VANARA

[soulping]

[VP-tan ushers you into your color-coded team rooms, before bowing respectfully.]

Please start out by telling each member of your team something you like about them, while I finish up. It should only take a moment.

Comments

[cleverlikea]

[ IT SURE IS A GOOD THING SHE'S ALONE, HOW THE HELL COULD SHE HONESTLY ANSWER ANYTHING LIKE THAT ]

[allergictostairs]

[TOO BAD SHE ACTUALLY ISN'T.

Time for some awkward silence?]

[cleverlikea]

[ well if it's one of the children, that is in fact actually doable ]

We think you're a cute little one ♥

[allergictostairs]

Thanks.

You... um. Your hair is a really pretty color?

[cleverlikea]

[ you have made a wise decision, chimera ]

What a sweetheart ♥

[ or. maybe not. you probably didn't need her hugging on you ]

[allergictostairs]

[Yes, this is exactly the opposite of what he needed. Chimera doesn't resist, but does tense up.

please hurry, VP-tan. please.]

[soulping]

[VP-tan finally, mercifully pipes up.]

Ahh... Sir and Madam. I'm ready.

To begin with, is there anyone here who is keeping a secret from their team?

Perhaps something related to their age..?

[allergictostairs]

[




Chimera, who is like, totally thirteen, you know, resolutely keeps a poker face on while not saying anything.]

[cleverlikea]

Well~ it couldn't be us. We can't keep a secret what we don't know ♥

[allergictostairs]

I don't really remember all that much, either...

[cleverlikea]

No? ♥ But you've been around longer, haven't you? ♥ What is your age, if we may be so bold? ♥

[allergictostairs]

I... guess.

Um, I'm not sure exactly? It hasn't really come up.

[which isn't a lie. he doesn't know his exact age.]

[cleverlikea]

Then what age do you feel like you are? ♥

[allergictostairs]

[why did he have to be alone with this teammate of all teammates.]

Um... well...

I look like I'm like, twelve-ish? But I might be a little older... maybe.

[cleverlikea]

A youthful appearance! ♥ How lucky; you'll be thankful for it when you get older ♥

[allergictostairs]

...Maybe.

But, um, anyway. Maybe we should just tell the lady "no"?

[cleverlikea]

Hmm ♥ Perhaps ♥ But you know, if either of us is lying, and one of us does feel that way... we might not win. ♥

[allergictostairs]

...Do you wanna say one of us is, then? In case either of us actually does feel like that. I'm okay with either way.

[soulping]

I'm sure someone is much older than they've told their team...

It's on this card, Sir and Madam.

[cleverlikea]

It might be the safer bet ♥ Who knows, perhaps it's a secret to ourselves even ♥

[allergictostairs]

[Glances over at VP-tan.]

Um... then let's just say "yes".

[cleverlikea]

Do we need to specify which of us it is? ♥

[soulping]

It'd be best if they were to tell everyone... and probably why they were hiding it would be better... yes, Miss.

[allergictostairs]

[...turns to Cherry.]

"It was me, I'm actually older than I look, and I was hiding it because nobody asked"?

[says this in a rather monotone way, because of course he's just making it up to move the game along. of course. then he turns back to VP-tan.]

Is that okay?

[soulping]

...ah...

I suppose...

[cleverlikea]

Then we should be able to advance to the next round? ♥

[cleverlikea]

Iyaaaaa~n ♥ Just what are you trying to say!? ♥ A woman's true age is always a secret!! ♥

[ not to mention she really and truly doesn't know ]

[soulping]

Um... moving on...

Does anyone here feel like they don't quite fit with their team?

[allergictostairs]

[...looks at Cherry.

YOUR TURN.]

[cleverlikea]

Is this supposed to be a secret? ♥ Anyone with eyes could see it's true ♥

[allergictostairs]

You do, um. Stand out a little.



In a good way, I mean.

/2

[cleverlikea]

. . .

[cleverlikea]

You are a terrible liar, you know ♥

[ this is the part where you'd expect her to be throwing a fit, and yet she's surprisingly calm ]

[allergictostairs]

Wha, I'm not... I mean.

...You're a lot prettier than the rest of us, and you're more... uh... "outgoing"? Than the rest of us, and you know about stuff we're not really into? So like, you stand out kind of, but in a good way. Really.

/2

[cleverlikea]

[ well, you are officially the only teammate she actually gives half a rat's ass about chimera. congratulations ]

[cleverlikea]

Uwaaaah~n ♥ What a sweet child you are!

[ hugs round two ]

[allergictostairs]

[oof.



is it too late to take it back.

Chimera looks to VP-tan from within Cherry's arms. CAN THEY MOVE ON... did that count...]

[soulping]

[She's smiling approvingly, but hasn't said anything yet.]

[You're probably okay.]

[just bond, chimera. just bond.]

[cleverlikea]

[ far, far too late ]

You just let Mama Cherry know if anyone bothers you ♥

[allergictostairs]

[there's some six foot tall woman who's almost certainly a demon or a serial killer hugging him! repeatedly! he is definitely not okay!

-But Chimera resigns himself to his fate, since it doesn't seem like any help is coming.]

...Um. Okay. [he may have not known her name until just now. oops.] Thanks, Miss Cherry.

[soulping]

Ah...

That's the end of what I have.

Did either of you have any other concerns?

[allergictostairs]

Uh... I can't think of anything...?

[soulping]

Um, then in that case... there's a party available for you to deepen your bonds with others outside your immediate team.

[A party which she will gladly let you attend.]