>>721108
>C. Clear the field (Timeskip to noon; open up planting space and gather materials)

>>721108
C. Clear the field (Timeskip to noon; open up planting space and gather materials)

First work, then waifus

Kari is best girl, other girls are meh-ok.

>>721108
C. Clear the field (Timeskip to noon; open up planting space and gather materials)

>>721108
>C. Clear the field (Timeskip to noon; open up planting space and gather materials)

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You peer over Tara’s shoulder at the main field*and frankly think to yourself “if I’m going to get this place going I’m going to need more than a handful of potato plants.” Well, you better clear the field then!

And that’s exactly what you tell Tara you’re going to do until about noon – or until exhaustion hits you, whichever comes first.

Tara gives you a thumbs up while stifling a yawn. “Finally, you’re acting like a farmer.”

[*Field A in the Google doc]
>>>>

You spend the next half hour watering your fledgling plants and it brightens your day to see the little seed leaves poking out of the ground towards the nurturing sun. After remarking on a rather scrawny seedling you realize that you’ll be responsible for these guys for the rest of their lives. They’re like little moneymaking children! That thought sets a fire of determination in you to ensure that they live long, healthy lives. You take extra care to water the rest of your 23 plants after that.

Towards the end of your watering you hear the sound of a crow calling out in hunger and realize it’s a little too close to your plants for comfort. You grumble and prepare to throw a clod of dirt at it to scare it away but it looks to your left and then flies away with a shriek. You look over and see your scarecrow, what you call the Horrorcrow, facing the direction where the bird sat and swaying in the breeze. You grunt appreciatively and go to put the hose away when you realize that you had placed the Horrorcrow facing towards the South, not the East.

You look over and see the Horrorcrow, well, mostly facing South. It can’t be rotating on its own, can it? With the morning sun and sleep in your eyes you can’t quite tell… Then Tara stands up in your field of view and asks what you’re staring at. You simply shake your head and wave her off.

She scoffs. “You know, you’re lucky I’m too tried to give you a hard time this morning, Newbie.”

[Suggest a nickname for Tara that you can call her in return. She’s earned it.]

A. I think the Horrorcrow is alive.
B. You’re lucky I don’t feed you to the Shade that lives in the mountain.
C. Let’s try and play nice today, yeah?
D. “Just help me clear the fields.”
E. Write-ins Encouraged

>>721242
>A. I think the Horrorcrow is alive.

>>721242
>A. I think the Horrorcrow is alive.
And a total bro.

>>721242
That bird looks familiar, but I can't place what from.

>A. I think the Horrorcrow is alive.

>>721242
>A

I'm blanking on appropriately sassy nicknames at the moment.

BTW Mayor, Jamie isn't in the Google doc.

>>721242
>A. I think the Horrorcrow is alive.
Either this or someone is messing with us. Or someone. Telling her might help us find out.

>>721242
>>721257
This

Well, she keeps calling us newbie.... how about Old Maid?

>>721280
I dunno.i was thinking something more like 'farm hand'

Old maid doesn't seem to fit IMO

>>721280
>>721333
How about 'princess'? Women like her HATE to be considered frail and not fit for real labour. Which 'princess' implies.

>>721357
Thats probably better, i'm just mentally dead after shift today.

>>721357
If we frame it that she complains about alot of stuff like a princess than I guess it's OK.

Doesn't seem quite right to me, probably because of shinobi quest.

>>721411
Yeah, im not sure of it either.

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>>721242

You point at the Horrorcrow. “I’m pretty sure the scarecrow moved towards the crow and scared it away. Did you see it?”

Tara nods. “Of course I did. Yeah, that makes total sense. Why do you ask? Did it scare you?” Tara wiggles her fingers in your direction. “Ooh, I can take on the Shade but I can’t handle an old shirt stuffed over some straw! Like I said before, you’re lucky I’m so tired… You’re just making the jokes too easy, Jacky!”

“And you’re lucky,” you shout to her from across the field, “that I can’t think of an appropriately sassy nickname to call you!” She salutes you sarcastically. You curse at her under your breath.

>>>>

The two of you join up at the hose and faucet; you walk towards the toolshed and prepare to arm yourselves for clearing the field.

About halfway there on your walk Tara shoulder-bumps you and laughs a bit. That last little bit of offense may have been the final straw, because inspiration finally hits you. “Hey, Tara, I thought of something.” She reacts in mild confusion and you look at her condescendingly. “Princess. I think the perfect nickname for you is ‘Princess.’”

Tara’s face drops at that and she gives a couple snarky laughs while looking at you dangerously. “Well, I have something to tell you, too. You might actually be a good farmer someday, you know why?”

"...."

“Why?”

“Because you’re really good at digging yourself into holes! Ah, man. That was good, right?” She looks at you expectantly. “Come on, you know that was a good one.” She motions for a high-five but you refuse her to her disappointment.

>>>>

Armed with your ax, pickax and scythe the two of you march into battle against Nature itself. In the first two hours you tackle the first row while Tara tackles the second. You and Tara gather…

>140 wood, 70 sap, 30 stone, 10 fiber from the first row
>100 wood, 50 sap, 60 stone, 10 fiber from the second row

In the third and fourth hours…

>100 wood, 50 sap, 40 stone, 15 fiber from the third row
>140 wood, 70 sap 10 stone, 25 fiber from the fourth row

[Please give me 4 rolls of 1d25 to see how much stamina you burned.]

[Separately, please give me 3 rolls of 5d6 for wild seed gathering.]

Rolled 19 (1d25)

>>721415

Rolled 17 (1d25)

>>721415

Rolled 5 (1d25)

>>721415

Rolled 11 (1d25)

>>721415

Rolled 4, 1, 3, 3, 6 = 17 (5d6)

>>721415

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>>721415
[Please make that 8 rolls of 1d25. I'm stupid. You can roll two d25s at a time.

Also, the document has been updated and can be used to check my math on the foraging for materials.]

Rolled 4, 3, 6, 2, 1 = 16 (5d6)

>>721415

Rolled 1, 3, 2, 5, 4 = 15 (5d6)

>>721415

Rolled 6, 6, 1, 2, 6 = 21 (5d6)

Rolled 5, 23 = 28 (2d25)

>>721436

Rolled 3 (1d25)

>>721436
I don't know, I'd say Stamina burn should be fixed per skill usage, and reduced by level.

>>721447
[It will be reduced based on level gains in the future, and this way actually gives us something to roll for which I think is important in quests.

I intended for Jacky to start out with 4-8 hours of physical labor a day, and rolling for it allows for variation.

I'm absolutely open to ideas and discussion. What does everyone think the advantage of fixed stamina usage is? Should there be a bare minimum of stamina usage?]

>>721460
Stamina could be fixed, but then roll to see how tired/drained you feel despite how much/little you used.

I'm fine with it the way it is,

>>721464
For instance after a hard day's work on the farm, if you roll shit you feel like shit for the rest of the day or until resting, roll well and you still feel good or even energized from the workout.

Rolled 1 (1d25)

>>721436
That's a lot of rolls you're asking for.

>>721460
Its fine

>>721415

[Document updated with SP drain and your new items.]

You’ve come to an understanding over the course of this morning: clearing land sucks and it sucks hard. You and Tara, around noon, find yourselves both slumped to the ground on either side of a tree drenched in sweat. You chat and throw some idle banter back and forth but neither of you really puts their heart into it. You do, however, pull out a handkerchief from your pocket and show it questioningly to Tara. Inside the cloth is an assortment of seeds and nuts that you happened upon while clearing the area.

Tara actually compliments you on collecting all of it and awkwardly pats your wrist. You chalk it up to her being too tired to be a pain.

Tara begs you for some lunch, or at least to go grocery shopping and stock up the fridge in Roger’s – yours now, you both have to remember that – house. You do have your debit card in your wallet; if they take card in the valley you could use it for grocery shopping like you usually do. Or you could just drone some crap over via Amazon…

A. Order some groceries online with Tara. You’ll have to eat out today and tonight, though.
B. See what you can grab at Patrick’s shop, but it’ll take more of your time walking there

>12:00 PM Monday, Spring 2, Year 1
>What is next on your to-do list?

A. Deliver Tablet Piece
B. Investigate the Hidden Path to the Beach
C. Call Alice and ask her for estimates on repairing the farm’s structures
D. Go explore the mines with Jamie
E. Write-ins and Questions encouraged

>>721577
>B. See what you can grab at Patrick’s shop, but it’ll take more of your time walking there

>C. Call Alice and ask her for estimates on repairing the farm’s structures

Must conserve money

>>721577

A. Order some groceries online with Tara. You’ll have to eat out today and tonight, though.

Maybe treat her to dinner?

D. Go explore the mines with Jamie

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>>721577
[Phone dropped my picture...]

>>721577
>B. See what you can grab at Patrick’s shop, but it’ll take more of your time walking there
>C. Call Alice and ask her for estimates on repairing the farm’s structures

>>721585
[Tara does not have enough hearts with the other Anons for this to happen.]

>>721589
Fair point. Likely not my other pick either. Oh well.

>>721577
A. Order some groceries online with Tara. You’ll have to eat out today and tonight, though.
>A. Deliver Tablet Piece

Fuck, i don't remember which days exploring with Jaime were good

>>721577
> A

And then

>A

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[no reason Jacky can't meet Alice back at the farm after delivering the tablet. Does this sound good, or are we set on training in the mines?]

A. Sounds good
B. Sounds bad

I made a thing.

>>721648
>B. Sounds bad
Must find and eliminate the greater shade

>>721648
B. Sounds bad

Fuck that Shade's day all up.

>>721577
>A. Order some groceries online with Tara. You’ll have to eat out today and tonight, though.

>C. Call Alice and ask her for estimates on repairing the farm’s structures

>>721648
I'm not sure what 'sounds good' or 'sounds bad' refer to, but I vote to do the tablet thing and then call alice over

>>721659
>>721577
Actually, change Call Alice to
>A. Deliver Tablet Piece

>>721648
>B. Sounds bad

>>721648
>A. Sounds good
Honestly our first/last interaction with Jamie really put me off on her.
I really don't feel like going back just yet.

