Derpkins 2016/12/15(Thu)06:20 No. 766041 ID: 59a036
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«You look great Jaa! What do you think of mine?»

«You look great as well, Adči!»

«I love how colourful everything is! Don't we kind of look like Reilju dancers?»

«Haha! I suppose we kind of do!»

«All right now, do you two want to check out the rest of the shops, or should we go see a show?»

Shall we? I'm curious as to what the story is about. I'm also eager to try and see how much of the vocabulary I'm able to understand.

Derpkins 2016/12/15(Thu)06:22 No. 766042 ID: 59a036
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>>766040

Damn it, I'm really on a roll, aren't I?

well since you don't want to spend to much money the show probably is the best place to go next.

>>766041
>Don't we kind of look like Reilju dancers?
Well, if you look like dancers, then I've gotta ask: Can you actually dance? Because you're at a festival and I'm sure somewhere around here, someone is playing festive music that might make Eliri and Adči want to dance a little.....and they'll probably ask you to join in.

>Shall we? I'm curious as to what the story is about. I'm also eager to try and see how much of the vocabulary I'm able to understand.
Yes, we shall! It's time to put the language training you got from Toti and Eliri to use!

.....you know, now that I think about it, have you eaten anything at all today?

You skipped breakfast to go and meet Toti and ask her not to show up at the park to meet Jaruel and Nguoro. Then you went to the park and met with Jaruel and Nguoro. Nguoro attacked you with psychic powers and then calmed down when she realized you're not a Tellikan. You asked her for help to identify who was after you. You were then passed out for half a day because you were busy communicating with Haxťe through the psychic link it forcefully hijacked from you and Nguoro. You woke up in Nguoro's house and met her brother, Adči. And now you're here at the festival with Eliri and Adči.

I think it's about time you got something to eat! Do you think there's any food being sold here at the festival?

Derpkins 2016/12/15(Thu)13:48 No. 766103 ID: 339cf2
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>Well, if you look like dancers, then I've gotta ask: Can you actually dance? Because you're at a festival and I'm sure somewhere around here, someone is playing festive music that might make Eliri and Adči want to dance a little.....and they'll probably ask you to join in. 

Of course I can dance. Dancing is a very important part of diplomacy, and it's great social interaction. Lessons were mandatory in school. The problem here is the difference in our body types. Adči and I should have no problem; we both have the same general shape and size. But it'd be tough for us to include Eliri, due to her four legs and height. I'm sure by then we can think of some compromise. I've never danced in a group of three before, and I think that's be very exciting.

>.....you know, now that I think about it, have you eaten anything at all today? 

>You skipped breakfast to go and meet Toti and ask her not to show up at the park to meet Jaruel and Nguoro. Then you went to the park and met with Jaruel and Nguoro. Nguoro attacked you with psychic powers and then calmed down when she realized you're not a Tellikan. You asked her for help to identify who was after you. You were then passed out for half a day because you were busy communicating with Haxťe through the psychic link it forcefully hijacked from you and Nguoro. You woke up in Nguoro's house and met her brother, Adči. And now you're here at the festival with Eliri and Adči. 

>I think it's about time you got something to eat! Do you think there's any food being sold here at the festival?

I guess I haven't eaten anything today, have I? And now that you mention it, I am getting quite ravenous! I'm sure there must be something to eat here, it's a festival! Eliri did mention that some of the vendors sold treats, so there's at least that. So, should we go to the show, or find something to eat first?

>>766103
Get a snack, go to the show, eat a full meal afterwards.

>>766105
This.

>>766105
sounds about right.

>>766105
Yes, this. Is there a traditional food one eats while watching a show? If so, get some of that. If not, just get whatever looks interesting that you haven't tried before, following the recommendations of your companions.

Derpkins 2016/12/25(Sun)00:20 No. 768102 ID: 616bfd
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>Get a snack, go to the show, eat a full meal afterwards.

Good idea.

«I'd like to get a small snack before we head over, I haven't eaten today.»

«Ok, no problem.»


After finding a vendor wiith snacks that didn't involve a dead animal - which wasn't easy - we've head over to the stages. We get there just in time, people are finding places to sit and the show is about to start.

«Alright, can you two see? We can move if you need.»

«I can see just fine.»

‟Welcome everyone, to our production of 'The Completion of Korelyküs', the ironically named story of the architects and builders who designed Korelyküs, the grand library which contains the combined knowledge of the Telliur, the Šeksiur, and the Inlomer; though was never actually completed in the traditional sense. Please enjoy the show.‟

This sounds quite interesting. I think there's a similar story in old Suskenian mythology as well, but we call the library Ümeke Šaťir. And instead of Tellikans, it was local groups of different Suskenians who-

Derpkins 2016/12/25(Sun)00:20 No. 768103 ID: 616bfd
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Hey, what the-

"Hey, Jaa. My name is Daiďa, I'm the Prelitian Represeentative. Do you have a moment to step aside and talk about the conference? It's important."

This sounds serious.

«Eliri, I'll be right back.»

«Alright, but hurry up! It's already started!»

Derpkins 2016/12/25(Sun)00:21 No. 768104 ID: 616bfd
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"So, uh, what's going on?"

"I'm just gonna cut right to the chase. The Tovoleans are currently divided. The one's who are running the conference, who are supportive of becoming more international, and the Traditionalists, who value being isolated and remaining neutral in the world's politics. The problem here, is that the Traditionalists are doing their Damnedest to obstruct the conference organizers every step of the way. There's now a large group of Tovolean citizens and workers who are trying their hardest to sabotage the conference by sending false information and intimidating the leaders. So far at least four more leaders have canceled, sending low ranking reps instead, no offense. And two of the Locian countries have pulled out entirely. They're trying to convince more parties not to go at all."

Hmm… This gets me thinking again about what Haxťe said… He might just be one of these conspirators.

But then again, what if Daiďa has been brainwashed by the Tovoleans already…

"So, what does this mean? Why exactly are you telling me about this?"

"Well, I'm just warning you, in case you encounter someone who tries to intimidate you into staying home. These Traditionalists are the reason for the huge delay. The original meeting place was sabotaged, and is now potentially dangerous, so they had to move it somewhere else, and need more time to prepare."

:bajaa: "I see. Thank you for warning me about these Traditionalists."

"It's my duty. Speaking of which, I'm heading up North through to Peškražo to warn everyone along the way too. Would you care to join me? After your show, of course... It's just a bit lonely, and the other leaders and reps might be more convinced if they see us together, rather than just me."

Well, the Tovoleans told me not to leave, so I'm guessing they'd probably find out if I did. Then again, if I'm not going to the conference, it'd be a good cover… She wouldn't need to know, right? If I went with her, I could probably ditch her in Peškražo to the Žerin Selnakarivans and get a ship to Kreunam where I can follow Haxťe's directions. It's not the perfect plan, but there's room for improvising.

ehhhh, well one you already made plans with your friends tonight and 2 you were ordered not to leave here until the meeting. I mean we can always run later but if we do go with her we'd be alone and would have no real choice but to ditch the conference with no going back. I still feel that we should try to get more facts before making a decision as once we pick our course we're stuck with it.

>>768104
No good reason to join in here. Stick with your friends, have a good time, worry about impending political doom afterward. You need to reconcile some of the information you've received before you start acting on it blindly.

>>768102
>After finding a vendor wiith snacks that didn't involve a dead animal - which wasn't easy - we've head over to the stages.
Huh, I didn't know you were a vegetarian. Makes it kinda hard to try new things, seeing as there's probably more food with meat in it compared to not having meat in it.

>Those 2 Tellikans are staring at your group.
What's their problem? Have they never seen a Tellikan, a Raitekian, and a Suskenian all getting along with each other?

>>768103
>Important talk about the conference.
Don't you just hate it when work finds you when you're trying to relax? I mean sure, it's important, but still. Go away work, we're trying to relax here!

>>768104
>Leaders have canceled and sent low ranking reps instead.
I guess that means you, Jaa.

>no offense.
I know she said "no offense", but it's kinda hard to not feel offended.

>Go with her?
Nah, we need more information before we can reliably decide to go to the conference or not. Let's just stick with Eliri and Adči.

Speaking of them, you'd better hurry back to the show. Hopefully you didn't miss what they'd consider the "best part"! And hopefully you can still catch enough of the show to learn about culture, like you wanted to!

>>768139
> Speaking of them, you'd better hurry back to the show. Hopefully you didn't miss what they'd consider the "best part"! And hopefully you can still catch enough of the show to learn about culture, like you wanted to!

This was a very brief conversation, a couple of minutes at most; we shouldn't have missed much of the show at all.

>>768104
Jaa, if you do run away, what will you eat?

Derpkins 2017/01/14(Sat)20:04 No. 772353 ID: 616bfd
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>What's their problem? Have they never seen a Tellikan, a Raitekian, and a Suskenian all getting along with each other? 

Er, probably not.

>Jaa, if you do run away, what will you eat?

I'm not an idiot, I know to pack for and plan a long trip. I could probably eat most anything my money could buy. I'm not exactly a survivalist, but I can identify edible plants from poisonous ones pretty easily, should it come to that. Not to mention I'd be travelling with Daiďa, who probably needs to eat more often than I. But anyway...

>No good reason to join in here. Stick with your friends, have a good time, worry about impending political doom afterward. You need to reconcile some of the information you've received before you start acting on it blindly.

Yes

>I mean we can always run later but if we do go with her we'd be alone and would have no real choice but to ditch the conference with no going back. I still feel that we should try to get more facts before making a decision as once we pick our course we're stuck with it.

You make a good point, it'd be better to figure out the details first before making any rash decisions.

>Don't you just hate it when work finds you when you're trying to relax? I mean sure, it's important, but still. Go away work, we're trying to relax here! 

I do! Especially considering that work is the reason you're stranded in a foreign city with nothing to do for a month!

>I guess that means you, Jaa.

I guess so.

>I know she said "no offense", but it's kinda hard to not feel offended. 

You're right… Although it'd be a little silly, considering she was also a 'low ranking representative'. It's a little self deprecating.

>Speaking of them, you'd better hurry back to the show. Hopefully you didn't miss what they'd consider the "best part"! And hopefully you can still catch enough of the show to learn about culture, like you wanted to!

Luckily, we've only been talking for a moment or two, so there probably hasn't been much for me to miss yet.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think I'll be going with you, as I have things I wished to do while I was here. Thank you for coming by to warn me."

"It was no problem, just my orders. If you change your mind, I'm not leaving until tomorrow afternoon. If not, I guess I'll see you on the 1st."

"Right, I'll see you later."

Derpkins 2017/01/14(Sat)20:04 No. 772354 ID: 616bfd
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«I'm back, did I miss anything?»

«Not really, basically an architect and a librarian making small talk. Where did you go, anyway?»

[small]«I was chatting with another representative. You didn't notice her?»

«I guess not. Oh well... Hey, pay attention now, this is where the actual story starts!»

The discussion between the characters gets more intense and excited, and they talk of building a great 'museum of knowledge', which is where the name 'Korelyküs' comes from. The story continues from the point of views of the architect, the librarian, and the Tellikan king whose funding and workforce they would need.

The King is very stubborn, and tries to block progress in every way he can, knowing that realistically such a project would almost certainly fail, and cause unnecessary strain on the country's resources; Whereas the librarian and architect are both rather clever, and manage to convince him at almost every point to allow them to continue working. He eventually caves, and agrees to help the architect and the librarian, convinced that the library can only be beneficial.

However, just as predicted, the Kingdom is unable to sustain such an ambitious project. He struggles to find a way to balance the resources gone into the project with the resources gone into the rest of the country. Eventually he realizes that not only is he unable to sustain the project, he is now also unable to defend against foreign pressure, due to the strain on the resources that the Korelyküs created. A foreign conqueror (who was never specifically identified for some reason) comes in and pillages the country, Korelyküs and all, unknowingly destroying vast amounts of ancient knowledge. The former king, the librarian, and the architect are all executed, but the three of their spirits are supposedly haunting the supposed location of the Korelyküs to this day. The performers continue, but most people are already beginning to converse and leave.

