Pretty Pretty Princess: Redux

[enterstageleft]

Who: Those Who Play Games
Where: The Game Tower
When: Day 300

[ Today you step out of the elevators and into the game room to find yourselves in an airy Grand Ballroom. Maybe, if you've been here long enough--you might recognize this room?

At the front of the room is a buffet table featuring finger sandwiches, petit fours, and savory pastries as well as a variety of small desserts complemented by bottoms-up turned teacups and steaming hot kettles set up for self-serve. From nowhere to be seen comes the sound of instruments playing. Up above, tethered to the ceiling, are what appear to be long curtains. …

The small, square tables feature place cards that as of yet are mysteriously empty, but other than that--there is nothing on the table. Those who have walked in and might prefer to walk out again will find they are mysteriously barred from exiting…. ]


Tables || Sign Ups || Game Rules || Items & Effects || Turn In & Winning Criteria || FAQ || Talk to the Host

Comments

[puzzlekeeper]

Yes. I can't say I'm impressed.

And I suspect some older members of Heart may refrain from getting close to any of them because of it.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Are you also getting fatigued by it?

It's not just your burden, you know.

[puzzlekeeper]

. . . Yes, I guess so.

I know I can rely on Hurricane, Hiryuu, and D.Va. But . . . perhaps I'm guilty of not opening myself beyond them anymore.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

That's just another burden you're putting on yourself. Feeling guilty of not opening up. What the fuck does that even mean?

You can welcome the new paladins without giving pieces of yourself away. The two don't go hand in hand.

1/2

[puzzlekeeper]

[ A startled pause ]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ And then he chuckles a little, wryly ]

You're right.

I'm just thinking of it from their perspective . . . if I were a new amnesiac in this place, and my unitmates refrained from opening up to me at all . . . it would make things harder in some ways.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Then start small.

If they ask how you are after a bad game or when you're looking stressed out -- which none of you are all that good at hiding I'd like to point out -- just answer honestly.

If everyone starts doing it, then it becomes the standard rather than something unusual. Or a burden.

At least, that is how FiN operates when we are at our closest.

[puzzlekeeper]

. . . Are you giving me emotional advice, Intensity?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[






]

. . .




Forget I said anything.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ No he's practically SPARKLING ]

I'm so proud of you.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Apply hand to face.

Attempt to bury into pillows and mattress]

Less talking. More sleeping.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ Well fine.

But to add insult to injury, there's a laughed, muffled "I love you!" ]

1/3

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Sometimes.

Intensity wonders.

Why did he have to fall for the best and simultaneously the most singularly frustrating person in existence? And will settle for absolutely nothing less.]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[And so the hand drops from King's face in an attempt to catch a wrist instead.

Also so Intensity can lean in nose to nose as he threatens:]

You're mocking me.

And going to pay for every syllable.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ Have you ever seen a criminal look this unrepentant ]

We're relaxing, remember?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Oh. Yes. Relaxing.

[And the fingers slide up from King's wrist to the palm of his head and start knead small concentric circles there.]

How could I forget?

[puzzlekeeper]

I don't know, since you're the one who's stressed out.

[ His fingers twitch against that movement, but then he uses his free hand to shove Intensity off and down onto the covers himself. ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[He doesn't even fight it. Just a knowing smirk and breathless laugh as his back hits the bed.]

I thought you said you were comfortable.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ King shifts to flop on top of him -- elbow on Intensity's chest, chin in hand. ]

And? I still am.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[ . . .

Cute.

He laughs as he reaches up to drag his nails across King's scalp.]

Cute.

[puzzlekeeper]

That doesn't quite work as an insult for me, you know.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Well I'm relaxing now, so the insults and punishment will have to come later.

[A slight tug at the hair at the nape of his neck]

Careful where you fall asleep.

[puzzlekeeper]

Careful . . . ? And why's that?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

. . .

You are very confident that I'm not going to do anything to you. Aren't you?