<h1><span style="font-family:IM Fell English; font-size: 48px">Vespertines</span></h1>\
!!!Welcome to Vespertines!
This is an interactive fiction story where you take a job at a hidden bar patronised by mysterious beings.
!!!Content warnings
This story contains references to physical and psychological abuse, suicide and death, as well as elements of horror, body gore, sexual themes, and drug and alcohol use.
!!!RO Gender selection
There are 2 gender selectable romance options in Vespertines. You can choose their genders upon meeting them in game, or randomise genders now.
<<link "Randomise RO genders now" "gender test">><<set $aGender to either($aGender)>><<set $gGender to either($gGender)>><</link>>
[[Choose upon meeting them->Name]]
<span style="font-family:IM Fell English">Vespertines</span>
<!--MC WIDGETS-->
/* MC VERBS */
<<widget "are">><<switch $mc_vbP>><<case true>>are<<case false>>is<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "were">><<switch $mc_vbP>><<case true>>were<<case false>>was<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "s">><<switch $mc_vbP>><<case true>><<case false>>s<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "do">><<switch $mc_vbP>><<case true>>do<<case false>>does<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "have">><<switch $mc_vbP>><<case true>>have<<case false>>has<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "re">><<switch $mc_vbP>><<case true>>re<<case false>>s<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "ve">><<switch $mc_vbP>><<case true>>ve<<case false>>s<</switch>><</widget>>
/* MC PRONOUNS */
<<widget "mcTheyThem">><<set $they = $mc_they[0]>><<set $them = $mc_them[0]>><<set $their = $mc_their[0]>><<set $theirs = $mc_theirs[0]>><<set $themself = $mc_themself[0]>><<set $They = $mc_They[0]>><<set $Them = $mc_Them[0]>><<set $Their = $mc_Their[0]>><<set $Theirs = $mc_Theirs[0]>><<set $Themself = $mc_Themself[0]>><<set $theyre = $mc_theyre[0]>><<set $Theyre = $mc_Theyre[0]>><<set $theyve = $mc_theyve[0]>><<set $Theyve = $mc_Theyve[0]>><<set $mc_vbP = true>><</widget>>
<<widget "mcSheHer">><<set $they = $mc_they[1]>><<set $them = $mc_them[1]>><<set $their = $mc_their[1]>><<set $theirs = $mc_theirs[1]>><<set $themself = $mc_themself[1]>><<set $They = $mc_They[1]>><<set $Them = $mc_Them[1]>><<set $Their = $mc_Their[1]>><<set $Theirs = $mc_Theirs[1]>><<set $Themself = $mc_Themself[1]>><<set $theyre = $mc_theyre[1]>><<set $Theyre = $mc_Theyre[1]>><<set $theyve = $mc_theyve[1]>><<set $Theyve = $mc_Theyve[1]>><<set $mc_vbP = false>><</widget>>
<<widget "mcHeHim">><<set $they = $mc_they[2]>><<set $them = $mc_them[2]>><<set $their = $mc_their[2]>><<set $theirs = $mc_theirs[2]>><<set $themself = $mc_themself[2]>><<set $They = $mc_They[2]>><<set $Them = $mc_Them[2]>><<set $Their = $mc_Their[2]>><<set $Theirs = $mc_Theirs[2]>><<set $Themself = $mc_Themself[2]>><<set $theyre = $mc_theyre[2]>><<set $Theyre = $mc_Theyre[2]>><<set $theyve = $mc_theyve[2]>><<set $Theyve = $mc_Theyve[2]>><<set $mc_vbP = false>><</widget>>
<<widget "mcXeXem">><<set $they = $mc_they[3]>><<set $them = $mc_them[3]>><<set $their = $mc_their[3]>><<set $theirs = $mc_theirs[3]>><<set $themself = $mc_themself[3]>><<set $They = $mc_They[3]>><<set $Them = $mc_Them[3]>><<set $Their = $mc_Their[3]>><<set $Theirs = $mc_Theirs[3]>><<set $Themself = $mc_Themself[3]>><<set $theyre = $mc_theyre[3]>><<set $Theyre = $mc_Theyre[3]>><<set $theyve = $mc_theyve[3]>><<set $Theyve = $mc_Theyve[3]>><<set $mc_vbP = false>><</widget>>
<<widget "mcEyEm">><<set $they = $mc_they[4]>><<set $them = $mc_them[4]>><<set $their = $mc_their[4]>><<set $theirs = $mc_theirs[4]>><<set $themself = $mc_themself[4]>><<set $They = $mc_They[4]>><<set $Them = $mc_Them[4]>><<set $Their = $mc_Their[4]>><<set $Theirs = $mc_Theirs[4]>><<set $Themself = $mc_Themself[4]>><<set $theyre = $mc_theyre[4]>><<set $Theyre = $mc_Theyre[4]>><<set $theyve = $mc_theyve[4]>><<set $Theyve = $mc_Theyve[4]>><<set $mc_vbP = false>><</widget>>
/* MC GENDERED NOUNS */
<<widget "mcPerson">><<set $person = $mcPerson[0]>><<set $people = $mcPeople[0]>><<set $kid = $mcKid[0]>><<set $kids = $mcKids[0]>><</widget>>
<<widget "mcWoman">><<set $person = $mcPerson[1]>><<set $people = $mcPeople[1]>><<set $kid = $mcKid[1]>><<set $kids = $mcKids[1]>><</widget>>
<<widget "mcMan">><<set $person = $mcPerson[2]>><<set $people = $mcPeople[2]>><<set $kid = $mcKid[2]>><<set $kids = $mcKids[2]>><</widget>>
/* MC GENDERS */
<<widget "mcNonbinary">><<set $gender = "nonbinary">><<set $gen = "nb">><<set $genderName = "nonbinary">><</widget>>
<<widget "mcFemale">><<set $gender = "female">><<set $gen = "f">><<set $genderName = "female">><</widget>>
<<widget "mcMale">><<set $gender = "male">><<set $gen = "m">><<set $genderName = "male">><</widget>>
<<widget "mcCustGen">><<set $gender = "custom">><<set $gen = "nb">><</widget>>
/* ASH PRONOUNS */
<<widget "ashNB">>
<<set $a_they = $ref.they[0]>>
<<set $a_them = $ref.them[0]>>
<<set $a_their = $ref.their[0]>>
<<set $a_theirs = $ref.theirs[0]>>
<<set $a_themself = $ref.themself[0]>>
<<set $a_They = $ref.They[0]>>
<<set $a_Them = $ref.Them[0]>>
<<set $a_Their = $ref.Their[0]>>
<<set $a_Theirs = $ref.Theirs[0]>>
<<set $a_Themself = $ref.Themself[0]>>
<<set $a_vbP = true>>
<<set $aGender = "nonbinary">>
<<set $aGen = "nb">>
<<set $aPerson = $ref.Person[0]>>
<<set $aPeople = $ref.People[0]>>
<<set $aKid = $ref.Kid[0]>>
<<set $aKids = $ref.Kids[0]>>
<</widget>>
<<widget "ashF">>
<<set $a_they = $ref.they[1]>>
<<set $a_them = $ref.them[1]>>
<<set $a_their = $ref.their[1]>>
<<set $a_theirs = $ref.theirs[1]>>
<<set $a_themself = $ref.themself[1]>>
<<set $a_They = $ref.They[1]>>
<<set $a_Them = $ref.Them[1]>>
<<set $a_Their = $ref.Their[1]>>
<<set $a_Theirs = $ref.Theirs[1]>>
<<set $a_Themself = $ref.Themself[1]>>
<<set $a_vbP = false>>
<<set $aGender = "female">>
<<set $aGen = "f">>
<<set $aPerson = $ref.Person[1]>>
<<set $aPeople = $ref.People[1]>>
<<set $aKid = $ref.Kid[1]>>
<<set $aKids = $ref.Kids[1]>>
<</widget>>
<<widget "ashM">>
<<set $a_they = $ref.they[2]>>
<<set $a_them = $ref.them[2]>>
<<set $a_their = $ref.their[2]>>
<<set $a_theirs = $ref.theirs[2]>>
<<set $a_themself = $ref.themself[2]>>
<<set $a_They = $ref.They[2]>>
<<set $a_Them = $ref.Them[2]>>
<<set $a_Their = $ref.Their[2]>>
<<set $a_Theirs = $ref.Theirs[2]>>
<<set $a_Themself = $ref.Themself[2]>>
<<set $a_vbP = false>>
<<set $aGender = "male">>
<<set $aGen = "m">>
<<set $aPerson = $ref.Person[2]>>
<<set $aPeople = $ref.People[2]>>
<<set $aKid = $ref.Kid[2]>>
<<set $aKids = $ref.Kids[2]>>
<</widget>>
/* ASH VERBS */
<<widget "a_are">><<switch $a_vbP>><<case true>>are<<case false>>is<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "a_Are">><<switch $a_vbP>><<case true>>Are<<case false>>Is<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "a_re">><<switch $a_vbP>><<case true>>re<<case false>>s<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "a_were">><<switch $a_vbP>><<case true>>were<<case false>>was<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "a_Were">><<switch $a_vbP>><<case true>>Were<<case false>>Was<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "a_s">><<switch $a_vbP>><<case true>><<case false>>s<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "a_do">><<switch $a_vbP>><<case true>>do<<case false>>does<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "a_Do">><<switch $a_vbP>><<case true>>Do<<case false>>Does<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "a_have">><<switch $a_vbP>><<case true>>have<<case false>>has<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "a_Have">><<switch $a_vbP>><<case true>>Have<<case false>>Has<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "a_ve">><<switch $a_vbP>><<case true>>ve<<case false>>s<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "a_y">><<switch $a_vbP>><<case true>>y<<case false>>ies<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "a_es">><<switch $a_vbP>><<case true>><<case false>>es<</switch>><</widget>>
/* GREM PRONOUNS */
<<widget "gremNB">>
<<set $g_they = $ref.they[0]>>
<<set $g_them = $ref.them[0]>>
<<set $g_their = $ref.their[0]>>
<<set $g_theirs = $ref.theirs[0]>>
<<set $g_themself = $ref.themself[0]>>
<<set $g_They = $ref.They[0]>>
<<set $g_Them = $ref.Them[0]>>
<<set $g_Their = $ref.Their[0]>>
<<set $g_Theirs = $ref.Theirs[0]>>
<<set $g_Themself = $ref.Themself[0]>>
<<set $g_vbP = true>>
<<set $gGender = "nonbinary">>
<<set $gGen = "nb">>
<<set $gPerson = $ref.Person[0]>>
<<set $gPeople = $ref.People[0]>>
<<set $gKid = $ref.Kid[0]>>
<<set $gKids = $ref.Kids[0]>>
<</widget>>
<<widget "gremF">>
<<set $g_they = $ref.they[1]>>
<<set $g_them = $ref.them[1]>>
<<set $g_their = $ref.their[1]>>
<<set $g_theirs = $ref.theirs[1]>>
<<set $g_themself = $ref.themself[1]>>
<<set $g_They = $ref.They[1]>>
<<set $g_Them = $ref.Them[1]>>
<<set $g_Their = $ref.Their[1]>>
<<set $g_Theirs = $ref.Theirs[1]>>
<<set $g_Themself = $ref.Themself[1]>>
<<set $g_vbP = false>>
<<set $gGender = "female">>
<<set $gGen = "f">>
<<set $gPerson = $ref.Person[1]>>
<<set $gPeople = $ref.People[1]>>
<<set $gKid = $ref.Kid[1]>>
<<set $gKids = $ref.Kids[1]>>
<</widget>>
<<widget "gremM">>
<<set $g_they = $ref.they[2]>>
<<set $g_them = $ref.them[2]>>
<<set $g_their = $ref.their[2]>>
<<set $g_theirs = $ref.theirs[2]>>
<<set $g_themself = $ref.themself[2]>>
<<set $g_They = $ref.They[2]>>
<<set $g_Them = $ref.Them[2]>>
<<set $g_Their = $ref.Their[2]>>
<<set $g_Theirs = $ref.Theirs[2]>>
<<set $g_Themself = $ref.Themself[2]>>
<<set $g_vbP = false>>
<<set $gGender = "male">>
<<set $gGen = "m">>
<<set $gPerson = $ref.Person[2]>>
<<set $gPeople = $ref.People[2]>>
<<set $gKid = $ref.Kid[2]>>
<<set $gKids = $ref.Kids[2]>>
<</widget>>
/* GREM VERBS */
<<widget "g_are">><<switch $g_vbP>><<case true>>are<<case false>>is<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "g_Are">><<switch $g_vbP>><<case true>>Are<<case false>>Is<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "g_re">><<switch $g_vbP>><<case true>>re<<case false>>s<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "g_were">><<switch $g_vbP>><<case true>>were<<case false>>was<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "g_Were">><<switch $g_vbP>><<case true>>Were<<case false>>Was<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "g_s">><<switch $g_vbP>><<case true>><<case false>>s<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "g_do">><<switch $g_vbP>><<case true>>do<<case false>>does<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "g_Do">><<switch $g_vbP>><<case true>>Do<<case false>>Does<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "g_have">><<switch $g_vbP>><<case true>>have<<case false>>has<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "g_Have">><<switch $g_vbP>><<case true>>Have<<case false>>Has<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "g_ve">><<switch $g_vbP>><<case true>>ve<<case false>>s<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "g_y">><<switch $g_vbP>><<case true>>y<<case false>>ies<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "g_es">><<switch $g_vbP>><<case true>><<case false>>es<</switch>><</widget>>
<<widget "fair_minus">><<fair_plus $args[0] -$args[1]>><</widget>>
<<widget "opposed_stat">><<nobr>>
<div class="statBar">
<div style="float:right"> $args[1] <<= 100-$args[2]>>% </div>
