HeartWorm: A SkitterPan Quest

Alright, no need to drag this out any further. It's only gone as long as it has because I passed out.

I'm not even gonna bother with a cross thread vote tally because it's so one-sided.



Now then, the next chapter is nearly done, just need to put some finishing touches on it, and then it'll be good to post. Expect a bit more drama this time.

Today when you stride into Arcadia's patio, you don't bother taking a moment to bask in nature or anything. Instead, you drag yourself over to Taylor, plop yourself down next to her, and immediately groan into her shoulder.

"Uh…er…h-hi?" Taylor startles. You can feel her putting down the book, likely marking her page with some kind of bug, and her mind churning as she scrambles to figure out how to respond to you.

"...bad day?" She suggests.

You mumble and nod.

"...was it your sister?"

You groan loudly this time and roll your head off your girlfriend's shoulder. "Yes."

"I thought you liked her?" Taylor asks. Going unspoken is the added, "Unlike the rest of your family."

You huff out a sigh, "I do, it's just…" you groan again just thinking about it.

"...Just…?"

You click your tongue and decide to bite the bullet, "...She keeps trying to rope me into double dates with her and Dean."

"Oh…" Taylor blushes and looks away. Not that it matters much given you're both no-doubt surrounded by her swarm. "I didn't realize you'd told her about us yet…"

"I haven't." You groan again, rubbing your temples in a futile effort to push away this latest headache. "So Vicky keeps trying to set me up with all these 'totally nice guys I just know you'll love', and she never seems to be able to take the hint."

"Oh…" this time Taylor says it with a tone of dawning understanding, her emerald eyes widening behind her glasses as she takes it in. Then, after a moment, she blushes and glances away again. Rubbing her hands together, and clearly very hesitant, she finally responds with, "Have you considered just telling her?"

You blink, "Telling her I'm not interested in guys?"

"Er…telling Vicky about…us."

Your mind blanks for a moment. "I…could…" You agree, if only to stall for time.

And really, you should have, you know that. But you haven't because:

[ ] [Feelings] You love your sister, you do, but she's kind of a bit much.

• You have always had entirely platonic feelings for Vicky
• But you are also very much not a socialite and Vicky loves trying to drag you out of your "shell".
• You also know that Taylor isn't a people person and figure that she doesn't deserve to get smacked with the Vicky social bomb.

[ ] [Feelings] She was your first crush, before you really understood your feelings, and you still feel pretty awkward about the whole thing.

• You had an awkward crush on Vicky for a while, but nothing more.
• Said feelings have faded since you started dating Taylor and actually doing some introspection.
• Doesn't make it much less awkward to think about the fact that your (adopted) sister was your first crush.

[ ] [Feelings] On some level, you're still in love with her…

• What could go wrong?

"I-I mean, if you don't want to, t-that's fine too." Taylor tries to drop the subject.

You don't need your power to tell you that's a lie. Sighing again, you realize you're really going to need to address this if you want this relationship to continue. Taylor may not be very assertive with you, but that doesn't make it right to let her stew in her laundry list of anxieties.

Like I don't have my own. You almost snort.

You see Taylor start to pick up her book, about to dive out of the conversation.

What do you do?

[ ] [Salvage] Say nothing and let the moment pass.
[ ] [Salvage] Explain what the problem is.
[ ] [Salvage] Promise to introduce her to your family.
[ ] [Salvage] Deflect with an excuse.
[ ] [Salvage] Write in

Eventually the moment passes and the two of you lapse into an uncomfortable silence. You'd come here to relax with your girlfriend after all the stress of today, and instead all you'd done was make both of you tense.

As the lunch period comes to a close, and the two of you begin to part ways for the school day, you decide that you need to make things up to her somehow.

"Taylor," you begin, catching her attention. She still packs her things back in her book bag, but you can see it in her swarm. A dozen butterflies perched on leaves. Spiders hanging from a branch. A large beetle overlooking a boulder by the pond. All focused on you and you alone.

Taking a breath, you center yourself. "How about we go somewhere today, after school? To, you know…make up for me being a fuck-up and stuff."

"We could go…"

[ ] [Date] "To my house."

• Alright, this whole thing started because you haven't told Vicky or the rest of your family that you're dating Taylor. So the best way to make things up to her is to introduce her, right?
• What could go wrong?
• Dallon Family Encounter.

[ ] [Date] "To your house."

• Taylor's family situation might not be great, but it's a damn sight better than yours. Not that that's a high bar or anything.
• Taylor will probably feel more comfortable at home, right? Plus you can try that "study date" thing Vicky keeps going on about.
• Danny Encounter.

[ ] [Date] "To a bookstore I know."

• You know Taylor likes books, even if her family situation means that she can't buy too many these days.
• You might not be rich, but you've got spending money, and you know a nice little place with a good selection that won't gouge you.
• ???

