Life and Times at East Marshall High - IC Thread VII: Oh No, Not Again!

[The TechnoGnome]

N-no! This couldn't happen! Sakuya was the only person who'd ever come for her! She had to- force herself to be calm. If she panicked at this stage she would just make things worst. She needed to approach this carefully and calmly. First step - show she trusts Sakuya.

It took a lot of effort to let go of Jill and cross the seemingly endless space between her arm and Sakuya's, but she managed it. Wrapping herself around Sakuya's arm like it was a rock in a raging river. Next step - the twelve d's of any good cover story.

"I am sorry, but what exactly makes you feel that we lied?" Claire asks cooly. "I said that one of the men turned. One of the MEN. I may not have got a good look at them, but I certainly could tell it was not a high school girl. Secondly, at no point was Sakuya mentioned by either of us because it was not pertinent. Sakuya looked for us and found us after we escaped and escorted us back to the building. Since that happened after the kidnapping and the shots were fired I did not think it was important. But considering the alternative was that we be lost and still close to our kidnappers it could indeed be said that Sakuya saved us if you were to look at it that way. Thirdly, while I had a mild concussion or something close to it Robert was knocked unconscious. The fact I would see our 'rescuer' and he would not is not at all implausible. That being said, if you were to get my bag I could show you a drawing for reference that loosely fits their description. Never mind the fact that they may be naked. Or the fact that for some reason you have time to accuse a teenaged girl of staging an elaborate kidnapping involving multiple people, none of which you are arresting, but not have time to find and return my bag."

Deny deny deny deny deny deny deny deny deny deny deny and deny.


Allure, Poker Face +2, Doujinshi Enthusiast +2?


One of the police officers actually looks like they believe Claire.

"Yeah, that is rather odd," he said, looking at the drawing, "I mean, if things went the way you said, just with Sakuya rescuing you, she would have been acting in self-defense. Which would mean you don't really have a reason to lie about it..."


"Hm... Time and time again reality reminds me why I should not let certain individuals live... I'm sure Claire could afford such a lawyer if need be," Sakuya says, still calm on the outside.

Inside, she was fuming. Of course they all blame her! They all work for the same group! Meanwhile, you have one teenager telling the truth and never mentioning their actions, and two of her friends who would have obvious reason to hide the fact that their friend shot several men while rescuing them! This is several heaping loads of bulls**t!

"You want to know what happened? Several weeks ago, two of those men made threats toward my sister. I fought them off, with the assistance of Robert and a friend who is not currently present. The security footage should still be available at QuadPlay, if it hasn't already been deleted," she says, walking back and forth between the police and the owner.

"As it turns out, the same family owned this agency, and so of course people who have a lot of reason to seek revenge on the girl who humiliated one of their boys would use an opportunity such as this to do so. That's why you see such contradiction with the stories. The owner even admits that it was because his own boys started the fight that he didn't press charges, and I am well within my legal right to exercise reasonable force in self defense, which I did. It is unfortunate what happened to his hand, but given his willingness to pull a knife on us, I was not going to take chances.

Anyways, what actually happened here was that this company was acting extremely paranoid around us the entire time. Did they tell you about how they had one man follow us on the way here, without informing us? Because that happened. Just ask Robert or Becca to confirm.

Who was it that you were worried about, anyways?" Sakuya asks the owner. "Before things got of of hand, you told us you were worried about someone showing up and thought it was one of us, but that you were mistaken. This was also after men were all pointing guns at unarmed, compliant teenagers," she says, sitting down, on the chain of the cuffs holding her.

"I fully admit, I threatened several men and shot three in the leg, while rescuing my friends. I also asked you as officers if you needed more information from me, and you said no. I have been fully honest with you, because I am not at fault here, though also aware of my lack of innocence. My friends did not identify me because I had to do things that were not kind or good in order to rescue them. I made sure that when I injured people, it was non-lethally, because as violent as I may be, I am not a killer unless it is fully necessary." Sakuya's tone swings between calm and curious, with a slowly increasing tone of anger, though in the end it vanishes. The particularly keen eyed would have noted that her arms slid slowly forward as she sat down, right up until the point that they moved off the chair –

"AND RIGHT NOW I AM NOT PARTICULARLY CARRING ABOUT THAT WHEN FOR ALL MY HONESTY, I GET SHAFTED!" she screams, curling her legs up and grabbing the chair from under her, poised to hit the same security guard who had been assigned to follow her and her friends during the day with it. "HOW ABOUT YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS TELL THE GODDAMN TRUTH FOR ONCE IN YOUR MISERABLE LIVES!!!"

Either

Skill, Less is More (If an available modifier meets 6)
Or
Conflict (+1), Terrifying (+2), Armed (+1)

Odd Roll either way

Any valid point that Sakuya might of had was lost on the police the second she started threatening to hit a security guard with a chair out of anger. Two of the officers move to restrain her.

"See what I mean?" Mr. DeLure said, "She is unstable and dangerous. It was a mistake on my part that I didn't push to have her arrested before today."


Holy crap, Sakuya! Calm down or no one will get to say anything else that might actually help you! In fact, I think Robert had something to say.

Allure. Kira Kira. Moe Enthusiast. +4 total.


"Y-yeah! Come on, Sakuya, let's...let's just calm down here, okay?" Jill stutters, her voice several tones higher than normal as she slowly backs away. "W-why don't we let Robert explain what happened? And not hit anybody with any chairs..."

Allure, no bonus. Can't actually succeed, but whatevs.

"Yeah, come on Sakuya," Robert said, joining in with the other two, "Don't do anything you're going got regret. Please just take a deep breath and calm down."

Heather looks absolutely horrified at everything going on, and for the moment is paralyzed with shock.


As the cops start to Robert and Claire, Becca was gathering her things and Jill's outfits.

She tripped again.

Crying, and just fed up with this day she stayed on the ground for awhile.

More then long enough to notice the red light of a camera peeking under a bench.

... Oh my ****ing god! She swore loudly.

5 minutes later Becca stormed out of the stand half-dressed with a piece of ripped camera and wires in her hand.

Natasha! What the **** is wrong with you!

Give me one good reason why I shouldn't report you peeping on us, to the other models, and to the cops. Some of us are underage! She said glaring and crossing her arms.


Weak skill, easily forgiven


Natasha's eyes widen as she sees the camera in Becca's hand.

"I don't know... I mean, why would you ever think I..." It's clear that she's caught completely off-guard by what Becca found.

After a few moments of stumbling, she regains enough of her composure to ask, "What makes you think I'm the one who put them there?"


After a few minutes of munching away happily on her burger, Molly manages to remember that there are other people present enough to wipe her mouth clean and try to start a conversation. "Diese Dinge sind immer noch so verdammt gut, ja? Es ist ein, um, it's a shame they don't have these more places. Really wish they would open one in Germany or something."

Strong Allure, Boyish Charm, Quaint Greeting. +3

Hailey finishes texting something, then puts her phone away and nods, "Yeah, more places like this would be pretty cool. Though doesn't McDonald's basically have them beat when it comes to 'American' burger places overseas?"


Lily is the opposite of refined as she digs into her 4 by 4, but stops eating at Molly's comment. "Listen, In 'n' Out is a California tradition. Its bad enough that its spreading across the US. Right Firework?"

Allure, Boyish charm, Runner's High

"Um, I d-don't know..." Betty said with a frown, eyes darting between Lily, Hailey, and her food in rapid succession, "I never r-really thought about i-it. I m-mean, I-I've never really b-been outside of the s-southern C-California area..."

"Really?" Hailey asked, raising a brow at Betty, "Girl, you're missing out. America is way more diverse and interesting than living in Hollywood would have you believe. Heck, meeting people who aren't decked out in designer fashions and looking like they walked off a cover shoot might help with that nervousness of yours." She took a bite of her burger and added, "I mean, you're a rather pretty girl yourself. I bet you'd have better luck with girls, and people in general, if you weren't competing with models and starlet wannabes all the time."

"Um... y-yeah, m-maybe..." Betty muttered, blushing at the compliment.

Rebecca gained +5 VP, Suki and Claire gained +3 VP, Molly and Lily gained +2 VP

[Illven]

Because you're a bit of a pervert. Becca pointed out.

[Lentrax]

Suki moves over and touches Heather on the shoulder as she leans in to whisper.

Relax, Heather. Breathe. Just pay attention to what's going on. And if things start getting rough, we'll bolt. Okay?

[The TechnoGnome]

Because you're a bit of a pervert. Becca pointed out.

"I think this constitutes more than 'a bit'," Valerie said, glaring at Natasha, "Do you have naked picture of my girlfriend, you... you...?!?"

"H-Hey, come on now!" Natasha said, clearly rattled, "So I'm kind of a perv, big deal. That doesn't mean I'm the one who planted those cameras. Someone else on the staff must have done that. Probably someone who infiltrated them somehow."


Suki moves over and touches Heather on the shoulder as she leans in to whisper.

Relax, Heather. Breathe. Just pay attention to what's going on. And if things start getting rough, we'll bolt. Okay?

The second Suki touched her, Heather grabbed her arm with a death grip and tried to breathe.

"I j-just... wh-why is sh-she doing this..." she muttered, "I thought she was... I've only seen her like this once before... it's terrifying."

[Anubis Dread]

This situation was rapidly spiraling out of control to the extent that Claire was having difficulty keeping track of it enough to make her next move. In the end, she decided that punishing the people who kidnapped her was a secondary concern. They would still be alive after all, so there was no real point in having them arrested since they would not be punished severely enough. Instead the primary concern was to keep Sakuya out of jail.

"Oh before I forget," Claire decides, turning from the police officer to one of the security officers instead. "I am a millionaire and intend to sue your company for several hundred million dollars unless you drop the charges against Sakuya. I know she did nothing wrong, but truth be told the situation looks bad enough for her that I am willing to sacrifice the potential for lost money to make this process go smoother. And do not claim you cannot have all the charges dropped. The charges include kidnapping us, which is ridiculous and we can have those charges dropped ourselves. Injuring your security, which you can drop easily. And injuring Stacey, which since she is now an employee you can easily exert pressure to have her drop those charges or else lose her job."

She would just bribe the police officer, but that was a social faux pass. She would need to bribe his commanding officer, and that would require a trip to the station she did not feel like taking the time to do.

[The TechnoGnome]

This situation was rapidly spiraling out of control to the extent that Claire was having difficulty keeping track of it enough to make her next move. In the end, she decided that punishing the people who kidnapped her was a secondary concern. They would still be alive after all, so there was no real point in having them arrested since they would not be punished severely enough. Instead the primary concern was to keep Sakuya out of jail.

"Oh before I forget," Claire decides, turning from the police officer to one of the security officers instead. "I am a millionaire and intend to sue your company for several hundred million dollars unless you drop the charges against Sakuya. I know she did nothing wrong, but truth be told the situation looks bad enough for her that I am willing to sacrifice the potential for lost money to make this process go smoother. And do not claim you cannot have all the charges dropped. The charges include kidnapping us, which is ridiculous and we can have those charges dropped ourselves. Injuring your security, which you can drop easily. And injuring Stacey, which since she is now an employee you can easily exert pressure to have her drop those charges or else lose her job."

She would just bribe the police officer, but that was a social faux pass. She would need to bribe his commanding officer, and that would require a trip to the station she did not feel like taking the time to do.

Before the security officer could respond, Mr. DeLure turned his attention to Claire with a cold glint in his eye.

"Really now?" he asked, "You're going to sue my company? On what basis? The ravings of a violent madwoman?"

[Lentrax]

Just relax, all right? I'll get us out of here if things go bad.

Please, please, please... don't let them go bad.

[Illven]

"I think this constitutes more than 'a bit'," Valerie said, glaring at Natasha, "Do you have naked picture of my girlfriend, you... you...?!?"

"H-Hey, come on now!" Natasha said, clearly rattled, "So I'm kind of a perv, big deal. That doesn't mean I'm the one who planted those cameras. Someone else on the staff must have done that. Probably someone who infiltrated them somehow."

Infiltrated? Becca replied.

Right, I forgot you're in with the mob Illuminati lizard people, who secretly fight against the martians for control of Earth's models. A martian must have slipped in to this company and planted these. Becca replied.

Do you realize how ridiculous that sounds?

[Anubis Dread]

Before the security officer could respond, Mr. DeLure turned his attention to Claire with a cold glint in his eye.

"Really now?" he asked, "You're going to sue my company? On what basis? The ravings of a violent madwoman?"

"Are you forgetting that I am the one that was kidnapped? And that there were witnesses? My testimony alone would likely cost you several million," Claire points out. "Even if everything you said was true and my testimony was useless I could STILL get a couple of million from you just for allowing all of this to happen on your property."

[Esprit15]

Sakuya's body is still tense with rage, but doesn't actively fight against the police. Angry as she was, there was still enough self preserving instinct to acknowledge a losing situation. "I admit to being an unstable and dangerous person. That's why I was the one who was both willing and able to rescue my friends when your guards kidnapped them. Never have I claimed throughout all of this to be innocent, merely right." Her limbs begin to relax as some amounts of anger subside. "Don't let up on your grip on me, or I'll probably try and hurt Mr. DeLure. You know, being the guy who had my friends kidnapped and is currently trying to pin it on me," Sakuya says to one of the men holding her down.

"Sir, you and I both know that the evidence was not on your side back then like the lies are now," she calls over as DeLure brings back up the stabbing. "Your man made threats to my sister and then pulled a knife on me when I confronted him about it. I only stabbed him in the hand after he made it clear that he intended lethal force with myself. You have several eye witnesses to that event present today that can testify on my behalf, though again it seems that some of us have left."

The girl takes a deep breath, listening as Claire... Helps? She was not sure how the talk of lawsuits was going, whether it helped or hurt her case, but she assumed Claire knew what she was doing. That may or may not be a safe assumption. "No, seriously, hold me down, guys, like you're terrified of the thought of me getting up. I can feel you slacking," she says with a small smile to the two officers holding her down. It was always funny to see what kind of mistakes people made in these situations. "You want the pressure more toward the middle of the forearm, so that I can't move my elbows or hands. You're focusing too much on just my hands. I could jerk my elbow and throw you off balance with the way you're holding me."

[DoctorFaust]

"Popularity doesn't mean quality," Molly mutters into her burger.
"But yeah, that, Pizza Den, and Sudhbucks are pretty much the three big American chains outside the states I know of. Unfortunately..."

[The TechnoGnome]

Infiltrated? Becca replied.

Right, I forgot you're in with the mob Illuminati lizard people, who secretly fight against the martians for control of Earth's models. A martian must have slipped in to this company and planted these. Becca replied.

Do you realize how ridiculous that sounds?

"...That's not what I said at all..." Natasha mutters in shock.

"Not the point!" Val yelled, "What Becca means is that your explanation is bull and we all know it!"

Natasha frowned, "Ok, look, are you trying to blackmail me or something? Let me guess, you want me to fire Stacy and hire you."


Just relax, all right? I'll get us out of here if things go bad.

Please, please, please... don't let them go bad.

Heather nodded and hung onto Suki.

"Have you ever dealt with something like this before?" she asked.


"Are you forgetting that I am the one that was kidnapped? And that there were witnesses? My testimony alone would likely cost you several million," Claire points out. "Even if everything you said was true and my testimony was useless I could STILL get a couple of million from you just for allowing all of this to happen on your property."

Mr. DeLure stared at Claire for a while, before rubbing his chin, "That is a good point. Of course, you're assuming that your lawyers are better than mine. Which I find doubtful."


Sakuya's body is still tense with rage, but doesn't actively fight against the police. Angry as she was, there was still enough self preserving instinct to acknowledge a losing situation. "I admit to being an unstable and dangerous person. That's why I was the one who was both willing and able to rescue my friends when your guards kidnapped them. Never have I claimed throughout all of this to be innocent, merely right." Her limbs begin to relax as some amounts of anger subside. "Don't let up on your grip on me, or I'll probably try and hurt Mr. DeLure. You know, being the guy who had my friends kidnapped and is currently trying to pin it on me," Sakuya says to one of the men holding her down.

"Sir, you and I both know that the evidence was not on your side back then like the lies are now," she calls over as DeLure brings back up the stabbing. "Your man made threats to my sister and then pulled a knife on me when I confronted him about it. I only stabbed him in the hand after he made it clear that he intended lethal force with myself. You have several eye witnesses to that event present today that can testify on my behalf, though again it seems that some of us have left."

The girl takes a deep breath, listening as Claire... Helps? She was not sure how the talk of lawsuits was going, whether it helped or hurt her case, but she assumed Claire knew what she was doing. That may or may not be a safe assumption. "No, seriously, hold me down, guys, like you're terrified of the thought of me getting up. I can feel you slacking," she says with a small smile to the two officers holding her down. It was always funny to see what kind of mistakes people made in these situations. "You want the pressure more toward the middle of the forearm, so that I can't move my elbows or hands. You're focusing too much on just my hands. I could jerk my elbow and throw you off balance with the way you're holding me."

The officers look at each other, then take her advice and re-positioned their grips.

"You know, you're far more composed than I thought you'd be," one of the officers said, "I thought for sure you'd be crying or shouting or something by now."


"Popularity doesn't mean quality," Molly mutters into her burger.
"But yeah, that, Pizza Den, and Sudhbucks are pretty much the three big American chains outside the states I know of. Unfortunately..."

"Ah," Hailey muttered, "Well, guess you really can't escape Sudhbucks, huh?"

"Still, I hear the international locations have weird things they serve nowhere else, especially Pizza Den. Do you guys have someline like Hamburger crust or something over in Germany, or are they more like bratwurst pizzas or something?"

[Illven]

"...That's not what I said at all..." Natasha mutters in shock.

"Not the point!" Val yelled, "What Becca means is that your explanation is bull and we all know it!"

Natasha frowned, "Ok, look, are you trying to blackmail me or something? Let me guess, you want me to fire Stacy and hire you."

I want you to get your security team to not press charges on my sister! Becca replied.

And hire both me and Stacy. To make sure you don't re-attach the cameras after I'm gone.

[The TechnoGnome]

I want you to get your security team to not press charges on my sister! Becca replied.

And hire both me and Stacy. To make sure you don't re-attach the cameras after I'm gone.

"Aw, come on, really?" Natasha said with a groan, "You're gonna police me? What are you, my mom?"

"No, but we can tell your mom if you refuse," Val said with a pout.

"Or, you know, the police?" Roger said, "They're right out there, after all. You might even get to ride with Sakuya."

"Ugh, fiiiiiiine," Natasha groaned, "I don't get what the big deal is, anyway..."

[Anubis Dread]

Mr. DeLure stared at Claire for a while, before rubbing his chin, "That is a good point. Of course, you're assuming that your lawyers are better than mine. Which I find doubtful."

"Firstly, I am richer than you. I can hire better lawyers. Secondly, no matter how good your lawyers are you cannot win. I am not actually interested in getting your money. I am just interested in you not having it. If you were to refuse to drop the charges I would happily spend ten times as much as I would get from the case itself out of spite," Claire points out.

[Illven]

"Aw, come on, really?" Natasha said with a groan, "You're gonna police me? What are you, my mom?"

"No, but we can tell your mom if you refuse," Val said with a pout.

"Or, you know, the police?" Roger said, "They're right out there, after all. You might even get to ride with Sakuya."

"Ugh, fiiiiiiine," Natasha groaned, "I don't get what the big deal is, anyway..."

I'd feel alot more comfortable if you know, you weren't asking if I was your Mom, while staring at my boobs. Becca adds crossing her arms under her chest.... Which had the effect of presenting them.

I know I'm tall, but they aren't exactly at eye level for you.

[Esprit15]

With what little mobility she has, Sakuya shrugs. "Why? Because I'm a teenage girl and you expected me to adhere to social stereotypes? Nope, I don't panic during this kind of thing."

"So what, the testimony of the actually kidnapped people means nothing?"

[The TechnoGnome]

"Firstly, I am richer than you. I can hire better lawyers. Secondly, no matter how good your lawyers are you cannot win. I am not actually interested in getting your money. I am just interested in you not having it. If you were to refuse to drop the charges I would happily spend ten times as much as I would get from the case itself out of spite," Claire points out.

"That is a very valid point," he said with a frown, "But this is the second time now that girl has attacked people under my watch. How can I guarentee it won't happen again if she roams free?"


I'd feel alot more comfortable if you know, you weren't asking if I was your Mom, while staring at my boobs. Becca adds crossing her arms under her chest.... Which had the effect of presenting them.

I know I'm tall, but they aren't exactly at eye level for you.

"Oh, like you thought I was being serious," Natasha said, now more blatantly ogling Becca, "Besides, how can I not? They're just so big and... soft."

Valerie just glares at her while Roger shakes his head.


