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Anonymous09/27/25, 17:05No.6311572Hatch That Egg! #3, It's a metaphor
Thread #2: http://thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2025/6259613/
>Fed job takes you to a fairy tale.
>There is a robot in the fairy tale.
>Get cursed with a ghost.
>Met some of your co-workers.
>Broke ghost curse, sort of.
>Fed job takes you to fairy lands to find a missing person.
>Now, it's time to split up, team!
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Anon09/27/25, 17:08No.6311573
If you are going to have to split up to search the both cities for Lulu, you decide that exploring the Jester's city with Emogen sounds like a good idea. Surprisingly, despite your hesitance about trusting Kamiko fully you think she'll take good care of Tamako while they look through the mime city. Except for the whole drugging and kidnapping you both, she has been rather kind to your daughter."So it's you and me, huh?" Tamako says, looking up at the taller woman."Oh, well I mean we don't ha-" She starts to say, crouching down in an attempt to meet her at eye level."Let's do this, woo!"===Tamako nods smugly to herself as the other three make plans to meet up later near the Clown city ruins, and discuss it with the weird Jester King guy. This is the perfect opportunity! She can work on Kamiko's true feelings for her father while he works on courting Emogen. Two birds with one stone!Out of everyone so far those two seem like the best candidates, considering they are so big and strong. They can even cook! Hilde is pretty strong too, but she's a robot and so Tamako won't get any brothers or sisters from her. On the other hand, Seshat and Zul seem nice and smart but they are also smaller and weaker. The changeling supposes they can be backups if the others don't work out.Outside of the Jester's castle the teams part ways. Dad and Emogen go to look around the medieval looking city while Tamako and Kamiko head towards the train. Stripe City is apparently the next stop, and only about a thirty minute ride away. The pair loads on to the train and takes some nearby seats in a wooden style coach with a desert out view out the window."What are those?" The changeling asks, pointing out the window where as spiky green towers in the sand whiz by."Those are cactus. They are plants that grow in deserts. I think they are called Saguaros? This car must be Wild West themed." Tamako's (hopefully) future mother answers."Ohhh, I see!" Tamako replies, "That's where cowboy hats come from right? Is that a place in fairy world? Can we visit it?""Sort of? There are plenty of fae from stories about the Wild West, but it's time in the real world ended quite a while ago. We might have something in the archive about that time, or perhaps your father can take you to a museum?"Tamako then realizes she's already forgetting her mission to help her dad get a wife! She needs to steer this conversation that direction somehow.
afI
Anon09/27/25, 21:41No.6311716
welcome back, OP>Captcha PAY2G0
huh?
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Anon09/28/25, 01:28No.6311827
"Museums seems cool. I remember seeing one in an anime. It had a dinosaur skeleton in it! And lot's of paintings. And like, a mummy." Tamako says thinking for a moment, "Dad wanted to put me into a school, so I'm sure he wants me to learn stuff. I bet he'd take me if I asked."Kamiko chuckles and says, "That's probably a good angle to take. He does care for you quite a lot, doesn't he?""Can you blame him? And I love him a lot's right back!" Tamako says. Spotting an opportunity the changeling continues, "He hatched me, gave me food, clothes, and anime! Everyday something new and fun and weird is happening. And he's doing this all without a mom to help him. He's the best dad ever, huh?""I'm glad to hear he's treating you well. I must admit, I'm a bit jealous." Kamiko says giving a warm smile. She finishes, "If you think your father ever needs help with something, don't be afraid to ask me. It is my fault you guys are in this situation, after all."Tamako couldn't gleam too much from those answers. She wonders if she should ask Kamiko directly about her feelings about her dad. The larger lady seems to lean towards secrecy for some reason, so it's probably not the best idea. Kamiko seems like the type to get defensive about such things and clam up, so maybe the changeling should come at this from a different way."My dad and Emogen get along together, huh?" Tamako mentions."Emogen makes friends easily." Kamiko says with a smile, "She's got a lot of experience with people.""Do you think Emogen likes my dad a lot? Like a lot a lot?" Tamako continues."I... Hadn't given it too much thought." Kamiko says a little surprised. "I mean, they haven't spent enough time together to figure out that sort of thing.""Well, they are off with themselves now, maybe they'll find out?" Tamako goads, "It's almost like they are off on a date.""O-oh. I suppose it could be viewed that way." She responds a little nervously.
