(Read the previous prompt here.)
Prompt 16 - The Redo:
My movement choices are to go left or go down. Again, I’ll go left.Card Draw: 6 of Spades (black) This is the second black 6, which may or may not affect potential. Things looked like they were about to be getting better for Gwen and Lance, and all my story ideas were positive moving forward. Let’s see what wrench this throws into my plans.
Prompt: Your Rival’s previous act of pettiness has been eating at you (the 6 of clubs in Prompt 3) and you finally can’t help but mention it to your Rival. Their response is dismissive and hurtful. …Or is it? If it surprises you, don’t lose a Potential.
This isn’t too bad. I actually had a call back in mind to that coffee event. I always thought of it as a positive outcome, but based on this description, we’ll have to see what happens, perhaps bring in some solo tools. I’ll hold off on determining the effect on Potential until after I write the scene.
* * *
<How does Lance initiate contact? (d8) 1-4:contacts Gwen by text 5-7: waits till he gets to the store 8: Asks for Morgan’s help Roll= 3>
RGPSolo.com Oracle: Does Gwen respond? (50/50): Yes
* * *
I just realized something. I now had Gwen’s phone number! I had power of access to her whenever I wanted.
No, not like in a stalky way. I wasn’t planning on harassing her, and I had no intention of calling her every minute of every day, like a needy puppy. Truth be told, every time I call someone unexpected, I wonder if I’m bothering them. I certainly don’t want Gwen to be annoyed with me. But having her number, and she having mine for that matter, meant if we had any legitimate need to get in touch with other, we could without having to wait till Saturday.
It was Friday night. I decided to try and correct my error from several weeks ago. So I texted her.
<Texts on a Cell Phone>
Lance: Hello, Gwen. This Lance. Please pick one from each group.
Lance: <coffee cup emoji> Regular or Decaf?
Lance: <cow emoji> Creamer, Oatmilk, nothing?
Lance: Splenda, Stevia, Swt&Lo, Equal, nothing?
Lance: Flavors?
Lance: Anything else?
It was a lot and I was afraid I wouldn’t get it all typed out before she responded. That probably wouldn’t have been a problem, but I wanted to give my full presentation without interruptions.
Then, I waited . . . And waited.
Nothing. No response. No big deal, I thought. Maybe she’s out at a movie, or she’s doing something with her family and decided to turn her phone off to avoid disruptions. After a while, I decided to go about my business. When Gwen sees the message, she’ll respond.
But she didn’t, and I climbed into bed wondering if I had done something wrong.
The next morning, I saw that Gwen had responded. I never heard the ding. She must have texted while my “do not disturb” was still on.
Lance: <coffee cup emoji> Regular or Decaf?
Lance: <cow emoji> Creamer, Oatmilk, nothing?
Lance: Splenda, Stevia, Swt&Lo, Equal, nothing?
Lance: Flavors?
Lance: Anything else?
It was a lot and I was afraid I wouldn’t get it all typed out before she responded. That probably wouldn’t have been a problem, but I wanted to give my full presentation without interruptions.
Then, I waited . . . And waited.
Nothing. No response. No big deal, I thought. Maybe she’s out at a movie, or she’s doing something with her family and decided to turn her phone off to avoid disruptions. After a while, I decided to go about my business. When Gwen sees the message, she’ll respond.
But she didn’t, and I climbed into bed wondering if I had done something wrong.
The next morning, I saw that Gwen had responded. I never heard the ding. She must have texted while my “do not disturb” was still on.
<Texts on a cell phone>
Gwen: Sry. Just saw this. Were u asking to pick up coffee for me?
Gwen: Thx, but not necessary. See you at the D&D.
Dismissed! I can’t seem to catch a break with Gwen and coffee, can I? She does realize I’m trying to offer her a friendly gesture, doesn’t she? I can’t believe she would just brush it off so easily, especially after what she told me on the phone. Part of me is telling me to just let it go. But I would really like to know what is going on.
<At this point, except for the prompt’s direction, I’m not sure why Gwen would not accept Lance’s offer. Let’s start with an rpgsolo oracle question:
The only indication Gwen likes coffee is Lance’s phone conversation with Art in Prompt 3. Does Gwen actually like coffee on a regular basis? (Likely) Yes, and . . . She picked up a cup on the way in to the store.
