Hello everybody, AzraelVoorhees here, and I hope you're all doing well. Got a lot of equipment for work, not going to lie, but it should not affect my progress. If anything, I may have to push back progress for one or two a week, three if I push it. It may be up for debate, but this is the current line-up:
Next chapter: Grayfia Part 2 (April 1st, given length).
Chapter after that: Second winner of the previous poll (April 2nd).
Chapter after: Winner of the current poll (April 3rd).
Right now, it's to let the poll breathe a bit (you can the link on my profile), so we're going to dive into Sona a bit more. I once more apologize for the length of Grayfia's chapter, as it was a long day. Further information on the bottom, please enjoy.
"You need chaos in your soul to give birth"
Sona and Tsubaki looked at their respective sheets somewhat confused. While Shinra had gone for a t-shirt, jeans and high boots, the Sitri heiress had gone for a more formal look, donning a skirt, blouse and heels. The Hyoudou residence was modestly furnished, as she could see. With a piping hot cup of tea being served to her and her Queen, Sona looked at the sheet in front of her with a look of confusion. She was very unfamiliar with these terms, as they all varied in an array of ways. Initiative? Survival? Constitution? What exactly were these? What was with all the dice? Why was a table-sized grid needed? She did not understand, but it was also the same reason she was here.
"Sona, are you ready?" Issei asked, Tsubaki also looking at her.
"A-ah, yes, yes I am. Where were we?" she asked. 'Great, now I'm being caught off-guard, this is all so silly, out of the ordinary... but what is ordinary? Killing Stray Devils every other week? Hmph, who am I to judge?' she thought to herself.
"Creating your character, we already made Shinra-senpai's to be a Warlock/Sorcerer," he answered, handing her a sheet that had been filled out to cover Level 4. Her character's name was Ella, a Human Warlock who made a pact with an ancient evil. After a mission gone wrong, she was left for dead, taken in by a group of sorcerers to dabble with fire magic. Despite being a common element, Ella was one of the few who started to refine it to the degree that people said that it would bypass many a defense. When she was out of magic, she could always resort to an array of weapons, not afraid of getting her hands dirty.
"Understood. Issei-san, in the case I cannot decide a class or race, what should I do?" the black-haired King asked.
"Hmm, that's a good question, which is why we have..." he drifted off, rummaging in his bag to pull out a 10-sided die of a steel green color., the numbers ranging between 0 and 9. "Ta-dah! Roll it and I'll throw in a few classes to help narrow it out, must be overwhelming with the amount of options, huh?" With minor hesitance, she took the die and prepared to throw it. The thought of leaving fate at a die's roll was somewhat exhilirating, as she now understood the thrill gamblers felt. It was in such matters she would allow a decision that was risky in some aspects, but helpful in matters where the risk was minimal. As she watched the die roll, she looked at him once it landed on a 6.
"6? Huh, guess it'll be a Wisdom-heavy group," he answered, chuckling as he looked at her. "So, we have a few classes in mind: Cleric, which are casters with a dash of, combat the casting-leaning brother of the Paladin so to say," he says, pulling out a list of concepts such as War, Death, Arcana, Life, etc.. "Their specialties are based off concepts handled by their deity." Our second option is Druid, who handles circles based on the forces of nature such as the moon, spores, wildfire, stars, etc. I like to call them 'hippies who actually finished university,'" he added, earning a snort from Tsubaki who tried to contain her laughter. This earned a curious look from Sona, watching as the brunette went through a book to fish out another option.
"Our final option is the Monk, who handles techniques based on their focus to affect the enemies. Open Hand is basically hitting hard, Drunken Master offers mobility, there is also Four Elements, the bastard child of the Monk class," he says, chuckling as he looks at her. "Do any of these tickle your fancy, Sona-kaichou?" he added, resting his head on a hand as he looked into her eyes, his elbow was on the table.
She had intended on this game to be an escape from reality and yet she alongside Tsubaki were still being addressed as superiors. That and she needed a different twist, one that may defy the standards of her family. After all, everyone needed a bit of chaos for a new perspective.
"Issei, I ask of you to please address me by name, the same going for Tsubaki unless she requests otherwise," Sitri replied, looking at her close friend.
"I've nothing against it," Tsubaki said, nodding at her.
"Good, now I need you to help me create an overly 'edgy' character," she said, before looking away ashamed.
"Sona, are you alright?" he asked, somewhat concerned, said concern being replicated on Shinra's face.
"Yes, yes I am. Call it an impulse," she answered.
'Something's up, but I don't blame her, especially since she's the go-to for student-relatd concerns. If release is what she wants, then it's what she'll get,' he thought, before giving her a smile.
'I've got just what you need," he answered, handing her a DVD. "In fact, why don't you go ahead and take a breather while Tsubaki and I go over the sheet and how to set up your character, okay? My DVD player's upstairs, we've got time. Serves I also prepare dinner," he added. Looking at her Queen for approval, she earned an honest nod, which then lead to her looking at Issei.
"Second door to the left," he replied, watching her go up the stairs, the sound of the television confirming her actions.
