label chapter_13A:

scene home fang day
show fang a prom happy flip at sright
show fangmom neutral at fmleft
show naomi prom neutral at scenter
show anon prom neutral flip at aright
with fade
#Prom is Complicated
scene black with fade

"-One Month Later-"
play music 'audio/OST/Appreciating the Moment.ogg' fadein 1.0

"It’s prom night."

"My old man was kind enough to send over his old tuxedo from his time at high school."

"It took a bit of sewing, but I got it looking pretty good."

"Judging by the wine stains on the sleeves, Dad’s made a lot of important announcements in this tuxedo."

"Gives it a bit of history, I guess."

scene home fang outside night
show anon prom neutral at aleft
show naomi prom neutral flip at sright
with fade

"When I arrive at Fang’s place with a cheap corsage I see the Pomegranate Parasite waiting outside the front door."

"Great."

"And dear god, how can she move in that dress."

"It looks like it’s been shrink-wrapped to her body."

N "Oh, I already knocked Anon."

N "Naser will be out in a moment to invite us in, I’m sure Fang will be getting ready too."

N "I’ve heard the two of you are going to prom together!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, the next Sherlock Holmes."

A "No, I just happen to be here in a suit to go golfing."

"I ignore her, focusing instead on not stabbing my palm even more on this flower’s thorns."

"Fuck it, free is free."

"And nothing more free than a five finger discount from the neighbor’s yard."

N "You and Fang just make the cutest couple! Did you two sign up for prom king and queen?"

A "Nah. She said something about the ‘fascist sexist monarchy system’."

N "Well, Naser and I have entered and we are going to be prom royalty. Ooooh, I can not wait to wear that beautiful tiara, I picked it out and everything and the crown for Naser-"

show naomi prom happy flip

"I’ve already tuned her out."

show naser prom neutral at ncenter with dissolve

"Naser opens the door."

"Well if that isn’t the fanciest jacket I’ve seen in a while."

"It’s certainly better than the background of Avatar he always wears."

Nas "Sorry to keep you waiting, Naomi."

Nas "This thing is a nightmare to get over my wings."

show naser prom happy flip at ncenter with dissolve

Nas "Oh, Anon! Come on in, didn’t know you were already here."

"He waves for the two of us to enter, pecking Naomi on the cheek when she passes."
play music 'audio/OST/Dragging on and on....ogg' fadein 1.0

scene home fang night
show anon prom neutral at aleft
show naser prom neutral at ncenter
show naomi prom neutral at scenter
with fade

"Fang’s Mother speaks up from the kitchen."

show fangmom neutral flip at sright with moveinright

FM "Oh! Oh! Is that Anon?"

Nas "Here we go."

"The small pterodactyl comes out, a bowl she’s struggling to stir in her arms."

FM "My, aren’t you handsome."

FM "Pictures! I need to get pictures of you and Lucy!"

"She sets the bowl aside on the coffee table to frantically search for a polaroid camera."

FM "To think Lucy would have such a wonderful young man to take her to prom!"

FM "Aha! Found it. Hold still, dear."
scene black with fade
"ARGH! Like getting slapped in the face by the sun’s dick!"

"I blink the blindness away. So that’s why Naser has those fucking aviators."

scene home fang night
show anon prom neutral at aleft
show naser prom neutral at ncenter
show naomi prom neutral at scenter
show fangmom neutral flip at sright
with fade

FM "Lucy will be downstairs in a bit, she’s just getting the last of her makeup on!"
hide fangmom with moveoutleft
FM "In the meantime, take a seat! I’ve got some cookies in the oven that are almost ready!"

A "Er, yes, thank you ma’am."

"I take my seat in the usual spot, sinking in and feeling the pillows conform around my spine."

hide anon with moveoutright

scene black with fade

scene home fang night with fade
show anon prom neutral flip at aright

"This thing must cost a fortune."

"Fang’s dad is a police commissioner if I recall."

"That explains the luxurious furnishings."

"Now that I think about it, I’m surprised I haven’t seen him yet."
show fangdad neutral at sleft with dissolve
FD "So…"

"I hope I didn’t just ruin these slacks."

A "Good evening, sir."

A "I didn’t even see you in your chair, sir."

A "My apologies."

FD "Don’t sweat it, son."

FD "Thing about humans, as well as many charnivores, is that their vision is based largely on movement."

FD "You’d be surprised how useful staying quiet and stationary can be."