<<= '<div class="statLeftBg" style="width:'+$args[2]+'%"> </div>'>>
<div> $args[0] $args[2]%</div>
</div>
<</nobr>><</widget>><<if $profileSet>>[[Profile]]<</if>>
<<if $charList>>[[Character List]]<</if>>
<<if $codexMenu>>[[Codex]]<</if>>
[[CREDITS|Credits]]<!--MC-->
<<set $hon = 50, $wit = 50>>
<<set $ins = 50, $obl = 50>>
<<set $dex = 50, $clu = 50>>
<<set $trans to false>>
<<set $mc = {
height : 3,
outfit : "practical",
eyes : "black"
}>>
<!--FOR PRONOUNS-->
<<set $mcGenders = ["nonbinary", "female", "male", "pangender", "fluid", "agender", "neutrois"]>>
<<set $mc_they = ["they", "she", "he", "xe", "ey"]>>
<<set $mc_They = ["They", "She", "He", "Xe", "Ey"]>>
<<set $mc_them = ["them", "her", "him", "xem", "em"]>>
<<set $mc_Them = ["Them", "Her", "Him", "Xem", "Em"]>>
<<set $mc_their = ["their", "her", "his", "xyr", "eir"]>>
<<set $mc_Their = ["Their", "Her", "His", "Xyr", "Eir"]>>
<<set $mc_theirs = ["theirs", "hers", "his", "xyrs", "eirs"]>>
<<set $mc_Theirs = ["Theirs", "Hers", "His", "Xyrs", "Eirs"]>>
<<set $mc_themself = ["themself", "herself", "himself", "xemself", "emself"]>>
<<set $mc_Themself = ["Themself", "Herself", "Himself", "Xemself", "Emself"]>>
<<set $mc_theyre = ["they're", "she's", "he's", "xe's", "ey's"]>>
<<set $mc_Theyre = ["They're", "She's", "He's", "Xe's", "Ey's"]>>
<<set $mc_theyve = ["they've", "she's", "he's", "xe's", "ey's"]>>
<<set $mc_Theyve = ["They've", "She's", "He's", "Xe's", "Ey's"]>>
<<set $mcPerson = ["person", "woman", "man"]>>
<<set $mcPeople = ["people", "women", "men"]>>
<<set $mcKid = ["kid", "girl", "boy"]>>
<<set $mcKids = ["kids", "girls", "boys"]>>
/* FOR SETTING PRONOUNS */
<<set $ref = {
"they" : ["they", "she", "he", "xe", "ey"],
"They" : ["They", "She", "He", "Xe", "Ey"],
"them" : ["them", "her", "him", "xem", "em"],
"Them" : ["Them", "Her", "Him", "Xem", "Em"],
"their" : ["their", "her", "his", "xyr", "eir"],
"Their" : ["Their", "Her", "His", "Xyr", "Eir"],
"theirs" : ["theirs", "hers", "his", "xyrs", "eirs"],
"Theirs" : ["Theirs", "Hers", "His", "Xyrs", "Eirs"],
"themself" : ["themself", "herself", "himself", "xemself", "emself"],
"Themself" : ["Themself", "Herself", "Himself", "Xemself", "Emself"],
"theyre" : ["they're", "she's", "he's", "xe's", "ey's"],
"Theyre" : ["They're", "She's", "He's", "Xe's", "Ey's"],
"theyve" : ["they've", "she's", "he's", "xe's", "ey's"],
"Theyve" : ["They've", "She's", "He's", "Xe's", "Ey's"],
"Person" : ["person", "woman", "man"],
"People" : ["people", "women", "men"],
"Kid" : ["kid", "girl", "boy"],
"Kids" : ["kids", "girls", "boys"]
}>>
<<set $aGender = ["nonbinary", "female", "male"]>>
<<set $gGender = ["nonbinary", "female", "male"]>><h1>Ash</h1>\
/*<<link "Choose Ash's portrait" "Ash Portrait">><</link>>*/
''Name:'' Ashheart
''Nickname:'' Ash
''Gender:'' <<if $aGender is "male">>Male?<<elseif $aGender is "female">>Female?<<else>>Nonbinary?<</if>>
''Appearance:'' Tall, slender. Brown skin. Black eyes. Black, wavy hair. Two beauty marks on $a_their right cheek.
<<button "Back">><<run Engine.backward()>><</button>><h1>Codex</h1>\
<h3>Places</h3>\
* [[Bareport]]
* <<if $bar is true>>[[Vespertines Bar]]<<else>>Undiscovered<</if>>
* <<if $dearth is true>>[[Dearth]]<<else>>Undiscovered<</if>>
<h3>Lore</h3>\
* <<if $demons is true>>[[Demons]]<<else>>Undiscovered<</if>>
<<button "Return" $return>><</button>><h1>$name</h1>\
''Pronouns:'' $they/$them
''Gender:'' <<if $trans>>trans-<</if>>$person
<<if hasVisited("Check your belongings")>>''Hobby:'' $hobby<</if>>
<<nobr>><<if $cane eq false and $glasses eq false and $hearingaid eq false>> don't use any assistive tech.<</if>>
<<if $cane is true>>You use a cane.<</if>><br>
<<if $glas is true>>You wear glasses.<</if>><br>
<<if $hear is true>>You use a hearing aid.<</if>>
<</nobr>>\
\
<<if $appearance is true>><center><h2>Appearance</h2></center>\
<<nobr>>Skin: $mc.skin <br>
Hair: $mc.hairlength, $mc.texture, $mc.haircolour <br>
Eyes: $mc.eyes <br>
Height: $mc.height <br>
Build: $mc.body<</nobr>>\
<</if>>\
<center><h2>Stats</h2>\
<hr>\
\
<center><h3>Personality</h3></center>\
<<set $wit = 100 - $hon>>\
<div class="stat-bar-group">\
<div class="stat-bar-container">\
<div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Honest $hon%</div>\
<div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Withholding $wit%</div>\
<div class="stat-bar" id="hon-stat"></div></div></div>\
\
<<set $obl = 100 - $ins>>\
<div class="stat-bar-group">\
<div class="stat-bar-container">\
<div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Insightful $ins%</div>\
<div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Oblivious $obl%</div>\
<div class="stat-bar" id="ins-stat"></div></div></div>\
\
/* <<set $dex = 100 - $clu>>\
<div class="stat-bar-group">\
<div class="stat-bar-container">\
<div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Dexterous $dex%</div>\
<div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Clumsy $clu%</div>\
<div class="stat-bar" id="dex-stat"></div></div></div>\ */
\
<<button "Return" $return>><</button>><h1>Gremory</h1>\
''Name:'' Gremory
''Nickname:'' Grem
''Gender:'' <<if $gGender is "male">>Male?<<elseif $gGender is "female">>Female?<<else>>Nonbinary?<</if>>
''Appearance:'' Very tall, broad shouldered, with the white-haired hooves of a goat. Curling horns that sprout from $g_their temples and curl down towards $g_their chin. Yellow eyes, dark grey hair with pale streaks. Pointed ears. There is a tattoo above $g_their left eye.
<<button "Back">><<run Engine.backward()>><</button>>!<span class="center">Vespertines was written, coded and illustrated by <a href="https://mondaysandwich.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">MondaySandwich</a></span>
----
!!!<span class="center">CREDITS</span>
I used <a href="https://gamesbyalbie.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">''Albie''</a>'s Character Page Template which can be found <a href="https://gamesbyalbie.itch.io/character-page-tutorial" target="_blank">''here''</a>. A thousand thankyous Albie for all your help!
My wonderful beta readers:
<a href="https://gamesbyalbie.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">''Albie''</a>
<a href="https://manonamora-if.tumblr.com" target="_blank">''manonamora''</a>
<a href="https://lapinlunaire-games.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">''LapinLunaireGames''</a>
<a href="https://onthespotlightif.tumblr.com/">''Lily''</a>
!!!<span class="center">RESOURCES</span>
<a href="https://gamesbyalbie.itch.io/character-page-tutorial" target="_blank">''Albie's character page tutorial''</a>
<a href="https://github.com/cyrusfirheir/cycy-wrote-custom-macros" target="_blank">''cyrusfirheir's live-update macro''</a>
<a href="https://fonts.google.com/specimen/IM+Fell+English">''IM Fell English font''</a>
<a href="https://fonts.google.com/specimen/Zen+Maru+Gothic">''Zen Maru Gothic font''</a>
<<button "Return" $return>><</button>>
<h3>How Shadow-Selves Are Created</h3>\
Blah blah blah a bunch of useless knowledge that probably wouldn't be helpful.
<<button "Back">><<run Engine.backward()>><</button>><h1>Character List</h1>\
<ul><li>[[Ashheart]]</li>\
<<if $gremory>><li>[[Gremory]]</li><</if>></ul>\
<<button "Return" $return>><</button>><<nobr>>
<<if ndef $mc_vbP>><<set _verbTense = "plural">><<else>><<if $mc_vbP is true>><<set _verbTense = "plural">><<else>><<set _verbTense = "singular">><</if>><</if>>
<</nobr>>\
<h3>''Subject:'' //It was nighttime when ''they'' returned.//</h3>\
<span class="sectionline"><span class="inputlabel">Uppercase</span><span class="namebox"><<if ndef $They>><<textbox "$They" "They">><<else>><<set _They = $They>><<textbox "$They" `_They`>><</if>></span></span>
<span class="sectionline"><span class="inputlabel">Lowercase</span><span class="namebox"><<if ndef $they>><<textbox "$they" "they">><<else>><<set _they = $they>><<textbox "$they" `_they`>><</if>></span></span>
<h3>''Object:'' //I keep seeing ''them'' in random places.//</h3>\
<span class="sectionline"><span class="inputlabel">Uppercase</span><span class="namebox"><<if ndef $Them>><<textbox "$Them" "Them">><<else>><<set _Them = $Them>><<textbox "$Them" `_Them`>><</if>></span></span>
<span class="sectionline"><span class="inputlabel">Lowercase</span><span class="namebox"><<if ndef $them>><<textbox "$them" "them">><<else>><<set _them = $them>><<textbox "$them" `_them`>><</if>></span></span>
<h3>''Possessive Adjective:'' //What is ''their'' new address?//</h3>\
<span class="sectionline"><span class="inputlabel">Uppercase</span><span class="namebox"><<if ndef $Their>><<textbox "$Their" "Their">><<else>><<set _Their = $Their>><<textbox "$Their" `_Their`>><</if>></span></span>
<span class="sectionline"><span class="inputlabel">Lowercase</span><span class="namebox"><<if ndef $their>><<textbox "$their" "their">><<else>><<set _their = $their>><<textbox "$their" `_their`>><</if>></span></span>
<h3>''Possessive:'' //This coat is actually ''theirs''.//</h3>\
<span class="sectionline"><span class="inputlabel">Uppercase</span><span class="namebox"><<if ndef $Theirs>><<textbox "$Theirs" "Theirs">><<else>><<set _Theirs = $Theirs>><<textbox "$Theirs" `_Theirs`>><</if>></span></span>
<span class="sectionline"><span class="inputlabel">Lowercase</span><span class="namebox"><<if ndef $theirs>><<textbox "$theirs" "theirs">><<else>><<set _theirs = $theirs>><<textbox "$theirs" `_theirs`>><</if>></span></span>
<h3>''Reflexive:'' //They preferred to work by ''themself''.//</h3>\
<span class="sectionline"><span class="inputlabel">Uppercase</span><span class="namebox"><<if ndef $Themself>><<textbox "$Themself" "Themself">><<else>><<set _Themself = $Themself>><<textbox "$Themself" `_Themself`>><</if>></span></span>
<span class="sectionline"><span class="inputlabel">Lowercase</span><span class="namebox"><<if ndef $themself>><<textbox "$themself" "themself">><<else>><<set _themself = $themself>><<textbox "$themself" `_themself`>><</if>></span></span>
<h3>What verb tense do these pronouns use?</h3>\
<ul><label><<radiobutton "_verbTense" "plural" autocheck>> Plural (they ''are'')</label></ul>\
<ul><label><<radiobutton "_verbTense" "singular" autocheck>> Singular (<<print either("she","he","xe","ey")>> ''is'')</label></ul>\
<center><<button "Confirm">><<nobr>>
<<if _verbTense is "plural">><<set $mc_vbP = true>><<elseif _verbTense is "singular">><<set $mc_vbP = false>><</if>>
<<run Dialog.close()>><<goto "Stat check">>
<</nobr>><</button>></center><<set $profileSet = true>>\
<<type 80ms>>\
<h1><span style="font-family:IM Fell English">Chapter 1: The Bridge</span></h1>\
<</type>>\
<<timed 3s>>\
The bus arrives at midnight.
You squint your eyes as you alight, looking around. The city of Bareport is still so bright even at this hour. Skyscrapers loom like cold cliffs around you, riddled with fluorescence, hemming you in and stealing real-estate from the stars. Glittering billboards line the elevated highway leading into the city. The bus had sped along it to bring you here, advertisements flashing past you: buy This, try This, let This turn your life around!
If only it were that easy. If it were, you wouldn’t be here with only a suitcase.
[[Check your belongings]]
<</timed>>
You pull your suitcase out of the path of other pedestrians and quickly open it. You’ve checked it already, but you're paranoid you've forgotten something important.
