Thread by @A_Mac_0079

You feel the grips of the flight controls in your hands. Heavy and unresponsive to your pleading corrections in course. The Gaw has taken to much damage to adjust the vertical heading. It's going down. The unmistakable laugh of Char, your good friend Char, fills your ear.

He has betrayed you. You adjust the Gaw for it's final course, changing the still operation horizontal heading. The Trojan Horse. The cursed target that would free you and Icelina from this war. Free everyone from this war. "Glory to the Principality of Zeon!"

A flash

Darkness

You wake at your desk. The nightmare fading. Your hands still gripping controls that were not there, your palms sweaty. Somehow you know that it wasn't JUST a dream. "Something the matter?" a cold voice. Starttled, you turn around. It's Char, your friend. Would he really?

WELCOME TO GARMA QUEST! You are playing Garma, still in your academy years. UC 0077. Your senior semester has just begun, but you have this sneaking suspicion Char is going to kill you now...

What do you do? Make simple directional suggestions when PLAY is OPEN, vote with likes!

Char speaks up again. "Is something wrong Garma?"
It's only natural for him to be concerned about his roommate, but after that dream, the intensity of his eyes almost seem to carry with them a subtle threat.

[PLAY OPEN 🟢]
How do you respond, and what do you do next?

[PLAY CLOSED 🔴 Note: If it's close I'll take mixes where possible. Yhe benefits of not doing a straight up hard vote!]

You stare into Char's deep, piercing eyes, probably for a bit longer than you should, without giving him an answer. He has to prompt a third time before you finally start explaining your nightmare as best as you remember it.

Char listens with a mild amount of interest and a wry smile, so you continue. When you get to the part where he betrays you in the dream, his demeanor changes slight. Then he laughs. You pause but ultimately laugh with him, although a bit nervously.

"Really, I said all that?!" He laughs.

"You did! I'm ashamed to admit it got me a bit worked up, despite being a dream."

"You can get your 'revenge' during fencing practice, if you want." Char smirked and entered the shower. You hear the water start.

Your terror at the nightmare diminishes slightly. Regardless, you get ready! Your fencing class isn't till your third period, so you have two free periods to study, practice, or well, since your are a senior AND the a scion of Zeon, pretty much anything you want.
[PLAY OPEN 🟢]

[PLAY CLOSED 🔴 Note: A bit of a wide spread, I'll try to keep it more focused from here out.]

You decide to take it easy before your completely heterosexual sparring match with Char and head to the library. Something else has been nagging you. To your surprise Char is also in the library studying. You pass him by without bringing attention to yourself and sit a computer.

Once there, you search the name that has been stuck in your mind since this morning. A name associated with a feeling so strong and burning in your heart. You thought such a feeling could never exist. You type 'Icelina Eschonbach' into the search engine.

To your surprise, she appears! The image of the woman you in your dream, a woman you have NEVER met, is real? The famous daughter of the mayor of New Yark City. If she is real, then what about the rest of your nightmare... What about Char?

"She's pretty." As if summoned, Char had snuck up behind you. You close the browser.

"N-no one too important, no." An answer that seems to please Char in some capacity. He sits next to you.

"About your dream. You said it was during a war. Between the Federation and Zeon, yes?"

"I think so. The details are blurry." You do your best to remember more specifics about the background of your dream. Now that you know the dream held SOME truth to it, what more should you tell Char if anything? Does he really want to kill you?

[PLAY OPEN 🟢]

[PLAY CLOSED 🔴 Note: Also with mentioning that as long as options are not in direct conflict with each other I will 'attempt' to combine as many as possible to capture the majority direction.]

Why would he kill you. Your family? To get ahead? You begin to panic but thankfully calm yourself, before it becomes too visually noticeable.

Perhaps, you saw Icelina on TV and simply don't remember her? It's hard for you to believe that your best friend wants to kill you.

You realize you must tell him something. "Well, it wouldn't be odd for it to be war between the Federation and Zeon. Despite father's best efforts tensions continue to rise..."