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>>721577

“Tell you what, Tara?”

“Mmh?” she calls from the other side of the tree.

“I’ll take you out to lunch and I’ll get some groceries for the house; I’ll just order them online and have them shipped here. Patrick doesn’t take card, right?”

“I…” She pauses on that for a moment. “I’m not sure. Franc and I just always used cash or check. Old fashion, I guess. He could get one, at the least, if you asked or something.”

"Thanks, by the way? You don't have to buy me lunch, you know. This first season's work is all on charity so why the sudden niceness, Newbie?"

“Charity? And I've always been nice! Whatever, I’ll think about asking Patrick to take card.” You get up, brush yourself off and then help Tara up. “For now, how about you help me order some groceries?” That perks her up a bit. “A shipment would get here by tomorrow, and I’m not much of a cook anyways. I can get the premade stuff on Amazon, you know?”

“Eh, cooking’s a valuable skill, Newbie. You should learn from someone like Daniel. And lots of folks here have great family recipes. You just have to pry them from their cold, small-town hands.”

“Huh.” You give her an appraising look as you walk. “I wouldn’t have pegged you for cooking, Princess.”

“I have to give you credit,” she sighs. “That name really does piss me off.”

>>>>

About fifteen minutes later and you’ve managed to order several months’ worth of MREs. Just kidding. You get enough decent food to last you well into the season and not go crazy over mac n’ cheese all the time. You and Tara are civil, and everything goes fine until Tara goes a little “nuts” when she realizes you can order all the ginger ale she could drink.

You get her a half liter and tell her to quit her whining. She must like ginger a lot or something.

Your severance payments allow you to cover groceries at least, so that’s nice… And, really, you realize you have a little bit extra when the final shopping cart total comes up. You decide to get yourself a little something extra to celebrate your new life…

A. Something strong to drink (with Tara?)
B. A new pan so you can do some of your own cooking.
C. A kickass hat for your Horrorcrow bro.
D. A guitar. Music eases the soul, right?
E. A body pillow for Alice. (Aw <3)
F. Write-in

>>>>

That done, you shoot Alice a text and ask if she can meet you at the farm sometime soon and assess the damage to the structures here. She affirms and writes that she is (looking forward to seeing you). You respond that you (really appreciate it).

(Swiggity swooty), she texts in a flash, (Just doing my duty).

A. Say you’re looking forward to seeing her, too
B. Laugh with Tara about that last text
C. Text her “No funny business, okay?”
D. Tell her you’re coming for that booty
E. Text the Mayor and tell him things are about to go down
F. Write-in

>>721832
>C. A kickass hat for your Horrorcrow bro
i'm wondering if its possesed by a shade.
>D. Tell her you’re coming for that booty

>>721832
>C.
>A.

>>721832
>C. A kickass hat for your Horrorcrow bro.
Almost tempted to have a custom body pillow of us made to gift her.

>A. Say you’re looking forward to seeing her, too

>>721832
>>721840
Second these suggestions

>>721832
>C. A kickass hat for your Horrorcrow bro.
Bros before hoes

>A. Say you’re looking forward to seeing her, too

>>721832
C. A kickass hat for your Horrorcrow bro.

D. Tell her you’re coming for that booty

I quite enjoy serial memeing with alice

>>721832
>C. A kickass hat for your Horrorcrow bro.
>D. A guitar. Music eases the soul, right?

A. Say you’re looking forward to seeing her, too

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>>721832

You text Alice ("I’m looking forward to seeing you, too"). But then she puzzles you by asking what time it is. You tell her it’s getting close to 1 o’clock, and ask ("why?"). She throws back that, well, you can’t see her ("‘CAUSE THE TIME IS NOW"). And then she must have typo’d a bunch of emojis because there are trumpets everywhere. Weird.

>>>>

You decide that’s enough goofing off for now; you’re wasting away with hunger, albeit silently, and Tara’s got her head slumped against the front door and is grumbling to herself about food. You pack up and the two of you head off for the Duck.

>>>>

“So what were you giggling about back there?” Tara asks after a few minutes of silence on the road. “On your phone?”

“I was laughing at what Alice wrote; I invited her over to take a look at fixing up the farm buildings like the coop and the greenhouse.” Tara says she appreciates that and hopes everything will be back to normal soon. She muses that it’ll take a lot of materials, and money, but it’s worth it.

“It’s what Roger would have wanted.” She muses, her arms out and soaking up the sun.

“Yeah,” you mutter. “I’m looking forward to everything looking like how I remember it from my childhood; you?”

“Well, yeah, of course. But right now, Newbie? I’m looking forward to a big plate of french fries. And ketchup. And a cold drink.” She looks at you sideways. “Do you drink?”

A. On occasionally.
B. Yeah, of course.
C. I served in the ‘Force. What do you think?
D. I can drink with the best of them.

“And what about that hat that you bought? I didn’t really think it was your style.” There’s a moment of quiet. “Did you order that for Alice? Pretty sure she’d wear something like that.”

A. The trilby is for m’Horrorcrow
B. The tophat is for Mr. Poshcrow.
C. It’s a beret for our friend Honorcrow
D. You don’t think Herbcrow will look good in dreads?
E. Write-in

[Ask Tara for her thoughts on something before or during lunch?]
A. No. time-skip to after lunch.
B. Kari
C. Alice
D. Jamie
E. Herself
F. Festivals

>>722076
C. I served in the ‘Force. What do you think?

D. You don’t think Herbcrow will look good in dreads?

E. Herself
F. Festivals

>>722076
>A. Only occasionally.
>C. It’s a beret for our friend Honorcrow
>F. Festivals

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>>722076
>A. On occasionally.

>The galea is for PraetorianCrow

>A. No. time-skip to after lunch.

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>>722076
>A. On occasionally.
>B. The tophat is for Mr. Poshcrow.
>F. Festivals

>>722076
>A. Only occasionally.
>B. The tophat is for Mr. Poshcrow.
>D. Jamie

>>722076
>A. Only occasionally.
>C. It’s a beret for our friend Honorcrow
>F. Festivals

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>>722076

You walk in silence for a bit long before the itch of conversation gets at you.

“Hey, so, festivals?”

Tara throws a skewed eyebrow your way. “What about them? You’re actually going to go?”

What? “Where did that come from. Of course I’m going to go - you don’t?” She says that she always does and to continue on with your questions. “Well, I just wanted to know a bit more about them. Do I need to wear something nice?”

“Heck no, just wear the crap you usually wear.” She blows that notion off entirely and you go ahead and ignore that dig at your appearance. “Except for the flower festival late this season. There’s a dance, the guys have to present the girls they want to bone with flower necklaces, Kari get’s named queen every f’ing year…”

You sense a bit of hostility, there.

“Seriously, she’s given the most flower necklaces and named queen every Goddess-damned year. I mean, it makes sense because she’s beautiful, and nice like a fairytale princess… But can’t they give someone like me a chance?”

“Anyways, the day before the festival the girls give the guys gifts. On the flower festival, the guys reciprocate if they actually like the girl. Everyone gets courtesy gifts, but you only get the flower necklace if someone really likes you.”

A. Well I think you’d have a good chance, Princess.
B. Who gives necklaces to you?
C. Where do you get the necklace?
D. Write-in

You ask about other Spring festivals.

“Well, there’s the Sky and Earth festival. I don’t think you’ll be prepared for that one - it’s right around the corner and you have to build a kite to participate in the main event. But, there is the egg hunt, sack race, and climbing the sky pole. I bet you’re good at grabbing poles, right?”

“See, Tara,” you affix her with as serious of a glare as you can muster. “That was a good joke, definitely, but that’s why nobody’s jumping to give you a flower necklace.”

She mulls that over. “I know. I’m nice where it counts, alright? That’s all that really matters in my book, dammit. I don't need to be fake and get some stupid necklace.”

Come on, that's cheap. "Are you saying Kari's fake? Is that what everyone is to you?" And that actually manages to stop her cold. Tara actually freezes up and whispers an apology. She realizes she went too far.

"... I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry."

A. That’s not what being nice is about.
B. We need to work on that.
C. Want to bet on who gets more flower necklaces? Me or you?
D. Just calm down, grumpy-britches
E. Who usually wins the Sky and Earth competitions?

>>722339
C. Where do you get the necklace?

A. That’s not what being nice is about.
B. We need to work on that.

>>722339
>C. Where do you get the necklace?
>A. That’s not what being nice is about.
>E. Who usually wins the Sky and Earth competitions?

>>722076
>A. Only occasionally.
>The galea is for PraetorianCrow
>F. Festivals

>>722512
shit, forgot to update before post

>C. Where do you get the necklace?
>A. That’s not what being nice is about.
>E. Who usually wins the Sky and Earth competitions?

>>722339
>A. Well I think you’d have a good chance, Princess. You just need to work on acting like a princess. I can help you with that.

>B. We need to work on that.

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>>722339

Tara seems to draw ire and she’s constantly pushing buttons, at least with you. Franc didn’t seem to mind it when you were with the two of them, so there's that, but... Right now, she needs to understand that you, Jacky Richmond, can "get" what she’s saying. But understanding a sentiment doesn't mean you agree with it.

“I get that you think you put the work into relationships and people, Tara. I get that, and that’s important. And I think you do put in the work.” She starts to protest but you cut her off. She needs to listen. “You’re a good person, I think. I’m pretty sure, Princess.” You push her middle finger out of the air. “Hey, hey, I was kidding. Just kidding. Hear me out: you’re a good person but you need to give everyone a break, including yourself.”

She seems surprised at that. You wait for outrage but none comes. You take that as an invitation to continue.

“Relationships aren’t work. Work is involved, yes, but it’s not like farming, or cleaning the house. If relationships feel like that then something's wrong. People need love, you know? All people, including assholes like me and judgmental women like you. They need the good stuff: laughs, kindness, a shoulder to lean on, and stupid gifts like necklaces. That stuff isn't 'important,' but it's 'important,' okay?"