"Tsubaki, I need you to be honest to me, friend to friend," he said, putting his items aside.
"But I'm not your friend," she said, raising an eyebrow.
"Details aside, what is going on with Sona? School festival? Students causing a ruckus? A creep?" he asked, tapping his pen against the table.
"Why are you so insistent on helping her?" Tsubaki asked, getting somewhat defensive.
"Right thing aside, who's helping her? She sounded desperate, impulsive, things we know Sona is not. I will ask you again: what is going on?" he asked, his welcome presence replaced by a somewhat oppressive one, which would be quite frightening were it not for Tsubaki's powers. "Please, Tsubaki... help me help her," he pleaded. In a day she had seen joy, insistence and now slight fear in her kouhai. It was a problem Sona had dealt with: a dream frowned upon, a feeling of uselessness as she could only stand on the side as her friend was being married off, and an odd refusal of asking for help. Now that Issei, a man who was willing to hear her out was helping her... would she refuse? No, he was right: what exactly had she as Queen and friend to Sona done to help? Despite the knowledge, she had not gone beyond 'are you okay'. Perhaps she could redeem herself, for the good things took time.
"It is not my place to explain, but if you want to help her... mayber this 'D&D' can help?" she asked, slowly pushing the empty character sheet towards him. With an understanding smile and renewed vigor, the two got to work, going through concepts such as possibilities for the character, preparing a rough draft of the desired character, leaving enough time to get to preparing a simple meal of pork in green salsa accomanied by baked beans and white rice.
"Enjoy," he said, as the three began to eat, a silent meal as they were deep in thought. The heiress was wondering about the movie Hyoudou suggested she watch, trying to evade what was told to her earlier that day...
"Daughter, we have been very patient with you, but this is outrageous!" a woman who looked like she was in her thirties or forties said, looking at her. The unknown woman's hair was the same color as hers, albeit short and swept back.
"I understand, mother, but I wish for someone to be on par with me! Chess has been played for a millennium and a half and has been used to decide important battles. Is it that which bothers you, or my dream of a school to help aspiring Devils and the reincarnated ones?" she asked, raising her voice.
"Both! The first narrows down your choices while the second has put us in a tight spot with the other nobles! They are now talking behind your back, which in turn could possibly affect us! What do you have to say for yourself?"
"That I will not back down and instead use that to prove them wrong!" she said, as a resounding slap was heard. Looking at her, tears threatening to spill, she could only utter a single word.
"Mother..."
"Don't 'mother' me, Sona. I will comply with your demands, but do not expect my support in that silly dream of yours," the Sitri matriarch said, walking away. Trembling, the heiress quickly conjured a teleportation circle and left, ending up in her home in Kuoh. Greeted by the silence of her home, she wept. Despite the ease of healing the injury she sported on her cheek, the one inflicted by her mother's words would endure.
Snapping out of her reverie, the heiress went back to eating, putting up a facade to show that everything was alright. Using her free time to spend it with Issei and Tsubaki was a bit of a gamble, maybe. But she needed to re-think things, see what to do to fuel her dream. If she had not chosen to partake, then her thoughts would have become rigid and obsolete. She was only used to leading, but if someone else were to lead, in a setting where she could allow these events and somewhat new set of people to influence events she had no control of... then perhaps it could open a world of new possibilities. Once dinner was finished, the three cleared the table to resume the development of Sitri's character.
"So Sona, what did you think about the movie?" Issei asked, looking at the heiress.
"It was... interesting. While it was to a degree cliché, I'll admit I love it. Would you happen to have another movie you'd recommend me?" she asked, looking away as she spoke.
"Maybe later, but for now, let's dive into your character," he answered, handing her a semi-filled character sheet along with a blank one.
"Okay," she replied, somewhat surprised with her word of choice, but slowly relaxing. "And, forgive my curiosity, but who is this character you made?"
"Remember the main character of the movie?" he asked, earning a small nod. "Well, we made it based off him, but sort of adapted to you. No need to hold back, go in and beat 'em up. We've sort of made the character, but now we'd like to consult stats with you, maybe you want a little more speed, health, wisdom?" he asked, reaching his hand out to her and offering her a pen. Sona accepted said pen and began to fill her name in. The way to mastering the tabletop game would be a long one, but in the company of good friends, she felt at ease.
So yeah, that just about wraps it up, just trying to find an estimated length per day to work on each chapter. This prospect is tempting, and I was wondering what you all thought about making a fic that is divided between plot chapters and D&D segments? For instance, one chapter breaks down Sona and Issei taking a walk, and the next breaks down damage and all.
That aside, the poll for the next character will be up until around April 2nd, as tomorrow will be a second Grayfia chapter given its length, and on April 2nd will be the runner-up in Grayfia's poll. Let me know what you think in terms of feedback, character and quote suggestions, or any questions you may have involving the story or myself. Thank you, and have a lovely day.
'Determining a priority stat for a class based off a 10-sided die'
1/8: STR
2/7 DEX
3/6 WIS
4/5 INT
0/9 CHA