((Rodney Vasicek: Start)
Rodney sat up and started to pant. He rubbed the back of his head and started to look around. He was laying on some dirt, and could make out some tables around him. He slowly stood up and looked around. There were some empty baskets on the table, but they were mostly covered in dirt and starting to fray a bit. Rodney stepped around a bit before noticing a sandwich board standing near the stand. He read the word on the sign.
"Horchata?" he asked himself.
Rodney had no idea what "Horchata" was. Was it the Spanish word for something? He had never seen one before, so he figured it was something local to the area.
Rodney then suddenly remembered that there was only one reason he'd be standing in a decrepit horchata stand: The Program. He covered his mouth and looked around. There were a few other similar stands around, but he couldn't see anyone else.
"Oh god, oh god, oh god," he muttered to himself.
His eyes darted back to the stand. There was a duffel bag on the ground. He quickly made his way over to it, picking it off the ground and placing it on one of the tables, pushing a basket to the side and knocking another to the ground. He opened the bag up and began to rifle through it. If he was here, they'd give him a weapon to fight. He didn't want to kill, but he at least needed to know what he received.
As he dug past the food and first aid kit, he found a small wooden box. He pulled it out, finding there was a sheet of paper with it.
"Small orgel?" he said, reading the paper.
He looked over the wooden box. it was about the size of the palm of his hand. He opened the lid, seeing a small metal object inside. It appeared to be a cylinder with bumps on it laying against some metal sticks. He then noticed a small key on the side of the box. Now he remembered this. He had seen something like this in a store once. It was supposed to play music.
Rodney twisted the key a few times. If he let go, it was supposed to play a song. What could it be that was so important to give to him?
He let go of the key and set the orgel on the table. As he did, he heard a few tings come from the box as the cylinder started to move. The bumps hit the sticks, producing notes of music as each stick was hit by the bump. Rodney suddenly recognized the tune and began to hum it to himself.
"A-mer-i-ca. A-mer-i-ca," he sang to himself with each ting. "God-shed-his-grace-on-thee. And-crown-thy-good-with-bro-ther-hood-from-sea-to-shi-ning-sea."
The orgel then stopped playing music as the key stopped turning. Rodney stared at it. As much as he tried, he couldn't understand why this was given to him. He came up with at least one idea.
"They want me to die..." he muttered to himself.
He remained in place, staring at the motionless orgel. He was going to die.
América rompió mi corazón
Phase 1 (0-12 Hours), Open
América rompió mi corazón
G014: Mayumi Tendou
((Bishop Smith: Start))
All things considered, Bishop was holding up fairly well. He was shaking like a leaf and knew he was likely going to die horribly within the next two days, but he hadn't cried yet or embarrassed himself in front of the entire country yet so there was that.
Still, it wasn't all bad. If nothing else they had been "kind" enough to give him a decently sized knife, which he held openly in his right hand should he need to defend himself. Or decide to start killing like they wanted him too, something he had no intention of doing. After all, why should he? His country had already stolen his father from him and sentenced him to death, he had no intention of giving them anything at this point.
But even then... Maybe he wouldn't die? Maybe he could win and get out alive? Though even though that idea excited him the tiny 120 pound, 5 foot 7 Bishop knew he didn't stand a chance. Not against any of his larger, more threatening classmates.
But still, he had an actually decent weapon, maybe he could-
Suddenly, a sound coming just a few yards away ripped Bishop away from his thoughts. Assuming his mind wasn't playing tricks on him, he could swear he heard the sound of music coming from that stand in front of him.
"W-why is there music?" He muttered to himself, his grip tightening on the blade's handle as he did.
Despite his better judgement, and his mind telling him to run away, Bishop couldn't help but to take a few steps forward. Slowly, but surely, he moved closer to the stand. Careful not to make a sound as he did so.
As soon as it came though, the song ended. Just as it did, Bishop came to a complete and sudden halt.
Why am I doing this why am I doing this why am I doing this! Bishop thought over and over, not sure if he should run away or try to hide. But still, maybe it wasn't that bad? Maybe they were friendly?