You move a hand to your head and take a deep breath, because this is harder than you thought. You hope you're making sense. "I get that you’re there for the hard stuff, but why not… I don’t know, let yourself be there for the good stuff, yeah? I'm sure you've enjoyed life plenty, but Roger never would have wanted you to stop.”

Tara takes that in and you can see the thoughts register in her mind. You see her fight with them and chew them over, you even see the bit of anger on her face when you mention your grandfather. You know she wants to tell you off - you’ve figured out this quickly that that’s how she deals with things, and that’s sad. You pity her, kind of.

“‘Kay.”

“Okay? That’s it?” She nods. “Alright, well… I meant it. In a good way. You deserve to be happy, and so does everyone else. Let’s try to let things be easy, okay? I’m not here to fight with you. I appreciate your help, but you kind of… You kind of act like a bitch to me. And I just want to get along.”

She tenses her neck and rolls her hands about in silent frustration but doesn’t say anything. You appreciate the effort, even if she’s starting to look red in the face from holding in her comments.

“Changing topics, okay? Where do you get those necklaces? For the flower festival?”

“Make’em or buy’em from Patrick the day of the festival.” Ouch. Short and curt.

“Aw, come on, Princess. Don't be a grumpy britches." You rub her shoulder and she lamely shies away from you. "Let’s get some food in you, yeah? Maybe that will cheer you up.”

She grunts in response, her arms crossed like a hungry, angry child.

>Cont.

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>>722587

You reach the restaurant not a moment too soon.

Your meal is satisfying. The food’s good, the price is good, and the atmosphere is nice. You chat with Allen for a bit, meet Daniel himself, and you even talk to Patrick and Richard a bit. Seeing the two of them actually reminds you to ask Tara about the mystery seeds. She never gave you a good answer and now that she has eaten her mood seems much improved.

“Berry seeds,” she offers once you ask. “I’m pretty sure they’re a type of berry seed, which is cool."

"Cool? Why is it cool?"

"... Because those puppies keep producing after you pick them. So, yeah. Patrick didn’t swindle you. You got a good deal, I think.”

You thank her, and she says you're welcome.

"See? I can earn a necklace or too."

"Yeah," you think, "let's just start with being easier to handle."

>>>>

On the way back you and Tara talk about the Sky and Earth festival some more. She offers that Jamie has won the Sky Pole Climbing competition a lot lately, Cyndie from the marina is really good at the sack race “despite her prosthetic,” and Clyde or Courson always win the Egg Hunt.

"I can never tell which is which."

You offer that they could be working together. She realizes that you're right and slams her fists on the table while promising "to make omelets out of those two."

You ask if she has ever won any of the competitions and she says she’s usually busy setting up and helping out, then she sits aside and drinks the strawberry wine bottled the year before. That sounds almost as good as the competitions to you.

>>>>

When you arrive home it’s about half past two. You ask Tara if she wants to head to the Shrine with you and she declines. She says she thought about what you said on the trip back and had something she needed to do. You wish her well and say you’ll see you later. She wishes you goodbye without any overt insults and that’s a success in your book.

You make your way South towards the shrine…

[That’s it for tonight, everybody! I actually don’t think I’ll be writing during the day tomorrow. We could probably all use a break from the quest and I have some work I can do. I hope that everyone enjoys the faster pace the story is moving at? My plan is to keep accelerating the storyline in some areas and focus on important, larger events. Also, I’ll take a look at the stamina mechanics again and see if I can rework them to be better. I’ll post more thoughts in a separate post.]

[Thank you very much for playing and have a good night, everyone. Your participation is appreciated, although sometimes you guys are so quiet you make me nervous. I’ll try to introduce some more shitstorms in the near future /s]

>>722607
>Your participation is appreciated, although sometimes you guys are so quiet you make me nervous.

The response rate you get seems pretty high for /qst/ standards.

Anyway, have a nice day Mayor. Can't wait for more questing.

>>722607
I like the work you've done, kinda hard to complain. Thanks again for running tonight!

>>722607
Thanks for the run. Been enjoying the quest quite a lot.

Finally, we're getting away from Tara. If only for a short bit. She gets soooo much screen time.

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>>722618
[I'm too used to Pokemon Island Quest. I need to shake off the expectations that quest gave me and stop judging myself against my heroes like Gobble or Diarca.]

>>722607
[The incoming thoughts are a long tl;dr. Read at your own risk.

-I like Jacky and enjoy writing him, and I think his personality has come out a bit more but it's still very open-ended. I'm not sure if that's good or bad.
-Jamie is confused by you. She wants to like you but you hurt her, and she knows it's not your fault. It's hers. She's always too weak; she'll no longer show her weaknesses to you.
-Kari thinks you're nice but very silly. Better than Alice, but silly nonetheless.
-Tara is a mixed bag. She's enjoying your company and wants to like you but knows you hate and resent her. She resents you and envies you, but then you make her like her. You confuse her.
-The Mayor thinks you are a great addition to the town, an upstanding and fine young man, and a friend in the pursuit of peace and ero.
-Alice finds you fascinating. She just wants to take you apart and then put you back together as a body pillow that she can love and hold, because 3DPD, right? Kidding! She can't wait to see your booty again and check your dubs.
-Allen thinks you're alright. He hopes you join the guys for cards and keep frequenting the inn.
-Patrick and Richard both respect you.
-Clyde and Courson see you as a mysterious hero guy.
-Horrorcrow knows you've got his back and he has yours.

I'm okay with you guys not liking many of the characters, especially because it seems some people like characters that others don't. If there isn't a single character that you can like or root for, let me know. It means I'm not doing my job as a writer.

It's my hope that the cast can grow and come to appreciate one another more as the story goes on. I have a lot of plans for this town and its people!

-Mayor]

>>722673
I still liked Jamie, even if she was a bit foreward with her advances. Still think we left on a bad note, but it's already happened. I do want to make it right with her though.

I definitely want to push the mutual respect angle with Tara, just so we don't confuse her as much.

I just like Alice for some reason, she's neat

Horrorcrow a bro

I like the way you're doing all the characters though, for the little development some of them have had a chance to do, but i like them..

>>722673
I want to chill out and have a drink with Horrorcrow. I know he can't drink (or can he?) but it's the principle of the matter to chill with a bro.

Hope to also getting around to the remaining townsfolk so we can get their opinions on us.

>>722618
[Have a great day, anon!]

>>722654
[I enjoy the challenge she presents as a character both for me and for Jacky. That said, she will start to get less and less screentime as farming is streamlined and pushed to the sidelines/time skipped. ]

[I wonder when you guys will unlock the resort and theme park. Hint: it's a heart event.]

Have we met all the waifus already?
I kind of wanted to see more of karis maid friend that we met on the first day.

>>722996
I think there is like two we haven't met face to face yet. One being the I believe tomboy priestess? (Meh)

>>723012
I'm willing to give each waifu a chance.

Alice went a wildly different direction than I was expecting due to a few write ins blowing past the 'wierd awkward nerd that takes notes about people' thing into what we ended up with. I'm hoping I hoping to be pleasantly surprised by the remaining ones as well.

Sidenote: we gotta meet up with Ms Fontenot soonish. There's no way she wont matchmaker the shit out of our situation. It'll be hilarious.

>>722673
>-Horrorcrow knows
Daz izt spooky stuff
Maybe we could make Ms.Horrorcrow for him?

>>722673
It's not that I don't hate Tara, it's just that she has every trait I hate in a fellow human being.
...wait
...Okay, to put it another way, it's like your best friend's girlfriend that absolutely hates you. You hate her back, but for the sake of somebody else you don't lash out at them because it would be disrespectful, and you're praying that one day they show you a side of themselves that qualifies as a decent human being.

Alice is memes. I like memes.

I think we need to apologize to Jamie for being so abrupt, but I'm not sorry for voting for leaving. We told her to stop, she didn't, and we didn't fold to her. That's not our fault.

We should go play cards with Allen, I almost forgot who he was.

I don't know when Horrorcrow turned into Horrorbro, but I'm totally okay with it.

All in all, good quest, but every session seems so short.

Mayor! Can you please begin posting the link to the new thread in the previous ones? I almost missed this one.

Thank you!

[How do some updates sound today?]

>>727754
Sure. Hopefully a bit longer session, maybe?

It's up to you, obviously. I'm good with the quality so it's not a big deal.

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>>727754

The main road eventually splits off into an old path lined with the occasional paving stone and various totems or markers. They have a guiding nature to them, but the words and script etched on the old structures are indecipherable to you.

There is a noticeable dip in the elevation as you walk further and further away from your farm and town, and the air grows heavy with… something. You can feel it; a sort of presence that’s not wholly unwelcome. It reminds you of when you first stepped off the bus and felt like you were knee-deep in nature only amplified tenfold.

While you weren’t initially sure you’d recognize your destination, your fears are allayed once you reach a sizable clearing in the trees and underbrush that flank the forest path. A great ancient-look building stands before you, and various strips of cloth of all colors and sizes hang from any and all surrounding branches in the clearing. They wave in the breeze and give the place even more a sense of life or animation.

Various animals, to your surprise, lay at rest along the fringes of the clearing. Deer, raccoons, opossums, even a large brown bear. You stand at the entrance to the clearing nervously and begin to reconsider this visit when the bear sleepily rises from its resting place and begins lumbering over to you.

What did your survival training teach you to do when you encountered bears, again?

A. Throw a scrap of food to distract it.
B. Play dead!
C. Stand up big and tall with your arms outstretched!
D. Run like the wind!
E. Play some smooth jazz on your cellphone
F. Write-in

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>>727830
>Fight the bear with your bear hands.
Serious answer
>C. Stand up big and tall with your arms outstretched!

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>>727830
>C. Expose your bear hands!

You take a deep breath – hopefully not your last- and then stretch your body vertically to your greatest height. The bear stops a dozen paces (to your relief), blinks a few times, and then stands up on its hind legs in response.

