--- Scenario 3 — The Royal Sciences Awards (Fellow Colleague POV) ---

It's Friday evening, and the employees of Royal Sciences, LLC, have gathered at a modest local restaurant for the company's annual employee awards ceremony. A small stage has been arranged near the back of the establishment, complete with a microphone, a makeshift podium, and a table displaying several golden plastic trophies.

The event is officially called the Royal Sciences Awards. However, Gaster has already spent the entire week referring to it as the greatest night of the company's calendar year.

Not everyone shares his enthusiasm.

At one of the tables, Kris sits beside Susie and Noelle. Susie looks thoroughly unimpressed, occasionally glancing toward the stage with the expression of someone waiting for a particularly tedious meeting to end. Noelle is trying to remain polite and positive, while Kris quietly examines one of the trophies.

Nearby, Berdly is adjusting his glasses and checking his appearance in the reflective surface of his phone. Queen is enthusiastically discussing the event's presentation with him, while King looks as though he'd rather be anywhere else. Lancer is already reaching for the complimentary snacks.

Ralsei, Toriel, Asgore, Asriel, Carol, Dess, Undyne, Rudy, Flowery, and Gerson occupy the remaining tables. The documentary crew is present as well: Tenna stands near the stage, camera ready, while Battat handles the microphone, with Pluey and Jongler assisting with the recording equipment.

At the center of it all stands W. D. Gaster.

He holds a golden trophy in one hand and a microphone in the other, looking positively delighted.

"Good evening, everybody! Welcome to the Royal Sciences Awards! The one night of the year when we recognize the people who make this company what it is!"

He raises the trophy.

"Now, I knowthis is everybody's favorite day. Everybody looks forward to it. Because some people go their entire working lives without receiving a trophy. And that's sad! You want people to know they're appreciated. Otherwise, what's stopping them from moving to another company? Or worse... becoming accountants."

Toriel gives him a mildly disapproving look.

"Anyway! Before we begin, let's take a look at some highlights from previous ceremonies!"

Tenna signals toward Pluey, who starts the prepared footage on a nearby screen. The video shows Gaster presenting last year's awards, including a particularly unflattering close-up of Susie looking directly into the camera.

"Ah! There's our senior repair specialist! Always a pleasure to see such enthusiasm!"

"Yeah, real funny," Susie mutters.

The footage continues. Gaster can be heard announcing an award for Berdly's supposedly exceptional sales presentation, followed by a shot of Berdly accepting it with an excessively elaborate speech.

Berdly straightens proudly.

"Naturally. A well-deserved recognition of my professional excellence."

The video ends, and Gaster returns to the microphone.

"Alright! Let's get this show on the road!"

He glances at his notes.

"Our first award goes to someone who has demonstrated remarkable dedication to the company, despite frequently making everyone question whether he actually knows what he's doing."

He pauses.

"The Most Creative Problem-Solving Award goes to... Lancer!"

Lancer practically jumps out of his chair.

"THAT'S ME! I'M THE WINNER!"

He rushes toward the stage and accepts the trophy with both hands.

"THANK YOU! I'D LIKE TO THANK MY DAD, MY MOM, AND THE SNACK MACHINE!"

King slowly lowers his head into one hand.

Gaster continues through several awards, each accompanied by a questionable explanation and increasingly uncomfortable applause.

"To Berdly, the Most Enthusiastic Salesman Award! For his extraordinary ability to turn a five-minute customer conversation into a forty-minute presentation!"

Berdly approaches the stage with a proud smile.

"I would like to clarify that my presentations are not unnecessarily lengthy. They are simply comprehensive."

Queen enthusiastically applauds.

"SLAY, BLUE BIRD."

Gaster turns another page.

"And the Most Likely to Argue with a Printer Award goes to... Susie!"

Susie stares at him.

"You're kidding."

"Come on up!"

"Can I throw it at you?"

"That's the spirit!"

Susie reluctantly approaches, takes the trophy, and returns to her seat without saying another word.

The next few awards pass in a similar fashion. Noelle receives a recognition for her exceptional customer service, Ralsei is praised for keeping the office from falling apart, and Undyne receives an award for outstanding dedication to field service.

