>>50758
Not without our goddamn brushing we won't!

We need our fucking brushing. Hells yes.

Tell him to get our nevrean girl, we're getting our goddamn brushing.

>>50744

He looks smugly satisfied...

Poor Aphek.

Request brushing, then get a quick wash. We'll probably need to watch for anything that might be Shadran's trickery, and keep an eye on anything we eat.

Alternatively, if and when we do get a meal, don't eat your fill. Make sure to take your time, and take a motive check on the server, and a poison check on the food.

One more thing we need to consider when we meet Aphek - Berate him on being a moron, and for thinking Yisi was a girl. Torture him a bit for it, he deserves it for his idiocy.

Hmm. On top of everything, we need to start considering how we're going to watch Shadran on the trail. Should she accompany us, we may have to be ready to defend ourselves, not only against her, but anyone that might be pleased/displeased with her progress.

That's all I've got now. Continue on when you can, Test.

Hm. I suspect the brushing is supposed to be after the second bath.

But seriously we should actually kill her first then get our brushing.

>>50835
It'll help to get the blood and gore out of our fur.

>>50744

Just go join Aphek. As long as we're paying for this. We can tell him about the whole situation there.

Seriously guys we don't need to worry too much about Shadran. She's probably either going to attack outright when we're outside, which would mean she doesn't have the element of surprise and we are in perfect health, or she's going to try to do something on the trail.

If she tries to do something on the trail like kill us in our sleep, she would/could have done it anyway, even if she wasn't in our party, so there is no real reason to attack her or be super suspicious, not that we shouldn't be on our guard.

There is a chance now that she isn't going to attack us or try anything. If we are aggressive, that chance goes to zero. She's not a serial killer, she's a mercenary.

Shadran's not going to be a problem for a while; might as well go to the spring.

Though you'll definitely want to tell Aphek about it first thing; break it to him casually as a 'by the way' for extra points. Making the little southerner flinch is the national pastime.

Test Pattern 2009/09/27(Sun)23:34 No. 52909 ID: 7eda8b
File 125411967530.png - (144.66KB , 500x500 , AQ231.png )

Goshen is led down the stairs to a room with an artificial hot spring. Yisi vanishes professionally away, staying out of Aphek's sight.

"Hey," the southern says. He looks glum.

"What's wrong?" asks Goshen.

"I don't want to talk about it," says Aphek.

"You knew about the feather color thing, right?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

>>52909
... let's not bother him about that.

We should probably warn him about Shadran, but hastily add that she doesn't... seem to be in creepy murder bitch mode today. Just as an FYI.

>>52910
Except for the salt in Goshen's eyes. But then again, he was peeping, so he sort of had it coming.

>>52910

"Well good. Shadran is coming with us, by the way. I don't want to talk about that either."

>>52909
Is that a... Is that a feather hanging from his lips?

>>50744
...Hey, I see a familiar shape in the decoration up there.
>>52915
No, that is a FROWN.

Test Pattern 2009/09/28(Mon)00:13 No. 52921 ID: 7eda8b
File 125412197934.png - (83.12KB , 500x500 , AQ232.png )

Aphek is mostly silent.

"You sure?" Goshen asks.

"Yeah," Aphek says.

"Right. Uh... So, Shadran's going to be traveling with us."

Aphek: ggk!! D:

Test Pattern 2009/09/28(Mon)00:15 No. 52923 ID: 7eda8b
File 125412215787.png - (87.87KB , 500x500 , AQ233.png )

"What."

"Uh, Shadran," Goshen says. "I talked to her and-"

"What?"

"I talked to her and-"

"What?" Aphek repeats.

"-she said she'd travel with us-"

"You talked to Shadran."

"Yeah, uh. In exchange for her sword."

"You're giving her my sword," Aphek says without inflection.

"Oh mellow out, you just got laid"

"Oh mellow out, you just got laid"

>>52923

"Quit complaining, it's not like you can use it that good. We'll get you a new one."

>>52923
I sense some opposition to this plan. How long did you actually know Shadran, Aphek? What can you tell us about her?

"For some one who just got his dick wet you're pretty high strung.."

>>52923
"...Yeah."

Well, it was either return her weapon and cut a deal, or enjoy the fact that she seems to be capable of stalking us OUT of a desert, INTO a forest, THROUGH a town, and right to the bathhouse we decide to stop in at. Besides, I can get you a new sword easy enough.

Test Pattern 2009/09/28(Mon)00:34 No. 52933 ID: 7eda8b
File 125412328134.png - (85.72KB , 500x500 , AQ234.png )

>>52927
"Quit complaining," Goshen says. "It's not like you can use it half as well."