FD "How close you can get to someone without them knowing-"

show fangmom unimpressed flip at fmcenter with dissolve

FM "Sweetheart."

FM "No. Intimidating. The Suitor."

"The big guy deflates a bit in his chair."

FD "Point is, don’t get any funny ideas."

A "Yessir."

hide fangdad with dissolve
show naser prom neutral at nleft with moveinleft

N "We’re all taking the NasCar, right?"

Nas "Yeah, yeah."

Nas "Once Fang gets down we’ll skedaddle."

A "So until then we just sit and chill?"
show naomi prom happy at sleft with moveinleft

N "We could take more pictures!"

"Please no."

show fangmom neutral at fmcenter with moveinleft

FM "Oh! I would love to make this a little photo op!"

scene black with fade

"Thirty photos later and I never want to see another camera again."

"Fang’s mom decided to take pictures of every possible combination of us."

"I don’t know which was worse, having to pose with Naomi or Fang’s dad digging his murder claws into my shoulder."

"I’ve lost nearly all feeling in that arm."

"Pretty sure that’ll leave a bruise worse than my accelerated hug with the stair bollard last month."

"At least the pics with Naser were a nice reprieve."

"We ended up looking like the blues brothers, standing side by side in fuck ugly suits."

"Just as I was about to resign myself to premature blindness from the camera flash, my saviour arrives."

F "Oh, Anon, you’re already here!"
stop music fadeout 1.0
scene home fang night
show fang a prom neutral:
    xalign -0.3
show anon prom neutral flip at acenter
with fade

"Fang comes downstairs in a fancy getup."
play music 'audio/OST/ballad_of_the_boot.ogg' fadein 1.0

"It’s certainly… Less traditional than mine."

"No less flattering though."

"Legs for days and days."

show fangmom unimpressed flip at fmright

FM "Oh, I was hoping you would wear the dress I bought you sweetheart."

F "Mooooom. This is better, it’s gender neutral formal wear!"

"Looks more like she took some dickies and made them into some booty shorts."

"Not that I’m complaining."

"The word plump is quite apt right now."

show naomi prom neutral flip with moveinright:
    xalign 1.2

N "Oh, Fang…"

N "That’s an… Interesting outfit you’re wearing."

"Naomi side-eyes me a dagger."

N "I thought you’d be wearing some kind of dress…"

F "Nah, dresses aren’t my style."

N "I-I see…"

N "Well your outfit certainly… pairs well with Anon’s."

show fang a prom angry
with dissolve

F "Oh I love your dress too, you look just like a giant pink dildo!"

show naomi prom angry flip with dissolve

FM "Lucy!"

F "What did I say about that! I already told you, my name is Fang!"

"Fang’s mom just sighs."

FM "Okay, sorry, Fang. But please, you don’t need to use that kind of language towards guests!"

F "...Whatever…"

A "Maybe we should just go…"

F "I’m not sharing a ride with her."

N "Well, if you insist, Fang. Before you go… Anon, can I speak with you for a second?"

"Before I can even say anything, Naomi’s dragging me by the shoulder into the kitchen."
stop music fadeout 1.0

scene kitchen
show anon prom neutral at aleft
show naomi prom angry flip at scenter
with fade

"She gives me a death stare for what seems like a solid minute before she begins yelling at me"

N "What the hell is your problem, Anon?!"

"I think it’s the first time I’ve ever heard Naomi raise her voice, or even swear."

N "How in the fuck did you manage to make Fang worse?"

A "I… What the hell are you talking about?"

"Naomi begins to somehow look even more earth-shatteringly mad."

N "I thought you were gonna make her better!"

A "What the fuck do you mean, ‘make her better’?"

N "It’s like you didn’t even try to help her."

A "I did the best I could, okay!"

A "I certainly did more than whatever you’ve ever done for her."

A "And you know what, she’s her own person! If she’s happy, I’m happy."

"Naomi’s face of sheer anger quickly turns to disgust."

N "I can’t believe you. You really don’t get it."

"Naomi sighs and walks away, shoving into my shoulder on the way out, completely disregarding my presence."

N "Just go, get out of here."

N "This conversation is over."

hide naomi with dissolve

"I can hear Fang arguing with her parents in the other room with Naomi not yelling at me anymore."

"I place my hands in my pockets, turn around, and head back into the foyer."

"My walking slows, and the hall feels like it stretches onwards for miles."

