[ As everyone explores the northern area, they may suddenly find they're... not quite where they're supposed to be? They're in a large village, bursting with life. However, should they try to reach out to anyone, no one will respond to them... yet.
Also, they're all in kigus of your choice. Why? Because Andie requested it.
Anyway, they will all, by mg magic, know what their objective is. There are two young children, whom they must help counsel/raise until their adulthood. ]
[ Child #1 is H, a girl who lives in the Big City Village (aka here), said to be exceptionally intelligent and studious. It seems like she has a bright future ahead of her, but apparently she has a few issues...?
Child #2 is K, an energetic boy who lives in a more remote village. By taking in this country bumpkin, they will have to introduce him to life in the Big Village.
A. Take in H. B. Take in K.
In the case of this choice, you must choose both—however, one group of 2 will have to pick A, and the other duo will have to pick B. Decide amongst yourselves who gets which child! Reply to this comment with your decision. ]
[ Alyssa and Hilda are introduced to a young girl, of about seven years of age or so. She's very cute, if someone who doesn't look like she cares much about her appearing beyond staying tidy, with her hair tied in a plain ponytail and her bangs probably in need of a cut.
She looks up with them a completely stoic expression, before giving a polite bow. ]
... I will be in your care from now on.
[ She sounds kind of dead inside, but it's probably fine. ]
[ Hansa and Emet-Selch will abruptly find themselves whisked away (still in their kigus, of course) and plopped in a different setting! It's another village, but this one seems much smaller and more sparse than the previous one they were in.
Specifically, they're at the outskirts of it, in front of an ordinary-looking young boy, around seven years of age, who's bouncing in excitement. ]
I can finally go to the main village!? Finally! No one lets me out of here anymore, ever since that one time I went exploring and got into trouble, so this is going to be great! There's nothing here.
[ True to K's word, the path isn't horrible. It's not, like, great, because this is still a jungle and all, but it could be worse! K seems to be in awe of everything and has tried to go off the trail a few times, but he's at least sheepish because Emet-Selch probably hates that.
But the trip is taking some time, and K is getting antsy. Also, the main path is getting kind of boring, so can't they take a detour or two to see what's out there? Please?
What should Hansa and Emet-Selch do?
A. Do as K asks and go off the main path for a bit. B. Tell him to behave and just be patient. C. Tell him a story/do something to entertain him as you walk. ]
[ You know what, Crystal is right and I'm going to give these poor letter children actual names. K is now Kaiza. Yaaaay.
In any case, he seems mollified by their decision for storytelling time, as he swings around a branch he picked off the ground like it's a sword. (Disclaimer: Kaiza is not a trained fighter.) ]
You guys are old, so I guess you know a lot of stuff, huh?
[ Hilda and Alyssa have now obtained one (1) village home! And fictional fake money, because they need money to live. It's where Hishi lives... Huh. Where are this child's actual parents? Anyway.
While Hansa and Emet-Selch are off frolicking in a jungle somewhere, unbeknownst to Hilda and Alyssa, Hishi has school to attend. Maybe now would be a good time for Hilda and Alyssa to get a sense of what her life is like (and where the heck her parents are), so...
A. Sit in on one of her classes, with the teacher's permission, to see her school environment. B. Ask around the village about her. C. Wait after school for Hishi and spend some time with her to ask her themselves. ]
[ You know what, you tried so I will give you half points.
Alyssa will come across her and Hilda's neighbours, who are nice old ladies. They will give her lots and lots of cookies, so please make sure to eat them (and share) before your scenario magic advances in time and they go bad.
Anyway, yeah, they know about Hishi! That poor girl... Her parents are researchers who are constantly travelling, especially since investigating ruins is their specialty. Oh, but they never managed to get near the ruins up north—oh, wait, getting off track. Anyhow, they used to bring Hishi along with them, so she's never stayed in one place for long... which is why they left her here! They were hoping she could have some semblance of stability. (And then they left to go focus on their work again.)
Meanwhile, Hilda is... less productive! She'll end up in the shopping area of the village, where a man passing by falls madly in love with her. He gives her a plush (where did it come from? where did this guy come from, for that matter?) but also, nobody here knows who Hishi is.