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Anon09/29/25, 03:46No.6312377
"I mean, he needs to find dates to get me a mom, right? That's kind of how we all met after all." Tamako remarks."Again, sorry about what happened at the dinner." Kamiko apologizes."Yeah, the date with you didn't go so well, huh? Maybe you should give him a make-up date? Another dinner? It's only fair. Can we try one of those omelettes with the ketchup writing for the next one?" Tamako presses."A-another..." Kamiko says, and blushing slightly deflects by saying, "I'm not so sure your father would be keen on that. He seems pretty upset with me about the whole... Incident.""I mean, he's letting you watch me. That means something, doesn't it?" Tamako prods."Next stop, Stripes City!" A staticky voice says from nowhere."Ah! Er. Well time to get going!" Kamiko says, standing up suddenly and banging her head on the car's ceiling. Tamako clicks her tongue as the larger woman escapes towards the door. She is sure just a little more of a push would have got Kamiko to admit something.Walking out of the coach, Tamako has to admit to initially being disappointed at the look of the Mime's city. It looks like Dad's city, perhaps being a slightly larger metropolis. It does stand out for one reason though. The whole place is almost entirely monochrome, and the little color there is from plants or trees is dull and washed out. The few oasis' of bright color come from the non-mime fairies making their way through the streets.The place is also rather more quiet than a city it's size suggests, with even the rustling of the leaves seemingly muffled. Once again, the odd ones out being the non-mimes, who's conversations seem to carry in the silence."So... What now?" Tamako asks, suddenly feeling very out of place."We head towards the 'SHH Center'." She says, reading a note from her file. She raises a hand and point to an office tower. "I think it's that one.""That's where she lives?" Tamako says. "What sort of queen doesn't have a castle?""Maybe she just does her business there?" Kamiko says with a shrug.
DR8
Anon09/29/25, 20:56No.6312629
OP can you confirm if MC is packing massively schmeat downstairs since he has the quintessential hentai protag cut.
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Anon09/30/25, 03:48No.6312762
The pair make their way towards the tower, taking in the sights of the monochrome city. As they walk past a small park Tamako sees a pair of boys throwing an invisible ball to each other, and another flying a kite that isn't there."What're they doing? Some sort of game?" Tamako says, pointing over to a group of teenage mimes sitting around making hand gestures at each other."It's sign language. Mime fae are usually mute so that's how they communicate." Kamiko answers."Oh cool!" Tamako says, watching and figuring out some of the words from other mimes having conversations. Hello almost looks like a sideways salute, going out from the side of the head instead of off a forehead. There are even several types of greetings. Once sort of looks like two thumbs up and a point. Even just an okay gesture seems to suffice.As the pair approach their destination the houses and businesses gradually start to become bigger and flashier. There is also much more noise, as there are barkers advertising, as well non-mimes starting to increase in number. The SHH center interior is mostly a well decorated lobby with a reception desk and guards miming having guns protecting elevators. The receptionists seem to know that SHR were coming, and after Kamiko gives her credentials you are let onto the elevators.After an extended ride, the pair come to find two people waiting for them at the doors. One is an insect winged fairy mime around Tamako's height. The other is a regular looking female mime, and though she is just about the size of Dad, she somehow feels much more like the size of Kamiko. The changeling doesn't even have to be told that this is the Mime Queen.The lady does the sideways salute and combines it with the thumbs up and point. However she follows it up with more sign language that Tamako can only sort of piece together at the moment. After the queen finishes the fairy mime beside her says, "Greetings, and thank you for your agencies help. I offer you all courtesies to assist you in finding my daughter.""You can talk?" Tamako says surprised. "I thought mimes couldn't do that!""Oh, I'm not actually a mime. I'm just like the aesthetic." The Mime Fairy says, "Anyway, sorry honey. I'm on duty.""I'm sure you have many questions, and I'll do my best to answer them. Come, let's walk and talk." The Mime Queen signs, motioning down a long hallway to her office.