So, after a lot of hesitation, Bishop called out to the source of the sound.
"H-h-h-h-hey!" He cried out, fear ever present in his voice. "I-is somebody there?"
All things considered, Bishop was holding up fairly well. He was shaking like a leaf and knew he was likely going to die horribly within the next two days, but he hadn't cried yet or embarrassed himself in front of the entire country yet so there was that.
Still, it wasn't all bad. If nothing else they had been "kind" enough to give him a decently sized knife, which he held openly in his right hand should he need to defend himself. Or decide to start killing like they wanted him too, something he had no intention of doing. After all, why should he? His country had already stolen his father from him and sentenced him to death, he had no intention of giving them anything at this point.
But even then... Maybe he wouldn't die? Maybe he could win and get out alive? Though even though that idea excited him the tiny 120 pound, 5 foot 7 Bishop knew he didn't stand a chance. Not against any of his larger, more threatening classmates.
But still, he had an actually decent weapon, maybe he could-
Suddenly, a sound coming just a few yards away ripped Bishop away from his thoughts. Assuming his mind wasn't playing tricks on him, he could swear he heard the sound of music coming from that stand in front of him.
"W-why is there music?" He muttered to himself, his grip tightening on the blade's handle as he did.
Despite his better judgement, and his mind telling him to run away, Bishop couldn't help but to take a few steps forward. Slowly, but surely, he moved closer to the stand. Careful not to make a sound as he did so.
As soon as it came though, the song ended. Just as it did, Bishop came to a complete and sudden halt.
Why am I doing this why am I doing this why am I doing this! Bishop thought over and over, not sure if he should run away or try to hide. But still, maybe it wasn't that bad? Maybe they were friendly?
So, after a lot of hesitation, Bishop called out to the source of the sound.
"H-h-h-h-hey!" He cried out, fear ever present in his voice. "I-is somebody there?"
Rodney picked up the orgel and looked slightly downward. He had no clue how he was going to survive armed only with "America the Beautiful." His father's intensive training could only get him so far. But thinking about it, Rodney really had no friends he could rely on. He just floated through high school afraid to talk to anyone and letting people feel intimidated by his size and appearance. There was Laurie, but was she here? He really hoped she wasn't. He'd rather be alone than know that a nice girl like her was picked for this.
Before he could do anything else, someone else called out for him. Rodney froze.
Crap. Crap crap crap crap crap.
In all of his father's lessons about war and combat, Rodney had forgotten that you were never supposed to let your guard down. He stood in place and listened to a music box. He was probably going to die for that now.
Or, he could at least figure out who it is and see what happens.
"Um...yes..." Rodney said.
Maybe he could find a way to be as non-threatening as possible. Otherwise, he'd have to get out of there as quickly as possible.
Before he could do anything else, someone else called out for him. Rodney froze.
Crap. Crap crap crap crap crap.
In all of his father's lessons about war and combat, Rodney had forgotten that you were never supposed to let your guard down. He stood in place and listened to a music box. He was probably going to die for that now.
Or, he could at least figure out who it is and see what happens.
"Um...yes..." Rodney said.
Maybe he could find a way to be as non-threatening as possible. Otherwise, he'd have to get out of there as quickly as possible.
G014: Mayumi Tendou
The response Bishop got back was a quiet and terrified yes. He seemed just as scared as Bishop was, so he knew he likely wasn't some psychopath that wanted to rip his face off and wear it around like a mask. So you know, that was good. He could work with that.
Still, Bishop's sudden appearance had likely spooked the poor kid. Sure, in a situation like this it was kind of impossible to avoid that, but that didn't make Bishop feel any better. Didn't help that Bishop was still scared out of his wits as well, so the fact that he had to be the brave one here was a little frightening.
But still, he didn't want to scare this guy even worse than he already had.
"I-I promise you I-I'm not p-playing." Bishop said, his voice just as shaky as before. "W-what's your name? I'm B-Bishop Smith."