On the bright side, while the nice old ladies try to drag Alyssa off to play card games with them (and give her more cookies), that means Hilda will be back in time for Hishi to arrive home. She looks a little surprised to see someone waiting for her, to be honest. ]
... Good evening. [ She looks at the plush. ] Where did that come from?
[ One month later (though it'll really only feel like a couple of minutes for everyone):
Hansa and Emet-Selch have arrived at the big village and obtained a home of their own, though not necessarily anywhere near Hilda and Alyssa—no intersecting for you just yet! Hopefully, everyone's now adjusted into their new happy family life.
[ While it rains outside, Hishi does her latest schoolwork. And by schoolwork, I mean extra credit schoolwork. Someone's an overachiever! In fact, it looks like she's finished, but she's going over her work again. ... And again. Maybe she has nothing better to do?
There probably isn't a lot in the house just yet, though. Lots of books, though! Mostly nonfiction, but there's a few fiction books among the collection as well.
What will Hilda and Alyssa do?
A. Let Hishi keep going over her schoolwork. B. Read a book with her. C. Anything else Hilda and Alyssa might think of. If there's a common item they need (e.g. hair ties, toys, etc.), it may conveniently manifest for them... ]
[ A year has passed! Again, it thankfully won't feel that long for the groups; on the downside, because a year isn't literally passing, that means if someone hypothetically caught a cold last scenario, they may still have it. Get wrecked. ]
[ Over the course of the year, Kaiza has adjusted completely to life in the village. His teachers will inform Hansa and Emet-Selch that he isn't necessarily the best student, academics-wise (though he's at least not, like, failing), but he gets along well with his classmates and so far has a bright future ahead of him.
Also, the cat is around. It has a name but you won't learn what it is yet, because your mod hasn't thought of one. However, Kaiza has been taking good care of it, as promised.
In any case, Kaiza's back from school today! Hope Hansa and Emet-Selch are hanging around the house, as he enters. ]
Hey, anyone home?
[ For the record, there is no choice to make in this scenario, so you can treat this as equivalent to Results. ]
[ For the most part, life seems to be relatively the same for Kaiza. He's doing marginally better at school, though, so be proud of him, Emet-Selch? He's still getting along with his peers, and is a relatively popular kid.
Except...
Hansa and Emet-Selch are told that something has happened with Kaiza and are sent to the school—specifically, the principal's office. There sits another child, bruised all over with a black eye and what appears to be his parents with him, and then... there's Kaiza! Frowning and also looking bruised, but less so than the other guy.
The principal informs Hansa and Emet-Selch that Kaiza instigated a fight with this boy; punched him first right in the face, in fact. His parents are demanding that Kaiza be punished for clearly being a violent troublemaker?
What should Hansa and Emet-Selch do?
A. Ask for Kaiza's side of the story first. B. Congratulate Kaiza, because evidently he won the fight. C. Scold Kaiza.
Technically, you could do all three at various points, but whichever option you pick is what's being done first! ]
[ As an extracurricular assignment, Hishi wants to gather plants, herbs, and the like out in the nearby jungle. Hilda might hate this, but she can at least bring the cat-that-has-definitely-been-named-by-now if she wants to play with it.
While Hishi gathers what she needs, she tells Alyssa and Hilda that she might finally be narrowing her focus. She thinks she might want to pursue a path of researching the plant life and making medicines. Science! However, her teacher has further encouraged her to narrow her focus further between what kind of medicines: healing medicine or dangerous medicine.
This isn't weird at all. Just go with it. Anyway:
A. Encourage Hishi to pursue the path of a healer. B. Encourage Hishi to go into poisons and whatnot just in case she ever needs them. For some reason. ]
[ With the newfound career goals, Kaiza has been getting more active in the community with his friends. However, sometimes, the problems to solve are closer than expected...
Today, when Kaiza gets home, he sits down and plants his face against the table, sighing. Looks like something's troubling him! If Hansa and Emet-Selch ask, it turns out:
Hishi (whose only friend is Kaiza, apparently) is trying to befriend others, on his encouragement. Unfortunately, her target is the hyper-competitive and kind of abrasive Riu—who isn't a bad person, Kaiza makes sure to mention, but... the thing is, Hishi has consistently been beating Riu as the girl with the top marks, and is receiving all the privileges that entails (including spending time with the boy with top marks, who not coincidentally is Ohmi). This is driving Riu insane with envy and insecurity, and it's finally hit its boiling point.
