-| U.M.I.R.A. |-

[SHIVERS]

You briefly imagine mall adventures, but you aren't sure it's a good idea yet.

Definitely another time.

Maybe board games instead?
Watching TV? Or something online?

...You can't help but feel the faintest twinge of possessiveness at the thought of them using your laptop again.
You're aware this isn't Vigil's fault, of course. 
Growing up with siblings can do that.

You'll let them use it as much as they need, either way.
But, it may not be your first choice.



"...Board games?"
"Perfect. Easy."
"Cool, lemme hop up and I'll grab something."

You make your way to your closet.
Vigil idly glances down at one of their hands as you pass.

"...Maybe something without a lot of pieces."
"Simple. Got it.
Got just the thing."

You begin rummaging, your many jackets and various boxes getting in the way.















You're having trouble finding any of them.

The silence feels awkward to you, so you decide to fill it once more.

"Uhhhhhprrronouns...?"
"...I've never tried any.
Let's... let's go with ones you don't use, I think."
"I mean, I'm not super picky about mine."
"You have some preference, at least."

The proxy falls silent momentarily.



"...Sh...

She/her?

...Is that too much?"

"Too much what?
S'just pronouns. You can pick whatever."

Vigil doesn't answer your question.

"I'll try those, then.
See how they feel."
"Gotcha."







You are no closer to finding anything resembling a board game than when you started.

kill more time

"Favorite color."
"What?"
"I dunno... asking things."

Out of the corner of your eye, you see Vigil put a claw to what you'd call her chin.

"...Purp-- 
Indigo."
"Purpindigo?"
"Herrera."
"Just saying, not a color I've heard of, but it sounds cool.
...But yeah, indigo's good. I go for orange, personally."


"...You realize we've both picked colors we're sporting?"
"Yeah, I look cool. Sue me."
"I'd say I do, too."
"Yep.
Got the whole 'old slasher horror' vibe going on. 
It rules."

She doesn't respond to your comment, but you don't think much of it.







You finally call it.

"...So uh.
Funny thing:  Might have zero board games, actually.
I don't know if I left them at the old place or if they're uh... buried in here somewhere but...
...Wait hang on."

Thinking quickly, you reach on the top shelf and rip off a page from an old notebook, grabbing a pencil right after.

"First off..."
You walk over and turn on the TV, using the buttons on the front to switch over to some music channel.
"...background noise."

You fetch one of your metal TV trays and sit back on the couch, quickly drawing a simple grid.

You hand her the tray, paper and pencil.

"Okay, X's or O's?"
It takes her a moment, but she seems to recognize the game.
"O's."
"Cool. 
You're up first."

You look on, seeing her notice the pencil and hesitate.
Looking like someone using chopsticks for the first time, she reaches down and grasps it, only failing to pick it up once.
She gently lifts it, the leech claw shaking as she tries to finely-coordinate it for the first time.

She concentrates hard, lowering the pencil down to draw.



She passes the tray back to you.
"Your move.
And don't say anything about the circle; you try drawing with these."
"Hey, I get it. Hands are hard, dude.
You'll get used to 'em
...Is 'dude' okay?"
"I have no idea yet."
"Right, yeah, makes sense."



Seems like you've got time to bring up any topics you'd like with Vigil, or ask her questions.

You'll also need to figure out your move, of course.