You brought\
<<if $glas is true>> your glasses (currently balanced precariously on your nose),<</if>>\
<<if $hear is true>> your hearing aid (in your ear),<</if>>\
<<if $cane is true>> your cane, resting against your leg,<</if>>\
a few pairs of socks and underwear, and <<cycle "$hobby" autoselect>>
<<option "your journal" journaling>>
<<option "your sketchbook" art>>
<<option "a deck of cards" "card games">>
<<option "your favourite book" reading>>
<<option "your camera" photography>>
<<option "your favourite comic" comics>>
<<option "your recipe collection" cooking>>
<</cycle>>.
[[Next->outfit]]
Your clothing is \
<<link "practical">><<set $mc.outfit = "practical">><<update>><</link>> | \
<<link "dressy">><<set $mc.outfit = "dressy">><<update>><</link>> | \
<<link "flashy">><<set $mc.outfit = "flashy">><<update>><</link>> | \
<<link "comfy">><<set $mc.outfit = "comfy">><<update>><</link>> | \
<<link "intimidating">><<set $mc.outfit = "intimidating">><<update>><</link>>.
You're dressed <<liveblock>>\
<<if $mc.outfit is "practical">>\
in your usual outfit; jeans, a sweater, a thick coat and a scarf. It’s cold outside, and practicality is at the forefront of your mind.\
<<elseif $mc.outfit is "dressy">>\
in something a little dressy—just because you’re running away doesn’t mean you need to look like it. You have on a shirt and a nice sweater beneath your jacket.\
<<elseif $mc.outfit is "flashy">>\
the opposite to how you used to dress at home—bright colours, accessories, things you’ve always wanted to try but felt uncomfortable trying before.\
<<elseif $mc.outfit is "comfy">>\
in your comfiest clothes—tracksuit pants and sweatshirt beneath your coat, and a beanie.\
<<else>>\
in something you hope looks intimidating. A leather jacket, dark pants and kickass boots. You want people to leave you alone. \
<</if>><</liveblock>>
[[Next->money]]* optional physical and/or psychological abuse in main character's backstory
* references to suicide and death: main character briefly considers suicide (optional) at the start of the game. Potential character death.
* horror - demons, mind control
* body gore
* sexual themes
* drug and alcohol use - optional for MC, unavoidable in other characters.
<<link "I understand" "Game Start">><</link>>
<h1><span style="font-family:IM Fell English; font-size: 48px">Your Character</span></h1>\
Your name is $name.
You are a <<if $trans is true>>trans-<</if>>$person and you go by $they/$them.
<<if $glas is true>> You wear glasses.<</if>>\
<<if $hear is true>> You use a hearing aid.<</if>>\
<<if $cane is true>> You use a cane.<</if>>
Is this correct?
[[Yes->Game Start]]
[[No->Name]]
You have enough cash for a few nights in a hotel. You also have your phone, but you ditched the SIM card and reset it before you left. Extreme, maybe—it’s not like you expect a hacker on your trail—but you’re serious about not being followed.
Not this time.
[[Check your phone.]]
It’s 12:13 AM. Late. You figured you’d try to find a hotel once you got here, but now that you are, you’re apprehensive. Bareport is a large city; it’ll have hotels open this late for check in, right? At any rate, the hotel is only a temporary solution. You need to find somewhere that you can’t be easily tracked. Renting a room from a private landlord would be a better option, but to be able to do that you will need a job …
Your stomach churns, as if suddenly filled with insects.
[[It’s no good thinking about this now. First comes first: survive the night.->1.01]]
You set off, trying to make it look like you know what you’re doing. A country bumpkin like you is easy pickings here in the city.
[[Next->1.02]]Bareport is just how you always imagined, and also totally different; you could never have fully understood the scope of it. Even at this hour, the sidewalks are busy with a suffocating crush of people.
The scent of trash and urine and spice and meat is heavy in the cold air. Horns blare. <<if $hear>>You pause to adjust your hearing aid. <</if>>A siren whoops and you flinch. Your senses feel overwhelmed, but you do your best not to think about it too much.
You keep walking.
[[Next->1.03]]
There are no vacancies.
You try every hotel you come across, but they are all either too expensive or too full.
You find it hard to believe there isn’t even a single spare bed in the crappiest, most run down looking youth hostel you’ve ever laid eyes on, but the desk attendant explains that the city is booked out due to the upcoming solstice festival.
It’s getting late, and your feet hurt. The streets are starting to clear as you step back outside the hostel. <<if $cane>>You lean heavily on your cane, gritting your teeth against the flaring pain in your leg as you look around.<</if>>
[[Next->Appearance]]You catch a glimpse of yourself in a darkened shop window and slow to a stop. You look … awful. Your <<cycle "$mc.eyes" autoselect>>
<<option "black">>
<<option "dark brown">>
<<option "amber">>
<<option "hazel">>
<<option "green">>
<<option "grey">>
<<option "blue">>
<</cycle>>\
eyes are sunken from exhaustion<<if $glas is true>> behind your glasses<</if>>. Your face feels grimy, the <<cycle "$mc.skin" autoselect>>
<<option "onyx">>
<<option "dark brown">>
<<option "russet">>
<<option "light brown">>
<<option "olive">>
<<option "ruddy">>
<<option "pale">>
<</cycle>> \
skin of your cheeks lacking its usual lustre. Your hair is normally <<cycle "$mc.hairlength" autoselect>>\
<<option "long">>
<<option "mid-length">>
<<option "short">>
<</cycle>>\
, \
<<cycle "$mc.texture" autoselect>>\
<<option "coily">>
<<option "curly">>
<<option "wavy">>
<<option "straight">>
<<option "thick">>
<<option "thin">>
<</cycle>>\
and <<cycle "$mc.haircolour" autoselect>>
<<option "black">>
<<option "dark brown">>
<<option "light brown">>
<<option "auburn">>
<<option "red">>
<<option "red-gold">>
<<option "fair">>
<<option "grey">>
<<option "white">>
<</cycle>>\
, but in a hasty attempt to disguise yourself you have <<cycle "$mc.hairstyle" autoselect>>
<<option "bleached it" bleached>>
<<option "hidden it beneath a beanie" beanie>>
<<option "buzzed it" buzzed>>
<</cycle>>\
. It won’t fool anyone who really knows you, but it’s something. You're \
<<cycle "$mc.height" autoselect>>\
<<option "very short">>
<<option "short">>
<<option "average height">>
<<option "tall">>
<<option "very tall">>
<</cycle>>\
and \
<<cycle "$mc.body" autoselect>>\
<<option "slight">>
<<option "slender">>
<<option "curvy">>
<<option "toned">>
<<option "stocky">>
<<option "heavy">>
<<option "fat">>
<</cycle>>\
, but there's not much that can be done to conceal your build.
[[Next->1.05]]
<<set $appearance to true>><<if $mc.hairstyle is "buzzed">><<set $mc.hairlength to "buzzed">><</if>>You catalogue your features dispassionately, feeling removed from the spectre that stares back at you. You look haunted. A chill goes down your spine, and you look away quickly. You’re not ready to admit you are the person in that dark mirror.
Keep moving, you think to yourself. Just keep moving.
[[So you do.]]You walk for what feels like hours, but when you check your phone again you see it’s only 3:32 AM. You’ve spent the last thirty minutes walking in a daze without really taking notice of where you are. Biting your lip, you look around.
You’re standing on a bridge crossing the shallow waters of the Hranice river. The CBD is behind you, skyscrapers reduced to a marginally less threatening size as the sky opens up above your head. You’re relieved to be out from beneath their inverted shadows.
The bridge itself is damp, the railing secure and functional—but not very high, you realise, as you rest your hands on it. Your breath fogs the air as you stare out over the railing at the river. It might be beautiful here in the sunset or the dusk. This late at night, though, there isn’t much to see; there’s too much cloud cover for the moon or the stars to shine on the water. Your fingers are starting to freeze against the metal, and you distractedly tuck your hands beneath your armpits to warm them up.
[[What do I do now?]] //What do I do now?//
The thought comes to you suddenly, terrifying in its clarity. It’s all you can think of. That one question. What do you do? Keep searching? Stay up all night? Sleep in the subway? Under the bridge?
A sudden gust of wind makes the fog around you swirl, and the cold brings you back to your senses. Your nose is starting to go numb. You’re too close to the railing. You should move back.
[[It would be pretty easy to climb over.->1.052]]You lean forward to look out over the railing. It would take a bit of effort to get over it, but it’s certainly achievable<<if $cane is true>>, even with your bad leg<</if>>. Your breath quickens.
Without really knowing why, you grab hold of the railing and manage to swing yourself up onto it, before landing on the other side. Your hands grip the railing tightly as you turn to face the river.
You stare down at it, silvery and wreathed in fog. It looks strangely inviting, but also completely, utterly cold. Your breath catches and your heart starts to pound in your ears. Staring out over the darkness, you can almost hear it; the call of the void. An echo of a siren’s song. Is this something all humans experience, or is it innate to only you?
A slight gust of wind tugs at your collar, and you suddenly realise how far you’ve leant out over the edge.
* <<link "You shake your head. This isn't right. You’ve made it this far—are you really going to throw it all away now?" "2.01">><</link>>
* <<link "Fear for your life makes you gasp. No, this isn’t what you want to do. You cling tighter to the railing and slowly turn around." "2.01">><</link>>
* <<link "Wow. What a rush. If nothing else, the adrenaline is making it hard to remember why you climbed over here." "2.01">><</link>>
* <<link "For just a moment, you actually consider letting go. But if you do that, you’ve lost, and your past has won." "2.01">><</link>>
You turn around carefully, intending to climb back to safety, but before you can you are interrupted.
“Changed your mind?”
You yelp and tense up, your hands tightening into a vice grip on the railing as you look around wildly to see who has addressed you.
[[Next->2.02]]<<if hasVisited("gender test")>>A tall, slender $aPerson stands there, watching you.<<else>>A tall, slender <<cycle "_ashGender">><<option "man">><<option "woman">><<option "person">><</cycle>> stands there, watching you.<</if>>
<<link "Next">><<nobr>>
<<if _ashGender is "man">><<ashM>>
<<elseif _ashGender is "woman">><<ashF>>
<<elseif _ashGender is "person">><<ashNB>><</if>>
<<goto "Ash intro">>
<</nobr>><</link>>
What pronouns does your character use?
> <label><<radiobutton "_choice" 0>> They/Them</label>
> <label><<radiobutton "_choice" 1>> She/Her</label>
> <label><<radiobutton "_choice" 2>> He/Him</label>
> <label><<radiobutton "_choice" 5>> Custom Pronouns</label>
<center><<button "Confirm">><<nobr>>
<<if _choice is 0>><<mcTheyThem>><<goto "Stat check">>
<<elseif _choice is 1>><<mcSheHer>><<goto "Stat check">>
<<elseif _choice is 2>><<mcHeHim>><<goto "Stat check">>
<<elseif _choice is 5>>
<<script>>
Dialog.setup("Custom Pronouns");
Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Custom Pronouns").processText());
Dialog.open();
<</script>>
<<else>><<mcTheyThem>><<goto "Stat check">>
<</if>>
<</nobr>><</button>></center><!--[[Stat check]]-->You don’t know where that thought came from, but it’s suddenly there.
[[Lean out over the railing.->1.06]]<<set $charList to true>>\
Black eyes look back at you. A soft fall of dark hair covers the brown skin of $a_their ears, but you can see two beauty spots on $a_their right cheek. A cigarette dangles from dark, curving lips.
“You scared me,” you tell $a_them, accusingly. Your voice sounds a little higher than usual.
$a_Their lips curl into a smile. “I’m sorry.”
* <<link "“You don’t sound very sorry!” you say in anger." "2.031">><<set $hon -= 5>><</link>>
* <<link "“What are you doing?” you ask, nonplussed." "2.032">><<set $hon
+= 5>><</link>>
* <<link "You feel your throat tighten with tears, and need to suppress a sob." "2.033">><<set $hon += 5>><</link>>Fright makes your voice harsh. “Why were you just standing there watching me? What if I had jumped?”
The $aPerson shrugs.
“If you had jumped, would you have wanted me to stop you?” $a_they say<<a_s>> in $a_their husky voice. Before you can think of how to respond to that $a_they add<<a_s>>, “Besides, it seemed like you were thinking it through. I thought I’d give you the opportunity to come to your own decision.”
You narrow your eyes at $a_them, taking in $a_their relaxed posture; one hand in $a_their pocket, the other holding the cigarette. Casually waiting to see if you would jump to your death.
<<link "Question $a_them" "duty">><</link>>
“You don’t think it’s your duty to stop someone from dying, if you can?”
“Duty?” $a_They laugh<<a_s>>. “Quite the opposite. I still might have helped you, though. I don’t think suicide is the way you’re going to go.”
You have nothing to say to that, confused by such a cryptic comment.
[[Next->3.04]]“What are you doing?” you ask, nonplussed. “Just standing there watching me to see if I’ll jump or not?”
“Pretty much,” the stranger says with a grin.
That’s … horrible.
* [[But you have too much on your mind to truly be angry at this stranger.->3.0321]]
* <<link "Question $a_them" "duty">><</link>>
“Bad day?” $a_they ask<<a_s>> lightly.
You give a weak chuckle. “Bad … month. Year. I don’t know.”
“Bad enough to jump off a bridge?”
You hesitate. “Maybe.” Blowing out a gust of breath, you look up at the sky. You still can’t see the stars. The thought makes you ache. You used to be able to see them all the time at home, and although you thought you would reject all memories of home with every part of your soul, you miss them.
[[Next->3.04]]Without warning, you start crying. It’s been a truly horrendous day, and $a_they //scared// you. The tears you’ve been holding back all night suddenly overwhelm you. You feel them streak down your cheeks, a brief brush of warmth against your skin before the winter air chills the tracks they leave behind.
