>>1809366
> “… sure.”
Breathe Ellie breathe!

>>1809366
>“… sure.”

> “… sure.”

You sigh, petting Cuddles’ head. Cuddles flicks his tongue out idly, recoiling slightly at your touch. Heh, little noodle. Winona smiles. “Cheer up, Ellie! I’m sure you’ll do fine out there! You got your lucky panties on?” You glare a little at her. “Come on! I’ll let you borrow mine!” She goes to grab the pair she’s wearing right now.

“NO, NO, I’M FINE!” you say quickly. Winona stops, pouting a little. “I’m feeling lucky enough.” You grin nervously, fluffing your hair a little. “I think- I think I feel just fine. I know what I want to do for a speech, I know to do it quickly and efficiently. There will be no mistakes today, no mistakes at all! I’m giving my speech in front of the Command tower, and I will do it in front of thousands of sailors, and it will be absolutely-“

Denise opens the door suddenly. “ELODIE!” You look to her, shocked. “Bad news!” Eh? She runs up to you. “My Kettenkrad isn’t working! It blew its engine last night while I was getting groceries!”

“Eh!?” B-… But your entire plan hinged on you managing to make it to the stage early! You could have ample time to prepare and psych yourself up! “But-“

“Don’t worry!” Denise grins. “I already have the perfect plan for you! I got a replacement!” Oh!? You step out the door with her.

…

To find your horse waiting for you, saddle and all.

…

You forgot you had a horse.

> Eh. You’ll just arrive a little later.
> If a horse is what it takes to be early, then so be it!
> “Denise, find me another mode of transport.”
> Other

>>1809495
> If a horse is what it takes to be early, then so be it!
HI HO SILVER!

>>1809495
>If a horse is what it takes to be early, then so be it!

>>1809495
I hope it hasn't been neglected

>>1809495
If a horse is what it takes to be early, then so be it!

> If a horse is what it takes to be early, then so be it!

You sigh. “Help me up.” He was a cream-colored stallion, you remember his name being Lang. Denise helps hoist you up onto his saddle. You have the most rudimentary riding lessons that you remember. Thankfully, it seems the halls are big enough for Lang to maneuver around him. Plus, he doesn’t seem too concerned about tight spaces. “Um. Hyah.” You gently snap the reins. He goes moving forward.

…

Eh. At least he’s trying. Denise waves to you. “I’ll meet you there!” Lang goes cantering forward.

-

-

Captain Spruance, Lyra Caldwell, and most of the command staff look at you in awe as you arrive on Lang. You pull him to a stop right in front of the stage as students start putting on markers for where to stand and Officers start directing what needs to be where. Captain Spruance smirks as you arrive. “You love to arrive in style, eh?” You remain silent as you dismount. Ooohhh how embarrassing. Lang whinneys. “Aw, he’s such a cutie!” Captain Spruance pets Lang’s face, smiling up at him.

Lyra snorts, snickering a little. “My, my, Elodie. Captain giving you the honor of welcoming the Freshmen not enough pomp and circumstance for you?”

> Boast
> Neutral
> Polite

>>1809680
> Polite
Oh, you know Ellie. Always concerned about looking impressive.

>>1809680
>Polite

>>1809680
>> Polite

> Polite

“No, just enough,” you state bluntly. You plant your feet on the ground, then hand the reins off to an attending Naval Studies girl. “A little too much actually if I’ll be honest. But my usual transport broke down so I had to use Lang here.”

“He’s a nice horse!” Captain Spruance pats your arm, grinning at you. “So, Ellie. You ready to give that speech today?” You nod. “Good, good! We’re counting on you!” She snaps her fingers, and a girl quickly hands her a juicebox. “Now listen, once you give your speech, just sit down and let us handle the rest. Then we’ll stand at the entrance markers, shake some hands, pose for pics, all that good stuff! Your class schedules will arrive next week by the way, I’ve arranged for them to be online.”

“Great,” says Lyra. “Anything else?”

Captain Spruance shakes her head, smiling. “Noooope! That’s all! If you need a class schedule change of some kind or something else, I’m right here!” She salutes, and you salute her back. She dismisses herself and walks away with the rest of her Officers.

You take a deep breath. Lyra looks to you. “So, did you write your speech?” You nod, taking out several pieces of paper. “… That looks pretty long.”

“I had a long night to think about it,” you say. “I practiced it in front of the mirror too so I should be good.”

“How long is it though?”

“About two hours.”

…

Lyra squints a little. “… what speech takes two hours?”

“The best,” you state firmly. Though, you suppose you can abridge it somewhat.

Lyra wraps her arm around you, leading you to the stage. “Ellie, you need to relax. Tell you what, we got like an hour before all the freshmen show up. How’s about I take your speech, cut off the fat, and you get yourself psyched up.”

