feat: nearest card selection

src/dev-util/room_template.gd

@@ -24,11 +24,11 @@ func _ready() -> void:
 func disable()-> void:
 	is_active = false
 	set_process_input(false)
-	set_process(false)				
+	set_process(false)
-	
+
 func get_ready():
 	pass
-	
+
 func load():
 	# Override this function to load the state of the chapter from State.save_game
 	pass
@@ -48,13 +48,13 @@ func pull_save_state(_save: SaveGame) -> void:
 ## Attempts to find player controller and restore position/rotation from save
 func restore_player_from_save(save: SaveGame) -> void:
 	var player: PlayerController = null
-	
+
 	# Try to find player controller in common locations
 	if has_node("%PlayerController"):
 		player = get_node("%PlayerController")
 	elif has_node("logic/PlayerController"):
 		player = get_node("logic/PlayerController")
-	
+
 	if player and player is PlayerController:
 		player.restore_from_save(save)
 	else:
@@ -73,4 +73,3 @@ func unload():
 ## Override in subclasses to add custom scene preparation logic
 func prepare_scene_start(_scene_id: Scenes.id, _is_repeating: bool) -> void:
 	await get_tree().process_frame # Dummy wait for LSP warning otherwise
-

src/logic-scenes/board/card-board.gd

@@ -40,17 +40,12 @@ var mementos_collected: int = 0:
 
 var selection: Draggable = null:
 	set(value):
-		# this makes sure no accidental context switches can happen while a card is being dragged
+		if selection == value: return
-		if current_context == DRAG: return
+		
-
+		# Select & highlight new
-		# Deselect current
+		if selection: selection.highlighted = false
-		if selection:
-			selection.highlighted = false
-
-		# Select new
 		selection = value
-		if selection:
+		if selection: selection.highlighted = true
-			selection.highlighted = true
 
 		# Are we selecting cards or stickies?
 		if selection is Card:
@@ -88,6 +83,7 @@ func _smooth(current: Vector2, goal: Vector2, delta: float) -> Vector2:
 	var k := pow(0.1, 60.0 * delta)
 	return (1.0-k) * current + k * goal
 
+
 func _process(delta: float):
 	var zone_position := Vector2(notezone.get_screen_position().x + sticky_width / 3.0, sticky_height)
 
@@ -207,24 +203,21 @@ func is_in_dropzone(to_check: Draggable) -> bool:
 
 
 # Called by notes when a mouse event needs handling
-func handle_mouse_button(input: InputEventMouseButton, to_handle = selection) -> void:
+func handle_mouse_button(input: InputEventMouseButton, target: Draggable) -> void:
-	# Prevent dragging multiple nodes at once
-	if current_context == DRAG and selection:
-		return
 
 	# === DRAG START ===
-	if input.button_index == MOUSE_BUTTON_LEFT and input.pressed:
+	if input.button_index == MOUSE_BUTTON_LEFT and input.is_pressed():
-		_start_drag(to_handle)
+		_start_drag(target)
 		return
 
 	# === DRAG END ===
-	if input.button_index == MOUSE_BUTTON_LEFT and not input.pressed:
+	if input.button_index == MOUSE_BUTTON_LEFT and not input.is_released():
-		_end_drag(to_handle)
+		_end_drag(target)
 		return
 
 
 ## Starts a drag operation for the given draggable
-func _start_drag(draggable: Dragg able) -> void:
+func _start_drag(draggable: Draggable) -> void:
 	selection = draggable
 	current_context = DRAG
 
@@ -234,24 +227,36 @@ func _start_drag(draggable: Dragg able) -> void:
 
 ## Ends a drag operation and handles the drop
 func _end_drag(draggable: Draggable) -> void:
-	if not draggable: return
+	selection = draggable	
-
+	
-	draggable.end_drag()
-
-	# Let draggable find its own drop target
-	var drop_target := draggable.find_drop_target()
-
-	# Execute the drop
-	if drop_target and Draggable.is_drop_target(drop_target):
-		var result = drop_target.handle_drop(draggable)
-		pass
-
 	# Cleanup and state update
 	current_context = NAVIGATE
 
