Araneaquest
Your name is ARANEA SERKET. You have a variety of interests, many of which you OVERSHARE RELENTLESSLY. You are something of a TALKER. You are also a POWERFUL EMPATH and you can OSTENSIBLY READ MINDS. Not that you want to, however. Knowing what others are thinking of you at all times is somewhat exhausting. You can also use POTENT MIND CONTROL, but generally speaking you choose not to. Arresting people's free will just doesn't appeal to you. You doubt it ever will.
Normally, you have a CHEERY DISPOSITION, but you've just been MERCILESSLY DUMPED by the LOVE OF YOUR LIFE. As an empath, you know it was a long time coming, but you're still very sad. You refuse to give up!
Your typing style is Somewhat 8om8astic and over-ver8ose, and your screen name is arcaneGnowledge.
What will you do?
Examine Room ==>
You examine your bedroom. As a blueblood on beforus, you have basically lucked out. You're not high enough to have any responsibilities, but you're not low enough to be culled. You currently have a roommate, and he's around here somewhere, but you haven't seen him in a few days. He has a knack for only appearing when inconvenient.
Your respiteblock is adorned very neatly. As roommates go, you are one of the best, you think. In the corner is a large terrarium, in which your lusus resides. Your computer desk is currently neat and tidy, but your recupacoon has a nasty trail of sopor slime oozing from it. You didn't feel like making your bed this morning, after all, what with all the heart8reak!
Examine Lusus ==>
Ah! Your precious mother. You crouch down to examine her. There she is, spinning her web like always, happily subsisting off the troll blood you drip inside her tank. She is a little white spider, about the size of your hand, and caring for her is no small chore! Requisitioning troll blood is a pain, in spite of its many versatile uses. You uncork a vial of blood and tap out a drop or three into her web. She gratefully skitters towards the morsel and slurps them up posthaste.
You adjust the lamps above her tank keeping her warm and sigh to yourself.
Yes indeed, there's no one with a spider-lusus that has it as tough as you!
Mope around on the floor like a depressed ragdoll. ==>
You'd love to, really, but you've done enough of that already! It's high time to get up and DO something. At the same time... You're not sure you want to venture outside. Your roommate could be lurking nearby. He's the only one that's possibly more verbose than you are! Not even you like to listen to his diatribes...
You hesitantly grasp the door handle to your room, looking furtively left and right. Coast is clear. Maybe you can make some breakfast before-
Bump into your roommate. ==>
Oof! You bump headlong into your roommate, who turns slowly to face you.
KANKRI: Ah, Aranea. I was h9ping t9 run int9 y9u. Perhaps n9t quite in such a literal fashi9n. I w9uld like t9 6elieve that this was an unintenti9nal dru66ing.
You cringe. THIS guy. Like you said. He only shows up when you couldn't stand to be around him.
ARANEA: I was just going to wrangle up some 8reakfast, Kankri! No need to-
KANKRI: I need t9 discuss s9mething with y9u, Aranea.
Kankri interrupts, and, on reflex, you close your mouth. It's best not to prolong his speech with interruptions.
KANKRI: When I last used the a6luti9n cl9set we share, I c9uldn't help 6ut n9tice that my 9ral skelet9n scru66er was m9ved fr9m the 9ral skelet9n scru66er cup. I d9n't want t9 level any undue accusati9ns, 9f c9urse, 6ut seeing as y9u're the 9nly 9ther denizen 9f this hiveh9ld, I'm f9rced t9 6elieve that y9u m9ved it f9r s9me reas9n.
ARANEA: You mean... Your tooth8rush?
Oh god, you shouldn't have interrupted. Kankri bristles immediately.
KANKRI: N9t 9nly have y9u laid hands 9n 9ne 9f the devices I asked y9u t9 keep sanitary, n9w y9u're using y9ur high6l99d vernacular at me? I'm n9t sure y9u even realize this, Aranea, 6ut what y9u've just c9mmitted is referred t9 in pr9gressive circles as a "mini-aggressi9n."
