAD, too. helps clear the mind, give you time to mull things over.

Also, on the subject of Oculus, since she mentioned it, how WOULD one form in utero? Theoretically speaking, it would seem to be either because a marble was inserted and the forming child somehow anchored to it, a possible form of magical genetic influence causing guided evolution, or some form of grand spell applied pre-birth, possibly at conception.

But really, you know more about how magic works than us, Dio. So, as far as you are aware, what are the possible reasons for this? Figuring this out could be useful to your knowledge of magic and oculus in general, potentially useful to Dahlia, both for knowledge and to explain part of herself, and possibly this knowledge could lead to a better understanding of the Ark Fraternity and it's interest in her.

So, FLEX YO BRAINMEATS

>>152141
Go masturbate furiously in your room.

Alternately, go work out. After all, think how nice it would be to take up fencing? that takes some strength. And precision.

Just FYI, you're going to be sore as hell tomorrow.

Go work out at the gym. And if there are any nicely-built guys there, watch them and see if that does anything for you. You're young and in the middle of puberty; it's good to experiment with your feelings.

>>152141
Go to the gym and see if you can't practice some swordplay.

Or in your case, knife play.

Brom 2010/03/26(Fri)13:29 No. 152658 ID: f98e0b
File 126963535761.png - (299.92KB , 800x600 , 38.png )

Thwack

>>152658
POW! Right in the kisser!

Brom 2010/03/26(Fri)13:34 No. 152664 ID: f98e0b
File 12696356812.png - (165.30KB , 800x600 , 39.png )

"Good hit, lad," says Pyramus. "Now nineteen more headshots and we move on to lifting,"
"Gah," says Dio.
"We're gettin' ye in shape for yer Alienation if it kills ye, lad." says Pyramus. "The ladies will be all over ye, swear to the spirits."
"Sounds claustrophobic," says Dio, stretching his already sore arm.
"An' after that we'll work with yer swordplay then head over to Common Room 5 for The Metal Glen," says Pyramus, nodding at the dummy. "You'll get a new hatred fer those things, right sure. By the way, Dio. Little bird told me. You and Dahlia, eh?"

Don't know yet, we'll see how things work out.

>>152664
"We have a lot in common. For instance, we can look one another in the eye."

>>152664
Tell him that it's to early to tell yet. But yeah you're kinda hoping it could turn out that way.

Try to dodge around the subject. Ask him about his Alienation. It's a strong enough subject that it's possible you can get your headshots in before he finishes.

man, seeing that dummy get knifed made me feel a lot better. just seeing one of those bastards get what the deserve is great.

also, being great at hitting things with non magically propelled daggers would be good for if you end up somewhere that your magic get's cut off for any reason.

>>152664
Don't forget to practice throwing with both hands.

Perhaps even two daggers at once.

>>152664
"Yeah, good gal, smart. She looks like a promising friend."

No matter what you feel for her yet, be a bit tsun-tsun :3

Brom 2010/03/26(Fri)14:23 No. 152699 ID: f98e0b
File 126963858619.png - (310.08KB , 800x600 , 40.png )

>>152665
>>152667
>>152692
>>152666
"Yeah, maybe," says Dio. "We'll see. She seems smart and I can actually look her straight in the eye."
Thunk

"'Sright. She's, whatsit, petite. Puts you right on the proper level with most of the ladies tho, aye?" He laughs. "Luck to ye, laddie. She's a good gel. Smart. Keeps to herself, but she's one of the friendliest little combat maniacs I've met. And, ah, permission to speak freely about yer lass, Dio?"
"Granted."
"Speaking as a fully platonic friend of hers and not as any sort of competition, spirits, that arse. Have you seen her in a combat suit? Delicious thighs an' that sweet little round rump. The kind you wanna grab an' give a good squeeze. I mean, ladies like Miss Jai are more to me taste, but I can see the attraction. Hope ye know what ye're doing, though. She's-"
Thack
"Am I distracting ye? Watch yer aim, there, lad. Go for the face. There's plenty of things on the Arcane Plane that need a clean headshot to go down. That's where ye were thinking of going, aye?"

"No, I´m ok! In my alienation, I´ll have to get a clean headshot while distracted."

>>152699
"Yeah. Uh... go on though. What's that about Dahlia you wanted to warn me about?"

>>152699
Tell him that you're aware of how she looks in the suit.

Have you given any thought to were to want to go for your alienation though? And when is Dahlias coming up? If all works out you might be able to go together.

