Beneath the trees, Sue and Evan remain close on the bench. The café murmurs softly behind Andy, while the new connection between them grows in the quiet.
Sue slowly leans against Evan’s shoulder, testing the comfort of his presence. He stays still until she gives him a small, unmistakable nod.
Evan
Is this okay? I can give you space whenever you want.
Sue
It is okay. You can hold me, if you want to.
Evan wraps his arms around Sue with careful gentleness. She settles against him, and the embrace stays unhurried, reciprocal, and free of any demand for more.
Evan
I’m glad you said yes. We can take this one conversation at a time.
Sue
Andy, could you stay nearby a little longer? I want to tell you how this feels.
“"Sure." I let Even say he loves beastfolk and he always wanted a catgirl for a wife.”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Conversation, rolled +2)
Andy
Sure. Tell her what you want her to know.
Andy stays nearby without crowding them, making room for Evan to speak while the quiet companionship of the bench keeps the moment shared rather than performative. Sue watches Evan, attentive but still free to choose the pace.
Evan
I love beastfolk. I always have. And I have always wanted a catgirl for a wife, but I do not mean I want just anyone to fill that place. I want a person I can know, respect, and choose together with.
Evan speaks plainly, his arms remaining gentle around Sue. He does not ask her to answer immediately, and Andy’s steady presence helps the confession land as an invitation rather than a demand.
Sue
That is a little frightening to hear, but I appreciate that you are talking about choosing each other. I do not want to be wanted only because I am a catgirl.
Evan
I understand. I am interested in you because you are Sue, not because you fit an idea. We can keep learning who we are, slowly, if you want.
Sue’s shoulders ease against him. She keeps her hand over his forearm, accepting the tenderness for now, while the café’s distant laughter leaves their private conversation undisturbed.
“"Alright you two, now kiss eachother and feel a good spark of Love, that will help determine if you're a great fit."”
SUCCESS (Great Charm, rolled +0)
Andy
Alright, you two, now kiss each other and feel a good spark of love. That will help determine if you’re a great fit.
The playful invitation carries a hopeful, romantic warmth. Sue and Evan exchange a shy glance, then look to one another rather than treating Andy’s suggestion as a decision made for them.
Sue
A kiss, then. But only if we both still want it.
Evan
I want to. Slowly, and only with you choosing it too.
Sue nods and turns toward Evan. Their kiss is gentle and brief, but neither pulls away immediately; when they separate, their foreheads remain together beneath the quiet trees.
Sue
There is a spark. Not something overwhelming, but something warm I would like to understand.
Evan
I felt it too. I would like another conversation, Sue, if you do.
“"Alright, now I have to find some boyfriends for the other beastfolk girls, but as soon as you're done, you two go spend the night with eachother okay?" I say leaving.”
SUCCESS (Great Charm, rolled +3)
Andy
Alright, now I have to find some boyfriends for Lilly, Carla, Hannah, and Sarah. But when you're done, you two go spend the night together, okay?
Andy rises and gives the newly matched pair an encouraging smile before leaving them their privacy. His warm, playful confidence makes the suggestion feel like a blessing rather than pressure.
Sue
Okay. I would like that, Evan. A quiet night together sounds good, as long as we keep choosing each step ourselves.
Evan
I would like that too. Thank you, Andy. We can take the evening slowly and see how it feels to share more time.
Sue and Evan remain close beneath the trees, now openly making plans for the night. Their shy smiles carry the first glow of a relationship neither of them has to rush.
As Andy heads toward the café, the café owner catches up and hands him a fresh stack of private introduction cards, already marked for discreet meetings with the remaining beastfolk women.
The next round of matchmaking is ready to begin, with Andy carrying a practical advantage and the plaza still full of hopeful men willing to meet the women on their own terms.
+ New Item Acquired
Private introduction cards