If we run out of things to talk about try playing chess, and ask what Rocky knows about what we're doing when we arrive.

Cosmos 2015/07/02(Thu)04:42 No. 652552 ID: dfe0d5
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The silence only lasts a few seconds, but your nerves make it feel longer. You wouldn't say you're shy exactly, you just don't know how to react properly. As eager as you are, you've still been placed in a new situation overnight, and with a person you've grown up with yet never actually gotten to know. Another brief moment passes before you finally manage to offer a weak attempt to break the ice.

"It's been a long time, Rocky. Thanks for helping me with this... I'm sure you're very busy."

You glance up to assess his reaction and see that he's smiling gently at you.

"It's no problem at all," he replies, shaking his head. "I'm glad I can be of service. It'll certainly be easier to keep an eye on affairs in Honeycomb this way as well. It's always been difficult to manage from across the ocean. My father has enough help to manage the rest of Sweeton on his own for the time being."

"Oh, that... that's good." You fumble around for more to say but lack the social GRACE or POLITICAL KNOWLEDGE to comment further. Instead, you change the subject.

"So... what's going to happen when we arrive? Have any plans been made?"

Rocky pauses for a moment, looking thoughtful.

"I expect news of your coming has already reached the island, so although nothing official has been planned yet, there is likely to be an informal welcoming of some sort. At the very least, there will be many people waiting to see you. After all, it's not often Honeycomb gets to see royals. A good number of guards are ready in the unlikely event that anything goes wrong, but there shouldn't be too much trouble."

Now that Rocky mentions it, you have some fuzzy memories of your last visit to Honeycomb. You were eight, and you remember trying to stand on the seat and wave out the carriage window while curious onlookers strained to catch a glimpse. Your mother made you sit down.

"We'll still need to make plans for an official ceremony later, of course," Rocky continues. "You need to make a good impression and formally address the island."

You nod. Everything Rocky has said makes sense, and you're determined to do well! Your only concern is whether you can pull off a decent formal appearance. The most you've done is stand beside your family while your parents spoke, and you're not exactly known for your charisma or GRACE. You've got some work to do!

The ride to the harbor is at least an hour or two, and you think it would be a good opportunity to get to know Rocky better. Do you have any questions you'd like to ask or would you like to spend your time in some other way?

Do we have a speech ready to practice, or should we be making one?

yeah, have rocky help you prepare a speech for when you get there.

Cosmos 2015/07/03(Fri)02:33 No. 652772 ID: dfe0d5
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The more you think about the upcoming ceremony, the more you wonder how you'll pull this off. You need to practice your speech, but you can't do that without one to practice, and you've never prepared one yourself. Although... Your father does have advisers help him write speeches sometimes. Your mother has even written a few for him. It wouldn't be inappropriate at all to ask for assistance then, would it?

"Rocky... could I ask you for some help?" you start tentatively. He nods, his smile never faltering, and you relax. You like his calm demeanor. It's reassuring.

"Of course. That is what I'm here for, after all."

"I've never really written a speech like this before, so..."

"I see. Then this is the perfect opportunity to practice. I'll help you get started."

Your cousin opens the suitcase on his lap and pulls out a piece of parchment and a pen, which he hands to you from across the carriage. He spends the next few minutes advising you on speech structure. However, he only offers advice and guidance-- you must write the actual content. Still, you have gained some basic knowledge of SPEECH WRITING which should aid you in your new position. He's been with you for under half an hour, but Rocky has already been a great help.

"What would you like to tell the people?" he asks. "What is the message you'd like to convey to them?"

This year is THEIRS. You get it. You're an antisocial brat whose influence on the island is going to be minimal at best, and detrimental at worst. So, you plan to be the lesser woman; you will handle all the bureaucratic nonsense while the people govern themselves.

This year, all the annoying inspectors and sleazy marketers and executive hogs will answer to YOU. The workers, the researchers, and the farmers will have their day.

This year is THEIR year, not the year of a minty-fresh brat. If they want you to leave, they have to prove that they're better than YOU.

Simple.

