Dungeons and Darkners
Part 3
"Uhh, are you serious?" Emmet asked, confused.
"Well… yeah," Francisca replied. "Saving the world and stuff? Susie doesn't do that. Susie is her own dragon who takes orders from no one."
"Wait, what are you…?!" Emmet began, befuddled.
"Umm…" Bambi said, surprised. "The prince is… shocked by your answer. He asks you why."
"I've told you," Francisca said simply. "My Susie doesn't do saving the world. This prince guy probably has the wrong person."
"Ok…" Bambi said, still confused. "So the prince says that if you don't do anything, the world will end."
"Eh, Susie doesn't care," Francisca replies. "I tell this prince guy it might be kinda fun actually."
"Ok, what the heck are you doing Francisca?!" Emmet asked.
"What?" she replied. "I mean… you don't really trust this dark prince guy, right? I mean, you go ahead, but my Susie is her own girl."
Bambi, sensing a growing conflict between her two companions, decided to intervene.
"Suddenly, ANOTHER SURPRISE ATTACK!" she expresses.
"What are you-" Emmet began.
Out of a sudden, there came a small, hyper-realistic explosion on the table right by the dark, castle model, and everyone except Bambi was startled by it.
"Gah, Jesus!" Francisca expressed.
As the following smoke dissipated, another strange item appeared. It was perhaps the oddest item so far, or combination of items rather. It was a simple ace of spades card tied to a miniature toy bike.
"Ho, ho, ho!" Bambi said in what seemed to be her attempt at a young boyish voice. "The heroes are already running away?! And I didn't do anything! My dad is gonna make me the son of the month!"
"What's happening now?" Emmet said, kinda creeped out.
"It's not me, it's a character that's speaking," Bambi said.
"Uhh, I'll ask this new guy who he is then," Francisca suggested, somewhat dazzled by this.
"Alright then," Bambi said.
She gave out a short, sweet-sounding cough.
"I'm… the bad guy!" Bambi then exclaimed in the same boyish voice.
"Ok, I think I like this guy," Francisca said, amused.
"This prince then tells you that-" Bambi began.
"Wait, wait, wait, that's a prince too?" Emmet asked.
"Yeah," Bambi said. "He's Lancer, the prince of spades."
"Oh yeah, that's why it's a spade card," Francisca. "So I guess we are doing card themes here right? So the other guy must be the prince of hearts or something."
"Nah, he's not the prince of anything yet," Bambi said. "He doesn't even have servants or anything. Just a lone prince."
"A lone prince?" Francisca asked. "What? Is he like self-appointed or-"
"Is he related to this new prince or…?" Emmet asked.
"Nah," Bambi answered. "Completely unrelated. I think."
"You uh… think?" Emmet asked. "H… how many princes are in this kingdom then?"
"Uh, several, maybe?" Bambi said. "There are also some princesses as well, probably. You see… this kingdom has four different kings who rule it and-"
"Wait, how does that work?" Francisca asked. "Do they like… take turns or something?"
"I dunno," Bambi replied.
"I'm not sure it really matters," Emmet replied.
"Right, I'm nitpicking, sorry," Francisca said. "Continue on, kid."
"So this prince of spades is named Lancer," Bambi continued. "He's the son of the evil spade king, who created the other fountain. Then he tells you about his two-step plan to trash you."
"Which is…?" Francisca pried.
"Step one: thrash you!" Bambi said with sudden loudness. "Step two… uhh… win!"
"Hmm alright," Francisca said, thinking. "I have a suggestion. How about me and Emmet… use this plan on him instead."
"Uhh… can I-" Emmet began.
"Great idea!" Bambi said.
"I was planning on going for a pacifist but whatever," Emmet muttered under his breath.
"Alright, NOW ROLL FOR INITIATIVE!" Bambi exclaimed.
"Gee kid!" Francisca replied, thrown back once again by her abrupt change of tone. "I'm never gonna get used to that, huh?"
She, Bambi and Emmet then all picked up their own dice, not once stopping to think why there were now suddenly three die on the table, and rolled. Of the trio, luck rolled in favour of Emmet, with Francisca second and Bambi last.