+	var destination := draggable.end_drag()
+
+	if not destination and draggable is StickyNote:
+		# reclaim if necessary
+		pass
+
+	if destination and destination is Card:
+		# attach / unattach
+		pass
+
+	if destination and destination is StickyNote:
+		# unattach and attach to parent
+		pass
+
+	# Let draggable find its own drop target
+	#var drop_target := draggable.find_drop_target()
+
+	# Execute the drop
+	#if drop_target and Draggable.is_drop_target(drop_target):
+	#	var result = drop_target.handle_drop(draggable)
+	#	pass
+
 	# Check win condition if sticky was attached to card
 	if draggable is StickyNote and draggable.is_attached:
-		check_board_comnpletion()
+		check_board_completion()
 
 
 func reclaim_sticky(note: StickyNote):
@@ -259,7 +264,7 @@ func reclaim_sticky(note: StickyNote):
 	notes.append(note)
 
 
-func check_board_comnpletion():
+func check_board_completion():
 	if is_board_complete():
 		if not board_was_completed:
 			board_was_completed = true
@@ -316,20 +321,44 @@ func give_lore_feedback():
 			complete = true
 
 # Mark area that was hovered over as currently selected
-func handle_hover(to_handle: Area2D) -> void:
+func handle_hover(draggable: Draggable) -> void:
+
 	# If we're hovering with the mouse without clicking, that updates our selection
-	if not Input.is_mouse_button_pressed(MOUSE_BUTTON_LEFT): selection = to_handle
+	if Input.is_mouse_button_pressed(MOUSE_BUTTON_LEFT): return
+
+
+func _sort_by_proximity_and_depth(draggables: Array) -> Array[Draggable]:
+	var result : Array[Draggable] = []
+	result.append_array(draggables)
+	result.sort_custom(_by_mouse)
+	var depth := len(result) * 2
+	for item in result:
+		depth -= 1
+		item.z_index = depth
+	return result
+
+
+func _nearest_hovered(candidates: Array[Draggable]) -> Draggable:
+	for candidate in candidates:
+		if candidate.mouse_over: return candidate
+	return null
 
 
 
-func _spatial(a: Draggable, b: Draggable) -> bool:
+
+func _by_spatial(a: Draggable, b: Draggable) -> bool:
 	return a.position.x + a.position.y * 100 > b.position.x + b.position.y * 100
 
 
+func _by_mouse(a: Draggable, b: Draggable) -> bool:
+	var mouse_pos : Vector2 = get_viewport().get_mouse_position()
+	return (a.position-mouse_pos).length() < (b.position-mouse_pos).length()
+
+
 ## Call this after bulk loading to fix child order / z-index issues
 func _sort_by_positions() -> void:
-	cards.sort_custom(_spatial)
+	cards.sort_custom(_by_spatial)
-	notes.sort_custom(_spatial)
+	notes.sort_custom(_by_spatial)
 
 
 # === DROP TARGET PATTERN IMPLEMENTATION ===
@@ -348,18 +377,16 @@ func handle_drop(draggable: Draggable) -> int:
 
 # Takes the inputs for control inputs
 func _input(event) -> void:
-	if event.is_action_pressed("ui_cancel"):
+	if event is InputEventAction and event.is_action_pressed("ui_cancel"):
 		closed.emit()
 		get_viewport().set_input_as_handled()
 
-	if event is InputEventMouse:
+
-		# makes sure to pass release events so notes do not get attached to the mouse while the cursor leaves the area.
+	if event is InputEventMouseMotion and not event.is_action_pressed("mouse_left"):
-		if event is InputEventMouseButton and current_context == DRAG:
+		var candidate := _nearest_hovered(_sort_by_proximity_and_depth(notes))
-			if event.button_index == MOUSE_BUTTON_LEFT and not event.pressed:
+		if not candidate:
-				handle_mouse_button(event)
+			candidate = _nearest_hovered(_sort_by_proximity_and_depth(cards))
-				get_viewport().set_input_as_handled()
+		selection = candidate
-		else:
-			return
 