Char nods, seeming to agree that it was only a natural assumption to make in such a dream.

You gulp, and continue with more resolve. "Char, we're friends... right?"

After a pause in the exchange, Char laughs. A laugh that reminds you of your dream... You shiver.

Char smirks, "Of course we're friends. Did that nightmare really bother you that much?"

You nod in confirmation and Char proceeds to tell you that you shouldn't sleep at your desk anymore. Perhaps he is right.

"You study too much, you should get more sleep." He places a hand on your back below your neck. He moves it up slightly sending a shiver down your spine.

Char is right! It must be stress of course.

The two of you spend the rest of the period studying military history. In particular the American Civil War's Battle of Antietam. The tide if which was turned by an intercepted message, which likely changed the course of the entire war

Second period begins. Char leaves to go run track. He asks you if you want to join him. You know it will leave you in shambles for your fencing match later though. Your brother Dozel asked you to meet yesterday, but your are pretty sure that could wait till lunch.

[PLAY OPEN 🟢]

[PLAY CLOSED 🔴]

You decide to go see your older brother and dean of the military academy, Dozle. That should open up your lunchtime later and you'll probably have a chance to warm up your fencing skills before your sparring practice with Char. You head to Dozle's office and are let in.

"You wanted to see me big brother?" As usual your words seem to melt the stern expression the man perpetually wears.

"Garma, good that you're early!" He leaves his seat and gives you a hearty hug. He stops when he notices you are having difficulty breathing.

"Sorry about that." He sits and you do the same in the chair across from him. "I just wanted to talk to you about your marks."

You are a bit taken back. Your marks are flawless. Well, for the most part... He continues. "Your physical performance was down from last year."

"I know you've always had a problem with those courses, so that's why I brought you here today." Were you in trouble? Your worried expression was picked up by your brother, who continues "Don't worry Garma. I brought you here to offer my help in your training."

Dozle explains that he wants you to have stellar marks across the board your final year. While he knows it won't be easy, he believes in you, a Zabi man, just like him, through and through. Your brother's conviction shakes you to your core, but can't you do this yourself?

Do you accept his offer to start helping you with your training? Is there anything else you want to discuss with Dozle before you warm-up before fencing?

[PLAY OPEN 🟢]

[PLAY CLOSED 🔴]

You explain to Dozel that while you are thankful for his help, this is something you must do yourself! That your pride as a Zabi man depends on you overcoming this challenge! There is silence after this. A long enough of a pause to make you worry.

"Garma, that was beautiful. I'll let you fight this battle on your own, but if you need guidance just let me know." You thank your brother and begin to leave, then stop as you think of something.

"Actually Dozel, there is something bothering me, could you help me with some... relationship advice?"

He laughs in his booming voice "Oh now, did our little Garma find a girl he likes. Is it that one third year in your class? What's her name, Zenna Mia?"

"How do you know when someone actually likes you?" You ask, ignoring the comment.

Dozle thinks for a moment. "I wouldn't worry about that, just be open and ask them right out." He laughs again. You've done that... Well, it was worth a shot. You thank Dozle and leave his office

You arrive at the gym the current period is still practicing. there should be plenty of time to warm-up. You change into your gear.

Should you ask others to practice with you, or warm up by yourself? What kind of student should you ask? An acquaintance?

[PLAY OPEN🟢]

[PLAY CLOSED 🔴 Note: I am driving home soon, so the update will be a while. This direction seemed fairly unanimous though.]

You spot Lino in the sidelines. You have never talked much to him but you know he doesn't seem to respect you much for your family name. Which makes him perfect to spar with! He won't go easy on you. You approach him. "Lino, was it? Would you mind sparring with me?"

"Me?" Lino looks behind himself, to check if you were talking to someone else.
"Of course." You hold up your foil to prove your readiness. He hesitates, but soon enough you both find a open place on the court to spar. Nothing too serious, you are just warming up after all.