"Crab," Francisca blurted out.
"Does that mean I go first or…?" Emmet asked.
"Yep," Bambi confirmed.
"Ok, cool," the boy replied. "Do I… have to go with combat or…?"
"Nah, you can do whatevs," Bambi replied.
"Hmm ok," Emmet said, thinking. "In that case I'm… I'm gonna tell Lancer to… watch out for Francisca's character."
"Hey!" Francisca replied, mildly insulted. "Don't assist the enemy!"
"Ok, how do we know he's a quote-unquote "enemy"?" Emmet said.
"He… that guy literally just said so," Francisca replied.
"I know what he said," Emmet said. "But… maybe he doesn't know any better. Maybe he's forced to go after us or… maybe there's… like… nuance to him."
"Well… he threatened us first," Francisca said. "Besides, it's just a game. I feel like you're overthinking this, kid."
"I know it's "just" a game," Emmet said, with a hint of growing frustration. "Also, can you stop calling me kid?"
"Hey, hey!" Bambi said. "Can you please not fight? This is supposed to be a game of fun. Besides, sorry, Francisca but Imma side with Emmet here. You have a good point, but Emmet's point is better."
"Umm… thanks?" Emmet said.
"Fine," Francisca pouted. "Emmet, go warn him or whatever. Oh and yeah, sorry about the calling you a kid thing I guess."
"It's… whatever," Emmet answered. "So I guess I'll… do that thing. Warn him I mean. Should I roll or…?"
"I dunno," Bambi said.
"Yeah, I think you always roll during combat moments," Francisca said. "That's one thing I learned from glancing at my brother play with some guys online."
"Wait, you have a brother?" Emmet asked with surprising intrigue.
"Yeah?" Francisca replied. "Why's that weird? Lots of people have older brothers."
"Is he… a human," Emmet pried.
"Uhh, of course…?" Francisca replied, confused. "What else would he be? An alien? What are you trying to imply?"
"Oh, nothing," Emmet said. "It was just… nevermind. I think I was just mistaken about something."
"I sometimes wish I had a brother," Bambi said. "The closest I ever got was mister Sans."
"Sans?" Francisca asked with a tone of dread. "Uhh, why does that name sound familiar? And why does hearing it creep me out so much?"
"Strange, I think I've also heard it somewhere," Emmet added. "But it doesn't creep me out though. It just makes me feel… I dunno, cheery I guess?"
"Is… is it just me, or is it very cold in here?" Francisca said, shaking mildly.
"I had an older sister though," Bambi added. "Once."
"Once?" Emmet asked.
Bambi didn't answer, but it was the first time the other two felt she gave of the complete opposite than the wholesome cheeriness they had grown used to, as the little girl simply stared at the table with deep melancholy. Without saying a word, the other two could immediately see what she was going for.
"Oh," Emmet said with clear empathy. "Sorry I…"
"Yeah, let's just continue," Francisca added. "Before the mood devolves even further than it has to."
"Yeah…" Emmet expressed.
The boy then grabbed the d20 closest to him and threw it. It didn't spend much time rolling on the table before stopping.
"A 10," Emmet said, reading from the die. "Is that a success or…?"
"Oh yeah, it is," Bambi said, having abruptly turned back to her former, cheerful self. "Kinda. You managed to warn him about Susie but not enough to make him leave."
"Well shirt," Emmet said.
"Great, I'll attack him now," Francisca said.
Without asking Bambi, she grabbed the die closest to her(or the one that appeared to be on this strange table) and threw it. Out of it came a decent 12 and Francisca smiled. Unfortunately, her excitement immediately faded once she saw Bambi's grimace. It was the type of grimace you make when you realize you must tell someone disappointing news.
"Oof, too bad," Bambi said. "You strike the prince and just miss."
"Wait, what?" Francisca said, confused. "But I thought we needed ten or higher to succeed in an attack."
"Well… most of the time, yeah," Bambi said. "But since Emmet warned him… you needed to get a bit higher than that. About 3 points or higher. Or 13. I think that's how math works."