Still, Bishop's sudden appearance had likely spooked the poor kid. Sure, in a situation like this it was kind of impossible to avoid that, but that didn't make Bishop feel any better. Didn't help that Bishop was still scared out of his wits as well, so the fact that he had to be the brave one here was a little frightening.
But still, he didn't want to scare this guy even worse than he already had.
"I-I promise you I-I'm not p-playing." Bishop said, his voice just as shaky as before. "W-what's your name? I'm B-Bishop Smith."
Rodney felt some relief when the person said he wasn't playing. Of course, Rodney immediately realized that he had absolutely no reason to believe the kid. He couldn't recognize the kid's voice and wasn't sure if he had even heard it before. Rodney clutched the orgel close to his chest. He needed to do something though.
Fortunately, the guy introduced himself as Bishop Smith. Before Rodney could admire how cool a name like "Bishop" was and how he should use it for a story, he then remembered where he was and that he should reply too.
"Um...Rodney..." Rodney said. "Rodney Vasicek."
Rodney kept the orgel clutched and slowly stepped out of the horchata stand. He could see Bishop now and see the guy was short and presumably unarmed.
"Um...I'm not playing either...so...please don't think I am..."
Fortunately, the guy introduced himself as Bishop Smith. Before Rodney could admire how cool a name like "Bishop" was and how he should use it for a story, he then remembered where he was and that he should reply too.
"Um...Rodney..." Rodney said. "Rodney Vasicek."
Rodney kept the orgel clutched and slowly stepped out of the horchata stand. He could see Bishop now and see the guy was short and presumably unarmed.
"Um...I'm not playing either...so...please don't think I am..."
G014: Mayumi Tendou
Bishop couldn't help but to be a little taken aback by just how huge Rodney was. He almost couldn't believe that he was the same guy he was talking to until he opened his mouth to say he wasn't playing either.
Okay, so the tiny terrified boy with a big freaking knife was staring down a big terrified wall of muscle who could crush Bishop's skull in his hands like putty. The worst part was Bishop had no clue what this guy was really like, though he knew Rodney didn't hang out with the typical jerks at his school. So he wasn't be that bad? Who knew, but thankfully the two were making progress, so that was good.
Rodney didn't appear to be armed and was claiming he wasn't playing. Given the fact that they had just woken up a few minutes ago, Bishop was more than willing to take him at his word. Yeah, a lot of his classmates would likely be a little stab happy at the start, but most people are hesitant to start killing the people they've known for years. At least at the start anyway. So, maybe Bishop could work with this?
First thing's first though, he should probably calm Rodney down a little. Easier said than done considering how Bishop was just as scared as Rodney was, but if nothing else it didn't look like this encounter would take a turn for the gory. He just needed to approach this situation carefully.
"D-do you mind if I approach you?" Bishop asked, trying to come off as non-threatening as possible. "I-I can put my k-knife away if you w-want."
Of course, putting the knife away was piratically suicide here, but he was sure Rodney wouldn't try and hurt him... Right?
Okay, so the tiny terrified boy with a big freaking knife was staring down a big terrified wall of muscle who could crush Bishop's skull in his hands like putty. The worst part was Bishop had no clue what this guy was really like, though he knew Rodney didn't hang out with the typical jerks at his school. So he wasn't be that bad? Who knew, but thankfully the two were making progress, so that was good.
Rodney didn't appear to be armed and was claiming he wasn't playing. Given the fact that they had just woken up a few minutes ago, Bishop was more than willing to take him at his word. Yeah, a lot of his classmates would likely be a little stab happy at the start, but most people are hesitant to start killing the people they've known for years. At least at the start anyway. So, maybe Bishop could work with this?
First thing's first though, he should probably calm Rodney down a little. Easier said than done considering how Bishop was just as scared as Rodney was, but if nothing else it didn't look like this encounter would take a turn for the gory. He just needed to approach this situation carefully.
"D-do you mind if I approach you?" Bishop asked, trying to come off as non-threatening as possible. "I-I can put my k-knife away if you w-want."
Of course, putting the knife away was piratically suicide here, but he was sure Rodney wouldn't try and hurt him... Right?
