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>>3891623
FIRST FOR WELCOME BACK!

Fuck Quest is a hell of a drug.

>>3891623
Get your "I survived the /fq/ hiatus" shirts here, folks

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The time has come.

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"I understand that you are suing the estate of David Darkbloom."

Vivian sits in the man's dingy and dilapidated kitchen. Every available surface is stacked high with detritus of one kind or another. Magazines and junk mail, food containers, empty orange pill bottles, failed scratch-off lotteries, over-ripe fruit, an aged fanny pack, a yellowed Christmas ornament, a remote with no corresponding TV. Some full garbage bags lie tied-off on the sticky linoleum floor beside a bin that's also overflowing. The flies buzz. And there are so many ashtrays... and singe marks in the linoleum.... and bottles of Mountain Dew filled with spit.

The man spits into one of these bottles now -- the saliva yellow-brown and viscous, stained by the tobacco he's chewing. He's about 70. He looks about 90.

Posture stooped, he stares back at Vivian with half-blind eyes that register nothing like human intelligence. "Gotta get what I'm owed," he drawls.

"What do you think David Darkbloom owes you?" Vivian asks.

"I don't know. But he owe me somethin. He was my only boy and he ain't leave me nothin in his will. Not a goddamn thing. Not one penny. Ain't right." He spits again, pursing his lips, creating a small needle of muddy saliva with the pressure of it. Vivian can see the surface of the liquid sloshing around inside the green bottle.

"Why now?" Vivian asks, drawing her eyes to the man's prune-like face, and suppressing one of many shudders she has suppressed in the past few minutes. "David Darkbloom has been dead since 2018. Surely you knew of this."

"That's the problem with folks these days, they don't do right by the ones they owe to." Another spit into the plastic spittoon. "Got screwed outta my pension too. Goddamn company got enough money in it to hire 10 new managers last year but they cain't even pay their retirees a pension. And they ain't pay me for the cataracts neither, or the back problems or the lung problems they caused me workin in them mines all them years. Ain't right. And now my doctor refuse to even prescribe me any percocet or nothin, talkin about some damn opioid crisis. But do you think that make the pain go away just cause I ain't got a prescription no more? No. They ain't do shit for me."

"I see," Vivian says.

Some stray neuron fires, one that hasn't been drowned by whisky. His jaw hangs partway open. He looks her up and down. "Say... you're Vivian, ain't you? You're David's daughter."

"Yes."

His upper lip curls over his toothless gums. "You look like a whore."

David, sitting beside Vivian, begins to say something; Vivian stays his tongue by lightly brushing her palm against his knee.

"I am a whore," Vivian says, apathetically, and without hesitation. "Well observed, grandfather."

I can't believe it's finally back

>>3891637
Oh fuck, I didn't think about if he was still alive.

>>3891637
Glad to see Vivian's living her best life

>>3891637
wew lad

>>3891637
Now that's a power move

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"You ain't never come to visit me or write or nothin. Too busy with them fruity la-la computer freaks I guess. Yeah. I'm suin David's estate. I want a billion dollars."

Vivian is unfazed. "You have no claim on any portion of David Darkbloom's estate. His will was quite ironclad, and it left everything to Whitney."

"Hah. You ain't get nothin from him neither?"

Vivian shakes her head no.

"Probably 'cause he didn't wanna give no money to no whore."

"We will not sit here and listen to you slander Ms. Darkbloom," David intones, obviously angered despite the patina of civility he keeps. "Be quiet or this negotiation is over."

Vivian smooths her dress. All business: "You understand that we cannot simply give you one billion dollars. Our company is already cash-poor, and we are in the midst of an expensive political campaign. What you ask from us is impossible, even were we amenable to it. Which we are not."

"Listen to you. I'm your own grandpappy for the love of God. But here you are, talkin about 'no claim on anything' like I'm some homeless person off the street. Ain't no hi grandpa in there, huh? Ain't no nice to meecha?"

"You are suing my sister, and her company, and by extension me -- for a billion dollars. You might forgive me if my demeanor is somewhat chilly today."

He grimaces. "You talk like David did. Nothin but $20 words to hide your own insecurity in the world." When he shouts, it sounds like a wooden floorboard groaning: "You think you're better'n me just 'cause you can read a dicti'nary?!" He pounds the flimsy table and stamps a booted foot. Then he spits again.

"By the same token," Vivian continues, "we do not want to deal with the aggravation of a lawsuit at the moment. The last thing our company needs is publicity like that. Would you be willing to settle?"

"How much?" He asks, clearly seeing the dollar signs already.

"Tell me what you believe is fair."

He thinks for a turn. Slowly. Then: "How about $5 million?"

Vivian pretends to find this offer difficult to stomach despite being 200 times less than the first. "I see. This will be a hardship for the organization, to be sure... but I believe you have left us in no better position." She sighs. "However... given that there is a familial bond between us, after all, strained though it may be... would you be willing to accept $2 million?"

"$3 million."

She bows her head, smiling in a pained way. "You have forced my hand. I see now where father got his negotiation skills from. We will settle."

Vivian pulls out some paperwork and begins to fill it in, then signs it. She slides it across the dirty table.

"Hee hee," Clay Darkbloom wheezes, rubbing his wrinkly palms together. "Finally gettin mine. Took you long enough to do right by your own grandpappy."

>>3891661
He'll be dead within days.

>>3891637
>"I am a whore," Vivian says, apathetically, and without hesitation. "Well observed, grandfather."
Based

>>3891664
Deja vu.

>>3891669
Like clockwork, even.

>>3891623
Yes, it's back!
I can't believe my country is going to end before Fuck Quest.

>>3891661
>"Hee hee," Clay Darkbloom wheezes
Ah. The source...
as an aside, you're spooky on the mark with Clay

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When he begins to sign, David swipes the form from him.

"Hey!" the man shouts. "What're you--"

"We will not settle," David says.

"Fa-- Mr. Cantor," Vivian says. "Please. This man has been quite reasonable with us, and I think $3 million is more than fair to make the matter go away--"

"Who the hell are you? Comin into my home tellin me my business. My granddaughter says we'll settle, and that's the way it's gonna be!"

"No," David booms.

"What the hell makes you think--"

David stands, circles the table, and kneels down to eye level with him. He points at Clay Darkbloom menacingly, finger in Clay's haggard face. "No. You will not get a single cent from us."

Clay folds his arms. "All right. If that's how you wanna play it. I'll sue then. For the whole billion. See how you like that!"

David's voice goes louder, if it's possible, but more curiously the slightest hint of an Appalachian drawl creeps into it as he speaks: "Go right ahead, Clay. Sue us. We are one of the most influential corporations on the planet. We have an entire army of attorneys on retainder. All we have to do is wait you out. Litigation like this is costly, and time-consuming... especially for an opiate-addicted drunk bumpkin, who has no money to begin with, and whose actuarial tables look grim. This case will be tied up in court from today until the moment the dementia kills you. You will get absolutely nothing from us. Zero. No -- what's more, not only we will give you nothing -- but we will take whatever very little you do have. We will take your car. We will take your house. We will take your dead wife's ashes. Everything you own will become our property in toto. You will die homeless, and alone, and unmourned."

"Yooou--" Clay drawls. The tremors are getting worse. He's seething with impotent rage. "Do I know..." he trails off. Then: "What right do you have? Huh?! To take the money I'm entitled to from my own granddau--"

"Fuck you," David spits. The drawl in his voice is unmistakable now.