"Could Naomi be right? About Fang?"

"No, no, she can’t be right!"

"Fang is happy with herself, for once."

"The arguing from the other room quickly and very loudly breaks my train of thought and I stride back to where everybody is gathered."

scene home fang night

show fangdad unimpressed at sleft
show fang a prom angry flip at scenter
show naomi prom angry flip:
    xalign 1.3
FD "...That is no way to talk to your mother, young lady!"

F "I’m not a fuckin’ lady, dad!"

"Naomi’s leaned against a wall next to the entry to that hall."

"She turns to me, with an expression of very intently restrained rage on her face."

"Did I really do this, Naomi?"

N "Maybe you should leave before this turns into a fight."

"Naomi’s words were cold but probably true."

show fang a prom angry with dissolve

"Fang looked ready to set her house on fire until she caught me in the corner of her eye."

hide fang with moveoutright

"Without a word she grabbed me by the wrist and dragged me through the front door, guitar in her other hand."

scene home fang outside night with fade
show fang a prom angry at sleft
show anon prom neutral flip at aright

F "…’mme call a taxi or something."

"We sit on the curb in silence until our ride arrives."

"It’s the same velociraptor driver from before. Of course it is."

"I open the door for Fang as she fits her guitar in the back seat."

scene taxi night with fade
stop music fadeout 1.0
D "Ay, it’s my favorite couple again! How’s the leg, skinnie?"

"The driver chuckles at his own remark."

A "We’re doing fine, take us to Volcano high"

D "Prom I’m guessing?  Ya’ two high school sweet-hearts should stay safe out there! Crazy worl’ out there innit’?"

A "Yeah I guess..."

D "Not too much party in you.  You sure you guys are going to prom?"

A "We’re sure."

D "Well, if you say so."

"The cab starts down the street at what was easily twice the speed limit."

"The engine is surprisingly quiet, and leaves the silence awkward between the three of us."

"In the mirror, the Drivers’ eyes start showing a bit of concern."

"He glances towards the radio."

A "Please don’t."

D "Mmm."

"He gives a disappointed look through the reflection."

D "..."

D "You kids uh…"

D "You feel like stopping by a restaurant or something by any chance?"

D "I know a good Chinese place around here…"

D "I can wait outside if you two want to, y’know… I won't even add onto the bill..."

F "I’m on a schedule."

F "We’ll pass."

A "No Thanks."

D "Sure, sure."

"The Driver sighs a little"

scene outside school night
show fang a prom neutral at sleft
show anon prom neutral flip at aright
with fade

"Eventually the cab pulls up to the school gymnasium, illuminated by the celebratory decorative string lights."

"Fang opens her wallet to pay the toll."

D "Uhh… Y’know what, it’s on the house this time, kids."

A "Wait, really?"

D "Sure, yeah."

D "Just have fun, y’know, and uhh…"

D "If you need a cab again, you know the number."

F "We know, we know."

F "Get lost."

A "See you."

"The taxi pulls away from the curb and rounds the corner back onto the main road."
play music 'audio/OST/ballad_of_the_boot.ogg' fadein 1.0

F "We still got about an hour before Spears told us to be on."

A "Sounds like we got plenty of time."

F "You’d be surprised. Come on."

"I considered carrying the guitar case for her, but Fang is already a couple yards ahead power walking to Prom."

"Fang leads the way to the school’s gymnasium. Her shoulders are tense and her wings are raised higher than usual."
scene hallway
show fang a prom neutral at sright
show anon prom neutral at aleft
with fade
"I pick up the pace to try and catch up, but Fang’s long legs only moved faster."

A "What song are you going to play?"

F "Just something simple me and Trish wrote up, why?"

A "Just curious about what's going to knock the prom out of the park, what about Reed?"

F "He was busy."

scene prom
show fang a prom neutral at sleft
show anon prom neutral at aleft
with fade
"The two of us go up to the entrance, the room filled with seniors, strobe lights and a very suspicious smelling fog."

"Reed and Trish were over in a corner, both with red solo cups."

"I didn’t need to question what was in Reed’s."

"Reed noticed us first and waved us over."

show trish prom neutral flip at tright
show reed sunglasses flip at rright
with dissolve
Re "Yooo buddy, how's it going? Ready to see us kill it up on the stage?"

A "Yeah man! Fang said you guys were going to keep it pretty simple with what's up there?"