The stranger stares at you, lips slightly parted in shock. Whatever $a_they expected from you, it clearly wasn’t this. Then $a_they let<<a_s>> out a sigh, a soft smile touching $a_their lips.
“Are you alright?” $a_they ask<<a_s>>, placing a hand on the railing. $a_Their voice is a little gentler than before.
* [[“No.” The word gets stuck in your throat. “I’m not.”->2.0331]]
* [[“Yes.” You hurriedly wipe away your tears, embarrassed to be showing such emotion in front of a stranger.->2.0332]]
You’re all choked up. You press your lips together, trying not to sob as you grip the railing tightly.
[[Next->2.0333]]You’re embarrassed. Your cheeks feel hot. You avoid $a_their gaze as you try to get your tears under control, wiping your eyes surreptitiously on your sleeve.
“I’m not crying,” you say, even though you know $a_they <<a_are>>n’t fooled.
[[Next->2.0333]]The stranger considers you a moment, bringing the cigarette to $a_their lips before puffing out a steady stream of pale smoke. $a_They seem<<a_s>> torn. Perhaps $a_they’<<a_re>> wondering if $a_they should just walk away from you.
Then $a_they seem<<a_s>> to come to a decision, and step<<a_s>> a little closer, searching in $a_their pocket as $a_they <<a_do>> so.
“Here,” $a_they say<<a_s>>, and offer<<a_s>> you a handkerchief.
You blink at it. $a_They <<a_do>>n’t seem like the type of person to carry a handkerchief.
<<if hasVisited("2.0331")>>$a_Their smile is crooked. “Pretty thing like you shouldn’t be crying, even if you //are// hanging out over the edge of a bridge.”\
<<else>>\
$a_Their smile is crooked. “I know you’re not crying, but my handkerchief was taking up too much pocket space. Can you hang onto it for me?"\
<</if>>
[[Next->2.0334]]You’re not sure whether to laugh or cry again.<<if hasVisited("2.0331")>> Pretty? <<a_Are>> $a_they hitting on you?<</if>> Carefully, you take the handkerchief from $a_them and use it to dry your eyes. You can’t bring yourself to blow your nose on a stranger’s handkerchief though.
[[Next ->3.0321]]“So,” the stranger says, taking advantage of your silence. “What made you change your mind?”
<<if hasVisited("2.031")>>* <<link "The question brings you back to your situation. “I don’t see why I should tell //you// that.”" "3.041">><<set $hon -= 5>><</link>>
<<else>>* <<link "“I didn’t really intend to jump. I just wanted to feel…” You trail off, unsure what to say." "3.042">><<set $hon += 5>><</link>>
* <<link "“I got scared,” you admit. “Of death. I guess I don’t really want to die.”" "3.043">><<set $hon += 5>><</link>><</if>>You take it slow. You check the positions of your hands on the railing, making sure they won’t slip on the cold, slick metal. You place your feet carefully, too, and then prepare to swing yourself back over the railing.
Something shifts beneath your foot; a loose brick. Unlucky. The bridge is not in disrepair—this might be the only loose brick on the whole structure. Caught in the motion of pushing off from it, you lose momentum and drop like a stone, your hand yanked from the railing by the weight of your body.
[[Next->3.06]]You can’t think of how to explain it.
“Something?” $a_they suppl<<a_y>>.
“I guess. I don’t know.”
“Hmm.” $a_They suddenly seem<<a_s>> to be having trouble meeting your gaze, looking away with a slight frown. “But you don’t want to die?”
You shake your head. “No. Not yet.”
“I see.” $a_They look<<a_s>> at you again, expression unreadable. “Why don’t you come back over the railing then?”
You let out a sigh. “Yeah.”
$a_They watch<<a_es>> you as you prepare. “Be careful,” $a_they add<<a_s>> quietly.
[[Next->3.05]]For some reason, a troubled look crosses the stranger’s expression. $a_They suddenly seem<<a_s>> to want to avoid your gaze.
“I see,” $a_they say<<a_s>>. “Well, that’s something we can all understand.” Looking back at you, $a_they say<<a_s>> with a wry smile, “In that case, perhaps you should come back over the railing.”
“…Yeah.”
$a_They watch<<a_es>> you as you prepare. “Be careful,” $a_they add<<a_s>>.
[[Next->3.05]]Your stomach lurches, but before you can draw breath to cry out you jerk to a stop, your descent halted.
[[Next->3.07]]A thin, strong hand is bunched in the fabric of your <<if $mc.outfit is "dressy" or $mc.outfit is "intimidating">>jacket<<else>>coat<</if>>, stopping you from falling back over the edge. Adrenaline coursing through your brain, you get a picture-perfect image of that hand; slender but wiry fingers, dyed black from the nails to the wrists, as if dipped in ink. You can’t tell if it’s a tattoo or if the hand has been stained by something.
You lift your gaze to your rescuer, gasping with relief and surprise. The stranger looks as surprised as you are to be holding you aloft. Far below you, you hear the loose brick hit the water with a loud ‘plunk’.
[[Next->3.08]] You grab the railing again and haul yourself back over, heart hammering fit to burst. The stranger doesn’t exactly help you, but $a_they <<a_do>>n’t let you go until you are safely on the other side of the railing.
“Thanks,” you gasp.
The stranger pauses. “Don’t mention it,” $a_they say<<a_s>>, lifting the cigarette to $a_their mouth. $a_They take<<a_s>> a drag and let<<a_s>> the smoke plume from $a_their lips. “Seems like I wasn’t going to let you fall after all.”
Then $a_they grin<<a_s>>. “How ironic that would have been—for you to decide not to die, only to accidentally fall to your death.”
[[Next->3.09]]How would you describe your character's gender?
> <label><<radiobutton "_choice" 0>> Nonbinary (gender neutral terms e.g. person, child)</label>
> <label><<radiobutton "_choice" 1>> Female (feminine terms e.g. woman, girl)</label>
> <label><<radiobutton "_choice" 2>> Male (male terms e.g. man, boy)</label>
Does your character identify as transgender?
> <label><<radiobutton "_choice1" 0>> Yes</label>
> <label><<radiobutton "_choice1" 1>> No</label>
> <label><<radiobutton "_choice1" 2>> Unsure</label>
<center><<button "Confirm">><<nobr>>
<<if _choice is 0>><<mcPerson>><<goto "Pronouns">>
<<elseif _choice is 1>><<mcWoman>><<goto "Pronouns">>
<<else>><<mcMan>><<goto "Pronouns">>
<</if>>
<<if _choice1 is 0>><<set $trans to true>><<goto "Pronouns">>
<<else>><<set $trans to false>><<goto "Pronouns">>
<</if>>
<<if _choice1 is 2>><<set $unsure to true>><<goto "Pronouns">>
<</if>>
<</nobr>><</button>></center><!--[[Pronouns]]-->
Your knees feel weak. Your heart is hammering hard, and you’re starting to breathe a bit too fast. The world spins. You quickly crouch down, taking a few deep breaths, but it’s hard to focus on your breathing. You nearly died. You nearly //died//. On top of everything that’s happened today, it’s almost too much to bear.
[[Next->3.10]]The stranger lets out a soft sigh as $a_they look<<a_s>> down at your hunched form. Then, to your surprise, $a_they move<<a_s>> closer. With a look that is difficult to interpret $a_they offer<<a_s>> you $a_their cigarette.
* <<link "You give a harsh laugh in disbelief. A cigarette? Is that intended to be comforting?" "3.101">><</link>>
* <<link "Actually, maybe a cigarette would calm you down. You take it with trembling fingers." "3.102">><</link>>You put the cigarette to your lips and take a tentative puff. The acrid smoke fills your mouth and burns your throat. It’s not pleasant. You cough and splutter, and the stranger chuckles.
$a_They let<<a_s>> you take another puff and seem<<a_s>> satisfied when you manage not to choke this time. Then $a_they hold<<a_s>> out $a_their hand.
* <<link "Take $a_their hand." "3.1021">><</link>>
* <<link "Give $a_them back the cigarette and get up by yourself. (Touch averse)" "3.1012">><<set $tav to true>><</link>>The stranger grins at your laugh. “No good?” $a_they ask<<a_s>>.
“No. No thank you.”
“It would help you focus on your breathing.”
“You could at least offer me a //new// cigarette,” you grouch breathlessly. “Not the one from your mouth.”
$a_They put<<a_s>> the cigarette back between $a_their lips with a chuckle and instead offer<<a_s>> you a blackened hand to help you up.
* <<link "Let $a_them help you up." "3.1011">><</link>>
* <<link "Get up by yourself. (Touch averse)" "3.1012">><<set $tav to true>><</link>>
You stare at it for a moment, unsure, but then put your hand in $a_theirs, and $a_they pull<<a_s>> you to your feet.
$a_Their skin is very warm against the chill night air. You feel a flash of something—flame and smoke—but it’s over in an instant as the stranger takes their hand away. You look at your fingers. They’re covered in black dust which looks like soot.
“Thanks,” you say to $a_them.
[[Next->3.11]]You hesitate, looking at $a_their hand, and when you don’t take it $a_they seem<<a_s>> to get the picture and step<<a_s>> back, letting you get up by yourself. You let out a relieved breath. You’re not used to strangers touching you, but at least $a_they gave you the opportunity to say no.
“Thanks,” you say.
[[Next->3.11]]“Alright?” $a_they ask<<a_s>> with a smiling tilt of $a_their head.
Somehow, despite everything, you do feel a little better. $a_They <<a_have>>n’t been exactly sympathetic, but that might actually make it easier. You don’t want to explain your situation to $a_them, and the thought of commiseration makes you flinch. You don’t want pity, or even worse, censure. You don’t think you could take the judgement of a stranger right now.
So, quietly, you nod your head. You’re exhausted, but you’re still here. Now you just need to figure out what to do next.
[[Next->3.12]]
Without thinking, you take it, and after only a brief pause the stranger pulls you upright.
$a_Their skin is very warm against the chill night air. It’s almost like basking in the warmth of a fire … but it’s over in an instant as the stranger takes $a_their hand away. You look at your fingers. They’re covered in black dust which looks like soot. Belatedly, you realise that $a_their proffered hand might have just been intending to take back the cigarette.
* <<link "You feel embarrassed and quickly hand the cigarette back." "3.10211">><<set $ashro +=1>><</link>>
* <<link "You play it cool and hand the cigarette back. “Thanks.”" "3.10212">><</link>>
The stranger grins and takes it, taking another drag, seeming unconcerned that your lips were just where $a_theirs are now. $a_Their gaze lingers on you for a moment, but $a_they <<a_do>>n’t speak until you have composed yourself.
“Thanks,” you say, a little awkwardly.
[[Next->3.11]]The stranger takes it back. “No problem,” $a_they say<<a_s>>.
[[Next->3.11]]The stranger looks at your suitcase, which is still propped against the railing where you left it.
“Are you new to the city?” $a_they ask<<a_s>>. “Why don’t I take you to your destination?” $a_Their eyes flick over your face. “You don’t look so good. And I mean that in the nicest way possible.”
“No, I’m good, I’m …” Trailing off, you pass your hand over your face, trying to regain some confidence.
$a_They watch<<a_es>> you. “If you’re concerned about my intentions,” $a_they suggest<<a_s>> lightly, “I could just take you somewhere public. Let’s just … get away from the edge of the bridge, alright?” $a_They chuckle<<a_s>>.
* <<link "Tell $a_them you don’t have anywhere to go." "3.121">><<set $hon += 5>><</link>>
* <<link "Keep it to yourself. You don’t trust $a_them." "3.122">><<set $hon -= 5>><</link>>
“I don’t know where I’m going,” you say, your voice laced with exhaustion.
$a_Their eyebrows shoot up, but $a_their gaze flickers from you to your suitcase and back. You get the feeling $a_they understand<<a_s>> the situation in an instant.
“Alright,” $a_they say<<a_s>>. “Well then, first of all, it seems like what you need is a drink.”
You stare at $a_them blankly. “A drink?”
“Yeah. A drink and something to eat.”
[[Next->3.13]]“I’ll be fine on my own.”
“I’m sure you will,” $a_they say<<a_s>>. “But I’d feel better knowing you were somewhere safe.”
“Why?” you ask. You’re unable to keep the hint of suspicion from your voice.
$a_They raise<<a_s>> $a_their eyebrows at you. “I just saved your life,” $a_they say<<a_s>>. There’s a curious smile on $a_their lips. “It would leave a bad taste in my mouth if something happened to you now.”
[[Next->3.13]]You frown slightly, unable to help the misgivings that rise in your gut. $a_They may have saved you from falling, but that doesn’t mean that $a_they <<a_have>> your best interests in mind. And you were raised on a steady mix of suspicion and fear towards strangers.
The stranger smiles slightly, looking vaguely amused. It’s enough to get on your nerves, but before you can say anything $a_they say<<a_s>>, “I’m Ash, by the way. What’s your name?”
“It’s $name.”
“Nice to meet you, $name.”
