Roses Have Thorns IC

[NeoSeraphi]

"The runs are at night, and they hit them in the sewer right as you're getting to the school district."

[Diachronos]

"Got it. I'll tail them tonight." She heads out to the market to get some supplies.

[NeoSeraphi]

Rose arrives at the market and starts looking around for supplies.

"Rose! Rooooose!" a familiar voice calls.

Spoiler

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Cia approaches her and waves. "Ah, it's so good to see you! Feels like it's been a while since we last talked. How have things been going?" she asks, her smile clearly hoping that Rose appreciates her tantalizing new outfit.

[Diachronos]

Rose smiles and comes over, hugging Cia and giving the half-elf a kiss on the ear. "They've been great! How are you doing? I love your outfit, by the way."

[NeoSeraphi]

Cia blushes and smiles. "Thanks! I've been doing great. Gilbert has me out buying ingredients again."

She touches her hair for a moment before asking, "So...how's progress on the...you know? Do you think your parents will be ready to meet me any time soon?"

That's a bit of a reach, considering they're just friends...maybe Cia is looking for something a little more permanent than Rose was letting on.

[Diachronos]

Rose sighs. "I'm trying, Cia. I really am. But my parents are very stubborn about maintaining the traditional 'racial purity' of our family line. They don't like me associating with anybody that's not fully human."

[NeoSeraphi]

Cia staggers back, as if she's been slapped. Rose figures that Cia hears that enough from everyone else, she was happy with someone who really didn't seem to care about her race and then to hear 'racial purity' brought up by that person must hurt a lot.

"I-I see...Okay then. Is there anything I can do for you? Do you...want to hang out tomorrow?"

Rose has promised Chrys that she would speak to her father at some point today, so she probably needs to get home soon if she wants to be out of the house by the appropriate time tonight. She needs to shop.

[Diachronos]

"Sure thing. I'll stop by tomorrow." She gives Cia another hug. "...You know I don't agree with that purity nonsense, right?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Cia looks down for a moment and then nods. "Yeah..."

[Diachronos]

"Don't listen to what any of them say, Cia. I care about you no matter what your race is." She gives her friend another hug before heading to purchase some tanglefoot bags at one of the alchemy shops.

[NeoSeraphi]

Cia heads off.

The alchemist sells her the tangleroot bags at the standard price.

[Diachronos]

With her purchases in hand, Rose heads home. It's time to speak with her father...

[NeoSeraphi]

Spoiler

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Nailen looks up from his favorite chair as Rose enters the living room.

"...Rosis. What a pleasant surprise," he utters. Nailen's broad chest rises and falls with each breath, and his speech is slow and labored. He has always been this way. Rose has seen him through sickness and through health, but he has never spoken at faster than a snail's pace before.

[Diachronos]

Rose nods and smiles at him. "Hello, Father. How are you today?"

[NeoSeraphi]

The man straightens up. "I am...very well, thank you. Your mother has told me that...you are avoiding her."

Her mother? The woman who is trying to take Rose's brothers away by having them both married off?!

[Diachronos]

Rose sighs. "I'm just... sore over her trying to get Ren and Chrys out of the house. My brothers are some of my closest friends, I don't want to lose them."

[NeoSeraphi]

The man crosses his arms. "Be that...as it may...she is your mother. Do not...push your family away, Rose."

He gestures to the seat next to him. "As you...may know...I have given your brother a small loan. So that he may...begin his life. I offer...the same to you. Money...to start your career. To make a name for yourself. To become...the woman you want to be."

[Diachronos]

Rose sits down. "Are you sure, Father? I still haven't quite decided what I want to do with my life."

[NeoSeraphi]

"I am...quite aware of that. This is...a kick in the pants for you. Stop...dwelling in the past. Look forward...for once in your life."

[Diachronos]

She nods. "Right... thank you. I'll do my best to make something of myself. To become someone you can be proud of."

[NeoSeraphi]

The man relaxes. "Good. Now, then. Until you...decide how you want to live your life...I am counting on you...to support your older brother. Chrysanthemum...is the new head of the family. I may still be around and kickin', but...that only serves to unnerve him. He feels like he's standing in my shadow. I want you to make sure he knows that you're behind him one hundred percent."

[Diachronos]

Rose smiles. "I'll give him as much support as I can, just like I always have."

[NeoSeraphi]

Nailen nods and dismisses her. However, again she has the opportunity to try and talk to him about something she's curious about or interested in.

[Diachronos]

"Does this mean that Chrys will be making decisions for the family from now on?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Nailen nods. "I will still step in if I believe he is floundering, but your brother is a man now. He can fail on his own, and learn from his failures. You are not to question his decisions unless you think they may endanger the family."

[Diachronos]

"I understand." She leaves to get ready for her job that night.

[NeoSeraphi]

That night, Rose meets with the team to push the drugs towards the nobility district. She hops onto the cart and makes herself hidden as best she can.

The group pushes the cart slowly, until finally it reaches the pass. One of the pushers whispers to her that this is where they usually get ambushed.

As predicted, three humans leap out of the shadows, armed with battleaxes, and attack the caravan!

[Diachronos]

Rose casts a spell to make herself invisible when the man advises they usually get ambushed in that area, and gets ready to climb out of the cart. When it stops, she climbs out and goes over to one of the thugs, drawing her sabre and striking him.

Spoiler: Actions

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Casting invisibility

Stealth to get ear one of the thugs (ideally the one that looks like he's in charge): (1d20+31)[32]

Attack: (1d20+5)[10]/(1d20+5)[19]
Damage: (1d8+1)[6]/(2d8+2)[11]
Sneak Attack: (3d6)[8]

[NeoSeraphi]

Rose manages to sneak up to the man who is in charge, but her attack misses him by a mile. He turns around and attacks her, while his two comrades start looting the caravan.

Spoiler

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(1d20+6)[9]/(1d20+6)[24]
(1d8+2)[3]/(3d8+6)[21]

[Diachronos]

Rose draws her other sabre and strikes the man again.

Spoiler: Attack

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Hit: (1d20+5)[23]/(1d20+5)[23]
Damage: (1d8+1)[7]/(2d8+2)[5]