He rises, and for a long moment or two he peers down at Clay Darkbloom with nothing but sheer hatred. Then finally, without another word, he strides from the ramshackle little house.

Clay looks back over at Vivian, stupefied, and afraid.

Vivian takes the paperwork, folds it up, tears it into a couple pieces, and stows it in her purse. "I suppose we are not settling after all. Farewell grandfather."

SEASON 4 OP: https://vimeo.com/354421891
SEASON 4 OP (Creditless): https://vimeo.com/354421989

>>3891661
Kek

>>3891679
... oh fuck, maybe we did break the cycle.

>>3891679
Punished Darkbloom is a force to be reckoned with

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I somehow lost a big chunk of writing just now, so please wait a little warmly. I'll try to be quick.

>>3891694
I blame Sand Reckoner

>>3891694
fug

>>3891679
btfo

>>3891696
The Chinese, man. They're trying to slow down Darkbloom Analytics.
>>3891682
Curious, but how?

>>3891696
>>3891694
Did he really lose it? Or did Sand Reckoner superimpose Amber's face over it?

>>3891701
Maybe I'm over-reacting. The money itself is a meaningless gesture in the end - the old fart is still gonna die. Pay me no mind.

Having said that, Darkbloom being around still could still lead to changes.

What degeneracy are you getting into tonight, /fq/?

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https://pastebin.com/RtQFxbZm

>>3891732
>>3891734
this

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https://pastebin.com/fky1TPnX

>>3891734
o fuck

>>3891739
oh fuck oh god

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>>3891734
>>3891739

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https://pastebin.com/Z0i34s72

>>3891739
O FUCK

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>>3891734
>>3891739
>>3891744
OH SHIT

MULTI BIN DRIFTING

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>>3891744
>https://pastebin.com/Z0i34s72

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>>3891734
>>3891739

>>3891734
>>3891739
>>3891744

AAAAAAAAAAA

>>3891749
>A third one appeared as I was posting this
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH

>>3891734
>>3891739
>>3891744
I was scared I'd be late and miss something important, but it looks like I got here right on time for FUCKING CHAOS

I'm dead. I am deceased. My dick has been rubbed raw and I have ascended to a higher plane of existence.

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>>3891734
>>3891739
>>3891744
Good. Shit.

>>3891734
Oh cool-

>>3891739
Wait, wha-

>>3891744
WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?

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I dont know if I can handle this, anons, but I'm sure as hell gonna fucking try

>>3891787
Rest in peace, Anonymous-dono. He died doing what he did best.

>>3891787
Based. I believe in you

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You eat lunch with Rose and Whitney in the executive dining hall. She sips a milkshake, her burger and fries already half-devoured. You and Rose are much slower eaters, and lighter eaters too. She has a salad, you a chicken sandwich.

"What I wanna know is why there's no guys in Gensokyo," Whitney says.

"There's like one guy," you say, "I'm pretty sure."

She snorts. "He must be busy."

"No," you say sadly. "Pretty much everyone in Gensokyo is a lesbian."

Whitney shakes her head. "Well that's just plain improbable."

"Alabaster is wrong, as usual," Rose says. "There are plenty of men in Gensokyo. They're just not important, so you never really see them."

"Ha!" Whitney shouts. "Now I get why you like those games so much. The universe makes sense again."

You roll your eyes.

Into the dining hall walks Qiangxiang. She pauses when she sees you and your girls eating here. The other lower-level executives in the room pause at her entrance, in turn; she gives just about everyone the heebie-jeebies.

After a moment, she resumes; finds a table to herself in the corner, and beckons for the waiter. She places an order for something or another, and sips at her glass of water. All alone in the world -- it's a little pitiful.

"I thought Galgal was supposed to be watching her all the time," Whitney whispers.

"She can't do anything evil with a bowl of shark fin soup or whatever the hell it is she eats," you say. "Gal is watching her in all the ways she needs to be watched--"

But it turns out that Gal is more committed to her job than you even assumed. She and Cerise enter now as well, and find a table directly across from Qiangxiang. Qiangxiang looks at Gal with a sort of beleaguered contempt, but says nothing.

>Where are you going to spend time today, Alabaster?
[ ] Get to know Qiangxiang.
[ ] Get involved with Cerise's campaign.
[ ] Speak with David Darkbloom.
[ ] Hang out with Mom.
[ ] Custom?

>>3891807
>[x]get to know Qiangxiang

>>3891807
>[x] Speak with David Darkbloom.
It would be nice if we could have a civil conversation for once

>>3891807
>[X] Get to know Qiangxiang.

>>3891807
B O R G E R
O
R
G
E
R

>>3891807
>[x] Speak with David Darkbloom.

I'm with >>3891815. He did something good in Vail, and I think we should address that.

>>3891807
>"Ha!" Whitney shouts. "Now I get why you like those games so much. The universe makes sense again."
I have missed Whitney.

>[ ] Get to know Qiangxiang.
Maybe find some TRUTHS in her sea of LIES

>>3891807
>[x] Speak with David Darkbloom.

>>3891807
>[X] Speak with David Darkbloom.

>>3891807
Serious answer, now.
>[x] Get involved with Cerise's campaign.
>[x] Speak with David Darkbloom.
whichever is more fun

>>3891807
>[X] Get to know Qiangxiang.
I'd take the Darkbloom option too, though.

>>3891807
>[ ] Get to know Qiangxiang.

>>3891807
>"Ha!" Whitney shouts. "Now I get why you like those games so much. The universe makes sense again."
Such a great people person.

>[ ] Get to know Qiangxiang.

>>3891807
>[ ] Speak with David Darkbloom.
As tempting as hanging out with Mom is I've been waiting for this for a long time

Closing and writing.

>>3891851
We're gonna take David and Chloe out for Mcdondald hamborgar, yes?

>>3891880
Sounds comfy

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Something personal has just come up. I'll have to step away for an hour or two, but I'll be writing both the Chloe and Darkbloom options too. If needs be, tomorrow's session will start extra early to make up for it. I'm so sorry for all the delays tonight!

>>3891898
Profound sadness. See you soon~!

>>3891898
RIP

>>3891898
Ganbatte OP!

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While I'm away, discussion point -- how would you all feel about future episodes moving their premiere time a few hours back, to around 7 PM EST?

>>3892001
No problems here.

>>3892001
While normally I'd be for this, I've already built my schedule around the current air time, so this would be a big inconvenience for me at least.

>>3892001
Fine by me!

>>3892001
I've made work arrangements and the latest I can stay on Saturdays is 9 PM. Moving to 7 would mean I lose two and a half hours, and then lose the same amount of time Sundays, significantly more if double runs are moved back too.

>>3892001
While I dont mind, I'd feel bad for the anons that have to miss it, especially if a lot of important choices come up. Though I think what's best for the writer is the most important thing of all

>>3892001
I'm EST and I don't work weekends, so it wouldn't be bad in my case.
There are a few others who would be affected, it seems, so.

Like >>3892033 said, it depends on what works best for you.

>>3892001
I prefer the current schedule cause it gives me time to participate even if I get home a bit later than usual. Moving it 3 hours early midway through the season is a pretty big jump

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Understood. I'll try to maintain consistency with the already established schedule. My personal stuff is not a negative thing or something that will prevent me from running entirely, it just sometimes can interfere, as tonight. But as we move forward, hopefully I can manage it all! I'm back tonight, and I'll resume writing, so please wait warmly.