[[Next->3.14]]
<h1><span style="font-family:IM Fell English; font-size: 48px">Character Creation</span></h1>\
<<nobr>>
<<set $name = "">>
<</nobr>>\
Enter your character's name here<center>\
Name:
<<textbox "$name" "">>
</center>\
Or choose a suggested name:
<<cycle "$name" autoselect>>
<<option "Marama">>
<<option "Sasi">>
<<option "Maya">>
<<option "Natsu">>
<<option "Ivan">>
<<option "Jay">>
<<option "Neil">>
<<option "Rowan">>
<<option "Avery">>
<<option "Holly">>
<<option "Val">>
<<option "Darian">>
<<option "Sal">>
<</cycle>>
Does your character wear glasses? <<cycle "$glas" autoselect>>
<<option "no" false>>
<<option "yes" true>>
<</cycle>>
Does your character use a hearing aid? <<cycle "$hear" autoselect>>
<<option "no" false>>
<<option "yes" true>>
<</cycle>>
Does your character use a cane? <<cycle "$cane" autoselect>>
<<option "no" false>>
<<option "yes" true>>
<</cycle>>
<<button "Confirm" "Gender">><</button>>The stranger laughs. “Fair enough. I probably wouldn’t tell me either.” $a_They take<<a_s>> a drag of $a_their cigarette, letting the smoke stream from between $a_their lips. “You should probably come back over here to where it’s safe.”
“I was just going to,” you say snappishly, “before I was interrupted.”
The stranger chuckles again, amusement lighting up $a_their black eyes. $a_They gesture<<a_s>> magnanimously towards the railing, as if allowing you to resume climbing over it.
“Be careful,” $a_they say<<a_s>> with a smile.
“No shit,” you mutter beneath your breath.
[[Next->3.05]]The cigarette has burned down almost to $a_their fingertips. $a_They put<<a_s>> it out against the railing. You half expect $a_them to flick the butt away, but $a_they tuck<<a_s>> it conscientiously into $a_their pocket.
“Come on,” $a_they say<<a_s>>, taking the handle of your suitcase.
You frown slightly. “Where to?” you ask.
“Here,” Ash says. $a_They dig<<a_s>> around in $a_their pocket and pull<<a_s>> out a business card. It’s plain and unstylish, on pearl grey cardstock with simple text that looks like it has been hand typed with a typewriter.
[[Next->3.15]]
//‘Vespertines’//, it reads.
Beneath the bar’s name is written ‘Cocktails and wine bar’. On the back, it has a small map of a street corner—Roy St and Bialy Ln. A white star on the map indicates where the bar must be situated. You don’t recognise the street names.
[[Next->3.16]]“My friend owns a bar,” Ash is telling you. “I’m headed there now. The bar will be closing for the evening, but I bet I can swing us a drink anyway.” $a_Their eyes sparkle with mischief.
You consider the offer. On one hand, you don’t really have any better options. At least a bar would offer a roof over your head for a brief period, and you might be able to use their restrooms and get something to eat. On the other hand, you’re not sure if you’re comfortable following a stranger. The bar's business card seems legitimate enough, but for all you know it could be a scam. Maybe the bar is a front for a human trafficking racket, and Ash waits around bridges to trick poor lonely souls into visiting…?
Okay, that does sound a bit far-fetched.
[[You don’t really have any better options. Go with Ash.]]
“Alright,” you say cautiously.
Ash’s expression shifts into surprise—and you think you also see relief there as well. Then $a_they grin<<a_s>> at you.
“Alright!” $a_they say<<a_s>>. $a_They start<<a_s>> to walk away from you, towards the city, waving a hand casually to gesture for you to follow $a_them.
[[You do.]]
Ash is surprisingly easy company. $a_They seem<<a_s>> to have picked up that you’re new to the city, and as you walk $a_they give<<a_s>> you snippets of information about the area; //there’s a synagogue over there behind those offices; this subway entrance has been under construction for, like, ten years; that bakery does the best cream cheese bagel in the city.//
$a_They <<a_do>>n’t seem to require too much from you, which you’re a bit relieved about. But of course, before too long $a_they'<<a_re>> asking questions.
“So what brings you to the city?”
You think about how to answer.
“I’m looking for a job,” you say. It’s the truth … more or less. “There wasn’t much work back in my hometown.” Also true.
“So you’re from the country somewhere?” $a_they ask<<a_s>>.
You resist the urge to bite your lip. You didn’t mean to say that much.
[[Next->3.20]]
As you get towards Old Town, you notice that the skyscrapers and high-rise tenements that dominated the CBD have given way to shorter, more elaborate buildings of sandstone and the same grey stone the bridge had been built from. You’re not sure what era these buildings were originally constructed, but they look vaguely gothic to you. Skyscrapers still tower in the background, but the skyline is now pierced by the slender spires of a church and a clock tower. The time on the tower reads 4:17 in the morning. No wonder you’re so tired.
“Are you sure your friend’s bar will still be open?” you ask Ash.
“If it isn’t, I have a key,” $a_they says, smirking.
[[Next->4.01]]Ash leads you through Old Town to a narrow side street. You see the sign on the corner, but you don’t see the bar. You look around in confusion. It should be near the corner …
“Here,” Ash says, pointing, and you see a small, unobtrusive door nestled at the edge of one of the buildings. You don’t know how you missed it, but you must have. You move closer, and see that in small, neat script on the door it reads, ‘Vespertines’.
You’ve found the bar.
There is nothing on the door to indicate whether or not the bar is actually open, but you don’t hear the chatter of people or music coming from inside.
Ash tries the door handle, and you are almost surprised when it does open.
[[Next->4.11]]The entranceway leads to a corridor, with black and white photos on the walls. You study them as you cautiously move inside, following Ash. The photos are mostly landscapes, though one has a portrait of a woman with long, pale hair.
“Ashheart,” someone says ahead of you, their voice floating down the corridor as you stand by the photograph.
[[Next->4.12]]You turn to look at the door Ash has gone through. It is lit from within by a warm glow, but you can’t see much aside from the edge of a smooth countertop, and the glimmer of bottles of spirits and wine you see shelved on the far wall.
“I thought you’d be out for the night,” the voice continues. They have a deep tone, edged with a hint of annoyance. And maybe, you think, concern.
“I know, but something came up.” Ash pokes $a_their head back through the entranceway and calls out, “$name, come here!”
[[Next->4.13]]Swallowing your nervousness you join Ash by the doorway, taking in the room beyond it. Far from being a concrete chamber with iron shackles, as you feared, the decor is decidedly cosy. The room isn’t too large—only four or five small tables and booths in addition to the seats at the bar. The floors are dark, polished wood, the walls covered in old-fashioned burgundy wallpaper with a motif of dark green roses. The space is lit gently by tarnished lamps of copper and silver, most of which look very old indeed. The room is warm. You spot a small fireplace at the back that hosts the glowing embers of a fire. You let out a shuddering breath, your freezing body drinking in the warmth greedily.
“A guest?” A very tall <<if hasVisited("gender test")>>$gPerson<<else>><<cycle "_gremGender">><<option "man">><<option "woman">><<option "person">><</cycle>><</if>>, dressed in a white shirt, black waistcoat and black slacks comes out from behind the bar. A bartender.
<<link "Next">><<nobr>>
<<if _gremGender is "man">><<gremM>>
<<elseif _gremGender is "woman">><<gremF>>
<<elseif _gremGender is "person">><<gremNB>><</if>>
<<goto "Grem intro">>
<</nobr>><</link>><<set $gremory to true>>\
You blink. $g_Their hair is … no, it’s a headband? $g_They <<g_are>> wearing a pair of large ram's horns, which curve gracefully down the sides of $g_their head and end in points near $g_their sharp jawline. $g_They <<g_have>> a tattoo above $g_their left brow, and something about $g_their eyes is strange.
While all this is running through your head, the bartender’s approach falters, and an expression of alarm crosses $g_their face.
“A human?” $g_they ask<<g_s>>, shooting Ash an accusing look.
[[Next->4.14]]Ash starts to say something, but you don’t hear $a_their reply. Your gaze has dropped to the bartender’s legs, and you realise something is very wrong: $g_their legs bend the wrong way. You thought $g_their strange gait might be due to prosthetics or injury, but now you see the legs move and bend with perfect deftness as they pace in agitation on the floor. With every step, there is a sharp click as $g_their foot hits the wooden floorboards.
The bartender has goat feet.
Two hard, cloven hooves, partially covered by a trim of soft white hair over slender-boned, digitigrade feet. The ankles are covered by the ends of the bartender’s trousers.
[[Don't panic]]You feel light-headed.
You look back at the bartender’s face. $g_They <<g_are>> now speaking angrily with Ash, though you can’t hear past the roaring in your ears. You now see that the horns, which you had thought were affixed to a headband in some kind of bizarre fashion statement, actually sprout from behind the bartender’s temples.
The bartender—the creature—turns to you. The sclera of $g_their eyes are dark. $g_Their irises shine, golden.
[[Next->4.15]]“Surprise!” you hear Ash say. $a_Their voice sounds far-off, as if $a_they <<a_are>> speaking through static. “I thought this would be the easiest…”
You don’t hear the rest of $a_their sentence.
Your sight has constricted to blot out everything except those golden eyes, your peripheral vision vanishing into spotty blackness.
[[Try not to faint]]You try.
You fail.
The last thing you see before you black out is the lightning-fast reaction of Ash’s hand as $a_they reach<<a_es>> out to catch you.
[[...->5.00]][[...->5.01]][[“…”->5.02]]“…very foolish thing to do.”
You come back into consciousness suddenly, like a submerged buoy rising to the surface of the ocean.
Your head hurts. Your arm hurts, too. For a moment you can’t remember where you are or what happened. The heaviness of your body and the last lingering effects of unconsciousness make it impossible to move.
There are two voices nearby; one husky and carefree, the other measured and smooth.
[[Next->5.03]]“I know, I know … but it’s done now. What do you want me to do? Just leave? You’re the one who’s always telling me to be nicer.”
It comes back to you in a rush. The bridge. Ash. ‘Vespertines’. The creature. You freeze up, trying not to make a sound, trying not to even breathe.
“I didn’t actually think you’d take my advice,” you hear the creature say irritably. “Or in such a troublesome fashion. I meant you should be nice to my customers.”
They’re talking about you. The creature sounds annoyed, but … normal. Rational. You lie still, eyes closed. Maybe you should let them know you’re awake …?
* <<link "Let them know you're awake" "5.031">><<set $ins -=5>><<set $hon +=5>><</link>>
* <<link "Pretend to be asleep and listen in" "5.032">><<set $ins +=5>><<set $hon -=5>><</link>>
You decide to keep listening, your heart starting to beat rapidly in your chest. You still don’t know why Ash brought you here, but it sounds like $a_their friend wasn’t kept in the loop.
$a_Their //inhuman friend//.
“Like I said, it’s done now.” That’s Ash’s voice, sounding as carefree as ever. “I want a chance to help $them, at least. Otherwise $they’ll just end up getting into trouble again.”
[[Next->5.0321]]You open your eyes. It takes a little longer than you would have liked. Your mouth feels dry, and when you try to speak you end up coughing instead.
“$They'<<re>> awake,” the creature says, a hint of warning in $g_their voice.
“Yes, I can tell,” Ash replies drily.
You find yourself staring up at an unfamiliar ceiling. You blink and struggle to sit up, looking around in confusion. It looks like you’re no longer in the bar. You’re lying on a faded green velvet couch, and a blanket has been tossed over you. The room you're in is old-fashioned and ornate, with a decorative ceiling rose and thick drapes on the windows.
When you look over at them you find the creature studying you, a deep furrow between $g_their brows.
[[Next->5.04]]There is a pause, and then the creature says, “Where is this coming from?” $g_Their tone is suspicious. You resist the desire to open your eyes, but you can imagine $g_them with $g_their arms folded across $g_their chest.
“What do you mean?” Ash asks innocently.
“I mean …” The bartender hesitates, then grunts. “Never mind. Offer $them your ‘help’, such as it is, if you must. But don’t blame me if this comes back to haunt you.”
Ash chuckles. “I’m already haunted, Goat. And so are you, with me here.”
“Don’t call me that. And take off your shoes in my house.”
[[Next->5.0322]]$g_Their house? You’re not still in the bar?
Your eyes fly open and you find yourself staring up at an unfamiliar ceiling. You blink and struggle to sit up, looking around frantically. You’re lying on a faded green velvet couch, and a blanket has been tossed over you. The room you're in is old-fashioned and ornate, with a decorative ceiling rose and thick drapes on the windows.
Ash and the creature look over at you. The creature seems as startled as you are.
[[Next->5.04]]“Good morning,” Ash says, smiling impishly at you. “Sleep well?”
“How do you feel?” The creature gets up and moves towards you, something like concern in $g_their expression. “Ash caught you before you hit the floor but…”
[[Instinctively scramble away]]
You scramble away from $g_them, breathing hard and trying not to panic. The creature pauses, $g_their expression transforming from one of concern to one of … hurt. You blink in surprise.
“No need to be afraid of Gremory,” Ash says. $a_Their eyes are on you, watching your reaction with interest. “$g_They may look scary, but $g_they’<<g_re>> actually just a big dork.”
[[Next->5.05]]The creature shoots a glare at Ash, straightening up, stiff-backed. You notice again how strange $g_their eyes are: dark sclera, pale yellow irises. The tattoo on $g_their brow is of two eyes, stacked vertically one above the other and connected by a line leading down to $g_their eyebrow. Hidden behind the curling horns you see two pointed ears.
“W-what are you?” The burning question slips from your lips before you can stop it.
$g_Their lips twitch downwards into a frown. “I am what you might call a daimon—a demon. As is Ashheart, here.” $g_They gesture<<g_s>> to Ash, who grins at you.
You stare from one to the other in utter confusion. Aside from $a_their inky hands, Ash looks completely normal. Human. Meanwhile Gremory looks like something borne out of sleep paralysis.
<<actions [[“Get bent.”->5.051]] [[“Demons. Like … angels and demons, demons?”->5.052]] [[“I don’t believe you.” (Continue)]]>>
Gremory’s fine eyebrows shoot up, and Ash snorts.
