<-- Context: Rudy just lost a game. Or YOU did, if you asked for his help. Can’t avoid it. Poor guy. :( -->

R: UGH, really?!

[if chosen]I swear that was a fluke, $joker. It’ll go better next time.[/if]

[if not chosen]That’s such b.s. I should’ve lasted at least another round.[/if]

V: Win some, lose some, Clubs.

R: And will you stop calling me Club? It’s like you only do that when you’re talking down to me.

V: Wow, really needed that spelled out!

K: GUYS.

R: Hey, I didn’t even wanna come here today!

K: Wait, really? What else would you be doing?

(Rudy crosses his arms.)

R: Lots.

V: Liiiike…?

R: Stuff.

(Yeesh. It’s Val’s move, but she doesn’t seem interested in the game at all.)

(Kade looks nervously between all four of us, then smiles at Rudy.)

K: Are you still working on that castle?

(Rudy sits up, relaxing a little.)

R: First of all, it’s a fortress, and second, it’s a lot faster in multiplayer mode.

K: Aw, see? I’m glad it’s working out for you!

(Then, to me:)

K: He’s been making this HUGE cas-fortress in a virtual crafting game for months now. I totally gotta show you later—

V: So you do have friends outside here!

(Val leans forward, staring at Rudy with an expression I can’t read. Rudy’s back on defense.)

R: Uh, yeah? Is that a problem now, too?

V: What’re their names?

R: None of your business!

K: Oh, the server uses screennames! I don’t think anyone actually—

V: Can you tell me about them? Even fake names.

R: Geez! Why’s it so important everyone and their mother knows my entire friend group?

C: Having a support system is vital to anyone’s well-being.

V: What’s your mom’s name?

(She’s all eyes for Rudy.... His face is bright red and he looks ready to scream.)

K: OKAY, lesson learned, friends and getting along are important!

C: And so is not telling anyone, even your closest companions, the answer to common password security questions.

(I can’t tell if Cyrus is trying to defuse the situation or they’re actually that oblivious.)

R: FINE, you want names? My friends are Cyrus, $joker… K-Kade…

K: Rudy, you don’t have to—

V: Aw, what, no love for me?

(Suddenly, Rudy stands up and slams the table.)

R: ME, MYSELF, AND I. THERE.

(Val sits back, unamused. Kade puts her head in her hands. Cyrus just looks surprised to have been called a friend.)

(Rudy glances around table, then gets up with a huff.)

R: I’m gonna grab a snack. Kade, yell for me when it’s time to go.

C: Er, wait, you still—

(The door slams shut behind Rudy.)

C: —had a move.

(I don’t think anyone feels like playing anymore.)

(After what feels like an eternity, Kade stands up too.)

K: Be right back. Val, can we talk for a sec?

(Without waiting for a response, she grabs Val by the arm and pulls her away. Val, not looking phased, flashes me a grin on the way out, like she wants me to know she expected this.)

C: Well, that was unexpected.