Witch Apprentice Quest #17

>"What did she do to deserve that?"

How have you been, Friend?

"What.. did she to do to deserve THAT?"

For a brief moment, I stop to consider if maybe I shouldn't be questioning the witch that already turned one apprentice into a frog. Maybe it'd be better to just stay out of it? Oh wait, I already asked, didn't I?

"Heehee-" She grins gleefully. "She was late! Again!"

"Bwuh- THAT'S ALL?" A punishment like this just for being late..?

"Well.." She seems a little uncertain as she pauses to consider her words. "I thought about what Raven told me yesterday, that I was being too soft and letting her get away, so I decided to make a change."

"And..." Her grin reappears, even wider than it was before. "I'm really liking it so far!"

So... This was actually Mistress' idea, in a way?

"Well, it's a start, I suppose." Mistress shrugs idly. She's not even a little impressed! I... I don't think I want to know what she would have done this morning if I had taken the fault for the uhm... the incident. Hopefully I'll never have to find out!

"Wait, you said you talked to Mistress yesterday? But when we arrived, you said you missed her!"

"Yes, what of it?" She asks flatly as she stuffs the cage back into her hat.

"So if it's only been a day, how... I mean, it just seems like-"

"Well," She interrupts me, excitedly explaining, "because she's my sister of course, so obviously-"

And is in turn interrupted as Mistress clears her throat loudly.

"Well, not my REAL sister of course, you can probably tell that just by looking," She says, cupping her hands in front of her chest, "But we had the same teacher, so she's just like a real sister, looking after me and getting me out of trouble, teaching me about bo-"

"We should begin preparing." Mistress interrupts, again.

>1/2

"Oh! Yes, of course, you're right." Redleaf responds, almost instantly changing her attitude from the kind of childish and excited witch I just met and to a calm and collected woman, the kind that feels out of place in any environment that isn't lined with shelves of dusty tomes.

"I already prepared the circle, just over there past Lone Apple" She points ahead, indicating the single apple tree sticking out from the otherwise empty field. How odd, for a tree to be all alone in a place like this. "We just need to wait for the elders to arrive, so why don't you go get the apprentice ready and I'll send them along as they arrive?"

She may have phrased it as a question, perhaps out of respect for Mistress, she seems to care about her opinion a lot, but it was clear that this was an explanation of what was going to happen, not a request. Mistress does not even answer either, instead taking my hand and leading me along.

As we pass the strange tree, after my denied request to pick a few of the juicy looking apples, the destination becomes apparent. A large circle drawn in the ground, not completely unlike the one Mistress had me practice earlier today, though the symbols are definitely different, so it must do something else. Though, it doesn't -feel- like it does anything.

Already waiting at the circle is a single hooded figure, standing motionlessly at one of the twelve points of the "circle." She, at least I assume it's a she, does not seem to acknowledge our arrival in the slightest. Maybe she's fallen asleep? Or maybe she just doesn't care?

>Greet her, it would be rude not to!
>Ignore her, get set up for the initiation.
>I can't think of a third prompt but it looks best when you have three.

>Greet her, it would be rude not to!

>Greet her, it would be rude not to!
Nadja isn't rude!

>Greet her, it would be rude not to!
Perhaps complement her hood?

>Greet her, it would be rude not to!

>Ignore her, get set up for the initiation.
Let's not bother anyone

>Greet her, it would be rude not to!

>Ignore her, get set up for the initiation.

Four against two for hello! You should always respect your elders, after all!

Fairly stressed out by papers and exam stuff actually, but at least now the worst should be over until summer. As far as I know.

Man you needed a comma there.

Good luck with those then!

Mistress mentioned the elders would be in hooded robes, and this person is in a hooded robe. It's a plain one, but it does a good job of covering up her face and any other distinguishing features. If Mistress hadn't told me what they'd be wearing, this person could be anyone. But she's not, she's one of those super-old and boss witches, and Papa says it's important to respect your elders, so...

"Hello!" I say, reaching my hand to her. "I'm Nadja! It's very nice to meet you!"

The figure turns its head slightly to face, but otherwise shows no other immediate response.

