Ganymede 2021/05/06(Thu)16:54 No. 999176 ID: 11f77a
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>Can you quickly ditch the robe? It’ll only give your pursuers more grabbing spots.
You’re right about that. I should ditch the costume--it would only get snagged by thorn bushes or the relicynths’ long reach.

I throw the robe behind; it was soaking and heavy with mud anyway.

>Trying to hide at this point would be difficult [...] Keeping on the move is essential.
After throwing the robe I think about dashing in a different direction. That way, it wouldn’t be so obvious to pick up my trail.

Needless to say I have no orientation in which direction I’m going--not knowing if I’m heading for the trail or farmlands or even back to the village on accident.

It’s a good thing those relics are so rowdy, too. I can hear how far behind they are. Still, I figure it’s best to keep on running. I can only sprint so far before losing my breath.
A) Keep your legs movin’ bug! No stopping until you drop from exhaustion.
B) Only a bit more and I should hide and wait for the noise to disappear, or them to pass.

B

A) Run like the wind!

>>999176
Keep running until you see a good hidding spot, that way you can reorientate too.

This seems like a good option.

>>999250
I meant to quote >>999214

A.

If we do B, make sure you're not leaving footprints (though the rain might cover that up)

Ganymede 2021/05/10(Mon)15:24 No. 999664 ID: 11f77a
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>Keep running until you see a good hiding spot
Sometimes I feel like I hear footsteps behind me. Or there’s this crazy notion that if I look back, I’d jinx myself. The rain and thunder continue to muffle the search party that after a good minute of traversing through thicker trees and bushes, I start to take just the slightest moment to catch my breath.

I think this is a good spot to hide. This patch of forest is a bit downhill, so I can dip behind a ledge. There’s a tree hollow, in fact, facing away from the search party. I can crouch down and huddle up.

This gives me ample time to think ahead. Reevaluate what the Hell I’m even doing here. All this for a pair of brass knuckles? For someone who probably won’t even care... I lost all my money and stuff in the village. It’s cold. I’m wet. And I just might die anyway.

This really sucks.

For a brief moment I’m thinking of Kyzil. Not like, endearingly; just her words the day before. They kind of left a mark. That in hindsight I only blew my chance to feel any sort of intimacy for being smitten around Eudora.

I dunno. Enough bad thoughts. I need some positive things to think about. Or opportunities from this... experience.

Ganymede 2021/05/10(Mon)15:24 No. 999665 ID: 11f77a
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When I return home, there needs to be some changes.

Yeah, need near death experiences put things in perspective, after this little adventure you can more assertive and manly, do some exercie. And regarless to girls, well people will be talking about you. How you expose a town of crazy Ndepthteph worshipers and almost die! Women love that. But for now try to take a pick.

Might as well stay there until the rain lets up. How do your cocoons work? Can you make one for the night? Or is it more manufactured?

>>999665
Someone has just dropped out of the tree behind you! Keep quiet and hope they don't notice you!

Stand still, stay silent.

Be ready to tackle and run.

>>999665
You see any pointy sticks nearby you could use to defend yourself?

'cause something just jumped down from a nearby tree

Ganymede 2021/05/11(Tue)23:08 No. 999829 ID: 11f77a
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I can hear... careful footsteps. Wet grass and mud squelch beneath someone’s feet--and creeps closer. I almost didn’t notice I was tightening a grip around a rock in case... well...

I hold my breath.

Ganymede 2021/05/11(Tue)23:12 No. 999831 ID: 11f77a
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Sounds like his distant friends have found something. They must be going down a false trail, or picked up my robe. In time, my pursuer picks up speed and leaves the area.

Nothing but wind and rain again.

Maybe... just sleep here. It's probably too dangerous to be traveling in the forest at night. We'll leave in the morning.

Get some more distance. They won't stop searching for a while, so you need to get out of the area they're willing to search in.

Wow, Augus must really want Ganymede if he is here personally searching for him, and not still running the ceremony.

Move forward

>>999833
It ccould be dangerous but way easier for them to search for us, the rainwill help us with the rath-fleeches if there is any. Wait a little before you continue running.