Oh god. This guy had a knife. Rodney now realized that he hadn't even noticed that Bishop had a knife in his hand. It must have been out of sight, but now he realized he was talking to a scared kid with an actual deadly weapon. All Rodney could do was crank a key and play "America the Beautiful." If Bishop wasn't a nice guy, then maybe Rodney would be dead.
"Yeah...that'd be fine..."
Rodney looked at the orgel in his hand.
"I...uh...won't hurt you either. I can't hurt you, actually. I mean..."
Rodney grabbed the key and twisted it. He lifted the lid and let the first few notes of "America the Beautiful" play. He hoped that proved to Bishop he couldn't and wouldn't hurt him.
"Yeah...that'd be fine..."
Rodney looked at the orgel in his hand.
"I...uh...won't hurt you either. I can't hurt you, actually. I mean..."
Rodney grabbed the key and twisted it. He lifted the lid and let the first few notes of "America the Beautiful" play. He hoped that proved to Bishop he couldn't and wouldn't hurt him.
G014: Mayumi Tendou
Oh, this guy had a music box or something. That explains where the sound from before was coming. Now that he heard it again he could make out what the song was too. At least he thought he could? Bishop swore it sounded just like "America the Beautiful", but who even knew? Well, the guys who gave sent them all to their deaths likely knew, but that was about it.
Still, Bishop didn't believe the "can't hurt you" part in the slightest. The guy was huge, and if he wanted too he could very easily do some real damage to the smaller, frailer boy. However, Bishop was sure Rodney wasn't lying about the "won't" part at least and that was kind of just all he needed at this point.
So, Bishop went ahead and unzipped his bag and tossed his knife back inside. He'd put it back in it's handle and shove it in his pocket later, but for now he didn't want to spook Rodney any worse than he already had. Sure, it was risky to put his weapon away in a situation like this, but he was sure Rodney was true to his word here.
Or he was an excellent actor and wanted kill Bishop, but at least then he'd get the whole dying thing done and over with quickly.
As soon as he zipped his bag back up Bishop carefully made his way to the larger, more imposing boy in front of him. Keeping his hands raised and in clear view he did his best to come off as non-threatening as possible, trying his beat to keep Rodney from panicking and attacking him. Seriously the guy had eight inches and 70 pounds on Bishop at the very least, he made no illusion that Rodney did not have the advantage here.
Once he got close enough, Bishop extended his right hand to Rodney offering to shake his hand.
"I-it's nice to meet y-you." He said, giving Rodney a weak smile as he did so, hoping he wasn't about to meet his end in the next two seconds.
Still, Bishop didn't believe the "can't hurt you" part in the slightest. The guy was huge, and if he wanted too he could very easily do some real damage to the smaller, frailer boy. However, Bishop was sure Rodney wasn't lying about the "won't" part at least and that was kind of just all he needed at this point.
So, Bishop went ahead and unzipped his bag and tossed his knife back inside. He'd put it back in it's handle and shove it in his pocket later, but for now he didn't want to spook Rodney any worse than he already had. Sure, it was risky to put his weapon away in a situation like this, but he was sure Rodney was true to his word here.
Or he was an excellent actor and wanted kill Bishop, but at least then he'd get the whole dying thing done and over with quickly.
As soon as he zipped his bag back up Bishop carefully made his way to the larger, more imposing boy in front of him. Keeping his hands raised and in clear view he did his best to come off as non-threatening as possible, trying his beat to keep Rodney from panicking and attacking him. Seriously the guy had eight inches and 70 pounds on Bishop at the very least, he made no illusion that Rodney did not have the advantage here.
Once he got close enough, Bishop extended his right hand to Rodney offering to shake his hand.
"I-it's nice to meet y-you." He said, giving Rodney a weak smile as he did so, hoping he wasn't about to meet his end in the next two seconds.
Rodney froze in place when Bishop put the knife away. Rodney had no idea why this guy was trusting him so easily. Maybe the guy really was just a nice person. Maybe the guy was convinced Rodney couldn't kill anyone with the orgel. Either way, Bishop slowly approached him with a hand out to shake.