With what little mobility she has, Sakuya shrugs. "Why? Because I'm a teenage girl and you expected me to adhere to social stereotypes? Nope, I don't panic during this kind of thing."

"So what, the testimony of the actually kidnapped people means nothing?"

"They also said they don't know who rescued them," the officer said, "Little hard to believe them if we think they're changing details to protect you. Especially if they don't believe that you are a co-conspirator."

"Oh, come on!" Robert said, "I already told you that she's not the mastermind! What more do you want?"

[Illven]

"Oh, like you thought I was being serious," Natasha said, now more blatantly ogling Becca, "Besides, how can I not? They're just so big and... soft."

Valerie just glares at her while Roger shakes his head.


Becca just sighs and shakes her head.

Well? She asks gesturing to the front of the building.

[Esprit15]

"Of course they would lie! Their friend shot three grown men while protecting them! What would you do at your age? Which is more likely? That a sixteen year old girl with no motive orchestrated a kidnapping of her friends while her sister tried out for a modeling job, or that security got overly paranoid?"

[Anubis Dread]

"That is a very valid point," he said with a frown, "But this is the second time now that girl has attacked people under my watch. How can I guarentee it won't happen again if she roams free?"

"With all due respect - which at this stage since I was kidnapped by your men is none - your watch is abysmal and if you think it means anything you should disembowel yourself to see how much excrement has congealed in your system," Claire replied bluntly. "All of the attacks Sakuya has been involved in has been due to extremely poor judgement on behalf of your employees. We were being captured by your men well before Sakuya attacked them. And do not get me started on Quadplay. Suffice it to say if you were actually watching none of any of this would have happened. If you intend to watch in the future you will have nothing to worry about. But if you really feel like you need the extra security you could just ban her from your establishments. It is not as though she would care," she shrugged.

[The TechnoGnome]

Becca just sighs and shakes her head.

Well? She asks gesturing to the front of the building.

Natasha sighed, "Alright, fine... you sure you won't just accept hush money and let me keep the-"

Roger and Val glare at her, which is enough to get her to back down and mutter, "Nevermind... ugh, my dad's gonna kill me."

As they headed out, Roger whispered to Becca, "You know, you could have probably gotten a lot of money out of her for something like this... why just the position?"


"Of course they would lie! Their friend shot three grown men while protecting them! What would you do at your age? Which is more likely? That a sixteen year old girl with no motive orchestrated a kidnapping of her friends while her sister tried out for a modeling job, or that security got overly paranoid?"

"I wouldn't say you didn't have a motive," the officer started, "You might have been trying to scam money out of your multi-millionaire friend over there. How long have you known her, anyway?"

"Ok, now this is just getting ridiculous!" Robert yelled, "Sakuya wouldn't have done something like that to Claire! They're like best friends!"

"As far as you know," the other cop said. Robert groaned in irritation.


"With all due respect - which at this stage since I was kidnapped by your men is none - your watch is abysmal and if you think it means anything you should disembowel yourself to see how much excrement has congealed in your system," Claire replied bluntly. "All of the attacks Sakuya has been involved in has been due to extremely poor judgement on behalf of your employees. We were being captured by your men well before Sakuya attacked them. And do not get me started on Quadplay. Suffice it to say if you were actually watching none of any of this would have happened. If you intend to watch in the future you will have nothing to worry about. But if you really feel like you need the extra security you could just ban her from your establishments. It is not as though she would care," she shrugged.

"Utter rubbish," he shot back, "My men had nothing to do with this!"

"Yes they did," Natasha said, entering the room with Becca, Val, and Roger, "Daddy, listen to her and let Sakuya go."

"Natasha, what are you doing?" Mr. DeLure asked in shock, "This girl stabbed your brother! She-"

Natasha went up and whispered something into his ear. As she did so, Mr. DeLure's face went from shock, to irritation, to anger, then resignation.

"We'll talk later," he growled under his breath, before turning to the cops and saying begrudgingly, "Let her go. My daughter has informed me that the girl's story is true. My security chief Matthew was the one who instigated the kidnapping in an attempt to cover for his 'mistake'. He's the one you want."

"WHAT?!?" the chief roared, "I've worked for you loyally for years! You're going to pin this on me just because some little tramp-"

A glare from Mr. DeLure is enough to shut him up, though he's clearly still pissed off about this. The officers hesitantly let go of Sakuya, though are still keeping a very close eye on her.

[Illven]

Natasha sighed, "Alright, fine... you sure you won't just accept hush money and let me keep the-"

Roger and Val glare at her, which is enough to get her to back down and mutter, "Nevermind... ugh, my dad's gonna kill me."

As they headed out, Roger whispered to Becca, "You know, you could have probably gotten a lot of money out of her for something like this... why just the position?"

I don't even want the position. Becca whispered back.

It's just the only way I can think of to make sure she doesn't do this again as soon as I exit the door. Becca replied.

[Esprit15]

"Thank you," Sakuya says, rubbing her arms. "Remember, wrist and elbow," she reminds the men as they let go.

Sakuya stretches, returning the man's glare. "Was that so hard? Being honest? Thank you, Val," she adds, smiling to the other girl.

[The TechnoGnome]

I don't even want the position. Becca whispered back.

It's just the only way I can think of to make sure she doesn't do this again as soon as I exit the door. Becca replied.

"Ah, makes sense," Roger said, "Still, lets her off pretty light all things considered."


"Thank you," Sakuya says, rubbing her arms. "Remember, wrist and elbow," she reminds the men as they let go.

Sakuya stretches, returning the man's glare. "Was that so hard? Being honest? Thank you, Val," she adds, smiling to the other girl.

"I just better not see you on any of my premises again," Mr. DeLure said with a glare, "I will be taking your friend's advice there, rather than press charges."

"Hey, don't thank me," Val replied, motioning to Becca, "Your sister's the one that 'convinced' Nat to stick up for you."

[Illven]

"Ah, makes sense," Roger said, "Still, lets her off pretty light all things considered."

"Hey, don't thank me," Val replied, motioning to Becca, "Your sister's the one that 'convinced' Nat to stick up for you."

I'm not exactly into the whole no mercy thing. Becca whispered back.

Beaming at Val, she turns to Sakuya.

Yeah, you okay Sis?

[Esprit15]

"I didn't even know it was you running it. I would have talked Becca out of it if I had known. I want as little to do with you and your mostly ******* family, friend of my sister being the sole exception."

"I'm fine. I take it you're responsible for saving me from that?"

[DoctorFaust]

"Ah," Hailey muttered, "Well, guess you really can't escape Sudhbucks, huh?"

"Still, I hear the international locations have weird things they serve nowhere else, especially Pizza Den. Do you guys have someline like Hamburger crust or something over in Germany, or are they more like bratwurst pizzas or something?"

"I've seen bratwurst pizza before, but it was pretty much only in tourist places," Molly replies. "Sauerkraut is really good, though."

[Lentrax]

Heather nodded and hung onto Suki.

"Have you ever dealt with something like this before?" she asked.

Nope. I mean, I've been rushed out of somewhere before by my own security people before, but I've never been on this side of things.

[Anubis Dread]

That worked out well enough. Though the police's insinuations had about blown through Claire's composure. If Val and Becca had not come in when they had she might well have yelled at them for implying Sakuya would do something like that. Objectively she knew it was possible sometime if not in this case, but subjectively if it ever happened she would probably just kill herself to avoid living in a world where Sakuya could betray her.

"Per our agreement as long as Stacy is also pressured into dropping charges - if it is even necessary, she was an employee at the time meaning charging is under your authority - there will be no court case and no suing. Considering my past history with your enterprises I can assure you us being banned will be of no consequence. You could not pay me to set foot in one of these death traps," Claire remarked dryly. Latching herself back onto Sakuya's arm now that she was free again.

[The TechnoGnome]

I'm not exactly into the whole no mercy thing. Becca whispered back.

Beaming at Val, she turns to Sakuya.

Yeah, you okay Sis?

"Well, there's a middle ground between 'no mercy' and 'too much mercy', you know," Roger teased.


"I didn't even know it was you running it. I would have talked Becca out of it if I had known. I want as little to do with you and your mostly ******* family, friend of my sister being the sole exception."

"I'm fine. I take it you're responsible for saving me from that?"

"Hey, thanks!" Natasha said with a smile. Her father gave her a harsh glare, which wiped the smile off her face pretty quickly.


Nope. I mean, I've been rushed out of somewhere before by my own security people before, but I've never been on this side of things.

"Oh..." Heather said with a frown, "Well, at least we're experiencing it together."

"Though it looks like things are cooling off," she adds as the police and guards back off.


That worked out well enough. Though the police's insinuations had about blown through Claire's composure. If Val and Becca had not come in when they had she might well have yelled at them for implying Sakuya would do something like that. Objectively she knew it was possible sometime if not in this case, but subjectively if it ever happened she would probably just kill herself to avoid living in a world where Sakuya could betray her.

"Per our agreement as long as Stacy is also pressured into dropping charges - if it is even necessary, she was an employee at the time meaning charging is under your authority - there will be no court case and no suing. Considering my past history with your enterprises I can assure you us being banned will be of no consequence. You could not pay me to set foot in one of these death traps," Claire remarked dryly. Latching herself back onto Sakuya's arm now that she was free again.

"I will send her a full list of establishments within the next couple of days," Mr. DeLure said through gritted teeth, "As for this 'Stacy', I assume she's the model Natasha hired."

"Yep!" Natasha replied, "Well, uh... one of them. We're also taking on Rebecca here."

Mr. DeLure looked about ready to blow a gasket, but said nothing for the moment, merely giving Natasha an even more intense 'we'll talk later' look.


"I've seen bratwurst pizza before, but it was pretty much only in tourist places," Molly replies. "Sauerkraut is really good, though."

Hailey pursed her lips, "Ugh, saurkraut? Really? That doesn't really seem like something you should put on a pizza."

"Um, I d-don't know..." Betty said, giving a supportive glance towards Molly, "S-Saurkraut is... w-well, s-sour, but I c-can see it b-being used to a-add a unique f-flavor. I w-would p-probably t-try it if it w-were here..."

Hailey gave Betty an amused look, "Huh... braver than me, in any case."

[Anubis Dread]

"I will send her a full list of establishments within the next couple of days," Mr. DeLure said through gritted teeth, "As for this 'Stacy', I assume she's the model Natasha hired."

"Yep!" Natasha replied, "Well, uh... one of them. We're also taking on Rebecca here."

Mr. DeLure looked about ready to blow a gasket, but said nothing for the moment, merely giving Natasha an even more intense 'we'll talk later' look.

"She is the model that was stabbed yes. In Sakuya's defense however she is a shrill, sadistic psychopath. I am aware of the irony of calling her a psychopath when Sakuya was doing the stabbing, but trust me. Even compared to Sakuya or myself she is not right in the head," Claire comments.

[Illven]

"Well, there's a middle ground between 'no mercy' and 'too much mercy', you know," Roger teased.

Well I'd rather be too merciful the first time around, then the reverse. Becca replied.

[Esprit15]

"You should really breathe, sir," Sakuya says kindly to the old man. "Getting so angry at your age is just begging for heart problems."

[The TechnoGnome]

"She is the model that was stabbed yes. In Sakuya's defense however she is a shrill, sadistic psychopath. I am aware of the irony of calling her a psychopath when Sakuya was doing the stabbing, but trust me. Even compared to Sakuya or myself she is not right in the head," Claire comments.

Stacy gets wheeled by on a gurney as Claire says this.

"Yeah, **** you too," she says as she's wheeled past.


"You should really breathe, sir," Sakuya says kindly to the old man. "Getting so angry at your age is just begging for heart problems."

"Well, it's rather hard to do so when you keep stabbing people close to me!" he snapped.

"Daddy, please calm down!" Natasha said, putting an arm on his shoulder. Unsurprisingly, that didn't really help much.


Well I'd rather be too merciful the first time around, then the reverse. Becca replied.

Roger just shrugged at this.

[Illven]

Roger just shrugged at this.

Becca winced.

Perhaps we should all leave the room so Mr.Delure can breathe? She suggests.

[Lentrax]

"Oh..." Heather said with a frown, "Well, at least we're experiencing it together."

"Though it looks like things are cooling off," she adds as the police and guards back off.

Yup. Think its time to leave. Wanna get out of here?

[The TechnoGnome]

Becca winced.

Perhaps we should all leave the room so Mr.Delure can breathe? She suggests.


Yup. Think its time to leave. Wanna get out of here?

"That's probably for the best," Valerie agreed with a nod, "Besides, I'm starting to get hungry. How about the rest of you?"

[Amaril]

"Wait, you got stabbed? By Sakuya?" Jill gapes at Stacy. "So is that what all the screaming was about earlier?"

[Illven]

"That's probably for the best," Valerie agreed with a nod, "Besides, I'm starting to get hungry. How about the rest of you?"

I could eat. Becca replied.

[Lentrax]

Don't know if I have room for five. Guess you'll have to squeeze in back, Becca. Just don't get too comfortable, okay?

[Anubis Dread]

"Most likely. It is entirely possible the screaming predated the stabbing knowing Stacy's tendencies towards hysterics and exaggerations," Claire replies coolly.

[The TechnoGnome]

I could eat. Becca replied.

"I guess I could have an appetizer or something," Roger said with a shrug, "Though given how much Val ate on the way here, I'm surprised she's already hungry again."

"Hey, a growing girl's gotta eat, right?" Val replied with a smirk.


Don't know if I have room for five. Guess you'll have to squeeze in back, Becca. Just don't get too comfortable, okay?

"Oh, don't worry," Valerie said, hugging Becca, "She's squishy enough that it'll be more fun than painful, right?"


"Wait, you got stabbed? By Sakuya?" Jill gapes at Stacy. "So is that what all the screaming was about earlier?"

"Yeah, your 'friend' is a bloodthirsty maniac," Stacy said with a scowl, "Guess you don't know her that well if this shocks you so much, huh?"


"Most likely. It is entirely possible the screaming predated the stabbing knowing Stacy's tendencies towards hysterics and exaggerations," Claire replies coolly.

"Nope, it was definitely after the bitch stabbed me," Stacy clarified, "She was probably fully intending to kill me too."

[Illven]

"I guess I could have an appetizer or something," Roger said with a shrug, "Though given how much Val ate on the way here, I'm surprised she's already hungry again."

"Hey, a growing girl's gotta eat, right?" Val replied with a smirk.



"Oh, don't worry," Valerie said, hugging Becca, "She's squishy enough that it'll be more fun than painful, right?"


Oh gods. I'm already tall enough. Becca commented chuckling while holding Val close.

[Lentrax]

Just don't too friendly, okay? It's really been bugging me lately.

[Amaril]

Jill has to suppress the urge to say that the fact that it was Sakuya who did the stabbing surprises her a lot less than the fact that a stabbing happened at all. Unable to decide whether to offer consolation or insult, she decides to just be silent, though she can't resist turning up her nose a little at Stacy.

[Illven]

Just don't too friendly, okay? It's really been bugging me lately.

We're not going to bone in your backseat Suki! Becca asked offended.

[DoctorFaust]

Hailey pursed her lips, "Ugh, saurkraut? Really? That doesn't really seem like something you should put on a pizza."

"Um, I d-don't know..." Betty said, giving a supportive glance towards Molly, "S-Saurkraut is... w-well, s-sour, but I c-can see it b-being used to a-add a unique f-flavor. I w-would p-probably t-try it if it w-were here..."

Hailey gave Betty an amused look, "Huh... braver than me, in any case."

"Ew, no, not on pizza. On pork and stuff."

[Lentrax]

[I didn't say screw, did I?

[Anubis Dread]

"Nope, it was definitely after the bitch stabbed me," Stacy clarified, "She was probably fully intending to kill me too."

Claire lets out a small laugh. "Oh Stacy. If any of us wanted you dead your throat would be slit in your sleep and they would never be able to find your body."

[The TechnoGnome]

Claire lets out a small laugh. "Oh Stacy. If any of us wanted you dead your throat would be slit in your sleep and they would never be able to find your body."

"Is that a ****ing threat?" she growled in a low voice, "'Cause in case you forgot the beating I gave you yesterday, you wouldn't last five minutes against me. Of course, you're just probably talking about hiding behind your money again and hiring people to do the dirty work for you, aren't you? You spineless little worm..."


Jill has to suppress the urge to say that the fact that it was Sakuya who did the stabbing surprises her a lot less than the fact that a stabbing happened at all. Unable to decide whether to offer consolation or insult, she decides to just be silent, though she can't resist turning up her nose a little at Stacy.

This actually gets to Stacy, who just scowls as she's wheeled away.

"Huh..." Robert muttered, "You know, after what happened with her and Claire I didn't think she would go down so easily. Though I guess if anyone could do it, it'd be Sakuya."

"How are you two holding up?" he asked the couple with a frown.


Just don't too friendly, okay? It's really been bugging me lately.


We're not going to bone in your backseat Suki! Becca asked offended.

"Eew, no!" Val said, sticking her tongue out in disgust, "Suki, there are like five different reasons that won't be happening! No offense, babe," she added with a glance towards Becca.


I didn't say screw, did I?

"Well what else would you mean?" Val asked, "Besides, it's still kind of gross to make out in a crowded car."

[Illven]

[I didn't say screw, did I?

So what, arms length apart? Becca replied.

[Lentrax]

You want to do that, someone's gotta ride on the roof.

[Esprit15]

"Oh don't be so dramatic, Stacy. You punched at me, and I held a knife in your way, which you cut your hand on. Then, like an idiot, you charged the person bracing a knife against your direction. Reference the Earth frame, I was not moving, and you were. And now that I know you had a scuffle with Claire, I don't even have to feel bad about it. Not that I did before, but you know what I mean."

[Illven]

You want to do that, someone's gotta ride on the roof.

Oh gods. I have internet friends that think that because we live in California, that's how we go to the beach. Becca replied laughing.

[Lentrax]

You volunteering then?

[The TechnoGnome]

Oh gods. I have internet friends that think that because we live in California, that's how we go to the beach. Becca replied laughing.


You volunteering then?

"If she doesn't, I will!" Valerie said with a smile, "It sounds pretty fun!"

Somehow, you get the feeling she isn't joking.


"Oh don't be so dramatic, Stacy. You punched at me, and I held a knife in your way, which you cut your hand on. Then, like an idiot, you charged the person bracing a knife against your direction. Reference the Earth frame, I was not moving, and you were. And now that I know you had a scuffle with Claire, I don't even have to feel bad about it. Not that I did before, but you know what I mean."

Stacy, who apparently wasn't actually wheeled away after all, glares at her.

"I honestly can't believe you're getting away with this," she growled, "I mean, you were sloppy enough in your attempted murder to leave witnesses, and even were ready to get arrested, but then your sister suddenly pulls through with Daddy's Girl over there and gets pretty much everything dropped. Pretty damn miraculous if you ask me."

She drops her voice low and mutters, "Of course, we both know what kind of girl Natasha is. What do you want to bet Rebecca had to do something a little 'dirty' to get her to cooperate, huh? Not your kind of dirty though, she doesn't look like she has the stomach or the muscles for it. No, probably more like the kind that would make a girl like Natasha very happy, if you catch my drift."

Given the number of people currently surrounding them, including EMTs and police officers, it's very obvious what she's trying to do.

[Esprit15]

My bad, missed that :smallredface:
"Murder? Never," Sakuya says coolly. "Like I said, I was content to just hit you and walk off, but you decided to retaliate, and retaliated poorly."

Sakuya lowers her voice and leans closely to Stacy as she makes accusations. "Listen to me clearly, dear Stacy. That is a problem between myself, Val, and Becca. You have no bearing on that, and I am insulted that you would try to insert yourself into our family issues. I'll deal with you some other time. Be glad that I have the restraint to not hurt you right now, because if you think for a moment that I would spare your pathetic life, you're in for a massive disappointment. Becca and the police are the only reason I am."

As Stacy is carted off, Sakuya just smiles back to Robert. "I'm doing fine, thanks to Natasha and Becca. And of course I'm going to best Stacy in a fight."

[Lentrax]

"If she doesn't, I will!" Valerie said with a smile, "It sounds pretty fun!"

Somehow, you get the feeling she isn't joking.

No, Val. No one is riding on the roof of my car. Just, Suki sighs heavily.

Let's just go. Where are we going?

[Anubis Dread]

Retaliating further at this point was pointless. Stacy had lost, Sakuya had said pretty much everything she herself has to say, and the day was won. Or at least the day was not lost. She could not even comprehend calling a day she had been kidnapped during a good day. The mere thought of the kidnapping made her shiver and worm herself deep into Sakuya's side.

"...can we go home now?" Claire asked quietly. Now that there was not an immediate threat all the composure she had forced together was slipping away and she remembered just how exhausted and scared she was.