ARANEA: Kankri, please. I wasn't-
It's too late. Great job, Aranea! You've made a lecture into a full-on tirade!
KANKRI: While I appreciate that "t99th6rush" is pr96a6ly the termin9l9gy y9u're familiar with, c9rrecting me like y9u've just d9ne c9nstitutes what might seem like an inn9cu9us rephrasing, 6ut is in reality a mini-aggressi9n. The differences 6etween 9ur castes sh9uld 6e cele6rated, n9t hammered 9ut, Aranea. I w9uld have th9ught y9u underst99d.
You weren't correcting him, though! You bristle, knowing that if you protest you'd just get another earful.
ARANEA: I'm sorry, Kankri.
That's all you can muster. It seems to pacify him, though. You try to subtly edge past, but he's not through with you yet!
KANKRI: Thank y9u, Aranea. Admitting when y9u are wr9ng is the first step 9n the l9ng j9urney t9 hem9-egalitarianism. That still, h9wever leaves the issue 9f my 9ral skelet9n scru66er.
ARANEA: The cup you were using was dirty! All I did was move it into a clean one.
Kankri pauses, then chuckles. It's a condescending chuckle, and it makes your blood boil a little bit.
KANKRI: S9 y9u decide when the cup my "t99th6rush" is in is dirty, n9w? Just 6ecause I've 6een culled and f9rced t9 live with y9u? The little mutant6l99d can't 6e trusted with the simple act 9f cleaning his 9wn "t99th6rush" cup? I supp9se y9u'd like t9 fix a c9llar t9 my neck and feed me manually, next. My ap9l9gies, 9 Great High6l99d, f9r having a dirty "t99th6rush" cup.
This is more sass than usual. Something has put him in a pissy mood. Unfortunately, you're not the one to puzzle that particular one out. In fact, that particular mystery will have to wait a good few chapters.
ARANEA: I'm sorry, Kankri. I won't move your t- I won't move your oral skeleton scru88er nor its cup again.
KANKRI: If y9u hadn't in the first place I w9uldn't need t9 have this discussi9n. Please 6e m9re mindful.
You grimace. Kankri wanders away into his room.
Make some breakfast. ==>
Having a roommate sucks. Kankri was culled and placed in your care last sweep, and since then, he's been a headache. Technically, you're in charge of him, as a blue blood, you do have to occasionally take on the more self-sufficient culled trolls, but in reality, he's just stuck with you, by imperial mandate. He might be annoying, but truthfully, you do agree on a lot.
For starters, neither of you are fans of the Empress. You can't wait to see Meenah ascend to the throne.
...If she ever bothers to.
Great. Now you're sad again! The sandwich you were spreading grubsauce on is now a sad-wich. You take a forlorn bite.
Return to your respiteblock and mope. ==>
No escaping it, now. You return to your room and-
PING! ==>
No... It can't be! You rush to your computer and- It is! Meenah is messaging you! You're so elated you could scream with delight. Could she be apologizing for the grave error of dumping you? No- No. Play it cool, Serket. Play it cool...
[The Conversation from Chapter 2 comes to fruition.]
Squeal giddily. ==>
You make a girlish squeak, pumping your fists in the air. Your hopes are officially up! What's best, is since you're not able to see Meenah, you can't use your empath abilities to see her emotions, which means you can ignore the plain fact that she's just not that into you! Nice. Being a Serket rules.
But still, no time to rest on those hopeful laurels! You have a job to do. Recruit players for Meenah's game.
A question strikes you, one you probably should have asked to begin with- You have no idea what kind of game it is, or when it will be played. Best file that away to ask Meenah later on...
You rub your chin, mentally tallying your acquaintances. Who's someone who would be eager to play a game without having any idea for context? Kankri? Ha! You gag. You'd sooner pat a clown than play a game with him! Meenah? Wait, no, she's the one who asked to begin with...