Kaiza caught Riu stealing something of Hishi's and hiding it, mainly to cause some trouble for her. He told her off for it but also listened as she confessed to how miserable she felt, as petty as she knew it was, so she's feeling pretty horrible about it.
To top it all off, it turns out Hishi saw Riu putting the item away, but has yet to talk to her about it and isn't necessarily assuming malice. Now, Kaiza has to decide how to proceed.
Did Hansa and Emet-Selch expect to be caught up in preteen drama when they entered this CYOA? Because that sure is what's happening. So should Kaiza...
A. Tell Hishi the full truth of what happened and why Riu did it. B. Lie and tell Hishi that Riu just put it away for safekeeping. C. Do nothing since he's not involved. ]
[ Another year, more birthdays passed, and now Hishi and Kaiza are thirteen. Entering those teen years... which means maybe it's time to think about love? ]
[ Hishi's been especially happy lately, since she gets to eat lunch with Riu and Riu's friends who aren't Ohmi and Kaiza! Friends!! She and Riu get along great now that there's no misunderstandings between them, and while being second-best to Hishi stings a little for Riu, she's made it clear that she wants to compete with Hishi fair and square, so now they're friendly rivals.
On the other hand, there are also times over the year where Hishi seems deep in thought—almost troubled? And today, she finally tells Hilda and Alyssa—her best sources of information, besides Kaiza—what's on her mind. ]
What... does it mean if your heart starts beating fast sometimes? Am I getting sick?
[ Another year, and now the kids are fourteen. Life goes on the same as before, except that thanks to Kaiza and Hishi's efforts (but possibly mostly Kaiza's), Ohmi and Riu are dating. Much to Kaiza's joy and relief, as he'll inform Hansa and Emet-Selch. Hilda and Alyssa don't need to worry about Hishi, though, as Riu still eats with her girl friends and hangs out with them; bros before hoes. Hishi continues to ponder over her crush, but has yet to make a move on Kaiza, if she ever intends to.
Not all is sunshine and rainbows, though. While children (and the occasional adult) have, at times, disappeared from the village... it's getting more frequent. The kids are told at school to be careful, especially when it gets late.
Tonight, Hishi... doesn't return home, which is odd for someone as punctual as her. Assuming Hilda and Alyssa don't decide to just chill in their house and instead leave to look for her, where do they want to search?
A. Around the school. B. The area between the school and the residential area. ]
[ Another year, and now the kids are fifteen. Big news this year, though! Not necessarily good news, though.
An exploration group, which had headed out to the northern ruins a few years back, has finally returned—though they aren't quite in one piece. Most of them are injured, and they lost a few members as well. The dangerous beast that lurks there is still alive, they say. Even worse, all the puzzles. Should anyone else attempt to investigate the ruins, they should bring along a genius (on top of, you know, better fighters) who can solve those, or else they'll never be able to advance further.
Still, that probably won't stop future groups. After all, the allure of treasure is too great to resist.
I feel like I should also specify that Hishi's parents are not among the group. They still nebulously exist out there, maybe. ]
[ Today, at home, Hishi is surrounded by books. They all seem to be of the same few themes: ancient civilizations, the local wildlife and plants, maps, and solving puzzles, as well as a book titled How to Survive in the Wilderness. Oh, and copies of puzzles that, if they've been paying attention, Hilda and Alyssa might recognize as those the explorers brought from the ruins. Also, she's amassing a lot of bottles of poison lately?
[ Two years have passed. The kids are now seventeen, set to graduate in one more year. Before that, though, there's something they have to take care of.
Soon, they'll set off on their journey to the northern ruins. By now, the village knows, buzzing with concern and excitement. Will they be fine? Maybe that eyepatch man will lose his other eye? (A comment that may or may not have come from the Randos.) WILL THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE BE FINE, cries that one suitor of Hilda's from, like, ten years ago. Wow. But if all goes well, they'll finally know what the lost treasure is, and the village can boast they have Hishi, the genius of this generation. Also, Kaiza exists, they suppose. (No, they love him too. But he's less brag-worthy.)
Riu hugs Hishi tearfully, telling her that nothing had better happen to her or she'll never forgive her. Also, she'll castrate Kaiza. And his dads too, for good measure. Ohmi reminds Kaiza that he and Hishi have to come back alive, or else what will happen to their plans together? Not to mention that he has to be his best man for—no, never mind, talking about marrying Riu in the future is still too embarrassing, aaaaaaaaah.