[Illven]

No, Val. No one is riding on the roof of my car. Just, Suki sighs heavily.

Let's just go. Where are we going?

Anywhere but O'Malley. Becca suggests.

What about Tikiland?

[Lentrax]

Tikiland? What's that?

[Illven]

Tikiland? What's that?

It's for seafood and exotic island fare. Becca replied.

[Lentrax]

Right. Works for me. Let's go.

[Amaril]

"I think we should," Jill nods. "I've seen enough of this place to last a lifetime."

[The TechnoGnome]

"Ew, no, not on pizza. On pork and stuff."

"O-Oh..." Betty muttered with a frown, "Y-Yeah... s-sorry, I sh-should have known b-better..."

"Eh, I wouldn't let it get to you. Germans probably make the same mistake about Americans and our pizza toppings," Hailey said with a shrug.


My bad, missed that :smallredface:
"Murder? Never," Sakuya says coolly. "Like I said, I was content to just hit you and walk off, but you decided to retaliate, and retaliated poorly."

Sakuya lowers her voice and leans closely to Stacy as she makes accusations. "Listen to me clearly, dear Stacy. That is a problem between myself, Val, and Becca. You have no bearing on that, and I am insulted that you would try to insert yourself into our family issues. I'll deal with you some other time. Be glad that I have the restraint to not hurt you right now, because if you think for a moment that I would spare your pathetic life, you're in for a massive disappointment. Becca and the police are the only reason I am."

As Stacy is carted off, Sakuya just smiles back to Robert. "I'm doing fine, thanks to Natasha and Becca. And of course I'm going to best Stacy in a fight."

"Good," Robert said with a smile, "Got to admit, things got pretty intense today. I've probably had enough excitement for a month, at least."


Retaliating further at this point was pointless. Stacy had lost, Sakuya had said pretty much everything she herself has to say, and the day was won. Or at least the day was not lost. She could not even comprehend calling a day she had been kidnapped during a good day. The mere thought of the kidnapping made her shiver and worm herself deep into Sakuya's side.

"...can we go home now?" Claire asked quietly. Now that there was not an immediate threat all the composure she had forced together was slipping away and she remembered just how exhausted and scared she was.


"I think we should," Jill nods. "I've seen enough of this place to last a lifetime."

"Agreed," Robert said with a nod, "We should let the others know and get going."

He looks around the room and frowns, "Speaking of, has anyone seen Lily? I haven't spotted her since the kidnapping. Or Betty and Molly, for that matter."


It's for seafood and exotic island fare. Becca replied.


Right. Works for me. Let's go.

"Yeah, that sounds great!" Valerie said, "Ooh, do they have those fruit drinks with the little umbrellas in them?"

[Illven]

"Yeah, that sounds great!" Valerie said, "Ooh, do they have those fruit drinks with the little umbrellas in them?"

Out of Faux-Coconuts. Becca replied.

[DoctorFaust]

"O-Oh..." Betty muttered with a frown, "Y-Yeah... s-sorry, I sh-should have known b-better..."

"Eh, I wouldn't let it get to you. Germans probably make the same mistake about Americans and our pizza toppings," Hailey said with a shrug.

"Well, you Americans do have some weird pizza toppings," Molly says, grinning. "Like fruit. Why would you put fruit on a pizza? And, I mean, it's not like there's not Bratwurst or sauerkraut pizza, but it's definitely one of those 'tourist-y' foods."

[Esprit15]

"No, I'm beginning to think they left. Anyone want to call them?"

[Lentrax]

Wont know for sure until we get there. And as a bonus, since it seems Becca got a new job today, I'll buy dinner. So, unless anyone has any pressing business left here, let's get out of here before more people invite themselves along.

[The TechnoGnome]

Out of Faux-Coconuts. Becca replied.

Valerie squeed and hugged Rebecca, "Man, that's awesome! Okay, I third that suggestion then!"


Wont know for sure until we get there. And as a bonus, since it seems Becca got a new job today, I'll buy dinner. So, unless anyone has any pressing business left here, let's get out of here before more people invite themselves along.

"Wait, you want it to be just the four of us?" Roger asked, "What about Sakuya? I mean, she is Becca's sister, right? At the very least she deserves to be celebrating with us."

"He has a point," Val said with a sigh, "Much as I would like it to be just the four of us, I think at least she deserves to tag along. And you know she's gonna want to bring Robert and Claire too, who's going to want to bring Jill..."


"No, I'm beginning to think they left. Anyone want to call them?"

"I'll call Betty," Robert said, pulling out his phone and pressing a button.

"Hey Betty? Where are you? ...Oh, uh, yeah, the police..."

He puts a hand over the receiver and whispers to the others, "What do I tell her?"


"Well, you Americans do have some weird pizza toppings," Molly says, grinning. "Like fruit. Why would you put fruit on a pizza? And, I mean, it's not like there's not Bratwurst or sauerkraut pizza, but it's definitely one of those 'tourist-y' foods."

"Hey, it's sweet," Hailey replied, "Besides, you could do worse. We also have dessert pizzas and cookie pizzas. Now those will give you cavities."

It's at this point Betty's phone rings, causing her to jump and scatter fries everywhere. Blushing in embarrassment, she pulls out her phone and opens it, "H-Hello?"

"O-Oh, R-Robert! Y-Yeah, we're o-okay... L-Lily offered to t-take us for I-In-n-Out, s-so we l-left e-early. Wh-What about you g-guys? D-Did the p-police give you a-any trouble?"

"That brings up an interesting point," Hailey said, turning to the other two girls, "Why did you guys ditch your friends during the police investigation? I mean, given the people in your crew I'm surprised the only person you thought worth taking was Betty here. Not that she isn't fun or anything, but she's pretty much the last person the police would think did something wrong."

[Esprit15]

Sakuya shrugs. "Dealt with. You can tell her the full story later, but I just want to move on."

[Lentrax]

Suki, holding her keys, uses them to point at Val and Roger. You invite them, and I am not paying. This was going to also be my way of apologizing to Becca for being a bitch about relationships and love, but if those two come along... no. Especially if those two come, then it is no longer my private little party for my friend but a "Congratulations for getting everything you wanted" party.

<And if that is what everyone really wants, then I won't be in a mood to party.>

[DoctorFaust]

"Hey, it's sweet," Hailey replied, "Besides, you could do worse. We also have dessert pizzas and cookie pizzas. Now those will give you cavities."

It's at this point Betty's phone rings, causing her to jump and scatter fries everywhere. Blushing in embarrassment, she pulls out her phone and opens it, "H-Hello?"

"O-Oh, R-Robert! Y-Yeah, we're o-okay... L-Lily offered to t-take us for I-In-n-Out, s-so we l-left e-early. Wh-What about you g-guys? D-Did the p-police give you a-any trouble?"

"That brings up an interesting point," Hailey said, turning to the other two girls, "Why did you guys ditch your friends during the police investigation? I mean, given the people in your crew I'm surprised the only person you thought worth taking was Betty here. Not that she isn't fun or anything, but she's pretty much the last person the police would think did something wrong."

"Well, I figure Jill would've probably wanted to stay and support her girlfriend, Becca was actually there for a job thing, and there was no way in hell that I was letting Claire, Suki, or Sakuya into my car." Molly replies. "Oh, and Robert just wasn't around, or I wouldda asked him."

[The TechnoGnome]

"Well, I figure Jill would've probably wanted to stay and support her girlfriend, Becca was actually there for a job thing, and there was no way in hell that I was letting Claire, Suki, or Sakuya into my car." Molly replies. "Oh, and Robert just wasn't around, or I wouldda asked him."

"Oh yeah, because of the whole 'kidnapping and talking to the police' thing," Hailey said, "Makes sense you didn't have time to talk to him."

"W-Wait, what?" Betty exclaimed, "R-Robert was k-kidnapped?"

"You were k-kidnapped?!?" she repeated into the phone, now speaking much louder than usual (and actually sounding a little angry for once in her life), "Wh-Why didn't you s-say anything t-to us? How c-can you say y-you're f-fine after s-something l-like that?!?"


Sakuya shrugs. "Dealt with. You can tell her the full story later, but I just want to move on."

"Got it," Robert replied with a nod, before going back to the phone, "Yeah, we're fine Betty, we just-"

"Ah ****," Robert muttered with a frown, "I think she just found out why the police were here. And we didn't want people making a big deal out of it, Betty." he said, going back to the phone, "If it wasn't for Jill convincing Claire to contact the police, they probably wouldn't have even shown up."


Suki, holding her keys, uses them to point at Val and Roger. You invite them, and I am not paying. This was going to also be my way of apologizing to Becca for being a bitch about relationships and love, but if those two come along... no. Especially if those two come, then it is no longer my private little party for my friend but a "Congratulations for getting everything you wanted" party.

<And if that is what everyone really wants, then I won't be in a mood to party.>

"Whoa, jeez, fine then..." Valerie muttered, "We won't invite them."

"Yeah, no way am I going to be able to pay for Val's lunch and dinner," Roger muttered.

[Amaril]

"Oh, what, so we shouldn't have called the cops?" Jill snaps, annoyed at the disapproval she detects in Robert's words. "Excuse me for thinking my girlfriend and you getting f***ing kidnapped is worth maybe being a little concerned about."

[Anubis Dread]

"In all fairness Jill the perpetrators are more or less getting off free while Sakuya was almost arrested. The police are incompetent to the point of disgust," Claire has to mention. "Though I suppose there is no further risk of this coming up later since the charges have been officially dropped... I suppose it was a good move all in all."

[The TechnoGnome]

"Oh, what, so we shouldn't have called the cops?" Jill snaps, annoyed at the disapproval she detects in Robert's words. "Excuse me for thinking my girlfriend and you getting f***ing kidnapped is worth maybe being a little concerned about."

"Not what I meant," Robert reassured her, "Just... it's complicated, okay? We weren't sure the cops would take our side."

The girls by Robert can actually hear Betty yelling something from the phone about calling the police sooner.


"In all fairness Jill the perpetrators are more or less getting off free while Sakuya was almost arrested. The police are incompetent to the point of disgust," Claire has to mention. "Though I suppose there is no further risk of this coming up later since the charges have been officially dropped... I suppose it was a good move all in all."

"I wouldn't say they're getting off completely scot-free," Robert said to Claire knowingly, not wanting to get into specifics while on the phone with Betty, "After all, they did piss off Sakuya."

[Esprit15]

"Them and Stacy," Sakuya says, correctingly, unlocking the car for everyone to get in. "I'm not debating whether I should hurt Stacy, it is simply a matter of how severely," she tells Robert as they get in. "Ask them where they are so we can meet them."

[Illven]

"Whoa, jeez, fine then..." Valerie muttered, "We won't invite them."

"Yeah, no way am I going to be able to pay for Val's lunch and dinner," Roger muttered.

Yeah, understood. Just let me text Sakuya where I'm going, so she doesn't worry. After the day she's had, it's the least I can do. Becca replied, pulling out her phone.

[Lentrax]

Unsurprisingly, Suki drives a Nissan. She unlocks the car then goes around to the back, opening the hatch. She then pulls out her guitar so that she can fold the rear seat back up.

Heather. I am guessing you are riding in the front. It would probably be the least awkward place in the car. But it also means you have to hold my guitar.

[The TechnoGnome]

"Them and Stacy," Sakuya says, correctingly, unlocking the car for everyone to get in. "I'm not debating whether I should hurt Stacy, it is simply a matter of how severely," she tells Robert as they get in. "Ask them where they are so we can meet them."

"Just don't do anything to get yourself arrested," Robert said, "We don't want to give the police an actual reason to arrest you. Betty, where are you?"

After a couple seconds, he said, "They went to an In-N-Out Burger. Molly drove, so Betty's not exactly sure where, but I saw one on the way here that might be the one she's talking about."


Unsurprisingly, Suki drives a Nissan. She unlocks the car then goes around to the back, opening the hatch. She then pulls out her guitar so that she can fold the rear seat back up.

Heather. I am guessing you are riding in the front. It would probably be the least awkward place in the car. But it also means you have to hold my guitar.

"Got it!" Heather said, taking the guitar from Suki, "Thanks for letting me come, by the way."


Yeah, understood. Just let me text Sakuya where I'm going, so she doesn't worry. After the day she's had, it's the least I can do. Becca replied, pulling out her phone.

"Good call," Valerie said with a nod, "We don't want her freaking out and thinking you've been kidnapped too."

[Lentrax]

Yeah, sure, Suki says, as she climbs into the driver's seat.

She continues to talk while she inserts the key into the ignition and turns it. Besides, if I am going to go on a date with someone, I'll be glad to-

She gets cut off by her own voice coming from the speakers.

Why can't it, be perfect?
This love's not even real
Why don't I cry for you?
Love was dead from the start

I don't want you, I don't-

Suki frantically hits the buttons on her cd player, trying to get the car to cooperate with her. Finally it does, shutting down when she finally manages to hit the power button.

Damnit.

[Amaril]

"Oh God, can we please go there?" Jill groans, her stomach growling at the thought. "I haven't eaten since we got here. Feel like I'm gonna keel over any second."

[Anubis Dread]

"I concur. I am starving," Claire agreed. Between all the physical exertion, being knocked out, and how long it had been she was incredibly hungry. Perhaps she should order a large instead of a medium? Or two meals. Maybe three. ...her tendency to comfort eat was beginning to concern her.

[Q'telun]

"Just don't do anything to get yourself arrested," Robert said, "We don't want to give the police an actual reason to arrest you. Betty, where are you?"

After a couple seconds, he said, "They went to an In-N-Out Burger. Molly drove, so Betty's not exactly sure where, but I saw one on the way here that might be the one she's talking about."


Lily swallows her mouthful "Oh, is that Cheekbones? Ask him if his namesake is still intact!"

[The TechnoGnome]

Episode 10, Scene 12 (Final Scene)

As you all head off to your respective restaurants, things start to look up for Team Robert.

But of course, there are problems.

At TikiLand, there's a nearby party of kids that are being too rowdy, with one of them throwing their drink at your table. THe parents are doing nothing to reign in the brats.

As for at the In-n-Out, as you're all eating, a familiar looking car pulls up nearby. Pretty soon, Mr. Himura storms up to your group, looking angrily at Sakuya.

"There you are!" he yells, "Where is your sister? We are going home this instant! I cannot believe you two would do something like this! No daughter of mine is going to end up doing something so shameful if I have anything to say about it!"

Oh boy.

Allure D8 (Suki + Rebecca only): Calm the kids down with a song. +3 VP

Allure or Conflict D12 (Everyone but Suki & Rebecca): Get Mr. Himura to back down and accept what Rebecca wants to do with her life. +5 VP

Allure D7 (Everyone but Suki & Rebecca): Mr. Himura is scaring Betty. Keep her from having a panic attack in the restaurant. +2 VP

Skill D8 (Everyone but Suki & Rebecca): Use misdirection to throw Mr. Himura off the trail of Rebecca. +3 VP

Conflict D6 (Suki + Rebecca only): Get the parent's involved to shut those brats up. +2 VP

Luck D8: All of this chaos is the perfect opprotunity for a little mishap with one of the staff. +3 VP

[Anubis Dread]

Normally Claire would have intervened at this point. She did not for two main reasons. The first is that her machinations were clearly useless if today was any indication. Sakuya could handle herself far better than Claire could handle for her. The second was that she was looking rather conflicted at the menu.

On the one hand she was starving, and despite her hatred of her slow but steady gaining of weight through the year was in bad enough spirits she wanted enough food to burst the stomach of a goat. On the other hand although with just her and Jill she might indulge in front of the others it would be a little... embarrassing. Especially given how her complaints about her weight were not exactly private. They were not especially public either, but anyone could have overheard at any point and throw it back in her face.

In the end, Claire decided on a compromise based on lies and deceit. As was her usual habit. "I will take a number five, except with a chocolate thick-shake instead of the soda. Except put in one of the juice cups. I will also take an extra serving of cheese fries. Except put it in a salad container. Also could I get that triple cheeseburger with bacon in one of the paper wraps for the light chicken burger?"


Strong Luck +1, Poker Face +2

[DoctorFaust]

Molly sighs, stands up, announces, "This is a distraction!", leans over, and kisses Lily.

Strong Allure, Boyish Charm. +2

[Amaril]

"Holy s***, are you f***ing serious?" Jill scoffs, pushing her chair back and rounding on Mr. Himura. "Sakuya almost got arrested for f***ing stabbing a girl today and you're angry at Becca for getting a job she wants and being successful?" Feeling dangerously close to punching Becca's father in the face hard enough that the police have to be called again, she gets right up in his personal space, though at her height, that really just means giving him a clear view down her already low-cut top. "How f***ing pathetic are you? How can you act like Becca is the one doing something shameful when everybody knows you're just a sad old man who can't handle his daughter having a single independent thought and emotionally abuses her to make himself feel like his life isn't a complete failure?"

F*** it, I'm going Conflict. No bonuses, but I don't care.

[Illven]

Okay. That's it. I'm going to get one of the staff to do their jobs. Becca sighed loudly, getting up, and going to the staff area.

Hey can someone calm the kids in table 23! I'd like to eat in peace. Whah! She called out, as a janitor yet again failed to do their jobs.

Some lucky guy had ended up getting hit chest first by Becca, and a wave of water.

Hey, if you're paying attention table 23.


Luck, Accident prone, Splash magnet, Peeping tom.

[Q'telun]

Lily looks blank as she pushes Molly away from her face. "I.. you... but... what?"

Allure; Boyish Charm, Runner's Glow, Odd Roll (Just because)

[Lentrax]

Tikiland was... nice, Suki guessed. Very Island Escape... In fact, it would probably have been a fantastic experience. Had it not been for the kids next to their table.

A few times now, Suki has had to clean a mess that wasn't hers off of her jacket. And then as an entire drink splashed against her table, Suki decided that if the kids wanted to get excited for something, then they may as well get excited for the right reasons.

She spoke to the manager who was disappointed that they would need to cancel their live performance, was in fact excited to find that Suki was there. But of course, the other live players were doubtful of just anyone coming in and taking a place on the stage. So, Suki decided to take the stage guitar, slung it on her shoulder, adjusted the strap for a moment, took a few seconds to tune it, and then flicked the amp on.

She didn't even introduce herself, or anyone else. She wasn't in the mood for it. Instead, she just started playing. She started by playing Misirlou, probably the most well known surf rock song in the world. When the song was over, she asked if they had a set list.

Allure, Kira Kira, Personality Flip, Moe Enthusiast. +6 total. Cold Shoulder if I fail.

[Esprit15]

Sakuya lets her dad rant for a bit, letting him get everything out of his system. She lets the others speak their piece as well, and finally stands up, netting his gaze. "No, Father. Becca is perfectly fine, enjoying lunch with Suki. She got the job, and this is exactly what she has wanted to do for years. You and Mother have always supported me in my endeavors, even if you shouldn't have at times. Despite Becca being the oldest, I have constantly been the favored child, while anything she does is ignored or spat upon. If Becca and I both got the jobs we wanted, do you know who would be the most successful by most metrics? Her. Do you know which one of us works far harder for what they want in life? Her. Sure, modeling may be a shameful career in Japan, but it is certainly not here. If you are proven right, then you can tell her so, but right now, she is living the dream of almost every other girl her age. You should be proud of her."
Allure, Less is More

Odd Roll

[The TechnoGnome]

Molly sighs, stands up, announces, "This is a distraction!", leans over, and kisses Lily.

Strong Allure, Boyish Charm. +2


Lily looks blank as she pushes Molly away from her face. "I.. you... but... what?"

Allure; Boyish Charm, Runner's Glow, Odd Roll (Just because)

Mr. Himura barely notices the two girls kissing. Hailey and Betty on the other hand, do, with the former even wolf-whistling.

"Woo! You go, girls!" Hailey shouts as they finish. Betty is much less vocal, her own expression shifting from happiness to sadness to embarrassment to guilt incredibly quickly, though she finally settles on focusing on her food and blushing with a frown. Though at least she was ignoring Mr. Himura now.


Normally Claire would have intervened at this point. She did not for two main reasons. The first is that her machinations were clearly useless if today was any indication. Sakuya could handle herself far better than Claire could handle for her. The second was that she was looking rather conflicted at the menu.

On the one hand she was starving, and despite her hatred of her slow but steady gaining of weight through the year was in bad enough spirits she wanted enough food to burst the stomach of a goat. On the other hand although with just her and Jill she might indulge in front of the others it would be a little... embarrassing. Especially given how her complaints about her weight were not exactly private. They were not especially public either, but anyone could have overheard at any point and throw it back in her face.

In the end, Claire decided on a compromise based on lies and deceit. As was her usual habit. "I will take a number five, except with a chocolate thick-shake instead of the soda. Except put in one of the juice cups. I will also take an extra serving of cheese fries. Except put it in a salad container. Also could I get that triple cheeseburger with bacon in one of the paper wraps for the light chicken burger?"


