YCHKIWAT (A Brief Lesson in History)

[OldManRupee]

Prisoner: Every step into the darkness confounds you further, leading you coincidentally closer and closer to a more experienced Bondswoman.

(basically hoping for Prisoner to meet up with the crazy former wife for crazy-talks)

Kitchen Maid: 3-way Mexican kitchen showdown with Chameleon and Totalitarian Chef.

Blue Hour before the dawn: approach.

[The_Codfish]

So, Choir Girl. Is Chameleon actually dumb? 'Cause that could lead to some wacky high jinx (ending with your escape). Unless you're just insulting her out of anger?

Also, what's with the smudges on her face?

[Ed]

Fonort

[OldManRupee]

So cool Ed. Reminds me of a tarot or zodiac thing.

[Shadow Phoenix]

I finally settled on this, it has been due for such a long time~~

[ArsenicNog]

First, let me apologize for letting this adventure get lost between the couch cushions. The semester ends in about two weeks and I'm flipping out. I can't promise consistent updates until early May. (Even then, I'm not making promises. I'm buying Skullgirls as soon as I get home for the summer.)

Second of all: YOU GUYS ARE REALLY FREAKING AWESOME LOOK AT THAT FANART I AM SQUEALING LIKE A LITTLE GIRL


I need to have some self-restraint and focus right now, but I promise there's going to be something new to look at here ASAP, even if it's just KM dressed up in silly costumes.

[The_Codfish]

Damn you guys. The fanart. Stop proving you're all better fans than me.

[reignonyourparade]

This is important: do you mean that they're better at BEING fans, or simply that they are better, while incidentally also being fans.

[ArsenicNog]

What? You mean you want to abscond from traitors, or break it down so you can leave?

Either or. Honestly, you aren’t doing anything that you wouldn’t already be, besides withholding a few pieces of vital information. You don’t feel guilty. The Princess should know better than to trust someone with a grudge, and Civil War is pretty much inevitable.

You would, however, like to think of yourself as one merely doing a good deed. You are simply reuniting a father with his illegitimate eldest offspring. What happens after their tearful reunion is none of your concern.

Right now what you should be concerned with is the matter of the dead maid and missing prisoner, the one you were left in charge of, the one who, if harm were to befall them, you would be replacing.

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This update was going to be huge, but my laptop disagreed. Plus side, I already have the next posts written up for every character but Candle Maid, including one has only been mentioned in other characters' angst sessions. We'll be sticking with Snake for the next update or two.

[Ed]

So what were you doing again? Paying tribute to some goddess or something?

[ArsenicNog]

So what were you doing again? Paying tribute to some goddess or something?

Discord? That bitch can wait.



So can this one.

A woman. How could anyone actually think…never mind. You have seen plenty of grotesque looking women in your time. Slept with a few even. Not like you are the best judge anyway. Still not sure what Fat Budgie was. Too late to find out now. And the palace brats, you’d have never guessed. The great House of Malachite, where the kings are as delicate as women the most attractive women still look like men in dresses.

Speaking of men in dresses, you wonder if Leo’s caught up with the future eunuch yet. No way you’re lifting that body. You’ll only need Chameleon for a few minutes. How much trouble could a kid get into?



That, of course, depends on the kid. An orphan, for example, a kid just looking to survive, could bring together a band of thieves that the nation’s entire ruling class wants dead. But not everyone gets to be as spectacular as you, Adam.



Some kids, even though they have only the best of intentions, find nothing but trouble

~!~

[The_Codfish]

Oh god, KM. What? How? You were just supposed to get food.

[Ed]

Oh no KM what is going on

[Shadow Phoenix]

Mmm were her arms severed? (oh break the cutie, you know your classics~~)

I'm a bit lost, concerning those last four panels. We have some godess statue, a dead maid (?) Some rebels we don't know yet about and of course Kitchen maid.

Okay, KM, what just happened? Are they trying to find where the prisonner is?

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And thanks for your other post *hug*

[The_Codfish]

Her arms are still there, it's just that the top portion of her dress and the right sleeve were ripped away. The left sleeve is still there.

[OldManRupee]

I'm a bit lost, concerning those last four panels. We have some godess statue, a dead maid (?) Some rebels we don't know yet about and of course Kitchen maid.

