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Completed Everlasting Summer - Soviet Waifus, It's Heaven [NSFW]

WhiskeyWolf

RPG Codex Polish Car Thief
Staff Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2007
Messages
14,755
Thread potential rising.

I don't know what the guy responsible for the environment was thinking - they probably gave him a van-load of vodka and told him to go for it - but he was too good at his job. The character art clashes horribly with all those nice backgrounds.
 
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WhiskeyWolf

RPG Codex Polish Car Thief
Staff Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2007
Messages
14,755
I think that's the whole point of the exercise.
 

Grimwulf

Arcane
Patron
Vatnik
Joined
Oct 1, 2014
Messages
4,045
Location
Kodex Kommunistic Kastle
The character art clashes horribly with all those nice backgrounds.

Whaddya mean "character art"? All the girls are mascots of different russian national chans. It's not like they were made up specifically for this game.

ZFF2bicSarU.jpg
 
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GarfunkeL

Racism Expert
Joined
Nov 7, 2008
Messages
15,463
Location
Insert clever insult here
It's pretty obvious they had 3 different artists - one for backgrounds, one for the character "cutouts" and a third for the separate "action" images, as there's a noticeable difference between the three.

Also, purple hairdo in the 80's? Now I've seen it all :lol:
 

Idiott

Arcane
Joined
Mar 4, 2011
Messages
490
Location
Potatoland
Whaddya mean "character art"? All the girls are mascots of different russian national chans. It's not like they were made up specifically for this game.

I guess in this case it means general quality of sprites and backdrops. This art inconsistency is what annoys me the most in this game. Backgrounds are very good, character sprites are... ok I guess. Scenes range from ok-ish to terrible, and it seems they were created by at least 4 people, which doesn't help at all. Some of the latter are so bad, I don't know why they decided to keep them.
 

Idiott

Arcane
Joined
Mar 4, 2011
Messages
490
Location
Potatoland
epVs8lz.jpg


aoSMgfo.png
And never call me Dva-Che again, or you'll get another one!
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I didn't call you that! You're hearing things!
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He did, he did! I heard it all!
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You weren't even there!
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I was, I was! In the bushes!
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Come on you guys! Stop it!

~ So it wasn't a football injury Electronik suffered earlier today. ~
~ Nurse did a good job – I couldn't even see his black eye! ~

Olga Dmitrievna came up to them and asked about the ruckus:

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Alisa and Cheesekov...
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I didn't do anything!

She shrugged with antipathy and went inside.

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Right. Dinner time.

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There weren’t too many free seats.

There were few free chairs near Alisa, across the canteen, but I'd better starve for a week or two than risk my head near her.
There was also a seat near Ulyana, but I'm not into traditional chinese 'whatever crawls' cuisine.
Finally, a free chair near Miku.
Looks like I'll have to pick my poison...

MnfQDOr.png
You mind if I sit here?

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VopEwDR.png
Kill me now.
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Look, it's buckwheat today. Do you like buckwheat? And chicken! I don't like chicken. Well, not that I don't like it...
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But if you'd ask me, what would I prefer, say, stroganoff beef or ragout... No, maybe just a hamburger! Or a rump steak! Do you like rump steak?
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I'm not that picky about my food.

And that's a simple truth.

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Maybe you like eskimo better?

Dinner was starting to get on my nerves, thanks to such a company.
And I'm not a kind of person that can just ignore someone who's talking to you. Even her.

~ We're behind the same table after all. ~

ktqUq86.png
You know, I once bought a waffle cone and started eating, and then you know what? I found a screw there! A real screw, can you imagine that? Or was it a screw-bolt? I don't really know.
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Riveting tale.
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Screws are those that you tighten with screw-nuts, and screw-bolts are those that you drive with screwdriver, yes?

~ If there was a speed eating contest going on I would probably be in top 3 winners by now. ~

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Right, I'll be going, bon appetit!
VopEwDR.png
Let's bolt out of here, fast.

I got up and headed outside.
Miku was saying something, but her words drowned in a crowd of loudly dining pioneers.

x1o9CEw.jpg


I just sat there and watched night falling.
Everything is so lively here during the day: kids laughing and yelling happily, fooling and running around, constant chatter, games going on, and swimming on the beach.
But after dark the camp changes exceptionally.
Sounds of day were swapped with silence, only now and then broken by cricket's chirping, or a night bird.
The camp was going to sleep.

In every shadow you could see things – maybe a ghost? Or a spirit of the forest? Or a wild animal? Human being would be the last thing to expect.
This is how it looked last night. And now.
Locals followed their routine very strictly.
In the day, camp was theirs. In the night, it belonged more to the forces of nature than to humans.

Someone touched my shoulder.
I looked back.

WrCqx2N.jpg


mzfFewt.png
Let's go play cards.
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Cards?
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Yep! I invented a new game. A good one!
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Good? Like what?
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Well, first we got to find the cards, then I'll tell you.
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Then go find them, what's the problem?
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Only Olga Dmitrievna has them, and she won't give them to me...
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Why so?
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Well, the last time when we...

Olga Dmitrievna and Slavya went out on the porch.

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Actually...
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For what purpose?
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We invented a new game!

~ Not we, you did. ~

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What game?
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I need the cards to show.
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Hmm. I don't like this... Well if Semyon is with you, then, perhaps, it's ok...
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To be really honest...
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We'll go fetch them together, Olga Dmitrievna!

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Let's go with Slavya. It's dangerous to go alone.

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If you don't mind...
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Sure! Let's go.

rymrMc9.jpg


Roughly halfway there Slavya stopped.

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Hey, I just remembered! Cards are in my cabin.

~ Good timing. ~

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And where's that?
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It's just down this road, let's go!

...

1yv7v31.jpg


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Just wait here a minute, I'll be back!

It took her just a few seconds to come back.

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There!

She showed me a deck of pretty worn-out cards.

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These must be marked in and out.
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That's unsportsmanlike. What happened to fair play!?

Tell me about it. It's hard to cheat when you don't know the rules...

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Let's go?
MnfQDOr.png
Let's go.

...

On our way back I decided to try and find out about something.

MnfQDOr.png
How long have you been here?
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In this camp – about a week.
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I see... and where did you come from?
waSvxqy.png
I'm from the north.
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That is?...
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A cold north.

She looked at me and smiled.

~ Looks like nobody in this camp is inclined to answer even the most innocent of my questions. ~

I tried to approach from another angle.

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And what do you like?
t6Dhpqp.png
What do you mean?
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Well, your hobbies?
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Oh... I like nature.

Strange. She's not very talkative today for some reason.

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Nature? I see. Want to become a natural historian?
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More like a normal historian. I was always interested in our nation's history.

This would suit her well indeed.
It appeared that among all the locals she was the only one who had nothing to hide.

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Except, you know, where she comes from and where the camp is. Minor details like that.

~ What if she got here just like me and simply could not trust anyone enough to tell? ~

I tried exploring the ground.

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And why did you choose this camp?
waSvxqy.png
I didn't. My parents got a voucher for me, from their work.

~ Another fail... ~

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Well, if you could choose?
waSvxqy.png
It's nice in here! I don't think I would choose some other place if I could – here it's like you are becoming another person!
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This is going nowhere. Just deliver the cards.

It wasn't how I saw it.

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What do you mean, 'another person'?
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It's just that there's so many possibilities. You can learn so much, meet so many new, interesting people here!

Now she started to sound like our chief, this raised a red flag for me.
I decided to stop with the questions, for now.

When we came back, Olga Dmitrievna told Slavya:

YekwhUr.jpg


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It's ok, we got it.
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Good, good.

Slavya and Olga Dmitrievna went inside.
I was going to follow but someone grabbed my hand.

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Her gaze sent a shiver down my spine. Not a nice one.

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You want something?

I asked carefully.

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You're going to play this stupid game?
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Um... yes? Something wrong with that?
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Nope, nothing.
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Great, sod off now, thanks.

She was turning to leave but then slowly looked back and smiled.

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:negative:
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So you play cards?
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A little.

I couldn't figure out what she wanted.

EemB0AC.jpg


~ As if you're a poker star... ~

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Well, yes. Technically.
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Then you don't have a chance.
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Why?
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Because!
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Can we just go somewhere away from her?
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So you know the rules?
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Of course!
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Well, then you'll have an upper hand.

I couldn't see why would we go on talking and motioned towards the door.

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Why are you keep trying to leave?!
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Because you're obnoxious and annoying?

~ Is there anything else you'd like to talk about? ~

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Let's bet.
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What do you mean?
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You're such a slowpoke! The cards, what else!
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And what do you want to bet on?
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That I'll win!
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That’s quite a possible outcome.

I agreed calmly.

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So, are you afraid?
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No, I'm not... I'm not big on bets when I'm not sure about my chances.
1yFcyDN.png
And you're not big on risking too.

~ Such an observation. I'm impressed. ~

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Can we go now?
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Right, then I...
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No you're not!
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:negative:
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What else?

I sighed in exhaustion.
She started to annoy me with her rubbish talks about some pointless bet.

DCQqPvL.jpg


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What?!
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What you heard!

~ I’d imagine her doing this... ~

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Don't be stupid. Who's gonna believe you? I've been here less than two days, besides...
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Want to try your luck?
MnfQDOr.png
Right... And what will happen if I win?
s8OpRpU.png
I won't tell anything to anyone.
MnfQDOr.png
And if I lose?
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Slowpoke mode again? I'll tell everyone you tried to seduce me, I told you already.
MnfQDOr.png
So, you're telling me now that I have to work to prove that I didn't do something, when I didn't actually do it?
1yFcyDN.png
If that’s what you want it to look like.

Not a simple decision.
On the one hand – it was stupid to agree – I didn't know the rules and gambling wasn't my thing.
On the other hand – she could really turn my life into hell.

~ Then again, can I even trust her? ~
~ She can do it even if I win. ~

1yFcyDN.png
So, you made a decision?

pLWUzfF.jpg


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What?
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Nothing...

Lena hurried inside.

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So?

7ql2RTG.jpg

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Fine. I've had it with your nonsense. IT'S ON, СУКА!

~ I may regret it a hundred times... ~

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Stop being such a wuss.
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Fine, I'll do it!

She smiled.

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But if I'll win...
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Yeah-yeah. All fair, no cheating.

Alisa turned, went up the stairs and inside the canteen.

~ Why am I doing this? ~
~ Because she can set me up regardless, if she wants to? ~
~ Since she decided to anyway. ~

VopEwDR.png
Because if we beat her ass in this card game she may finally leave us alone.

I let out a heavy sigh and followed her through the door.

V9Fpnpp.jpg


Inside everything was ready.
Few pioneers stood here and there chatting.
Tables were moved out of the way to make place for players and spectators.
I looked around.
Something was going on in a far corner.
When I came closer I saw a large piece of paper with a diagram drawn on it.

wXxcNJ2.jpg


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And who came up with all this?

I patted Electronik who was standing near.

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Well of course it was your most humble servant!

He bowed to me jokingly. This made me uncomfortable to the point of squirming.

MnfQDOr.png
And why in the world am I among the players then?

I was disappointed.
Few seconds ago I thought I still had a slim chance to evade this tournament – then I wouldn't have to fear Alisa's revenge for not betting with her.

~ But now this hope was gone. ~

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It was pure fortune.

~ Yeah right, fortune – except for I was already acquainted with every one of the contestants. ~
~ While there were a few dozens of other pioneers standing in the room! ~

I was seized by anxiety.
It's a feeling of being watched, while standing in an empty room with no windows and doors.

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Will there be a prize?

I asked him lazily.
I wanted to distract myself with a pointless conversation.

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Prizes, prizes!
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I heard something about prizes!

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A what? No.
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You'll understand when you grow up!

She made a wry face and jabbed Electronik in his ribs.

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So what about the prize?
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Well... I don't know. It is not up to me.

He made a helpless gesture.

~ Really, if they came up with this stupid game, at least they could give winner a chocolate medal or something. ~

Ulyana suddenly jumped and raced off to a destination.

~ Wish I was this optimistic... ~

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Can we get on with this fucking game already?
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So what about the rules?
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Wait a bit! Not everyone is here yet.

I looked around canteen – Alisa, Slavya, Lena, Miku and Shurik were here.

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It seems like everyone is here...
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Not everyone! Zhenya isn't here!