Strong Luck +1, Poker Face +2


"Um, I'll see what I can do," the cashier said, going back into the kitchen. She came out a few minutes later with a rather large tray of food.

And that's when Molly and Lily kiss.

Already off-balance, she ends up startled by the commotion and slips, somehow managing to fall right over the counter and right onto Claire, food and all. Luckily for the cashier, Claire's chest manages to cushion her fall, though it does cause her to blush profusely.

"Ohmigod, I am so sorry!" she said, trying to push herself up off of Claire's chest, "I'll get you a new order right away, and it'll be on the house. Just please don't get me in trouble with my manager."


"Holy s***, are you f***ing serious?" Jill scoffs, pushing her chair back and rounding on Mr. Himura. "Sakuya almost got arrested for f***ing stabbing a girl today and you're angry at Becca for getting a job she wants and being successful?" Feeling dangerously close to punching Becca's father in the face hard enough that the police have to be called again, she gets right up in his personal space, though at her height, that really just means giving him a clear view down her already low-cut top. "How f***ing pathetic are you? How can you act like Becca is the one doing something shameful when everybody knows you're just a sad old man who can't handle his daughter having a single independent thought and emotionally abuses her to make himself feel like his life isn't a complete failure?"

F*** it, I'm going Conflict. No bonuses, but I don't care.

"My life is not a failure, miss," he said, glaring down at Jill, "I am trying to make sure she doesn't end up in a position where she's out of work by age thirty, and not being influenced by the wrong kind of people. Though it seems Sakuya would benefit from such a lesson as well," It's pretty clear who he's talking about in this situation.

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Robert snapped, now standing up himself, "Because if you are, you can go right to..."

A glance at Sakuya reminds him that what he's about to say may be a very bad move, so he bites his tongue and just hate-glares for the moment.


Sakuya lets her dad rant for a bit, letting him get everything out of his system. She lets the others speak their piece as well, and finally stands up, netting his gaze. "No, Father. Becca is perfectly fine, enjoying lunch with Suki. She got the job, and this is exactly what she has wanted to do for years. You and Mother have always supported me in my endeavors, even if you shouldn't have at times. Despite Becca being the oldest, I have constantly been the favored child, while anything she does is ignored or spat upon. If Becca and I both got the jobs we wanted, do you know who would be the most successful by most metrics? Her. Do you know which one of us works far harder for what they want in life? Her. Sure, modeling may be a shameful career in Japan, but it is certainly not here. If you are proven right, then you can tell her so, but right now, she is living the dream of almost every other girl her age. You should be proud of her."
Allure, Less is More

Odd Roll

Mr. Himura pursed his lips, clearly not expecting resistance from Sakuya of all people. He goes over what she said in his head for several minutes before muttering, "Fine. If she wants to throw her life away, I won't stop her anymore. I just wish she would grow up and understand that her looks aren't going to last forever. And that she is capable of so much more than... this."


Okay. That's it. I'm going to get one of the staff to do their jobs. Becca sighed loudly, getting up, and going to the staff area.

Hey can someone calm the kids in table 23! I'd like to eat in peace. Whah! She called out, as a janitor yet again failed to do their jobs.

Some lucky guy had ended up getting hit chest first by Becca, and a wave of water.

Hey, if you're paying attention table 23.


Luck, Accident prone, Splash magnet, Peeping tom.


The waiter catches her, though with a hand firmly on her butt he doesn't really have anything to say. He pulls it back quickly, then runs over to table 23 with a blush.

"Hey, how did you know which table it was?" Val asked, "Did you get a peek at the seating arrangements while you were flirting with him?"

"Cut it out, Val," Roger said with an eye-roll.


Tikiland was... nice, Suki guessed. Very Island Escape... In fact, it would probably have been a fantastic experience. Had it not been for the kids next to their table.

A few times now, Suki has had to clean a mess that wasn't hers off of her jacket. And then as an entire drink splashed against her table, Suki decided that if the kids wanted to get excited for something, then they may as well get excited for the right reasons.

She spoke to the manager who was disappointed that they would need to cancel their live performance, was in fact excited to find that Suki was there. But of course, the other live players were doubtful of just anyone coming in and taking a place on the stage. So, Suki decided to take the stage guitar, slung it on her shoulder, adjusted the strap for a moment, took a few seconds to tune it, and then flicked the amp on.

She didn't even introduce herself, or anyone else. She wasn't in the mood for it. Instead, she just started playing. She started by playing Misirlou, probably the most well known surf rock song in the world. When the song was over, she asked if they had a set list.

Allure, Kira Kira, Personality Flip, Moe Enthusiast. +6 total. Cold Shoulder if I fail.

Thankfully, the manager did, though he mentioned it being in the back. As he ran off to get it, Heather comes up to Suki.

"Oooh, impromptu concert?" she asks, "Want me to call up the rest of the band for you?"

Sakuya gets +5 VP; Becca, Suki, and Claire gain +3 VP; Lily gains +2 VP.

[Illven]

I wasn't flirting with him. I tripped! Becca protested.

[Lentrax]

Thankfully, the manager did, though he mentioned it being in the back. As he ran off to get it, Heather comes up to Suki.

"Oooh, impromptu concert?" she asks, "Want me to call up the rest of the band for you?"

Nah. Suki says. Mostly just trying to get some of those dang kids to calm down. Anything you want to hear while I'm waiting for the set list?

[Esprit15]

"Of course they won't. At that point though she will have done rather well for herself, and can likely pay for a proper education for herself as well, even if later in life. You raised her to be responsible. Are you saying that she should not make use of her natural beauty? I'll be keeping an eye on her anyways, like I always do. You know I am just as protective of her as you, if not more. I just also know when to let her be free and make her own choices. That's part of letting her become her own person."

[DoctorFaust]

Molly leans back, her face twisting like she's just eaten something sour. "You are not as good of a kisser as Erica was," she says, wiping at her mouth. "Anyway, to apologize, want me to buy you another burger? Four by four sound good?"

[The TechnoGnome]

I wasn't flirting with him. I tripped! Becca protested.

"Yeah, sure," Valerie said with a pout.

"Uh, is there something I'm missing here?" Roger asked, "Because it really feels like I'm missing something here."


Nah. Suki says. Mostly just trying to get some of those dang kids to calm down. Anything you want to hear while I'm waiting for the set list?

"I'm fine listening to whatever you want to play," Heather said, sitting down by her, "I've been slowly getting into your music recently, you know. Not enough to call myself a fan just yet, but I figured I should see why people think you're so amazing, you know? And they have a point."


"Of course they won't. At that point though she will have done rather well for herself, and can likely pay for a proper education for herself as well, even if later in life. You raised her to be responsible. Are you saying that she should not make use of her natural beauty? I'll be keeping an eye on her anyways, like I always do. You know I am just as protective of her as you, if not more. I just also know when to let her be free and make her own choices. That's part of letting her become her own person."

Mr. Himura closed his eyes and sighed.

"I suppose you may have a point," he muttered begrudgingly, "I just don't want her to get complacent to the point she gets stuck. I trust you won't let that happen, Sakuya."


Molly leans back, her face twisting like she's just eaten something sour. "You are not as good of a kisser as Erica was," she says, wiping at her mouth. "Anyway, to apologize, want me to buy you another burger? Four by four sound good?"

Betty's eyes went wide and her face went red, "Y-You a-and E-Erica u-used to... u-used to..."

She becomes too flustered to finish what she wanted to say and goes back to playing with her food.

"Man, now I want to meet this Erica chick myself," Hailey said with a laugh.

[DoctorFaust]

"Not, like, usually, but she has tried to 'steal my luck' by kissing me a few times before," Molly says. "Actually, I think she did that to Robert once, too."

[Q'telun]

Lily is too busy scrubbing her mouth with her sleeve at first to respond. "Maybe I'd be a better kisser if I was actually into you Crazy. And it doesn't really surprise me that Cloudy and you kissed, she always seemed out of it. And make the four by four animal style."

[The TechnoGnome]

"Not, like, usually, but she has tried to 'steal my luck' by kissing me a few times before," Molly says. "Actually, I think she did that to Robert once, too."

"Sh-She did?" Betty said, looking over to Robert, "Sh-She never told m-me that..."


Lily is too busy scrubbing her mouth with her sleeve at first to respond. "Maybe I'd be a better kisser if I was actually into you Crazy. And it doesn't really surprise me that Cloudy and you kissed, she always seemed out of it. And make the four by four animal style."

Hailey winced, "Ooh, harsh. At least you're getting a burger out of it though. I'm curious, are you not into her 'cause you're straight or 'cause you're not into flat-chested girls?"

Betty frowned at Hailey's comment, "Th-That's a l-little m-mean to M-Molly, d-don't you th-think? Y-You can be p-pretty without b-big, um... b-b-breasts..."

Despite her protests, Betty still looked over at Lily somewhat expectantly.

[DoctorFaust]

"Sh-She did?" Betty said, looking over to Robert, "Sh-She never told m-me that..."



Hailey winced, "Ooh, harsh. At least you're getting a burger out of it though. I'm curious, are you not into her 'cause you're straight or 'cause you're not into flat-chested girls?"

Betty frowned at Hailey's comment, "Th-That's a l-little m-mean to M-Molly, d-don't you th-think? Y-You can be p-pretty without b-big, um... b-b-breasts..."

Despite her protests, Betty still looked over at Lily somewhat expectantly.

Molly nods sagely. "Flat is justice, after all. And you want animal fries with that?"

[Q'telun]

Lily shrugs. "Girls are pretty, but I'm just not that attracted to 'em. I like that thing that guys have. And I don't just mean in the pants."

"And yeah, I'll take another thing of animal fries."

[Lentrax]

"I'm fine listening to whatever you want to play," Heather said, sitting down by her, "I've been slowly getting into your music recently, you know. Not enough to call myself a fan just yet, but I figured I should see why people think you're so amazing, you know? And they have a point."

Suki knows better than to just strum idly, so instead, she flips the amp off.

I just play. I would still play, even if everyone hated it. That that many people do...? Well. It just makes it worth it.

She sets the guitar back down in its stand.

But when I play... I feel alive. Everything else in my life may be crap, but when I have a guitar in my hands, everything just melts away, and its just me and the music.

[Anubis Dread]

"Um, I'll see what I can do," the cashier said, going back into the kitchen. She came out a few minutes later with a rather large tray of food.

And that's when Molly and Lily kiss.

Already off-balance, she ends up startled by the commotion and slips, somehow managing to fall right over the counter and right onto Claire, food and all. Luckily for the cashier, Claire's chest manages to cushion her fall, though it does cause her to blush profusely.

"Ohmigod, I am so sorry!" she said, trying to push herself up off of Claire's chest, "I'll get you a new order right away, and it'll be on the house. Just please don't get me in trouble with my manager."

Claire looks down at her own chest in surprise, or more accurately the girl stuck in it. Before her eyes soften and she smiles. "I will not get you in trouble. In fact I believe I really needed the compliment," she admitted softly. "Today has not been the best of days." At this she gently pushed the waitress out of her chest, feeling an urge to push her hands onto her now empty chest just to see how she reacted. Jill probably would not appreciate it.

[DoctorFaust]

"Alright, soon as Claire's done up there, I'll go and get you some." Molly stretches in her seat, yawning broadly. Suddenly, a thought occurs to her, and she asks, "By the way...Hailey, wasn't it? What were you doing at Model Land? If you don't wanna say, that's fine, since Rowdy said you were good, but I am pretty curious."

[Illven]

"Yeah, sure," Valerie said with a pout.

"Uh, is there something I'm missing here?" Roger asked, "Because it really feels like I'm missing something here."

Val is something wrong? Becca asked cuddling up to her.

[The TechnoGnome]

Lily shrugs. "Girls are pretty, but I'm just not that attracted to 'em. I like that thing that guys have. And I don't just mean in the pants."

"And yeah, I'll take another thing of animal fries."

"Well, to each their own, I suppose," Hailey said with a shrug.

"Y-Yeah," Betty muttered with a frown, going back to picking at what's left of her food.


Claire looks down at her own chest in surprise, or more accurately the girl stuck in it. Before her eyes soften and she smiles. "I will not get you in trouble. In fact I believe I really needed the compliment," she admitted softly. "Today has not been the best of days." At this she gently pushed the waitress out of her chest, feeling an urge to push her hands onto her now empty chest just to see how she reacted. Jill probably would not appreciate it.

"C-Compliment?" the girl asked, "Um, I don't think I complimented you. N-Not that you d-don't deserve it, of course, you're rather pretty. And your chest is so soft and..."

She blushes hard, before stammering, "Um, I'll go get your order." and slinking off to the back, coming back a couple of moments later with a new tray of food.


"Alright, soon as Claire's done up there, I'll go and get you some." Molly stretches in her seat, yawning broadly. Suddenly, a thought occurs to her, and she asks, "By the way...Hailey, wasn't it? What were you doing at Model Land? If you don't wanna say, that's fine, since Rowdy said you were good, but I am pretty curious."

"What else? I was trying to get the spot for the modelling gig," she said coolly, "Had a bad case of the runs and had to duck out, sadly enough. Did give me time to meet Lily though, so I wouldn't say it was a total wash."

She glances at Lily as she says the last bit.


Val is something wrong? Becca asked cuddling up to her.

"Not so much now that you're here," Valerie replied, snuggling up to her as well, "I'm just feeling... self-conscious lately, is all."


Suki knows better than to just strum idly, so instead, she flips the amp off.

I just play. I would still play, even if everyone hated it. That that many people do...? Well. It just makes it worth it.

She sets the guitar back down in its stand.

But when I play... I feel alive. Everything else in my life may be crap, but when I have a guitar in my hands, everything just melts away, and its just me and the music.

"Wow," Heather says in awe, "That's... really romantic. In a sense. Not in the 'you're flirting with me' one, but..."

She can't help but blush in embarrassment, "Sorry... got a bit carried away there."

[Illven]

"Not so much now that you're here," Valerie replied, snuggling up to her as well, "I'm just feeling... self-conscious lately, is all."

Sweetie, you need to say these things. I'm not a mind reader. Becca replied.

[Lentrax]

Would it help if I did?

[Anubis Dread]

"C-Compliment?" the girl asked, "Um, I don't think I complimented you. N-Not that you d-don't deserve it, of course, you're rather pretty. And your chest is so soft and..."

She blushes hard, before stammering, "Um, I'll go get your order." and slinking off to the back, coming back a couple of moments later with a new tray of food.

"Thank you," Claire thanks her simply as she takes the tray. "As for the compliment, you being stunned speechless by my assets is a rather large compliment as to their quality, do not you agree?" she smirked, bending over to take advantage of her rather low neckline. "If I were single I would likely let you feel them for a while as thanks. As it stands however, thank you for the food," she told her as ways of saying goodbye before heading back to their table.

See? The dispute had solved itself without any need for her intervention. She was right not to get involved. The others could take care of themselves far more than she could take care of anything.

[Q'telun]

"What else? I was trying to get the spot for the modelling gig," she said coolly, "Had a bad case of the runs and had to duck out, sadly enough. Did give me time to meet Lily though, so I wouldn't say it was a total wash."

She glances at Lily as she says the last bit.


"Yeah, its always nice to make interesting friends." Lily looks like she's about to say something to Betty, but goes back to eating.

[DoctorFaust]

"Alright, I think that's my cue." Molly stands up, and asks Hailey and Betty, "Either of you want some more food while I'm going up there?"

[Esprit15]

"I suppose you may have a point," he muttered begrudgingly, "I just don't want her to get complacent to the point she gets stuck. I trust you won't let that happen, Sakuya."

"Of course. I'll be keeping an eye on her. I don't fully trust Valerie either, but I don't see reason to ruin Becca's dreams because of a little odd behavior. It just means that I have to keep an eye on her."

[Amaril]

"Oh, shut the f*** up, you two," Jill snaps, turning on Sakuya as well as her father. "Becca doesn't need either one of you to look after her. She's completely capable of making her own decisions. And honestly, Sakuya, after all the s*** you've been up to today, I can't think of anyone less qualified to be giving her advice."

[Anubis Dread]

Despite her efforts to not get involved Claire could not help her small grimace from her seat nearby. "Jill, sweetie? Are you forgetting that some of 'the s*** Sakuya has been up to today' may have saved my life?" she attempted quietly. It did not matter if Becca was insulted, slurred, or patronized as long as she was allowed to do as she wanted and be left alone afterwards. Pride was useless when it stopped you getting results, and the fact Becca was not even present made it especially pointless.

[Amaril]

Jill shuts her eyes and takes a slow, deep breath. "No, Claire. I haven't forgotten that. But that doesn't excuse her stabbing Stacy." She turns to face Sakuya in earnest, her expression hardening again. "You know, before today, I thought you were okay. I mean, I knew you had anger issues and you could be violent, but I thought it was just little things, stuff anybody could do. But looking at it now, I don't know how I never realized you have serious problems. You need professional help, 'cause you won't be able to get away with stuff like this forever. And I don't think you can be anything but a danger to Becca and everyone else until you change." She punctuates the last part with a significant look at Mr. Himura.

[Esprit15]

"Oh, shut the f*** up, you two," Jill snaps, turning on Sakuya as well as her father. "Becca doesn't need either one of you to look after her. She's completely capable of making her own decisions. And honestly, Sakuya, after all the s*** you've been up to today, I can't think of anyone less qualified to be giving her advice."

"I am well aware of that, Jill," Sakuya says, barely restraining herself from hitting the girl when the thought that it would be Claire's girlfriend that she would be punching occurred to her. "At the same time, as her family we are obligated to take care of her. I'm not controlling anything. I'm just keeping an eye on her, and saying if something feels odd. Maybe if you don't like my judgement, next time your girlfriend finds herself in peril, you can go rescue her. I'm sure some ****ty drawings and a willingness to sleep with anyone who shows even moderate interest in you will more than equate to someone who was willing to get shot or fire on someone." A tad aggressive? Probably. Too personal? Absolutely.

"I didn't stab Stacy. People keep saying that, and it doesn't make it any more true the more they say it."

[Anubis Dread]

Claire stared at her best friend and girlfriend fighting with wide eyes. Why were they fighting? It was over something so stupid. Who cared if Becca had to be bad mouthed a bit for her dream to come true? Who cared if Stacy was stabbed (whether Sakuya did so or not)? But it was none the less degenerating incredibly quickly. She felt like a five year old watching her parents fight.

"U-um, Jill? S-Sakuya? Please stop..." Claire pleaded softly.

[Q'telun]

Lily watches this whole interaction with detached interest. "Its true, you didn't stab her. She stabbed herself, and then ran into your knife."

[Amaril]

Claire's plea is the only thing that stops Jill from punching Sakuya in the face. Fingers curling into fists, blood pounding in her ears, she forces herself to turn away. "Fine," she growls through clenched teeth. "What the f*** do I even care..." The inside of the restaurant is suffocating. "I'm gonna go call my mom and see if she can drive me the rest of the way home," Jill says distractedly as she heads for the door, digging through her bag for her phone.

[The TechnoGnome]

Sweetie, you need to say these things. I'm not a mind reader. Becca replied.

"I know," Valerie said, "I just... I sometimes wish that I could..."

She frowns and looks over at Roger, then mutters, "Never mind..."

"No, what is it?" Roger asked curtly. It's clear from his tone that he already has some idea of what Val was going to say.


Would it help if I did?

"D-Did what?" Heather asked, "Sing? I m-mean, I would love that, of course..."


"Yeah, its always nice to make interesting friends." Lily looks like she's about to say something to Betty, but goes back to eating.

"Thanks!" Hailey said with a grin, "You know, we should exchange phone numbers! Keep in touch and that sort of thing, you know?"


"Alright, I think that's my cue." Molly stands up, and asks Hailey and Betty, "Either of you want some more food while I'm going up there?"

"Eh, I'll be fine with just more fries and another soda," Hailey said, "I don't really need a whole other burger right now."

"I-I'm not h-hungry..." Betty mumbled, still looking down at her unfinished food.


"I am well aware of that, Jill," Sakuya says, barely restraining herself from hitting the girl when the thought that it would be Claire's girlfriend that she would be punching occurred to her. "At the same time, as her family we are obligated to take care of her. I'm not controlling anything. I'm just keeping an eye on her, and saying if something feels odd. Maybe if you don't like my judgement, next time your girlfriend finds herself in peril, you can go rescue her. I'm sure some ****ty drawings and a willingness to sleep with anyone who shows even moderate interest in you will more than equate to someone who was willing to get shot or fire on someone." A tad aggressive? Probably. Too personal? Absolutely.

"I didn't stab Stacy. People keep saying that, and it doesn't make it any more true the more they say it."

