Late in the morning after the funeral you escorted Welles to, you and Leigh are hanging around you and Leigh's room at the inn. Calof's off talking to Eyven about being paid for services provided, Jolie tagged along, and Ansi is still off...

Scratch that, Ansi just came back! So much for spending time alone with Leigh.

"Where have you been?" Leigh asks him.

Ansi retorts, "why do you care?"

"Well... I don't, but-"

"Exactly."

>A. He has a point. What's his personal time matter?
>B. Insist on knowing. He's your comrade!
>C. Insist on knowing. It's suspicious!
>D. Be silent
>E. Write-in

>>43546971
>B. Insist on knowing. He's your comrade!
If you were ever late and in a dangerous situation we wouldn't even know where to check for you

>>43546971
>B. Insist on knowing. He's your comrade!

>>43547063
>>43547155
"Look, Ansi, you're a pretty important member of the group. If you up and die alone somewhere... Look, just let us know where you are. Don't need to like you to cover you."

Leigh nods. Couldn't have said it better herself.

"Ugh, fine. I ran into an old partner from when I was a bounty hunter. We lost track of time. That's all."

You can tell he's being evasive still, but that's... Probably all you can get out of him.

"Well, we had a perfectly fun time without you," Leigh says.

"Cool. Don't care."

Knowing you ought to interrupt the fight, you suggest you get to checking out now, meeting up with Calof and probably Eyven.

When you approach Gravern Keep, true to form, Eyven and Calof are speaking there. Yvette is standing in the general vicinity with Jolie.

"And, uh, remind that Yancy girl that that... Thing is coming up soon."

Calof nods, looking into a bag filled with what you assume is gold. You figure you'll learn what that "thing" is in due time.

With some words of farewell that you don't hear, Eyven and Yvette head off.

"Come, Jolie!"

"Okay, sorry!" Jolie nods, telling Calof, "uh... See you? I mean, we'll probably pass through Elza Oasis on the way back home..." She sees you, Leigh, and Ansi and waves. Ansi's eyes widen slightly, and he exhales a bit heavily.

>A. Mention this (ribbing)
>B. Mention this ("you okay?")
>C. Write-in dialogue
>D. Say nothing

>>43547473
>B. Mention this ("you okay?")

>>43547473
>A. Mention this (ribbing)

>>43547473
>B. Mention this ("you okay?")

>>43547560
>>43547531
>>43547662
With a grin and a slight chuckle, you ask, "alright there, buddy?" You are prepared for a genuine "no," but also a bit amused until that answer comes.

After Jolie leaves at Yvette's call, he looks at you and Leigh, asking with unexpected emotion, "who was that?"

"That's, uh... Jolie. She was hanging out with us the entire time you were gone."

"Wh-what? Then I've made a horrible mistake, wasting time with burnt bridges! A missed connection like this... A connection that was made in heaven, surely..."

"You... Just saw her for the first time now."

"So? The heart can know these things straight away, Leigh!"

"Alright, okay..." Leigh nods nervously. "Never seen you this excited..." You nod, sharing the sentiment.

"Look, she mentioned passing through Elza at a later date, and she's friends with you guys now, right? Introduce us when that happens, would you?"

>A. Sure thing
>B. No can do
>C. Write-in
>D. Respond with silence

>>43547762
>A. Sure thing

>>43547762
>A. Sure thing
Who knew Ansi was the romantic type.

>>43547847
Really weird, ain't it?

>>43547789
>>43547847
"Sure, yeah," you say.

At the exact same time, Leigh says, "we'd be happy to."

Ansi nods and grins. "Yes, yes... I'll remember this."

After dues to Marrius' Group, splitting up the pay among the four of you, and assorted expenses, you get... 1200 gold, considering the high-profile nature of your client. After what you still have saved from your half of the White Gem money, you have... 7200.

The trip home is certainly louder, with Ansi thinking about Jolie much of the time putting him in a more... Energetic mood, for better or worse. He's still sort of an asshole, but not moody and antisocial like before.

>A. Show conversation(s) with someone (specify who, topic optional)
>B. Skip to Elza Oasis

>>43548020
>A. Show conversation(s) with someone (specify who, topic optional)
Ask Calof if Ansi ever fell for a girl like this before?

>>43548106
Sounds fine

>>43548106
>>43548141
At one point, you speak to Calof.