"Well, crab then," Francisca said.
"Now it's Lancer's turn," Bambi continued. "He revs up his bike and-"
"Wait, wait, wait, he's on a motorcycle?" Francisca said, sounding amused and intrigued.
"Nah, it's more of a bike with a makeshift booster," Bambi explained.
"Uhh… isn't that super dangerous?" Emmet asked.
"Weren't you calling me out for nitpicking earlier?" Francisca asked him.
"Oh yeah, nevermind," Emmet said.
"So he revs up his bike," Bambi continued. "And…leaves."
"Wait really?" Emmet asked.
"Yeah his bike ran out of fuel," Bambi said. "So now Prince Lancer bids you farewell and goes east where the way to the fountain and back to your home is. Back to your world that is."
"Hmm," Francisca said, thinking.
With that said, the small bike and card vanished and the spot was quickly retaken by the hooded figurine.
"The prince of the dark," Bambi begins. "Not Lancer, the other prince, now asks if you two are alright and such."
"Is he still wearing the hood?" Francisca asked.
"Yep," Bambi answered.
"Why?" Emmet asked back.
"Why not?" Bambi asked.
"I mean," Francisca began. "If he really wants us to trust him, then why is he hiding his look?"
"Hmm, good point," Bambi said. "Alright. The prince now removes his robes and reveals himself."
Francisca gave out a subtle snicker.
"God, I'm immature," she muttered to herself.
"Underneath," Bambi continued. "Is a fluffy boy wearing a green wizard hat and robes, which hides his fur in the shadows. He also has some horns sticking out."
"Wait, he's not like… a goat is he?" Emmet asked.
"That's a… weird and a suspiciously specific question," Francisca said, her brow frowning.
"I ain't telling," Bambi said. "I will say his name is Ralsei and… he's my character."
"Oh, is that your… playable character?" Emmet asked. "Huh. Why didn't you just introduce him at the start though? Alongside our characters."
"Because I feel the story works better this way," Bambi explained. "Wouldn't have made sense if he was with you at the start."
"Huh, is that usually done in these games?" Emmet asked curiously.
"I dunno," Bambi said and shrugged.
"Hey, quick question," Francisca began. "The other prince guy-"
"Lancer," Bambi added.
"Right, that guy," Francisca continued. "He said that the way home was east right?"
"He did," Bambi confirmed.
"Alright, in that case, I'm heading east," Francisca said. "While you two have fun saving the world or whatever."
"Hmm, fine by me," Bambi said.
"Wait, are you… really going along with this Bambi?" Emmet asked, somewhat befuddled.
"Eh, I'll allow it," Bambi said.
"But… don't you feel like she's… ruining your campaign here?" Emmet asked.
"Eh, I don't know, a bit maybe?" Bambi admitted.
"Then why are you… going with this?" Emmet asked.
"Because I'm curious?" Bambi answered. "Because she wants to? Besides. I think we can manage, just the two of us for now."
"Hmm," Emmet said, still unsure. "Well… whatever then."
"Cool," Francisca said. "I'll be gone then."
There came an awkward silence between the three of them as if they all expected something to happen.
"So… I'm just gone now?" Francisca asked.
"Yeah," Bambi said. "You go east and head through the massive red door from Ralsei's kingdom."
"So I'm just playing alone then?" Emmet asked. "Like… for now at least?"
"Well you're with me," Bambi said. "My character that is."
"So what happens now?" Emmet asked.
"Now you and the prince are together," Bambi said. "Personally, I think we should head the same way as Susie, Francisca's character went. But I wanna do something first"
"Alright, lead the way I guess," Emmet said.
"Before we head off, Ralsei brings you to a room with a dummy," Bambi began. "The dummy is a training dummy owned by him and dressed in similar clothes to his."
"Well, ain't he lonely," Francisca said snarkily.
No-one laughed at her snark, to her awkward misfortune.
"This is where he'll teach you how to go through combat," Bambi explains.
"Well, I don't think my Susie needs any lessons in that," Francisca added.
"So… am I supposed to fight it or…?" Emmet asked.