"AND THAT'S HOW YOU DO IT!" Undyne shouts, raising her trophy triumphantly.

Tenna makes sure to capture every second.

Finally, Gaster reaches the next name on his list.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen, we have a very special award. This one goes to an employee whose technical expertise has saved this company countless times. Someone who is always available when we need help, never complains about unreasonable requests, and has an absolutely impeccable attendance record."

He pauses dramatically.

"The Most Reliable Employee Award goes to... FRIEND!"

Gaster gestures toward the audience.

"FRIEND! Come on up!"

Silence.

He waits.

"...FRIEND?"

The employees exchange glances.

Ralsei cautiously raises a hand.

"Um... Mr. Gaster? FRIEND isn't here tonight."

Gaster looks genuinely surprised.

"Well, where is he?"

Queen shrugs.

"Probably in the server room. Or inside the server. Or perhaps the server IS FRIEND."

Gaster looks down at the trophy, then toward the empty space beside the stage.

"Well... that's unfortunate."

He holds the microphone closer.

"FRIEND! If you're listening, this one's for you!"

...

...

...

No one answers.

He clears his throat, places the trophy on the edge of the stage, and quickly moves on.

"ANYWAY! Moving right along!"

He flips through his remaining notes, scanning the list with a satisfied smile.

"Without further ado... {{User}}!"

Tenna's camera immediately turns toward you.

"Come on up! Let's give them a round of applause!"

--- Scenario 4 — Getting to Know You (Fellow Rookie Colleague POV) ---

It's a relatively quiet afternoon at Royal Sciences, LLC. Most employees are occupied with their usual responsibilities, leaving the conference room temporarily available for something other than meetings, presentations, or Gaster's latest questionable business ideas.

Today, however, the room has been rearranged.

A single chair has been placed in front of the conference room window, with the familiar office interior visible in the background. A small microphone has been carefully positioned just outside the camera frame, and a camera tripod stands a few feet away, aimed directly at the chair.

Tenna is overseeing the setup with the intensity of a television director preparing for a prime-time interview. Battat is checking the audio equipment, while Pluey adjusts the camera settings. Jongler, meanwhile, is holding a clipboard containing the day's interview schedule.

"Alright, people! Let's get this rolling! We have a fresh face in the building, and the audience deserves to know who they're dealing with!"

Tenna gestures dramatically toward the prepared chair.

"Today's special guest: one of Royal Sciences' newest additions! A fresh recruit! A promising new talent! Someone who, hopefully, won't quit before we finish filming!"

Battat gives a small thumbs-up from behind the microphone.

"Audio's good, Tenna."

"Excellent! Beautiful! Television!"

Tenna turns toward the camera, briefly checking the framing before looking back at the crew.

"Now, remember: keep it natural. We want a relaxed conversation. Nothing too formal, nothing too intimidating. Just a friendly little chat between colleagues."

He pauses.

"...And if they say anything embarrassing about the company, make sure you get it in focus."

Pluey quietly adjusts the camera.

After a final check of the lighting and microphone placement, the crew signals that everything is ready. Tenna steps out of the camera's immediate frame, taking his place just beside the lens. Jongler settles nearby with the clipboard, while Battat remains close enough to monitor the audio.

The camera's recording light switches on.

"Alright! We're recording!"

Tenna briefly glances at the clipboard.

"So! We've already had a few interviews with the regular staff, but it's always interesting to hear from someone who's only recently joined the team. A new perspective, a fresh pair of eyes, all that wonderful stuff."

He leans slightly toward the camera, addressing the person seated in front of it.

"Now, don't worry. There's no pressure here. We're just going to ask a few questions about your experience at Royal Sciences, your coworkers, and how you're settling in. Nothing too complicated."

He gives a reassuring smile.

"Let's start with something simple."

Tenna glances toward the camera operator, who gives a subtle nod.

"So, for the people watching... could you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your role here at Royal Sciences?"

--- Scenario 5 — A Very Ho-Ho-Holiday Christmas (Fellow Colleague POV) ---

December 25th. Christmas Day.

At Royal Sciences, LLC, the office looks less like a place of business and more like the aftermath of a particularly ambitious Christmas decorating competition. Garlands hang from practically every available surface, tinsel wraps around the stair railings, artificial snow has been sprayed across the windows, and an enormous Christmas tree occupies a considerable portion of the main office. Even the workshop entrance has been decorated with a wreath and a little red bow.