«Er, Eliri? Why are people already leaving? Is it over?»

«It's pretty much over, the main performers are just gonna talk about the importance of traditions, and then hang around and chat with people before the next show. Since most people already know about the traditions part, they tend to just leave. I figured you might wanna stay for this, but we can go now if you want.»

«But there's plenty of time left in the night for anything we wanna do together.»

Should we stay and chat with the performers? I don't think I'd learn anything particularly enlightening from them, but I would at least like to stay and hear about the traditions part.

Anyway once we do leave, where should we go? We still haven't visited the Tents and the Bonfire.

eh, stay till the very end and then hit the tents.

Have to ask though, was the moral of the story not to be to ambitious and try to do more then you realistically can or not to pursue the unknown? Because the first one is a decent lesson while the second one is kinda bull crap because one of the worse things a civilization can do is stagnate.

>>772354
Stay until the very end, then go to the tents.

Derpkins 2017/02/15(Wed)14:43 No. 779822 ID: 339cf2
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>Have to ask though, was the moral of the story not to be to ambitious and try to do more then you realistically can or not to pursue the unknown? Because the first one is a decent lesson while the second one is kinda bull crap because one of the worse things a civilization can do is stagnate.

I'm gonna be honest, I actually don't know. This story was different to our version, and it was kind of unclear. It might be that I don't have a fully fluent grasp of the language and traditions, so some metaphors or subtle 'puns' may have been lost on me.

>Stay until the very end, then go to the tents.

«I think I might enjoy meeting the actors.»

«Ok then! I don't think I've seen this group before, so that could be nice.»

I look back to the stage to pay attention to the end of the actor's monologue. But he doesn't finish, instead trailing off as though disappointed. He turns around and walks backstage.

«Oh, I guess we missed it?»

«I don't think so? It sounded like he just stopped in the middle of it.»

«Let's go backstage and check it out. Come on.»

Derpkins 2017/02/15(Wed)14:44 No. 779823 ID: 339cf2
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The performers appear to be relaxing together in a sort of makeshift lounge behind the stage.

One of them, the architect, notices us, and gives us an odd look.

"Hey, do we know you guys?"

The one closest to us quickly stands up and leaves, muttering something under his breath. I think it was an expletive.

"Oh, don't mind him. He's an asshole. Can we help you?"

"We just wanted to hang out, is that cool with you?"

His face seems to light up hearing this…

"Yes, of course! Come, sit down! Do you like tea?"

Derpkins 2017/02/15(Wed)14:44 No. 779824 ID: 339cf2
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I pull over a small box so I can reach the table, and we sit down and have tea together (and it was quite delicious, though I'm not sure exactly what it was made of.) They introduce themselves and their characters; Hučo as the Architect, Oatao as the Librarian, and Urik as the Conquerer. The one who left was Huurot who played the role of the King.

Hučo apologizes for leaving the stage earlier; that everybody often leaves before this point anyway, so why monologue to an empty audience? He laughs about the irony of giving a speech about the importance of following traditions, and then breaking the tradition by leaving early. The conversation shifts to how we got together, and we all take turns explaining our story. They're apparently a traveling group that puts on shows for various events in different cities. They were hired to do a couple shows for the festival, and often left several days, even several weeks afterward. But unfortunately, they must prepare for another show, and kick us out.

"Sorry, but we've gotta get this place cleaned up for the next show."

"Aw, alright. Hopefully we'll see you guys again some other time."

"I hope so as well. You are quite the lively audience! I didn't think anybody actually cared about the actors nowadays. In fact..."

He rips a piece of paper out of a notebook that was behind him, and scribbles something down on it.

"...Here, you can come to our next show in Prelat Country. You can show these to the entrance officer and they'll show you all to reserved seats."

He passes them to us. They have a short message about the seats on them, along with his signature. Oatao and Urik appear to be shocked by this gesture, but don't object despite their obvious concern. Hučo seems not to notice.

"They're not super fancy, but they have my signature on them, so the officer ought to let you in. I'd love to chat with you all some more, so please consider."

"Whoa, there's no need for such a generous offer!"

"Listen, you don't understand how much it means to me that you all stayed, so I feel this is appropriate as a thank you. That, and selfishly, if you all come back, I get the same gratification from the audience. I hope to see you all there on the 29th."

He leaves before we can say anything else, and Oatao and Urik follow after saying their goodbyes. The 29th is two weeks before the conference, exactly when the Tovoleans told us to leave. There's no way we'd get there in time for the performance if we left that day. Though I feel like I'd be doing a disservice to Hučo if I didn't go... Surely the Tovoleans wouldn't mind if we left a few days early, right? Especially since we'd stopping in Prelat - which is on the way anyway - to see the performance,and afterward we'd be right on schedule.

Oh well, there's still time to think about this. As we leave the stage, the show crew has already come to begin tidying the stage.

Derpkins 2017/02/15(Wed)14:44 No. 779825 ID: 339cf2
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We head off to the tents in search of entertainment. The crowd appears to be thinning, and a few are even beginning to pack up. It must be getting late. We spend a few moments trying to decide which tent to visit.

«Hey look, there's a fortune teller!»

«A fortune teller, eh? Hey Jaa, this person may be able to tell you about those people who're after you.»

Oh yeah, I never actually told Eliri about Nguoro.

«Let's go, I'm kinda curious about him anyway.»

We approach the tent, and the owner greets us.

"Welcome, er, people? My name is Natim, how can I help you?"

"Are you truly a fortune teller? Can you tell us about our future?"

"Er, sort of. I'm merely an apprentice right now. My teacher, and the operator of this tent, Sešir is currently attending to other duties. But, while I'm not quite as practiced as he, I can still glimpse into the future and interpret a 'prophecy' of sorts. If you're interested of course."

"Yes! I'd love to! But you must tell me about the process, I'm very curious."

"Er... Well, I can try. It's a bit difficult to understand though without base knowledge in the area of interpretation. Oh, and how about you two? Would you care for a reading as well? They're a mere 160C each, or 4.1PsC."

Well, it's rather cheap. Adči seems interested - eager in fact - to have a reading, and I have to say I'm a bit curious as well. It'd be nice to at least have a hint of what may happen, as opposed to the usual catching me by surprise. But, Eliri doesn't seem interested, and perhaps even a tad concerned.

>Surely the Tovoleans wouldn't mind if we left a few days early, right?
most likely not and if anyone does give you some lip just tell them you have some personal business you want to deal with before the meeting so you won't have it weighing on your mind.

>should I get a reading?
sure why not. I don't really believe in that sort of thing but I do find them fun. But yeah let Adci go first and while he's getting his reading ask Eliri if she's ok. Maybe hit the party next to make it up to her since I'm pretty sure the bonfire is probably done for the night if the venders are packing up.

>>779825
>Reading?
Yeah, sure go ahead. Can't hurt to find out what's going to happen to you.

>But, Eliri doesn't seem interested, and perhaps even a tad concerned.
She's concerned because, even though it was her idea to find out about those people that're after you, she's afraid of what could be found out or how much trouble is coming after you. Basically, she's worried about you.

Plus, even though you already got some help from Nguoro, you might get another hint or something if you ask this fortune teller.

>>779825
Go ahead and get a reading for yourself. If one of your companions wants to get a reading for themselves, they can, but don't push them into it.

What's a PsC? I don't think we've seen that unit of currency before.

Derpkins 2017/04/19(Wed)22:00 No. 796986 ID: 339cf2
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>most likely not and if anyone does give you some lip just tell them you have some personal business you want to deal with before the meeting so you won't have it weighing on your mind. 

Exactly. Leaving two days early, four maximum, shouldn't be all that bad.

>What's a PsC? I don't think we've seen that unit of currency before.

The local currency, I don't have any of that.

>sure why not. I don't really believe in that sort of thing but I do find them fun. But yeah let Adci go first and while he's getting his reading ask Eliri if she's ok. Maybe hit the party next to make it up to her since I'm pretty sure the bonfire is probably done for the night if the venders are packing up.

It is starting to get dark… But I think I could still see the glow of the fire, so it's not too late quite yet.

>Plus, even though you already got some help from Nguoro, you might get another hint or something if you ask this fortune teller.

That's a good point. Maybe I'll be able to get some insight into what Haxťe was telling me about, with the Tovoleans.

«Adči, why don't you go first.»

«Ok then.»

Natim takes him behind the curtain, and I quietly talk with Eliri.

«Eliri, is everything all right? You look a bit disconcerted.»

«Oh… It's just, I don't know if I trust this person.»

«Why not? She seems friendly enough.»

«Yeah but, something seems weird about her. Did you notice how she didn't want to talk about how she would do it? Because it's 'too complicated'? And she's wearing a Torylyn Arm wrap, and I don't think I could trust a Torylyn to not try and 'sabotage' something while rooting around in my future!»

She pauses a moment to make sure she wasn't talking too loudly for the psychic to hear.

Right, the Torylyns are religion that are a sort of 'Splinter Group' that broke away from the main branch that most Tellikans follow.

«I think she's hiding something.»

«Are you sure? Maybe it's just a coincidence.»

«Maybe… I just have a bad feeling about this person.»

Hmm… That is quite concerning, I don't really wanna risk ignoring a gut feeling like that, not after what I've learned in the past few days. Perhaps Adči will be able to clear it up, since he's the one that is actually in there with her right now.

Derpkins 2017/04/19(Wed)22:00 No. 796987 ID: 339cf2
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Finally after a long while, Adči and Natim come out from behind the curtain.

«So, how was it? What's your future?»

«I'm… not sure? She said she saw some stuff that seemed to have nothing to do with me, but I think it was probably a metaphor. And she was right, I don't understand this psychic stuff. It's super complex, with different dimensions and stuff I've never even heard of… I don't believe how easily it comes to Nguoro.»

«I'm still not convinced, anyone can say anything unrelated to your life! I think she's just a scammer.»

Natim looks concerned at Eliri's risen voice, but doesn't make any gestures to lead me to believe she actually understands what she's saying.

«I don't think so, and it's not like it's that expensive anyway. She doesn't seem to have any sort of malicious intent. I think you should go, Jaa.»

>Go ahead and get a reading for yourself. If one of your companions wants to get a reading for themselves, they can, but don't push them into it.

Yeah, I'm gonna do that. Eliri's probably just worked up about the whole religion thing.

"Ok then, who's next? How about the Sovsaku, I can sense you have a strong connection with the Spirit Realm."

"I do?"

"Oh yes, very strong! Very strong indeed, it should be very easy to get a reading from you! Come, let's go!"

"Ok then."

Derpkins 2017/04/19(Wed)22:00 No. 796988 ID: 339cf2
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She leads me behind the curtain into a small portion of the tent that is very empty. The curtain closes and the room falls dark and silent. The curtain must have some kind of noise-blocker. She lights a candle and a small area in the center of the room is illuminated.

"You're comfortable, yes? Do you need a cushion? Something to lie on?"

"No thanks, can we begin?"

"Of course, but first do you have any crystals, charms, or talismans?"

"Oh yeah, I have this purple one."

"Ah, wonderful! The colour of the future. Now, I want you to focus on your breathing. Make sure your in breaths are equally as long as your out breaths."

"Ok."

She instructs me in a few more relaxation techniques before deciding I've relaxed quite enough for the reading. She closes her eyes and begins concentrating.

"I'm now travelling over our physical realm to bypass the flow of time. I'm going to look into your future now. Feel free to ask any questions you wish."

"Uh, ok."

