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The nylon strap of the messenger bag makes a satisfying scritching sound as your short claws dig back and forth into the material. Adjusting the ever so slight itch of your scarf, you watch as clouds of foggy plume crystallise from your breath, a novelty that has yet to wear off. You shiver a little in your jacket. It never used to get this cold on the little slice of Alternia you frequented. Self conscious at the possibility of stares, you gather the mettle to lift your ass off the bench it’s been planted on ever since you got off your short bus ride, your unfortunate choice of sneakers making a soft squelch in the slushy remnants of snow.
You hope that the meeting place is more sheltered from the possible prying eyes of strangers. You’re all too aware of the conspicuousness of your more feline features, a vestige of your curious experience as a sprite. You’re grateful at least for the fact your horns have shrunk a little, proportionally, from when you were adolescent.
The pedestrian priority street is about halfway to bustling, and you can just about make out the sounds of your quiet footsteps over the noise of the people milling about the wide open square. Tall buildings and the plentifully suspended walkways between them cover most of your view of the dusky yellow sky. You head towards the eatery on the corner of one of the streets leading into the central square, keeping your head down as you go. The place in question takes up the bottom two floors of a large building, as if it’s burrowing its way into the corner of a mountain.
Sifting your way through the blanketed evening, you get close enough to the restaurant to do a nervous one-two look from side to side before pushing the door open and walking in. The interior is cozy and softly lit, the wide bank of windows accentuating the contrast from where you just were. The decor is reminiscent of Eastern Alternian stylings, although you notice some of the finer details are off from the kinds of places that were near your hive. A xerox of a xerox, something you might find interesting if you were in the mood to wax philosophical, which you often aren’t. You head past the large glass bank of food on display, peeping at the booths out of the corner of your eye, looking for the person you came to meet.
As you turn the corner you spot her at the end of the restaurant, tucked away in a booth and placidly reading a menu. She’s wearing a silky black hood that covers most of her face, but you recognise her from the horns and hint of jade green lipstick that peeks out from under it. Two menus lie open on the table, two glasses of water poured perfectly alongside them, waiting for your apprehensive approach.
Kanaya: Hello Tavros
Tavros: uMMM, hEY kANAYA,
She nods, and you sit down opposite from her. The whole thing would feel a lot more like an interview or interrogation if it wasn’t from the warm smile, now in full view. She undoes the buttons of her hood’s horn-holes and frees her head from the swaths of fabric. It’s been a long time since you’ve seen each other, but you’ve heard through the grapevine about some of the details of what she’s been up to.
Kanaya: It Has Been Quite A While Hasnt It
Kanaya: I Imagine We Both Have Have A Lot Of Questions About Details Of What Weve Been Up To
Tavros: oH, nOT REALLY, i DON’T THINK,
Tavros: aT LEAST IF I WAS TALKING ABOUT QUESTIONS ON MY END, tO DO WITH WHAT YOU’VE BEEN UP TO I MEAN,
Tavros: nOT THAT I DON’T CARE BUT, uMMM,
She seems to stifle an even wider smile at that, and your cheeks burn a little in embarrassment.
Kanaya: I Suppose The More Interesting Matters Of My Life Are Not Much Of A Secret
Tavros: yEAH
Tavros: i’M MOSTLY CONFUSED AS TO, uH, wHY YOU INVITED ME OUT?
Kanaya thinks on it for a moment, before speaking like she’s dropping a sugar cube into her tea.
Kanaya: Its Been A Long Time Since Weve Seen Each Other
Kanaya: Cant A Woman Invite Her Semi Estranged Childhood Friend Over For Dinner?
It’s hard not to believe there’s some kind of ulterior motive at play, but you swallow any questions with a gulp of water you take from your glass.
Tavros: tHAT SEEMS LIKE, aS MUCH OF A GOOD EXPLANATION AS ANY, hAHA,
Tavros: i GUESS IT’S NICE TO, uH, gET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND DO SOMETHING?
Kanaya hums in acknowledgment, leaning the ridge of her jaw on the back of her palm.
Kanaya: God Isnt It Just
Kanaya: ...Your Hair Looks Nice by The Way
She nods, referring to the way you’ve grown out of the old mohawk into a full head of hair.
Tavros: tHANKS
Tavros: iT HIDES THE, uM, mEOWBEAST EARS BETTER, wHICH IS MORE WHY I CHOSE IT, rATHER THAN LOOKING GOOD
Kanaya: I Can Think Of Better Ways To Accentuate Your Ears Than To Simply Hide Them Behind More Hair
Kanaya: It Almost Seems Like A Shame
You’re a little startled by the tangible sense of familiarity after so long, but you can’t say you mind too much. She always used to be more gracious with you than the majority of your friends.