"Ah, Lloyd, need anything?"

You ask if this has ever happened before. Ansi being like this, you mean.

"Not to my knowledge... I always figured he had a passionate side in him somewhere, though, and of course he can be odd. I suppose it was just... Waiting for something? I don't know, I don't particularly believe in fate or 'true love' or the like, so... I'm steering clear and wishing them all well."

"Yeah, that's fair."

"I dunno, though, I just... Don't know him that well in general. Keeps to himself a lot, I don't really need to tell you that."

You nod. "Did you even know he used to be a bounty hunter?"

"I... Did not, until you just told me. Like I said, private fellow."

>A. Show another conversation (specify, again)
>B. Arrive at Elza Oasis

>>43548267
>B. Arrive at Elza Oasis

>>43548267
>B. Arrive at Elza Oasis

File: Anna-FE3.gif (993 B, 48x64)

993 B GIF

>>43548310
>>43548375
Yeah, nothing particularly noteworthy happens. You get to Elza Oasis, return to the headquarters of your group, and the company itself's cut of the pay is taken. Marrius and Irene congratulate you two on a job well done, you and Leigh celebrate your first mission's completion over one of the silver wyvern eggs (the things are delicious, massive, and filling, as mentioned earlier).

You also can't help but notice your weapons have begun to wear down (they've been your only weapons for... Most of your time as bandits, too), both setting off on your own to replace them.

Your journey finds you in the shop of an Anna with a kind smile.

"Good evening, sir. I see you're a Dark Mage. Let me just see what we have in store that you might be interested in..."

Your worn-out Flux tome (how do spellbooks wear out?) is sold off for about 300 gold, bringing your total personal funds up to 7,500.

A few things catch your eye, but SHOULD you grab all of them?

>A. A shiny new Flux tome (Plain and reliable Dark Magic) 900 Gold
>B. Nosferatu tome (Stronger Dark Magic, drains life) 2,500 Gold
>C. Mire tome (Long-range Dark Magic, not functional at close range) 2,800 Gold
>D. Vulnerary (basic healing item) 3 for 300 Gold

>>43548674
Also, you are allowed to get more than one of something, just specify if trying to do so. I'd just suggest not spending everything you've got, as simple wisdom.

>>43548674
>A. A shiny new Flux tome (Plain and reliable Dark Magic) 900 Gold
>B. Nosferatu tome (Stronger Dark Magic, drains life) 2,500 Gold
>D. Vulnerary (basic healing item) 3 for 300 Gold

>>43548674
i'm tempted to grab them all because I'm the kind of person who overprepares but I'm putting my vote in for the Nosferatu, Mire, and vulneraries for now.

File: Anna-FE4.gif (1 KB, 48x64)

1 KB GIF

>>43548700
>>43548746
It hurts to make such a dent in your gold, but you feel like you'll regret not getting a decent weapon, some healing items... And the basics, of course. Can't do without Flux to default to.

You're good at conserving your weapons, so you probably won't need to do too much shopping, so you employ some of Yancy's tactics from when she haggled a great price for your White Gem. Anna is... Unnervingly noncompetitive about getting haggled down, only really breaking out her skills early on when you're naming prices even you think are absurdly unfair.

Still hurts to be down to 3800 gold in a single shop.

Someone behind you in the shop speaks up, "yes, the pay is why my brother ended his mercenary career."

You turn around and observe the person speaking to you. He appears to be a middle-aged formally-dressed, middle-aged man with graying brown-red hair, glasses, and most strikingly, a seemingly ethereal purple... Entire left arm.

"Oh, this? Yes, lost the real thing twenty-five years ago in the war. I managed for awhile, but I came to miss it." He looks at the shopkeeper. "Anna, have you found it yet?"

She nods, producing a very menacing-looking Dark tome. "Right as you requested, Mage General!"

"Wait... You're Mage General Yancy?" This is certainly one hell of a coincidence.

He nods. "I think I've... Seen you going into and out of Marrius' Group's headquarters? Yes, a couple weeks ago, I believe." He grins. "They've finally found a dark mage, then..."

>A. What brings him here
>B. lmao your niece is a swear
>C. Silence
>D. Write-in response

>>43549094
>A. What brings him here

>>43549094
>A. What brings him here

>>43549179
>>43549211
"So... What brings you here, Mage General?"