"So you grew up with Char." Your question catches Lino off guard; literally. You land a hit. The two of you enter First Position and begin again.

"I did. What about it."

"Was he always so intense?"

"Why don't you ask him." Lino scores a hit this time. First Position.

He is being oddly difficult with you. Does he have something to hide? "Did something happen to him?" You continue

"I told you, ask him. You're roommates after all." A flurry of strikes, he's getting sloppier and more aggressive. A bit more aggressive than you would like.

You won't able to keep up with him unless you start taking this seriously, but that might leave you at a disadvantage when facing Char later. Should you let Lino be or press him for answers, and if so, how? Coercion? Maybe you are approaching this the wrong way?

[PLAY OPEN 🟢]

[PLAY CLOSED 🔴 Note: Welcome to day two of GARMA QUEST.]

[GARMA ATTRIBUTES UNLOCKED]
Poise
🟩🟩🟩⬜⬜
Charm
🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜
Wrath
🟩⬜⬜⬜⬜
Tact
🟩🟩⬜⬜⬜
Keen
🟩🟩⬜⬜⬜

[KNOWN SKILLS]
Melee
🟩🟩⬜⬜⬜

[GUIDE]
Difficultly of an act is determined by Attribute + Skill.

[Poise + Melee] = 5.

2d6 must roll lower or equal.

You know you can't let Lino beat you even if it costs you your match with Char later. He doesn't seem to respect you, which is fine, he shouldn't, not by your Zabi name alone. You'll show him that you are worthy of respect as Garma. Lino's flurry continues. [+2 MOD]

[Poise(3) + Melee(2) + Mod(2) = 7]
[2d6 = 5]
[SUCCESS BY 3 😁]

You allow Lino to think he has you on your back foot, his aggressiveness continues till you spot your opening. You side step a deep lunge of his, scoring two hits as you pass. Lino loses his balance and falls, dropping his foil. You offer to help him up, but he manages himself.

Lino doesn't seem pleased. You decided you've done enough to prove yourself to him and thank him for the good match. You both retunr to the sidelines to cool, but sit away from the other students. [+1 MOD]

"Why were you asking about Char?" He starts. You consider your approach.

[KNOWN SKILLs revealed]
Persuasion
🟩🟩🟩⬜⬜
Deception
🟩🟩⬜⬜⬜

[MODs +1]

[PLAY OPEN 🟢 Note: I had more but twitter crashed and deleted it all 🙃]

[SKILL IMPROVEMENT BEGINS]
Melee
🟩🟩🟥⬜⬜

[PLAY CLOSED 🔴]

You take a deep breath, then begin "I want to get closer to Char, maybe get a gift for him."
[Charm(4) + Deception(2) + Mod(1) = 7]
[2d6 = 7]
[SUCCESS 😅]

Lino seems a bit confused, then suddenly not confused at all. "Oh, I see." He nods as if you two now share a secret.

You're not sure what Lino thinks he sees, but decide to leave well enough alone. "You knew him when he was little. Could you tell me more about him, maybe that would help."

[Charm(4) + Persuasion(3)+ Mod(1) = 8]
[2d6 = 7]
[SUCCESS BY 2 😌]
[MOD + 1 = 2]
Lino considers his words.

"I can tell you all about Char, but I'm not sure that would help you now."

"What do you mean?" You posit.

"He's nothing like the kid I grew up with. Acts completely different." He clears his throat. "I guess he just, decided to change when he entered the academy." Lino shrugs.

Lino may know more than he is telling now, but atleast you know something happened to change Char between highschool and the academy. You nod solemnly.

"I'd suggest... chocolates." Lino smiles.

You take a while to catch on what he means. Remembering your lie. "Oh! Thank you."

The period is almost over. Next period you have your match with Char. Lino seems to be done practicing and because of pushing yourself, you are pretty done as well. Maybe you should talk with him more? or ask more about Char?