Kaiza and Hishi regret having to worry their friends like this, but... this is something they have to do.
Still, there are a few things left to take care of. ]
[ Hishi has meticulously gone over every supply they'll need for the trip, so she's confident they're prepared. Or at least, as prepared as they can hope to be.
There's one thing she's not quite ready for, though—or is she? That's the question, apparently. ]
... Before, you once told me that if I liked someone, I should let him know sometime, once I had things figured out. [ She pauses. ] I've thought about it over the last few years, and through careful observation and analysis of Ohmi and Riu's relationship, as well as interrogating the effects of Ohmi's presence on Riu's physiological reactions, I believe this may be "love" now.
[ That's one way to do things, but anyway. ]
Right now, we need to focus on this expedition. However, once that's done with, I have to consider the future. Success will be good for my career, but aside from that...
[ For all of Hishi's usual confidence, except for when her moms are catching her off-guard with their affection, she's starting to look increasingly awkward. ]
... After we come back safely, I think I'll confess. I don't know if he'll accept, but... I should at least try, right?
[ It's time. If all goes well, Kaiza and Hishi will be able to return to the village in time for their graduation, but—well, that's assuming everyone comes back safely.
The trip through the jungle is mostly uneventful, especially since this time, Kaiza isn't an impatient young child. Now, he's focused, especially with Hishi's expertise to support him.
Eventually, they reach the ruins. They're the remnants of a civilization now lost, its people having passed so long ago as to be almost faded away in time. Kaiza, having been here once before, knows his way around, and he guides them to a large, relatively intact building. ]
... If the beast is anywhere, it'll be here.
[ Lightly, he touches his neck, before he turns to Hishi. She nods, and then looks to the others. ]
Kaiza and I will head in as far as we can, to deal with the puzzles as quickly as possible. If we encounter the beast... then we will entrust it to you.
[ Which they're not happy about, but also, like. 3/4 of their parents are trained fighters and much stronger than them? Please protect your children. Also because Jan isn't mean enough to make you solve puzzles/perhaps did not want to have to come up with any.
So in they go! The ceilings are high, and the hallways are relatively large, at least enough so that most of the group can walk shoulder-by-shoulder. Inside, though, is almost a maze of various halls. Traps, long since disarmed by explorers before them, lay around. And though the buildings are old, much of it now covered in greenery, Hishi looks around in muted awe, while Kaiza has the look of someone remembering things from long ago.
But yeah, you knew this was coming. Footsteps—that certainly aren't theirs—begin to echo through the building. And then, finally, the steps resound from behind the group. Should they turn around, they'll find that it has appeared, emerging from a turn they didn't take: the beast.
[emet keeps an eye on both the area and kaiza, as they go, splitting his attention between them both-- but he's also quiet, for the most part. somber. a place like this deserves a measure of respect, after all.
but just like they all definitely knew would happen-- there's the beast, and he readies his bow as he steps back, glancing back to their kid.]
Stay back and do not do anything foolish, Kaiza.
[they can, hopefully, handle this? but he's staying back as usual. the bow will have to be enough, without his powers.]
[ Hansa, Emet-Selch, Hilda, and Alyssa will find themselves back in the village. Neither Kaiza nor Hishi is there with them... but before anyone panics over the latter, they will sense that time has passed.
Graduation approaches, as does the time when the four's duties will come to an end. They're invited, even Hansa who is no longer banned—or rather, he never was! What would he have been banned from the premises for, after all?
Ohmi and Hishi are at the top of the class, with Riu trailing behind. Still, even as second-best, everyone is excited to see what she can achieve alongside Ohmi, as the two plan to take up leadership positions in the village. Some people are a bit worried about their combined people skills, but they'll have to make do. The two have improved since childhood, at least, although they can't quite remember why?
Meanwhile, Hishi is the genius of the village, hailed for returning with the treasure from the northern ruins. Hansa and co.'s efforts are also very much appreciated. No longer will anyone have to live in fear of the beast, and maybe the kidnappings will stop now.
Also, Hishi receives a letter from her parents, letting her know they're well. See, they're alive!
And so, life goes on.
