Don't trust the Reno with a bad case of dandruff. Tell her to stay back.

Shout to real Reno to keep a hold of Dana's hand or carry her the entire time we're in this tomb, or switch with Thorne. These spirits can mimic us.

Shout for Tom to be a super bro and help out here. OH glorious THOMAS the Eleventh and the most BRO-ETH, PLEASE HELP US EXORCISE THESE DECEIVING SPIRITS!

Sorry, but you need to cut mimic Reno right now, a light cut. If they bleed, we're fucked down here. If they just go a bit misty around the cut, we have a method to proving who's real. Little cuts of blood here and there.

slice em' up

...So...You two were involved before...

1/2 Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)09:52 No. 924085 ID: 3e8537
File 155163552905.gif - (17.06KB , 512x512 , 105.gif )

>>924079
You shout at Reno to keep holding Dana close. Thorne says she's almost done!

But Dana's still in bed! Come on, Eth, you're not yourself! You're just dreaming! Please... Don't do this, don't be silly...

You close your eyes, and stab at her arm.

2/2 Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)09:53 No. 924086 ID: 3e8537
File 155163558309.gif - (27.39KB , 512x512 , 106.gif )

She... it? Yelps in pain, and staggers backwards, starting to cry.

W-why...

Yeah, of course you l... like her.

And you're 100 % certain she's right behind you, so if this silly dumbass spirit doesn't get that the illusion it's trying to fool you with is right there with you, then it deserves precisely what it's going to get.

Smile wickedly.

"Wrong move, haunt."

Lay into 'em, make sure nothing gets past you. Yell for Dana to keep a watch for anything - or anyone - coming from the other direction, friend or foe. That way you can get a headsup if you're being flanked or distracted.

Begone, thot haunt!

>>924086
I reiterate: use nonlethal force to keep them at a distance.

>>924086
well fuck.
ask real reno to say something.
only attack if they approach, but do attack if they advance on you. nonlethal if possible, but the real reno is behind you, if you need to protect her do not hold back.

Damn it, this is not the time to pussyfoot around. If you don't get a grip right now your BELOVED RENO is going to be in royal danger. Harden yourself and strike down this fleeting mockery before they prey on the real one. It's what you have to do, and if you can't do that, perhaps you're not as reliable to her a royal bodyguard as you thought.

And I'll let you know: the more you let them get away with their tricks, the more they'll manipulate your mind. Destroy them before it is too late.

1/2 Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)10:46 No. 924110 ID: 3e8537
File 155163876060.gif - (6.70KB , 512x512 , 107.gif )

You don't want to risk anything fucky, and shove the apparition!

It stumbles backwards. Reno- the real one, whose warmth you can feel right behind you- gasps.

2/2 Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)10:47 No. 924112 ID: 3e8537
File 155163882604.gif - (11.39KB , 512x512 , 108.gif )

She looks up at you, crying.
Eth... W-what... I l-l...

Reno say something, right the fuck now

"Stay back."

Stomp it if it approaches.

There were two more of these. Where are they at?

>>924112
Tell the apparitions you're sorry. Just stay back. Also stop focusing on just the one, see if the other ones are doing anything.

>>924124
You're not sorry

>>924117
And you're not siple-minded enough that you believe this is Reno

Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)11:23 No. 924128 ID: 3e8537
File 155164100334.gif - (5.83KB , 512x512 , 109.gif )

>>924119
You're about to ask Reno to say something, when your own voice starts talking to you. You whip around.

"Get away from the Princess, you vile fucking apparition!"

>>924128
ok, wtf?

is she where reno is supposed to be? where's reno? DID WE FUCKING ACTUALLY STAB RENO?

don't forget to watch your back, there were other spirits where the first one was.

OI! Watch your mouth in front of Dana!

Reno, go. Now.

Reno please say something. We need to hear your voice. It's getting hard to keep sane.

Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)11:36 No. 924133 ID: 3e8537
File 155164180504.gif - (7.63KB , 512x512 , 110.gif )

>>924132
You're about to say something, but you interrupt you.

"Reno. Step away from that... thing. I can't risk it hurting you!"