"Yes, I did hear about that as well," Mr. Himura said, fixing a steely gaze on Sakuya once more, "Tell me, what did this Stacy girl do to make you want to hurt her? And what happened with this 'kidnapping'? Did your sister get herself-"

"Actually, it was Claire and I who got in trouble," Robert interrupted, "Becca was perfectly safe and as Sakuya said, actually handled herself pretty well all things considered. Man, no wonder she hates you..."

"What was that?" he snapped, now rounding on Robert.


Claire's plea is the only thing that stops Jill from punching Sakuya in the face. Fingers curling into fists, blood pounding in her ears, she forces herself to turn away. "Fine," she growls through clenched teeth. "What the f*** do I even care..." The inside of the restaurant is suffocating. "I'm gonna go call my mom and see if she can drive me the rest of the way home," Jill says distractedly as she heads for the door, digging through her bag for her phone.

"Good," Mr. Himura said as she left, "This is family business, after all."

Without saying a word, Betty slips out of the booth and follows Jill outside.

"Um, h-hey," she stammered, "I f-feel p-pretty selfish a-asking this n-now, b-but if y-you're l-leaving early... c-can you t-take me with you? I d-don't want to b-be here a-anymore..."

[Illven]

"I know," Valerie said, "I just... I sometimes wish that I could..."

She frowns and looks over at Roger, then mutters, "Never mind..."

"No, what is it?" Roger asked curtly. It's clear from his tone that he already has some idea of what Val was going to say.

Guys. Let's calm down, please and talk honestly. Becca pleaded.

[Anubis Dread]

Claire looked thoroughly poleaxed. On the one hand she did not want to be without Jill. But on the other hand leaving right now when Sakuya was in an argument with her father that involved her would be seen as the worst kind of abandonment. Why was Jill forcing her into such a situation? Did she just not care that she was abandoning her? She had made no motion to get her to follow after all. At least Betty would... be leaving with Jill. She despised her life.

Not really having the courage to step in right then, Claire instead hid herself behind her food and began eating significantly more quickly than she would normally.

[Amaril]

Jill stops short just outside the door, the hand holding her phone falling to her side. A sound halfway between a sigh and a sob tears free of her lungs; without warning, she spins around, grabs Betty, and pulls her into a crushing hug, tears staining her top as Jill presses her face into her shoulder. "Why...why are you...being nice to me?" she chokes out. "You don't...all I've done today is f*** everything up..."

[The TechnoGnome]

Guys. Let's calm down, please and talk honestly. Becca pleaded.

"I just wish I could feel for you what you feel for other girls," Valerie said, "So that... um..."

"So that you didn't need me," Roger finished, glaring at Valerie.

Valerie blinked, "Th-That's not what I..."

"Bull****," Roger interrupts, "You think I haven't noticed the looks you give me when you think I'm not looking? The snide remarks you say about me behind my back? Well if you won't say what the problem is, I will: it's become pretty clear that the only reason you tolerate me, or the idea of this being an open relationship at all, is because you're afraid that if you don't, Becca will leave you. And given how much you struggle to even kiss her on the lips, I don't really blame you for thinking that. But I'm sick of being treated like the awkward third wheel in this relationship by you."

Valerie just looks down at the floor, clearly upset.


Claire looked thoroughly poleaxed. On the one hand she did not want to be without Jill. But on the other hand leaving right now when Sakuya was in an argument with her father that involved her would be seen as the worst kind of abandonment. Why was Jill forcing her into such a situation? Did she just not care that she was abandoning her? She had made no motion to get her to follow after all. At least Betty would... be leaving with Jill. She despised her life.

Not really having the courage to step in right then, Claire instead hid herself behind her food and began eating significantly more quickly than she would normally.

"Hey, uh, you might want to slow down a bit with that," Hailey said with a frown, "You're liable to choke on something if you eat that fast."


Jill stops short just outside the door, the hand holding her phone falling to her side. A sound halfway between a sigh and a sob tears free of her lungs; without warning, she spins around, grabs Betty, and pulls her into a crushing hug, tears staining her top as Jill presses her face into her shoulder. "Why...why are you...being nice to me?" she chokes out. "You don't...all I've done today is f*** everything up..."

Betty would have put her arms around Jill, if they weren't currently pressed into her sides by the first of Jill's hug. That said, she let out a squeak and said, "N-No you h-haven't... a-at least n-not any more th-than I have. A-And you d-didn't d-deserve to b-be yelled at like th-that..."

[Anubis Dread]

"Hey, uh, you might want to slow down a bit with that," Hailey said with a frown, "You're liable to choke on something if you eat that fast."

"Choking to death would be a welcome reprieve at this point," Claire mutters, completely forgetting the embarrassment that had lead to her getting her cheese fries in a salad bowl and just opening it up and beginning to devour it. "It has been conclusively shown that I am worthless in any situation that matters, my girlfriend and my best friend are fighting despite me needing them more than ever and I am not going to be able to sleep from a month due to trauma."

[Illven]

"I just wish I could feel for you what you feel for other girls," Valerie said, "So that... um..."

"So that you didn't need me," Roger finished, glaring at Valerie.

Valerie blinked, "Th-That's not what I..."

"Bull****," Roger interrupts, "You think I haven't noticed the looks you give me when you think I'm not looking? The snide remarks you say about me behind my back? Well if you won't say what the problem is, I will: it's become pretty clear that the only reason you tolerate me, or the idea of this being an open relationship at all, is because you're afraid that if you don't, Becca will leave you. And given how much you struggle to even kiss her on the lips, I don't really blame you for thinking that. But I'm sick of being treated like the awkward third wheel in this relationship by you."

Valerie just looks down at the floor, clearly upset.

Okay... Becca said.

Valerie can you try treating Roger better?

[Amaril]

"I let Claire get kidnapped," Jill sobs. "Should've been paying attention...Sakuya fought for her and I didn't do s***...and then I called the police and ruined everybody's day even more...and now I'm doing it again 'cause I can't f***ing do anything right and I'm a s***ty friend and a s***ty girlfriend and a s***ty artist..." The rest dissolves back into incoherent weeping as she clutches Betty tighter.

[The TechnoGnome]

"Choking to death would be a welcome reprieve at this point," Claire mutters, completely forgetting the embarrassment that had lead to her getting her cheese fries in a salad bowl and just opening it up and beginning to devour it. "It has been conclusively shown that I am worthless in any situation that matters, my girlfriend and my best friend are fighting despite me needing them more than ever and I am not going to be able to sleep from a month due to trauma."

Hailey frowned, "Hey, look, I'm sure it's not as bad as you think. Today's just been really stressful for everyone here. I know that your girlfriend cares about you, and clearly Sakuya does too. They just have... different ideas on how best to keep you safe."


"I let Claire get kidnapped," Jill sobs. "Should've been paying attention...Sakuya fought for her and I didn't do s***...and then I called the police and ruined everybody's day even more...and now I'm doing it again 'cause I can't f***ing do anything right and I'm a s***ty friend and a s***ty girlfriend and a s***ty artist..." The rest dissolves back into incoherent weeping as she clutches Betty tighter.

"N-None of that is t-true," Betty said, "Y-You are one of m-my best f-friends, d-definitely the b-best a-artist I kn-know, a-and I w-wish I had s-someone as a-awesome as you f-for a p-partner. B-Besides, I d-didn't realize wh-what happened e-either. I e-even thought Claire was a-avoiding me b-because I e-embarrassed her in f-front of that n-new girl b-by acting l-like a..."

She looks back inside to Claire wolfing down her food, then adds, "A-As m-much as I w-want to j-just go home and c-cry right now... I th-think Claire n-needs us. Sh-She clearly doesn't w-want to f-feel alone r-right now... a-and even if she d-does, I know from ex-experience that f-friends c-can still help."


Okay... Becca said.

Valerie can you try treating Roger better?

"...Maybe," Valerie muttered.

"I don't want a maybe," Roger said, before turning to Becca, "Look, I don't know if this is going to get better just by us saying it will. She clearly resents that she's 'stuck' with me, and her not ****-talking to me isn't going to change that."

[Anubis Dread]

Hailey frowned, "Hey, look, I'm sure it's not as bad as you think. Today's just been really stressful for everyone here. I know that your girlfriend cares about you, and clearly Sakuya does too. They just have... different ideas on how best to keep you safe."

Claire glowered thoughtfully as she drunk her ice cream with just enough liquid in it to be called a beverage."Do you have an id that says you are over 21? I think I need to hit a bar. Or take up smoking. Taking up smoking may not be a bad idea," she admits. She was terrified, angry, and stressed, and seeing as the only other thing she knew of that could work off all those feelings was sex it was either find something new or have a one night stand somewhere and hope Jill never found out. The idea of which actually made her feel a little queasy.

[Illven]

"...Maybe," Valerie muttered.

"I don't want a maybe," Roger said, before turning to Becca, "Look, I don't know if this is going to get better just by us saying it will. She clearly resents that she's 'stuck' with me, and her not ****-talking to me isn't going to change that."

Valerie... Becca said.

Do you resent Roger?

[Amaril]

Betty's reassurance provides Jill with the handhold she needs to pull herself back up to some semblance of control, the tears ebbing. Bleary-eyed, she lifts her head up to regard Claire and the others through the door. "You're totally right, but I just...I don't know if I can be around Sakuya right now. Or her a**hole dad." She slumps back down against Betty, giving Sakuya a sidelong look. "She's still just as calm as ever, after shooting a bunch of guys...like, am I really wrong to be scared of that? Nobody else seems worried about it..." She shifts her head again to push her face against Betty, shutting her eyes to the scene inside the restaurant. "How can Claire expect me to be like that?"

[The TechnoGnome]

Valerie... Becca said.

Do you resent Roger?

Valerie doesn't answer her.

"Yeah, just as I thought," Roger muttered.


Claire glowered thoughtfully as she drunk her ice cream with just enough liquid in it to be called a beverage."Do you have an id that says you are over 21? I think I need to hit a bar. Or take up smoking. Taking up smoking may not be a bad idea," she admits. She was terrified, angry, and stressed, and seeing as the only other thing she knew of that could work off all those feelings was sex it was either find something new or have a one night stand somewhere and hope Jill never found out. The idea of which actually made her feel a little queasy.

"Well, I could answer that honestly, but I could get in serious trouble," Hailey said with a frown, "So I'm going to have to go with 'no'. But I don't think you should take up smoking. Bad for the lungs, you know."


Betty's reassurance provides Jill with the handhold she needs to pull herself back up to some semblance of control, the tears ebbing. Bleary-eyed, she lifts her head up to regard Claire and the others through the door. "You're totally right, but I just...I don't know if I can be around Sakuya right now. Or her a**hole dad." She slumps back down against Betty, giving Sakuya a sidelong look. "She's still just as calm as ever, after shooting a bunch of guys...like, am I really wrong to be scared of that? Nobody else seems worried about it..." She shifts her head again to push her face against Betty, shutting her eyes to the scene inside the restaurant. "How can Claire expect me to be like that?"

"I... I don't kn-know..." Betty admitted, "I m-mean, i-it's really sc-scary to th-think about... b-but she w-was protecting Robert and C-Claire d-doing that. A-And if I w-was in the s-same situation... I d-don't know."

After a couple of moments, she asked, "D-Do you w-want me to s-see if I can g-get her to come w-with us?"

[Amaril]

Jill loosens her grip on Betty and nods. "That sounds like a good idea. Tell her I don't want to run off without her if she doesn't want to stay with the others, okay?"

[The TechnoGnome]

Jill loosens her grip on Betty and nods. "That sounds like a good idea. Tell her I don't want to run off without her if she doesn't want to stay with the others, okay?"

Betty nods, then goes inside and up to Claire. Tugging on her sleeve, she says, "Um, C-Claire... J-Jill and I are p-planning on h-heading out, a-and, w-well, we d-didn't want to l-leave you a-alone here. S-So if y-you w-would like to c-come with us, w-we w-wouldn't m-mind... I-In fact, w-we'd love t-to have you j-join us."

[Illven]

Valerie doesn't answer her.

"Yeah, just as I thought," Roger muttered.

This is something that needs to be dealt with. Becca replied.

[The TechnoGnome]

This is something that needs to be dealt with. Becca replied.

"I know," Valerie said, "I just don't know how. I can't help feeling the way I do."

"Jealous, you mean?" Roger asks.

[Esprit15]

"Yes, I did hear about that as well," Mr. Himura said, fixing a steely gaze on Sakuya once more, "Tell me, what did this Stacy girl do to make you want to hurt her? And what happened with this 'kidnapping'? Did your sister get herself-"

"Actually, it was Claire and I who got in trouble," Robert interrupted, "Becca was perfectly safe and as Sakuya said, actually handled herself pretty well all things considered. Man, no wonder she hates you..."

"What was that?" he snapped, now rounding on Robert.

"That I tried to throw a punch at her? She insulted Becca, implying she had some medical problem because of her clumsiness. I wasn't going to take her insulting Becca any more than I would take an insult about myself or about you. The kidnapping was unrelated. The head of security was paranoid about something and took us all in. We got mistaken for someone else, and Claire and Robert got away. Given that they were quick to point guns at us, I didn't feel bad about being quick to point one right back, so I took one from a security guard and rescued the two of them."

[Anubis Dread]

Betty nods, then goes inside and up to Claire. Tugging on her sleeve, she says, "Um, C-Claire... J-Jill and I are p-planning on h-heading out, a-and, w-well, we d-didn't want to l-leave you a-alone here. S-So if y-you w-would like to c-come with us, w-we w-wouldn't m-mind... I-In fact, w-we'd love t-to have you j-join us."

It was everything she had hoped for. And yet Claire hesitated. If she left now, what of Sakuya? She was still confronting her father. If she stayed, she could... do what, exactly? Be another useless burden for Sakuya to take care of in addition to her other worries? No. It was better to leave now when she could than bother her anymore than she had already.

"T-thank you," Claire whispered quietly, holding onto Betty's sleeve as she stood up. She had almost finished her food, but she left the rest there. Except for the shake, because she could hold it one handed and she needed chocolate.

[Illven]

"I know," Valerie said, "I just don't know how. I can't help feeling the way I do."

"Jealous, you mean?" Roger asks.

Why are you jealous? Becca replied.

[The TechnoGnome]

"That I tried to throw a punch at her? She insulted Becca, implying she had some medical problem because of her clumsiness. I wasn't going to take her insulting Becca any more than I would take an insult about myself or about you. The kidnapping was unrelated. The head of security was paranoid about something and took us all in. We got mistaken for someone else, and Claire and Robert got away. Given that they were quick to point guns at us, I didn't feel bad about being quick to point one right back, so I took one from a security guard and rescued the two of them."

"They pointed guns at you?" he said, actually looking shocked, "What kind of place were you two going to?"


It was everything she had hoped for. And yet Claire hesitated. If she left now, what of Sakuya? She was still confronting her father. If she stayed, she could... do what, exactly? Be another useless burden for Sakuya to take care of in addition to her other worries? No. It was better to leave now when she could than bother her anymore than she had already.

"T-thank you," Claire whispered quietly, holding onto Betty's sleeve as she stood up. She had almost finished her food, but she left the rest there. Except for the shake, because she could hold it one handed and she needed chocolate.

Betty held on to Claire as she led her outside to where Jill was waiting.

"Um, Cl-Claire's coming too," Betty said to her, "D-Did you c-call your m-mom yet?"


Why are you jealous? Becca replied.

"Because I'm never sure if you're going to leave me for someone better," Valerie admits, "I mean, Roger's able to do what you want him to, so he's pretty secure in his spot, but say some pretty girl comes along, who's just as supportive as I am, but is also able to put out. And she's hotter. Why would you want to stay with me then?"

[Illven]

"Because I'm never sure if you're going to leave me for someone better," Valerie admits, "I mean, Roger's able to do what you want him to, so he's pretty secure in his spot, but say some pretty girl comes along, who's just as supportive as I am, but is also able to put out. And she's hotter. Why would you want to stay with me then?"

BECAUSE I LOVE YOU, SILLY! Becca exclaimed loudly. Then blushed.

[Esprit15]

"It was the security, Father. Of course they were armed. And they thought we were someone we weren't. Most of them are likely getting fired for the mix-up anyways."

[The TechnoGnome]

BECAUSE I LOVE YOU, SILLY! Becca exclaimed loudly. Then blushed.

The nearby staff and tables looked at Becca oddly. Valerie, however, just glomped her.

"I know you do," she said, squeezing tightly, "And I love you too. I'm just scared it won't be enough."


"It was the security, Father. Of course they were armed. And they thought we were someone we weren't. Most of them are likely getting fired for the mix-up anyways."

"With actual firearms, though? At a modeling agency?" he asked.

He shook his head, "It does not matter. I am just glad you and your sister are safe. I will want to have a word with the management, however, if my daughter is going to be working there."

[Amaril]

"No," Jill shakes her head, smiling at Claire as she wipes away the last of her tears, "because now I'm fantasizing about taking this chance to all go find a hotel somewhere around here, getting a room, and forgetting about all the s***ty stuff that's been happening by boning Claire silly while you watch. But it might be really stupid of me to suggest that right now, and I can totally just call her now instead if you guys think I should."

[Illven]

The nearby staff and tables looked at Becca oddly. Valerie, however, just glomped her.

"I know you do," she said, squeezing tightly, "And I love you too. I'm just scared it won't be enough."


Why not? Love is a powerful force. Becca replied.

[Esprit15]

"Honestly, that's probably for the best."

[The TechnoGnome]

"No," Jill shakes her head, smiling at Claire as she wipes away the last of her tears, "because now I'm fantasizing about taking this chance to all go find a hotel somewhere around here, getting a room, and forgetting about all the s***ty stuff that's been happening by boning Claire silly while you watch. But it might be really stupid of me to suggest that right now, and I can totally just call her now instead if you guys think I should."

"Um, as t-tempting as th-that is, d-don't we n-need to be e-eighteen to get a r-room?" Betty asked with a frown, "I m-mean, Cl-Claire is a p-pretty good l-liar, b-but I d-don't think I c-could pass for e-eighteen. I h-have enough t-trouble as i-is passing for f-fourteen..."


Why not? Love is a powerful force. Becca replied.

"Not powerful enough for it to be just the two of us, though..." she mumbled sadly.

"Hey, you know I'm right here, right?" Roger said, now pretty ticked off, "Besides, it's not like you can't get someone else on the side either, you know."

"I don't want anyone else," Valerie admitted, clinging to Becca tighter.

[Anubis Dread]

"No," Jill shakes her head, smiling at Claire as she wipes away the last of her tears, "because now I'm fantasizing about taking this chance to all go find a hotel somewhere around here, getting a room, and forgetting about all the s***ty stuff that's been happening by boning Claire silly while you watch. But it might be really stupid of me to suggest that right now, and I can totally just call her now instead if you guys think I should."

"...we will work it out," Claire replied to Betty's concerns, her eyes tearing up. How could she have ever doubted Jill at all? She may not be able to rush off and shoot up a bunch of security guards. But she knew her. She knew how to make her feel better, how to please her, and Claire loved her for it.

Practically lunging forward, Claire wrapped Jill in her arms and gave her a kiss that she desperately needed. All her doubts and worries began to bleed away to replaced with heady desire and a surge of hormones. "I have a fake id. As long as one of us are over age I am sure it will be fine," Claire breathed.

[Illven]

"Not powerful enough for it to be just the two of us, though..." she mumbled sadly.

"Hey, you know I'm right here, right?" Roger said, now pretty ticked off, "Besides, it's not like you can't get someone else on the side either, you know."

"I don't want anyone else," Valerie admitted, clinging to Becca tighter.

Val. I need someone else in this relationship.

[The TechnoGnome]

"...we will work it out," Claire replied to Betty's concerns, her eyes tearing up. How could she have ever doubted Jill at all? She may not be able to rush off and shoot up a bunch of security guards. But she knew her. She knew how to make her feel better, how to please her, and Claire loved her for it.

Practically lunging forward, Claire wrapped Jill in her arms and gave her a kiss that she desperately needed. All her doubts and worries began to bleed away to replaced with heady desire and a surge of hormones. "I have a fake id. As long as one of us are over age I am sure it will be fine," Claire breathed.

Betty looked conflicted for a couple moments, but watching Claire and Jill kiss made her whimper and bite her lip.

"O-Okay," she stammered with a blush, barely able to keep her voice down (which still wasn't very loud by normal standards), "I-If y-you two w-want to d-do that... a-and are okay w-with me c-coming with. J-Just d-don't e-expect me to b-be much help w-with the l-lying. A-And p-promise you w-won't th-think I'm w-weird for... um..."

She blushed hard, unable to finish the thought.


Val. I need someone else in this relationship.