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Anon10/01/25, 03:41No.6313181
The party walks to the end of the hall past several doors and to the Queen's Office. It's quite large, and one of the walls is just glass panes looking out on a spectacular view of the city. It's sparsely furnished, with a minimalist book shelf, several chairs, and a simple slab of a desk. Even the desk just has paperwork and other clerical items. The only personal object there is a photo in a frame and a potted plant."We've heard the Jester King's side of the story. Can you tell us what happened?" Kamiko asks, pulling out a notebook."As you probably know, I brought Lulu back from her father's, though she almost immediately went to go back. I've confirmed she made it on to the train going towards her father's city, but he says Lulu never got there. I have no idea where else she could have gone otherwise, so I'm assuming he's lying." The Queen signs."And why do you assume he kidnapped her? Perhaps she just ran somewhere, or was kidnapped by someone else?""It's not like he hasn't done it before. There is always some sort of accident or incident with him. Heck, they both just came back from a story that she was 'trapped' in. The whole thing was a last minute idea by my ex, and I doubt Lulu even knew she was heading for a story. I certainly didn't." The Queen gestures, annoyed."Whoa, is this Lulu?" Tamako asks, looking at the photo closer. It's of a girl dancing, wearing much more modern clothing, "She looks so... Different! That painting gave off a different vibe for her.""You saw the portrait? She posed for it just so she could wear the dress. Lulu is quite the fashion enthusiast. " The Mime Queen signs happily."How recent is this photo?" Kamiko asks."That's from her birthday last year. Like I said she is a fan of fashion, so she could be wearing anything. You should see the mess her closet is in." The queen finishes with resigned gestures."Can we actually go see?" Tamako asks suddenly excited. "I wanna see how a princess lives in the big city.""Yes, of course. I assume you want to search the whole penthouse anyway. I can accompany you for a bit, but I'll have to return to my duties at some point. Shall we go?""One last question. I don't mean to pry, but it might be important." Kamiko says, putting her notepad away for now. "Your daughter is at least part clown, correct?""Yes, why do you ask?" The queen replies with clipped gestures."Assuming no one has been kidnapped, is it possible she might have visited the ruins of the clown city?" Kamiko suggests."I certainly hope not. It's just a trash heap full of rodents now."
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Anon10/02/25, 02:45No.6313500
The group makes it's way to Lulu's room in awkward silence. The room itself is clean and organized, and though it contains some stuffed aimals and knick-knacks the dust on the nearby table tells the changeling it probably isn't occupied often. Kamiko does a short walk of the room, briefly looks out at the balcony before walking to the only other door. The queen was quite truthful about the amount of clothing in the closet, as there are stacks of garments, even more than at her room in the Jester's castle. It's so eclectic that Tamako has to avert her gaze for a moment as her eyes hurt at the prismatic display after being in black and white for so long. Either way, Lulu does not appear to be in her room."Do you know if your daughter has a journal or anything? Maybe received some mail recently?" Kamiko asks.The Queen sheepishly signs, "Yes, I do know where her diary is. She keeps it under her pillow."Moving the cushions away however, reveals nothing except a small worn indent where the diary probably sat until recently."Maybe Lulu figured out you found it? She might have changed the hiding place." Kamiko says as they all begin searching around.Tamako intended to help look for the diary, but her attention affixes on the only current occupant. A cat quietly looking intently at the people walking in, like it was expecting them. The feline is entirely black, save for white fur on it's face. Unsurprisingly, it is also dressed like a mime."Ah sweet, a cat!" Tamako says, raising her hands in a groping motion to pet it. However she stops. The cat stands, arching her back with her hair on end. It looks like it might bolt at any moment."That's my daughter's cat Domino." The queen signs dismissively, checking the nightstand next to the bed.The last cat got away, but not this time! She'll chase it to the ends of the earth, as she's determined to pet that cat one way or another. Tamako glances over to her chaperone currently rifling through the princess' clothes for the diary. Kamiko probably wouldn't want you to leave her sight, and it probably isn't very proper to run around an office building like that.On the other hand, it's a cat. She can't NOT pet it.What should she do?