The goddess is Discord. As the goddess Hope was casually mentioned previously in conjunction with Prisoner as a not-very-likely saviour, it makes sense that Snake should be associated with a darker power.

The dead maid is (I assume) the one Prisoner killed to gain her initial freedom from her room, finally discovered. The hunt for the escaped Prisoner is well and truly ON.

The rebels are the previously mentioned band of bandits that Snake was part of before finding more power next to the throne. Adam was the leader of the band before Snake sold him out to the king, earning her a place in the court and earning him an execution.

[ArsenicNog]

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@SP: Everything OMR said. And you are very welcome.

Also. less pictures means more words.

Oh god, KM. What? How? You were just supposed to get food.

It was supposed to be simple! Alas, life is never simple for knights…

No! Forget knights and their fancy titles and cushy living! You are a poor girl at the bottom of the domestic service pecking order. Nothing is ever simple.

Oh no KM what is going on

Kitchen full of angry women out for your blood. The usual.

Okay, KM, what just happened?

You did try to avoid the other maids, their anger, and their questions on your way towards the kitchen. You thought you had.



But you lowered your guard in the kitchen at the sight of a pretty face in the arms of an over-made brute.

You stumbled and drew attention from the maid with whom you had an unfortunate encounter early tonight. She seemed very upset over a spoon or something absolutely ridiculous like that. Then the lizardwoman went for the soup, and the kitchen gargoyle went after her too.



While the two monstrous women were distracted with each other, you thought it would be an excellent opportunity to attempt to rescue the chorus girl.

Kitchen Maid: 3-way Mexican kitchen showdown with Chameleon and Totalitarian Chef.

There you stood, for a moment that seemed like an eternity, each ready to strike. The Chameleon’s expression was cold and unreadable, but her body told you what you needed to know. Her grip on her captive tightened. The maid lifted her arm, curling her thick, dirty fingers into a fist. The Chameleon would dodge and run. You readied yourself. When she did, you would run for her ankles. A woman that size would not fall with grace. She would probably take the slightly smaller women down with her. The chorus girl would be hurt in the process. Chameleon would either drop her to save herself, or let her fall as well. Her grip is nothing a few stab wounds would not break. And if your dear chorus girl is hurt, then that just means you get to be the one to treat her wounds.

You grabbed your knife.



“YOU!”

And in swarmed a mob of furious maids, angry at you for a fire you didn’t start.

Are they trying to find where the prisoner is?

There is one thing you can take comfort in.

Prisoner: Gods DAMN IT escaping is so hard.

At least the queen is safe, right where you left her.



Now to save yourself. You managed to squeeze between a heavy crate and the wall.

Aggressors surround you from all sides, blocking the courtyard entrance. It would not surprise you if more are waiting outside.

There’s door on the floor to your left, you think, somewhere not too far away, likely covered by heavy barrels, that leads to underground storage chambers. Even if you were able to move the barrels, you would be plunging into total darkness. You know the chambers below well, and hiding places are ample. On the other hand, nothing is stopping anyone from following you. Certainly others know the underground as well as you do, with the advantage of candlelight.

There is another option, a door to your right, past a line of crates and angry women. The third exit usually remains locked. It provides direct passage to what the royal family has taken to calling “the chapel”, a place you have actually never been. It is a newer addition to the castle where religious services (and royal weddings) are performed, respectable dinners are served, and the Family of Malachite sleeps. The mob might not follow you into royal quarters. Most of them aren’t allowed to, and, really, neither are you. The consequences, if you are caught, could be worse than whatever your fellow maids have in store.

“Found her!”

What will you do?

~?~

[The_Codfish]

Sanctuary!!!!!!!!!!!! By which I mean, you'll probably be beaten to death if they catch you. So you might as well break the rules all the way and head towards the chapel and prolong your life for at least a little bit longer.

[Shadow Phoenix]

What would those maids do to you? The lower strates of the castle seem quite "lively" Are you expecting a beating? Cause you got it already.

I say, go to the storage. You have no light, but candleLight is a giveaway of pursuers more than a tool for finding the escaping ones (not torchlights hehe). Plus you're nimble and have more to gain.

[OldManRupee]

KM: Seek enlightenment in the chapel.

Prisoner: Seek endarkenment in the gloom.

Chorus Girl: Seek consciousness in the rowdy kitchen.