[ ] [Date] "To the boardwalk."

• You're not much of a shopper, but Vicky is, and you've picked up a little from all the times she's dragged you out.
• With the money you have on you, surely you can buy your girlfriend a gift she'd like, right?
• ??? Encounter

[ ] [Date] "To the park."

• Given your powers, you could have some fun with nature in relative secrecy.
• Power testing/experimentation.
• ???

[ ] [Date] Write in.

• ???
• ???
• ???

A/n: Alright, time to actually get this quest rolling.

The Moratorium is longer this time because I plan on being asleep for most of the day tomorrow, and I doubt that there'll be too many people up at 6:00 am ready to make some plans.

In any case, there are three votes here, all related. The first fills in some more background for this version of Amy you'll be playing, you get to choose what the Vicky/Amy dynamic looks like. I won't stop you from picking the "Still totally in love with her sister" option, but it certainly won't be pretty.

The next two votes are where you're finally taking the reigns on this whole "Dating Taylor Hebert" thing. There were a number of ideas I had to include in this chapter, some more options for you to vote on, but in the end these are the ones that flowed together the best.

How are you going to explain yourself to Taylor? How are you going to try and make things up with her on your date?

Decide carefully.

Current Plans:

SV:
[] Plan Akward, Blame Mom
-[] [Feelings] She was your first crush, before you really understood your feelings, and you still feel pretty awkward about the whole thing.
-[] [Salvage] Write in: Blame Carol. You are scared of what she may think. What if she doesn't agree with you dating Taylor? what if she learns through Vicky.
-[] [Date] "To a bookstore I know."

[] Plan love sis, Blame Mom
-[] [Feelings] You love your sister, you do, but she's kind of a bit much.
-[] [Salvage] Write in: Blame Carol. You are scared of what she may think. What if she doesn't agree with you dating Taylor? what if she learns through Vicky.
-[] [Date] "To a bookstore I know."

[ ] I'm Sorry, So Let's Test The Waters At You're House!
-[ ] [Salvage] Write in: Blame Carol. She keeps giving you those disapproving looks and what if she doesn't agree with you dating Taylor.
-[ ] [Date] "To your house."
-[ ] [Feelings] She was your first crush, before you really understood your feelings, and you still feel pretty awkward about the whole thing.

SB:

[ ] Plan "Open Lines of Communication"
-[ ] [Feelings] She was your first crush, before you really understood your feelings, and you still feel pretty awkward about the whole thing.
-[ ] [Salvage] Explain what the problem is.
-[ ] [Date] "To the boardwalk."

[] Plan: Supportive Sister
-[] [Feelings] She was your first crush, before you really understood your feelings, and you still feel pretty awkward about the whole thing.
-[] [Salvage] Promise to tell Vicky
-[] [Date] "To the boardwalk." (And invite Vicky)

[] Plan: Live Fast, Die of Embarrassment
-[] [Feelings] She was your first crush, before you really understood your feelings, and you still feel pretty awkward about the whole thing.
-[] [Salvage] Promise to introduce her to your family.
-[] [Date] "To my house."

[] Plan: Achievable, Realistic Goals
-[] [Feelings] She was your first crush, before you really understood your feelings, and you still feel pretty awkward about the whole thing.
-[] [Salvage] Promise to introduce her to your family. Probably/preferably after you tell Vicky first, because she'll be shocked if she's the last to know.
-[]"Also, before any of this happens, you might want to think about whether or not you'd like to keep your powers/identity secret."
-[] [Date] "To the boardwalk."

[] Plan: Nothing's ever simple
-[] [Feelings] She was your first crush, before you really understood your feelings, and you still feel pretty awkward about the whole thing.
--[] [Feelings] But also: you love your sister, you do, but she's kind of a bit much.
-[] [Salvage] Explain what the problem is.
-[] [Date] "To the park."

[ ] Plan: For Christ Sakes, They Just Started Dating (Non-Icky Vicky Edition)
-[ ] [Feelings] You love your sister, you do, but she's kind of a bit much.
-[ ] [Salvage] Deflect with an excuse.
-[ ] [Date] "To a bookstore I know."

[ ] Plan: Honesty is the best policy
-[ ] [Feelings] You love your sister, you do, but she's kind of a bit much.
-[ ] [Salvage] Explain what the problem is.
-[ ] [Date] "To a bookstore I know."

[] Plan: Action, Not Awkwardness, Please
-[] [Feelings] You love your sister, you do, but she's kind of a bit much.
-[] [Salvage] Explain what the problem is.
-[] [Date] Beat up some thugs, anonymously of course.

That's quite a selection, and I have not bothered to check if there's any overlap in the plans yet. Been too busy dealing with stuff today. That or being asleep.

So, that's the vote open, those are your options, you can come up with a new plan of course, and as always, be careful about what you pick.