(But in reality you're going to analyze and participate in a complex structure of harvesting, producing, and business, that has slowly formed under the conflicting actions of generations of citizens. Your basic mission is to be a part of this enterprise, neither its tyrant ruler nor a complete stranger.)

>>652774
no, calling anyone a bad thing is just asking for an assassin in the butt.



just talk about how you are glad to be here and with an authority nearby, permits and requisitions should be processed faster. you hope that your integration into the local government is smooth.

Well, you want to thank them for taking you into their home, of course! And for the trust they've but in you to run things smoothly- a trust you will do you very best to prove worthy of.

Light and idealistic- we can't go deep on details because we don't have any. Go for political goodwill.

>>652844
Yeah, trying to fake sincerity at this stage in our development as an orator is a bad idea. Let's try for some real sincerity and non-controversial flattery of the people we're being dropped on.

Cosmos 2015/07/04(Sat)06:56 No. 652984 ID: dfe0d5
File 143601820589.png - (79.53KB , 875x700 , minty23.png )

"Well... I guess I just want to thank them for taking me in and say that I'll do my best."

"A basic expression of good will," Rocky nods. "A fine first speech. It's probably best to keep things simple for the time being."

You spend the next hour or so writing and perfecting your speech under Rocky's guidance. The end result isn't incredible or revolutionary, but it's a solid effort, and you feel proud of your work. See? You're doing queenly things already! You can get the hang of this!

Working on your speech together seems to have been the ice breaker you needed, and you feel more at ease now. You spend the remaining hour of the carriage ride engaging in small talk with Rocky-- what you've both been doing, how your families have been, and even some noble gossip (Unfortunately, the truth behind his rumored birthmark does not come up no matter how much you try to hint at it). He's easy to talk to, and you're glad you won't be doing this alone. By the time the carriage arrives at the harbor, he no longer feels like a stranger.

Waiting for you at the harbor is a fairly large steam boat-- one of many recent technologies to come from Vaperra in the last several years. You'll arrive at Honeycomb by late afternoon or early evening.

Now that you've arrived, the boat will be leaving shortly. You recognize some of your servants hurrying about, making last minute preparations alongside a few others whom you assume to be the ship's crew members.

As Rocky helps you out of the carriage, a petite but stern looking woman approaches with quick, sharp steps. Upon recognizing her, you panic and instinctively turn and attempt to leap back into the carriage, but she grabs your wrist and twirls you around to face her, fixing you with a cold glare.

"Princess Mint Chocolate Chip, do not think that leaving the palace excuses you from your studies."

Crap. Crap crap crap. No one said anything about Abigail coming. You haven't done homework for a week because you assumed coming of age meant you didn't need to take lessons anymore. She is going to murder you.

>Princess Mint Chocolate Chip, do not think that leaving the palace excuses you from your studies.
>Crap. Crap crap crap
No, um, of course not! I even brought some books! (The one your sister lent you, and your math book. Maybe you can mollify her?).

And um, I was hoping we could adjust the curriculum to focus on stuff more directly relevant to what I'm doing on Honeycomb island? (It sounds like taking initiative, might actually help you, and best of all, means the old homework you didn't do isn't important anymore).

I doubt you can convincingly pull off fake sincerity, so go for naive and clueless.

Remind her that you're in charge of the island for one year. That means you get to be her boss this time.

1/2 Cosmos 2015/07/04(Sat)17:42 No. 653065 ID: dfe0d5
File 143605697336.png - (87.74KB , 875x700 , minty24.png )

In a desperate attempt to save yourself, you blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.

"I-I'm in charge of the island so that means I'm your boss no-"

PAK

"I MEAN I BROUGHT BOOKS AND I'M GOING TO STUDY HARD NOW, AHAHA..."

Abigail raises an eyebrow at you, arms crossed, but lets you explain yourself. You fumble for a new excuse that will not get you backhanded.

"I, um, was just thinking that we should change my lessons to better suit my new, uh, responsibilities. I should learn about Honeycomb and... stuff..."

Your governess's critical gaze never falters, but you seem to have at least talked her down from administering more corporal punishment. She examines your expression for a moment (You try your best to exude naivity, though she's seen your guilty face too many times to not recognize it) then shakes her head.