Tavros: yEAH WELL, i THINK THEY LOOK KIND OF, uH, pRETTY SILLY, aND EMBARASSING,
Tavros: bUT I GUESS REGARDLESS OF THAT FACT, i’M STUCK WITH THEM,
Kanaya: I Suppose I Can Count Myself Fortunate That My Biological Developments Did Not Change Much In Terms Of My Appearance
Kanaya: At Least To An Unmanageable Extent
Kanaya: But I Still Think It Would Be Nice For You To See It As Less Of A Hindrance
Tavros: i GUESS
Kanaya takes the momentary lapse in conversation as an opportunity to fish out a flask from her bag, taking a large swig from it. A small rivulet of dark blue trickles out of the corner of her mouth, and you’re suddenly reminded of the ways she’s changed herself. She catches you staring, and wipes away the blood, leaving only a smudge.
Kanaya: If Youre Wondering About The Blood Then Theres No Need To Fret
Kanaya: Ill Still Be Able To Eat The Meal Despite My Need For More Sanguine Nutrition
Kanaya: I Didnt Forfeit All The Comforts Of A Mortal Existence Upon My Death You Know
Tavros: oH, i UH, wASN’T WONDERING
Tavros: gOOD TO HEAR I GUESS, tHAT YOU CAN EAT NORMAL FOOD THOUGH
Kanaya: Quite
You bury your nose in the menu, scanning the rows as quickly as possible as if you could just beat your indecision by being fast enough. You only look up when you hear the approaching footsteps of the person taking your order, but it’s accompanied by an unusual gasp.
??????:: Oh mλ god, are you the Sλlph of Space?
Kanaya: Er
You shrink back into your seat, as far as possible and with the menu pushed up right in front of your face. A few nearby tables have apparently heard, because you hear them immediately quieting down their conversations, obviously having turned to look at your table. Bby then it’s too late, whether it’s by overhearing or a change in atmosphere, it soon seems like the entire restaurant has sensed the blood in the water. You barely hear them through the blood rushing in your ears.
Your mild panic is interrupted by Kanaya softly grabbing your wrist, as her newly hooded figure leads you away from the table, muttering beneath her breath. While you are surprised at the sudden contact, you decide to just go along with whatever’s happening.
Kanaya: (And To Think I Assumed I Could Just Have A Nice Evening Out)
Kanaya: (Of Course There Would Be A Spectacle)
When she’s out of the restaurant, she stops to look back at you. There are now small snowflakes in the air, crystals of frozen water that catch and melt on your face and in your hair. You shiver at the sudden change in temperature.
Kanaya: Are You Alright?
Kanaya: Sorry If You Were Looking Forward To Going Out For A Meal But You Didnt Seem Like You Were Pleased To Be There With All That Attention
Tavros: uH, yEAH, yOU’RE PROBABLY RIGHT
Kanaya: Mmm
Kanaya: I Know Its Quite Late But If Youd Still Like To Humour My Offer For Dinner Then I Wouldnt Mind Opening My Hive As An Impromptu Restaurant
Tavros: wHAT ABOUT YOUR MATESPRIT, aND STUFF
Tavros: i DON’T WANT TO IMPOSE
Kanaya: Like Myself Rose Has Decided To Pursue Entertainment Beyond The Reaches Of Our Abode Tonight
Kanaya: And I Wouldnt Like To Boast But I Have Been Told I Make A Quote Mean Spiced Grubsauce And Noodles Unquote
Tavros: uUUUH, iT STILL FEELS LIKE A LOT, jUST FOR ME, i GUESS?
Kanaya: Its No Trouble At All
Kanaya: I Enjoy Cooking For Others
Kanaya: Besides My Hive Is Only A Short Train Ride Away So It Wont Be Much Of A Commitment If You Change Your Mind
At this point it would be rude to refuse, so you nod your head quietly.
Kanaya: Excellent
She goes to move again, before realising her hand is still clasped around your wrist.
Kanaya: Sorry About That
Kanaya: Im Still Used To Working With Children In The Caverns I Suppose
You can’t quite muster up the courage to say how much you didn’t mind it, so instead you nod again.
Kanaya slips her hood even further over her head, obscuring most of her face, and buttons up her outer cardigan over her symbol. With how tall and well known she is, you can only guess how hard it is to go incognito.
She forges ahead, keeping her head bowed in aversion to attention. She leads you up a few flights of stairs, past storefronts and suspended walkways, onto a plaza of open, elevated esplanades. Here, the high-above awnings and sheltered canopies stop almost all the snowfall, the flurries of sleet only reach the central areas, which are home to benches and an array of hardy flora. Kanaya summarily avoids those areas, sticking to the outskirts.