“Fuck,” you mutter. “That is one tall bear.”

Indeed it is! You guess the bear to tower about seven-plus-some feet. That’s seven feet worth of “I’m going to devour your spleen alongside some fresh berries” brown bear. You question how you got into this mess and remember that you were trying to deliver some mysterious stone etching like a good citizen. You’re not even sure if you’re in the right place, you suppose, because who would let a deadly bear just live here!

You wave your arms threateningly and grunt a bit. The bear blinks a few more times and lets out a loud, dull roar of a grunt. Then it waves its arms back and forth in response. You stand there puzzled – did the bear just copy you?

You wave your arms again and the bear, once more, copies your movement. Maybe this bear is smarter than your average bear – so, feeling tricky, you decide to try something a little more difficult. You stick out a foot and wiggle it while waving your arms. The bear waves its arms once more and tries to raise its right foot but stumbles back with a surprised “Ur=urgh!?” the behemoth of a bear topples back onto its hind quarters. The weight of the impact, and the bear itself, is scarily noticeable.

The bear seems to look slightly agitated as it shakes its furry head and then climbs back onto four legs. Then, with a harsh wheeze, it stands back up on two legs and looks at you expectantly.

A. Continue playing “Simon Says”
B. Run away!
C. Try to walk up to the shrine while never turning away from the bear
D. Throw food
E. Try talking to the bear. Ask permission to enter the shrine.
F. Write-in

>>727858
A. Continue playing “Simon Says”
for a bit, then
E. Try talking to the bear. Ask permission to enter the shrine.

>>727858
>E. Try talking to the bear. Ask permission to enter the shrine.
>Realize you're asking a bear for permission to enter a building
>Scratch that, simply that you're talking to a bear
>Question everything in your life that has brought you to this moment

>>727858
>E. Try talking to the bear. Ask permission to enter the shrine.

>>727858
E. Try talking to the bear. Ask permission to enter the shrine.
'Hey man, mind if I enter the shrine? I've got something to deliver.' Then show him the tablet.

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>>727858
>>727858

>A. Unbearable Simon Says!
>B. Talk to the Bear!

This is interesting, to say the least. You’re glad that you’re not dead, yet. You haven’t even walked in on all the girls in town undressing, yet! So, the question is: How do you get past this bear?

It growls at you in frustration and you back up a step and wave your hands pleadingly. “Woah there, buddy! No need to get testy, yeah?”

The bear mirrors your motion and wiggles its hands playfully. You sigh and realize what you must do: you must entertain a bear. You start by scratching your head comically, then you move to the YMCA, then you start turning around in circles while bopping from one foot to the other. The bear thoroughly enjoys it or at least fakes it very well. You’re pretty sure the bear claps at you happily.

Eventually, though, you’ve had enough and resort to your last option. You wonder where, exactly, you took the step that would lead you to this moment. “Uh, Bear?” You ask nervously. “Can I go inside the shrine? In? I want to go inside. Please.” What, in life, led to you talking to a bear? “Please don’t kill me.”

You point to the shrine and the bear follows your finger with its gaze. It looks at the old building, grunts, and then looks back to you with a disapproving glare. You’re very worried for a second until the bear falls onto all four feet and lumbers away from you. You take a moment to catch your breath – you feel like you’re going to be sick. Bears can, and have, killed people before! You maybe could have defended yourself with your sword but that would have been messy at best, deadly at worst.

The bear disappears into the underbrush and you take this moment as your opportunity to enter the building. You quickly step towards the entrance stairs and think you’re in the clear when the earth starts shaking once again, except much harder this time. Twigs, leaves, and debris snap and splinter under the feet of the bear as it comes barreling back towards you in a full gallop. You scream and turn to run away but by the time you’ve gotten to full sprint the bear is upon you.

No, literally, it’s on you. You feel its hot breath on the back of your neck and in that moment you’re sure you’re going to die. The bear has you pinned down with one paw and is whining and growling at you softly. You feel a bit of moisture – it’s probably hungrily drooling on you. Great.

Then you feel something round plop onto your head and roll onto the forest floor next to you. You wait a moment. Still, you’re alive. You crane your neck over and look at the round object – a tennis ball?

>Cont.

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>>727919

“Ursa Major!” Comes a firm feminine voice from the forest beyond. “Down! Down, Major! Immediately! Off!”

The bear lets out an alarmed whine and backs off of you quickly. You sigh in relief and jump to your feet, your body moving automatically away from the bear and back the “fucking way you came” because “fuck this.” You’re stopped in your tracks, however, by Gwen suddenly appearing in front of you from some nearby bushes.

“Hello? Hi, Sir?” Gwen gives you a nervous wave. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry! Major didn’t mean any harm but he’s not used to new people! He just wanted to play fetch and it’s his favorite and please don’t tell my mom or the Mayor that he almost killed you.”

You stutter a bit. Your mind still hasn't caught up to the situation and can't process what she's saying.

The stomping gallop comes towards you again and you brace for impact but the Bear simply goes around you this time. It stops next to Gwen and cuddles into her nervously, like a giant puppy.

She gives you a pleading look. “I can make this up to you! He means well! See?” She has a winning smile, you give her that. The Bear is also smiling but is... slightly more terrifying.

A. “Not used to new people? I thought I was a goner.”
B. “What? Make it up to me?”
C. “Thanks for saving me.”
D. “Play fetch? With my corpse?”
E. “Are you a priestess here? Is this the Harvest Shrine?”
F. Write-in

B.

it's pretty obvious the bear is like a big autistic puppy that weighs 600 pounds.

>>727926
>A. “Not used to new people? I thought I was a goner.”

>>727926
>"Just, uh, just keep a better eye on him next time."

>>727926
>C. and E.
Maybe B. too. It's what I would expect of our character.

>>727926
This town and all it's crazy women I swear to god.

B.
Honestly you know how less doomed we are if a bear was fighting the shades?

>>727926
B. “What? Make it up to me?”

>>727926

You look back and forth between Gwen and the bear a few times before deciding that, well, if you don’t agree to keep this to yourself she has a half-ton bear that she can sic’ on you.

“Sure, you can make it up to me, yeah. Just keep a better eye on him next time, okay? I don’t know about ‘not being used to new people,’ but I thought I was a goner.”

She bows deeply and then begins pumping your hand in a furious handshake. “Thank you so much! We really appreciate it! Right, Major?”

The bear grows appreciatively and rubs a heavy paw up and down your shoulder repeatedly. You just nervously laugh and tell yourself it will all be okay.

Gwen, thankfully, gets Major to head off and entertain himself while the two of you exchange pleasantries. She explains she’s been raising him since he was a cub – orphaned after the hurricane – and that he’s the “sweetest little butthead.” You offer a few comments and questions about how you had no idea bears could be trained, how large he is, his intelligence, and how you wish the you had a pet bear for fighting off the Shade.

Gwen seems pretty proud of Major and talks him up quite a bit. She invites you into the shrine while you talk. You get a small opportunity to marvel at how different it is to the buildings in town. It’s like walking back into history, and Gwen tells you that the building itself is centuries old. She then begins unloading the two large bags at her waist of mushrooms, herbs, and all sorts of forage from outside.

“So,” she says while combing through a collection of tree fungus, “What can I do for you today?”

You show her the tablet and she practically does a spit-take. “Ah,” you think to yourself, “plot device, ho!”

Gwen jumps up off the floor and ushers you deeper into the shrine while hurriedly asking you a rapid-fire string of questions on how, where, and when you found the piece. You offer the details you think are important, which she appreciates. The two of you stop walking once you reach a huge stone carving in the back of what could be a congregation or worship room. It’s magnificent, but the room looks like it hasn’t been used in years and the carving is missing several large chunks of stone.

“Jacky was your name, right? Alright, Jackster, I need you to put the tablet wherever it will fit in that carving, okay? I can’t reach. I mean, I guess you could lift me or give me a boost? What do you say – I know it’s all spooky and religious and crap but it’s safe, I promise. I think.”

A. Drag over a stone chair and put the tablet in place yourself
B. Help Gwen up
C. “You think?”
D. Write-in

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>>727967
[Phone ate my pic.]

>>727967
B. Help Gwen up

>>727967
>C. “You think?”
>A. Drag over a stone chair and put the tablet in place yourself

>>727967
Oh great we found a jiggy.

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>>727967

“I think the priestess should be handling the religious monument, don’t you?” She looks a little uneasy at the stone monolith before you but then reluctantly nods. “I’ll help you up, then. Ready?” She shakes her head in the negative. You sigh. “Then I’ll do it myself…?”

She motions for you to stop with one hand while the other touches her temple in thought, like she’s trying to remember something. “Wait and just hold on a sec’, cowboy. Either way I can help if I remember these words right. I think I got it, just let me do…” She rolls up the sleeves of her jacket, “… this to help you, first.” You watch as Gwen starts to wiggle her fingers slightly while chanting. You back up a step. Her fingers are glowing now in a bright green aura. You back up another step.

“Gwen? Wait, Gwen! Hold on-“

She gives you a snarky, cheerful look that’s illuminated in green light. “Come on! This’ll be great, it’s a strength spell! Let me just build it up a bit more and-“

The spell goes off to her surprise, the light retracting down her arms a bit before recoiling and then shooting out of her fingertips at you like a real-life magic missile. You audibly “oof!” as it hits you and knocks the wind out of you. You catch yourself on your knees and take a moment to catch your breath. What in Goddess’s name is with your luck, lately? You thought farm work would be relaxing!

“Alright,” she says proudly! “Now you should be able to lift me up like you were strong as Major, and – uh-oh.”

“Uh-oh?”

>Give me 1d20 for side-effects

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>728007
Oh boy. Side-effects

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>728007

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>728007

>>728007
>been to war
>bitch shooting magic shit at us
PTSD INBOUND

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>>728007
[Ate my lunch. 16-19 are fun results. Writing.]

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>728007
Rollin Thunda

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>>728025

“I,” Gwen starts, but then stops as if she doesn’t know what to say. She does this a few times. “Well, I gotta say, you’re pretty badass looking right now! I mean, sorry, but… You look cool!”