"Ralsei asks you to hug the dummy," Bambi said.
"Hug the dummy?" Francisca repeated in surprise.
"Yes, hug the dummy," Bambi confirmed.
"Uhh, why?" Emmet asked.
"Because it's a nice thing to do," Bambi answered. "Hugging your opponents can show them you mean no harm."
"You… really think that actually works?" Francisca asked with doubt and chuckled slightly. "That enemies will just surrender if you just hug them enough?"
"Eh, something like that," Bambi said. "Everyone has their reason, right? Not everyone is really a "bad" guy."
"I mean, I sorta agree with that," Francisca said. "And while I have to admit that that is also a surprisingly mature viewpoint for a 7-year-old, it's also kinda… naive. Not saying you have to kill your enemies necessarily, but-"
"Francisca, c'mon," Emmet said. "She's just a little kid."
"I'm just saying… nevermind," Francisca said. "You're right. She's just a kid. Supposedly at least."
"Supposedly?" Bambi asked.
"Yeah, you have to admit," Emmet began before Francisca got a word out. "For supposedly being the youngest of us, you sure know a lot of tidbits and complex words for a 7-year-old."
"Well, I'm a quick learner," Bambi answered simply.
The other two looked at her with doubt.
"Besides," Bambi added. "I kinda forgot to mention but… I sometimes fall asleep here and there. But only in my mind. Not like with my eyes, and I have no idea where my mind goes and what or who comes while I'm gone."
"Wait, are you saying… that you're possessed?" Emmet said with worrying realization.
"I dunno," Bambi answered. "Not sure possessed is a nice word for it though. More like… moved or… what's the word? Ahh, replaced."
"Ok, you're starting to cross the border from cute to creepy," Francisca blurted out. "Let's just move on with the game before we say any more creepy shirts."
"Good idea," Emmet said. "So… what do I do now? What do I do in this game?"
"You can do almost anything you want," Bambi said.
"Ok," Emmet said. "So for instance, can I like… hug your prince character instead?"
"Umm, ok?" Bambi replied. "But… why do that?"
"You said that he should hug the dummy, didn't you?" Francisca asked cheekily.
Emmet gave out a small snicker.
"God, that was stupid," he said. "Alright, you got me with that."
"So you hug Ralsei," Bambi said. "He finds it weird, but comforting."
"That's cute," Emmet said.
"Wait, so where am I again during all this?" Francisca asked. "I went through the giant door and… then what?"
"Oh right," Bambi said. "You find yourself in a darkish forest, in a place called The Fields of Hopes and Dreams."
Dozens of models of red-leaved trees appeared on the table.
"Sounds whimsical," Francisca said. "That was not me being sarcastic this time."
"Ahead of you, you see the spade Prince Lancer again in the distance," Bambi said. "You see he's writing something on a wooden sign. Then he sees you, and gives you a smile."
"I'll go beat him up," Francisca blurted out.
"Francisca…" Emmet began.
"What?" she replied. "I ain't gonna kill him. Just beat him up so he knows not to mess with me."
"Uhh, you… do that," Bambi said. "Throw the die for combat I guess."
Francisca did and got a decent 11.
"Huh," she replied.
"So you… punch him," Bambi said. "And he… uh… he lives of course. It's like punching a soft, fluffy teddy bear, so he just smiles as he flees on his bike. He was done with the sign anyway. Wanna read it?"
"Oh I don't think I'm done with him yet," Francisca said. "I'll ignore the sign and run after this juice. Uhh, did I just say juice? Man, I still haven't gotten used to this weird censor shirt."
"You're gonna run after him, while he's on a bike?" Emmet asked her.
"Uhh… yeah?" Francisca said. "Susie ain't no puny human. I'm sure I can catch up in no time."
"Let's see what the die say first," Bambi said.
"Alright," Francisca said.
And so she threw, but out of it came a measly four.
"Oof, too bad," Bambi said. "You run after him, but Lancer proves to be too fast and you miss him."
"Shirt," Francisca said.
"Anyway, it's your turn again Emmet," Bambi said. "So what will Kris do now?"