Rodney almost didn't know what to do. He knew well enough that a real man shook hands with another person. Rodney was made to practice a proper handshake, direct and strong, with his father's claim that "a weak handshake reveals a weak man." Granted, Rodney never got to do it that often, so he had to reserve it for special occasions.
But this wasn't the time to dwell on his father's stupid training. Bishop had disarmed himself and wanted to greet Rodney properly. Plus, as far as Rodney could see, Bishop didn't have any other weapon readily available.
All the signs said to shake the hand, so Rodney did.
"Y-yeah. Pleased to meet you..."
Rodney gave Bishop a direct and strong handshake. Maybe this was good. Maybe Rodney had found a trustworthy ally early on in the game. Maybe this was akin to the brotherhood that was formed between soldiers in the military, as he father had championed the value of in the past. Maybe Bishop was going to be his brother in arms for The Program.
Rodney almost didn't know what to do. He knew well enough that a real man shook hands with another person. Rodney was made to practice a proper handshake, direct and strong, with his father's claim that "a weak handshake reveals a weak man." Granted, Rodney never got to do it that often, so he had to reserve it for special occasions.
But this wasn't the time to dwell on his father's stupid training. Bishop had disarmed himself and wanted to greet Rodney properly. Plus, as far as Rodney could see, Bishop didn't have any other weapon readily available.
All the signs said to shake the hand, so Rodney did.
"Y-yeah. Pleased to meet you..."
Rodney gave Bishop a direct and strong handshake. Maybe this was good. Maybe Rodney had found a trustworthy ally early on in the game. Maybe this was akin to the brotherhood that was formed between soldiers in the military, as he father had championed the value of in the past. Maybe Bishop was going to be his brother in arms for The Program.
G014: Mayumi Tendou
Bishop could almost imagine his Mother watching his encounter with Rodney go down. Screaming at the TV for Bishop to just run away, stab the big guy, or not to put his god damn knife away like an idiot. Just anything other than walk towards the hulking giant he knew nothing about and ask to shake his hand. Bishop had to admit, he was an idiot for doing any of this. But... Hey, it worked out, right? Hell, Bishop might of actually made a friend here! Something he was rarely able to do in the two years he'd been enrolled at The National Summit Academy.
Bishop couldn't help but to be thankful his father had actually shown him how to do a proper handshake during one of his rare visits home, so if nothing else at least he got something out of his old man. While his grip wasn't nearly as strong as Rodney's was, it was still firm and direct. If nothing else it was at least a somewhat decent return on Bishop's end.
After he let go of Rodney's hand he quickly looked around the area, seeing if anybody else was nearby. When Bishop deduced that nobody else near by, he returned his gaze to his larger (hopefully) comrade.
"S-so did you wake u-up here? T-they put me a little while down t-that way."
Bishop than pointed down the road behind him. The small bit of dirt on his coat indicating they had just dropped him on the ground somewhere by the road.
Bishop couldn't help but to be thankful his father had actually shown him how to do a proper handshake during one of his rare visits home, so if nothing else at least he got something out of his old man. While his grip wasn't nearly as strong as Rodney's was, it was still firm and direct. If nothing else it was at least a somewhat decent return on Bishop's end.
After he let go of Rodney's hand he quickly looked around the area, seeing if anybody else was nearby. When Bishop deduced that nobody else near by, he returned his gaze to his larger (hopefully) comrade.
"S-so did you wake u-up here? T-they put me a little while down t-that way."
Bishop than pointed down the road behind him. The small bit of dirt on his coat indicating they had just dropped him on the ground somewhere by the road.
"Y...yeah," Rodney said. "I woke up under that table there."
Rodney looked over at the empty table before glancing back to Bishop. It was nice to know there was someone decent he ran into this early on in the game. He still had no clue how he would get through this game or what he should do next. That was a major issue.
Rodney figured it would be good to have something to talk about. If Bishop was going to be an ally and friend in this game, he would need some common ground or a way to break the ice. He looked back around and remembered the sign near the entrance to the stand.
