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It was a fine morning in the Court of Fontaine, the streets lined with its usual hustle and bustle. Relatively speaking, it was quiet. Well except for one particular pair roaming about the city…
“Hey! I told you I’m fine! Weren’t you the one who wanted to explore the world? Now that you’re not going to fizzle into dust anymore.”
“I don’t want you to overdo it my dear, we can take it slow. Your systems may still be… Craballeting… At least that’s what the Fontanians say about their mekas…”
Sandrone, having been reactivated by the adepts of the Fontaine Research Institute, was eager to get up and about once again, after a long and gruelling rebooting process. Columbina on the other hand, having only recently arrived in Fontaine to witness Sandrone’s reawakening was quite anxious on the potential strain that travelling may entail on Sandrone’s new body.
“It’s calibrating, you idiot but regardless you must’ve travelled so far, at the very least let’s get you a meal at the renowned Hotel Debord first then we see a show at the Opera Epiclesse. Have you witness some culture for once.”
“We can have a date later, for now you should really keep your pace.”
“Date!? Who told you it was a date?! What have you been learning when I was gone!?”
“Actually it was Lauma and Nef-”
Abruptly, Columbina was interrupted by a radiant young lady wielding a giant parasol. She identified herself as Navia Caspar of the Spina de Rosula and the grumpy looking duelist behind her was Clorinde, a Champion Duelist serving the Court of Fontaine.
“I am Columbina Hyposelenia… I came from Nod Krai and I’m visiting your wonderful city to accompany my partner here.”
“I on the other hand… Well I am Sandrone. Marionette! Former Fa-”
Columbina quickly cut off Sandrone with a nudge as to not overt the two as former Fatui operatives. Navia seemed enthused by the codename however, remarking that it was a creative nickname, perhaps a tabletop character of her creation. Navia explained that the two were actually roaming the city the entire morning searching for an extra pair of players to try out a new scenario they had brewed up with the Tabletop Troupe. Navia, being the energetic ball of sunshine that she was, took Sandrone’s “uhm…” as an affirmation and essentially dragged Sandrone back to the venue. Columbina and Clorinde followed along, with the latter whispering apologies for her rambunctious partner. On the way, Columbina inquired if playing would be a demanding affair which Clorinde assured, was not at all comparable to the amount of effort needed from a stroll to the Opera Epiclesse. This soothed the worries within Columbina.
Arriving at the venue, Sandrone was plopped down on the cushioned sofa, Columbina floating down beside her. This was not how Sandrone envisioned her first outing with Columbina since Moonprayer Night would go. Despite their predicament, Columbina seemed glad that they were not off and about which curtailed some of her apprehensions about the situation. Scanning the room, she saw the two women setting up the game board. The smart thing to do would be voicing her apprehension and departing with Columbina so they can go on about her plans. Though Sandrone quickly disregarded them for Columbina’s sake. It’d be embarrassing for her if she’d make a scene now. And besides, they’re offering plenty of tea and pastries so it's not a bad detour by any metric. Scanning her right, she found a familiar deadpan face.
“Lynette?”
Lynette responds with a curt “Auntie Sandrone… Glad you’re well.” Sandrone was quite surprised to see a familiar face, intertwined with an interesting lot. Though it did further put her at ease knowing that she’s not the only person the pair has roped into this escapade.
“So tell me… What’s this… Event?”
Lynette explained the basic game rules to Sandrone and introduced the more discrete Clorinde to be today’s gamemaster. Sounds simple enough, Sandrone mused. It’s just roleplaying and rolling a die. Should be a piece of cake… Speaking of cake, Columbina already helped herself to the Troupe’s offering…
Clorinde explained the current scenario. The party comprising Navia, Lynette, Columbina and Sandrone were originally tasked to find an important mekanism from a sister bunker. This specific piece was needed to ensure the survival of their home bunker after a great war decimated their land. Given a basic starter set, the group set out to their objective. Along the way, they meet a colorful cast of survivors, which the group must interact with to gain clues about the location of the sister bunker. Lynette acted as the party’s stealth unit with a severe track record of mishandling technology, Columbina the healer and Sandrone their technical expert. Meanwhile, Navia, being the most extroverted and diplomatic within the party assumed the leadership role and began conversing with the survivors.