Interesting. There are a few ways this can go.>
When I walked into the “Dice & Deck,” I saw Gwen was already there . . . and she had a paper cup in her hand sporting the JavaBeans logo.
“So, you do like coffee,” I noted as I walked up to her.
“I’m not addicted to it or anything, like my dad,” she said. “But I definitely enjoy it.”
“Do you remember last month when I brought you that latte, and you refused it? I was a little hurt because I was trying to make up for saying some dumb stuff to you about your game and the Holiday Bowl, but your reason about being diabetic made sense. So, I tried last night to make amends again, this time making sure I got what you wanted. But you blew me off again. I was thinking that maybe you just didn’t like coffee, except I walk in and see you with this. What’s the deal, Gwen?”
“Nothing’s the ‘deal’,” Gwen insisted. “I just don’t want you to think you have to buy me coffee every time you do something I don’t like.”
“Every time? I’ve yet to buy you coffee once! At least one you’ve wanted.”
“And you don’t have to. Like I told you, I just want to be your friend. That’s enough.”
All she wants to be is my friend?
“Gwen!” Another voice suddenly broke in. “Look! It came this week!”
Mark was standing behind Gwen, excitedly holding up a copy of OverPush, an expansion for the game A Bunch of Scales. It was so new, it was still enclosed in its shrink wrap.
“Cool!” Gwen exclaimed, seeing the box.
“I’m ready to play if you are,” Mark offered.
“Of course! I’ll talk to you later, Lance. Okay?”
I didn’t feel “okay” about it, but I never got to say so because she was already across the room with Mark, finding an empty table.
==========
I wasn’t sure where this scene was heading, so around the halfway point, I pulled the card for the next scene to see if it gave me any direction, which it did. As Lance was definitely not happy with this outcome, I will reduce Potential by one, giving me a total of 5. More of Lance’s reaction will be revealed in the next prompt.
Gwen: Thx, but not necessary. See you at the D&D.
Dismissed! I can’t seem to catch a break with Gwen and coffee, can I? She does realize I’m trying to offer her a friendly gesture, doesn’t she? I can’t believe she would just brush it off so easily, especially after what she told me on the phone. Part of me is telling me to just let it go. But I would really like to know what is going on.
<At this point, except for the prompt’s direction, I’m not sure why Gwen would not accept Lance’s offer. Let’s start with an rpgsolo oracle question:
The only indication Gwen likes coffee is Lance’s phone conversation with Art in Prompt 3. Does Gwen actually like coffee on a regular basis? (Likely) Yes, and . . . She picked up a cup on the way in to the store.
Interesting. There are a few ways this can go.>
When I walked into the “Dice & Deck,” I saw Gwen was already there . . . and she had a paper cup in her hand sporting the JavaBeans logo.
“So, you do like coffee,” I noted as I walked up to her.
“I’m not addicted to it or anything, like my dad,” she said. “But I definitely enjoy it.”
“Do you remember last month when I brought you that latte, and you refused it? I was a little hurt because I was trying to make up for saying some dumb stuff to you about your game and the Holiday Bowl, but your reason about being diabetic made sense. So, I tried last night to make amends again, this time making sure I got what you wanted. But you blew me off again. I was thinking that maybe you just didn’t like coffee, except I walk in and see you with this. What’s the deal, Gwen?”
“Nothing’s the ‘deal’,” Gwen insisted. “I just don’t want you to think you have to buy me coffee every time you do something I don’t like.”
“Every time? I’ve yet to buy you coffee once! At least one you’ve wanted.”
“And you don’t have to. Like I told you, I just want to be your friend. That’s enough.”
All she wants to be is my friend?
“Gwen!” Another voice suddenly broke in. “Look! It came this week!”
Mark was standing behind Gwen, excitedly holding up a copy of OverPush, an expansion for the game A Bunch of Scales. It was so new, it was still enclosed in its shrink wrap.
“Cool!” Gwen exclaimed, seeing the box.
“I’m ready to play if you are,” Mark offered.