 
 ## Saves board state directly to SaveGame resource

src/logic-scenes/board/card.gd

@@ -38,55 +38,41 @@ var transfor_arr: Array[Transform2D] = [
 @onready var background_sprite: AnimatedSprite2D = $AnimatedSprite2D
 
 @export var picked_random: bool = false
-
 @export var wiggle_strength: float = 0.2
 @export var wiggle_speed: float = 5
 @export_range(1, 2) var scale_bump: float = 1.05
 @export_range(1.0, 10.0) var bounce_speed: float = 5
-@export_range(1.0, 2.0) var highlight_brightness: float = 1.4
+
+@export_color_no_alpha var highlight_color: Color = Color(1.4, 1.4, 1.4)
 
 ## Override set_highlight to add visual feedback for cards
 func set_highlight(value: bool) -> void:
-	if value != _highlighted:
+	if value == _highlighted: return
-		_highlighted = value
+	_highlighted = value
+
+	if scale_tween: scale_tween.kill()
+	if wiggle_tween: wiggle_tween.kill()
+	if brightness_tween: brightness_tween.kill()
+
+	if _highlighted:
+		scale_tween = get_tree().create_tween()
+		scale_tween.tween_property(self, "scale", Vector2(scale_bump, scale_bump), 0.1)
+		wiggle_tween = get_tree().create_tween()
+		wiggle_tween.tween_property(self, "wiggle_intensity", 1, 0.2)
+		brightness_tween = get_tree().create_tween()
+		brightness_tween.set_parallel(true)
+		brightness_tween.tween_property(background_sprite, "modulate", highlight_color, 0.15)
+		brightness_tween.tween_property(label, "modulate", highlight_color, 0.15)
+	else:
+		scale_tween = get_tree().create_tween()
+		scale_tween.tween_property(self, "scale", Vector2(1, 1), 0.3)
+		wiggle_tween = get_tree().create_tween()
+		wiggle_tween.tween_property(self, "wiggle_intensity", 0, 0.5)
+		brightness_tween = get_tree().create_tween()
+		brightness_tween.set_parallel(true)
+		brightness_tween.tween_property(background_sprite, "modulate", Color.WHITE, 0.2)
+		brightness_tween.tween_property(label, "modulate", Color.WHITE, 0.2)
 
-		if is_inside_tree() and is_node_ready():
-			if scale_tween: scale_tween.kill()
-			if wiggle_tween: wiggle_tween.kill()
-			if brightness_tween: brightness_tween.kill()
-			if _highlighted:
-				scale_tween = get_tree().create_tween()
-				scale_tween.tween_property(self, "scale", Vector2(scale_bump, scale_bump), 0.1)
-				wiggle_tween = get_tree().create_tween()
-				wiggle_tween.tween_property(self, "wiggle_intensity", 1, 0.2)
-				brightness_tween = get_tree().create_tween()
-				brightness_tween.set_parallel(true)
-				brightness_tween.tween_property(background_sprite, "modulate", Color(highlight_brightness, highlight_brightness, highlight_brightness), 0.15)
-				brightness_tween.tween_property(label, "modulate", Color(highlight_brightness, highlight_brightness, highlight_brightness), 0.15)
-			else:
-				scale_tween = get_tree().create_tween()
-				scale_tween.tween_property(self, "scale", Vector2(1, 1), 0.3)
-				wiggle_tween = get_tree().create_tween()
-				wiggle_tween.tween_property(self, "wiggle_intensity", 0, 0.5)
-				brightness_tween = get_tree().create_tween()
-				brightness_tween.set_parallel(true)
-				brightness_tween.tween_property(background_sprite, "modulate", Color.WHITE, 0.2)
-				brightness_tween.tween_property(label, "modulate", Color.WHITE, 0.2)
-		else:
-			if _highlighted:
-				scale = Vector2(scale_bump, scale_bump)
-				wiggle_intensity = 1
-				if background_sprite:
-					background_sprite.modulate = Color(highlight_brightness, highlight_brightness, highlight_brightness)
-				if label:
-					label.modulate = Color(highlight_brightness, highlight_brightness, highlight_brightness)
-			else:
-				scale = Vector2(1,1)
-				wiggle_intensity = 0
-				if background_sprite:
-					background_sprite.modulate = Color.WHITE
-				if label:
-					label.modulate = Color.WHITE
 
