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| Chapter 25 | Book 4 • Chapter 26 | Chapter 27 |
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Scarabia Dorm - Lounge
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WOO! I win! That's three for me! |
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You're tough competition when you're focused, Floyd. |
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Mrgyah! I lose again! You're relentless, Azul. |
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That brings me up to five to zero. I'd be an affront to the Board Game Club with anything less, of course. Meanwhile, Jamil's at...two to three, I see. |
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Hm? Oh, yes. It's been a while since I last played. I suppose I've gotten rusty. Back in the old days, Kalim would spend hours a day making me play with him, insisting on going until he won a game. Despite his middling skill. Imagine that. |
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Ah, I see. Mm, yes, that would explain it. |
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Explain what? You sure love your cryptic little asides. |
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Forget I said anything. So, you and Kalim essentially grew up together, correct? |
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We've been together for as long as I can remember, yes. Speaking of which, you three Octavinelle boys have been friends since childhood, I hear? |
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Thaaat's what they say! |
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What's that s'posed to mean? You're talkin' like you're not even one of 'em. |
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We've been classmates ever since we started elementary school... But personally, I barely knew Azul existed until just before we started middle school. So I wouldn't exactly call us childhood friends. |
| You barely knew your own classmate existed until you graduated? | You've got a serious case of tunnel vision... |
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I was a rather quiet boy myself. I hardly ever stood out in class. |
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You stood out in other ways, though. Not many guys could claim to be as cute and round as– |
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Grim, I believe we've been over this multiple times. You are NOT to dredge up the forbidden lore! |
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Yet here you are now, presiding over them as housewarden. You have a curious relationship. |
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Y'think? I just do what Azul says 'cause it's more fun that way. |
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I strongly doubt Jade or Floyd have any binding allegiance to me. This is all an elaborate game of pretend to them. |
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Your relationship is getting more confusing by the minute. |
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If I made a poor choice as leader–or even simply a boring one... They would turn on me instantly and seize the housewarden seat for themselves. Not that I'd lose if they challenged me, of course. |
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We ain't got any plans to challenge him, either... for now, anyway. Aha ha! |
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So essentially, the three of you are all equals in each other's eyes. |
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Yeah. We stick with him now 'cause it's fun. If it stops bein' fun, we drop him like a bad habit. Easy. It ain't like the vice housewarden is the housewarden's servant or nothin'. It's a pretty normal relationship, if you ask me. |
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Normal, you say. I suppose that concept is lost on me. I've always been loyal of the Asim house. And that will likely never change. |
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...... |
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Oh, hey, guys. Are you still gaming? |
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GAH! |
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What's this? Ooh, Mancala! That takes me back. I used to play it for hours on end with Jamil. |
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I thought you went to bed, Kalim. Why would you... *Ahem* I've told you not to wander around by yourself. What if someone abducted you? |
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You're such a worrywart, Jamil. Chill. Jade's been with me the whole time. |
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Wait, JADE? |
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Yes, hello. I've been keeping Kalim company. |
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Y-you... |
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Kalim is so generous. He's been teaching me aaall sorts of things... |
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Answer me. What did you do to Kalim? |
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What did I...do? I was just having a pleasant conversation with him. Isn't that right, Kalim? |
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Yep. I was just showing him around the storeroom. |
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Gh...! |
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Oh yeah, Jamil! You know that silver and blue carpet we brought with us when we came here? Do you know where it is? I couldn't find it for the life of me. |
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We're leaving, Kalim. |
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Huh? Why? |
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Back to your room, now! |
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Whoa! Okay, okay! You don't have to pull my arm out of its socket! Sorry, Jade. I'll get you the carpet some other time! |
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Certainly. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other very soon... Heh heh heh. |
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| Chapter 25 | Book 4 • Chapter 26 | Chapter 27 |
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