>>3892099
Thanks, OP-sama~.

>>3892099
Keep doing your best, chief

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>[x] Get to know Qiangxiang.

Qiangxiang is staring placidly out the window to her right, the gray sunlight from the overcast sky making her skin look sickly, when you sit down at her table.

"Alabaster," she says warmly.

"What do you want?" You ask.

"I... am not sure I understand the context of the question. Could you be more specific?"

You fold your arms, thinking. "You're one of the richest people in the world, right? You obviously have a lot of power already. And at a young age. You don't need to be here, do you? You don't strike me as ideologically motivated... or if you are, you don't show it. All that talk about China reigning supreme -- but you really don't give a shit about that, do you?"

She smirks back.

"You could grow your money and influence in any of a million ways, but you chose -- you chose to come here to the United States, to our company... where you're all alone, and under constant surveillance. What is it you really want out of this?"

"I want to have a say in the future. Darkbloom Analytics is the future, Alabaster. Although maybe you do not truly realize it yet. Broad Dynamics is the past. They definitely do not realize it yet."

"Your soup, miss--" comes the waiter's voice, as he sets a bowl in front of her. You were close; it's not shark fin soup, but it is some sort of watery fish dish that looks even less appetizing than it smells.

"Take that back," you tell him.

"Errm," he murmurs.

"Take it back or you're fired," you say.

He picks the bowl up. Qiangxiang quirks her eyebrow at you -- not upset in the slightest, more like curious.

"Get the girl a nice cheeseburger. Medium. Fat and juicy, with pickles, lettuce, onion and ketchup. And french fries. A bottle of Coca-Cola too."

Qiangxiang closes her eyes and shakes her head and smiles. "Is this some form of torture?" She asks you. "Thank you, but I would rather go hungry."

"I'm sure you would," you say. The waiter scurries off, to place your new order. "But we'll teach you how to eat like a real American, Chloe."

"I need to be forthright. I do not like that name."

"Chloe?"

"Mm."

"I'll make sure to keep using it."

"Shall I call you Ally?" She asks, perching her chin on the back of interlaced fingers.

You don't reply, but that gives her all the go-ahead she needs. She knows now that you don't like it. "Ally it is, then. Chloe and Ally -- a partnership to endure."

You rub your face. "Why do you think this company is the future? What do you want to do with Sand Reckoner?"

"I have already told you my theory of the world, have I not? It was no empty prattle, Ally. I want to be among the interesting people of the world. To influence the course of history. You know already that Sand Reckoner can unlock such enormous potential... I want to contribute. Sincerely."

"Is it true about your uncle?" You ask.

Qiangxiang grips her napkin tightly in her lap, and the hint of a scowl develops on her lips. You knew it was true already, you just want to mess with her.

>>3892110
BORGAR

>>3892110
A good power move. It's important to get her used to the idea of taking in indulgently large amounts of American meat.

>>3892114
This is the only meat we're forcing down her throat.

>>3892110
Can't wait to culturally enrich Chloe

>>3892115
Says

>>3892114
And get used to Coke cans.

>>3892118
>Says you*

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"Your hamburger, miss," the waiter says, setting her new plate in front of her.

"Hamburger..." she mutters to herself, staring forlornly down at the food. She pokes the greasy meat testingly with a forefinger, and doesn't seem pleased with the way it gives.

"Looks tasty," you prompt. "Give it a bite."

"So this is how I die," she says, smiling brightly up at you. "Poisoned by my enemies."

"Aha. You consider me an enemy after all."

She titters in that insultingly condescending way. "No. But you see it that way despite my best intentions. So you have decided to fatten me up -- to clog my arteries and kill me in the American way."

"One burger is not going to kill you," you say. "You're so melodramatic. Fuck."

"This meal weighs more than an infant, Ally. My body mass index would balloon as quickly as your country's deficit." She waits for laughter that doesn't come. "A political joke. Those are risky in formal company. I see you did not appreciate the humor."

She picks it up, the bun already soggy, the bloody grease dripping fat dollops down to the plate. She cannot help her upper lip curling in disgust. "This smells like dead cow," she says.

"That's what it is, so."

Cerise and Gal are watching intently from the other table, whispering to each other; ditto Rose and Whitney. The other employees here, too, are gossiping over the scene. Taking bets, most likely. Will she eat it? Will she vomit it back up if she does? Will she burst into tears and flee the room?

"It's not getting any less dead," you tell her.

"You so love to humiliate a young woman, don't you, Ally?"

"I do. It makes me hot. That's the American way, you know. Make a girl eat a hamburger, then fuck her silly." Qiangxiang gives you a glance that looks a bit too hopeful so you add: "only, I'm not going to fuck you."

"So you say."

"Eat the fucking hamburger, Chloe."

>>3892142
COME ON

>>3892142
Oh I'm lovin' it.

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>>3892142
No surprise that hamburger isn't the meat she's after

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She closes her eyes, opens her jaw. Such a tiny mouth it is. And she takes a nibble that's more bun than anything. She chews for a brief moment or two, mulling it over.

She swallows as slowly as she chews, sets the burger back on the plate, and sips at her cola.

"Well?"

"What would you like to hear, Ally? ... What would make you hotter?"

"Something genuine," you say. "I just... I just want something genuine from you, for once."

She picks up the burger and takes a second bite, this one much more substantial. She doesn't conceal her enjoyment. Her face alights, and she chews with gusto, and licks her chops when she's done. Next she samples the fries, which are enormous, more like potato wedges, seasoned orange with zesty powder. She eats these with as much enthusiasm. Her dainty eating habits have suddenly become a gorging session to rival Whitney. She's gnoshing the meal down as fast as her little hands and mouth will let her.

"My genuine reaction," she tells you between bites, her mouth half full, "is exactly as I had feared. This combination of fat, salt, and carbohydrates, this lowest-common-denominator garbage masquerading as food, is decadently and completely delicious. Addictive. Having eaten it once, I am sure to eat it again. And again and again. Opium for a new age. I hope you like your girls chubby."

You can't help laughing, just a little.

Qiangxiang licks her fingers when she sets the half-eaten burger back on her plate. One by one. Suck-plop, suck-plop. "Do you know? Teenage girls rebel in the ways set forth for them by their families. If your family tells you not to go out after midnight, you go out after midnight. If your family tells you to till the fields, you neglect the fields." She props her elbows on the table and smiles at you. "My uncle raised me, Ally, and he told me not to eat American junk food."

>>3892150
H-hot.

>>3892150
Oh. Oh no. This suddenly got VERY sad.

>>3892150
thingken of genuine

>>3892150
>Opium for a new age
Oh boy. This was only the intro course.

Wait til she gets a taste of Mom's dessert.

>>3892157
We're trying to indoctrinate her, Anonymous-dono, not mindbreak her.

Well, for now.

>>3892158
What easier way to indoctrinate someone than to mindbreak them?

>>3892142
>"So this is how I die," she says, smiling brightly up at you. "Poisoned by my enemies."
heh

>>3892150
>genuine
Ohhh man

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At home that night, Dr. Carte is beyond angry at Whitney:

"You had this the entire time? And you didn't tell me about it?"