"Um...do you know what horchata is?"
Rodney looked over at the empty table before glancing back to Bishop. It was nice to know there was someone decent he ran into this early on in the game. He still had no clue how he would get through this game or what he should do next. That was a major issue.
Rodney figured it would be good to have something to talk about. If Bishop was going to be an ally and friend in this game, he would need some common ground or a way to break the ice. He looked back around and remembered the sign near the entrance to the stand.
"Um...do you know what horchata is?"
G014: Mayumi Tendou
"I-I uh... N-no, sorry."
Bishop hadn't even heard of a horchata before, let alone knew what it was. Though, given where they were he could guess it was Mexican in nature. Not that that narrowed it down much, but still it was something.
"M-maybe it's Spanish for taco?" He said jokingly with a light chuckle, in a vain attempt to lighten the mood.
"But r-really though I-I don't know. Maybe if we run into K-Kassandra she'll-"
Bishop's words came to a sudden halt when Kassandra's name left his lips, the sudden realization dawning on him.
"O-oh yeah... She's hear too..." He muttered, just loud enough for Rodney to hear.
Bishop and Kassandra were never really close, just casual friends at best. But still, the fact that one of Bishop's few friends was also taking part in the Program as well wasn't exactly a comforting thought. Sure, if they ran into each other she could help him and Rodney out, but after that... It wasn't exactly something Bishop wanted to think about.
Bishop hadn't even heard of a horchata before, let alone knew what it was. Though, given where they were he could guess it was Mexican in nature. Not that that narrowed it down much, but still it was something.
"M-maybe it's Spanish for taco?" He said jokingly with a light chuckle, in a vain attempt to lighten the mood.
"But r-really though I-I don't know. Maybe if we run into K-Kassandra she'll-"
Bishop's words came to a sudden halt when Kassandra's name left his lips, the sudden realization dawning on him.
"O-oh yeah... She's hear too..." He muttered, just loud enough for Rodney to hear.
Bishop and Kassandra were never really close, just casual friends at best. But still, the fact that one of Bishop's few friends was also taking part in the Program as well wasn't exactly a comforting thought. Sure, if they ran into each other she could help him and Rodney out, but after that... It wasn't exactly something Bishop wanted to think about.
Bishop didn't know what horchata was either. If Rodney survived, he would have to ask someone in charge what that is. Obviously, that shouldn't be his main priority, but it was something to consider. Maybe horchata was something to work into a story somehow.
Rodney shook his head and tried to focus on speaking with Bishop. Bishop mentioned a girl named Kassandra.
"I-is she..." Rodney started.
He waved his hands in front of his body. He didn't know if it was polite to ask Bishop if this Kassandra girl was his girlfriend or not. There had to be a better way to ask.
"...someone close to you?"
He figured that would be good.
Rodney shook his head and tried to focus on speaking with Bishop. Bishop mentioned a girl named Kassandra.
"I-is she..." Rodney started.
He waved his hands in front of his body. He didn't know if it was polite to ask Bishop if this Kassandra girl was his girlfriend or not. There had to be a better way to ask.
"...someone close to you?"
He figured that would be good.
G014: Mayumi Tendou
"O-oh." Bishop said, being snapped away from his thoughts.
"Uh... N-not very. S-she's just a friend." He answered plainly. "I-I just hope she'll be okay..."
He wasn't exactly lying either. There was no school yard crush, no unrequited love, no years of history between them. She was just somebody who had been nice to him ever since they'd met. But still, that was something that meant a lot to Bishop. So knowing she was here hurt a little.
But still, was something everyone here was likely dealing with. Knowing either you or somebody you care about will have to die for the other to simply have a chance at surviving was not a pleasant one. But it was one they'd have to grapple with sooner or later.
"I-I'm sure it's nothing y-you aren't d-dealing with." He said, moving his gaze from the ground and up to meet his taller comrade's eyes.
"Uh... N-not very. S-she's just a friend." He answered plainly. "I-I just hope she'll be okay..."