“I’m sorry?” Gremory says politely.
“Demons … don’t exist.”
Gremory lets out a sigh through $g_their nose. “I’m afraid that isn’t true. Though I understand why you would be sceptical; we generally try to keep our existence hidden from mortals.”
<<actions [[“Get bent.”->5.051]] [[“Demons. Like … angels and demons, demons?”->5.052]] [[“I don’t believe you.” (Continue)]]>>Gremory tilts $g_their horned head. “Not exactly. As far as I know, ‘angels’ do not exist. The most likely explanation is that some human saw a demon with wings and a few too many eyes and made up a story to go with it.”
<<actions [[“I believe in angels.”|5.0521]] [[“Get bent.”->5.051]] [[“Demons. Like … angels and demons, demons?”->5.052]] [[“I don’t believe you.” (Continue)]]>>“I don’t believe you,” you whisper. Your eyes dart frantically from Gremory’s feet to Ash’s hands. There must be some other explanation for what you’re seeing.
Gremory scowls at Ash, holding $g_their hand out towards you as if to say, ‘See?’. You try not to flinch away.
“You don’t have to believe us if you don’t want to,” Ash says with a shrug. “It’s not that important.”
“‘Not that important’?” Gremory repeats incredulously.
“I just brought $them here to offer $them some help.”
[[“Where is ‘here’ exactly?”->5.06]]Gremory pauses, before saying tactfully, “My apologies if I seemed dismissive. Your understanding of demons and angels may still exist, but it is not what we are.”
<<actions [[“Get bent.”->5.051]] [[“Demons. Like … angels and demons, demons?”->5.052]] [[“I don’t believe you.” (Continue)]]>>“You are in my house,” Gremory says. “Behind the bar. When you fainted we were worried, so we brought you here.”
“//You// were worried,” Ash says with a grin to Gremory. “I knew $they’d be fine.”
“Fainting is no laughing matter,” Gremory says to Ash sternly. “Especially for a human.” $g_They look<<g_s>> at you. “We kept an eye on you, but if you start to feel faint again you should go to the hospital. When was the last time you ate?”
“I’m pretty sure $they fainted from shock, not hunger,” Ash says, rolling $a_their eyes.
“Well …” Gremory frowns, clearly unhappy with that idea. “Food would help with shock, too. Would you like something to eat?”
[[Next->5.07]]“I …”
You hesitate, unsure how to answer. You’re still freaked out, but the demon called Gremory seems painfully earnest in $g_their concern for you.
You stare at the two of them in confusion. Demons. Demons, and you’re in their house. Demons, but they claim they took care of you.
[[Ask some more questions first.->5.08]]“I have some more questions first, if you don’t mind,” you say cautiously. Something tells you politeness will go a long way with this … person.
“Of course,” Gremory says.
<<actions [[What’s with the bar?|5.081]] [[How do you two know each other?|5.082]] [[Why did you bring me back here?|5.083]] [[Do other humans know demons exist?|5.084]] [[Are there other demons?|5.086]] [[What if I want to just … walk out right now.|5.085]] [[That’s enough questions. (Continue)|5.09]]>>“The bar?”
“Yeah.” You look at Gremory’s bartender outfit with a hint of doubt. “You’re a ‘demon’, but you’re a bartender…”
“The bar is patronised primarily by demons,” Gremory says. “I serve drinks, the same as any other bar.”
Ash snorts. “Not quite.”
Gremory hesitates, before saying, “It’s more or less the same.”
“We can show you the bar later,” Ash says to you. “It’s something. Especially when it’s busy.” $a_They run<<a_s>> $a_their hand through $a_their dark hair, asking, “Anything else you wanna ask?”
<<actions [[What’s with the bar?|5.081]] [[How do you two know each other?|5.082]] [[Why did you bring me back here?|5.083]] [[Do other humans know demons exist?|5.084]] [[Are there other demons?|5.086]] [[What if I want to just … walk out right now.|5.085]] [[That’s enough questions. (Continue)|5.09]]>>Ashheart and Gremory glance at each other, Ash with a smirk and Gremory with a grimace.
“We were introduced by one of the patrons of the bar,” Gremory says. “A while back, oh … two years ago?” $g_They glance<<g_s>> at Ash for confirmation, who nods. “Ash needed a place to stay, so I—foolishly—let $a_them reside here. I don’t remember why.”
$g_They say<<g_s>> this sourly, but Ash doesn’t seem bothered. On the contrary, $a_they laugh<<a_s>>, as if used to Gremory’s attitude.
“Gremory’s a soft touch, once you get to know $g_them,” Ash murmurs, winking at you. Gremory folds $g_their arms and glances away—but do you see a hint of a blush on $g_their pale cheeks?
<<actions [[What’s with the bar?|5.081]] [[How do you two know each other?|5.082]] [[Why did you bring me back here?|5.083]] [[Do other humans know demons exist?|5.084]] [[Are there other demons?|5.086]] [[What if I want to just … walk out right now.|5.085]] [[That’s enough questions. (Continue)|5.09]]>>“Ah.” Gremory shifts slightly. “Well, you passed out—”
“No, before that,” you say, looking at Ash.
“Why have you brought me here? I was … fine, on my own.”
You try to keep your expression straight as Ash raises an eyebrow at you, but mercifully, $a_they <<a_do>>n’t push the point.
“I’ll tell you in a moment. Any other questions?”
<<actions [[What’s with the bar?|5.081]] [[How do you two know each other?|5.082]] [[Why did you bring me back here?|5.083]] [[Do other humans know demons exist?|5.084]] [[Are there other demons?|5.086]] [[What if I want to just … walk out right now.|5.085]] [[That’s enough questions. (Continue)|5.09]]>>“Some do,” Gremory says. “Mostly those who have stumbled upon us, like you have—”
“No pun intended,” Ash says with a grin.
“Obviously,” Grem growls, shooting Ash a look.
<<actions [[What’s with the bar?|5.081]] [[How do you two know each other?|5.082]] [[Why did you bring me back here?|5.083]] [[Do other humans know demons exist?|5.084]] [[Are there other demons?|5.086]] [[What if I want to just … walk out right now.|5.085]] [[That’s enough questions. (Continue)|5.09]]>>“Then you may leave,” Gremory says. Ash’s brows draw together and $a_they open<<a_s>> $a_their mouth to say something, but seem<<a_s>> to think better of it and close<<a_s>> it reluctantly.
“I can just go?” you ask, uncertain.
“Yes.” Gremory frowns. “You may fear us, but we do not mean you any harm. In fact, it might be best if you left.”
Gremory gives Ash another scowl, but Ash just smiles lopsidedly and says, “Let me talk to $them first.”
Gremory mutters something beneath $g_their breath, something that sounds like ‘trouble’ and ‘inconvenience’.
<<actions [[What’s with the bar?|5.081]] [[How do you two know each other?|5.082]] [[Why did you bring me back here?|5.083]] [[Do other humans know demons exist?|5.084]] [[Are there other demons?|5.086]] [[What if I want to just … walk out right now.|5.085]] [[That’s enough questions. (Continue)|5.09]]>>When you don’t say anything else, Gremory lets out a small sigh and stands up. You baulk; $g_their height is undeniable when you’re sitting down.
“I’ll get you something to eat,” $g_they say<<g_s>>, not seeming to notice your discomfort. “In the meantime, Ashheart has something $a_they’d like to ask you.”
Gremory leaves, and Ash turns to face you, a slight smile around $a_their lips which you’re beginning to think might be a permanent expression. The two of you stare at each other for a moment.
<<link "Break the silence—ask Ash what $a_they want<<a_s>>." "5.10">><</link>>
“Aside from us?” Ash asks with a chuckle. “Of course there are. We’re everywhere.”
“Everywhere?”
“All over the world, I mean.” $a_They rest<<a_s>> $a_their elbow on $a_their knee, $a_their chin in $a_their hand, looking at you with that direct, disquieting gaze of $a_theirs. “Big demons, small demons. Mean demons, nice demons. Demons that live in cities and demons that live in your head.”
A shiver goes down your spine.
Your nerves must have shown on your expression, because Gremory clears $g_their throat and says, “For the most part, demons do not bother humans such as yourself.”
<<actions [[What’s with the bar?|5.081]] [[How do you two know each other?|5.082]] [[Why did you bring me back here?|5.083]] [[Do other humans know demons exist?|5.084]] [[Are there other demons?|5.086]] [[What if I want to just … walk out right now.|5.085]] [[That’s enough questions. (Continue)|5.09]]>>“What do you want to talk to me about?” you ask.
Ash chuckles. “That’s it? No further questions about demons?”
You frown. “Just tell me what you want so I can go. I don’t appreciate the way you lured me here under false pretences.”
“I apologise for that,” Ash says cheerfully. “But I didn’t think you’d follow me if I started ranting about demons in the middle of the street. And it was important you listened to me.”
“Why?” you ask.
Ash taps $a_their fingers against $a_their thigh, watching you thoughtfully. $a_They start<<a_s>> to speak, hesitate<<a_s>>, then murmur<<a_s>>, “Fuck it.
“The long and the short of it is that you’re in danger.”
[[Next->5.11]]You stiffen in shock. “What?”
“Oh, not right now,” Ash clarifies flippantly. “But if you leave the bar you will be.”
“Why?” Your heart is starting to beat very fast again. Could they have found your location already? “Did someone send you after me?”
Ash’s eyebrows twitch upward. “No,” $a_they say<<a_s>> slowly, looking intrigued. “Who’s after you?”
You bite your lip, looking away from Ash’s perceptive gaze. “No-one.”
Ash hums, but to your relief $a_they <<a_do>>n’t ask you for more details.
[[Next->5.12]]“One of my powers as a demon,” $a_they say<<a_s>>, “is that I can sense when someone is about to die—from an accident, specifically.”
$a_They say<<a_s>> this with the same blasé tone as if declaring $a_they <<a_have>> a talent for embroidery.
“That moment, where you started to fall from the bridge …” $a_They run<<a_s>> a fingernail across $a_their lip, looking at you as if you’re a puzzle $a_they’<<a_re>> trying to solve. “That should have been it for you.”
[[You’re so shocked that you laugh.->5.13]]
“You’re joking, right?”
“No joke,” Ash says, taking out a cigarette and twirling it between $a_their fingers as if $a_they long<<a_s>> to light up. “You were going to die.”
“But ... you caught me,” you say dumbly.
Ash puts the cigarette to $a_their lips, but $a_their eyes are on you, studying you with an intense concentration. “Yes.”
“Why?”
“Why does anyone save anyone?” Ash asks you, looking away. It seems like a rhetorical question, but there’s something to it, as if $a_they’<<a_re>> searching for a deeper answer than you’re likely or able to give. You find yourself struggling to think of an answer without really understanding why.
* <<link "“Compassion.”" "5.133">><<set $obl +=5>><</link>>
* <<link "“To feel good about themselves.”" "5.133">><</link>>
* [[“Because they want gratitude.”->5.133]]
“Is that what you think?”
Ash chuckles, slipping the cigarette into the front pocket of $a_their shirt as if only just realising $a_they <<a_were>> toying with it.
“Whatever the reason,” $a_they say<<a_s>>, “I saved you. But you still have the mark of fate upon you. If I just let you walk out of here you might find yourself rolling an ankle, if you’re lucky … or getting hit by a bus, if you’re not.”
[[Next->5.14]]“So you want to keep me here?” you ask. “To protect me?”
“It need not be for very long,” Ash says. “I can help you. I can create a charm for you to protect you against further accidents. It will take a while to put on you, though.” $a_They tap<<a_s>> $a_their forehead, above $a_their left eye. “Did you notice Grem’s tattoo? That’s a charm I gave $g_them. Yours would need to be bigger, though.”
“You want to tattoo me?”
“Yep.” Ash smiles. “If you’re against a permanent tattoo, I could just draw it on, but it wouldn’t last as long. You could come back to get it redone.”
[[Next->5.15]]
Your head is swimming. You rest your head in your hands, trying to think through the haze of exhaustion. You feel …
* <<link "…overwhelmed. You don’t know what to think." "5.16">><</link>>
* <<link "…sceptical. If you hadn’t seen Gremory’s feet with your own eyes, you’d be wondering if Ash wasn’t trying to con you. Into getting a tattoo, though…?" "5.16">><</link>>
* <<link "…scared. You’ve run away from home, met two demons, and now one is telling you you’re going to die if you leave the building?" "5.16">><</link>>
* <<link "…kind of relieved. You don’t have any reason not to trust Ash, even if $a_they <<a_are>> a demon. You were about to fall. $a_They saved you." "5.16">><</link>>Ash’s head is tilted as $a_they calmly wait<<a_s>> for you to come to a decision.
“I’m not trying to trick you or hurt you,” $a_they tell<<a_s>> you when you don’t answer. “Although I suppose there’s no way for me to convince you of that.”
* <<if $hon lte 50>>\
<<link "(//Withholding//) You fold your arms, narrowing your eyes at Ash. “Give me your phone,” you say." "5.161">>\
<<set $hon -= 5>><</link>>\
<<else>>\
(//Withholding//) You fold your arms, narrowing your eyes at Ash. “Give me your phone,” you say.<</if>>
* <<if $hon gte 50>>\
<<link "(//Honest//)“I guess that’s true…” You want to trust Ash." "5.162">><<set $hon += 5>><</link>><<else>>(//Honest//) “I guess that’s true…” You want to trust Ash.<</if>>
<<link "Wit + 10" "results">><<set $wit +=10>><</link>>
<<link "Hon + 10" "results">><<set $hon +=10>><</link>>
<<link "Ins + 10" "results">><<set $ins +=10>><</link>>
<<link "Obl + 10" "results">><<set $obl +=10>><</link>>
[[results]]“Give me your phone,” you say.