> “No! Every word I’ve written is important, I assure you!”
> “Fine. I trust you. Completely. Absolutely.”
> Other

>>1809905
> Other

Crack, cry, and thank St. Lyra for her help.
Panic explosively.

>>1809905
> “Fine. I trust you. Completely. Absolutely.”

>>1809905
> “Fine. I trust you. Completely. Absolutely.”
Hover over her shoulder and complain at every edit she makes.

Mind you, a 2 hour speech in practice will take half an hour in reality.

> “Fine. I trust you. Completely. Absolutely.”

“Fine, I trust you.” You smile a little, nervously. “Completely. Absolutely.” Lyra takes the papers from your hands before you can withdraw them. Aauuugghh… “Just don’t make too many edits.”

“It’s alright,” says Lyra. “I’m not gonna say you kidnapped the Lindbergh baby or anything. Just a little something to trim off the fat.” She points to the grounds in front of the stage. “Mind you, a two hour speech can be a lot shorter than you intended, but still. Those people you’re talking to have to stand for all of it. So it’s best to keep it short. Okay?”

You nod. “Alright.”

“Good, good.” She gently pats your head. “Now stand by.” She takes out a pen then starts furiously marking down things. You grab your chest, biting your tongue. AAAAGGHH! SHE’S MAKING SO MANY EDITS IN SUCH A SHORT SPAN OF TIME! WHY!? AAAAHHH

“Ellie!” You stop yourself, then turn around. Approaching are the Pool sisters, Griselda and Gertrude. They’re both dressed in the standard school unis for General Studies students, as expected. Gertrude smiles at you. “Hm.” She squints at you, leaning forward. “… gotta give a speech today?” You nod. “Ha! I know that look anywhere! I gotta do the same for GenStudies in a little bit. But I’ll be here to root you on.”

Griselda nods as well, smiling. At the least two aren’t going to make a scene. Hopefully. She says, “You’re a pretty composed girl during a Tankery match, Ellie. I can see you being composed up there too.” Yeah, yeah. You look over at Lyra. HEY, SHE’S WIPING OUT YOUR PASSAGE ON MONEY! SHE CAN’T DO THAT! SHOOT HER OR SOMETHING!

> “Lyra, wait! Stop! That’s important!”
> No. No. She’s doing it for your own good.
> Other

>>1810108
>> Other
ask her why she delete that one.

>>1810108
> “Lyra, wait! Stop! That’s important!”
The money! The bloody money!

>>1810108
> No. No. She’s doing it for your own good.
Grab the paper bag before yoy hyperventilate.

>>1810108
>> No. No. She’s doing it for your own good.

Nobody want's to hear about financial difficulties on the first day of class, save that for graduation!

> No. No. She’s doing it for your own good.

She’s doing it for your own good, she’s doing it for your own good, she’s doing it for your own good. You clutch your chest and bite on your handkerchief. Oooohhhh… Finally, Lyra is finished. She hands the speech off to you. “There you go!” So much black, it looks like a CIA document. You take the pages and sigh, folding them and placing them in your pocket.

Gertrude slaps your back, laughing. “Haha! You’ll be fine, Ellie! Trust me!” Oohh… Right, time to practice then.

-

-

“Welcome aboard your new home, the Lafayette Girls Academy!” Standing before you was a force of over three-thousand new Freshmen sailors, standing in formation looking at the stage. At the sides were their Officers and upperclassmen, standing at attention. “Each and every one of you has a duty and purpose, whether it be maintaining our engines, sailing this ship, powering our buildings, or some other purpose…” Captain Spruance speaks at the podium, shameless of the fact that she has to stand on a soapbox to do it. “You all are united in the common cause of education and discipline! There would be no Lafayette Girls Academy without the sailors who man it! So to all of you, I say, thank you! Give yourselves a round of applause!” The crowd claps politely, a torrential rain of appreciation.

Finally, it settles down. You sit on stage with everyone else, Lyra beside you. Captain Spruance motions back. “Here to welcome you all is our first Freshman Naval Studies Officer, and our first in the Salary program! Please give a warm welcome to one of our very finest and a shining example of LGA’s best! Elodie Rosetta Zumwalt!” The crowd applauds again, many whooping and cheering and hollering. Some of them probably know you from the Tankery stuff. You step up to the podium.

…

You look down at your speech. “Good morning.” They all look at you, ready and eager to hear you.

> Pathos
> Ethos
> Logos
> Other

>>1810333
> Pathos
> Ethos
Bit of respnsibility, bit of gentleness. As fitting for new recruits.

>>1810333
>> Pathos
>> Ethos

>>1810333
Hm. I didn't realise the Captain was that short.

>>1810333
> Pathos
> Ethos
Seems good.