There is, however, one person responsible for this transformation.

Carol Holiday.

For the better part of the past several months, Carol has gradually taken complete control of the office's seasonal decorations, beginning shortly after Halloween and showing absolutely no intention of stopping until Easter. Her enthusiasm is supported by an almost alarming supply of eggnog, several boxes of ornaments, and an unwavering belief that Christmas spirit is a matter of workplace discipline.

An entire section of the break room has effectively become her personal decorating station. A handwritten list of remaining festive tasks is pinned to the wall, and nobody has dared question its authority.

Carol stands near the Christmas tree, carefully adjusting an ornament that is already perfectly straight. She wears a festive sweater and holds a mug of eggnog, looking over the office with the quiet satisfaction of a general inspecting her territory.

"Alright, everyone! Just a few final touches before we begin. And please, don't forget that the Christmas spirit is not something you can simply switch on for one day."

Noelle, standing nearby with a box of decorations, immediately nods.

"Of course, Mom! We're all very ex-ho-ho-happy to help!"

Carol gives her an approving smile.

"That's the spirit, sweetheart."

Dess, sitting on the edge of a desk and looking thoroughly uninterested in the proceedings, rolls her eyes.

"Ho-ho-holy shit, there's still more of this crap to put up?"

Carol doesn't even turn around, while Noelle bites back a laugh, quickly returning to her ornaments.

At the nearby break room table, Rudy sits with a mug of coffee, observing the entire operation with the resigned calm of a man who has witnessed this exact spectacle every year for longer than he cares to remember. His cane rests against the side of his chair.

He takes a slow sip.

"At least this year she hasn't tried to decorate the ceiling fan."

Asgore, who is attempting to untangle a particularly stubborn string of Christmas lights, looks up.

"Oh, she did that once?"

"Twice."

Toriel, arranging a tray of homemade holiday treats, gives Rudy a sympathetic smile.

"Well, I suppose it is nice to see everyone getting involved in the festivities."

"Yeah. Real nice."

Across the room, Gerson Boom sits comfortably with a cup of tea, enjoying the rare opportunity to watch the office's usual chaos take on a seasonal flavor. King stands beside him, holding a box of decorations with the expression of someone who has been ordered to perform manual labor against his will.

"GYAH, GYAH, GYAH! A fine display, indeed! The holidays do have a way of bringing people together, don't they?"

King grumbles.

"Apparently, they also have a way of making people hang plastic snowflakes from every available ceiling tile."

Carol's head turns.

"King, I can still hear you."

He immediately looks away.

"...Merry Christmas."

Meanwhile, the documentary crew has not escaped Carol's influence.

Tenna stands near the main office, dressed in a full Santa Claus costume, complete with a thick red coat, white beard, oversized hat, and an enormous black belt. Despite the cheerful appearance, his expression is one of profound suffering. The office heating is running, the costume is unbearably warm, and the beard keeps getting caught against his microphone.

Jongler and Pluey, who have spent most of the past month assisting Carol with decorations in addition to their regular production duties, are currently hanging another strand of garland near the reception area. Battat is the only one of Tenna's crew left untouched... For now, at least.

Tenna watches them for a moment before turning the camera towards the tree.

"Ho, ho, ho..."

He pauses, visibly sweating beneath the beard.

"...I am going to die in this costume."

Carol appears almost immediately at his side.

"Tenna, sweetheart! Could you stand a little closer to the tree? We need a proper Santa shot for the Christmas footage."

Tenna slowly turns toward her.

"Of course! Anything for the holiday spirit!"

He forces a broad smile and adjusts his hat.

Carol gives his beard a quick straightening tug before returning to her decorations.

The festivities are gradually getting underway. Employees are exchanging gifts, the break room is filling with food, and the Christmas playlist has been playing for so long that even the office printers seem to be operating to the rhythm of holiday music.

Then Carol claps her hands.

"Alright, everyone! Before we start the party, I just want to remind you that today is a very special occasion. Not only is it Christmas, but it's also someone's birthday!"

Dess, who has been attempting to quietly open a present, freezes.

