Okay... okay fine, I'll work with you Meta, because you're the only one who could have any information on this. What can we pay you to learn exactly how we, the Wisdom Stone, are causing all these horrible trials to befall Sanya and the world?

Gezzono 2010/05/14(Fri)17:47 No. 177494 ID: f35d0a
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Miss Meta here apparently is the owner of the unknown area, and mentions to us that she has been exploring outside Alcardia "for some special ingredients" for a few months. She says she is "totally unliked, but seriously feared upon" that even the council does not do anything against her stay as long as she does not cause any trouble.

Her cave-house seems to be bare but ordinary. We are greeted by two feather-stuffed benches, on which we sit upon.

Meta: "Nevreans make goooooood stuff, I tell you."

Murdelp seems unwilling to trust Meta, and moves away from her a bit. Meta, on the other hand, does not let go of her gaze towards me.

... Is Meta the one Paring Korellu was talking about? But I have never met her before...

Ahh, sorry, Wisdom Stone. I forgot that you accompany my conscious state. Anything in mind?

>>177494
Ask if she's on drugs.

Because she looks like she's high as a kite right now.

>>177496
it was explained that their race are born with an expression and cannot change it.

also, we don't actually have any real reason to not trust her, she just showed us what we asked.

Ask where she got that radical hat.

Gezzono 2010/05/14(Fri)18:41 No. 177511 ID: f35d0a
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>>177498
Indeed. Murdelp must realize this.

Gezzono: "Young Murdelp, I think highly of your concern for Gazzene, but to despise another for her sake is not a wise course of action. She did no harm to her, and you know this."
Murdelp: "But Gezzono!"

From out of nowhere, Meta cracks up a laugh. A moment later, she stops.

Meta: "Ah, do forgive my outbreak. I am easily amused by my influences upon those around me, be it positive or negative..."
Gezzono: "What is your business that led you to a stay in Alcardia, Miss Meta?"
Meta: "I am a practitioner of several arts. Your companion has uttered one of my specialties: Foresight. It proves handful once mastered, you know."
Gezzono: "And it concerns Alcardia... How?"
Meta: "Dreadful events brood paranoia and fear amongst the tonberries. Though they perceive me as strange and scary, some of them come to me for... help."

A wanderer who takes advantage of things or a paladin working on an unknown course. I hope she is the latter.

>>177511
My money's on some combination of the two, but we can work with that.

>>177511
She seems very neutral, if you ask me.

Ask her if she can help us find the last Stone.

Gezzono 2010/05/14(Fri)18:57 No. 177517 ID: f35d0a
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>>177513
>>177515
I certainly find neutrality hard to believe. Everyone acts due to a reason, and reasons can take sides. Meta must have some sort of ultimate goal she is trying to achieve.

Gezzono: "Will you help us find the last stone?"
Meta: "You already failed the first time. What makes you think the second time will work once more?"

Meta breaks her gaze, looking down.

Meta: "Ah, forgive me once more. I did not mean ill when I said that. It's just..."
"You, Gezzono... The Elementalist Tonberry. Your race is not well-known for its magickery; your case is quite an exception. Still, even with such an advantage, you could not attain the stones during your candidacy. What makes you think I would be able to help you?"
"... I mean... Have you not considered the possibilities of me snatching the stone for myself, or worse?"

...

>>177517
I don't think she thinks it's a good idea to assist you.

At any rate, tell her it's not you that's in charge now. It's Sanya. If she won't help us directly find the stone, how about just helping us with the whole plague business?

it has been considered. but taking it without us, the wisdom stone, on your side will result in it not doing much.

Gezzono 2010/05/14(Fri)19:06 No. 177523 ID: f35d0a
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Meta: "Just kidding! I would never steal something that would serve no function for me."
Gezzono: "So you will join us?"
Meta: "... No. But I will support you in any way I can, under one condition."
Gezzono: "What is it?"

...

Meta: "Once you finish your business here, you are to go straight back in this house alone, and will abide by my bidding for a day."
Gezzono: "... Your bidding?"
Meta: "Like what you have pondered upon, I do have my ultimate goal. It concerns myself, and myself alone. I will be needing your help to assist me in attaining that goal. Mutual benefits, in short."

as long as it doesn't involve waking an elder god or killing a bunch of people that seems like an okay deal.

>>177523
So long as it doesn't result in hurting anyone else, sure. She said it concerns only herself, so it should be a safe deal.

