T1000 and Archie the Lazy Genius (Day 3: 3rd Opportunity)
"Archie, I believe miss Rimm may be somewhat distracted for the remainder of your excursion. I recommend we evaluate your brother's opinion empirically by spending more time getting to know miss Meri."
D, Meri.
"As a secondary focus, the same principle I mentioned a moment ago further implies that you should consider having a chat with Meri's brother. Who knows, if he agrees with mister Denis he may suggest the same thing to her."
D - Talk with someone else (Meri)
Thinking about it, although they were on a friendly basis Archie and Meri had never really interacted meaningfully beyond small talk. He didn't have a strong impression of this girl with hair of a red shade darker than Rimm's, which in itself was a good thing in Archie's book who usually categorized people in "annoying" and "not annoying". With your suggestion and an annoying image of his brother with a thumb-up in mind, Archie tried to act natural as he approached Meri, who was idly sitting on a bench while chasing away the flies from the food on the table. For this afternoon they had a picnic planned, Leon, Praline and Sean were working on the barbecue, while Denis, Meg and Rimm had gone to get some more snacks and drinks.
"Hey Meri." "Archie, can I help you?" She looked up with her dazzling green eyes, causing Archie to feel a bit flustered as he started feeling pressure pile on his shoulders. Not feeling like putting on the social mask, Archie let out a sigh and just spoke frankly.
"I'm just curious about you, we haven't spoken much before?" An amused chuckle escaped Meri, and she answered with a teasing smile.
"Sure we didn't. Here, have a seat!" Archie obligated, sitting on the opposite end of the bench. He didn't know where to start, and he started getting worried an awkward silence would ruin the mood. Seemingly picking up on this, Meri took the initiative.
"Mind if I start? I'm also curious, Rimm told me a lot about you! How did you two meet?" "A few years ago, through an online game. Of course she was the one to add me, though it's only really since this week that I really got to know her." Replied Archie, thanking the perceptive woman in his mind.
Meri continued on the subject with a few questions, asking about what games Archie played, what he enjoyed. As an avid gamer, Archie enthusiastically replied to her questions, and the two spoke about games and hobbies for a while. It was an agreeable conversation, but Archie wasn't aware of the subtle distance Meri was keeping between them: the young woman was adeptly controlling the flow of conversation so that Archie wouldn't feel awkward, and so that she didn't have to say much about herself.
Speaking with Meri, Archie couldn't help but compare her to Rimm. Both were very nice girls, but Meri gave off a more mature and cool feeling than Rimm, and although both were caring and attentive, Rimm was more impulsive while Meri was more composed. She seemed incredibly perceptive and sharp, able to pick up on small cues and act on them before Archie had even realized. It was a feeling close to that of being coddled, it wasn't a bad feeling to have someone take care of the busy work of conversation.
Then out of the blue Archie asked a question unrelated to games, perhaps as he subconsciouslly remembered why he initiated a discussion at first.
"Oh right that comes out of nowhere, but how long you an Rimm have known each others?" Her gaze softened even more, as if she was looking at distant memories.
"We have known each others all our lives, we are practically sisters. Because of our similar hair, people often thought us for siblings when we were younger, with some even mixing up our names." "That sounds like a pain. The name mixing I mean." "Mmh hmm. We got used to it." She said with a cheeky tone.
An appetizing smell wafted their direction as the marinated meat was grilling. While Archie was distracted by the scent of food, Rimm said something he didn't expect based on the flow of conversation.
"I'm glad you are Rimm's friend, you are as great a guy she says." Taken aback, Archie felt a bit embarrassed.
"Come on she is exaggerating." Her gaze seemed sharper, as if peering into Archie. Her eyes were so pretty Archie felt intimidated and averted his eyes, looking awkwardly at the rising smoke of the barbecue.
"Hmm I don't think so. Sure you are a bit lazy, but your heart is in the right place and you are actually pretty smart. And more importantly, I'm sure you wouldn't hurt her." "Heh, you speak as if you know more about me than I do." Pressing further, Meri continued relentless as if to make a point.
"I'm confident in my ability to jauge people. For once, there is a good guy she is interested in." Archie had the feeling that if he turned to look at Meri, he would fall into a trap that he would be unable to get out of. However he wasn't bothered by Meri's inquiries, but his guts was telling him he was on a point of no return. As he was about to turn to look at Meri, he saw Leon waving at him.
"Hey Archie! Can you bring us one of the big plates?" "Ah yes! I'm bringing it!" Saved by Leon, Archie stood up. Although he had just talked with Meri, what she said at the end had stirred his feelings. He was thinking a bit more of Rimm than he was used to.
(...)
The rest of the day went by, and Archie got to speak again with Meri. Compared to before it was just meaningless small talk, and for some reason she didn't bring the subject of Rimm's feelings again. By now it was the end of the afternoon, and they had just finished cleaning before leaving.
[Relationship Updated]
+Mutual Opinion with Meri (now Friends)
+Opinion of Rimm from Archie (now ?+++?)Mission "Starting with friendships" partially completed!