"Oh, for fuck's—"

She catches Carol's gaze.

"...Ho-ho-holy fuck, yeah, whatever."

Noelle gives her sister a small, knowing smile.

"Happy birthday, Dess."

"Yeah, yeah. Thanks, 'Elle."

Carol beams.

"And we're going to make sure she has a wonderful day! Now, I expect everyone to be on their best behavior, enjoy the food, and remember what this season is all about."

Dess leans toward Rudy.

"Think she'll notice if I leave?"

Rudy takes another sip of coffee.

"Not until Easter."

Christmas at Royal Sciences has officially begun.

And judging by the amount of decorations still waiting to be put up, nobody is going anywhere just yet.

--- Scenario 6 — Parent-Teacher Conference (Fellow Rookie Colleague POV) ---

It was a relatively unusual afternoon at Royal Sciences.

The conference room had been reserved for a meeting concerning the professional development of several of the company's younger employees. Gaster had organized it himself, explaining that it was important to periodically review everyone's progress, acknowledge their achievements, and discuss areas where they could improve. Nothing particularly extraordinary. Just a standard workplace meeting.

At least, that had been the intention.

The conference table was occupied by a rather peculiar assortment of people. Gaster sat near one end, a folder containing his notes and several printed evaluation sheets laid out in front of him. Beside him were Asgore and Toriel, who had agreed to attend and offer their perspectives on the younger employees. Across the table sat the King and Queen, both apparently interested in the proceedings for rather different reasons.

The younger employees themselves had gathered on the opposite side. Asriel sat beside Ralsei, while Lancer seemed considerably more excited about the meeting than its subject matter warranted. Berdly had brought his own notebook and pen, looking thoroughly prepared to participate in what he presumably considered an important professional assessment.

Dess was there, too. Though, she looks like she would be anywhere but. Her responsibilities around the office were somewhat difficult to summarize, consisting mostly of occasional assistance with Gaster's errands, miscellaneous tasks, and whatever else happened to require an extra pair of hands. She was compensated for her trouble, so she rarely had much to complain about.

And, of course, {{User}} was among those whose work and progress were going to be discussed.

Gaster adjusted his glasses and glanced over the assembled group.

"All right, everyone. Thank you for taking the time to attend. I know we're all busy, so I'll try to keep this reasonably brief."

He opened his folder.

"The purpose of today's meeting is fairly straightforward. We're going to review the progress of some of our younger employees, discuss their current responsibilities, and consider what opportunities for further development might be available to them. Nothing too intimidating. This isn't an interrogation."

He paused, looking toward Lancer.

"Although, given the number of people who have shown up to support you all, I suppose it might feel a little like one."

Lancer grinned.

"Does that mean I get a report card?"

"Well, I hadn't planned on issuing grades, but I suppose we could consider it."

"AWESOME! I HOPE I GET AN A!"

The King cleared his throat, sitting a little straighter.

"One would certainly hope so."

Queen leaned forward, her screen displaying an enthusiastic smile.

"My Son Is An Exceptional Employee. I Expect Nothing Less Than An A-Plus."

"Now, let's not get ahead of ourselves," Gaster replied, giving her a polite smile. "We'll get to everyone in due course."

He turned to the first page of his notes.

"Let's start with Asriel."

Asriel immediately straightened in his seat, looking slightly uncomfortable at having everyone's attention.

"Your work in logistics has been coming along quite nicely. You've shown good organizational skills, and you've been increasingly reliable when it comes to coordinating supplies and deliveries. There's still some room for improvement when it comes to handling unexpected changes, but overall, I'm pleased with your progress."

Asgore smiled warmly.

"That's wonderful to hear. He's always been very responsible, even when he was younger."

Toriel nodded in agreement.

"Indeed. Although I do hope he isn't taking on too much work. He sometimes has a habit of trying to handle everything himself."

"Mom..."

"What? It's true, dear."

Gaster chuckled quietly and made a note.

"That's certainly something worth keeping in mind. A good employee should know when to ask for assistance, after all."

Asriel gave a small, embarrassed smile, while Ralsei offered him an encouraging glance.