He feels uneasy? Or is it just me?

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She's not here, so what? Pick someone else instead.
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No, can't do that...

He answered slowly.
I decided not to ask, exactly why can't he do this.

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Well, go fetch her or something, I don't know.

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Camp leader appeared as if from nowhere.

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But Olga Dmitrievna!..

Electronik whined.

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Semyon will go. Right, Semyon?

She looked at me and smiled.

~ Of course, who else?.. ~

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Where is she?
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In the library, I guess.
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Okay...

I dragged my feet towards the door.

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Please hurry!
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Please die.

What's Electronik's problem anyway?

iYballb.jpg


I was going to take my time, so I slowly paced towards the library.

rmAoVk5.jpg


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What are you doing here? Everyone is looking for you!
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Sitting here, as you can see.

She frowned.

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Then let's go!
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I don't want.

She looked away.

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Why?
8HoK7d8.png
I don't want to!

I sat beside her.

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Listen, I don't like the idea of this contest myself, but we can't let everyone down.

I surely didn’t sound like myself there.
A couple of days ago I wouldn't even think about saying something like this.
Zhenya looked at me with surprise in her face.

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So everyone is waiting for me?

~ Exactly what was I talking about? ~

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Yes.
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I won't go anyway.

She frowned and hid her face.

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But why?

I motioned my arms, wondering.

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I don't know how to play cards...
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:retarded:
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So what? Same problem here.
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Then how can you play?
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What, you can only do things that you read about in books or something?
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Of course.
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We are surrounded by retards.

She was surprised.

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And what if you end up in Antarctica and will have to rely on hunting polar bears for survival?
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:retarded:
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Polar bears don't live in Antarctica.

Zhenya smiled.

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Doesn't matter. It's just an example!
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Come on, it's not like someone’s life depends on the result.

She took her time to think.

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I just don't want to let anyone down.
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Right.

I agreed sarcastically.

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And don't you think anything!

I didn't get what she meant but anyway.
Obviously, everyone has their weak spots.

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That whole sequence is such an inane filler. Get to the cards already, I just want to be done with this shit.

Everyone looked at Electronik.

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So...

He cleared his throat.

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Each round consists of one game. In case of a draw, you replay the game. After this, the loser drops out and the next round begins.
mzfFewt.png
Since the number of volunteers...

He looked at me.

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Since the number of players is just eight, we'll have only three rounds. Everything is clear?

The crowd cheered.

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And what are the prizes? The prizes, what are they?
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:negative:
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Ulyana, cut it!

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I won't rest until the prize is mine!

Seemed like this girl alone had enough energy for a warp-jump to Alpha Centauri.

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Prizes-prizes!

She repeated it over and over.

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Stop it.

Slavya tried to reason with her.
Electronik seemed to be developing a case of vertigo from all this running around.

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Let's start already.

I said calmly, and added to Ulyana:

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Or you won't get any prizes.

Looks like my argument went through to her, so she took her place.
Slavya followed her, giving me a grateful smile as she passed.

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:smug:

Pioneers finally settled down.
I approached the table that Lena sat behind.

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You don't mind?

v18ym4r.jpg


MnfQDOr.png
Don't worry, I don't know the rules myself.

~ And how can I be sure that it’s not only 'myself'? ~

I sat down.

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Turns out we'll have to play first round together.
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Yes.

Finally Electronik started to explain the rules.

KEPUhj7.jpg


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There's exactly six of them in front of you!

~ I hope everyone here knows how to count. ~

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Now you can open them.

After everyone had a look at their cards, Electronik moved on.

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The rules here are same as in poker. I hope everyone knows how to play?
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Zhenya obviously does not. But hey, don't let it stop you.

I knew the rules, but wasn't so sure about the others.

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First of all it's a top card, than one pair, than two pairs, then three of a kind... And so on.
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Yeah, that's very helpful for everyone who doesn't know how to play poker.
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In first round you choose a card which you would like to take from your opponent.
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In turn, your opponent can choose to shuffle his cards twice. Or he can choose not to do so, if he doesn’t need the card which you are taking. Take a note here that your opponent can see which cards are trading places.
mzfFewt.png
In the next step, your opponent takes a card he chooses. And so on – I think it's pretty clear.
VopEwDR.png
There may be a more idiotic card game out there, but I don't know it. With these rules this is pure luck deal. The shuffling rule is completely pointless unless you are playing against someone who is blind.

It wasn't too clear to me.
VopEwDR.png
You're an idiot.

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Hey you, Einstein!

Ulyana yelled at him from her table.

sfmFmEM.png
I didn't get a thing!
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You'll figure it out as we go.
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Brilliant idea, figure it as you go in a single elimination tournament.

Electronik went to a table with a diagram, leaving Ulyana to smolder in solitude.

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You go first.

I hoped I could get my mind around the game fast enough.
Lena, perplexed more than usual, reached out for my cards.

qmxxEeo.jpg


EiZPrVc.png
Will you...

~ Oh yeah! I should be protecting my card! ~
~ What was Electronik saying... ~

To try to confuse my opponent I can shuffle two of my cards. Twice.
Or I can choose not to.
Should I protect it or not?
By the way, I can agree and give the card she chose straight away.
Otherwise Lena can change her mind and take another card if she wants to. Or, she might not.

VopEwDR.png
Green arrow is the card that opponent wants. Since we need that king, we have to try and shuffle.
5qE5ohn.jpg

VopEwDR.png
We shuffle King and Two. For some reason Lena switched to Queen.

9ngxDpB.jpg

VopEwDR.png
We switched Queen and Two just because, which wasn't the best idea. Lena switched to our King and took it.

51nFLyg.jpg

VopEwDR.png
Cards taken by the opponent always go to the first free left spot. That means our king is the top left card.

Things were getting clear! Or, at least, comprehensible...

MnfQDOr.png
Now it's my turn.

I can take back my card from her, or I can choose another one.

m6ypaFm.jpg

VopEwDR.png
Let's try to take it back.

Lena can try and protect her card.
But If I watch her closely, I can take the card I choose regardless of movement.

lpQRQfZ.jpg


PPa6McF.jpg

VopEwDR.png
When you select the card, opponent will always shuffle twice. In this case, Lena shuffled some other cards. The card we selected hasn't moved.

Gvu9YeH.jpg

VopEwDR.png
Success. There is no challenge in this game, if you get a good starting hand you are guaranteed to win. AI is too stupid to really matter as well.

I made it!
Electronik who was silently watching our game, nodded in approval.
Looks like now we're getting somewhere.

mzfFewt.png
Now, during the round opponents trade cards three times, keep an eye on each other – penetrate your opponent with your eyes.

I chuckled. 'Penetrate'.

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What's so funny?
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Oh, nevermind.

I tried to keep a straight face.
He stared at me for a moment then moved on.

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And then we open up to see whose cards are better.

Electronik went back to his diagram.

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After tutorial is done, the real thing starts.

XMWBBZ4.jpg

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Our starting hand is pretty solid, all we have to do is to protect the Tens.

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I shuffled 2 and 3. May as well give her lower card.

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Now we have to choose which card to take. Doesn't really matter. We know top left is Two.

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Lena shuffled #2 and $4 and then #2 and #3. Changed my pick to top right.

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Got myself a Queen. Lena wants to take our Nine.

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A bit of shuffling to bait her into taking lower one. First Three with Nine...

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And then Three with Ten, which we can't lose.

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Lena decided to change her pick and took back the Queen.

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Taking back our Two.

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And not trying to defend when she wants to take it.

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Managed to grab a second Jack.

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This game is so stupid.

I won!
Seriously – it's hard to play a game that was made up on the spot – and not by yourself.
But I won!
Although, the moment of glory was embittered by the fact that it was Lena who was the loser.
She wasn’t very confident in general, but now that she lost.

~ I'm too embarrassed to even look at her now. ~

Probably I should have lost to boost her self-esteem.

~ But I have a bet with Alisa... ~

Meanwhile, Electronik proudly announced that the first round is over.

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Semi-final pairs consisted of Alisa vs Zhenya and Ulyanya vs...
Me.
A doomed sigh escaped me.

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Ha!

She glared at me grinning.

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How did you manage to outplay Lena? Cheated, perhaps?
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I'm not you. I just know how to play cards.

~ At least that's what I want her to believe. ~

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And how could you outplay Shurik?
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Ah...

Ulyana waved her hand, showing how easy it was.

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I've threatened him that I'll join his club.

She grinned yet again.

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Would you hold back too?
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Not a chance!
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Ugh...
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Then I'll choose the card to give to you myself!
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Have you heard the rules?
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Ah, screw them!

It looked like she really didn't care.

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Okay, but I would choose the cards to give to you too.
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Deal!

Inspired with a victory in the first round, I've ventured upon this dangerous move.
I could have argued, appeal to Electronik and eventually have my own way, but somehow I felt truly confident on the outcome of this round.
Yes, we were breaking the rules, but we were in the same boat with Ulyana.

I've looked up at Electronik.

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It's time to begin the semi-finals!

He commanded.
I've carefully checked my cards, ensuring that Ulyana couldn't see them.

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With this change in rules, game went from trivial to brainless. Since you can just select which card she will take (she always takes selected) there is absolutely no risk involved.
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Hey! This isn't fair! You must have held back and lost!

She blew her cheeks with grudge and thus resembled Humpty-Dumpty.

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Let's do a rematch, but this time you have to hold back, get it?!

It wasn't only me who heard her but the entire room.
And even Electronik.

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No rematches allowed!

Ulyana completely ignored him.

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You must lose!
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I don't have a slightest intention to play with you for the second time.

Said I calmly.

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Fine, you want it this way?
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Yes, this way.
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Then I'll put the word out that you've sexually harassed Alisa.

She whispered.

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What?!

I've bent over the table and gave her a menacing glare.

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So, you’ve been listening?
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I just heard it while passing by.

Anyway, it's much better to play an extra round than...

~ Certainly she can do this! ~

I've sighed and appealed to Electronik.

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Not a problem, we'll make a quick rematch.
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Ah, whatever...

He shrugged.
So, the rematch has started.

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Banal. Shit. Boring. I turned off my brain.

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Said I and reclined on my seat.

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That's not fair!

~ Hope she won't demand another rematch! ~

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How come?

I chuckled.

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Okay...

Said Ulyana aggrievedly and got up from the table.
I've studied the tournament scheme closely, trying to understand who's going to be my final rival.

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I've pulled a dumb feigned smile.

~ Like I'm afraid of her! ~

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Congratulations.
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Expecting to win?
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I'm expecting that you'll keep your promise.
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Ok, let's roll!

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Looks like our luck ran out. That's a shit hand. Let's try to protect our ace, at best we can win with top card.

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:smug:

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Hope we will get lucky with this. She decided to shuffle #1 and #5 (which we selected) and then #1 and #2.

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Got Nine, which we needed for a pair. Now we have to protect it.

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She shuffled #5 and #6 and then #4 and #5.
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At this point I just want to prevent her from getting high cards.

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She shuffled #6 and #7, then #4 and #6.
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Up yours.
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~ That means that betting with her wasn’t a waste! ~

Now the only thing left is to hope that she will not spread these false gossips because of her loss.

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To tell the truth, I do not really know how to swim but the possibility of diving into the cool water under the moonlight seemed attractive.
After all, I spent the whole yesterday in my winter clothes and surely you could nicely squeeze the sweat out of me.

~ If I only knew I would take my swimming trunks along. ~

Usually it was enough for me to swim for 15-20 meters but this time the euphoria of my victory spurred me on to breaking this record.

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15-20 meters? That's fine, if you're like 7.

I swam slowly and with tact, watching every move of my arms and legs and keeping my breath steady.

- SMACK -

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I started to drown but still forced myself to jump out and grab the nearby buoy.

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:negative:
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What the hell are you doing?!
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What am I doing? Hailing the winner.
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And what if I’d start drowning!?
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Well, I'd save you.
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Hmph, of course...

It was simply dangerous to stay here, she could easily sink me again. I gathered all my strength and swam to the shore.

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You know, you swim well!

~ Wouldn’t say so. ~

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Yeah, you too.
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Well, wasn’t that obvious!?

I said nothing.

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You won twice against me today. That means I will forget two of your debts.

~ What kind of debts is she talking about? ~

It looked like Alisa had a problem with evaluating the reality.