"Nadja, don't bother her," Mistress' voice calls from behind me, "We have work to-"

"Silver." The figure finally responds in a soft but monotone voice, carefully taking my hand for a moment then immediately releasing it.

"Hello, Miss Silver!" I say as I give her my best welcoming smile. "Wow, you sure are early to have arrived before everyone else!"

Returning to her former stance of staring straight into the center of the circle, she answers as monotonously as her greeting. "Redwing took few students, as do her students. All are notable."

Oh. I am... notable? Is that a compliment or something else? I have no time to consider that however, as Mistress grabs me by the shoulder, pulling me into the center of the circle.

"This is your spot." She states, her tone clearly conveying that even that little exchange has strained her patience. She must really want this to go well!

"You will face this way." She says as she turns me to face a little to the left of Miss Silver.

"You will turn to face the next member of the circle," She turns me slightly to the right, now facing directly towards Miss Silver, "Only when each member has given you explicit permission to proceed. Understood?"

She already explained this to me before we left, but I just nod and agree anyway. Mistress feels like she's in a mood where it's best to just agree.

"Good. Now wait here."

>1/2

Apparently she was dead serious about the waiting part. I just had to stand there, not talking to anybody or really doing any moving at all until everybody had arrived. Miss Silver seemed very good at that, but I thought it was really boring to just watch as even more identical hoods arrived, each taking a place in the circle, and me not getting to say hello to any of them. They didn't even say hello to each other!

Finally, Redleaf arrives, placing herself directly in front of me, still carrying the same calm smile from before. She glances at me quickly, giving me a subtle nod, before speaking.

"Today, on the 3rd of Union, in the 347th year of the Age of Redemption, I, Redleaf, student of Redwing, Mediator of Esaille, and Warden of the Wall, have been granted the honor of leading the Initiation of the 107th sister to join our ranks."

"By which name shall we know you, sister?"

I think this is the part where I tell her the name I decided on, which is...

>Robin (Player suggestion)
>Dawn (Amalia's suggestion)
>Poppy (Alina's suggestion)

>I haven't seen any other names receive any significant support, but if I'm mistaken, feel free to vote for other ones as well.

>Robin

>>Robin (Player suggestion)

>Dawn (Amalia's suggestion)

>Robin (Player suggestion)

>Dawn (Amalia's suggestion)

>Dawn (Amalia's suggestion)
Definitely not Poppy!

>Poppy (Alina's suggestion)

>>Robin (Player suggestion)

>>Dawn (Amalia's suggestion)

>Robin (Player suggestion)

>Dawn (Amalia's suggestion)

Robin

And I'll hurry and call it before someone makes it another draw. Robin, it is, by one entire vote!

A Robin is fine too.

Robin is justice

"Robin." I came up with that one all on my own, so I'm pretty proud of it.

...I hope they don't think it's stupid. I look around the circle but they don't seem to react at all. Though even if they did, I wouldn't be able to tell without seeing their faces.

"Proceed then, -Robin-." Redleaf says, also showing no indication of what she thinks of the name. At the very least, nobody is laughing. Oh right, she said 'proceed', which means I have to turn!

I do so, facing the witch I know to be called Silver. A few moments pass before she speaks, long enough for some of the other elders to begin looking awkwardly between each other.

"Please step forward." She says, beckoning with her left hand.

Okay, I guess that means I'm allowed to leave my spot when instructed right? I step towards her, the confidence of just a moment ago vanishing as I feel the pressure of all twelve heads around me turning as I take my first step forward, tracing my every move... Could they be judging the way I walk? Am I walking wrong? Is that even a thing, walking right or wrong? Can they tell that I'm wondering abou-

"Please step forward." Silver repeats. Am I taking too long?

I take a few more awkward steps toward her, almost within hands reach when I notice -that-. That feeling, just like in Camille's room! I look down, and sure enough, yet another circle. A magical circle within the circle! Is that allowed?

"Please step forward."

It feels exactly the same as the one in Camille's room... This must be some kind of test, right? She must know that I've noticed the circle, but what does she WANT me to do? To trust her against my instinct? Or to call out the trap?

>Step into the circle.
>Refuse, tell her it's a trap.
>Step around the circle.
>Something else? (Write-in!)