 @export var voice_line: AudioStream = null
 @export var is_dragable: bool = false
@@ -158,6 +144,7 @@ func init(card_name: String = "card", own_id:StringName = "-1") -> void:
 
 
 func _ready():
+	super._ready()
 	input_event.connect(_on_input_event)
 
 	_handle_wiggle(0)
@@ -202,7 +189,6 @@ func _process(delta: float) -> void:
 
 func _handle_wiggle(delta):
 	wiggle_pos += delta * wiggle_speed * wiggle_intensity
-
 	rotation = noise.get_noise_1d(wiggle_pos)*wiggle_strength
 
 
@@ -212,26 +198,18 @@ func _input(event: InputEvent) -> void:
 			is_dragged = false
 
 func _on_mouse_entered() -> void:
-	if not Input.is_action_pressed("mouse_left"):
+	super._on_mouse_entered()
-		# Do nothing if mouse hovers over sticky_note (it has higher priority)
-		var sticky = get_attached_sticky_note()
-		if sticky and sticky.highlighted:
-			return
-		var board = _get_board()
-		if board:
-			board.handle_hover(self)
 
 func _on_mouse_exited():
-	highlighted = false
+	super._on_mouse_exited()
 	if burn_state == burned.SINGED:
 		burn_state = burned.NOT
 
 func _on_input_event(_viewport, event, _shape_idx):
 	if event is InputEventMouseButton and event.button_index == MOUSE_BUTTON_LEFT and event.pressed:
-		var board = _get_board()
+		if highlighted:
-		if board and highlighted:
 			mouse_offset = get_viewport().get_mouse_position() - position
-			board.handle_mouse_button(event, self)
+			if _get_board(): _get_board().handle_mouse_button(event, self)
 
 func _move_card():
 	if is_dragged:
@@ -284,19 +262,6 @@ func exchange_sticky_note_with(new_note: StickyNote) -> StickyNote:
 	attach_sticky_note(new_note)
 	return tmp
 
-# This makes sure this node highlights itself when focus has left the sticky note.
-func check_hover():
-	# Re-trigger hover handling - parent will decide if this should be highlighted
-	_on_mouse_entered()
-
-func reclaim_sticky_note():
-	var sticky = get_attached_sticky_note()
-	if not sticky:
-		return
-	sticky.tween_transform_to(Transform2D(0, to_global(sticky_note_position)))
-	await sticky.transform_tween_finished
-	sticky.reparent(self)
-
 
 # === DROP TARGET PATTERN IMPLEMENTATION ===
 
@@ -348,7 +313,7 @@ func find_drop_target() -> Node:
 
 ## Walks up the scene tree to find the CardBoard
 func _get_board() -> CardBoard:
-	var node = get_parent()
+	var node := get_parent()
 	while node:
 		if node is CardBoard:
 			return node

src/logic-scenes/board/card.tscn

@@ -39,6 +39,3 @@ text = "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod
 horizontal_alignment = 1
 vertical_alignment = 1
 autowrap_mode = 3
-
-[connection signal="mouse_entered" from="." to="." method="_on_mouse_entered"]
-[connection signal="mouse_exited" from="." to="." method="_on_mouse_exited"]

src/logic-scenes/board/draggable.gd

@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ enum DropResult {
 	EXCHANGED      # Swap occurred, exchanged item needs handling
 }
 