You pass by rows of shopfronts, until somewhere in particular catches your attention, a gaming and pop culture store. At this time of night, and with this weather, it’s far from busy, but you can still see several people demoing card and board games by the back. What’s even more enticing is the fact they’re advertising a demo of a new card game you’d been particularly looking forward to playing. You weren’t even aware you’d stopped to stare until Kanaya speaks from behind you.
Kanaya: Do You Want To Go In?
Tavros: oH, bUT DON’T WE HAVE TO GET TO YOUR HIVE?
Kanaya: I Wouldnt Mind Taking A Small Detour
Tavros: yOU MIGHT BE RECOGNIZED AGAIN,,,
Kanaya: It Looks A Lot Less Populated Than The Restaurant
Kanaya: Ill Be Sure To Take More Precaution This Time
As she says this, she sidles up to the shopfront window, near a display of various pop culturally significant masks that lies inside.
Tavros: dO YOU, uH, REALLY WANT TO LOOK AT THIS KIND OF STUFF, aND GO IN WITH ME?
Kanaya: You Might Be Surprised At How Many Of My Interests Dont Align With What Is Typically Deemed Sophisticated
Kanaya: And If That Fact Strays Too Close To Incongruity With My Demeanour You Can Simply Think Of It As Recompense For Ruining Our Night Out
Tavros: yOU DON’T NEED TO MAKE IT UP TO ME, iT WASN’T REALLY YOUR FAULT,,,
Kanaya: Well I Was Looking Forward To Doing Something At Least A Little Exciting
Kanaya: So Im Sort Of Making It Up To Myself As Well
Tavros: oKAY, tHAT MAKES SENSE,
Kanaya pushes open the door, subsuming the both of you in the shop’s quiet and slightly stuffy atmosphere. The shop itself is of a pretty decent size, and has a variety of merchandise lining it’s shelves. The front of the shop is mostly dedicated to various games, books, shirts and memorabilia, while the back of the store is home to several secluded tables for trying out games. Usually a place like this would have a lot more people, but on a late snowy night, most people are firmly tucked away in their hives, or out to dinner.
The small rack of masks by the window is peppered with faces of some of the more famous Earth C pop cultural icons, as well as a couple more obscure cuts, and some you don’t recognise. A lot of the masks are made of cheap plastic, but the more expensive ones look like they’re made of a smoother, matte material, similar to ceramics.
Kanaya immediately looks to the top row, where the more durable masks are kept. A moment later she makes a curious little “oh”, lifting a mask off from the very end of it’s hook.
Kanaya: I Didnt Expect Them To Still Have This Kind Of Mask In Circulation
Kanaya: I Suppose Considering The Amount Of Input We Managed To Bring From Alternia It Makes Some Sense But...
Kanaya: Hm
Tavros: wHAT IS IT, iF YOU DON’T REALLY MIND ME ASKING,
Kanaya: Of Course I Dont Mind
Kanaya: Its Of A Piece Of Fiction That Was Very Important To Me
The mask is a smooth, flat shape, with only small bumps for accommodating a face. The eye holes are thin, but long, and there are two circular holes that dot the bottom of an overhang on the top lip. Curls of jade green adorn it’s gentle slopes, and with a small jolt you realise that it’s similar to the kinds of tattoos you saw on the arms and chest of Kanaya’s dancestor.
Kanaya: Have You By Chance Heard Of The Milleflora Chronicles?
Tavros: uM, nOPE, i DON’T THINK SO
Kanaya: They Were An Immensely Well Regarded Series Of Fantasy Novels
Kanaya: Well
Kanaya: Immensely Well Regarded In Certain Niches
Kanaya: Which May Or May Not Be Infatuated With Rainbow Drinkers
Kanaya: I Imagine Their Cultural Significance Is Much Greater Here Than On Alternia Since They Were One Of My Favourite Books
Kanaya: This Mask In Particular Meant A Lot Since It Was The One Worn By A Character I Particularly Enjoyed And Wished I Could Become
Kanaya: She Was... The First Decent Depiction Of A Trans Woman I Really Encountered In Media
Tavros: oH, iS THAT, uM, lIKE,
Kanaya: Yes
Kanaya: Like Our Good Friend June
Kanaya: And... Myself As Well
You try your best not to say anything weird, but for some reason a pit opens up at the centre of your stomach, complete with all the shitty embellishments of sticks and leaves that make it impossible to see before it’s too late. You fell in like a complete fool, but you aren’t sure why or even what the pit is full of. You hope it’s not spiders.