Wait! You've got it. You know JUST the person. And it might give you an advantage on the Meenah front.
Message your most eager friend. ==>
--- arcaneGnowledge started trolling adorableCalico ---
AG: *The prideful marquise saunters into view, holding her scepter no8ly in hand! She raps politely on the purr8east maiden's door.*
AG: Hello? Miss Leijon?
AC: (=^ェ^=) < *the nice purrbeast opens her door and says hello!*
AC: (=^ェ^=) < hello!!! aranea! long time no talk.
AG: It's 8een too long, truly, Meulin. I miss our long-form RPs.
AC: ( =>ω<=) < me too!! but i know you're busy with kranky! hee hee.
AC: (=^-.-^=) < don't tell him i said that.
AG: Not a pro8lem. I'm not in the mood for another lecture. I actually come to you for different reasons, Meulin.
AC: (^･o･^)ﾉ" < nnnnope!
AG: Wait, what? You haven't even heard what I mean.
AC: (๑꒡ᆽ꒡๑) < look, aranea. i heard all about the breakup! i know i'm good at relationship stuff but i'm not a breakup counselor. you're going to have to do this one on your own.
AG: We haven't "8roken up." Meenah wished to take a 8r8k and I respect her decision. I'm here for something unrel8d!
AC: ( =｀ω´= ) < i am skeptical but intrigued!
AG: Well... May8e I shouldn't. After all, this might 8e more up Latula's alley...
AC: ( ≧☉_☉≦ ) < NOOOOOOOOOOO! you can't just dangle a juicy mouse in front of me then yank it away! that's no fair, aranea!! tell meeeeee!
AG: Would you like to play a game?
AC: (=^ェ^=) < oh that's all? of course aranea! just let me know where and when. i love video games. i don't see many people out here in the boonies...
AG: Wonderful! Truth 8e told, I expected as much. Thank you for your help.
AC: (=^ェ^=) < of course! i mean just as long as HE can play, too!!!
AG: Ah. You mean. Him. Kurloz.
AC: (=^ェ^=) < yep! we're a package deal after all.
AG: Aha. Well. Yes, I suppose two players are 8etter than just one! I'm sure I'll... Hardly notice him.
AC: (=•́ܫ•̀=) < i've just got to ask him first! but i bet he'll say yes. he's already been talking about wanting to play games.
AG: Really? From anyone else that would 8e innocuous, 8ut from him, it's a little worrisome. Has he seen some portent in his... Faygo-visions?
AC: (ﾐ꒡ᆽ꒡ﾐ) < aranea, you're not besmirching the good word, are you?
AC: (ﾐ꒡ᆽ꒡ﾐ) < kurloz's visions are 100% correct!
AC: =✪ ᆺ ✪= < and 100% miraculous!
AG: Right. Well. I'll just RSVP you for a tentative "yes," then. Get 8ack to me once you've asked Kurloz.
AC: (=^ェ^=) < purrfect!!!!!!
--- arcaneGnowledge ceased trolling adorableCalico ---
Well that was a mixed bag. You're a little miffed that you didn't get to ask any relationship questions. Stupid cagey romance guru! No matter, there would be plenty of time to ask about that later. For now, you decide to focus on the success. Four of the twelve slots are now full! Time to report back to Meenah.
--- arcaneGnowledge started trolling cruelCondescension ---
AG: You'll 8e pleased to know I've secured two players for our little game, Meenah!
CC: dam that was quick serk
CC: nice job
AG: All in a day's work! I'm sure I'll 8e a8le to secure some more. When I know a8out the game we're all to 8e playing.
CC: yeah u left before i could impart that particular knowledge to u lmao
CC: its uh
CC: actually i dont even know i gotta ask auntie
AG: What's "auntie?"
CC: fuck if i know
AG: So does this mean... I've helped?
