Playing with Helspawn

//Helspawn play scene intro
//For reference, there used to be just one play scene, but with the addition of the bathing scene this patch, there's now a menu. This'll be the text for that menu.

You tell Hel that you'd like to spend some quality time with [helspawn], and she immediately brightens up.

[say: Sure, that'd be great! I'd love it if you could take her off my hands for a sec.] She glances down at the little salamander, who is currently poking at something you can't quite see with a stick. [say: She really is a handful...]

Helia leans down and explains the situation to your daughter, who proceeds to eagerly run up to you, her smile brimming with energy. How do you plan to pass the time?

[Catch] tooltip- Play catch with your daughter.
//requires rubber ball
As you consider how to best play with [helspawn], an idea pops into your head—you have a rubber ball you bought from Telly, and is there any better use for it than to teach your daughter how to play catch? You propose your idea for your [father]-daughter bonding time to the little salamander, and she excitedly agrees, running over to the spot you point out as you wind up your arm and...

Release! The ball sails towards her in a slow, predictable arc—it's a nice throw, if you do say so yourself. Sadly, your little daughter's arms swing shut only after it has passed them by, the ball then impacting her chest with a small 'whump' that causes her to fall back onto her rear.

Worried that she might be hurt, you quickly rush over, only to find [helspawn] giggling and bending over for the ball.

[say: Again, again!] she cries, apparently completely unfazed by being knocked over. You count your blessings and take the ball back, proceeding to slowly pass it back and forth at a much more manageable speed. [Helspawn] starts to get the hang of it surprisingly quickly, and it's not long before she's consistently catching it like a real champion.

After some time of this, you begin to notice your daughter getting tired, and so, [walking] over to her, you tell her that it's about time to stop, ruffling her hair a bit as you do so.

[say: Okay, [Daddy],] she says between giggles. You walk her back over to Helia, who's stretching languidly not too far away, apparently having enjoyed the time to herself.

[say: Thanks, [name],] she says, smiling at you warmly. [say: It's been a while since I've just had time to myself.]

[say: Thanks, [Daddy]!] echoes your daughter, earning her a pat on the head from her mother as you [walk] away, feeling quite satisfied.

[Campfire] tooltip- Gather 'round the fire with your family.
//only available 18:00-22:00
It's getting late, and [helspawn] is already starting to rub her eyes, so you don't want to do anything too strenuous. Instead, you think that a nice campfire bonding session would be the best way to spend time with your daughter.

You usher her and Helia over to the firepit and get started with your preparations. Logs make serviceable enough seats for your small family gathering, and Helia produces several fish for which you fashion spits. Spearing one for each of you, you're soon sitting by the roaring fire with your daughter, sharing stories and laughs as your meal cooks.

When the food is done, you eagerly dig in, though only after consoling [helspawn] when she takes an overeager bite of her still scalding-hot fish. The skewers are soon stripped clean, but the night isn't over yet, so you three continue talking by the fire, your daughter not contributing much but clearly enjoying all of the attention you're giving her.

With a devilish grin, Helia launches into a scary story, using the shadows of the fire to frame her face frightfully. [Helspawn] first starts to tremble, then latches onto your arm as the story progresses. At its climactic finish, Helia lurches forward suddenly, claws outstretched, and the little salamander leaps in shock, a small yelp escaping her.

The night progresses with many other similar episodes, until finally, [helspawn] is so tuckered out that she can't even keep her eyes open anymore. She leans into your side and starts breathing softly, eliciting a hushed 'aww' from Hel. You gently scoop her up in your arms and take her over to her bedroll, laying her down and tucking her in once there.

Helia leans in and whispers into your ear, [say: Thanks for tonight. You're the best.] You share a brief kiss before she heads to bed herself.

//2 hours used