Re "Yeah, don’t want to do something super complex, just wanna keep it simple and cool for these guys."

A "When are you guys starting?"

Re "Forty-five minutes."

F "Forty-five? Shit I thought we were later than that, we need to start getting prepped."

scene bandroom
show fang a prom neutral at sright
show anon prom neutral at acenter
show reed sunglasses at sleft
show trish prom neutral at tright
with fade
"We hauled ass to Mr.Jingo’s room, where the band had stored their gear."

"Reed’s drumset was in pieces and I helped him reassemble it while Trish and Fang tuned their guitars."
stop music

"{i}*TWANG*{/i}"

show fang a prom angry with dissolve

F "SHIT!"

show trish prom sad flip with dissolve

"I drop the snare drum I was holding."

"Fang’s guitar string had snapped."

play music 'audio/OST/Many Such Cases of Being So True.ogg' fadein 1.0
"Trish and Fang look devastated."

A "Don’t you have a spare?"

show fang a prom sad with dissolve

F "...At home…"

T "There’s got to be some here! Reed! Anon! Look arou-"

F "We don’t have time!"

A "What? But-"

Re "A spare guitar, maybe?"

F "We do not have the time!"

A "Look me and Reed can-"
show fang a prom angry flip with dissolve
F "ANON YOU’RE NOT HELPING!"

F "Look Anon, we just need to focus right now."

F "Just go outside so we can figure something out."

"Her words cut straight through me."

"She’s really kicking me out right now."

show fang a prom neutral flip with dissolve

F "Please, Anon?"

"Reed is silent and I catch a glimpse of a smirking speciesist triceratops."

"I begin to formulate a response, but just manage a small nod."

A "I- Yeah… sure…"
stop music fadeout 3.0

hide anon neutral with moveoutright

scene prom
show anon prom neutral at sleft
with fade
play music "audio/effects/prom chatter loop 2.ogg" fadein 3.0
"Fang hasn’t yelled at me like that since… the beginning of the semester."

"But playing at prom seemed pretty important to Fang and who am I to interfere with that?"

"I didn’t even want to be here in the first place, but…"

"But I’m following Moe’s advice and supporting Fang, right?"

"The music slams into me as I reenter the room, grating on my ears and thrumming roughly in my chest."

"A quick pass of the punch bowl and I find the ideal spot."

"In the darkened corner, where I can support the wall with my back and sip on my cheap punch."

"My feet grow sore as I observe the other seniors having fun."

"Every now and then one of them would point at me and snicker."

"I simply hide my face behind my solo cup and try to drown out their judging eyes behind sugary water."

show spears neutral flip at sright with moveinright

Sp "Enjoying yourself, Anon?"

"I nearly choke on the fruit punch."

A "P-principal Spears! Uh… You’re chaperoning?"

Sp "I wouldn’t ask any of the faculty to look after you lot."

A "Hm…"

Sp "You enjoying your prom?"

menu:
 "Could be worse":
   A "Could be worse."
 "Going great, actually":
   A "Going great, Actually"

Sp "Where’s your date, I thought I saw the two of you enter."

Sp "Weren’t you all getting ready in the music room?"

A "We were…"

A "Something came up… She asked me to leave."

Sp "Fang did?"

A "Yeah, I was just getting in the way."

Sp "I see."

"The two of us stare into the crowd’s mindless frolicking in silence."

Sp "Seems there’s something else on your mind, Anon."

Sp "I can tell these things."

A "Not really, it’s just that I’m respecting her boundaries."

Sp "..."

Sp "Are you sure that’s what’s really going on here?"

"Ugh, here we go."

Sp "Back when I was in the game, I learned a thing or two about-"

"I sigh and tune out the massive man standing next to me."

"I swirl the punch in my cup around before chugging the last of it."

"...I just want to go home…"

Sp "-ake responsibility and take it seriously."

Sp "Relationships are a give and take sort of deal."

Sp "Got it, Anon?"

A "...Sure, sir. I’ll keep that in mind."

"The principal sighs and leaves me."
hide spears with moveoutleft
"Everyone moves out of his way as he cuts his way across the room to the small stage."

"The music fades until all that’s left is chatter."
stop music fadeout 1.0

"Spears takes to the stage with mic in hand for once."

scene prom with dissolve
show spears neutral at scenter
Sp "Alright everyone. Before we end tonight’s prom we have a couple of items to take care of."