You give her a weak glare. “What happened? You curse me or something?”

She scoffs and laughs. “No! Of course not- Wait, is your penis still there?”

You hurriedly, unabashedly lift your waistband and check right there. “Yes! What the heck - was that a joke? What else might be gone?!”

“Nothing, nothing! I’m pretty sure. Chaney only lost his once but it came back and his fever was cured, so, it’s all good? I mean, that would be worse than having barkskin, right?” You demand an explanation as to what she means by “barkskin.”

“Your skin? It’s hardened, I think, and noticeably tanner. I asked for the nature spirits to gift you strength, but I think I may have accidentally asked for ‘strength’ and ‘gifts?’ Sorry. Spirit language is pretty hard, bro. Seriously-“

You groan and run a hand over your face. True to her words your skin feels almost numb? Desensitized? Like there’s a barrier between feeling things and the actual things. Your skin still seems like skin just a bit “stiffer and darker.” You now resemble Tara’s skin color, oddly enough. You decide to just get the tablet in place and chew her out or something later.

“Didn’t even ask, first…” You grumble. Gwen, standing on your now super-strength arms raised above your head, apologizes again. You glare at her from below, get a little real life fan service, and then go back to being annoyed.

Gwen shoves the tablet piece in place and the whole of the mural glows intensely. Gwen goes back in surprise and is about to fall when you bop her up in the air as if she weighed nothing and then catch her on the way down. She compliments your “nice work, Farmer Jackster!”

You’re not a fan of everyone’s penchant for nicknames around here. You ignore that, though, and ask her “what now?” Gwen explains that she’s not sure, but then she starts glowing again. You flinch away and hope you can keep your penis but no spells come flying your way, thankfully. Gwen just softly whispers in awe as lights spiral around her body before settling over her heart.

"What now?" you mutter.

>Cont.

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>>728076

“Thank you,” echoes an ethereal and serene voice from out of nowhere. You and Gwen look around but it is to no avail – there’s nobody here except the two of you. “What once was broken may soon be whole thanks to you, my children. Repair the shrine and you shall receive my gifts. This I ask of you, young ones. Repair the shrine.”

“I could hear Her…” She mutters. “Jack, could you hear the Goddess? Did you hear that part about the shrine and gifts? Jack, I think we just heard the Goddess herself! She hasn’t been heard here in decades!”

A. “Yeah. She said TO TURN ME BACK TO NORMAL!”
B. “Discovered the main quest…”
C. “So, who wants to bet I have to kill all the Great Shades? Anyone?”
D. “How long has the Shrine been like this?”
E. “… So when will this wear off?”
F. Write-in

>>728083
>B. “Discovered the main quest…”
>C. “So, who wants to bet I have to kill all the Great Shades? Anyone?”

I love genre-savvy MC's. They're always fun.

>>728083
>A. “Yeah. She said TO TURN ME BACK TO NORMAL!”
Unwitting Hero.
We're just doing our thing, farming our crops. If we happen to save the day, that's just a byproduct of us farming.

>>728083
B. “Discovered the main quest…”
D. “How long has the Shrine been like this?”

Also 'real life fan service' is a term I have to start using.

>>728086
Don't get too meta, then the abyss stares back.

Genre-savy quickly becomes nihillistic douchebag.

D

>>728083
>B. “Discovered the main quest…”
>D. “How long has the Shrine been like this?”
>E. “… So when will this wear off?”

I honestly was expecting the side effect to be something like cat ears or something.

Imagine Alice's face if that did happen.

>>728083
>B
>D

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>>728083

“Yeah,” you say grumpily. “She said to TURN ME BACK TO NORMAL!”

Gwen gives you a forlorn look. “Alright, alright. I can understand that. Not everyone digs trees and dudes and treedudes. Just hold still-“

She does her abracadabra crap once more. You feel a faint sensation of fresh linens brush over your skin as light erupts around you. You ask if you look normal and touch your skin but you still feel “dulled.” Gwen says your color is mostly back to normal and should fade in a few hours. You’ll take what you can get.

You and Gwen leave the shrine and she explains a bit about what might have just happened. Apparently that big mural, the stone carving, was the cornerstone of the Goddess’s presence in the valley. A sort of beacon, or an outlet for her energy. Gwen’s not exactly sure on the details and says to ask her grandma about that “spirit-y crap.” When asked how long the shrine has been in such a state Gwen rattles off a series of dates and tries to pick out the right timeline. She says that for at least the past 52 years the shrine has been broken or incomplete. Apparently the mural once resided where the Adventurer’s Lodge stands today, but a terrible battle with the Shade resulted in the tablet being attacked or something?

“Some people,” Gwen whispers, “Even say it was sabotage, that some douche destroyed the tablet for the Shade. We’ll never know, I guess, but the pieces were thought lost forever. And that’s a big deal! Remember how I told you about the contract with the Goddess that the tablet represents? We don’t know how to make another, and maybe we can’t. Reuniting the pieces is a big deal! It’s, like, atoning for our ancestors, you know?”

You nod along and try to understand what you can. “Sounds like a… story or something. Or a movie, or a game. I guess this is my big quest, now… Sheesh, receiving orders from the Goddess herself! People will think we’re crazy!”

“Yeah!” Gwen says excitedly. “It’s like Legend of Zelda or something, right? Nobody thought Link was crazy in those games and he talked to owls! And he turned into a wolf that one time!”

You concede the point.

“I’m obviously a badass Zelda. You can be Link but you need to stop talking and we need to get you some fruity instrument to serenade on. Oh, and a green hat so people recognize you as the hero.”

You grimace. “Let’s, uh, take it one step at a time… Anyways, I’m not saving the world tonight. I have to get back to the farm.”

“Okay!” Gwen gives you a pat on the back. “Want to say bye to Major? I think he liked you!”

A. I’ll give him a bear hug, sure.
B. “I’ll pass.”
C. Write-in any questions or statements you have for her. Most will be included.

>>728168
>B. “I’ll pass.”

>>728168
>A. I’ll give him a bear hug, sure.

>>728168
>A. I’ll give him a bear hug, sure.

>>728168
>B. “I’ll pass.”

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>>728168

You can’t help but smirk at Gwen’s earnest, carefree smile. A bit of good humor in your heart, you offer to give Major a bear-hug goodbye. Gwen laughs victoriously, turns, and whistles for her pet grizzly. With a great crashing, stomping ruckus he comes barreling towards the two of you. Gwen points to you and says to tell you goodbye; you ready yourself, nervous but interested in standing your ground with your magic-enhanced strength.

Major reaches you and gently “plows” into you with his shoulder intent on knocking you down and slobbering all over you affectionately (like earlier). However, to his surprise your feet dig into the soft earth of the forest and you keep on your feet. Major looks at you, puzzled, before excitement lights up his face.

“Finally!” He seems to say. “A bro to really hug me back!”

He stands up and sort-of flops around you in a great embrace. Your knees are shaking a bit, and you’re panting with exertion, but you manage to keep him aloft and your arms mostly around him. After a few seconds Gwen calls him off in concern; you breathe in relief and tell them goodbye. Major gets a head pat from you because why not.

Gwen and Major wave goodbye as you head back up the path towards the main road.

>>>>

The farm is as you left it; the sun is starting to sink in the sky. Better finish everything up with Alice and then go get something to eat – you’re surprisingly hungry! Must be all the fresh air, magic, and bear shenanigans.

Speaking of Alice, where could she be?

You text her [I’m at the farm. Are you here yet?] Her response is… almost as bad as you expected.

[You left your front door unlocked.] Sure enough, you see that your lights are on in your house and there’s a motorcycle parked outside. Uh-oh.

[How do you approach?]

A. Solid Snake
B. Breach the door, slo-mo event
C. Bait Alice into the open (or a trap)
D. Walk in casually
E. Write-in

>>728223
>D. Walk in casually

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>>728223
>A. Solid Snake

>>728223
>A. Solid Snake

>>728223
>A. Solid Snake

>>728223

A. Solid Snake

>>728223
>A. Solid Snake

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[One moment please. Something urgent came up at work.]

>>728286
Alice broke into Mayor's house.

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>>728286

Summoning your military-honed powers of slinking and sneaking you approach the farmhouse in the early hours of twilight. The burgeoning shadows are your cloak. Silence is your weapon.

[Your Target: Alice]
[Your Mission: Identify and Neutralize]

You ease onto the front porch and take care to avoid any squeaking in the floorboards. A shaft of light spills out from the crack in the doorway; you opt for the front window and peer inside. Nobody in the living or dining areas; your bedroom, then?! A red exclamation point erupts over your person.

You slide the door open and creep inside. No targets in sight and nothing incoming. Solid Jacky advances; you could be in the approach march, you could be on a goose chase. There’s no way to be sure until you engage the enemy.

You tuck and roll from the doorway to the couch, and then you roll from the couch to the corner of the hallway. Using a small mirror you keep in your pocket at all times (because preparation is key) you peer around the corner. Nothing in the hallway but, sure enough, your doorway is cracked open. You close your eyes and focus on your hearing; you think you can discern muffled voices from that direction. With every careful, measured step you inch closer the voices become louder but still remain indistinct. It could just be Alice, it could be someone else, or someone else with her… Who could it be?

You lean over and allow a quick peak into the room. You see what looks to be Alice rifling through your duffel bag’s worth of clothes. She seems to be inspecting your unmentionables in a rather clinical fashion and scribbling down the odd note every so often. Alice is crouched down and facing away from you.

She lifts up your heart print boxers and grins wickedly.

A. Snap pictures as evidence
B. Burst in
C. Sneak up and ask her what she’s doing
D. Casually walk in and say (Write-in)

>>728479
>A. Snap pictures as evidence

>>728479
>E. Sneak up and record video on phone if she starts talking to herself. Then ask what she's doing after a min.

>>728479
>Write in, E: Burst in and shout "STOP RIGHT THERE CRIMINAL SCUM"

>>728479
>A. Snap pictures as evidence
We might need them later. Who knows if we have to blackmail her into some handholding?