>>177524
>>177525
Or her getting into Gezzono's pants.
...Just trying to lighten the mood a little. Unless, Gezzono... nevermind.

Gezzono 2010/05/14(Fri)19:29 No. 177530 ID: f35d0a
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>>177526
Silly Wisdom Stone!

Gezzono: "As long as it does not conflict with moral values, I shall agree."
Meta: "Wonderful! Now, you must be starving. I will be going to the Market to buy you food..."
"... Whatever you hear, do not go out of this house until I return, my guests. No matter what."
Gezzono: "... Is that a warning?"
Meta: "Yes. One that you can ignore, as long as you deal with consequences."

She walks out.

when someone who knows the future tells you to stay put, you stay fucking put!

Gezzono 2010/05/14(Fri)19:32 No. 177533 ID: f35d0a
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"... What was that all about?"
"Meta can see through the future, she said. Her words might be some warning from a future event. Or she might just be concerned about my status as an exile. Eitherway, our judgment must be critical."

Yeah. Something's probably going to happen to draw you out, don't let it.

Gezzono 2010/05/14(Fri)19:33 No. 177535 ID: f35d0a
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Suddenly, we hear shuffling feet and agonizing screams.

???: "NOOOOOOOOO! WE DIDN'T TELL HIM ANYTHING, I SWEAR!"
???: "Jaja! Stop hurting jaja!"

... Those sound like the ones we met earlier!

could also be she will make noises that sound REALLY horrible and if you rush out she will just go 'gotcha'. i trust her to twist words but she won't outright lie.

>>177535
Oh great. Some dumbass guard thinks the kid said something to you.

You can only make the situation worse.

if you rush out then it will be 'oh look, comes to protect his cronnies. they may beat them a little but i HIGHLY doubt it will come to killing. if it does then we just have one more crime to put on the council.

Hide behind the couch. Murdelp! It's up to you!

My advice is you should get a really uncomfortable look on your face as the screams outside turn to the sounds of rending flesh. In the uncomfortable silence that follows, crack an awkward joke to Murdlep.

Gezzono 2010/05/14(Fri)20:16 No. 177564 ID: f35d0a
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I am in a dilemma. Conscience and guilt tells me to go outside, but self-awareness and trust forbids me to.

"... Why aren't we doing anything here?!"
"Murdelp... We cannot break our promise to Miss Meta. We must stay put."
"They're hurting the two! And we just sit here, minding our own business?!"

???: "No exceptions! You wish to endanger Alcardia with this action of yours?!"
???: "But we honestly did nothing... My son only pointed at him and-"
???: "Aha, so you admit your son's also into this! Treason!"

WOW they're stupid. Like, mind-numbingly stupid.

You can hear them from there, obviously they'll be able to hear something you do. Make a really loud noise with your magic, and stay inside. You're a goddamn elementalist, and murdelp's here with you, you can handle some guards with IQs lower than the planet's crust if they come in to attack you.

Most importantly, you won't be leaving the house.

>>177564
If I were you I'd step out and get the offended persons attention. If traitors all, perhaps none would be hurt.

...But we don't know enough of the consequences of that. Do you? Would you be willing to accept them?

The guards are probably provoking you. They want you to step out so they can get angry at the big mean powerful wizard attacking them without provocation. Call their bluff and they'll give up on the small fry, that woman and her daughter.

Also you really need to kick the ass of whoever exiled you, because as you can see they're hurting people for no reason! People other than you! You call that protection? I call it extortion!

if we leave and stop them then they will finally have a reason to attack you.

Perhaps we can send Murdelp out as a neutral party?

Tell him we'd only make it worse. The guard might be renowned for harsh idiocy so the council may give them some slack, especially on a child. Surely they can't be so fucking strict that they'd convict a child for treason just for pointing to or or hell even talking to an exile.

Tonberries with authority are assholes (except your sister), Gezzeno. Just admit it. Any sign of insubordination will send them off their rockers and they'll crack down on everybody. They're bustas.

Also when Meta returns, punch her in the face for me, then go to the execution grounds, guns blazing. They'd probably enjoy being exiled better than being executed...

Plus what better way to make your grand exit!

>>177574
>Most importantly, you won't be leaving the house.
There's an idea. Open the door and stand there, still inside, and have Murdelp get the jerk attention. Then wave at him and go back inside.

this is a old paladin dilemma. you are between the innocent you care and the village burning.

i would not be surprised if it were a act.

realize that there is no dilemma. those that seek to hurt are only a stepping stone. there is no village burning, there are no undead outside, there are no children crying, there are no walls separating everyone.

all that exists is you, the villain and a soon to be corpse to protect. use the sum of all that you are to render the situation inert.

