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Fool's Adventures: A Demon's Souls/Buffy the Vampire Slayer Quest

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Edifier said:
I got the impression from the chapter that she will be eventually. So starting the battle before she is aware that there is one. Winning before the fight even begins, essentially.
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Not necessarily? I mean, if she found out our true nature we would probably have to fight, but the biggest threat to us is the master. I think.
 
Edifier said:
Could you unpack this? It flew over my head.
I guess she was under a curse to never lie or something connected to her nature.
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Well for the first chunk of the quest before the Old One died in the beginning of Episode 6, the Idol was lying left and right to basically everyone of consequence. After the Old One died and her realizing that, by her definitions, she is insane and broken in the mind after the Maple Court piece she was uncertain if she could keep the lie of her facade going now that her mind is plagued by all of these new things and emotions. Which has a lot of run on effects like, is all that she did so far actually worth anything to her purposes or is it all going to be blown to dust when she next opens her mouth? Stuff like that.

Then in this she discovers that, she can indeed, still do major social deception. Thus, "I can still lie".

This also ties into somewhat what she was before she came to Sunnydale, which was basically a living lie and false symbol of hope and worship. The Fool's Idol and such.
 
Edifier said:
I got the impression from the chapter that she will be eventually. So starting the battle before she is aware that there is one. Winning before the fight even begins, essentially.
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Not really. That would never happen unless Buffy discovers our true nature. We'll make sure she never does. There is really no reason to antagonize Buffy when we have a much bigger threat ahead of us, the Master.

So yeah, unless we really want fuck ship up. Provoking Buffy is really going to bring nothing good and I mean she has been pretty nice kind of. She thinks we're a witch and a helpful one at that, let's keep that belief where it is. When we went to kill the Rat King, she was pretty worried about us too. More about her friends yeah but for us too.

I really don't see any value in making her an enemy when she can be more useful as an ally.
 
Terran Imperium said:
I think it worth it, if we can move them on our side, in the long-term they're our allies and they're going to help/trust us.
I mean, we don't really have to even interact with them but we can't simply ignore them since they're a central part of all of this.

You're looking at it too seriously and as if any relationship need for people to be together 24/7, we're already going out sometimes with Annie in the evening. If we really wanted to maintain a social link with them we can do so without always being a major part of their everyday life and have their trust. I mean Buffy can act crazy, she doesn't go and slaughter her friends tho.

The last thing is letting Angel handle it is a bad idea considering they just fought last night since Buffy saw him in his 'monstrous' form, kind of. That kind of impression is hard to shake off even if you come back next morning with a handsomely smile and a branch of olive to make peace.

Why would we do that when we already are on the good side of Angel and he's grateful to us for saving/helping him? What more would you want? Antagonizing Buffy really will bring nothing to the table but hostilities, which will follow along from Buffy's companions as well. I mean you don't just sit there while your friend is being mocked, right?

Buffy is not the antagonist, she's someone that can be useful to us and we're discarding her for a social victory over her?

I might be misunderstanding something and if that is the case, sorry, but that's the impression I got at least. I'm mostly confused, here.
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I think you're getting the wrong impression. I'm not stating my personal desires for the character but rather my interpretation of our options. The option we choose will be performed by The Fool's Idol, the protagonist of the story.

I'll go ahead and quote myself here.
WorldSlayer said:
From what I understand we've got two options. Team up with Angel and maybe Buffy and kill Darla or steal Buffy's friends, team up with Angel and kill Darla.
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Notably we have option 1 which is Angel's plan, basically I only have guesses for what exactly this will involve but based on the text in the chapter and my knowledge of Angel's character it will likely involve Angel taking most of the heavy lifting himself and being grateful for us helping him do it.

Or option 2 which is the Fool's Idol plan. Notably this plan explicitly involves attempting to steal Buffy's friends. Basically we try to make the Willow and possibly Buffy's other friends focus on us as the main character instead of Buffy.

Finally to get back to my original point, since these actions are done from the viewpoint of the Fool's Idol we have to take into account that she views Buffy and Angel as potential rivals/enemies/tools more than she views them as friends or assets. From my understanding Buffy is considered to be something of an antagonist from the Fool's Idol point of view, and considering her likely reaction to finding out someone is a demon (as quite well demonstrated with Angel just moments ago) she is quite possibly correct.

Ultimately if you don't want to antagonize Buffy at all I'd recommend option 1 (Angel's plan) since that should play it safe. If you want to extend your social grasp and try and make Willow loyal to the Fool's Idol and possibly sway others to join the Fool's Idol group then you want option 2.