"Mom -- Mom, I'm sorry, geez!--"

"I can't believe you! How dare you! How dare you keep this a secret from me?"

Dr. Carte flips the page in the photo album. Another set of pictures of Whitney as a toddler reveals itself. Dr. Carte, usually so eloquent even while angered or excited, can only manage an overjoyed: "Aaaaah!!!" -- not her first of the evening. "Look at that! Look at how fat you were! AAAHHH!" Vivian, standing over Dr. Carte's shoulder, grins -- this is a side of big sister she's never seen, either.

The doorbell rings, blessedly, and you go to answer it. Standing in the foyer, you hear yet another "aaaaahhh!!" from the living room. It's like nails on chalkboard when Dr. Carte wails like that, honestly.

Darkbloom, on the doorstep, furrows his brow. "Is everything all right?" He asks you.

"I don't know. I mean. My eardrums aren't all right. Otherwise yeah, sure."

You stand there blocking the doorway, perhaps by instinct more than anything.

"May I?" He asks.

You consider it for a couple moments. Then you step aside.

When Darkbloom enters the living room, Dr. Carte's excitement at seeing Whitney's childhood photos briefly dissolves. She looks up from the album in her lap, wearing a severe expression. She and Darkbloom have kept their distance since Vail, but tonight, of course, that won't be possible.

He clears his throat. Then he tries: "What are you two looking at?"

Whitney answers on Dr. Carte's behalf. "Somebody tattled that I had an old picture album lying around." (That somebody would be you. You sort of don't even regret it. Dr. Carte deserved to see it.) "Mom's been going through it."

"Oh..." Darkbloom says. He awkwardly stands there in the middle of the room, in silence. Then, turning, he begins to say to you: "Well then. I suppose we should discuss--"

"You wanna see too, right?" Whitney interjects.

Darkbloom tries to be nonchalant about it. He turns back towards her. "If you are offering -- I would -- ahem, I would find it quite interesting, yes."

"Well come on, then," Dr. Carte says. She makes room for Darkbloom to sit beside her. You hate this -- but you won't interrupt it.

>>3892174
>Renee gushing over baby pics
I love this

>Darkbloom cozying up with Renee
I hate this

>>3892174
We're a happy family! :D Our troubles never end, Daddy likes men...

I'm not actively reading this thread but I wanted to pop in to say that I followed FQ season 1 up until it was banned from /a/ and only remembered it on a whim.
I've been reading almost nonstop starting from the start of season 1 for 2 days and am only starting season 4 now. This is great work OP and I'm glad that I remembered it existing.

>>3892189
Welcome back to the fold!

>>3892189
Who's best girl?

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The album is thick, but its hundreds of photos cover mostly only the first three years of Whitney's life. The reason why is pretty simple: most of these pictures were taken by Whitney's adoptive mother. When she died, her piece of shit adoptive father couldn't be bothered. After that, the only photos are official ones -- school portraits, news clippings from her time in varsity soccer, the occasional picture taken at a friend's birthday party. A few photos from your house, too, taken by your mother -- and of course her win in the quiz bowl. These photos were all catalogued by Whitney herself.

Whitney explains this to her biological parents. Not in a play for pity, but as matter-of-factly as she would tell them the weather. It's just the truth of the situation, and she doesn't think anything of revealing it.

Darkbloom frowns down at a family portrait of a chubby little baby Whitney with the couple he gave her to. "Lilly Price was a fine woman," he says. His voice is rueful. "I'm sorry her husband was not a fine man."

"Whatever," Whitney says, shrugging.

"Oh my God," Dr. Carte says, pointing at a portrait beside it, of toddler Whitney in a fancy red dress. Taken for Christmas, it looks like. "Oh my God!! Do you still have that dress?"

"Why would I still have that dress, Mom?"

"Answer the question!"

"No... geez, no."

"We need to get you a dress like that!" Dr. Carte says.

"I don't wear dresses," Whitney says. "They're itchy... and hot... ew."

"I could find you some dresses that you would enjoy wearing," Vivian offers.

"No. Fuck no. Shut up."

Darkbloom, even, is smiling. "I don't know... you do look rather fetching when you're gussied up. Maybe for a special occasion?"

Whitney ruffles her hair and clenches her eyes shut. This is turning into a major embarrassment for her. Your heart goes out to her.

>>3892194
Excellent Whitney

>>3892194
I love Whitney parental bonding so much

>>3892192
Rose2

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>>3892174
>>3892194

>>3892194
I almost just googled Lilly price to learn more about her. OP I can’t tell the difference between reality and your work of fiction any longer.

>>3892194
>Lilly
Subtle.

>>3892194
I find the idea of Scarlet talking pictures of Whitney when she was younger precious

>>3892214
With or without spoiler, good taste

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"What is--" Darkbloom begins when he sees a certain photo on a certain page.

Whitney quickly turns the page to move past it, but Dr. Carte turns it back.

"Is that a kilt?" Dr. Carte breathes.

"Oh my God..." Whitney mutters. "Just turn the page already. Fuck."

"Whitney was in the model UN in middle school," you say, sitting down on the loveseat.

"You? In a model UN?" Vivian questions.

"Fuck. Goddamn it. Shut up."

Cerise, looking up from her laptop beside you, pipes up: "She wanted to impress Alabaster. King Dork here was the Ayatollah."

"I nuked a lot of countries that year," you say. "They had to rewrite the rules for the next school year because of me."

"Did you actually learn how to play the bagpipes?" Darkbloom asks her, as he gazes down at the photo.

Whitney, ironically, is a shade of cerise. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Oh Danny Boy..." Cerise sings. You join her: "The pipes, the pipe are calling..."

"That's Irish, you fucking asses!" Whitney hollers. She tosses her handbag at Cerise, who deflects it with an arm, laughing. "I was Scotland, not Ireland!"

"That hardly makes sense," Vivian says, "Scotland is not an independent member state--"

"From glen to glen, and down the mountainside..." Dr. Carte croons. So off-key.

"Stop!!"

Vivian gives up her starkly rational line of questioning: "the summer's gone, and all the roses falling," she sings. Whitney turns and tries to swat her, but Vivian deftly dodges.

"It's you -- it's you must go, and I must bide," Darkbloom sings, in an impressively tuneful baritone.

"Agggh!!! Fuck all of you!"

Whitney heaves herself up off the couch and storms from the room. Dr. Carte, giggling, continues to leaf through the album.

>>3892231
>you actually found a use for it
The fucking madman

>>3892231
o fuck you actually did it
amazing

>>3892231
This is precious and blessed.

>>3892231
Is this healing?

>>3892231
Sasuga...

>>3892237
It's great, but there's still that melancholy in there. It's bittersweet.

>>3892231
So which countries did Alabaster nuke during his term as Ayatollah?

>>3892231
Based

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>>3892231
>"She wanted to impress Alabaster. King Dork here was the Ayatollah."
>"They had to rewrite the rules for the next school year because of me."
Oh if only.

>>3892231
>the summer's gone, and all the roses falling

>>3892231
Adorable

>>3892246
I don't know but if at least one of them wasn't Japan, I'd be seriously disappointed

>>3892249
Don't.

>>3892249
Goddamnit, I just realized what this is implying and it ain't funny

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After dinner, and getting Whitney to calm herself again, it's down to brass tacks.