"I dunno," Emmet answered. "I guess they'll just… go to the east. Where the gate is. Like I'm supposed to."
"Cool," Bambi replied. "So you and me, or Kris and Ralsei rather, go to the east where until we come across the large red door. I open it up and we go through, with me closing it behind us."
She then turned back to Francisca.
"While you keep going through the forest," Bambi began. "You, suddenly, see a large, white cake on a table."
"Why would there be a cake out here?" Francisca asked. "Seems fishy."
"I ain't telling," Bambi said and smiled cheekily. "It's just… there."
"So there is a reason?" Francisca asked. "Hmm… fork it. I'm gonna bite it and check."
With that said, Francisca grabbed the die without looking and threw it.
"I… don't think you need to throw a die for that," Bambi said.
"Oh, whoops," Francisca said.
As soon as she finished, the die stopped rolling and out came a pure 20.
"Oh that's good," Frisk said. "Can I keep that?"
Bambi shrugged.
"Sure," she said. "You take a bite of the cake, and you chomp so hard that the cake spews smoke."
A small smoke effect appeared on the table.
"Is the cake, like, made out of rocks or something?" Francisca asked no-one in particular.
"But then," Bambi added. "The baker returns. He sees you taking a bite and yells: MAMA MIBA! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MAH CAKE?!"
The duo was once again thrown back by Bambi's sudden loudness. But then the grew more confused as the content of the words hit them.
"Wait, really?" Emmet asked, befuddled but slightly amused. "Mama Miba? We are… really going there?"
Then, on the table, a long, plain yellow coloured figurine appeared, one whose body was in a downward triangle shape.
"Uhh, ok?" Francisca said and smirked in amusement. "I'll try to intimidate this… blatant Italian stereotype man."
"He's not a man," Bambi said blankly. "He's a walking strand of pasta."
Francisca now almost burst into laughter as she grabbed her mouth, while Emmet just starred, not sure if he should laugh along or not.
"My God," Francisca said as she smiled. "Please tell me he has a frigging moustache."
"Uhh, sure?" Bambi replied.
Suddenly, a small black moustache grew on the yellow, triangle body figure on the table.
"Ok, I think you just somehow made the entirety of Italy into a single character," Francisca said.
"I don't understand," Bambi said with genuine confusion. "Are you saying chefs are from Italy or something?"
"Wait, what is this character based on again?" Emmet asked.
"I based him on a chef," Bambi replied. "This is how chefs talk right?"
"You could maybe say that," Francisca replied. "Anyway, as I said, I'm gonna go ahead and intimidate mister Pizza Pasta here."
"I don't think his name is Pizza Pasta," Bambi said, utterly confused. "I don't really know his name."
"Why do you talk about these characters like they're real?" Emmet pointed out.
"Whatever," Francisca said. "I'm gonna intimidate this guy."
"Ok then, roll for intimidation," Bambi said.
And so Francisca did, and out of it came a nine.
"Crab," she said. "So close."
"You attempt to intimidate the chef," Bambi replied. "It's not enough to push him away, so he sprays you with water to make you leave."
Suddenly, Francisca's blue undershirt got a large, wet stain on it. Then some drops of water began to leak from her hair.
"Gah, Jesus!" she exclaimed, spooked as she looked at her now magically wet palms. "Ok, what is up with the constant weird Jumanji voodoo shirt happening in this place?"
"So what are you going to do now?" Bambi asked.
"Fork it, I'm leaving this guy," she answered. "I don't like getting wet."
"What are you, a cat or something?" Emmet asked.
Francisca smiled a bit in amusement.
"Never heard you make a joke before," she said.
"Well, we just met," Emmet said. "Besides, I think your snark is beginning to rub on me a bit."
"Man, you sound like a friend of mine," Francisca said. "In the real world, I mean. You're neat too, I guess. If you're really real that is. No offence, of course."
"Mhmm," Emmet replied, sounding as if he was unsure on how to reply.
"So now it's our turn," Bambi said. "You and I now find ourselves in The Fields of Hopes and Dreams."
"Ok, I'll just keep going down the road," Emmet said.