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Thanks a lot ...

I said sarcastically.

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You know, you're not such a loser as I thought...

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Well, taking all drawbacks of her character this advantage of hers couldn’t be taken away.

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Since when did I become a loser?

She smiled cunningly.

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What’s wrong? Aren’t you one?
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Of course not!
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And how will you prove it?
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I am not going to prove anything!
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Oh! So that is it?

She said without any anger.

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Yes, that’s it...

The silence was to be expected.

Light wind gently played with waves, sending them to the shore and taking them back after.
Alisa was still looking through me as if, it seemed, she completely forgot about my presence.

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Hey, Earth to Alisa!

Her lost look imediatelly switched to the normal one.

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Anyway, bye-bye.

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...

It was late but I decided to spend a little bit more time laying on my back and stargazing.

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Or I simply tried to avoid every opportunity.

~ Well, if we think about it, the light from faraway stars reaches us only after millions of years... ~
~ Right now I can see the star because it shined back then, long in the past. ~
~ And now this star is gone, already exploded... ~
~ Wait a minute! She took my clothes too! ~

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No doubt, Alisa took my pioneer uniform.

~ Damn it! ~

I was just starting to think that she is not so spoiled...

~ I need to come up with an idea quickly. ~
~ Certainly I could go and complain to Olga Dmitrievna but not in my wet underpants... ~

I did not know in which cabin Alisa lives ether.

~ And knocking on every door is certainly not a good idea. ~
~ Maybe I should go to Slavya? ~
~ Yes, of course – at night wearing my underpants... The only missing piece is a rose in my teeth! ~

Overall it looks like I am screwed!
In any case I have to do something.
I was lucky not so much time had past since she left, so I could still catch up with Alisa...

... hurry up!

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She had already changed.

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Give it back!
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Yeah sure, take it ...

She with a tone of guilt and handed back my uniform.

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...
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Don't you think I was waiting for you on purpose or anything like that...

Alisa turned back and set off to the cabins at easy pace.
I kept standing riveted to the ground.
I didn’t expect such a twist.

~ Guilt did its job, perhaps... ~
~ Fat chance... ~
~ Anyway, it's better to keep off her. And the recent events do not change a thing. ~

I headed to Olga Dmitrievna's cabin.

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There was no light in the window, so Olga Dmitrievna must’ve been sleeping already.

~ Strangely enough, she waited for me yesterday. ~

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~ When you think about it, my situation haven't got any clearer today. ~
~ In fact, I've spent whole day doing useless stuff; I would have never even thought about doing something like this in the real world. ~
~ Although I had plenty of time. ~
~ How much time would I have here in total is still a mystery. ~
~ Maybe an eternity, or maybe there are few minutes left only. ~

I just didn't want to think about the past, about how I got into this camp.
For the first time in a long while I felt really tired – not only emotionally tired, but also physically tired, psychologically tired and god-knows-how-else tired...
I just wanted everyone and everything to bugger off – starting with my own thoughts. I wanted this mess to somehow resolve by itself.
Or at least without my active participation.

~ And what if I’m stuck here forever? ~
~ Then I'll have to get used to it... ~
~ So, just like that?.. I... I'm not ready... Ahem... ~

My consciousness slowly flew away from me and it progressively became harder to concentrate on something distinct.

~ Perhaps it's better to wait until tomorrow... ~

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Last edited:

Idiott

Arcane
Joined
Mar 4, 2011
Messages
490
Location
Potatoland
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It happens to me all the time: you see incredibly lucid images in your dream, as if you fell into a Hollywood blockbuster with a plot full of twists, well-paid actors and multi-million dollar visual effects. And then you wake in the morning without remembering a thing.
That's what I was trying to do – to restore the images shown by my relaxed brain. But this part of memory was empty – either archived, or formatted at all.

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~ I seem to be an early bird today. ~

Olga Dmitrievna was still sleeping, wrapping tightly in her blanket.

~ Wrapping so tightly?.. In a hot summer?.. Humph... ~

I got up, stretched, came to the mirror to have a look at myself.

~ I better shave. ~

Strange idea. Before 2 times a month was enough, but now nothing depends on the way I look
I haven't found a razor anyway.

~ Why do I even need it – if I look like I'm seventeen at most? ~
~ So... Breakfast can't start earlier than 9 a.m., and this means I have plenty of time. ~

Which I can spend in walking and washing, for example.

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Vice versa – its cute coolness helped me to brace up and to come back to reality (whether all these events could be called real).
The tooth powder didn't seem to be such an outdated thing. A quick thought has struck me that it’s not that different from toothpaste.

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She was standing in front of the mirror and fixing her hair.

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Good morning, Semyon!
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Morning.

Because of lack of sleep, my head was still singing, and the thoughts were all jumbled together. However I didn't regret waking up instead of usual sleeping two or three hours more.

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How come you got up so early?
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Just happened...
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And no neckerchief once again. Let me...
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I'll do it myself, not a big deal... on my way to the canteen.
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I don't think so, do it now! Did you forget about the lineup before the breakfast?

~ How could I ever forget? ~

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And what's the lineup going to be about today?
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We'll discuss the agenda for the day.
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So what’s the agenda?

Frankly speaking, I didn't care for what might be on the agenda for our courageous pioneer troop. I was mostly interested in where our brave leader will lead our little pioneer army for the following 12-15 hours – maybe I will manage to avoid enemy dislocations.

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She gave me a wily smile.

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Olga Dmitrievna, you know, my stomach is getting upset – I'd rather... Well, you know...
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I believe that's ok to miss the lineup once. It would get all nasty if I failed to control it right there...

~ Where did all this courage come from?.. ~

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You have five more minutes.
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I'm afraid I need more time. Could you tell me right now, please.
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Oh, fine! On our list for today is cleaning the camp locations, organizing the books in the library, some other minor tasks. And, of course, we have a dance party in the evening.
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Watch yourself! You must take part in the camp activities today!

~ You bet! ~

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Definitely! And now I'd rather...
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Come on, hit the road!

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Actually, I didn't have any particular reason to behave this way.
But the voice within me kept telling that I have nothing to do at the lineup.

...

After the camp leader left, I went back to the cabin and decided to wait for breakfast there.

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~ Cleaning and organizing – that's not what someone in my situation should be doing. ~

Two days have passed, and I'm still there where I started.
All tenants seemed to be perfectly ordinary people. They weren't involved in any conspiracy, weren’t communicating with aliens and had no idea about time warps.
Of course, each of them is a bit peculiar. But these peculiarities do not step out of line at all.
Moreover, having met any of these pioneers in my familiar world, I wouldn't suspect anything wrong.
They seemed to be even more normal and natural than, let's say, my very self.
This line of reasoning was quite logical, the illogical part was the absence of answers.

~ Ordinary people in a non-ordinary place. ~
~ I've heard and have seen that already, somewhere... ~
~ Dozens of pioneers (or even more) live their familiar lives and do their regular stuff day by day. They don't understand that the world around them is not what it looks like. ~
~ Okay. But this is their point of view. As for me, I'm not acquainted with both the world of 'Sovionok' camp and its tenants. Even if they seem to behave the way normal people would under the same circumstances. ~
~ I have to decide here and now – are those people involved in what's happening to me? ~

~ Can they give me any answers? ~
~ Or I have to seek the truth somewhere else. ~

...

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Or even inside the canteen.
Probably, most of them had their breakfast before 9 a.m.

~ That's even better. Two is company; three is a crowd. ~

Lena was sitting in the farthest corner of the canteen, lazily picking with her fork an amorphic lump that vaguely resembled porridge.
Having a breakfast with her seems like a good idea. We can have a chat in peace.

~ Or at least try to have one. ~

I was on the way to her table when suddenly somebody grabbed me by the sleeve.

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Take your meal and come. We need to talk.
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...
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What are you waiting for?

I was a bit confused.

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Pardon, isn't it a bit too... sudden?
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What's wrong? Take your meal and sit down.

I suppose that she judges her behaviour as something completely normal.

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Nope.

I was sure that Lena won't mind if I sit next to her.

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Hold on! Wait a second!
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Go be nazi somewhere else.
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Sorry. Maybe, later.

I gently loosened my sleeve from her grip and headed to the farthest corner of the canteen.
Zhenya was shouting something my direction, but I tried to ignore her.

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Having heard the librarian shouting, Lena was stealing glances at me for a while.

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Morning...

Strangely enough, she didn't blush, but smiled instead.

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Would you mind if I join you? I'll take the meal and get back in no time.
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Yes, sure.

...

In a minute I was already sitting in front of her with a simple set of plates on the tray: porridge, 2 poached eggs, 4 pieces of wheat bread, a boiled sausage, a glass of kompot, made of unknown fruits and berries.

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Have a nice meal!
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Thanks.

I was trying to eat as neatly as I could – no chomping, smearing the food or pouring the kompot over myself.
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You have to -try- to not eat like a pig?

~ Seems like eating like a human and not like a hog was not that hard at all. ~

As usual, Lena remained silent, that means I should start a talk.

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Going to disco tonight?
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Probably...

She kept silence for a while.

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And you?
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I don't know yet...

Though I didn’t want to go there at all.
I didn't like disco parties since my school days...

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Why so?
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What do you mean?

My mind was still far away, in my school times.

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Why don’t you want to go?
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I didn’t say I don’t want to...
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Okay then.
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But if you’re inviting me...

Lena turned red and looked away.

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Uhm, I don't really...
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Sorry, just kidding.

I felt confused. It was better not to joke that way.

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Fine.

Indifferently said Lena and focused on her food, while her face turned even more red.

~ Why do I stuck on this disco as if we have nothing more to talk about! But wait! Is there actually anything... ~

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By the way, maybe you know what Zhenya wanted to ask me?
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Who cares?
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Huh?
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I mean, when I just came in... she wanted something from me.
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I don't know...
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I see.

The conversation reached dead end and so I tried to seem fully focused on my meal.
Lena had finished her breakfast first.

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I should go. See you later!
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See you!

I was finishing chewing on the sausage, tasted like a twisted-pair cable.
I wonder if they have an internet access here?

~ Guess, no. ~

A pioneer sitting at the other table has noticed me talking to myself and stared at me. I smiled and waved to him in return.
After such a friendly greeting he, for some reason, left the canteen quickly without finishing his breakfast.

~ Done with the food – it's time to search for some clues. ~

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~ I have nothing to do in that place. ~

Though the nurse seemed quite caring, it's better to keep the distance from her.

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WHAT?

Such benevolence is actually scary!
She may know something, but I had no courage to just enter the infirmary.

~ Moreover, I had no motive. Not a single one. ~

Immersed in my own thoughts, I didn't notice the nurse, who was standing at the porch.

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HELLOOOOOO NURSE!

She came closer.

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You must be sick, came for medicine?
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No, no... I... was just wandering around...
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Oh, the truant I see.
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But if you're here, I have a serious task for you.

I gave her a look of inquiry.
The word 'task' made me feel uneasy, it sounded like something inevitable.
The nurse smiled spitefully.

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You both will help me to make the inventory of the supplied medicine, which arrived today.

~ Both? Who are we? Perhaps, I misheard. ~
~ But what word can be confused with 'both'? ~

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Lena emerged from the nurse’s back.
Seemed strange that I haven’t noticed her until now.

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Come here after dinner. I had explained everything to Lena, she will tell you what to do.

~ Medicine, huh? Supplied today? ~
~ But Olga Dmitrievna told me that no bus will arrive in the next couple of days. ~

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Obviously, bus is the vehicle best suited to transport medicine
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So, there were visitors in our camp today?
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Yes, they arrived from the city this morning. Why are you asking?
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Just curious...
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Alright then... pioneer! So tonight, after dinner, you'll be here!
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Maybe I...

Lena was barely noticeable this whole time.
Surely, she's able to keep invisibility like a skilled ninja.

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I could do it on my own.

Strange, she seemed more spirited during the lunch.

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No way! There are lots of boxes.
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And the pioneer is always ready! Isn’t it so... pioneer?
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:bounce:

She gazed at me and smiled menacingly.
I don't want to spend whole evening doing something like this, also I’ve got more important things to do.
But rejecting this request would be really improper.
If it wasn’t Lena who’s standing here, I would definitely think my way out.

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Meh. May as well agree and bail later if possible. Spending whole evening with Lena doesn't seem very exciting.

