W5 CYOA - Zhongli, Akihiko, Laurence, Ali Zoph

[holyspirits]

aaaaaaaaaaaa

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[smokeandglasses]

[Like Zhongli, Ali has alo seen this certain someone in a memory. But to make sure he's seeing right, he looks to Laurence to make sure this is actually the guy.]

[outdistanced]

[ i see that i am going to be the problem child of this cyoa.

unfortunately, no one has seen fit to really give laurence a lot of details on these little adventures. all he really knows is that strange things happen, it fucks with their heads, and they come back on the brink of death. no one's mentioned seeing someone you love.

so he is immediately alarmed, and rushing straight over. sorry everyone you no longer exist. ]

Iris?! What the hell are you doing?!

[ why is he here (why wouldn't he be) shouldn't he be somewhere back home (of course he's home) ]

[holyspirits]

[ Akihiko and Laurence both get their aprons all dirty with ketchup for rushing in. But that's what aprons are for so it's probably fine, and once they get closer to the club members they're out of range of the robot that is still just wildly shooting tennis balls and ketchup everywhere. one of the girls looks up at Akihiko. ]

Oh, hey C&C. Woah, you're all running around together. So... You on business?

They wanted this for campus though right? Where are they getting the fries? It should shoot fries, too.

Oh no, you're right. I guess that means it needs a hot oil chamber...

[ .... it actually takes Iris a second to notice Laurence? ]

Uh... Engineering? What does it look like?

[ Why are you yelling at him. ]

[ziosar]

[Great, now his apron is all full of ketchup. Nick hopes that doesn't go into Snow's drawing]

Something like that. Don't worry, it's got nothing that'll have us in your way. We need a boat, though. Any idea where to get access to one without many questions?

[Woah, just asking straightforward. Was it too direct, Zhongli, Ali, Laure--oh, Laurence is reuniting with someone he knows. You keep doing that!]

[dijun]

[ bold of you to assume that there won't be various versions of that drawing, nick.

zhongli takes an aborted step forward, deciding that he'd rather not get covered in ketchup the way that the two of them are. now that he has a face to go with a name, he frowns unhappily at laurence's back - more concern than disapproval. ]

We had best be prepared to see familiar faces sooner rather than later, then. [ said quietly to ali. then, to the darker haired girl: ] Perhaps a hot oil chamber is not the best idea, considering the fact you're making a projectile machine.

[ local god drowned in frying oil. ]

[smokeandglasses]

[Man now he has to face the reality that he has several family members who could show up at any time. Whew.]

We do admire your engineering prowess, which is why we came to you first about this.

[People like being the first one asked, it has a sort of decorum to it.]

[outdistanced]

[ he does not care about the ketchup when a certain idiot is here!! what do you mean it takes him a second to notice laurence!! he's suddenly SO offended, like he might start shaking in sheer anger. ]

You little... [ UUUUGHHGH HE HATES THIS GUY. ] You're seriously wasting your time on shit like this?

[holyspirits]

A boat? I mean, we've made some so we could lend you one I guess. But we'd want something in collateral. Don't want you damaging one of our babies.

[ She's a little unconvinced by a 12 charisma roll... but looks perhaps a little more swayed by Ali's addition. It's good that you can see the genius of the Engineering Department. She preens. Yes, perhaps they CAN trust you with their boat... Maybe it needed someone to give it a test run, actually...

But she still wants something in exchange, so she does not amend what she said - just looks a little more relaxed. ]

Well, the oil would stay inside to cook the fries, right? Then the fries would get shot out. But you're right, they'd still be pretty hot. So maybe a cooling chamber, too. Then I bet it could make stuff like deep-fried ice cream for dessert.

[ meanwhile: Iris is STILL unclear why a member of C&C is yelling at him! ]

What? Hey, this was a commission. It's not a waste of time. Aren't you the ones here asking for a favor?

[ziosar]

That could be arranged. What sort of collateral?

[They don't really have that many things to their name right now, he thinks. Better see what could be done]

[dijun]

Laurence. [ his voice is firm, but more a reminder than a reprimand. he wishes he knew that he needed a warning about how these trips had gone for people - because maybe he could've been more prepared for the situation. a hand is held down, low, by zhongli's hip, as a signal to bring it down a few notches if he can.

back to this weird conversation, though: ]

... hopefully you would not be firing fried ice cream out of the same device?

[smokeandglasses]

I don't know, fried ice cream sounds like it could be good.

But yes, we can offer up some collateral. What would you like in return?

[outdistanced]

[ zhongli draws his attention back, but he sees the hand motion and just kinda

gestures aggressively at iris like HELLO? ARE YOU SEEING THIS JACKASS FOOLING AROUND? what do you want from him!!!! ]

[holyspirits]

Mm, I don't know. Just something that proves we can count on you. We'd even take a favor, I think.

[ She glances at the other two to confirm, and they both nod back! Sure! A favor would work. This might be ideal for you, because who knows if you'll even be here long enough to have to pay up. ]

Doesn't it make more sense to have one device that can do it all? I mean, they're both the kind of thing you'd want to eat on a fun sports day. Right? Yeah. Yeah. No one wants a phone that can only run one app.

Yeah, definitely. What's this kid's problem? This invention came out really good.

[ Iris has no idea what your deal is so he's moved on to ignoring you. And perhaps whispering passive aggressively. ]

[ziosar]

[At this rate the collateral will be that we'll keep Laurence from tackling Iris over there]

A favor will be better! We're good at getting things done.

[Somehow, that this could potentially be a loophole because they won't have to actually fulfill a favor if they don't stay for long enough doesn't cross Akihiko's mind. He's a go-getter!]