The survivors were reluctant to divulge any information at first. They were a group of outsiders babbling about a hidden bunker. For all the town's people know, they were a bunch of lunatics looking for some fool's gold. Their reluctance forced Navia to roll a persuasion check. Success! Sandrone found the encounter quite interesting. It was amusing to see how the game mechanics allowed such depth in application, she thought. She was excited to see how her turn would play out. Sandrone began to wonder whether she could implement this game to her own tea parties… The party was sent towards the direction of a mountain off to their west. Sandrone surmised that the mountain was an artificial one, citing the history of the bunkers’ purpose to shield the population from the terrible weapons that once fell on the land. Sandrone’s assumptions were proven right as they stood before a massive door upon their arrival.
“Nice observation, Sandrone.” Columbina praised, eliciting a subtle blush from Sandrone.
The door was controlled through a central terminal which Lynette unfortunately broke after she began tapping at it with the butt of her gun for some unknown reason. Sandrone was prepared to fix it but it will take several turns for her to unpack her tools. Navia suggested what if she used a persuasion check on the terminal to convince it that its not broken. Sandrone thought of her companion quite underhandedly, what a stupid idea she thought. How do you even convince a machine that it’s not broken? Surprisingly, Clorinde allowed the motion. Navia rolled a 15 and they were in! Sandrone had her mouth ajar from the sheer absurdity of the situation. How does the impartial game master allow such nonsensical game actions?
“Awww Sandrone… Don’t worry you’ll be able to use your tools in the next encounter!” Columbina consoled, giving Sandrone a pat on the head.
It doesn’t really soothe the ache of having a turn stolen from her but no point dwelling on it. They got into their first combat encounter inside. Clorinde explained that their enemies seem to be former bunker dwellers, grotesquely transformed by an unknown virus. Sandrone shuddered, it reminded her of the doings of a former colleague. Lynette broke away from the main group to do her own maneuver, leaving Navia, Columbina and Sandrone to fight off the horde. Navia charged headlong into the mass of flesh, while Sandrone fired off her “plasma pistol.” Columbina did her best providing Stempacts and combat stimulants to the two damage dealers. Columbina’s increased perception stat caught a hidden enemy about to pounce on Sandrone. Yelling for her partner, Sandrone quickly dispatched the hidden enemy. Navia remarked that they make quite the pair, eliciting a chuckle from Columbina and a less subtle blush from Sandrone. All was going well until a blob of mass and machine broke through the corridor. Navia was tending to a wound sustained while Sandrone was reloading her pistol. It would seem that Sandrone’s “main character” moment in this scenario may not come at all, as the hulking beast began charging down the corridor. As quickly as it appeared, it crumpled into an unintelligible heap of meat and meka. Lynette revealed herself finally, presumably providing the killing blow to the foul monster with her… “affinity to be tech-repelent.”
Lynette non-chalantly regrouped with the squad where they briefly recuperated. During the fighting, the bunker dwellers shut a massive blast door, barring entry for the party. Sandrone remarked that the door was graded to last 100 years against the very worst that humanity could muster. Her original intention of blasting it open was nigh impossible. It could only be opened through a bio-lock. Columbina suggested that perhaps there were clues left behind the bodies of their fallen foes. One particular corpse wore a vest indicating that he was former bunker security. Bingo! Columbina remarked that she could perhaps revive the corpse and get him to unlock the door for them. Sandrone was fully on board with the plan, bringing out her own electric shocks to assist with the procedure but Navia interjected that maybe she could use persuasion again. Clorinde raised an eyebrow at Navia, and Sandrone did too, but ultimately Clorinde allowed the gesture much to Sandrone’s continued annoyance. How do you even convince a corpse that it’s not dead! It’s impossib- Navia rolled an 18. Success! The corpse jolted back to life. Apparently Navia’s coercion revealed that the security guard was actually just pretending to be dead. The guard explained that there is a cult headed by a mad scientist deep within the bunker and he was a reluctant induction into their ranks after they were all captured. This sounded all too much like Dottore… Or a complete rip off of that one Yae Publishing release about a niche post-apocalyptic setting, either way, the guard opened the door and quickly scurried away from the group once his part of the deal was complete. Sandrone nudged Lynette asking whether this was a common occurrence in this game. Lynette answered indirectly, instead saying that Clorinde and Navia were always like that.