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Anon10/03/25, 03:13No.6313955
"Kitty kitty..." Tamako says, trying to inch closer to the cat slowly. The cat seems to want none of it, and darts under the bed. Tamako jumps back and in attempts to cut the cat off from escape, but it doesn't reappear. Looking underneath the mattresses the changeling spots the tip of the cat's tail slipping down a small, unscrewed vent.Tamako dives under bed and grabs at anything inside the duct, reaching and stretching as deep as she can."Got'chu!" she yells, pulling her arm back. Even while she does she notices that the texture is far too smooth to be any sort of feline. Upon returning from under out of the vent and under the bed, Tamako notices it's a wad of opened mail."What do you have there?" The Queen asks, making Kamiko look up from her searching. Tamako hands the queen the paper, after looking through them she hands the envelopes off to Kamiko and then signs, "Only a few of these have letters in them, and they all are addressed to my daughter. No return address. Little one, can you see if there is anymore down there?""Is she smaller than me or something? How'd she get them in here." Tamako says as she dives back under the bed. The vent is small, and angles pretty much right at the mouth. "Oh! Do you think she trained the cat?""She is part clown. She can fit into rather small spaces." The queen gestures."Does the vent open up anywhere else on the floor?" Kamiko asks, helping the queen look through the mail. "Or to other floors?""I apologize, I am not sure. I can ask the staff later." The Queen signs. The translator notes that on her clipboard.Tamako finishes groping around the best she can in the vent. Scooping up her finds she dumps them on the Queen and Kamiko. They all look through the envelopes, pulling out any that have letters. They all contain what looks like riddles, handwritten with thick, childish penmanship.-We honk our horns and dance with glee! Our chaos spread hliarity!--With tie's too big, and vests too bright, We're clad in hues that spark delight!--A smile drawn on, from ear to ear, our face spread joy, no hint of fear!--With every giggle, we grow more bold. Your laughter's worth more than all the gold!-
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Anon10/03/25, 19:50No.6314198
So... Just moved from Windows to Linux Mint. Didn't realize CSP doesn't work on Linux so I'm going to have to learn how Krita works.Might not be an update today, we'll see.
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Anon10/05/25, 03:21No.6314693
(Still working on it, but here. Tamako drew you a picture in the mean time.)
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Anon10/06/25, 06:03No.6315108
(Still having a lil' trouble with the tablet, but getting there. Didn't have time for the writing bit butI'll post the image.)
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Anon10/08/25, 03:53No.6315817
"Should we be writing this stuff down? I feel like Dad would want to know all this stuff." Tamako mentions."Could we use your phone? I didn't get the King's number but I"m assuming you have it." Kamiko asks, turning to the Queen."His kingdom doesn't have phones. I can send a message, though I'm unsure when it would get to your coworkers." The stately mime signs.The Queen and Kamiko work out the logistics for their transport to the Clown ruins, and soon after mime must return to her work. On their way out of the tower, Kamiko looks up at a clock and says, "Well, we still have some time before we have to meet back up with your dad. How about some lunch?"---You keep glancing back at the station as you walk away, like your daughter and Kamiko might walk out from it despite seeing them leave on the train."What's the matter?" Emogen asks, catching on to this quickly.You say you just realized this is the first time you've really been separated from Tamako. Sure, there was the interrogation and your daughter would wander around the base, but it's not like she could leave the safety of the stronghold."Ah heck, she'll be safe with Kamiko. She spends a lot of time in the training area, so I'm sure she's more than up to the task." Emogen says, trying to comfort you.You glance again back at the train station, but then your partner almost immediately pulls you into a nearby tavern. It looks much like the bars you imagined your DnD party meet in, except that it's much more garishly decorated and the people all have hats with bells on the end."I've always wanted to try a meat pie." She says as you sit at a table. You mention that you are supposed to be out looking for the Jester's daughter. "We are! We just stopped for some lunch."You comment that it's a bit early for that, isn't it?"Brunch then."You chuckle, and soon a large pie is set before the two of you. You take a slice, and she looks like she's about to tuck into the rest of it. Trying a bite, you are surprised to find it is a boozy mixture of spices, meat, and fruit. You aren't sure why, but you thought it'd be more like a chicken pot pie or the like.