"All I know of the lighthouse is conjecture," Darkbloom tells you. "I'm not even certain it's an actual lighthouse. I suppose it could be -- but, that doesn't make sense to me. If it was, it would have been discovered by now. The Russian government lost track of it when the wall fell, and no one else knows where it is either. Surely if it was a structure existing above ground somewhere, satellite imagery would have uncovered it. Similarly -- if it was a physical structure below ground, it would also have been discovered by now as well, with ground-penetrating radar and the like. You see what I am driving at. Rather than a structure, I believe the term 'lighthouse' is by way of analogy -- it's a non-physical entity, a network, airgapped from the worldwide web."

"What is it?" Alex asks him.

"If the rumors are true then it is not much different from what the true power of Sand Reckoner could be. An engine to understand the world well enough that you could make it conform to your desires for it. To in a sense rewrite reality." He looks at you sternly. "It's too powerful. That's why I wanted to give the world something less -- but adequate. Better for people to enjoy a simulated reality of their choosing than to change the structure of the world as it actually is. Don't you agree?"

"Is it real?" Cerise asks.

"I don't know. I think it is."

"How can we find out?" Rose asks.

Darkbloom crosses his legs, ankle on knee. "Chloe," he tells you.

"Pfft," Whitney says. "Fuck that noise with a rusty tin dick."

"How?" You demand.

"Her family has deep connections to the Chinese government. She has the resources needed to get to the bottom of it, if you can convince her that you need to know the truth of it. Or..."

"Or?" You say.

"Not all mysteries demand a solution. Or even have one to find. It took me decades to accept that truth. Is your position such that you truly must know? Is there not enough for us to manage without--"

"Us?" You say. "There's no 'us' as in you and us."

Darkbloom sighs. "Never mind that. There is more than enough for you, Alabaster Soliloquy, without dredging these waters." He motions at Cerise with the broad side of his palm: "Of course, if you have patience, then maybe our rising young political star here can develop ties to the US government of her own, given time enough, and find out that way. Lord knows I tried, but I was never a political mastermind. I cannot deal with people. People... confuse and frighten me, to be perfectly honest."

Such candor.

>>3892264
Well. This complicates things.

>>3892264
>I cannot deal with people. People... confuse and frighten me, to be perfectly honest."
Someone please tell me there's a Gendo edit with the "I have autism" hat

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>>3892270
No, but in a very cursory search, I did find this.

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>>3892270
Sure.

>>3892274
is that from Girlfriend of Steel?

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>>3892280
You beat me to it, ya rascal

>>3892280
... I don't know why I expected otherwise. Sasua, OP-sama.

>>3892282
I have no idea, I just found it on google images.

>>3892283
Also great.
Also, it is now 4:21 AM.

>>3892280
>>3892283
Fucking saved

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I'm tired, and flagging... I've written quite a bit of the next update, but I'd like to sleep on it.

I'm really so sorry for the rocky start to the return after the hiatus. Maybe I'm out of practice.

I'm going to continue Sunday evening at 7 PM EST -- a couple extra hours to make up for the time lost tonight. For those of you with schedules that don't align, I'll try to keep things moving without letting you miss too terribly much in terms of decisions. Let's see how it goes.

>>3892303
Please get some rest, OP-sama. It's good to have you back in any case!

>>3892303
It's okay, OP. Have a good sleep, see ya tomorrow.

>>3892303
Night OP

>>3892303
Take care OP. Good to have you back.
We'll look forward to tomorrow night.

>>3892303
Good night, OP~

>>3892303
Thanks OP, gn!

>>3892303
Sleep tight OP, worry about yourself first!

>>3892303
honestly op, i haven't been around for an entire episode of FQ since s1. during the week i leave for work at around the time you go to bed, and even during the weekend that's too much of a gap for me to get over.

anyway, what i'm saying starting three hours earlier would be perfect for me.

I want a cerise face sitting scene. Any time works for me on saturdays and sundays I can never make it anyways so it doesn’t affect me.

>>3891744

>"You lost on Jeopardy. That makes you my slave, remember?"

I don't remember that one from the Weird Al song.

>>3892194

Really like this.
I'm glad to see them being a happy family. They all deserve it. Even David.

>>3892231

You used the image.

I consider your promise to me fulfilled.

It's about time, lads.

>>3893421
nice

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You find Darkbloom out on the back patio, where he's standing by himself, smoking a cigar and staring into the pool. You slide the glass door shut behind you and approach him. Without turning around, he asks: "you knew Carl Price, correct?"

You draw alongside him and watch the rippling pool as well. "I'm impressed. You found one of the only men on Earth who was a worse father than you."

"It was not always that way. He was a perfectly capable provider before Lilly's cancer. Then the alcoholism and joblessness... I considered ways to remove her from that home, but..." He trails off. He takes a lingering drag, and you glance questioningly at his cigar. He takes a look, too, when he notices you staring -- turns it over in his hand and examines the glowing cherry, before telling you: "Steven's habit -- it rubbed off on me. You don't mind, do you?"

"But what?" You demand. "Why didn't you find something better for Whitney? You could have."

He puts the cigar back in his mouth. "There is no but. I made the decisions I made and I feel no obligation to justify them to you, Alabaster."

"You--"

"I what? If it were not for Whitney's upbringing, you would never have known her. You would be a nobody right now. Or most probably dead. Do you grasp that? You have ridden her coattails to the top of the world. Is that not enough? Or must you continue to lambaste me."

"What does this have to do with me?" You say. "I'm not talking about how things worked out for me. I'm talking about Whitney."

Darkbloom seems taken aback by that remark. He doesn't respond.

You huff. "Don't think you can manipulate me. You might be getting all cozy with the people in there, but I still remember what you did. And I'll never forgive you for it."

He makes a pained smile. "Oh, I know that perfectly well, Alabaster, believe me. But how much more will you insist on degrading me? You've won. Did no one teach you how to gracefully accept a win? How much vengeance is enough to exact? You stole my love, you took and corrupted my daughters, you hijacked my company -- you murdered me. Yet here I stand doing my very best to help you. And Renee and my girls, even, yes, Amber and Anna. You may call me a terrible father but look at what triumphs my children have obtained."

"I should have seen this coming. Can't be God anymore, so you'll settle for Jesus. You died for our sins, huh? Want some help getting yourself nailed to that cross?"

"I'm no martyr." He turns, grins at you: "More like a holy ghost."

>>3893432
... well, guess there really is no changing some people, huh?

>>3893432
I really love how much his character has developed from 'evil guy who wants to make mecha lolis'

>>3893432
>"I should have seen this coming. Can't be God anymore, so you'll settle for Jesus. You died for our sins, huh? Want some help getting yourself nailed to that cross?"
>"I'm no martyr." He turns, grins at you: "More like a holy ghost."
Oh boy, here we go

>>3893432

We're seriously a complete cunt. What do the girls even see in us?

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He falls quiet again, and his face goes serious for a brief moment, as if he's considering something. Then he comes out with it: "I killed Congressman Isstein."

You feel the dark rage simmering within you: "You... I knew it. You f--"

"On what remains of my life, I swear I did not have any hand in running Cerise for his seat. That was Whitney's concept. In all honesty I think the idea is absurd, and Cerise is sure to fail. But yes, I killed Isstein, and pinned his death on Tyrus Kang. Would you like to know why?" You meet him with stony silence, so he explains it anyway: "this company has enemies both foreign and domestic. Isstein was going to be a domestic enemy. He knew too much about Mara's dirty dealings, which implicate the entire organization -- whether she is here or not -- and I think you least of anyone would like to see our server facilities RICO'd."