"I know," she said, "I know... and I'm trying to let you have it, I am. And really, it's not so bad when it's another guy. But... every time a girl comes onto you, I get scared you'll find something in them that I can't give you."

"So... keep it to guys and just you?" Roger asked, "I mean, I'm not sure if that's exactly fair to Becca..."

[Q'telun]

"Thanks!" Hailey said with a grin, "You know, we should exchange phone numbers! Keep in touch and that sort of thing, you know?"

"Mmm, sure." Lily pulls out her phone absentmindedly while watching Betty go.

[Anubis Dread]

Betty looked conflicted for a couple moments, but watching Claire and Jill kiss made her whimper and bite her lip.

"O-Okay," she stammered with a blush, barely able to keep her voice down (which still wasn't very loud by normal standards), "I-If y-you two w-want to d-do that... a-and are okay w-with me c-coming with. J-Just d-don't e-expect me to b-be much help w-with the l-lying. A-And p-promise you w-won't th-think I'm w-weird for... um..."

She blushed hard, unable to finish the thought.

"Betty, we do not think you are weird for watching," Claire replies simply, still entangled with Jill. "I would actually prefer there to be camera's as well. Jill and I are exhibitionists. Having you watch is an erotic fantasy so intense my panties are already wet at the thought of it." It was exhilarating, to think it was finally happening.

[Illven]

"I know," she said, "I know... and I'm trying to let you have it, I am. And really, it's not so bad when it's another guy. But... every time a girl comes onto you, I get scared you'll find something in them that I can't give you."

"So... keep it to guys and just you?" Roger asked, "I mean, I'm not sure if that's exactly fair to Becca..."

I'm fine with that, Roger, if Val is. Becca replied.

[The TechnoGnome]

"Mmm, sure." Lily pulls out her phone absentmindedly while watching Betty go.

"Neat!" Hailey says, pulling out her own.

As Betty leaves, she leans in and whispers, "So, I know you said you aren't into girls, but what's the deal with you and her?"


"Betty, we do not think you are weird for watching," Claire replies simply, still entangled with Jill. "I would actually prefer there to be camera's as well. Jill and I are exhibitionists. Having you watch is an erotic fantasy so intense my panties are already wet at the thought of it." It was exhilarating, to think it was finally happening.

"Th-thank you, b-but, that's n-not e-exactly what I... um, w-what I mean to say is, um, I..."

She looks down at the ground, turning even redder, "N-Never mind... I'm n-not sure I'd b-be comfortable e-enough to a-anyway. L-Let's just g-go."

@ Becca

Roger shrugs, "Hey, as long as I still get to go after girls, it's fine by me."

"Y-Yeah... I'm fine with that," Val sniffled.

[Anubis Dread]

"Th-thank you, b-but, that's n-not e-exactly what I... um, w-what I mean to say is, um, I..."

She looks down at the ground, turning even redder, "N-Never mind... I'm n-not sure I'd b-be comfortable e-enough to a-anyway. L-Let's just g-go."

Claire blinked. "Oh, you mean..." Normally Claire had no problem saying the world 'masturbate', but in this case when she tried she instead shivered in pleasure and felt a surge from her nethers. "That... would probably bring me to climax just watching you do that with no other stimuli. I DEFINITELY would not mind," she admitted.

[Illven]

@ Becca

Roger shrugs, "Hey, as long as I still get to go after girls, it's fine by me."

"Y-Yeah... I'm fine with that," Val sniffled.

I'm sure we'll survive. Becca teased noticeably untensing.

[The TechnoGnome]

Claire blinked. "Oh, you mean..." Normally Claire had no problem saying the world 'masturbate', but in this case when she tried she instead shivered in pleasure and felt a surge from her nethers. "That... would probably bring me to climax just watching you do that with no other stimuli. I DEFINITELY would not mind," she admitted.

Bringing up the very topic was enough for Betty to let out another whimper and cover her face in embarrassment.

"D-Do you have to b-be so l-loud?" she whispered, barely audible among the traffic in the area, "Wh-What if s-someone o-overhears? I'm n-not like y-you and J-Jill, I d-don't want p-people kn-knowing... th-that about m-me..."

All this despite the fact that 'the word' still hasn't been said out loud.


I'm sure we'll survive. Becca teased noticeably untensing.

"Thank you," Valerie said, squeezing her again.

[Lentrax]

"D-Did what?" Heather asked, "Sing? I m-mean, I would love that, of course..."

No, flirted. Would that help you?

[The TechnoGnome]

No, flirted. Would that help you?

Heather blushed and twirled her hair a bit.

"Well, it wouldn't hurt..." she said.

[Lentrax]

Guess I'll have to remember that at dinner.

[The TechnoGnome]

Guess I'll have to remember that at dinner.

Heather blinked, "W-Wait, really? So does that mean..."

"Um, excuse me, Miss?" the staff member from earlier interrupted, "Here's the set list you asked for. Just to warn you, it's all island music. Hope that's okay."

[Amaril]

"Then let's stop talking about it and go do it," Jill giggles, all the frustration and stress evaporating and leaving her feeling like a kid about to unwrap the world's biggest present. "Come on, we have to find a place!" Grabbing Claire's hand with one of hers and reaching for Betty's with the other, she pulls them both along as she sets off down the sidewalk. "And don't worry, Betts, we won't breathe a word of this. Promise."

[Lentrax]

Suki takes the list from him and looks it over.

Then she looks over at Heather and just shrugs as she picks up the guitar again.

Only if you want. Say no, and I won't mind. Just think about it.

She turns the instrument on, walks over to the microphone, and begins the first song on the list.

Wouldn't it be nice if we were older?
Then we wouldn't have to wait so long.
And wouldn't it be nice to live together,
In the kind of world where we belong

[Q'telun]

"Neat!" Hailey says, pulling out her own.

As Betty leaves, she leans in and whispers, "So, I know you said you aren't into girls, but what's the deal with you and her?"

"She works out with me in the mornings. And she's a good friend." Lily digs into her burger. "If she's disappointed by the fact that I'm straight, well, thats kind of her problem."

[The TechnoGnome]

"Then let's stop talking about it and go do it," Jill giggles, all the frustration and stress evaporating and leaving her feeling like a kid about to unwrap the world's biggest present. "Come on, we have to find a place!" Grabbing Claire's hand with one of hers and reaching for Betty's with the other, she pulls them both along as she sets off down the sidewalk. "And don't worry, Betts, we won't breathe a word of this. Promise."

Betty gives Jill a small smile and takes her hand, only sparing one last glance at the burger shop before being dragged along.


Suki takes the list from him and looks it over.

Then she looks over at Heather and just shrugs as she picks up the guitar again.

Only if you want. Say no, and I won't mind. Just think about it.

She turns the instrument on, walks over to the microphone, and begins the first song on the list.

Wouldn't it be nice if we were older?
Then we wouldn't have to wait so long.
And wouldn't it be nice to live together,
In the kind of world where we belong

Heather waits and listens until Suki finishes. When the songs is over, she smiles and claps.

"That was great!" she yelled, before realizing that she's the only teen in an audience of kids, and blushing in embarrassment.

"Thank you for doing this," the manager whispers as Suki gets ready for the next song, "Usually we have a guy dressed as Tavi Tiki to go around entertaining the kids, but the new guy we hired didn't show up today, and we couldn't spare any of our other staff to do it."


"She works out with me in the mornings. And she's a good friend." Lily digs into her burger. "If she's disappointed by the fact that I'm straight, well, thats kind of her problem."

"I was about to say," Hailey muttered with a frown, "Still, least you aren't completely ignorant about it. The poor thing has been giving you puppy dog eyes since we left ModelLand. If you hadn't noticed, I'd probably have to smack you upside the head or something. Though considering what I know about your idea of exercise, I doubt it'd do much to you."

A thought sturck her as she took a sip of her soda, "Don't tell me you're having her run 20 miles a day or something. She barely looks capable of going one."

[Lentrax]

Song finished, Suki bows as Heather cheers.

Sure, no problem. I figured anything really should do. I mean they're kids, right?

[Q'telun]

Lily shakes her head. "Just forms and short runs. I know better than to start her off where I am. And yeah, I noticed the looks. I can't exactly stop her from looking. All I can do is be supportive of her when she finds someone else to crush on."

[The TechnoGnome]

Song finished, Suki bows as Heather cheers.

Sure, no problem. I figured anything really should do. I mean they're kids, right?

"You'd be surprised," he said, "We've had kids boo performers before, and one guy even quit after a drink got thrown in his face."


Lily shakes her head. "Just forms and short runs. I know better than to start her off where I am. And yeah, I noticed the looks. I can't exactly stop her from looking. All I can do is be supportive of her when she finds someone else to crush on."

"Yeah, I suppose," Hailey said, "If it's any consolation, I doubt it's going to be long before that happens. Considering how much ogling she did in general today, including towards me, I'm pretty sure she's the type who falls for people easily."

[Q'telun]

Lily makes a displeased sound. "Yeah. Thats how she got Stacy as a girlfriend. And now she's about to go get with another psycho."

[The TechnoGnome]

Lily makes a displeased sound. "Yeah. Thats how she got Stacy as a girlfriend. And now she's about to go get with another psycho."

"Another psycho?" Hailey asked, "Wait, you mean Claire? But she has a girlfriend already. And you're telling me she was with Stacy before?"

She leans back in her chair, "Damn, I don't know whether to feel sorry for her or be in awe at how she lands such attractive people."

[DoctorFaust]

Molly returns to the table and drops another tray in front of Lily. "Sorry. Definitely sorry. First she was going out with someone even more emotionally manipulative than Suki, and now she's third wheel in a relationship founded on the fact that they're both horny a lot. And one of 'em's got the emotional range of a teaspoon, so I don't see this ending well."

[The TechnoGnome]

Molly returns to the table and drops another tray in front of Lily. "Sorry. Definitely sorry. First she was going out with someone even more emotionally manipulative than Suki, and now she's third wheel in a relationship founded on the fact that they're both horny a lot. And one of 'em's got the emotional range of a teaspoon, so I don't see this ending well."

"Damn," Hailey said, taking her fries from the tray, "Yeah, when you put it like that, so do I. Have you guys had a chance to talk to Betty about this? Because this seems like it could end up being a serious problem for her down the road."

[Q'telun]

"Damn," Hailey said, taking her fries from the tray, "Yeah, when you put it like that, so do I. Have you guys had a chance to talk to Betty about this? Because this seems like it could end up being a serious problem for her down the road."

"I've only known her for a bit. Besides, what am I supposed to tell her? That the girl she looks up to is actually incredibly emotionally unstable and that she shouldn't be in a relationship with her?" Lily blinks. "Actually, thats exactly what I should tell her, shouldn't I?"

[Lentrax]

"You'd be surprised," he said, "We've had kids boo performers before, and one guy even quit after a drink got thrown in his face."

Guess I'll just have to do my best.

[The TechnoGnome]

"I've only known her for a bit. Besides, what am I supposed to tell her? That the girl she looks up to is actually incredibly emotionally unstable and that she shouldn't be in a relationship with her?" Lily blinks. "Actually, thats exactly what I should tell her, shouldn't I?"

"That would be a good place to start," Hailey agrees with a nod, "Maybe you can also try to... I don't know, make sure she has standards or something. If she's as easy to get into a relationship as you make her out to be, it could spell trouble for her in the future."


Guess I'll just have to do my best.

"You mean you weren't already?" he asked, "Because if that wasn't even your best, you must be freaking amazing."

[Lentrax]

Ill be the first to admit, **** Dale isn't a specialty of mine. But, yeah. I'd say that I know my way around a guitar.

[The TechnoGnome]

Episode 11, Scene 1

It's that glorious time of year: Spring Break! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUw4Qh9uFK8) And you know what that means...

BEACH TRIP! :smallcool:

Robert's also got a new car! Or rather, his dad's old, beat up one. But it's his now, and he wants to drive it. And Betty wants to ride with him. It's clear that they're excited enough to not take 'no' for an answer.

Of course, there's only room for three more people in the car. Though thankfully Jill's mom is kind enough to offer to drive anyone else if they don't have a ride of their own, as well as show Robert how to get to the beach in the first place.

Use any means you have at your disposal to score a ride in Robert's car! Winner gets +2 VP and the front seat next to Robert, while the two runner-ups get +1 VP and the opportunity to sit in the back with Betty.

[Anubis Dread]

To say the experience at the model agency had completely changed Claire would be incredibly inaccurate. Claire was still the same as she was before. Manipulative, paranoid, borderline sociopathic and with a complete ignorance on how people really worked. But despite the fact she herself had changed very little, Claire's focus and thus her actions had changed immensely.

Claire's confidence had been hit hard, to the extent that she no longer believed she could defend herself. Since she could not defend herself, she would be utterly reliant on others to defend her. As such, rather than emphasize her own power and fortify her own guard she instead needed to make sure that if she were ever kidnapped again more than one person would care and come to rescue her. What's more, she needed to avoid being alone to prevent any such situation from happening to begin with. This meant that where before Claire had been rather indifferent to touch aside from those of an erotic or romantic nature, she was now constantly attached to someone or another's arm. She refused to so much as go to the bathroom without an escort. Where before she could at least half-sleep alone, she now had no such respite and had embarrassingly admitted to sleeping with her parents when she got especially exhausted from several days of continuous wakefulness. Perhaps the largest change however was the presents.

She required a large network of friends who were invested in her safety if she wanted to survive to adulthood. Therefore the natural thing to do was make her presence invaluable to her friends. Well acquaintances, really, it was hard to think of anyone but Sakuya as her actual friend. Even Jill and Betty did not really fit the bill, being her girlfriend and... she had no idea what Betty was. Platonic love she was sexually attracted to? Whatever the case since she knew she was not exactly the most pleasant way Claire decided that the best way to ensure the group's continued loyalty was good old fashioned bribery. Being that she never wanted any of them to leave her and would probably pine away and die if they did Jill, Betty and Sakuya received an extremely elaborate and expensive present every day. The others though Claire seemed to give presents at seemingly random, though there were some patterns. Suki had received far more than anyone else, doubling Becca who was the next runner up. Everyone else seemed to receive at least one present a week, though Robert averages two or three. Bizarrely Heather got one as well despite the fact they did not really spend much time together now that Claire had left the news club. It was unclear whether Claire still valued their relationship or it was a bribe to keep the paper off her back.

This particular day however Claire had a presents for Robert and Betty, her presents for Sakuya and Jill having already been passed on when they met up that morning. As such she had every intention of sitting in the car with them so she could deliver them properly.

"Excuse me," Claire implored, tapping Robert's shoulder. "I thought I should advise you that in preparation for the longest trip you have driven to date I should prepare some material to ensure our continued safety. This is an outline of the car with the ideal weight distribution," she goes on, handing him a piece of paper with a lot of numbers on it. "According to this paper someone of this approximate weight should sit next to you. The only people who fit the bill are myself and Sakuya. In addition someone of a similar weight needs to sit on one side of Betty, while someone of approximately this weight needs to sit on the other side. I believe Jill fits this weight profile, though Suki might well do so as well." The math was all one hundred percent true too. She had spent a long time calculating it. The fact that she lied about her weight on it threw the whole thing off of course, but she was hardly going to present numbers that suggested she was too heavy to be an ideal driving partner. ...the mere thought still depressed her.

"Oh. Also I have presents," she reminded him, holding out a pair of boxes.


Skill, Keen Eye +2, Poker Face +2, Dazzling Display

[Lentrax]

Ride however you want. I'll just meet you there.

And with that, Suki drives off.

Weak luck, Personality flip. -3 total.

[Esprit15]

Claire's constant gift giving was understandable, but also ever so slightly grating. She should know that Sakuya was loyal regardless of gift giving. Still, might as well take advantage of the confusion among the group, and the swimsuit that the other girl got her looked great on her, if a bit more revealing than she was used to.

While Claire was making sure most of the others had gotten their gifts, Sakuya simply moves past the others and hops into the passenger seat. If one of the others challenges her, she simply points her knife at them, stating in a flat tone "Mine." Obviously she would never act on it, but it also wasn't entirely clear if she was referring to the seat or Robert.
Conflict (+1), Armed (+2), Terrifying (+2)

Contingency Plan

[DoctorFaust]

An arm reaches out from behind Robert and grabs him by the shoulder, spinning him around to reveal that the arm is connected to a certain German girl, now wearing a pair of cargo shorts and a pink-and-red Hawaiian shirt that is obviously at least a size too large for her. "Halo!" she says, grinning broadly at him. <You weren't going to ride alone with the two psychos, were you? And besides, I still need to show you my new dissolvable swimsuit.>


Strong Allure, Boyish Charm, Quaint Greeting, Stand Out? +4

[Illven]

As soon as the knife was pulled out Becca glomped to Robert for precious precious safety. Sakuya wouldn't stab her if she might get Robert, right.

The fact that she was in a bikini probably made the glomp awkward.

Sorry.


Strong allure, Shameless, Scaredy cat.

[Amaril]

Jill sighs and shakes her head as she sees Sakuya threatening the others with her knife. As soon as Claire is finished explaining her diagram to Robert, she quietly moves over to stand closer to her. "Hey, babe?" she says gently, keeping her tone low enough not to be overheard. "Look, I know you worked hard on that, but I really don't think I can be in the car with Sakuya if she's threatening people with a knife. I'm gonna ride with my mom. I'd love it if you came with me," she adds, half pleading. "It'll be totally safe, I promise."

Forfeiting this roll, since there's no way I can justify Jill making it.

[The TechnoGnome]

Claire's constant gift giving was understandable, but also ever so slightly grating. She should know that Sakuya was loyal regardless of gift giving. Still, might as well take advantage of the confusion among the group, and the swimsuit that the other girl got her looked great on her, if a bit more revealing than she was used to.

While Claire was making sure most of the others had gotten their gifts, Sakuya simply moves past the others and hops into the passenger seat. If one of the others challenges her, she simply points her knife at them, stating in a flat tone "Mine." Obviously she would never act on it, but it also wasn't entirely clear if she was referring to the seat or Robert.
Conflict (+1), Armed (+2), Terrifying (+2)

Contingency Plan

Robert noticed the possessiveness Sakuya was displaying, and lightly swatted her on the back of the head.

"No, bad Sakuya," he teased, "For that, you lose your front seat privileges."

He jerked his head to the backseat to make it clear that he wasn't necessarily joking.


As soon as the knife was pulled out Becca glomped to Robert for precious precious safety. Sakuya wouldn't stab her if she might get Robert, right.

The fact that she was in a bikini probably made the glomp awkward.

Sorry.


Strong allure, Shameless, Scaredy cat.


Indeed it was. Robert blushed and patted her on the back as he gently pushed her off of him with his other hand.

"It's alright Becca, Sakuya's not going to bite," he said with a chuckle, "Well, not any of us, anyway. Now get buckled up before you knock the parking brake off or something."

As Becca makes her way to the backseat, Betty squirms over with a blush, putting her in the middle between Becca and Sakuya. Oddly enough, she's decked out in an expensive looking sundress and hat rather than any kind of swimwear, and made a point of avoiding touching Becca, which inadvertently caused her to press into Sakuya.


An arm reaches out from behind Robert and grabs him by the shoulder, spinning him around to reveal that the arm is connected to a certain German girl, now wearing a pair of cargo shorts and a pink-and-red Hawaiian shirt that is obviously at least a size too large for her. "Halo!" she says, grinning broadly at him. <You weren't going to ride alone with the two psychos, were you? And besides, I still need to show you my new dissolvable swimsuit.>


Strong Allure, Boyish Charm, Quaint Greeting, Stand Out? +4

"<Don't worry, I got Sakuya to protect me from those two,>" Robert joked, patting the now empty front seat, "<And don't tell me you're serious about the swimsuit. Are those even a thing?>"


"Excuse me," Claire implored, tapping Robert's shoulder. "I thought I should advise you that in preparation for the longest trip you have driven to date I should prepare some material to ensure our continued safety. This is an outline of the car with the ideal weight distribution," she goes on, handing him a piece of paper with a lot of numbers on it. "According to this paper someone of this approximate weight should sit next to you. The only people who fit the bill are myself and Sakuya. In addition someone of a similar weight needs to sit on one side of Betty, while someone of approximately this weight needs to sit on the other side. I believe Jill fits this weight profile, though Suki might well do so as well." The math was all one hundred percent true too. She had spent a long time calculating it. The fact that she lied about her weight on it threw the whole thing off of course, but she was hardly going to present numbers that suggested she was too heavy to be an ideal driving partner. ...the mere thought still depressed her.

"Oh. Also I have presents," she reminded him, holding out a pair of boxes.


Skill, Keen Eye +2, Poker Face +2, Dazzling Display


Robert takes the presents and passes Betty's back to her, who grabs it eagerly.