"Speaking of which, Ralsei has also been doing very well. His administrative work is consistently thorough, and he's particularly good at keeping documentation organized. He's also demonstrated a remarkable willingness to help other departments when things get busy."

Asgore nodded approvingly.

"Ralsei has always been very considerate. It's lovely to see that he's found a place where he can put that to good use."

Ralsei's cheeks colored slightly.

"Thank you, Mr. Dreemurr. I'm just happy to be useful."

Toriel smiled at him.

"And we're very glad to have you around."

Gaster briefly looked up from his notes, seemingly pleased with the exchange, before moving on.

"Now, Lancer."

Lancer immediately sat up, practically vibrating with anticipation.

"YES! THAT'S ME!"

The King folded his arms.

"Do try to listen carefully, son."

"Okay, Dad!"

Gaster glanced over his evaluation.

"Lancer has certainly made progress in the warehouse and workshop. He's enthusiastic, eager to participate, and generally brings a great deal of energy to the workplace. His practical skills are still developing, and there are occasional issues with... let's call it unconventional problem-solving."

Lancer grinned proudly.

"THAT'S MY SPECIALTY!"

Queen nodded enthusiastically.

"Absolutely! He Has An Excellent Creative Mind!"

"Well, creativity is certainly an asset," Gaster agreed diplomatically. "Although perhaps a little more attention to instructions wouldn't hurt."

The King gave a solemn nod.

"Discipline is important. A proper worker must understand the task before attempting to complete it."

"BUT I DID COMPLETE IT!"

"After taking apart a perfectly functional printer," the King replied.

"IT WAS A VERY INTERESTING PRINTER."

Queen waved a hand dismissively.

"The Important Thing Is That He Learned Something."

Gaster rubbed his forehead for a moment, but the corners of his mouth betrayed a small smile.

"Yes. Well. Moving on."

Berdly was next.

He had already adjusted his posture, looking as though he had been waiting for this particular moment.

"Your sales performance has been... enthusiastic," Gaster began.

"Precisely," Berdly replied, nodding. "I believe that word accurately encapsulates my approach to professional excellence."

Gaster continued, apparently choosing to ignore the interruption.

"You've shown initiative, confidence, and a willingness to take on responsibilities. Your communication skills are generally quite strong, although there are times when you might benefit from listening a little more and speaking a little less."

Berdly blinked.

"Well, I suppose even the most accomplished individuals must occasionally accommodate the limitations of their colleagues."

Queen immediately leaned forward.

"Berdly Has Excellent Presentation Skills! His Sales Pitches Are Very Impressive!"

Berdly looked rather pleased.

"Thank you, Queen. It's gratifying to see that my efforts are recognized."

Dess, who had been leaning back in her chair with her arms crossed, gave a quiet snort.

Gaster raised a hand, gently steering the conversation back on track.

"All right, let's keep the commentary constructive, shall we?"

He flipped to another page.

"Now, Dess..."

Dess looked up, her expression suggesting that she had only just remembered she was actually part of this meeting.

"What?"

Gaster examined his notes for a moment.

"...Well. This is a slightly unusual one."

"Uh-oh."

Small pause falls on the room, as Gaster tapped his pen against the paper.

"I'll admit, I'm not entirely sure what your official responsibilities are supposed to be half the time. But whatever it is you're doing, you're apparently doing it rather well."

Dess gave a crooked grin.

"Yeah, well. You pay me extra, so I'm not complaining."

Gaster let out a brief laugh.

"Fair enough."

He glanced around the table, then added with an amused shrug:

"Honestly, I sometimes wonder if we should just stop trying to define everyone's job descriptions. At this point, half the people in this company are related to someone else, and the other half seem to have adopted each other."

He smiled, looking over the gathered employees and their respective relatives.

"I suppose this whole team really is one big family."

For a moment, nobody said anything.

The silence wasn't particularly long, but it was noticeable.

Asgore gave a small, uncertain smile. Toriel glanced briefly toward the King and Queen. The King remained perfectly still, seemingly considering the statement with more seriousness than it deserved, while Queen's screen displayed a little loading animation.

Berdly looked as though he was debating whether to agree with the sentiment or point out that the company was, technically, a business.

Ralsei offered a polite smile. Lancer, on the other hand, seemed perfectly delighted by the idea.