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Nicely! That's how a true pioneer should answer!

Even after these words I hardly came a step closer to 'Be prepared! Always prepared!' motto.

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Then, you can go.

I looked at Lena, who was still staring sill at the ground.
I guess all that time she was staring at the ground was enough to learn everything there is to know about life and habits of different insects.
Plus, Lena likes to read, so she probably read many biological, botanical and so on books.

~ Perhaps, she wants to become an entomologist? ~

...

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Lena’s words drew me away from the obscure thoughts.
We'd been standing at the square for some time, and my speculations about bugs’ life were only an attempt to escape this awkward situation.

~ Though, why did I see it awkward? ~

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Just do not forget, alright?
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Do not forget what?
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Well... Tonight, after dinner... At the infirmary...

Her face got a slight grumpy feel to it.

~ No way, that's impossible! ~

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Alright, alright! Right after dinner I'm at your service.

I'd bethought too late – after my words Lena blushed harder.
I need to find the way to ease this situation.

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Why did the nurse ask you to do it?
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I don't know. I was just sitting at the bench and reading a book, when she came and...

~ It's smart to ask a failsafe person, who would never say no. ~

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Okay. Well then, after dinner...
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Okay. I'll go then
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Yes, sure!

She walked off somewhere aside the clubs, and I just stood at the square for some time.

~ So, what's next? ~

I decided to visit my cabin, in order to collect my phone.

~ Don’t know where I'll find myself today, but having a watch is always useful! ~
~ Though having a wrist watch is much easier. ~

Suddenly I heard a different tune, which was coming through the usual noise of this camp.
I listened to it carefully. Sounds like an electric guitar.
Three repeating chords, no more.
But this melody still was somehow 'warmer', as if vacuum tube-based audio amplifier was used.

~ Could there be such a luxury here? ~

Definitely, the sound was coming somewhere from the stage area.

~ I wonder, who could that be? ~

sWd82YD.jpg

VopEwDR.png
I guess it won't hurt to check it out, better than wandering around aimlessly at least. Even if it's Miku.

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I couldn't recognize the melody but I was pretty sure that I've heard it before.

~ Probably something from of the Soviet rock. ~

I could have named a dozen of bands in this genre right off the bat but I was hardly an expert.
Song seemed really simple, literally a three-chord progression.
Probably even I could have played it given some time to practice.

~ I wonder where did Alisa get her playing skills? ~

VopEwDR.png
She didn't exactly appear as a musical one so far too. Wasn't expecting that.

In USSR such music had never been nationally acclaimed.
The future rock star wasn't taking any notice of me.
It was like she was trying to become one with the music, to resound in every note, in every bar, in every triplet.
Rock-heroes of the eighties instantly came to my mind – many of them were devoted to the music in much similar way.

~ If she gets dressed into something more suitable for that period's fashion instead of pioneer uniform, no one would notice the difference. ~

Her performance was coming to an end.
Picking up a couple of last chords, Alice has finally noticed me.

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Did you like it?

She doesn’t seems as surprised as I would have expected.

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Yeah, that was cool.
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As if you can do it better!

Smiled Alisa slyly.

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I'm not saying that I can do it better. I'm not a pro in music.
1yFcyDN.png
No doubt.
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Yep.

I didn't know what to tell her next and was on my way.

gbDdbuW.png
Wait a minute.
MnfQDOr.png
What?
gbDdbuW.png
Heard of the evening disco party?
MnfQDOr.png
I thought it was just dancing...
aoSMgfo.png
Disco or dance – what's the difference?

She frowned.

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Yes, I did, and so what?
1yFcyDN.png
Are you going to come?

With these words thrown, she turned away.

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I'm not sure... And you?
s8OpRpU.png
What am I going to do there? Watch a herd of morons?
VopEwDR.png
We've been doing that for the last three days.

There was some truth in Alisa's words, but this scenic disrespect surprised me.
It's clear that it's not the idea of disco parties that she hates.

MnfQDOr.png
But why?
1yFcyDN.png
What do you mean by 'why'?
MnfQDOr.png
Well, why don't you want to come? Disco parties ought to be fun...
aoSMgfo.png
Do you really think so?

Annoyance flashed in her voice.

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Don’t know. But I thought that you would...
1yFcyDN.png
Never liked them.

She interrupted me.

aoSMgfo.png
Absolutely nothing to do at such parties!
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I wonder why, with her awesome personality.
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I see... So what’s you plan then?

I asked just to keep a conversation.

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Just will move on with practicing.
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What are you practicing?
hKciUVt.png
The song, silly ass! You've even heard it!

Alisa had gone totally mad. A few more wrong questions – and I will have to run for my life.

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Who wrote this song?
aoSMgfo.png
I did!
MnfQDOr.png
So, you've written it by yourself?
aoSMgfo.png
By myself!
MnfQDOr.png
Cool...

An awkward silence hung in the air.

MnfQDOr.png
Okay then...
VopEwDR.png
Finally.
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Don't you wanna listen?
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Didn’t I just hear it?
8rAPhnj.png
That's not what I meant!

She pouted.

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The whole song! It’s just a jam for now.
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Ah... Come on, do it then...
s8OpRpU.png
Not right now.
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Do not do it then...

I felt uncertain about what she wanted from me.

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You are such a moron.
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You mean you don’t want me to play.

~ Seems like frustrated her. ~

I got ready for a guitar smash on the forehead or something even worse.
But there was only an upset expression over Alisa's face.

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I want to – I've told you.
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Come here tonight then – I'll play it for you.

~ 'For me'? How cute. ~

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Tonight is a dance party.
aoSMgfo.png
You said that you won't go there!

~ I didn't say that... ~

Frankly speaking, I didn't want to go, but messing up with DvaCheh was no good either.

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Olga Dmitrievna won't get it...
hKciUVt.png
Screw her!

Said Alisa, getting up steam.

Pm9HglD.jpg

VopEwDR.png
Ah, what the hell. Let's just agree so we have more options later.

Between a shame at the dance party and Dvachevskaya's mad guitar skills I'd rather pick the last.

s8OpRpU.png
Good boy.

She smiled strange.
I was just thinking if the decision I made was a right one when suddenly I was interrupted by the ringing, calling the pioneers for lunch.
I looked towards the canteen.

~ I suppose, it's time to go – hunger is a sharp thorn. ~

I turned around with an intent to call Alisa to come along.
But she looked so cheerless and down.

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Every musician should know when it's time to leave.

I grumbled under my breath.

...

aLKGXSz.jpg


Pioneers in a lot usually marched to the canteen in 'Sovionok' camp.
I was looking for a place where no one would disturb me, just like it happened before.

~ Just so I can eat in peace! ~

And for that I have to be at least not the last one to come.

~ But I was pretty sure: whatever happens here, happens whether I want it or not. ~

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Well, Semyon, were you working hard today?
MnfQDOr.png
Hard enough.
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Well done, truly well done! And the hardest is yet to come!

~ You bet... ~

G31PX5e.png
Fine, take a seat next to the girls.

She pointed at the table next to the pillar. Slavya, Ulyana and Lena were already sitting there.

~ Not a bad company. At least, not the worst one... ~

I took the meal and came up to them.

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I caught myself sounding a bit scenic. There were no other free places anyway.

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Yes, of course!
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Please do.
Lena remained silent.

Today the meal consisted of a plate of borscht (I suspected some meat to be lurking in it, but I had no evidence of that), some poultry (chances are 'chickenus domesticus') with fried potatoes and a traditional glass of kompot.
I found myself liking the local food more and more.
I guess I just came to a conclusion that I have no other choice. Which means that there's no use in complaining.

~ Thank God there’s something to eat. ~

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Coming to the dance party tonight?
MnfQDOr.png
I don't know.

~ Though I already had my arrangements with Alisa... ~

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He'll come! He got nowhere to go!

Ulyana said happily.

MnfQDOr.png
You will come for sure...
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Of course! I can't miss the opportunity to watch you make a fool of yourself.

She got it right so I've decided not to reply.

MnfQDOr.png
And what about you?

I asked Lena.

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Yes...

She replied briefly.

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Wait, weren't you supposed to sort medicine? Or are you planning to sort them after the party?
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See? You should go too then.

Said Slavya as if leaving me no choice.

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Don't forget to put your tailcoat on.

Apparently Ulyana was so pleased with her joke that she laughed out loud.
But I really had nothing to wear.
My wardrobe was just a pioneer uniform and winter clothes, which would be inappropriate even in the evening.

MnfQDOr.png
And what will you be dressed in, entertainer?
iOjLjjf.png
Se-cret!
MnfQDOr.png
Will it be a little dress just like in kindergarten's matinee?

Ulyana have turned red – looks like I managed to offend her.

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No, I will wear a biohazard suit! Just so I don’t get any infection from you!
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I wonder what kind of infection are you planing to get from me?
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Enough, you guys! Don't quarrel!
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Imbecility, of course!

Looks like Ulyana was highly pleased with her, as she thought, brilliant answer again.

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You know, if you already have a flu you can't catch a cold.

It’s a game for two.

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What are you implying?
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Oh nothing, nothing at all...

I looked away slyly.

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Do you mean that?..

She got red again.

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I don't mean anything.
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Guys...

Given that it was Lena who interfered, probably it was really time to stop.

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You'll get what you’re asking for!
MnfQDOr.png
What? You'll finally grow wiser?

Instead of replying, Ulyana grabbed her plate filled with borscht and toppled it over my head.
This game met an unexpected finale...

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Oh, you little...

She jumped up and tried to run away.

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~ Em, and now what? I can’t just smash her head against the table! ~

This mime show lasted a few seconds.
Suddenly, Ulyana skillfully grabbed a glass full of compote and splashed it in my face.
That way she managed to get my hand off her.
She dashed off to the counter, and I chased her.
This resulted in several flipped tables, a pile of smashed tableware, five crippled pioneers with various injuries and full exhaustion of both parties.

~ A draw, sort of. ~
~ A belligerent draw. With too much of belligerence. ~

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And this is a guy in his mid-20s.

We stood before each other and breathed heavily.

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Tell me you won't behave this way again!
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And you?!

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When you look down on it, such a riot couldn’t be unnoticed.

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Well, are you satisfied with yourself now?

Her voice appeared to be calm, but I was sure she was just about to explode.

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And who's gonna clean up all this mess?!

Exactly what happened.

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Who, I'm asking you, who?!
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Him!

Replied Ulyana with full confidence.

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Her!

I objected less confidently.

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Both!

The camp leader has given a quietus to this still ongoing argument.
Generally, I wasn't sure that my share of the blame is more than hers.
Although Ulyana didn’t have a drop of guilt on her face.

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Beat it! I am not cleaning! Ain't nobody got time for that! This is his fault! He started first!
MnfQDOr.png
No, it isn't!
EsOfdBr.png
Oh yes, it is!
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I’m not going to sort out all that nonsense!
DcPXZTm.png
Semyon, go grab a mop, a bucket, some cloth, you know, that kind of stuff in the closet, and you!!!

She looked at Ulyana with such a burning gaze, that I felt bit sorry for the girl.

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Bj7V6PQ.png
Start to collect the broken tableware immediately!

Olga Dmitrievna took a deep breath and continued:

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You're nothing but a trouble! How many times have I told you...

I've decided to skip the lecture and went to the closet that appeared to be near the exit.
Suddenly a perfect idea flashed in my head – why don't I just run away?

Sure, Olga Dmitrievna has caught us already, but I'm not the one to blame.
Of course, I'm not that true pioneer she keeps talking about, but in comparison to Ulyana...
Anyway, she's the principal culprit.

~ It's not like I have nothing better to do than cleaning up the mess here. I have to seek the answers! ~

'The truth is out there' somehow flashed through my mind.

SyiFMEi.jpg

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As the girl said, ain't nobody got time for that :smug:

The solution came out of thin air.
While Olga Dmitreivna was scolding Ulyana, I've sneaked up to the exit, thank goodness it was nearby.
Getting outside, I've hesitated for a few moments and ran into Electronik.

G6v6JFm.jpg


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Where's the fire?
MnfQDOr.png
Fire?.. My shuttle is leaving in ten minutes.
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What? Hey, wait!

Electronik's words hung in the air behind me.

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MnfQDOr.png
It's definitely not the best place to hide.