Tavros: wOW, tHAT SOUNDS, uH, cOOL I GUESS!
Tavros: lIKE, tHE SERIES SOUNDS COOL,
Tavros: i MEAN,
Tavros: nOT ANYTHING ELSE,
She nods, and looks at you a little peculiarly. You experience a hot rash of embarrassment. A deep ember smoulders, somewhere above your muscular respiratory pump, but below your bloodpusher, and you don’t know why. Or maybe you do. You ignore it anyway.
Kanaya: Hmm
Kanaya: Sure Okay
Kanaya: But Yes The Series Is In My Opinion Very Cool
Kanaya: Sorry For Rambling A Little
Tavros: nO, iT’S OKAY,
Tavros: i DIDN’T KNOW YOU WERE LIKE, iNTO A LOT OF FICTIONAL STUFF, lIKE THAT,
Tavros: i MEAN, fANTASY STUFF,
Kanaya: Well Of Course
Kanaya: My Wife Is Literally Rose Lalonde
Kanaya: Even Besides That You Dont Think Ive Enjoyed My Fair Share Of Escapism?
Tavros: uHM,
Kanaya: That Was A Trick Question I Definitely Do
Kanaya: It May Have Lost A Little Bit Of Its Lustre After Experiencing Actual Real Magic
Kanaya: But Even So Its Still Interesting To Imagine Far Off Lands In Which Anything May Happen
Kanaya: Even If A Lot Of The Time The Best Fantasy Grants Only A Sliver Of All Its Characters Desires
Kanaya: Which Is Usually How Reality Works As Well And Honestly I Could Say More But I Digress
Kanaya: Or Maybe Ill Just Drop It Entirely Because Oh Wow That Was A Lot Of Words For A Subject Which Honestly Didnt Need Them All
Kanaya: Im Finding Myself To Be Rather Ebullient This Evening
Tavros: i THINK IT’S NICE, tO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT STUFF, aCTUALLY,,,
Kanaya: Thank You
Kanaya: ...
Kanaya: Im Going To Go Buy This Now
Kanaya: You Can Look Around In The Meanwhile If You Want
Tavros: oKAY,
She moves to one of the automatic pay tills, while you decide to peruse the shelves that remind you so much of when you were a youngster on Alternia, and you’d wander the aisles looking at all the games you couldn’t afford, at all the stories about magic and adventure and becoming who you were supposed to be that you always wished could be true. Of course, magic has been proven to be real as shit now, so there’s that.
Of course, the one display that draws the most attention to itself is the new, revised edition of the SBURB ttrpg. With the arrival of the gods into a new era, clearly the most important thing to result was the consequent massive update to the SBURB ttrpg, fully fleshed out and fact checked. Okay, you’re mostly kidding here, you only cared about the update because of it’s proximity to your interests. You’ve never actually played the SBURB ttrpg anyway. Something about that felt wrong, even if you were secretly curious to do so. Curious to get another shot, maybe.
Kanaya: Tavros
The sudden voice behind you makes you jump, and you turn to see Kanaya looking slightly over your shoulder at the game.
Tavros: uH, hEY,
Kanaya: I See They Have Found An Elegant Way To Sell Childhood Trauma In A Marketable Form
Tavros: wHAT?
Kanaya: Im Talking About The Sburb Game
Kanaya: That Was A Joke
Kanaya: You Know About How We Were Only Children And
Kanaya: Well
Tavros: yEAH, i GET IT NOW, hAHAHA,
You scratch the back of your neck.
Tavros: i GUESS IT SUCKED, iN A LOT OF WAYS,
Tavros: lIKE, iN MOST OF THE WAYS A GAME LIKE THAT, cOULD SUCK, tHIS ONE PROBABLY DID,
Tavros: bUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN FUN, i THINK,
Kanaya: Perhaps
Kanaya: Our Session Was Rather Fucked From The Beginning Wasnt It
Kanaya: Perhaps In A Hypothetical Quote Normal Game Unquote
Tavros: mAYBE,
Tavros: i DUNNO, i FEEL LIKE, tHERE WAS A LOT OF STUFF, i WANTED TO DO, bUT THAT DIDN’T GET TO HAPPEN,
Tavros: eVEN IF SOME OF THE STUFF WAS FUN, aND I WAS FINE WITH IT FOR A WHILE, aND I THOUGHT I GOT WHAT I DESERVED, aND MAYBE SHOULD HAVE WANTED, iN THE END IT WAS A LITTLE DISAPPOINTING, mAYBE?