>>728586
Just like in my chinese erotic comics.

>>728479
>>728498
This, video is good blackmail.

>A. Snap pictures as evidence
>Afterwards, burst in shouting "Stop right there, criminal scum!"

>>728599
I agree, we should get some blackmail evidence first before any other action. Who knows how much we can mess.with her based on her knowledge of hentai blackmail tropes before demanding innocuous things like normal favors and handholding

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>>728479

With a flick of your wrist you draw your phone; a finger tap and you’ve set it to record Alice. You ease the door open and approach, watching with disgusted curiosity as she mutters to herself about how this is the “perfect specimen!” and then stuffs your heart boxers into the bag at her hip. She then cackles and zips up your bag. Then a couple things happen at once.

First, Alice stands up and turns around.

Second, you shout for her to "STOP RIGHT THERE CRIMINAL SCUM!"

Third, she tosses her bag at your face while screaming.

The bag smacks you in the nose and the surprise of it causes you to stumble backwards into the pile of clothes that is your pajamas from last night. You go tumbling down to the floor and lay there, unhurt but dazed.

“Holy Pepe- did I just kill you?” You just groan in response. “SHNAKE!?” Shouts Alice, concern and anxiety on her voice. “SHNAAAAAAAKE!”

>>>>

Some small amount of shouting on your part later, Alice is sitting on your bedroom floor, her head bowed to the ground in apology. You loom over her with the recording on your phone playing back for both of you to hear. Once it is finished you snooze your phone and tuck it away.

“Well,” you say, "your stolen goods are now forfeit. Pay the court a fine or serve your sentence.”

"A dragon attacks and I roll to escape."

"Not this time," you swear to her. "Storm cloak.

“Your door was open and I needed some references for my artwork. I was only going to wear them once. My ancestors are smiling on me, imperial. Can you say the- oh shit your grandpa just died. Sorry.”

“Once…?” You mutter with a shiver.

“It’s really your fault for having such glorious useless buttmeat, desu. I would have returned them, but I know that doesn’t make it right. I apologize for raiding your pantsu, desu.”

A. That’s not an excuse.
B. What do you mean, “artwork?”
C. Equivalent Exchange, Alice. Pantsu for pantsu.
D. Give me back my possessions.
E. SAY DESU AGAIN, I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU MOTHERFUCKER!
F. Write-in

>>728632
C. Equivalent Exchange, Alice. Pantsu for pantsu.

>>728632
B. What do you mean, “artwork?”
C. Equivalent Exchange, Alice. Pantsu for pantsu.

>>728632
>B. What do you mean, “artwork?”
>C. Law of Equivalent Exchange, Alice. Pantsu for pantsu.

>>728632
C. Equivalent Exchange, Alice. Pantsu for pantsu.

>>728632
>It’s really your fault for having such glorious useless buttmeat, desu.
So we have a nice ass and a big willie. neat.

>>728168
>green hat so people recognize you as the hero
I would just like to notify you that in Chinese and Vietnamese culture, men who wear green hats are associated with cuckoldry, just in case some kind of interaction comes about with Jamie.

>>728632
>B. What do you mean, “artwork?”

I don't want C. We seem like a guy who doesn't mind racy things, but doesn't actively pursue it, or at least not overreaching.
Asking for her panties sounds like reaching and feels ooc for how I'm imagining Jacky so far.

>>728632
>useless buttmeat
She obviously never saw Forest Gump, this ass is for stopping bullets.

>>728718
I saw it more like trying a Full Metal alchemist reference in a joke.

>>728748
Same, i dont think anyone expects her to do it, but it's a fun FMA joke

>>728748
I got that, its just asking an underwear thief to exchange pantsu as a joke probably wouldn't work too well as a joke.

>>728757
She's stealing our underwear.
She had no problem with us seeing her naked, or was it partially?
Either way, I don't see her as having too much of a problem with trading underwear.

>>728759
I'm going to chalk it up as Jacky forgetting for a split second on who he is dealing with.

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>>728757
[I want to be candid and advise everyone to only vote for that option if you expect or want Alice to follow through. I hope that clears things up. Feel free to change your vote if necessary.]

>>728632
>B. What do you mean, “artwork?”

>>728772
I don't think you forget crazy people too easily, or that quickly.

>>728783
I want her to follow through. And learn about her artowrk, but mostly pantsu exchange.

>>728783
Oh no, it's fine. I guess you could say i'm more interested in seeing if she follows through.

I'm happy with my vote and will stick with it.

>>728783
This is going to be interesting. So I will keep it at equal exchange.

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>>728783

“Hmph. Apology accepted, Stormcloak dog.”

“Milkdrinker.”

You purse your lips and give Alice a skeptical look. “I think I’ve run out of Elder Scrolls insults.” You look at the ceiling, your concentration intense, and try to think of something else to call her. “I could call you a sweetroll, I guess? Nah. Can we just move on and go look at the far-“

“Is that your arrow in my knee, or are you just happy to see me?”

You guffaw and give Alice an incredulous look. “That was actually pretty good, Alice.” She happily beams at your praise. “But, seriously, hand over my boxers and let’s get down to business outside, yeah?”

Alice narrows her eyes at you. “Make me, normie.”

You narrow yours back. “I have video evidence as blackmail and I’ll either make you do… uh… incredibly lewd things-!”

She throws her hands in the air and shouts “Yes! That one!” You tell her to be quiet but she doesn’t listen. “Pick that one!”

You cringe a bit. “Goddess, fine, that’s obviously nor a punishment for you, you little gremlin. Or, I’ll never trade memes with you ever again. How about that?”

She looks like a defeated, sad puppy. “Not even rare Pepes…?”

“Nope.”

“But I really want your pantsu, sensei! How else am I supposed to lure you into my lair and ravage you until-“

You motion for her to stop it with your hands, your head, you start whistling in order to ignore her…

“- and then your hips will be moving on your own, and you’ll have finally come around-“

You sing a loud little song to yourself.

“ -and recognized me as your one true love, and the season will end except for some omake filler and we’llhave-“

“FINE!” You bark out. “You can have them!” She does a little celebratory finger gun salute. “One on condition… You have to trade me. Equivalent exchange. Pantsu for pantsu. How’s that, ya little neckbeard?”

Alice gives you a glare and mumbles “I shave it every day, sensei,” before she clambers onto her feet and excitedly gets to work on her belt. “But that’s a good idea! Why didn’t I think of that? You’re obviously best girl, sensei, even if you were first girl… And I assume you want them while they’re still warm?”

You facepalm. “What? No, no. And not in here, Alice. Take them off in the bathroom.”

“That wasn’t in the deal!”

A. Press the issue.
B. It wasn’t in the deal that I had to watch, either!
C. I’ll meet you outside. Just… leave them somewhere inconspicuous, okay?
D. How would you like it if I stripped like that?!
E. Write-in

>>728957
D. How would you like it if I stripped like that?!

>>728957
>B. It wasn’t in the deal that I had to watch, either!

>>728957
>B. It wasn’t in the deal that I had to watch, either!
I still think it was retarded as hell to go with the exchange option.

>>728957
B. It wasn’t in the deal that I had to watch, either!

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>>728986

>>728957
>>B. It wasn’t in the deal that I had to watch, either!

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>>728957
[I deeply apologize for the delay. I had a family emergency to deal with. On an unrelated note, my SO says hello to all the anons in the thread tonight.]

Family comes first, i understand that shit.

Hi, Mayor's SO!

h-hi

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>>728957

“It wasn’t the deal that I had to watch, either!” You retort. “Now get in there, er, just, get in there and then meet me outside. Alright?”

“Gah! You’re such a tsuntsun, Jacky! How am I supposed to powerlevel your hearts this way?” You shake your head and walk away.

“Promise you’ll walk in on me, at least?” She calls after you. “Or let me faceplant into your crotch?

>>>>

You slam your front door shut and take a seat on your porch. The sky is a sea of lavender streaked with red and gold. It reminds you of the time you were crawling through the fields of mugunghwa in late summer. You were with a small squad separated from the rest of your platoon after a sudden skirmish, and you were just sweating your balls off waiting to die. But for a moment it was all so beautiful.

>>>>

Alice eventually joins you and delivers the “package,” which you stuff into your back pocket while praying that nobody saw what just happened. She asks you to lead the way and you walk about the property looking at the various structures and their states of decay.

Alice eventually gets the idea to hang onto the sleeve of your jacket while you walk. You don’t really notice it at first, and it doesn’t bug you as much as the other stuff she’s pulled this evening.

You come to a stop in front of the greenhouse and Alice’s eyes go wide.

“Yeah, pretty bad, huh?” She nods. “How much do you think everything will take?”

She looks up at you, smiles, and says that she charges tsunderes double, but she offers hand-holding discounts. You chop her on the head (pic related) and tell her to just give it to you straight.

“L-lewd, Farmer senpai.”

>Coop to (Lv. 0) Operational: 3,000G, 300 Wood, 100 Stone
>Barn to (Lv.0) Operational: 6,000G, 400 Wood, 200 Stone
>Hot Tub to (Lv. 0) Operational: 5,000 G, 200 Wood, 100 Stone, 24 Hardwood
>Greenhouse to (Lv. 0) Operational: 30,000G, 100 Stone, 10 Iron Bars, 10 Refined Quartz, 24 Hardwood

A. Where can I get some of those materials?
B. … How much is the loss-of-dignity/hand-holding discount?
C. Want to talk about working together over dinner?
D. What else can you build or upgrade for me?
E. Write-in

[10 Minute Voting Period for the rest of the night]

>>729401
>A. Where can I get some of those materials?

>>729401
>A. Where can I get some of those materials?

>>729401
>Ask if there's a discount for helping with building the structures
Even if she offered to do it for free and provide the mats herself, nothing is worth hand-holding. Such debauchery!
But maybe we can cut some costs if we do some of the labor ourselves.

>>729401
A. Where can I get some of those materials?