Indeed, in the state of stress or fatigue, I frequently start talking to myself.
Well, not really talking but rather mumbling under my breath.
It helps me to concentrate and find the right solution quickly.

MnfQDOr.png
Ok, where to next? Where should I go?..

The best place would be the one with the least amount of people.

~ Consequently, my way lies to the woods. ~

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~ That was one hell of a getaway! ~
~ Hope that will teach Ulyana to behave! Indeed, she's not a child anymore! ~
~ Well, sad but true... Not a child anymore... ~

Now, a thought crossed my mind: I might have sort of mishandled the whole situation.

VopEwDR.png
'Sort of' :lol:

~ A fair share of broken tableware is on my account. ~
~ Moreover, one might mention that I didn't have to engage into this mess at the beginning. ~

It got me thinking.

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How's the weather?

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~ How does she managed to sneak up unnoticed? Thank goodness, it's not Olga Dmitrievna. ~

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Fine...

That were the only words I've managed to squeeze out of myself.

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I just thought I'll find you here.
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Why?
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I'm not sure, it's just...

She looked up at the sky.

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There are less people around here.

~ Does Slavya really think I have some sort of a social phobia?! Thinking twice, she actually has a reason to think so. ~

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And what are you... doing here?
Fa3yyEl.png
Looking for you.

She smiled again, but this time her smile looked a bit different. A little friendlier, I guess.

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Me? Why?
t6Dhpqp.png
Can’t you guess?

I braced and prepared for a harsh lecture.

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I understand that you're guilty to a lesser degree than Ulyana.

~ It is the camp leader's assistant defending me! I felt even more pathetic. ~
~ Damn, get serious, we're not playing bad cop / good cop here! ~

t6Dhpqp.png
But granted that you aren't gonna help her, you will help me.

Saying that, Slavya looked up at the sky yet again.

~ I wonder what is she looking for in there? ~

MnfQDOr.png
And what do I need to do?
waSvxqy.png
We have to reorganize the books in the library.

It's way better than disciplinary enslavement together with Ulyana. And anyway, it was an offer I couldn't refuse.

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I'm all at your service, mademoiselle. Or madam?
VopEwDR.png
M'lady~

She laughed.

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Then follow me, monsieur!

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All the way I kept looking around in fear of meeting Olga Dmitrievna.
It looks like Slavya didn't notice my anxiety.

~ And still, it's quite odd that she hasn't scolded me. ~

Well, if we are to continue our analogy, Slavya is definitely a good cop.

cWniGrG.jpg


This is a special library dust with its distinctive smell that you can never confuse with anything.
These microscopic pieces of moribund collected works of Marxism-Leninism classics.

~ That's interesting, does the dust near the fiction shelf smell alike to the dust near the books on physics and chemistry? ~

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You start with those rows.

Slavya pointed at the bookshelf near the Lenin's sculpted head.

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Okay but what exactly do I have to do?
waSvxqy.png
Just remove the books from the shelves and put them on the floor. We'll dust them and then we'll put them back.

By looking at all this dust, reading is barely a pioneers' favourite activity.

MnfQDOr.png
Any idea where Zhenya might be?
waSvxqy.png
Don’t know, she probably went somewhere.

~ Strange. ~
~ It appears that there are just two places in the world where one can meet Zhenya – library and the canteen. ~

I got into gear.
I guess I've never held so many books in my hands simultaneously in my entire life.
Anyway, I'm much more used to reading from a computer's screen or a tablet.
Firstly, there is no need in paying for electronic books, and secondly, you cannot find everything in printed form.

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How is it going?

Asked Slavya, standing behind the bookshelves.

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It's ok, goes on little by little.
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Have you read anything from that?
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From what?
MnfQDOr.png
Well, about communism...
waSvxqy.png
Nah, I'm kinda more into historical books. And adventures.
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Me too...

Well, historical literature wasn't exactly my favourite, but the class struggle under socialism was definitely was no match for it!

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Hey, don't take grudge for Ulyana.
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I don’t...

Indeed, I felt that my ego mostly recovered from the incident at the canteen. Besides, I managed to clean myself from the lunch leftovers in a forest lake.

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It's not like she's doing all that out of spite.
MnfQDOr.png
Out of spite or not, but one should think through his own actions! Ah, whatever...

I kept moving around dozens of books written by people totally unknown to me.

~ I'm gonna forget who they are in a minute, and I'll never get to know what they were writing about. ~
~ That is a doom of many writers – to become a forsaken set of letters in a hard cover on a bookshelf in a library of a non-existent pioneer camp’s reality. ~

waSvxqy.png
Have you finished?
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Yeah, I think so.
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Me too. Okay, let's do it this way, I'll be wiping them up and you will be putting them back on the shelves.
MnfQDOr.png
But I don't remmember in what order they were placed before.
waSvxqy.png
It's okay. Nobody reads them anyway.

~ It looks like she has a smile for every occasion. ~

Only a couple of times I've managed to notice slight differences, shades of emotions in that smile – joy, happiness, sadness...
But these shades were so evanescent, I wasn't really sure that I'm not imagining things.
This time her smile looked a little flirty.

MnfQDOr.png
Yeah, probably. At least, I wouldn't be reading this stuff.

Slavya was wiping the covers with a damp cloth, and I was putting the books back on the shelf.
We were a good team – our job was almost done.

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Why didn't you take anything from the upper shelves?
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Upper shelves?

I've looked up.

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Sorry, haven’t noticed them.
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It's alright.
MnfQDOr.png
Wait a moment! I'll bring the chair.

Even with my rather considerable stature, I won't be able to get them.
I stood on the chair and proceeded with removing the books from the shelves and passing them to Slavya.
After a while, there was only about a dozen books left at the farthest end of the shelf.
It looked to me that it won't be hard to reach out.
I always felt like taking a larger bite than biting twice. And doing that bite without moving the chair under me...
Became the fatal error...

- THUMP -

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VopEwDR.png
7b6o5tQ.jpg

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Are you... Did I... Are you alive?!

I got a fright of my life.

~ Even if I'm only 17 now, falling down from a chair on a girl is something else! ~

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I'm fine.

Her face was only an inch away from mine.

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Anything broken?
nDpULtG.png
Don’t think so.
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You'd become a rather bad stuntsman.

She laughed.

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You bet.

I've looked into her eyes. Just looked.
I wasn't sure what should I say... And Slavya either hesitated too or just let me take the lead.

~ At this rate something might happen... ~
~ Her lips were so close to mine! ~

VopEwDR.png
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The natural desire started to awake in my body, but was it right?
I had an desire to stand up, but was unable to do it.
Slavya's was just lying in silence and looking me straight into the eyes.
All of a sudden, I noticed the bell sound on the edge of hearing.

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It's dinner time.
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Yeah...
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Shall we go? Or shall we lie some more?

She smiled again and this time her smile seemed foxy to me, as if she was hinting something.

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Let's go...
VopEwDR.png
TFjKlVt.jpg


I haven't moved an inch.

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Well, to get going, you got to get up first.
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Obviously...

It felt like some invisible force was holding me in place.
Slavya seemed to recognize that, and carefully slipped out from under me.

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9ULySEj.jpg

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Are you going to stay there?

She laughed.
At that point I finally came to my senses and stood up.

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I'm sorry...
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That's ok.
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But we haven't finished it all. We'll have to clean up the rest later.
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Yeah, sure.

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Slavya rambled on about her slice of life in the camp, but given that it was indeed a monologue, I wasn't paying much attention.

8CFkZ19.jpg


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Don't you want to explain anything to me, young man?

Now I remember that I've forgotten something...

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Nope...
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How was your cleaning duty?
MnfQDOr.png
Eh, good enough...
VopEwDR.png
It was terrible.
Bj7V6PQ.png
Yet Ulyana told me that it wasn’t.
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That's all her fault!
Bj7V6PQ.png
And what did I tell you?
Bj7V6PQ.png
I ordered to clean it up together! And what were you doing?!

I didn't know what to say, as deep down I knew that she's right.

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Don't blame him! Semyon was helping me at the library.
Bj7V6PQ.png
Oh, really?
FhZThlh.png
Yeah!
DcPXZTm.png
Well, it's all great and stuff but... To cut a long story short, you won't get a dinner tonight!
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How is that?! Why?!

I protested.
However, my protest looked more like a demand for a refill at the prison mess hall – bold and daring, but still stupid and counterproductive.

DcPXZTm.png
Hope that will teach you a lesson!

At this instant, Olga Dmitrievna looked more like an ancient Roman legionnaire commander than a tiny pioneer camp leader.
I had no idea how to object her.

FhZThlh.png
Forgive him! And take me as a responsible one!

Camp leader took her time to think it over.

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Alright, if so!
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Thanks!
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Thanks...

ZIpenzf.jpg


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Well, I'm gonna join the girls, we had a prior arrangement. Take care!

She smiled and waved her goodbyes.
Seriously, where would I be without her!?
There were no free places near Slavya, and, besides, I wasn't introduced to her friends.

It seemed that I will have to share a dinner table with Electronik and Shurik.
There were no more places to sit.

JwWpr0t.jpg


Every time I had to deal with them, I was getting an itching desire to tease them or at least to drop something cheeky or cocky.
It might be too risky to behave myself that way, but electronic brothers were my primary source of positive emotions.

MnfQDOr.png
How are you doing?
mzfFewt.png
Fine. What about you?
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Hits and misses.
GKr0nQY.png
Has anything happened?
MnfQDOr.png
Lots of stuff.
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Mind sharing?
MnfQDOr.png
Nah, some other time maybe.
GKr0nQY.png
As you wish.

He made a helpless gesture.

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We are going to the disco after dinner!

Electronik giggled.

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I know that.
mzfFewt.png
Who would you want to ask out?
MnfQDOr.png
I haven't thought about it yet. What about you?
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I... Well, I...

It seemed that this question caught him off guard.

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Ask Ulyana. That would make her happy.
pZrBOLk.png
No, thanks!

Electronik furiously waved his hands.

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And you, Shurik, gotta ask Alisa out.
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Thanks, I'd rather abstain.

He looked calmer than his mate.

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Oh, come on, guys, it would be fun!
pZrBOLk.png
And in any case... We've got things to do! We still have to finish the robot!
MnfQDOr.png
Oh, that's a marvelous idea! Ask out your robot! Can it dance?
JL37Bq3.png
It can't even walk yet.

Shurik probably missed the point completely.

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Why, it would be a great demonstration of our achievements in front of the camp!
GKr0nQY.png
And what would we show to them?
mzfFewt.png
Yeah, you're right...

They both stared at the plates disappointingly.

...
...
...

2V6jhyt.jpg

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I asked Shurik and Electronik.

mzfFewt.png
We don't have anything special to wear. We'll go as we are.

He pointed at his pioneer uniform.

~ They don't seem to care about their appearance at all. ~
~ Why should I care then! ~
~ Wearing winter clothes is not an option, so I'll go just like that. ~

MnfQDOr.png
When does it start?
mzfFewt.png
After nine o'clock.
MnfQDOr.png
Got it.

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I remembered those rare discos I used to go to at school.
Hesitation, insecurity and even fear...
I couldn't dance, I didn't know how to react if someone would invite me, I wouldn't dare to invite someone myself.
All in all, I felt pretty uncomfortable about it.

And it was even more unpleasant to watch others having fun.
Not envy at all. More likely it was an abrupt feeling that people can enjoy something so odd for me.

I thought that there was still lots of time till disco so I could sleep a little to be fresh in the evening.

WcpB1p0.jpg


...

A3FPh6Q.jpg


Clock was showing nine.
Such a rare thing to happen.
I felt sluggish though.

~ Probably it wasn’t the best idea to sleep during the day after all. ~

Going to see Alisa instead of the disco.
So it's time then.
But I've agreed to help Lena...

~ And what should I do now? ~

WJDjdth.jpg

VopEwDR.png
Ugh. I guess it's dance 'party' and then helping Lena... If our previous encounters with Lena are any indication, it its going to be one awkward evening. And I'm really tired of our emo crap regarding disco. At least with Alisa there should be something happening.

pjJO26E.jpg


~ Maybe it was a bad idea accepting the offer? ~
~ Just talking to Dvachevskaya means danger... ~
~ On the other hand I wasn't eager to go to the disco. ~
~ What can I show there? I'll only disgrace myself... ~

VopEwDR.png
Oh for fuck's sake, we went so we wouldn't get this discophobia shit.