Both choices are viable, I prefer option 1 since I don't want to try to extend our social circle right now, but trying to cause a split with Buffy's group and nabbing Willow is a viable course of action.

I've already mentioned my reasons for choosing option 1 and they still stand. To reiterate them though I think that trying to cause a split is a poor idea since Buffy is going to have a lot of access to her friends allowing them to make up which will likely cause the split to quickly fail to really take root. I prefer option 1 since going along with Angel can be considered the safer choice and would likely make him happier than overruling his plan.
 
WorldSlayer said:
I think you're getting the wrong impression. I'm not stating my personal desires for the character but rather my interpretation of our options. The option we choose will be performed by The Fool's Idol, the protagonist of the story.

I'll go ahead and quote myself here.


Notably we have option 1 which is Angel's plan, basically I only have guesses for what exactly this will involve but based on the text in the chapter and my knowledge of Angel's character it will likely involve Angel taking most of the heavy lifting himself and being grateful for us helping him do it.

Or option 2 which is the Fool's Idol plan. Notably this plan explicitly involves attempting to steal Buffy's friends. Basically we try to make the Willow and possibly Buffy's other friends focus on us as the main character instead of Buffy.

Finally to get back to my original point, since these actions are done from the viewpoint of the Fool's Idol we have to take into account that she views Buffy and Angel as potential rivals/enemies/tools more than she views them as friends or assets. From my understanding Buffy is considered to be something of an antagonist from the Fool's Idol point of view, and considering her likely reaction to finding out someone is a demon (as quite well demonstrated with Angel just moments ago) she is quite possibly correct.

Ultimately if you don't want to antagonize Buffy at all I'd recommend option 1 (Angel's plan) since that should play it safe. If you want to extend your social grasp and try and make Willow loyal to the Fool's Idol and possibly sway others to join the Fool's Idol group then you want option 2.

Both choices are viable, I prefer option 1 since I don't want to try to extend our social circle right now, but trying to cause a split with Buffy's group and nabbing Willow is a viable course of action.

I've already mentioned my reasons for choosing option 1 and they still stand. To reiterate them though I think that trying to cause a split is a poor idea since Buffy is going to have a lot of access to her friends allowing them to make up which will likely cause the split to quickly fail to really take root. I prefer option 1 since going along with Angel can be considered the safer choice and would likely make him happier than overruling his plan.
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I've got the wrong impression, yes. That's why I was so confused about what you were saying there. x)
Thanks for clarifying and it is true enough. Option 1 is better.
 
*looks at time* And that'll be vote lock! Looks like the Idol is following Angel's plan.

*rubs hands together*
Adhoc vote count started by BungieONI on Sep 22, 2018 at 2:45 PM, finished with 36 posts and 25 votes.
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This is super good. As in good said in a non pitying or sarcastic way. Like it looks good in the sense that it's actually good, not in the sense that it's good cause it's connected to a story I like and having something is better than nothing, which is in most cases.
Excellent art.
 
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Episode 7, Part 2 “The Squire has a Task”
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    • Episode 7, Part 2
    "The Squire has a Task"    ​

    You leave the Sanctum, the Fog Gate slipping around you and obscuring Latria as you descend the stairs with quiet steps. It is likely she will spend her time examining the Glove again. Without you there however, you don't expect her to try to activate it.

    A part of you is also intellectually curious about the Glove, and has been for some time pondering suggestions you could raise to your Lady. The only stumbling block is… well.

    Why would I need to suggest anything?

    And while there are layers to that thought, one of them is definitely not apprehension about actually voicing a suggestion. You are certain she would let you propose them at the right time. But, you are concerned it might be just a waste of her time because she knows this topic far better than you do.

    Standing in the doorway to the master bedroom which you had been using, albeit rarely, you take stock.

    In front of you is the king size bed, bundled with various blankets and sheets which you tended to wrap yourself up in unconsciously when you slept. To the right, by the head of the bed, is your dresser where you have stuck your clothes and feminine products. Resting on top of the dresser is your Remington, its ammo, and your stake. To your left and further in is a bank of curtained windows. You know which one Latria came through to enter this place a month ago. One of those little things caused by your sight.

    You won't need the blankets and sheets. When you explored the Manor you had found the other two rooms on the fourth floor well furnished. Ignoring them you step over and pick up your stake, which you stick in your pants. Seated at the small of your back it should be in easy reach. Adjusting your shirt to cover it, you sling the Remington over your shoulders crosswise with one hand as you use the other to pop the drawer.