"That's kind of the whole problem," Aphek says.

"Well, it's better to keep her where we can see her, right?"

"I don't... I don't really think so," Aphek says. "We outran her before, didn't we?"

What should Goshen say to convince him?

>>52932
This.

Besides, as a soon-to-be mercenary yourself, you'll find that cutting deals is preferable to potentially losing your life over a tool. Also, it seems those supplies we torched back in the Sailzane were hers, so it might be good to try to mollify her.

>>52933
Sit down next to Goshen and wrap an arm around him all manly-like.

Sigh and say "Look, Shadran's beyond you, me, pretty much anyone out there. I'd rather be on her good side than have her come after us again. If she wanted to kill us in our sleep, I think she would have done so already. We'll see how it goes, and if worst comes to worst, at least we'll always know where she is rather than being paranoid over her popping out from every corner. I mean... You remember what we did to that inn's bedroom... I don't want to have to do that every night. At least until we get to Fort Ji, let's... keep her within sight.

>>52933
"She's looking for lighter work now, Aphek. She's not interested in Sergal bounties."

>>52933

"There's a good chance for danger around here. I'd like to have someone else around that can use a sword correctly. Plus, we never outran her. She walked away and we didn't see her until now."

Test Pattern 2009/09/28(Mon)01:04 No. 52939 ID: 7eda8b
File 125412508495.png - (100.79KB , 500x500 , AQ235.png )

>>52932
>>52934
"She chased us and tracked us through the desert, OUT of the desert, through a forest, through a town, and all the way here," Goshen says.

"Wow..." Aphek replies. "How'd you survive her ambush this time?"

"Uh. Actually, I caught her bathing," Goshen says.

"Oh. Are you... Are you sure she tracked us here?" Aphek asks. "And she wasn't just here for a bath?"

"um....well that does mean she's not trying to kill us"

Oh Aphek, how come you're so reasonable about stuff that isn't blowjobs from birds?

>>52939
That's a hell of a coincidence, and from our conversation, she was pretty pissed about "her" supplies getting burned and losing her sword.

>>52939

"No. I'm not. The fact of the matter is she takes the loss of her sword personally. I figure we can give it to her now, have her accompany us a while until we can get you a sword, and then play it by ear from there. If it makes you feel better we'll take shifts to watch her and make sure she doesn't try anything while we sleep."

>>52939
"... actually, that might be the case. Either way, I don't want her bearing a grudge, so I'm trying to make ammends now."

"We're both headed in the same direction, so she will be accompanying us for the leg to Fort Ji. We'll be delayed by about a day; she has a hit that's slightly off the trail. I mentioned she's a mercenary, right?"

>>52939
How much are you willing to lay on mere coincidence? Granted, I don't think she intended to get caught bathing, but perhaps she simply thought we had moved on? I'd rather give someone the benefit of the doubt than underestimate them and pay for it later.

Test Pattern 2009/09/28(Mon)01:34 No. 52949 ID: 7eda8b
File 125412684918.png - (81.40KB , 500x500 , AQ236.png )

>>52940
>>52946
"Okay, maybe you're right. All the more reason to try to make amends, right?" Goshen says.

Aphek exhales, blowing bubbles. Goshen repeats what Shadran told him about being a mercenary, not wanting to fight sergals anymore, and laying claim to the supplies.

Test Pattern 2009/09/28(Mon)01:37 No. 52950 ID: 7eda8b
File 125412703685.png - (90.06KB , 500x500 , AQ237.png )

"She might've actually had a tough time getting out of the desert, if that was her water," Aphek points out. "She must be angry."

"I think she's always angry," Goshen says.

"Me too," Aphek says.

>>52950
So would you rather try to mollify her a little bit, or let her anger fester?

Test Pattern 2009/09/28(Mon)02:02 No. 52953 ID: 7eda8b
File 125412857425.png - (80.14KB , 500x500 , AQ238.png )

"There's a creature, I've been told, from far away, called a weasel," Aphek says, after awhile. "Very fast, and long in body."

"Heh."

"I'm told that if it's spotted by its prey while hunting, it'll dance. It'll come out of hiding and dance and dance, until the prey isn't scared of it any longer. It'll dance closer and closer. And then, before the prey realizes what's going on, it pounces."

"And that works?" Goshen asks.

"I guess not every time, or else it wouldn't bother being sneaky in the first place," Aphek says. "That's not the point."

"So you think Shadran's, uh, dancing?" Goshen asks.