~ No! I'd better listen to Alisa playing the guitar. ~

Coming closer I saw a person sitting on the edge of the stage with her legs dangling.

yx7uKqL.jpg

KB9K4V0.jpg


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Don't make me regret it.

Alisa put the guitar aside and jumped to the ground.
There was even a trace of joy on her face for a moment. Playing for someone is surely more interesting than being alone.

MnfQDOr.png
As you can see...
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What are we going to do?
MnfQDOr.png
What do you mean 'what'?
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I’m asking you.
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Well... you wanted...

I got a sudden idea that this situation is one of her usual pranks and I shouldn't expect any guitar songs.

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I am going to sleep. Bye!
VopEwDR.png
Alright, we can still make it to the disco I guess...

I turned around and waved a hand intentionally slowly.

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Hey!

Alisa snatched my sleeve.

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What?
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Don't you want to listen?
MnfQDOr.png
Listen to what? You don't know yourself what you're going to do.
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I know everything!

She took the guitar and hit the strings with a mediator couple of times.

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Sit next to me.

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~ Better this way. ~
~ Miss the disco, leave now, and what will I be doing next? ~

The role of a stranger was more suitable for an observer and not for the eager searcher of the answers, who I wanted to be so badly.

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So, I'll show you how to play this song now.
MnfQDOr.png
Just like that? Right away?
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What right away?
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I haven't held a guitar for a long time...

~ She, probably, knows better what and when I've held. My skills were enough to make a cat laugh. ~

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There is nothing difficult!

I threw an intent look at Alisa.
It distinctly appeared to me now that she just can't express her feelings.
She could lose her strange self-control for a moment and I'll see a casual and even funny and friendly girl.
And when her self-confidence and impudence turn back on, then greet the tit as my mother liked to say.

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:retarded:

~ And who is the real one? ~

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Hey!
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What?
1yFcyDN.png
Stop sleeping!
MnfQDOr.png
Oh, yeah, sorry...
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So, are you watching?
MnfQDOr.png
I am. What song is this?
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The one I played in the morning of course!
MnfQDOr.png
Ah... Okay. I am listening.

Alisa made up her mind and started to play.

...

That's it! Did you get everything?

~ I may have understood, but I probably won't be able to repeat. ~

MnfQDOr.png
How shall I put it...
1yFcyDN.png
It's okay. Practice bears results.

She is undoubtly right on this point, but I had problems with practice all my life.

MnfQDOr.png
Well...

jUASGeA.jpg


It was hard, as if my fingers tied into the knot and dreadfully didn't want to be in the right place.
I did better before, but now I wouldn't even be able to play 'Twinkle twinkle little star'.

1yFcyDN.png
Well?
MnfQDOr.png
Wait a moment...
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Looks like you won't be a rock hero!

She laughed kindly.

MnfQDOr.png
It may be better this way...

I hissed, vainly trying to remember the order of strings to press.

MnfQDOr.png
Well...

The guitar started to make devilish sounds resembling groans of a wounded dinosaur.

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JLubLGZ.jpg

MnfQDOr.png
Let's call that a progressive rock.
pUuHdud.png
Progressive? Well, well! Give it back!

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She took the guitar away and it sounded completely different in her hands.
I felt embarrassed about my clumsiness for a moment.
Alisa's skill may not be on the level of a real guitarist, but, nevertheless, she played simple things like this with confidence.
She must have had a lot of practice.

1yFcyDN.png
Did you get it this time?

She finished and offered the guitar to me.

MnfQDOr.png
Well...

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As to any other good enough level.
I was aware of being totally worthless compared to her.

~ Seems so simple – play a song with three chords! ~

CBpZ9XA.jpg


I put the guitar aside.
Alisa was lost in thought for a moment.

s8OpRpU.png
Even a pre-school kid would play it better!
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Thanks, I tried!
MkEyUqz.png
I noticed!

She might be trying to demonstrate her evident superiority of playing the guitar.

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It’s not like everyone can be a musician.
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Not really...

Alisa looked up at the sky.

1yFcyDN.png
Though you can’t be one for sure!
MnfQDOr.png
Why is that?
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You should have listened to yourself!

I started to regret coming here.

~ Well, don't mind me. Why does Alisa need this? It is obvious that I am a horrible guitarist. ~

MnfQDOr.png
Obviously. But if I have some practice...
s8OpRpU.png
So, will you practice?
MnfQDOr.png
I don't know... Maybe I will.

The guitar was the most minor of my problems though. It was a strange world I can't escape from... It is more important than stupid argument with Alisa.
I suddenly felt an annoying self-pity, apathy and a wish to leave this place, to forget this evening.
Those feelings left a nasty impression and a burning desire to do (or to say) something stupid.

MnfQDOr.png
As if it will change anything!
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What?
MnfQDOr.png
That I'll learn to play a guitar!
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You surely won't! You'll strum the guitar for a couple of days and give it up.
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I'm not sure reverse psychology will work on material as dense as this.

Alisa's words pierced my heart.

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You know what!

Oh well, should she know? Is it a concern of hers?
Do I react this way just because it is true and that it’s Alisa who spoke that truth?

MnfQDOr.png
You can't know how to do everything!
pUuHdud.png
Probably not... But you should be able to do at least something.
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So, you mean I can't do anything?
pUuHdud.png
How should I know?
MnfQDOr.png
You know, I...

~ I what? ~
~ Should I tell her about my computer skills? Or about the books I've read and movies I've watched? ~

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Ah well, it is a pointless conversation.
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It goes without saying.
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You’re just all about having fun!
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And you are all about whining.
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Forget it!

I jumped down from the stage and walked away from a concert area.

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Go-go!

I heard Alisa yelling to me.

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Already going!

I hissed.

VopEwDR.png
Why are VN protagonists such unlikeable cunts?

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[slsmi] Oh, Semyon, hi! I thought everyone is already asleep.
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No... What are you doing?
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Cleaning up after the disco. Why didn't you come?
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Just...
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And where have you been?
MnfQDOr.png
I...

I hadn't a slightest intention to tell Slavya how I shamed myself on stage with a guitar in front of Alisa while the whole camp was having fun at the square.

MnfQDOr.png
I took a walk.
Fa3yyEl.png
Okay... But you should have come. It was fun.
MnfQDOr.png
Glad you had it.

I sweated like a pig today because of worries or just a hot night.

MnfQDOr.png
Hey, do you know where I can have a bath?
waSvxqy.png
Certainly. Go straight, then a bit to the left by the path, then to the right and there will be a bath-house.
MnfQDOr.png
...
MnfQDOr.png
Should I accompany you?
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Yes!
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No, no need. I'll find it myself!
VopEwDR.png
:rage:

I totally didn't want to burden her more.

GyK8XFS.jpg


My whole body was itching.

~ How didn't I notice it before? ~

And what else didn't I notice, more importantly.

~ If things keep going like this then I'll have to stay in this world forever. ~

I've shivered of the thought.
Probably of the idea that I didn't feel any terror or even just fear.
Just like it’s all a natural flow of things.

sM6qnkW.jpg


~ And why do pioneers have baths here? ~
~ Olga Dmitrievna had said something about repairs of the showers though. ~

MnfQDOr.png
No reason to worry about it now...

There were soap and clean towels so I quickly washed myself, went outside and breathed in a full chest of fresh night air.

~ Ah, it so wonderful that a physical cleanness brings out a spiritual cleanness! ~

All my problems, if not went away, then just became less important. It’s like the water washed away not only dirt from body, but also the anxiety from my mind.
I suddenly started yawning so I headed to the leader's cabin, rubbing my eyes.

H1SubO3.jpg


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You... What are you doing here?
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Was just washing myself.

She had come to her senses and spoke again.

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And?
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What?
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I don't know what!
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Then why do you speak if you don't know?

All my peace of mind vanished in a moment, only the irritation and the weariness stayed.

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Okay, if you don't mind...
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Wait...
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What else?
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If back there on stage you thought that... well... I didn't want to offend you or anything...
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It's okay. I am not offended. I just can't play the guitar. Nothing special, a lot of people can't.

I felt that there were obvious signs of irritation in my voice, but I couldn't do anything about it. I wanted to speak everything in her face right here, right now.

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Exactly, you can't!

Alisa obviously restrained herself from laughing.

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Oh I already had enough of you!

She totally drove me out of my wits that moment.
In a second I would have started to yell at her... Or worse.

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Wait.
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Would you just leave me alone!

Alisa followed me but didn't try to stop me.

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I really didn't want to offend...

Some invisible power made me to turn around.

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Okay. Can I go now?
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Yes... Of course...

In the moonlight Alisa looked very beautiful with a quick guilty expression on her face.

~ If you could just shut her mouth... ~

aoSMgfo.png
What are you smirking at?

~ Although... ~

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Nothing. I just thought that if you'd be a little bit more polite...
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Then what?

You are not to finish such phrases, anybody could hit upon an idea according to own intellectual abilities.

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Then nothing.
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Well. You must finish what you've started!
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There is nothing to finish. I am very tired and I am going to sleep.
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Stop right there!
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Don't make me run away from you!
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As if you can!

She may be right. I am already exhausted of this day. And, naturally, I had no intention to run after a bath.

aoSMgfo.png
So what?
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What?
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If I would be more polite then what?
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Try that and you will see.
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Why should I do something for such a fool as you...
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Then don't try. What does it have to do with me?

I sighed and dragged myself to the square.

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And you then?
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What?

I replied without turning to her.

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Well, if I would then you?..
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I don't know what are you talking about, but let's think that 'I would' if it is easier for you.
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Moron!

Alisa yelled at me and headed to the bath-house.

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~ That's Slavya! ~
~ And I just argued with Alisa and nothing else... ~
~ What for? ~
~ As it was really necessary! ~
~ And her behaviour... ~

In any other situation I would have surely said that Alisa likes me, and just hides it behind her rudeness.

~ It is of no importance right now though! ~

Relationships, love, anything...

~ Maybe she is not even a human! ~

VopEwDR.png
ONiAMam.jpg


~ And what if she’d be a human and this all would be happening in the real world?.. ~

I drove these thoughts away and headed to the leader's cabin. Tiredness had overwhelmed me.

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~ Olga Dmitrievna certainly would like to know where I was and why missed the disco. ~
~ I'll get a full interrogation for sure. ~

Counting the absence of Alisa on the disco too, it wouldn't be hard to guess that we skipped it together.

~ On the other hand, should I even tell her that instead of the disco Alisa practiced playing the guitar and I just went with the flow? ~
~ Nothing special actually... ~

Doesn’t really matter why I left.

~ So... ~

At the same time I thought that it would be better to keep silent.

~ Well, I'll decide on the spot. ~

I sighed and pulled the door handle.

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VopEwDR.png
HELLOOOOOO LEADER :bounce:

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So, Semyon, where have you been?
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I...

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Whatever, just tell the truth so we can end this day.

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To tell the truth, I was on the stage with Alisa.
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And what did you do there?
MnfQDOr.png
Played the guitar...
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Okay, that is not important. Why didn't you come to the disco?
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Well, frankly speaking, I don't like dancing...
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So what? That was a camp public event which means every pioneer had to attend!

She looked at me intently.

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You could just sit somewhere quietly.
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I'm sorry...

I sighed.

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Okay.

The leader softened.

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Go to bed quickly!

The storm had passed.

...

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My head was full of thoughts about music, guitar and Alisa...

~ I wonder, could I become a professional musician? ~
~ And do I even want to be one? ~
~ Why should I want to?.. It certainly would be pretty fun, but nothing else. ~
~ Or is Alisa the reason? ~
~ She is really like an energy vampire, sucks all your juices! ~

...

e9JGZkU.jpg
 
Last edited:

Zdzisiu

Arcane
Joined
Dec 3, 2009
Messages
3,489
Yeah, my biggest gripe with this game was the fact that the protagonist was such an unlikeable emo cunt who kept on whining about how he needs to find out what is going on and get home. Jesus fucking Christ, you are put into a camp with a group of busty teenage girls and you are the only guy there (Except the obvious robo-homos) and all of the girls are jumping around you like rabbits in heat and all you can do is whine ? Any normal 17 year old would use his dick as a dowsing rod to lead him to the forest of pussy there.