>>924133
ignore that thing talking shit, even if it's talking over you.
tell reno to say something.
make sure nothing is sneaking by and is threatening the cats.

and wtf is keeping thorne!?

1/2 Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)11:43 No. 924139 ID: 3e8537
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>>924137
You begin to finally ask Reno to say something, when you're distracted by Thorne cutting you in half in front of you.

2/2 Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)11:44 No. 924140 ID: 3e8537
File 155164227001.gif - (5.72KB , 512x512 , 112.gif )

Þ: "GO!"

Thanks! We will! Grab Reno's arm and get into the coffin.

>>924140
keep the cats between you and thorne, make sure thorne is backing up towards the exit, you need her to keep their backs safe.

Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)11:52 No. 924144 ID: 3e8537
File 155164276545.gif - (6.48KB , 512x512 , 113.gif )

>>924141
There are no stairs, not even really a ladder; only grooves hewn into the rock. It goes down into deep, deep darkness. How will you descend?

Eth first, then Reno, then Dana, and finally Thorne.

>>924144
make sure thorne has the cat's backs.
if she does, go first to make sure the bottom is safe before them, if not let them go first and jump when near the bottom if there's trouble to deal with it.

Dana holds onto Reno or yourself piggyback, you go down first to clear the way and catch anyone who falls.

DO NOT look up her dress.

>>924144
Same formation as usual should be fine. You first, then the royalty, then Thorne. If Dana gets tired she can ride on Thorne.

Keep an eye out for ghost #3. Did it slip down the hole ahead of you?

>>924145
>>924150
Seems alright - with the option of Dana piggybacking Eth or Reno. If necessary, one hand can be used to steady her.

Also, worth considering, the hole must be long, but not particularly broad. If you slip or start falling, you can probably brace yourself on the sides.

>>924128
>>924133
You could easily tell that one is a fake, since your shield doesn’t have an eye that moves on it!

>>924144
You first, then Reno and Dana, then Thorne!

Thorne is more reliable than you.

"ENOUGH OF THIS ALTERNATE UNIVERSE BULL^&*(!!!"

Grab Dana and quickly drop down, Thorne will escort Reno.

1/2 Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)12:39 No. 924162 ID: 3e8537
File 155164553561.gif - (668.26KB , 512x512 , 114.gif )

You go first, keeping Dana steady on your shoulders with one hand. You go the whole trip without looking up Reno's dress, somehow, but she follows. There's a scraping sound as Thorne seals the tomb again from the inside.

The climb is long and arduous. Your fingers are freezing; all of you are grunting and panting by the time you reach the bottom. Dana is shivering against you, but her presence is comforting.

2/2 Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)12:39 No. 924163 ID: 3e8537
File 155164556730.gif - (5.65KB , 512x512 , 115.gif )

It is extremely dark.

Huddle close for warmth, resist urges to grope, and try and take stock of surroundings as best as you can. Give everyone time to calm themselves.

>>924163
ok, can we talk about sorta killing reno up there for a sec? because we sorta killed a reno up there.

Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)12:49 No. 924167 ID: 3e8537
File 155164619149.gif - (5.90KB , 512x512 , 116.gif )

>>924165
You appear to be in a giant pit of some kind. You can't tell how large it is, or how high up it goes. Every rustle of fabric echoes.

Make sure Dana knows just how brave she's being with everything going on. Once everyone has had a chance to catch their breath, have Thorne test out the thin walkway connecting to what looks like another passage. If she can make it across safely (being the heaviest of the group), it should be safe for the rest of you.

That was terrifying; were those just cunning monsters, or were they refracted versions of yourselves from alternate dimensions and you just committed dimensional regicide?

There's also the chance that not all four of you are from the same dimension anymore and your actual companions may have died just now. Not going to worry about that.

Keep going for now. When this bloody revolution is over, you're going reveal this place to the public so you can tear "Imagination Space" a new real asshole.

Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)12:58 No. 924170 ID: 3e8537
File 155164670320.gif - (5.11KB , 512x512 , 117.gif )

>>924168
You tell Dana she's been very brave. She looks at you.

>>924166
You ask Reno how she's feeling; she doesn't answer. You've never seen her look so non-regal. She looks completely haggard. The paint she likes to wear on her eyelashes has started running down her cheeks a little, dissolved by tears. She smells tired.

