Rot of Witchwood

Browser lacks capabilities required to play.

Upgrade or switch to another browser.

Loading…

<<if settings.achievements>><<notify 3s>>Achievements active!<</notify>><</if>> <h1>Content warnings: </h1> Themes throughout the series: - Prejudice and Discrimination against the Witch - Death - Gore - Step-Incest for the Knight Origin and Starling Knight in Book 2 - Threat of Sexual and Non-Sexual Assault - Grooming of the Witch in the Kidnapped Origin, and Grooming of one of the RO's - Violence - Dubious Themes throughout the Arranged Marriage Origin - One of the Romance Options is married and so entering their romance has them cheating on their spouse - Mentions of suicide and worsening Mental Health, which the Witch can be opted in for <p>The player is able to select if the Witch has been sexually assaulted before, and they can select different modes in how to interact with certain traumas. There will be modes for none, distant and basic descriptions to graphic, which also extends to sexual content.</p> [[Onwards|Game Start]]

<<audio "breathing" loop play>>''18-??: On a Deep, Dark Night'' Blood looks black in the moonlight. Luke never had to think about it before. Never wondered if one day he'd be gripping his stomach, watching his blood look like tar in the night, bubbling and gushing past his pale fingers. But he couldn't even take a moment to smile and say, "Well, it is a new experience!" Not while he was staggering down the alleyway, struggling not to slip on the cobblestones from the blood staining his shoes. One hand against his belly and one against the gash in his neck, he was hobbling more than running, desperately gasping in the icy air, feeling like he was breathing in small daggers, slicing his throat. Everything was either too hot or too cold. His ears rang, deafening, but Luke didn't realise that the thumping was echoing out from just behind him. Footsteps approached the boy, cool and calm. Luke couldn’t run anymore. Everything was far too fuzzy, blood cascading down his clothes and front. It hurt. His body being drained never hurt before, but this was different. His skin felt as if it was cramping, muscles weakening as blood splashed against the stone loudly, almost echoing through the night sky. He slumped down, leaving a trail of black against the alleyway brick, struggling to keep anything in focus. The slowly approaching figure just watched the boy fade away, before slowly wiping the blood from their gloved hands off, onto their coat. [[Continue|0.1]]

<<button "confirm" `previous()`>><</button>>

<<audio "waiting" play loop>>There is blood under your nails. It’s dried up, gone all crumbly. Even with all the swiping and digging at the soft bed, only a few flecks came loose. You'd have to soak them in water when you got back home. Maybe ask Seir to get some lavender... To get rid of the heavy metallic smell soaked into your skin. Lavender and some sort of oil. Warm water. Something else... There was something else... If only Captain- A fist slams down against the table, rattling the entire thing. "What did you see?" The towering man practically roars, blasting away the foggy haze over your head. Ah, yes. The Captain. The Captain of the Guard. The one staring down at you with his glinting eyes. "A boy is dead!" He barks down at you again, his fist uncurling to press his fingertips into the table. "And you, sitting there-" You want to open your mouth, you need to, but your teeth are clenched together and your jaw is hurting and the grinding of teeth, the grinding- The door to the dark, cold room swings open, but the fog descends again the moment the Captain's flinty gaze pins to the newest arrival. The boy. Luke. You slip back into... What you saw... //Dry cobblestones under your shoes. Tap, tap, tap, tap. Quick steps, like always. Always, always, always. Tap, tap, tap, @@#blinky;Spith-@@<<script>>$(document).one(':passagerender', function (ev) { $(ev.content).find("#blinky").fadeTo(1000, 0).fadeTo(1000, 1).delay(200).fadeTo(1000, 0).fadeTo(1000, 1).delay(200).fadeTo(1000, 0).fadeTo(1000, 1); $(ev.content).find("#blinky"); setTimeout( function () { $(ev.content).find("#blinky"); }, 1000); setTimeout( function () { $(ev.content).find("#blinky"); }, 3200); setTimeout( function () { $(ev.content).find("#blinky"); }, 5400); });<</script>> You paused. Looked down. Just a puddle? Except the smell. Metallic. Strong. A whisper. Seir. What were they saying? Go, go, go. But where? Forward? @@#blinky;Spith-@@<<script>>$(document).one(':passagerender', function (ev) { $(ev.content).find("#blinky").fadeTo(1000, 0).fadeTo(1000, 1).delay(200).fadeTo(1000, 0).fadeTo(1000, 1).delay(200).fadeTo(1000, 0).fadeTo(1000, 1); $(ev.content).find("#blinky"); setTimeout( function () { $(ev.content).find("#blinky"); }, 1000); setTimeout( function () { $(ev.content).find("#blinky"); }, 3200); setTimeout( function () { $(ev.content).find("#blinky"); }, 5400); });<</script>> That sound again. The smell, stronger. Something happens. The clouds shift. Moonlight. Black all over your shoes. And just beyond...// "The crime scene is secure, and the body is with the doctor. The bureaucrats want the... Witness," The guard glances over to you and the Captain grunts. An arm around your forearm, pulling you up. Being escorted from that tiny room, with no windows and a scuffed table. To the hallway. Down. Deeper. To a side room. A guard just outside the door halts you and begins to pat you down. With hands that linger too long on your body, he eventually lets you through. [[Continue|0.2]] <<audio "breathing" stop>>

<div id="sidebar"> <div class="sidebar-header">  <div></div>  <h1 class="story-title" data-passage="gameTitle"></h1>  <div class="sidebar-toggle"> <span id="sidebar-toggle-icon" class="lnr lnr-menu"></span> </div> </div>    <div id="sidebar-body"> <div class="story-banner" data-passage="storyBanner"></div>  <h2 class="story-author" data-passage="storyAuthor"></h2> <nav class="sidebar-nav"> <div class="story-caption" data-passage="storyCaption"></div> <ul class="story-menu" data-passage="storyMenu"> </ul> <ul class="story-tools"> <li> <span id="restart-button" class="lnr lnr-redo"></span> <span class="tooltiptext">Restart</span> </li> <li> <span id="saves-button" class="lnr lnr-download"></span> <span class="tooltiptext">Saves</span> </li> <li> <span id="settings-button" class="lnr lnr-cog"></span> <span class="tooltiptext">Settings</span> </li> </ul> </nav> </div>  </div>  <div id="story" role="main"> <div id="passages"> <div id="passage-start" data-passage="start" class="passage"> </div> </div> </div>

Snug, warm, another table. A nice woman, with a mountain of papers. A man beside her, with a pad of drawing paper in hand. "Hello. I need to take your information." She tugs at her mountain of files and selects one from the middle. The man adjusts in his seat and eyes you. Then he starts to sketch. Even upside down, you can tell who it is. Your eyes glued to the slowly forming sketch. You notice the old lady peer at you and stare down at her form. <<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">> She takes a moment to tap the tip of her pencil against the form, imprinting little grey dots. You could just make out the word "Sex" as she struggled. After a moment, she sighed and left it blank.<</if>><<if $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">> She swiftly scribbles down "male" into sex and starts to pour over everything else.<</if>><<if $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">> She swiftly scribbles down "female" into sex and starts to pour over everything else.<</if>> She starts to write down in a different section as the sketcher continues to map out your face. Shading your hair, with extra focus on your<<if $heterochromia is true>> two different coloured eyes, one $Leyecolour, the other $Reyecolour.<<else>> set of $eyecolour eyes. <</if>> Just silence as they both start to write down your details. Seeing yourself is a shock these days... You haven't been able to get through life without an injury or two. Most notable... <<cycle "$scar">> <<option "a scar through your eyebrow." "eyebrow">> <<option "a scar across your throat." "throat">> <<option "a scar across your nose." "nose">> <<option "a scar crossing over your lips." "lip">> <<option "a scar snaking over your back" "back">> <<option "a scar slashed over your chest, by your heart." "chest">> <<option "a scar crossing over your wrists." "wrists">> <<option "you haven't gained any scars." "none">> <</cycle>> On your travels you <<cycle "$prosthetics">> <<option "have avoided any major injuries." "none">> <<option "have lost an eye, and now wear a patch." "eye">> <<option "have lost a leg, and now have a prosthetic." "leg">> <<option "have lost a hand, and now have a prosthetic." "hand">> <<option "have lost a foot, and now have a prosthetic." "foot">> <<option "have lost an arm, and now have a prosthetic." "arm">> <</cycle>> [[Continue|height]]

<<audio "WinthropMemories" loop play>>//... $name... // //The small talk eventually ended and he gave them his most polite smile, switching his easel to the other arm. Finally. He was ''not'' getting paid enough to listen to their warblings, all he wanted to do was spend an afternoon making someone's awful child look prettier, and then he could go back home, to his wife and nod along to whatever whining she was... Aiming... At... Him...// //His word... What a lovely little thing.// //Struggling to sit still, wearing clothes they were obviously uncomfortable in, hair done by another's hands...// //Yet, there was a quality to them, that he struggled to put his finger on. Winthrop set down his things and strode over, offering his hand to shake, letting them slot their smaller one in his. He even made them start in surprise when he dropped a quick kiss to their knuckles. Adorable.// //He started to set up his canvas, unable to resist adding in a few sketches already.// [[Continue|Hair]]

From now on, you would like to be addressed with... <ul class="a"> <li>[[She/her|Character Traits][$pronouns to "sheher"]]</li> <li>[[He/him|Character Traits][$pronouns to "hehim"]]</li> <li>[[They/them|Character Traits][$pronouns to "theythem"]]</li> <li>[[It/its|Character Traits][$pronouns to "itits"]]</li> </ul> <<back>>

<<if $appearance is true>> <b>Name</b>: $name<<if $surnameselect is true>> $surname<</if>> <b>Gender</b>: $gender <b>Pronouns</b>: $cthey/$cthem @@.footnote;[[Change Pronouns]]@@ <b>Appearance</b>: <<if $appearance is true>> You have $hairtexture $haircolour hair that is kept $hairstyle, and your complexion is $skincolour. <<if $heterochromia is true>> You have two different coloured eyes, your left eye is $Leyecolour and your right eye is $Reyecolour. Very rare, and makes you stand out.. For better or worse... <<else>> You also have striking $eyecolour eyes. <</if>> <<if $fh is true>>Your face <<if $facialhair is 'shaven'>>is clean shaven <<else>> has matching $facialhair. <</if>><</if>><<if $bm is true>>You have $beautymark.<</if>><<if $fr is true>>You have freckles.<</if>><<if $sc is true>> Your experiences have left you physically scarred.<</if>> <<if $prosthetics isnot "none">> You have gotten badly injured enough to lose your<<if $prosthetics is "eye">> eye and now need a patch.<<elseif $prosthetics is "leg">> leg and now use a prosthetic to get by.<<elseif $prosthetics is "hand">> hand and now use a prosthetic to get by.<<elseif $prosthetics is "foot">> foot and now use a prosthetic to get by.<<elseif $prosthetics is "arm">> arm and now use a prosthetic to get by.<</if>><</if>><</if>> <<if $vanilla is true>>Heightwise, you are $height and have a $bodytype body.<<elseif $vanilla is false>>You are of a $height height and have a $bodytype body.<<if $ccobth is true>> You have a $ccock and $chest_type.<<else>> You have a $genitals and $chest_type.<</if>><</if>> <</if>> Vanilla Settings: <<if $vanilla is true>> On. <<elseif $vanilla is false>> Off,<</if>> <b>History</b>:<<if $history is true>><<if $surname is "Twylyth">>$name came from a close knit family, from a long line of Blood Witches. You were forced to leave your old home so very long ago, but you were back now...<<else>> $name came from a $wealth family, called $truesurname. The reason <<if $pronouns is "theythem">>$they are <<else>>$they is<</if>> trying to hide in the Witchwood is because $they had $backstory.<</if>><</if>> <<if $seirentrance is true>> <b>Seir</b>: Seir, your familiar, takes the form of a $seirform. <</if>> <<if $powerdone is true>> <b>Your Powers</b> <<nobr>> Due to your experiences in your past, you have gained the powers of: <<if $invisibility_m is true>><li><b>Invisibility</b>: You reflect the world around you, totally unseen.</li><</if>> <<if $teleport_m is true>><li><b>Teleporation</b>: From one point to another, without moving or being seen.</li><</if>> <<if $possession_m is true>><li><b>Possession</b>: Take control of another, move them like a puppet, and then leave them dizzy.</li><</if>> <<if $mesmerise_m is true>><li><b>Mesmerisation</b>: Distract those you want, leave them open mouthed at unexplainable flicks of light.</li><</if>> <<if $agility_m is true>><li><b>Agility</b>: Move like a hunter, leap, land, run. Your body is precision itself.</li><</if>> <<if $naturism_m is true>><li><b>Naturism</b>:Flora itself bends to your will, and you can feel the connection between every plant, and yourself.</li><</if>> <<if $hs_m is true>><li><b>Hyper Senses</b>: From sound, to sight, to touch, everything you feel is amplified.</li><</if>> <<if $ss_m is true>><li><b>Soul Scry</b>: You settle into another's body without their knowledge. You hear their thoughts, see what they do, everything.</li><</if>> <<if $animalism_m is true>><li><b>Animalism</b>: You understand creatures like never before. They understand you. There is an animal bond between the two of you.</li><</if>> <<if $bw_m is true>><li><b>Blood Weapon</b>: Let your blood run down into your hand, let it form a weapon to defend yourself with.</li><</if>> <<if $darkness_m is true>><li><b>Darkness</b>: You are on the side of the shadows, blackness engulfs wherever you want, but it never blinds you.</li><</if>> <<if $dominate_m is true>><li><b>Domination</b>:Your word is everyone's command. You feel your tongue change and so people must obey.</li><</if>> <</nobr>><</if>> <<if $personality is true>> <b> Personality:</b> <<if $warm >= 60>><<set $warm_string to "You make sure to let people know you're not a threat with a big smile and a warm greeting.">> <<elseif $warm <= 40>><<set $warm_string to "Why be kind> You want to keep people away, and you're doing a good job.">> <<elseif $warm >=50>><<set $warm_string to "You try to keep in mind to be affable, even if you forget at times..">> <<elseif $warm < 50>><<set $warm_string to "You err more on the side of coldness than warmth.">><</if>> <<if $honest >= 60>><<set $honest_string to "You want to be honest at all costs.">> <<elseif $honest <= 40>><<set $honest_string to "You lie when you want to, just to make life easier.">> <<elseif $honest >=50>><<set $honest_string to "You're quite truthful. That might bite you in the ass later.">> <<elseif $honest < 50>><<set $honest_string to "Yes, you lie, but you're on the run. Who can blame you?">><</if>> <<if $impulsive >= 60>><<set $impulsive_string to "You're incredibly impulsive.">> <<elseif $impulsive <= 40>><<set $impulsive_string to "You tread lightly..">> <<elseif $impulsive >=50>><<set $impulsive_string to "You're more impulsive than most.">> <<elseif $impulsive < 50>><<set $impulsive_string to "Despite what others think, you do think for a moment before acting on impuslve.">><</if>> <<if $charm >= 60>><<set $charm_string to "You strive to be the most charming person in the room at all times.">> <<elseif $charm <= 40>><<set $charm_string to "You're incredibly blunt. Luckily, some like that. Unluckily, some don't.">> <<elseif $charm >=50>><<set $charm_string to "Every now and then you remember to show off a silver tongue.">> <<elseif $charm < 50>><<set $charm_string to "You'd rather be just straightforward in most situations.">><</if>> <<if $defiant >= 60>><<set $defiant_string to "You're allergic to the rules, laws, and most commands.">> <<elseif $defiant <= 40>><<set $defiant_string to "After your brush with crime, you've tried your best to not even step a toe out of line.">> <<elseif $defiant >=50>><<set $defiant_string to "You're not a push over by any means, but sometimes you do follow orders..">> <<elseif $defiant < 50>><<set $defiant_string to "You really would rather stay on the otherside of trouble.">><</if>> <</if>> <<if $sexualb is true>> <<if $bratty >= 60>><<set $brat_string to "You're a full brat. God help your partners..">> <<elseif $bratty <= 40>><<set $brat_string to "Your first instinct is to bow your head. Cute.">> <<elseif $bratty >=50>><<set $brat_string to "You like to give a bit of lip when the situation requires it. More than a bit, if you're honest..">> <<elseif $bratty < 50>><<set $brat_string to "You like to get away with a bit of brattiness. Not too much though.">><</if>> <<if $dom >= 60>><<set $dom_string to "You're the one in charge. No ifs ands or buts.">> <<elseif $dom <= 40>><<set $dom_string to "You just want to roll over and show your belly.">> <<elseif $dom >=50>><<set $dom_string to "You're a solid switch who likes to take turns!">> <<elseif $charm < 50>><<set $charm_string to "You like to play around a bit. Sometimes you're the one pining them down, other times it's you being pinned down.">><</if>> <</if>> <<button "confirm" `previous()`>><</button>>

//<<if $heterochromia is true>> What transfixing eyes...<<if $glasses is "glasses">> Behind a pair of lenses... <</if>> Two separate shades... His word, the combination of their left eye being <<if $Leyecolour is 'black'>>like an onyx jewel <</if>><<if $Leyecolour is "dark brown">>a rich, earthy shade<</if>><<if $Leyecolour is "light brown">>similar to the eye of a tiger, pale and glinting <</if>><<if $Leyecolour is "hazel">>mixing shades of green and brown together intricately <</if>><<if $Leyecolour is "light green">>like dappled leaves in the sun <</if>><<if $Leyecolour is "dark green">>rich like a priceless emerald<</if>><<if $Leyecolour is "light blue">>like the sky as dawn spreads<</if>><<if $Leyecolour is "dark blue">>endless as a stormy ocean <</if>><<if $Leyecolour is "near red">>a unique shade that take many people off guard, almost maroon <</if>><<if $Leyecolour is "grey">>like swirling clouds before a storm<</if>><<if $Leyecolour is "yellow">>a strange shade, like pale gold<</if>><<if $Leyecolour is 'lavender'>>a lovely watercolour blue that looked more like purple in the light <</if>>and their right eye <<if $Reyecolour is 'black'>>like an onyx jewel <</if>><<if $Reyecolour is "dark brown">>a rich, earthy shade<</if>><<if $Reyecolour is "light brown">>similar to the eye of a tiger, pale and glinting<</if>> <<if $Reyecolour is "hazel">>mixing shades of green and brown together intricately<</if>><<if $Reyecolour is "light green">>like dappled leaves in the sun <</if>><<if $Reyecolour is "dark green">>rich like a priceless emerald<</if>><<if $Reyecolour is "light blue">>like the sky as dawn spreads<</if>><<if $Reyecolour is "dark blue">>endless as a stormy ocean <</if>><<if $Reyecolour is "near red">>a unique shade that take many people off guard, almost maroon <</if>><<if $Reyecolour is "grey">>like swirling clouds before a storm<</if>><<if $Reyecolour is "yellow">>a strange shade, like pale gold<</if>><<if $Reyecolour is 'lavender'>>a lovely watercolour blue that looked more like purple in the light<</if>>//... Goodness... truly breathtaking...<<else>> Their eyes are a striking shade of $eyecolour, <<if $glasses is "glasses">> behind a pair of lenses... <</if>> <<if $eyecolour is 'black'>>like a pair of onyx jewels.<</if>><<if $eyecolour is "dark brown">>a rich, earthy shade.<</if>><<if $eyecolour is "light brown">>similar to the eyes of a tiger, pale and glinting.<</if>> <<if $eyecolour is "hazel">>mixing shades of green and brown together intricately. <</if>><<if $eyecolour is "light green">>like dappled leaves in the sun. <</if>><<if $eyecolour is "dark green">>rich like priceless emeralds.<</if>><<if $eyecolour is "light blue">>likened to the sky as dawn spreads.<</if>><<if $eyecolour is "dark blue">>endless as a stormy ocean. <</if>><<if $eyecolour is "near red">>a unique shade that take many people off guard, almost maroon. <</if>><<if $eyecolour is "grey">>like swirling clouds before a storm.<</if>><<if $eyecolour is "yellow">>a strange shade, like pale gold, earning you many compliments.<</if>><<if $eyecolour is 'lavender'>>a lovely watercolour blue that looked more like purple in the light.<</if>>//<</if>>// //What lovely eyes. They'll get through life easier with eyes like those.// //He stretched a bit, before switching his palettes. Winthrop poured over the gathered colours...// //As for the colour of your skin, it is...// [[...pale.|0.0][$skincolour to "pale"]] [[...rosy.|0.0][$skincolour to "rosy"]] [[...light beige.|0.0][$skincolour to "light beige"]] [[...tanned beige.|0.0][$skincolour to "tanned beige"]] [[...bronze beige.|0.0][$skincolour to "bronze beige"]] [[...golden brown.|0.0][$skincolour to "golden brown"]] [[...russet brown.|0.0][$skincolour to "russet brown"]] [[...dark brown.|0.0][$skincolour to "dark brown"]] [[...warm black.|0.0][$skincolour to "warm black"]] [[...cool black.|0.0][$skincolour to "cool black"]] [[...deep black.|0.0][$skincolour to "deep black"]]

//Winthrop hummed and mixed his colours together. His little subject shifts, almost uncomfortable, but a pointed look from the adult with them settles them down again. Look at them, all trussed up in clothes they obviously aren't enjoying, but he thought they looked simply ''marvellous''.// //Your hair colour is $naturalhaircolour, <<if $naturalhaircolour is 'ebony black'>>the deepest shade of midnight. <</if>><<if $naturalhaircolour is 'tawny brown'>>rich like a lion's coat. <</if>><<if $naturalhaircolour is 'chestnut brown'>>deep like sweet syrup. <</if>><<if $naturalhaircolour is 'honey blond'>>the same shade as the beautiful sands of the shore. <</if>> <<if $naturalhaircolour is 'ash blond'>>glinting in the sun like a coin. <</if>><<if $naturalhaircolour is 'dark blond'>>like burnt gold glinting in the sun. <</if>><<if $naturalhaircolour is 'ash gray'>>striking like clouds with lightning brewing inside. <</if>><<if $naturalhaircolour is 'deep red'>> the same shade as ripe cherries. <</if>><<if $naturalhaircolour is 'bright red'>>similar to the blood red of pomegranates. <</if>><<if $naturalhaircolour is 'ivory white'>>pure like ice. <</if>><<if $naturalhaircolour is 'strawberry blond'>>matching the soft awash of a beautiful sunrise.<</if>><<if $naturalhaircolour is 'ginger'>>beautiful and bright like the coat of a young fox.<</if>>// //Now, to get the lighting correct for their hair texture...// //What is your hair like?// <<listbox "$hairtexture" autoselect>> <<option "straight">> <<option "wavy">> <<option "curly">> <<option "corkscrew curls">> <<option "coily">> <<option "braided">> <<option "dreadlocked">> <<option "twisted">> <</listbox>> [[Continue|Eyecolour]]

<<set $appearance to true>><<set $chartraits to true>>[ <b>[[Character Traits]] unlocked</b> ] You adjust in your seat, trying to get a better look at the sketcher's pad. <<nobr>> <<if $facialhair is 'shaven' or $facialhair is 'stubble' or $facialhair is 'beard' or $facialhair is 'goatee' or $facialhair is 'moustache' or $facialhair is 'sideburns'>><<set $fh to true>><</if>> <<if $dyecolour is "none">> You didn't change your hair, not wanting to stand out more, but for about a month, Seir had a vibrant spot of silver that $Seirthey happily showed off where $Seirthey could.<</if>> Your $hairtexture $haircolour hair <<if $hairstyle is "shaved">> completely shaved.<</if>><<if $hairstyle is "shorn">> is clipped very closely to your scalp. <</if>><<if $hairstyle is "in cornrows">> is in cornrows.<</if>><<if $hairstyle is "short">> is clipped around your ears.<</if>><<if $hairstyle is "shoulder-length">>brushes your shoulders.<</if>><<if $hairstyle is "middle-back">>just about reaches the middle of your back.<</if>><<if $hairstyle is "down to your hips">>flows all the way down to your hips.<</if>><<if $hairstyle is "done up">>is usually tied up, out of your face.<</if>><<if $hairstyle is "covered">> is kept covered with nice fabric.<</if>><<if $facialhair is 'shaven'>>You also keep your facial hair cleanly shaven.<</if>><<if $facialhair is 'stubble'>>You also sport a stubble on your face.<</if>><<if $facialhair is 'beard'>>You have a matching beard as well.<</if>><<if $facialhair is 'goatee'>>You have a matching goatee as well.<</if>><<if $facialhair is 'moustache'>>You have a matching moustache as well.<</if>><<if $facialhair is 'sideburns'>>You have matching sideburns as well.<</if>> <</nobr>> Goodness. You didn't exactly match what you looked like when all this trouble began, did you... [[Continue|0.4]]

