The first thing I did upon returning to the game is look at the relationship table, which was in the top left corner of the screen. As my turtles continued to wander about the area, some gathering herbs, others swimming, I looked at the relationships I’d built.

The scales were between +/- 50. Dr. Slowand was my highest, at +9. Tortua was at +3. Derek Shelley and Snapper were at +2. Young Master Peebles was at -1 and Madam Shellton was at -10.

Wincing, I moused over Madam Shellton’s bar. There were a dozen or so entries, detailing my previous talks and rejections with her, but it was the final two that made me frown.

Placing Young Master Peebles as an Outer Sect Disciple: -3

Placing Young Master Peebles on the same level as Snapper: -7

I hadn’t even clicked accept on the disciple menu yet, how did she know?!? Were my turtles gossiping about my movements…?

I supposed it made sense, it was just a little disconcerting. There was an odd amount of realism to this game…

Satisfied with the rest of the relationship amounts, I moved back to the disciple screen. First I went to the instructor area. My cursor hovered over Madam Shellton, but I was hesitating. She was the obvious choice, the most training- well cultivation- minded, but…

A little tooltip popped up.

Fair, but will hold a grudge. Those who earn her ire will experience a more excruciating training regime, but she her pride will stop her short from making its completion impossible, only very, very unlikely.

Sighing, I leaned back. Sorta what I was expecting. But still. Crossing my fingers, I clicked on her name. Now only the box with the person who controlled access to the sect resources.

But first, I switched back to the relationship screen. Under Madam Shellton, there was a new screen.

Chosen as trainer for all disciples: +9

I chuckled and went back to the disciple screen, so very close to finishing. This shouldn’t be that difficult, but…

Tortua was a disciple herself, and thus wouldn’t work. I had a feeling if I chose Dr. Slowand, some of the herbs that were supposed to be used for disciples would be ferreted away for cultivation elixirs. Derek Shelley sort of seemed like exactly the sort of idiot I avoided giving control, always seeking outside assistance and going with the flow, but that only left Madam Shellton. And if she had all of the control over disciples, she would make Snapper’s life hell…

Over the next 5 minutes I carefully considered my options, and the conclusion I came to surprised me: hell might not be so bad. Considering what my friend had said, the trick was to involve the disciples in stories. Some people thrived on adversity, some thrived on support.

Young Master Peebles was likely the support type, and would benefit greatly from Madam Shellton having control over the supplies.

Snapper, on the other hand… I was willing to bet was an adversity type. The tests and struggles that Madam Shellton put him through would only make him more determined. The highest trait of my Red-eyed Turtles was Stubborn, after all. Perhaps Madam Shellton’s favoritism would turn out well for everyone involved.

I made my decision and clicked accept.