“Of course! I’ll talk to you later, Lance. Okay?”
I didn’t feel “okay” about it, but I never got to say so because she was already across the room with Mark, finding an empty table.
==========
I wasn’t sure where this scene was heading, so around the halfway point, I pulled the card for the next scene to see if it gave me any direction, which it did. As Lance was definitely not happy with this outcome, I will reduce Potential by one, giving me a total of 5. More of Lance’s reaction will be revealed in the next prompt.
* * *
Prompt 17 - The Cup:
As previously mentioned, this card was pulled during the previous scene. Rolling a d6 to determine the direction of my next pull. Even: Move left Odd: Move down Roll: 3 - Down
Card Draw: 4 of Spades (black) This is the second black 4, which may or may not affect potential.
Prompt: You have a golden opportunity to embarrass your Rival in front of those people they were so keen to impress. Do you take it? If you resist, don’t lose a Potential and instead describe why you have decided to take the higher road.
A determination of change in potential will have to wait until the end.
As previously mentioned, this card was pulled during the previous scene. Rolling a d6 to determine the direction of my next pull. Even: Move left Odd: Move down Roll: 3 - Down
Card Draw: 4 of Spades (black) This is the second black 4, which may or may not affect potential.
Prompt: You have a golden opportunity to embarrass your Rival in front of those people they were so keen to impress. Do you take it? If you resist, don’t lose a Potential and instead describe why you have decided to take the higher road.
A determination of change in potential will have to wait until the end.
* * *
What the hell!? Doesn’t Gwen know I’m dying here? She bears her soul to me about wanting to be my friend. I make a grand gesture . . . medium one, at least . . . by offering to buy her coffee, and she acts as though it’s nothing. Nothing! Explaining it by saying she only wants to be friends. Who does she think she is?
And since when can Mark just sweep her away with a shiny new game? Didn’t he see Gwen was talking to me?. Not him. Me! Mark needs to show me some more respect. I’m a board member for Knizia’s sake!
After finding a table, Mark unwrapped the OverPull expansion and added it to his original A Bunch of Scales game. Neoprene player mats, stacks of chips, decks of cards, and dice, dice, and more dice covered the table. Adding the forty dollar expansion, Mark’s entire Scales collection had to be well over $200. And what he had on the table was only a portion. The rest was still in the box, well maintained I might add, resting in a chair.
As the two played, Gwen would occasionally take a sip of her coffee, each time placing it down closer to the edge of the table. In fact, it currently appeared to be slightly hanging over the edge . . . directly above the open Bunch of Scales box! It wouldn’t take much for it to fall over, the plastic lid coming undone once it hit the box, sending coffee everywhere. Cards would be ruined. Player mats would be stained. Gwen would be embarrassed. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mark wanted nothing more to do with her after that. Come to think of it, he would probably demand that Gwen pay for a new game to replace the one she destroyed. Serves her right, after blowing me off. I can’t wait to see it happen.
Gwen reached for some dice, coming within inches of her cup. Just a little closer.
A moment later, while adjusting her cards, her fingers brushed against the paper container. Almost.
Gwen rolled a die that was about to fall off the table, right next to the teetering cup. Immediately, she reached to stop it from flying off the table and . . .
I grabbed the cup right before Gwen’s hand hit it.
She looked up at me. I had just saved her from public humiliation, however, her inner embarrassment over what almost happened was clear to me.
“Thank you,” she barely whispered, reaching out for her cup.
“I . . . I didn’t want Mark’s game to get ruined,” I said, handing it back to her.
Gwen’s eyes expressed her gratitude and indebtedness. She understood my true intentions.
“I think Erik’s setting up some demonstration games of Andromeda Factions,” I said. “I better get over there to help. It’s for my game campaign and all.”
“Yeah, you should do that,” Gwen agreed. “Talk to you later?”
“Of course,” I said as I turned to find Erik.
Before I got too far, I called over my shoulder. “Careful with that coffee. I don’t want to have to buy you another one.”
Gwen smiled and I think I saw her blush.
<I don’t lose a Potential because I made the right choice, and I hope it’s obvious why.>
(Read the next prompt here.)
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