<<if $scar is "eyebrow" or $scar is "throat" or $scar is "nose" or $scar is "lip" or $scar is "back" or $scar is "chest" or $scar is "wrists">><<set $sc to true>><</if>> You also seem... Different. You hadn't been able to check but did your stature change? [[...very short in height.|Current Hair][$height to "very short"]] [[...short in height.|Current Hair][$height to "short"]] [[...average in height.|Current Hair][$height to "average"]] [[...tall in height.|Current Hair][$height to "tall"]] [[...very tall in height.|Current Hair][$height to "very tall"]]

//Such lovely skin, he thought to himself, daubing the paints on. Now with the sketch done and the colours picked out, he got to drift off into his own thoughts, even as his subject obviously grew more tired.// [[Continue|Freckles n marks]]

Years later, when asked about his portrait of the Witch, the aged painter would pull on his pipe thoughtfully, his knuckles swollen and bulky. "Well..." He'd start after a long moment. "They weren't a Witch in those days, I believe." He was blind to the side-eyes of his two member audience sharing a strained look. Both showed signs of impatience, one wringing his hands while the other fiddled with a case of cigarettes. "Or maybe they were." The man puffed out the soft white smoke. "After all, maybe that's the reason I can perfectly remember painting them." He gave another nostalgic chuckle, pulled on his pipe and slipped into some sort of reverie... //Winthrop had suffered through, frankly, too much polite conversation, idly switching his weight from one foot to another. Yes, yes, how lovely, what a wonderful occasion for a portrait. The tedious efforts of small talk, all of which he withstood, to finally get to his subject. He took the moment to let his eyes slip down from the adult's face, to a piece of paper, still in his hand. // //Their address and the name of his soon to be subject...// What is your name? <ul class="a"> Suggestions for feminine names<div id="section15" class="hidden">&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Ivy|Character Creation][$name to "Ivy"]] &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Emmaline|Character Creation][$name to "Emmaline"]] &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Linnet|Character Creation][$name to "Linnet"]] &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Georgina|Character Creation][$name to "Georgina"]]</div> Suggestions for masculine names<div id="section14" class="hidden">&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Eodwulf|Character Creation][$name to "Eodwulf"]] &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Chance|Character Creation][$name to "Chance"]] &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Cicero|Character Creation][$name to "Cicero"]] &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Achille|Character Creation][$name to "Achille"]] </div> Suggestions for gender-neutral names<div id="section13" class="hidden">&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Cynder|Character Creation][$name to "Cynder"]] &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Morgan|Character Creation][$name to "Morgan"]] &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Shep|Character Creation][$name to "Shep"]] &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Anatole|Character Creation][$name to "Anatole"]]</div> <li><<click "Insert a custom name">><<toggleclass "#section16" "hidden">><</click>> </li> </ul> <div id="section16" class="hidden"> <<textbox "$name" $name>> <<button "Confirm">> <<set $name to $name.trim()>> <<set _invalidNames to ["Loralei", "Luther", "Seir", "Sienna", "Simeone", "Starling", "Victor", "Victoria", "Zaniyah", "Zachariah", "Saleos", "Emil", "Emilia", "Quincy", "Luke", "Amber", "Ambrose", "Dorothea", "Dietrich", "Edwin"]>> <<if $name is " ">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>Please enter a name.<</replace>> <<elseif _invalidNames.includes($name)>> <<replace "#textbox-error">>This name is already in use during the story.<</replace>> <<else>> <<replace "#textbox-error">><</replace>> <<goto "Character Creation">> <</if>> <</button>> </div> <span id="textbox-error"></span>

<<nobr>> <<if "$beautymark" is "beauty mark by their eye" or "$beautymark" is "beauty mark by their lip" or "$beautymark" is "many beauty marks" or "$beautymark" is "beauty mark on their cheek">><<set $bm to true>><</if>> <<if "$freckles" is "a few freckles" or "$freckles" is "many freckles">><<set $fr to true>><</if>> <<if $freckles is "a few freckles">> //A soft sprinkling of freckles adorn your face. Adorable.//<</if>><<if $freckles is "many freckles">>//That sweet face is cascading with little star like freckles. Winthrop smiles to himself. Utterly adorable.//<</if>> <<if $beautymark is "beauty mark by their eye">>//A pretty dark mark by their eye really draws attention to their beautiful eyes.//<</if>><<if $beautymark is "beauty mark by their lip">>//They have such a delectable mark by their lip. Naughty, Winthrop chides himself as his mind wanders.//<</if>><<if $beautymark is "beauty mark on their cheek">>//Quite the cute mark lies on their soft cheek, and Winthrop smiles to himself, thinking how much it made them look like they had a dimple.<</if>><<if $beautymark is "many beauty marks">>//Their face has a lovely shower of beauty marks, enthralling him with their pretty placements.//<</if>> <<if $freckles is "none" and $beautymark is "none">> //You have a clear face, with no discerning marks.//<</if>> <</nobr>>//Now, he thought himself young at heart, but he knew that he was far too old for such a lovely thing like you...// //Speaking of, what is your gender?// <ul class="a"> <li>[[Male|Pronouns][$gender to "Man"]]</li> <li>[[Trans Male|TransSelector][$gender to "Trans Man"]]</li> <li>[[Woman|Pronouns][$gender to "Woman"]]</li> <li>[[Trans Woman|TransSelector][$gender to "Trans Woman"]]</li> <li>[[Nonbinary|TransSelector][$gender to "Nonbinary"]]</li> <li>[[Intersex|TransSelector][$gender to "Intersex"]]</li> </ul>

<<nobr>> <<if $raisedgender is "male" or $agab is "Man">> <<set $RGthey to "he">> <<set $cRGthey to "He">> <<set $RGtheir to "his">> <<set $cRGtheir to "His">> <<set $RGtheirs to "his">> <<set $cRGtheirs to "His">> <<set $RGthem to "him">> <<set $cRGthem to "Him">> <<set $RGthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cRGthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $RGtitle to "Sir">> <<set $RGsibling to "brother">> <<set $cRGsibling to "Brother">> <</if>> <<if $raisedgender is "female" or $agab is "Woman">> <<set $RGthey to "she">> <<set $cRGthey to "She">> <<set $RGtheir to "her">> <<set $cRGtheir to "Her">> <<set $RGtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cRGtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $RGthem to "her">> <<set $cRGthem to "Her">> <<set $RGthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cRGthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $RGtitle to "Miss">> <<set $RGsibling to "sister">> <<set $cRGsibling to "Sister">> <</if>> <<if $raisedgender is "neither" or $agab is "Intersex">> <<set $RGthey to "it">> <<set $cRGthey to "It">> <<set $RGtheir to "its">> <<set $cRGtheir to "Its">> <<set $RGtheirs to "its">> <<set $cRGtheirs to "Its">> <<set $RGthem to "It">> <<set $cRGthem to "It">> <<set $RGthemselves to "itself">> <<set $cRGthemselves to "Itself">> <<set $RGtitle to "Ser">> <<set $RGsibling to "sibling">> <<set $cRGsibling to "Sibling">> <</if>> <<if $pronouns is "sheher">> <<set $they to "she">> <<set $cthey to "She">> <<set $their to "her">> <<set $ctheir to "Her">> <<set $theirs to "hers">> <<set $ctheirs to "Hers">> <<set $them to "her">> <<set $cthem to "Her">> <<set $themselves to "herself">> <<set $cthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $title to "Miss">> <<set $sibling to "sister">> <<set $csibling to "Sister">> <</if>> <<if $pronouns is "hehim">> <<set $they to "he">> <<set $cthey to "He">> <<set $their to "his">> <<set $ctheir to "His">> <<set $theirs to "his">> <<set $ctheirs to "His">> <<set $them to "him">> <<set $cthem to "Him">> <<set $themselves to "himself">> <<set $cthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $title to "Sir">> <<set $sibling to "brother">> <<set $csibling to "Brother">> <</if>> <<if $pronouns is "theythem">> <<set $they to "they">> <<set $cthey to "They">> <<set $their to "their">> <<set $ctheir to "Their">> <<set $theirs to "theirs">> <<set $ctheirs to "Theirs">> <<set $them to "them">> <<set $cthem to "Them">> <<set $themselves to "themselves">> <<set $cthemselves to "Themselves">> <<set $title to "Ser">> <<set $sibling to "sibling">> <<set $csibling to "Sibling">> <</if>> <<if $pronouns is "itits">> <<set $they to "it">> <<set $cthey to "It">> <<set $their to "its">> <<set $ctheir to "Its">> <<set $theirs to "its">> <<set $ctheirs to "Its">> <<set $them to "It">> <<set $cthem to "It">> <<set $themselves to "itself">> <<set $cthemselves to "Itself">> <<set $title to "Ser">> <<set $sibling to "sibling">> <<set $csibling to "Sibling">> <</if>> <<if $gender is "Man">> <<set $JWname to "Joan">> <<set $JWthey to "she">> <<set $cJWthey to "She">> <<set $JWtheir to "her">> <<set $cJWtheir to "Her">> <<set $JWtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cJWtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $JWthem to "her">> <<set $cJWthem to "Her">> <<set $JWthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cJWthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $JWtitle to "Countess">> <<set $JWspouse to "Wife">> <</if>> <<if $gender is "Trans Man">> <<set $JWname to "Joan">> <<set $JWthey to "she">> <<set $cJWthey to "She">> <<set $JWtheir to "her">> <<set $cJWtheir to "Her">> <<set $JWtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cJWtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $JWthem to "her">> <<set $cJWthem to "Her">> <<set $JWthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cJWthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $JWtitle to "Countess">> <<set $JWspouse to "Wife">> <</if>> <<if $gender is "Nonbinary">> <<set $JWname to "Joan">> <<set $JWthey to "she">> <<set $cJWthey to "She">> <<set $JWtheir to "her">> <<set $cJWtheir to "Her">> <<set $JWtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cJWtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $JWthem to "her">> <<set $cJWthem to "Her">> <<set $JWthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cJWthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $JWtitle to "Countess">> <<set $JWspouse to "Wife">> <</if>> <<if $gender is "Woman">> <<set $JWname to "John">> <<set $JWthey to "he">> <<set $cJWthey to "He">> <<set $JWtheir to "his">> <<set $cJWtheir to "His">> <<set $JWtheirs to "his">> <<set $cJWtheirs to "His">> <<set $JWthem to "him">> <<set $cJWthem to "Him">> <<set $JWthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cJWthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $JWtitle to "Count">> <<set $JWspouse to "Husband">> <</if>> <<if $gender is "Trans Woman">> <<set $JWname to "John">> <<set $JWthey to "he">> <<set $cJWthey to "He">> <<set $JWtheir to "his">> <<set $cJWtheir to "His">> <<set $JWtheirs to "his">> <<set $cJWtheirs to "His">> <<set $JWthem to "him">> <<set $cJWthem to "Him">> <<set $JWthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cJWthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $JWtitle to "Count">> <<set $JWspouse to "Husband">> <</if>> <<if $gender is "Intersex">> <<set $JWname to "John">> <<set $JWthey to "he">> <<set $cJWthey to "He">> <<set $JWtheir to "his">> <<set $cJWtheir to "His">> <<set $JWtheirs to "his">> <<set $cJWtheirs to "His">> <<set $JWthem to "him">> <<set $cJWthem to "Him">> <<set $JWthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cJWthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $JWtitle to "Count">> <<set $JWspouse to "Husband">> <</if>> <</nobr>> Your Witch is <<if $gender is "man" or $gender is "woman"or $gender is "trans woman" or $gender is "trans man">> a $gender with $they/$them pronouns.<<else>> $gender with $they/$them pronouns.<</if>> <ul> <li>[[Yes|Body]]</li> <li>[[No|GenderSelection]]</li> </ul>

<<nobr>><<if $genitals is "small cock" or $genitals is "average cock" or $genitals is "large cock">><<set $cock to true>><<elseif $genitals is "cunt">><<set $cunt to true>><</if>><<set $vanilla to false>> <<if $genitals is "both cunt and cock">> Your Witch has a cunt and <<cycle "$ccock">> <<option "a small cock" "small cock">> <<option "an average cock" "average cock">> <<option "a large cock" "large cock">> <</cycle>><<set $ccboth to true>><</if>> What's Your Sexuality? <ul class="a"> <li>[[You prefer only women.|RO Gender][$preference to "female"]]</li> <li>[[You don't discriminate, everyone is game.|RO Gender][$preference to "bi"]]</li> <li>[[Everyone is game but you want to select the RO genders yourself..|RO Selector][$preference to "custom"]]</li> <li>[[You only prefer men.|RO Gender][$preference to "male"]]</li> </ul> <</nobr>>

//What Are Your Pronouns?// <ul class="a"> <li>[[He/him|PronounsSort][$pronouns to "hehim"]]</li> <li>[[She/her|PronounsSort][$pronouns to "sheher"]]</li> <li>[[They/them|PronounsSort][$pronouns to "theythem"]]</li> <li>[[It/its|PronounsSort][$pronouns to "itits"]]</li> </ul>

<<nobr>><<if $preference is "male">> <<set $LRgender to "male">> <<set $Seirgender to "male">> <<set $SRgender to "male">> <<set $VWgender to "male">> <<set $ZCgender to "male">> <<set $Saleosgender to "male">> <<set $SKgender to "male">> <<set $ERgender to "male">> <<set $DWgender to "male">> <<set $QBgender to "male">> <<set $ALgender to "male">> <</if>> <<if $preference is "female">> <<set $LRgender to "female">> <<set $Seirgender to "female">> <<set $SRgender to "female">> <<set $VWgender to "female">> <<set $ZCgender to "female">> <<set $Saleosgender to "female">> <<set $SKgender to "female">> <<set $ERgender to "female">> <<set $DWgender to "female">> <<set $QBgender to "female">> <<set $ALgender to "female">> <</if>> <<if $preference is "bi">> <<set $LRgender to either ("male", "female")>> <<set $Seirgender to either ("male", "female")>> <<set $SRgender to either ("male", "female")>> <<set $VWgender to either ("male", "female")>> <<set $ZCgender to either ("male", "female")>> <<set $Saleosgender to either ("male", "female")>> <<set $SKgender to either ("male", "female")>> <<set $ERgender to either ("male", "female")>> <<set $DWgender to either ("male", "female")>> <<set $QBgender to either ("male", "female")>> <<set $ALgender to either ("male", "female")>> <</if>> <<if $LRgender is "female">> <<set $LRthey to "she">> <<set $cLRthey to "She">> <<set $LRtheir to "her">> <<set $cLRtheir to "Her">> <<set $LRtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cLRtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $LRthem to "her">> <<set $cLRthem to "Her">> <<set $LRthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cLRthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $LRtitle to "Lady">> <<set $LRname to "Loralei">> <<set $LRsibling to "sister">> <<set $cLRsibling to "Sister">> <</if>> <<if $LRgender is "male">> <<set $LRthey to "he">> <<set $cLRthey to "He">> <<set $LRtheir to "his">> <<set $cLRtheir to "His">> <<set $LRtheirs to "his">> <<set $cLRtheirs to "His">> <<set $LRthem to "him">> <<set $cLRthem to "Him">> <<set $LRthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cLRthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $LRtitle to "Lord">> <<set $LRname to "Luther">> <<set $LRsibling to "brother">> <<set $cLRsibling to "Brother">> <</if>> <<if $Seirgender is "female">> <<set $Seirthey to "she">> <<set $cSeirthey to "She">> <<set $Seirtheir to "her">> <<set $cSeirtheir to "Her">> <<set $Seirtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cSeirtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $Seirthem to "her">> <<set $cSeirthem to "Her">> <<set $Seirthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cSeirthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $Seirtitle to "Baroness">> <</if>> <<if $Seirgender is "male">> <<set $Seirthey to "he">> <<set $cSeirthey to "He">> <<set $Seirtheir to "his">> <<set $cSeirtheir to "His">> <<set $Seirtheirs to "his">> <<set $cSeirtheirs to "His">> <<set $Seirthem to "him">> <<set $cSeirthem to "Him">> <<set $Seirthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cSeirthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $Seirtitle to "Baron">> <</if>> <<if $SRgender is "female">> <<set $SRthey to "she">> <<set $cSRthey to "She">> <<set $SRtheir to "her">> <<set $cSRtheir to "Her">> <<set $SRtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cSRtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $SRthem to "her">> <<set $cSRthem to "Her">> <<set $SRthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cSRthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $SRtitle to "Baroness">> <<set $SRname to "Sienna">> <</if>> <<if $SRgender is "male">> <<set $SRthey to "he">> <<set $cSRthey to "He">> <<set $SRtheir to "his">> <<set $cSRtheir to "His">> <<set $SRtheirs to "his">> <<set $cSRtheirs to "His">> <<set $SRthem to "him">> <<set $cSRthem to "Him">> <<set $SRthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cSRthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $SRtitle to "Baron">> <<set $SRname to "Simeone">> <</if>> <<if $VWgender is "female">> <<set $VWthey to "she">> <<set $cVWthey to "She">> <<set $VWtheir to "her">> <<set $cVWtheir to "Her">> <<set $VWtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cVWtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $VWthem to "her">> <<set $cVWthem to "Her">> <<set $VWthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cVWthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $VWtitle to "Countess">> <<set $VWname to "Victoria">> <</if>> <<if $VWgender is "male">> <<set $VWthey to "he">> <<set $cVWthey to "He">> <<set $VWtheir to "his">> <<set $cVWtheir to "His">> <<set $VWtheirs to "his">> <<set $cVWtheirs to "His">> <<set $VWthem to "him">> <<set $cVWthem to "Him">> <<set $VWthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cVWthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $VWtitle to "Count">> <<set $VWname to "Victor">> <</if>> <<if $ZCgender is "female">> <<set $ZCthey to "she">> <<set $cZCthey to "She">> <<set $ZCtheir to "her">> <<set $cZCtheir to "Her">> <<set $ZCtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cZCtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $ZCthem to "her">> <<set $cZCthem to "Her">> <<set $ZCthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cZCthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $ZCtitle to "Miss">> <<set $ZCname to "Zaniyah">> <</if>> <<if $ZCgender is "male">> <<set $ZCthey to "he">> <<set $cZCthey to "He">> <<set $ZCtheir to "his">> <<set $cZCtheir to "His">> <<set $ZCtheirs to "his">> <<set $cZCtheirs to "His">> <<set $ZCthem to "him">> <<set $cZCthem to "Him">> <<set $ZCthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cZCthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $ZCtitle to "Mister">> <<set $ZCname to "Zachariah">> <</if>> <<if $Saleosgender is "female">> <<set $Saleosthey to "she">> <<set $cSaleosthey to "She">> <<set $Saleostheir to "her">> <<set $cSaleostheir to "Her">> <<set $Saleostheirs to "hers">> <<set $cSaleostheirs to "Hers">> <<set $Saleosthem to "her">> <<set $cSaleosthem to "Her">> <<set $Saleosthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cSaleosthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $Saleostitle to "Duchess">> <</if>> <<if $Saleosgender is "male">> <<set $Saleosthey to "he">> <<set $cSaleosthey to "He">> <<set $Saleostheir to "his">> <<set $cSaleostheir to "His">> <<set $Saleostheirs to "his">> <<set $cSaleostheirs to "His">> <<set $Saleosthem to "him">> <<set $cSaleosthem to "Him">> <<set $Saleosthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cSaleosthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $Saleostitle to "Duke">> <</if>> <<if $SKgender is "female">> <<set $SKthey to "she">> <<set $cSKthey to "She">> <<set $SKtheir to "her">> <<set $cSKtheir to "Her">> <<set $SKtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cSKtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $SKthem to "her">> <<set $cSKthem to "Her">> <<set $SKthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cSKthemselves to "Herself">> <</if>> <<if $SKgender is "male">> <<set $SKthey to "he">> <<set $cSKthey to "He">> <<set $SKtheir to "his">> <<set $cSKtheir to "His">> <<set $SKtheirs to "his">> <<set $cSKtheirs to "His">> <<set $SKthem to "him">> <<set $cSKthem to "Him">> <<set $SKthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cSKthemselves to "Himself">> <</if>> <<if $ERgender is "female">> <<set $ERthey to "she">> <<set $cERthey to "She">> <<set $ERtheir to "her">> <<set $cERtheir to "Her">> <<set $ERtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cERtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $ERthem to "her">> <<set $cERthem to "Her">> <<set $ERthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cERthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $ERtitle to "Miss">> <<set $ERname to "Emilia">> <<set $ERsibling to "sister">> <<set $cERsibling to "Sister">> <</if>> <<if $ERgender is "male">> <<set $ERthey to "he">> <<set $cERthey to "He">> <<set $ERtheir to "his">> <<set $cERtheir to "His">> <<set $ERtheirs to "his">> <<set $cERtheirs to "His">> <<set $ERthem to "him">> <<set $cERthem to "Him">> <<set $ERthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cERthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $ERtitle to "Master">> <<set $ERname to "Emil">> <<set $ERsibling to "brother">> <<set $cERsibling to "Brother">> <</if>> <<if $DWgender is "female">> <<set $DWthey to "she">> <<set $cDWthey to "She">> <<set $DWtheir to "her">> <<set $cDWtheir to "Her">> <<set $DWtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cDWtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $DWthem to "her">> <<set $cDWthem to "Her">> <<set $DWthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cDWthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $DWtitle to "Miss">> <<set $DWname to "Dorothea">> <</if>> <<if $DWgender is "male">> <<set $DWthey to "he">> <<set $cDWthey to "He">> <<set $DWtheir to "his">> <<set $cDWtheir to "His">> <<set $DWtheirs to "his">> <<set $cDWtheirs to "His">> <<set $DWthem to "him">> <<set $cDWthem to "Him">> <<set $DWthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cDWthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $DWtitle to "Mister">> <<set $DWname to "Dietrich">> <</if>> <<if $QBgender is "female">> <<set $QBthey to "she">> <<set $cQBthey to "She">> <<set $QBtheir to "her">> <<set $cQBtheir to "Her">> <<set $QBtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cQBtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $QBthem to "her">> <<set $cQBthem to "Her">> <<set $QBthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cQBthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $QBtitle to "Madame">> <<set $QBs_style to "Soprano">> <</if>> <<if $QBgender is "male">> <<set $QBthey to "he">> <<set $cQBthey to "He">> <<set $QBtheir to "his">> <<set $cQBtheir to "His">> <<set $QBtheirs to "his">> <<set $cQBtheirs to "His">> <<set $QBthem to "him">> <<set $cQBthem to "Him">> <<set $QBthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cQBthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $QBtitle to "Monsieur">> <<set $QBs_style to "Baritone">> <</if>> <<if $ALgender is "female">> <<set $ALthey to "she">> <<set $cALthey to "She">> <<set $ALtheir to "her">> <<set $cALtheir to "Her">> <<set $ALtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cALtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $ALthem to "her">> <<set $cALthem to "Her">> <<set $ALthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cALthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $ALtitle to "Apothecary">> <<set $ALname to "Amber">> <</if>> <<if $ALgender is "male">> <<set $ALthey to "he">> <<set $cALthey to "He">> <<set $ALtheir to "his">> <<set $cALtheir to "His">> <<set $ALtheirs to "his">> <<set $cALtheirs to "His">> <<set $ALthem to "him">> <<set $cALthem to "Him">> <<set $ALthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cALthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $ALtitle to "Apothecary">> <<set $ALname to "Ambrose">> <</if>> <</nobr>>//Ah, utterly perfect.// <<nobr>> <<if $preference is "male">>//He could probably wait a few more years, you seemed to like him as much as he liked you. Even if you didn't look at him directly. He could tell.//<</if>> <<if $preference is "female">>//He could wait a few more years for you. Though something told him that you might not enjoy those of the male species. Shame. Maybe you'd grow out of it.//<</if>> <<if $preference is "bi" or $preference is "custom">>//He could wait a few more years for you, even though it was hard to determine if you even liked men like him. Maybe he could wait and see... Maybe hope.//<</if>><</nobr>> //He finished up with a happy sigh and stepped back.// //"Wonderful, if I do say so myself." Winthrop smiled at you."It must just dry."// //He started to pack up, humming a little tune as you left your seat and stretched...// Winthrop slowly left his tranquil daydream, noticing his two guests had been hanging onto every word. He pulled on his pipe once more, only to now notice that it had burned out. "Hm. Yes... I..." After a moment, he blinked and adjusted himself in his chair. "... Did I ever... What did you two want again?" "Not to worry, Mr. Winthrop. You have set us on our way to find them." And with that, they bustled out, leaving Winthrop, his arthritic hands, and a befuddled look on his aged face. [[Let's Begin, Shall We?|A few years later...]] <<audio "WinthropMemories" stop>>