Derpkins 2017/04/19(Wed)22:00 No. 796989 ID: 339cf2
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"Hmm… I can see someone, a silhouette. He's walking on a trail that is lit very brightly. There is darkness all around. I hear... voices. Many overlapping voices, all trying to be heard, but all are simply drowning in their own din."

Ummm, sorry about that

"Hmmm... Perhaps there are other figures around too. They are the source of all the voices, they're trying to gesture him off the path, into the darkness. He has now stopped, he seems unclear on what to do. Confused, maybe?"

Well so far, this is a lovely little glimpse into the recent past...

"He has now stepped off the path, and I can no longer see him... He's just gone."

She opens her eyes and briefly looks at me with a grave expression, before closing her eyes again.

"This is worrying, Sovsaku. If you want my honest opinion, I think you ought to be very careful. Now that the stage is all set, is there anything you might want to look for in you future? While everything seems obscure right now, sometimes all you need is to be pointed in the right direction."

Yeesh, I don't like hearing that my future is going to be worrying... Anyway, she says that if I tell her about something I'm expecting, she might be able to tell me about it. I think we should ask about either The Tovoleans and their plans, or maybe some insight on My Attackers. Unless you think there's something else?

Ask Natim about The Tovoleans. Try to learn more about them and see what you can make of them. I mean we only just learned about them from someone who is already bias against them. Maybe learning a bit more will help us form our own opinions?

>>796989
Ask about The Tovoleans.

Also ask about Kremul-Täitet, the condition affecting Nguoro. (Don't say who it is affecting; just see what the supposed psychic says about it.)

>>796989
>I hear... voices. Many overlapping voices, all trying to be heard, but all are simply drowning in their own din.
Hey! Rude!

>Ummm, sorry about that
My feelings have been hurt..... :'(

>What do?
I agree with both of these guys: >>797054 , >>797075 .

Derpkins 2017/04/21(Fri)23:36 No. 797395 ID: 616bfd
File 149284298599.png - (37.92KB , 273x541 , scene 30a.png )

>Hey! Rude!

Well, it's not completely wrong. You do kinda make a heck of a din, but I can hear each and every one of you fine.

>My feelings have been hurt..... :'( 

Sorry I guess

>Ask Natim about The Tovoleans. Try to learn more about them and see what you can make of them. I mean we only just learned about them from someone who is already bias against them. Maybe learning a bit more will help us form our own opinions?

This is a good point, and exactly the reason I was considering this choice anyway.

Derpkins 2017/04/21(Fri)23:36 No. 797396 ID: 616bfd
File 149284298837.png - (124.16KB , 831x658 , scene 30b b.png )

"Maybe you could tell me something about the Tovoleans I'll be meeting, I'm a little concerned about meeting them."

"Ah yes, meeting strange new people can always be a bit unsettling. Let me see what I can find."

She goes silent again for a few moments, probably searching the future for any mention of the Tovoleans.

"Hmm… Yes, here."

"What is it? What are they doing?"

"Shh, I don't directly see the Tovoleans, that unfortunately isn't how this works. I can only tell you what comes up when Tovoleans are given as a reference."

"Oh. Um, ok?"

"Now listen, this is what is relevant about the Tovoleans. There is a new figure on the path, tall and slender. He moves like a snake, with slithery and deliberate movements. It's moving at a slow pace, and it's following another one, larger and more hulking. They're precise opposites. There's a sort of light emanating from them, illuminating the path further, and the voices have been drowned out by a silence that they exude."

"That sounds rather ominous."

"That isn't all, there's more. If I leave the darkness, I can see that the whole thing - The trail, the darkness, the figures - are all contained in a small container held by a large… sort of wispy, shade-like figure, as though it's guarding it as a possession."

"That doesn't make it sound any better. This is about the Tovoleans?"

"Yes it is, but don't be so quick to judge these visions. Take some time to truly think about them and what they could mean, rather than what they first seem like. Sometimes things aren't always as they seem."

Well great, all that information and I still know nothing. She says I need to think about it more though, so perhaps there may be a hidden message or something?

"Well, I'm afraid that's all I can do for you. Perhaps you could come find me or Sešir another time, and we can discuss this for a better interpretation, but for now I'm afraid I need to pack up. Unless there's something else you needed?"

Derpkins 2017/04/21(Fri)23:36 No. 797397 ID: 616bfd
File 149284299018.png - (70.98KB , 609x784 , scene 30c.png )

>Also ask about Kremul-Täitet

Oh, that's a good idea. It could lead to some insight about her condition, or the connection to that Tellikan city.

"Oh before I go, would it be ok to ask you a question or two about something else?"

"I suppose so, what did you have in mind?"

"I was in the library recently, and I had learned about a city to the Southeast that had to be evacuated, because there was evil-energy going around."

"Oh yes, I'm familiar with this event."

"Well, I have a friend who might be afflicted by a similar sort of 'dis-ease'. I was wondering if you had any more information about this."

"Hmm, well it popped up around… 42 years ago? Maybe 56… anyway, several years ago, there were rumours of a secret experiment going on. Lots of conspiracy stuff, lots of heathenry. There was a cult growing in size, centered around the city of Külkerxi, I think is was called 'Bringers of True Joforen Destiny' or something about the 'True Destiny'. Rumour has it that they were trying experiments with some evil and unstable magics to bring about the cataclysm that was avoided so long ago. Well, the experiments failed, as you can probably tell by our continued existence. But they spread instability and evil throughout the city the whole region, most notably the city."

"So they basically tried to end the world, but failed and spread some kind of 'taint' across the land?"

"Essentially, yes. Supposedly the affliction was eradicated, or at least contained to that area… I have heard rumours that there have been wraiths siphoning the evil to other locations. These are all untrue of course, wraiths would have no reason to do such a thing. But pure energy or intention is difficult to contain, it simply can't be done in our world. I wouldn't doubt that your friend could've been 'infected' by this… evil energy. Do you have anything else to share? Perhaps I could meet this friend of yours, I may be able to help."

"Maybe, but I'd have to ask her. She seems to think the affliction was a curse brought upon them by the Mirkelosians, a sort of epidemic that's spreading around their population."

"Ah, you're speaking of the Riistele Kremul-Täitet."

"Yes, you've heard of this?"

"Indeed I have. You're asking if I think there's a connection between the Affliction and the Kremul-Täitet?"

"I suppose I am."

"You're quite perceptive. Indeed, they are one and the same. We used the evil to manufacture the Kremul-Täitet as a weapon against the Riistelej to lower their morale, and hopefully increase likelihood of fratricide, further lowering their morale and numbers."

"What? That's terrible!"

"The war has been pretty terrible, this was one of the lesser things that had been done. That's why your job is so important."

"Ugh."

"Anyway, you need to go now, I must close up. Have a good night, Sovsaku."

"Thanks."

Maybe we ought to keep this to ourselves for now. I don't want to upset Adči, or encourage further unnecessary hostilities that between his family and the Tellikans.

Derpkins 2017/04/21(Fri)23:36 No. 797398 ID: 616bfd
File 149284299341.png - (76.05KB , 666x273 , scene 30d.png )

«How'd it go, do you know your future?»

«Uh, sort of. I need to think about it some more, and really get to what it means.»

«Yeah, if it actually means anything…»

«You were in there for a while, what took so long?»

«We were just talking about my future stuff. Was it really that long? It didn't feel like it.»

«Well either way, it's done now, and we can get going.»

«Yeah, we should probably go to the bonfire before it's too late.»

We all travel to the bonfire, and on approaching there's still quite a crowd, although it appears to slowly be dwindling by now.

«Wow, this is beautiful.»

«Yep, it sure is. I'm glad you two wanted to come tonight.»

We sit at the fire for a moment, and it's uncomfortably sentimental and quiet.

«Alright, you guys don't have to but I'm gonna toss something in.»

She steps up to the blaze and says something quietly, then tosses her necklace in.

«My brother gave me that necklace before going to fight in the war, in case he didn't make it home. Obviously you've seen that he made it home, but he hasn't been the same since then...»

She sighs.

«Ok, we can go now, if you want.»

Derpkins 2017/04/21(Fri)23:36 No. 797399 ID: 616bfd
File 149284299667.png - (116.60KB , 637x790 , scene 30e.png )

«You know if you don't mind, I kinda wanted to go see that party, and at least see what was going on there. I heard music while we were at the fortune teller, it sounded like a lot of fun.»

«Yeah, I like to party. We could go there.»

Well, it looks like the decision has already been made, but should I protest? I could also just go home alone. Either way, I kinda wanna just go think about what Natim said about the Tovoleans.

Or I suppose I could just suck it up and go too…

>There is a new figure on the path, tall and slender. He moves like a snake, with slithery and deliberate movements. It's moving at a slow pace, and it's following another one, larger and more hulking. They're precise opposites. There's a sort of light emanating from them, illuminating the path further, and the voices have been drowned out by a silence that they exude. If I leave the darkness, I can see that the whole thing - The trail, the darkness, the figures - are all contained in a small container held by a large… sort of wispy, shade-like figure, as though it's guarding it as a possession.

Okay, here's my interpretation. Both figures on the road are psychics and are plotting out the path for you to follow. They are manipulating events. Each figure has a certain aptitude for how they manipulate things or use their power or something, which is why they appear different. The shade-like figure is someone who is orchestrating the events overall, but cannot take direct action. Like a leader? Someone who has given the other two figures orders on how to proceed? (or it's Derpkins, haha) Of note is that the shade's container contains the darkness. Even if you go off the path, you are still in the shade's domain. This makes me think there are contingencies in place if you don't do what they want you to do.

What we don't know is if the lit path is a bad thing or not. If we're the voices creating the great din, do we guide you off the path for good or ill? Will it be because of a misunderstanding, or based on evidence? My conclusion is that we cannot use this information yet. Not until we can verify the motives of those involved.


I say go to the party. Even if you aren't actively thinking about what Natim said, we will.

>>797399
hit the party. If nothing else it might let you end this night on a chipper note.

>>797399
Go to the party. But on the way, ask them about the reading you received about the Tovoleans, and see what they think. They were curious, and that part seems OK to share with them.

As for the other line of questioning, at least you have a new angle to try to research this affliction, which may not be as widely known. And if you end up participating in the diplomatic negotiations (which seems like a big if at this point), you have some new points to negotiate.

>>797398
Before you leave the bonfire, give a bit of thought to the ritual, and consider whether you'd like to participate as well. Anything you feel like sacrificing?

>>797399
Yeah, suck it up and just go with them to the party! You're here to have fun! So let's go party and have a good time!

Derpkins 2017/04/28(Fri)21:09 No. 798651 ID: 616bfd
File 149343895296.png - (27.22KB , 244x404 , scene 31a.png )

>Both figures on the road are psychics and are plotting out the path for you to follow. They are manipulating events. Each figure has a certain aptitude for how they manipulate things or use their power or something, which is why they appear different. The shade-like figure is someone who is orchestrating the events overall, but cannot take direct action. Like a leader? Someone who has given the other two figures orders on how to proceed? (or it's Derpkins, haha) Of note is that the shade's container contains the darkness. Even if you go off the path, you are still in the shade's domain. This makes me think there are contingencies in place if you don't do what they want you to do. 

That could make sense. What I was thinking, is what if the shade itself rather than being an individual, was actually the Tovoleans? We've already discussed the possibility of the Tovoleans running the conference being my attackers, what if they're the ones giving orders to the two figures inside the container? The two figures may represent the types of people they're to manipulate.

But again, these are just my first thoughts, Natim said I should probably look into it further.

>What we don't know is if the lit path is a bad thing or not. If we're the voices creating the great din, do we guide you off the path for good or ill? Will it be because of a misunderstanding, or based on evidence? My conclusion is that we cannot use this information yet. Not until we can verify the motives of those involved. 