"Well, I live in Elza Oasis. I'm told I'm a bit important." You open your mouth to retort, but he just continues, "I know, that's... Not what you meant. I collect rare and powerful dark tomes, so I've asked Anna here to use her... Network, to help me find a particular one. Without getting into details, this one is called Glower."

You... Think you've read about that. Completely pierces a person's magical resistance. You relay this information, and Mage General Yancy is impressed.

"I take it my niece hasn't mentioned that I'm looking for spirit charmers like I asked her to."

"I... overheard her talking about it with Yulea back shortly after we first met. She... Did say she wouldn't look for anyone."

"Well, you seem..." He shakes his head. "No, not yet. A spirit charmer needs to either be very young and inexperienced, be a very powerful spellcaster, or have an exceptionally strong will... Keep in touch, alright?"

>A. Alright?
>B. No!
>C. the hell is a spirit charmer anyway
>D. Write-in
>E. Silence

>>43549378
>C. the hell is a spirit charmer anyway

>>43549378
>>C. the hell is a spirit charmer anyway

>>43549476
>>43549488
"Well, it's an... Art, of sorts, that was thought lost until... I asked a few questions to an acquaintance of a friend of a friend, many years ago. Asra, her name was. Without getting into too much detail, she had... Ended up having the spirit of a warrior invited into her body, struggling to keep control over it."

"Uh... huh. I... sort of get where this is going, but still. What's this have to do with what you said?"

"Basically, the person who did that to her... Normally, the method he'd used requires the spirit enter into someone who has died, and that's that, but... She revealed to me during our interview that... A mark appeared on her body, an insignia, and looking at old texts... It's the same sort of thing as a practice that was thought to be lost when the Gerxel Empire seized control of much of the continent. Except, those cases always involved a mage, or a mage-in-training, with a magically-oriented spirit they form a pact with. So, my mentor, when she stopped being Mage General, she was as interested in this as I was, and she and her daughter did a lot of traveling, exploring... And from there, they discovered the sole remaining copy of an old text detailing how it's done... Which we just recently finished translating from a dead language."

"Okay, but... You still haven't fully described it."

"Right, right... Basically, either a very powerful or very inexperienced mage has a spirit form a pact with, enter the body of someone... It can be straining on the soul, potentially, but one's Magical Essence amplifies if they can survive the process. Poor Asra got the short end of the stick, having a spirit known as a Deadlord forced onto her soul, and one whose skills were purely physical, but... You know."

>A. You get him
>B. What
>C. Write-in

And...

>D. Seems worth keeping in mind
>E. Seems like a terrible idea
>F. You have no idea what to think

>>43549795
>You get him
>D. Seems worth keeping in mind

>>43549795
>A. You get him
>F. You have no idea what to think
Inviting a spirit into our body sounds terrible but if we're strong enough down the line it's worth considering? So mostly no, but not completely.

>>43549841
>>43549907
"Yes, I understand all that magical terminology. That being said... I'll keep it in mind. Not sure what my stance on things are, but... I'll keep it in mind, provided there's a point in the future where it won't end horribly."

Mage General Yancy nods. "It's an understandable reaction. Also, er... Where are you from, originally? Pardon my asking."

"Tordo. A region of it directly North of Heim."

"Ah, and that's... Where she was last spotted. Asra, I mean. Maybe you've run into her. Quiet, matter-of-fact, helpful, probably a bit reclusive, quick with a blade... You probably wouldn't have seen her mark, though."

You indulge in small talk with the most powerful man in Heim for awhile longer before Anna very politely asks that you not distract her other customers.

>A. Head back to Marrius' Group Headquarters
>B. See how Leigh's shopping is going
>C. Write-in

>>43550106
>B. See how Leigh's shopping is going

>>43550106
>B. See how Leigh's shopping is going

File: Prayer_Sword_(Artwork).png (166 KB, 402x984)

166 KB PNG

>>43550126
>>43550136
You find the vendor that Leigh is speaking to, a tall young man with neatly-combed hair and clad in purple, and his orange-headed companion, notably wearing similar clothing in green, albeit with a nice feathery hat.

"Ah, so Welles mentioned me? I am... Touched, to hear that. Speaking so fondly of my parents wares, too."