Now, for the NSFW scenes, you can put down your preferred genitals. However, you can skip this step, but you'll be shut off from the graphic scenes, and can only access the SFW and Vanilla scenes. By selecting genitalia instead of skipping ahead [[Skip|VanillaSexuality]] The Witch has <<cycle "$genitals">> <<option "a small cock" "small cock">> <<option "an average cock" "average cock">> <<option "a large cock" "large cock">> <<option "a cunt" "cunt">> <<option "both a cunt and a cock" "both cunt and cock">> <</cycle>> and <<cycle "$chest_type">> <<option "a flat chest." "flat chest">> <<option "a flat chest with surgery scars." "flat chest with scars">> <<option "small breasts" "small breasts">> <<option "medium breasts" "medium breasts">> <<option "large breasts." "large breasts">> <</cycle>> [[Continue|Sexuality]]

<b>Thank you so much for playing!</b> I cannot say enough how happy I am you took the time to play this game, no matter what stage it's in. If you want Behind the Scenes and NSFW snippets, you can check <a href="https://www.patreon.com/Rotting_Ink">my Patreon</a>! I also publish mini nsfw games with the RO's and maybe some of the NPCs in the future. Want frequent updates and the ability to shoot me any questions at anytime? Then check out and follow me on <a href="https://www.tumblr.com/blog/rotting-ink">my Tumblr</a>! You can also donate if you want to, on my <a href="https://ko-fi.com/therotofink">Kofi</a>. <<nobr>><div style="text-align: center;"><h1>SPECIAL THANKS TO:</h1> </div> <ul><div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Contributors''</h1></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://poisonouslili.tumblr.com/">Lili</a></div> </ul> <ul><div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Duckies''</h1></div> <div style="text-align: center;">Dandelion</div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://poisonouslili.tumblr.com/">Lili</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href=" https://angrelysimpping.tumblr.com/?source=share">Quiet</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href=" https://www.tumblr.com/quoththe-ravenn">Raven</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.tumblr.com/blog/kathellll">Kat</a></div></ul> <ul><div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Beta Testers''</h1></div> <div style="text-align: center;">Brit</div> <div style="text-align: center;">Dandelion</div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.tumblr.com/mothrbs?source=share">El</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://poisonouslili.tumblr.com/">Lili</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;">Oceanodestrellas</div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href=" https://angrelysimpping.tumblr.com/?source=share">Quiet</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href=" https://www.tumblr.com/quoththe-ravenn">Raven</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.tumblr.com/blog/kathellll">Kat</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.tumblr.com/crushoncaleb">Emma</a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sydneystarlights.tumblr.com/">Sydney</a></div></ul> <ul><div style="text-align: center;"><h1>''Decay Tier Patrons!''</h1></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Alison Drysdale</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Bluerm</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Boo</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Duki</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Fabi Germani</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> FutureGrave</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Hannah Meaker</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Hannya</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Hawke</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Jackalope</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Kraken</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Matilde Hellevik</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Megan Hollister</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Mel</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Parson</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Sometimes Lol</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Tay</div> <div style="text-align: center;"> Voxilyn</div> </ul> <</nobr>> Without any of these people, this game would be... Well, bug riddled, filled with mistakes and not half as fun. A thousand thanks and kisses to my favourite people here. Also a big thanks to my patrons, each and everyone! They help alleviate other stresses so I can spend just a bit more time on working on my game! Sound effects and music from Pixabay! Fire Dance by Joseph Tomanek (1889) is used for the dark mode and the light mode is Wanderer above the Sea of Fog by Caspar David Friedrich (1818). <<link "Replay the game">><<run UI.restart()>><</link>>

//Ah, Bellissimo! They were the loveliest little subject. So lovely, utterly and completely. Now, their eyes... So striking...// //Winthrop smiled and leaned around his portrait, focusing on their eyes, taking a moment to let them soak in. What a colour. What a colour!// //Do they have...//<<cycle "$glasses">> <<option "glasses?" "glasses">> <<option "no glasses?" "none">> <</cycle>> What colour are your eyes? [[Black|Skin][$eyecolour to "black"]] [[Dark Brown|Skin][$eyecolour to "dark brown"]] [[Light Brown|Skin][$eyecolour to "light brown"]] [[Hazel|Skin][$eyecolour to "hazel"]] [[Light Green|Skin][$eyecolour to "light green"]] [[Dark Green|Skin][$eyecolour to "dark green"]] [[Light Blue|Skin][$eyecolour to "light blue"]] [[Dark Blue|Skin][$eyecolour to "dark blue"]] [[Near Red|Skin][$eyecolour to "near red"]] [[Grey|Skin][$eyecolour to "grey"]] [[Yellow|Skin][$eyecolour to "yellow"]] [[Lavender|Skin][$eyecolour to "lavender"]] [[They have Heterochromia...|Heterochromia]]

<<nobr>> <<if $height is "very short">> Huh. Maybe not.<</if>> <<if $height is "short">> Just a bit maybe. It makes a bit of difference, doesn't it?<</if>> <<if $height is "average">> Well, you're definitely bigger than what you were a couple of years ago.<</if>> <<if $height is "tall">> Yeah, definitely. Well, it's hard to NOT to grow from being a kid.<</if>> <<if $height is "very tall">> God, yes. You grew a lot since being a child, it was impressive, if you do say so yourself.<</if>> <</nobr>> You shift in your seat, more conscious of of you stature now. With the sketcher's quicker strokes, he seemed to start to focus on your hair. You fought against running your fingers along your scalp. These days it's... kept <<cycle "$hairstyle">> <<option "shaved" "shaved">> <<option "shorn" "shorn">> <<option "in cornrows" "in cornrows">> <<option "short" "short">> <<option "shoulder-length" "shoulder-length">> <<option "reaches the middle of your back" "middle-back">> <<option "down to your hips" "hip-length">> <<option "usually tied up" "done up">> <<option "kept covered" "kept covered">> <</cycle>> [[Continue|MoreHair]]

The fog still lingers. Until... "What's your first name, deary?" She looks up from her notes and the sketcher's pencil pauses for a moment before continuing to draw out your $hairtexture hair. "$name," You say automatically, all hazy. "And last name?" You start to part your lips, your old name on the tip of your tongue, when the memories crash in, clearing the image of Luke's slowly cooling body. You felt as if someone tossed freezing water over you, with the back of your neck prickling. It so nearly slipped out. //You... You already told them your actual first name! They have a picture of you! Shit! You had been making it all up as you went from town to town, and now? Shit!// [[Continue|Surname]]

//''A few years later...''// [[The Rot Begins|Play Your First Pawn]]

"Dear? What's your surname?" She blinks over her glasses at you and even the sketcher pauses to glance at you with his sharp eyes. You fumble for the surname you chose for this town. [[Wellers.|0.5][$surname = "Wellers"]] [[De Bellefort.|0.5][$surname = "De Bellefort"]] [[Stirling.|0.5][$surname = "Stirling"]] [[Rossellini.|0.5][$surname = "Rossellini"]] [[Atwood.|0.5][$surname = "Atwood"]] [[Thorne.|0.5][$surname = "Thorne"]] [[Input your own.|InsertSurname]] <<timed 8s>> <<goto "0.55">> <</timed>>

//Reputation// <<if $reputation is true>> <b>Suspicion Level</b> <<if $townpoints gte -4 and $townpoints lte 4>>Not good. Not bad...<</if>> <<if $townpoints gte 5>>Keeping you on your toes, but it's going well so far..<</if>> <<if $townpoints lte -5>>They don't trust you, they don't even like you!..<</if>> <</if>> //Relationships// <<nobr>> <<if $seirreputation is true>> <b>Seir, the Familiar</b> came to you<<if $prisonorigin is true>> to save you from a dark fate in prison.<<elseif $AMorigin is true>> to whisk you away from an arranged marriage.<<elseif $asylumorigin is true>> to save you from a life in the asylum.<<elseif $kidnappedorigin is true>> to retrieve you from your kidnapped life.<<elseif $accusedorigin is true>> to bail you out from deep trouble at university.<<elseif $FHorigin is true>> to whisk you away from the life you married into.<<elseif $prisonorigin is true>> while you were very young.<</if>> $cSeirthey currently hides $Seirtheir demonic nature behind a black $seirform with silver eyes. <</if>> <<if $seirromance is false>> <<if $seirrep gte 50>> You two could be life long friends at this point! You could downright feel a small tingle of pleasure from Seir every time you two clap eyes on each other.<</if>> <<if $seirrep gte 5 and $seirrep lte 49>> You two get along amiably, making living together comfortable.<</if>> <<if $seirrep gte -4 and $seirrep lte 4>> You two co-habitate quite neutrally.<</if>> <<if $seirrep gte -49 and $seirrep lte -5>> Seir sometimes gets on your nerves, but it's not all bad.<</if>> <<if $seirrep lte -50>> You and Seir struggle to get along at all. It's a wonder they even stick around at this point.<</if>> <<elseif $seirromance is true>> Seir has quite the soft spot for you.<</if>> <</nobr>> <<nobr>> <<if $VWreputation is true>> <b>$VWname De Winters</b> is the local enigma with a rotten reputation.. Married to a spouse thrice $VWtheir age, $VWthey seems to resent $VWtheir reputation, but not $VWtheir self imposed isolation. <<if $VWreputation is true and $VWromance is false>> <<if $VWrep gte 50>> $VWname has never felt this close to anyone before. $cVWthey trusts you wholly and completely, even enough to trust you with parts of themselves that they feel ashamed of.<</if>> <<if $VWrep gte 16 and $VWrep lte 49>> $VWname enjoys your presence more than $VWthey ever expected to. $cVWthey refuse to believe what anyone says about you.<</if>> <<if $VWrep gte 6 and $VWrep lte 15>> $VWname is amused by you, even if $VWthey doesn't show it that much. What can $VWthey say, $VWthey loves seeing an amateur sleuth on the go.<</if>> <<if $VWrep gte -4 and $VWrep lte 4>> $VWname doesn't know what to think about you most days. $cVWthey will have to sit back and figure you out a bit more.<</if>> <<if $VWrep gte -49 and $VWrep lte -5>> $VWname has yet to figure you out, but from what $VWthey has seen so far, $VWthey isn't thinking many flowery things.<</if>> <<if $VWrep lte -50>>$VWname enjoys very few people. You are somehow on the lower end of that list.<</if>> <<elseif $VWromance is true>> $VWname cannot stop thinking about you. You're the reason why $VWthey have started to wake up with a smile.<</if>><</if>><</nobr>> <<nobr>> <<if $SKreputation is true>> <b>Starling Knight</b> is the local doctor that splits time between the mortuary and the hospital. Deeply talented, smart and always on the go, it seems like $SKthey should be a pillar of the community while the reality is quite different... <<if $SKreputation is true and $SKromance is false>> <<if $SKrep gte 50>>You are probably one of Starling's most favourite people in the entire world. Which isn't saying much, but $SKthey look forward to seeing you.<</if>> <<if $SKrep gte 5 and $SKrep lte 49>>You are... Quite tolerable. As Starling would say with a small smile.<</if>> <<if $SKrep gte -4 and $SKrep lte 4>>Starling's own integrity is what makes $SKthem want to help you, even if $SKthey still keeps you at arm's length.<</if>> <<if $SKrep gte -49 and $SKrep lte -5>>You are lucky that Starling has a distinct sense of justice, otherwise $SKthey would be hanging you out to dry.<</if>> <<if $SKrep lte -50>> You have just proved to Starling that $SKtheir life long belief, that most people are deeply intolerable true. Let's hope $SKthey isn't the only physician on call when you become ill.<</if>> <<elseif $SKromance is true>> How cruel of you, to break Starling's wintery seclusion from both people and the world.<</if>><</if>> <</nobr>> <<nobr>> <<if $LRreputation is true and $LRromance is false>> <b>$LRname Rawlins Relationship</b> <</if>> <</nobr>> <<nobr>> <<if $SRreputation is true and $SRromance is false>> <b>$SRname Della Rovere Relationship</b> <</if>> <</nobr>> <<nobr>> <<if $ZCreputation is true and $ZCromance is false>> <b>$ZCname Chambers Relationship</b> <</if>> <</nobr>> <<nobr>> <<if $Saleosreputation is true and $Saleosromance is false>> <b>Saleos Relationship</b> <</if>> <</nobr>> <<nobr>> <<if $ALreputation is true and $ALromance is false>> <b>$ALname Lancaster Relationship</b> <</if>> <</nobr>> <<nobr>> <<if $ERreputation is true and $ERromance is false>> <b>$ERname Rawlins Relationship</b> <</if>> <</nobr>> <<nobr>> <<if $QBreputation is true and $QBromance is false>> <b>Quincy Beaumont Relationship</b> <</if>> <</nobr>> <<nobr>> <<if $DWreputation is true and $DWromance is false>> <b>$DWname Woolf Relationship</b> <</if>> <</nobr>> <<button "confirm" `previous()`>><</button>>

"$surname? Very nice." She murmurs, scribbling it down before finally shutting the folder. "Are you done?" She glances over to the sketcher who finishes up on your left eye and leans back with a nod. She takes the picture and tucks it in. "Alright, we'll get you escorted to the holding cell. You sittight for a bit, hm?" Her smile is sweet but her eyes are distant. Your mouth feels dry. [[Continue|0.6]]

<li><<click "Please insert a surname.">><<toggleclass "#section16" "hidden">><</click>></li> <div id="section16" class="hidden"><<textbox "$surname" $surname>> \ <<button "Confirm">> <<if $name is "">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>Please enter a name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Rawlins">> <<replace "#textbox-error">> I know marriage is very exciting, but you have to wait to take their last name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Lancaster">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>I know marriage is very exciting, but you have to wait to take their last name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Della Rovere">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>I know marriage is very exciting, but you have to wait to take their last name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "De Winters">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>I know marriage is very exciting, but you have to wait to take their last name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Chambers">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>I know marriage is very exciting, but you have to wait to take their last name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Beaumont">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>I know marriage is very exciting, but you have to wait to take their last name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Woolf">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>I know marriage is very exciting, but you have to wait to take their last name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Adler">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! What if someone mixes up that accused student for you? Pick another! <</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Knight">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! What if someone mixes up that accused student for you? Pick another!<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Beckett">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! What if someone mixes up that kidnapping victim for you? Pick another!<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Monroth">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! What if someone mixes up that kidnapping victim for you? Pick another!<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Quatermain">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! No one wants that bad of a childhood! Pick another!<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Dantes">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! No one wants that bad of a childhood! Pick another!<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Sharpe">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! Do you want to be mixed up with an altar runaway? Pick another!<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Fox-Vincent">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! Do you want to be mixed up with an altar runaway? Pick another!.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Buchanan">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! Do you want to be mixed up with an escape convict? Pick another!<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Mortmain">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! Do you want to be mixed up with an escape convict? Pick another!<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Twylyth">> <<goto "CheckingBloodWitch">> <<else>> <<replace "#textbox-error">><</replace>> <<goto "0.5">> <</if>><</button>></div><span id="textbox-error"></span>

<li><<click "Please insert a surname.">><<toggleclass "#section16" "hidden">><</click>></li> <div id="section16" class="hidden"><<textbox "$surname" $surname>> \ <<button "Confirm">> <<if $name is "">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>Please enter a name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Rawlins">> <<replace "#textbox-error">> I know marriage is very exciting, but you have to wait to take their last name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Lancaster">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>I know marriage is very exciting, but you have to wait to take their last name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Della Rovere">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>I know marriage is very exciting, but you have to wait to take their last name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "De Winters">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>I know marriage is very exciting, but you have to wait to take their last name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Chambers">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>I know marriage is very exciting, but you have to wait to take their last name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Beaumont">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>I know marriage is very exciting, but you have to wait to take their last name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Woolf">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>I know marriage is very exciting, but you have to wait to take their last name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Adler">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! What if someone mixes up that accused student for you? Pick another! <</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Knight">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! What if someone mixes up that accused student for you? Pick another!<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Beckett">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! What if someone mixes up that kidnapping victim for you? Pick another!<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Monroth">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! What if someone mixes up that kidnapping victim for you? Pick another!<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Quatermain">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! No one wants that bad of a childhood! Pick another!<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Dantes">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! No one wants that bad of a childhood! Pick another!<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Sharpe">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! Do you want to be mixed up with an altar runaway? Pick another!<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Fox-Vincent">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! Do you want to be mixed up with an altar runaway? Pick another!.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Buchanan">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! Do you want to be mixed up with an escape convict? Pick another!<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Mortmain">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! Do you want to be mixed up with an escape convict? Pick another!<</replace>> <<else>> <<replace "#textbox-error">><</replace>> <<goto "0.56">> <</if>><</button>></div><span id="textbox-error"></span>

<<set $surnameselect to true>>"The holding cell?" You repeat slowly, watching as the two of them stand up, and push their chairs in. "Yes." The lady smiles at you again, but seems to be losing patience. "We just want to process your information first." <ul><li>[[Stay Calm. Be friendly. "Oh, okay. I'm so sorry about this."|0.7]]</li> <li>[[You're Confused. "... But I didn't do anything."|0.8]]</li> <li>[[No. You're not going anywhere near that cell. "No. I'm going back home."|0.9]]</li></ul>

The lady gifts you a somewhat blank smile, appreciating your cooperation. She leaves, the sketcher in tow. The guard comes in, fastens the cuffs to your wrists, behind your back and leads you away. You'd never been in this building before, the South Hollow Court and Jail, and you never before thought you would have to. Being escorted further in, further away from the outside, further away from where Seir was waiting for you, your heart hammered erratically within your chest. Your tongue felt dry, your stomach tightened into many tiny knots, and the hot breath hitting the back of your neck from the guard leading you. He took you past cells of others, mostly drunks and petty criminals, but given the town's small size, not too many. You stuck out. Finally, you arrived at an empty cell and were escorted inside, the guard making you stick your hands by an empty slot so he could unlock the cuffs from the safety outside of the bars. With no parting words, he left. And you were left by yourself. [[Continue|0.10]]

<<audio "JailDoor" play>>The lady and the sketcher exchanged a glance and the man slipped behind her, to knock on the door. "Yes," She slowly said, dragging out the s." But it's better for you to stay here tonight as we finish up out there, hm?" That didn't make sense. Unless they suspected you. Your legs stiffen, as if ready to jump out and make a run for it. A heavy, gloved hand falls to your shoulder, squeezing it tight. "Is there a problem here?" The guard's voice booms over the hushed room. It tightens when you don't say anything. [[Don't make a fuss. "...No. No problem."There's no way you're getting out of here. |0.81]] [[Fuck this! You're innocent! "I didn't do anything!"|0.82]]

The lady's face becomes strained and pinched. "I'm sorry, dear. It's just a precaution." "But that doesn't make sense. I shouldn't be in a cell if it's just a precaution. I can just go home." You argued, feeling your palms tingle with a familiar feeling. //Not now!// The pair share a glance. "The... The, uh, Doctor might want to talk to you." The man finally said, a tepid smile wavering on his lips. "Oh, yes, Doctor Knight! $cSKthey would definitely want to give you a look over, but $SKthey's busy with the body right now." You'd never met this doctor and $SKtheir name wasn't nearly enough to placate you. The door swung open behind you and the Guard walked in, cuffs in one hand. He eyes you before taking another step and gripping your shoulder with one hand. "Is there a problem here?" [[Don't make a fuss. "...No. No problem."There's no way you're getting out of here. |0.81]] [[Fuck this! You're innocent! "I didn't do anything!"|0.82]]

<<audio "JailDoor" play>>"Good to hear it." The guard grumbles and goes about fastening the cuffs to your wrists, cold metal biting into the skin. The lady gifts you an uneasy smile, seemingly unappreciative of your rebellious stint. She leaves, the sketcher in tow. The guard grips your forearm and pulls you up, from the chair, and out of the room. You'd never been in this building before, the South Hollow Court and Jail, and you never before thought you would have to. Being escorted further in, further away from the outside, further away from where Seir was waiting for you, your heart hammered erratically within your chest. Your tongue felt dry, your stomach tightened into many tiny knots, and the hot breath hitting the back of your neck from the guard leading you. He takes you past cells of others, mostly drunks and petty criminals, but given the town's small size, not too many. You stuck out. Finally, you arrived at an empty cell and were escorted inside, the guard making you stick your hands by an empty slot so he could unlock the cuffs from the safety outside of the bars. With no parting words, he left. And you were left by yourself. [[Continue|0.10]]

The two bystanders exchange worried glances and the guard's grip tightens considerably. "We can't prove that yet, $title. Now if you'll just come with me." The Guard's tight grip became bone crushing. "But I didn't-" "$title, if you don't come with me now, I'll have to treat you as hostile and a threat." You could feel the guard's hot breath against the back of your neck; sour. You opened your mouth again, to plead your innocence, but all you could hear was a loud crack and the strained noise from your mouth. A trickle of something wet and hot slips down your neck. Voices become garbled. Everything goes fuzzy, from colour shades into greys and blacks and then- [[Sleep. But with sleep... Comes memories.|Origin Start]]

Your stomach refused to unknot. There was some drunk hollering a song down the way, and it was just steadily growing louder and more off-tune. //"My love, she caaaame, dressed all in whiiiteee.."// God. You had to sit down. You felt sick. Images of poor Luke Buckley's still, blood soaked body refused to leave you. The more you stared out in the low lights of the cells around you, the more it seemed that your eyes wanted to trick you, that his corpse was just beyond the darkness, as if waiting for you to still come to find him. It was sick. //"Her cheeks were weeeeet... ''Hic''... her eyes did weeeeeeeeeeep!"// Oh, someone shut him up. Someone shut him up! You glanced towards the end of your cell, where the lumpy bunk sat, along with a bucket you didn't want to investigate. No windows. The other cells had barred windows, letting the watery moonlight in. Shit. You could've called out for Seir, for $Seirthem to come and bump $Seirtheir head against your cheek and comfort you, but you couldn't, $Seirthey wasn't here. And here you were, wringing your hands desperately. If they found you guilty, you would be found out. Found out and then ''found''. Found and taken back and... And... //"She made no sound, no... Noooo word she saaaaid!// You eventually slumped against the bunk, breath coming too fast. You needed to calm down, you were going to get through this. When the morning comes, the Doctor will come back and tell everyone you couldn't have killed him. Not a chance! You slowly laid down, curling and uncurling your fingers. Your head swam. Like it wanted to sleep... And who were you to fight it? //"And then I... I knew my love was dead..."// His voice had trailed into a hoarse whisper, echoing down to you. //"Lowlaaands... Awaaay...."// [[Sleep. But with sleep... Comes memories.|Origin Start]]

<<if $surname is "Twylyth">><<goto "BW.Dream">><</if>> //How did this all start....?// <ul><li>//Steel bars... Brick walls... Shackles on your wrists... Deep in the [[Prison|Prison Origin]]//</li></ul> <ul><li>//Wedding Bells... Clothes too tight... Engagement finger too heavy on your ring finger.. [[Married Off|Arranged Marriage]]... against your will.//</li></ul> <ul><li>//Red hot skin... Blindfold over your eyes... Tied to a chair... [[Taken from your home|Kidnapped Origin]]... Help...//</li></ul> <ul><li>//Alone... Locked up.... Tied down... Nurses... Doctor... You're not... [[Mad|Asylum Origin]]...//</li></ul> <ul><li>//Blood... [[Your school uniform ruffled and stained|Accused Student Origin]]... Horrified faces... The Brand... The Tagging...//</li></ul> <ul><li>//You've worked so hard... For this... Safe and sound... But now... [[It's all falling away|Fortune Hunter Origin]]...//</li></ul> //The origins are largely a work in progress currently. Please keep an eye out for the update. Each one has a small scene available, but only the ones marked done are able to be played all the way through.// Prison Origin- Done Arranged Marriage Origin- Done Asylum Origin- WIP Kidnapped Origin- Incomplete Accused Origin- Incomplete Fortune Hunter Origin- Incomplete <<audio "waiting" stop>>

//But as you slumber in the prison... There are others...// [[The Wolf Pack thrives|L Intro]]