>>729401
>A. Where can I get some of those materials?
I can just imagine that for a discount, she says we can simply model for her art.

Nude

>>729401
A. Where can I get some of those materials?
D. What else can you build or upgrade for me?

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>>729401

The two of you are sitting on the steps of the front porch peering over Alice’s notes on her ever-present notepad. She’s breathing heavy and there’s color to her cheeks; you swear that if she mutters “senpai” one more time…

“Thanks again for coming out and giving me some estimates. This… Is going to take a while, huh? How much gold is that, total? 44 big G’s?”

She nods and gives you a dopey smile. You whistle and rub at your forehead.

“Dang. And, uh, where can I get some of those materials, like ‘hardwood’ and ‘refined quartz?’ I swear to the Goddess, if you say ‘in my pan-’”

“Hard wood? IN YOUR PANTS-” You take her head and put her in a headlock, stuffing her up into your jacket. She squirms and protests but you know her heart isn’t in it, the little weirdo. After a moment or two you let her go. She fixes her hair and composes herself, or tries to, while fixing her now-frazzled hair.

“You were saying?”

“... Hardwood can be found deep in the forests. You need a good axe. Not a good ass you already hav-”

You stuff her into a noogie once more.

She shouts into the fabric of your jacket, and though it’s muffled you can tease out what she’s saying. “REFINED QUARTZ can be refined from quartz! From the mines! Please, I can’t take any more of this… It’s too good… Senpai’s smell...”

You let her go and scoot away a bit.

“And iron bars can be smelted from a furnace. You want to build one?” You tell her that you see no reason why not. “I’ll give you the plans if you can bring me five pieces of iron and some coal. Oh, and bring some raw quartz too. Why not.”

You make a note of that.

[QUEST: “Is it hot in here, or is it just Senpai’s furnace?” Acquired!]

“So, in summary… hardwood from deep in the forests, special minerals from deep in the mines? And I need a furnace and a good axe?”

She gives you a thumbs up. "Do you have anything else planned for the evening, Senpai?"

You shrug. "I'm not sure. Nothing I need to do, I guess. Why?"

"Keikaku," She mutters with a dangerous glint in her eyes.

"I just renewed my subscription to Soggy Roll," Alice declares over steepled fingers, "And I need someone to help me spend the next three hours deciding what show I want to watch before settling for something I've seen ten times already."

>It is now evening. You can perform one more major action before bed, like work in the field for an hour, go to dinner, or hold someone’s hand.

A. Clear Field A for an hour
B. Go to the Inn for dinner and fun
C. Invite Alice to (blank)
D. Write-in

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>>729551
[... That wasn't the image I meant to click on. Try this on for size, Anon-senpais!]

>>729551
C. Invite Alice to (blank)

Her place, to help her pick a show. I like this chick for some damn reason. Oddball, but i like her.

>>729551
>B. Go to the Inn for dinner and fun

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Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>729574
>>729575
[Ten minutes are up and it's a tie. I'll roll for it. Odd = Alice, Even = Inn]
[Please continue voting. If the vote changes substantially while I am writing I'll gladly rewrite real quick.]

>>729588
Damn, was busy and just got back, was gonna vote Alice.

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>>729592
[That's fine. I'll wait five more minutes for votes. I know I'm rushing, but I'm just trying to increase my pace because I want to post more for you guys! <3]

>>729588
I would have voted for alice as well

>>729551
>C. Invite Alice to go to the inn for dinner.

>>729574
>I like this chick for some damn reason. Oddball, but i like her.
Same. Honestly at first I thought I was going to hate her cause I thought she was just gonna be an annoying lol so randumb meme spouting retard, but she's grown pretty quickly on me. Still like Kari a bit more as things stand, but Alice definitely jumped up from where I initially thought she'd be.
Reminds me of what I said at the start when the archetypes were brought up; Its less about the archetype and more how you portray the character.
And I'm really liking how Alice is being portrayed.

>>729628
Yeah, i could see us accidentally getting more serious with her than we intend to. Not necessarily bad though. So far, she earns my Flower Necklace pick for the festival.

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>>729598

[I’m deeply surprised by this vote. Alice has really shaken things up, hasn’t she?]

You lean your arms and head onto your knees and take a deep, weary breath before smiling in spite of yourself. You share this smile with Alice, who is sitting behind you and staring off onto the horizon. She looks back to you and brushes a stray piece of hair out of her eyes.

“You know what, Alice?”

She gives you a flat, unimpressed look.“Does the punchline for this joke involve the butt of a domesticated junglefowl?”

“No…?” You ask, puzzled. It takes you a moment to unravel what she’s getting at. “Oh, ‘chickenbutt.’ No, no. No. Good guess, though? No, actually, I was going to say that I was going to take you up on your offer. I’ll join you for some animu, sure.”

Her eyes go wide and her mouth opens slightly in shock. “I-” she starts, at a sudden loss for words. She looks to you, then her bike, then to her hands as if searching for something. You raise an eyebrow and ask if she's okay.

“Ah. Uhrm. My notes. Where are my notes?” You point to them. She grabs the notepad behind you and begins flips through the pages. “You weren’t supposed to go full ‘dere, Jacky!" She mutters while scanning line after line. "They never go full dere so quick in the games… Did I activate a cheat code?"

She looks at you suspiciously and then beats on her chest in a strange manner (pic related) while chanting. The two of you stare at each other for a quiet moment before she shrugs and says "guess not."

She goes back to her notes. "Let’s see: first, second, third date, then you mod in a sex scene and go back to your original save before routelock…”

“Ah!” She purrs triumphantly. “Okay, third date back at my place. Let’s see… Food, movies, shower together... Oh, oh.” She looks at you concernedly. “Do you have alcohol? All I have is Ramune."

A sour look settles on her face. "I wasn’t prepared for this. Sorry.”

A. The Japanese marble crap?
B. We can pick something to drink and something to eat to go at Allen’s or Patrick’s. On me.
C. Ramune’s fine…?
D. (Jacky doesn’t know what Ramune is)
E. Write-in

>>729784
>C. Ramune’s fine…?
I've only tried it about 3 times, I don't know if I got bad flavors or what, but I didn't really like it.

>>729784
D. (Jacky doesn’t know what Ramune is)
C. Ramune’s fine…?

But he was in the armed forces, he'll drink it. He's likely had worse.

>>729784
>C. Ramune’s fine…?
I don't think we need alcohol mixed in at this point.

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>>729820
>>729842
>>729858
[Ramune's delicious and fun, you heathens. The last drink I shared with my best friend was Ramune ;__;7 ]

>>729867
Never seen the stuff before, at least i've not looked hard enough to find it. May have to try some eventually just to see.

>>729867
Hey now, I too enjoy the taste of Ramune Even though I haven't had one in like almost a decade.

>>729784
>[I’m deeply surprised by this vote. Alice has really shaken things up, hasn’t she?]
Honestly, I would've probably voted Inn or something else if it weren't for this line:
>Alice eventually gets the idea to hang onto the sleeve of your jacket while you walk. You don’t really notice it at first, and it doesn’t bug you as much as the other stuff she’s pulled this evening.
I'm a sucker for that kind of shit.

Though I'm not gonna go terribly out of my way to spend time with her or any other girl at this point. Still want this to be farming adventures, with some waifu added on, instead of waifu adventures and some farming here and there.

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>>729867

“Ramune’s fine, Alice.” She comments that she’s surprised you’ve had it before. “Yeah; Jap care package. I’ll tell you all about it on the way to Allen’s. I figured we’d pick up something to go? What food do you have at your house?”

She gets ready to list off some things, but when she starts with “Doritos-”

“Anything that isn’t ramen, corn chips, freeze-dried, or canned?”

Silence.

“Thought so. Let’s go.”

>>>>

You headed out, of course, on Alice’s road bike. Alice started out pretty nervous at first, but once she got past the anxiety of having your arms wrapped around her waist you were well on your way and gaining speed. She seems to really settle down when on her bike; nothing to prove, no boundaries to push, nothing but her and the road. It was actually nice having none of her attention on you. She’s been a bit clingy since you first met, but she’s nice. Just eccentric.

It’s not the most glamorous moment of your life, riding pillion behind Alice, but you enjoy the wind and the freedom of riding down an open road on a Harley Roadster. Time melts away, the sights and sounds of the world fade out, and the roar of the engine sets into a beautiful chorus of its own. You feel a fire burn in your spirit; it’s like being a kid again, and If it weren’t for the helmets both of you wear you’d probably find it hard to resist the urge to yip and shout into the wind.

>>>>

When you touch down at your final destination it’s with several helpings of angel hair pesto spaghetti with Italian sausage and spring vegetables. Just getting a whiff of the stuff walking out the door set your mouth to watering. You and Alice both had to fight the urge to sit and wolf it down on the curb of the street. That wouldn’t have been too bad, really.

Regardless, the two of you march into the machine shop and settle in at the crowded “dining table” in the main foyer. You and Alice have to push away some parts and clutter but, eventually, you make room to eat.

Dinner is pretty quiet, with Alice sitting annoyingly close and setting herself on pins and needles every time the two of you bump elbows. Her stools are nice and all, but they let her sit right on top of you. Practically on top of you, seriously. You ask her to move once and personally move yourself twice but she’s not having it.

You just bubble grumpily into your glass of water and tell yourself you’re a nice person. And so is she, really. You look over and she’s got some pesto on her cheek. You scoff, grab a napkin and then roughly dab it off.

She drops her fork and looks at you, puzzled once more.

“Jacky? Why are you so nice to me?”

A. What/Huh?
B. That’s just who I am.
C. Because you’re a dork. Now eat your spaghetti.
D. Because you don’t let your memes be dreams, Alice. I admire that.
E. Write-in

[I'm trying out different looks / pics / characters for Alice. What do you guys think of this one?]

>>730073
E. Write-in

You're comfortable with who you are, even if you are kind of awkward and dorky. You own it. There's soemthing to be said for that.

(maybe some comment about future beach episode?)