"And it's gotten us a sale!" The redhead, Kneil you assume, says with a singsongy tone, "the Miracle Sword... Truly a fitting name, for the powers with which it's been enchanted."

"Yeah," Leigh explains, "I don't have time to die in battle!"

You would later learn that the specific nature of the sword is that it's been enchanted, allowing its wielder to survive a fatal blow and keep fighting... Though it does require a recharge time, of sorts, since miracles aren't perfect.

She also picked up a pack of Pure Waters, allowing her to temporarily increase resistance to magic.

"So," she asks after later explaining the sword to you, "what do you think of this thing?"

>A. Pretty cool
>B. Kinda gimmicky
>C. Imply she's gonna get herself killed relying on it
>D. Write-in
>E. No comment

>>43550508
>A. Pretty cool
>C. Imply she's gonna get herself killed relying on it

>>43550508
>C. Imply she's gonna get herself killed relying on it
>how do you it works? You really can't unless you die. And by then you can't very well ask for a refund.

>>43550560
>>43550821
"Yeah, it's definitely a useful enchantment, and the blade itself seems powerful..."

"Great find, I know." She smiles.

"...but don't let the Miracle enchantment get to your head. Any number of things could happen, and then you can't exactly get any refund that matters."

"Yeah? Like what?" She sounds like she's expecting this discussion to go poorly.

"Like... You survive a fatal stabbing, then get stabbed again because you didn't run away."

"Or I can save someone from certain death in a situation that won't sacrifice my life! "

"Or you'll try to fight the opponent in question immediately afterwards, and then..."

"Would you quit trying to undermine me?"

"Undermine you? Leigh, I'm just trying to say that-"

"Yes, I know, you're trying to tell me that heroism is dead and I should just... Start looking at the real world! That my worldview is naive and terrible!"

"Leigh, that's not what I was say-"

"That's what you were thinking, though."

>A. It wasn't!
>B. okay fine it was
>C. Apologize (falsely)
>D. Apologize (sincerely)
>E. Don't apologize
>F. Write-in response

>>43550840
>A. It wasn't!
I don't want you getting overconfident! I just want you to be safe!

>>43550905
Backing this

>>43550905
"Look, I just... I don't want you to get overconfident. You need to be safe from-"

"You don't want me too confident." You feel like you've made this much worse. "And how many times have I been the one to save YOUR life, Lloyd? Huh? Exactly. All you've ever done for me was... Was turn me into a bandit! Your lackey, your yes-man, your sexy bodyguard!"

"Uh, Leigh, can we not... Argue about this in front of the h-"

"Oh, now you're embarrassed to be called out like this! Don't want to be seen as wrong in front of all the coworkers who don't know the things we've done! Gods, maybe I should talk to Yone, let him know some of the finer details of our careers! That'd get him good and pissed again!"

"Leigh, please calm-"

"Don't tell me to be calm." She groans. "Just... Stop talking, for awhile. I don't think there's anything either of us can say right now, so just..."

"Later, then?"

Leigh nods. "Love you."

"Love you too."

With that, she walks inside. You take a moment to catch your breath.

Yancy (the troubadour) storms out of the headquarters around the same time, pacing and seething. Before you say anything, she explains in a word, "Yone. Yulea and Irene are giving him a very strongly-worded talking-to about his behavior."

>A. Does she want to vent
>B. Sum up your own trifle just as quickly
>C. Vent
>D. Write-in
>E. Silence

>>43551190
>B. Sum up your own trifle just as quickly
>Vent together.

>>43551190
>A. Does she want to vent
>B. Sum up your own trifle just as quickly

>>43551296
>>43551382
"Got into a bit of a fight with Leigh. Not gonna bother you with details. You feel like venting?"

"...sure, whatever. I'm all ears if you are."

For the second time in a row, you discover an entirely different side of the last person you'd expected, one of the people you'd written off as the asshole of the group.

"So she just... Assumes she'll be fine, and maybe she will be, but who wouldn't be worried when someone just... Has her life on the line all the time, wants to be a hero so bad?"

Yancy nods. "My mom grew up with a girl just like that. Apparently alienated a lot of people in her hometown, but they weren't really all that close until after the place was pretty much ruined, so she only has other survivors' words to go on there."

"Damn."

She nods. "Anniversary of that incident's coming up in... A couple weeks now. Usually we all... Go up there, survivors and their families... Good enough time, given the subject matter."