Tavros: uGH, i’M SORRY, tHIS IS STUPID,
Kanaya: Its Not Stupid At All
Kanaya: Its Rather Understandable To Have Regrets About Such Things
Tavros: i MEAN, i SHOULD GET OVER IT, bECAUSE WHAT HAPPENED, uH, hAPPENED, aND NOT REALLY MIND ABOUT IT,
Kanaya: Perhaps The Game Is Over But I See It A Little Differently
Kanaya: The Things You Wanted To Achieve Within Sburb Are Important Parts Of Yourself
Kanaya: It Had Its Way Of Picking Up On That
Kanaya: And Many Of Those Things Can Be Accomplished Even Without Its Help
Kanaya: As Important Guiding Principles That You Can Shape Your Path With
Tavros: i GUESS THATS, uH, rEALLY TRUE, aND REMINISCENT OF A LOT OF SMART, aND PROBABLY HEALTHY ADVICE, tHAT I THINK IS CORRECT,
Tavros: i GUESS I JUST WANTED, lIKE, a PROPER QUEST, tHAT LET ME DO IMPORTANT THINGS, aND I GUESS, lED ME TO UH, fIND OUT, aND HELP ME FIND OUT, wHAT I SHOULD DO WITH EVERYTHING, aND WHO I SHOULD BE,
Kanaya: Hm
Kanaya: So You Wanted Sburb To Tell You What You Want?
Tavros: yEAH,
Tavros: wHAT I, uH, rEALLY, rEALLY WANT,
Tavros: sORRY, tHIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THOSE WORDS PEOPLE USE, fOR WHEN YOU’RE BEING WEIRD, lIKE OVER SHARING, oR SOMETHING,
Kanaya: Well The Purpose Of This Endeavour At Least In Pretence Was To Catch Up And Get To Know You Better
Kanaya: Even If I Cant Quite Say I Expected This Its Not Entirely Unwelcome
Tavros: oKAY,
Tavros: i JUST HAVEN’T HAD THE CHANCE TO SAY THIS, tO ANYBODY,
Tavros: aND YOU’RE EASY TO TALK TO,,, aS FAR AS MOST PEOPLE GO,
Kanaya: Thank You
Kanaya: I Try To Be
Kanaya: ...
Kanaya: So What Do You Want To Do Now
Tavros: i JUST KIND OF ADMITTED, i DON’T REALLY KNOW WHAT I WANT, fROM NOW
She giggles a little bit, in a way that makes you curl inwards with shame, like some kind of bronze, embarrassed fern.
Kanaya: I Meant Now As In Right At This Very Moment
Kanaya: I Assumed We Could Look Around For A Bit Longer As Such But
Tavros: oH, uM, i FIGURED WE,,, i MEAN, i WANTED TO PLAY A GAME THEY WERE DEMOING HERE,
Kanaya: Oh?
Tavros: yEAH, iTS A NEW KIND OF, rPG CARD GAME, bUT NOT LIKE, a TCG OR ANYTHING,
Tavros: bUT IT’S REALLY COOL, iTS GOT LIKE, a SPECIAL TABLE, tHAT CAN PROJECT HOLOGRAPHIC IMAGES THROUGH THE CARDS, aND STUFF,
Her eyes glaze over almost as soon as the first acronym hits.
Tavros: oR, wE COULD, nOT DO THAT, iF YOU WANT,
Kanaya: Oh No Its Fine
Kanaya: Im Sure Itll Be Interesting To Actually Play
Kanaya: Probably
You nod, and with a little more prodding, nervously lead her over to one of the tables, where an attendant gives you a little box upon request. By this point Kanaya has put her mask on to avoid being recognised again, becoming some sort of hooded, ghoulish figure. It’s actually pretty cool, in a terrifying sort of way.
You move to one of the specialised tables, the top of which is glowing slightly with a purple light. You take the semi-transparent cards out of the deck, shuffling them between your hands before marvelling at how the game springs to life, with several holographic UI displays popping up as soon as you place the cards on the table. Kanaya doesn’t look particularly impressed. That might be because she’s wearing the mask actually. Duh.
Tavros: sO YEAH, aS YOU CAN SEE, uH, iT’S GOT AN IN BUILT UI SYSTEM, sO IT’S A LOT EASIER TO PICK UP, aS YOU GO
Tavros: i’M SURE WE CAN GET THE HANG OF IT EASILY }:)
Tavros: eSPECIALLY SINCE, iT’S MORE OF A LOOSE GAME, tHAT KIND OF INTRODUCES ELEMENTS SLOWLY, aS YOU GO, aND EVERYTHING CAN BE KEPT TRACK OF, wITH THE UI,
Kanaya: Interesting...
