Day 0: A panic atack and hugs.

William seemingly dragged Missy along on an invisible leash. His pace was just a bit swifter than she could comfortably follow along. As he slowed, she pulled out the phone from the backpack and started texting.

Becky heard a small melody from her backpack. She looked in it and grabbed the phone, the only thing that reasonably made the sound. She read the text from Missy. “Girl, what happened?”

Reading this, Becky walked up to her and did as she was asked. She grabbed the leash and told Missy, “You can speak freely now.”

“Thank you, that asshole is worse than that loser,” Missy said as she immediately grabbed her head.

Insulted master: -2 VP (Missy)

Still holding the leash, the shapely woman added. “You should stop insulting Chris. Speak about him with respect; otherwise, you are going to get eliminated.”

“AS IF I would respect that Master, he doesn’t deserve it.” The bitch said, shocked at how she couldn’t insult him. That vermin didn’t deserve to be called ‘Master’. “What did you do, you whore? Why can’t I insult Master?” She started to lash out. “Fix it now, you whore, you fat disgusting PIG, fix it. You are no better than that Master you protect. You are worthless bottom-tier trash. No one will ever love you, you fat sow who most likely wallows in her own filth. I hate so much that you are my tentmate.”

The woman holding the leash got angry in return but didn’t lash out. “From now on, you will treat everyone with respect. You will listen to their opinion and act as a normal, empathetic human being. Lashing out won’t help you! It won’t save you. Now calm down and have a seat and eat lunch!” The monster, seemingly tamed, grabbed lunch and started to eat.

“What do you mean by that I should be a normal empathetic human?” Missy asked after her meal.

“For starters not call people names, place yourself in their shoes and think about what they would want before doing something. If it would actively hurt them, don’t do it. Try it for how you broke up with Chris for starters.”

“Ohh yeah, I know it was shitty, still don’t regret it. I understand I shouldn't do it. From now on, I won’t do things to hurt people.” The caged monster said with an eyeroll.

“I don’t trust that, but it is a start,” Becky said, starting to calm down from the adrenaline. “Has our tent been pitched?”

“Nope, the Jessies didn’t do it for us and neither did Will. I don’t know how to do it.” Missy said. Those bastards who don’t even know what they are didn’t even give me the opportunity to try to pitch my tent because I couldn’t reach the fucking tent.

“Well, if you go with Heather and me, we can complete at least one quest for ourselves. It is only 5 BP, but that is more than nothing. Especially for a task that needs to be done anyway,” The girl holding the leash said as William was scoping out the board, taking the reward for setting up his own tent.

“We can do that.” Both Heather and Missy answered.

Chris held Jessica in his arms. It was a hug she had even gotten points for it, or they had. The two hugging individuals hadn’t looked at the actual results yet. This was enough. Neither of them wanted more from this moment. They wanted to remain in it forever. Chris was glad he had admitted his crush after all this time, and Jessica was glad he had said those kind words. They knew they needed to continue cooking, and they reluctantly eventually did.

Hugged Master: +1 VP First time bonus (the Jessies)

Walking in with multiple large stacks of pancakes as well as bacon, fruit and a large bowl of salad on two trays, the duo was greeted by jeers from Ryan, all in good fun. “Finally, you two have completed your tetatet in the kitchen. Don’t worry, Jesse filled me in on all the juicy details. Still good to know a hug can gain you a single VP.”

[I wonder if this is one of those that can only happen a single time per individual?] Ember thought aloud.

“What do you mean, can only happen once per individual?” Chris asked.

[Well, sir, I am not supposed to be discussing scoring, but this is general enough, and I don’t know anything about it in detail. You know how Lady Syl said things would score less on repeat? For some, that number might be zero.]

“Okay, so Ember, can we please agree not to call me sir. You can call me Chris, you, he or him. Treat me as an equal. If we ever want it to be different, we can talk about it.” Receiving what he believes to be a nod, he continues. “So Ember said that one they don’t know much about it necessarily, but Syl did say that VP is reduced on repeats.”

“Yeah, we remember that,” Jesse responded.

“That reduction could be to zero depending on the action. For low barrier to entry things like hugs, I can see it. Otherwise, you could get a third of the way by simply hugging me each day.”

Ryan rubbed his chin and said. “Seems reasonable. Want to help me get on the board?” Chris raised his eyebrows, walked up to the man who suggested it, and, instead of the chill, calm hug he had with Jessica, gave him a bear hug, which raggdolled the man.

Hugged Master: +1 VP First time bonus (Ryan)

“You prick,” Ryan said with a smile. He had no point reduction, didn’t mean it. It was playful. Good to know joking insults that aren't meant to hurt don't count. The intention of actions is important. “Wait, I was fully prepared to pay for it. Why did it punish me?”

[Motivation matters for the scoring. Not for everything, but playful jokes sure are neutral.] The ball of fire explained, and the only one who could hear them told the rest.

“That is more complex than I thought. Can they hear my thoughts?” Ryan asked. Ember confirmed with Chris that that was the case for everyone. Chris blushed as he said that.

“So they heard what I thought as we were discussing the thing during William’s transformation?” Ember nodded. “Okay… okay… not great to find that out during this show. Less so that basically everyone in the audience could hear me, together with the writing staff and anyone with access to the recording.”

“Now I am curious? Tell us.” Jessica said.

“If anything, you are the most likely to understand this, but before that, I am going to need some sort of beer. Preferably a fucking fruity one.” Chris said before heading into the kitchen, returning with several bottles of Belgian-style Lambic Beers.

“What are these?” Ryan asked with scepticism about the almost champagne-style presentation of the bottles.

“You know that year I did in Europe for my internship?” A nod came from Ryan. “My favourite beers from there, a beer brewed with fruit in it gives a good taste and can be damm strong. I am going to need it to have the courage to say this.” Chris took a swig. “During William's and my protests of us not being gay, Ember reminded me of my search history. Apparently, they have access to all of it… I figured out what the conclusion was from what my perfect partner is at the moment…” He hesitated as he had before, but it felt heavier somehow. The words were heavy; they needed to be lifted by the drink. “A femboy. That explained the still clearly masculine features that affected Ryan whilst also making him more feminine and petite. That is not to say I don’t like girls, but it is weird to realise. Especially given the situation.”

“Sooo, what do you think would happen if either of us got Ryan's transformation?” Jesse dared to ask.

“Not much, I guess the two of you are pretty close to that already, I think.” Chris was already tipsy. “But that is physical, of course, that doesn’t mean shit if your personality is shit. Example, Missy, super sexy, seemed like an okay person, is a monster who will dump you by letting you walk in on her cheating.” The Jessies hadn’t touched theirs yet, but looked at Chris with worry.

“Don’t worry, Chris is a lightweight most days. Two pilsners get him here, unless he has drunk a bunch of water and eaten enough. So seeing as this bottle is half empty.” Ryan said, looking at the beer Chris was drinking. “This is about four beers in one. Smart move of him to get tipsy quickly, let the booze do the talking.”

“Why not use wine then?” Jesse asked.

“Too bitter, he says.” Ryan left to get a carafe of water and ice. “Buddy, don’t forget to drink.”

“Here, have a little tip,” Chris said, making a kissy face.

“First, you get sober. If you want to kiss me afterwards, I am totally willing to do it. I don’t want either of us to feel like I took advantage of you.” The Jessies smiled at that phrasing like they knew it would be inevitable but not mandatory for today.