"Alright, you do and Ralsei follows you," Bambi said. "Suddenly, you see a sign on the side of the road. It says Enemies ahead! You're gonna die! Signed, Lancer."
"Ok then," Emmet said.
"Suddenly, we are attacked by a single rudinn!" Bambi said with mild excitement.
A single diamond card appeared face down on the table.
"Already?" Emmet asked.
"The heck's a rudinn?" Francisca asked.
"They are these worm soldier men working for the evil spade king," Bambi explained. "But they themselves aren't evil though. They don't even want to fight us."
"Ok, but then why are they fighting though?" Francisca asked.
"I dunno," Bambi replied. "They're scared I guess."
"In that case, I won't fight them either then," Emmet said.
"Erm, but they attacked you first didn't they?" Francisca pointed out. "It's only self-defence I'd say."
"Whatever," Emmet said. "So how much do I need to… convince them to go?"
"Just roll and we'll see what happens," Bambi said.
So Emmet did.
"A 12," the boy said, reading from the die. "That's a success isn't it?"
"Sure," Bambi said. "The rudinn is utterly swayed by your words and sees the error of his ways. They apologise, and go."
"Well, that was easy," Francisca said. "Kinda wished it worked like this in real life."
"Francisca, please…" Emmet said.
"Alright, sorry," she replied. "Gee…"
"Francisca, it's your turn," Bambi then said.
So that's how the game went for the next few minutes. Or what appeared to be minutes if anyone them could track the time in this strange, dreamlike room. Dice were thrown, banters were shared, snarks were used, and a whole lot of luck, or lack thereof, played a part. Here and there, Bambi added some fights to spice things up or read some weird and quirky signs that Lancer apparently wrote, who they also encountered here and there. Bambi and Emmet even met the character Francisca began to dub "if Italy was a single person".
The fights on Emmet and Bambi's side all proceeded and ended with mercy, while Francisca took a more violent approach, although according to Bambi, she never killed anyone as they all just left. Francisca liked to imagine she simply beat them to a pulp. Something she claimed she would never do in real life, but that's how her character Susie was. Emmet began to feel unsure of that, that she was too deep in roleplaying or simply with deeply hidden, violent urges. Whatever the case, he shrugged it off, telling himself he wasn't a psychologist or anything.
But Francisca herself also had some thoughts of the other two. The truth is, she was beginning to doubt their existence, and consider that perhaps she was the only "real" person here, so to speak. A part of her was certain that wasn't the case but as a whole, she felt unsure.
But one thing she and Emmet both agreed on, perhaps unknowingly, was that something wasn't right about Bambi, that she didn't feel "constant". So to speak. It was hard to peek into the mind of that small, supposed 7-year-old. But Bambi herself wasn't sure about herself either. There were moments where she felt like she were two people inhabiting the same body. Yet, she felt no fear or discomfort. It was almost relaxing in a sense, like she had an invisible mother by her side, guiding her words and actions. Like a ghost, in a sense, that she shared an unbreakable bond with. The only thing she was worried about was the possibility of scaring her two new friends with this "ghost" of hers, as she realized could happen when she almost told the truth of it to them.
"Francisca, you find yourself in front of a large, stone door," Bambi said to the older girl.
"I'll smash it open with my fists," Francisca simply said.
"You… can't," Bambi said.
"I'll smash it with my axe?" Francisca said.
"You can't do that either," Bambi said.
"Then what the heck am I supposed to do?" Francisca asked.
"Well, here's the thing," Bambi said, looking embarrassed. "I had… uh… designed this scene with all three of us in mind. It's a puzzle that requires all three of us?"
"Really," Francisca said. "Huh, should have maybe mentioned something like that earlier."
"I'm sorry," Bambi said and smiled awkwardly.
"It's fine," Francisca said. "No need to apologize. So what now? Do I just wait here and-"
"No need," Bambi said. "I and Emmet are already here."
"Wait, really?" Francisca asked.
"Yeah," Bambi said. "Now the great knight Kris and the fluffy boy Ralsei meet up with Susie, the violent axe."
"Yeah, I still ain't gonna join you guys," Francisca said.