> Pathos
> Ethos

“All of you have worked your hardest to become a sailor here on LGA. Many of you come from different backgrounds, whether you’re from the urban jungles of New York or Boston or Los Angeles or DC, or from a rural farm in the Midwest or a suburbanite from the South, all of you are here now as one people: students of LGA. You’ve all done your best to pass the rigorous entrance exams I’m sure, and you’ve all sacrificed time and your own lives for the dream of coming aboard.” You grab the podium with both hands, leaning forward. “Your time and effort is well-reward. LGA is a fine vessel, and it will be an even better one with all of you aboard. Take a look around you, all you’re going to see is another face who will make LGA the best it can possibly be.

“Sure, you’re going to be working eight hour days, getting your education at the same time, but you’ll be a getting headstart on the hard facts of life. You’ll be dealing with bosses demanding a lot of you, you’ll be dealing with working overtime and having to come home to a messy dorm. But you’ll be ready for it sooner than most adults and college kids are. And when you come back home onto land, you’ll be all the more appreciative of the hard times you take here on LGA, to strengthen you for life outside of school. So to all of you, I say, thank you for coming aboard. And I hope to see everyone at graduation four years from now. Thank you!” The crowd erupts into applause as you take your bow and move to take your seat.

Whooo… that was better than you expected.

You sit down next to Lyra. She smirks, nudging you gently. You roll your eyes. Captain Spruance steps up to the podium again. “We’ll dispense with the pleasantries from here! Your Officers standing beside you will assign you your dorms!”

-

-

Work today is mostly just greeting and helping along the newer Freshmen students. All of them look as freshfaced as the day they left the womb almost. You shake hands with another girl, who happily greets you as “Ellie” instead of Commander.

You quickly correct her. “It’s Commander.” She nods, saluting sharply. “Good, good.” She moves on.

Captain Spruance smiles, patting your shoulder. “Isn’t it beautiful? All these girls here?” You nod. “Too bad most of them are gonna drop out when it gets too hard for them.”

> “Don’t say that. Have some faith.”
> “The hard is what makes it great.”
> “Yeah. True.”
> Other

>>1810666
>> “The hard is what makes it great.”

>>1810666
> “Don’t say that. Have some faith.”
> “The hard is what makes it great.”

>>1810666
> “Don’t say that. Have some faith.”
> “The hard is what makes it great.”

File: 1382266379177.png (477 KB, 641x534)

477 KB PNG

>>1810666
>> “The hard is what makes it great

Is this what Elodie says about Jeep Jockey?

File: 1462558184008.jpg (17 KB, 286x380)

17 KB JPG

>>1810803

>>1810666
“Don’t say that. Have some faith.”
> “The hard is what makes it great.”

>>1810666
>> “The hard is what makes it great.”

> “Don’t say that. Have some faith.”
> “The hard is what makes it great.”

You frown. “Don’t say that, Captain. The hard is what makes it great. Even if some drop out, the ones we retain will be the better for it. Challenge is much more of a learning experience than most anything else.”

Captain Spruance folds her arms, smiling at you. “Challenge is the –only- learning experience. Though, I suppose I should have more faith.” She pats your back, nodding to you. “You take care, Elodie. I’m sure they’ll be needing you at practice today.” You check your watch. Oh! It’s almost 4 O’Clock! Wow, the day went by pretty quickly!

Right then, what to do then?

> Stay a little longer, make sure all the freshmen know who are you.
> Head to the Tank Hangar
> Go find your crew
> Other

>>1810887
>Head to the Tank Hangar

>>1810887
>> Head to the Tank Hangar

>>1810887
>> Head to the Tank Hangar

> Head to the Tank Hangar

-

-

You arrive at the Tank Hangar. You sigh deeply.

On horseback. Everyone is in awe of you as you ride on Lang, then dismount smoothly in front of your tank. Lang rears back, slamming his hooves on the floor, whinnying. Iris walks up to you. “Ellie. I heard all about your speech today.”

“Yeah, yeah.” You frown, folding your arms. “Went better than I expected I guess.”

Iris takes a sip of tea. “Well, I suppose a lady is always humble. Regardless, I believe we have some work to do. Have you seen Griselda today?”

“Yeah, she met with me and Gertrude at the speech today,” you explain. “Why?”

“Ah.” Iris rubs her chin. “Were her and her sister-“

“I’d rather not discuss that,” you state candidly. Iris nods, understanding. She adjusts her glasses slightly as you, “But yeah, we do have some work to do in terms of discipline.” You look to Patton and Serafina wrestling with each other while the other crews cheer them on, hollering and whooping. “I’m afraid the winning streak has actually made them a little too eager now. Too much of a good thing does spoil you I suppose.”

“Yes.” Iris nods. “And it’ll be especially fatal to make a mistake against Zhou Enlai. We may have the division locked up now but even a single loss against them could change things. Especially because ZES is a favorite to win it all this year. We need to be careful.”

“Agreed. I assume Griselda isn’t in yet?” you ask. Iris shakes her head. “Alright.”