$LRname looked over the hall filled with members of $LRtheir pack milling around the space, eyes narrowed on a piece of paper slipped to $LRthem earlier that morning. $cLRtheir people chattered amongst themselves, sitting along the low tables, sharing food and drink. Fireplaces were lit. Cubs were playing with each other in little groups or nestled into their mothers’ sides. Harmony. $cLRthey made this. $cLRthey rubs $LRtheir calloused thumb against the ink, long since dried, along $LRtheir forearm. $cLRthey leaned back in $LRtheir chair, catching the attention of $LRtheir sibling, $ERname. $cERthey seemed to bristle at $LRtheir very movement and $LRname folded the piece of paper with a low sigh. “Em-” “What?” $cERthey snapped, tugging at a lock of $ERtheir dark hair. $LRname dragged $LRtheir tongue over $LRtheir teeth, eyes narrowing. Even the hall quieted at $ERtheir outburst. $cERthey was getting too unruly for $ERtheir position. Any day now $ERthey was going to make a mistake that $LRthey wouldn’t be able to save $LRtheir younger sibling from. “Your little friend,” $LRname said after a moment, “Is dead.” $ERname froze up, turning around to stare at $LRthem with $ERtheir lips slightly parted. $LRname settled back into a comfortable position in $LRtheir chair, turning away from $ERthem to let the piece of paper flutter from $LRtheir palm, into the fireplace by $LRtheir legs, being eaten up within seconds by the flames. “... $LRname.” $ERname whispered. “What did you do?” [[And over at a party, refusing to die down|S Intro]]

$SRname reclined on $SRtheir sofa as $SRtheir guests gushed about $SRtheir wonderful party, the entertainment, the food, all so wonderful! $cSRthey just watched them, running $SRtheir perfectly manicured thumb over the rim of $SRtheir wine glass, swirling the dark red liquid around. God, $SRthey was fucking bored. $cSRthey’s done it all before. Again and again. The parties, the games, the drinking, the sex, the spending. $cSRthey was starting to feel old. And there was nothing $SRname Della Rovere hated more than feeling fucking old. $cSRthey watched $SRtheir guests dance and gossip and coo. $cSRthey watched them eat $SRtheir food and enjoy $SRtheir singers and whisper about how one of these days their host simply must marry one of the eligible young things constantly hanging around $SRthem. They too, were fucking boring. Every day was so… Fucking… Oh? One of $SRtheir little assistants was stumbling over themselves to get to where $SRthey was languidly lounging, their little face pale with shock. “$SRtitle Della Rovere! $SRtitle!” The little thing tottered to a stop in front of $SRthem, panting. “Yes?” $SRname replied mildly, a perfect eyebrow raised. “I… The… The Clerk… He’s been found dead.” $SRname’s mouth parted in a perfect shocked expression but the edge of $SRtheir lip twitched. Finally, some fun. [[And by a fireplace...|V intro]]

$VWname got home late. The best time to get home. Silence. Nothing but the fireplace crackling with a flame that was lit specially for $VWthem. It was hard to remember a time when $VWthey wasn’t living such a life. Not that $VWthey couldn’t remember, just that it was a time that felt like a glowing ember to try and touch without hurting yourself. So $VWthey didn’t. So $VWthey lived the good life, with a crystal glass of brandy held in $VWtheir palm, a book open on $VWtheir knee. So, $VWthey enjoyed $VWtheir new life. Then $VWthey heard $JWthem. $cVWtheir $JWspouse. A few thumps upstairs and muffled movement. $VWname stilled and glanced towards the ceiling, as if it would let $VWthem see through the wood, watching as $JWthey trotted around and bumped into things as $JWthey tried to pull on $JWtheir evening robe. $cVWtheir lips thinned but as $VWthey heard $VWtheir spouse's footsteps make $JWtheir way slowly down the grand staircase, $VWthey schooled $VWtheir expression into something warmer. By the time the door to the study swung over, $VWthey looked downright loving. “$VWname.” “$JWname, my dear.” $cVWthey reached out for $VWtheir beloved spouse to rest $JWtheir leathery hand in $VWtheirs. “You needn’t come down to greet me. You should be resting.” $cJWtheir cold eyes bored into $VWthem before $JWthey slowly parted $JWtheir lips. “$VWname… That boy is dead.” $cVWthey blinked at $JWthem a few times. “Luke. Luke is dead.” $cVWtheir stomach tightened, the whiskey curdling in $VWtheir gut. The glass slipped from $VWtheir fingers and smashed on the floor. [[... And... Outside the station..|Z intro]]

$ZCname was cold. So fucking cold. $cZCthey was always cold these days, but it didn’t mean that $ZCthey ever got used to it. That $ZCthey’ll ever want to get used to it. <<nobr>> <<if $ZCgender is "female">> $cZCtheir black skirt drags on the ground as $ZCthey walks, leaves and dirt staining the hem. Hard to remember a time that $ZCthey’d ever cared about what the hem of $ZCtheir frock looked like. There was once upon a time that $ZCthey’d gain stares and whispers about the state $ZCthey was in. Now $ZCthey glides through crowds and groups and no one takes notice of $ZCthem. No one yells at $ZCthem for bumping them, no one grumbles when $ZCthey steps on their foot, no one yelps when $ZCtheir umbrella smacks their face. <</if>> <<if $ZCgender is "male">> $cZCtheir trouser hem drags on the ground as $ZCthey walks, leaves and dirt staining the fabric. Hard to remember a time that $ZCthey’d ever cared about what the hem of $ZCtheir breeches looked like. There was once upon a time that $ZCthey’d gain stares and whispers about the state $ZCthey was in. Now $ZCthey glides through crowds and groups and no one takes notice of $ZCthem. No one yells at $ZCthem for bumping them, no one grumbles when $ZCthey steps on their foot, no one yelps when $ZCtheir umbrella smacks their face. <</if>> <</nobr>> Bliss. If only $ZCthey wasn’t so cold. $cZCthey glides past the elderly lady at the desk, squinting through her clouded spectacles. $cZCthey descends the stairs, pausing a bit as the doctor ascends the stairs, rubbing his eyes wearily. $ZCname admires $SKtheir profile, tilting $ZCtheir head. When $SKthey’s out of sight, $ZCthey continues $ZCtheir way, perfectly buckled, muddied shoes making neither a sound or a stain on the tiled floor. Then $ZCthey arrives. And there he is. The body lying on the white slab, a slender, greying pinkie poking out from under the tarp. “Hello, Mister Buckley.” $cZCthey murmurs and slips $ZCtheir notebook free from $ZCtheir jacket. [[And then dawn breaks.|Chapter1]]

<h1><span class = "bigfont"><span class='fadeIn'>The <span class="redtext">Rot</span> Begins</span></span> </h1> <<timed 7s>><<goto "NamingTheWitch">><</timed>>

//... $name... Sweet little $name...// //Winthrop gave a happy sigh as he continued to lather on paints, only sometimes glancing over to his subject. Just look at that sweet thing! It's been a while since he had wanted to take in his subject wholly...// //He paused and eyed his oils. Now, to perfect their hair colour...// Your hair colour is... <<listbox "$naturalhaircolour" autoselect>> <<option "ebony black">> <<option "tawny brown">> <<option "chestnut brown">> <<option "honey blond">> <<option "ash blond">> <<option "strawberry blond">> <<option "dark blond">> <<option "deep red">> <<option "bright red">> <<option "ivory white">> <<option "ginger">> <</listbox>> [[Continue|HairTexture]]

<<set $heterochromia to true>> //Oh, what a marvel. Two different coloured eyes. So rare!// //Left eye is...// <<cycle "$Leyecolour">> <<option "black" "black">> <<option "dark brown" "dark brown">> <<option "light brown" "light brown">> <<option "hazel" "hazel">> <<option "light green" "light green">> <<option "dark green" "dark green">> <<option "light blue" "light blue">> <<option "dark blue" "dark blue">> <<option "near red" "near red">> <<option "grey" "grey">> <<option "yellow" "yellow">> <<option "lavender" "lavender">> <</cycle>> //and their right eye is...//<<cycle "$Reyecolour">> <<option "black" "black">> <<option "dark brown" "dark brown">> <<option "light brown" "light brown">> <<option "hazel" "hazel">> <<option "light green" "light green">> <<option "dark green" "dark green">> <<option "light blue" "light blue">> <<option "dark blue" "dark blue">> <<option "near red" "near red">> <<option "grey" "grey">> <<option "yellow" "yellow">> <<option "lavender" "lavender">><</cycle>> [[Continue|Skin]]

//Now, focus. Do they have....// <<cycle "$freckles">> <<option "a few freckles?" "a few freckles" >> <<option "many freckles?" "many freckles" >> <<option "no freckles?" "none">> <</cycle>>// Do they have //<<cycle "$beautymark">> <<option "a beauty mark by their eye" "a beauty mark by their eye">> <<option "a beauty mark by their lip" "a beauty mark by their lip">> <<option "many beauty marks" "many beauty marks">> <<option "a beauty mark on their cheek" "a beauty mark on their cheek">> <<option "no beauty marks" "none">><</cycle>>? [[Continue|GenderSelection]]

The sketcher works a bit more on your hair, eyes flicking up and down over and over again. A while back colourful powders that could change your hair came on the market and Seir had pestered you to try them out. You chose <<listbox "$dyecolour" autoselect>> <<option "none">> <<option "light pink">> <<option "dark pink">> <<option "light blue">> <<option "dark blue">> <<option "light purple">> <<option "dark purple">> <<option "light green">> <<option "dark green">> <<option "light orange">> <<option "burnt orange">> <<option "dark orange">> <<option "silver">> <</listbox>> [[Continue|0.3FacialHair]]

<<set $prisonorigin to true>> <img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/82994be8f63a9f21695c918313425755/6fff071ba4b2f240-d9/s1280x1920/4a9c909d482f6285973a8f6a76cc87bc7236c9e8.pnj" class="centre" width="50%" height="50%"> <<audio "prisonorigin" play loop>> //It was dark. The window looking out was too high up for you to see anything but thick clouds, blanketing the sky. A part of the window was broken, letting frigid air rush in with each gust of wind.// //It was cold. So cold. The walls were bare and stained. Shouts echoed throughout the prison. The guards liked to smack their batons against the cells every now and then, before following it up with a snide, "Oops, accident," when it woke other prisoners up. It was never an accident. You were always tired. Always sore.// //Your bed was like concrete. It made no difference if you slept on the floor, or on the mattress. There was a hole in the corner, where you were expected to... Relieve yourself... No privacy. No comfort. No one to help.// [[Clang!|P0.1]]

<<set $AMorigin to true>> <img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/859e5fe5cee612cb5f02acd0f05b6dd5/6fff071ba4b2f240-be/s1280x1920/198db14782717cb0e3b91f78e177d2f25411de3f.pnj" class="centre" width="50%" height="50%"><<audio "bells" play loop>> //Your outfit was too tight. The dressing room you had been tucked into was awash with sickly sweet flowers, garish against the soft cream of the wallpaper. You could hear chatter down the hallway, the celebrations happening just a shout away.// //It was still morning, your entire day scheduled out to each minute. Arriving, dressing, walking, ceremony, vows, rings, the wedding breakfast, farewells and then away... Away with someone you barely knew. Trapped in this room, waiting for someone to come get you. This beautiful... Idyllic... Perfectly lovely room overlooking the green, with the church looming just ahead...// //It didn't help that the surroundings were...// [[Overly lavish, with every pretty penny made sure to be worth it. After all, your family was wealthy enough for it.|AM.Rich]] [[Shabbily decorated, reminding you that the lack of wealth was the reason you were here.|AM.Poor.]]

<<set $asylumorigin to true>> <img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/a3177a7c0ce37184b50bbe44f0ee26e3/6fff071ba4b2f240-bb/s1280x1920/dd60cc887b2bf418f4c3365ffd311102d3dfa36f.pnj" class="centre" width="50%" height="50%"> //Time passed... Wrongly in here. Sunlight would be streaming in the one second, and you'd close your eyes for a moment and then there'd be nothing but the endless night to greet you. Other times you'd sleep on and off for hours and the outside sky wouldn't have changed one bit. You got fed twice a day but you didn't know when. Sometimes you were woken up to eat, other times the food was already in the room. You were scrubbed once a week by a nurse with a mask over the lower half of her face, as if you were diseased. No one talked to you, except the doctors.// //"Mood?"// //"Same as yesterday."// //"And so it shall be tomorrow, isn't that right, $title?" And then you were given two chalky pills to swallow and were given and injection.// //They used the same spot each time. When it became infected, they switched to the other arm. You were given the jacket for scratching the scab. You had a neighbour in the cell. You two would talk every now and then, whenever they'd find their voice again. About the food, the nurses, the doctors, the beds, the times you were allowed out. Anything but the elephant in the room. As if asking each other what was wrong with your heads was going to shatter the tranquil normalcy you two played at, like children pretending to be knights and princesses. Then they never came back. You asked a nurse about them and you were told that you never had a neighbour. Then they said they needed to shave your head free of hair because... Something pressure, brain, hallucinating... You already had your pills by then so you weren't sure.// //You faintly heard a door unlocking.// //"Food." And then the sound of a bowl being set down. You didn't know why you stopped being allowed to eat with the others. Maybe it was something to do with the way you ended up biting someone who was putting their hand up your gown. You didn't know who it was. Your injection had made you feel weird that day, a different weird to how it usually did. So now you get a bowl with a tin spoon.// //You awkwardly shuffle over, your feet having gone numb for the long while you had been sitting cross legged on the floor. Luckily your arms were free again. Usually someone had to sit in here with you, sharing your grey walls and single scratched window for a short while. It felt intimate. Getting fed by hand. You were sure they would stay there a bit longer each time up until you got the jacket off.// //So you picked up the spoon and slowly dunked it in the chunky gruel.// <ul><li>[[You were somewhat used to it. Even before this, your family had hit some hard times back in the day, even with your father returning to work.|AO.Poor]]</li> <li>[[You still couldn't get used to it. Once upon a time you sat with dukes and royals and your palate refused to downgrade.|AO.Rich]]</li> </ul>

<<set $kidnappedorigin to true>> <img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/4288fb9acae02fbd67eaf37099b16100/6fff071ba4b2f240-51/s1280x1920/9541c9ad582b02018444e3a13e287b33cdbabe79.pnj" class="centre" width="50%" height="50%"> //Your wrists had long since gone numb. You were pretty sure they were bleeding too, from the amount of time you had spent fighting against them. Your lips felt cracked, your face hurt and your eyes were puffy, but you didn't remember crying at any point. Twice a day someone had come in, to hand feed you and tip water down your throat. In between you were taken to a water closet to do your business, with your blind fold still on.// //You didn't know how long ago it was now... That you were taken from your normal life. From your home. From your family... You had already shouted, begged, tried to get free. You didn't even hear anything from the outside to give you a clue. Were you in a city? Were you in the country? You had no idea, and your captors didn't ever speak to you, just grabbed your face and arms roughly when they wanted you to do something.// //You were cold. You think you could taste blood and bile in your mouth. You didn't even know why you were taken!// <ul><li>[[You had just been coming home from your sister's... Your family didn't have anything to their name... They'd never be able to find you again...|KO.Poor]]</li> <li>[[... There should be a ransom note sent by now, shouldn't there? Your father's would put forward any money at all, use all of his connections...|KO.Rich]]</li> </ul>

<<set $ASorigin to true>> <img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/7db74e9c668fed3412340b3137639794/6fff071ba4b2f240-8f/s1280x1920/d22afa6a9b91f1567e2619530400bde80a8a2589.pnj" class="centre" width="50%" height="50%"> //You were going to be sick. It would be okay to in this situation, there was a waistbasket in the corner and at this rate, you doubt that you'd have to apologise to your professor when it inevitably drip through. Your uniform felt too tight in the collar, the sash seeming more like it was constricting your chest instead of hanging comfortably. You were... Were...// //You were never going to see the light of day ever again. You were going to be tagged, tracked for the rest of your life, scurry like a rat through the underbelly of the Basilica doing God Knows What... Or, they'd just kill you.// //The small room spinned. You normally liked this room. Your professor was good, teaching to a group of overly eager students. A fireplace crackling in the corner, to combat the bitter cold outside, the books stuffed in the bookshelves, volumes of different size and colour. The classroom cat, usually snoozing atop of piles of essays and works, now missing. The desks, in a cloistered semi circle around the desk. The... The quote from the Basilica above the black board.// //''Vita Tua Non Est Tuum''// //Your life is not your own. Yesterday, it was metaphorical. Today, it loomed like a promise. A threat. A statement that you were going to die. Instinctively you lunged for the classroom door, rattling the doorknob for the thousandth time. Still locked.// //You were nothing but a rat in a trap.// <ul><li>[[... Even if you didn't die, your scholarship was down the drain. You had nothing and you'd return to less than nothing, with nothing but your last name and a tag in your skin.|AS.Poor]]</li> <li>[[Oh lord. The Knights. The only reason they had taken you into their lustrous home was because they thought you had potential. A family of Witches and... You're going to get branded....|AS.Rich]]</li> </ul>

<<set $surnameselect is true>> "$surname? Very nice." She murmurs, scribbling it down before finally shutting the folder. "Are you done?" She glances over to the sketcher who finishes up on your left eye and leans back with a nod. She takes the picture and tucks it in. "Alright, we'll get you escorted to the holding cell. You sittight for a bit, hm?" Her smile is sweet but her eyes are distant. Your mouth feels dry. [[Continue|0.6]]

//But... Such a sweet thing. $cthey even managed to keep $their mouth shut about how long $they had been sitting there. Ah, nothing he liked more. // //With some extra time to burn, he paused in his endeavours and let his eyes fall onto $their body.// The Witch is <<listbox "$bodytype" autoselect>> <<option "thin">> <<option "lean">> <<option "average">> <<option "chubby">> <<option "curvy">> <<option "well built">> <<option "plush">> <<option "fat">> <<option "muscular">> <</listbox>> [[Continue|Genitals]]

//You sat bolt upright from your concrete mattress, staring at the faint outline of someone at your cell bars, baton lazily swinging from their hand. It was one of the guards. A favourite of the Warden, so he was allowed to do whatever he wanted. His name... Was... Aguilar?// //"Look at you." He drawled, still idly swinging his baton, nearly brushing the bars with each pendulum-like movement. "Sitting all pretty. Of course, this is meant to be a rehabitual experience. Or a deterring one."// //He took a moment to drink you in, pale grey eyes flickering in the faint light of the lanterns. You could barely make out the cropped brown hair, olive skin and high cheekbones but his eyes felt too easy to make out. Always looking at you.// //"So, I expect you and I will have a long time to get to know each other... Quite well. No way they're going to ever grant you parole." Aguilar continued. "Of course, thing like you would never feel bad for what you did."// //His teeth glinted in the low light.// //"After all..."// [[... He's going to mention that you basically grew up in poverty again.|PO.Poor]] [[... He's going to mention that you grew up in the lap of luxury again.|PO.Rich]]

<<if $gender is "Intersex">> As you're a intersex character, here you can modify some options on how your character is presented. What gender were you raised from birth?<<listbox "$raisedgender" autoselect>> <<option "male">> <<option "female">> <<option "neither">> <</listbox>> What gender do you pass as most of the time? <<listbox "$passinggender" autoselect>> <<option "male">> <<option "female">> <<option "neither">>a <</listbox>> [[Continue|Pronouns]] <</if>> <<if $gender is "Trans Man" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $gender is "Nonbinary">> As you're a trans character, here you can modify some options. However, if you don't want to initiate any of these, you can go back and select a different gender and just change your genitals and chest to your preferred look so that the narrative doesn't include noted reference to your character's transgender identity and all it entails for the plot. <<set $transgender to true>> What is your deadname? <<textbox "$deadname" $deadname>> <<button "Confirm">> <</button>> What is your assigned gender at birth?<<listbox "$agab" autoselect>> <<option "Man">> <<option "Woman">> <<option "Intersex">> <</listbox>> [[Continue|Pronouns]] <</if>>

<<nobr>> <<set $wealth to "poor">> <<set $truesurname to "Mortmain">> <<set $history to true>> <<set $backstory to "been imprisoned and escaped">> <</nobr>> //"After all..." Aguilar dragged his tongue over his teeth. "You grew up with all those gangs, whores and destitute right outside your door, didn't you? Definitely rubbed off some of their influence on you."// //His words were meant to bully you, but your thoughts could only latch onto your mother. Your... Your poor mother. With her-// //''Clang!''// //Aguilar slowly lowered his baton from the bars, the sound still ringing out. You could hear grunts of people waking up from deeper in the prison.// //"Pay attention to me, little thing." He murmured, low. "I am the one you're going to want to play nice with if you want to survive more than the pitiful weeks you have already."// //You couldn't help the shiver. Maybe it was the cold blowing in from the outside. Maybe it was the walls, leaking with god knows what. Or it was the implication beneath his words, as he swiped his tongue over his lower lip slowly.// <<if $vanilla is false>>//"Is that clear?" He murmured, pressing closer against the bars, his broad shoulders practically blocking out the limited light from behind him. "Because I'm the only one that you should cling to in here. Not an overgrown lug who will ruin your //<<if $cunt is true>>//little cunt.//<<elseif $cock is true>>//little asshole while your cock just looks all pert and pretty.//<<elseif $ccboth is true>>//little cunt while your cock just looks all pert and pretty.//<</if>>//" He chuckled, reaching down to hook his thumb into his belt. "Me. I'll treat you right, better than you would have been treated in that gutter you'd call home.//<</if>> //"Rest up." Aguilar smirked, his crooked canine flashing. "I'll see what I can do with you tomorrow."// //He turned, and stalked past your bars with a low chuckle.// //"Goodnight, little Mortmain."// [[You slowly lie back on your bed.|P0.2]]

<<nobr>> <<set $wealth to "rich">> <<set $truesurname to "Buchanan">> <<set $history to true>> <<set $backstory to "been imprisoned and escaped">> <</nobr>> //"After all..." Aguilar dragged his tongue over his teeth. "You grew up with all those rich cunts, who wouldn't piss on a servant if they were on fire. No, no sense of right or wrong in there, hm?" He leaned forward and tapped his own baton against his temple.// //His words were meant to bully you, but your thoughts could only latch onto your grandparents. Your... Your poor grandfather, frozen with shock, your grandmother, unable to hold in her tears. With their-// //''Clang!''// //Aguilar slowly lowered his baton from the bars, the sound still ringing out. You could hear grunts of people waking up from deeper in the prison.// //"Pay attention to me, little thing." He murmured, low. "I am the one you're going to want to play nice with if you want to survive more than the pitiful weeks you have already."// //You couldn't help the shiver. Maybe it was the cold blowing in from the outside. Maybe it was the walls, leaking with god knows what. Or it was the implication beneath his words, as he swiped his tongue over his lower lip slowly.// <<if $vanilla is false>>//"Is that clear?" He murmured, pressing closer against the bars, his broad shoulders practically blocking out the limited light from behind him. "Because I'm the only one that you should cling to in here. Not an overgrown lug who will ruin your //<<if $cunt is true>>//little cunt.//<<elseif $cock is true>>//little asshole while your cock just looks all pert and pretty.//<<elseif $ccboth is true>>//little cunt while your cock just looks all pert and pretty.//<</if>>//" He chuckled, reaching down to hook his thumb into his belt. "Me. I'll treat you right, the way you should have been treated all along, not rolling around in your castle."//<</if>> //"Rest up." Aguilar smirked, his crooked canine flashing. "I'll see what I can do with you tomorrow."// //He turned, and stalked past your bars with a low chuckle.// //"Goodnight, little Buchanan."// [[You slowly lie back on your bed.|P0.2]]

<<set $vanilla to true>> What's Your Sexuality? <ul class="a"> <li>[[You prefer only women.|RO Gender][$preference to "female"]]</li> <li>[[You don't discriminate, everyone is game.|RO Gender][$preference to "bi"]]</li> <li>[[Everyone is game but you want to select the RO genders yourself..|RO Selector][$preference to "custom"]]</li> <li>[[You only prefer men.|RO Gender][$preference to "male"]]</li> </ul>