You don't even know what to say to him. He squats, snuffs his cigar against the limestone edge of the pool, stands and stows the butt in his coat pocket. "You may thank me later," he tells you. "I should be running. Have a pleasant remainder of the evening."

He begins to go, but Saul and Charlotte are coming out onto the back patio now. Looking for you, apparently, because Charlotte begins: "Alabaster, we were--" before noticing Darkbloom, and stopping.

"Don't mind me, Mrs. Mallory," Darkbloom says, "I was just on my way."

Saul is never one to mince words: "On your way. Hah. You should be under lock and key. Or dead."

"I see you agree with your stepson. Quite similar personalities, I should think -- no wonder your wife is so enamored with him."

Saul has no comeback for that one. Darkbloom steps past him, and goes. They watch him depart, and then an awkward silence descends, before Charlotte finally breaks it by touching your arm and saying: "Alabaster... are you all right?"

"No," you admit.

"Cerise got tickets for a Warriors game," Saul tells you. "One of many gifts I assume she'll be treated to now that she's a politician."

"--What? From who?" You marvel.

"The governor," Charlotte says. "I think he's trying to convince her not to run." She fishes through her purse and finds the tickets. It's not just any game ticket, either -- it guarantees access to a private suite at the stadium, high above the commoners in the crowd. "Cerise hates sports, and so does Anna, so they wanted to give their tickets to us. But we're going to the theater tonight, so..."

"I see," you say.

"I think Whitney intends to go, and she's dragging Vivian along too, and maybe a couple others," Charlotte says.

[ ] Go to the game with Whitney, Vivian, Rose2, and Noelle.
[ ] Go to the theater with with Charlotte, Rose, and Mom.
[ ] Stay home with Cerise, Gal, and Amber.

>>3893492
Ohhh motherfucker.

>[x] Stay home with Cerise, Gal, and Amber.

>>3893492
>[X] Go to the theater with with Charlotte, Rose, and Mom.
If you assholes vote for ANOTHER Whitney and Rose scene over this I swear to God.

>>3893492
>"I see you agree with your stepson. Quite similar personalities, I should think -- no wonder your wife is so enamored with him."

Holy shit Darkbloom. How will Saul ever recover?

>[ ] Go to the game with Whitney, Vivian, Rose2, and Noelle.

>high above the commoners in the crowd
Fucking bourgeoisie.

>>3893492
>[X] Stay home with Cerise, Gal, and Amber.
#2 is good too

>>3893492
>[ ] Go to the game with Whitney, Vivian, Rose2, and Noelle.
I would ask how anyone could hate David, and then I remember that someone has to be on the receiving end of his hot fire.

>>3893492
>[X] Go to the theater with with Charlotte, Rose, and Mom.

>>3893492
>[x] Stay home with Cerise, Gal, and Amber.

>>3893492
>[ ] Stay home with Cerise, Gal, and Amber.
Gonna go with the implant squad.

>>3893492
>[ ] Go to the theater with with Charlotte, Rose, and Mom.

>>3893492
>[ ] Go to the game with Whitney, Vivian, Rose2, and Noelle.

>>3893492
>[x] Go to the game with Whitney, Vivian, Rose2, and Noelle.

>>3893492
>[ ] Go to the theater with with Charlotte, Rose, and Mom.

>>3893492
>[X] Stay home with Cerise, Gal, and Amber.

>>3893492
Actually changing to
>[x] Go to the theater with with Charlotte, Rose, and Mom.

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[ ] Go to the theater with with Charlotte, Rose, and Mom.
[ ] Stay home with Cerise, Gal, and Amber.

Well, it looks like we've got a tie vote. Sasuga, /fq/.

>>3893545
Heh. Good job, you fuckers.

>>3893545
I'm okay with this.

>>3893545
Fucking wew

>>3893545
I do believe it's unfortunate that we have to pass on Vivian missing sports cues, but this is a happy alternative.

>>3893545
Time to stay home at the theater(???)

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>>3893545

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>>3893560

>>3893545
Please tell me we're going to drag Cerise, Gal, and Amber to the theater

Fuck Dedst

>>3893635
Yeah, this is a significantly warmer wait than I expected.

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>>3893635
>>3893637
I don't know what it is, but I'm having the most frustrating writer's block I've ever had. It started with the thing that pulled me away last night, and now I'm in this weird funk that's keeping my thoughts in complete disarray. This isn't normal for me. Usually I can power through runs. But right now there's just zero energy, even if I know what I want this sequence and this episode to look like.

I think I need to call it for now -- after posting one last update with a final choice to vote on. Then come back next week and finish up the episode, probably in this same thread since things on /qst/ move slow. We're not even close to done here yet, because of course there's supposed to be some intrigue involving the episode title. The back half of season 4's plot is supposed to pick up in just a chotto! We'll get there, I just need to refocus.

Here's a sexy Charlotte.

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>>3893666
Sorry to hear that, OP. Hope you can get it back together. :x

>>3893666
Hang in there, OP ;_; Warm wishes (and waits) as always

>>3893666
That sucks, OP. Don't sweat it, though. Sometimes a writer just can't get it up. The pencil, I mean. You'll do better next week, I believe in you!

>>3893666
Take my energy, OP!

But just a thought, Amber and Gal should get a first hand experience of "SHH!"

>>3893666
That is really unfortunate. I hope things work out for you, OP. The last thing any of us want is for you to burn out this close to the end.

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"And you think I'm some kind of sports superfan?" You laugh. "Thanks, but no. You and Saul have it right. I'd rather go to the theater than an NBA game, too--"

"Oh, would you like to come with us?" Charlotte cuts in, sounding hopeful.

"Uh. I was just making a rhetorical p--"

But Charlotte, once an idea crosses her mind, is impossible to persuade: "Rose and Scarlett are coming. We could make it sort of like a family night out."

Oh boy. You're always weirdly off-put by the prospect of directly rejecting Charlotte's hospitality, so instead you try to throw up a roadblock by pointing out an immediately practical problem: "I'd love to go, really, but -- you didn't get any extra seats, did you?"

"Oh, that's no matter," Charlotte says, "you can borrow the season pass I gave Cerise for her birthday." She giggles. "Wow -- Cerise is just swimming in tickets she doesn't take advantage of, isn't she? That girl is such a homebody. It's a shame."

You force an awkward: "Haha, yeah." Time to try another escape route: "Except I just--"

"I'm glad you want to go, though! At least one of the Soliloquy siblings isn't a shut-in, right?"

You sigh. "Right."

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The hall is going to be packed, Charlotte tells you. Apparently this is one of the country's foremost Shakespeare troupes, and Palo Alto's socialites are champing at the bit to see them play. The performance tonight is King Lear. No one is less excited than you. But you get this rare treat as a dampener to your petulance: Mom, wearing a cocktail dress.

"Wow..." you say appreciatively as she steps forth from her room and descends the staircase. "I didn't expect you to get dressed up. Actually, I didn't even know you owned any dresses like that--"

"Don't you start!" She barks. "Keep your snide comments to yourself!"

Cerise, who's kicked back on the living room couch with a beer, Gal wrapped around her, raises her bottle and toasts at Mom: "I think he was trying to compliment you."