    The contents of said drawer are swiftly in your arms, and with a quick pluck of a hand as you leave the room, the ammo is set on top. You head across the balcony and then up the stairs to the fourth floor. The Fog Gate is quietly babbling nonsense when you pass it.

    Finding one of the smaller rooms you pop the door and slip in. The room is moderately furnished with a queen size bed and a dresser and wardrobe. Cracking that wardrobe open gently with a finger, you then put your stuff onto its bottom shelf. Need to remember to hang those up… You think absently as you move over to lay the Remington on top of the dresser in a patch of moonlight from the window.

    With those in their place you slip out and head back down the stairs. Pausing at the Sanctum landing you look into the Gate. Fog and the many things which inhabit it, reflections of your Lady, greet you. They twirl and dance in glee. Some of them are even laughing, like she did.

    Stifling a giggle of your own you slip down the stairs to the second floor and then keep going, not attempting to silence your steps as you descend to the first floor. Angel is still seated at the dinner table and he looks up at you as you round the bottom of the stairs. You lean on the bannister.

    "Bedroom on the second floor is all set if you want to use it." Your amusement makes you smirk as you say this.

    "Ah... you didn't…" He starts to say, then he catches your pointed look and just falls silent. You look him over as he stands. He cuts a fine picture of masculinity, though the blood is not a good garnish. It's a pity really, if he wasn't dead you might actually be interested in him. Those thoughts cause your eyes to narrow as you remember how he looked at your Lady.

    Message delivered you turn and head up the stairs. You hear him quickly follow you. When you are halfway to the Sanctum landing he calls out.

    "Annie! Thanks for helping me out." His expression is happy when you look back, and surprisingly, somewhat hopeful.

    Leaning over the railing you quirk an eyebrow at him.

    "You're welcome Angel," you say, then you continue. "But… hmm. A bit of advice."

    His expression is questioning.

    "What's up?" He asks lightly. Hmm, how to say this...

    "Don't try to lead us on with false pretenses again. Latria, especially." Your tone is a rebuke as you straighten up and disappear through the Fog Gate.

    While Latria has her own feelings, I also have mine.

    And really Angel, you should be food for her after this little debacle.

    ***​

    Your hands delicately drift over the Glove, a hum in your throat and a bubbly murmur in your head.

    As it always is, the Soul provide answers. An old thought from a time before you existed, handed down from one sorcerer to another. And here it is true. Winding Soul energies, twisted within yourself, with the reservoirs and frame of the Glove will give you more control over it. And so like an overly large spider you weave threads and patches of Soul-stuff into the Glove.

    It is a meditative action, a concept you have had since you were made. Though, what you consider meditation is probably far too greedy and contemplative of violence for most mortal humans.

    Your twisting thoughts are interrupted by a voice, gruff from recent disuse. Annie.

    "My Lady. The sun has set, and Angel should be awake." She sounds anticipatory. Looking up from the Glove you look at her, head tilted.

    "Hmm… get ready then." She is already rising to fulfill your command before you finish speaking. Your hands had finished the change you were making while you spoke. Looking it over you find it in good order. Soon it will be ready…

    And then your plan will be set in motion.

    The circle shudders and the Fog light seeps away and with a rustle of cloth you rise and pull on the seeming. Your book is hung at your hip on its little hook and the scroll stuck through your belt on the other side. The Fog Gate slips around you like a soft cloud. Angel is below you, you can hear him in the foyer.

    Annie has already emerged from her room, her outfit changed by the inclusion of leather gloves with hard knuckles and a jacket, over which she has slung the Remington. The both of you walk down the stairs.

    "So, what is your decision Angel?" You ask as you come into view, drifting along the balcony railing and descending to the foyer with Annie on your heels.

    "Well, I'll take it." He responds with a smirk.

    "Excellent. Well then, please share with us what you have planned." You say as you round the bottom of the steps, your false body language elegant and welcoming. There's a tension between him and Annie that you note. Both of them seem wary of the other.

    Setting that aside for later you drift over to stand before him as he looks between the both of you. He lets out a breath, gathering his thoughts before speaking.

    "At this point we're going to need to find Darla. She'll know I'm not dead, again, and likely try to get at Buffy and her friends again as a lure for me." He says, then sighs. His resolve is weaker than yesterday, you note, which makes parts of you writhe in consideration behind your blank mask.