//That wasn't even who you were anymore. You no longer were a $truesurname. You were inmate number <<if $wealth is "rich">>001450.<<else>>087331.<</if>> Just a number among so many others.// //With Aguilar's receding footsteps, your mind latched back onto your family...// <<if $truesurname is "Mortmain">>//Your lovely mother. Selah. You had only your mother for such a long time. You didn't have a father, even if you looked like him apparently. <<if $heterochromia is true>> You had your mother's unique eyes, one $Leyecolour and the other $Reyecolour, and little else.<<else>> You had your mother's $eyecolour eyes and little else.//<</if>> //You missed her. You missed her hair, kept up under a wrap. Missed her coarse hands, made hard from her factory work. You missed them when they were softer too, able to eclipse your tiny ones back then. The way she always smelt vaguely like oil and leather. The way she always insisted on doing your hair... They way she'd light up with hope every time you can to visit... She wanted better for you, urging you to go work in a grander house, even pulling strings from her own time as a maid to get you into the work. You'd go to her whenever you had time off, sitting together, sometimes with your head in her lap as she smiled down at you, eyes filled with pride for you, asking about if you had any friends yet, if you'd seen the master of the house and if he liked you, if you were being treated well... // //You just wished she had someone to lean on in these times. Your so called father had abandoned you two at a young age. Went of to Gallia and never sent any letters, or money. You remember your mother crying into his pillow for so long afterwards. That's when you had to move to your bad neighbourhood. Your mother had never even bad mouthed him and stopped you from doing so yourself... Your poor mother...<</if>> <<if $truesurname is "Buchanan">>//Your lovely grandparents. Thaddeus and Bridget to everyone else, Teddy and Birdie to each other. Granda and Nana to you. You had been with them since you were still quite young, barely out of leading strings. Apparently you had been Da's favourite since you were born, looking like the spitting image of your late mother.// //You missed them. You missed the smell of Granda's pipe. His preference for kilts, as a point of pride. The way his beard would tickle you when he dropped an absent minded kiss to your forehead. Nana's insistence of showing you pictures of where she grew up, up North. Her love of tradition, especially at New Years. You could remember fondly when she had you stay up past midnight and carried you over to your aunt's house because "All of her boys have dark hair. If you see a blond man, scream!" as Granda jogged to keep up<<if $naturalhaircolour is "honey blond" or $naturalhaircolour is "ash blond" or $naturalhaircolour is "strawberry blond" or $naturalhaircolour is "dark blond">>, all the while pointing out that their own bairn had their own head of blond hair, which was ignored.<</if>><<if $naturalhaircolour is "ebony black" or $naturalhaircolour is "chestnut brown" or $naturalhaircolour is "tawny brown">>, laughing as he pointed out she should just look down and see a lovely head of hair, with all the good luck in the world attached.<</if>><<if $naturalhaircolour is "deep red" or $naturalhaircolour is "bright red" or $naturalhaircolour is "ivory white" or $naturalhaircolour is "ginger">>, chuckling as you two shared a warm look, rye bread wrapped up by his side.<</if>> If only... //<</if>> //Your throat tightened.// [[You couldn't help it. A few tears slipped down your cheeks.|PO.21]] [[You cleared your throat and tensed your shoulders. No crying.|PO.22]] [[A sharp, painful sob racked through you. You couldn't help it.|PO.23]]

//The tears felt warm against your cold face, slipping down freely. You didn't want to cry too loudly. Not in here. You allow just a few more. Enough for them to warm your chapped lips, before you hunker down and breath deep.// //You couldn't help but think back to why you were in here at all...// //''What are you in prison for?'' <<if $truesurname is "Mortmain">><<set _prisoncrime = ["Nothing", "Arson", "Prostitution", "Con artistry", "Theft", "Innocent"]>><<listbox "$prisoncrime">> <<optionsfrom _prisoncrime>> <</listbox>> <span id="prisoncrime-info">(Nothing)</span> <<script>> $(document).one(":passagerender", function (event) { var description = { "Nothing": "Please Select", "Arson": "You couldn't help it. You couldn't stop it. You were just so angry... Then before long the fire was out of control...", "Prostitution": "You needed the money! You had been let go from the house. There was no other way to make the rent quickly, especially when you were left without your wages...", "Con artistry": "You were good at it. You needed the money and if people were dumb enough to fall for it all... Well.", "Theft": "They had so much... Too much! Silver and jewels and paintings that they hardly even noticed. So what if you had taken from the house? You and your mother had been starving...", "Innocent": "You had no idea what had happened... You had gone to the house after visiting your mother, and the police had been waiting for you. You were charged with a theft you didn't commit.", }; $(event.content).find("#prisoncrimeinfo").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.prisoncrime]); $(event.content).find("#listbox-prisoncrime").on("change", function (event) { $("#prisoncrime-info").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.prisoncrime]); }); }); <</script>><<elseif $truesurname is "Buchanan">><<set _prisoncrime = ["Nothing", "Counterfeiting", "Assault", "Manslaughter", "Grave Robbing", "Innocent"]>><<listbox "$prisoncrime">> <<optionsfrom _prisoncrime>> <</listbox>> <span id="prisoncrime-info">(Nothing)</span> <<script>> $(document).one(":passagerender", function (event) { var description = { "Nothing": "Please Select", "Counterfeiting": "Your uncle said he wanted your help in his business. Even when you found out was it was... Well, you were good.", "Assault": "You... Well. It wasn't pretty. But you had to. You were so angry that someone was trying to take advantage of your grandparents...", "Manslaughter": "It was the worst way for a duel to end. You didn't point to the sky, your shot was true. And they died a few hours later...", "Grave Robbing": "You were NOT letting him get buried with the things your family still needed! It was unjust! ", "Innocent": "You had no idea what had happened... You had awoken one day to pounding at the door... And found out your uncle had implicated you in his fraud.", }; $(event.content).find("#prisoncrimeinfo").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.prisoncrime]); $(event.content).find("#listbox-prisoncrime").on("change", function (event) { $("#prisoncrime-info").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.prisoncrime]); }); }); <</script>><</if>> ////You don't know how but you slowly drift off, to the sound of batons echoing against bars, fainter and fainter. You don't know for how long you were asleep... Nothing feels real. It's fitful.// //You're always on the verge of waking up, shadows moving behind your eyelids as you struggle to cling to a proper sleep. But for a while you do... Don't you?// //It's the whispers... The whispers that slowly wake you up. It's pitch black... But it was never pitch black. There were always oil lanterns flickering beyond your cell. They didn't want people to sleep easily. You breathe in slowly, eyes struggling to adjust in the new found darkness. Even the beam of moonlight coming through your barred window did nothing to aid in your quest to see.// [[Then... A whisper.|PO.SeirIntro]]

//No crying, you thought grimly. Not in here. Those are the rules for anyone wanting to survive without... Without further attention from a man like Aguilar. Instead, you turn to your side and curl up, wrapping your arms around yourself.// //You couldn't help but think back to why you were in here at all...// //''What are you in prison for?'' <<if $truesurname is "Mortmain">><<set _prisoncrime = ["Nothing", "Arson", "Prostitution", "Con artistry", "Theft", "Innocent"]>><<listbox "$prisoncrime">> <<optionsfrom _prisoncrime>> <</listbox>> <span id="prisoncrime-info">(Nothing)</span> <<script>> $(document).one(":passagerender", function (event) { var description = { "Nothing": "Please Select", "Arson": "You couldn't help it. You couldn't stop it. You were just so angry... Then before long the fire was out of control...", "Prostitution": "You needed the money! You had been let go from the house. There was no other way to make the rent quickly, especially when you were left without your wages...", "Con artistry": "You were good at it. You needed the money and if people were dumb enough to fall for it all... Well.", "Theft": "They had so much... Too much! Silver and jewels and paintings that they hardly even noticed. So what if you had taken from the house? You and your mother had been starving...", "Innocent": "You had no idea what had happened... You had gone to the house after visiting your mother, and the police had been waiting for you. You were charged with a theft you didn't commit.", }; $(event.content).find("#prisoncrimeinfo").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.prisoncrime]); $(event.content).find("#listbox-prisoncrime").on("change", function (event) { $("#prisoncrime-info").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.prisoncrime]); }); }); <</script>><<elseif $truesurname is "Buchanan">><<set _prisoncrime = ["Nothing", "Counterfeiting", "Assault", "Manslaughter", "Grave Robbing", "Innocent"]>><<listbox "$prisoncrime">> <<optionsfrom _prisoncrime>> <</listbox>> <span id="prisoncrime-info">(Nothing)</span> <<script>> $(document).one(":passagerender", function (event) { var description = { "Nothing": "Please Select", "Counterfeiting": "Your uncle said he wanted your help in his business. Even when you found out was it was... Well, you were good.", "Assault": "You... Well. It wasn't pretty. But you had to. You were so angry that someone was trying to take advantage of your grandparents...", "Manslaughter": "It was the worst way for a duel to end. You didn't point to the sky, your shot was true. And they died a few hours later...", "Grave Robbing": "You were NOT letting him get buried with the things your family still needed! It was unjust! ", "Innocent": "You had no idea what had happened... You had awoken one day to pounding at the door... And found out your uncle had implicated you in his fraud.", }; $(event.content).find("#prisoncrimeinfo").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.prisoncrime]); $(event.content).find("#listbox-prisoncrime").on("change", function (event) { $("#prisoncrime-info").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.prisoncrime]); }); }); <</script>><</if>> // //You don't know how but you slowly drift off, to the sound of batons echoing against bars, fainter and fainter. You don't know for how long you were asleep... Nothing feels real. It's fitful.// //You're always on the verge of waking up, shadows moving behind your eyelids as you struggle to cling to a proper sleep. But for a while you do... Don't you?// //It's the whispers... The whispers that slowly wake you up. It's pitch black... But it was never pitch black. There were always oil lanterns flickering beyond your cell. They didn't want people to sleep easily. You breathe in slowly, eyes struggling to adjust in the new found darkness. Even the beam of moonlight coming through your barred window did nothing to aid in your quest to see.// [[Then... A whisper.|PO.SeirIntro]]

//You tried to bite down on your knuckles, just to stifle your cries, now free and pouring out of you. It was like someone broke a dam, deep within you, and you couldn't stem the deep pain bubbling forth. You cry. You cry as much out as you can, hoping Aguilar doesn't swing back around and decide you need "cheering up". You cry and when there's nothing left, you just shiver.// //You couldn't help but think back to why you were in here at all...// //''What are you in prison for?'' <<if $truesurname is "Mortmain">><<set _prisoncrime = ["Nothing", "Arson", "Prostitution", "Con artistry", "Theft", "Innocent"]>><<listbox "$prisoncrime">> <<optionsfrom _prisoncrime>> <</listbox>> <span id="prisoncrime-info">(Nothing)</span> <<script>> $(document).one(":passagerender", function (event) { var description = { "Nothing": "Please Select", "Arson": "You couldn't help it. You couldn't stop it. You were just so angry... Then before long the fire was out of control...", "Prostitution": "You needed the money! You had been let go from the house. There was no other way to make the rent quickly, especially when you were left without your wages...", "Con artistry": "You were good at it. You needed the money and if people were dumb enough to fall for it all... Well.", "Theft": "They had so much... Too much! Silver and jewels and paintings that they hardly even noticed. So what if you had taken from the house? You and your mother had been starving...", "Innocent": "You had no idea what had happened... You had gone to the house after visiting your mother, and the police had been waiting for you. You were charged with a theft you didn't commit.", }; $(event.content).find("#prisoncrimeinfo").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.prisoncrime]); $(event.content).find("#listbox-prisoncrime").on("change", function (event) { $("#prisoncrime-info").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.prisoncrime]); }); }); <</script>><<elseif $truesurname is "Buchanan">><<set _prisoncrime = ["Nothing", "Counterfeiting", "Assault", "Manslaughter", "Grave Robbing", "Innocent"]>><<listbox "$prisoncrime">> <<optionsfrom _prisoncrime>> <</listbox>> <span id="prisoncrime-info">(Nothing)</span> <<script>> $(document).one(":passagerender", function (event) { var description = { "Nothing": "Please Select", "Counterfeiting": "Your uncle said he wanted your help in his business. Even when you found out was it was... Well, you were good.", "Assault": "You... Well. It wasn't pretty. But you had to. You were so angry that someone was trying to take advantage of your grandparents...", "Manslaughter": "It was the worst way for a duel to end. You didn't point to the sky, your shot was true. And they died a few hours later...", "Grave Robbing": "You were NOT letting him get buried with the things your family still needed! It was unjust! ", "Innocent": "You had no idea what had happened... You had awoken one day to pounding at the door... And found out your uncle had implicated you in his fraud.", }; $(event.content).find("#prisoncrimeinfo").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.prisoncrime]); $(event.content).find("#listbox-prisoncrime").on("change", function (event) { $("#prisoncrime-info").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.prisoncrime]); }); }); <</script>><</if>> // //You don't know how but you slowly drift off, to the sound of batons echoing against bars, fainter and fainter. You don't know for how long you were asleep... Nothing feels real. It's fitful.// //You're always on the verge of waking up, shadows moving behind your eyelids as you struggle to cling to a proper sleep. But for a while you do... Don't you?// //It's the whispers... The whispers that slowly wake you up. It's pitch black... But it was never pitch black. There were always oil lanterns flickering beyond your cell. They didn't want people to sleep easily. You breathe in slowly, eyes struggling to adjust in the new found darkness. Even the beam of moonlight coming through your barred window did nothing to aid in your quest to see.// [[Then... A whisper.|PO.SeirIntro]]

<<if $prisoncrime is "Nothing">><<goto "PO.CheckCrimes">><</if>> <<audio "seirappear" play>>//You can just see beyond your bars, the smacking of the batons growing and growing into an almost song, the harsh thuds crescendoing together into a hymn.// //Then something stepped out, in front of your cell. The noise stopped.// //Tall. Wearing the prison guard uniform, darkened by the now low light. Standing there, one hand tucked behind their back, the other holding a baton, swinging like a pendulum.// //There was no sound. No wind from the outside, whistling through your bars, no smacking sounds, no jeering from the guards... Nothing. The only thing beating in your ears was your own heart and your heavy breath filling the room.// //"You should be asleep, little thing." The figure murmurs, low, husky. // //The words echo around the hallways, whispering for you be asleep, sleep, sleep. It was almost a promise. You could go to sleep now... And then never see this thing again. This thing that watches but you cannot properly focus on their form. Like it was hurting.// //A few moments pass, each second stretching into eternity.// //This seems to cement an agreement in a moment. The baton is dropped to the floor, creating no noise or echo. The figure steps forward, pressing against the bars... Then pressing further, sliding through like smoke travelling.// //You can't help it, you shove yourself back, against the wall, but no noise leaves your lips, dying in your throat. Their form slips back together, but doesn't stop moving, coming closer, closer before stopping at the foot of your bed. You still can't bear yourself to look up into the face, and shut your eyes tightly.// //The mattress shifts, and you can feel extra weight on it, the form dragging itself over you until you were chest to chest with it, the stench of sulphur rising up into your nose.// [[You should...|PO.Seir1]]

//''"Your new best friend. Your greatest ally. The love of your short life, perhaps."'' It muses, still stroking over your cheek. // //Whatever... Whatever it is, It watches you, almost warmly.// //''"Do you know what I am, little bird?"'' It asks.// //You shake your head.// //It seems to preen at this. Proud.// //''"Oh, my darling. I am something from the depths. A dangerous temptation. An exhilarating twist of reality. I am a demon, little thing. I smelt your suffering and slithered my way up... You're just about the most delicious little thing."''// //No...// //You remember teachings... The Teachings of The Basilica, that were taught to every young child. Of Creatures of the Deep, who would try and tempt you when at your lowest. During those teachings, when you were younger, there were a few brave children who would ask what they would be tempted with? They would be scolded. Then told about all the ways these creatures could and would entrap. Ensnaring humans with deals and gifts. Damn them to insanity the moment they get bored of their flesh puppet.// //Its silver eyes gleam, as if it knows exactly what you were thinking. In fact, it seems amused.// //''"The reports concerning my kind are greatly exaggerated of their wickedness."'' It offered idly.''"But I wish to be of service. Your life is not going to..."''// //It seems to ponder how best to put it.// <<if $truesurname is "Buchanan">> //''"It won't be as easy as it once was. In such a lavish lifestyle, looked after by your family when your parents were stolen away by the sea. ''''It seems dizzyingly intoxicated, by the words tumbling forth. ''"They have you dead to rights. Little accomplice."''//<</if>> <<if $truesurname is "Mortmain">> //''"They don't like your type in here. A little thief, taking a bit too much from the silver drawer. They'll tear you to shreds, like dogs who find a bird with broken wings."'' It murmurs, low, as if making a promise. ''"Guilty or not, the dogs don't care. Not with such lovely flesh."''//<</if>> [[Continue|PO.4]]

//''"Nothing much. I just wish to save your lovely little life."'' It whispers, low, like a lover.// //Whatever... Whatever It is, It watches you, almost warmly.// //''"Do you know what I am, little bird?"'' It asks.// //You shake your head.// //It seems to preen at this. Proud.// //''"Oh, my darling. I am something from the depths. A dangerous temptation. An exhilerating twist of reality. I am a demon, little thing. I smelt your suffering and slithered my way up... You're just about the most delicious little thing."''// //No...// //You remember teachings... The Teachings of The Basilica, that were taught to every young child. Of Creatures of the Deep, who would try and tempt you when at your lowest. There were always those who asked what would they would tempt with? They usually got scolded. Then told that they'd know when it happened. Ensaring humans with deals and gifts. Damn them to insanity the moment they get bored of their flesh puppet.// //Its silver eyes gleam, as if it knows exactly what you were thinking. In fact, it seems amused.// //''"The reports concering my kind are greatly exaggerated of their wickedness."'' It offered idly.''"But I wish to be of service. Your life is not going to..."''// //It seems to ponder how best to put it.// <<if $truesurname is "Buchanan">> //''"It won't be as easy at it once was. In such a lavish lifestyle, looked after by your family when your parents were stolen away by the sea."'' It seems dizzingly intoxicated, by the words tumbling forth. ''"They have you dead to rights. Little accomplice."''//<</if>> <<if $truesurname is "Mortmain">> //''"They don't like your type in here. A little thief, taking a bit too much from the silver drawer. They'll tear you to shreds, like dogs who find a bird with broken wings."'' It murmurs, low, as if making a promise. ''"Guilty or not, the dogs don't care. Not with such lovely flesh."''//<</if>> [[Continue|PO.4]]

//It stays silent with you, just slowly stroking over your cheek. ''"Let me help, my little bird."''// //Whatever... Whatever It is, it watches you, almost warmly.// //''"Do you know what I am, little bird?"'' It asks.// //You shake your head.// //It seems to preen at this. Proud.// //''"Oh, my darling. I am something from the depths. A dangerous temptation. An exhilarating twist of reality. I am a demon, little thing. I smelt your suffering and slithered my way up... You're just about the most delicious little thing."''// //No...// //You remember teachings... The Teachings of The Basilica, that were taught to every young child. Of Creatures of the Deep, who would try and tempt you when at your lowest. During those teachings, when you were younger, there were a few brave children who would ask what they would be tempted with? They would be scolded. Then told about all the ways these creatures could and would entrap. Ensnaring humans with deals and gifts. Damn them to insanity the moment they get bored of their flesh puppet.// //Its silver eyes gleam, as if it knows exactly what you were thinking. In fact, it seems amused.// //''"The reports concerning my kind are greatly exaggerated of their wickedness."'' It offered idly.''"But I wish to be of service. Your life is not going to..."''// //It seems to ponder how best to put it.// <<if $truesurname is "Buchanan">> //''"It won't be as easy as it once was. In such a lavish lifestyle, looked after by your family when your parents were stolen away by the sea. ''''It seems dizzyingly intoxicated, by the words tumbling forth. ''"They have you dead to rights. Little accomplice."''//<</if>> <<if $truesurname is "Mortmain">> //''"They don't like your type in here. A little thief, taking a bit too much from the silver drawer. They'll tear you to shreds, like dogs who find a bird with broken wings."'' It murmurs, low, as if making a promise. ''"Guilty or not, the dogs don't care. Not with such lovely flesh."''//<</if>> [[Continue|PO.4]]

//It moves away from you, seating itself by your feet, its hands resting against your ankles. It gives a gentle squeeze. // //''"Now, now. Don't want that impressive guard to come in here and save you from... What will look like a shadow to him."''// //Whatever... Whatever it is, It watches you, almost warmly.// //''"Do you know what I am, little bird?"'' It asks.// //You shake your head.// //It seems to preen at this. Proud.// //''"Oh, my darling. I am something from the depths. A dangerous temptation. An exhilarating twist of reality. I am a demon, little thing. I smelt your suffering and slithered my way up... You're just about the most delicious little thing."''// //No...// //You remember teachings... The Teachings of The Basilica, that were taught to every young child. Of Creatures of the Deep, who would try and tempt you when at your lowest. During those teachings, when you were younger, there were a few brave children who would ask what they would be tempted with? They would be scolded. Then told about all the ways these creatures could and would entrap. Ensnaring humans with deals and gifts. Damn them to insanity the moment they get bored of their flesh puppet.// //Its silver eyes gleam, as if it knows exactly what you were thinking. In fact, it seems amused.// //''"The reports concerning my kind are greatly exaggerated of their wickedness."'' It offered idly.''"But I wish to be of service. Your life is not going to..."''// //It seems to ponder how best to put it.// <<if $truesurname is "Buchanan">> //''"It won't be as easy as it once was. In such a lavish lifestyle, looked after by your family when your parents were stolen away by the sea. ''''It seems dizzyingly intoxicated, by the words tumbling forth. ''"They have you dead to rights. Little accomplice."''//<</if>> <<if $truesurname is "Mortmain">> //''"They don't like your type in here. A little thief, taking a bit too much from the silver drawer. They'll tear you to shreds, like dogs who find a bird with broken wings."'' It murmurs, low, as if making a promise. ''"Guilty or not, the dogs don't care. Not with such lovely flesh."''//<</if>> [[Continue|PO.4]]

//''"Believe me when I say... You shall not survive this. And if not this, you won't survive after you're free. I can smell your blood dripping down from the future."''// //You can only stare at it. It felt too awful, but deep down, you knew it was right. You... You weren't going to survive, and the demon in front of you... Was your only option. It seems to realise that you had come to the conclusion they were excitedly offering up.// //However... There was one problem.// [[As someone who has magic already, you know there's no way you can get out of here... Dark magic or not.|PO.MagicSelection]] [[Even without magic, you know of others in here. There's no way to get out using magic means.|PO.45]]

<<set $previousmagic to true>> //What type of magic did you cling to while stuck in prison? Fighting through the dampening magic of the cuffs and the cells.// <ul><li>//A splutter of fire some nights, just to warm you. A light breeze to refresh you. Water to soothe a sore throat... Maybe an attempt to break through the earthen concrete. But no, your [[Elemental Magic|PO.41]] didn't work here.//</li></ul> <ul><li>//There wasn't much that [[Grey Magic|PO.42]] could offer you in here... Except attempting to revive a little mouse that died in the corner of your cell... Anyway, you were already in prison, no reason to use the death side of your magic to kill a rival... Except maybe Aguilar...//</li></ul> <ul><li>//You couldn't make your usual trick-of-the-light illusions with your [[Light Magic|PO.43]], not with the cuffs on, nor the cell block with the entire cell block with anti-magic measures in place. You just about managed to make a tiny, shimmering fleck of light... Before it faded...//</li></ul> <ul><li>//You concentrate for hours at a time, until your head was splitting open in pain. But it was worth it. So worth it. When that little leaf from a vine, crawled up from the prison walls and peeked through your window bars... Another living thing... Even if it was a plant. It wanted to comfort you. A gift of your [[Nature Magic|PO.44]].//</li></ul>

<<set $previous_magic to false>> //"It won't work," You say, wrapping your arms around yourself. "Each cell has-"// //''"Yes, yes, all of them have dampers for magic. Along with those adorable cuffs that look so fetching on you when you're being pushed around by those guards."'' It sounds bored, as if you're a child that has informed them that the sky is blue. ''"But only for magic they've learnt to control."''// //They slip closer, sounding more excited.// //''"They can't control... Us. They know how to snuff out the ones they can... From the magic of the elements, the grey of life and death, the illusions of light... Even the control over nature. They know how to seal away magic that comes from your own blood, terrified of it as they are."''// //''"But, my little one, they will never be able to control us. Our dark magic. Magic from the depths. It comes from me, not you, and they could never hope to ever control me... But that's what I would dearly love. Tied to your mortal flesh, so I can take my own shape. A wonderful deal, if I do say so myself."''// //''"Take my hand, little jailbird. Let me show you how to fly."''// [[You had no choice. You take their hand.|PO.46]]

<<set $p_em to true>> <<set $previous_magic to true>> //"It won't work," You say, wrapping your arms around yourself. "Each cell has-"// //''"Yes, yes, all of them have dampers for magic. Along with those adorable cuffs that look so fetching on you when you're being pushed around by those guards."'' It sounds bored, as if you're a child that has informed them that the sky is blue.``''But only for magic they've learnt to control."''// //They slip closer, sounding more excited.// //''"They can't control... Us. They know how to snuff out the ones they can... From the magic of the elements, the grey of life and death, the illusions of light... Even the control over nature. They know how to seal away magic that comes from your own blood, terrified of it as they are."''// //''"But, my little one, they will never be able to control us. Our dark magic. Magic from the depths. It comes from me, not you, and they could never hope to ever control me... But that's what I would dearly love. Tied to your mortal flesh, so I can take my own shape. A wonderful deal, if I do say so myself."''// //''"Take my hand, little jailbird. Let me show you how to fly."''// [[You had no choice. You take their hand.|PO.46]]