You suggest that Thorne should cross first, since she's heaviest.

Thorne coughs.
Þ: "What if it breaks, and you lot are stuck on this platform?"

>>924170
oi. we still need to hear reno say something. literally anything.
also, hug cat.

Before going any further, here's a thought: Take inventory of our people, you know make sure we got the REAL people here and no apparations.

Also, if Thorne goes last there's a chance that the platform might break and she'll be left behind. Verify that she's good with that, then we go first, followed by Reno and Dana, followed by Thorne.

Maybe don't touch her while she's scared, she might not be so receptive with frayed nerves. Tell her you'll all be out of here safe before you know it.

Go first and tread carefully.

Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)13:14 No. 924174 ID: 3e8537
File 155164765574.gif - (6.02KB , 512x512 , 118.gif )

>>924171
You hug the cat. She starts crying into your shoulder.

If Dana starts shivering, bundle her up in a tabard. You've got more body mass than her.

Tell Thorne, jokingly, that she can always undress to weigh less. Then go test the walkway yourself to escape her wrath.

>>924174
>>924174
Er, after Reno has had a good cry, that is.

Backpats. Many backpats.

Tell Reno to be strong, as she is still royalty after all... or at least stay strong for Dana's sake.

>>924176 I feel like making sexual jokes about Thorne is going to ruin the moment.

And also it's going to ruin what points we've gotten with Reno.

Things will get better. We keep moving and eventually our hearts move with us.

Would it be a bad idea to turn on the covered "flashlight" lantern and spend a little time adjusting? It's darker than our darkvision is really good at dealing with.

Ok, that place SUCKED. First thing we do after regaining control of the kingdom, is burning that place.

Stop to compose yourselves. Check on Dana and Thorne too. When we are done with that, use the lantern with the reptile tunics so you don't blind yourself again.

Either:
-Say nothing since there's not much you can say here, wait for her to catch her breath
-Quietly whisper that she has her entire life ahead of her to freak out about this and you'll be there for her whenever she needs, but please, stay brave in front of Dana, for her sake.

Take as much of Thorne's heavy gear across with you when you cross.

1/2 Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)15:23 No. 924193 ID: 20b05f
File 155165541530.gif - (6.98KB , 512x512 , 119.gif )

>>924189
You console her, whispering into her ear.
"Reno. Breathe deep. I'm here for you. You can break down and cry as much as you need to for as long as you need to later, but now, stay strong. For Dana, ok? Let's get out of here."

She shudders silently, then sniffs.


R: "...ok."

2/2 Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)15:24 No. 924194 ID: 20b05f
File 155165546096.gif - (6.65KB , 512x512 , 120.gif )

>>924183
You make a mental list of things to do, and check on Da-

Oh

Let's just... move Dana away from the creepy mirror image of her.

Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)15:34 No. 924196 ID: 20b05f
File 155165605403.gif - (8.32KB , 512x512 , 121.gif )

>>924195
You remove child.

Thorne says she's ready, and gets back up. Something in her back crackles, and she grunts.

The sooner we get out of here the better. Keep an eye on the mirror image to ensure it isn't hostile, and let's move out. Chances are it won't be able to follow once you get out of this place. Have Reno hold Dana for now, and test the walkway to the passage. Move carefully and test that it's still sturdy and won't send you tumbling into the abyss below.

Should... should we kick it?
Hey Thorne, are you ok? How is your back?

I think holding Dana might me the best, at least until Reno calms down. Besides, Dana is cute, i want to hold her for a while.

Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)15:52 No. 924201 ID: 20b05f
File 155165715074.gif - (16.48KB , 512x512 , 122.gif )

>>924198
You make sure everything's okay, and start crossing the bridge. Seems pretty sturdy!

Keep on truckin

Ok, they aren't actually hostile, so lets just leave 'em all alone and ignore them.

>>924201
Oh I hate that. I just

Nn. Keep moving, forget the arms. Be glad it didn't attack.

Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)16:00 No. 924206 ID: 20b05f
File 155165763761.gif - (4.72KB , 512x512 , 123.gif )

>>924203
What's a "trucking?" Sounds dirty.