"Sorry Claire, we're all filled up here," Robert said with a frown, "You can ride with Jill though. I'm sure she'd love the company."

Betty also frowns and waves at Claire from the backseat.


Jill sighs and shakes her head as she sees Sakuya threatening the others with her knife. As soon as Claire is finished explaining her diagram to Robert, she quietly moves over to stand closer to her. "Hey, babe?" she says gently, keeping her tone low enough not to be overheard. "Look, I know you worked hard on that, but I really don't think I can be in the car with Sakuya if she's threatening people with a knife. I'm gonna ride with my mom. I'd love it if you came with me," she adds, half pleading. "It'll be totally safe, I promise."

Forfeiting this roll, since there's no way I can justify Jill making it.

As Jill and Claire make their way into the car, Jill's mom gives them both a warm smile.

"Claire! Glad you could join us!" she said excitedly, "You guys ready for some fun in the sun?"


Ride however you want. I'll just meet you there.

And with that, Suki drives off.

Weak luck, Personality flip. -3 total.

With Rebecca being shanghai'd into riding with Robert, Val ends up hopping into Suki's car just as she starts driving off.

"Hey, you don't mind if I tag along, do you?" she asks, very nearly losing her bag in the process of entering the moving car, "Robert's car is full, and I'd rather give Jill and Claire some space if they decide they want to get freaky."

Rebecca, Sakuya, and Molly gain +2 VP.

[Illven]

Betty. Is something wrong? Becca asks concerned.

[DoctorFaust]

<It's actually a thing,> Molly says as she flops down into the passenger's seat. <Not that I would ever actually wear it to a beach, 'cause, y'know, dissolvable, but it does exist, and it is a product of glorious German science!>

"So, which beach are we going to?" she asks eagerly. "Venice? Playa Vista? Or are we going even more south?"

[The TechnoGnome]

Betty. Is something wrong? Becca asks concerned.

"U-Um, n-no..." Betty said, clearly embarrassed, "J-Just, um... I j-just, uh..."

"I d-don't kn-know how V-Valerie o-or Roger w-would r-react if y-you a-and I w-were... um, t-touching o-or l-leaning on e-each other wh-while y-you're d-dressed like th-that... I d-don't w-want them to th-think I'm t-trying to c-come on to you o-or anything."

She blushed harder and muttered, "Y-You look g-good, b-by the way..."


<It's actually a thing,> Molly says as she flops down into the passenger's seat. <Not that I would ever actually wear it to a beach, 'cause, y'know, dissolvable, but it does exist, and it is a product of glorious German science!>

"So, which beach are we going to?" she asks eagerly. "Venice? Playa Vista? Or are we going even more south?"

"<Of course it's a German marvel of science,>" Robert said with a chuckle, "<Europeans get all the fun, sexy stuff.>"

"And Ventura, I think," Robert said in English, "Though I might have misheard... really, I'm going to be following Jill's mom there, so you'd have to ask her. I've never been to either one, so I probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference anyway."

[Illven]

"U-Um, n-no..." Betty said, clearly embarrassed, "J-Just, um... I j-just, uh..."

"I d-don't kn-know how V-Valerie o-or Roger w-would r-react if y-you a-and I w-were... um, t-touching o-or l-leaning on e-each other wh-while y-you're d-dressed like th-that... I d-don't w-want them to th-think I'm t-trying to c-come on to you o-or anything."

She blushed harder and muttered, "Y-You look g-good, b-by the way..."

I'm sure Val and Roger will understand, as long as you refrain from feeling me up. Becca pointed out.

Thanks though.

[Anubis Dread]

Robert takes the presents and passes Betty's back to her, who grabs it eagerly.

"Sorry Claire, we're all filled up here," Robert said with a frown, "You can ride with Jill though. I'm sure she'd love the company."

Betty also frowns and waves at Claire from the backseat.



As Jill and Claire make their way into the car, Jill's mom gives them both a warm smile.

"Claire! Glad you could join us!" she said excitedly, "You guys ready for some fun in the sun?"

Claire was not sure why Jill would turn down the chance to be in the car with Betty as well, but seeing as she had she had she would not protest her lack of a seat too much. As cute as Betty looked in that sundress Jill was her girlfriend. She did shoot a small wave at Betty back though before getting into the car.

"I am happy to be with you as well," Claire replied, shifting as far from the window as she could. Without someone between her and it the huge vacuum of space where anyone could assault her while she was in an enclosed space made her uncomfortable. "Indeed I am very much looking forward to the beach. I am hoping once I am there the chances of me getting in trouble for indecent exposure will be more limited than if I were to display my bikini here," she admits, frowning down with displeasure at the loose sundress she had over her bikini.

[Amaril]

Jill scoots right up next to Claire and pauses only long enough to fasten her seatbelt before leaning over to snuggle her, pleased as punch. "Man, I am so ready for this," she agrees. "We should go to the beach more often, ma." She chuckles at her own joke--it would be hard for her and her mother to spend any more time at the beach than they already do. Still, though, fall and winter have provided a long enough gap that she can hardly wait for this trip.

[The TechnoGnome]

I'm sure Val and Roger will understand, as long as you refrain from feeling me up. Becca pointed out.

Thanks though.

Betty slowly and hesitantly shifts back to a more neutral position between the two sisters, though is clearly still nervous.

"I h-hope you're r-right..." Betty stammered, "I, um... I d-don't want to m-make them a-angry. O-Or upset y-you, for th-that matter. N-Not to mention S-Sakuya..."

Her eyes widen, and she looks over at Sakuya nervously, "I-I'm s-sorry! I d-didn't mean it l-like th-that... just, I kn-know, y-you get p-protective of R-Rebecca, a-and I d-don't want you to th-think I'm d-doing anything u-untoward to h-her or t-trying to hurt her o-or anything! N-Not that I c-could do th-that even if I w-wanted to! Wh-which I d-don't! I... I..."

She looks down at the present in her hands with a whimper, more embarrassed than ever.


Claire was not sure why Jill would turn down the chance to be in the car with Betty as well, but seeing as she had she had she would not protest her lack of a seat too much. As cute as Betty looked in that sundress Jill was her girlfriend. She did shoot a small wave at Betty back though before getting into the car.

"I am happy to be with you as well," Claire replied, shifting as far from the window as she could. Without someone between her and it the huge vacuum of space where anyone could assault her while she was in an enclosed space made her uncomfortable. "Indeed I am very much looking forward to the beach. I am hoping once I am there the chances of me getting in trouble for indecent exposure will be more limited than if I were to display my bikini here," she admits, frowning down with displeasure at the loose sundress she had over her bikini.

"Oh, don't worry about that sweetie," Liz said with a smile, "As long as you aren't wearing dental floss under there, you should be fine. That said, I don't want you two doing anything back there you wouldn't want other people to see, alright? Even if it wasn't my daughter back there, it's not like I'm driving a windowless van here."


Jill scoots right up next to Claire and pauses only long enough to fasten her seatbelt before leaning over to snuggle her, pleased as punch. "Man, I am so ready for this," she agrees. "We should go to the beach more often, ma." She chuckles at her own joke--it would be hard for her and her mother to spend any more time at the beach than they already do. Still, though, fall and winter have provided a long enough gap that she can hardly wait for this trip.

"Oh definitely," she said with a similar laugh, "I'm sure we'll be fine living out of a tent for a couple months, right?"

"Anyone else going to ride with us?" she asked as she checked her mirrors.

[Illven]

Betty slowly and hesitantly shifts back to a more neutral position between the two sisters, though is clearly still nervous.

"I h-hope you're r-right..." Betty stammered, "I, um... I d-don't want to m-make them a-angry. O-Or upset y-you, for th-that matter. N-Not to mention S-Sakuya..."

Her eyes widen, and she looks over at Sakuya nervously, "I-I'm s-sorry! I d-didn't mean it l-like th-that... just, I kn-know, y-you get p-protective of R-Rebecca, a-and I d-don't want you to th-think I'm d-doing anything u-untoward to h-her or t-trying to hurt her o-or anything! N-Not that I c-could do th-that even if I w-wanted to! Wh-which I d-don't! I... I..."

She looks down at the present in her hands with a whimper, more embarrassed than ever.

Betty it's fine, calm down. Becca said giving her a hug of comfort.

[Anubis Dread]

"Oh, don't worry about that sweetie," Liz said with a smile, "As long as you aren't wearing dental floss under there, you should be fine. That said, I don't want you two doing anything back there you wouldn't want other people to see, alright? Even if it wasn't my daughter back there, it's not like I'm driving a windowless van here."



"Oh definitely," she said with a similar laugh, "I'm sure we'll be fine living out of a tent for a couple months, right?"

"Anyone else going to ride with us?" she asked as she checked her mirrors.

"I have no idea why people say Mom's are not understanding," Claire shook her head in confusion. Both her own Mother and Jill's were incredibly supportive of her and Jill's relationship and all it entails. Did they both simply luck out and get 'cool Moms'?

"As tempting as additional beach time is I am not living in a tent," Claire deadpans. She is aware that it is a joke. But sleeping in a tent... between the uncomfortable nature of the location and idea anyone could just stumble upon them and do as they willed the idea was horrifying. "That being said I think it is just us."

[Amaril]

"Yeah, looks like everybody else is in the other cars," Jill replies, glancing out the window. "And I think that's because most moms aren't nearly as awesome as ours. Although I'm still not fooling around in the back of mine's van while she's driving it."

[The TechnoGnome]

"I have no idea why people say Mom's are not understanding," Claire shook her head in confusion. Both her own Mother and Jill's were incredibly supportive of her and Jill's relationship and all it entails. Did they both simply luck out and get 'cool Moms'?

"As tempting as additional beach time is I am not living in a tent," Claire deadpans. She is aware that it is a joke. But sleeping in a tent... between the uncomfortable nature of the location and idea anyone could just stumble upon them and do as they willed the idea was horrifying. "That being said I think it is just us."

"Suit yourself," Liz said with a playful shrug, "Then again, you could probably get a penthouse suite at a hotel or something, huh?"


"Yeah, looks like everybody else is in the other cars," Jill replies, glancing out the window. "And I think that's because most moms aren't nearly as awesome as ours. Although I'm still not fooling around in the back of mine's van while she's driving it."

"Aww, I have such a sweet daughter," she teased, before pulling out and starting off towards the beach.

"So, how are things going for you two? You go over to Claire's place so often I feel like I hardly get to see you anymore."


Betty it's fine, calm down. Becca said giving her a hug of comfort.

Betty unconsciously leans her head on Becca's chest, calming down a little at the contact. Robert looks back to pull out as he sees Ms. Aster doing so, and sees Becca holding Betty.

"Uh, everything alright back there?" he asks, brow raised, "Because I figured we'd at least pull out of the driveway before someone had a freak-out."

"S-Sorry..." Betty muttered, "It's m-my fault... Today's s-supposed to be f-fun and r-relaxing. And I sh-should know b-better than to th-think things l-like that about y-you guys."

[DoctorFaust]

"Uh, everything alright back there?" he asks, brow raised, "Because I figured we'd at least pull out of the driveway before someone had a freak-out."

"S-Sorry..." Betty muttered, "It's m-my fault... Today's s-supposed to be f-fun and r-relaxing. And I sh-should know b-better than to th-think things l-like that could h-happen."

Molly leans over into the back of the car and grins winningly at Betty. "Nah, today's going to be great. Heck, probably'll be even better because you'll be there in your, frankly, pretty ravishing sundress."

Keeping her hands shielded from view, she pulls her cellphone out and types out a quick text to Lily.
Ventura Beach. Today. You're coming. What do we tell the god of shenanigans?

[Illven]

Betty unconsciously leans her head on Becca's chest, calming down a little at the contact. Robert looks back to pull out as he sees Ms. Aster doing so, and sees Becca holding Betty.

"Uh, everything alright back there?" he asks, brow raised, "Because I figured we'd at least pull out of the driveway before someone had a freak-out."

"S-Sorry..." Betty muttered, "It's m-my fault... Today's s-supposed to be f-fun and r-relaxing. And I sh-should know b-better than to th-think things l-like that about y-you guys."

We're good. Just keep your eyes on the road. Becca replied.

[Anubis Dread]

"So, how are things going for you two? You go over to Claire's place so often I feel like I hardly get to see you anymore."

"I have a larger bed," Claire replies simply, feeling much more comfortable now that they were actually moving. She still held Jill rather tightly though. "And I have difficulties sleeping alone lately... that being said if you feel left out I can certain endeavor to be there more often," she mused thoughtfully. There was less security. But security meant nothing anyway.

[The TechnoGnome]

We're good. Just keep your eyes on the road. Becca replied.

"No worries there," Robert said as he pulled out and began tailing Ms. Aster's car, "I know proper safety. You girls just play nice back there, okay?"


Molly leans over into the back of the car and grins winningly at Betty. "Nah, today's going to be great. Heck, probably'll be even better because you'll be there in your, frankly, pretty ravishing sundress."

Keeping her hands shielded from view, she pulls her cellphone out and types out a quick text to Lily.
Ventura Beach. Today. You're coming. What do we tell the god of shenanigans?

Betty's face lights up as she's complimented, "Th-Thanks! Y-You really l-like it? C-Claire got it for m-me! A-along with th-this hat, a-and this g-gold bracelet, a-and a d-diamond st-studded headband, a-and a VR headset I'm st-still figuring out h-how to use, a-and a n-new bed and sc-scratching post f-for Vinny, a-and whatever th-this is!" She holds up the box Claire gave her, looking like a young girl on Christmas.

"Sh-She's been getting me a l-lot of st-stuff lately, actually. I t-turned down some of the m-more expensive th-things at first, b-but she said she w-was doing it b-because she w-wanted to show me sh-she was a g-good friend, a-and I d-didn't want to be rude or make h-her think I d-didn't like her." She frowns, "I j-just hope she d-doesn't get in t-trouble with her p-parents for sp-spending so m-much on me... o-or Jill, for that m-matter."


"I have a larger bed," Claire replies simply, feeling much more comfortable now that they were actually moving. She still held Jill rather tightly though. "And I have difficulties sleeping alone lately... that being said if you feel left out I can certain endeavor to be there more often," she mused thoughtfully. There was less security. But security meant nothing anyway.

"Well, we'd love to have you over," she said, "I know I'm probably not as good of a cook as your chefs, when I cook at all, but considering how close you and Jill are becoming I do want to get to know you better. And I'm sure Jill will make sure you aren't alone if you decide to sleep over."

[Lentrax]

With Rebecca being shanghai'd into riding with Robert, Val ends up hopping into Suki's car just as she starts driving off.

"Hey, you don't mind if I tag along, do you?" she asks, very nearly losing her bag in the process of entering the moving car, "Robert's car is full, and I'd rather give Jill and Claire some space if they decide they want to get freaky."

Considering you are already in the car, I guess not. But, Suki says, pointing to the back seat.

You ride in the back. Front seat privileges are for my date.

[Illven]

"No worries there," Robert said as he pulled out and began tailing Ms. Aster's car, "I know proper safety. You girls just play nice back there, okay?"



Betty's face lights up as she's complimented, "Th-Thanks! Y-You really l-like it? C-Claire got it for m-me! A-along with th-this hat, a-and this g-gold bracelet, a-and a d-diamond st-studded headband, a-and a VR headset I'm st-still figuring out h-how to use, a-and a n-new bed and sc-scratching post f-for Vinny, a-and whatever th-this is!" She holds up the box Claire gave her, looking like a young girl on Christmas.


Yeah, she's gotten me a few things too..... Is she okay? Becca asks in concerned realization.

[Amaril]

"Actually, that's another reason I've been going over there," Jill says, giggling and blushing. "If we tried to have sex at our place, the whole street would be calling with noise complaints. Claire's place is so big, nobody else is close enough." It occurs to her a second later that her mom might not have been assuming they'd be having sex when she suggested they sleep together, but it doesn't seem all that important.

[Q'telun]

Lily tilts her hat back and pulls her phone out of her pocket. Cracking an eye she reads the text and smiles.

NOT TODAY!

She slips the phone back in the pocket of her shorts and stretches like a cat on the hot sand of the beach. Today is going to be a fun day.

[Esprit15]

"Betty, my best friend is Claire and Rebecca is my sister. I'm perfectly comfortable with you leaning against me. I sure as hell am not getting the attention I want from anywhere else," Sakuya says with a shrug.

[Anubis Dread]

"Actually, that's another reason I've been going over there," Jill says, giggling and blushing. "If we tried to have sex at our place, the whole street would be calling with noise complaints. Claire's place is so big, nobody else is close enough." It occurs to her a second later that her mom might not have been assuming they'd be having sex when she suggested they sleep together, but it doesn't seem all that important.

"That and my room is sound proofed," Claire agreed. Which come to think of it was probably not all that safe. But she could not bear to have it any other way. She enjoyed her privacy when she desired it. "Also we only keep about one tenth of the sex toys in your place since you do not have as much storage space," she adds thoughtfully.

[The TechnoGnome]

Considering you are already in the car, I guess not. But, Suki says, pointing to the back seat.

You ride in the back. Front seat privileges are for my date.

"Oooh, you have a date?" Val asks, crawling over the seat and tumbling into the back, "What's his name?"

She pops back up and makes a vain attempt to fix her wild hair, "Or her, I guess. I know you swing both ways."


"Actually, that's another reason I've been going over there," Jill says, giggling and blushing. "If we tried to have sex at our place, the whole street would be calling with noise complaints. Claire's place is so big, nobody else is close enough." It occurs to her a second later that her mom might not have been assuming they'd be having sex when she suggested they sleep together, but it doesn't seem all that important.


"That and my room is sound proofed," Claire agreed. Which come to think of it was probably not all that safe. But she could not bear to have it any other way. She enjoyed her privacy when she desired it. "Also we only keep about one tenth of the sex toys in your place since you do not have as much storage space," she adds thoughtfully.

"Oh, so Claire's a screamer then?" she asked, trying her best to keep her jovial nature up as the conversation shifted to sex.


Yeah, she's gotten me a few things too..... Is she okay? Becca asks in concerned realization.

"Yeah, she's gotten me stuff too," Robert said, "I mean, not as many or as expensive presents as what Betty's been getting, but still. Pretty odd."

"W-Well, it st-started after the i-incident at M-ModelLand," Betty said, "M-Maybe she's just g-grateful to b-be alive, a-and the b-brush with d-death made her g-generous. Sh-She wouldn't b-be the first p-person to do so. O-Or maybe sh-she feels g-guilty about something. Wh-When St-Stacy did s-something that m-made me c-cry, she w-would get m-me something in an a-attempt to m-make me f-feel better."

She frowned, "I-It p-pretty much always w-worked, t-too... but I d-don't know wh-what Claire would have d-done that would m-make her f-feel g-guilty enough to st-start giving p-people pr-presents like th-this..."


"Betty, my best friend is Claire and Rebecca is my sister. I'm perfectly comfortable with you leaning against me. I sure as hell am not getting the attention I want from anywhere else," Sakuya says with a shrug.

Betty takes this as an invitation to immediately latch onto Sakuya. Which very quickly turned to her hugging and nuzzling up to Sakuya like a puppy.

"I-I'm s-sorry you f-feel that way," she said, "I w-wish there w-was something I c-could do to h-help..."

@ Lily

Lily's morning sunbathing session is rather rudely interrupted by a beach ball bouncing off of her back.

"Oh God!" a blonde girl yelled, running up to Lily, "I'm so sorry about that! Are you okay?"

[Amaril]

"Why do you assume it's Claire?" Jill grins. "Just because I can be quiet doesn't mean I always am."

[Esprit15]

"It happens. Just have to wait and hope. Not everything responds to brute force, much as I would love the world to work that way."

[Illven]

"Yeah, she's gotten me stuff too," Robert said, "I mean, not as many or as expensive presents as what Betty's been getting, but still. Pretty odd."

"W-Well, it st-started after the i-incident at M-ModelLand," Betty said, "M-Maybe she's just g-grateful to b-be alive, a-and the b-brush with d-death made her g-generous. Sh-She wouldn't b-be the first p-person to do so. O-Or maybe sh-she feels g-guilty about something. Wh-When St-Stacy did s-something that m-made me c-cry, she w-would get m-me something in an a-attempt to m-make me f-feel better."

She frowned, "I-It p-pretty much always w-worked, t-too... but I d-don't know wh-what Claire would have d-done that would m-make her f-feel g-guilty enough to st-start giving p-people pr-presents like th-this..."


I'm just.... It's also common for people who are suicidal to suddenly become super generous. Becca replied.

[The TechnoGnome]

"Why do you assume it's Claire?" Jill grins. "Just because I can be quiet doesn't mean I always am."

"Well, that's more than I wanted to know about my baby girl," Liz said with a nervous chuckle, "Well, that's what I get for asking, I suppose."