+var mouse_over: bool = false
+
 var is_dragged: bool = false:
 	set(dragged):
 		is_dragged = dragged
@@ -37,9 +39,35 @@ var _drag_start_position: Vector2
 var _mouse_drag_offset: Vector2
 var _drag_source: Node = null  # Where the drag started from
 
+## === SETUP ###
+func _ready() -> void:
+	mouse_entered.connect(_on_mouse_entered)
+	mouse_exited.connect(_on_mouse_exited)
+
+
+func _get_hover_handler() -> Node:
+	var parent := get_parent()
+	while parent and not parent.has_method("handle_hover"):
+		parent = parent.get_parent()
+	return parent
+
 ## === DRAG LIFECYCLE METHODS ===
 ## Override these in Card and StickyNote for specific behavior
 
+func _on_mouse_entered() -> void:
+	prints("Draggable[base]._on_mouse_entered", self, self.name)
+	mouse_over = true
+	var handler := _get_hover_handler()
+	if handler: handler.handle_hover(self)
+
+
+func _on_mouse_exited() -> void:
+	prints("Draggable[base]._on_mouse_exited", self, self.name)
+	mouse_over = false
+	var handler := _get_hover_handler()
+	if handler: handler.handle_hover(self)
+
+
 ## Starts a drag operation
 func start_drag(mouse_offset: Vector2) -> void:
 	_drag_start_position = global_position
@@ -60,9 +88,10 @@ func find_drop_target() -> Node:
 	return get_parent()
 
 ## Called after drop to clean up drag state
-func end_drag() -> void:
+func end_drag() -> Node:
 	is_dragged = false
 	_drag_source = null
+	return null
 
 
 ## Confines this draggable element to stay within screen or container bounds
@@ -70,7 +99,7 @@ func end_drag() -> void:
 func confine_to_screen() -> void:
 	# Try to get bounds from parent container
 	var bounds := _get_container_bounds()
-		
+
 	# If we have valid bounds, clamp position
 	if bounds != Rect2():
 		position.x = clampf(position.x, bounds.position.x, bounds.position.x + bounds.size.x)
@@ -80,7 +109,7 @@ func confine_to_screen() -> void:
 ## Gets the bounds of the parent container if it exists and is a Control node
 func _get_container_bounds() -> Rect2:
 	var parent := get_parent()
-	
+
 	# Check if parent is a Control node with a defined rect
 	if parent is Control:
 		var control := parent as Control
@@ -91,7 +120,7 @@ func _get_container_bounds() -> Rect2:
 			control.size.x - screen_margin * 2,
 			control.size.y - screen_margin * 2
 		)
-		
+
 	# Default: whole screen
 	var viewport_size := get_viewport().get_visible_rect().size
 	return Rect2(
@@ -100,11 +129,3 @@ func _get_container_bounds() -> Rect2:
 		viewport_size.x - screen_margin * 2,
 		viewport_size.y - screen_margin * 2
 	)
-
-
-# === HELPERS ===
-## Static helper to check if a node implements DropTarget pattern
-## DropTarget pattern requires: can_accept_drop(draggable) and handle_drop(draggable)
-static func is_drop_target(node: Node) -> bool:
-	return node != null and node.has_method("can_accept_drop") and node.has_method("handle_drop")
-

src/logic-scenes/board/physics-board.tscn

@@ -147,7 +147,6 @@ _data = {
 }
 
 [node name="board" type="PanelContainer"]
-z_index = -100
 material = SubResource("ShaderMaterial_ttqei")
 clip_contents = true
 anchors_preset = 15
@@ -175,6 +174,7 @@ mouse_filter = 1
 unique_name_in_owner = true
 custom_minimum_size = Vector2(400, 0)
 layout_mode = 2
+mouse_filter = 1
 