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Anon10/09/25, 05:37No.6316138
You realize the meat is a mixture of beef and pork, and you wonder if your co-worker knows that. It'd be a bit like you eating a monkey after all. Would it be rude to ask? Maybe if you do it in a roundabout way it won't come off badly.You ask Emogen if she's ever had Char Siu before."Oh yeah, those little chinese meat buns? I love those things!"Well, for better or for worse that answers that. As Emogen goes into a recipe for Char Siu you wonder if Tamako would like the pork bun better than something like this meat pie. It starts to make you a bit worried again. You hope she can find something to eat while out with Kamiko in the other city. What do mimes eat anyway? Mimes are french right? French food?To distract you from the worry, you ask Emogen what she thinks of the mystery of the missing clown-mime-jester royalty so far."Something does seem off, doesn't it? How does a princess just up and disappear. You'd think she'd have some kind of escort, or that someone would have noticed her." She says between a bite of pie, "If no one took her, then she's trying not to be found. But why?"You ask if it might have something to do with her being part Clown. You still aren't convinced the ruins don't have something to do with this."I mean anything is a possibility at this point." Your porcine co-worker says, spearing one of the cooked carrots out of the pastry.Since you are at a tavern anyway, you wait for one of the waitresses to bring you over some water and ask if she knows anything about the whereabouts of The Jester King's daughter."Lulu? She hasn't been by in a bit." She says a bit sadly. "And here we wanted to celebrate the completion of her first story, only for her to go missing.""Oh? Did she come here often?" Emogen asks."Every so often yeah. She likes to frequent all the businesses around here." The waitress says, pouring you more water from a pitcher. "When she visits it usually means packed tables and lot's of tips."As the waitress continues on her way Emogen remarks, "Huh, guess she's pretty popular. If she's hiding here in town, it's probably somewhere that there aren't a lot of eyes. Hopefully she hasn't fallen in with a bad crowd."
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Anon10/10/25, 02:49No.6316447
(No update today, sorry.)
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Anon10/11/25, 04:02No.6316921
The waitress comes back around, and as Emogen is requests the bill you ask the worker if Lulu spoke to anyone suspicious before her disappearance."If you mean literally, then no one since she can't talk. Probably not much of a shock, but she is really good at pantomiming. There are usually people around who know enough sign to help out as well." The Waitress says."Ah, that makes sense. With the mimes right next door sign language is probably pretty popular huh?" Emogen asks, pulling several copper coins and a silver one from her pocket and putting them on the table."Nah, most of the time mimes just come here with notepads, or if they are important enough they'll bring a translator." The waitress says with a shrug. "Funnily enough, more people learn French since a lot of the words in Stripes City uses it."Surprised the Princess doesn't just walk around with a translator." Emogen remarks."Any translator is going to report to her father, and since he's a bit of a cossetting parent Lulu tries to avoid it. But she loves to teach people words. Check this out." She then taps a finger on her open palm, makes a circular motion on her chest, and finally a motion that looks a bit like she's blowing a kiss without puckering her lips.You ask what she said and she replies, "Tip please!"You chuckle, and then realizing you've gotten a bit off topic return to your original question."Well, now that you mention it... She was spending some time teaching that chap over there how to use sign language. Honestly thought he was a mime but I guess he's just a really old type of jester?" The waitress says pointing over to a man across the way.You thought he was staring at you, but then you realize he's wearing a full head mask. It's not unlike the one that the Jester King wore, though bigger and with a belled hat that sticks out straight rather than resting. The face is a little more off-putting. Though his outfit is similar to the other jesters, he is dressed in monochrome colors. He sits there, somehow eating soup through the mask while petting a ragged looking cat.You approach and introduces yourselves, and ask him when the last time he saw the King's daughter was."The name is Piers." He says, putting down his soup spoon. "Saw her before she went into that story.""Were you close to Lulu?" Emogen asks."Acquaintances."The pair of you wait a second, but he doesn't elaborate further. Emogen continues, "Uh, okay. Did she mention anything or anyone strange before she disappeared?""Nope."He doesn't seem like the most talkative person...
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Anon10/12/25, 05:12No.6317505
Something seems suspicious about this individual. Perhaps you are just jumping to conclusions, but you wonder if this character is actually a mime, or jester, or whatever he is. The mask is odd, but the Jester King wears one so it can't be considered that strange."How'd you and Lulu know each other?" Emogen questions."Met her when I was eatin' here one time. I know sign language, so we talk." Piers says, picking up his spoon again. "I'm not much of a party person. We only really hung out here."They aren't going to make this easy, you think to yourself.Your co-worker asks, "Did she say anything that might make it seem like she would want to just disappear?""No." Piers says, scratching his cat. "Lulu isn't that type."You ask if Lulu seemed distressed or out of sorts the last time you saw her, and where that was.Piers thinks for a moment, and then says, "Saw her walking down a back alley near the market.""Oh? What was she doing?" Emogen says intrigued."Walking.""Other than that." Emogen says with a small snort of annoyance, "Did something seem off about how she was acting?""I just saw her walking. She seemed comfortable, like it's where a lady of her station would normally find herself." The Jester says spooning some soup into his mask's mouth hole."And where was this exactly?" Your porcine friend asks.He mentions seeing her in the alley between two places called, "The Juggling Jester" and "Mockwright's Marottes".
