Still don't get it. There are several way more pleasant ways to be around friends. Might be colored by own experiences, though. I seriously hated it when people teased me about a crush or perceived crush.
I guess I'll take your word it, though, since I seem to be the only one who feels that way.
I agree with you, but at this point it's an established part of our interaction in this quest. I've accepted that the friend interactions in this quest are going to go this way and wait for other interesting bits to come along.
[X] Yes.
-[X] Mariko had been bullying Kishi. You had gotten her to apologize after you had met her in a Witch barrier, and had convinced them to meet and make up with each other. She still feels really guilty about it. She had also accidentally hurt you with her magic which she also felt pretty terrible about.
-[X] You also think that she was really hurting from something which is why she was lashing out at Kishi, but it's not something you're too sure about.
[X] You want to be friends with her, but she seems pretty shy and hesitant about it. Could she help you help her? You think she could really use friends and support.
After a moment of quiet pondering, you let out a sigh and nod at Ariane with a slight smile on your face. Guess it was inevitable that you would need to explain things to her, even if you didn't think the moment would come now and so soon.
"Yes… There is a lot more to it," you admit and draw in a deep breath. This is not exactly something you are too happy to talk about, for the sake of both Kishi and Mariko. But with the curious look Ariane is giving you, you don't have it in you to refuse, "Mariko… she had been, um… well she had been bullying Kishi."
Ariane's reaction is immediate. Her eyes widen slightly and both of her hands shoot in front of her mouth. "Oh no… Why would she do something like that?" the girl asks you, looking a bit shaken at the realization, "But if she's here with Kishi… Surely something must have changed?"
You nod at her again. "Yeah, I got Mariko to apologize for it after I had met her in a witch barrier. After some talking, I convinced them to meet and make up with each other. She still feels really guilty about it, though."
"Oh… So that's why she was so awkward around you then?" Ariane asks you.
"Well, that's part of the reason. She also accidentally… well, injured me with her magic," you admit. However, it doesn't take you long to realize how that must have sounded, so you hastily rush to add more to the story, "It's not something she had control over, though! And she felt really terrible about it."
"I see," Ariane notes with a slight frown, yet still sounding less concerned than you were honestly expecting, "But if she didn't mean to, I guess it's okay."
"That's pretty much what I told her after it happened," you summarize, "But besides that... I am honestly not too sure about it, but I also suspect that she is hurting from something, which is why she was lashing out at Kishi."
This time Ariane doesn't say anything, only nodding at you as if it was something she had already guessed. Well, chances are she probably has and is letting you finish your explanation in peace.
And who are you to deny it?
"But despite the history between her and Kishi… I really want to be friends with her too!" you practically announce, before sighing and rubbing your head in mild exasperation, "But she seems pretty shy and hesitant about it… So could you help me help her? I think she could really use friends and support."
"Of course!" Ariane answers you without a moment's hesitation. She smiles widely at you and closes her eyes for a moment. "It's not alright to leave someone so sad… So I'm going to help her find her smile!" she announces with a hint of sudden determination in her voice.
What do you do?
[] Talk some more with Ariane.
[] Hug Ariane!
[] Take the snacks and go meet up with the others.
-[] talk with your friends.
[] Write-in.
===
You're actually free to suggest some board game you'd want the characters to play in particular, if you have something in mind .
...You know guys, not to be a spoil-sport here, but I will warn you that any RPGs requiring extensive GM preparation are something that won't be brought out here even if they are in the vote
Bring that sort of stuff up in-quest at a more appropriate time, if you really want to try that sort of things out.
...You know guys, not to be a spoil-sport here, but I will warn you that any RPGs requiring extensive GM preparation are something that won't be brought out here even if they are in the vote
Bring that sort of stuff up in-quest at a more appropriate time, if you really want to try that sort of things out.
[x] Hug Ariane!
[x] Take the snacks and go meet up with the others.
-[x] talk with your friends.
--[x] Whatever they feel like talking about.
[x] Board games!
-[x] Dixit
-[x] Cranium
-[x] Clue No. of Votes: 4 Dirtnap Muramasa Nervos Belli UbeOne
[x] Hug Ariane!
[x] Take the snacks and go meet up with the others.
-[x] talk with your friends.
--[x] Whatever they feel like talking about.
[x] Board games!
-[x] Diplomacy. No. of Votes: 3 RexHeller Always Late Jrin
[x] Hug Ariane!