 [node name="instructions_panel" type="PanelContainer" parent="."]
 layout_mode = 2

src/logic-scenes/board/sticky-note.gd

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ var current_handle: Node
 var position_locked: bool = false
 
 ## Computed property: Is this currently attached to a card
-var is_attached : bool: 
+var is_attached : bool:
 	get: return get_parent() is Card
 
 ## Replaces the need for tracking attached_to as state
@@ -45,24 +45,19 @@ func set_highlight(value: bool) -> void:
 	if value != _highlighted:
 		_highlighted = value
 
-		if is_inside_tree() and is_node_ready():
+		if modulate_tween: modulate_tween.kill()
-			if modulate_tween: modulate_tween.kill()
+		if shift_tween: shift_tween.kill()
-			if shift_tween: shift_tween.kill()
+
-			if _highlighted:
+		if _highlighted:
-				modulate_tween = get_tree().create_tween()
+			modulate_tween = create_tween()
-				modulate_tween.tween_property(self, "modulate", highlight_color, 0.1)
+			modulate_tween.tween_property(self, "modulate", highlight_color, 0.1)
-				shift_tween = get_tree().create_tween()
+			shift_tween = create_tween()
-				shift_tween.tween_property(content, "position", shift_by, 0.2)
+			shift_tween.tween_property(content, "position", shift_by, 0.2)
-			else:
-				modulate_tween = get_tree().create_tween()
-				modulate_tween.tween_property(self, "modulate", Color(1, 1, 1), 0.3)
-				shift_tween = get_tree().create_tween()
-				shift_tween.tween_property(content, "position", Vector2.ZERO, 0.5)
 		else:
-			if _highlighted:
+			modulate_tween = create_tween()
-				modulate = Color(1, 1, 1)
+			modulate_tween.tween_property(self, "modulate", Color(1, 1, 1), 0.3)
-			else:
+			shift_tween = create_tween()
-				modulate = Color(1, 1, 1)
+			shift_tween.tween_property(content, "position", Vector2.ZERO, 0.5)
 
 @export var voice_line: AudioStream = null
 @export var is_dragable: bool = false
@@ -86,19 +81,13 @@ func init(sticky_name: String = "sticky_note", card_id: StringName = "-1") -> vo
 	sticky_id = card_id
 
 func _ready() -> void:
+	super._ready()
 	label = $Content/Label
 	background_sprite = $Content/BackgroundSprite
 	content = $Content
 
 	_on_text_updated.call_deferred()
 
-	input_event.connect(_on_input_event)
-	mouse_entered.connect(_on_mouse_entered)
-	mouse_exited.connect(_on_mouse_exited)
-	area_entered.connect(_on_area_enter)
-	area_exited.connect(_on_area_exit)
-
-
 
 func _on_text_updated():
 	label.text = text
@@ -108,46 +97,23 @@ func _on_text_updated():
 func _process(delta: float) -> void:
 	_move_sticky_note(delta)
 
-func _on_mouse_entered():
-	if not Input.is_action_pressed("mouse_left") and current_handle and current_handle.has_method("handle_hover"):
-		current_handle.handle_hover(self)
-
-func _on_mouse_exited():
-	highlighted = false
-
-	# Let parent card re-check hover state if this sticky is attached to it
-	var card := attached_to
-	if card: 
-		card.check_hover()
-
-func _on_area_enter(_area: Area2D):
-	pass
-
-func _on_area_exit(_area: Area2D):
-	pass
-
-func _on_input_event(_viewport, event, _shape_idx):
-	if event is InputEventMouseButton and current_handle and current_handle.has_method("handle_mouse_button"):
-		if (event.button_index == MOUSE_BUTTON_LEFT and event.pressed) or event.button_index == MOUSE_BUTTON_RIGHT:
-			mouse_offset = get_viewport().get_mouse_position() - global_position
-			current_handle.handle_mouse_button(event, self)
 