"I don't know!" Aphek says. "I'm going to trust your judgment, because you saved me from her in the first place. I just want to be sure you've thought this over."

Aphek: Get your mind off this Shandra business. Try and think of some happier thoughts, like that lovely, fine feathered bath attendant~

>>52953
He has a very good point. Up to this point, we've simply taken what she's said at face value, which in my honest opinion is not the wisest course of action.

On the other hand, letting her out of sight is also not a good idea. "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer" and all that.

Give him a nice reassuring hug!

>>52953
Can you imagine Shadran hopping up and down and flailing her body around until she falls over, making funny squeeking noises?

>>52963
I can now...

We should dance back... Then slit her throat... Aphek should be the one to do the honors with her own blade.

We should kill her when she's sleeping. Nobody said we had to be honorable about anything.

The fact is that Shadran is still another person good in a fight. We cannot rely on Aphek to provide any serious support in a fight. While Shadran is a bit of a wildcard and loose cannon, she's also a good fighter who's agreed to accompany us. We might just want to leave Aphek with the sword until we can get him another one, and just keep a very stern eye on Shadran. There's no need to just kill her in her sleep if she could be a very useful ally.

There's no real indication that she's going to slit our throats at night. We should keep our guard up, of course, but this isn't a match of Paranoia.

"Think of it this way: if she IS chasing us, we can keep an eye on her better if she's with us rather than if she's out of sight. And it's not like we have to let our guard down."

That sounds about reasonable to me. Goshen and Aphek having her with them, while risky, is only a problem if she wants to kill them. And then, given her stealth and skill, she's more dangerous when they don't know where she is with any accuracy.

Also, you might want to consider buying that sword from before, if you're giving Shadran her blade back. That way everyone has a decent weapon.

"Look, she's scary. But I'd much rather have her where if she attacks she has to do so from head on, where I can see it coming. At least it'd give us a chance to fight- knife in the dark and we're both dead."

Test Pattern 2009/10/04(Sun)13:06 No. 57004 ID: 7eda8b
File 12546867991.png - (105.33KB , 500x500 , AQ239.png )

"Well, at least we can keep an eye on her. Better that than her sneaking up in the shadows," Goshen says. "Like you said. If the dancing thing was their best bet, they wouldn't bother with the sneaking."

"I guess you're right," Aphek replies. "So, does this mean we're not barricading the room tonight?"

Blow some bubbles underwater in response. It's obvious we're going to barricade the room, Shadran or not.

>>57004
There are three categories of trust.
Untrusted, somewhat trusted, and trusted.
Promotion to the third is posthumous.

"I didn't say we had to be stupid."

We probably should barricade the door. Nobody who wants in the room with us while we're sleeping would be up to any good.

Test Pattern 2009/10/04(Sun)13:18 No. 57018 ID: 7eda8b
File 125468748019.png - (110.35KB , 500x500 , AQ240.png )

>>57006
>Blow some bubbles

Like this?

>>57018
Harder! More feeling! Like you're angry at the water!

>>57018
Aphek: Initiate splashfight.

Those bubbles are not very extreme, Goshen. I am disappoint.

Test Pattern 2009/10/04(Sun)13:37 No. 57043 ID: 7eda8b
File 125468866921.png - (72.07KB , 500x500 , AQ241.png )

>>57021
"Bbbbblblblbbbblblbblbl!"

Aphek has no response. Goshen's argument appears to be persuasive.

Anything else before dinner?

Pat Aphek on the head.
Tiem to eat.

One more time: "Are you SURE you don't want to talk about Yisi?"

Our brushing. Let's not forget our brushing.

>>57073
this.

"if you excuse me, I've got a brushing with a Nevrean.

Maybe Yisi can give you one?"

>>57043

"Hey, don't be upset. We'll be fine so long as we keep our word. Just don't go crazy at her: That might make the dance stop."

Pat him on the head, then I suppose we should inquire about massage/brushing.

Test Pattern 2009/10/04(Sun)14:59 No. 57137 ID: 7eda8b
File 125469357960.png - (159.01KB , 500x500 , AQ242.png )

>>57054
>Tiem to eat
Indeed. Goshen feels refreshed and hungry.

The sergals go to the house's dining room. The food is good and plentiful. Whatever it is.

Although...

Test Pattern 2009/10/04(Sun)15:03 No. 57148 ID: 7eda8b
File 125469380914.png - (98.38KB , 500x500 , AQ243.png )

Other than Goshen and Aphek, the only people dining are a party of agudner and a lone nevrean.