<<set $p_gm to true>> <<set $previous_magic to true>> //"It won't work," You say, wrapping your arms around yourself. "Each cell has-"// //''"Yes, yes, all of them have dampners for magic. Along with those adorable cuffs that look so fetching on you when you're being pushed around by those guards."'' It sounds bored, as if you're a child that has informed them that the sky is blue."''But only for magic they've learnt to control."''// //They slip closer, sounding more excited.// //''"They can't control... Us. They know how to snuff out the ones they can... From the magic of the elements, the grey of life and death, the illusions of light... Even the control over nature. They know how to seal away magic that comes from your own blood, terrified of it as they are."''// //''"But, my little one, they will never be able to control us. Our dark magic. Magic from the depths. It comes from me, not you, and they could never hope to ever control me... But that's what I would dearly love. Tied to your mortal flesh, so I can take my own shape. A wonderful deal, if I do say so myself."''// //''"Take my hand, little jailbird. Let me show you how to fly."''// [[You had no choice. You take their hand.|PO.46]]

<<set $p_lm to true>> <<set $previous_magic to true>> //"It won't work," You say, wrapping your arms around yourself. "Each cell has-"// //''"Yes, yes, all of them have dampers for magic. Along with those adorable cuffs that look so fetching on you when you're being pushed around by those guards."'' It sounds bored, as if you're a child that has informed them that the sky is blue.``''But only for magic they've learnt to control."''// //They slip closer, sounding more excited.// //''"They can't control... Us. They know how to snuff out the ones they can... From the magic of the elements, the grey of life and death, the illusions of light... Even the control over nature. They know how to seal away magic that comes from your own blood, terrified of it as they are."''// //''"But, my little one, they will never be able to control us. Our dark magic. Magic from the depths. It comes from me, not you, and they could never hope to ever control me... But that's what I would dearly love. Tied to your mortal flesh, so I can take my own shape. A wonderful deal, if I do say so myself."''// //''"Take my hand, little jailbird. Let me show you how to fly."''// [[You had no choice. You take their hand.|PO.46]]

<<set $p_nm to true>> <<set $previous_magic to true>> //"It won't work," You say, wrapping your arms around yourself. "Each cell has-"// //''"Yes, yes, all of them have dampners for magic. Along with those adorable cuffs that look so fetching on you when you're being pushed around by those guards."'' It sounds bored, as if you're a child that has informed them that the sky is blue."''But only for magic they've learnt to control."''// //They slip closer, sounding more excited.// //''"They can't control... Us. They know how to snuff out the ones they can... From the magic of the elements, the grey of life and death, the illusions of light... Even the control over nature. They know how to seal away magic that comes from your own blood, terrified of it as they are."''// //''"But, my little one, they will never be able to control us. Our dark magic. Magic from the depths. It comes from me, not you, and they could never hope to ever control me... But that's what I would dearly love. Tied to your mortal flesh, so I can take my own shape. A wonderful deal, if I do say so myself."''// //''"Take my hand, little jailbird. Let me show you how to fly."''// [[You had no choice. You take their hand.|PO.46]]

//At first, there's nothing. Then you feel a pinprick against your finger. You pull your hand back slightly, just in time to see a small bit of blood //The pain is blinding, if only for a moment. Suddenly you can see it all. The cracks in your cell walls. The bars, suddenly looking so brittle...// //And you could see... What... What ''It'' was.// //It adjusts its form, from a strange, vaguely humanoid mass, with darkness curling off it like smoke. You can barely make out two eyes, staring at you, with deep silver scleras, pupils elongated black slits. //<<if $Seirgender is "female">> //Shifting, slow and deliberate, it seems to gain curves over its hips and breasts. The smoke parts around its face, almost like hair sliding back like a curtain. A line slowly parts across what seems to be the bottom of its face, showing off a row of sharp teeth, digging into a plush bottom lip.//<</if>><<if $Seirgender is "male">>//Shifting, slow and deliberate, it seems to broaden in the shoulders and chest, like it was forming a muscular chest, an athletic build and a- Oh. It seems to know how far down your eyes drifted and the bottom of its face rips open with a broad, sharp grin.//<</if>> //It dragged its clawed fingers over the bars slowly, making soft clicking noises as it did, before sharply dropping down to its knees. It preens under your gaze, dragging itself forward, towards you, swaying as it crawled, almost seductive.// //You could only stare at it, as the sudden brightness of the cell quickly faded, going back to the original darkness of before... With the oil lamps barely lighting the world around you... And at your feet...// //At your feet... A <<listbox "$seirform" autoselect>> <<option "dog">> <<option "cat">> <<option "snake">> <<option "fox">> <<option "crow">> <<option "hare">> <</listbox>> [[What the...|PO.47]]

<<set $seirentrance to true>> //A... A... $seirform... A black $seirform... With deep intelligent silver eyes... Suddenly their name was in your head, as clear as day...// //This is ''Seir''... Your new familiar...// //"I believe... It's time for us to leave." It spoke. Seir spoke. Looking up at you with its eyes, it spoke and you heard... You heard $Seirthem from deep within yourself, silent to everything else.// //And $Seirthey was right. Time to leave.// <<if $previous_magic is true>> //You had never felt this before... You had magic but this was... This was... More. So much more. In your previous practices, there was always a restriction of... The natural order. Now... You felt limitless.//<</if>> <<if $previous_magic is false>> //This power... Was like nothing else you've ever had before. Was this what all magical users felt? This... This feeling...? Like your lungs were bigger... Your bones were stronger... That you were better... You felt like you could do anything. Anything at all!//<</if>> //And now.... It was time to get out of here.// //Seir sunk into the shadows, but you could tell $Seirthey was still there. Still with you, like a ghost only you could see. You felt as if the world was at your fingertips. So many things you could do... If only you could just focus.... Choose... // <ul><li>//Focus... A pull... Your eyes fix on the opposite walkway. Your very own particles shifting and warping... You could just... ''[[Move|PO.Teleport]]''... Silly how you couldn't do it before.//</li></ul> <ul><li>//A guard passing your cell door... A wisp. A whisper. You could just ''[[Slip|PO.Possession]]'' in... Into his skin and walk in his boots and whistle a little song.//</li></ul> <ul><li>//It's so simple. If you don't want to be ''[[Seen|PO.Invisibility]]''... You don't have to be. They won't even notice you're not here anymore.//</li></ul>

<<set $teleport_m to true>> //You felt yourself... Fading... But then materialising. As bits of you faded away, even more was assembling... Just across the way. Within just a second, your entire being was pulled through the bars and suddenly... You were outside. Your cell. On the walkway.// <<nobr>> <<if $previous_magic is true>> //You could feel a faint tingle in your palms, as the magic dampners of your cell stopped constricting your magic... But as you tried to flex your arcane abilities, they seem to sputter out.//<</if>> <<if $prison_era_em is true>> //You tried for anything. A spark of flame. A gasp of wind. Hell, condensation running down the concrete wall would be a sign. But nothing. It was as if your new magic was smothering your old abilities, a new layer of granite setts to replace the stone cobblestones. There was nothing... Nothing left of your old abilities.// //Maybe that was for the best.//<</if>> <<if $prison_era_gm is true>> //You tried for anything. Healing one of your scratches, or bruises. But nothing. You felt something try to reach out, to soothe your injured cells, but it was sluggish and tired. It was as if your new magic was smothering your old abilities, a new layer of granite setts to replace the stone cobblestones. There was nothing... Nothing left of your old abilities.// //Maybe that was for the best.//<</if>> <<if $prison_era_lm is true>> // You tried for anything. A little orb. Trick of the light. An illusion of... A jailbird. Nothing. There was some sort of weak twitch, a kind of fractured light seperating from the light beaming in from the cell windows. Then nothing. It was as if your new magic was smothering your old abilities, a new layer of granite setts to replace the stone cobblestones. There was nothing... Nothing left of your old abilities.// //Maybe that was for the best.//<</if>> <<if $prison_era_nm is true>> //You tried for anything. You focused on the mould growing along one of the walls, doing anything you could. Make it grow. Turn it black. Even kill it. Nothing. It throbbed... Then nothing. It was as if your new magic was smothering your old abilities, a new layer of granite setts to replace the stone cobblestones. There was nothing... Nothing left of your old abilities.// //Maybe that was for the best.//<</if>> <<if $previous_magic is false>> //You could feel something... You never felt before. A tingle in your palms. Was this what magic users usually felt? While in your cell, the dampers felt like an inconsequential net trying to keep you captured. But while you were a minnow before... You were a shark now.//<</if>> <</nobr>> //It took you a moment to tear yourself away from your thoughts. You were still in danger, no time to get distracted! You dropped down into a crouch, making sure to slowly move along the walkway, spying a couple of guards ahead, patrolling. Only a few stopped to chat with each other. But you also felt something else... As if the shadows were reaching out to help cloud you in them. It must be due to the magic you were freshly bequeathed with. This is what Demons must be used to. Feeling at home in the shadows and the dark... And right now... You were highly grateful for it.// // You spied the stairs leading down to a landing, down from the cells to the lower sections of the prison. Less guards patrolling. A flare of excitement lit up in your stomach. Concentrating hard again, you could faintly taste blood as you bit down on your tongue. It... It felt easier than the first time. You were less aware of yourself coming apart and then together again. It happened faster.// [[Onwards|PO.Teleport01]]

<<set $possession_m to true>> //It was as simple as... Slipping on shoes. Or an old worn coat. Carefully pushing his consciousness aside, into a corner, while you assumed control. Suddenly, your hands held a shiny baton. Suddenly your feet were stuffed in a pair of leather boots that felt too tight at the toes, probably new and not broken in yet. Suddenly... You were a guard. It was a bit disconcerting. You were a different height to him so the depth change was a bit dizzying.// //You forcibly started to move your legs, your gait slow and sluggish as you got used to it all.// //"Been at the bottle, ey?" A heavy hand clapped you on the shoulder, making you jostle to the side, almost tipping you right over the guard rail!// [["Yeah." You hiccup. You didn't even mean to do that. Your throat felt all weird and bubbly.|PO.Possession01]] [["Fuck youuuuu!"... You might have panicked.|PO.Possession02]] [[Try to push him over the guard rail!|PO.Possession03]]

//You felt your new power settling into your skin. A part of you now.// //You're still stuck on the landing though, and dark magic was still tingling against your palms. ''There's still room... for something else''. You subconsciously crick your neck as you gaze around the landing, from the stairs going further down, to the immediate drop to the floor below. The first floor, with the exit just below.// //What to do... What to do....// <ul><li>//You could feel... Something in your body. Tightening. Becoming leaner. Your reflexes being honed. But it's more than that. You feel it in your muscles. The ''[[agility|PO.Agility]]''... Of an apex.//</li></ul> <ul><li>//Something tingled along your fingers... Something in your eyes changed. As if something peeled back... Everyone is a moth... And you control the ''[[mesmerising|PO.Mesmerising]] light to draw them to you''.//</li></ul> <ul><li>//Magic hummed under your skin. Your skin seemed to thinnen, your veins come to the surface. Something wants to sprout... A plant... No... Some sort of [[flower|PO.Naturism]], dark with demon blood, wanting to twist around your arm and turn its face towards the sun for the first time..//</li></ul>

//"Yep. You sound rough. C'mon, I'll get you to the bunk room. I'll tell Aguilar that you threw up or something." An arm wrapped around your waist and helped you down the stairs with a soft laugh. Your saviour only got you to the landing, when there was a shout and a scuffle. Saviour-Man stiffened and rested your body against a rail.// //"Stay here, lad." His voice murmured low, intimate, before he darted back up the stairs towards the sound of the scuffle.// //"Demon! Demon! I saw them! Wearing the guard's skin! Kill them!" Shit.// //It would be better if you got away, fast. But apparently this body didn't do fast.// //Slipping out was as easy as slipping in. Like taking off your jacket after a long day. The guard you inhabited...Slumped against the rails with a hiccup. Well, now he really did look drunk. Seemed to have passed out too. You gave his back a gentle pat, but as you did, you felt... Something.// <<nobr>> <<if $previous_magic is true>> //You could feel a faint tingle in your palms, as the magic dampners of your cell stopped constricting your magic... But as you tried to flex your arcane abilities, they seem to sputter out.//<</if>> <<if $prison_era_em is true>> //You tried for anything. A spark of flame. A gasp of wind. Hell, condensation running down the concrete wall would be a sign. But nothing. It was as if your new magic was smothering your old abilities, a new layer of granite setts to replace the stone cobblestones. There was nothing... Nothing left of your old abilities.// //Maybe that was for the best.//<</if>> <<if $prison_era_gm is true>> //You tried for anything. Healing one of your scratches, or bruises. But nothing. You felt something try to reach out, to soothe your injured cells, but it was sluggish and tired. It was as if your new magic was smothering your old abilities, a new layer of granite setts to replace the stone cobblestones. There was nothing... Nothing left of your old abilities.// //Maybe that was for the best.//<</if>> <<if $prison_era_lm is true>> // You tried for anything. A little orb. Trick of the light. An illusion of... A jailbird. Nothing. There was some sort of weak twitch, a kind of fractured light seperating from the light beaming in from the cell windows. Then nothing. It was as if your new magic was smothering your old abilities, a new layer of granite setts to replace the stone cobblestones. There was nothing... Nothing left of your old abilities.// //Maybe that was for the best.//<</if>> <<if $prison_era_nm is true>> //You tried for anything. You focused on the mould growing along one of the walls, doing anything you could. Make it grow. Turn it black. Even kill it. Nothing. It throbbed... Then nothing. It was as if your new magic was smothering your old abilities, a new layer of granite setts to replace the stone cobblestones. There was nothing... Nothing left of your old abilities.// //Maybe that was for the best.//<</if>> <<if $previous_magic is false>> //You could feel something... You never felt before. A tingle in your palms. Was this what magic users usually felt? While in your cell, the dampers felt like an inconsequential net trying to keep you captured. But while you were a minnow before... You were a shark now.//<</if>> <</nobr>> //It took you a moment to tear yourself away from your thoughts. You were still in danger, no time to get distracted! You dropped down into a crouch, making sure to slowly move along the walkway, spying a couple of guards ahead, patrolling. Only a few stopped to chat with each other. But you also felt something else... As if the shadows were reaching out to help cloud you in them. It must be due to the magic you were freshly bequeathed with. This is what Demons must be used to. Feeling at home in the shadows and the dark... And right now... You were highly grateful for it.// [[Onwards|PO.Possession2]]

//There was a beat of silence before the guard roared with laughter.// //"You're an adorable drunk, lad. C'mon. Before Aguilar fires you." An arm wrapped around your waist and helped you down the stairs with a soft laugh. Your saviour only got you to the landing, when there was a shout and a scuffle. Savour-Man stiffened and rested your body against a rail.// //"Stay here." His voice murmured low, intimate, before he darted back up the stairs towards the sound of the scuffle.// //"Demon! Demon! I saw them! Wearing the guard's skin! Kill them!" Shit.// //It would be better if you got away, fast. But apparently this body didn't do fast.// //Slipping out was as easy as slipping in. Like taking off your jacket after a long day. The guard you inhabited...Slumped against the rails with a hiccup. Well, now he really did look drunk. Seemed to have passed out too. You gave his back a gentle pat, but as you did, you felt... Something.// <<nobr>> <<if $previous_magic is true>> //You could feel a faint tingle in your palms, as the magic dampners of your cell stopped constricting your magic... But as you tried to flex your arcane abilities, they seem to sputter out.//<</if>> <<if $prison_era_em is true>> //You tried for anything. A spark of flame. A gasp of wind. Hell, condensation running down the concrete wall would be a sign. But nothing. It was as if your new magic was smothering your old abilities, a new layer of granite setts to replace the stone cobblestones. There was nothing... Nothing left of your old abilities.// //Maybe that was for the best.//<</if>> <<if $prison_era_gm is true>> //You tried for anything. Healing one of your scratches, or bruises. But nothing. You felt something try to reach out, to soothe your injured cells, but it was sluggish and tired. It was as if your new magic was smothering your old abilities, a new layer of granite setts to replace the stone cobblestones. There was nothing... Nothing left of your old abilities.// //Maybe that was for the best.//<</if>> <<if $prison_era_lm is true>> // You tried for anything. A little orb. Trick of the light. An illusion of... A jailbird. Nothing. There was some sort of weak twitch, a kind of fractured light seperating from the light beaming in from the cell windows. Then nothing. It was as if your new magic was smothering your old abilities, a new layer of granite setts to replace the stone cobblestones. There was nothing... Nothing left of your old abilities.// //Maybe that was for the best.//<</if>> <<if $prison_era_nm is true>> //You tried for anything. You focused on the mould growing along one of the walls, doing anything you could. Make it grow. Turn it black. Even kill it. Nothing. It throbbed... Then nothing. It was as if your new magic was smothering your old abilities, a new layer of granite setts to replace the stone cobblestones. There was nothing... Nothing left of your old abilities.// //Maybe that was for the best.//<</if>> <<if $previous_magic is false>> //You could feel something... You never felt before. A tingle in your palms. Was this what magic users usually felt? While in your cell, the dampers felt like an inconsequential net trying to keep you captured. But while you were a minnow before... You were a shark now.//<</if>> <</nobr>> //It took you a moment to tear yourself away from your thoughts. You were still in danger, no time to get distracted! You dropped down into a crouch, making sure to slowly move along the walkway, spying a couple of guards ahead, patrolling. Only a few stopped to chat with each other. But you also felt something else... As if the shadows were reaching out to help cloud you in them. It must be due to the magic you were freshly bequeathed with. This is what Demons must be used to. Feeling at home in the shadows and the dark... And right now... You were highly grateful for it.// [[Onwards|PO.Possession2]]

//You tried to push the other guard but you just flung yourself at him and landed against his chest with an undignified noise.// //"Damn, lad." The guard just chuckled, his own arms coming around your stolen body. "You're far gone. C'mon. To bed. I'll cover for you with Aguilar." An arm wrapped around your waist and helped you down the stairs with a soft laugh. Your saviour only got you to the landing, when there was a shout and a scuffle. Savour-Man stiffened and rested your body against a rail.// //"Stay here." His voice murmured low, intimate, before he darted back up the stairs towards the sound of the scuffle.// //"Demon! Demon! I saw them! Wearing the guard's skin! Kill them!" Shit.// //It would be better if you got away, fast. But apparently this body didn't do fast.// //Slipping out was as easy as slipping in. Like taking off your jacket after a long day. The guard you inhabited...Slumped against the rails with a hiccup. Well, now he really did look drunk. Seemed to have passed out too. You gave his back a gentle pat, but as you did, you felt... Something.// <<nobr>> <<if $previous_magic is true>> //You could feel a faint tingle in your palms, as the magic dampners of your cell stopped constricting your magic... But as you tried to flex your arcane abilities, they seem to sputter out.//<</if>> <<if $prison_era_em is true>> //You tried for anything. A spark of flame. A gasp of wind. Hell, condensation running down the concrete wall would be a sign. But nothing. It was as if your new magic was smothering your old abilities, a new layer of granite setts to replace the stone cobblestones. There was nothing... Nothing left of your old abilities.// //Maybe that was for the best.//<</if>> <<if $prison_era_gm is true>> //You tried for anything. Healing one of your scratches, or bruises. But nothing. You felt something try to reach out, to soothe your injured cells, but it was sluggish and tired. It was as if your new magic was smothering your old abilities, a new layer of granite setts to replace the stone cobblestones. There was nothing... Nothing left of your old abilities.// //Maybe that was for the best.//<</if>> <<if $prison_era_lm is true>> // You tried for anything. A little orb. Trick of the light. An illusion of... A jailbird. Nothing. There was some sort of weak twitch, a kind of fractured light seperating from the light beaming in from the cell windows. Then nothing. It was as if your new magic was smothering your old abilities, a new layer of granite setts to replace the stone cobblestones. There was nothing... Nothing left of your old abilities.// //Maybe that was for the best.//<</if>> <<if $prison_era_nm is true>> //You tried for anything. You focused on the mould growing along one of the walls, doing anything you could. Make it grow. Turn it black. Even kill it. Nothing. It throbbed... Then nothing. It was as if your new magic was smothering your old abilities, a new layer of granite setts to replace the stone cobblestones. There was nothing... Nothing left of your old abilities.// //Maybe that was for the best.//<</if>> <<if $previous_magic is false>> //You could feel something... You never felt before. A tingle in your palms. Was this what magic users usually felt? While in your cell, the dampers felt like an inconsequential net trying to keep you captured. But while you were a minnow before... You were a shark now.//<</if>> <</nobr>> //It took you a moment to tear yourself away from your thoughts. You were still in danger, no time to get distracted! You dropped down into a crouch, making sure to slowly move along the walkway, spying a couple of guards ahead, patrolling. Only a few stopped to chat with each other. But you also felt something else... As if the shadows were reaching out to help cloud you in them. It must be due to the magic you were freshly bequeathed with. This is what Demons must be used to. Feeling at home in the shadows and the dark... And right now... You were highly grateful for it.// [[Onwards|PO.Possession2]]

//You're still stuck on the landing though, and dark magic was still tingling against your palms. ''There's still room... for something else''. You subconsciously crick your neck as you gaze around the landing, from the stairs going further down, to the immediate drop to the floor below. The first floor, with the exit just below.// //What to do... What to do....// <ul><li>//You could feel... Something in your body. Tightening. Becoming leaner. Your reflexes being honed. But it's more than that. You feel it in your muscles. The ''[[agility|PO.Agility]]''... Of an apex.//</li></ul> <ul><li>//Something tingled along your fingers... Something in your eyes changed. As if something peeled back... Everyone is a moth... And you control the ''[[mesmerising|PO.Mesmerising]]''.//</li></ul> <ul><li>//Magic hummed under your skin. Your skin seemed to thinnen, your veins come to the surface. Something wants to sprout... A plant... No... Some sort of [[flower|PO.Naturism]], dark with demon blood, wanting to twist around your arm and turn its face towards the sun for the first time..//</li></ul>

//You felt your new power settling into your skin. A part of you now.// //You're still stuck on the landing though, and dark magic was still tingling against your palms. ''There's still room... for something else''. You subconsciously crick your neck as you gaze around the landing, from the stairs going further down, to the immediate drop to the floor below. The first floor, with the exit just below.// //What to do... What to do....// <ul><li>//You could feel... Something in your body. Tightening. Becoming leaner. Your reflexes being honed. But it's more than that. You feel it in your muscles. The ''[[agility|PO.Agility]]''... Of an apex.//</li></ul> <ul><li>//Something tingled along your fingers... Something in your eyes changed. As if something peeled back... Everyone is a moth... And you control the ''[[mesmerising|PO.Mesmerising]]''.//</li></ul> <ul><li>//Magic hummed under your skin. Your skin seemed to thinnen, your veins come to the surface. Something wants to sprout... A plant... No... Some sort of [[flower|PO.Naturism]], dark with demon blood, wanting to twist around your arm and turn its face towards the sun for the first time..//</li></ul>

<<set $agility_m to true>>//Something was different. Your body... Didn't look different. At all. But something was. You looked down at your hands. The same... But new. Stronger. As if someone had taken off training weights that you've been wearing all your life. There was a new found confidence in all your movements... // <<if $invisiblity_m is true>> //For instance, you knew for a fact if you jumped... You could easily clear the entire guard rail above you... And scare the shit out of the locked up guards. They would probably scream for help more, so let's avoid that.//<</if>> <<if $invisiblity_m is false>> //For instance, you knew for a fact if you jumped... You could easily clear the entire guard rail above you... And scare the shit out of the patrolling guards. They would just raise the alarm so probably not for the best.//<</if>> [[Onwards|PO.Agility01]]

<<set $mesmerise_m to true>> //You instinctually fluttered your fingers against your leg. Something bright flickered in front of you before dissipating again when you curled your fingers into a fist, extinguishing the light. It hadn't done anything to you, but you knew, in your gut, others wouldn't be able to look away. Perfect distraction.// <<if $p_lm is true>> //It... It was similar to your light magic. It was like welcoming home a friend... One that was different, but you couldn't put your finger on it.//<</if>> <<if $p_lm is false>> //You had heard that light magic was similar to this. But... light magic created illusions that might distract. This was magic that forced your eyes and attention. Draw your gaze without hope of withstanding.//<</if>> [[Onwards|PO.Mesmerising01]]