"You were going to vent?"

"Oh, right, yeah. So basically... You've seen the way that kid is. Don't need to say much more there, but... I dunno, a lot's been on my mind lately with, uh... With Yulea, but that's not important. What is important is, probably would've had a damn meltdown if she didn't step in when she did." She shakes her head and half-grins. "You gotta see her when she's mad. It's... Awe-inspiring, really. Also, uh, Tomnus and Kneil are definitely legit, so don't worry about the sword itself screwing Leigh."

"Right. All on her if she dies."

"Exactly. Reassuring, isn't it?"

>A. Totally
>B. Mention her uncle
>C. Talk about your recent job
>D. Gossip about Ansi
>E. Prod into her and Yulea's friendship
>F. Write-in
>G. Thoughtful silence

>>43551633
>E. Prod into her and Yulea's friendship
>D. Gossip about Ansi

>>43551633
>B. Mention her uncle
>E. Prod into her and Yulea's friendship

>>43551707
>>43551685
"I, uh... Ran into the mage general earlier, when I was replacing my worn-out tome. Picking up something for a personal collection."

"Oh, uh... Did he bother you much about the Spirit Charmer thing?"

"Not too much. Enough that I know what it is. Don't know if I'm interested, but apparently I'm not good enough yet anyway."

"Yeah, I... Can sort of tell what he means, just by looking at you."

"Thanks."

"I know how it sounds, alright? You know I'm right."

You nod, not really feeling like another fight when you agree anyway.

"So, uh... Ansi's smitten with some Neir soldier girl who he doesn't know at all."

"That's what he's been yelling about? Jeez, you'd think he at least knew her or something. I mean, I've known Yulea all my life!"

"Uh, yeah... How's that doing for you? Like, uh... How are you friends?"

"That's a story that literally traces back to our dads," she's quick to shift the subject from the last sentence she uttered, "THEY grew up together, completely inseparable. We're about the same age, so the same thing happened. Not much of a story to it at all, our friendship. None at all there."

>A. Alright cool
>B. Neat
>C. Prod
>D. Silence
>E. Write-in dialogue

>>43551920
>A. Alright cool

>>43551920
>B. Neat

>>43551961
>>43552077
"Alright, alright... Pretty cool that that friendship's lasted that long."

Yancy looks relieved that you have nothing more to say on the subject.

After a bit, Yulea comes out of the building with Yone in tow. She's smiling, he... isn't. "Er, Yancy... Yone has something he'd like to say!"

"I'm, uh... Yancy, I'm sorry about... Everything, basically! I've been a real pain, and unlike this guy," he points at you.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome!" Yone returns to a normal speaking voice. "Anyway, unlike him, you haven't done anything to warrant that. So, uh... I'll just leave you alone now."

Yancy glares at him as he leaves, prompting Yulea to ask, "at least don't be hostile towards him, alright? It's... A bad work environment."

Yancy nods. "I'll behave."

Yulea smiles. "Great. Also, hey, Lloyd!"

"Hey."

After that, you head inside in time for an evening meal.

Yone is silent in your shared quarters, and the next couple days pass without much happening of note.

Later, Marrius informs the company that Princess Shea of Neir has swung by with her companions and younger brother, Cargia.

Presumably, that means Jolie is around.

>A. Whatever, Leigh can handle it
>B. Find Ansi
>C. Address the princess and co.
>D. Write-in

>>43552193
>B. Find Ansi
I find his sudden and deep devotion to a girl he saw once unsettling and interesting. Let's stick with him.

>>43552302
You seek out Ansi, having promised to introduce him to the bright upstart. "Uh, hey, Ansi, the, uh, person we meant is probably-"

At the same time, Leigh approaches. "Hey, Ansi, Jolie is out-"

You both cut yourselves off and stare at each other a moment, remembering the things you have in common and smiling a bit...

The moment is promptly ruined by your long-haired coworker exclaiming, "she is? Come on, then, hurry up and take me to her!"

You both oblige him, beginning to walk towards the entrance/exit to the headquarters.

"Uh, hey, about... About the other day..." Leigh starts.