[dijun]

[ oh my godddd.

zhongli is going to step into the room, unhappy to be ketchuped (unless he can somehow time this to avoid it, but he doubts it) so that he can come over and firmly grasp laurence by the shoulder. his expression is calm and pleasant, to offset the possible aggro that comes about from a frustrated and hurt teenager. ]

I suppose that's a fair way to put it. But we'll look forward to the, ah, completion of it. If we can offer a favor in the meantime, I agree - we're very good at getting things done.

[smokeandglasses]

[Well. If there's anything he can do it's favors. Ali is very good at getting things done.]

How about this: I'll write a grant for you so that you can get more funding for your project. You can just put your name on it once I'm done and submit it.

[He is also firmly patting Laurence's other shoulder. Don't do anything rash.]

[outdistanced]

[ OHHHH YOUUUUUUUUUUU

he is ready to lunge forward to wring this little shit's neck. don't you get passive aggressive at HIM, iris black!!!!!!

he's already taking a step forward when the two adults both try to hold him back, but he is absolutely going to try to throw them off and go for iris anyway. who does he think he is!! ]

Let go.

[holyspirits]

Hmm. That works. Having C&C in our back pocket should really come in handy. Maybe you take out our rivals before the eletronics expo coming up... Or maybe you can get some of those new limited time pastries. We've been trying all week. We'll collect when you get back. See how bad you owe us one.

[ Boat obtained! We'll deal with the specifics when the rest of this situation is involved. Um. Assuming that offer still stands by the end of this.

Zhongli gets ketchuped but at least he didn't get tennis balled? Ali also gets ketchuped. You are filthy maids and no one will ever respect you. ]

Sweet. I want a full report on how she steers...?

[ Uhhh she trails off a little there because Laurence clearly wants to go fight Iris. Zhongli is able to keep ahold of him pretty firmly, but Ali's grip loosens, which really. Makes it clear that he wanted to go after him.

All three students from the Engineering Department reach for their guns. ]

So you don't want our boat or what?! What's wrong with you?

[ziosar]

Taking out your rivals.

[Akihiko, why are you pouncing on the more active and less diplomatic option of the two offered. Please. Besides, she already said it'll be defined when you get back, don't just jump the gun.

Pun not intended.

Perhaps because he realized he rushed a little, he adds:]

But that'll be agreed further later--[When all three students reach out for the guns, Akihiko's hand does go towards his too, even though he groans] Two favors! Both the rivals and the pastries! Nimith will get the pastries personally!

[Inwardly he's really hoping Zhongli and Ali will hold Laurence successfully, because goodness gracious, but yeah, Akihiko has no regrets throwing Laurence under the bus for this sudden development]

[dijun]

Laurence.

[ that is a reprimand, as much as zhongli understands why he's getting riled up. having your best friend not recognize you and treat you like this would get to anybody, nevermind someone with such a temper as laurence has. he doesn't make a move for his guns, and instead focuses on crowd control and peaceful resolution.

his grip tightens, and he pulls back on laurence's shoulder. trying to urge him back the way they came with him. let's go rowdy boy or so help him him. ]

Apologies - it's been a long week for some of us, but we've no interest in poor relations between Engineering and C&C. I believe you have things covered, Akhiko, Ali?

[smokeandglasses]

[Seeing Laurence's agitated state and deciding it is best to diffuse the situation, Ali just nods quickly.]

Yes, we'll be around later to fulfill our part of the deal. Thank you so much!

[Time to loop arms with Laurence and powerwalk away.]

[outdistanced]

[ unfortunately when he sees iris go for his gun, laurence does the same, like it's instinct. he doesn't even pause to think about how strange that is.

but he's being pulled back on one side, ali is trying to drag him off on the other and that's just annoying him more. ]

Hey! Let me go!

[ he is going to keep struggling i'm sorryyyyy ]

[holyspirits]

... Two pastries each.

[ Her tense posture slowly relaxes... Akihiko's deeply natural-twenty charisma makes her feel surprisingly amenable despite that one of her friends is on the cusp of getting jumped. ]

And maybe he's not the one to deliver them.

[ This girl also relaxes her posture somewhat. ]

Look, just... We'll get your boat set up on the docks in an hour. Maybe we all just work better when we keep our distance from each other. Guy's like a delinquent.

[ Well okay!!!! Despite Laurence continuing to struggle and Ali losing his grip on him again, it seems like Zhongli has him under control... if not just barely. But look, they're all eager to get their favor and get you out of their hair before starting a campus shootout.

You all kind of usher Laurence away to keep from causing an incident. Zhongli is so good at not getting hit by tennis balls that it's crazy. Akihiko gets hit in the back by a tennis ball... And Ali gets hit right in the back of the head by one. You hear Iris very quietly say "oops, not that one," but it's fine. Moving on!

Do you want to make any other arrangements or try to gather any other info? ]

[ziosar]

[Akihiko rubs the back of his head while they walk away, biting back a retort because they really need that boat. It's a good thing Akihiko is used to being second-in-charge of S.E.E.S under Mitsuru; he's ready to let go and move on so the things that need to be done get done]

We can't go to a ship all stained with ketchup.

[This might be the chance to change clothes and not have the maid costumes, which Akihiko is glad about to have an excuse to suggest this without looking like he's embarrassed]

[dijun]

Thank you. I will deliver the pastries after we're completed with our commission.

[ said over his shoulder as he practically floats through the projectile chaos of the room, escorting laurence right on out before he has a chance to overhear iris muttering about him under his breath. ]

... we have an hour. If there's a change of clothes for us to find, somewhere on this campus amongst our things, then it might do us some good to walk around and cool off. [ that one's for laurence. ] We're going to be seeing familiar faces. Whether they remember us or not, are our enemies or allies, are truly themselves... it will all depend on what this scenario has in store for us.

We have to be ready for that.