Hilda and Alyssa will sometimes catch Hishi staring at a bracelet on her wrist. She made it, she recalls, but how odd—she's never felt the need to make anything for herself. And when the time comes to part, she'll ask Hilda and Alyssa for a final hug. For some reason, saying goodbye to them is harder than she had imagined, and she can't explain this void in her heart.
In their home, Hansa and Emet-Selch will find a note (or rather, they'll have to retrieve it from Treasure, before he can swallow it).
Can't stay long, think Treasure is afraid of me. Honestly, I wish I could graduate, after how hard I worked to not fail, but it looks like everyone's memories of me have already slipped away. I don't know if you'll still remember, so maybe this is just the ramblings of some psycho to you, but I wanted to say this again.
It was a good ten years, and I owe a lot of it to you two. Thank you. - Kaiza
If Hansa, Hilda, Emet-Selch, and Alyssa meet up and go over what was in the container left for them, they will find (and, instinctively, know the purpose of):
• What looks to be a printed report. • A pill. If ingested on Thursday night, the user will fall into a state of pseudo-death, indecipherable from the real thing. They will revive again on Saturday night. One use only. • A wiretap. If placed on someone, it will become invisible. OOCly, the user will learn the contents of a random PC the target has on the day the wiretap is ICly placed. One use only.
Furthermore:
• The red bracelet Kaiza crafted and the green bracelet Hishi crafted? The two wielders can send a telepathic message to the other once per week. If the other person is indisposed at the time, they may receive it once they're available again, though the message might get scrambled.
Also, if they so wish, they may keep Kaiza's note and the drawings Kaiza and Hishi made, as well as their cats.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
THE BEGINNING
Also, they're all in kigus of your choice. Why? Because Andie requested it.
Anyway, they will all, by mg magic, know what their objective is. There are two young children, whom they must help counsel/raise until their adulthood. ]
CHOICE
CityVillage (aka here), said to be exceptionally intelligent and studious. It seems like she has a bright future ahead of her, but apparently she has a few issues...?Child #2 is K, an energetic boy who lives in a more remote village. By taking in this country bumpkin, they will have to introduce him to life in the Big Village.
A. Take in H.
B. Take in K.
In the case of this choice, you must choose both—however, one group of 2 will have to pick A, and the other duo will have to pick B. Decide amongst yourselves who gets which child! Reply to this comment with your decision. ]
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DISCUSS
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RESULTS (GROUP H - Alyssa, Hilda)
She looks up with them a completely stoic expression, before giving a polite bow. ]
... I will be in your care from now on.
[ She sounds kind of dead inside, but it's probably fine. ]
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RESULTS (GROUP K - Hansa, Emet-Selch)
Specifically, they're at the outskirts of it, in front of an ordinary-looking young boy, around seven years of age, who's bouncing in excitement. ]
I can finally go to the main village!? Finally! No one lets me out of here anymore, ever since that one time I went exploring and got into trouble, so this is going to be great! There's nothing here.
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GETTING TO KNOW THEM
CHOICE - GROUP K
But the trip is taking some time, and K is getting antsy. Also, the main path is getting kind of boring, so can't they take a detour or two to see what's out there? Please?
What should Hansa and Emet-Selch do?
A. Do as K asks and go off the main path for a bit.
B. Tell him to behave and just be patient.
C. Tell him a story/do something to entertain him as you walk. ]
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RESULTS - GROUP K
In any case, he seems mollified by their decision for storytelling time, as he swings around a branch he picked off the ground like it's a sword. (Disclaimer: Kaiza is not a trained fighter.) ]
You guys are old, so I guess you know a lot of stuff, huh?
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CHOICE - GROUP H
While Hansa and Emet-Selch are off frolicking in a jungle somewhere, unbeknownst to Hilda and Alyssa, Hishi has school to attend. Maybe now would be a good time for Hilda and Alyssa to get a sense of what her life is like (and where the heck her parents are), so...
A. Sit in on one of her classes, with the teacher's permission, to see her school environment.
B. Ask around the village about her.
C. Wait after school for Hishi and spend some time with her to ask her themselves. ]
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RESULTS - GROUP H
Alyssa will come across her and Hilda's neighbours, who are nice old ladies. They will give her lots and lots of cookies, so please make sure to eat them (and share) before your scenario magic advances in time and they go bad.