CC: um yeah shore
AG: I told you I wouldn't let you down, Meenah! I swear to you I'll offer you all the help I can muster.
CC: ok
CC: whod u get anyway
CC: i was thinkin helmet boy n radgirl since theyre like gamers already
AG: I got Meulin and Kurloz.
CC: ...
CC: fuck
CC: serk come the fuck on THEM??? meu is a fuckin forest hermit and kurly q is a batshit acolyte mime
CC: theyre not GAMERS
AG: Oh.
CC: fffuuuuuuucccckkkkkin a
CC: im tryin to stack this game w skilled players not bozo clowns and jungle wackos
AG: Not to worry, Meenah, my dear! I will secure more gainful mem8ers to our party. That was just my opening salvo. I'll identify some 8igger, 8etter players. I promise!
CC: ugh
CC: ok but let me talk to tules and tuna
AG: You got it!
CC: and um
CC: dont call me dear
--- cruelCondescension has ceased trolling arcaneGnowledge ---
Be Meenah. ==>
You fail to be Meenah. Meenah is trying to take a nap right now! How insensitive.
Be Kankri. ==>
You are now Kankri, and you just saw your roommate's entire conversation from the doorway to her room. Your rage suddenly burns at being left out of something. Honestly! The nerve! Aranea didn't even THINK to ask you to join this "game." Well you're sure you'll be able to get in anyway. You cross your arms and sulk away to scheme.
Be the pink moon puppet lady. ==>
Oh! Haha. No need for that. I'm here of my own volition. We can drop the second-person narrative pretense.
It's lovely to see you again. I thought I'd interject with a little bit more information. Context for the readers. As I've said before, I am defined by the gaps in my knowledge, the holes punched in the very fabric of my omnipotence. One of the more prominent holes takes not the form of a mysterious game, but of an individual.
The person in question and the game are, in fact, the only two holes remaining in my omnipotence, and I know that this game will be played by this individual of legend. Before Meenah enters the game with her associates, I wish to find out about this mystery man.
From my research, I've discovered very little. He is shrouded in abject mystery, his deeds blind to me, his life a blank, unlike the lives of all of the other Beforans. All I've managed to glean is a name...
"He Who Stalks with the Musclebeasts."
I am sure the narrative that follows will come to turn on the axis of this penultimate mystery, and, for the sake of exposition, I will explain that this mythical figure, this locus of change is why I, for the first time in my long life, will be descending from my moon onto the planet far below. I will be trying to find this mysterious man.
Why am I telling you this?
Oh. Well. I just thought you might want to be appraised of my comings and goings. Or not. If not, it's fine. I won't be offended.
Really. It's no big deal. I was just kind of excited and wanted to share it with someone. But it's absolutely fine. I just suppose I thought we were closer than we were! No pressure. My bad.
Ahem.
Anyway, yes, that's why I'll be on Beforus next time. That's all. I was going to have a whole section about how I got from the moon down to the planet and back. It's actually quite interesting, but. I'll save it. You've probably got better things to do than hear an old lady yammer on! Aha.
Be Meenah. ==>
You decide to be Meenah, but like. Later on. After her nap. Don't want to be rude, after all!
Consider developments. ==>
You figure it's time to draw a line in the sand. If Aranea is only going to recruit lame-os to your game, maybe you can still salvage the situation. Maybe some kind of... Team system. On YOUR team can be all the competent, cool players, and on HER team, all the dorks and idiots. Yeah. You nod to yourself. That seems fair. Plus it gives you an excuse to distance yourself from Aranea.
You hate to do that to your homegirl, but jegus, she's clingy!
You consider who next to recruit. Like you told Aranea, Tuna and Radgirl are all yours. That leaves... Six randos up for grabs. Three for Aranea, three for you. Better choose wisely, and hope that you don't have to resort to asking anyone ridiculous. Like Mister "He Who Stalks with the Musclebeasts." Ha! That would be a night mare.