Design by committee

“Hold on a sec.” You fiddle with the controls of the Juicer Max, mixing up a new concoction to grant Ash her (Jane’s) original identity, like your did for Rose (Pearl). “This should be Jane.”

(Jane Remix)
--TYPE--
(MIX)
TMBY 33
ATHL 33
SKTR 33

Rose motions you aside and takes over. “You forgot Jane’s whole thing about the great outdoors and exclusivity.” She presses another few buttons, fixing your oversight.

(Corrected Jane Remix)
–TYPE–
(MIX)
TMBY 20
ATHL 20
SKTR 20
HPSR 20
OUTD 20

OUTD - outdoorsy? That makes sense, but HPSR?

“Hipster?” you ask. “Jane’s not a hipster. And what do you mean by exclusivity?"

Your curvy partner scoffs. “Do you even know what a hipster is?" she asks, accusing. "If a trail’s too crowded, Jane picks another one. if a trick’s overdone, Jane practices one nobody else does. And if a song’s too much on the radio, she hates it like the plague.”

Huh. Some of that sound familiar, but you always paid more attention to how pretty Jane's lips were rather than what she was actually doing. Maybe you didn't know her as well as you thought.

Rose double checks her work. “So... what about all the other buttons?”

You sideline your thoughts. “What about them?”

Rose points to the GAMR button. “We could make her more into video games, too. That’d be cool for when we’re all hanging out, wouldn't it?"

You could refuse, but you did always wish Jane was into genres other than hyper competitive racers and fighters.

“Not a bad idea,” you say, taking over the controls.

You tap buttons, reformulating Jane's mixture to take a little bit out of outdoors - you never did much like camping - and shift it into 'gamer'. That ought to improve the future dynamic between you, Rose, and Ash. Since Rose is 5% Gamer, and 10% Geek, 10% pure Gamer for Ash sounds right.

(Corrected Gamer Girl Jane Remix)
–TYPE–
(MIX)
TMBY 20
ATHL 20
SKTR 20
HPSR 20
OUTD 10
GAMR 10

While you work, Rose browses the other syrups selections with a thoughtful expression, as if reading a menu. “You know, there's a lot of stuff here."

You look over at her, eyebrow raised. “What do you mean?”

"Remember last summer, with the Sabaton concert?"

You remember going out of your way with Pearl to invite all your friends. Jane gave the vague excuse of being 'too busy'. But even Yutong came, and Yu's the epitome of over-scheduling.

"It was a bummer she missed that one," you admit.

Rose points at one of the buttons lower down on the TYPE panel, one that simply reads ROCK. "Thoughts?"

It's not that Jane doesn't like crowds, or concerts, but you do wish she were more into the kind of music you were. "... you've got a point."

Both of you jump on the Juicer Max's controls, and shift some numbers around to make room. The budget for 'Rocker' comes out of Jane's 'Hipster', but you and Rose are in agreement Jane could stand to be more open-minded.

(Corrected Gamer Girl Rock Concert Jane Remix)
–TYPE–
(MIX)
TMBY 20
ATHL 20
SKTR 20
HPSR 10
OUTD 10
GAMR 10
ROCK 10

"Okay, hear me out on this," says Rose. "Jane's coming to concerts with us now, right? What if she looked the part?"

"Jane's never been much into dressing up for anything," you remind her.

"Well, what if she was?" suggests Rose. "It'd be nice to have a shopping buddy who wasn't Yutong or Indigo. Yu's fun, but Indy's a literal cheerleader. I want creativity."

You huff. "Hey, I go shopping with you guys too."

Rose condescendingly pats your cheek "We both know you don't count."

"Sorry." You hang your head. "Still - we should really top here. Aren't we taking things too far?"

"How about a trade,” proposes Rose. “You let me add a little more aesthetic awareness, and we can add a little something fun for you, too.”

Despite really wanting to stop, you're intrigued by the offer. "... go on."

"I saw the way your eyes bugged out when Jane's clothes melted off," she begins.

Reminded of Jane's nudity, it's difficult to not look behind you right then. Your buck naked crush, Cleansed and waiting, stands mere feet away. If you wanted to take her here and now, there'd be nothing to stop you. Not even Rose would offer much resistance.

Rose knows she's hooked you. She smiles slyly. "We could make that more of a thing."

The prospect of Jane's beautiful body exposed more often fills you with very powerful, and equally irrational feelings.

Accepting your silence as tacit permission, Rose slowly begins mixing in her ideas. She switches out some of Jane's 'Tomboy' for MODL - 'Model', and substitutes OUTD with a syrup labeled NATR.

"What's the difference between outdoors and nature?" you ask. "Aren't they the same thing?"

"They wouldn't put the same thing on here twice," says Rose. "Pretty sure it's Naturist."

"You mean naturalist."

"Nope. Naturalist is right here." She points to a button labeled NTRL.

How can she tell the difference?

"Trust me. This way we both get what we want," she says. "Jane'll hardly be any different. I bet she'll even still like hiking and stuff. Except I'm pretty sure it'll be more clothing optional. Even you can get behind outdoor activities like that."

She's not wrong there. "Okay, but this has to be it."

"Yeah, course. Last thing."

Rose finishes the changes to the soda, and you watch her work.

(Finalized Gamer Girl Rock Concert Fashion Buddy Jane)
–TYPE–
(MIX)
ATHL 20
SKTR 20
TMBY 10
HPSR 10
GAMR 10
ROCK 10
MODL 10
NATR 10

Reviewing the mixture, it looks good to you. And you're about to press the pour button and serve it to 'Ash' when Rose interrupts you.

"You know..." she says.

"Don't even," you warn.

"I didn't say anything yet!"

"We said the fashion change was the last thing."

"You said it'd be the last thing," corrects Rose. "Come on. Please? This is the last thing, for real."

You groan, and Rose grins like she's just stolen your wallet.

She switches back to the professions panel, and indicates a button labeled MAID. “You're not a neat guy. Every time I come over, your room’s a mess," says Rose. "Wouldn't it be nice if I didn’t wind up with a sock in my bra whenever we do it at your place? This'll be good for both of us.”

You’re loathe to change Jane - Ash - even more, again, but Rose paints an appealing picture. Not about you having sex with her in your room, you certainly don't remember that part of your new past, but the other stuff.

You're a free thinker, not an organizer. Keeping things clean has always been a challenge for you. You had to grow up without a mom, so the thought of Jane, or Ash, or just... your girlfriend cleaning up a little for you… you don't hate the idea.

“Only if this is the last thing," you say, seriously.

Rose rolls her eyes. “I promise."

To make room for MAID, Rose surreptitiously dials out HPSR entirely. It wasn't a part of Jane's personality you were much familiar with, so you keep your mouth shut about it. Helping Jane become more open-minded only seems like a win, to you.

(Definitely Finalized (For Real This Time) Gamer Girl Rock Concert Fashion Cleaning Lady Jane)
–TYPE–
(MIX)
ATHL 20
SKTR 20
TMBY 10
GAMR 10
ROCK 10
MODL 10
NATR 10
MAID 10

To finish up, Rose insists on switching ALERT to Witness so she'll remember the changes as well, though you keep Purity at 70% since that's what worked the first time with Rose.

Before Rose makes another suggestion, you label the drink Jane and pour. The Juicer Max hums and produces exactly one (1) ice cold silver can of Jane Juice.