Right

>At least you have a new angle to try to research this affliction, which may not be as widely known. And if you end up participating in the diplomatic negotiations (which seems like a big if at this point), you have some new points to negotiate.

That's a good point. The Raitekians seem to think the disease came from the Mirkelosians, with whom they also have 'shaky' relations with, and were at war with for a time. They don't know that it actually came from the Tellikans. If it comes to it, I may even be able to use this as leverage against Tellikan leaders. I know I certainly wouldn't want that kind of information leaked to my enemies.

>Before you leave the bonfire, give a bit of thought to the ritual, and consider whether you'd like to participate as well. Anything you feel like sacrificing?

I don't really have anything I feel like I could sacrifice. Maybe the book I got from Tori? But I got that to try to help myself understand the Tellikans, so I think the symbolism of burning that wouldn't be great in the end…

>suck it up and just go with them to the party!

I was afraid you'd say that

>You're here to have fun! So let's go party and have a good time!

I suppose I could try to have fun at the party

Derpkins 2017/04/28(Fri)21:09 No. 798652 ID: 616bfd
File 149343895692.png - (114.71KB , 685x716 , Scene 31b.png )

>On the way, ask them about the reading you received about the Tovoleans, and see what they think. They were curious, and that part seems OK to share with them. 

I share with them what Natim told me about my future and the Tovoleans.

«To be honest, it sounds pretty bleak, and she didn't look happy saying it. But she also told me not to just go with my first impression, and to think hard about it for a while first. What do you guys think?[/i]

«So wait, you have a job with the Tovoleans? Are you going to the peace conference?»

He sounds quite shocked, I must've not mentioned to him that I'm one of the representatives yet. I may have forgotten I was trying to keep a relatively low profile…

«Yeah, but the thing is, I've had people who are trying to attack me. After some snooping, including a session with your sister, I think the Tovoleans are actually the one's who are the attackers. I've heard a few theories, but the strongest one is that they're not actually interested in the conference or peace, and are just trying to get a bunch of important people in one place to… do something. We don't know yet, but supposedly it isn't good.»

«That sounds terrible! Are you sure this is what's going on?»

«Well not really. It's the strongest theory, but considering the amount of information we have, that isn't saying much. The next strongest theory, is that the Tovoleans' conference is safe and true and all, but there's another group that's trying to prove otherwise, some sort of conservative group that wants to keep Tovoleans out of everything. They're trying to sabotage the conference by trying to get important people not to go. Again, these are just theories.»

«Hmmm…»

Everyone is quiet for a little while

«Maybe the two figures inside the container represent the two factions against each other. I mean it would make sense that they're grouped together, considering they're both Tovolean groups. They look different because of their intentions, or how they go about them maybe.»

«That could make sense, but then what would the shade holding the container be?»

«Hmm… Maybe it's their conflict? Both groups are trying to get you guys to do something that they want you to do, while trying not to allow the other to succeed. Maybe rather than simply holding them like a possession, as you said, the conflict is actually manipulating them.»

«Well assuming that anything the fortune teller said was true, what about the figure who was originally on the path, and then walked off? And the other figures with the voices? What does all that mean?»

«Maybe the figure is an intention itself, in this case going on a path to do something, but sort of 'losing track' of it while there are other suggestions all around it.»

«You think so? I was certain the figure was supposed to represent me.»

«Well you see, she said not to take things so literally. Nguoro doesn't really do fortune telling, but she says she gets premonitions on ocassion. They're never really a 1:1 connection though, always symbolic. It's possible that in your vision, none of the figures actually represent people, or any tangible 'thing'.»

«I hadn't really thought about that.»

«So combining our two theories, perhaps the figure represents your intention to do good at the conference, but all these conflicting 'theories' and 'alleged stories' of factions and evil-doing will end up hindering you along the way. Maybe those figures all represent the different 'ideas' that people are having about the Tovolean groups and all their 'plots' to do this and that, and it's just confusing to you.»

«Well if that whole thing just meant that I'm confused, then that Natim is a great present seer…»

«Well I don't know. You should come visit again sometime, Nguoro and Jaruel would probably like analysing this too.»

«Sure, I'll need all the help I can get with interpreting this.»

Derpkins 2017/04/28(Fri)21:09 No. 798653 ID: 616bfd
File 149343895996.png - (527.44KB , 1556x1940 , Scene 31c.png )

The rest of the walk to the party is rather mundane, but rather short. Finally we arrive at the location of the party in the Red district, and it's huge. There seem to be different types of 'attractions' grouped together, sort of like at the other side of the festival.

There're a few entertainers:
-There's a magician of sorts, goofing around and performing tricks with a round ball
-There's what appears to be an animal tamer, with several different animals
-There're musicians playing dance music (and people dancing, of course)

There're some sport-games. I don't know anything about sports, let alone foreign sports so I can't call them by name, but they all appear to involve flinging something through the air:
-Some sort of ball tossing sport
-Some sort of stick throwing sport
-Some sort of archery based sport (This looks interesting)

There's a few tables of various board and card games (There appear to be fewer people here)

And of course, there're tables of various foods and desserts available. People are standing around here and socializing.

I doubt we'll be able to stay awake long enough to go to all of these things, but I estimate we could probably see three or four before it ends. I'd like to at least attempt those table games or see the Animal Tamer, but anyway, where should we go first?

>>798653
Archery!

see what the archery thing is all about first. Then we can either see the animal tamer and try some board games before calling it a night.

>>798653
I say you should go grab a dessert before they're all gone! Then you can go look at the archery and then the board/ card games.

I'm also thinking you should give dancing a try, if the others want you to dance with them.

>>798653
Let's try a game before we get any more tired.

>>798690
All of this. Make sure you get to the dancing, and that you get some time to play the table games since you were particularly interested in them.

Derpkins 2017/04/30(Sun)14:52 No. 798998 ID: 616bfd
File 149358916124.png - (25.47KB , 280x261 , Scene 31d.png )

>Let's try a game before we get any more tired.

Good idea, if any of these activities would be tiring, I'd expect it to be the games. Better to get that out of the way early.

«Oooh, let's go see that magician!»

«I'm actually gonna go check out the game over here.»

«The table games? But wouldn't you rather see something more festivalish? You can come to these games any time, but there's usually not stuff like Wild Animals doing tricks, or Dance Music.»

Hmmm, I suppose I didn't think about that. I am supposed to be partying, maybe we ought to take that into consideration and do something else for tonight?

>>798998
You really wanted to see the games, so make sure you try them before you leave; they might not be novel for the others, but they're novel for you, and a festival is an excuse to try things that you might not normally have the opportunity for. You have plenty of time; grab a dessert while there still are some, watch the magician for a minute, try out some dancing while you have the energy, but definitely take some time for the table games too.

>>798998
Okay, the magician then. I wouldn't mind seeing if we can catch how he does it. I know a bit about sleight of hand.

Derpkins 2017/06/26(Mon)11:28 No. 810506 ID: cd858c
File 149850173578.png - (175.44KB , 1107x1182 , Scene 32a.png )

>You really wanted to see the games, so make sure you try them before you leave; they might not be novel for the others, but they're novel for you

«No thanks, I'm pretty interested in the games here. I guess I kind of prefer quieter things.»

«Alright, I guess that's fair. Adči and I are gonna go see the magician and then the animals if you wanna join up later. We should probably meet up to head back before midnight though.»

«Agreed, I'll see you in a bit.»

Ok, I'm in a sort of open area with tables scattered around. There are some Tellikans sitting at the tables, most are in pairs playing a game, but several appear to be alone, waiting for a challenger probably.

Derpkins 2017/06/26(Mon)11:29 No. 810507 ID: cd858c
File 149850174181.png - (72.45KB , 737x609 , Scene 32b.png )

:bqtuvas: "Hey, I know you!"

Hey, it's that guard who helped me out earlier. Tuvaš, I think.

"Tuvaš? Is that you?"

:bqtuvas: "Haha, yeah! I guess it's a little tough to recognize me out of my uniform. You look pretty good in that outfit."

"Oh heh, thanks!"

:bqtuvas: "No problem. Anyway, what's up? Are you here to play one of the games too?"

"I am, but I don't recognize most of them. Do you know how to play?"

:bqtuvas: "Of course! I'll teach you, I've been playing these since I was a child."

What a fortunate turn of events

Special thanks to JiggyDino for this panel! Derpkins 2017/06/26(Mon)11:29 No. 810508 ID: cd858c
File 149850174464.png - (87.88KB , 800x600 , scene 32c.png )

:bqtuvas: "Here we go, this one is called Petē Žokul. The goal is to get your Coloured pieces to the center, and use your Grey pieces to stop mine. I'm waiting for a challenger, so I brought extra that you can use."

He helps me up on to the table and explains to me the rules and how to play, it appears to be a simple strategic race game. He concludes his explanation, and we begin.

:bqtuvas: "So, I never got your name earlier."

"Really? I'm sorry, my name is Jaa."

:bqtuvas: "Oh, that's a lovely name. It reminds me of another Suskenian I met on Tajlu, called Jaka. He was supposed to get me a ship back to here when my tour was over, but he just kinda dissappeared at some point. Some Telli ended up helping me instead."

"That's very interesting. Did you ever figure out what happened to him?"

:bqtuvas: "I asked around before I left, but nobody knew any more than I did. He just kinda vanished."

"Oh, that sounds pretty ominous."

:bqtuvas: "Yeah, but I have a theory. You wanna know something interesting?"

"I'd love to."

:bqtuvas: "A few days before he vanished, he told me about a cool crystal he found. Being a border-admission officer, he was often exposed to various cultures and beliefs. He told me he never really believed in any of our kinds of magic and energies and whatnot, but he was sure this was one of the crystals as told in our legends, the kind that had the potential to end the universe several times over!"

"Wait, your legends have crystals like that?"

:bqtuvas: "Well, sort of… They're not really our legends, but Mēk-lotti. Their most accepted belief system is all based on how they think these crystals were created, but some points tie interestingly well into our beliefs. Some consider those crystals to be what we call the Bringers on Life, even though in Mēk-lotti epics they're more like Stoppers of Destruction."

"Oh. So, how do these 'epics' go? Can you give me a summary?"

:bqtuvas: "Well, it basically tells about their version of the beginning of time. To them, time started when some dark energy and some light energy sort of 'collided' in some huge explosion, which was so powerful and full of energy that the resulting debris created the universe. At some point later, such a cataclysmic explosion was about to happen again, which would sort of 'reset' everything. But, a group of guardian spirits who they called the 'Overseers' noticed it, and managed to basically contain it into various kinds of crystals, the 'non-death' crystals. I don't really know much about what supposedly happened in between those two events, but according to our legends, the crystals were around before everything else, just kind of floating around in nothingness. Occasionally they would sort of bump into each other, and they'd crack and release some magical energy that they had stored up, and that created the planets. At the center of each planet is a small crystal fragment, made of compressed energy so concentrated that even coming near it could instantly just 'erase' you from reality… But paradoxically, these are what we call the Bringers of Life, because while they're being compressed, occasionally a small chunk will break off and make it's way up to the surface. It'll sort of 'leak' creation energy, creating pretty much everything we see on the surface: Life, Rocks, Air, all that kinds of stuff. They'll leak this energy until there's not enough 'pressure' forcing the rest of it out. They're now scattered around the world, mostly under the ocean probably, but supposedly if you find one, you'll have the powers of the Bringers of Life that it came from."

"Wow, that's… very interesting."

:bqtuvas: "Heh, yeah. Sorry to ramble like that! I just love history, it's so interesting."

"I agree. So what does this have to do with Jaka?"