[PLAY OPEN 🟢]

[PLAY CLOSED 🔴]

You consider Lino for a moment before beginning with an apology of sorts. "I guess I was the one to come between you two. Maybe I had something to do with his change."

Lino is taken back a bit. "No, it, he was... Ah, nevermind. I don't think it was anything you did, though."

You smile, and surprisingly Lino smiles back. You feel your understanding of Lino increase.

[SOCIAL LINK GO!]
[Lino is now an acquaintance!]
[Lino's bond is D]

You laugh, "So what kind of chocolates does Char like?"

"Dark chocolate." Char speaks, approaching from the lockers. He's already changed into his fencing gear. Lino and you are both stunned by his sudden interjection.

"C-Char! Didn't see you there." Lino nervously laughs. Char coldly ignores him and raises his foil to you.

"I came to warm-up before our match Garma, but it seems you got started without me." He smirks.

You're worried about what he could have heard. "Lino here was a great sparring partner." You offer a tangent.

"Was he now?" Char looks at Lino for the first time since arriving.

You can tell without turning to see, that Lino that he has withdrawn some. You stand up and ready your foil. "Shall we then, Char?" You both venture out to a clearing on the court. Other begin to gather to watch. This isn't a match up they get to see often.

The two of you take first postion. An eternity passes as you consider your options. You could try to take the initiative or let Char set the pace. If you take the initiative, you have your choice of pace and force, but if you fail... you audibly gulp.

[PLAY OPEN 🟢 ]

[PLAY CLOSED 🔴]

You decide to be bold and take the initiative, after all, that's what big brother Dozle would do. It was actually his advice, kind of. [MOD +1]

You are still a bit beat from your match with Lino, but you'll have to manage [MOD -1]

You move to sieze the initiative!

[OPPOSED ROLL WITH CHAR]
[CHAR SUCCEEDS BY 3]

[Poise(3) + Melee(2) = 5]
[2d6 = 9]
[GARMA FAILS BY 4]

[MOD -1]

You make your move trying to steal the initiative from Char, but before you even begin, his attacks are on you! A flurry of moves with such speed your are doing all you can to fend him off, but Char lands a hit. The crowd, Lino included, seem a bit disappointed.

You both return to first position. "You're being sloppy." Char chides. You block him out and prepare for round two.

[OPPOSED ROLL WITH CHAR]
[CHAR SUCCEEDS]

[Poise(3) + Melee(2) + Mod(-1) = 4]
[2d6 = 2]
[GARMA SUCCEEDS BY 2]

[MOD +1]

You ready yourself for a whirlwind of attacks like last time, but it never comes. Is Char going easier on you now. How insulting! You'll show him to pity you! You make a push, becoming more agressive and score yourself a hit.

Char is a bit surprised. "Not bad."

This is it. The final bout that will decide your match today. Your blood is on ther verge of boiling, you WANT to win this! Char and you square up in first position one last time.

[OPPOSED ROLL WITH CHAR]
[CHAR FAILS BY 2]

[Poise(3) + Melee(2) = 5]
[2d6 = 6]
[GARMA FAILS BY 1]

You and Char lunge at each other, it seems you have both dropped the pretense of this being a pleasant match and are taking this last round with the upmost seriousness. You feel Char's foil make contact just as yours does. Your momentum sends the two of you into each other.

Your own foil bends to its limit on the material of Char's vest, then snaps. The motion carries it forward into Char's mask as he falls on you, you feel the steel mesh give, and your foil enter his mask! You both hit the ground.

You lay there for a moment before you sit up in a panic, turning Char over and removing first your foil then his mask. "Char, Char!?" Other students begin to gather. When the mask comes off you see that your broken foil cut a scratch on Char's forehead, between his eyes.

Blood was running in a small trickle down his face but that didn't stop his eyebrow from raising. "Worried you killed me? That's not how your nightmare went, remember?" He laughs and pats at the blood.

While you are relieved, you feel quite guilty. Dispite your recent doubts, Char is your best friend. You go with him to the nurses office and wait in silence there for a while before Char asks in a dry tone, "When can I expect those chocolates?" Both of you laugh.