If that is how the extreme Fedora gentlemen feel and act, then I pity them, I really do, but Im not surprised they aren't getting any.
 

Idiott

Arcane
Joined
Mar 4, 2011
Messages
490
Location
Potatoland
jkckdK3.jpg

WbBbE77.jpg


The jingle seemed to be coming from the depth of my consciousness.
But after I came to my senses, I realized that the cause of this jingle is my alarm clock.

~ Strange. Where did it come from? Why is it standing near my bed? ~

It was half past seven, according to the clock.
Olga Dmitryevna had already left, and there was nobody to force me into coming to the lineup.

~ Thus I can sleep a bit more. ~

I closed my eyes, but seemed like my consciousness already had its coffee and was ready for a long productive day. I need to get up.

~ I should plan my day out. After all, I need to find out at least something today. ~

But still nothing came to my head.

~ Fine. I need to wake up completely and wash myself. ~

d7ovnDW.jpg


MnfQDOr.png
What got you up so early?
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Anything wrong with being up early?

She looked at me as if I had insulted her.

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No, nothing. Just being curiuos.
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None of your business!

Gosh. Zhenya isn't very sympathetic even in a good mood. But today she just looked furious.

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Cold water cheered me up, fog in my head dissipated and my thoughts started arranging themselves.
Curiously, I started to worry about occupying a good place in the canteen more then about finding answers.
I brushed my teeth and was going to leave, when a quiet waft passed my ears.

~ It's probably a squirrel, or some other animal. ~

I heard another waft, this time a bit farther.

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Nobody. Just the morning forest.

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Noticing me, she smiled and jumped up to me.

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Oh, hello! Good morning! I accidentally scattered my toothpowder. Just trying to gather it all back.

Dewed grass didn’t seem to be helping her.

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Are you sure that's a good idea?
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I'm sure brushing your teeth with toothpowder mixed with dirt is a great experience.
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Well, why? What else can I do? I don't have any more! It was my last.

She pouted as a child, who just had her favorite toy taken from her.

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Here, I'll give you mine...

I digged in my bag.
No toothpaste there.

~ Hmmm... strange. Didn’t I just put it there. I walked away for just a minute, and now it's gone. ~

MnfQDOr.png
Listen, it looks like I have forgotten it.

I didn't want to tell her that it just gone missing.
Knowing the sensitivity of this girl, it was safe to assume that vanishing household chemicals would impress her so much that her brain would reset itself in order to avoid overheating.

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Well, I'll go...
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Yeah, cheers. Visit us... I mean, me, in the music club, I'm still alone there. But we... I mean I...

Miku's voice faded in freshness of a summer morning far behind me.

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Enough power for a day, maybe even less.

~ Of course it won't help me much in here, but still... ~

Finding a charger in the eighties means inventing it.

Still, regardless, the morning was shining beautiful.
Bright Sun was shining over the lost in space and time pioneer camp 'Sovionok', warming its tenants and filling them with energy to spend the day productively.
Or, in my case, to waste it in futile efforts to find an explanation for everything happening here.

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Trying to get you laid seems as futile.

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Of course, there was no other place in the camp that pioneers loved as much as the canteen, but why crowding at the porch?

I came closer to find out what was going on.
It looked like the all the camp gathered at the porch: there were all the familiar girls, Olga Dmitrievna and Electronik.
They were having a lively discussion.
I drew closer.

tlATynC.jpg


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Have you seen Shurik today?
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Nope, what's the matter?
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We can't find him since the early morning.

~ Disappearance of pioneers – well, that's something new. ~

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eQ1JrVl.jpg

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But he was with you yesterday?

She was talking to Electronik.

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Yes, he was...
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So you woke up this morning and he wasn’t seen anywhere near?
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No...
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Why didn't you come to me immediately?
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Well, I thought that he got up earlier and went for water procedures or something...

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Interjected Slavya.

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For example?
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That he's going somewhere, for instance?
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Nope...
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What exactly is so horrifying about that? It's only 9 am. He might have decided to go for a walk.
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You don't know Shurik.

She overlooked me seriously.

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Well, I don't...

But I didn't see anything suspicious in that situation.

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Okay, let's stop panicking. We'll find him!

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Ulyana grinned.

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Exactly! Time to eat anyway.

Pioneers have proceeded into the canteen.

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Yet again I had no choice where to stick in. The only free places where at the table with Alisa and Ulyana.

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:negative:
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Take a seat.

She pointed at the chair next to her.
I sat down.

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Should've checked the chair first.
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Aren't you gonna grab your food?

~ Good idea! I haven't thought about that. ~

Breakfast didn't look different from the yesterday's one, but it looked more appetizing.
Or maybe I was just very hungry.
Or maybe I was eager to finish it off as soon as possible to evade yet another Ulyana's prank.

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Wanna go to the beach with us today?
MnfQDOr.png
When?
bMf0OWa.png
Right after the breakfast.

Generally speaking, entertainment wasn't on my agenda today, but if I was going to spend time thinking, why shouldn't I do it while getting the suntan?

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All your 'plans' of 'searching answers' went so well so far.
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Sure, why not...
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Ah, cool!

She smiled nicely.

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Bet you’re planning another prank?
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No, not at all!

Ulyana waved her hands at me.

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Sure thing!

Alisa grinned.

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She's all like that!

I looked at Alisa attentively and suddenly remembered yesterday's evening.
Her strange behaviour, our quarrel.

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Yeah, -she- acted strange... :roll:

But now she looked as usual.

~ Maybe there is no need to tell her anything? ~

Though I wasn't going to.
At the end of the day, everything happening in the night stopped seeming unusual, as if all of that was just a dream.

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No way!
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I think, she is right.
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Nobody doubts!

Ulyana took a tray with dirty dishes and stood up.

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Bon appetit!

She said in such a way which left no doubts – nothing good awaits me today at the beach.

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You know, I guess I shouldn't be going with you afterall.
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Why is that?
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Well, I've got something to do...
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9ULySEj.jpg

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And what exactly would that be?

She looked in my eyes so that I didn't even find an appropriate excuse.

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I don't even have a swimsut.
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Try mine.
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You think it will fit me?
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Give it a try!
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I don't think it's worth it...
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Don't be a whimp! We'll find you swimming trunks!

The phrase only added to my fear.

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Wait for me by the canteen, I'll be back soon.
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Okay...

~ There's nothing bad in waiting for her, is it? ~

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Pioneers, all having their own business, were hurrying past me, one by one.
No one stopped by me. No one even looked in my direction.
It seemed they didn't consider me a stranger, but exactly the opposite – just another teenager of their age, their comrade, you could say.
I caught myself thinking that I had started to perceive this camp and its inhabitants with not such a strong caution as on the first day.

Indeed, Alisa was back in a couple of minutes.

MyvvCKF.jpg


MnfQDOr.png
Ready for what?

She gave me the trunks... Though, you hardly could call it trunks...
It looked like pink boxers ornamented with butterflies and flowers. They were actual boxers.

MnfQDOr.png
I am afraid to ask, where did you get this?
pUuHdud.png
Too scared to put it on?
VopEwDR.png
Man walks on the beach in those boxers, people know he's not afraid of anything.
MnfQDOr.png
Well, you know... I have no slightest intention to.

I appreciated her joke, but wasn't going to become a laughing stock.

aoSMgfo.png
Put it on!

She said roughly.

MnfQDOr.png
Why won't you try it on instead of me? I think that the color of this bikini set off your eyes very nice!
s8OpRpU.png
Let's make a bet!

I had no desire to accept her bets.

MnfQDOr.png
No, thanks.

aoSMgfo.png
Alright, you go to the beach wearing it or you swim naked!

~ Weighing the pros and cons, the second variant seems even better than the first. ~

MnfQDOr.png
I’m not planning to go anywhere at all!
pUuHdud.png
Then I'll tell everyone that you left these trunks in my house!
MnfQDOr.png
Why would I do that?
MkEyUqz.png
How do I know!

She burst in laughter.
I didn't want to argue with Alisa, so I decided to go to the beach in the end.
But not in those glamorous trunks.

MnfQDOr.png
Okay. I'll be there in ten minutes.
s8OpRpU.png
Don't be late!

She ran away after saying that.

cRn9TsB.jpg

SOvcOO9.jpg


G31PX5e.png
Semyon, did you hear something about Shurik?
VopEwDR.png
Same as half an hour ago...

I walked to my bed and took a towel.

G31PX5e.png
Are you going somewhere?
MnfQDOr.png
Yes, to the beach.
G31PX5e.png
Wait. Do you have swimming trunks? You came here without any luggage as I remember...

Strange, that this fact didn't suprise her during our first encounter.

MnfQDOr.png
No...
5y7aQ4M.png
So what will you wear?

~ Good question. What? ~

MnfQDOr.png
I don't know...
G31PX5e.png
Wait a minute.

She walked to the wardrobe and unlocked a drawer.
In a moment she had usual black trunks.

~ Where did she get it? More importantly – why? ~

Someone from the previous shift might have forgotten them...
Considering all the strange things of this camp, it wasn't really surprising to find men's swimming trunks in Olga Dmitrievna's room.

MnfQDOr.png
Thanks.

The trunks were just my size.

...

I got changed behind the cabin and went to the beach.

89o4YWn.jpg


bMf0OWa.png
Come here!

I walked to them and sat on the sand.

kDtmOSB.jpg


She stared at my trunks and smirked.

MnfQDOr.png
As you can see...
bMf0OWa.png
Come on, let's swim!
MnfQDOr.png
I don't want to. Maybe later...

I was not a fan of swimming.

MnfQDOr.png
As you want.

The girls ran into the water.

~ Why have I come here? Why am I not looking for answers?.. ~
~ Shouldn’t I care about it now? ~
~ 'Sovionok' seemed normal. ~

Certainly, a lot of strange things have happened to me during these three and a half days, but not one of them, taken separately, seemed like anything supernatural. Especially since I didn't get any closer to finding even a clue.
Quite the opposite, everything that has happened only confused me more.

~ What alternatives do I have? ~
~ You won't get any truth from local residents. Though I doubt they even know it... ~
~ Should I try to leave this place? ~
~ But how far can I walk, concerning that I don't even know where am I? ~
~ It turns out that my only option is to wait. ~

After some time the girls came back. Ulyana held something in her hands.

bMf0OWa.png
Look!

I looked up and saw a crayfish. Just a normal crayfish.

MCrig5Z.jpg


VopEwDR.png
tSISvSl.jpg

MnfQDOr.png
Leave the poor animal alone!
bMf0OWa.png
Why! It is a crayfish!
MnfQDOr.png
So what? It has a right to live too!
bMf0OWa.png
I'll rip its claws off and ask the cook to boil it for dinner!
MnfQDOr.png
Like we have nothing else to eat...

I looked at Alisa. It seemed she was totally not interested in Ulyana's fun with a poor sea being.

MnfQDOr.png
Tell her!
1yFcyDN.png
What's wrong? It’s a crayfish, it deserved it!

It looked like the girls missed the lessons of nature studying in primary school and lacked care for the environment...

MnfQDOr.png
Give it!

I snatched the crayfish off Ulyana.

e3C0eih.jpg


I was a little surprised she didn't resist.
I looked in the eyes of the poor animal.
They didn't express anything at all, but I thought that if it could speak, it certainly would be outraged, maybe it would even go to the UN convention of human rights.
To tell the truth I wasn't sure it would help...
I took the crayfish to the river and set it free.

5rOxUi5.png
Nevermind, I'll catch more. There are plenty of them here.

Said Ulyana.

MnfQDOr.png
No doubt about it...

I mumbled.
Time passed and I was getting sleepy.
I fell asleep.

I don't remember what I was dreaming about, if I was dreaming at all, but I woke up because someone shaked my shoulder.

104v4pr.jpg


VopEwDR.png
:bounce:
MnfQDOr.png
Did you come to swim too?

I asked still being half-asleep.

G31PX5e.png
No. It is almost time for lunch and we still can't find Shurik.

The leader said, standing before me in a wet swimsuit.

MnfQDOr.png
And?
G31PX5e.png
I want you to look for him.
MnfQDOr.png
Seems like I’m the only pioneer in this camp.

I was sincerely outraged.
Every time it was getting clearer that Olga Dmitrievna considered me her bellhop with a function of a slave. Or vice versa...