"Ok, why not?" Emmet asked, sounding as if he was beginning to grow tired of her.
"What do you-" Francisca began.
"Why do you not want to be with us?!" he asked. "Like… why are you trying to move away from us?!"
"I… I'm just playing a character here alright?" Francisca said. "Jesus. Can't I be on my own here?"
"Well, I just thought this game was about co-operation," Emmet said. "And if you're not gonna be with us… then why even play?"
Francisca didn't say anything. She wasn't clear whether she was right to be insulted or not, as it seemed to her that Emmet didn't intend to make her so.
"Emmet, no arguing," Bambi said, sternly.
"I'm not arguing," Emmet said with a tinge of guilt. "I'm just… nevermind. Sorry, Francisca. Just do what you want."
"Frankly, I'm not sure you are even real here," Francisca blurted out.
"What?" Emmet asked.
Francisca gave out a short sigh. It was like a sigh as if she was caught in a lie or contradiction, or if she was discovered doing something bad or shameful. Either way, she wasn't in the best mood right now.
"You know what, nevermind," she said. "I'll join you guys now."
"No, what did you say?" Emmet pried. "I mean… you don't really think I'm real? That we are real?"
"I said forget it," Francisca said, not even making eye contact. "It's just… whatever. Let's just continue."
"Hooray!" Bambi said cheerfully. "Susie joins the team! Play the fanfare!"
"Don't do that," Francisca said.
"Oh, ok then," Bambi said. "Is something wrong Fra-"
"Nothing's wrong," Francisca answered dismissively.
"You can tell me," Bambi said. "It's alright to feel bad."
Francisca didn't answer. Then she simply laid hands on the table and stared at it intently.
"Alright, I'm on your team now," Francisca said. "So… now what?"
"What is up with her?" Emmet quietly muttered to himself.
"Uhh, now we do the puzzle," Bambi said. "To open the door."
"Can we skip that or…" Francisca said.
"Oh, whatever," Bambi said. "You did the puzzle and the door is now open."
"Great," Francisca said.
"Now…" Bambi said and smiled deviously. "Comes a character I've been looking forward to."
Emmet did not like the sudden mischievous tone in her voice.
"Oh boy," he said.
"I was gonna save this for later," Bambi said. "But then we- sorry, I decided to do it now, since we are all together."
"Erm…" Francisca said, nervous as well.
"Suddenly," Bambi began, clearly building tension. "You… encounter… and are attacked… violently… by… C-round!"
A small cheeker piece with a drawn smiley face fell down on the table.
"That's it?" Emmet asked, unimpressed.
"Huh," Francisca said, sounding kind of let down. "This thing looks… kinda cute actually."
Author's note:
This was a hard chapter to write, to be honest. I kinda wanted to include a bit of conflict in the story, since there was one between the three DR characters, but I also wanted to make the Frisk's likable in their own way. There was also a thing with my Francisca, where I wanted to strike a balance of being a bit hostile but not too much, while also acknowledging that she isn't in the "right", so too speak, but also likable at the same time. But her "wrong choices" will appear more clearly in the next chapter, which those who played or watched DR know probably what that is, based on what Susie's does. So I decided to go with a route of her not being sure if the other two Frisks are real or just figment of her dream imagination, so she decides to experiment a bit. That was not me trying to say that the other two Frisks were "fake" or "not the real Frisk". That was also why I added the segment going into each of their minds and thoughts, and added several hints, especially towards Bambi, about what's going on with them. (those who know a bit about Katelynntheg's UT headcanons can probably guess what's up with this "ghostly presence" of hers, that sometimes takes over)
But I think I'm about half-way through now. But I'm gonna take a bit of a break on this story, as I really want to focus back on the main story, The Royal Hunt. And now that the Corona thing is going on, I suddenly have a lot more free time to write, so I'll try to make the best of it.
Either way, I hope you enjoyed this and see you. Will I continue with this once the full version of DR comes out?
Maybe. If it can fit nicely into my headcanons and theories, then yeah. I could do a "reunion fic" of sorts. But so far... let's just see.