"It happens. Just have to wait and hope. Not everything responds to brute force, much as I would love the world to work that way."

"I s-suppose you're r-right..." Betty said with a frown, "If you h-have to force l-love, i-it isn't r-really love, is it?"


I'm just.... It's also common for people who are suicidal to suddenly become super generous. Becca replied.

Betty looked over at Becca in horror, "Y-You think that C-Claire is g-going to kill herself? B-But why? Sh-She has s-so much to l-live for! Sh-She has gr-great f-friends, an a-amazing girlfriend, a t-ton of money..."

She gasps, "M-Maybe she's s-sick! Like, s-some disease or s-something th-that's terminal! A-And she d-didn't tell us b-because she d-doesn't want us to w-worry!"

[Q'telun]

Lily tosses the ball back with a laugh. "Don't worry! I've been hit harder than that before!"

[Esprit15]

"No, and I've tonight the person in question enough that force would be less effective."

[Illven]

Betty looked over at Becca in horror, "Y-You think that C-Claire is g-going to kill herself? B-But why? Sh-She has s-so much to l-live for! Sh-She has gr-great f-friends, an a-amazing girlfriend, a t-ton of money..."

She gasps, "M-Maybe she's s-sick! Like, s-some disease or s-something th-that's terminal! A-And she d-didn't tell us b-because she d-doesn't want us to w-worry!"

****. I really hope that's not the case. Becca replied pulling out her phone.


Hey, Claire. Everything's okay, right?

[Anubis Dread]

"You should not ask questions you do not want the answer to," Claire suggests helpfully. Before her buzzing phone causes her to frown and pull it out. "...why would Becca inquire as to my well being?" she asks confused. Maybe it was a sign of increased loyalty?


I am safe and uninjured. Thank you for asking.

[The TechnoGnome]

Lily tosses the ball back with a laugh. "Don't worry! I've been hit harder than that before!"

"Thank goodness," she said, picking up the ball, "So, um, are you here by yourself?"


"No, and I've tonight the person in question enough that force would be less effective."

Robert gives an awkward cough at this, but doesn't say anything.

"O-Oh, y-you have?" Betty asked, "S-So y-you're friends with th-them? Th-That's g-good. A-At least you t-talk to them."

"Th-They aren't a-already with someone, a-are they?" she asks in concern.


****. I really hope that's not the case. Becca replied pulling out her phone.


Hey, Claire. Everything's okay, right?


"M-Me too," Betty said, pulling out her own phone and sending a text of her own, "B-But it would e-explain a lot..."

Hi Claire. Are you feeling okay? I'm sorry I didn't ride with you and Jill, but if there's something you want to tell me, you don't have to be afraid.

"Guys, relax," Robert said, "Claire's probably just going through a phase of some kind. You know how obsessive she can get about things."

"I-I'm still w-worried," Betty said, "B-But I d-don't want to sc-scare her or make h-her think I kn-know s-something she doesn't w-want to tell me. If she is s-sick, she p-probably wants to f-forget about it today." At that thought, she sends another text.

I just want to make sure you have fun today. Because I'm your friend and I want you to be happy. Did you bring everything you need? Anything I can do to help?


"You should not ask questions you do not want the answer to," Claire suggests helpfully. Before her buzzing phone causes her to frown and pull it out. "...why would Becca inquire as to my well being?" she asks confused. Maybe it was a sign of increased loyalty?


I am safe and uninjured. Thank you for asking.


"I guess you're right," Liz said, "I just figured I'd be getting a different answer than that, I suppose."

"Oh, Becca's texting you? Tell her I say hi! I haven't talked to her in ages!"

[Esprit15]

That should have said taught, not tonight.
"If they are I would be rather pissed for him leading me on, but I suppose I would have to do the mature thing and be happy for him for finding someone. Or kill her. You know, either or," she says with a casual shrug.

[Anubis Dread]

Claire mulls that over. "I suppose that was a reasonable assumption. As for Becca I will... and now Betty is texting too. Did they hear something?" she frowns concerned.


I sincerely appreciate your friendship, and have no desires or resentments. Did you hear something that would lead you to assume I was in danger?

[Lentrax]

I'm taking Heather with me.

Suki presses a series of buttons on her cars display, and a second later the phone starts ringing.

Hey, Heather. We're on our way to get you. You ready to go?

[Illven]

But I mean health wise, right?

[The TechnoGnome]

That should have said taught, not tonight.
"If they are I would be rather pissed for him leading me on, but I suppose I would have to do the mature thing and be happy for him for finding someone. Or kill her. You know, either or," she says with a casual shrug.

Betty laughs nervously, clearly unsure as to whether Sakuya is joking or not.

"Um, y-you won't h-hurt someone if th-they're your f-friend though, r-right?" she asks nervously, "I m-mean, i-if it was a g-girl, a-and I were to... n-not that th-they would e-ever choose m-me over you, b-but... y-you know."

"Don't worry Betty," Robert said, clearly much more sure about what he thinks Sakuya meant, "The chances of you being the one to steal her love away are pretty much impossible anyway, for several reasons."

"R-Really?" Betty asked. Before she could get an answer, she gets her response from Claire.

"Um, j-just a sec," she says before sending a reply to Claire, "C-Can't let her think I've b-benn g-gossiping a-about her..."


Claire mulls that over. "I suppose that was a reasonable assumption. As for Becca I will... and now Betty is texting too. Did they hear something?" she frowns concerned.


I sincerely appreciate your friendship, and have no desires or resentments. Did you hear something that would lead you to assume I was in danger?


No, of course not! I know you're perfectly safe with Jill and her mom! I just feel kind of bad because you've been giving me all of these gifts and I don't know how I can do anything close to that awesome for you. You're just so kind to me and a great friend, and I want to be the same to you, even if I can't afford even a fraction of the stuff you can.

"Yeah, that is weird," Liz said, checking the rear-view mirror, "I think that's them right behind us."

She honks the horn and waves out the window. Robert waves back a second later.

"Yup, definitely them. Wonder what's going on over there."


I'm taking Heather with me.

Suki presses a series of buttons on her cars display, and a second later the phone starts ringing.

Hey, Heather. We're on our way to get you. You ready to go?

"Her?" Val asked, cocking her head, "Since when did you two become an item? And how come I'm only just now finding out about this?"

"'Cause we've been keeping it low-key!" Heather replied over the speakerphone, "Suki's kind of worried about the paparazzi and stuff, so we've been going incognito so far. And hell yeah I'm ready! How soon are you going to be here?"

[DoctorFaust]

"Meh. It's Claire. She's weird, and does weird stuff," Molly says with a shrug. "But is that really the kind of stuff that she's been giving you? I've been refusing all of the stuff she tries to push on me."

[Lentrax]

"Her?" Val asked, cocking her head, "Since when did you two become an item? And how come I'm only just now finding out about this?"

"'Cause we've been keeping it low-key!" Heather replied over the speakerphone, "Suki's kind of worried about the paparazzi and stuff, so we've been going incognito so far. And hell yeah I'm ready! How soon are you going to be here?"

Just a couple minutes.

[The TechnoGnome]

"Meh. It's Claire. She's weird, and does weird stuff," Molly says with a shrug. "But is that really the kind of stuff that she's been giving you? I've been refusing all of the stuff she tries to push on me."

"I t-tried to a-at first, wh-when I r-realized how e-expensive a l-lot of the st-stuff she was g-giving me was," Betty said, "L-Like,it's n-not like I could give h-her anything even r-remotely close to anything she's g-giving me in v-value. B-But sh-she looked so s-sad whenever I st-started to object, a-and... w-well, I d-didn't want to m-make her cry."

"I d-do like most of th-them, though," she said with a small smile, "I m-mean, most of the c-clothes and j-jewelry are way m-more fancy than a-anything I w-would wear, b-but she gets a h-hold of some r-really amazing t-technology. A-And ever since she g-got him th-that new cat food, Vinny only c-claws at her if she tries t-touching him instead of when she l-looks at him!"

"Damn, she hasn't gotten me any fancy clothes or VR headsets," Robert says with a frown, "The closest I got were gold cuff-links with my initials engraved on them. I'm not even sure if I have a suit they won't look tacky on!"


Just a couple minutes.

"Sweet! I'll wait outside!" Heather said.

As you pull up to Heather's house, you see her standing outside in sunglasses and a giant floppy sunhat. She climbs in with a smile.

"Hey, what's up? Is it just you and Val in here, or are we making another stop?"

[Esprit15]

Sakuya smiles as Robert chimes in. At least he was aware of it, now. "Don't worry, Betty. I'm straight, so the risk of you taking them is quite low."

[Q'telun]

"Thank goodness," she said, picking up the ball, "So, um, are you here by yourself?"

"Nope, just waiting for some friends to show up!"

[The TechnoGnome]

Sakuya smiles as Robert chimes in. At least he was aware of it, now. "Don't worry, Betty. I'm straight, so the risk of you taking them is quite low."

"O-Oh," Betty muttered, "Y-Yeah, I guess w-we wouldn't r-really be into the s-same p-people then..."

A thought strikes her, "B-But Rebecca is bi. A-And Molly a-and Lily are st-straight. A-And I'm not s-sure what S-Suki's orientation is, b-but sh-she talks a-about Robert a l-lot, so sh-she probably likes boys t-too! A-And Robert might f-find out he's not straight too! Th-They might end up g-going after the same g-guy too! You a-aren't going to h-hurt them, right?"

"Betty, she's not going to hurt one of us," Robert said in an attempt to comfort her, "She's out friend. If she was going to do something like that, it would have happened by now."

He then frowned, "Also, why do people keep saying I'm not straight? Seriously, I don't know what keeps giving them that idea..."


"Nope, just waiting for some friends to show up!"

"Oh, cool!" she said, "You think they'll be here soon? Because if they're gonna be a while, you can come hang out with us until they get here. If you want to, of course."

[Anubis Dread]

Claire's eyes soften. It seemed the presents were working to ensure loyalty. They seemed to be having the unintended side effect of causing anxiety however. She would stop, but not only was it working but Betty at least seemed to love her presents.


I am healthy. Thank you for your concern.



You do not have to give me gifts to be my friend. Simply staying with me is more than ample repayment for any amount og gifts.

[Amaril]

"Maybe they're worried about why you might have suddenly started showering us all with stupidly expensive gifts?" Jill says pointedly, unaware of the texts proving her right. Jill might not be one to complain about free stuff, but the amount of money Claire's been throwing around lately has even her concerned--she might be rich, but there's no way she can be that rich, and given the timing right after the ModelLand incident, the fact that she feels like she needs to give so much away is worrying all on its own. For a moment, Jill considers broaching the topic she's been meaning to talk to Claire about for nearly a week, but with her mom listening and the group on their way to what's supposed to be a fun trip, it doesn't seem like the time.

[Q'telun]

Lily shrugs. "No idea when they're gonna get here. So yeah, I'd love to join you!" She hauls herself up and starts walking with the girl. "Lily, by the way."

[Anubis Dread]

"Maybe they're worried about why you might have suddenly started showering us all with stupidly expensive gifts?" Jill says pointedly, unaware of the texts proving her right. Jill might not be one to complain about free stuff, but the amount of money Claire's been throwing around lately has even her concerned--she might be rich, but there's no way she can be that rich, and given the timing right after the ModelLand incident, the fact that she feels like she needs to give so much away is worrying all on its own. For a moment, Jill considers broaching the topic she's been meaning to talk to Claire about for nearly a week, but with her mom listening and the group on their way to what's supposed to be a fun trip, it doesn't seem like the time.

"Yes they are. Though the fact they care about me enough to worry is a good thing," Claire admits with a frown. "Though there seems to be a specific worry they do not want to voice rather than a general worry for my well care..."

[Illven]

So Claire is saying she's okay..... Do we believe her? Becca asks the people in the car.

[Lentrax]

"Sweet! I'll wait outside!" Heather said.

As you pull up to Heather's house, you see her standing outside in sunglasses and a giant floppy sunhat. She climbs in with a smile.

"Hey, what's up? Is it just you and Val in here, or are we making another stop?"

My next stop is the beach. If you want out early, speak now, or forever hold your piece.

[The TechnoGnome]

"Maybe they're worried about why you might have suddenly started showering us all with stupidly expensive gifts?" Jill says pointedly, unaware of the texts proving her right. Jill might not be one to complain about free stuff, but the amount of money Claire's been throwing around lately has even her concerned--she might be rich, but there's no way she can be that rich, and given the timing right after the ModelLand incident, the fact that she feels like she needs to give so much away is worrying all on its own. For a moment, Jill considers broaching the topic she's been meaning to talk to Claire about for nearly a week, but with her mom listening and the group on their way to what's supposed to be a fun trip, it doesn't seem like the time.


"Yes they are. Though the fact they care about me enough to worry is a good thing," Claire admits with a frown. "Though there seems to be a specific worry they do not want to voice rather than a general worry for my well care..."

"Oh? What makes you say that?" Liz asks, "Any idea what it might be?"


So Claire is saying she's okay..... Do we believe her? Becca asks the people in the car.

"I don't kn-know..." Betty admits, "Sh-she t-told me that just m-me spending time with her i-is more than e-enough to r-repay her for all of the g-gifts. I w-want to believe sh-she's just being n-nice, but e-even if time with me w-was worth $1000 an hour, I d-don't think I'd even come c-close to r-repaying her, especially i-if she k-keeps this up. P-Plus, I'm r-really easy to t-trick..."

She frowned at that last bit, then sent another text to Claire.

Do you really think that? That's so sweet of you to say! I think spending time with you is worth a lot too! :smallsmile:

I'm glad you could come today. What are you excited to do once we get to the beach?


Lily shrugs. "No idea when they're gonna get here. So yeah, I'd love to join you!" She hauls herself up and starts walking with the girl. "Lily, by the way."

"Linda," she said, shaking Lily's hand, "Nice to meet you! Come on, I'll introduce you to the others!"

You walk over to the rest of the group, which consist of three guys and another brunette girl. Linda pointed to each in turn, "Okay, that's Tim, Barbie, Chad, and Ken. Guys, this is Lily. She's gonna be our sixth."


My next stop is the beach. If you want out early, speak now, or forever hold your piece.

"You kidding? I've been waiting for this all week!" Heather said with a grin.

"Yeah, let's hit the road!" Valerie cheered. After a few minutes of driving, Valerie asked, "So Suki, do you have beach days in Japan?"

"Val, Japan is an island chain," Heather points out, "Of course they have beach days. The real question is has Suki ever had one before. And if so, what it's like over there."

"Oh..." Val muttered in embarrassment.

[Illven]

You're not easy to trick Betty, okay. You need to stop blaming yourself for Stacy. Becca replied hugging her.

[Esprit15]

"Your stance and the fact that you don't act like all the blood has left your brain at all times, dear," Sakuya says to Robert. "And yeah, don't worry about Stacy. I suspect she knows better than to mess with any of us now."

[The TechnoGnome]

You're not easy to trick Betty, okay. You need to stop blaming yourself for Stacy. Becca replied hugging her.

"I kn-know, a-and I'm t-trying not to," Betty said with a frown, "B-But it's j-just so hard to do th-that, e-especially when sh-she could g-get me to b-believe anything sh-she said. A-And it's not j-just her who can t-trick me either."

She sighed, "L-Lily flirted with me a l-little at M-ModelLand. A-And I d-didn't even recognize her, just b-because she h-had new clothes and a w-wig. She d-didn't even change her voice o-or anything, j-just h-her hair color and I th-thought she w-was a d-different person b-because she s-said she w-was, a-and I b-believed her. I sh-should have kn-known wh-when she was t-talking to me, b-but I d-didn't. I j-just thought sh-she was a m-model wh-who liked me."


"Your stance and the fact that you don't act like all the blood has left your brain at all times, dear," Sakuya says to Robert. "And yeah, don't worry about Stacy. I suspect she knows better than to mess with any of us now."

"Wait, is there really a 'gay stance'?" Robert asked, "How is that even a thing, let alone a noticeable one?"

Betty didn't really say anything to Sakuya's response at first, but eventually she mumbled, "P-Promise you guys won't g-get mad at m-me?" with a rather guilty look on her face.

[Esprit15]

She shrugs. "I'm just saying what other guys said. Personally, straight or bi, you're cute enough for me," Sakuya says with a teasing smile. "Why would we be mad with you?"

[Illven]

"I kn-know, a-and I'm t-trying not to," Betty said with a frown, "B-But it's j-just so hard to do th-that, e-especially when sh-she could g-get me to b-believe anything sh-she said. A-And it's not j-just her who can t-trick me either."

She sighed, "L-Lily flirted with me a l-little at M-ModelLand. A-And I d-didn't even recognize her, just b-because she h-had new clothes and a w-wig. She d-didn't even change her voice o-or anything, j-just h-her hair color and I th-thought she w-was a d-different person b-because she s-said she w-was, a-and I b-believed her. I sh-should have kn-known wh-when she was t-talking to me, b-but I d-didn't. I j-just thought sh-she was a m-model wh-who liked me."

Abusers are good at lying, sweetie. Becca replied.

[The TechnoGnome]

Abusers are good at lying, sweetie. Becca replied.

"B-But Lily isn't an a-abuser!" Betty said, "Sh-She's my f-friend, and a g-good person, a-and is trying to m-make me h-healthier! Sh-She just teased me s-some, a-and I fell f-for it! I'm s-sorry, I sh-shouldn't have m-made a b-big deal about it, it was just a joke..."


She shrugs. "I'm just saying what other guys said. Personally, straight or bi, you're cute enough for me," Sakuya says with a teasing smile. "Why would we be mad with you?"

"Aww, thanks!" Robert said, "Still, people have been saying that kind of thing about me all year. Might need to look into either changing my stance or doing some serious self-reflection. After all, while I know I'm not gay, it's not like I exactly know whether I'm bi or not."

Betty actually looked too scared of Sakuya to say anything else at the moment, other than a very quiet stuttering of, "I... I..."

[Esprit15]

"Don't worry, Betty. We're all friends, here. How bad could it be?"

[The TechnoGnome]

"Don't worry, Betty. We're all friends, here. How bad could it be?"

"W-Well, I... Um, th-that is to s-say, um... wh-when St-Stacy w-was in th-the hospital a-after you... y-you know... I s-sorta... I, um, k-kinda sent her a g-get well card."

She closed her eyes and winced in her seat, obviously expecting some sort of retaliation.

[Illven]

"W-Well, I... Um, th-that is to s-say, um... wh-when St-Stacy w-was in th-the hospital a-after you... y-you know... I s-sorta... I, um, k-kinda sent her a g-get well card."

She closed her eyes and winced in her seat, obviously expecting some sort of retaliation.

Um... Well that probably wasn't the best idea ever. But... We're not going to yell or hit you. Becca replied.

[Esprit15]

"Yeah, there's nothing wrong with that. I mean, I wouldn't have, but the fact that you did shows that you have moved on from things. It's healthy and a sign of maturity."

[The TechnoGnome]

Um... Well that probably wasn't the best idea ever. But... We're not going to yell or hit you. Becca replied.

"I'm sorry!" she said, "I kn-knew it was a b-bad idea, but she s-sounded so a-alone in th-the voicemails she l-left me, a-and I know her r-relationship isn't the b-best with h-her parents, s-so I f-figured m-maybe she n-needed someone to sh-show that they c-cared that sh-she was hurt, y-you know? I w-won't do it again, I'm s-sorry!"


"Yeah, there's nothing wrong with that. I mean, I wouldn't have, but the fact that you did shows that you have moved on from things. It's healthy and a sign of maturity."

"R-Really?" she said, "I, um... I didn't r-really think about it like th-that, but... maybe. I don't really feel mature for doing it though."

After a moment, she adds, "Th-Thank you for n-not getting mad, you guys..."

[Lentrax]

"You kidding? I've been waiting for this all week!" Heather said with a grin.

"Yeah, let's hit the road!" Valerie cheered. After a few minutes of driving, Valerie asked, "So Suki, do you have beach days in Japan?"

"Val, Japan is an island chain," Heather points out, "Of course they have beach days. The real question is has Suki ever had one before. And if so, what it's like over there."

"Oh..." Val muttered in embarrassment.

Yup. After a month of school, we get a couple of weeks off for Summer break. Me and my friends would hit the beach a couple times, but a lot of the break was spent usually doing some project or another.

[Illven]

"I'm sorry!" she said, "I kn-knew it was a b-bad idea, but she s-sounded so a-alone in th-the voicemails she l-left me, a-and I know her r-relationship isn't the b-best with h-her parents, s-so I f-figured m-maybe she n-needed someone to sh-show that they c-cared that sh-she was hurt, y-you know? I w-won't do it again, I'm s-sorry!"

I'm sure she's had guests, okay. Betty. It's fine. Becca replied.