Sp "First thing is-"

"The principal pulls a tiny gold sheaf envelope from his lapel and holds it up for the audience to gawk at."

Sp "to announce Prom King and Queen."

"Well this is a foregone conclusion."

"A few students are already congratulating Naser as he’s led by the arm by his handler."

Sp "A drum roll, please."

"Reed steps onto the stage with a small block in his arms."

"He smiles and nods, pressing one of the myriad of buttons on the block."

"A mediocre recording of the drumline plays over the speakers as Spears clears his throat and tears open the envelope."

Sp "And your winners."

Sp "For the one Mil."

Sp "Twenty-twenty class."

Sp "Aaaaaare…."

Sp "Naaaaaser aaaaand Naaaaoooomiiiiii!"

"He tosses the paper over his shoulder and yanks out the crowns from a pocket inside his jacket."
show spears neutral with moveinleft:
 xalign -0.2 yalign 0.0
show naser prom neutral at sleft with moveinleft
show naomi prom neutral flip with moveinright:
 xalign 0.9 yalign 0.0

"Spears backs out of the spotlight, giving a polite applause to the pair as they rush onstage to accept."

"The rest of the class is in a celebratory uproar."

"Spears offers the crowns to Naomi, who puts the larger one on Naser’s crest to droop off, and then dons the tiara.."

"The whole moment is picturesque, just like Naomi wanted."
N "Thank you all so much, Volcano High!"

N "This is such an honor to receive."

N "My, I don’t really have a speech prepared. But…"

N "In just one short year, we-"

Sp "Alright, alright, let’s stay on schedule."
show spears neutral at scenter with moveinright

hide naomi
hide naser
with moveoutright

Sp "I promised your parents we’d be out of here by ten."

Sp "To close off this wonderful night, I’ve asked a student band to play a few bops for us."

Sp "They’ve had their trials earlier in the year, but I think everyone deserves a second chance."

Sp "Please welcome, VVURM DRAMA!!!!"

"The audience’s applause decreases noticeably."

hide spears with moveoutright

unknown "Wait, again?"

unknown "He was there last time, wasn’t he?"

unknown "I’ll just start recording…"

"Feh. Screw ‘em."

"Fang’ll show them how much they’ve all improved."

"I should be memorizing their faces now to make their dumbstruck expressions that much sweeter."

"I know Fang can pull this off."

"Reed wheels the drumkit onstage on a dolly, and Trish follows with her bass."

"And then Fang comes on with her bass as well."

play music 'audio/OST/you can_t sage here.ogg' fadein 1.0
scene prom
show anon prom neutral at scenter

"Wait."

"Wait no."

"They couldn’t find a new string?!"

"They’re just going to repeat the first concert?!"

"What were they thinking?!"

"The three finish making last minute preparations and give an anxious look at one another."

"For a brief moment, Fang looks me right in the eyes."

"I think we all know what’s about to happen."
stop music fadeout 1.0

"The band doesn’t bother introducing themselves. Instead Trish begins plucking her bass."

"It all went tumbling down from there."
play music 'audio/OST/its_the_piece_of_shit_you_asked_for.ogg' fadein 1.0

scene prom fang fuck up a ending with fade

"Just like before, Fang’s bass sounds horrifically wrong, far too heavy. She’s a guitarist using a fucking jazz bass, so of course it sounds horrid."

"And then the vocals kicked in. Reed’s lyrical expertise was not on display here, no these sounded like they came from an edgy teen’s twitter page."

"It’s horrific screeching, combined with the amelodious shredding on a bass creating a cacophony equal to hundreds of cats ritualistically sacrificed."
stop music
unknown "PFFFT AHAHAHA THEY STILL FUCKING SUCK AFTER SIX MONTHS!!"

"The crowd’s cautious cheers were long gone, replaced by a symphony of ridicule."

"The band’s already accepted their fate, both basses hang limply from their shoulder straps."

"Then a few students start chucking balled up tissues at their heads."

"Reed puts his hand on Trish’s shoulder and the two duck out."

scene prom fang freak out a ending with fade

"Fang stays a moment longer, the despair on her face manifesting through hot streams of tears."

scene prom with fade

"She turns to leave as well, trying to maintain a calm composure."

"Then a student throws their red plastic cup of punch upstage."

"It splashes against her head, drenching her suit in red dye and making her smash onto the floor."

