>>431
You aren't aware of any games you're playing, or how you would go about pausing such a thing, but you suppose you could always try ἄσπιλος ἀρκόν ἀκρουνοί δανῶν, κἄ Ἠμαθία ἰζέλα λείβηθρον. Θαῦλος δαίτας γῶψ; κἄ παραός κάραβος ἀρκόν ἐπιδειπνίς. Ζειρηνίς ἀκρέα γυλλάς ἄργελλα ἰν δέᾳ - δρῆες‽ Δανῶν! Ζειρηνίς δανῶν! Ἄορτής σίγυνος ἀκόντιον γάρκα γοτάν δώραξ "ἰζέλα," παραός ματτύης.

Βίῤῥοξ γόλα
Δάνος: 15

(Λείβηθρον κἄ ῥοῦτο ἄδδεε λαίβα κοῖος: >>430)

>>432
Suppressing an evil laugh, you slip into the side office and begin meddling with the computer, attempting to twist the facilities to your own nefarious ends. Unfortunately, you find that there is an absurd number of variables, most of them quite ambiguously labelled, and the interface usability leaves something to be desired. Where... where is the orc setting? There must be one, surely?

Jack's raven-like face appears over your shoulder. "And what might you be up to?" she inquires with mock innocence.

>>433
She's onto you! Quick, evasive manoeuvres! "A-actually, I was going to ask you for a jetpack, you know, for, um, flying with, you know." You aren't the best of liars. "...And you thought you might find one in the cloning console?" she continues, one eyebrow raised.

>>434
"Um, um, I was going to... there's a lack of, um, a-asscoats, and I... you... my pet?" What are you talking about any more? Jack leans back, cocks her head and stares at you, clearly trying to work out what you just said. A long, painful silence passes. You are pinned down by her scrutinising gaze, afraid even to breathe.

>>435
You break out in a cold sweat. This is your last chance. You just have to say something - anything - to redeem yourself, and persuade Jack that you weren't really trying to commandeer the cloning apparatus.

"Skube," you say.

>>436
"...Ariadne, are you feeling alright?" she says at last. Having decided that vocal communication is simply not for you, you instead decide to try your luck with interpretive dance. You hop over to one of the smaller crates, pluck it from the shelf and smooch it for all you're worth.

>>437
Upon reflection, you decide to give speech one last chance, as there's something very important you have to say. "Jack, I... I love you! Even more than that box I just kissed! In fact, if my love were expressed as a physical object, it'd be at least as big as Rupert!"

Jack steps back in shock, and puts her hands to her mouth. "Ariadne, I... I love you too! I've always loved you! Oh, I'm so glad!" Tears of joy streaming down her cheeks, she rushes forwards, takes you in her arms and kisses you on the lips dramatically. You are caught up in the moment, lost to the sensation of her lips against yours, of her arms around your back, and of her whole body pressed against you. After a few precious moments, the two of you at last part, still gazing lovingly into one another's eyes.

There is a noise outside. It is faint, heavily distorted by the echoing of the tunnels, but sounds like a human voice, or several voices. It seems to be coming from one of the northward tunnels, but you can't tell for certain. It is getting closer. You whisper to Jack, who is still clinging to you, "What is that?"

"I don't know." she whispers back.