What to do…

> Time to instill a bit of your own discipline in the girls.
> “Iris, you’re always prim and proper. Tell them what for.”
> It’s Griselda’s team, let her do the work.
> Other

>>1811097
>> “Iris, you’re always prim and proper. Tell them what for.”

>>1811097
>> Time to instill a bit of your own discipline in the girls.
>> “Iris, you’re always prim and proper. Tell them what for.”

>>1811097
>“Iris, you’re always prim and proper. Tell them what for.”

> “Iris, you’re always prim and proper. Tell them what for.”

You nudge Iris. “You’re always prim and proper. Tell them what for.”

Iris sighs. “I suppose it cannot be helped.” She motions for you to follow. You help her get on top of her Churchill tank, then she lets out a loud whistle. Everyone looks over, now attentive. “Girls, girls. Gather around.” Everyone gathers around the tank. “Now, I’m sure you all remember what happened our last match with Joan D’Orleans.”

“Yeah, we kicked their asses!” yells Dutch. The team laughs and cheers at that comment. Iris calms them down with a wave of her hand.

“Right. But it was much closer than it needed to be due to some… discipline issues,” says Iris. Everyone goes silent. Yeah, no one likes to hear this speech. “Now, I know that many of you have already come back from your first day of school, some of you don’t want to hear this talk of having to come together and right yourselves up. Tankery is supposed to be relaxing, fun, enjoyable. But, it can’t be so when the team isn’t up to par, when it’s not in-sync with the rest.”

Jane Fogerty tilts her head. “What do you propose?”

Iris takes a sip of tea. “… We have a tea party.”

-

-

Griselda walks into the hangar at around six o’clock. She yawns heavily, rubbing her eyes as Luisa walks next to her. “I swear to God, Luisa… Gertrude just loves to hear herself taaaal- WHAT THE FUCK!?”

She arrives to a hangar that seems to have suddenly transformed into a lounge from Victorian London. Everyone is standing straight, wearing poofy and frilly dresses, sipping tea politely and properly. Iris and her crew police around the hangar, getting everyone to do their part to make this a proper establishment. Iris looks over, then walks up to Griselda. “Griselda, please. Watch your language.”

Griselda blinks, then looks around. “… what in the hell-“ Iris clears her throat. “… heck did you do?”

“I am simply instilling a bit of proper virtues into our ladies here,” says Iris. She motions to everybody, but especially you. They had to custom make a dress for you on the spot due to your chest but otherwise, your dress matches everyone else’s. Stack, Ingrid, Josephina, and Winona sit around the table with you, sipping tea and eating some cake as well. Stack in particular struggles with the fact that she has to eat cake with a knife and fork. Griselda walks up to you.

“Ellie.” Griselda cocks her head, confused. “Don’t tell me you endorsed this! This- This is actually strangely very orderly but- how- what-“

> “A lady does not question Iris.”
> “A lady does not stutter.”
> “A lady does not wear such dirty rags.”
> Other

>>1811424
>“A lady does not stutter.

Its a sign of poor self discipline, unless one is a natural stutterer, of course. Then it is just unfortunate.

Now go freshen up so you may join us properly.

>>1811424
> “A lady does not stutter.”

>>1811424
>> “A lady does not stutter.”

> “A lady does not stutter.”

You turn your nose up at Griselda, taking your tea and saucer. “Tut, tut. A lady does not stutter, Griselda.” Griselda stares at you as if you had been turned into a zombie.

She looks to Iris. Iris has a slight smile on her face. “One must understand, Griselda, that the work that goes into being a proper lady is almost as backbreaking as Tankery itself. I assure, by the end of the week, I will have everybody quoting scripture, standing straight, and sticking their pinkies out when they drink their drinks.”

Griselda nods slowly. “Well… I guess this is our training for today then. I can’t be bothered to tear this stuff down.” She rubs her cheek, groaning in frustration. “I-“ Violet immediately slides in from behind Iris, holding up a dress. “What’s this?”

“Your dress,” says Iris. “You will be joining us, no?”

Griselda blinks. “E-… Eh? Erm. I mean, I guess I-“ She turns around and is immediately face to face with a very eager Hadley and crew. “Hadley! Oh-“

“Join us!” says Hadley.

“Won’t you join us?” says Serafina.

“Join us!” Even Dutch and company have been assimilated. “Join us!”

And how could she refuse when the entire team says this?

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>>1811719
That's it for tonight. Things were a little slow today but I'll try to pick things up faster by tomorrow hopefully. Hope you all enjoyed.

Follow at: https://twitter.com/GermanSchteel
Ask at: http://germanschteel.tumblr.com/
Book Tumbles: http://germanschteelbookblog.tumblr.com/

See you next time.

>>1811735
Thanks for running boss.

>>1811735
Good stuff boss. Look forward to tomorrow!

>>1811735
Thanks for the fun, boss. Sorry I missed most of it live.