She adjusts the purse on her shoulder, scowling. "Well, he's got a strange way of doing that." She glances around, and finally seems to realize that she's the most formally dressed of anyone. Saul and Charlotte both have on the business casual they went to work in, you and Rose are wearing your normal day-attire. "We... were supposed to get dressed up, right?" She asks, voice strained.

"You look fantastic," Charlotte says, trying to reassure her. "I think you're going to love the experience."

That doesn't help assuage Mom's embarrassment at being overdressed. She's blushing vividly. Cerise giggles -- a fatal mistake.

"I'm sure I will love it!" Mom announces, and then, to Cerise: "So will you!"

She's not laughing anymore. "What -- what does this have to do with me?"

"You're coming too! I'm not going to let you hide here at home with your wife. You and Anna need to get used to going out if you're going to be a political operative."

Cerise has the same low cunning as you when it comes to getting out of social engagements. "But -- but we don't have enough seats--"

"We're billionaires, honey," Mom tells her. "Buy the seats of the people next to us."

"that's scalping," Gal tries. "scalping is illegal. we shouldn't break the law"

Mom frowns at her.

"the... the law..." Gal repeats. She turns to her wife: "th-the law... that's why... we can't..."

Mom isn't buying it. Two swings, two misses. You'd feel sorry for them, but misery loves company.

Still, if you can talk Mom out of taking them -- you could definitely cash in on that favor in a big way.

[ ] Keep Cerise and Gal at home, for some wholesome fun with Amber.
[ ] Drag them out with you.

>>3893700
>[X] Drag them out with you.

>>3893700
>[x]Drag them out with you

>>3893700
>[x] Keep Cerise and Gal at home, for some wholesome fun with Amber.

>>3893700
>[x] Keep Cerise and Gal at home, for some wholesome fun with Amber.

>>3893700
>[x] Keep Cerise and Gal at home, for some wholesome fun with Amber.
If Amber can't join in on this misery-- I mean "fun", might as well leave some company with her.

>>3893700
>[X] Drag them out with you.
I can think of no better time than taking Cerise and Gal to a play

>>3893700
>[ ] Drag them out with you.
>"the... the law..." Gal repeats. She turns to her wife: "th-the law... that's why... we can't..."
she tried

>>3893700
>[x] Drag them out with you.

>>3893666
I hope everything’s okay.

>>3893700
>[x] Keep Cerise and Gal at home, for some wholesome fun with Amber.
God.

>>3893700
>[x] fun with amber

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>>3893694
It's not burnout, because I'm excited to keep going with the story. That wasn't the case with S1 when it ended, or other projects I've dropped. I've really loved writing season 4 so far, even right now when I've struggled to get the words themselves out. Actually, after making the call to stop tonight, I felt some of my energy to write come back.

Chalk it all up to a weird mental block, I dunno. It will pass. I've had similar moments of freezing up in S2 and S3 in the middle of the season, too.

>>3893735
That's reassuring to hear. Take care, OP.

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>>3893735
Ganbatte, kurasai!

>>3893700
>[X] Drag them out with you.
>[X] Also compliment your waifus

>>3893700
>[X] Drag them out with you. In nice dresses too.

>>3893700
>[ ] Keep Cerise and Gal at home, for some wholesome fun with Amber.
Siblings! Bonding! Together!
>"the... the law..." Gal repeats. She turns to her wife: "th-the law... that's why... we can't..."
I don't want to hear about breaking the law from HAKERWOMAN
>>3893666
>>3893735
Cheers OP, whatever you decide to do.

>>3893735
I'm very muck looking forward to Alabaster hiking up his mom's cocktail dress and get between her legs.

Preferably in the middle of the show.

>Leaving Amber home all alone
Poor girl.

>>3893750
Imagine giving up a scene between Alabaster’s big and little sisters and also between Gal and who she can’t accept isn’t Camelia.

>>3893700
>[ ] Drag them out with you.
Bully

3893700
[ ] Keep Cerise and Gal at home, for some wholesome fun with Amber.

>>3893735
Take it easy OP, can't rush quality.

>>3893700
>[X] Drag them out with you. In nice dresses too.

>>3893700
Drag them out and dress them up.

>>3893735

Ganbare OP studios. We all fail to perform sometimes. Nothing wrong with it. It just happens.

>>3893700
[ ] Drag them out with you.

>>3893753
At the rate things are going, I wouldn't be surprised if we get an episode titled Amber of the Rebellion.

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>>3893735

It's absolutely cool OP, I get that feeling, really I do, there's nothing more terrifying then wanting to push on but losing the will to fight, take as much time as you need to ready yourself, we are all eagerly awaiting your work.

Also, if you can take anything positive out this, know that you being delayed means my late ass can actually jump into this thread and I couldn't be more grateful!

>King Lear is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. It tells the tale of a king who bequeaths his power and land to two of his three daughters, after they declare their love for him in an extremely fawning and obsequious manner. His third daughter gets nothing, because she will not flatter him as her sisters had done. When he feels disrespected by the two daughters who now have his wealth and power, he becomes furious to the point of madness. He eventually becomes tenderly reconciled to his third daughter, just before tragedy strikes her and then the king.

What does it mean?

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Can we have a bodypaint scene with Whitney?

>>3894864
It means more spooky parallels. Between Darkbloom and those he perceives as his children. And now dreading the obvious parallel between Vivian and Cordelia.

>>3894866
I can't believe we've never done this before

>>3895219
I was clamoring for this way back in pre-reboot FQ. 'Cept Rose is the recipient.

But perhaps this season has a better atmosphere for it. Alex can take up the brush and serve as a lewd outlet for his passion in painting. Plus both Ally and Alex get to play around with Whitney's ticklish spots.

Gal would be my second likely candidate for this.

>>3896188
Reminder that pre-reboot Kaa-san was also a speedpainter! No reason to leave her out of the fun.

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Happy Halloween, FQ! To celebrate, I carved everyone's favorite trap into a pumpkin.

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>>3897329
Fun fact: when I went to print out the stencil for this, Windows helpfully suggested I apply a filter titled "Sauna" to it. I'm onto you, computer... It also suggested I apply "Sunscreen," and, applying-sunscreen-to-alex scene when

>>3897329
Holy shit, you're amazing Anonymous-dono.

>>3897329
That turned out nicely.

FQ cast might be too old to go out trick-or-treating, but I kinda wanna see David and Hazel engaging in this activity now.

>>3897329
Oh my fucking god.

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Couple things

First off, all of your kind words and patience and understanding means a ton to me. It's because of you guys that I've been able to stay driven and focused even at times when I doubt my ability to keep going. I was so stressed about not finishing this run because I didn't want to let you down! But your encouragement is giving me a much needed breath of fresh air.

Second off, holy fuck >>3897329 that is fucking spectacular. You're great.
It looks disturbing as hell when not lit up, but that's part of the charm.

>>3897335
Alex at 2MI DA would have been fun were it possible. I do like a sunscreen application scene concept though, and he'd work for it.

>>3897342
I would love to do a Halloween episode, but I don't think it will happen this season. Maybe as an OVA. Or maybe I could let you all vote on what Holiday themed OVA you'd like to see when it's over?

>>3897486
We love you, OP!

Is Comiket a holiday?