<<set $naturism_m to true>> //You breathed in slowly, as your veins looked more like vines, snaking underneath your skin, some sprouting and resting, looking like buds about to bloom. You felt... You felt more. The mould stains the walls. The lone flowers some prisoners had in their cells. The vines splintering across the outside of the prison walls and had grown in through the window of one of the empty cells near you, crawling down from the window.// <<if $p_nm is true>> //It was back. Your nature magic. But it was... Different. As if you barely had a budding seedling of magic before, it had now grown into a huge, haunting Willow tree, towering over you. It felt good.//<</if>> <<if $p_nm is false>> //You vaguely knew of nature magic before. You've seen people quietly whisper to plant pots, urging a seedling to slowly sprout. You saw green buds slowly emerge, as if shy, as the magic user smiled. This wasn't that. This was you planting a seed and a huge beanstalk shooting towards the sky, wild, out of your control. It felt powerful. It felt savage. It felt good.//<</if>> [[Onwards|PO.Naturism01]]

//You could hear some voices directly above you, in the next row of cells. Raised, almost drunk... Something about paying up.// //Right. They were probably playing cards again... Now how to get past.// //You vaguely remembered, from when you were first escorted in, that you were in the first section of the prison, where you could easily still slip out, without needing to worry about the horde of guards. // <<nobr>> <<if $wealth is "rich">> //Once the Warden smelt the wealth that came with your last name? They contacted your family, dangling a nicer stay for just a small deposit. They couldn't make the holding cells all nice, but they made do until you were going to be transferred deeper into the prison.// //You were put in the shabby holding cells as they sorted through your paperworks, wondering where to place you. Rich or poor, they all went in there. The only difference is who's got a nice cushion to sit on and a hardback book in their hands. You were surprised. You thought you'd become the black sheep of the family after being sent off, forgotten by the two people who raised you. But only after a few days in the holding cell, you were taken to your new one. Shown around as if trying to sell you a house. Bigger cell. Nicer mattress and pillows. Then they showed you the hobby area and library. It was insane what money got you. // //You were thankful for it, despite it all. Your grandparents would have done anything for you, even here.//<</if>> <<if $wealth is "poor">> //You were put in the shabby holding cells as they sorted through your paperworks, wondering where to place you. Rich or poor, they all went in there. The only difference is who's got a nice cushion to sit on and a hardback book in their hands. A few of the guards took pity on you, others mocked you. A lone lamb in prison, without any connections or support, at least from within the system. At least you had a few letters already sent to you, one of the few things you had. Some carried words of worry, about your well being, the others wished you well. They promised to write as much as they were allowed to.//<</if>><</nobr>> //You shook your head. No time to ruminate. // //You were in the luxury section. You could take the ladder up to the roof or... Keep going down, towards the exit... If you could avoid the guards, that is.// //But most of all, it depends on what you think you can do next...// <ul><li>//Your body tensed. The hair at the back of your neck stood up. Everything was louder, stronger, amplified... Your [[senses|PO.HyperSenses]] amplified...//</li></ul> <ul><li>//Your brain felt a spike of pain, blinding you. You were too aware of... Of one of the guards?... You felt as if something at the back of your head connecting to his... As if you were [[scrying|PO.SoulScry]].//</li></ul> <ul><li>//Whispers, whispers, whispers. Rats scurrying to and fro, squeaks turning into small whispers, crows singing outside about looking forward to pecking at the hanged men's eyes. [[Whispers|PO.Animalism]]...//</li></ul>

<<set $hs_m to true>> //The footsteps were louder, no longer distantly echoing. You could practically feel the ground gently shake from their own weight. You could... Well, horrifically, you could smell everything. It was like everything was strengthened, sharpened... Which also meant that you could hear two guards all the way down. From the low conversation from the card game...// //"Aguilar coming to the game?"// //"No, visiting his little bitch again, 331."// //"Wasn't it 450?... You don't think-"// //"Awh, that he's two timing? Fuuuuck, should we do the good thing and tell them?"// //Laughter was barked between them. Awful. You could also hear the conversation echoing all the way from down the stairs...// //"Alright, let me go take a piss and then we can toss the bodies out."A low, gruff voice sounded as if it was coming from right beside you.// //Well that... Sounded... Horrible. But maybe the best way out.// //You took a deep breath, and something disgusting hits your nose. Something starting to rot. Right.// <<nobr>> <<if $seirform is "dog">>//''"Only too right."'' Seir appeared at your feet, $Seirtheir tail wagging. ''"Always follow your nose."''//<</if>> <</nobr>> //You made your way, dropping down into a crouch, as you heard footsteps further from you. The echoing, dimly lit hallway made it a bit hard to hear. You ended up closing your eyes completely, just following the scent of the corpses.// //''"Watch it. Nearly brained yourself on a door."'' Seir piped up softly from below you, turning $Seirtheir glimmering eyes to you.// //You reopened your eyes, facing a thick, iron door. Already just a bit open. With the smell of rotting bodies inside.// [[Inside...|PO.HS1]]

<<set $ss_m to true>> //You were connected to someone... One of the guards? As if you were a shadow on their consciousness... // //Flickering thoughts, darting to and fro, from going to get more tobacco, to asking the warden to get better hours and for use of the solitude cell and- Oh good God, you were inside Aguilar.// //You mentally flinched, nearly losing your grip on him. Nothing for it.// //''-going to find that little shit patrolling the upper floor. If he doesn't stop sucking off his fuckin rent boy I'll knock out his teeth. Shit stain is also the one who tried to tattle to the Warden..''// //God. Aguilar truly was... Horrible.// //''Check that the room is ready for $them. Sure $they'll love it, little whore.''// //Your stomach tightened.// <<if $vanilla is false>> //''Double check the locks and leave the key in the bunk room, just so $they can't try and lift it off me. Hard for $them to even try, with my cock plugging $their throat. Fuck. Gonna get hard in a moment if I don't stop thinking about $their mouth. Should see how nice $they would play with the other little pet, make them take turns with my cock maybe.// <<else>> //''Double check the locks and leave the key in the bunk room, just so $they can't try and lift it off me. Little shit. The other one tried to do that . Had to explain why they were walking around with that neck bruise to the Warden."//<</if>> [[...The key!|PO.SS1]]

<<set $animalism_m to true>> //''scitter scitter its time to steal all the way down down down get breads and vegetables and sip sip sip cold water drop drop drop from the top top top''// //You rubbed your head, suddenly swept up in the chatter. You had to focus!// //''take take take scrape scrape eyes free free''// //''no pat? no hand? scritch scritch scritch behind ear? no meat from plate? please? no no no no not in the courtyard has a hole and it scares me its black out there''- Oh... That might be something.// //You slipped down the stairs. You vaguely remembered there was a courtyard you'd pass when you were all escorted down to eat. It required a bit more wandering about, keeping out of sight than you would have liked to admit.// //''no no no it's cold out here and want a ham...''// //Right. You made sure to slip into the kitchens to grab a piece of meat. Even though Seir started to eye it eagerly.// [[To the Courtyard|PO.A1]]

<<set $FHorigin to true>> <img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/16394bd7da8288d056529e54ee425e57/6fff071ba4b2f240-19/s1280x1920/2c3b029707fe944664d1af78097c6775b5f8eb3b.pnj" class="centre" width="50%" height="50%"> //You had a lovely garden. You walked through it, keeping the jacket you had yanked from the hook wrapped tightly around yourself as you slowly but surely making your way around. You refused to look at the house- Your house, as strangers ambled through it.// //You attempted to focus on the budding lavender, fighting back the urge to start ripping at the flora, kicking at the shrubs, screaming until the sky opened up and screamed with you. This was your life! The life you had earned for yourself! A home, a proper one, a spouse, with... With so much more potential on the horizon. Just for what?// //For ''what''?// //For... It to be all for nothing. Nothing! Your rage built. Fuck your fucking garden.// //You turned on your heel, striding back through the beautiful sights, back to your backdoor, shoving it open with a earth shaking bang. You hoped someone pissed themselves and god help them if it was on your carpets. Only when you got to the foyeur of your home did you start yelling.// //"Out! Everyone out! Get out of my home!"// <ul><li>[[The people that filed past tipped their hats at you. Many looked sorry for you. The poor foundling that got out of poverty, only for collectors to come for their spouse's debts... Bastards.|FH.Poor]]</li> <li>[[Your spouse's family. Trickling past, some offering apologetic looks, others anxious ones. All in black, as if your spouse had died. Instead of just deserting you, the family and the country. Your life... Now in the hands of someone else.|FH.Rich]]</li> </ul>

//You steeled yourself, glancing around for anyone who could be coming around the corner, before slowly climbing over the bannister, the drop several stories down... Looking like a shorter drop down now. It wasn't as dizzying as it was just a few seconds ago. It felt ... Like nothing now.// //You were also certain that you got over that railing far easier than you should have, given that it reached just under your chest.// //You balanced on the thin edge perfectly, similar to how cats would stalk the rooftops by your own home. You took a breath. // //And dropped down.// //You plummeted down several floors. Your prisoner's clothes whipping around your body as you felt the wind blow past your face. Then you landed on the balls of your feet, not even stumbling. You didn't even make a noise.// <<if $seirform is "cat">>//''"Couldn't have done it better myself."'' Seir murmured, a sudden weight slinking along your shoulders. A soft, pink nose appeared out of the side of your vision. Your new black cat- Familiar- regarded you proudly.//<</if>> [[Onwards|PO.5]]

//You made your way down the stairs, trying to keep your breathing level. It would be okay if you ran into anyone, you kept telling yourself, even as your palms were sweating heavily.// //You had just gotten another floor down, when you heard heavy bootsteps marching towards you. You froze up. Shit.// [[You easily ready yourself. Clench your fists.|PO.Mesmerising02]] [[Shit. Fuck. You just panicked and threw your hands up desperately.|PO.Mesmerising03]]

//You glanced down the echoing stairwell. There were... Something down there. A seedling. Something alive, ready to sprout.// //You slowly extended your hand out, over the bannister, palm down. You felt something throb in your palm. And you curled your fingers slowly. Something was twisting down below. Budding. Sprouting. Growing.// //You watched as something slowly emerged from the darkness, twisting and branching and thickening. Vines. Growing all the way up. Black, with strange looking red veins throbbing just under the bark.// <<nobr>> <<if $p_nm is true>>//It reminded your of your old magic, but these were... Stronger. Darker. Better.<</if>> <</nobr>> //Some of the tendrils slipped through the bars, providing convenient footholds to help you climb over, The vines wrapped around your wrists, holding all of your weight. You were soon floating there, supported by pitch black, sinewy vine. You were practically being cradled!// //You uncurled your fingers. The growth lowered, bringing you all the way back down, the vines seeping back under a crack in the cobblestone you must have summoned it out of. Soon enough your feet were on the ground as the crawlers slipped back down, one tiny one gently squeezing your ankle as before it disappeared under the stones.// [[Onwards|PO.5]]

//The guard just rounded the corner, and froze at the sight of you. He stared for a moment, reaching for his pistol.// //You felt something scuttling down your arms, along your forearms, like something as moving through your veins. And burst from your fingers.// //You couldn't fully see it, but something glinted, fracturing the air, like broken mirror shards...// <<if $seirform is "snake">>//Or like glittering scales... Mesmerising the poor guard, now standing stock still with his mouth open.//<<else>>//It mesmerised the poor guard, now standing stock still with his mouth open.//<</if>> //You let out a long breath, heart hammering, despite your confidence. Stepping around his hypnotised frame, you made your way down the rest of the stairs, until you reached the bottom.// [[Onwards|PO.5]]

//The guard just rounded the corner, and giving a shout of alarm as you almost did the same, panicked.// //You felt something rush down your arms, along your forearms, like something as moving through your veins. And burst from your open hands.// //You couldn't fully see it, but something glinted, fracturing the air, like broken mirror shards...// <<if $seirform is "snake">>//Or like glittering scales... Mesmerising the poor guard, now standing stock still with his mouth open.//<<else>>//It mesmerised the poor guard, now standing stock still with his mouth open.//<</if>> //You let out a long breath, heart hammering, despite your confidence. Stepping around his hypnotised frame, you made your way down, the rest of the stairs, until you reached the bottom.// [[Onwards|PO.5]]

//It was disgusting. Two carts of bodies, still in their prisoner uniforms. A double door leading out to... The outside. Probably going to be dumped in a pit or... With your luck, into the ocean crashing against the cliffs where the prison stood.// <<if $seirform is "snake">>//Seir slithers from between your legs, curiously making $Seirtheir way into the back cart. $cSeirthey seem to be making $Seirthemselves comfortable in the heap. Then poked their little face out. Beady, soft silver eyes with jet black scales, glinting in the low light. ''"Remind me of home actually."'' <<elseif $seirform is "crow">>//Seir flutters from behind you, landing on the edge of one of the carts, pecking $Seirtheir beak against one of the dead cellmate's feet. Then turned to look at you, cocking $Seirtheir head.//<<else>>//Seir pads from between your legs, curiously sniffing at the cart before hopping into it. $cSeirthey seem to be making $Seirthemselves comfortable in the heap. Then poked $Seirtheir face out. Soft black fur, big silver eyes. ''"Reminds me of home actually."''<</if>> //You opened your mouth to reply but footsteps started to echo down the hallway again. With a huff, you clambered into the cart of bodies, feeling Seir wriggles underneath your body, resting $Seirtheir little... Little warm body against your stomach.// [["Oy, oy, time to shove these off."|PO.Cart]]

//The carts started to move, accompanied by the huffing and grunting from two guards puffing as they pushed. You felt nauseous, face down in corpses, with Seir pressed against your stomach, nosing at you as if to keep you calm.// //Before too long the cold air reached you, nearly making you shiver. The carts rattled almost violently, the sounds of swearing accompanying the metallic clanging.// //"Alright boys? Getting the stiffs out?"// //"Fuck off. Open the gate, so we can get back inside and get a drink."// //The sound of chuckles echoed around you. The rattling continued before a loud clang and a few laughs.// //"Look at them go, eh? Pretty sure that one shat themself."// //Another round of laughter and your cart trundled forward a bit more. A clang. Then- Shit!// //Gravity shifted and the cart jutted roughly to an angle. You, and the rest of the bodies toppled out. Your body hit the dirt and tumbled down, fighting back sounds of pain as the heap of other cadavers tumbled over, into you. You kept rolling, Seir making a soft sound of distress as you both went down. More and more, until you hit the bottom, among all the others.// //You gasped out in pain, at the bottom of the body ditch.// //Seir made $Seirtheir way up from underneath you, looking somewhat ruffled.// //"Come, quick!" $cSeirthey started to make $Seirtheir way up from the ditch, almost invisible in the low light. You crawled after $Seirthem slowly, dirt wedging underneath your nails, huffing softly. You just made it to the top, the low lights of the prison gate behind you. God. Just to try and sneak away and you'll be free-// [[Halt!|PO.AguilarRunIn]]

<<set $charcodex to true>>[ <b>[[Character Codex]] unlocked</b> ] ... Funny how you first met Seir in prison, and now pined for $Seirthem, sitting in jail. Just waiting... Waiting for the morning... [[Sweet Dreams.|PrologueEpi]]

//You felt him start to walk. After a moment, you shut your eyes tight, the throbbing in your head getting worse, except...// //Your eyes were open. The hallway was different.// <<if $height is "tall" or $height is "very tall">>//You were somewhat the same height but the gait was different. Stiff. In... In more ways than one. You were seeing outside... FromAguilar's eyes. Walking in his shoes. Watching him go from a back seat.//<<elseif $height is "average">> //He was just a bit taller than you. His gait was different.... Stiff. In... In more ways than one. You were seeing outside... From Aguilar's eyes. Walking in his shoes. Watching him go from a back seat.//<<elseif $height is "short" or $height is "very short">>//You were suddenly towering far above your usual height. Your gait was different...Stiff. In... In more ways than one. You were seeing outside... From Aguilar's eyes. Walking in his shoes. Watching him go from a back seat.//<</if>> //He was heading away from the staircase you knew you were still on. Deeper. Into some sort of bunkroom. Key hanging on the third hook from the door. Coming back- Shit! Coming back!// <<nobr>> <<if $teleport_m is true>> [[Time to slink away!|PO.SST]] <</if>> <<if $invisibility_m is true>> [[Time to fade away!|PO.SSI]] <</if>> <<if $possession_m is true>> [[Might as well slip back in... Just in a different way!|PO.SSP]] <</if>> <</nobr>>

//You concentrated, focusing on trying to $teleport behind Aguilar as he made his way back up, going down two levels as he stomped.// //You breathed out slowly. Close. Too close. Now just to steal away to the bunkroom and slip out...// //You made your way down, slipping into the bunkroom. Lifting it off the hook. Slipping back. God, the more you were forced to use your new found powers, the more it tired you out, just to get from one end of the prison to the other. Slipping from the main prison block to a courtyard, stealing your away across. Just getting to the outerwall was a hassle and a half. // //You had just gotten to the door when you heard an alarm sound, the clanging of bells echoing out across several of the walkways and buildings. The footsteps of guards, rushing back towards the main block of the prison.// //You fumbled with the key and unlocked it, breathing heavy as shouting began.// //Click!// //The door unlocked and you started to push-// [[Halt!|PO.AguilarRunIn]]

//You concentrated, focusing on trying to slipping behind Aguilar, fully $invisible as he made his way back up.// //You breathed out slowly. Close. Too close. Now just to steal away to the bunkroom and slip out...// //You made your way down, slipping into the bunkroom. Lifting it off the hook. Slipping back. God, the more you were forced to use your new found powers, the more it tired you out, just to get from one end of the prison to the other. Slipping from the main prison block to a courtyard, stealing your away across. Just getting to the outerwall was a hassle and a half. // //You had just gotten to the door when you heard an alarm sound, the clanging of bells echoing out across several of the walkways and buildings. The footsteps of guards, rushing back towards the main block of the prison.// //You fumbled with the key and unlocked it, breathing heavy as shouting began.// //Click!// //The door unlocked and you started to push-// [[Halt!|PO.AguilarRunIn]]

//You concentrated, focusing on trying to slipping back into Aguilar, making sure he's fully possessed. God. Just like when you were scrying earlier. But taking control.// //You moved his stiff legs, trying to ignore the feeling of his...// <<if $vanilla is false>>//... Why the fuck was his dick so big. And straining. Stop it. Go ''down''.//<<else>>//God. Ignore the thing.//<</if>> //Dragging his feet forward, with his heavy boots, you got to the bunk room. You started feeling even more sluggish. Shit. You yank yourself from his body, like fighting your way out of some mud. Aguilar landed on his knees as you clambered out, before falling face down.// //Taking the key from the hook, you slipped away, breathing heavy. God, the more you were forced to use your new found powers, the more it tired you out, just to get from one end of the prison to the other. Slipping from the main prison block to a courtyard, stealing your away across. Just getting to the outerwall was a hassle and a half. // //You had just gotten to the door when you heard an alarm sound, the clanging of bells echoing out across several of the walkways and buildings. The footsteps of guards, rushing back towards the main block of the prison.// //You fumbled with the key and unlocked it, breathing heavy as shouting began.// //Click!// //The door unlocked and you started to push-// [[Halt!|PO.AguilarRunIn]]

//''lonely lonely lonely its cold and cold and- oooh someone has ham!''// //You slipped through the side door, letting the fresh night air blow against your face. Just ahead... A toffee brown mutt, lying, staring at a noticeable hole in the courtyard wall. At the sound of the door opening, she perks up, ears flicking forwards and looked over.// //''who who oh nasty prisoner gonna protect master and attack and bite and then take prisoner ham''// //The dog stood, ears pinned back now, growling loud enough to alert, with it's teeth bared.// //You... Fuck... You tried to hold out the ham as an offering.// //"Cmon, take it. Take it, ''puppy. Have some ham.''" Something happened to your voice, growing... Growing... Silent. But words still coming forth. // //''puppy? ham? ham for puppy? am puppy! nice voice nice prisoner nice prisoner talk to puppy!''// //You stared as the dog perked up and trotted over, sniffing at your fingers before licking at the piece of pink meat, gulping it down. Probably didn't even chew it. Leaving the attack dog to its happy chewing, and headed, with Seir in tow, to the hole in the courtyard wall.// //Just a squeeze through-// [[Halt!|PO.AguilarRunIn]]

<<audio "prisonorigin" stop>>//You made your way along, chest feeling sore from the exertion. All you had left was a slow limp towards the road. It was a steep hill, and by the end your knees felt weak, just from the anticipation of falling down at any second. Your feet hit the gravel.// //...Freedom...// [[You breathed in...|PO.End]]

//"''You should be resting those pretty eyes..."'' The low voice whispers, something cold touching your earlobe for a moment.// //You keep your eyes shut. Just a soft noise from deep in your throat slips forth.// //''"Hush, little thing. I can hear your heart fluttering like a trapped little... Jailbird."'' The voice continued. You felt something stroke along your cheek. ''"It's scary... Is it not? Trapped in brick and steel. Hungry eyes wandering. It doesn't take a genius to see... No matter your crime, I already know... You won't make it out of this..."''// //You slowly open your eyes. Nothing. You blink a few times, and sit up but freeze before being all the way up. Eyes. Silver, full like the moon, staring straight at you, hair breadth away from you.// [["Who.. Who are you?"|PO.31]] [["Wh-What do you want?"|PO.32]] [[Stay Silent.|PO.33]] [["Get away from me!"|PO.34]]

<<nobr>> <<set $wealth to "rich">> <<set $truesurname to "Fox-Vincent">> <<set $history to true>> <<set $backstory to "escaped from the altar of an arranged marriage">> <<if $preference is "male">> <<set $ASgender to "male">> <</if>> <<if $preference is "female">> <<set $ASgender to "female">> <</if>> <<if $preference is "bi" or $preference is "custom">> <<set $ASgender to either ("male", "female")>> <</if>> <<if $ASgender is "female">> <<set $ASthey to "she">> <<set $cASthey to "She">> <<set $AStheir to "her">> <<set $cAStheir to "Her">> <<set $AStheirs to "hers">> <<set $cAStheirs to "Hers">> <<set $ASthem to "her">> <<set $cASthem to "Her">> <<set $ASthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cASthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $AStitle to "Marchioness">> <<set $ASname to "Alberta">> <</if>> <<if $ASgender is "male">> <<set $ASthey to "he">> <<set $cASthey to "He">> <<set $AStheir to "his">> <<set $cAStheir to "His">> <<set $AStheirs to "his">> <<set $cAStheirs to "His">> <<set $ASthem to "him">> <<set $cASthem to "Him">> <<set $ASthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cASthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $AStitle to "Marquess">> <<set $ASname to "Albinus">> <</if>> <</nobr>> //... You thought it was some sort of attempt from Amos to make you feel better about your upcoming nuptials.// <<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">>//Your outfit felt too small for you. It was fitted perfectly but you still struggled to take full, deep breaths.//<</if>><<if $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">>//Your suit felt too small for you. It had been fitted perfectly but you still struggled to take full, deep breaths.<</if>><<if $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">>//Your dress felt too small for you. It had been fitted and measured out perfectly, but you still struggled to take full, deep breaths.//<</if>> //You tried to not bite your lip, pressing your hand against your stomach in an attempt to stop the panic rising from within. Not to mention the bitterness. Over a decade of silence from ''him'', from your real, blood father. Then, on the morning your father... Your guardian, your Amos had promised to take you out riding, when a letter arrived,...// [[Knock knock.|AM.FamilyArrival_Rich]]

