In the first years of the game, the man I often partnered with (Xeno) gave his character some very real & uncompromising ideas/ideals. He was coming from a specific place in his "life," and he stayed true to that. With my character (Chyna), they had some conflicts that rang totally true to life.
As the sample below shows, the writing of scenes was usually one-on-one. We didn't work anything out off-line or ahead of time. We simply responded in-game to what was there & let scenes develop organically. Sometimes those scenes surprised even us! (Xeno really didn't see it coming when Chyna didn't get up & go with him in this excerpt!)
Enjoy!
A Leader First
*Xeno sat across from a Brotherhood soldier.*
Xeno: So she comes, all dressed in white...
Guard: You already told me this one.
Xeno: Ok, Ok, any news?
Guard: Only that the Anti-kids are winning.
Xeno: How long do we have?
Gaurd: Maybe a week. Xeno, can I... um... when they come...
Xeno: You are always invited to join us.
Gaurd: Thanks. I better go.
Xeno: Take care, Brother.
*Chyna spots Xeno at a table talking to a Brotherhood soldier. It looks to her like Xeno knows him well. She makes her way over to him through the crowd. The Brotherhood soldier leaves before she gets there.*
Chyna: *eyes the departing soldier* Interesting company... *stands beside Xeno's chair* Not too much news around here. We're ready to head for the warehouse, if you are. *considers the crowd around them* Or if you're not in a hurry-- buy a girl a drink. I could use one.
Xeno: A drink then. By the way, did you see that guard's face? *Chyna nods* Good. He might come to us looking for a home. Let him. You can trust him. Bartender, a drink!
*Chyna sits across the table from Xeno, shaking her head. She finds herself chuckling at the absurdity of what he just said.*
Chyna: Sure. Right. We'll just invite these guys who killed a hell of a lot of my friends to come live with us. No problem. *takes the drink the bartender brings and downs it in one gulp* This day just keeps getting better and better.
Xeno: He and his friends are just simple soldiers, Chyna! Within a week, they will be hunted men on the run-- we must help them. If they come to our door, I vouch for them. *mad* Come on, let's go.
*Chyna stays in her chair and stares at her empty glass.*
Chyna: You go on, Xeno. I'm gonna stay here, maybe have several drinks and try to figure out what the hell I've done to set you off. You order and I obey, that it? *motions to the bartender, then looks up at Xeno standing over her* You know I love you, but I don't give anyone that kind of power over me. Not you. Not anyone. *bartender sets another drink in front of her, she lifts it, meeting Xeno's stormy gaze* Say hi to Adear for me.
Xeno: Ordering you around... *deep breath, calming himself down* Ordering you around, never. Never, Chyna. I love you too. I just-- I just owe him a favour, and he'll need one soon. We all will. The Anti-kids will be here within a week. They'll destroy the Brotherhood. Chyna, we need to fight this together. I love you-- I wouldn't hurt you ever. I just didn't know--
Chyna: Just didn't know I might not feel the same way as you? I get that. I even get you wanting to help people you consider friends from your... from your days with the Brotherhood. I've never questioned you about that. None of my business. *slams back the drink in her hand then stands to face him* You may not mean to hurt me, Xeno. You may not even realize it, but you have. Don't worry. I'll live. *pushes her hair back out of her eyes* I'm here with you because, for the first time, I'm following my heart. Wherever that leads. I'll help you however I can, but I have the River Rats to consider too. That's a responsibility I take seriously. Please don't make me choose. Because as long as I'm their tribal leader, I don't have a choice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-Chyna
Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"
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