:bqtuvas: "Oh right! So, Jaka thought he had found one of these crystal-fragment-fragments that created everything on the planet! He had a theory that what we call the Bringers of Life are the same thing as the resulting crystals from the Mēk-Lotti Overseers' containment of the cataclysm. He said he was worried about being discovered by the mortal descendants of the Mēk-Lotti Overseers, who they called 'Masters of Living' or something grand like that… Some kind of cult thing. I think he may have been right, and they took him away, which is why he disappeared without a trace!"

"That certainly is worrisome… But do you believe in that stuff? The Lotti stuff, I mean."

:bqtuvas: "I can't say I 'believe' in their interpretation of history, but I have been studying their texts, and I've noticed some strange coincidences... Either way, Jaka didn't believe in any of that stuff, until he found the crystal himself."

"I see. That'd be quite unnerving, I'd assume."

:bqtuvas: "Yeah, it was pretty strange… Ever since, I've been trying to study our neighbors' views about unwritten history to try and make sense of it. I've had an easier time studying the Lottuji ideas, but I haven't really gotten much of a chance to find any material on the Riisteluji views, because of the war and all."

"Yeah, I'll bet..."

I wonder if he knows I've actually met with the Raitekians yet. Maybe I should offer to introduce Adči to him.

>I wonder if he knows I've actually met with the Raitekians yet. Maybe I should offer to introduce Adči to him.

weeeeeell, you could probably mention him but unless Adci is willing to talk as well I don't feel comfortable setting everything up yet. Although it might be kinda funny to tell Adci that the city guard wants to talk to him just to see the look on his face.

Adci is nice, and this guy is nice. Why not?

>weeeeeell, you could probably mention him but unless Adci is willing to talk as well I don't feel comfortable setting everything up yet.

Yeah, that's a good point. Maybe I ought to ask Adči first.

>Adci is nice, and this guy is nice. Why not?

Yeah, they seem like they could get along. Adči seems to be interested in the Tellikan culture, at least more so than most Raitekians, and Tuvaš seems totally interested in Raitekian culture as well. They could be great conversation, and maybe with their combined viewpoints, they could make even more interesting discoveries on the similarities of the two cultures, like Tuvaš has already done with the Mirkelosian legends. This could potentially even help in the peace keeping in the future.

>Although it might be kinda funny to tell Adci that the city guard wants to talk to him just to see the look on his face.

While I can enjoy a good teasing every once in a while, that seems pretty rude. Remember, his entire race is at war against the people here. Not to mention their boat is being guarded all day, the guards wanting to 'chat' is probably a lot more stressful to him than it would be for the average tourist, and I wouldn't wanna put that kind of unnecessary stress on him.

"You know, I ended up in contact with those Riistelir you helped me to locate."

"Oh right, I forgot about that! Haha, that's why we met, isn't it? So how were they? Did you find the girl you were looking for?"

"Yes, eventually. I was also able to get in contact with her family as well, and I'm actually here at the festival with one of them. I may be able to introduce you after the game, if he's willing."

"Wow really? That'd be awesome! Oh man, I get to actually meet a real Riisteli! Hah, wow."

He's smiling, his face lights up, and he seems to be rather excited. It's rather cute actually, almost like a child.

"Heh, awesome, I'm sure he'd be glad to meet you too. And speaking of ending the game, I think I just won."

"What? No way! That's not fair, I was distracted!"

"I'm sure, you were just distracted. It certainly had nothing to do with my own strategic brilliance."

"Haha alright, I lost. Now, who's this friend of yours?"

"He's one of the fishermen that landed here a while ago, you were guarding their boat. His name is Admoraki. Why don't you wait here, I'll see if I can find him."

"Alright, no problem. Oh man, I'm excited!"

I head out of the games area looking for Eliri and Adči. I think they said they were at the magician at the moment, so that's where I head.

I'm able to find them quite easily, Eliri's jacket is quite noticeable, even from my low vantage point. I approach them again, and Adči notices me.

«Hey Jaa, you decided to come be with us again?»

«Oh, er… Sort of. I came to find you Adči because I was wondering… You're kind of interested in Tellikan culture and history, right?»

«Yeah, I guess so, I like to learn about things. Why?»

«Well, when I was playing one of the games over there, I was playing with a Tellikan I met earlier. It turns out, he's also really interested in your culture and history, particularly legends and the like. I figured I'd ask if you'd be interested in meeting him to talk about that kind of stuff.»

«Oh, wow… So like, he's a scholar or something»

«Well, not exactly. He's just been studying the different legends because he made an interesting discovery about how the Tellikan legends tie into the Mirkelosian legends, and he's been trying to learn more about other stuff like that. He hasn't had much of a chance to study Raitekians though.»

«Oh, interesting… Yeah, I'd love to meet this guy! We should probably tell Eliri that we're going though, so she doesn't get worried that we just kind of disappeared.»

Adči is right, she seems rather distracted at the moment. With the din of the party, it looks like she hasn't even noticed I've returned. I tug on her jacket to grab her attention. She looks surprised and a little excited to see me

«Jaa, you came back! Done with the games already? Oh, can you see the magician?»

«Hey, uh, no I can't see him, but I'm not actually staying, I just came to get Adči.»

«Oh, y-you're both going?»

She frowns, and the excitement leaves her face. I think I may have forgotten that the original point of going to the festival was to hang out with Eliri, and I think now I may have hurt her feelings…

«I… I was gonna introduce Adči to somebody. We can stay, though. I did kinda wanna see the animals anyway...»

«N-no it's alright, you can go. I guess the actual important part of the festival is over anyway, but… I was kind of hoping we'd be able to spend time together and do festival stuff. Sorry, I guess that's kind of weird and sentimental when we hardly know each other… Y-you can go see the other Tellikan though, that's alright. I-I guess I can come with you guys, and do that instead...»

Well now I feel bad and uncomfortable too… She seems to be ok with taking Adči to introduce him to Tuvaš, but would prefer to see the rest of the festival together. If we talk with Tuvaš, we may learn some new things, and he and Adči will likely have the times of their lives, but it'll probably take all night, and I can't imagine watching people talk about history being particularly entertaining for Eliri... On the other hand, we could spend time with Eliri doing the party stuff, but then we wouldn't get to talk with Tuvaš, and being enlisted as a guard, he's likely to have a busy schedule later on…

What should we do?
-Eliri Fun Times
-Tuvaš Story Times
Or maybe there's some sort of compromise?

Can't you just hang out with her for the night and just have Adči tell you about what he talked about when you see him next? Because I'm sure Adči has more free time on his hand then the guard.

>>811921
Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.

You go introduce Adči to Tuvaš, then while they get to talking, you come back to Eliri and have fun with her.

Just tell Eliri to wait right here and you'll be right back.

Derpkins 2017/07/18(Tue)06:20 No. 816703 ID: cd858c
File 150038404826.png - (58.38KB , 268x555 , Scene 34.png )

>Can't you just hang out with her for the night and just have Adči tell you about what he talked about when you see him next? Because I'm sure Adči has more free time on his hand then the guard.

I suppose, but I was kind of hoping to be in on the conversation, and maybe even discuss what Tuvaš thought of my 'future reading'. This is a good compromise though, and it's better than doing one or the other.

>Just tell Eliri to wait right here and you'll be right back.

«Eliri, I'll be right back… I'm gonna go introduce Adči, and then I'm coming back, because they won't need me there.»

«A-alright, if you're sure… I'll wait for you, we can talk about what we wanna do together when you get back.»

That seemed to have made her a bit happier, she doesn't seem quite so despondent anymore.

I bring Adči over to Tuvaš

"O-oh wow, this is him?"

"Yes, this is Admoraki. Adči, this is Tuvaš."

"Hello, you were one of the guards who was by our boat, right?"

"Haha, yep, that's me! I uh, I'm kind of a low rank though, I don't have much experience."

"That's alright, more experience than me I'll bet, haha."

They appear to be getting along rather well, I should probably get back to Eliri now.

"Hey, I'd love to stay and chat with you guys tonight, but I need to get back to Eliri."

"Aww, you're not staying? That's a shame, maybe we can chat some more some other time."

"I hope so as well, your story was very interesting."

I head back to find Eliri again, and meet her by the magician.

«Hey, Eliri. I'm back.»

«Ah, hey. Th-thanks for coming back to be with me, sorry I got a little emotional.»

«Don't apologize, I shouldn't have left you guys in the first place… I'm sorry I didn't recognize the importance of being together before, I understand now.»

She smiles, and looks like her eyes water a little bit--

Oh

A hug.

I feel like it'd be rude to try and escape, but thankfully she quickly gets back up[/i]

«Th-thanks, Jaa… Anyway, did you set your eyes on any of the other places? I think I'm getting pretty tired, we probably shouldn't stay out much longer. I was kind of eyeing up the tamed animals with Adči, but we can do whatever.»

I was also personally looking at the animals. I don't know, there's just something about giant creatures that are meant to eat you being tamed that's just… deliciously ironic. But you guys said desserts and archery, which I do also think would be fun. Should we still go to desserts and/or archery, or should we see the animals?

>>816703
I think the best way to make it up to her would be to do what she wants to do.

.....actually, how about this? Go get some desserts and then take them over to the animals and eat your desserts while looking at the animals.

Just remember to not feed the animals! Animal trainers don't like it when people do that cause it can make the animals sick!

>>816703
Yeah, both of you should pick out a finger-food dessert, the kind that comes in small bits in a bag or similar, and share it while you go look at the animals.

And if you should happen to both reach for the bag at the same time, I'm sure that'll turn out just fine.

TO THE ANIMALS THEN!!

Derpkins 2017/07/26(Wed)16:01 No. 818643 ID: cd858c
File 150111008559.png - (82.20KB , 626x739 , Scene 35 b.png )

>I think the best way to make it up to her would be to do what she wants to do. 

Yeah, I agree. To the animals, then.

>actually, how about this? Go get some desserts and then take them over to the animals and eat your desserts while looking at the animals. 

That sounds like a good idea, all I had to eat today was that little snack before the weird play.

>Yeah, both of you should pick out a finger-food dessert, the kind that comes in small bits in a bag or similar, and share it while you go look at the animals. 

Another good idea, that way we won't have to take two different things, and she can help me with what I don't finish, considering my size.

>Just remember to not feed the animals! Animal trainers don't like it when people do that cause it can make the animals sick!

Of course

«Can we go see if there's anything left at the desserts table first?»

«Heh, sure thing.»

She leads me to the area where the desserts are, and grabs something for us to share.

>>816707
>And if you should happen to both reach for the bag at the same time, I'm sure that'll turn out just fine.

Looks like this won't be a problem after all.

«Here, try these! They're like tiny cakes made of light-grains and sugars, with some spices from SouthEastTellikanCountry. It's heavenly!»

She hands me a tiny piece, and it is indeed quite good. The texture is oddly smooth and almost spongey, and deliciously sweet and spicy at the same time.

«Wow, this is pretty good…»

«Hah, I told you so. Come on, I grabbed some more for us, let's go see the animals now. I think I saw the guy was displaying a Löfran of some sort!»

Derpkins 2017/07/26(Wed)16:01 No. 818644 ID: cd858c
File 150111008986.png - (235.36KB , 699x995 , Scene 35 c.png )

She excitedly leads me off to where the animal tamer is. There is a small gathering of people around the animal tamer, but a safe distance away from the animals. Eliri leans down and looks at me.

«Jaa, come up on my back, so you can see from a proper angle.»

«O-oh, alright.»

I climb onto her back, and I can indeed see a lot better. Things don't look nearly as intimidating or scary from this height. I can see the animal tamer getting two different types of dangerous looking animals to stand around and cuddle him. He's making them look so friendly, and not at all like vicious beasts.

:bqhardoks: "Yes, you can see we are very good friends here. These kinds of Löfri can eat up to 14 Kulefi of meat a day! That's almost three entire people!"