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Anon10/13/25, 04:06No.6317912
(Sorry, got home kind of late. I'll get an update tomorrow.)
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Anon10/14/25, 05:26No.6318281
You thank the Jester for his time, and after asking for some directions the pair make their way over to the market district. It is only a short walk away, and you find the alleyway between the juggling supply emporium and the maroette mart easily, as both display not only their names on custom signs above the doors, but most of them display some of the wares they sell outside their establishment The air in the market is filled with the sing-song voices of conversing jesters and their belled hats. The place smells of high scale restaurants and sweet treats. The market is actually rather upscale, with mostly brick and mortar stores with placards and clean paved roads between them. Glancing into a nearby clothing store you spot various shades of jester's garb. Were it not for the colors you don't think you'd be able to tell any of them apart. You also spot a paint store, though this one seems to specialize in face paint. There is even a weapon store with posters on it announcing a sale on daggers with pitches like, "Knives you can really get behind!", "Not even a fool would be without a weapon!" , "Only our wit is sharper than our blades!"There are only a few multi-colored tents and stalls pushed to one of the corners, and most of these being fairies with both jester and straw hats on, selling suspicious produce. From here you can spot one selling spotted apples, and striped bananas. You think you can even see some of the potatoes moving. It look like there are a lot of second-hand antiques as well as local small crafts.Other than that there is some public seating with a mini-castle as a play area for children. Though it's packed with people, many still make space for performances,. There are mock fights and plays, as well as acrobatics. You even spot some canvassers. One seems to be handing out fliers advertising a colony on Uranus. You hear him speak to another Jester about how it's big. And gassy."Think we heading in right away? Should we ask around here, maybe scout a bit?" Emogen asks, looking around.
1JM
Anon10/15/25, 14:01No.6318759
(Mb, I passed out before I could finish update. I'll get it out after work)
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Anon10/16/25, 02:20No.6318952
You comment that you want to talk to some people around here before going into the alleyway. You ask if you have some way of communicating with each other. Something like a walkie-talkie or the like."Technology doesn't tend to work too well in the fae realm. At least mortal realm technology." Emogen says shrugging, "How about we look around the square, and then check the stores?"You make the rounds around the market, seeing what information you can get from the locals, asking mostly about the princess and if/when she was visiting the back alleys of the district."Lulu? Walking the back streets? Slander!" One farmer-jester says, shouldering his pack of goods while you talk. "There is nothing back there but bad choices and dead ends. She is smarter than that.""I doubt she was back there." A matronly harlequin remarks, "And if she was, she was probably just visiting some poor unfortunate soul. She cares for the people of the kingdom, you know.""Lulu? I hope she isn't getting mixed up with anyone suspicious." A sweets vendor says, handing Emogen some spiced comfits she purchased. "There are rumors, you know. Ne'er-do-well jesters teaming up with unsavory folks. Some even say they've allied with clowns!""It's funny isn't it, all this talk of jesters, mimes, and clowns... They aren't that different are they?" Marcel the horse with a hat says, one of the few non-jesters roaming the area. "Some say they all share a common story element. I think historians traced it all the way back to the Human's roman empire.""That was a long time ago for them, wasn't it? Surprised they had clowns and jesters back then." Emogen says."Well, I don't think they were called clowns and jesters and all that back then." The horse says, stroking his chin with a hoof. "But I'm no expert.""So, ready to check out this back alley place?" Emogen says, tossing back a few pieces of candied fruit.