"You never run short of excuses," she sighs. "But I'll accept this one only because it possesses an ounce of sense."

You hear Rocky quietly chuckle behind you.

2/2 Cosmos 2015/07/04(Sat)17:45 No. 653068 ID: dfe0d5
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The three of you soon board the ship, Abigail explaining along the way that, though normally you would have ended your required lessons by now, she requested that you continue due to your less than stellar performance and your parents agreed. Pepper, meanwhile, will be engaging in self-directed study back home. Stupid teacher's pet.

After a few more minutes of catching up and being chastised, Abigail walks off to "begin preparing your curiculum" and Rocky leaves soon after with some parting words of encouragement. It will take several hours to reach Honeycomb Island and you are free to spend your time at sea however you wish.

You have been provided a room though the boat ride won't be overnight, so you could go there to relax for a bit. If Abigail's here though, there might be others from the castle here as well. Your parents did say some of the servants would be coming with you. It's also been years since you've been on a boat, so it might be fun just to look around a bit.

What should you do?

Find out what 'they' expect us to do, and practice the speech. Apparently our parents think we're a spoiled child if they send our old tutor with us and let her slap us around: We have to make sure that stops or we won't be a queen at all.

Explore the ship, look for dolphins, and don't get sea sick.

>what do
Stow your luggage somewhere secure (in your quarters, preferably). Don't want it falling overboard, or hitting anyone if the boat shifts.

Then explore! Let's try to find a spot on the boat with a good view as the kingdom recedes. We can check back later to get a good view of the place you're arriving at too. Seeing firsthand is better than maps in a book.

Maybe somewhere in between you can see who you know is coming with you, and say some kind things. Being good to the help is to your benefit.

It would probably curry favor with Abigail if you did some of the work she'd assigned you on the boat. ... but don't spend too long on that.

Crouch behind cover and spy on everyone.

1/2 Cosmos 2015/07/06(Mon)16:08 No. 653520 ID: dfe0d5
File 143622413849.png - (50.45KB , 500x400 , minty26.png )

Your first priority is to put away your luggage. Some of your favorite things are in there and you'd hate for them to get misplaced or damaged!

On your way to your quarters, you reflect on your previous encounter with Abigail. She's always been strict and had a low tolerance for slackers, but you're still annoyed by her presence. You thought you were getting a chance to prove yourself, but your parents must still think you're a child to send her after you! You make a mental note to practice your speech later and maybe even do some studying. A few days ago you might have continued to goof around and pay no mind to any responsibilities, but you're more determined than ever now, if only for the sake of your pride! At the moment, though, you'd like to explore a little.

The ship begins to move, and you hurry out to the deck to survey your kingdom. You can't see all of it of course, just this one port town, but all the little graham cracker buildings and candy rooftops still make you the slightest bit homesick as they recede into the distance. To keep your mind off of it, you try to look for dolphins.

2/2 Cosmos 2015/07/06(Mon)16:09 No. 653521 ID: dfe0d5
File 143622417795.png - (45.34KB , 500x400 , minty27.png )

"Boo"

Punch her in the face out of sheer surprise.

Punch yourself in the face out of sheer surprise.

Kick this unknown foe in the knee and pin them to the ground. Get their name and reason for disturbing our wonderful thoughts. Tickle torture is approved if they remain uncooperative.

Push against the railing and tackle her to the ground.

Don't do anything violent. You have no reason to- you never trained your combat stat at all!

Turn around calmly and chipper. Hello!

Kiss your secret girlfriend, with tongue, and give her a feel too.

>>653526
this. bonus points if you lose a tooth

>>653552
I read this as following up to >>653551 and was RATHER CONFUSED AND SOMEWHAT INTRIGUED.

Cosmos 2015/07/07(Tue)03:26 No. 653673 ID: dfe0d5
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OH MY GOD WHAT IS THAT.

Out of sheer surprise, you instinctively attempt to assault the source of your alarm. However, you are so incompetent at COMBAT that you simply end up flailing around like an idiot. All you manage to do is accidentally hit yourself in the face. As your panic subsides, you hear laughter and look up to see Cocoa, one of your maids.