>Step around the circle.
Time to be a smartass!

>Step into the circle.
but give a long theatrical sigh that signifies we see it and we know it's going to suck, hard.

>Step around the circle.
While moving forward of course.

>Step into the circle.

>Refuse, tell her it's a trap.

>Refuse, tell her it's a trap.

>>Step into the circle.

3 for trusting.

2 for bending the rules.

2 for disobeying.

>Part 17
Wait, what?!
I was sure this quest died last year in September

Nooooo!

Well Nadja IS a good girl...

There wasn't even a pause before October.

>Nooooo!
Does the quest cause you this much distress user?

I think he's upset that he missed so much. I know I would be.

I don't like this. She knows I know, and she's still asking me to do it! It's so... cruel! And everybody is looking at me, waiting to see what I'll do! I have to do something!

I decide to trust her.

I clench my fists, expecting the worst, then step forward into the circle, which... does nothing. Instead, the larger circle around us flashes twice before returning to normal. But it didn't do anything either?

"The circle was a trap. You were aware of this." Silver evaluates. "The larger circle absorbs all magic within, safely disarming the trap. You were NOT aware of this."

She pauses for a moment, casting a quick glance towards one of the other elders on the opposite side of Redleaf.

"You stepped forward, despite suspecting a trap. Why?"

"Because I trust you?" I say, still a little confused.

"You are uncertain." She states matter-of-factly, underlining once more how obvious my thoughts are to everyone here.

"Well.. I mean even though it felt wrong, you're a lot smarter than me, so I should trust you, right? It's not like you would hurt-"

"Dangerous." She interrupts, now speaking much louder than before. "To follow without question is to be blind. Lesson concluded. Proceed."

"But I just-"

"Proceed." She repeats. Seems I'm not allowed to argue, so I return to my designated spot instead, facing the next Elder in the circle, completely identical in appearance to the last one. She does not wait before speaking, her voice confident and firm.

"You have taken three Pledges, the same that every initiate before you have taken. My question to you is simple: Which of the three do you consider the most important?"

>The Pledge of Ambition
>The Pledge of Secrecy
>The Pledge of Vengeance
>Open-ended question! Feel free to discuss how you think Nadja should feel! Otherwise, I'll just have to decide for you!

>Copied from the Nadja's Notebook for your convenience:

>The Pledge of Ambition
>The witch pledges to use the power granted to her to its greatest extent so that it may serve her purposes fully.

>The Pledge of Secrecy
>The witch pledges to keep the knowledge and arts granted to her secret from all who have not taken the pledges.

>The Pledge of Vengeance
>The witch pledges to actively hunt down and torment any wizard foolish enough to trespass on her domain or otherwise make him- or herself known to the witch. She will unleash every ounce of cruelty she can muster upon the wizard until such a time as the wizard's life comes to an end, either by his own hand or by forcing the hand of the witch.

>>The Pledge of Ambition

Vengeance doesn't really seem like Nadja's thing.

As for the other two, I could see it either way, but I feel like Ambition makes more sense for Nadja. After all she started off wanting to use her power for ambitious means, and isn't great at keeping secrets.

It did for a while. I brought it back at the start of the year and, despite its best attempts, life hasn't managed to completely knock me out yet.

>The Pledge of Ambition
As for justifying it, well, the pledge of Ambition is the only one that focuses on self-actualization. Not only is that obviously more valuable than secrecy or retaliation or whatever, but those other two are respectively pointless and reliant on the pledge of Ambition - without utilizing your power to the maximum, there's precious little to hide and you're gonna have a tough time beating up wizards.

Nadja swore to be a good friend, love papa, and help cats? Or some such like that? Ambition seems her thing.

Sadly there was no pledge of being a good girl!

>The Pledge of Secrecy
It's the best way to keep the arts from being used irresponsibly.

Pledge of ambition. Nardja must be the best girl for papa and mistress!

>Ambition
It's why she started her apprenticeship in the first place. And it doesn't mean much to promise to do something unless you're strong enough to actually do it. And good girls always keep their promises.

>The Pledge of Ambition

Very good answers! Sometimes it's nice to see whether or not anons ever think about their MC, and you definitely had some interesting thoughts. Thanks for that!