Anyway, yeah, they know about Hishi! That poor girl... Her parents are researchers who are constantly travelling, especially since investigating ruins is their specialty. Oh, but they never managed to get near the ruins up north—oh, wait, getting off track. Anyhow, they used to bring Hishi along with them, so she's never stayed in one place for long... which is why they left her here! They were hoping she could have some semblance of stability. (And then they left to go focus on their work again.)
Meanwhile, Hilda is... less productive! She'll end up in the shopping area of the village, where a man passing by falls madly in love with her. He gives her a plush (where did it come from? where did this guy come from, for that matter?) but also, nobody here knows who Hishi is.
On the bright side, while the nice old ladies try to drag Alyssa off to play card games with them (and give her more cookies), that means Hilda will be back in time for Hishi to arrive home. She looks a little surprised to see someone waiting for her, to be honest. ]
... Good evening. [ She looks at the plush. ] Where did that come from?
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ONE MONTH LATER
Hansa and Emet-Selch have arrived at the big village and obtained a home of their own, though not necessarily anywhere near Hilda and Alyssa—no intersecting for you just yet! Hopefully, everyone's now adjusted into their new happy family life.
One evening, as it begins to rain... ]
CHOICE - GROUP H
There probably isn't a lot in the house just yet, though. Lots of books, though! Mostly nonfiction, but there's a few fiction books among the collection as well.
What will Hilda and Alyssa do?
A. Let Hishi keep going over her schoolwork.
B. Read a book with her.
C. Anything else Hilda and Alyssa might think of. If there's a common item they need (e.g. hair ties, toys, etc.), it may conveniently manifest for them... ]
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CHOICE - GROUP K
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RESULTS - GROUP K
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RESULTS - GROUP H
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INTERLUDE
GROUP K
Also, the cat is around. It has a name but you won't learn what it is yet, because your mod hasn't thought of one. However, Kaiza has been taking good care of it, as promised.
In any case, Kaiza's back from school today! Hope Hansa and Emet-Selch are hanging around the house, as he enters. ]
Hey, anyone home?
[ For the record, there is no choice to make in this scenario, so you can treat this as equivalent to Results. ]
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BUDDING FRIENDSHIP
CHOICE - GROUP K
Except...
Hansa and Emet-Selch are told that something has happened with Kaiza and are sent to the school—specifically, the principal's office. There sits another child, bruised all over with a black eye and what appears to be his parents with him, and then... there's Kaiza! Frowning and also looking bruised, but less so than the other guy.
The principal informs Hansa and Emet-Selch that Kaiza instigated a fight with this boy; punched him first right in the face, in fact. His parents are demanding that Kaiza be punished for clearly being a violent troublemaker?
What should Hansa and Emet-Selch do?
A. Ask for Kaiza's side of the story first.
B. Congratulate Kaiza, because evidently he won the fight.
C. Scold Kaiza.
Technically, you could do all three at various points, but whichever option you pick is what's being done first! ]
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CAREER PONDERING
CHOICE - GROUP H
While Hishi gathers what she needs, she tells Alyssa and Hilda that she might finally be narrowing her focus. She thinks she might want to pursue a path of researching the plant life and making medicines. Science! However, her teacher has further encouraged her to narrow her focus further between what kind of medicines: healing medicine or dangerous medicine.
This isn't weird at all. Just go with it. Anyway:
A. Encourage Hishi to pursue the path of a healer.
B. Encourage Hishi to go into poisons and whatnot just in case she ever needs them. For some reason. ]
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CHOICE - GROUP K
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DISCUSS - GROUP K
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RESULTS - GROUP K
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RESULTS - GROUP H
HOW TO FRIENDSHIP
CHOICE - GROUP K
Today, when Kaiza gets home, he sits down and plants his face against the table, sighing. Looks like something's troubling him! If Hansa and Emet-Selch ask, it turns out:
Hishi (whose only friend is Kaiza, apparently) is trying to befriend others, on his encouragement. Unfortunately, her target is the hyper-competitive and kind of abrasive Riu—who isn't a bad person, Kaiza makes sure to mention, but... the thing is, Hishi has consistently been beating Riu as the girl with the top marks, and is receiving all the privileges that entails (including spending time with the boy with top marks, who not coincidentally is Ohmi). This is driving Riu insane with envy and insecurity, and it's finally hit its boiling point.