Kanaya: So Whats The Core Conceit Of The Game
Tavros: oH WELL, i HAVEN’T PLAYED IT YET, bUT IT WAS ADVERTISED AS LIKE, a ROLE PLAYING CARD GAME, wHERE YOU GET TO PICK A CERTAIN CHARACTER, aND YOU PICK CARDS THAT KIND OF DECIDE YOUR, uH, uNIQUE SORT OF PATH, aND ONCE YOUR PATH IS OVER, wHICH DEPENDS ON THE AMOUNT OF CARDS YOU HAVE LEFT TO DRAW, yOUR CHARACTERS MEET UP, aND YOU CAN EITHER FIGHT, oR BARGAIN, oR DO SOMETHING ELSE MAYBE, aND IT DEPENDS ON WHAT CARDS YOU GET AND WHAT CHOICES YOU MAKE,
Tavros: sORRY IF THAT WAS, a BIG INFO DUMP, bUT, iT JUST SEEMS REALLY COOL,
Kanaya: That Does Sound Like It Could Be A Lot Of Fun
Kanaya: Although Im Not Accustomed To These Kinds Of Games So I May Not Be The Best Preemptive Judge Of Its Merits
Kanaya: Shall We?
Tavros: oH YES, oF COURSE, wE SHALL }:)
Tavros: hEHEHE
You start the game, picking one of the more agile classes, focused on stringing together throughlines in consecutive scenarios and being able to pick more cards than usual. At least, that’s what it tells you on the pop-up infographic. Kanaya picks a class focused on the use of allies and tamed creatures, and with every condition fulfilled, the game begins.
Kanaya: So I Was Wondering...
She picks a standard LOCATION and EVENT card for her path’s turn.
Kanaya: What Kinds Of Things Did You Have In Mind When It Came To What Sburb Would Give You
A witch in a cave asks her if she wants to give herself a boon, or curse your next turn.
Tavros: i TOLD YOU BEFORE, i DON’T REALLY, uM, kNOW?
She chooses to give herself a boon. A bat minion, because of course, she’s in a cave.
Kanaya: I Understand But Surely You Would Have Something In Mind?
Kanaya: Even Something As Vague As A Sense Of Major Accomplishment Or An Idea Of Growing Into A Different Person
Tavros: oH, i GUESS?
Tavros: i ALWAYS WANTED TO UH, bE CAPABLE OF DOING, yOU KNOW, iMPORTANT THINGS?
Tavros: oR,
Tavros: sOMETHING LIKE THAT, aNYWAY,
You start your turn, and draw a TRAP for an EVENT. You escape by giving up five points of STAMINA from your character’s stat-meter.
Kanaya: Oh Really?
Tavros: ,,,nO,
Tavros: nOT REALLY, aCTUALLY,
Tavros: i GUESS THAT’S SOMETHING, i ONLY WANTED, tANGENTIALLY,
Tavros: aS A SIGNIFIER, fOR BEING A TYPE OF PERSON, wHO COULD ACTUALLY, bE WHO THEY WANTED TO BE,,,
The identity being referred to hangs in the air unsaid.
Kanaya: I See
You manage to roll a high enough number at the end of your turn to draw another EVENT with your class ability, giving you a chance to make up for the shitty first EVENT you were dealt.
Kanaya: Thats Understandable
Kanaya: Its Quite Easy To Be Attracted To That Notion
Kanaya: And Its A Difficult Thing To Get Used To The Idea That At A Certain Point You Have to Be Satisfied With Growing And Managing Yourself At Your Own Pace
Tavros: mAYBE,,,
Tavros: i USED TO HAVE, a LOT OF STUPID FANTASIES, aND ACCEPTING THAT I’M NOT THE TYPE OF PERSON, wHO CAN GET ANY OF THAT, sUCKS,
Kanaya: Oh?
Kanaya: I Thought You Said You Werent Sure What You Wanted
Tavros: sORRY, i GUESS I SORT OF KNEW, bUT IF I SAID SO, i WOULD HAVE TO TELL YOU THEM,
Tavros: sO I KIND OF MADE MYSELF UH, dISCOUNT THEM,
Kanaya: I Would Never Make You Tell Me
Kanaya: You Can Always Refuse Any Of My Questions You Know?
Tavros: yEAH, oKAY, i WON’T, uH, tALK ABOUT THEM THEN,
Kanaya: Thats Perfectly Fair
You play a few turns, in a pendulous hanging blanket of near-silence.