He wasn't exactly lying either. There was no school yard crush, no unrequited love, no years of history between them. She was just somebody who had been nice to him ever since they'd met. But still, that was something that meant a lot to Bishop. So knowing she was here hurt a little.
But still, was something everyone here was likely dealing with. Knowing either you or somebody you care about will have to die for the other to simply have a chance at surviving was not a pleasant one. But it was one they'd have to grapple with sooner or later.
"I-I'm sure it's nothing y-you aren't d-dealing with." He said, moving his gaze from the ground and up to meet his taller comrade's eyes.
Rodney wondered if he actually said the wrong thing. He's in a life-or-death game, meeting a really nice guy with a cool name, and he might have just embarrassed the guy. Maybe Kassandra was just a nice girl that Bishop hoped was okay and that was it. Maybe Rodney shouldn't have made such broad implications without knowing. Maybe Bishop was annoyed because of that.
Bishop said it was probably similar to what Rodney was dealing with.
"Um...yeah," Rodney said. "I'm worried about people too. Like...um..."
Rodney scratched the back of his head. He could feel a bit of dirt in his hair, and as he did, he had to ask himself the question:
Who was he worried for?
Who did Rodney actually consider a friend? He had to quickly think. Guys. Who were his guy friends? Guys talked to him. He had some ask if he'd join their sports team. He didn't like sports, so he always said no. Some guys apologized to him if they accidentally bumped into him and that was it. He overheard some guys asking if Rodney was always angry or contemplative because he was so huge and always so quiet. There was even that one guy who wanted Rodney to join a gang, but Rodney realized they meant the illegal kind and not the Scooby-Doo kind.
Okay, what about girls? Nothing came up. There was Laurie, but aside from that one talk in the library, there wasn't much. Heck, would she even call him a friend? Thinking back, Rodney realized, in their one encounter, he came off to her as a golem of a teen who was acting shifty in a corner library seat and was allegedly reading about the romance between Marina Del Mar, the young virginal duchess of the coastal kingdom of Tempesta, and Cathulius Poseiman, the tentacled sea prince from the underwater city of Atlanzantine. If he was in her place, he wouldn't call that the best first impression.
What about other girls? Most of them were loud, intimidating, and often times way too forward. He's had girls flirt with him, girls look at him with surprise, and girls mock him for his physical build. Somehow, he found them way more frightening than the boys.
So who did that leave?
Rodney wasn't sure, and he could guess that Bishop was probably taking notice of how silent Rodney had been since he was asked the question.
Bishop said it was probably similar to what Rodney was dealing with.
"Um...yeah," Rodney said. "I'm worried about people too. Like...um..."
Rodney scratched the back of his head. He could feel a bit of dirt in his hair, and as he did, he had to ask himself the question:
Who was he worried for?
Who did Rodney actually consider a friend? He had to quickly think. Guys. Who were his guy friends? Guys talked to him. He had some ask if he'd join their sports team. He didn't like sports, so he always said no. Some guys apologized to him if they accidentally bumped into him and that was it. He overheard some guys asking if Rodney was always angry or contemplative because he was so huge and always so quiet. There was even that one guy who wanted Rodney to join a gang, but Rodney realized they meant the illegal kind and not the Scooby-Doo kind.
Okay, what about girls? Nothing came up. There was Laurie, but aside from that one talk in the library, there wasn't much. Heck, would she even call him a friend? Thinking back, Rodney realized, in their one encounter, he came off to her as a golem of a teen who was acting shifty in a corner library seat and was allegedly reading about the romance between Marina Del Mar, the young virginal duchess of the coastal kingdom of Tempesta, and Cathulius Poseiman, the tentacled sea prince from the underwater city of Atlanzantine. If he was in her place, he wouldn't call that the best first impression.
What about other girls? Most of them were loud, intimidating, and often times way too forward. He's had girls flirt with him, girls look at him with surprise, and girls mock him for his physical build. Somehow, he found them way more frightening than the boys.
So who did that leave?
Rodney wasn't sure, and he could guess that Bishop was probably taking notice of how silent Rodney had been since he was asked the question.
G014: Mayumi Tendou