Brom 2010/03/26(Fri)14:31 No. 152708 ID: f98e0b
File 126963911872.png - (101.71KB , 800x600 , 41.png )

>>152669
>>152700
“Yeah,” says Dio. “How was it for you, anyway? Who did you go with on your alienation?”
“Went alone,” says Pyramus. “I was young, stupid, thought I was hot shite. Ye remember.”
“You used to call me Weako Deeko,” says Dio.
“Sounds like me,” says Pyramus, laughing ruefully. “The Qal beat that outta me quick. Kicked my ass whenever I tried to pick fights. And they aren’t even mages. No one better for having your back, the Qal. Brave, loyal folk. Anyway, I ended up guarding an excavation into a mountainside, then when we found ruins in ‘em I led the investigation, found a bundle of old artifacts and such, and called it an Alienation.” He tosses the weight to his left arm and starts on that one. “I took a year or so. Fairly lengthy. It changes you, does the Alienation. For the better, usually. Ye’ll soar.”

"So what was that you were about to say about Dahlia?" asks Dio, sizing up another shot.
"Well, her full name's Dahlia Kria zu Veltkrick," says Pyramus. "Euro zer Veltkrick's daughter."
Oh, spirits.

Who´s the guy?

>>152708
I assume that person is famous, powerful and potentially scary.

Anyway, do you know when she will be going for her alienation?

>>152708
Completly fuck up the throw.

Also, who's that? The Dean?

>>152711
Probably an Arker.

>>152714
If she were the Dean's daughter I don't think he would have been upset. The Dean likes him, after all.

>>152708
Look at it this way:

Her father being someone of note probably means she's even more amenable to someone actually treating her like just another student, rather than being careful because of who her father is.

So in a way, this is a good thing.

And whenever you feel worried about who her father, repeat this mantra

DAT ASS
DAT ASS, O DAT ASS

You will find yourself caring less about who her father is at that point.

On a more rational front, name one other person who does similar magic to yours, and opened up to you that fast..... Yeah, so honestly, what does it matter who her father is? Worst comes to worse, she could still be a trusted friend, a peer to discuss magic with.

And if things go well... refer to the mantra.

Brom 2010/03/26(Fri)14:41 No. 152718 ID: f98e0b
File 126963968414.png - (286.42KB , 800x600 , 42.png )

Euro zer Veltkrick is the Robber Prince of the Arcanopolis. He is behind every mercenary mage, artifact, and magic weapon that is smuggled out of the city and every contraband item that is smuggled in. He's a daring thief, a living legend, a symbol. He's a charismatic leader, ruthless gangster, and one of the most powerful and dangerous men in the city.

Dio is crushing on a daughter of the mob.

>>152718
You sure know how to pick 'em. |3

>>152718
OH GODS

Quick throw that dagger at the dummy and totally not fuck it up to show how cool and determined you are.

>>152720
Which means you should TOTALLY FUCK IT UP and LIVE IN FEAR whenever you are near her!

Huh. That explains why she didn´ lose in years.

>>152718
Oh man, nice pick. You had better keep up your training. A man like that won't let a wimp date his daughter. And she would totally be worth it.

>>152718
Ahhhh danger and power... the spices of life.

this changes nothing. even if you break up as long as you stay friends and her father KNOWS you are still friends then he wont put a hit on you because he knows that would upset her. you are still going to go out with her and silently hope you can at least get to second base.

>>152718
Pfft, no big deal.
Just treat her like you would any other student, don't let hr know you know who her parents are, and things will be fine. After all, you only need to meet him if things work out well with her.
Of course, you could probably get on his good side pretty easily. "Dahlia and I first met by trying to kill each other. I strangled her, she severed my optic nerve, we exchanged blades; it was love at first blood."

Brom 2010/03/26(Fri)14:54 No. 152741 ID: f98e0b
File 126964044265.png - (310.13KB , 800x600 , 43.png )

Dio finds that almost as incredibly sexy as it is terrifying. "Is that why she always wins in the arena?"
"That's more to do with the fact that she's a bloody little speedy bugger who gets in your head," says Pyramus. "Kicked my ass, that's fer sure."
His hands are trembling but he manages to sink a few more knives into the dummy's face. “Done,” says Dio.
“That was quick, tho yer all shaky. Arright, Dio, get yer arse to the weight room and we’ll work on them toothpicks ye call arms. Want to impress the gels.”

>>152741
Well follow him and lift some weights. Remember that for each one you lift you can impress Dahlias dad a bit more and hopefully her as well.

ask how badly his ass was kicked. if it was three to zero then you totally get some bragging right s for getting her down to one and almost taking out the third before falling.

>>152718
>>152741

Awesome. Now hit those weights, vary up your routine and make the weight room and the gym daily spots to hit up. Time to get you PUMPED, Dio.

Brom 2010/03/26(Fri)18:13 No. 152837 ID: f98e0b
File 126965240499.png - (129.66KB , 800x600 , 44.png )

>>152746
"How badly was your ass kicked?" asks Dio.
"Two zero," says Pyramus. "And that one off her was self-inflicted."
"Been there," says Dio.