i/L
Anon10/17/25, 03:30No.6319377
I learned a new word.Comfits - Confectionery consisting of dried fruits, nuts, seeds or spices coated with sugar candy, often through sugar panning
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Anon10/17/25, 04:21No.6319387
You and Emogen slowly go into the alley. You didn't want to look like crazy killers wandering the backstreets, so though you have your axes out you do your best to carry them nonchalantly. As if you entered a cave, the sounds of the market become muted and the light from the sunny day is dimmed in the long shadows of the buildings. Unlike the main market's paved walkways, the backstreets are mostly dirt packed down with time. The air is musty, and you can almost taste sourness on it. Other than crates, barrels, and garbage there isn't much of interest back here. The only things that really seems out of place are a large box with a crank on the side, as well as what appears to be a small car parked in one of the side alleys."Well what now? Doesn't look like there is anyone back here." Emogen says, looking around at the alleyway. "Keep going in?"Glancing down to other intersecting alley ways, you think you can see some signs hanging above the back doors there. Still no sign of other people. You wonder aloud what sort of things would be on a black market for Jesters."They hang around in courts and around kings a lot.... Poison maybe?" Emogen says, "Could just be regular stuff as well. I know wine and spirits were back alley goods during medieval times. Something about high taxes, I think."Shame, Kamiko might miss out on booze."I doubt there is anything back here we couldn't get in a supermarket." Your porcine co-worker says with a snorting chuckle. "Probably safer to drink, too."
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Anon10/18/25, 05:55No.6319763
You go to the stranger oddity first, namely the toy car left in the alley. Or maybe it's a car for rats? You can imagine fairy rats driving cars. But why would they have cars and not the jesters? These would have to be pretty messy rats though, as they seem to have packed the car full with rumpled up multi-colored clothing."I don't know if medieval folk rats were quite that smart." Emogen says, tapping the car warily with the end of her axe. "I'd be more worried about getting a disease to be honest."You decide to leave the possible plague (station)wagon be and go to the large colorful box with the crank. You give it a small turn, causing the box to emit a few tinny notes from a song. Giving it a few more cautious turns, you come to find that, perhaps unsurprisingly, it's "Pop Goes The Weasel.""So it's a Jack-in-the-Box, right?" Emogen says, looking to the box curiously. "Never seen one quite this big before."You nod, and say they should be careful. This clearly has something to do with clowns."What do you mean?" she asks. When you say that a jack-in-the-box goes off it let's out a clown on a spring she responds, "I thought a jester pops out of a jack in the box. Isn't that what a jack is?"You open your mouth, but stop. Was it a clown or a jester that comes from a jack-in-the-box.It's usually a clown, right?You both stare at the crank for a moment before asking Emogen if they should turn the box to it's crescendo and she replies, "Yeah, now I want to know what's inside."You pump the crank quickly until the top of the box flies open on it's hinge with a bang, revealing a clown head on a spring."Oh, I guess it does do clown." Emogen says, nodding firmly.However you aren't given a chance to respond as you feel a sharp blow to the back of your head. As your consciousness fades, you hear a voice with a comical french accent say, "Well down mon friend, now let's get zé anoma-lee bak to la 'ideoot quik-lee! Mon mastair weehl 'ave use fair 'im."---Tamako kicks her legs happily while looking out the window of the car at the sparse forest passing them by. First time on a train, and now her first time in a car! Kamiko hands over a bag of macarons they were passing back and forth while reading her notes."So what are these ruins like?" Tamako says, chomping down on a pastry."It appears there isn't much of it left." She says, looking over a scroll from the Jester King. "It seems the only thing that survived the fighting is the main street of the city. It's a tourist attraction now, but guests can view it from a distance."
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Anon10/19/25, 04:31No.6320176
The pair are let off in front of a large, walled off area, closed off only by a rope across the entrance way. From the outside all they can see are piles of rubble and multi-colored fabric. There are some signs and statues as well, cracked and broken lying near the various derelict structures still standing. Snaking between all this a line painted in yellow flanked on two sides by rope fencing. Beside this is a building that appears to be both a welcome center and a gift shop. From the door of this building comes a Jester with a nametag."Welcome to the ruins of Clown City! Is this your first time here?" She asks, handing Kamiko a paper map."Uh, yeah. I'm from the SHR. Do you mind if we look around?" Kamiko asks, quickly explaining the situation."Alright, just don't take too long alright? They say the ghosts of the clowns who were killed can still be heard honking and laughing into the night as they go about their murderous deeds." The tour guide says spookily."Whoa, so there are really ghosts here?" Tamako says in awe."Yup! So make sure to stay close to your mom, and stay out of the roped-off areas!" The guide says back to her, hunching her back and rigidly clawing at her with splayed hands. With a knowing wink to Kamiko she says, "Enjoy the horror and history ruins of Clown City, and make sure to stop by at the gift shop on the way out!""Oh she's not my-" Kamiko starts to say, but the worker has already left back to her post.