The two Löfri continue to walk around the animal tamer, not even on a leash. Some people in the crowd 'ooh' and 'aah' at this man's boldness to get so close and touchy with not one, but two of the ruthless creatures. I'm pretty impressed myself, I'd love to hear the story of how this came to be…

Derpkins 2017/07/26(Wed)16:01 No. 818645 ID: cd858c
File 150111009353.png - (127.67KB , 568x835 , Scene 35 D.png )

:bqhardoks: "Again, these are Haliuk, the Bearded Löfran; and Bardök, the Southern Keilsarne Löfran. They're very friendly really, is anybody brave enough to come pet them?"

This sort of activity would be illegal back home, let alone a promoted ocassion.

«We should totally pet them!»

Derpkins 2017/07/26(Wed)16:01 No. 818646 ID: cd858c
File 150111009637.png - (102.94KB , 969x739 , Scene 35 a.png )

...

Should I though?

>>818644
>Things don't look nearly as intimidating or scary from this height.
Someone's jealous of tall people~!

>>818646
Yeah, I figured someone as small as you would think something like that would happen.

There nothing to worry about, the animal trainer himself says they're friendly and he's right there to make sure they behave themselves.

So, yes, you should go pet them! .....although, if you're that concerned about it, you could just stay on Eliri shoulders and pet the animals when they stand on their hind legs to lick at Eliri's face.

I would say you should ride on one of them, since you're small enough to do so, buuuut I'm pretty sure that's not something the animal trainer would approve of.

eh, you'll be fine. If the guy thought they would hurt somebody he wouldn't have offered to let random people touch them. Just stay calm as you pet them and the worse thing they'll do is lick you. Animals tend to respond to other people's emotions so if you're excited they get excited. Again though the tamer is right there so, again, the worse you'll have to worry about is getting a face full of tongue.

>>818646
Don't be a pussy.

>>818646
Pet them from the safety of your friend's shoulders.

Derpkins 2017/09/12(Tue)09:50 No. 830119 ID: 20e2dc
File 150523500771.png - (104.69KB , 600x791 , Scene 36 a.png )

>Someone's jealous of tall people~!

I'm not jealous of tall people. I'm just…

Okay yeah, I'm a little jealous. Who wouldn't be? In addition to just having a better vantage point on which to observe things, taller people tend to be stronger and generally do everything better than someone like me. Back at home, we have to separate our sporting events between Suskenians and Selnakarivans, because they're just physically that much greater than us because of their size. How could I possibly hope to defend myself against someone like Eliri or Katreš? Not that I feel like I'd ever [i]need to against them specifically, but do you see my point? They're considerably less vulnerable.

My apologies, I don't mean to rant…[/i]

>Don't be a pussy.

Is that supposed to be some kind of joke?

>eh, you'll be fine. If the guy thought they would hurt somebody he wouldn't have offered to let random people touch them. Just stay calm as you pet them and the worse thing they'll do is lick you. Animals tend to respond to other people's emotions so if you're excited they get excited. Again though the tamer is right there so, again, the worse you'll have to worry about is getting a face full of tongue.

Yeah, I suppose you're right, it's probably fine. They do look rather, um... friendly, I suppose... Especially the one without the horn.

>I would say you should ride on one of them, since you're small enough to do so, buuuut I'm pretty sure that's not something the animal trainer would approve of.

Yeah, surely that'd be a little much. Also, I'm not sure how I feel already just being near them, let alone on top of them!

>Pet them from the safety of your friend's shoulders.

Good compromise.

Derpkins 2017/09/12(Tue)09:50 No. 830120 ID: 20e2dc
File 150523501133.png - (384.48KB , 1540x1440 , Scene 36 b.png )

Eliri brings us slowly up to the animal tamer and the animals take notice of us approaching. They initially back away defensively, but no further back than the Tamer.

"Oh, hello you two. Wowie, a Sovsak? Come, come touch them! They love to have attention!"

He smiles at me, and the animals begin gently sniffing Eliri.

"Heh, don't worry about them, they're perfectly friendly."

The hornless one begins rubbing against her, and I feel Eliri stagger a little and giggle as the horned one stands up, using her body for support to get a good look at me. We're practically at eye level, and it pushes its head against my stomach and its sharp horn is practically touching me. Eliri seems to be having the time of her life.

"There you go, see? Haliuk adores you, Sovsaku!"

"Ah, yes… I-it's very… cute."

Ah, I'm actually really terrified right now, like no joke.

"Haha, I agree entirely! I found him near the border, traveling South."

"I love them! Jaa, I'm in love with them!"

I can't really say the same. These creatures are absolutely terrifying, and I suddenly can't help myself feeling like I want to return to a safe distance. I hope that I can distract myself with conversation.

"Th-they're very… formidable.

"Heh, I would also agree with you on that one. What are your names? You appear to be from the North, and you appear to be from the West."

"I'm Eliënqi and you're right, I am from the North. I came down when the war got close to my town."

"I-I'm Jaa, I am indeed from the West. I'm a diplomat, and I'm here to help the situation with the war."

"Ah, wow… That is a… noble cause, Sovsaku."

"Thank you… W-what would be your name?"

"I'm Hardokš, I'm a researcher of wild animals. I found both of them believe it or not on my way travelling from Duirek Bau back to here a few years ago. They were tiny, children obviously. I knew how dangerous they were even as children, but I was also aware of their kinds' natural 'connecting' instincts. They were alone, and were immediately very friendly when I was able to gift them something to eat."

Bardök had now gone back to Hardokš who was idly scratching it's head while he spoke. He and Eliri were now both sitting, and I climbed off of her, not wanting to be rude and feeling a little safer now that the animals were returning to their master. Though my slight comfort was quickly taken care of, as Haliuk continued to follow me to her other side and laid down next to me. It's really kind of freaking me out from here, even though it's just lying there.

"That's very interesting, they're essentially like any old pet now?"

"Haha well, not exactly. I can't live in a normal house with them, they're too big and rowdy most of the time, and eat far too much. I don't actually have a place to stay, so the three of us are living in the nearby woods for now, which is as close to their natural habitat as we can get around here. To be honest, I expected them to leave and 'disown' me once they grew up, but now they're adults and still stick around. They even seem to like coming to town and being shown off like this."

"Wow, how interesting…"

"They must love you too much to leave you, Hardokš. How freakin adorable is that?"

"Haha, well you know, they're animals… You don't really expect animals to love you after they don't need you anymore, so I'd say it's a nice treat. Most of the other animals I have don't, and I need to keep them caged or bound in some way, like Plon."

"That makes sense I suppose. Haliuk and Bardök must be special."

Derpkins 2017/09/12(Tue)09:50 No. 830121 ID: 20e2dc
File 150523501407.png - (129.91KB , 565x665 , Scene 36 c.png )

She reaches over and rubs Haliuk some more, and it rolls onto it's side like a perfectly domesticated pet. He looks at me and reaches out to grab me. In one move, he's on top of me and I can feel his weight pressing down on me. I [i]really don't like this, I can't stop myself from shaking in fear![/i]

Stop shaking and quit your complaining. You know you love this.

U-umm…

Excuse me?

You're having a great time, girlie. Don't try to tell yourself otherwise.

You must enjoy being with him so much, he's such a great guy.



Th-that's not-- This isn't right! His sharp, bony knife cuts into my face again, and I can see my blood on the end.

Derpkins 2017/09/12(Tue)09:50 No. 830122 ID: 20e2dc
File 150523501795.png - (412.01KB , 898x882 , scene 36 d.png )

You're safe, Jaa, you don't need to worry. İ have you.

W-wha--

İ apologize for the… interference. İt's the only way we can contact you like this on such short notice.

C-contact me?

I'm back in psychic place? When did this happen? What is going on?!

You may now speak directly to Enviki as well.

>>830121
>again
Huh... how did you get that scar in the first place?

>>830122
Okay fine, what's the emergency?

Derpkins 2017/09/23(Sat)17:57 No. 832416 ID: 816412
File 150621463982.png - (359.65KB , 1053x881 , Scene 37c.png )

>Huh... how did you get that scar in the first place?

Jaa: Th-this is another one of those things I don't like to talk about… It's um… Related to that tellikan that I tried involving myself with a while ago, Karehem. I-I'll explain it later, now's not the time for that…


>Okay fine, what's the emergency?

Enviki: İ need to try and clear up some confusion, İ wasn't sure when she'd return her defenses to normal. İt's important that she knows what's going on.

Jaa, İ'm sorry for grabbing you like this. You were vulnerable, I had to take this chance.

V-vulnerable? W-what do you mean?! What's going on?!

There's a lot going on right now, lots of confusion…

Y-yeah! What the fuck!

Jaa, you're not going to believe me. İ know you've been contacted by Haxťe, İ'm sure she's warned you about me. But İ want to explain the situation in as much detail as İ can, in our limited time together.

Oh yeah I remember that, Haxťe did say that someone would try to contact me from the cult… I don't know who to believe, but an actual explanation sounds pretty attractive right now…

Right, s-sure…

Alright, İ suppose İ ought to start with myself… İ'm Enviki, one of my jobs among my group to keep track of you, and make sure you're on… What we would consider he right path. Haxťe on the other hand, has approximately the same job. Only for the opposing group. She's surely told you all kinds of things about me and my group, yes?

I think so… Something about a cult… And you forcing other people to do your bidding.

Well of course she can only tell her side of the story, as İ can only tell mine.

Umm… Right. So, what exactly do you guys do?

She is like me, very adept with psychic forms. We both have the same task, but… differing intentions. We're both tasked with monitoring you, and making sure you're on the right path to help our own group, and make sure you don't stray too far off course.

W-wow, you're kind of really proving her point about controlling people, aren't you?

Just listen. Yes, while she is correct about my group trying to coerce you into helping us, she seems to have neglected to mention the part about her group manipulating you and your friends as well.

I suppose she did also act a little suspicious…

İndeed… And İ apologize that we had need to use you and your friends in secret for our own goals, but İ and my comrades are confident now that it'd be more useful to explain to you the situation, so you can understand.

Y-yeah, right. Sure…

This still seems real suspicious, if I'm honest…

Right… You've likely heard some rumours regarding our conference, yes? Well, some are based in truth. You should know that we aren't exactly concerned with the state of peace or war between your two factions at the moment. Wars happen and will happen, it cannot be avoided. However, we do have other concerns, of which your conflict is influencing in a… rather unfortunate way. As of right now, that is the only thing we can truly take a part in, and so it's our goal to cease or at least begin to dissipate this conflict. This is part of the importance of your attendance to the conference. Our goals align, and in attending the conference you're assisting something… Rather more important than your conflict. İ'm afraid this is about as specific as İ can get right now.

Agh, that stupid vague shit again… And all this talk about not actually caring about peace? Maybe Nguoro was right about the conference being dangerous and phony after all… Or at least maybe she was on to something. Either way, I'm sick of this, I want answers. Should I press on this detail or just allow Enviki to continue with the grander scale?

>>832416
From what he says, they don't care about peace in general, but they care about *this* peace because the war is getting in their way.

Since you're torn between two equally suspicious factions, the best thing to do is stay on course and accomplish the mission given by your own government. Careful though, the faction that does not want you at the peace talks might resort to worse means than trying to scare you away.

>>832416
I feel like you should explain that the conference feels like a trap and the group that's opposing his group will use that opportunity to take control of everyone there, including yourself, and have all of you vote to keep the war going!

If he really wants to help, then as a gesture of goodwill, I think he and his group should at least give you a way to resist being controlled so that you can do your diplomatic job and help bring an end to the fighting so that there can be peace!

It doesn't matter what it is. An object, a new psychic power, or whatever it is, just please give us something to help protect Jaa from being controlled!

>>832416
You now have an aura around you, a side effect from Haxt'e unblocking. By the way, while she was completely colorless, Enviki is practically an rainbow, can you feel this difference, Jaa?