"Oh lady, you should have seen yourself," she barely manages between snorts of laughter.

Cocoa has always been playful with your family. Some nobles might find it disrespectful, but she's fun and does good work, so your family enjoys having her around. She's friendly and talkative with you, but she seems to like teasing you because you have the biggest reactions. You're surprised to see her here. You would have thought they'd want to keep her at the castle.

How do you respond?

Lick.
Her.
FACE.

>>653674
YES, DO IT. There's no way this can go wrong.

Kiss her, you fool

Be glad and suprised to have her along.

But geeze, be a little careful with the pranks, okay? You have to look good in front of people, here.

Yes, kiss her or lick her face: She is just too smug, and you have to shock her just once!
And if it doesn't work, maybe you'll at least have a girlfriend to cuddle with at night out of it.

Be surprised, But intrigued about what she's doing here... (Especially because Abigail is here... Sooner or later she could get lectured...)

Kiss the fool.

>>653681
This. Would not want even more embarrassment.

>>653673
Hi! What are you doing here?

>>653673
Give her a hug!
Then kiss her

>>653683
Do you have any clue how romance works at all?

I say we greet her civilly.

>>653775
This is the internet a place where logic isn't needed. As such we will attempt to have instant relations with this person. Hug the maid!

>>653800
Are we reading the same story?
This isn't the Internet, it's the Candy Kingdom. A place where things like "social cues" and "consequences" (if you've ever heard of those) are present.

One million years boat dungeon!

...Eh, your sentence is commuted to one boat hug. It's good to see a familiar face coming with us. (That isn't our governess... ;~;)

Cosmos 2015/07/09(Thu)20:56 No. 654528 ID: dfe0d5
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"What are you doing here, Cocoa?" you ask, happy to see a familiar face other than your abrasive governess. You give her a quick hug.

"I volunteered to come, of course!" she grins. "I'm not missing out on a year long island vacation."

"I'm glad you're here, but geeze, be a little careful with the pranks, okay? I'm trying to look good in front of people here!"

"But I barely did anything, lady, it was you who started waving your arms around and nearly knocked out your own teeth."

"Well. Um. Never mind. Do you know if anyone else is here too?" you hastily change the subject to avoid further embarrassment.

"Hmm... Probably the only ones you'd care about are Abigail, Tart, and Toffee."

Tart is one of the younger guards. You remember when he first joined the castle's forces a few years ago, barely 18. He was so enthusiastic, he nearly tackled you to the ground, mistaking you for an intruder when you tried to sneak into the kitchen for extra dessert. He's calmed down since then, but he can still be a little impulsive. You became friendly with each other after many a night of him agreeing to look the other way whenever you snuck by in exchange for a share of your pilferings.

Toffee is a newer face. She only recently joined the castle as a maid a couple months ago, but she's always been kind to you, frequently asking whether you need anything done and speaking gently to you and all the staff. You haven't talked to her enough to really consider her your friend, and she seems a little shy, but she's a fine acquaintance, and one of the only girls in the castle your age. It'll be nice to have her along.

Knowing you'll have at least three companions to talk to is a comfort. You wonder if you could find the others now if you looked. There's a large dining area on the ship that seems like a likely place to find some people, and the kitchen is next to it, though you don't think Tart or Toffee would be in there. They could also be in the servants' quarters or other rooms, but it might be a little weird to just barge in there. Alternatively, you could go back to your room and start practicing that speech, but it'll be hours until you reach Honeycomb, so you'll probably have time for that later.

"Hey, Cocoa! Feel like hanging out and helping me practice my speech? We could make it into a game."

Abigail? ...What a weird name.
Go to the dining area first to look for them, and then the kitchen to sneak some food.

Hang out with Cocoa, see if you can find the others. It's good to have friends!

Practice your speech after.

>>654581
Yeah, where's Abigail from? (That is a foreign name, right?)

>>654699
Oh yeah. We didn't get a summary for her like Tart and Toffee, either.