"A few more food articles follow while Fang scrambles to get up."

"Shakily, she tries walking offstage again, only to be met with another makeshift water balloon."

"The back of her suit shines a dull red in the stage lights, and she struggles to not slip again."

show spears neutral at scenter with moveinleft

"Spears rushes onstage and throws his coat over Fang."

"Naser was about to jump off the stage and tackle someone."

"Except Naomi had her arms around his waist."

show spears angry at scenter with dissolve

Sp "ENOUGH!"

"The room goes completely silent aside from the sounds of Fang’s sprinting footsteps and sobbing."

"Spear’s lazer gaze is directed at me."

scene prom
show anon prom neutral at scenter
with fade

"He jams his thumb in the direction of the exit Fang just took."

scene black with fade

"I slip out the side door towards the music room once again."

"Trish and Reed were sitting in the far corner of the room, and Fang was nowhere to be seen."

scene bandroom
show trish prom sad flip at tright
show reed sad flip:
    xalign 0.75
show anon prom neutral at aleft

Re "Hey, man…"

T "Great, what do YOU want?"

Re "Fang’s not here, dude."

A "Where’d she go?"

Re "Probably the auditorium."

Re "To be alone."

T "We’re doing fine too, not that you care. Asshole."

A "You’re right, Trish."

T "I, whu-"

A "I don’t care, I need to find Fang. Now."

show reed angry flip with dissolve

Re "That was uncalled for, man."

A "And so is this."

scene black

"*SLAM*"

"It felt so satisfying to slam the door in their useless faces."

"I turn around and leave, flipping off Trish through the window as I go."

"She probably blames me for this show going wrong too."

"That I sabotaged Fang’s guitar because it would make Trish look bad or something."

scene door auditorium with fade

"I run to the auditorium with only the sound of my footsteps echoing through the hallway."

"I stop at the foyer to catch my breath."

"My hands rest on the door, ready to push it open."

"What do I even say to her?"

"‘Just bear with it?’ ‘You still have friends?’"

"All of that’s terrible."

"At the same time, I can’t just stall here."

"I push open the door softly."

"The light spills through the foyer into the darkened chamber."

"Spear’s jacket is thrown over one of the seats near me."

"The door shuts behind me, leaving me in the dark."

scene black with fade

"I can only stand in the night-veiled room for my eyes to adjust."

"From somewhere in the room, a faint sobbing echoes."

A "Fang? You alright?"

"Great opener. Fantastic."

A "I mean, are you gonna be alright?"

"The sobbing continues for a bit longer."

F "... Nooo…"

"I slowly follow her voice down the aisle, using the chairs as my guide."

"By this point I can vaguely make out Fang sitting at the bottom of the stage."

A "Fang?"

"I’m standing before her now, and my eyes have adjusted just enough to make out some details of Fang’s face."

"Such as her eyes looking… off…"

A "Uh… Fang?"

F "I didn’t fuck up."

A "Huh?"

F "I didn’t fuck up. Right, Anon?"

A "...Nah… You did your best up there."

"Fang’s voice started to take on a hiss."

F "Yeah… Yeah… it’s all their fault. Right?"

A "Whose?"

F "Who the fuck else! Naser and that BITCH!"

F "Fucking Naomi. She ruined this. She caused this all."

F "If she had never come into my life."

F "If she was never around Naser."

F "If-"

A "Fang!"

"That startles Fang, making her mouth click shut."

A "Look, forget all of that. It doesn’t matter. None of it matters."

F "I-"

A "Naomi doesn’t matter at all. She and her stupid plan don’t fucking matter."

F "..."

"My eyes have finally focused enough to make out the smashed bass at Fang’s feet."

"I ignore it, instead reaching out for Fang’s shoulder."

A "Hey…"

A "I want you to do something for me, alright?"

A "Just repeat after me."

A "Alright?"

"She doesn’t look at me, but nods her head a bit."

A "It doesn’t matter."

F "...it… It doesn’t matter."

F "It doesn’t matter."

"The hiss is back but I ignore it."

F "It doesn’t matter."

A "See? Feel better, right?"

F "Y-yeah. I guess."

F "Thanks, Anon."

A "Good."

A "So."

A "Uh."

F "...I don’t wanna be here."

A "Oh."

A "... Do you need me to walk you home?"

F "..."

F "Actually…"

F "I uh…"

F "Can I…"

F "Stay at your place?"