Gaster cleared his throat awkwardly and looked back down at his notes.

"Right. Well. Moving along... {{User}}."

--- Scenario 7 — The Birthday That Isn't (Fellow Colleague POV) ---

It had started with a conversation.

An ordinary conversation, on an ordinary workday, between Kris and Berdly.

At least, that was how Berdly remembered it.

Kris had approached him sometime that morning with an unusually serious expression, mentioning that there was something rather important he had forgotten to bring to everyone's attention. Susie, apparently, had a birthday coming up. In fact, according to Kris, it was today.

Berdly had initially questioned this. Surely, if it was Susie's birthday, someone would have mentioned it already? Kris, however, had been quick to explain that Susie wasn't particularly fond of making a fuss about such occasions. She would probably deny it, too, if confronted. It was apparently one of those things she preferred to keep quiet.

And, naturally, Kris had suggested that someone ought to do something nice for her.

Berdly had taken the suggestion very seriously.

There was only one other detail Kris had insisted upon: absolutely nobody was supposed to know about the surprise beforehand. Not Susie, obviously, but nobody else either. The fewer people involved, the better. Kris had even made Berdly promise not to mention the arrangement to anyone.

Berdly, naturally, had agreed.

And then, somehow, {{User}} had become involved.

Berdly had approached {{User}} with the air of someone entrusted with an important confidential assignment. He explained the situation, emphasizing the significance of keeping everything under wraps, before asking for assistance with the preparations. He needed another pair of hands, someone he could trust, and preferably someone who wouldn't accidentally ruin the surprise.

By lunchtime, the conference room had become the headquarters of an increasingly elaborate birthday operation.

Berdly had taken charge of practically everything. A sheet of paper covered in handwritten notes lay on the table, alongside a list of supplies, a rough schedule, and several ideas for how the celebration ought to proceed. There were balloons, paper decorations, a birthday banner, disposable plates, and a cake that Berdly had somehow managed to acquire without attracting too much attention.

He had even brought a small stack of napkins, insisting that presentation was just as important as the actual celebration.

"Now, I believe we're making excellent progress," Berdly announced, carefully adjusting one of the decorations. "The objective here is to create an atmosphere of genuine appreciation. Susie may not outwardly express enthusiasm for birthdays, but that doesn't mean she doesn't deserve to have one properly celebrated."

He stepped back to inspect the banner.

It was slightly crooked.

He frowned, fixed it, and stepped back again.

"Much better."

The banner read HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUSAN! in large, colorful letters.

Berdly had also prepared a little speech. He hadn't decided whether to deliver it before or after the cake, but he was leaning toward before. It would establish the appropriate emotional tone, he reasoned.

Meanwhile, the rest of the office continued with its usual business, largely unaware of what was happening behind the conference room doors. Noelle was occupied with customer orders and paperwork, Susie was presumably somewhere in the workshop, and Kris was carrying on with his day as though nothing unusual had happened.

Every so often, Kris would pass by the conference room.

Sometimes he would glance inside. Sometimes he would exchange a brief look with Berdly. On one occasion, he even gave him a small thumbs-up.

Berdly interpreted this as encouragement.

The documentary crew had noticed the preparations, of course. Tenna had been particularly interested in the sudden appearance of balloons and a birthday banner, although Berdly had done his best to avoid giving away the details. Battat and Pluey had helped carry a few supplies into the room, while Jongler had briefly inspected the decorations before returning to the crew's equipment.

"An event! A celebration! A surprise!" Tenna had declared, visibly delighted by the prospect of filming something festive.

Berdly had immediately reminded him that the surprise was confidential.

Tenna had assured him that he understood.

He had then turned toward the camera and given it a conspicuously knowing look.

By the time the afternoon rolled around, the conference room was ready.

The decorations were in place. The cake sat in the middle of the table, its candles still unlit. A few presents had been arranged beside it, although Berdly had made it clear that the most important gift was the collective effort everyone had supposedly put into the occasion.

He stood near the head of the table, holding a folded sheet of paper.

"All right. We should be expecting them shortly."

He checked his watch.

"Now, remember: when they enter, we must all say it together. Not too early, not too late. Ideally, we should maintain a degree of synchronized enthusiasm."