DcPXZTm.png
If I came to you, then I want you to help me.

Why exactly me?
However, after giving it some thought, I decided to agree.
After all, my shoulders and back got sunburnt while I was sleeping and searching for Shurik would let me get acquainted with unexplored locations of the camp.

MnfQDOr.png
Okay...

It was not exactly right to wander around, wearing only swimming trunks, so I should get changed first.

...

PvI1cbn.jpg

o3NM5Bc.jpg

VopEwDR.png
Alright, where could he go? Forest seems like the obvious choice if you want to get lost...

It was obvious that Olga Dmitrievna with her pioneers has already searched in every nook and cranny of the camp.
Roamed the length and breadth of it...
So probably it's not worth looking for Shurik in the canteen or on the beach.
Or in the cybernetics club! It was his second home. Or, maybe even his first.
Thus it might be worth looking over the surrounding forest.
I didn't plan to go far into the forest. Otherwise it might be me who will be searched tomorrow.

I didn't really visit the country side often.
I was just living in a country house every summer during my childhood. But that one was very close to the city.
But in this camp, it was possible to find everything I didn't see for so long: overwhelming vegetation, singing birds and fresh air.

LEYCyr5.jpg


~ How peaceful this place is... ~
~ But where in a world is Shurik? ~

Actually, he could have gone missing against his own will.
This camp is far from being normal, so pioneer disappearances would not come as something strange.

~ It's intriguing, is it the work of that force which threw me here, or is it just some trivial local entity’s doing. ~

Lost in my own thoughts, I didn't notice how the grass before me started moving.
I watched closely and saw a squirrel.
She approached me carefully and stared at my hands.
Probably used to getting fed here.

~ Sorry, friend, I don't have anything with me. ~

Of course, the squirrel could not understand me and continued to just sit there, waiting for treats.
I felt sorry because I didn't have even a crumb of bread in my pocket.
I realized that I’m even ashamed to look it in the eyes and thus moved forward.

...

RC1rHuJ.jpg


~ Turns out that he is not in the forest either. At least not in the surrounding area. ~

And going farther is just frightening.
I walked to the wash-stands, took off my shirt and tried to wash myself, because I was all sweaty.
However, it wasn't so easy.

~ I won't be able to get into the wash-bowl and there is not even a ladle... ~

Suddenly I heard footsteps from behind. I turned around.

dwzUtAI.jpg


mzfFewt.png
Looking for Shurik?
MnfQDOr.png
Yes... You too?
mzfFewt.png
Me too...
MnfQDOr.png
Listen, you know him better, where could he go?
KKJRWe5.png
Don’t have a clue.

He answered sadly.

MnfQDOr.png
Well... I just don't understand why have everyone raised such a panic? During the night, wasn't he in the cabin with you? Then he is absent for not so long... Maybe he went for a walk?
pZrBOLk.png
You don't know Shurik!

Said Electronik excitedly.

pZrBOLk.png
He is a fanatically dedicated to his work! His life consists of robotics and cybernetics. People like him are one in a million! No, in a milliard! His talent is boundless! I admire him! He is a man of steel!
pZrBOLk.png
No, simply victorious!

At that moment he looked like Hitler, saying a speech in front of a crowd of thousands.
Even his gestures matched.

MnfQDOr.png
Okay... So what?
eqRXMiA.png
'So what'? You don't understand, do you?
MnfQDOr.png
No...
eqRXMiA.png
He spends his all, do you get it? ALL! All of his free time in our club!
MnfQDOr.png
So, disappearing just like that is unusual for him?
eqRXMiA.png
Of course!

Seems like Electronik calmed down.

MnfQDOr.png
Okay...
VopEwDR.png
Just... Don't ask questions about his boyfriend again.

He looked at me intently.

mzfFewt.png
Are you going to wash?
MnfQDOr.png
Not really... Just rinse a little. It is hot.
mzfFewt.png
Me too.

He looked around.

mzfFewt.png
I wish there was a bucket or a ladle. Something to get more water with.

Yeah I noticed already.

ilz71d3.png
Then let's do this...

He walked behind wash-stands and pulled one of the taps.
To my surprise, its end went up and the water wasn't pouring in the wash-bowl, but spurted almost 90 degrees.
You could manage to wash yourself that way.

BUmI3bN.jpg


VopEwDR.png
:what:

I couldn't really tell, because the wash stand he was behind was up to his waist.
He directed the spurt towards himself and started to sing something quietly.

ilz71d3.png
Let's clean my chimney-sweep...

VopEwDR.png
:what:

I stood astonished, not knowing what to do.
He seemed to notice it.

ilz71d3.png
I'll wash myself and give the place to you.

Gosh, I got such massive chills!

MnfQDOr.png
Well, you know... I've just remembered that I have something to do! Gotta go!
From all peculiarities of Electronik, the moment I just saw was the weirdest one.

EGeVfLa.png
Hey! What's up with you? Cold shower on a such hot day is like the best thing ever!
MnfQDOr.png
No-no-no! That won't do! And anyway, I have to go!

vXFnq7T.jpg


~ I wonder what’s got into him. ~

ItR56pR.jpg

VopEwDR.png
Right... I can go to the bust stop, the boat house or our cabin (which I assume means we don't give a fuck). May as well keep looking and hope we can find that retard. Bus stop is not really a place to hide or go unnoticed, so let's see if he maybe took a boat.

rq9SJ8f.jpg


~ In worst case I'll find his corpse... ~
~ But I am sure that it won't end up with this way. ~

I was crossing the square when somebody called me.

MHgEk9P.jpg


Alisa came up and smiled. I immediately sensed a trap.

s8OpRpU.png
Where are you going?
MnfQDOr.png
I am searching for Shurik... Olga Dmitrievna asked me.
1yFcyDN.png
And how is it? Exciting?

She looked intently into my eyes and I turned away shyly.

MnfQDOr.png
Not really ... But you know, pioneer is missing.
1yFcyDN.png
You are not freaking out cause of such a minor happening?
MnfQDOr.png
What do you mean?
1yFcyDN.png
Only a few hours passed. Maybe he just lost a track of time while having a walk...

Certainly, I had the same idea, but had not shown that.

MnfQDOr.png
Yes, that's true. But who knows what could have happenned...
s8OpRpU.png
Let me help you with it!
VopEwDR.png
:smug:
MnfQDOr.png
Mmm... with what?

I got suspicious.

1yFcyDN.png
In looking for Shurik!
MnfQDOr.png
Oh, but I can do it...
pUuHdud.png
Oh, come on!

She smiled at me but there was something malevolent in this smile.
Naturally, her smile was cute enough, but it really seemed to me like there was something behind it.

MnfQDOr.png
Well, if you insist...

Since I could not understand what’s on her mind I had no real reason to refuse.

s8OpRpU.png
But before we go I have to take one thing from home.
MnfQDOr.png
Okay, I'll wait for you.
s8OpRpU.png
You’re actually serious about standing there? Let's go!
MnfQDOr.png
Okay...

a4w9mGf.jpg


It would be like all other cabins, if not the Jolly Roger on the door.

1yFcyDN.png
By the way, Ulyana is my neighbor.
VopEwDR.png
She means her room(cabin?)mate, I guess.

Csfe9uS.jpg


Complete chaos inside really reminded me of my old flat.

~ Though why 'old'... ~

In general, I would imagine girl's rooms differently: snow-white sheets; walls, floor and ceiling are shining. Not a spot.

~ But when it is considered that two most 'examplary' pioneers are living here... ~

We were just staying silently for some time.

MnfQDOr.png
And what did you want to take?
n8EL3Rp.png
Huh?

Seems like I interrupted Alisa's thinking.

s8OpRpU.png
Yeah... It’s not here actually... Wait here, I'll be back in a minute.

GclvhWD.jpg


I began to examine the room.
I wouldn’t say that there was an explosion, just a decent mess.

~ Well, at least by looking at all this mess, created in one pioneer shift, I can surely say that I am not the messiest person in the world. ~

Decoration of my apartment took years to be completed!
I wasn’t thinking about anything in particular, was just looking around the room.
Posters of Soviet artists, some books on the shelves, various household items...
And then I realized that everything is wrong!

~ Something will happen soon! Something bad! ~
~ Why did Alisa leave me here all alone? ~

There was a discovery to make.
I felt with my guts that it's dangerous to stay here.
I came to the door and tried to open it.

Locked!

~ What a surprise! How did she manage to quietly lock me? ~

Don't know what's on her mind, but I need to get out of here!
I went to the window, opened it and climbed out.

99XgaRZ.jpg


I chose the second option and waited.

~ What is the reason she had me locked up? ~

I wanted to know what was happening, plus I really wanted to see Alisa’s face when she finds her room empty.
I hid in the bushes next to the house and waited.
I heard footsteps after some time.

Alisa and Olga Dmitrievna came to the house.

AMHIVtw.jpg


She opened the door and went in...
A few seconds later she ran back.

zb56MrU.jpg


Alisa’s face looked like she just won catching the mouse competition, but at the last moment found out that it’s not an Olympic sport.

G31PX5e.png
So he just disappeared?

Olga Dmitrievna asked skeptically.

~ I did the right thing by closing the window after! ~

8rAPhnj.png
Oh no... You know...
Bj7V6PQ.png
I understood everything, Dvachevskaya!
Bj7V6PQ.png
You and your neighbor – every time the same thing! Maybe it's enough?!
1yFcyDN.png
But it's true!...
Bj7V6PQ.png
Really? One story better than the other. Semyon in your house, Semyon harassing you. Why do you keep lying? That's horrible.

Alisa seemed really upset and to my surprise was not trying to argue.
On the one hand it was all funny to look at, but on the other – I felt bit sorry for Dvachevskaya.
She deserved it though...

VopEwDR.png
:dance:

Leader finally finished scolding and left.

r2QDJBV.jpg


I sat in the bushes and laughed quietly.
However, I was wondering what was on her mind and I came out of my hiding place, not afraid of being beaten.

MnfQDOr.png
So what exactly did you want to show the leader? Me?

Alisa turned and looked at me with disbelief.
After a moment, surprise turned to anger.

hKciUVt.png
You! You!
MnfQDOr.png
What about me?

She calmed down a bit.

aoSMgfo.png
I wanted to take revenge!
MnfQDOr.png
For what?

~ Really, what I did to this girl to deserve a revenge? ~

aoSMgfo.png
You beat me in cards!

~ Fantastic reason! No doubt... ~

MnfQDOr.png
I see... Maybe I should apologize to you?

I asked sarcastically.

8rAPhnj.png
Screw you!

EjnhuvE.jpg


I wasn’t angry at Alisa.
In the end, I expected her to do something like that.
Anyway, it all went without consequences.
I was very lucky – her confusion and embarrassment just made my day.
Chuckling, I left Alisa's cabin which was about to become my deathtrap.

...

lmuIa7m.jpg
 

Drakron

Arcane
Joined
May 19, 2005
Messages
6,326
cCen96Q.jpg


Wait a second ... I am pretty sure this isnt a Original Character Do Not Steal.
 

WhiskeyWolf

RPG Codex Polish Car Thief
Staff Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2007
Messages
14,755
It's one of the Vocaloids, seems one of the chans wasn't especially original.

vocaloid-vocaloid-16245545-1920-1200.jpg
 

Idiott

Arcane
Joined
Mar 4, 2011
Messages
490
Location
Potatoland
This isn't one of the chans though. Apparently it's just an insert, this seems to be the most popular one as far as vocaloids go (at least judging by the amount of porn vs other ones).
 

Drakron

Arcane
Joined
May 19, 2005
Messages
6,326
It's one of the Vocaloids, seems one of the chans wasn't especially original.

Its not just one of the Vocaloids, its Hatsune Miku that must have confused the fuck out of Yamaha by being so popular (and in the process giving then a shitload of cash in licened merch).

Not the original ones, she was in Vocaloid 2 but its the most known one
 

WhiskeyWolf

RPG Codex Polish Car Thief
Staff Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2007
Messages
14,755
What? You never had scouts for indoctrination?
 

Idiott

Arcane
Joined
Mar 4, 2011
Messages
490
Location
Potatoland
Making the camp 'pioneer camp' as opposed to regular one was just to have an excuse for girls there to wear uniforms anyway.

Can't have weaboo sim without uniforms.
 

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