The group ventured deeper into the bunker where they agreed that the party would split up into two. Sandrone accompanied Columbina to a separate table representing a different portion of the bunker. From here, Sandrone asked her companion what she thought about their hosts. Columbina thought they were a fine bunch. Navia and Clorinde exceeded expectations and Columbina remarked that she was glad to see Lynette again. Sandrone inquired deeper, asking whether the game master was intentionally setting up the odds in favor of Navia, referring to the nonsensical door breach earlier. Columbina didn’t notice and wasn’t particularly bothered, as long as they were having fun. Sandrone took a peek at Clorinde and Navia again, with an unbothered Lynette sipping tea in the background. The two seemed to be having immense fun, with the stoic Clorinde even cracking a smile from Navia’s tomfoolery. Sandrone’s eyes wandered to Columbina who was distracted trying to navigate their way through the halls. It was a treat seeing her have fun, to discover herself and finally enjoy the world that she once never understood and even at one point rejected her. Her eyes wandered back to the two Fontanians who are blatantly flirting with each other now. As revolting as their public display of affection may be, Sandrone’s confusing feelings for Columbina began rearing its ugly head.
Sandrone’s brush with death gave her a succinct impression that time, however long it may be for a puppet, will expire for everyone, one way or another. Sandrone can't spend every waking moment of her existence pretending there isn’t “something” between her and Columbina. For archon’s sake she booked an express ticket to Fontaine the moment she heard Sandrone was waking up. She even remarked earlier that they can “have their date” later. To a layman or outsider, Sandrone mused, it must be obvious, Columbina fancies Sandrone, however to a born skeptic like her, there are several caveats. Sandrone’s absence leaves many blank spots to be filled. She is sure this isn’t the same Columbina who can’t fathom the concept of a Fatui commissary back in their Harbinger days. That Columbina will be surprised and probably confused if she ever met the current Columbina. Sandrone however surmised that the lessons she learned about reciprocating affection may not be to her expectations. Perhaps, Columbina’s friendship is just a natural evolution of their bond before Sandrone’s death. Perhaps, Columbina treats everyone this way. Perhaps, Columbina learned that there are better options out there, surely better than Sandrone’s difficult personality…
Sandrone’s doomdreaming was cut short by Lynette informing them that they have encountered the cult leader. Returning back to the main board, Sandrone tried to lock in but with the awareness brought upon by Clorinde and Navia’s conspicuous display of desire, made her all too aware of how Columbina seemed to be sitting quite closer now, how she would always compliment her turns to synergize with Sandrone’s actions and how she’d shoot her a glance every now and then. She must be overthinking it, there will be enough time to muse about it after, for now, she’s more concerned on having her moment in the game lest it become another jest against her in the future.
Turning into the final chamber, the group come face to face with a being which calls itself the Master. An abomination sporting a melted head fused with a terminal, utilizing the fragmented voices of his victims to address the party. The Master revealed his plans to create a new form of life superior to humanity. Through the melding of flesh and machine, his new race shall usurp the fragile world that the humans have rebuilt outside of the bunkers, coveting the survivors, to add to his ever expanding factory of horrors. With the Master at the helm, he shall ascend into godhood over this broken world where he’ll rule with an absolute blank check. Sandrone scoffed at the unoriginal premise, it just sounded like Dottore, nothing she can’t handle. Navia excitedly tried to use persuasion on him. Sandrone was sure her first Tabletop Troupe game will end in a nothing burger for her. Surprisingly, this time Clorinde went against Navia’s giddy persuasion technique and presented that she does not have enough evidence and perception acquired to convince the Master that his plan is not at all feasible. This left, one other option.
Sandrone immediately started peppering the chassis with plasma bolts, dragging Columbina away from the whirring miniguns. Navia began gunning for the head while Lynette infiltrated the ducts where his internals are assumedly contained. Clorinde shot Navia a sly grin, prompting a reaction. Navia remarked that this encounter was quite different from her different playthroughs. Clorinde replied that she was just keeping mademoiselle on her toes. Sandrone scoffed again, even their banter was flirty…
“Sandrone! Catch!” Columbina threw her a vial of Psyched which allowed Sandrone to put more blows in.