Shadran's nowhere to be seen. There is, however, a large statue of a hawk in flight. Its penetrating gaze helps fill the void of penetrating gazes left by Shadran's absence.

>>57148
Well, keep an eye out for her. Is that actual meat they gave you? I thought it might be more vegetable garbage.

>>57137
What is that food you're eating?

You can safely ignore the other guests.

Test Pattern 2009/10/04(Sun)15:26 No. 57196 ID: 7eda8b
File 125469521151.png - (135.59KB , 500x500 , AQ244.png )

Tastes kind of like bison, but more fatty.

"Hey, what is this?" Goshen asks.

Yisi gives a staccato string of bird noises. This is why Goshen didn't understand anything on the menu.

"What's it made out of, I mean?"

"Feyalatl," Yisi replies. "It's a kind of feathered lizard."

Growing immediately bored with the conversation, Goshen ponders a few fleeting thoughts he had earlier, to try and kill Shadran in the middle of the night. It seems hugely risky, and would of course get him kicked out of inns for many miles around, but if he can pull it off, he wouldn't have to worry if the talyxian is trustworthy or not.

>>57196
I like that idea, but Shadran isn't stupid. She probably took precautionary measures and Goshen is no assassin.
It'll be a waiting game for a good opportunity to attack her somewhere on the road.

>>57196
Let's not; we should just keep a close eye on her.

hurry up and eat so we can get to the best part.. the brushing.

Test Pattern 2009/10/04(Sun)16:10 No. 57270 ID: 7eda8b
File 125469784510.png - (137.37KB , 500x500 , AQ245.png )

>>57222
>hurry up and eat so we can get to the best part.. the brushing.

Man this is THE LIFE.

>>57253
Start purring, or whatever the Sergal equivalent to purring is.

>>57253
A soothing purr. Do eet~

>>57270
Is that Isso?

What about Aphek, is he getting a brushing from Yisi?

>>57275
... If you know what I mean.

Test Pattern 2009/10/04(Sun)16:22 No. 57292 ID: 7eda8b
File 125469856978.png - (138.02KB , 500x500 , AQ246.png )

>Start purring
Naw. Okay, maybe a little.

>Is that Isso?
Yeah.

>What about Aphek?
Who cares?

>switch CONTROL to APHEK

>>57292

Can we get out of here already?

No! More brushes! >>57297

>>57297
NO. Our brushing must be epic. Our fur must be murrfect.

>>57292
Huh. She seems worried. Misinterpreting the purring perhaps?

>>57297
MOAR BRUSHINGS PANSY.

Nice, loong brushing. Lucious fur~

>>57292
Suddenly realize that your Raider buddies are still out there suffering an unknown fate.
Also remember the important informations you have to relay to Fort Ji.

>>57292
Stop purring and start murring.

>>57292
Compliment her on her excellent brushing.

You know, to encourage her to do more.

Test Pattern 2009/10/04(Sun)17:00 No. 57362 ID: 7eda8b
File 125470083431.png - (140.79KB , 500x500 , AQ247.png )

Goshen makes small talk until it's time for bed.

There's only one entrance, so moving one bookcase is enough to barricade. This place doesn't have any windows, to help insulate. The room doesn't appear to have any secret entrances.

"Well, that wasn't so bad," Goshen says. "Other than you-know who."

"Right."

"Ah well. Maybe tomorrow will be more exciting."

"Maybe."

>>57362
I recognize all those paintings!

>>57362
Ask him about his date. Did it go well? Did he use protection?

>>57362
Wiggle your toes. :D

Tell Aphek that no matter how much he practices his staring, Shadran will never love him.

Test Pattern 2009/10/04(Sun)17:21 No. 57404 ID: 7eda8b
File 125470208667.png - (112.94KB , 500x500 , AQ248.png )

"So how'd your date go?" Goshen teases.

"How can you even talk about that when we're under the same roof as that... that..."

"Was just asking. Forget it."

>>57362
Aphek: Dream about waking up with Goshens severed head in your bed and Shadran standing in front of you, staring and holding a bloody sword.

Test Pattern 2009/10/04(Sun)17:23 No. 57410 ID: 7eda8b
File 125470221016.png - (0.99KB , 500x500 , AQ249.png )

>Aphek: Dream about waking up with Goshens severed head in your bed and Shadran standing in front of you, staring and holding a bloody sword.

He does.

>>57414

Sleep well. Pleasant dreams.

Hope you don't mind the BLOOD THIRSTY KILLER outside your door.

So yeah, just uh... Try to get some sleep.