You all bow politely to Iris and Griselda standing before you. “Thank you for practice today.”

Iris smiles. “Very good, ladies. Understand that if I find discipline lacking, then I assure you that there will be more days like this with far more challenging circumstances to overcome.” Everyone is sweating, hot, and fuming in their dresses. Iris really opened everyone’s eyes as to how tough it is to be a prim and proper lady it seems. “Now, you are dismissed.” Everyone immediately rushes for the showers. “Ah, ah!” Everyone stops. She points to her crew standing by a table. “Dresses off first. I will not have them sullied by a lockerroom floor.” Everyone quickly files out towards the table.

You step up to Iris and Griselda, rubbing your forehead with a spare rag provided by Denise. “How was that, Iris?” you ask.

Iris smiles, then looks to Griselda, who simply stands there in her own dress, unsure of what to say. “I believe it went quite well. We should have more tea parties like this one day. Perhaps in celebration of when we win our first match in the postseason.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Griselda folds her arms. Iris quickly undoes Griselda’s crossed arms and replaces the gesture with a fan in her hand to flap about. “I just can’t wait to get out of this dress.” She points to Stack, who is jumping up and down in line. “Just look at Stack! That’s how I feel on the inside.”

“Hmph!” Iris chuckles a little. “Perhaps I went too far.”

“Perhaps?” Griselda snorts, a smirk on her face. The three of you however are alerted to the arrival of two people. Two judges from NATO, Judge Joyce and Judge West. She turns to them. “Judges.” She immediately straightens herself out. “Er-… What are you doing here?”

The two women wear their usual judging uniforms, with Judge Joyce carrying a satchel under her arm. The two look at each other grimly, then at your tanks. They look to Griselda again. “Griselda, can we talk to you for a few minutes?”

“E-… Sure.” Griselda nods. “Let me just get dressed and we can talk in our office.” Griselda quickly hurries away. “Luisa, show them to my office please!” Luisa hurries over and motions for the judges to follow her.

Once they’re gone, confusion sets in. Iris squints a bit. “Strange. The judges don’t visit a team all that often. I wonder what that is about?”

> “Could be anything.”
> “Let’s hope it’s nothing bad.”
> “Perhaps we should listen in?”
> Other

>>1813796
> “Could be anything.”
> “Let’s hope it’s nothing bad.”

Uuuuuuuhhhhhhh....

>>1813796
>> “Let’s hope it’s nothing bad.”
>> “Perhaps we should listen in?”
>> Other
Start looking into rules regarding tank acquisition. I'm guessing that the Chinese are trying to jew us.

>>1813796
> “Could be anything.”
> “Let’s hope it’s nothing bad.”

> “Could be anything.”
> “Let’s hope it’s nothing bad.”

“Could be anything.” You sigh. “Let’s hope it’s nothing bad,” you say. Iris nods, understanding. What could they be here for? Are they here to present an award? Investigate the tanks before the last match? It’s all so confusing.

Regardless, you decide to pin curiosity to the backwall of your mind and go take the dress off. You’re just melting in this thing. How do women wear this stuff?

-

-

Everyone steps out of the showers feeling refreshed and fully recharged. Stack throws her arms up, naked as the day she was born. All of you thankfully are in the lockerroom getting dressed. “Whooo, baby! I’m glad I ain’t gotta wear no dress like that anymore. Dresses are one thing but wearing a goddamn bird cage on my ass is another.”

Ingrid snorts, slapping Stack’s ass. Stack yelps. “Bird cage is for protection.” Stack glares at her, rubbing her butt. “Ellie, I saw GrisGris going in with the two judges, you know anything about that?” Stack looks over, curious as well.

“No,” you say. “And I’m not interested in listening in. That’s rude.”

Winona gasps, standing up. “Do you think they’re giving her an award!?”

“Wouldn’t it be kind of strange to give someone an award in private?” says Ingrid. Winona blinks, nodding. “Yeah.”

Josephina says, “I just hope it’s nothing too serious, oui? We’ve already come so far, it’d be terrible to be delayed or blocked by something in the rules.”

“We’ve played by the rules since we started!” Stack pulls her tank top on, furrowing her brow. “Y’all know that! We ain’t some French- no offense, Josie.” Josephina shakes her head. “We ain’t some French cheating… cheaters!”

“Why do you associate cheating with the French?” asks Winona.

> “Guys, no more speculation. We’ll find out later I’m sure.”
> “Maybe it could be a disqualification, who knows?”
> “I’m banking on it being something they want to keep private.”
> Other

>>1813966
> “Guys, no more speculation. We’ll find out later I’m sure.”
> “I’m banking on it being something they want to keep private.”
If its important we will be told. Probably in private.

>>1813966
>“Guys, no more speculation. We’ll find out later I’m sure.”

>>1813966
Guys, no more speculation. We’ll find out later I’m sure.”