Was circle-witch going to give us a lesson no matter what we did? I'm getting the impression that we couldn't win there.

What kind of a lesson could she have given if we refused?

Don't refuse people who could crush you like a bug.

That was the one response Silver did not approve of. In fact, it is one of the few subject on which all ten Elders agree. They all despise authority and blind trust.

For very good reasons.

That lesson doesn't really work, if the alternative is walking into a trap.

Hah. Fuck you guys and your walk into the circle attitude.

I would have tied it if I had been there for that vote. Oh well. The point of lessons is to learn from them.

"Ambition."

"Oh?" The elder chuckles with delight under her hood. "That did not take you long to decide. And why does that one mean more to you?"

"Because it makes sense! Keeping secrets doesn't matter if your secrets are worthless! And the other one, I don't like that one much because fighting is stupid, but if you're not being the best you can be, you're not going to win in the fight, right? Besides, the reason I'm here because I want to help my family and friends."

As I explain, she visibly nods her head, seemingly satisfied with my answer.

"We devised the pledges more than 300 year ago, at the time not knowing if we should pass along our knowledge at all or allow it to wither and die like the Old world. Since then I have asked every single initiate the same question. Most have answered as you do, all growing to be competent witches that we can be proud to call students."

On that, she reaches and takes my hand in hers. Even though she's supposed to be over 300 years old, it still feels warm and soft, if a little dry.

"I am Melas. Please proceed, Robin." She says, her voice turning warm and... motherly, maybe?

>1/2

Yay!

Once more, I return and face the next Elder. She too, wastes little time before speaking.

"Please step forward."

The words are the same that Silver spoke, but the voice is much more youthful than the others. Playful?

Either way, I have little choice in the matter and carefully walk towards her, not catching anything suspicious on the way. However, as I take the last step she quickly grabs me by my arms, pushing me against her chest.

"So cuuuuute!" She squeals at an ear-piercing pitch. After a while, she allows me to breathe again, only to instead pinch my cheeks painfully, pulling them back and forth.

"You're sooooo adorable!"

I look around me, desperate for someone to step in, but all I hear is the occasional annoyed groan.

"Ohh, I could just eat you up!" She continues, not letting up even a little bit, not caring one bit as I catch myself whimpering weakly in protest from the pain.

This isn't nice at all...

>Bite down and try to ignore the pain, wait for her to get tired.
>Beg the others to make her stop!
>Fight to break free of her grip!

>>Fight to break free of her grip!

>>Fight to break free of her grip!

>>Fight to break free of her grip!
Ma'am you're hurting Me!

>Fight to break free of her grip!
Yearp.

>Fight to break free of her grip!

Bearing it is pathetic, and so is begging. They won't help anyway.

>You can't let her beat you! OUT HUG HER!

>Ask her to stop.

I like the cut of your jib, user...but I'm pretty sure she has a lot longer reach.

Tell her we're okay with hugging if she minds her damn strength.

YES!! Brilliant user. This is how we fight against her, by turning her tactics against her. or look up at her and attack her with Nadja's sheer adorableness. Make her feel bad for hurting the young girl. Otherwise just kick her in the shins.

HUGS! YES!

Kicking her would be far too rude, especially without a warning.

Not until she stops hurting us! You're just going to make her hurt us more by urging her on like this.

Nadja needs an adult.

Nadja: "I need an adult"
Witch: "I AM AN ADULT!"

That doesn't really work when she's pinching and tearing our face.

The best hugs.

By my count, there's still a slight majority for trying to breaking free with a very serious consideration for the option of inventing the Counter-Hug. That said...

I am really exhausted, so I'm afraid I'll have to keep you waiting until next time for the end of this business.

I hope you enjoyed this thread and the Elders you've talked to so far. Oh, and I promise to try my best not to take this long to start the next one!

Next time: Even more crazy old ladies!

I feel that it is perfectly in tune with Nadja's mindset to do so, otherwise it would not have been a suggested action at all. And no matter how old these witches are, neither they nor Mistress can force you to see things their way if you don't want to.

Thanks for running.

Counter hug is for the best.

Thanks Friend.

Thanks for running.