[ open ] birthday time!

[picky]

WHO: Marcille, Ryoji, and YOU!
WHAT: A party for the April (and May) birthdays!
WHERE: LILICO Game Center in Akihabara
WHEN: April 20th
WARNINGS: TBA

No matter who you are, you receive a text early in the morning from Ryoji (memors):

Good morning! Did you know it's a special someone's birthday today? Actually, we have several birthdays to celebrate, so join us today at the LILICO Game Center! There will be cake! Lots and *lots* of cake. Hope to see you there!

This is an open log, so feel free to tag out or top level or respond to the prompts below. Have fun!

Comments

[picky]

[ SHE WOULD RATHER NOT TY!!! Especially not after seeing how huge and complicated(?)-looking this device is. The flickering light on the thing makes it even more intimidating.

(This contrasts with how unfortunately cute it is when Ryoji taps the trigger and goes pew pew.) ]

Target...?

[ It doesn't help her much as she steps into the booth and is met with the 5K ULTRA HDR SURROUND SOUND immersive experience of a zombie shooter game loading screen. The fact that she's used the simulation room and been around ghosts is her only saving grace here.

She hesitates before she brings her hand to the grip of the gun. Then, still looking on in horror at the screen, she grips Ryoji's sleeve. ]

People here actually pay tokens to get chased by zombies?

[memors]

[ The zombies in question are also ultra realistic. Ryoji has already loaded in a few Kryptos via his implant, so the machine is all ready to go by the time Marcille steps inside. The ominous dirge of a zombie groan comes from the hi-definition speakers behind them. ]

Sure. It's more fun to get scared than you might think! If you're having second thoughts, though, we could try one of the racing games.

[ Though as he says this, in the illuminating light of the arcade's screens, there's the distinct shape of a pout on his features. Whether he's aware of it or not, his puppy-dog eyes are active. ]

What do you say? If you're nervous, I'll protect you!

1/2

[picky]

How can it be fun to get scared on purpose?!

[ This has to be one of the worst decisions she's ever made, she thinks, but she's also no stranger to actual zombies and ghosts. These monsters are exceptionally gory, but if she were a squeamish person, she'd never have gotten this far in her studies.

She is also weak to pouts and puppy eyes and earnestness. She makes this face for a second. ]

2/2

[picky]

F-Fine. Don't blame me if we lose!

[ There's like a 50/50 chance she will die right away, but fine! Fine!! She pulls the gun from the dock and turns to face the screen, looking nervously determined. ]

So you just— [ She looks at Ryoji, (badly) tries to mimic the way he holds his gun, and taps her finger on the trigger. ] Like this? That's how you hit them?

[memors]

[ Good thing for Marcille that Ryoji is prepared to continue to charge kryptos for her extra lives if needed. Down to his very last savings! …Such as they are. He has terrible financial management skills.

Anyway, he reaches over to help adjust her grip on her weapon just slightly, guiding her wrist back so the gun’s grip falls into it a little more easily, as he nods, eyes bright as a sunny day, even in the darkened interior of the arcade machine. ]

Right! Aim at the monster you want to hit — crosshairs should show up on the screen to help with that, I think — and pull back the trigger when you want to hit it. Like firing spells from your staff! I’m sure you’ll be a natural.

[ ….And also he chose the easiest difficulty, just in case. Reaching forward, he presses the start button on the screen, and an abandoned castle filled with ominous music begins to manifest on the screens around them. ]

This is the tutorial level, so it should give you an idea what to expect. Remember, just take it slow and trust your instincts. You’re going to do great, Marcille!

[ Why does it sound like he’s teaching her to drive. ]