[x] Take the snacks and go meet up with the others.
-[x] talk with your friends.
--[x] Whatever they feel like talking about.
[x] Board games!
-[x] Dixit
-[x] Cranium No. of Votes: 2 mistfist Balduran
[x] Hug Ariane!
[x] Take the snacks and go meet up with the others.
-[x] talk with your friends.
--[x] Whatever they feel like talking about.
[x] Board games!
-[x] Dungeons and Dragons?
-[x] Betrayal at House on The Hill?
-[x] Settlers of Catan? No. of Votes: 1 MrLZRS
[X] Boardgames
-[X] Chaos in the Old World No. of Votes: 1 Nolrai
Total No. of Voters: 11
U-huh... Going to close votes
[x] Hug Ariane!
[x] Take the snacks and go meet up with the others.
-[x] talk with your friends.
--[x] Whatever they feel like talking about.
[x] Board games!
-[x] Dixit
-[x] Cranium
-[x] Clue
You smile right back at the smaller girl and immediately pull her into a tight hug with yourself. She doesn't seem to be surprised by this action in the slightest, though, instead returning it fully by wrapping her arms around your body in tandem as she presses herself against you in turn.
"Thank you, Ariane," you whisper in gratitude, "I know it's a lot to ask for, but still... Thank you."
The girl snuggles a bit under your arms, smiling at your words. "It's fine, I don't really mind it…" she answers you, stating it like it was obvious, "That is what friends are for."
You don't say anything as you squeeze Ariane tighter for a moment, before letting go of the girl. You let your arms fall back to your side and look her straight into her eyes. The two of you smile at each other and nod, as if to confirm an agreement laid between the two of you.
However, with the others waiting for you in Ariane's room, you can't stay in the kitchen, gawking at each other indefinitely, as she points out. "But now… Shall we go and follow everyone else? I suspect they may be waiting for us to join them."
"Yeah… You take the dish tray and I'll bring in the snack tray?" you ask, already moving to pick on of the trays you've prepared.
"That sounds reasonable to me," Ariane acknowledges happily and picks one up, "Let's go!"
The two of you hastily make your way to Ariane's room. Much to your relief, the other were thoughtful enough to leave the doors open for you, saving you the trouble of having to attempt opening them while holding the tray. So you walk into the room with Ariane in tow, holding the silver tray triumphantly on your head's level.
"We arrive in peace!" you announce as you skip into the room with a goofy grin plastered on your face, "And we come bearing gifts for everyone!"
Evelyn whistles as you set the snacks down on the floor, "Wow, guess there was a lot more hidden away then?"
"Yep!" Ariane chimes in brightly as she lays the dishware next to the refilled snacks and sits flops down on the floor, "But say… Did you already pick a game?"
KIshi gives her a hesitant nod and brings forward a large, timeworn box she had been keeping to her side. You don't get too good a look at the box art, but it is difficult to miss the title spelled out in larger than life font.
Clue.
You are pleased to note that you actually know of the game, though you've never got to play it yourself. Guess there's a first time for everything, huh?
"W-we ended up choosing this one. The rules are easy enough t-to learn for new players," Kishi explains, also confirming that you are not the only one to have never played the game, "T-there was just so much to choose from…"
"Yup! Miss Celia really likes this sort of stuff!" Ariane says and leans forward a bit, "Shame she makes a point not to bring these over for the teaching, though… But now, spread the board and I'll explain the rules for everyone!"
Ariane has clearly played the game a lot before, considering the sheer pace of her rapid explanation of the rules. She has to backtrack several times to let all of you keep up, especially when she slips into the French terms she's more used to. You're also happy to note how she seems to make an effort to bring the reluctant Mariko into the demonstrations.
It takes a couple of clarifying questions about the rules from you before you can start. You begin to feel a bit awkward as it starts to occur to you that it is only you and Mariko who have never played the board game before. And with the latter reluctant to actually voice her concerns…
Well, there is no teasing about this, and you dive right forward into the game. It takes you a while to actually get the hang of the deduction parts, leaving you behind in terms of making actually good decisions. Fortunately, the die seem to have a thing for you, letting you blitz from one room to another in quick succession.
And as it goes, you are the first one to claim the right to the final accusation…
"I got it!" you practically yell in delight as you crossover the final piece to the puzzle, "Ahem! I accuse Mrs. White, who killed Dr. Black with a knife in the conservatory!"