Navia kept hacking away, dodging incoming fire but ultimately was forced away when the Master began his salvo of fire. Lynette too fell back as the encounter turned sideways for her. It looked bleak for the group, all huddled behind a blasted wall. If Navia’s superior melee skill, Lynette’s affinity to break tech and Sandrone’s shots seemingly not doing enough to stem the tide, what hope was there for their group. Sandrone’s plasma pistol was on the verge of overheating, already blowing through her coolant supply during the encounter. It's an extreme case of deja vu but Sandrone decided she’d sacrifice her character by intentionally overcharging her pistol, rigging it to blow. The party was unsurprisingly apprehensive about the plan, with Columbina being the most vocal about it. Navia got a laugh in, saying that it’s just a game, it’s not like Sandrone is actually sacrificing herself… Haha… Right.
Sandrone gruffly barked out that she’d need a distraction if she’s going to take one for the team and with that Lynette and Navia sprang out to give Sandrone an opening, Columbina watching behind in absolute horror. Jury rigging her pistol to detonate, Sandrone didn’t really like the parallels but Navia is right, it’s just a harmless game. Right before Sandrone was set to detonate her pistol, she felt a slight prick on her back. Columbina threw a dart of Med-Ex, a desperate gamble to protect Sandrone from the odds.
Among the drops that the Master had, was their main objective. Sandrone’s actions has ended the game with a stunning victory, a victory that Clorinde hasn’t really accounted for, props to Sandrone for finding a gap in her defense. As for Sandrone’s character, she was immediately carried away by Columbina right after the bunker began to collapse. The sudden boost of Med-Ex provided just enough resistance for Sandrone to be able to tank the lethal burst of damage. The party returned to their bunker, all heads accounted for, one bruised and battered but nonetheless alive. Navia exclaimed that their session was really fun, suggesting that they visit more often. They plan to continue this storyline about the descendants of these bunker dwellers fighting a shadow government called the Enclavum. Sandrone promptly said no but Columbina was much more amicable providing a vague maybe. The two left the Tabletop Troupe to clean up, Clorinde and Navia animatedly discussing all of the highlights of the game while Lynette sips on more tea. Sandrone shot one last glance at their companions, feeling a slight pang as Clorinde and Navia got into their conversation even more.
“Hey did you have fun?” Sandrone asked
“Of course I did. I was with you after all.”
“I have to admit that it was an enjoyable experience… So much so that I even plan to implement it in my future tea parties.”
“Perhaps you can invite Miss Clorinde, Miss Navia and Miss Lynette again.”
“They can play with their own little circle if they wish.”
“Oh don’t be like that my dear Sandrone. MIss Clorinde actually reminds me a bit of you.”
“Excuse me?”
“Well Miss Clorinde seems like a grump on the outside. But she’s actually quite bubbly thanks to Miss Navia. Which in that case, makes me the Navia in this scenario.”
“What?”
“Well Miss Clorinde and Miss Navia seem so close despite their conflicting personalities. Much like how you always tell me nasty things despite never meaning them.”
“Those two are closer than close. I doubt we fall in the same category.”
“Hm? What do you mean? If you mean, their obvious romantic relationship, do we not fall in the same category?”
“You can’t say that sort of stuff so brazenly.”
“Why not?”
“You don’t really mean the things you say. It’s just you. Your usual airheaded you.”
“Are you saying that you see me as a romantic partner too?”
“I didn’t even say that!”
“But you did imply it my dear… During your absence, I learned a lot about reciprocating affection. I’ll always recall all of the times you let me sleep in your quarters. The way you baked me pastries. When you…” Columbina shuddered at recalling Sandrone’s sacrifice.
“Your point being?”
“When I say that I like you, Sandrone, I really do mean it.”
Sandrone was blushing, so puppets do blush…
“Ehem. I may have developed some mutual affection for you too. I guess.”
“I love you too, Sandrone.”
“Gahhhhh! Just! Let’s get back to my quarters so I can brew some tea and more pastries!”
“Will you leave some for me?”
“Shut Up!”
As much as Sandrone tried to suppress the smile creeping onto her face, she really couldn’t help but feel a bit relieved that it was reciprocal between them two. This day didn’t really pan out the way she planned but arguably it ended way better than she had hoped. Sandrone would have probably never confronted this reality without the coincidental intervention of Clorinde and Navia. Perhaps she should send the two a gift as a thanks…