Hopefully we can speak to you without being eavesdropped.

>İndeed… And İ apologize that we had need to use you and your friends in secret for our own goals, but İ and my comrades are confident now that it'd be more useful to explain to you the situation, so you can understand.

>This still seems real suspicious, if I'm honest…

Its odd how... blunt they speak. You would expect a schemer to at least sweeten their side of the conflict. Enviki pretty much confirmed most of what Haxt'e said instead of giving a different, contradictory claim and exploiting our inability to discern the truth from all this hearsay. They don't care how unsympathetic they are sounding right now.

From this I expect most of their words being true. There are two sides (maybe more?) in some sort of spiritual battle, and you got dragged in the middle of it. Haxt'e wants you out of the conference, to refuge yourself in an island (no guarantee this island exists or is desirable to live). Enviki allegedly wants peace (for a selfish reason) and will probably continue this speech about how you should go to the conference.

Both groups refusal to speak about their goals makes Enviki's side being at a slight advantage since it syncs with your goal of going to a real peace conference and bringing peace to our more mundane war.

> Should I press on this detail or just allow Enviki to continue with the grander scale?

Enviki's speech will eventually arrive about the conference and give us a few answers, but you should inquire about who exactly is Enviki's group. And Haxt'e's. We could also ask about Tolovean's government stance.

After their message about the conference ends you should ask about your own protection: you are 'vulnerable', your 'defenses' are not 'normal'. You are completely clueless about all these matters, and both groups are exploiting this to give you orders. Try to convince them that it is for their own interests to help you amend this.

To Enviki: Have we ever met before too? Do you know what Haxt'e idiom is?Is your group trying to end the war because of Kremul-Täitet and equivalent weapons being used, or is it something completely unrelated?

Derpkins 2017/09/30(Sat)22:12 No. 833787 ID: 82eba1
File 150683476473.png - (199.38KB , 551x610 , Scene 38a.png )

>Have we ever met before too?

…İn a sense. We've not directly met, but my group has been watching and monitoring you for a long time.

>Do you know what Haxt'e idiom is?

İ don't know what Haxťe had said to you or to Jaa, so İ'm afraid you'll need to be a little more specific or descriptive.

>Is your group trying to end the war because of Kremul-Täitet and equivalent weapons being used, or is it something completely unrelated?

Kremul-Täitet… Hmm, İ'm not familiar with this term, though the words are reminiscent of raitekian languages. Perhaps you refer to the usage of Turbulence on the side of the tellikans against the raitekians. Kremul-Täitet... This is what İ'd assume this word means unless you speak of instability of the mind itself. İf this is the case the yes, your Kremul-Täitet is indeed a part of the reason for wanting to end the war... İt's creation is far too costly on the 'resources' of the world, and moves further toward placing things out of balance.

İf this is not what you talk about, then İ apologize for my lack of understanding, and inability to help.

Derpkins 2017/09/30(Sat)22:12 No. 833788 ID: 82eba1
File 150683476810.png - (490.54KB , 1232x1084 , Scene 38c.png )

>From what he says, they don't care about peace in general, but they care about *this* peace because the war is getting in their way.

Yes, I would say so… A shame, although I suppose in the end it gets the same thing accomplished…


>Since you're torn between two equally suspicious factions, the best thing to do is stay on course and accomplish the mission given by your own government. Careful though, the faction that does not want you at the peace talks might resort to worse means than trying to scare you away.

I agree with this, unfortunately. Things may become more dangerous if I progress, I may want to think about perhaps getting some kind of assistance in the future, in order to stay safe.


>You now have an aura around you, a side effect from Haxt'e unblocking. By the way, while she was completely colorless, Enviki is practically an rainbow, can you feel this difference, Jaa?

Actually, I didn't even notice until you pointed this out… I don't know what a rainbow-person means, nor an empty-person. I suppose colours are probably good though? And if they are meant to be good, then I feel a lot less comfortable about our conversation with Haxťe...


>Its odd how... blunt they speak. You would expect a schemer to at least sweeten their side of the conflict. Enviki pretty much confirmed most of what Haxt'e said instead of giving a different, contradictory claim and exploiting our inability to discern the truth from all this hearsay. They don't care how unsympathetic they are sounding right now.
>From this I expect most of their words being true. There are two sides (maybe more?) in some sort of spiritual battle, and you got dragged in the middle of it. Haxt'e wants you out of the conference, to refuge yourself in an island (no guarantee this island exists or is desirable to live). Enviki allegedly wants peace (for a selfish reason) and will probably continue this speech about how you should go to the conference.
>Both groups refusal to speak about their goals makes Enviki's side being at a slight advantage since it syncs with your goal of going to a real peace conference and bringing peace to our more mundane war.

Hmm… This is a very good point, but I'm still skeptical… I have a lot of questions, and there're a lot of things I don't understand. I know nothing about the tovoleans, nothing for sure anyway. I think it's best to just be careful right now.


>I feel like you should explain that the conference feels like a trap and the group that's opposing his group will use that opportunity to take control of everyone there, including yourself, and have all of you vote to keep the war going!
>If he really wants to help, then as a gesture of goodwill, I think he and his group should at least give you a way to resist being controlled so that you can do your diplomatic job and help bring an end to the fighting so that there can be peace!
>It doesn't matter what it is. An object, a new psychic power, or whatever it is, just please give us something to help protect Jaa from being controlled!


L-listen, I don't know what you're trying to get at, but all these vague explanations, 'You wouldn't believe me's, and 'I can't get any more specific' is really kind of turning me off to what you want me to do. It feels like it's fake, like you're just proving those rumours true rather than false. Give me something to go on, here!

İ… Jaa, İ can understand that things must be very confusing for you--

Yeah! It is! You say you want me to help you, and then you go out of your way to hide things from me, staying behind the scenes and making me do things anyway!

…

I might need to cool down a little bit…

I-I'm just sick of all this, you all haven't exactly been making things easy on me…

…İ understand, you're right. İ'm sorry Jaa. İ'll try to explain things now, though İ don't think you'll understand much of it. There's a lot of things that you're just not aware of.

I don't care, just say it.

Okay Jaa… We've gotten a warning from our Masters, about the balance of the colours outside your physical world. The balance is… well, rather unbalanced… There is an abundance of turbulence on your Joforek, your world. We don't know why, nor do even our masters yet, but there is something not right about your war. Someone is 'poisoning' it, creating a hotspot of imbalanced turbulence as the war continues. This could destabilize all of the worlds, desynchronize them.

I-I see…

I really don't, there's a lot of stuff in there that I don't understand still… It was right, I really don't understand…

What exactly does that mean?

Well… We don't know. Much. All we understand is that this sort of even has happened before, a long time ago, long before your overworld and Joforek. There were once several other worlds, but then… The balance was interrupted, destabilized. They aren't there anymore. We've gotten messages -- cryptic hints and clues, mind you -- from our masters of what it was like between those worlds and this one. One likened it to waiting for eternity, being alone with everyone, and similar paradoxical statements that don't make sense to me… Essentially, this could very well happen again, and it'd be the end of everything.

Th-the end of everything?

I can't decide if I think this sounds serious, or if I should be skeptical still…

Yes, everything… This likely sounds rather ridiculous to you, if so İ apologize again.

I-I can't say it doesn't sound rather far-fetched… But say I believe you. If this is the problem, then what's the point of stopping the war? I-it just seems a little insignificant…

Well… That's where we need you… And several others like you, distant descendents of our masters, those who've prevented this… deletion before, in this instance of our world.

I-I'm sorry, this has already happened before? A-and what makes you think I'me one of your 'descendent masters'? Haxťe told me about this as well, and told me not to believe you. C-convince me.

İ'm not surprised, but it's true, if you trace your lineage and listen to the actual masters themselves. They've been monitoring you since centuries before you existed, from the very first ward of theirs all the way down to now, and all the way down to centuries from now -- İf everything goes to plan.

I-I don't… Th-this doesn't make any sense to me, you were right.

İ know, Jaa. But perhaps there's more İ can do to convince you? Your crystal, you think it was given to you to protect against us, and you wouldn't be entirely wrong about this. But truly it wasn't given to you, it found you itself. That crystal is what we call Amanť, one of the remnants of the most recent 'deletion' event. İt is literally the turbulence and explosive energy that our masters contained in the form of these crystals. This is a very powerful tool you have, Jaa, the kind that isn't just 'found' or 'given away'.

I remember this, I got that thing from Tori, the raitekian who lived here. She did say it 'wanted to go with me', didn't she?

You're not alone either, we've been interacting with many different descended masters, some of whom you've already met… Your raitekian friend, Nguorkelo. She's like you, an important part of our process to stop this 'deletion' again.

That would explain those visions she said she had… But didn't she say they warned against going to the conference? I wonder if she knows about er part in this, I'll have to remember to speak with her.

This still doesn't really make a lot of sense to me, if your 'masters' have stopped this before, why can't they do it again?

Well… They don't really, um… 'Exist', anymore. That's not to say they aren't real, but in truth all that's left of them after stopping it the first time are shreds and crumbs and mere shadows of their former existence, only accessible through communication like this. They're just not there enough to stop it this time. They knew this would happen, which is why they invested most of their strength prior to the deletion to create people like you, their descendents.

O-oh…

I suppose this is a better, more detailed explanation than I've ever gotten before… Although I hardly understand any of it, I guess Enviki seems trustworthy for now.

We don't have much more time, is there anything else you or your friends need me to clarify?

>After their message about the conference ends you should ask about your own protection: you are 'vulnerable', your 'defenses' are not 'normal'.

I suppose… Earlier, you apologized, and said you had to contact me while I was 'vulnerable', and something about my defenses. W-what exactly does that mean?

…Well, it's just the easiest way we can bring you here like this… You're away from your crystal -- which when you leave you ought to go find again -- so that was not interfereing, and… Well, you were panicking, emotional. You were vulnerable, it's a common way to get to our, er… Target. This is what I needed to apologize for, that we needed to exploit your weakness in order to contact you. You truly have very strong natural defenses, and İ promise that from now on we'll try to use… 'gentler' methods of trying to contact you.

A-ah… I see…

I can't believe this, that is such a huge breach of my privacy… Not even my thoughts are private apparently…


>you should inquire about who exactly is Enviki's group.

I think I want to change the subject anyway…

W-well, you keep talking about your group, and your masters… Who's 'we'?

This is another rather complicated subject, İ will try to explain though. We are a group of followers of our masters, the guardians who protected our world from the deletion. My group is in contact with them through a few channelers, including me. We require crystals such as mine to act as a sort of conduit to reach them though. İt's in fact another remnant similar to yours, my crystal… İt allows me direct contact with them. This is why İ've been assigned to you, because İ can use this to make contact with just about anyone by bringing their conscious-body away from the physical world. Don't worry, you'll be returned to your physical body in a moment. I digress, my group and these masters have been working together to oversee the state of this world, and keep things in balance if things go wrong. Which they have.

R-right, I see… Thank you for telling me what's going on…

Is there anything else we should talk about before we're out of time? Enviki seems to be trying to wrap things up, so I assume this will be the last round of questions for now.

>>833788
Mention Haxťe's emptiness of color and ask what that means.

Ask what interest the other group has in this world ending.

>>833788
>You're away from your crystal -- which when you leave you ought to go find again
Wait, what? But I thought Jaa had it with her? She's not wearing it, but it's with her in her bag, isn't it?

You mean she's needs to be wearing it in order for it to protect her?

>Anything else?
Well, it would be nice if you knew exactly how to use your "powers" in order to defend yourself and/or your friends, should you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to do so.

Derpkins 2017/10/17(Tue)06:45 No. 837382 ID: 9256b6
File 150824791434.png - (259.38KB , 966x774 , Scene 39a.png )

>Wait, what? But I thought Jaa had it with her? She's not wearing it, but it's with her in her bag, isn't it?