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Anon10/20/25, 05:07No.6320725
Kamiko and Tamako pass through the gate. The larger woman glances around and to the map and back. She then says, "Wow, they weren't kidding when they said there wasn't anything here."The changelings looks around, but at her size can barely see over the rubble and torn tents around them. Nothing seems to be taller than a single story, though clearly bits of it were meant to be much higher. The huge tents center pole is bent for instance, and she thinks she can spot a collapsed, rusting Ferris wheel in the distance. Tamako asks, "So is this a museums? I imagined that they were inside buildings, rather than the buildings themselves.""I suppose it'd be called a 'historical site' or something similar." Kamiko says after a second of thought. "It's all history either way, right?""Lift me!" Tamako says, holding up her arms towards Kamiko."Huh? Oh, sure." she says absentmindedly as she continues to look at the map, scooping Tamako up with arm and putting the changeling on her shoulder.With this eagle eyed view, the younger fae looks at the map and around at her surroundings. She can't see too much more from here than she did before, but there seems to be some sort of large stone structure to the northeast. The map seems to be more of a suggestion as it's hard to tell one ruined structure apart from another except for unique bits here and there. For instance, the big top is very obviously the largest tent just to the northwest of them. Based on the space between the big top and the Funhouse on the map and in reality, the tourist attraction is quite large, likely taking up several city blocks."So, where first, mom?" Tamako teases, looking at the map."M-mom... Heh, don't let your father hear you call me that." Kamiko says bashfully. "I mean, it looks like there is a loop, but we seem to be able to cut through the middle as long as we stay away from the ropes.""But, I mean..." Tamako says grinning to her chaperone and staring at the nearby big top and funhouse, "We are going to pass the ropes at some point right?""I might, but your dad probably wouldn't want you to scrounge around in half collapsed buildings." Kamiko replies."Aww... When is dad gonna be here, anyway?" Tamako asks, looking around like he might appear from behind a large rock or toppled clown statue. "I'll ask him.""We are a little early." She says checking her watch.
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Anon10/21/25, 05:27No.6321137
"Let's check out the Big Top!" Tamako says, poking it's picture on the map, and then at the nearly collapsed tent. Kamiko obliges, and as they approach the derelict marquee they spot a sign placed in front of a rope fence that surrounds the entirety of the structure. It reads:-MAIN STREET BIG TOP-This quaint, 104 meter tall cotton tent was known since the founding of Clown City as it's center for the finest performances the town had to offer and played an influential role in it's the growth of both it's culture and economic power. For it's time, it had many tricks built into it. Tunnels were dug to assist with magician's and their craft, or for clowns to comically pop-up from no where amongst the crowd or into other parts of the ring. There were even cannons and pipes that smoke was pumped through to give off a suspenseful aura. However, time passes on and though It was kept well preserved as a historic site, this designation meant it was not fitted with any future amenities, such as electricity or indoor plumbing. It was said to be the 'purest' stage for a clown to perform, as there wasn't any modern tricks to fall back on. Unfortunately, some of the first signs of the clown's horrible fate appeared here, as the shows became more macabre and dangerous. This ultimately leading to a "temporary" shutdown after public outcry. It never opened again."Alright, wait for me here." Kamiko says, putting the changeling down near the sign and approaching the fiber blockade."So you are just gonna leave me here alone where any clown ghost could come and scoop me up?" Tamako protests.The large woman contemplates this hard for a moment and then says, "No, I suppose you are right. Fine, but stick close and don't touch anything."Tamako glances around to make sure the coast is clear, but they haven't spotted any other people besides the front desk worker since they've been here. Kamiko has already casually stepped over the barrier, and started to walk to the entrance flap. Tamako follows, and the enter slowly, carefully taking in the scene before them.Though quite large, nearly half of the tent has collapsed in on itself, turning the center ring into more of a ternary stage. The only light is from an open gash in the fabric near the central beam. The rotting fabric gives the air a stagnant, earthy smell. Debris covers the floor, and much of the circus equipment is broken and upturned. All along the edges of the tent are bleacher rounded to conform to the tent's interior. The only sound is the wind, but Tamako swears she can hear the distant, perhaps ghostly, sound of honking noses and squeaky shoes.