It sucks but wait a bit then run again. Catch some of your breath. Then go.

>>999831
Since they're lost us for now, and rain will hide our smell and footsteps, it's best to stay here and catch our breath.

>>1000014
And I do just mean enough time to catch your breath - you should get moving after awhile. No time to sleep.

Ganymede 2021/05/13(Thu)15:09 No. 1000050 ID: 11f77a
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>Move forward
>Wait a little before you continue running
>Get some distance [...] you need to get out of the area they’re willing to search in.
I only wait until I’m absolutely sure I’m in the clear. I’m able to jog, no problem, but my legs are beginning to ache after all that adrenaline wears off (now that I've made a brief rest). I’m heading in the opposite direction--aimless. And this goes on for several minutes.

The forest is thinning. An open field stretches under darkness. It’s clearly farmland. I’ll... try to avoid tall grass this time around.

There’s a farmhouse and a barn in the distance. It’s not the same as the Huntoon dude earlier. But I don't want to face a gun-toting curmudgeon.

A) Anything is better than this situation, honestly. I'll knock on the door.
B) I could sneak in the barn and just rest in a pile of hay.

>>1000050
Could they be with the looneys of the village? Trt to hude in the pile of hay and get some rest.

A) Less likely to get shot

>>1000050
A. You are no vagrant.

>>1000050
A
If you're gonna approach their house, might as well have them on your side.

B.
They could either be one of them since they live nearby, or someone who thinks you are a part of the cult and would want nothing to do with you.

B) we have no idea how far the cult controls.
If we insist on knocking then peek into their windows first to see if they have anything that would mark them as friend or foe.

>>1000050
A, but be prepared incase they are also fringe cultists. They do live nearby.

Ganymede 2021/05/18(Tue)15:19 No. 1000832 ID: 11f77a
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>A, but be prepared in case they are also fringe cultists
I consider the chance that they could be with the looneys of the village. But I don’t want to make any bad impressions if I decide to secretly sleep in their barn.

Not knowing the exact time of night, I hope it’s not too bad if I wake them up. I knock on the door several times. In a way I hoped no one was home--not that I’d break in.

I was about to turn away until the door began to click. It opens slowly with an ichorynth peeking through the sliver. She’s quite exhausted.

Ichor: Hello?

Ichor: It’s mighty late out to be knocking on doors, you know...

Ichor: Who's there?

A) Tell her everything. I need a place to stay, btw.
B) Don’t tell her everything. I got lost in the storm! Uhh... my baolith was spooked and ran away.
C) I dunno, I’ll make something on the spot. >___

>>1000832

B. And stare at her chest the whole time.

B) Wow, she is cute, wait, does she only has one eye?

I'd say if she was one of the cultists, it would be really weird she's here and not at that important ceremony.

Lets be honest, if we lie and those cultists make up a story about you if they search this house, there may be trouble.

Best to be honest. A

A but... really, try to not sound insane about it. No way she has like, a phone or something you could use right

do phones exist

>>1000832
Honesty
A
Say you're fine with staying in the barn to make it seem like she hasn't associated with you, so the cultists don't get suspicious of her if they do find you.

Give her the summarized tale. You're lost, bad people are after you. It's less crazy that way. Maybe add that they killed two people, that should help.

Save the details for after you've secured aid.

>>1000832
A

Ganymede 2021/05/22(Sat)11:20 No. 1001375 ID: 11f77a
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>Does she only have one eye?
She has both. She was only rubbing the other.

>Give her the summarized tale.
>[...]but really, try not to sound insane about it.
>I’d say if she was one of the cultists, it would be really weird she’s here and not at that important ceremony.
Man, where to begin? I suppose I oughta just share the important bits. Acting as calmly as I can even when I’m shivering cold and wet.

Ganymede: Sorry, miss, I haven’t been able to check the time. It’s a bit of a strange story but I hope you can help--

Ganymede: I... ran into a group of cultists--and they chased me through the forest. I’m lucky to escape with my life.

Ichor: Cultists? Are you sure?