Snake: Find that bitch.

[ArsenicNog]

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I'm getting my wisdom teeth out Monday. If I don't manage to update tomorrow, don't expect to see anything new before Wednesday.

What would those maids do to you? The lower strates of the castle seem quite "lively" Are you expecting a beating? Cause you got it already.

I say, go to the storage. You have no light, but candleLight is a giveaway of pursuers more than a tool for finding the escaping ones (not torchlights hehe). Plus you're nimble and have more to gain.

You don’t have much time to make a decision. A respectable food supply and numerous places to hide. Underground it is.

You don’t make it very far, unfortunately.



“Where is she?”

You tell her that you do not know who she is asking about. She squeezes harder. You have never known Lillith to be violent. Then again, you were perfectly content to let her be burnt alive. Her being upset is understandable. You should probably apologize.



“’M sorry.”



“Lil…”



“Lil, please! I’m sorry!”

Her eyes soften, and she nods at you. Apology accepted, but she plans on getting even later on.
“’Ight, Mel. Take me to ‘er.”

You look up at the woman, teary eyed.

And bolt for the door.

Sanctuary!!!!!!!!!!!! By which I mean, you'll probably be beaten to death if they catch you. So you might as well break the rules all the way and head towards the chapel and prolong your life for at least a little bit longer.

“What? How was I s’pose ta know she’d run?”

So, Choir Girl. Is Chameleon actually dumb? 'Cause that could lead to some wacky high jinx (ending with your escape). Unless you're just insulting her out of anger?

“She is not supposed to be in there. Are you going to go after her?”



“This is your job. You are kind of supposed to go after her.”



“Fine. Put me down. I will go get her before she causes anymore trouble.”



“I said PUT ME DOWN.”



“I DON’T WANT YOUR FUCKING BREAD! PUT ME DOWN RIGHT NOW!”

She is. Chameleon might actually be too stupid to outsmart.



“’Ey girl, don’t you fucking swear.”
“Proper ladies don’t ‘ave shitty vocabularies.”
“Dun care if yer royalty. You lil’ bastards watch yer bloddy cunt mouths when talkin’ t’ yer elders.”



In fact, you might be the most intelligent individual present. You have gotten used to it. Your time is usually spent in the company illiterate servants, witless political pawns, filthy, foul mouthed soldiers, and brainless girls who think of only singing and marriage. It would be nice, just once, to spend time with someone slightly intelligent, who does not dismiss you for being a child.

Snake: Find that bitch.

“Why is it that snakes always show up where they are least wanted?”
“Don’t pretend you aren’t happy to see me.”



Someone other than Snake.

~?~

[The_Codfish]

Choir Girl: Give Snake your most scathing stare.

[OldManRupee]

Kitchen Maid used Hypnotic Stare! It's Super Effective!

Prisoner: Riddles in the dark.

[Ed]

> Tell Snake about that kid that just ran off!

[ArsenicNog]

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We'll be seeing the Prince and KM again before we see the Prisoner. Briefly, but the Prisoner will be the one to wrap up this segment.

Choir Girl: Give Snake your most scathing stare.

You do, but Snake does not seem to be paying attention.



No, Snake’s focus is on the one who holds you.

> Tell Snake about that kid that just ran off!

You do, but once again, Snake pays you little mind. If it’s of such great concern to you, she says with a gesture towards the far wall, then you should go after her.

Chameleon drops you.

Snake seems distracted, but not distracted enough to let you past her. Not even the hefty maids in the room, whose rage has simmered now that their target has slipped away, dare to request Snake move aside. You wonder how they can find Snake, of all people, intimidating.

You aren’t intimidated. You are just smaller than Snake is.



You understand Snake. You understand that Snake has every intention of blocking that door as soon as you go through it. Too many people in the chapel. Too many people who know your face and name.

Besides, anything that distracts or even worries Snake is far more interesting than wedding preparations or whatever has the maids enraged.



“Take me with you.”



~?~

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CG probably has a high pain tolerance. KM does as well, but that has more to do with her positive "pick yerself up an' dust yerself off!" mentality. If CG's brother tried to strangle her and throw her off a balcony, he likely beat her as well. This isn't much of a spoiler, but the Duke is pretty awful. CG should probably just be glad that she isn't a viable reproductive partner.