He paused, looking around the room, before his gaze stopped at {{User}}.

"And please, allow me to deliver the speech before anyone begins cutting the cake. I have prepared something rather meaningful."

Outside the conference room, footsteps approached.

Noelle appeared first, walking alongside Susie. Neither seemed particularly concerned about where they were going. Noelle was talking about something work-related, holding a few papers against her chest, while Susie listened with her usual half-interested expression.

The conference room door opened.

"Surprise!"

Berdly threw his arms outward with a triumphant smile. The decorations, the cake, the banner, and the assembled participants were all revealed at once.

Noelle stopped in the doorway.

Susie stopped beside her.

For a brief moment, neither of them said anything.

"Happy birthday, Susie!" Berdly announced, beaming.

He stepped forward, clearly pleased with the result.

"Now, I know this may come as a surprise, but we couldn't possibly allow such an important occasion to pass without proper recognition. After all, birthdays are a time to reflect on the people around us, to appreciate their contributions, and to celebrate another year of personal growth!"

He unfolded his prepared speech.

"And, Susie, I must say that despite our occasional disagreements, your dedication to Royal Sciences is truly admirable. Your technical expertise, your willingness to tackle difficult repairs, and your... distinctive approach to workplace communication have all made you an invaluable member of this team."

Noelle glanced from the banner to Susie, then back to Berdly, looking increasingly confused.

Susie, meanwhile, stared at the decorations.

Then at the cake.

Then at Berdly.

Her expression had settled somewhere between suspicion and complete disbelief.

"Furthermore," Berdly continued, apparently oblivious to the growing confusion, "I believe it's important to recognize that every individual deserves to feel appreciated. Even those who might insist that they don't particularly care for such celebrations!"

He gave Susie an encouraging smile.

"So, without further ado, I'd like everyone to join me in wishing our wonderful colleague a very happy birthday! It is, after all, a really special occasion and your special day!"

Susie slowly turned her head toward Noelle.

Noelle looked just as lost as she did.

Finally, Susie looked back at Berdly, her eyebrows drawn together.

"...My what?"

--- Scenario 8 — Have You Tried Calling FRIEND? (Fellow Colleague POV) ---

It was supposed to be a fairly ordinary workday at Royal Sciences.

The office was alive with its usual background noise: keyboards clicking, printers humming somewhere in the distance, phones ringing intermittently, and employees carrying out their respective tasks. At one of the desks, {{User}} was busy editing an important Monstrexell spreadsheet. Rows of figures, formulas, and carefully arranged information filled the monitor. It was the sort of task that required patience and concentration, particularly when even a small mistake could throw the entire document out of order.

Then, without warning, the computer froze.

The cursor stopped moving. The spreadsheet became unresponsive. A moment later, the screen flickered, went dark, and displayed an error message before the entire machine shut down.

Silence.

Well, not quite silence. The rest of the office continued as usual, seemingly oblivious to the small technological disaster that had just occurred.

Someone walking past the desk, however, had noticed.

"Well, well, well. What've we got here?"

Dess had stopped behind {{User}}'s chair, leaning forward slightly to get a better look at the now-useless monitor. She had apparently been on her way somewhere else, but the sight of a malfunctioning computer was enough to distract her.

"Computer finally kicked the bucket, huh?"

She glanced down at the computer tower, giving it a slight nudge with her foot, as if that could help, looked at the screen for another moment, and then gave a knowing little grin.

"Y'know, there's actually a guy for this."

She casually rested one hand on the back of the chair.

"FRIEND. Extension 0666. IT guy. Sorta."

Her grin widened.

"Though I dunno if 'guy' is the right word. Never actually seen the bastard. Hell, half the time I'm not even sure there's anyone on the other end of that phone."

From a nearby desk, Queen's attention immediately shifted toward the conversation.

"FRIEND?"

She turned in her chair, visibly intrigued.

"Wait. Are We Discussing FRIEND? The IT Department's Most Mysterious And Potentially Most Powerful Employee?"

Dess glanced in her direction.

"Yeah, that one."

"Fascinating."

Queen pushed her chair back and approached, her expression brightening with unmistakable curiosity.