Ganymede: Trust me, I’m positive I would know what was chasing me. I managed to lose them; no one followed me.

Ganymede: I’m only asking for a place to stay for the night. I’ll even sleep in the barn if you’d let me.

I can tell she’s hesitant after my story.

Ichor: Oh? Well that’s quite... a bad situation, no doubt.

Ichor: Uhm. Where are you coming from?

Ganymede: Uhh... Corbon. I was delivering a package there. I just need to get back to Hab Zoraat.

Ganymede: I wouldn’t want to bother you any more than that. I’ll leave first thing in the morning.

Ichor: Hab Zoraat is quite a walk.

Ichor: I suppose... you could sleep in the barn. Uhm. Let me put on a coat.

Ganymede 2021/05/22(Sat)11:23 No. 1001376 ID: 11f77a
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I follow her to the barn. There’s an easy latch on the door; opening it, I see it’s pretty cozy inside for a stable, albeit dark. There aren’t many animals in here, in fact. There’s a sole baolith in the back trilling at my presence. The ichorynth’s voice is gentle and soothes the adolescent creature.

Ichor: I’m sorry, hun. It’s just me.

Ichor: That’s Cookie. She’s not ready to work yet, and the others tend to pick on her. Most are in a different stable anyway.

Cookie nickers when her owner approaches. Her hand is stretched out to find its way to the creature’s forehead.

Ichor: This is a baolith farm. We also raise goki and sevgoki on occasion.

Ichor: I dunno if you want a baolith blanket or anything. There are a few stacks of hay you can lie on in the corner.

Ichor: I’ll see if I can give a ride back to Hab Zoraat. I may as well purchase some things while I’m there.
A) There’s my bed. There’s my blanket. Well thanks. Night. Bye.
B) I know it’s late, but I could use some small talk with her after tonight’s events. >___
C) >___

A. She's tired, your tired. We'll talk in the morning.

Goodnight.

A) Good night

A, but less brusque.
This girl just helped you out a lot. Seriously, show some gratitude.

>>1001376
A) Just thank her, you may talk to her tomorrow.

Ganymede 2021/05/24(Mon)23:29 No. 1001682 ID: 11f77a
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I’ve worked around the farm in Hab Zoraat, I know a thing or two about baolith and gorms. I look at Cookie and watch the owner stroke her head.

I shuffle around the pile of hay; and find a spot where most is bundled up in a square. As much as I’d like to make a small conversation--more to put her at ease despite my sudden visit--my body begins to ache again and I feel it’s best to call it a night.

Ganymede: Well, this’ll do just fine. I’ve slept in a barn before, so I’ll manage.

Ganymede: Thank you for this. I just needed a place out of the rain. I’ll try not to disturb Cookie.

Ichor: I’m sure she’ll appreciate that.

She yawns.

Ichor: Well I ought to... head back to the house.

Ichor: No trouble now. I’ll see if you’re still here tomorrow morning, then.

Ganymede 2021/05/24(Mon)23:34 No. 1001683 ID: 11f77a
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She exits. The heavy door closes behind her without the click of the latch. My eyes adjust to the darkness and I lie in the patch of hay. The only sound is the rain pelting softly on the wooden roof. Relaxing.

What a day it’s been. At least I have time to reflect on what just happened. But I ought to ignore everything until my head is clear in the morning, no need to keep myself awake.

Hopefully Augus will keep the cultists in the village. I’ve heard of stories involving weird cults and they don’t last very long--I think. It’s all cafeteria chatter and has never been an issue for Hab Zoraat.

His sermon, however...

Now that hindsight is catching up, I can only wish that I’ve done something to help those blasphemers--or snap Jupis out of his strange hypnotic state.

‘I dunno, Ganymede. You would’ve been disemboweled I guess.’ I would murmur. I’d hate to think it was either them or me... or maybe such an attempt would be fruitless anyway. I must warn people of this--their deaths won't be without vain. I'll promise that much.

Ganymede 2021/05/24(Mon)23:41 No. 1001685 ID: 11f77a
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Tomorrow will be different, I feel.

I can sure hope.

End of Chapter 2