    "I can track her down and then we can make sure she doesn't cause any more harm." His voice is carrying a veneer of false confidence, which you judge would fool most people besides who he's speaking too.

    "Before that happens, we're going to need some stuff from my place." He says, grimacing slightly as he looks down at himself. You hum in thought and exchange a glance with Annie. It's a good and simple plan, though it is limited because it doesn't include any provisions for making back up with his current infatuation.

    You raise an eyebrow at Annie. She turns to Angel.

    "What about making up with your stabby girlfriend?" She says pleasantly. Not what I had in mind, but it will do. It certainly amuses you, after a fashion.

    Angel coughs in surprise. "Buffy… I need to talk to by myself." He says as he rubs the back of his head with a hand. Then he sighs. "I'm kinda hazardous goods when it comes to her right now."

    Annie and you hum in sync, then you nod. "Fine."

    She then breaks your little group with a tiny wave and some words thrown over her shoulder. "I'll start the car then."

    You both look after her, then follow.

    The grass of your yard is soft on your feet and cool.

    You hear the car start with a purr-rumble. The gate is already open and with a wave of your hand you close it behind yourself and Angel, resetting the wards in a flutter of Fog energy that then fades away.

    Clunk. Angel has gotten into the back seat of the car as you worked. You in turn slip around to the passenger side, Annie opening the door for you as you round the front of the car. Once you are seated, she pulls away from the sidewalk and with a flash the lights on the car illuminate the roadway.

    You recline in your seat, watching the night air around you for traces of vampires. Annie looks into the rear view mirror. "Where to Angel?" She asks as she looks at where he would be in the mirror.

    "Head to the warehouse district with the Bronze, I'll point out where you need to go after that." He responds quietly. The car accelerates in response and you begin to weave your way through the streets.

    The Hellmouth is nearly silent today. Why? That question takes your focus and most of your attention drifts away from the inside of the car. If there's a problem you expect Annie to be able to deal with it.

    It is not satiated or quiescent. Distant is a good description. And you have no idea as to why. Perhaps it is another random point in the pattern. That there is no magic attached to it is a strong point in favor.

    "So, Angel, a question from a curious girl." Annie's voice slides through the car, and a part of you pays attention while the rest watches for strange energies.

    "Yeah? Alright, go ahead." Angel says magnanimously.

    "What do you think of her?" She asks, seeming innocently curious, but you know she's leading up to something.

    Angel breathes out a hum of consideration. Then he laughs slightly.

    "She's a work of art in a way. Very much a cheerleader." He says, the unfamiliar term 'cheerleader' making you listen more attentively. "Funny, smart, and fun… she's also extremely capable in a fight. Loyal to her friends." The quaint listing makes your attention turn away.

    You are now somewhere deep in a grouping of taller buildings. A mix of stores and what might be offices for scribes or other workers. You are not interested in those however, and your gaze drifts upward to the moon, currently a grinning crescent. Your second. It looks strange while filtered through the magic of the Hellmouth. Faded and out of place. As you wonder what magic might be attached to it, Annie responds.

    "So, what will you do when she rejects your attempt at making up?" Her voice is blunt, but understanding.

    Angel sighs again, this one ragged. "I don't think she will if I try. But if she did I'd have to keep trying. There's not much else for me to do…" His voice is pained, and also tinged with anger.

    "Hmm, knowing how it feels to be a betrayed teenager, you've got your work cut out for you. Honestly if I was you, I'd try and talk to Willow." She says, her voice serious. Then she glances back.

    "We're almost at the warehouse district. Point the way?" She asks, the heavy topic forgotten. You look forward again, straightening in your seat. A little hum starts in the back of your head and you find one of your fingers tapping along to it.

    "You'll want the first right after the tracks." Angel says, tone reserved. You glance back at him.

    "Say Angel, would Darla have tried to worm her way into your home?" You ask.

    He looks at you, expression thoughtful.

    "It's definitely possible." He says, then frowns.

    "Go left, and keep your eyes out." His voice is focused now.

    All of you spend more of your attention on watching the shadows as Angel quietly directs you to his home. A few minutes later, you stop the car in a darkened lot. The shadows are empty and the night quiet. But, there is vampire scent on the wind and a faded disturbance in the air.

    "Hmm, looks clear. Follow me." Angel says, getting out and striding purposefully into the darkness, where he quickly blends in. You and Annie follow, the car falling silent behind you.