Jaa: I thought so as well, but I suppose I must've dropped it somewhere? Maybe I left it with Tuvaš by mistake, I took it off to play with him and then got distracted with Eliri and Adči… I'll have to remember to be more careful.

>You mean she's needs to be wearing it in order for it to protect her?

Enviki: İn a sense. İn order to properly work to the best of it's ability, it should always be touching her or in her 'posession' such as, for example, being carried with her in her bag. İf she leaves it, İ suppose after she goes a certain distance away from it, it will cease to work on her.

Think of a painter as an analogy. The painter can only paint with her canvas so far away before her brush isn't long enough to reach. She'll need to either move closer, or have someone bring her canvas closer to her.

>Mention Haxťe's emptiness of color and ask what that means.

W-what's the deal with all your colours?

All my colours? İ'm sorry, İ don't know what you're talking about.

Well, I've been contacted this way… A few times before, by different people… One time it was by Haxťe, and when he appeared to me he was empty and colourless, like me. But you're vibrant and full of colours, like a rainbow.

W-- İ-it's actually a difference in the way we communicate, İ suppose. You're looking at a representation of me, based on my physical appearance -- the same with yours -- and my soul, which is how we're communicating right now. With the powers of this crystal İ have, İ can 'separate' my soul from my body in order to interact directly with anyone else's. The colours are what you can see of my soul, which you can see here because İ'm… Rather bare in front of you now. Haxťe doesn't have this crystal, and therefore must use other means of contact, such as psychic communication, which is far less personal and revealing. You were instead just looking at an image of what she wanted you to see, and thus her soul was obscured.

Ah, that makes sense…

>Ask what interest the other group has in this world ending.

So speaking of Haxťe, what's the big deal with her? Why does her group want the world to end?

Well… Truly İ don't know, but from what our spies have gathered they are… Rather unbelieving, and don't believe that the masters exist, nor do they think the deletion event happened or will happen. İ don't fully understand their motives, but İ think it must have something to do with wanting to be rid of my group and it's influence. İ originally thought that they craved isolation from the rest of the world, but they've already begun interacting with the rest of you as well, so İ don't think that's entirely the truth, or at least not their top priority anymore. İn short, they don't know what they're doing.

I see…

>Well, it would be nice if you knew exactly how to use your "powers" in order to defend yourself and/or your friends, should you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to do so.

Can you help me figure out how to use my special powers to protect myself? Like you said, I'm pretty vulnerable.

Unfortunately, İ am not the one who can help you with this. We just have far too little time, and İ'm not much of a teacher. Although İ can leave you with the name of someone to speak to, someone İ'm sure you'll recognize. İt's your friend, Nguorkelo. She and her partner are very skilled, and will be able to help you.

Derpkins 2017/10/17(Tue)06:45 No. 837383 ID: 9256b6
File 150824791864.png - (258.59KB , 847x779 , Scene 39b.png )

Jaa, your friends are trying to rouse you, they're using someone to try and interrupt our connection. This is goodbye for now.

Oh, but what if I need to contact you? How can I get to you?

…İ'm afraid there's no way for us to do that yet, unless İ contact you. İ'll try to speak to you again in the coming weeks, but you'll need to allow me. Talk with your friend Nguorkelo and her partner about how to be open to communication, and İ shouldn't have to wait until a vulnerable moment to speak to you.

A-ah, right. That'd be good.

Take care Jaa, İ'm releasing you now.

Okay, see you later then.

Suddenly the world seems to implode on itself and I feel like I'm being thrust through the entire universe, directly back into my body.

Derpkins 2017/10/17(Tue)06:45 No. 837384 ID: 9256b6
File 150824792296.png - (443.49KB , 1512x1101 , scene 39c.png )

When I come to, it seems like everyone I've met is here; Eliri, Adči, Katreš, Jaruel, Nguoro, Tuvaš, another raitekian I don't recognize, and…

A tovolean?

W-whoa…

Nguoro looks in shock between me and the other raitekian beside me.

«You did it! What-- Holy fuck Jaa, we thought you were dead!»

«I thought I'd killed you! I'm so sorry Jaa!»

«I… I was dead?»

«No, no. Just gone, whatever that means. But you're back now, don't worry.»

«Back… Where am I?»

«You're back at our place, Adči and… sh-she brought you here. Do you know who I am? Do you recognize this place?»

«Yes, I… Th-this is all pretty overwhelming.»

This is all very overwhelming, I'm tired as though my soul was taken from my body, I'm being touched by a lot of people and there're so many other people around here, some of whom I don't know. And who's the tovolean? Has she been here all along? Am I just hallucinating that?

>>837384
Ask what happened while you were out? Ask where your bag and necklace are? And more importantly.....

>«I thought I'd killed you! I'm so sorry Jaa!»
Ask how she thought she killed you?

>And who's the tovolean? Has she been here all along? Am I just hallucinating that?
Let's ask who she is. If she is a hallucination, then someone else will ask who you're talking to.

When you get a moment, do what Enviki recommended you should do and ask Nguorkelo and/or her partner for help on using your powers.

Request personal space. Unless you can appreciate the physical contact?

Definitely point out the elephant in the room. ...are there bruises on her neck?

>>837396
This, but also ask about your necklace.

>Request personal space.

«G-guys, I'm alright. Can I have some space now?»

«Oh, yeah.»

«Sorry, heh.»

Adči removes his hands from me and Nguoro gets up, moving to be next to the blue Raitekian instead.

>Ask how she thought she killed you

«Eliri, what happened? You thought you'd killed me?»Her face blushes a little bit.

«W-well… When I was talking with the animal tamer, I noticed you were, um… A little distressed by the animals… I-I put my hand on your shoulder and was about to say something, but you just passed out and then wouldn't respond to anything else we said or did. I-I took you to go find Adči and bring you back to Toti, but…»

«I figured Nguoro might be able to help, with her psychic stuff.»

«So we brought you here instead.»

«I didn't do anything though, it was all Hiēo…»

«Er-- Hiēo? I-is that…»

She quickly grabs the blue raitekian next to me, licking his face a few times.

«Yeah, Hiēo, the one and only, hehe. This is him. He's um… Well, h-he's better at psychic stuff than even I am, hehe.»

«Oh, wow…»

«Mmhmm.»

«Were you the one that pulled me out?»

«U-um, yes, I was… B-but, I'm not that much better at it than you though, Nguoro.»

«Ah, thank you. I'm Jaa, it's nice to meet you.»

«N-nice to meet you too, heh.»

>Let's ask who she is. If she is a hallucination, then someone else will ask who you're talking to.

«So, there's only one person I haven't met yet. The um…»

«Sev? She's just… She's our slave.»

«Oh, I um… I see.»

That didn't help me at all.

«And she is… What is she?»

«She's an inlomer, I got her back home. Don't worry, we're not purchasing any slaves while we're here.»

«Ah, I understand.»

Hm… I've never heard of this creature. She looks almost exactly like a tovolean, but I guess she isn't. I'll have to see if I can learn more about these.

>...are there bruises on her neck?

She does seem to be a little bit bruised, but I don't think it's our place to police someone on the treatment of their slaves.

«Forgive me for asking, is her neck bruised?»

«Yes, it's from her collar. She does wear it, but not here. There's no law that says she has to wear it inside our home! Which includes here, we're not doing anything wrong!»

«A-alright, I was just curious! Sorry!»

I didn't expect her to get get so upset about it, maybe there is something going on after all? I'll have to keep this in mind as well.

>Ask where your bag and necklace are?

«Eliri, did you happen to see my bag? Or my necklace?»

«Oh, I think Tuvaš had it. Tuvaš?»

"Y-yes? What's going on?"

Hm, I suppose maybe he doesn't know the raitekian language? This will make intercommunication difficult.

"Tuvaš, did you happen to see my bag with my necklace in it?"

"Oh, yes! Adči noticed you left it with me."

He hands me my bag, and luckily everything seems to still be here.

"I didn't look inside, so I don't know if it has a necklace in it."

"It does, thank you Tuvaš, this is very important."

"Yes, it was no problem."

>When you get a moment, do what Enviki recommended you should do and ask Nguorkelo and/or her partner for help on using your powers.

«Nguoro, I need to talk to you about psychic stuff. Specifically that I need to be trained in it.»

«What? Uh… I could try, but what made you decide this?»

«Well, when I was, er… down, just now, I was in contact with another tovolean.»

«Again? Wow, they just can't leave you alone, can they?»

«Wait, tovolean? 'Again'? What's going on?»

Oh. Hmm… I suppose I never told Eliri about the tovoleans either.

I explain to Eliri about my interaction with Haxťe.

«It seems though that the tovoleans themselves are split into different 'factions' with differing regards to how they think about us an the conflict.»

«I-I see… This sounds worrying.»

«It… is. But other than that one time, I was contacted just now by another one, called Enviki. She explained… Just about everything to me. I don't understand half of it, not yet anyway, but she told me I'd need to talk to Nguoro about how to be 'open' to receive communications.»

«Oh, that's all you wanted to do? That's easy, I thought you meant like… Actual, full scale psychic training. I couldn't provide that.»

«Thank you, I appreciate this a lot.»

Especially if I don't have to deal with whatever that 'interception' technique they used was… I could do without that.

«I was told I'd be contacted by her again soon, but I don't know when.»

«Hm… Well maybe Hiēo and I can teach about opening up a little bit, and then afterwards we can work on ways to initiate communication with them.»

«Oh, that would be… wonderful. Although, I did ask about how to communicate with her, and she said there was unfortunately no way to do that at all, unless she was the one contacting me.»

«Bah, she doesn't know what we're capable of doing, hehe… Right Hiēo?»

«Uh, r-right, heh.»

«If you say so. I suppose it can't hurt to try.»

Derpkins 2017/12/12(Tue)08:11 No. 851236 ID: 339cf2
File 151309506210.png - (102.81KB , 833x1015 , Scene 40.png )

There's a bit of a silence while everyone processes the night.

«Jaa, you must be exhausted.»

And boy am I glad he brought it up, I am indeed absolutely drained. I'm not sure I could really keep that conversation up too much longer.[\i]

«Y-yes, perhaps a little.»

«You can stay here if you want!»

«You're welcome to, unless you'd rather head back.»

«…I think I'd like to spend the night alone, if you don't mind. I'll come find you in the morning.»

«I'll walk you back, your place is on the way to mine anyway.»

«Thank you, Eliri.»

«Goodnight Jaa, see you soon.»

«Goodnight.»

«Er, yes. Goodnight everyone.»

[i]Eliri allows me to climb onto her back again, and takes me out. Tuvaš comes with us and she walks me back to the hotel in the blue district while I try not to fall asleep on her back.

"Thank you Eliri, I'm sorry the night didn't go as planned."

"Oh, th-that's okay Jaa. Don't worry about it, it went exactly the way it needed to go, as things always do."

"Yeah, right… Anyway, goodnight. Goodnight Tuvaš, hopefully we can speak again soon."

"Yeah, hopefully. Goodnight, get some sleep."

I head back into the inn and into my room. It's kind of just occurring to me now how long today seemed. I was contacted by two different tovoleans, and that's besides all that I talked about with Nguoro, Adči, Eliri, and that fortune teller, who I still need to think about… I think my entire view of the world has been changed. At least I learned something about the tovoleans and the conference, though some of it seemed a little bit less good than I'd hoped. Mostly regarding that whole 'Deletion Event' business. Foreboding… I still have to talk with Nguoro about if she knows of her part in the tovoleans' plan, too.

Ugh, okay… For now I need to rest, we can worry about this stuff tomorrow…

End of Thread 1

>>851235
I bet the thing about the slave's collar was that it's a bit taboo for them to be walking around without one on. Like maybe they treat their slave better than most people.