You don't wait for any reaction from the others as you giddily reach to grab the envelope and check the contents. You are happy to note that you were 100 % correct about your guess, something you make abundantly clear to others by laying the cards on the ground and throwing your arms in the air, "Hey! I won! I won! I won!!!"
And it was your first try too!
"Damn it, so close…" Evelyn moans while gently laying down her own notes on the floor. But the defeatism is gone quite soon, as something seems to occur to her all of sudden, "Actually, say, Tamiko… Weren't you the one playing as Mrs. White here?"
You freeze in your place as soon as the words leave Evelyn's mouth. "Uhhhh… B-but why would I admit to that… Or why would I even murder someone in the first place?" you stutter out in mild disbelief.
Next to you, Ariane bursts into a fit of merry giggling. "Oh, Tamiko… So close yet so far!"
"I-it's okay, we know you wouldn't actually kill anyone," Kishi rushes to console you from your other side, "It will be someone else next round, so don't worry about it. J-just enjoy the round's victory!"
You nod gratefully at the girl, and offer her a light smile. She hastily averts her gaze away from you and back to the board as soon as she catches your gaze. "B-but uh… A-another round, everyone?" she stammers out and starts moving the pieces around on the board.
Nobody seems to want to disagree with that, so you set up the board and begin the game anew. This round doesn't go as phenomenally for you as the last one, though you make great progress in your own, humble opinion. Unfortunately, it's not enough…
"Hey, I think I got it!" Ariane cheerfully announces and moves to pick up the envelope, "It's the lead pipe in the library… and Mrs. White again!"
A mild feeling of creeping dread wells up in your stomach as you hear Ariane's announcement. This is only compounded as she lays the winning cards on the board, showing her correct row, "And that's the round for me~!"
"Wow, you again, Tamiko?" Evelyn immediately pipes in with a sly tone, trying her best to mimic the raspy voice of a jaded cop from a detective story, "You are turning out to be quite the career criminal, young lass. First the kidnapping and now this killing spree… Like they say, it's always the one you'd suspect the least... Or the butler."
You can feel your ears heat up as you bury your head into your hands to hide from the sudden embarrassment. This game must hate you! There can't be any other explanation for this! And why did it have to be library of all places!?
At the same time, Kishi and Mariko move on concert to prepare the board for another round. Though it is difficult to make out from between your fingers, you think you can see a faint hint of a smile on the latter's face. Ariane certainly is smiling at the sight..
The third round is a lot more even between all of you, as both you and Mariko have gotten the hang on some of the game play's nuances and tricks. The only interruption to your game comes from your phone buzzing once, as you receive a message from your uncle. You refrain from answering yet, with there being only little to go to the end of the round.
I will be making dinner for 8.00! Try to be home by then, okay?
You are also very pleased to note that you are holding your own character's card in your hand. Take that everyone, you are most certainly not a murderer! Well, this time at least...
Still, experience triumphs over beginner's luck this, and it is Evelyn who claims the final prize. "So… I accuse Colonel Mustard, who killed Dr. Black with a revolver in the hall!" she announces triumphantly and picks up the envelope. The cards are slammed on the board, showing her answer to be correct.
"Huh, it seems that we are all innocent!" Evelyn notes with a quick nod and a look at all of you, "Well, this time at least…"
"Hey!" you yelp in indignation, but get cut off by Kishi before you can follow with anything.
"I-it's a pretty scary game scenario, though," she says with a speculative, perhaps even keen expression, "C-colonel Mustard is an unhinged and trained veteran soldier, armed with a functional gun in a remote house with no one to help the comparatively helpless people nearby… I-It's got all the elements of a horror story present there."
"Well, it is pretty hard to take the guy as seriously as most horror monsters, given his obsession with yellow," Evelyn notes with a playful grin, "But it might make an exciting story all the same! That one would need a different game, though."
What do you do?
[] Talk with your friends.
[] Call your uncle.
[] Leave for home.
[] Write-in.
===
I actually rolled for the winners and murderers of each round. Needless to say, I was very amused by the results . Incidentally, everyone's characters were based on the colors of their Soul Gems:
Tamiko: Mrs. White
Kishi: Miss Scarlet
Evelyn: Mrs. Peacock
Ariane: Rev. Green
Mariko: Prof. Plum
No player: Col. Mustard
.