>A. Let's just move past it
>B. You're still right
>C. She was right
>D. She was right (lie)
>E. Silence
>F. Write-in

>>43552498
>A. Let's just move past it

>>43552498
>A. Let's just move past it

>>43552598
>>43552623
"Look, let's just... Let's just move past it, alright?"

She nods. "I was about to say that too."

Yvette, Shea, and Cargia are all speaking to Marrius and/or Irene, Jolie apparently having opted to stay outside and admire the scenery. She waves as you and Leigh step out. "Oh, hey, guys. It's so great to see you two again, really! And if Princess Shea has her way, we might be spending awhile together!"

Ansi approaches without a word, his unsettling, long-haired self.

"Uh... Who's your friend?" She asks, politely, neutrally.

"That's Ansi," Leigh says, "he mentioned that he really wished he could meet you."

Jolie nods, facing him. He's... Standing very close to her. "Nice to meet you, Ansi. I'm Jolie, a personal companion of princess Shea!"

Ansi just... Continues to stand extremely close to Jolie. He doesn't do anything, he just... Keeps not understanding personal space.

You and Leigh share a look.

Finally, he speaks, "Jolie, you are... Already, you're everything I could have imagined! Steadfast, determined, noble..."

"Why... Thank you!" Jolie keeps smiling.

Leigh whispers to you, "this might have been a bad idea in hindsight."

>A. Maybe
>B. She's being too pessimistic
>C. No this is hilarious
>D. Write-in
>E. Silence

>>43552888
>A. Maybe

>>43552888
>C. No this is hilarious
>but yeah this was a bad idea

File: DracozombieGBAIcon.gif (2 KB, 78x68)

2 KB GIF

>>43552937
>>43553028
"Er... Yeah, probably." You can't hold back your chuckles, though. This is too funny to you.

"Lloyd!" Leigh whisper-chastises, "it's not funny!"

"Th-that's subjective..." You feel like you're back in the doghouse for a bit longer than you might have been over this.

In the middle of Ansi ranting about how he'll become a better man for her, the three of you ditch him, and though he does come in shortly afterwards, Yvette, having just walked out of the meeting room, gives him a very sharp glare. shutting him the hell up for the moment.

"So," Marrius explains to the group later, "we have... Two jobs, though they're effectively two sides of the same coin."

Irene continues the explanation. "See, there's this... Annual meetup among the friends, family, and survivors of the the raid on Orsin Village, a place in Tarvos Valley. However, as all of our clients have pointed out... Apparently, Tarvos Valley is, in its rarer undead attacks, the single most common place for Dracozombies to appear. Princess Shea and Prince Cargia both wish to lend their aid to the place... And we have also received a similar request from a man in the nearby Dagda Village, apparently a survivor himself named Jay. He also wrote that 'if you have anyone who can summon monsters, they would be ideal to distract and challenge such powerful undead,' so... Ansi, you're definitely in."

Marrius continues. "I want all of you to be absolutely careful, giving 110% for your own sakes. Dracozombies are very powerful, the region is a bit of a hotbed in recent years as it is, and helpless citizens will be all around."

You, Leigh, Marrius, Yancy, Yulea, Ansi, Lyeim, and Gonzo will all be going.

You have no idea who that last guy is, but note the rather unfortunate-sounding name, given the nature of your job that you were warned about.

>A. Spend time with someone (specify who, topic preferred)
>B. Skip to traveling

>>43553270
>B. Skip to traveling

>>43553348
You depart soon, naturally.

You also learn that there will be two knights there, a survivor of the Orsin incident named Reese and his son Jorden, both dear friends of Jay's, but for the most part, everyone's hands are too tied for in-house help.

"Specifically requested... Well, not specifically, but regardless! This is a sign, that perhaps I am destined for more important things! My life is turning around so fast!" Ansi excitedly exclaims to a really nondescript guy you feel like you've seen around (is... Is that Gonzo?). He's awfully fond of his green helmet and armor, but from what you can tell, he is... A rather dark-skinned fellow with no real defining facial or physical features.

"Gah, Gonzo, it's like you don't even care! You've been here the whole time and you don't even care! I see you with that painting of your family in our quarters, and you don't have anything to say about my love life?"

>A. Ignore them
>B. Encourage Ansi to better himself
>C. Encourage Ansi to shut the fuck up
>D. Leave their presence
>E. Discourage Ansi's prospective advances
>F. Write-in

>>43553535
>E. Discourage Ansi's prospective advances

>>43553621
"Er... Hey, Ansi."

