Liana Skye
Location: Spade Queen Country Club
Phase: Evening Phase
Date: 08.09.1994 (THU)
Weather: Overcast
"H-hey! Hands off!"
Face in an adorable pout, Sierra tried to swat Liana's patting hand away... though at the same time, despite her protests, she clearly didn't dislike the gesture quite as much as she tried to imply. Still, since she couldn't exactly get physical, in the end the one-eyed girl had to more or less take it, and simply stood there while letting out a cute growl under her breath. even Hawthorne cackled at this sight, barely hiding away his own amusement at the plight of his charge.
But, once the deed was done and once Liana's questions were up in the air, the atmosphere calmed down a little bit. Hawthorne's expression turned somewhat serious, and Sierra folded her arms, pursing her lips deep in thought.
Did the locals really just hate outsiders? Could it be that simple? Maybe, maybe not.
But according to Sierra...
"W-well, hum... You know, I can't really say if that's true either. The locals didn't appreciate my Daddy building this place because, well... it clashes against what the town is. It's opulent and new, and according to some of them, an 'eyesore' when compared to the rest of the town and it's relationship with Ghostwood. Meanwhile others see Daddy as a pretender who swept in after the McLampets were all but gone. Even if he is a former local..." Sierra explained. "The same could be said about Pinefall and Oceandrop Program. I mean, there was a town meeting about it year or so ago, and the way they painted it, it was like making this whole town a prison to hold unrepentant delinquents and mentally unstable teenagers. Basically, I think the locals got scared because they thought Road's End would be just a dumping ground for dangerous people..."
--- Then, with a hint of smile, Sierra looked up at Liana.
"... But having met with you, I don't think you're dangerous at all. A bit annoying, yes! But not dangerous," the girl said with a cheeky little grin. "And I doubt those stories about what's ailing you being contagious are real either."
To this, Hawthorne rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, I doubt that very much," he said with a snort. "You shouldn't believe everything that's told to you, little lady."
Then, apparently ready to change the topic, Hawthorne turned towards Liana and gestured towards rest of the grounds of the country club.
"Anyways, shall we continue? There's still few places we could show you, and only so much time in the day," he said, cocking an eyebrow. "And, from what I understand, you guys have a curfew, no?"
Now that he mentioned, the sun was getting rather low...
Prushka & John Dove
Location: Pinefall High Main Building - Second Floor
Phase: Evening Phase (THU)
Date: 08.09.1994
Weather: Overcast
Alpa stared at the ring pop that was being offered to her, eyes wide as plate. Gingerly, she reached out to it, picked it off of Prushka's palms while carefully avoiding touching her, retracted her hand and then spent a good silent moment (during which John finished up the introductions) inspecting the wrapped up candy. From the looks of it the girl didn't exactly seem to know what to do, but after a moment she did realize she should probably remove the wrapper. And after she did...Originally Posted by Prushka
"O-oh my gosh! Is this a candy?" Alpa wondered, inspecting the ring pop from all angles. "Why, it's so... it's so strange! I never thought they could make candies of this shape!"
Ubon, who had finally recovered to her usual self, nodded enthusiastically.
"Yeppers! You just slip it into your finger and lick it! Or... bite into it if you want your teethies to hurt, for realsies," the girl answered with a big smile. "But yeah, it's nice to finally meet you properly..."
For a moment, John Dove could see a practically devilish grin flash on Ubon's face, aimed at his direction.
"... Baggie."
Alpa beamed a nervous, yet excited smile to everyone's direction and returned the nod with gusto herself, the hood on her head flopping back and forth.
"Y-yes! It's nice to meet you all in real life!" she exclaimed cheerfully. "It's... it's quite a bit overwhelming, actually, but I'll do my best not to faint out of nervousness! Gosh, I can't believe it... you're really here! I didn't believe this day would come, or at the very least wouldn't come this early... I can scarcely believe it!"
Then, blushing pink again, her eyes flittered towards Prushka.
"M-much less that you'd actually want to be friends with me, gosh... this does feel like I'm dreaming..." Alpa continued quietly, the heavy hood muffling her words as she pulled it over her head. "I... I didn't actually think I'd be making real friends when I signed up here..."
That made Ubon raise an eyebrow, which apparently served as a sign for Alpa to turn her attention back to her and John.
"O-oh, right. I... I suppose I should explain, since you asked about it too. Well, um, let's see..." she started, fumbling over her words awkwardly, her voice barely audible. "I... I suppose I should start from the beginning. I have what you would call a form of... social anxiety disorder. Or anthropophobia. That, or social withdrawal syndrome. I'm... I'm not exactly sure what the specific term the doctors said. But, um, let's say I... I can't leave my room much. Or meet people. Or talk to people. I just get... so afraid. It's like there's a hand squeezing my throat if I even meet someone on the street. Going outside my room feels like there's a heavy weight pressing down on my shoulders. I... s-sorry, I don't like describing it much."
The face that had been so cheerful and happy just moments before was now clouded by anxious shadows and nervousness.
"B-but, not long ago I heard about this... this program. Oceandrop Program. And how it could heal people like me. And I wanted to try it, I wanted to get better, but at the same time... gosh, I couldn't go, could I? Traveling to USA, being put in a class, being scrutinized by teachers... it was too much. I applied through mail, yes, was accepted, yes, and yet... I couldn't go. Or, I thought I couldn't. But at the same time..." Alpa's eyes were now firmly locked onto the floor. "I had to. I had to get better. Even if it meant stealing away in the night and getting here on my own, avoiding people. Or hiding myself in the second floor. Or spying on the classes. It wasn't optimal, but by attending in some way, I'm sure that I'll eventually get cured..."
It was... a strange tale to be sure. Nonsensical even.
There were many things that didn't make much sense, actually.
Yet at the same time, it didn't feel like Alpa was lying.
"Wait... wait a tick," Ubon suddenly said, raising her finger and confusion clear on her expressive face. "If you've gots it that bad, then, um... how are you fine with us being here? And how are you spying on the classes, anyway?"
As if she had been caught on a lie, Alpa's eyes darted towards the door - specifically towards the hexagram - and then back to the floor underneath her.
"E-ehm, gosh, that is, I... I delude myself...?" she answered, almost like she was asking a question. "A-and I guess I'm just... quiet?"
That certainly sounded fishy.