F "I… Don’t want to see Naser right now…"

"I can feel my face practically glow at that thought."

A "S-sure. Of course!"
scene black with fade
stop music fadeout 1.0
A "Come on, let’s go home, Fang."

"..."

scene room anon dark

"When I enter my apartment I remove my suit jacket and toss it on the floor unceremoniously."

"I loosen the tie, but don’t bother to take it all the way off."

"Fang collapses in my cot without a word."

"Guess I’m sleeping on the floor tonight."

A "You going to sleep already?"

F "...Nooo…"

"I frown as I see her hair sticky and clinging to her dumb dress shirt."

A "Maybe you should take a shower. At least rinse the punch off."

F "..."

A "I’ve uh… I think I got some clothes for ya."

F "...’kay…"

"Fang gets up from my bed and trudges over to my bathroom."

"Right. Clothes."

"I open my closet and look at all my identical jackets."

"Bulk buying seemed like a good idea at the time."

"I take the spare dress shirt dad sent me. It’s super baggy even on me."

"I think this was from that time I tried to cosplay."

"I shudder at the memory."

"I take that and some board shorts from my closet and kick it shut."

"Okay I think this should… wait."

"Wings and tail."

"..."

"Some minutes later with my knife and I hear the shower sputter to a stop."

"I knock on the door and set the custom cut outfit on the floor for her."

A "I set a change of clothes for you. Yell if you need me to do some more cutting."

"With that I go back to my bed and consider what to do next."

"Maybe a movie or something?"

"Fuck. What would cheer her up."

F "...Thanks…"

scene roomthrash1 at Pan((0, 610),(0, 0), 30.0)

"Fang plops down next to me, the hoodie falling down to her knees and hiding the shorts I gave her."

"If only she wasn’t so depressed she’d look really cute right now."

A "So… Wanna do something?"

F "Play a game or something, I dunno…"

F "I don’t want to sleep yet."

A "Uhh… Sure…"

"Fuck me sideways, what do I have that’s presentable to someone else…"

"I got uhh… Kingdom he-no…"

"Dark so-no…"

"Senran- I feel retarded for even considering it, FUCK NO…"

"Screw it, I'll just go with Rock Ring. That always calms you down."

"Don’t get many opportunities these days to use The Duke, anyways."

"I boot up the XROX and insert the Rock Ring 2 disc."
scene roomthrash2 with dissolve
"Fang flips over to see the TV as I take my spot on the floor sitting next to her."

A "This one’s my favorite Rock Ring story."

"I let the campaign intro play and turn to Fang."

"She is just blankly staring at the screen, probably still thinking about earlier."

A "You uhhh… wanna play first?"

A "Might help take your mind off prom…"

"Fang lets out a muffled sigh."

F "I can just watch…"

"I decide to skip the cutscenes and get right into the gameplay."

"Repelling a bunch of dinosaurs from the volcano caves, easy enough."

A "Playing with a torch and rock combo is the easiest way to kill enemies."

A "Takes more skill than using a spear thrower at least."

F "Yeah, cool…"

F "Hey, Anon… You said something about Naomi having a ‘plan’ earlier. What did you mean by that?"
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"Shit."

"Uh oh, gotta tread real carefully here…"

A "Thing is, uh… you know when I just transferred in and everything?"

F "Yeah?"

A "Well uh, Naomi kept… No, it’s nothing. Forget I said anything."

"Fang sits up and is eye level with me."

F "It’s not nothing. What. Did. She. Do?"

A "Now’s not a good time, we should talk about it lat-"

scene roomthrash3 with dissolve

"Fang grabs me by the shirt collar with shaking fists."

F "Tell me!"

A "I-I-I can’t! Fang, get a hold of yourself!"

scene roomthrash4 with dissolve

"She jumps to her feet, carrying my shirt with her and lurching my head with it."
F "DAMMIT ANON, WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN PLANNING WITH NAOMI?!"

"Her free hand raises into a slashing position, clenched into a claw so her nails protrude like razors."

F "TELL ME OR I’LL-"

A "SHE PUT ME WITH YOU!"

scene roomthrash5 with dissolve

"All at once, Fang loses all energy in her body."

"Her grip on my collar loosens and her clawed hand lowers."

"All the tension has moved directly to her face."

"I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a look of hopeless despair."

"After what feels like a year of silence, I get the courage to stand again."

A "..."

A "...Naomi made it so the two of us were together."

