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Post by Vitsheep on Jul 2, 2019 0:33:25 GMT -5
Nora
"I'd love to try out that roller coaster, but maybe we should-"
"Alice!" A second, larger Alice suddenly grabs Alice from behind and wraps her in a hug. Oh, wait. This older woman isn't another Alice, she just looks similar. She's even dressed similarly. Between the hug and the family resemblance, it's not hard to figure out who this is.
"Hello, Mother," Alice says, nonplussed.
"You look like you're having fun. Oh, it's just ever so great to see you up and moving again!" The older woman pauses, as if she's just noticing you. She gives a bright smile. "Oh? I didn't know you'd finally found a girlfriend."
"Mother, this is-"
"Ursala N. Owant. Student intern, legal department. Hello, Dear. Nice to meet you. I'm Marin Ekantha, Alice's mother. Oh, and the CEO of Vitcorp."
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Post by Neo 5.0 on Jul 2, 2019 1:07:44 GMT -5
Nora gives a bright smile of her own. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Ekantha. Your daughter has been showing me an absolutely wonderful time tonight. Why, I can't remember the last time I had this much fun in a single night. I am truly grateful."
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Post by Vitsheep on Jul 2, 2019 2:49:35 GMT -5
Nora
"Just Miss, Dear. I've never married," Marin says. "I'm glad for the glowing review, both for the park and for my daughter. They were both sizable investments, after all, but I think they've paid off."
"Is that really how you think of me...?" Alice says.
"Of course! I was absolutely terrified about becoming a mother. That's so much more responsibility than running some multi-million dollar company. But you turned out to be the best decision I've ever made."
"I'm not sure whether to be touched or insulted," Alice says.
"You can be both," Marin says. She continues to hug Alice. She looks back up from her daughter. "Oh, right. Your first day isn't until Sunday, no? But it would be such a shame if you missed out on the week of celebration, so feel free to come to any of the grand openings this week. Personally I'm most looking forward to the hot springs tomorrow night, but the ski resort on Wednesday should be fun, too. You got your ID badge already, yes? As long as you have that they'll let you right in. Alice will be at both, so feel free to just catch a ride with her. Ah, and stop by my office once you've finished your first shift."
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Post by Neo 5.0 on Jul 2, 2019 14:07:26 GMT -5
"You are far too kind," Nora answers, still smiling. "I'll be certain to remember. You and everyone else have made me feel very welcome here, Miss Ekantha. It's made the move much easier for me, and you have my deepest gratitude for that."
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Post by Vitsheep on Jul 2, 2019 18:55:25 GMT -5
Nora
Marin laughs. "Keep your friends close, as they say. Oh, but look at me. Gobbling up all your time when the park's closing soon. I'm sure you'd much rather have some time alone than stand around talking to me. Go on, you two. Get back to your date."
As Marin leaves, Alice sighs and touches the bridge of her nose in annoyance. "Date, date, date. She's just not going to let that drop. I've got quite a grilling waiting for me tonight, I'm sure..." She laughs. "So... we don't have too much longer. What do you think? Shall we try the roller coaster? Or perhaps a ride on the ferris wheel? I've been taking the lead all night, surely you've wanted to try something that I've missed?"
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Post by Neo 5.0 on Jul 3, 2019 19:24:04 GMT -5
"A ride on the ferris wheel sounds lovely," Nora answers. "A picturesque ending to a lovely night."
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Post by Vitsheep on Jul 3, 2019 20:55:49 GMT -5
Nora
"I agree," Alice says.
You soon find yourself on the ferris wheel. As it starts up, you get an excellent view of the city and its lights and the distant ocean on one side, a river directly ahead of you, and the wide-open fields and far-off mountains out the other side.
After the first lap, as you reach the zenith of the 2nd rotation, you feel Alice latch tightly to your arm. She has her eyes closed and is breathing heavily. "Nnngh... Too high. I'm OK, just..." she trails off.
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Post by Neo 5.0 on Jul 4, 2019 13:49:55 GMT -5
"Oh dear, I should have realized. This was incredibly insensitive of me."
They get off after the current lap finishes. "Are you alright?"
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Post by Vitsheep on Jul 5, 2019 0:14:59 GMT -5
Nora
There is no getting off the ferris wheel without making a huge fuss, which Alice protests. "Don't... um... just... I'm fine. It's fine, just... hold still."
Alice spends the last few minutes as they're letting everyone off composing herself. By the time you get off, she looks fine. You know she's not, but she's putting on a good act. "Guess I still need to work through a few things. It's nothing to be concerned about, I just need a few minutes to calm down. I'm sure a lady like yourself wouldn't go around telling everyone about that little breakdown, no?"
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Post by Neo 5.0 on Jul 5, 2019 18:02:14 GMT -5
Nora shakes her head. "My dear, you don't even have to ask. Of course I'd never tell anyone. But you don't need to force yourself to be fine around me, Alice. You suffered through quite an ordeal, and I am... intimately familiar with what it's like to always have to keep up a facade around others. To always have to remain composed. I'd be quite the hypocrite if I didn't make sure my friend could be herself around me. So please do let me know if there's anything I can do to help you, my dear."
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Post by Vitsheep on Jul 5, 2019 20:33:50 GMT -5
Nora
"I... should be fine after a few weeks," Alice says. She tilts her head and looks at you. "I guess you enjoyed being able to let your hair down for a night, too? It feels a bit strange to have seen the real you before the facade."
You head back to the car and Alice asks for directions on where to drop you off.
Also Nora and Alice reached Relationship Rank 2.
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Post by Neo 5.0 on Jul 8, 2019 13:46:13 GMT -5
"It just means I feel comfortable around you," Nora says, shrugging slightly.
She gives directions to where her and her aunt stay. "I've had a wonderful night, Alice. Let's do this again, hmm? A trip to the hot springs sounds lovely."
Once back home, Nora speaks with her aunt at length about her night, then goes up to her room and starts preparing for the school play audition.
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Post by Vitsheep on Jul 8, 2019 17:10:14 GMT -5
Nora
"The special opening for the hot springs is tomorrow. If you want to go along with me after school again, I'd be honored. Oh, and whatever nonsense Mattea has planned for me tomorrow... just ignore it, if you would." Alice sidles closer and gives Nora a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for the lovely evening."
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Post by Vitsheep on Jul 11, 2019 5:23:53 GMT -5
Karl, Tai
You head to the amusement park's grand opening. There's a huge crowd present today - and the bus routes have already added a new stop. Almost everything you'd expect at a top-of-the-line park. Inside, you find Lance eating a comically large chunk of turkey leg in the pavilion. Zack is wandering around the board walk. Avel is in line for the roller coaster. Dean is wandering around in a daze.
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Post by Digi on Jul 11, 2019 8:52:12 GMT -5
Tai's stomach growls. He sighs to himself.
He heads to the pavilion and gets some cheap amusement park food.
He sits near Lance but not directly next to him. Tai does glance at him while eating.
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