Kaiza caught Riu stealing something of Hishi's and hiding it, mainly to cause some trouble for her. He told her off for it but also listened as she confessed to how miserable she felt, as petty as she knew it was, so she's feeling pretty horrible about it.
To top it all off, it turns out Hishi saw Riu putting the item away, but has yet to talk to her about it and isn't necessarily assuming malice. Now, Kaiza has to decide how to proceed.
Did Hansa and Emet-Selch expect to be caught up in preteen drama when they entered this CYOA? Because that sure is what's happening. So should Kaiza...
A. Tell Hishi the full truth of what happened and why Riu did it.
B. Lie and tell Hishi that Riu just put it away for safekeeping.
C. Do nothing since he's not involved. ]
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DISCUSS - GROUP K
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CHOICE - GROUP H
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DISCUSS - GROUP H
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RESULTS
(andie voice) IS THIS SHIPPUSHING
GROUP H
On the other hand, there are also times over the year where Hishi seems deep in thought—almost troubled? And today, she finally tells Hilda and Alyssa—her best sources of information, besides Kaiza—what's on her mind. ]
What... does it mean if your heart starts beating fast sometimes? Am I getting sick?
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GROUP K
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HM?
Not all is sunshine and rainbows, though. While children (and the occasional adult) have, at times, disappeared from the village... it's getting more frequent. The kids are told at school to be careful, especially when it gets late.
This definitely won't be relevant, though! ]
CHOICE - GROUP H
Tonight, Hishi... doesn't return home, which is odd for someone as punctual as her. Assuming Hilda and Alyssa don't decide to just chill in their house and instead leave to look for her, where do they want to search?
A. Around the school.
B. The area between the school and the residential area. ]
CHOICE - GROUP K
RESULTS
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[UNSUBTLE FORESHADOWING]
An exploration group, which had headed out to the northern ruins a few years back, has finally returned—though they aren't quite in one piece. Most of them are injured, and they lost a few members as well. The dangerous beast that lurks there is still alive, they say. Even worse, all the puzzles. Should anyone else attempt to investigate the ruins, they should bring along a genius (on top of, you know, better fighters) who can solve those, or else they'll never be able to advance further.
Still, that probably won't stop future groups. After all, the allure of treasure is too great to resist.
I feel like I should also specify that Hishi's parents are not among the group. They still nebulously exist out there, maybe. ]
GROUP H
Hm. ]
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GROUP K
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BEFORE THE JOURNEY
Soon, they'll set off on their journey to the northern ruins. By now, the village knows, buzzing with concern and excitement. Will they be fine? Maybe that eyepatch man will lose his other eye? (A comment that may or may not have come from the Randos.) WILL THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE BE FINE, cries that one suitor of Hilda's from, like, ten years ago. Wow. But if all goes well, they'll finally know what the lost treasure is, and the village can boast they have Hishi, the genius of this generation. Also, Kaiza exists, they suppose. (No, they love him too. But he's less brag-worthy.)
Riu hugs Hishi tearfully, telling her that nothing had better happen to her or she'll never forgive her. Also, she'll castrate Kaiza. And his dads too, for good measure. Ohmi reminds Kaiza that he and Hishi have to come back alive, or else what will happen to their plans together? Not to mention that he has to be his best man for—no, never mind, talking about marrying Riu in the future is still too embarrassing, aaaaaaaaah.
Kaiza and Hishi regret having to worry their friends like this, but... this is something they have to do.
Still, there are a few things left to take care of. ]
GROUP H
There's one thing she's not quite ready for, though—or is she? That's the question, apparently. ]
... Before, you once told me that if I liked someone, I should let him know sometime, once I had things figured out. [ She pauses. ] I've thought about it over the last few years, and through careful observation and analysis of Ohmi and Riu's relationship, as well as interrogating the effects of Ohmi's presence on Riu's physiological reactions, I believe this may be "love" now.
[ That's one way to do things, but anyway. ]
Right now, we need to focus on this expedition. However, once that's done with, I have to consider the future. Success will be good for my career, but aside from that...
[ For all of Hishi's usual confidence, except for when her moms are catching her off-guard with their affection, she's starting to look increasingly awkward. ]
... After we come back safely, I think I'll confess. I don't know if he'll accept, but... I should at least try, right?