A "Naser’s always worrying about you, so she wanted to get his full attention…"

A "...By trying to have someone ‘fix’ you."

"Fang’s hands cradle her head, as though squeezing it hard enough would wake her up from this nightmare."

A "Fang, I didn’t have any control over it…"

A "You know I really do have feelings for you, I genuinely like you."

A "It doesn’t matter what Naomi’s stupid ‘plans’ are, we still-"

"Out of nowhere Fang’s energy returns into a fit of unrepressed rage."
scene roomthrash6 with dissolve
F "RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!"

F "THAT STUPID BITCH!!"

F "THAT, THAT, THAT GODDAMN SLUT!!"

A "Fang! Calm down!"

F "SHUT THE FUCK UP!!"

F "YOU LITERAL, ACTUAL TOOL!!"

"Fang, with no intention to vent her frustrations verbally, resorts to the next best thing."

"Physical therapy."

"The bedsheets are quickly discarded to the other side of the room in a clump."

A "Fang, please!"

"Fang is convulsing as though possessed, frantically looking for other things to ruin."

"With a swift kick, the Duke is catapulted into the bathroom."

A "Calm down! Don’t break anything!"

"She starts kicking and punching the nearby shelf with all her might."

A "Fang, stop, you’ll hurt yourself!"

"My pleas are ignored, instead all I get are continued desperate grunts as she tries to pummel the wooden door."

A "Fang, really, you need to stop-"

"With one last scream, she punches clean through the shelf’s cabinet door, leaving a hole about the size of a football."

A "THAT’S ENOUGH"
stop music fadeout 1.0

scene roomthrash7 with dissolve

"While Fang is recoiling, I take the moment to grab her by the wrists and rush her over to sit on the bed."

"Tears are streaming down her face as I shift my grip to her arms."

F "I can’t even fall in love without HER interfering with it!"

F "You don’t like me, you just wanted to change me to something I’m not to get Naomi off your back."
scene roomthrash8 with dissolve
A "That’s not true! Fang, listen to me. I do lo-"
scene roomthrash9 with dissolve
"The force makes me stumble back several feet."

"Luckily, I manage to regain my balance before falling on my ass."

"I raise my hands in a basic CQC stance."
scene roomthrash10  with dissolve
F "You took me away from my friends! You ruined our band!"

A "What the hell are you talking about? I haven’t done any of that!"

F "Well, Naomi is, and, and…"

F "You’re just doing whatever Naomi wants!"

A "Well then maybe Naomi had a point!"

"A deafening silence permeates the room."

"The malice radiating from Fang is as tense as a razor."

scene roomthrash11 with dissolve

"Eventually, the weight of the situation causes her to collapse into the bed completely."

"Between sobs Fang tries squealing out more of her argument."

F "Just-just shut up… I don’t…"

F "I…"

A "Here’s the reality, Fang."

A "There are things about you that need fixing."

A "That much I can agree with Naomi."

A "And clearly, I can’t help you there."

F "..."

A "..."

"Fang’s body tremors with her sobs."

"Shit, was I too harsh on her?"

A "Fang… I’m sorry."

A "*sigh*"

A "You’re right, I took you away from your friends and all that."

A "I caused all this."

F "No."

F "You wish."

F "That would be too much of an honor for you."

play music "audio/OST/Beach Chill Out.ogg" fadein 1.0
"The phrase cuts to the bone."

"I retrieve the bedsheets from the floor."

A "Look…"

A "You're tired, I'm tired, let's just sleep and think it over tomorrow"

"As I drape the blanket over her shoulders, she reaches out to squeeze my hand."

A "... I do love you, Fang."

F "..."

A "..."

F "..."

"She lets go."

A "... Goodnight."

"Fang curls into my blanket, staring at the wall away from me."
scene room anon dark with fade
"I hit the light switch and lie down across the room from the bed."

"I’d use the felt blanket that exists in every house, but I’d frankly rather just sleep in my clothes."

"The moonlight leaking through the curtain gives enough visibility for me to see Fang still silently weeping."

"I watch from afar until her breathing becomes slow and rhythmic, the sort only achievable in a deep sleep."

"What am I supposed to do about her?"

"I’ll talk with her more about it in the morning…"

"For now I’ll just try to get some shut-eye."

"My heavy eyelids practically glue themselves shut, and I’m asleep within five minutes."
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scene black with fade

"..."

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