ENCOUNTER James (2d6+DILIGENCE)

⚂⚁ 2, 3+2 = 7. Qualified success. Chosen result:

They'll do it if you have sex with them. HAVE SEX, and on a 7+, they'll do what you want.

As you sit down next to James at the table, the two of you share an awkward smile. You're suddenly starting to regret agreeing to this. He seems like a nice enough fellow, but the situation, of you being used as a distraction for him and everyone more-or-less knowing it, is terribly awkward. Not only that, you think with a droplet of sweat starting to form on the back of your neck, but you're terrible at flirting! And now there's expectations that you'll do it well! When you're part of a group, it's easier - you just sort of have to sit near to each other, occasionally comment on what somebody else said, and gradually edge closer together until you're holding hands. But alone, one-on-one, you have to talk to each-other. Every topic can be a grievous misstep. Maybe I should get him talking about himself? you think... but then you mentally give yourself a slap to the forehead. No, Franziska, this is supposed to be about you! And more to the point, you cannot be too obvious about any of this! You'll come off as ****... Oh GOD, that is exactly why Gil suggested this, because he could sense I was **** and he knew I'd say yes! AAARGGGGHHHHHH_

James is still sitting there, his smile shrinking a millimeter at a time as you stare back at him fish-eyed, giving an inchoate shriek of terror within your mind. "Oh! Yes! The assignment! I was just.. hm. Admiring this marvelous desk. I do so love how everything here is so, um, posh." you give the table a stroke with your hand for emphasis.

He seems to accept that and nods knowingly. "Ohh yes, brilliant, innit all? I grew up in a country cottage so every day it's just..." he holds his hands up to the side of his head and opens them for emphasis, "Wow." he says, in a quiet voice but still dramatically. "Truth be told, I'm glad to be meeting some Leontes," he says in a low, confiding voice. "That Felice is an interesting girl no doubt, but ehhh... bit intimidating sometimes, inn't she? I suppose you haven't known her long but she's in a lot of my classes. Always acting just a touch too friendly, you know? Just wanted to hand the paper off to her and dash on out, find something fun to do. But..." he sighs and smiles as if he's a doctor who just saved your life, "I suppose I can delay that a bit to help out someone who needs it. 'Tis the Beavertail way, after all."

Your eyes widen, and you give a quick nod. "Um - Oh, well, I do not like to talk about someone I just met but I believe I've met that type before. Anyway..." Internally, your despairing screams of angst have turned into a halting, building laugh of pride. You've got a chance after all! Don't screw this up, Franziska!! your inner monologue shrills.

"Sooo..." you say, glancing down at the books. "Potions." James nods and looks at you expectantly. "It is a very hard subject," you say, nodding your head sharply. "I myself have always had an easier time with all the spellcasting classes. They allow plenty of room for improvisation, yeah? But for classes like that... if I do not have the basic facts memorized it seems like there's not much I can do. Not only that but they assign these detailed projects but they give you only half the information you need! And, um, you seem like you are really at home in the library here..."

"Hah.." James smirks and leans back, giving a muffled chuckle. "Bit too at home so far! 'S why I intend on lightin' out of here and finding a more stimulating place to spend the afternoon. Especially without Felice around to liven things up." Your eyebrow twitches. You can't tell if this guy is a master manipulator with an unreadable demeanor, or genuinely happy-go-lucky and oblivious. Felice reminds you a bit too much of the bitch who stole your beloved Johann, you suddenly realize - suddenly, you don't want to let her win. If she could get a free difficult academic assignment out of this twerp, you certainly can!

Hmmm, you think to yourself. Maybe if I talk about something sexy, it will get his attention? Ugh... but how are potions sexy? I guess there are all the transforming ones but he might think that's more weird than hot. Perhaps... put that one aside for a second and try something else... You look around. "Ah, but though I find potions a bit dull, this library is actually quite fascinating! I would not know where to begin! So many interesting, obscure titles, I think I'd be too distracted to get much work done. And I was just thinking, it would be lovely if there was a nice Beavertail to have a nice, close study session with.. so as to let me get all my projects for the first month lined up and ready ahead of time. I'm so bad at making notes on my own... I am good at other topics though, if you need any help, say, practicing your conjurations or transformations..."