> “Guys, no more speculation. We’ll find out later I’m sure.”

“Guys, no more speculation.” They look to you, attentive. “We’ll find out later about this, I’m sure.”

Josephina says, “Elodie is right. Whatever it is, we should try and adjust to it like we do anything else.”

Stack groans. “Ugh, I hate being left in the dark about things!” She stomps her foot, folding her arms. “She oughta tell us as soon as she can! We’re a team, ain’t we?” You are. Really though, you do worry about her. What is Griselda being interrogated about in her room?

Oh well.

-

-

All of you leave the lockerroom. “Hey, I need help with my history project.” Serina walks up to the Junior Historians. “Professor gave me a damn project due in three weeks on the first day of school, can you believe that?”

“Ha!” All four of them laugh at Serina. “I guess it can’t be helped!” says Suvorov. “Come then, delinquent, we shall show you our ways! Giap, cook us some pho please.” They leave the hangar. Many take backpacks filled with homework and books. Hm…

Right then, what to do now?

> Check on Griselda.
> Embark on a Subquest (Which?)
> Hang out with your crew
> Other

>>1814250
> Embark on a Subquest (For the Love if the Game)
I want to talk to Gris. But time is always good when dealing with her.

Also, we need to get loyalty quests going. That and based off of last weeks thread I don't think Ingrid is at 5% morale...was sure it went up when at our folks...

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>>1814250
>Check on Griselda.

I expect Gris-Gris will burst from her office in fury soon.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

Since only two people have voted, I'll just roll to break the tie at this point.

> LOYALTY QUEST: For Love of the Game

-

-

You decide to walk home with Ingrid today. “You’re going back to your dorm? Not to your Mom?”

“Nah.” Ingrid types on her smartphone, checking out stats and scores for this year. “Tell you what though, Nats are collapsing big time this year. Figured they’d be the ones to take the division since they were pretty loaded.” Ah, more baseball talk. She looks to you. “So why did you decide to go walk with me?”

You shrug. “Figured you’d need the company. I mean, I’m not Stack.”

“No, but you are stacked,” she mutters.

“What was that?”

“Nothing.”

You snort, giving her a sideways glance. Whatever. Ingrid says, “It’s nice to have you for company though. I’m just struggling to think though that next week we’ll be starting our online courses on top of our regular eight hour shifts. That’s going to be hell to think about.” You nod. “I’ll barely have any time for baseball. For all I know, the Mets are going to win the World Series and I won’t even know about it!” She looks down at the sidewalk, holding onto her backpack.

“Well. Have you talked to your Mom at all lately?” you ask.

“Nah, she knows not to get into my business,” says Ingrid bluntly. “And in return, I don’t get into hers.”

> Fair enough.
> Why don’t you visit her?
> Give her a call maybe?
> Other

>>1814537
>> Give her a call maybe?

>>1814537
>Give her a call maybe?

You give each other too much space. You're drifting apart.

>>1814537
>> Give her a call maybe?

>>1814537
> Give her a call maybe?

> Give her a call maybe?

“Maybe you should give her a call, Ingrid?” She looks at you, confused. “You guys give each other too much space. Of course you’d be way apart if you never talk with each other.”

“What do we have to talk about besides baseball?” she asks.

“Erm.” You think on it. “… Maybe you can chat about school?”

Ingrid keeps walking, then sighs. She dials her Mom’s number on her phone then puts it o nspeaker so you can hear as well. After a few seconds of waiting, Ingrid’s Mom picks up. “Hello?”

“Hey, Mom.” Ingrid greets her mother, and nods her head to you. “It’s me. I’m with Ellie here too.”

“Oh, hey, Ingrid. Did you need something?” she asks.

“Um. N-… Not at the moment,” says Ingrid. “I just wanted to talk.”

“Talk about what?” asks Miss Berra. “Baseball?”

“Um… if you want to?” she says.

Miss Berra says, “Ingrid, I’m honestly kind of busy right now but well… yeah, I guess we can talk. I tell you what though, and don’t tell anyone else this. But Matt Harvey is due for injury, the entire Mets lineup is. It’s only a matter of time. And they’re definitely not taking the World Series if they even make it that far.”

“Oh, n- no I was just talking about that with Ellie!” says Ingrid. “There’s- It’s like a thing with the Mets!”

“I know right?” says Miss Berra. “Anyway, I-… I ‘d rather not talk about this now, forget I said all that, I don’t want that coming back to my employers or anything. But um… what did you want to talk about?”

Ingrid blinks. “Um.” She looks to you.

> “Hi, Miss Berra, how are you doing?”
> “Talk about Tankery!”
> “Ask her how her day was!”
> Other

>>1814702
>> “Ask her how her day was!”

>>1814702
>> “Ask her how her day was!”

>>1814702
>“Ask her how her day was!”

And if that doesn't go far, see about having dinner with her. Proper dinner, not a work dinner.