Ash blinks at you. “What?”
You hold out your hand. “Your phone. And the password. I want to make sure you’re not a human trafficker or something.”
Ash stares at you, mouth slightly open. Then $a_they scoff<<a_s>>. “Seriously?”
“Yes.”
Shaking $a_their head, the demon reluctantly reaches into $a_their jacket pocket.
“You really know how to hit someone where it hurts,” $a_they mutter<<a_s>> as $a_they hands over $a_their smartphone.
You take the phone with a hint of triumph, inspecting it. The screen is covered with sooty streaks. You grimace, rubbing the screen with your sleeve.
“This is filthy.”
Ash shrugs, smirking at you—but you get the feeling $a_they <<a_are>> a bit embarrassed as $a_they waggle<<a_s>> $a_their fingers in the air. “Side effect. Are you done with it?”
“Not yet. Password?”
Ash sighs, crossing $a_their legs and hooking $a_their arm over the back of $a_their chair. “One two one two.”
[[Next|5.1611]]You want to trust $a_them. It would make everything so much easier. But in the past your trust has rarely been rewarded.
You wrap your arms around yourself, gripping your upper arms tightly and closing your eyes. You still don’t know what to do. Is this a stupid idea? What makes you think you can trust Ash? What makes you think you can trust //anyone//?
“…$name. $name. Hey.”
You realise Ash is saying your name and look up at $a_them, doubt and anxiety warring within you. When you lock eyes with Ash, $a_their smile seems a little kinder than before.
“Are you scared because we’re demons?” $a_they ask<<a_s>>.
You blink. To be honest, you had momentarily forgotten that that was even an issue.
[[Next|5.1621]]You unlock the phone, feeling only slightly guilty as you check Ash’s messages and photos. $a_They seem<<a_s>> to take a lot of photos, mostly of the city. Some of them are quite nice. $a_Their messages contain nothing strange, except for the fact that $a_they <<a_do>>n’t seem to have many contacts. They all have nicknames. One of them, someone called ‘Tax’, Ash seems to have exchanged a large number of memes with.
“Seriously,” Ash says. $a_Their foot is jiggling in agitation. “Can I have my phone back now?”
You frown, hesitating, but you decide you’ve seen enough. You hand the phone back.
“You’re very cautious.” Ash says, putting the phone away with a shake of $a_their head. “Should I be offended that I look like a human trafficker to you?” $a_They give<<a_s>> you a sharp grin.
* <<if $hon lte 50>><<link "(//Withholding//) “Depends.” You risk a joke and a bit of flattery to lighten the mood. “Don’t they tend to use attractive people to reel people in?”" "5.16111">><</link>><<else>>(//Withholding//) “Depends.” You risk a joke and a bit of flattery to lighten the mood. “Don’t they tend to use attractive people as the bait?”<</if>>
* [[“Sorry,” you say, sheepish. “Just wanted to make sure.”|5.16112]]
“I suppose I can’t hold it against you for being cautious,” Ash says, a sulky tone to his voice. “I’m just embarrassed you went through my shitty photos.”
“Shitty?” you say in confusion. “They were nice.”
Ash looks briefly surprised, before hiding a pleased smile behind $a_their hand. “Thanks.”<<if $hobby is "photography">>
“I do a bit of photography too,” you admit, feeling a little bad for distrusting $a_them so much. “If it’ll make you feel better I'll show you my photos. Fair's fair.”
Ash’s smile widens, a spark of interest in $a_their eyes. “Alright. Maybe some other time.”<</if>>
[[Next|5.17]]
Ash blinks at you, then chuckles, the sharp corners of $a_their smile curling into something more coy.
“Are you saying I’m attractive?”
* <<link "You feel a bit flustered and avoid $a_their gaze, suddenly shy. “Um…”" "5.161111">><</link>>
* <<link "You smirk back at $a_them. “At least attractive enough to be a human trafficker.”" "smirk">><</link>>
* [[You laugh it off. “To some people, sure.”]]
Ash’s lips twitch, $a_their expression lighting up with amusement.
“Don’t dish out what you can’t take back,” $a_they advise<<a_s>>, a slight purr to $a_their voice.
[[Next|5.17]]Ash gives a bright laugh, pure and delighted.
“I’m gonna put that on my business card,” $a_they murmur<<a_s>>, giving you a wicked smile.
[[Next|5.17]]Ash chuckles and shakes $a_their head.
“To //most// people, I think you meant to say,” $a_they quip<<a_s>>.
[[Next|5.17]]“Uh,” you stammer. “Not really. I mean, maybe. I just don’t want to be sold off in a human trafficking racket.”
Ash stares at you, lips slightly parted. Then $a_they snort<<a_s>>.
“Okay…” $a_they say<<a_s>> slowly. “Kinda worrying that you’re more concerned about that than the fact that two literal demons have appeared before you, but … okay.”
$a_They rest<<a_s>> $a_their forearms on $a_their knees, leaning forward to look you in the eye. In a soothing voice, $a_they say<<a_s>>, “I promise we’re not going to do anything to you. Grem’s right—you can walk away now if you want to.
"I just wanted…”
$a_They pause<<a_s>> and seem<<a_s>> to struggle to articulate something. “I just want to help someone for a change,” $a_they say<<a_s>> eventually.
“For a change?”
Ash shrugs, an expression passing across $a_their face too quickly for you to catch as $a_they lean<<a_s>> back in $a_their chair. “I’m not known for sheltering strangers I just met on the street, let’s put it that way.”
* <<if $hon gte 50>><<link "(//Honest//) “Okay. I trust you.”" "5.16211">><</link>><<else>>(//Honesty not high enough//) “Okay. I trust you.”<</if>>
* [[You hesitate. “Trust is just hard for me.”]]
Ash nods slightly.
“I get it,” $a_they say<<a_s>>. “I wouldn’t trust me as far as I could throw me. But you don’t even have to trust me that far. All I want to do is draw a charm on you, so you can be on your merry way and I can …” $a_They trail<<a_s>> off. “Hmm. Rest easy, I suppose.”
[[Next|5.17]]Ash searches your expression, and seem<<a_s>> a bit surprised when $a_they say<<a_s>>, “You do, don’t you?”
[[“Yes. You seem nice.”]]
[[“I want to trust you. So I will.”]]
“‘Nice’?” Ash grins, $a_their eyes flashing with amusement. “Hoo boy. Guess it’s a good thing I picked you up. You wouldn’t have lasted another second alone in this city.”
“Hey!”
Ash’s laughter is bright, pure and delighted.
[[Next|5.17]]Ash arches a brow. “Just like that?”
“I’d rather give you the benefit of the doubt.”
Ash seems a little stunned by that remark. $a_They stare<<a_s>> at you in surprise, before a rueful smile tugs at $a_their lips. $a_They run<<a_s>> a hand through $a_their hair self-consciously, looking at you with what almost looks like appreciation.
“Well, this is novel. Thanks, I guess.”
“Um … you’re welcome?”
$a_They chuckle<<a_s>>.
[[Next|5.17]]
“So,” Ash says. “Will you let me give you the tattoo? I can just draw it on. I can use henna, so it will last a couple of weeks.”
<<actions [[How big is it?]] [[What will it look like?]] [[Where does it need to go?]] [[I don’t like people touching me]]
[[Let Ash give you a permanent tattoo|tattoo]] [[Ask for it to be temporary|temporary]] [[You don’t want it, even temporarily|no tattoo]]>>”At least as big as Gremory’s tattoo. Any smaller and it’s difficult to get the charm to set.”
“Set?”
“Yeah.” Ash literally hand-waves the question away. “I’ll explain it to you some other time. Kinda hard to do it without showing you.”
<<actions [[How big is it?]] [[What will it look like?]] [[Where does it need to go?]] [[I don’t like people touching me]]
[[Let Ash give you a permanent tattoo|tattoo]] [[Ask for it to be temporary|temporary]] [[You don’t want it, even temporarily|no tattoo]]>>Ash shrugs.
“That matters less than the feeling I put into it. That’s what will protect you. You can choose, if you like. I’m good at birds, and plants?”
$a_They hold<<a_s>> out $a_their left arm and roll<<a_s>> up $a_their sleeve. On $a_their forearm is a picture of a swallow, almost anatomical in detail.
“You did that?” you ask.
Ash nods, giving you a half smile.
<<if $hobby is "art">>“The linework is great.”
Ash blinks in surprise, before responding with a genuine grin.
“Thank you. Are you an artist?”
“I’m … well, I draw a bit.”
“You’ll have to show me some time.”
You’re not sure about that.
<</if>> “Why a swallow?” you ask.
“Hmm.” Ash tilts $a_their head, saying amiably, “Tell you some other time, maybe.”
<<actions [[How big is it?]] [[What will it look like?]] [[Where does it need to go?]] [[I don’t like people touching me]]
[[Let Ash give you a permanent tattoo|tattoo]] [[Ask for it to be temporary|temporary]] [[You don’t want it, even temporarily|no tattoo]]>>“Wherever you like.”
[[“On my shoulder?”|6.001]]
[[“On my leg?”|6.001]]
[[“On my butt?”|6.002]]
You hesitate.
“I don’t really … like people getting too close to me. Touching me.”
“Ah.” Ash tilts $a_their head as if thinking about it. “I did wonder. I can wear gloves, if that helps?”
“Mm… maybe.”
“We can keep it small,” $a_they say<<a_s>> practically. “It doesn’t need to take too long.”
<<actions [[How big is it?]] [[What will it look like?]] [[Where does it need to go?]] [[I don’t like people touching me]]
[[Let Ash give you a permanent tattoo|tattoo]] [[Ask for it to be temporary|temporary]] [[You don’t want it, even temporarily|no tattoo]]>>Ash nods. “We’ll talk about it more when we do it, but yeah, anywhere is fine.”
<<actions [[How big is it?]] [[What will it look like?]] [[Where does it need to go?]] [[I don’t like people touching me]]
[[Let Ash give you a permanent tattoo|tattoo]] [[Ask for it to be temporary|temporary]] [[You don’t want it, even temporarily|no tattoo]]>>Ash laughs, the sound of it bright and wicked.
“If you like,” $a_they drawl<<a_s>>.
You feel an answering smile spring to your lips.
<<actions [[How big is it?]] [[What will it look like?]] [[Where does it need to go?]] [[I don’t like people touching me]]
[[Let Ash give you a permanent tattoo|tattoo]] [[Ask for it to be temporary|temporary]] [[You don’t want it, even temporarily|no tattoo]]>>This seems kind of brash, but what the hell.
“Sure. You can give me the tattoo. Just don’t draw a dick or something on me.”
Ash’s face splits into a delighted grin and $a_they laugh<<a_s>>. “Don’t tempt me,” $a_they say<<a_s>> cheekily.
[[Next->6.02]]“I don’t want the tattoo,” you say, “but you can draw on … this charm or whatever it is. Just don’t draw a dick or something on me.”
Ash’s face splits into a delighted grin and $a_they laugh<<a_s>>. “Don’t tempt me,” $a_they say<<a_s>> cheekily.
[[Next->6.02]]“I don’t want to,” you say in a rush. “I’m not comfortable with it.”
Ash sighs slightly, but $a_they <<a_do>>n’t push it. “Okay. Alright. I’ll think of something else. For now, you should stay here.”
[[Next->6.02]]There is a knock at the door, and Gremory returns, holding a tray. On it is a boiled egg, some cheese, some dips and pickles, sliced tomato and a few slices of fresh, rustic bread. You can smell it from where you sit. Your mouth waters.
“I should have asked you if there’s anything you don’t eat,” Gremory mutters as $g_they place<<g_s>> the tray in front of you. $g_They glance<<g_s>> up at you, the warm light catching on $g_their horns and eyes. “Is there?”
* [[I’m vegetarian]]
* [[I’m vegan]]
* [[No, I eat everything]]
/* [[I don’t like...]]
* [[I’m allergic to...]]*/“What about the job?” you ask.
“What job?”
“Ash said you might have a job for me.”
You look towards Ash, as if daring $a_them to contradict you, or maybe hoping $a_they will support you. $a_They simply grin<<a_s>> in response.
“There is no job,” Gremory says with a frown. “I don’t need help, especially from a human.”
“Grem,” Ash says with a laugh. “The bar closes at 2 AM. It was 4 AM when we got here and you were still cleaning up.”
[[Next->7.01]]Gremory narrows $g_their eyes at Ash. “I don’t need anyone else. I like things done a certain way, and besides …” $g_Their eyes flick towards you before $g_they say<<g_s>> to Ash, “$They'<<re>> human. What if it causes issues?”
“Oh come on. $They'<<re>> not the first human to find out about us, and $they won’t be the last.”
“I’m a hard worker,” you say, with a hint of desperation.
“You don’t even know what’s involved.”
You hesitate. “It’s a bar, right? Cleaning up, serving customers …”
Gremory turns $g_their stern gaze on you, folding $g_their arms as $g_they size<<g_s>> you up.
* <<link "The intensity of $g_their gaze is intimidating. You try not to cringe." "7.011">><</link>>
* <<link "Stare back boldly. Even if you’re still unnerved by $g_them, you don’t want to show it." "7.012">><</link>>
* <<link "You do your best to give $g_them a small smile, hoping you look confident. Your cheeks feel rickety." "7.013">><</link>>
* <<link "Now that you’re accustomed to it, you find $g_their appearance … fascinating." "7.014">><</link>>You try your best not to show how nervous you are, but some of it must show through. Gremory’s brow lowers, $g_their mouth drawing thin into a grimace as $g_they look<<g_s>> away with a sigh.