Gezzono 2010/05/14(Fri)20:34 No. 177592 ID: f35d0a
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>>177582
Meta warned both of us earlier, not just me. It is evident by her wording: "my guests".

>>177576
I am willing to accept any punishment I might acquire to save those two, but I am also concerned about Meta's trust and Murdelp's safety.

>>177585
I do not know if you only utter these half-baked words to encourage me to go outside, but you might be digging both of us our own graves. What about Lady Sanya? And my sister? Possibly even Alcardia?

The council banished me. I cannot touch them, no matter how determined I am. As much as I aspire to stand up against their atrocities, I simply am not able to.

>>177589
... You might be on to something. You mean to say distract them from within the house and leave the two alone? I see...

The sudden multitude of voices from within you still confuses me, Wisdom Stone. I need to hear a clear answer from you whilst I weigh in on the options myself.

>>177592
We get his attention from inside the house. Distract the guard, and the victims can escape.

yes. distraction while not leaving sounds like a good plan.

Dress up like an attractive Tonberry female and lead him inside like Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny. You know nothing of them but we do, so ignore our knowledge of extraterrestrial comedies.

Okay, no, you don't have to dress up. That was a sarcastic remark. Still lead him inside with an illusion likely to attract a guard or something. Or Murdelp's voicing an "OH MY GOD, SAVE ME HEROIC TONBERRY GUARDS! SAVE ME!"

For crap sake. She can see the future. She wouldn't have worded it as she did if this wasn't an option.

MAKE SOME NOISE, GEZZONO. Prepare to fight.

maybe you could throw a rock or something.
the guard will be more mad that he got hit with a rock and go looking for the culprit. Why? Because I bet that's just the kinda dude he is. Or you could get Murdelp to pretend to be a he's being attacked make it sound good and he should be more concerned that an "exile" is hurting a "tonberry" he should come running.
we could also just I don't know yell something along the lines of "OH LORD WHAT IS THAT!!! A FORGOTTON BEAST MADE OF STEAM IS HERE" and get him to run away...
just don't leave the house.

>>177592

Hm... usually you don't need to touch them so much as expose them. If wanton killing of innocents like this doesn't backfire on them, then I fear your race may not be worth saving. But what I think is that if people knew what the council was doing, if the guards knew that they, not outsiders, were the only danger to the town, then people might be able to patch things up.

The council exiled you directly? Of course they would try to make themselves immune to retribution. Many criminals try to externalize their own guilt on others, in a vain attempt to bring justice by punishing those who should not be punished.

And half baked?! Why I oughta. If I wasn't a voice inside a stone I'd totally be uh... staying far away from the Tonberry village as possible. But assuming I was here I would totally be active in changing the situation!

In addition to the distraction, the guards themselves we see you, and thus be just as "guilty" as the poor mother and child. They would be far less likely to turn them in, if she could turn around and say they did just as much.

But then again perhaps I'm assuming too much about the effect of the guards seeing you would be.

Gezzono 2010/05/14(Fri)20:59 No. 177605 ID: f35d0a
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The main consensus is that we perform something to distract the guards into leaving the two and going after us. Experience tells me the most effective way would be provoking the guards with my magic. They will perceive that as a direct threat and will pursue me for it. Hopefully they'll just treat it like a threat and not some sort of attack, though...

Argh, no more thinking about my own safety.

>>177602
Take it from me, Wisdom Stone. These guards are simply misled and influenced. They do not persecute their own people on their own.

"Murdelp, you are right. We cannot sit here and ignore the pleas of the innocent. We will do something about this, even without leaving the house."
"... Lure the guards in here?"
"That is correct. You are starting to think more analytically."

>>177605
I approve of this plan.

best bet would be something big, showy, but ultimately non-damaging.

>>177636
You mean like a campfire right outside the door?

>>177605

I agree with you. That's why the guards need to realize how dangerous they are being to their own people. At any rate, enough politics. Moar sexy crossdressing lures!

You have the sexy eyes Gezzono! You can do this!

Gezzono think for yourself, we're just here to advise you. If we ARE corrupted in some way, best you should make sure we aren't giving you bad advice somehow.

This advice though is good.