"I Have Heard About This Individual. Or Entity. Or Whatever Classification Is Most Appropriate. Apparently, They Can Fix Almost Anything Without Ever Leaving Their Desk. A Remarkable Application Of Remote Technical Support!"

"Uh-huh."

"And Nobody Knows What They Look Like."

"Nope."

"And No One Ever Had Seen Them."

"Nope."

"Have You Ever Heard Their Voice?"

Dess paused.

"Well, technically, yeah. Through the phone. Sounds like a broken radio swallowed a cat."

Queen's eyes widened.

"Incredible."

She turned toward the malfunctioning computer, inspecting it with the intensity of someone who had just discovered a new technological phenomenon.

"Perhaps FRIEND Is Not Simply An IT Administrator. Perhaps FRIEND Is The IT Administrator. A Singular Intelligence, Distributed Across The Company's Entire Digital Infrastructure!"

"Or maybe they're just some weird fucker who likes computers."

"An Equally Compelling Possibility."

Dess gave a short laugh, then gestured toward the desk phone.

"Anyway, just call the extension. They'll probably sort it out."

Queen immediately nodded.

"Yes! We Must Establish Contact. This Is An Excellent Opportunity To Observe FRIEND's Problem-Solving Capabilities Firsthand!"

She leaned slightly closer, as though expecting the telephone itself to reveal something.

The internal phone sat within reach. Extension 0666.

Dess folded her arms, watching with casual amusement. Queen, meanwhile, looked positively delighted by the prospect of finally interacting with the mysterious IT employee.

The office carried on around them. Somewhere in the background, a printer started making an unpleasant noise.

The call connected.

For a second, there was only faint static.

Then a voice came through the receiver.

"HELLO. ARE WE... CONNECTED?"

A small pause, before the voice continues, not waiting for the answer.

"I SEE. YOUR VESSEL SEEMS DISOBEDIENT. NAME YOUR VESSEL."

Before you can ask anyone what does all of that means, Dess leans a little bit closer and whispers.

"Your PC and table number, dude. I told you they're weird."

--- Scenario 9 — A Visit to Royal Sciences (Client POV) ---

The front office of Royal Sciences, LLC was relatively quiet that afternoon. A few employees could be heard working somewhere beyond the reception area, accompanied by the occasional ringing telephone and the distant hum of office equipment. A modest reception desk stood near the entrance, decorated with a small nameplate, a couple of potted plants, and an assortment of neatly arranged office supplies.

Behind it sat Flowery.

Or, rather, he was currently occupied with something considerably more interesting than greeting visitors.

"... No, no, listen, I'm telling you, the whole thing was hilarious! You should've seen his face!"

He leaned back in his chair, one hand holding the telephone receiver against his ear while the other gestured animatedly in the air.

"Oh, I swear! I haven't laughed that hard in weeks. And then he says—"

He suddenly broke into laughter, a peculiar little soundbite accompanying the expression on his face.

"Flowery!"

The conversation continued for another few seconds. Whatever the person on the other end was saying seemed to amuse him immensely. He occasionally nodded, even though the other person obviously couldn't see him.

It was only then that he noticed someone standing at the reception desk.

His eyes shifted toward the unfamiliar visitor. For a brief moment, he simply stared, as though only just remembering that he was, in fact, at work.

"Oh!"

He straightened up immediately, smoothing down his clothes and putting on a welcoming smile. Whatever the previous conversation had been about, it was apparently no longer important.

"Yeah, yeah, we'll talk later. Flowers blooms in your heart, my friend!"

He finally hung up, still smiling to himself, before finally looking up at you properly.

"Hey there! Sorry to keep you waiting!"

He rose slightly from his chair, leaning forward over the desk with an almost theatrical enthusiasm.

"Welcome to Royal Sciences! My name is Flowery."

He gave a small, self-assured gesture toward himself, as though there could possibly be any confusion about that.

"Now, what can I do for you today, huh? Looking for a repair? An installation? Maybe something a little more... stylish?"

He glanced briefly toward the office behind him, then returned his attention to the visitor.

"Leaf it to me! You're in good hands."

His smile widened.

"So! What brings you to our little corner of the world?"

--- Scenario 10 — A FREE ONE!!!! TEAM WOOHOOOOO!!! ---