 ## frame rate independent FIR smoothing filter
 func _smooth(current: Vector2, goal: Vector2, delta: float) -> Vector2:
 	var k := pow(0.1, 60.0 * delta)
 	return (1.0-k) * current + k * goal
-	
+
 
 func _move_sticky_note(delta: float) -> void:
 	if is_dragged:
 		update_drag_position(get_viewport().get_mouse_position())
 		return
-		
+
 	if is_attached:
 		var card := attached_to
 		position = _smooth(position, card.sticky_note_position, delta)
-		
+
-		
+
 
 
 var transform_tween: Tween
@@ -158,7 +124,7 @@ func tween_transform_to(target: Transform2D, duration: float = 0.25) ->void:
 		push_warning("StickyNote.tween_transform_to: Invalid position, skipping tween")
 		transform_tween_finished.emit()
 		return
-	
+
 	if transform_tween and transform_tween.is_running():
 		transform_tween.stop()
 
@@ -171,51 +137,45 @@ func tween_transform_to(target: Transform2D, duration: float = 0.25) ->void:
 
 # === DRAG LIFECYCLE OVERRIDES ===
 
-## Start drag: if in panel, immediately move to board
+func end_drag() -> Node:
-func start_drag(offset: Vector2) -> void:
+	super.end_drag()
-	super.start_drag(offset)
+	return _find_drop_target()
 
-	# If attached to a card, detach it first
-	var card := attached_to
-	if card:
-		card.remove_sticky_note()
-	
 
 ## Find best drop target: Card > Panel > Board (in priority order)
-func find_drop_target() -> Node:
+func _find_drop_target() -> Node:
 	# Priority 1: Check for overlapping cards in dropzone
+	var closest : Card = null
 	for area in get_overlapping_areas():
-		if area is Card and Draggable.is_drop_target(area):
+		if area is StickyNote and not area.is_attached: continue # Can only drop on attached stickies
+
+		if area is Card:
+			if (not closest) or ((closest.position-position).length() < (area.position - position).length()):
+				closest = area
 			return area
-	
+
-	# Priority 2: Check if dropped outside dropzone (over panel area)
-	if current_handle and not current_handle.is_in_dropzone(self):
-		var target_panel := _find_nearest_panel()
-		if target_panel:
-			return target_panel
-	
 	# Priority 3: Default to board (stay loose in dropzone)
-	return current_handle
+	return null
 
 ## Find the nearest panel that can accept this sticky
 func _find_nearest_panel() -> StickyNotePanel:
 	if not current_handle or not current_handle.has_node("HBoxContainer/ScrollContainer/VBoxContainer"):
 		return null
-	
+
 	var panel_container := current_handle.get_node("HBoxContainer/ScrollContainer/VBoxContainer")
 	var sticky_rect := Rect2(global_position - Vector2(diameter/2, 10), Vector2(diameter/2, 10))
-	
+
 	# First pass: look for empty panels we're hovering over
 	for panel in panel_container.get_children():
 		if panel is StickyNotePanel:
 			if panel.is_empty() and panel.get_global_rect().intersects(sticky_rect):
 				return panel
-	
+
 	# Second pass: if no empty panel found, find first empty panel
 	for panel in panel_container.get_children():
 		if panel is StickyNotePanel and panel.is_empty():
 			return panel
-	
+
 	# No empty panels found - will need to create one (handled by board)
 	return null
 

src/logic-scenes/board/sticky-note.tscn

@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ radius = 48.0
 height = 312.0
 
 [node name="sticky-note" type="Area2D"]
-z_index = 1
 collision_layer = 2
 collision_mask = 6
 priority = 100

src/logic-scenes/playable.gd

@@ -4,3 +4,6 @@ class_name Playable
 ## Awaitable that encapsulates the core interaction with this Playable
 func play() -> void:
 	await get_tree().process_frame # Dummy wait so this is a coroutine
+
+func handle_hover(area: Draggable):
+	prints("Playable[base].handle_hover", area, area.name)