+1 InfoCredit (3/4 friends)
Suggestions:A - Tell Meri that Archie thinks of Rimm as an important friend [No Difficulty]
Outcome: Archie's Opinion of Rimm set to +++
B - Tell Meri that Archie thinks of Rimm as more than a friend [No Difficulty]
Outcome: Archie's Opinion of Rimm set to ♥
C - Ask Meri about her leg injury [No Difficulty]
Outcome: -Opinion with Meri
D - Ask Sean or Rimm about Meri's leg injury [No Difficulty]
Outcome: None immediate, Archie may have some insight about the situation
E - Ask Meri out on a dinner [4: 6 (Base Difficulty) - 3 (Meri's Opinion) - 2 (Charisma) + 6 (Unwillingness) - 3 (Trust)]
On a success: +Opinion with Meri, will learn Meri's secret
On a failure: -Trust, -Opinion with Meri
F - Ask Leon out on a dinner [1 (No difficulty): 4 (Base Difficulty) - 4 (Leon's Opinion) - 2 (Charisma) + 6 (Unwillingness) - 3 (Trust) - 1 (Pairing)]
On a success: +Opinion with Leon, will progress toward a Pairing
G - Ask Rimm out on a dinner [0 (No difficulty): 4 (Base Difficulty) - 6 (Rimm's Opinion) - 2 (Charisma) + 4 (Unwillingness) - 3 (Trust)]
On a success: +Opinion with Rimm, will progress toward a Pairing
Name: Archie T.
Physical Description: A tall man with dark unkempt hair and somber eyes with an athletic physique. He checks a lot of beauty standards, a traditional handsome man.
Personality: Lazy and hedonist to a fault, he won't do something if he doesn't feel like it. Although he finds dealing with live people exhausting and annoying, he knows to keep a decent outward appearance in society. Unrestrained behind a screen. Surprisingly mindful of money.
Backstory: Archie was born in the City. A talented individual, he has never failed in something when he put his mind to it, but as a consequence grew to become lazy and unabashed. He enjoys all kinds of entertainment, and has a knack for VR games. He is sort of a handyman who makes a more than decent salary, and has countless odd licenses and certificates. He applied to the Matchmaker program on a whim.
Character Condition
Trust 3
Confidence 2
Stress 0
Sanity 0
Character Attributes
Athletics 1
Intellect 1
Charisma 2
Willpower 1
Character Traits
Lazy: increased difficulty for tasks he doesn't want to do. Will gain stress if made to work or make some intense effort against his will. Skill malus if acting unwillingly.
Innate Genius: unless stated otherwise, skills start at 1.
Character Skills
Computers 2
Games 3
Piloting (Planes) 2
Bartender 2
Known Relationships
Denis T [++ / ++]: Younger brother
Meg T [+ / +]: Sister-in-law to be
Sven (70) [~ / +]: Online rival and acquaintance (Pairing 1) [Compatible]
Leon R (Le Fluffyranger) [++++ / ++++]: Good Friend (Pairing 1)
Rimm E (E_X333) [+++? / ♥]: Friend (Very cool guy!) [Compatible]
Meri E [++ / +++]: Friend [Special Compatibility]
Sean E [= / =]
Praline L (rumi) [+ / ++]: Acquaintance [Low Compatibility]
Secrets
Low-Security Secret A (1 InfoCredit): something related to Archie’s past.
High-Security Secret A (2 InfoCredits): something related to the Eugenia Corporation.
High-Security Secret B (2 InfoCredits / Eugenia Corporation): something related to the Eugenia Corporation. Restricted access.
0/4 Warnings
9 InfoCredits0 Override PointPairing Slot 1: Archie x Leon
Pairing Slot 2: Archie x Sven
Pairing Slot 3: Sven x Leon
Inventory- Archie T. data sheet
Missions:
From: CUPID
Mission Name: Pairing Archie
Importance: High
Description: According to the CUPID system, Archie must enter a pairing within 7 days in order to achieve maximum matchmaking potential.
Main Objective: Achieve a pairing within 7 days.
Secondary Objective: Stress and Sanity are at 0 at the end of the 7 days.
Main objective rewards : 4 InfoCredits or Removal of 1 Low Warning
Sub-objective rewards : 2 InfoCredits or Removal of 1 Low Warning
100% completion reward: 1 Override Point and Removal of 1 High Warning
/!\ On a Failure, 1 Low Warning will be issued per failed objective!
/!\ On a Complete Failure, 1 High Warning will be issued in addition!
From: ORHA
Mission Name: Starting with friendships
Description: The number of friends of Archie amounts to a grand zero. It has been deemed Archie needs more friends in order for potential romance to develop organically.
Main Objective: Increase the number of Archie’s friends to 2 or more.
Main Objective Reward: 1 InfoCredit per Friend (max 4)
Author
Topic: Matchmakers: AIs playing Cupid -Epilogue- [Playtest Over] [4/4] (Read 12386 times)