When $g_they look<<g_s>> back at you, $g_their voice and manner is quieter, gentler, as if $g_they'<<g_re>> trying not to scare you.
[[Next|7.02]]You meet Gremory’s eyes, refusing to back down or show your nerves. Gremory’s brows twitch upward in a look of appraisal.
[[Next|7.02]]If anything, this seems to intensify the look of consternation on Gremory’s face. $g_They stud<<g_y>> you for a moment before letting out a sharp sigh, hanging $g_their head.
[[Next|7.02]]Gremory stares back at you, and when you don’t flinch or look away, $g_they blink<<g_s>>, an expression of mild confusion crossing $g_their features.
$g_They look<<g_s>> away first, $g_their brows drawn together, shifting on $g_their surprisingly delicate hooves. You wonder how $g_they maintain<<g_s>> $g_their balance so well. $g_They <<g_have>> the poise of a mountain goat.
[[Next|7.02]]
“Why do you want to work //here//?” $g_they ask<<g_s>>.
//Because I need money,// you think, but before you can think of a more palatable reason $g_they elaborate<<g_s>>, “You were afraid when you first saw me.” $g_Their expression is carefully blank. “Scared enough to become light-headed. If you work here, you will meet others like me, some even stranger in appearance. There are even some who are not as benevolent towards humans as Ash or myself. Are you prepared for that?”
* [[You aren’t keen on it, but what choice do you have?|7.03]]
* <<link "You don’t care about the demon thing. Gremory seems like $g_they might be a pain to work for, but you don’t have an alternative right now." "7.03">><</link>>
* [[Honestly, you can think of worse jobs than serving beverages to potentially dangerous demons. At least the bar is warm.|7.03]]
* [[Actually, it’s perfect. What better place to hide out than a secret demon bar?|7.03]]
* [[You think about it. Now that some of the shock has worn off, you’re enthralled by the idea of meeting other demons.|7.03]]
“I still want to do it,” you say, determined. “Can you give me a chance?”
There is a long pause, and then, to your great surprise, $g_they say<<g_s>>, “Fine. I will find something for you to do. You can work here for a trial period. We will discuss the details tomorrow.” $g_They start<<g_s>> to clean up the plates. “You may stay here tonight, but do not come up to the third floor.”
[[“Why not?”]]
[[“Alright.”|7.04]]$g_They give<<g_s>> you a hard look. “Because that is a boundary that you must respect if you wish to stay here.”
Behind $g_them, Ash grimaces and makes a slicing motion across $a_their neck with $a_their hand. //Don’t push it,// you think $a_they mean<<a_s>>.
You frown slightly. It seems like a strange rule, one almost designed to provoke your curiosity, but you suppose you could understand if Grem wants $g_their own space. Either way, it looks like you’ll have to agree if you want to stay here.
[[“Alright.”|7.04]]
When you don’t answer, Ash continues on as if there was no pause.
“What kind of job are you looking for?”
“Just something simple to start off with. Cleaning, or hospitality work, like a café or something…” Something off the books.
Ash raises $a_their brows. “Would you work in a bar?” When you nod, $a_they say<<a_s>>, “You should work at my friend’s bar.”
“Huh?” You look quickly at Ash, trying to gauge how serious $a_they <<a_are>>. “Does your friend need someone?”
“More than you realise.” Ash shakes $a_their head, smirking. “Gremory just does everything. I mean sure, the bar doesn’t get that many customers, but still … it could definitely do with another employee.”
Gremory? you think. Strange name.
[[Next|4.00]]
''Bareport'', XXXXX, XXXXX
Population: 5,XXX,XXX
Situated on the Hranice River delta. Formerly a shipping and trading center, Bareport's economy is largely now relies on tourism, finance and education. Double-click this passage to edit it.Double-click this passage to edit it.Double-click this passage to edit it.“Good,” Gremory says, looking a little relieved. “There’s no meat in this.”
[[Next|6.03]]Gremory grimaces and delicately removes the egg and cheese from the plate.
“My apologies,” $g_they say<<g_s>>.
“Can I have that?” Ash pipes up, holding out $a_their hands.
You think Gremory is trying very hard not to roll $g_their eyes as $g_they pass<<g_es>> the unwanted food to Ash.
[[Next|6.03]](Enter the food you don't like)
<<textbox "$badfood" "">>
<<link "Next" "6.022">><<set $badfood to $badfood.toLowerCase()>><</link>>(Enter the food you're allergic to)
<<textbox "$badfood" "">>
<<link "Next" "6.021">><<set $badfood to $badfood.toLowerCase()>><</link>>“Good,” Gremory says. $g_They seem<<g_s>> approving.
“Anything for me?” Ash asks.
“No.”
[[Next|6.03]]<<if $badfood is "pickles" or $badfood is "pickle" or $badfood is "egg" or $badfood is "eggs" or $badfood is "cheese" or $badfood is "tomato" or $badfood is "tomatoes" or $badfood is "bread">>“My apologies,” Gremory says with a frown, hurriedly removing the $badfood.
“Can I have that?” Ash pipes up, holding out $a_their hands.
You think Gremory is trying very hard not to roll $g_their eyes as $g_they pass<<g_es>> the unwanted food to Ash.
<<else>>Gremory looks relieved. “Luckily there is none of that in this.”<</if>>
[[Next|6.03]]You take a bite, too ravenous to delay another second. It’s good. It’s really good. You don’t think it’s simply your hunger augmenting the taste, either.
<<if $hobby is "cooking">>“Are there caraway seeds in this?” you ask.
Grem looks surprised, and then a faint smile touches $g_their lips.
“You can tell?” $g_they ask<<g_s>>. “Yes, there are.”
“It’s great. I’ll have to get the recipe from you.”
“I’d be happy to share it.”\
<<else>>\
“This is great.”<</if>>
Gremory’s expression doesn’t change much, but you get the sense that $g_they’<<g_re>> pleased.
“Thank you,” $g_they say<<g_s>>, before $g_they turn<<g_s>> to look at Ash. “Now. Have you asked what you wanted to ask?”
[[Next|6.04]]
<<if $badfood is "pickles" or $badfood is "pickle" or $badfood is "egg" or $badfood is "eggs" or $badfood is "cheese" or $badfood is "tomato" or $badfood is "tomatoes" or $badfood is "bread">>\
\
Gremory raises an eyebrow but removes the offending item without comment.
* [[“Thanks,” you say sheepishly.|6.0221]]
* [[Don’t say anything. You’re allowed not to like things.|6.03]]<<else>>Gremory raises his eyebrows. “Luckily there is none in this.”
[[Next|6.03]]<</if>>
To your surprise, Gremory gives you a small, amused half-smile as $g_they straighten<<g_s>> up.
“That’s quite alright. Not everyone can like everything."
[[Next|6.03]]Ash nods, leaning forward to swipe a morsel from your plate, too quick for you or Grem to stop $a_them. Gremory scowls.
<<if hasVisited("no tattoo")>>$a_They look<<a_s>> directly at Gremory. You can’t tell what $a_they’<<a_re>> thinking. “We spoke about it.”\
<<else>>\
“Yeah,” Ash says. $a_They seem<<a_s>> satisfied, and $a_they give<<a_s>> you a quick smile. “We spoke about it.” <</if>>
“Good.”
“$They can stay here tonight, right?”
Gremory looks at Ash incredulously. “Stay here?”
“Yeah.” When Gremory opens $g_their mouth to protest, Ash says, “C’mon Grem, it’s already nearly sunrise, and $they’<<ve>> been up all night.” $a_They rest<<a_s>> $a_their chin on $a_their hands, smiling slyly at $g_them. “You wouldn’t do something so //inhumane// as throwing $them out into the cold, would you?”
Gremory splutters, looking both offended and stressed. $g_Their discomfort is enough to make the delicious food turn to sawdust in your mouth.
* <<link "“I’ll go,” you say to Gremory. “I don’t want to cause you any trouble. It’s enough that you gave me something to eat.”" "6.041">><</link>>
* <<link "“Aren’t you afraid I might tell people about you?” you ask Gremory. It feels a little underhanded, but right now you think you’d do anything for a warm place to sleep." "6.042">><</link>>
Gremory nods in satisfaction.
“Come with me,” $g_they say<<g_s>>.
You rise and follow Gremory into the hallway. The house is dark, but you see a hint of early morning light through one of the windows. Gremory’s sure-footed steps lead you down the hall and into a small guest room with a bed, a wardrobe, a bookshelf and a bedside table. There is no lamp, but you hear a sharp rasping sound from behind you and turn to see Ashheart lighting a candle. $a_They set it on the bedside table, where it glows softly, illuminating walls covered in pale, faded wallpaper.
Gremory looks around the room. “There is a towel in the cupboard,” $g_they say<<g_s>>. “I apologise for the state of the room. It has not been used in some time.” You assume $g_they mean<<g_s>> the almost imperceptible layer of dust, as the room is otherwise spotless. $g_They hesitate<<g_s>> by the door with a doubtful expression. “…Perhaps I will quickly clean it—”
“Grem,” Ash says with a laugh. “$They’<<re>> dead on $their feet. Let the poor thing sleep.”
$a_They’<<a_re>> right. You can feel your exhaustion catching up with you. The room might not be much, but even the narrow bed looks very inviting right now.
“Very well,” Grem says, although $g_they look<<g_s>> put out. “Goodnight, then.”
“‘Night, $name.” Ash joins Gremory and you are left alone in the room.
[[Next|7.05]]
Gremory hesitates, a guilty expression passing over $g_their face before $g_they let<<g_s>> out a sigh.
“Wait,” $g_they say<<g_s>> as you start to get up. “Ashheart is correct; it’s cold, and late. And it sounds like you have been on your feet all night.”<<if $cane>> $g_They glance<<g_s>> at your cane.<</if>> Meeting your eyes, $g_they say<<g_s>>, “I’m not used to guests, but I’m not so cold-hearted as to send you on your way like this.”
You’re not sure if you should take $g_them at $g_their word or not. “I can find somewhere else…” you begin.
“No, no.” Gremory gestures for you to sit. “Please.”
Inwardly relieved, you sit down again.
[[Next|7.00]]
Gremory gives you a narrow eyed look.
“No one would believe you,” $g_they say<<g_s>>. “And we have ways of staying hidden from outsiders. You would not have even been able to find this bar if not for Ashheart’s direction.”
You remember the way your eyes seemed to miss Vespertines’ understated doorway, even though it had been right there before you.
“Still,” you continue doggedly, “even if only a few people believed me, it would be a pain, right? To have more people snooping around?”
Gremory’s frown deepens.
“Is that a threat?” $g_they ask<<g_s>> softly.
$g_Their eyes seem to shine brighter than before. You wonder if you might have made a mistake.
“No,” you say, as smoothly as you can. “I was just thinking aloud. Of course, I have no reason to tell anyone about you.”
Ash’s expression is riveted as $a_they listen<<a_s>> to your interaction. When Gremory glances at $a_them, $a_they quickly hide<<a_s>> $a_their interest behind a bland smile and a shrug.
“Fine,” Gremory says to you with a disgruntled huff of breath. “You may stay here until you are recovered.”
“Thank you,” you say quickly, unable to hide your relief. It’s unclear if your attitude mollifies $g_their blackened mood or not.
[[Next|7.00]]There’s a lock on the door. You hesitate for only a moment before latching it, and then, letting out a sigh of relief, you sink onto the bed. Finally you’ve found a place to rest for the night.
Too tired to change, you toe off your shoes and pull the covers over you. <<if $glas is true and $hear is true>>You remove your glasses and hearing aid and place them on the bedside table. <<elseif $glas is true and $hear is false>>You remove your glasses and place them on the bedside table. <<elseif $hear is true and $glas is false>>You remove your hearing aid and place it on the bedside table. <</if>>The room isn’t as cold as you expected. Perhaps the fireplace downstairs keeps it warm. Eyes heavy, you check your phone out of habit, but of course no-one has contacted you. You don't even have a number for them to reach you on, now.
You try to think of it as a good thing. A new start. A clean slate.
It doesn’t make you feel any less alone.
<center><span style="font-family:IM Fell English; font-size: 20px"><<link "End Chapter 1" "7.06">><</link>></span></center>
<center><<liveblock>>\
<<if $ashportrait is "0">><img src="https://i.ibb.co/42mpMLb/f-ash-profile-pic.jpg" width="200px"><</if>>\
<<if $ashportrait is "1">><img src="https://i.ibb.co/JqsFnBB/m-ash-profile-pic.jpg" width="200px"><</if>><</liveblock>>
<<link "portrait 1">><<set $ashportrait = "0">><<update>><</link>> | <<link "portrait 2">><<set $ashportrait = "1">><<update>><</link>></center>Grem will be $gGender and Ashheart will be $aGender.
[[OK|Name]]
<<if $aGender is "male">><<ashM>><<elseif $aGender is "female">><<ashF>><<else>><<ashNB>><</if>><<if $gGender is "male">><<gremM>><<elseif $gGender is "female">><<gremF>><<else>><<gremNB>><</if>>honesty $hon
withholding $wit
oblivious $obl
insightful $ins
[[honest test]]
[[resultsThank you for reading the Vespertines demo!
If you enjoyed the demo, please consider leaving a comment or review on <a href="https://mondaysandwich.itch.io/vespertines">the itch.io page</a>.
You can also follow <a href="https://mondaysandwich.tumblr.com/">my tumblr blog</a>, or donate to my <a href="https://ko-fi.com/mondaysandwich">ko-fi</a>.
See you next time in Chapter 2!