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GROUP K
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THE RUINS
The trip through the jungle is mostly uneventful, especially since this time, Kaiza isn't an impatient young child. Now, he's focused, especially with Hishi's expertise to support him.
Eventually, they reach the ruins. They're the remnants of a civilization now lost, its people having passed so long ago as to be almost faded away in time. Kaiza, having been here once before, knows his way around, and he guides them to a large, relatively intact building. ]
... If the beast is anywhere, it'll be here.
[ Lightly, he touches his neck, before he turns to Hishi. She nods, and then looks to the others. ]
Kaiza and I will head in as far as we can, to deal with the puzzles as quickly as possible. If we encounter the beast... then we will entrust it to you.
[ Which they're not happy about, but also, like. 3/4 of their parents are trained fighters and much stronger than them? Please protect your children. Also because Jan isn't mean enough to make you solve puzzles/perhaps did not want to have to come up with any.
So in they go! The ceilings are high, and the hallways are relatively large, at least enough so that most of the group can walk shoulder-by-shoulder. Inside, though, is almost a maze of various halls. Traps, long since disarmed by explorers before them, lay around. And though the buildings are old, much of it now covered in greenery, Hishi looks around in muted awe, while Kaiza has the look of someone remembering things from long ago.
But yeah, you knew this was coming. Footsteps—that certainly aren't theirs—begin to echo through the building. And then, finally, the steps resound from behind the group. Should they turn around, they'll find that it has appeared, emerging from a turn they didn't take: the beast.
Time for battle! ]
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but just like they all definitely knew would happen-- there's the beast, and he readies his bow as he steps back, glancing back to their kid.]
Stay back and do not do anything foolish, Kaiza.
[they can, hopefully, handle this? but he's staying back as usual. the bow will have to be enough, without his powers.]
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GRADUATION
Graduation approaches, as does the time when the four's duties will come to an end. They're invited, even Hansa who is no longer banned—or rather, he never was! What would he have been banned from the premises for, after all?
Ohmi and Hishi are at the top of the class, with Riu trailing behind. Still, even as second-best, everyone is excited to see what she can achieve alongside Ohmi, as the two plan to take up leadership positions in the village. Some people are a bit worried about their combined people skills, but they'll have to make do. The two have improved since childhood, at least, although they can't quite remember why?
Meanwhile, Hishi is the genius of the village, hailed for returning with the treasure from the northern ruins. Hansa and co.'s efforts are also very much appreciated. No longer will anyone have to live in fear of the beast, and maybe the kidnappings will stop now.
Also, Hishi receives a letter from her parents, letting her know they're well. See, they're alive!
And so, life goes on.
Hilda and Alyssa will sometimes catch Hishi staring at a bracelet on her wrist. She made it, she recalls, but how odd—she's never felt the need to make anything for herself. And when the time comes to part, she'll ask Hilda and Alyssa for a final hug. For some reason, saying goodbye to them is harder than she had imagined, and she can't explain this void in her heart.
In their home, Hansa and Emet-Selch will find a note (or rather, they'll have to retrieve it from Treasure, before he can swallow it).
Can't stay long, think Treasure is afraid of me. Honestly, I wish I could graduate, after how hard I worked to not fail, but it looks like everyone's memories of me have already slipped away. I don't know if you'll still remember, so maybe this is just the ramblings of some psycho to you, but I wanted to say this again.
It was a good ten years, and I owe a lot of it to you two. Thank you. - Kaiza
If Hansa, Hilda, Emet-Selch, and Alyssa meet up and go over what was in the container left for them, they will find (and, instinctively, know the purpose of):
• What looks to be a printed report.
• A pill. If ingested on Thursday night, the user will fall into a state of pseudo-death, indecipherable from the real thing. They will revive again on Saturday night. One use only.
• A wiretap. If placed on someone, it will become invisible. OOCly, the user will learn the contents of a random PC the target has on the day the wiretap is ICly placed. One use only.
Furthermore:
• The red bracelet Kaiza crafted and the green bracelet Hishi crafted? The two wielders can send a telepathic message to the other once per week. If the other person is indisposed at the time, they may receive it once they're available again, though the message might get scrambled.
Also, if they so wish, they may keep Kaiza's note and the drawings Kaiza and Hishi made, as well as their cats.
But now, it's time to leave. ]