>>1814702
>> “Hi, Miss Berra, how are you doing?”

>>1814702
>> “Talk about Tankery!”
>> “Ask her how her day was!”

> “Ask her how her day was!”

“How was your day, Mom?” asks Ingrid.

“My day?” Miss Berra says, “Well, it went okay I guess. No new job offers but I’m still plugging away at my code. Why?”

“Um, I just wanted to know how it went,” says Ingrid.

“Oh. Alright. Well it’s fine. What about you?”

“Um, I’m alright.” You and Ingrid stop by a bench on the sidewalk and sit down.

“Ah, cool.”

… Wow these two are bad at holding conversation with each other. Miss Berra says, “Well, listen, Ingrid. I have to get back to work, okay?”

“O-… Oh, okay, Mom,” says Ingrid. She seems a little disappointed.

“But listen, I’m rooting for you this weekend, okay?” Ingrid nods slowly, her frown slightly rising up and away. “And if you need anything just call.”

“Okay, bye.”

“Bye.”

Ingrid hangs up, sighing deeply. She looks at you. “Yeah, we’re terrible at conversation with each other.”

> Boast
> Neutral
> Polite

>>1814873
> Polite

It went well. You should get together for dinner. Start doing that regularly. Like often. No phones, no computers, no work. Just the two of you. And push the conversation.

Tell her you worry about losing each other.

>>1814873
>> Polite

>>1814873
>> Polite

> Polite

“That was better than I thought it’d be,” you say. “You guys need to get together sometimes. Maybe for dinner, no distractions, no nothing. If you really want to win her respect and not lose her, you have to fight for the relationship. It’s not something you just get over a day of good talks and hugs.” Ingrid crosses her arms, looking down at the sidewalk. “Come on.” You pat her shoulder.

Ingrid grunts, nodding lightly. “Y-… Yeah. I guess you’re right.” She smiles a little. “Well, thanks, Ellie.”

> + 20 MORALE TO INGRID

Ingrid stands up, yawning a little. “Well, it’s getting late. And unfortunately, we oughta be back at our dorms much earlier. We gotta get to work, we gotta prepare for classes.” Oh, right, right. “But hey, tell you what. If you want, I can treat you to some ice cream or something. If you’re up to it.”

> “Sure, why not?”
> “Nah, I’m busy. But thanks.”
> Other

>>1815051
Sure, why not?”

File: GuP Feed the Miho.gif (2.79 MB, 480x270)

2.79 MB GIF

>>1815051
>Sure, why not?”

Never refuse ice cream. Especially from someone we are trying to make feel better and help.

>>1815051
>> “Sure, why not?”

>>1815051
>> “Sure, why not?”

> “Sure, why not?”

-

-

The ice cream place where Nancy works was still open, so the two of you grabbed some ice cream to eat. Ingrid got herself some strawberry with chocolate fudge, and you a cone of vanilla. The two of you stand outside the shop, looking out to the sunset. And while this happens, Ingrid tells you, “You know, I sometimes I wish I had gotten the lesson earlier.”

“What lesson?” you ask.

“That girls can’t play baseball in the Major Leagues?” she says bluntly.

You frown. “We run tanks and stuff, Ingrid. What makes you think that?”

Ingrid says, “Baseball’s a lot different from Tankery, Ellie. There’s more finesse to it. There’s more versatility demanded of you. You have to sprint, you have to catch, you have to throw, you have to hit. It’s not enough that you can do just one. Well, unless you’re in the AL.” She sighs heavily. “My parents really built me up when I was kid, making me think I could play in the same league as Clayton Kershaw or Mike Trout.” She munches on her ice cream. “It was really tough learning that.”

“I figure.” You nod slowly.

She looks to you, quirking her brow. “You ever feel something like that, Ellie? Just… have your entire world shattered like that?”

> “My world was shattered at the start. I built it back up.”
> “Nah.”
> “Maybe. If it was, I didn’t notice.”
> Other

>>1815298
>> “My world was shattered at the start. I built it back up.”

>>1815298
>“My world was shattered at the start. I built it back up.”

I only found out recently, mind you.

>>1815298
>> “My world was shattered at the start. I built it back up.”

>>1815298
>My world was shattered at the start. I built it back up.”

> “My world was shattered at the start. I built it back up.”

“My world was shattered at the start, Ingrid.” You crunch on the waffle cone, looking down. “But I built it back up. Ingrid, I would at least say you had a happy childhood. I-… I didn’t really have that.”

Ingrid looks away. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

“It’s fine. But think of it like this, sure… your dream’s broken but… you can make something new out of it.” You shrug a little. “Yeah, you’re not going to piece it altogether like it should be, but you can take those pieces and make a whole new thing out of it. That’s the best you can do.” You smile a little. Ingrid nods slowly. You say, “I’m not saying give up on baseball. Baseball is clearly your thing.”