After about an hour more of exercising they head to Dahlia and Pyramus' common room. There's already a small crowd assembled, most of whom Dio doesn't know. Pyramus heads and sits on the couch in the middle of the room, left open for him. Dahlia sees Dio, waves, and scooches over to make room. "Hey, Dio. We're about to start the movie."
"Has anyone else seen it?" asks the guy in the gold helmet.
"Who hasn't?" says Pyramus.
"Well me and Tara haven't," says the guy on the floor.
"Neither have I," says Dio.
"You're in for it now, then," says Dahlia in a spooky voice. "Get over here."

You heard the girl. Get over there!

>>152837
Don't be intimidated. Besides, this movie is good.

>>152837
Sit next to her. Close, but not too close, you get what I'm saying?

>>152837
Well sit your ass down next to her. Horror movies can be great for getting close to chicks.

also, NO MATER WHAT, don't scream. cast entomb on yourself if you have to but do not scream.

Brom 2010/03/26(Fri)18:48 No. 152850 ID: f98e0b
File 126965453271.png - (133.77KB , 800x600 , 45.png )

>>152840
Dio assumes a distance he is pretty sure is an okay median between too close and too far away. They start the movie and skip through the outdated previews.

"Why is it just a bunny in a box? I wouldn't really call that a mindfuck," says Tara.
"It gets crazier," says gold helmet guy. "Give it a while.

"It's just this weird puzzle shit," says the guy on the floor. "It's sort of atmospheric, but if it's supposed to be scary...
"Shh, quiet. Here comes the closet part," says Dahlia.
"The closet part?" asks Dio.
"This bit gets me every time..." says Pyramus.

Brom 2010/03/26(Fri)18:51 No. 152851 ID: f98e0b
File 126965467791.png - (147.34KB , 800x600 , 46.png )

((http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/3197061/1229618273217.gif))
>HRAAAAAAHHHHHH

"Gurk" says Dio.
"EEP" says Dahlia.
"Ew," says the guy on the ground.
"BUGGER" says Pyramus.
"Oh wow," says Tara.

Brom 2010/03/26(Fri)18:53 No. 152853 ID: f98e0b
File 126965479556.png - (146.20KB , 800x600 , 48.png )

"Could we maybe start seeing each other?" whispers Dahlia.

>>152853
Say yes.

Don't even let your brain have input, just say it.

You know what, hold on....

HEY DAHLIA, HE SAYS YES!
ALSO THAT YOU HAVE A FINE ASS!

>>152853
Nod. Whisper "Happily". Then snuggle her a little closer, wrap your arm around her waist and watch the rest of the movie.

If she backs up a little she might not want it to be super obvious to everyone, so just play it cool.

or to be casual about it try 'sure'
or for more formal 'but of course, my lady'

"I'd love to."

>>152853
Yes. Yes, for the love of all that is good and holy in existence, say yes.

>>152853
To use an old but favorite movie reference "as you wish..."

>>152876

Seconding.

Live dangerously.
Say no.

Then break out into snickers and say, "Aw, who am I kidding? I'd love to."

Brom 2010/03/26(Fri)20:54 No. 152890 ID: f98e0b
File 126966208940.png - (194.14KB , 800x600 , 49.png )

"I don't know..." whispers Dio, and Dahlia starts to pull away. "Who am I kidding? Yes, Dahl. I'd love to." She laughs, quietly. It's sort of raspy, like Grey Eldefolk voices are, but not unpleasant. He wraps his arm around her waist. She hesitates for a second, then squirms closer to him. He can feel the warmth coming off her.

Pyramus looks over for a second, nods ever-so-slightly, and gives them a little more room.

They sit like that for a while, and watch the movie.

D'awwww~

>>152890
Make a mental note that you HAVE to wingman Pyramus, he has been a total bro about this.

Also, as a long term thing, add in some running to your workout schedule. Strength, speed and flexibility are important, true, but endurance is every bit as importance, if not more so.

Plus, think how awesome it would be to kick the crap out of some beefy fuck because they couldn't last as long as you.

Nequ!3LrT5NRVks 2010/03/26(Fri)21:33 No. 152907 ID: 99b526
File 12696644242.jpg - (65.84KB , 500x412 , house_bumperCars.jpg )

TGchan, you big buncha softies.

Sagin' for non-quest related.

>>152890
Awww how cute. Remember to get her phone number.

>>152890
>Hand on ass
DO NOT SQUEEZE DO NOT SQUEEZE DO NOT SQUEEZE

>>153049
is a faggot

DO SQUEEZE

>>153049
>DO NOT SQUEEZE

YOU HEARD THE MAN, SQUEEZE AWAY.