WEEK 5 CYOA: ICHIRO, ICHINOSE, MABEL, MANDRICARDO

[dormheads]

Comments

[txt]

Whoa— [Mandi?? You good???] Come on, take it easy...

[Ichinose is just vibing with her void as always, honestly... Though she glances up at the ceiling.]

He's got a point, though. Why is it important that we take the L train? Won't you tell us what comes next?

[dormheads]

No.

[ The voice sounds a little annoyed. ]

Just take the train. I want you to go there.

[ The train feels even more crowded. ]

[duranduel]

I-I don't like bein' in this kinda space, Ichinose...

[He's a nervous boy! He can't help it! And wow, this intercom.]

Hey, if you won't explain, we just won't go!

[He's digging in his heels with this.]

[txt]

You can hide behind me if you want.

[Use her as a social shield... or something. Either way, she tilts her head at the voice.]

You know, we're more likely to give you what you want if you cooperate with us too. You're sure you can't take a minute to explain?

[dormheads]

[ The voice just continues to be annoyed. ]

It's late. That's the time people go home. It's been a long day. Aren't you tired?

[ The train starts to slow as it reaches the next stop. ]

[duranduel]

Not...really? Besides, like I said, you haven't told us where home is...

[And yeah, he's shuffling a bit behind Ichinose.]

Who even are you, anyways?

[txt]

Is our home at least nice? Hector-chan deserves only the best.

[Well... She's not that eager to get murdered by a disembodied voice just yet. If Mandricardo agrees, she will get off the train at this stop to find the L train.]

Do you have a name?

[dormheads]

I just work at the pet store!

[ The voice is back to being chipper, the kind of tone you'd expect from a customer service employee. ]

And of course it's nice. I just want to make sure you give Hector a good life.

[ The bat stretches her bat wings, since Ichinose assigned her as girl. ]

[duranduel]

Don't you find it...kind of creepy that a pet store employee is tellin' us where to go? Are you okay? I mean...

[He makes a gesture with his chin in a "like, look at this?" gesture since both his hands are occupied.]

We'll make sure we give Hector a good life. Hey, if your job is makin' you do this, maybe you should quit? That isn't healthy...

[(mandi voice) JOIN A UNION???]

[txt]

Oh, yeah. It's totally creepy. [Placidly, like it doesn't bother her at all.] But what can you do? That's just the nature of this world.

[She is absolutely ready for things to get worse. Wowie!

But back to the intercom:]

Hmm... Well, in that case, why don't we come up with an nickname for you? Calling you the pet shop employee over and over again's bound to get awkward.

[dormheads]

I can't quit. Why would I quit?

[ Like the idea of it is ridiculous. ]

... you may call me anything you'd like!

[ The train pulls to a stop. ]

[duranduel]

You can't, or you won't? Do you even know...? That's kind of worrying...

[CONCERN.JPG]

Um, alright. [And just turning to the exit.] Hey, Ichinose, think of a name for this stalker.

[Just outright says it.]

[txt]

What if you found a similar job with a higher salary, better benefits, and a healthy organizational culture? Isn't that enticing?

[But, hm... She turns to the exit as well, tapping her chin.]

Let's see... We don't know anything about you. What about Tanaka-san?

[dormheads]

Tanaka... okay. I'm Tanaka. And no, I don't care about that.

[ There's a pause. ]

Remember to take the L train.

[duranduel]

What...do you care about? Hector-chan? You need to just get a Hector of your own. Stop obsessing over other people's pets. You could just adopt...

[He is tired and he is very done, already! And he's just going to hope that this train will allow them to exit because he's walking out! Bye, train! And if that happens, he'll turn to the other with a sigh.]

How about we leave this subway, Ichinose?

[txt]

Right, right...!

[L train time... Truly glad we're 30+ comments in and only now following the plot. Is the train going to crash? Boy, I hope so. But she's nodding at Mandi like, yeah?? Let's go, please.]

Have you ever had any pets of your own? You must really like animals if you're so attached to your job, is that right...?

[dormheads]

[ The L train is... just as dirty as the other train. Nothing gets sanitized. This train, however, is much less crowded. Hector is fully awake. She just watches them now. ]

Oh, I hate animals! They're disgusting.

[ The train starts moving. ]

[duranduel]

[WHAT]

T-Then why the HELL are you workin' at a pet store? Are you a masochist? Is that what's happenin'?

[CLUTCHING ONTO THE RAILING AND GOING AHHHHHHHHHH and nodding at hector-chan hi baby :3]

...Please get out of this job and go find a new one, Tanaka. And stop being a stalker. Don't know why I have to say that.

[txt]

[She

shares a look with Mandricardo that's just, what the fuck?]

... Ahaha, then are you really sure you only want good things for Hector-chan?

[Hi, baby! You are so dead.]

[dormheads]

Of course I do! It's my job!

[ The light flickers and the intercom makes a static noise. ]

Get off the train in two more stops. Your apartment is down the street on the fifth floor.

[duranduel]

I don't think I wanna follow the words of a known animal hater, even if it's their job...

[And looking at Ichinose.]

Do we disregard the script again?

[txt]

Hmm... I'm curious about our "home," buuuuut... Why not? Let's take a detour.

[What if they try to get off in the next stop instead?]

[dormheads]

[ They'll be able to get off! The station platform is silent except for some coughing nearby from an invisible source. The voice says nothing.

They can go up the stairs back to the street or they can go back onto the train before it leaves. ]

[duranduel]

Okay. Let's go, Hector.

[And honestly, he doesn't want to bother with the train anymore. He is going back up to the street up those stairs, thanks.]

[txt]

[Well.

Up the stairs they go! Ichinose keeps an eye out for anything of note as they exit at the station, and then make their way up the stairs. Hello? Any sudden muggings?]