[this alice pic not bad, though i see her with short hair because biker unless she keeps it braided. tangles suck.]

>>730073
>>730132
Iori isn't a bad pic. I feel there is some better ones, but it's not bad.

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>>730132
[I agree with the short hair. Absolutely what I have in mind for her given her profession and hobbies. She's pretty, but she really isn't into her appearance that much if at all. More likely to wear boy-ish or comfortable clothes, jackets, tanks, etc.]

[And this picture / character?]

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>>730147
Not bad. Not bad.

I get a feel maybe this?

>>730166
i kinda like this.

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>>730166
[Zis iz verah nize. Mmyezz. Verah nize.]
[That's getting very close if not perfect.]

>>730073
>Do I need a reason to be nice to you?

>>730198
>>730166
I think this about gets it.

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[I'm heading off in 10 minutes; if I can get another vote or two that would be great. This will be the last post. Thank you for playing! I hope today was longer, better paced, and more enjoyable for everyone!]

[Remember to eat your vegetables!]

>>730247
Thanks for running tonight

>>730073
>A. What/Huh?

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>>730247
It's been a good night.

Have another Yukari.

>>730247
>E. Write-in
>Do I need a reason to be nice to you?
>You're comfortable with who you are, even if you are kind, awkward and dorky. You own it. There's something to be said for that.

Small change to the phrasing just in case we get misinterpreted

>>730073


>>730132
I support this sentiment

>>730247
Tell me, Mayor... will this quest strictly feature routelock or is there kind of a harem option?

>>738583
>Harem
>In Harvest Moon

>>738583
>harem
I don't have a disgust image SFW enough to post to express how this makes me feel.

The last harvest moon quest had the protag hooking up and marrying two girls and then added a third. Its not that unusual.

With girls like this around... I'd be surprised if Harem wasn't on the table.

Hell, Alice might make one for herself if Jacky doesn't.

>>741085
With Alice, we might end up getting Kari as a package deal.

That said, I'd rather not have a harem.

I'd be against a harem as well. It just doesn't feel like this quest is a good fit for it

[Pursuing the usual "you get everything you want" harem route is not advised. If you want to still pursue it you can but expect me to issue "realistic" consequences for your actions. Also, you don't know any of the girls well enough to know if they would be comfortable with polyamory.]

[On a more positive note we will be running today for about 8 hours or longer hopefully.]

>>741882
>If you want to still pursue it you can but expect me to issue "realistic" consequences for your actions
You mean like everyone being disgusted at our actions, dumping us, and turning us into the pariah of a smalltown where everybody knows everybody?
Cause I'd be okay with that.
Harem a shit.

>>741882
I can't say i particularly want a harem either. One girl is just fine since they all seem to carry their own bits of drama. Also still think we should apologise to jamie for leaving so abruptly, even if she was being a bit too forward.

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>>730073

Caught mid-bite, you stare at Alice over the heaping pile of pesto and pasta on your fork.The two of you share quiet moment, you waiting for her to elaborate or explain where, exactly, that thought came from and she waiting for your response with bated breath.

You set the fork down and clear your throat. “Is this about me being nice, or about me being nice to ‘you?’” She indicates that it is the latter and you continue. “Do I need a reason to be nice to you? Everyone should be nice to you, Alice.”

She concedes the point, offering that “it falls within basic societal norms to treat everyone with a certain base level of respect,” and that there are “reasons both practical and instinctual for behaving ethically.”

“That said,” she mumbles quietly, “I have intentionally revealed my power level to you and you have not reacted negatively or made me feel alienated. The only other person to do that is Kari, but she’s a deredere and she doesn’t count. Furthermore, she may be a pink-haired alien; further probing will be needed to confirm that hypothesis, though.”

You grab bottle of Ramune and work on popping it open. “So, you’re wondering why I’m not weirded out by you?”

“Yes. I’m wondering why the usual dating sim mold has been broken - you’re obliging me too much for a tsundere first girl. I’m worried that you’re leading me into a trap or, even worse, that you’re on the verge of throwing up a death flag. Goddess knows I don’t need to be sent spiraling down another character growth arc after you die, no offense.”

“None taken. Hey, could you help me with-” Seeing you continue to struggle with the bottle Alice takes it and pops the marble with a quick slap. “Thanks. I forgot how hard these things are to open.” You take a swig. “Cherry’s not bad. Better than lychee.”

Alice lets out a “fufufu,” the subtle double entendre unfolding in her mind.

“You’re worried I’m going to die, yeah?” She nods solemnly. “Well, I’d promise that I won’t but that’s a death flag. Instead I promise to just let you know whenever I do something dangerous, like enter the mines with Jamie.”

“Thank you. However, that’s not necessary. Instead, I propose that you reveal your tragic backstory to me now. With your tragic quota satisfied the story has no reason to kill you off - I simply need to resolve your personal conflict, you fall in love with me, we have two kids and a dog, etc. Trust me, this isn’t my first rodeo.”

“We just met” You offer skeptically. “What makes you think I'm a possible route?"

Alice wiggles her eyebrows at you, smug smile plastered on her face. “I can tell; I’ve beaten every dating sim I’m ever played, even the non-translated ones.” She shoots you a thumbs up. “Trust me, I’m an expert.”

A. “Alice, you know real life isn’t some game or story, right?”
B. “Have you ever had a boyfriend in real life?”
C. “How do you know someone else isn’t the MC and we’re just NPCs, Alice?”
D. “How tragic does my backstory have to be, exactly?”

>>742158
>C.

Oh boy my first live thread

>>742158
>Instead, I propose that you reveal your tragic backstory to me now. With your tragic quota satisfied the story has no reason to kill you off
Fucking wrong. That's like the third biggest death flag there is after
1) 2 weeks before retirement
2) "When I get back, let's get married/have kids/etc."
Cause suddenly revealing your backstory is the writer's way of getting the audience more attached to the character so that when their death comes, which will be soon now, it'll be more 'dramatic'.


E. Tragic backstory is a big death flag.

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>>742158
>A. “Alice, you know real life isn’t some game or story, right?”
But, you know, just for the sake of it...
>D. “How tragic does my backstory have to be, exactly?”

>>742158
>>742176
Oh, shit, death flags!

>>742158
>A. “Alice, you know real life isn’t some game or story, right?”
>D. “How tragic does my backstory have to be, exactly?”

Because Jacky's last relative just died to set up the whole HM premise!

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>>742158
>Furthermore, she may be a pink-haired alien; further probing will be needed to confirm that hypothesis, though.”
She must have watched To-LOVE-ru recently to think this. Thinking Kari is Lala.

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>>742234
[That picture.]

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>>742158

You take another long sip from your glorious Nippon marble bottle. “I disagree, Alice. I don’t think telling you my tragic backstory would help at all. That would simply endear me to you and the audience, thus almost guaranteeing my death for maximum feelz.”

She taps her fingers in front of her face for a moment, eyes closed in thought. “But… That almost never happens if you progress the route quickly enough.”

You wag a finger at Alice teasingly, “How, exactly, do you know this is a dating-sim? And that you’re the MC? We could both be NPCs.” Then you realize you’re discussing whether or not you’re a videogame character with a girl you just met two days ago. “But, you know what? Forget all that. Real life doesn’t work that way, Alice. It’s not some game or story. Don’t worry.”

Alice pouts for a moment. “But, how am I supposed to resolve your character arc and win the perfect ending if I don’t know your tragic backstory, senpai?”

You shrug. “You’ll have to do it the old fashioned way and be nice, I guess.”

That just sets a fire in her eyes. “Like give you gifts? Or maybe you’d prefer physical gifts, desu?” She leans in close to you, her breath falling on the nape of your neck.

You shy away. “How about you just try to be nice to everyone? That’s what I’m trying to do, yeah? Let’s just take it slow and enjoy life! I’m still trying to get used to things here and we just met, haha, and (oh, right! anime!) let’s just watch some anime- or, uh, your pasta is getting cold, yeah?”

A dangerous smirk slips onto Alice’s face. “Tsunderes are always so easily flustered, desu. And you like people that are nice to everyone, desu...” She nods to herself and then looks you squarely in the eye. “So that means you think Kari’s a nice person, right, Jacky?”

You nod. “Well, yeah, of course. You think she’s nice too, right?”

Alice lowers her goggles and a lens flare momentarily obscures her eyes to you. “Ah, so that’s how it is; then I shall powerlevel your hearts with kindness. I shall show you the power of the benevolent protagonist! I shall be nice to ALL the NPCs! Kari doesn’t stand a chance!”

There’s a bit of maniacal laughter. You eventually get Alice to calm down and finish her meal. It’s getting late and you still have a show or two to watch.

>>>>

The two of you find some space in Alice’s living room - much cleaner than her workshop-dining area - and she goes to work setting up her streaming. She asks you which anime you would “like to bitch about for 15 minutes before we grumpily agree to watch something we’ve both seen before?”

A. SAO
B. Berserk
C. Shimoneta
D. Bleach or Naruto

Then comes the delicate arrangement of where the two of you are going to sit. Despite what Alice continues to insist on, you’re comfortable with at most…

A. Head pats
B. Sitting right next to each other
C. Opposite ends of the couch
D. Sitting in senpai’s lap
E. Her holding onto your sleeve

>>742344
>B. Berserk

>C. Opposite ends of the couch
Sprawled out on the couch, gotta have that leg room, yo.

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>>742344
>B.
God dammit stop playing idol master and come out with more chapters

>A.
So far I like Alice best. I want to get to know the other girls first, especially for the sake of other anons but Alice is my favorite thus far.

>>742344
>A. SAO
She should watch SAO Abridged if she hasn't already.

>B. Sitting right next to each other

>>742344
>B. Berserk
>B. Sitting right next to each other

>>742344
>B. Berserk
>B. Sitting right next to each other

>>742344
B. Berserk
E. Her holding onto your sleeve

Guess people here really want to bitch about Berserk.

Understandable.

>>742344

>B. Berserk

>B. Sitting right next to each other

I'm ok with it turning into E mid viewing too