>>3897486
>this season
>THIS season
I'll consider another season confirmed, and there is nothing any of you can say or do to change that.

>>3897498
Clearly he meant the Autumnal season, meaning it's certainly happening in Winter!

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>>3897486
A halloween OVA would be great! I'd love to see what each haremite's costume of choice would be.

(pic related)

>>3897341
>>3897342
>>3897346
>>3897486
Thank you all! I'm very pleased with how it came out -- I figured there was about a 50/50 chance of it going horribly wrong, honestly.

Coincidentally, my (non-FQ-reading) friend decided to try and carve a pumpkin of Kurisu Makise while I was working on Alex. Sadly his pumpkin ended up being kind of a disaster, but know that Pumpkin Alex got to hang out with Pumpkin Sable over the past few days, too!

>Alex at 2MI DA would have been fun were it possible. I do like a sunscreen application scene concept though, and he'd work for it.
"A-Ally, I don't think I'm going to get a sunburn *there*...!"

>>3897527
>Pumpkin Alex got to hang out with Pumpkin Sable over the past few days, too!
This makes my :3 the big :3

>>3897527
>Coincidentally, my (non-FQ-reading) friend decided to try and carve a pumpkin of Kurisu Makise while I was working on Alex.
How did it feel when you found that out?

>>3897532
It made me really happy inside that he randomly picked another FQ, and especially that he picked Sable. I didn't even know he liked Steins;Gate!

>>3897342
Hazel makes her debut as Nancy Drew, or whatever the mystery solving girl of this generation is, when?

>>3897490
I honestly completely forgot about Comiket

>>3898317
The Comiket concept is one that breeds a ton of possible events and things I want that will never happen.

Why isn't it Saturday yet?

Shame that moving the premiere time a few hours earlier isn't convenient for a lot of people. I would have loved to be able to join in at midnight instead of 4am, but I understand it would be a bigger inconvenience for the regulars if the time changed mid-season.

>>3897527
Does your non-FQ reading friend know you read FQ? Or is it possible he reads FQ and you also just don't know and you were both stealth referencing at each other?

>>3900016
the time doesn't bother me, i usually don't vote anyway because i have D&D on saturday and OP has usually said goodnight by the time i get back.

>>3899984
Because the waiting makes it all the sweeter.
I was stupid excited when I saw FQ was back last week. Like, you're eight and your favorite weekend cartoon just got syndicated and now you can see it everyday, excited.

It's close!

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I can't remember when this OC is from but I keep coming back to it and thinking about how accurate it is. I hope we all have fun tonight, guys! Make good choices!

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>>3903228
>Make good choices!
How terrifying...

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>>3903233
If you want to make bad choices, that's ok too!

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Fear not fools! I have arrived so the thread may begin in earnest! let the crazy opera adventures begin!

AAAAAA

>>3903228
This is pretty based

I wonder if we're getting an EXTRA GIRTHY episode due to daylight savings.

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>[x] Drag them out with you.

The couples sit together, all along a row near the very front: Saul and Charlotte, Rose and you, Cerise and Gal. Poor Mom is the odd woman out, sitting between you and Cerise -- a Soliloquy double-decker sandwich with her as the meat.

Cerise and Gal are as lazy as ever. Both are wearing their schlubby around-the-house clothes, Cerise in her black tee, Gal in her tank and light coat, both in their shorts. Which only makes Mom's snazzy ensemble stick out even more. She seems mortified by her own elegance. Maybe Vivian should give her a primer on the benefits of overdressing.

The players strutting and fretting on the stage are obviously skilled thespians and you can appreciate how honed their craft is. You just feel like there were more interesting things you could have lent you ears to tonight. Rose seems to be of the same mind because she's less focused on the play than on trying to rub a small but persistent stain out of the sleeve of her blouse. You're pretty sure she's rubbed the spot out already, but she must still see it, because she's still working at it.

"Why is Lear such a dick?" Cerise wants to know -- but Charlotte, enraptured, shushes her.

"don't be rude," Gal tells Charlotte -- surprising you. But that comparatively brave defense of her wife only draws another annoyed shush from Charlotte herself. Charlotte always protests too much, you think, when someone speaks while she's watching something.

Maybe a love of Shakespeare comes with motherhood. Mom is just as drawn into the proceedings as Charlotte, and nods along enthusiastically when Lear proclaims: "how sharper than a serpent's tooth it is, to have a thankless child!" You roll your eyes, but she isn't paying attention. Thanks Mom.

Saul's tastes are more in line with yours than you'd like to admit, and here as well; he's nodding off by the second act. But Gal, surprising for the second time tonight, becomes as enthralled by the on-stage action as anyone. By the time intermission rolls around, she has her elbows on her jostling knees and her glasses are almost foggy. She keeps her attention glued to the actors, jaw agape, totally bewitched at the court intrigues of medieval Britain. When the curtains fall after each act, she seems almost crestfallen.

>>3903304
>>[x] Drag them out with you.
I'M ALREADY MAD

>:T

>>3903304
Gal is cute

>>3903304
I want to go to the theater with Gal! I really really want too!

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During the intermission itself, you all stretch your legs amid the milling crowd in the brightly lit, spacious lobby of the performing arts center. Gal enthusiastically discusses the details of the plot with Charlotte, voice uncharacteristically emotive: "Gloucester! Oh my gosh! I can't believe Regan did that -- how can one girl be such an awful bitch?"

"Have you never seen Lear before, Anna?" Charlotte asks.

"No..." she says. "I mean, some Shakespeare plays. But never this one. It's so good!"

"It is," Charlotte says. "Some say it's Shakespeare's finest."

You can't help marveling at how the play is bringing Gal out of her shell. "Maybe Cerise should give you her season pass," you say. "You'd get more use out of it than candidate NEET Feet here."

Cerise flips you off. Gal isn't sold on the idea, anyway. Her mousy tone creeps back in: "i don't think i'd want to go out without cerise though ... or you, Sir"

Saul arches an eyebrow. It must be the first time he's heard Gal deploy "Sir" on you.

"Well, I can always get a second pass for you, dear," Charlotte says, "if you want one. Saul and I are friends with the owner, so it's really nothing."

"Really?" Gal says, excited. "You'd do that?"

"Absolutely--" Charlotte begins, but Mom butts in:

"Don't waste your money. Cerise is perfectly capable of buying her own wife some tickets for the theater. Aren't you, Cerise?"

She's grouchy: "Yeah."

Mom is also grouchy: "Show some interest in your wife's hobbies!" she says. "This is the happiest I've seen her since I met her. Encourage it!"

Cerise makes a face, but she has to admit it: "You're right." She hugs Gal around the waist. "But I'm not surprised. Gal's always been a huge theaterfag." When Charlotte and Rose both give her a dirty look, she corrects herself: "I'm sorry -- theater homosexual."

"Maybe you could take her out again next week," Rose says. She nods her head in the direction of a poster on the wall displaying upcoming performances: Yo-Yo Ma is playing next Friday. Gal audibly gasps when she sees it.

"Fuck. Now I have to," Cerise grumbles.

"Can we?" Gal pleads.

Cerise nods. Gal, hopping up and down, kisses her on the cheek.

>>3903304
Boy oh boy this is a loaded post.

>>3903304
>a Soliloquy double-decker sandwich with her as the meat.
heh

>>3903319
Anna is cute! CUTE!

>>3903319
God, I wish that were me.