>>924205
You keep moving, and reach the other side.
Call for Reno and Dana to cross?

>What's a "trucking?" Sounds dirty.

Well, you were making a specific pose >>924201
, and I thought I would make a dumb reference to... never mind, you wouldn't understand.

yeah just call Reno and Dana across

Sure yeah, call for them to cross. Question is should they bring the creepy mirror image?

I think "trucking" has to do with barter. Seems unrelated.

I suppose you should call them over. Hopefully Dana the Second (shade) stays away.

Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)16:10 No. 924210 ID: 20b05f
File 155165820438.gif - (4.72KB , 512x512 , 124.gif )

>>924208
The shade seems to have vanished. Maybe you imagined it.

That's... worrying.

You call Reno across. She picks up Dana and starts walking, shakily.

Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)16:11 No. 924211 ID: 20b05f
File 155165826343.gif - (4.05KB , 512x512 , 125.gif )

Call for Thorne to cross?

call Thorne across

Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)16:13 No. 924215 ID: 20b05f
File 155165839098.gif - (4.74KB , 512x512 , 126.gif )

>>924213
look youre trying to be dramatic,

call thorne across

>>924215
If you're worried that's not-thorne ,you can check and see once she's near. If you're worried something will reach from the darkness and attack her, I feel bad for whatever dares to try.

Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)16:18 No. 924219 ID: 20b05f
File 155165872969.gif - (5.68KB , 512x512 , 127.gif )

>>924216
Thorne starts to cross. There's a crackling sound.

hurry Thorne, hurry!

How close is she to the other side? Can she jump and make it safely?

You have to get closer, Eth! If Thorne has to jump you need to be close enough to catch her.

Tell her to get up and sprint.

Get ready to try and catch her or help pull her up!

1/2 Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)16:33 No. 924224 ID: 20b05f
File 155165961264.gif - (6.80KB , 512x512 , 128.gif )

You yell at Thorne to sprint! The bridge rumbles, and crashes down into the void below!

Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)16:34 No. 924225 ID: 20b05f
File 155165967851.gif - (94.44KB , 512x512 , 129.gif )

She leaps, and latches on to the ledge. You have seconds at most.

What do you do?

Help up Thorne!

She saved our lives multiple times, some fucking bridge is not going to take her, not when we're this close. Everyone, to the edge, grab and pull.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO THINK IT! PULL HER UP!

>>924225
You grab her arm and help her keep hold. Reno help her get her other hand up here.

Grab her arm and pull? I don't see what else we can do.

If we can't pull her up, have her start shedding armor pieces to lighten herself.

Get down low so she can't pull you off balance, grab her other arm.

Grab her arm and have Reno help you. Tell Thorne to unstrap anything she can reach with her dangling hand.

It's a longshot, but also call the fake dana for help

>>924225
Why is this even a question! Save her!

Just tell Reno to stay close and keep a hold on Dana. Tell Thorne to find a foothold if she can, you don't think you'll be able to get her all the way up by yourself but Reno needs to make sure Dana's safe in this darkness. Honestly, if you have some rope or something in your inv. that may help out in this situation, nows the time to use it!

Maybe Thorne can even use you're rapier to jab into the rock for bteer grip or that foothold.

>>924239
There's no foothold, the bridge wasn't thick enough and Thorne is too far from the next platform.

Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)17:17 No. 924249 ID: 20b05f
File 155166221950.gif - (115.89KB , 512x512 , 130.gif )

You dash and grab your friend-

It happens so quickly

>>924249
"Fucking fat asssssssssssssss" *splash*

It is times like these I like to share a quote from a wise man who lived long ago:

"Fuck."

Deer 2019/03/03(Sun)17:29 No. 924259 ID: 20b05f
File 155166299613.png - (4.38KB , 501x501 , End.png )

Thank you for reading! Chapter 3 will start soon, in a new thread.

Until then, I'd love to hear feedback in the disthread!
https://tgchan.org/kusaba/questdis/res/127013.html

That better be water making that noise!

>>924254
I laughed harder than I should have. Can it be canon that Eth said that?

>>924270
no but ill allow headcanon