Tavros: oKAY, fINE, i GUESS MAYBE, i CAN TELL YOU THEM,
Tavros: bUT IT’S ONLY, bECAUSE, i HAVEN’T REALLY TOLD ANYBODY, aBOUT THIS,,,
Tavros: aND ALSO WANT TO SHARE, bECAUSE yOU SEEM LIKE YOU WOULD BE, uH, nICE ABOUT THEM,
Your path is soon at an end, and the game soon to be over. The in-game timer counts two turns left, unless there’s any last minute extensions.
Kanaya: I Will Do My Utmost Not To Rip Into You Verbally As I Am So Known To Do
You look at her a bit warily. She gets a lucky play on her turn, managing to gain the enchantment AGGRESSIVE FINESSE that bolsters her offensive power for her next turn, which is the final clash. Luckily the tradeoff is that you gain a random temporary stat increase in return. You gain a few points in agility.
Kanaya: That Was A Joke
Kanaya: Human Sarcasm You Know
Kanaya: I Would Never Do That
Tavros: i STILL CAN’T, uH, bELIEVE YOU NEVER HEARD OF SARCASM, bEFORE WE LEFT ALTERNIA,
Kanaya: Or Is That Just What I Wanted You To Think
Tavros: uH,
Kanaya: It Wasnt And Im Being Very Silly Here
Kanaya: Carry On
Tavros: oKAY, wELL I GUESS NOW THAT I’VE, cONTEMPLATED IT, iT SOUNDS REALLY STUPID,,,
Your turn goes off without hitch, with a lucky long-term risk you’d planted in earlier rounds finally paying off with your ability to claim a particularly dextrous weapon, the DUALSCIMITAR, a move which greatly plays to your build’s advantages.
Finally, the match reaches its climax. You’ve met in the middle, and the only thing left to do is to fight it out. Kanaya starts strong, with her overwhelming amount of familiars being a natural soft counter to your build, which you realise too late is ill suited to the gambit. A quirk of the game’s meta you’d have surely mastered once you got to grips with it.
Kanaya: Childhood Fantasies Are Not Prone To Being Particularly Intelligent Or Well Formed Are They?
Kanaya: Besides I Have Heard Some Dreadfully Gauche Things From Young Wigglers In My Time
You chuckle, a little nervously.
Tavros: yEAH, wELL MAYBE CONTEMPLATING IT, mADE ME THINK THAT MAYBE I WANTED,,, i GUESS, iT STILL RESONATES WITH ME, a LITTLE, sO,
Tavros: iT’S HARD
Kanaya: Well I Think Thats All The More Reason To Explore It
Tavros: mMMM, i, i DON’T KNOW,
Tavros: mAYBE,
Your character meanwhile is suited to dodging, and you ride the fine edge of luck that lets you evade attacks, somehow having it hold out while you take down some of Kanaya’s greater sources of power. With your experience playing almost any rpg you can get your hands on, it’s easy to spot the crutches of her balance of offensive, defensive and support minions.
Tavros: uH, oKAY I THINK,,, i MAYBE WANT TO SAY SOMETHING?
Tavros: sO, wHAT I THINK, oR AT LEAST WHAT I AM FORMULATING ON THE SPOT HERE IS, tHAT THERE ARE SOME THINGS IN LIFE, tHAT YOU, wHICH IS, bY THE WAY IN A GENERAL SENSE, aLTHOUGH I GUESS I COULD JUST SAY I, bUT “YOU” FEELS EASIER, aND I DON’T KNOW IF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE FELT THIS,,,
Tavros: bUT THERE ARE THINGS YOU MIGHT WANT, wITHOUT REALLY REALISING IT, aND YOU, uH,,, sOMETIMES GET JEALOUS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THEM, oR HAVE FEELINGS TOWARDS THEM, tHAT ARE HARD TO DESCRIBE, bECAUSE YOU NEVER REALLY FACTORED, uH, eNVY INTO IT, aND THEN YOU ASCRIBE IT TO OTHER THINGS, oR LUMP THEM TOGETHER IN YOUR THINKPAN,
Tavros: bUT IT’S NOT REALLY THE SAME,
Tavros: sO WHEN YOU HEAR PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THAT THING IN ISOLATION, iT HITS YOU WEIRD, aND YOU WONDER WHY IT REMINDED YOU, oF THAT FEELING,
Tavros: aND TO SUM IT UP, i FEEL WEIRD, aND LIKE I WISH I COULD NOT BE FEELING THAT,
Your whittling is starting to work, with Kanaya’s health starting to decline as you tackle her inner rank, her blood-bonded familiars.
Kanaya: Do You Want To Talk To Me About It?
Tavros: nO,
Tavros: i DON’T KNOW,,, i JUST WANT TO GO HOME,
Tavros: mAYBE AFTER DINNER, bUT, i DON’T WANT TO HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT,
Kanaya slides her mask off to look you straight in the eye. You see the curl of a black-lipped smile poking out from the edge of the artificial visage.