Of course this isn't just about wanting to show Gil and Felice something - you do genuinely need help in your potions work and, in your potions class, you have the ill-fortune to be mostly grouped with a bunch of cliquish Minervals and a few Leontes who are even more ill-suited for the subject than you. If you can get this guy to do even half of your potions research and homework for you, you'll have MUCH more time to advance socially.

James puts his arms down on the desk, leaning forward and sighing. "Aye, well, thats all well and good but there's supposed to be more to Boarbristle than bleeding rigorous academics. Feh. Not that I'd know so far - Susan Quaffle, our prefect, was offering to show some of us new arrivals around the jollier parts of Boarbristle, like the Garden, but all of a sudden she seems like she's cast a social invisibility spell and doesn't want to be troubled by the likes of me. I was thinking that Felice could at least, well, get me invited to some parties. Maybe there's still time. Ah, I'm a bit knacked today Franziska - c'n I meet you back here in a couple of days, come at this dull shite with a fresh outlook?"

You frown slightly. Not good at all - these Beavertails seem to be inveterate wafflers. "Ahahaa..." you laugh nervously. "Well, I presumed that since you and the members of your house spend so much time here in the library, there must be something really fun to do here.." James blushes a little bit and looks away. "Ahhh, well, t'isn't the books they're interested in, my dear. It's a good place for a risky hidden rendezvous between two students that fancy each other without nosy Minervals spying on you or crowds of shameless Draconians trying to butt in." Suddenly you have an idea.

Putting your finger up to your mouth, you have a thoughtful expression. "Hmmm... oh well that is very interesting. I think perhaps my new 'friend' Gilbert had the same idea, but I bet that Draconis girl is just teasing him. I have an idea to get their attention and have a bit of fun with them though, James." He raises an eyebrow and looks up, blinking. "Eh, what's that you're on about?"

"What if," you say slowly, leaning closer and getting a glint in your eye, "when Felice and him get back to the place we planned on, they found us sitting close together, getting along very well, and you hinted to her that... you and I had just got back from private little spot between two bookshelves where we had a lot of fun at the expense of getting much study done...? Perhaps muss our hair up a little bit, so that it is believable..? Would that not be a lovely little prank?" you ask hopefully, in your sweetest voice.

James sits bolt upright when what you're saying gets across to him and a blush starts coming into his cheeks. You finally have his undivided attention. "And in exchange," you say, "you generously offer to gather up the notes and materials I'll need for potions class. That would save me so much time.."

Clearing his throat, James looks down at the books, then back to you, and edges closer. "Well, that's... I mean, it would be the friendly thing for me to do to help you, and it would all be in good fun on Felice but... those Draconians are damn salty about that kind of thing. She'd probably know at a glance all the little signs that it was just a put-on, and then she'd just laugh at me.. ah, at us." He suddenly makes a fist and purses his lips, his gaze focusing in on you. "Maybe I'd suggest a slight addendum to your idea, dear." James reaches over and takes hold of one of your hands. "Let's just, well, have a bit of hanky-panky right now and get nice and realistically mussed and sweaty. Just call it a little kissing practice between new friends. Maybe let on to her that we went further than we did," he adds - while being vague exactly how 'far' he means to suggest in the first place.

You make a theatrical little gasp, but your blush gives away how intrigued you are. "James! You.. naughty dog!" you say in a giggling voice, giving him a sharp elbow. "That is quite an imagination you have! Ohhh, but the looks on their faces would be delicious like fine chocolate, would it not..." you nibble on the end of your pinky finger and incline your head to the side, batting your eyes at him. "But remember, you will owe me an assignment or two for this if I agree, hee heee~"

Franziska's options:-

• HAVE SEX with James in the library and try to let Felice and Gilbert happen upon the two of you during/afterwards (roll BRAVERY+2d6) despite the risk of getting caught by the librarian.

• Ask James to follow you out to the Weirding Woods and HAVE SEX (roll BRAVERY+2d6) there.
• CAST A SPELL (roll CUNNING+2d6) to hide James with illusions and try to sneak him back into Gilbert's own room for maximum shock value.
• Take offense at James' demand and DEFEND YOUR HONOR (roll BRAVERY+2d6) by challenging him to a spellcasting contest.