"Hmm?" He grins. "Ah, Lloyd! How're you?"

Gonzo takes the opportunity to walk the hell away.

You respond, "well, it's just... You see, I don't think you're really... I may have been wrong about introducing you and Jolie."

"What? You're trying to discourage me from winning her over? You have a girlfriend already, you philandering shit!"

He's scaring you now. Instinctively, you backpedal. "Uh, well, no... What I meant to say was... You're coming on a bit too strongly. Screaming about a girl you barely know, it's..." Again, he has a look. "No, no, not like that, not like that... I just mean that... Maybe she doesn't believe in love at first sight? You need to prove that, uh, that you're, uh... Her one true love?"

He steps back a bit. "I... Guess you have a point. It takes more than repeating your point again and again to convince someone so smart and determined." With that, he returns to your personal space. "Tell me," he pats your back in a friendly way, "how did you and Leigh become a couple? What did you see in each other? Give me insight, if you're so supportive!"

>A. You don't remember
>B. We were our only options
>C. You're not helping him!
>D. Sincere write-in explanation
>E. Bullshit a write-in explanation

>>43553765
Er... Time renewed.

>>43553765
>A. You don't remember
Would try a write in response but my internet is being shit right now

>>43553765
>We grew up in the same town, wound up falling for each other as we became adults. I like...everything about her really, as much as some parts drive me up a wall on occasion: her smile, her confident, sometimes headstrong attitude, the air she carries herself with, her heartfelt desire to help others...

May be awful, might contradict something already present in the story, too tired and rushed to really make it better or double-check, still can't in good faith vote for a default option regardless. Feel free to throw more things into that list, those were just the first four that came to mind.

>>43554285
Guh, sorry. I literally just finished up the thread-closing... Thing, was in the middle of writing the "thanks for playing" stuff, right as I updated the thread and saw that.

>>43554181
"I, uh..." Your eyes widen in realization. "I don't know why we did."

"Pft. And you're trying to give me advice. Can't even remember why you and Leigh like each other so much..."

You put your hands in your head. Seriously, there's... Gotta be a reason, right? Right?

"You're kind of creeping me out, Lloyd. Look, just... I like you, Lloyd. So don't try to get between me and Jolie. Got it?"

You're left alone with your thoughts for awhile. There's... There's got to be something!

>To be continued next thread
This was probably one of the overall-better character-driven chapters in Generically's history, if I do say so myself, at least from a writing perspective. Slower towards the end than I'd have liked, but I can't expect people to keep reading late into the night. Things slowing down is pretty normal.

Thanks for playing, thanks for reading, update twitter is qmgrandflocto, so is our ask.fm, and I'll be around to chat in-thread awhile.

Again, sorry I couldn't figure out an in-character way to spin that last response in without throwing away the whole post.

>>43554391
Night. Hopefully we can resolve Lloyd's turmoil in a positive way next thread. I like the dynamic between him and Leigh as a couple.

>>43554391
Thanks for running. Lloyd's going to have to teach all the guys about picking up chicks isn't he?

>>43554437
I do too. I did deliberately make it a flawed one with plenty of hiccups and shitty arguments and nobody being wrong or right sometimes (I feel like a lot of Gen 1's relationships were too good, too easy, even if I'm happy with them), but not a horrible or abusive one by any means (having a clear-cut "wrong" person would break the point of their character arcs, I think).

Time will tell if it ends or perseveres.

>>43554494
Who knows? Even I don't know how... Anything is gonna play out, aside from the plot landmarks Grandflaw and I have in mind.

>>43554510
Well it's something I wouldn't mind seeing. It would be amusing considering how far some of these guys have to go.

Also how long did Lloyd's and Leigh's career in banditry last?

>>43554616
Some cases are complete lost causes, I will say. (Yone doesn't really have any chance with Yancy, for example, and Gonzo is a happy family man with few defining characteristics.)

A few months at the most. Long enough for them to know the drill of small-time crime, but still be far from experts.

Also, if it wasn't clear, there are more than a few cases of characters who are deconstructing the arcs of the "simpler" gen. 1 characters, but hopefully they're enjoyable-to-read on their own merits as well.

I also quite like having a built-in excuse to shuffle the active cast as we please.