    Angel leads you into a silent building and down a short half flight of stairs, into a maintenance corridor of sorts. The smell of multiple vampires is thick down here, but old. Angel approaches his door cautiously and leans up on the wall beside it. You and Annie stack up on the other side. Angel looks across at you both, then grabs the door and gently pushes it open.

    The silence stays undisturbed, as you all likely expected.

    Nothing is lurking in his lair.

    Angel slips inside, his steps graceful and lithe, and you follow. Hmm? You look around at the room, full of various odds and ends, some of them tumbled on the floor. Knocked out of place.

    The left wall is covered in pictures, illuminated by a lamp behind a tall folding screen. A dresser or cabinet has a variety of books on it, piled on their sides in no particular order, with some on the floor. To your right is a desk with an old lamp on it, currently knocked over and off. The desk seems mostly unmolested otherwise and has a few papers strewn about on it. A faded chair is pushed in behind it. Across from you is a statue in a glass case, seated on a table. A religious icon perhaps?

    Annie moves to follow you as you explore, glancing at parts of the room and then focusing on the archway which Angel disappeared through, and from which rustling sounds are emerging. There's something here, a scent in the air you are familiar with. You drift past his desk to look behind his chair at the corner of the room. And there it is, a small pile of dust. You kneel beside it, running your hand through it. It fades and disperses as you touch it, the energy lingering on it weak and young, though you aren't completely sure.

    "A vamp got dusted here?" Annie asks you. You nod.

    "Angel, it seems you have a corpse, of sorts, on your hands." Your voice is serious but calm.

    "Coming!" Angel responds from the other room, and his footsteps follow that statement.

    Aside from the dead remains here, you can smell Darla as well. You look around, and find subtle claw marks and other bits of concrete dust lying about. A fight between superior and minion then. Though you obviously can't be sure.

    Angel emerges from the other room, clothed in a white shirt and another jacket, though the cut is different on this one and comes down to his mid thighs. He looks at where you are kneeling and comprehension lights up his face.

    "Vampire?" He asks, to be sure. You nod, and rise as you dust off your hands.

    "It looks like Darla got into a fight with one of her minions. Is anything missing?" You ask him, head tilted left.

    He shakes his head. "No, not that I can see immediately, but we need to hurry."

    You can see over his shoulder that he is carrying a small bag, with long and pointy shapes in it. Stakes most likely.

    "Let's go, I've got what I need." He says, tilting his head as he leads you both out.

    Now, you just have to decide how you and Annie want to approach the likely coming fights.


    How does the Idol execute her role in this plan?

    [] Softly and by making opportune moments, a more subtle option, though one that concedes some initiative to the enemy to find the right times to act.

    [] Loudly and slinging spells from the get go, a more obvious option, though one that attracts more of her enemy's focus.

    And there we go! Stuff is picking up now.

    Here's the music I listened to while writing this up.

    Vote lock on October 1st, 6:00 pm UTC.
     
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    • [X] Softly and by making opportune moments, a more subtle option, though one that concedes some initiative to the enemy to find the right times to act.

    Trickster gonna trick.
     
    [X] Softly and by making opportune moments, a more subtle option, though one that concedes some initiative to the enemy to find the right times to act.
     
    [X] Softly and by making opportune moments, a more subtle option, though one that concedes some initiative to the enemy to find the right times to act.
     
    [X] Softly and by making opportune moments, a more subtle option, though one that concedes some initiative to the enemy to find the right times to act.

    Loving the update as always, and it is nice to see how the increase of emotion is starting to mess with her mask.
     
    [x] Softly and by making opportune moments, a more subtle option, though one that concedes some initiative to the enemy to find the right times to act.

    I really love how annie is becoming far more of a character.
     
    [X] Softly and by making opportune moments, a more subtle option, though one that concedes some initiative to the enemy to find the right times to act.
     
    [X] Softly and by making opportune moments, a more subtle option, though one that concedes some initiative to the enemy to find the right times to act.
     
    [X] Softly and by making opportune moments, a more subtle option, though one that concedes some initiative to the enemy to find the right times to act.
     
    [X] Softly and by making opportune moments, a more subtle option, though one that concedes some initiative to the enemy to find the right times to act.
     
    [X] Softly and by making opportune moments, a more subtle option, though one that concedes some initiative to the enemy to find the right times to act.
     
    though one that concedes some initiative to the enemy
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    Non!

    Mon centre cède, ma droite recule, situation excellente, j'attaque.

    [X] Loudly and slinging spells from the get go, a more obvious option, though one that attracts more of her enemy's focus.
     
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