Kanaya: I Understand Completely
Tavros: yOU DO?
Kanaya: More Than You Could Imagine
Kanaya: Although I Wont Press On It If You Dont Want To Right Now
Tavros: oKAY,
She puts her face back behind her mask.
With one last strike, Kanaya’s character falls to your impressively animated holographic avatar’s swing. You’ve won the game, although you are left wanting more.
Kanaya: Congratulations On Your Victory
Tavros: hEH, wELL IT’S NOT EVERY DAY, yOU GET TO FACE SOMEONE, wHO IS QUITE AS GOOD AT SAD LOSER GAMES AS ME }:)
Kanaya: I Would Disagree With Your Description Of It As A “Sad Loser Game”
Kanaya: And I Should Know Because I Am Not A Sad Loser And I Am Playing This Game
Tavros: i GUESS NOT,,,
Kanaya: But Overall It Was Quite Enjoyable
Kanaya: Even If Its Not Usually My Cup Of Tea
Tavros: hEHE, oKAY, i’M GLAD TO HEAR THAT
You shuffle the cards back into the box dutifully, and the store manager comes to collect it. You both slip out of the demo section, and back into the store.
Kanaya: Now Do You Still Want To Have That Dinner I Promised?
Tavros: uH,,,
Tavros: yEAH, i GUESS I’M KIND OF HUNGRY,
You walk out of the store, back into the cold promenade, setting off once again into the night.
Kanaya: I Must Confess Though That I Just Remembered An Errand I Must Do Before We Can Leave
Kanaya: Dont Worry Its Nothing Much I Just Have To Stop By A Certain Garment Outlet Store To Pick Up Something
Kanaya: It Wont Take Long
Tavros: rIGHT,,,
You nod and follow her, the five minute walk to your next destination skipping by in a breeze. The inside of the clothing store is stripped bare, with the clothes themselves being the centrepiece. Swaths of pants and shirts and skirts and jackets and dresses are displayed on metal racks, or a variety of shelves and stands. There is only a single attendant at the counter, and Kanaya obviously knows them already as she doesn’t waste any time in pulling off her mask.
Kanaya starts to move around the store, rapidly pulling things out of their display and into her awaiting arms.
It strikes you as more than what you bargained for, but with her speed you hope she’s quick.
It’s not until she comes back that you realise you might be in for something. In her outstretched hand, Kanaya holds a large dress. She’s proffering it to you.
Kanaya: I Think You Should Try This On In The Changing Stalls
Tavros: wHAT, bUT IT’S,
There isn’t a trace of doubt in her eyes. Her face is a mask of reassurance.
Tavros: wHY?
Kanaya: I Have A Feeling Youll Like It
You gulp. You’ve always been terrible at resisting peer pressure, but this time it feels less like pressure, and more like something you didn’t know you wanted to do until she offered it. The plain, black folds of its front seem to draw you in, like the call of the void.
Tavros: uH, oKAY,,,
After all, what harm could it do? It’s just a dress right? The attendant isn’t really looking your way. Kanaya is the only one who cares, and she’s the one who offered so... it should be okay for you to do this, right? You grab the dress from her and quickly make your way to the rooms at the back of the store, hurrying like you’re doing something illegal, when you are in fact, not. The area has a bunch of stalls, and a mirror
You slip into the small cubicle and try the dress on, fitting it slowly and gingerly over your form. You hear Kanaya’s voice from outside.
Kanaya: How Is It?
Tavros: uUUH, fINE,,, iT FITS, i GUESS?
It does. Kanaya somehow picked out something of your exact size and shape. Butterflies churn in your stomach.
Kanaya: I Thought It Would
Kanaya: Do You Want To See How You Look In The Mirror Outside?
Tavros: dO I HAVE TO,,,
Kanaya: Well Do You Want To?
Your tongue is like a slug of gold, far from the quick and lithe silver you wish it could be.
Tavros: ,,,mAYBE,,,
You push open the changing room door, and turn to face the mirror. The black dress fits your form, which you would usually call lumpy and unsightly, perfectly. You can barely breathe, but in a good way. You catch Kanaya’s face in the mirror behind you, beaming at your slightly bewildered, but enraptured expression.
Kanaya: Do You Like It?
It shouldn’t be making you feel this much. A boy putting on a dress isn’t even totally uncommon, but for some reason...
Tavros: yEAH,
Tavros: uH, i,
Tavros: kANAYA, i THINK I WANT TO BE A GIRL,,,
Tavros: tHAT’S OKAY TO WANT, iSN’T IT?
Kanaya: It Is