[PLAY OPEN 🟢]

[PLAY CLOSED 🔴 Note: Also please RT and like this garma quest art (

https://twitter.com/llshinda/status/1367885728911400972?s=19

)]

You say with no hesitation, "Oh, right away, after all it's your consolation prize." You give Char a smirk which he answers with a raised eyebrow. "Of course you could also considering an apology." You append rather quickly. Char smiles in return.

You feel like your relationship with Char has grown stronger.
[SOCIAL LINK GO!]
[CHAR Ṙ̴̨̢̞̦̦͎̟̹͖a̸̛̼̠̒ǹ̵͙̗̙̩̼͖̺̿̍k̶̲̭̓̓͌͂͝ͅ:̷̢͔̜͉̲̤̜́͐̐̎́͛̚͝ ̴̤̰̼̖̝̲̲̆̅̽̏͐͘Á̴̫̩̞͕̉̎̉̎̂̏̈?D f('invalid script') is not a defined function ]

Soon enough a nurse comes to see to Char's scrape and he returns with a pair of butterfly sutures across it. He tells you that nurse said it would leave a scar, "So those chocolates better be good." You only nod in confirmation this time as you both head back to the dorm.

With lunchtime missed you are now in the final period of the day. Usually you spend this time studying speeches or practicing diction. Things your sister Kycilia consider your "strong suit" and encourages you to practice more.

You could do what is expected of you and practice diction at your usual spot. Go to the gun range with Char. Look for Lino; you think he may be outside somewhere? Visit Dozle. Or maybe just find a place to relax, it has been a very stressful day after all.

[PLAY OPEN 🟢]

[PLAY CLOSED 🔴]

You decide to go see Dozle again, hoping he won't be too busy for you. As you head towards his office you bump into him! Well, it was more akin to walking into a wall to be honest. "Garma! You okay?" You affirm that you are, but he's still troubled.

"I heard there was a fencing accident and you went to the nurses office!" Dozle seems very worried and once your initial confusion wears off you inform him that it was you who injured the other fencer. A look of pride flashed across Dozle's face.

He laughs and ruffles your hair despite your protest and contines, "Come with me Garma. I got something I want to show you." You follow and he reminds you of the secret project he's been working on. Mobile Workers. He informs you that they have started a new phase of testing.

He leads you into a room in the campus that has been closed recently. Its filled now with a hug apparatus of somekind and slew of other computers and electronics. Wires hang from the ceiling. What exactly is all this?

As if he heard your thoughts, Dozle speaks. "We're gonna start training students on a mobile worker simulation."

"Isn't that risky here, in Guardia Branchi?"

"Officially it's for training emergency responses and military construction." He winks at you knowingly.

"Right under their noses." another voice in the room speaks up. You jump, must not have seen him in this dim light. The man walks closer and you get a better look at him. Your brother speaks up. "Garma this is Cpt. Ramba Ral. I brought him here to calibrate the sim."

"Pleasure to meet you, sir." You extend your hand to shake and he takes it with a firm grip that you attempt, and fail, to match. "Pleasure's all mine." He turns to your brother. "All finished with the simulator, Colonel." You brother nods then smiles.

"Ral, why don't you guide Garma through a simulation before you leave, a test case." Dozle seems very tickled at the idea, Ral on the other hand, sighs. "I'd love to sir, but I really need to get back to the test site. No telling what those idiots are up to while I'm gone."

Dozle isn't going to insist on your behalf, but if you say something you could likely get a very nice sneak peek at this Mobile Worker Project, from a pro no less!

Conversely, Capt. Ral may not like you much for delaying him and abusing your station as a Zabi.

[PLAY OPEN 🟢]

[PLAY CLOSED 🔴 Note: I will be moving things to the new @GarmaQuest account after this.]

Garma Quest continues here:

https://twitter.com/GarmaQuest/status/1368935612917628931?s=19