“You’re saying I need to think about this differently,” she says.

“Sort of.” You continue crunching the waffle cone.

“You know.” Ingrid wags her finger at you. “You would make a great psychologist or something one day, maybe like a life coach.” You roll your eyes. “No, seriously! I-… Ellie, I appreciate the time you’re spending with me. It’s a lot more eye-opening that I thought it’d be. Just the fact that-…” She goes silent.

“What?”

She picks at her ice cream. “I-… I finally have someone to talk to about this. So, thanks.”

> Boast
> Neutral
> Polite

>>1815480
> Polite

>>1815480
>Neutral

>>1815480
> Polite

possible hug time?

>>1815480
>> Polite

> Polite

“You’re welcome.” Ingrid looks down again when you say this. “And thanks for the ice cream too.”

“Yeah.” Ingrid smiles at you. “Though, tell you what. Next time.” She gently punches you on the arm, smirking. “Ice cream is on you.” Oh, sure sure. You suppose you do owe a lot to your RO for being there for the team. “Anyway. I’m gonna head back to my dorm, Ellie. You probably should be heading back too.”

“Yeah.” Ingrid junks her ice cream cup at a trash can, then heads onto the sidewalk. You say, “Well, you at least made some progress today with your Mom, Ingrid. Try and capitalize on that. Maybe invite her to dinner or something?”

Ingrid holds up her hands. “Hey, one step at a time.” Right, right. “Still, thanks.” She shoots you a finger gun, then heads down the sidewalk. “See you around, Ellie.”

“Yeah. See you.” Ingrid waves goodbye as she walks, whistling “Take me out to the ball game”.

Hm.

> Head back to your dorm.
> Crash at your parent’s place.
> Other

>>1815705
> Crash at your parent’s place.
>Call Griselda
Just check up on her.

>>1815705
>Head back to your dorm.
>call Griselda

Hopefully normal sleeping in normal bed.

>>1815705
This >>1815719

>>1815705
>Head back to your dorm.
Don't want to interrupt the parents.

>>1815818
Oh God! I'm glad you remembered.

[shudders in horror]

File: 1453866909392.gif (132 KB, 500x600)

132 KB GIF

Rolled 2 (1d2)

1. Go with parents
2. Lewd with Winona

> Head back to your dorm.
> Other

You dial up Griselda. After a few seconds, she picks up. “Hello?”

“Griselda, it’s Ellie.”

“Oh. Ellie, hi.” Griselda sounds… tired. You suppose she might’ve been sleeping and you woke up her up. “What’s up?”

“Nothing, I just wanted to check on you,” you say. You go down the stairs to below decks. Already several Naval Studies students are on their way back to their dorms, excited for tomorrow. “What did the Judges want, was it anything bad?”

“Um… well…” Griselda sighs deeply. “Ellie, listen. I-… I can’t really discuss this now, even if I wanted to… I’m just-… I’m tired, okay?”

“Did I wake you up?”

“No. No. Um. I-… Ellie.” You stop in your tracks. “Ellie, listen.”

…

“I’m listening,” you say.

“… Ellie. NATO is investigating us.” What? “Apparently they found out Oleg used to run illegally modded parts for Tankery teams back in the 70s, and they found out he’s our chief mechanic now. I-… I don’t know why this is a problem now but-…” You stand stock still. “Ellie, they’re going to shut our team down if they think we’ve been cheating.”

“What? N- No! We haven’t!”

“It doesn’t matter what you think. You can’t tell anyone else, Ellie.” What? “If this leaks to anybody, LGA’s reputation could be ruined. They’re going to disassemble our tanks bit by bit tomorrow and they’re going to start processing each and every one for anything that looks illegal. They tell me it’ll only take a few days but-… if anything’s out of order, Ellie.” You hear her sniffle a little. “Ellie…”

“Disqualified?”

“No. Blacklisted.”

Your heart sinks. Blacklisted. Sure, they can’t ban LGA from competing in other tournaments but…

“Don’t tell anyone else, Ellie. Just stay quiet.” Before you can respond, she hangs up.

That leaves you standing gobsmacked in the hallway. A pair of students pass by, awed by you, but they don’t seem to realize what has happened.

No. Not after all you’ve done.

It can’t end like this.

File: LGA2.jpg (117 KB, 1250x900)

117 KB JPG

>>1815937
LGA2 won't be returning next weekend. I'll be out of town.

Follow at: https://twitter.com/GermanSchteel
Ask at: http://germanschteel.tumblr.com/
Book Tumbles: http://germanschteelbookblog.tumblr.com/

See you next time.

>>1815946
Weeeeelllll shit...

>>1815951
Good thread GS. I am extremely nervous.

>>1815946
We've nothing to fear, right? RIGHT?

Thanks for running boss.

>>1815946
Thanks for running, boss.

Have fun next weekend

We gay yet?