<<nobr>> <<set $wealth to "poor">> <<set $truesurname to "Sharpe">> <<set $history to true>> <<set $backstory to "escaped from the altar of an arranged marriage">> <<if $preference is "male">> <<set $MWgender to "male">> <</if>> <<if $preference is "female">> <<set $MWgender to "female">> <</if>> <<if $preference is "bi" or $preference is "custom">> <<set $MWgender to either ("male", "female")>> <</if>> <<if $MWgender is "female">> <<set $MWthey to "she">> <<set $cMWthey to "She">> <<set $MWtheir to "her">> <<set $cMWtheir to "Her">> <<set $MWtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cMWtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $MWthem to "her">> <<set $cMWthem to "Her">> <<set $MWthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cMWthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $MWtitle to "Lady">> <<set $MWname to "Maude">> <</if>> <<if $MWgender is "male">> <<set $MWthey to "he">> <<set $cMWthey to "He">> <<set $MWtheir to "his">> <<set $cMWtheir to "His">> <<set $MWtheirs to "his">> <<set $cMWtheirs to "His">> <<set $MWthem to "him">> <<set $cMWthem to "Him">> <<set $MWthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cMWthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $MWtitle to "Lord">> <<set $MWname to "Meshach">> <</if>> <</nobr>> //You were feeling more and more sick about the upcoming nuptials, pressing your hand against your stomach queasily.// <<if $raisedgender is "Neither" or $agab is "Intersex">>//Your outfit felt too small for you. It was fitted perfectly but you still struggled to take full, deep breaths.//<</if>><<if $gender is "Man" or $raisedgender is "Man" or $agab is "Man">>//Your suit felt too small for you. It had been fitted perfectly but you still struggled to take full, deep breaths.<</if>><<if $gender is "Woman" or $raisedgender is "Woman" or $agab is "Woman">>//Your dress felt too small for you. <<if $agab is "Intersex">>//Your outfit felt too small for you. Measured, cut and fitted perfectly to... Make you look as appealing as possible. <</if>>Yet you still struggled to take full, deep breaths.//<</if>><<if $transgender is true>>//Your aunt and uncle had refused to let you be comfortable. It fit, but it wasn't for you.<</if>>// //You were... Nothing more than a glorified attempt to buy back your family's former wealth, the wealth that died with your father.// [[Knock knock.|AM.FamilyArrival_Poor]]

//Your uncle steps in, his $naturalhaircolour beard barely hiding his frown. Looking at him still makes something deep inside your chest twinge, looking a bit too much like your father.// //"All ready?" He murmurs, scratching his chin and refusing to meet your eyes, instead focusing on the curtains. "Don't want to keep $MWtitle Worsley waiting." // //You took a moment just to look at your uncle, in his finest which was already three seasons out of fashion. You hadn't been particularly close to your extended family, even before your father's passing. They lived off what your father had made quite happily, and even after his death... Your mourning was too dark and deep to even notice when your home was slowly emptied of the silver, that your clothes slowly disappeared, when your governess was let go... Now, with nothing else of your father's fortune, they decided that you might as well be sold off like glorified chattel.// //The weather seemed to match your mood, clouds slowly rolling over the sky.// //"We'll come visit once you've settled." Your uncle continued, his fingers refusing to stop fiddling with his coarse beard. "You shall be very happy. We're lucky there's still good people around who remember my brother."// //You felt the overwhelming urge to snap at him that he had been your father first and foremost, and your uncle came second. You might have as well, if the door hadn't open again, and your aunt stepped in.// //"Already here? Good, good. $MWname is all ready. We're just waiting for the Vicar to return and then we can commence. Do you know his foundling, the one married a while back? They've been giving him such trouble-"// //You really couldn't care less. There was a rumble from the clouded sky, and your breath quickened at the sound. You wondered if a hurricane swept through, would the ceremony be cancelled?// //"Hear that? His foundling also did very well for themselves!" Your aunt spoke louder, as if you were deaf instead of just ignoring her.// [["Yes, Aunt." You decide to simply keep the peace.|AM.PeacePoor]] [["Were they sold off as well?" At least go out biting.|AM.AntagonisticPoor]]

//Your father- Your guardian, Amos steps in, running his fingers through his hair with a sigh.// //"I'll tell you something, your father couldn't pick an interesting marriage prospect if his life depended on it."// //He sighed through his nose.// <<if $skincolour is "russet brown" and $eyecolour is "grey" and $naturalhaircolour is "ebony black">> //At times like these, it was cruel that you weren't his actual blood kin. From your hair, skin, your eyes, you looked so much like him. You had asked him before, so many times, if he was your true father, wanting so badly to be his bastard, not caring if it was out of wedlock. Each time he gently let you down, with a soft laugh and a kiss to your head.//<<elseif $skincolour is "russet brown" and $eyecolour is "grey">>//At times like these, it's was cruel that you weren't related to Amos. Your eyes were the same, your skin was the same, and yet you shared no blood. You wondered if he was an uncle, or some sort, but he always gently let you down, before holding you close, on his lap.//<<elseif $skincolour is "russet brown" and $naturalhaircolour is "ebony black">>//At times like these, it's was cruel that you weren't related to Amos. Your hair were the same, your skin was the same, and yet you shared no blood. You wondered if he was an uncle, or some sort, but he always gently let you down, before holding you close, on his lap.//<<elseif $eyecolour is "grey" and $naturalhaircolour is "ebony black">>//At times like these, it's was cruel that you weren't related to Amos. Your hair were the same, your eyes was the same, and yet you shared no blood. You wondered if he was an uncle, or some sort, but he always gently let you down, before holding you close, on his lap.//<<elseif $skincolour is "russet brown">>//There was a fleeting resemblance between you and Amos, and that's what made life so cruel at times. Your skin matched his and you latched onto that hope that it was a blood connection. It wasn't true of course, but today of all days... You wished it was.//<<elseif $eyecolour is "grey">>//There was a fleeting resemblance between you and Amos, and that's what made life so cruel at times. Your eyes matched his and you latched onto that hope that it was a blood connection. It wasn't true of course, but today of all days... You wished it was.//<<elseif $naturalhaircolour is "ebony black">>//There was a fleeting resemblance between you and Amos, and that's what made life so cruel at times. Your hair matched his and you latched onto that hope that it was a blood connection. It wasn't true of course, but today of all days... You wished it was.//<<else>>//It was cruel... The way you felt so close to him yet he wasn't your father. You didn't even get to look like Amos...//<</if>> //Amos straightened his waistcoat and came closer, giving you a tired, well meaning smile.// //"How... How are you feeling?" He gently cups your elbow. "You look very <<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">>sophisticated.<<elseif $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">>handsome.<<elseif $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">>beautiful.<</if>>"// [["I'm... I'm alright." You had to stay strong in front of him.|AM.PeaceRich]] [["Wretched. I hate this." You don't want to hide anything from him. Ever.|AM.AntagonisticRich]]

//"Hm. Glad to see my brother-in-law taught you some manners before his departure." She plucks at her sleeves.// //Your heart twinged. Any mention of your father had that effect. He had been...// //The best. Your mother left when you were young so it had just been you and him. His family didn't want to help him, urging to give you up and remarry and start a proper family, but he refused. His <<if $heterochromia is true>>$Leyecolour<<else>>$eyecolour<</if>> eyes would glint every time he got a letter from his parents, but he would easily school his expression into a smile at you, happily feeding the paper to the flames and bringing you to sit in his lap, humming softly. He loved to sing. You could hear him now...// //''All in the downs the fleet was moor’d, The streamers waving in the wind,''// //He had his favourite one, always sung under his breath as he made food. As he fussed with your hair when it got too long for him to know what to do with it, unable to decide if to cut it or tie it back. When he left you in the care of your elderly neighbour, Missus Barrow, to go overseas. It was just her and her daughter who worked as a governess so she fussed over you, so happy to have another child in the house. It was the song you heard first being sung from outside her windows, as your father made his way up the path, his bag tossed over his shoulder.// //''When black-eyed Susan came on board, Saying “Where shall I my true-love find?''// //You got to move out of the tiny hovel you rented and into an actual house. Your father was so proud, going from a simple deckhand all the way up to first mate. He was gone for months at a time, but it just made the time together all the more sweet. Wanting to come with you to get you new clothes. Getting to check your schoolwork himself. Eating together. Whenever you got ill, he'd sit with you, hand gently against your forehead.// //''Tell me you jovial sailors, tell me true, Does my sweet Willy, does my sweet Willy sail among your crew?''// //When you got older, he attracted many women, and he was encouraged to marry again, you deserved a mother. He hated the thought of someone else taking over the house, perhaps hurting you while he was away and refused to do so. He told grim stories to Missus Barrow, about step parents and misery and death and only half the time did she hit him with a towel, telling him off for telling such tall tales.// //He loved stories.// //''The boatswain gave the dreadful word, The sails their swelling bosom spread,''// //You sometimes could catch a whiff of his scent. Of the salt water that had been soaked into his skin. The soap he scrubbed his hands and face with. The faint smell of oranges that he kept on him and ate after each meal, big hands slowly peeling the skin and sharing half with you.// //''No longer could she stay on board, He turned, she sighed, and hung her head.''// //Then, half a year ago... He was off again.// [[You had grown used to him leaving, but it was still sad seeing him go. You spent the morning with him|AM.PoorGoodbye]] [[It always hurt too much. Either because it was too sad, or you were too angry, you stayed up in your room when he left.|AM.Poor.NoGoodbye]]

//Your aunt's face turns red and scrunched up. She marches towards you, raising her hand only for your uncle to grab her wrist.// //"Winnie, stop!" Your uncle yanked her back. "Leave $them be."// //"You spoil $them!" She snapped right back, yanking her wrist away. "Always coddling! Blaming $their behaviour on $their father's passing, as if that man didn't teach $them manners!"// //Your uncle's face tightened, just as your heart did. Any mention of your father had that effect. He had been...// //The best. Your mother left when you were young so it had just been you and him. His family didn't want to help him, urging to give you up and remarry and start a proper family, but he refused. His $eyecolour eyes would glint every time he got a letter from his parents, but he would easily school his expression into a smile at you, happily feeding the paper to the flames and bringing you to sit in his lap, humming softly. He loved to sing. You could hear him now...// //''All in the downs the fleet was moor’d, The streamers waving in the wind,''// //He had his favourite one, always sung under his breath as he made food. As he fussed with your hair when it got too long for him to know what to do with it, unable to decide if to cut it or tie it back. When he left you in the care of your elderly neighbour, Missus Barrow, to go overseas. It was just her and her daughter who worked as a governess so she fussed over you, so happy to have another child in the house. It was the song you heard first being sung from outside her windows, as your father made his way up the path, his bag tossed over his shoulder.// //''When black-eyed Susan came on board, Saying “Where shall I my true-love find?''// //You got to move out of the tiny hovel you rented and into an actual house. Your father was so proud, going from a simple deckhand all the way up to first mate. He was gone for months at the most, but it just made the time together all the more sweet. Wanting to come with you to get you new clothes. Getting to check your schoolwork himself. Eating together. Whenever you got ill, he'd sit with you, hand gently against your forehead.// //''Tell me you jovial sailors, tell me true, Does my sweet Willy, does my sweet Willy sail among your crew?''// //When you got older, he attracted many women, and he was encouraged to marry again, you deserved a mother. He hated the thought of someone else taking over the house, perhaps hurting you while he was away and refused to do so. He told grim stories to Missus Barrow, about step parents and misery and death and only half the time did she hit him with a towel, telling him off for telling such tall tales.// //He loved stories.// //''The boatswain gave the dreadful word, The sails their swelling bosom spread,''// //You sometimes could catch a whiff of his scent. Of the salt water that had been soaked into his skin. The soap he scrubbed his hands and face with. The faint smell of oranges that he kept on him and ate after each meal, big hands slowly peeling the skin and sharing half with you.// //''No longer could she stay on board, He turned, she sighed, and hung her head.''// //Then, half a year ago... He was off again.// [[You had grown used to him leaving, but it was still sad seeing him go. You spent the morning with him|AM.PoorGoodbye]] [[It always hurt too much. Either because it was too sad, or you were too angry, you stayed up in your room when he left.|AM.Poor.NoGoodbye]]

//Amos gives you a once over, and squeezes your elbow.// //"You look wonderful, $name." He murmurs, looking just as much of a striking sight in his own finest garb.// //A part of you wanted to disappear into a fantasy that this ''was'' your wedding day. Not your father's wedding that he set up. No, one that you wanted, and was going to marry someone you had chosen. That Amos was here, wishing you all the happiness before he went to the chapel to await you. //<<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">>//He would have been so excited to debate with you if he should walk you down or be waiting at the end with you, whatever you had decided with your fiancé. You knew he'd have loved any role you'd have given him at the wedding.//<</if>><<if $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">>//He'd have happily stood with you at the altar, probably fussing over your suit, rebuttoning your waistcoat like you were just a young boy again. Probably would have given an embarrassing speech and wished you and your fiancé all the best.//<</if>><<if $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">>//He'd have walked you down the aisle, flushed with pride, head held up high, and kissed your forehead at the altar, fighting back gentlemanly tears. Then would have taken your fiancé aside and made sure they knew that they'd enjoy life far more if they treated you right, as he'd make sure to make them miserable otherwise//<</if>> //That's just how Amos was. You were his child, even without his blood in your veins. You never met your father, as far as you can remember. And as for your mother, you remember sitting on a bed, head resting on a soft, bare stomach. The low, lilting lullaby soothing you to sleep, slowly becoming more and more strained. An elderly woman coming in, on the verge of tears, and whispering to you softly. That you had to come now, let your mother rest, so she can get better again. You couldn't be near her too long, if you didn't want to get sick yourself. Being carried away, your mother raising a hand to wave you goodbye. Then being put in a carriage. Sitting for hours on end, passing towns and villages, the woman making sure you ate a meal when night had descended. More hours, just sitting, with your companion holding a handkerchief to her face. The carriage slowly stopping. Then...// //Then the door opened. And Amos was there. The stuffy dark inside of the carriage flooding with light. He immediately helped you out, in front of what would become your home for many years. You ignored the conversation between him and the woman, staring up at the grand mansion, having lived thus far in a lavish apartment.// //Then he crouched down in front of you and offered his large hand.// //"Hello, $name." His smile showed no teeth, and his eyes were soft. "I'm going to be the one looking after you from now on."// [[You warmed to him instantly. You couldn't help it.|AM.Rich.Close]] [[You struggled to warm to him at first. You had gotten closer over the years, though.|AM.Rich.Distant]]

//Amos' smile slips, taken over by a worried grimace.// //"I know it's not... Not what you would have wanted..." He murmured, seeming stricken. "And... And your father is a bastard for doing this. But it won't be too bad. $AStitle Selkirk is known for $ALtheir even temper."// //He gave you a slightly helpless look. One you only saw whenever you asked after your father when you were younger.// //"Maybe you might even grow attatched. Maybe even grow to love. But if not, you could live apart, in one of $AStheir estates..."// //So like him. Searching for the best in a terrible situation. You knew that he'd have loved for you to be happy, to be marrying someone you chose. A part of you wanted it too. You wanted him to be here to wish you all the happiness before he went to the chapel to await you. //<<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">>//He would have been so excited to debate with you if he should walk you down or be waiting at the end with you, whatever you had decided with your fiancé. You knew he'd have loved any role you'd have given him at the wedding.//<</if>><<if $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">>//He'd have happily stood with you at the altar, probably fussing over your suit, rebuttoning your waistcoat like you were just a young boy again. Probably would have given an embarrassing speech and wished you and your fiancé all the best.//<</if>><<if $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">>//He'd have walked you down the aisle, flushed with pride, head held up high, and kissed your forehead at the altar, fighting back gentlemanly tears. Then would have taken your fiancé aside and made sure they knew that they'd enjoy life far more if they treated you right, as he'd make sure to make them miserable otherwise//<</if>> //That's just how Amos was. You were his child, even without his blood in your veins. You never met your father, as far as you can remember. And as for your mother, you remember sitting on a bed, head resting on a soft, bare stomach. The low, lilting lullaby soothing you to sleep, slowly becoming more and more strained. An elderly woman coming in, on the verge of tears, and whispering to you softly. That you had to come now, let your mother rest, so she can get better again. You couldn't be near her too long, if you didn't want to get sick yourself. Being carried away, your mother raising a hand to wave you goodbye. Then being put in a carriage. Sitting for hours on end, passing towns and villages, the woman making sure you ate a meal when night had descended. More hours, just sitting, with your companion holding a handkerchief to her face. The carriage slowly stopping. Then...// //Then the door opened. And Amos was there. The stuffy dark inside of the carriage flooding with light. He immediately helped you out, in front of what would become your home for many years. You ignored the conversation between him and the woman, staring up at the grand mansion, having lived thus far in a lavish apartment.// //Then he crouched down in front of you and offered his large hand.// //"Hello, $name." His smile showed no teeth, and his eyes were soft. "I'm going to be the one looking after you from now on."// [[You warmed to him instantly. You couldn't help it.|AM.Rich.Close]] [[You struggled to warm to him at first. You had gotten closer over the years, though.|AM.Rich.Distant]]

Your bedroom

You finally arrive back home, Seir quickly making $Seirtheir way ahead,<<if $seirform is "fox" or $seirform is "dog">> padding along to the shimmering pond, to sniff at the ducks gently bobbing along in the water.<<elseif $seirform is "cat">> padding up to the door and hopping up to a window sill, taking a moment to sniff at $Seirtheir black paw before cleaning it.<<elseif $seirform is "snake">> slithering along the gravel pathway to your door, before wrapping $Seirtheir body around one of the supports for the roof, flicking $Seirtheir black tongue at you.<<elseif $seirform is "crow">> fluttering over to the roof, taking a moment to peck at some loose moss before giving you a satisfied chirp chirp.<<elseif $seirform is "hare">> hopping over to the steps up to the door, taking a sniff at the flowers, $Seirtheir one crooked ear flopping with each movement.<</if>>

<b>The Rot of Witchwood</b> by RottenInk <<if $intro0 is true>> <<date "[M] [d][day_ordinal], [season]">> <<date "[day_part]">> <</if>> <<if $relationships is true>> <<link "Relationships" "Relationships">><<script>>var viewportWidth = window.innerWidth || document.documentElement.clientWidth; if (viewportWidth < 1000) {$("#sidebar").toggleClass("toggled");}<</script>><</link>><</if>> <<if $journal is true>><<link "Witch's Journal" "Witch's Journal">><<script>>var viewportWidth = window.innerWidth || document.documentElement.clientWidth; if (viewportWidth < 1000) {$("#sidebar").toggleClass("toggled");}<</script>><</link>><</if>> <<if $grimoire is true>><<link "Grimoire" "Grimoire">><<script>>var viewportWidth = window.innerWidth || document.documentElement.clientWidth; if (viewportWidth < 1000) {$("#sidebar").toggleClass("toggled");}<</script>><</link>><</if>> <<if $chartraits is true>> <<link "Character Traits" "Character Traits">><<script>>var viewportWidth = window.innerWidth || document.documentElement.clientWidth; if (viewportWidth < 1000) {$("#sidebar").toggleClass("toggled");}<</script>><</link>><</if>> <<if $charcodex is true>> <<link "Character Codex" "Character Codex">><<script>>var viewportWidth = window.innerWidth || document.documentElement.clientWidth; if (viewportWidth < 1000) {$("#sidebar").toggleClass("toggled");}<</script>><</link>><</if>> <<if $reputation is true>> <<link "Reputation" "Reputation">><<script>>var viewportWidth = window.innerWidth || document.documentElement.clientWidth; if (viewportWidth < 1000) {$("#sidebar").toggleClass("toggled");}<</script>><</link>><</if>> <<if $locationstart is true>> <<link "Locations" "Locations">><<script>>var viewportWidth = window.innerWidth || document.documentElement.clientWidth; if (viewportWidth < 1000) {$("#sidebar").toggleClass("toggled");}<</script>><</link>><</if>> <<if $notebook is true>> <<link "Notebook" "Notebook">><<script>>var viewportWidth = window.innerWidth || document.documentElement.clientWidth; if (viewportWidth < 1000) {$("#sidebar").toggleClass("toggled");}<</script>><</link>><</if>> <<link "Credits" "Credits">><<script>>var viewportWidth = window.innerWidth || document.documentElement.clientWidth; if (viewportWidth < 1000) {$("#sidebar").toggleClass("toggled");}<</script>><</link>>

<<nobr>> <<datesetup "2mo 27d 10h 00m">>  <<cacheaudio "breathing" "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/roo1bnkxcapq00fdqr6zn/breathing-6811.mp3?rlkey=c1y4dl1vgaqjkzz3dnv2eqqap&st=boofu9ne&dl=0">> <<cacheaudio "rain" "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/1i3opcgc3f93leagf6yam/Royalty_Free_Rain_Sounds_for_Looping_ASMR.mp3?rlkey=44d65rrum2kudv2s3z33dobsd&st=wlghr6ls&dl=0">> <<cacheaudio "WinthropMemories" "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/5uq9bjemnyw3ptup60u5k/childrensdream01-29219.mp3?rlkey=nz8ubxlcbbfefwv6fn1k4b3ov&st=3b6kj9iz&dl=0">> <<cacheaudio "JailDoor" "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/8e63szpulfld7m813prwe/jaildoorclose-6173.mp3?rlkey=pbl2x3piahdd8p5tve9c5g7cy&st=fl24a2qg&dl=0">> <<cacheaudio "seirappear" "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/q8r3hq2kpf3x5sagl67tf/sfx-short-and-fast-ghostly-whoosh-339884.mp3?rlkey=jr7kygq2kt0tqhou7xv0ki9ra&st=b7i79y3m&dl=0">> <<cacheaudio "prisonorigin" "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/ovrttxtc06wri56lx5ryt/horror-background-atmosphere-156462.mp3?rlkey=0uhl8orwtxeuoh2y8p45vjw4k&st=jy8qu4z0&dl=0">> <<cacheaudio "waiting" "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/msk3t68gxqkzj1gwqpbi5/ticking-clock-background-sound-effect-331707.mp3?rlkey=52a12o5l3jcast3sje7hvgaig&st=d8jeunhv&dl=0">> <<cacheaudio "bells" "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/27jvxtbhkgo5uvtmw4flc/distant-bells-ringing-237603.mp3?rlkey=zqsuroc8wmw1ssu7095wmeope&st=a78h34f3&dl=0">> <<cacheaudio "AMorigin" "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/ouxw1tdbdjdhrvfaox21u/ambient-wandering-wind-321158.mp3?rlkey=yqx1h17vway115laik86g3efr&st=krmvl5t2&dl=0">> <<cacheaudio "SHmorning" "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/9d50kyl250go0acko2d36/town-early-morning-light-activity-from-balcony-city-roar-sweeping-rooster-dog-bark-end-havana-cuba-2008-19471.mp3?rlkey=3pt8hbdmuoz8935skev8ciy0f&st=vw965duo&dl=0">> <<cacheaudio "shopbell" "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/yi6v6yii504p9jnvw7nwo/door-open-close-with-bell-96884.mp3?rlkey=oqt0t7spf9iu5jjd85ev0l8iv&st=mqfrx5j1&dl=0">> <<cacheaudio "morguealone" "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/dlhwmargk5sw3xihq5z33/ghost-dreamer-32184.mp3?rlkey=7ayuf510hansurqcgbgvh9c8h&st=56n9mlsv&dl=0">> <<cacheaudio "morgueinjury" "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/l7f2ql5nc03j9fgqc4cfv/ice-cracking-6825.mp3?rlkey=kpnf1x0uxis0ti3t29fn1ww63&st=4bl0xh5b&dl=0">> <<cacheaudio "northvalewalk" "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/1snyqnuaaqz0otpa306bb/walking-in-bushes-235656.mp3?rlkey=5779k9mljmv2hyo3h3dgnlto9&st=pblbsf4l&dl=0">> <<cacheaudio "northvaleride" "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/bds044fq2sut7h1hxfs50/horse-clip-clopping-downhill-stereo-33768.mp3?rlkey=0y1ik6hp7vs7dini52i359d78&st=8p2faay8&dl=0">> <<cacheaudio "sillytime" "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/q8qbv8kadb2s8h7e616rh/cheeky-reprise-296135.mp3?rlkey=5a82nx4nf3oa9bedfsbdsn558&st=94kjdu2o&dl=0">> <<cacheaudio "scrib" "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/en0jw1bdp2zwtgbo1oosn/notebook.mp3?rlkey=lz2a2ilcpu8mwh2j9570t03uw&st=f0e3k055&dl=0">> <<cacheaudio "slam" "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/plfos2ewtq9783zjvycho/morgue-slam.mp3?rlkey=qvvj9ndfjdnmnn07ait0vuwov&st=mr9ga37a&dl=0">> <<cacheaudio "heartbeat" "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/gnqvfia4sjkh1wqkssu62/heart-beat-137135.mp3?rlkey=cqxfdwlildkpk1ufshiqowqw0&st=r3fpvy4c&dl=0">> <<cacheaudio "guts" "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/scl/fi/xyxp7d6mqnik88y1kh055/flesh.mp3?rlkey=7gcoa4tc9urgbi8om10f489n2&st=brse0h2k&dl=0">> <</nobr>>

//You spent the morning with him, eating and drinking and talking. You were far too aware of the time, ticking by, as he finished his tea. The kitchen was warm, the bread slowly rising in the oven. You two shared another orange, before he washed his hands, humming away.// //At the door, he held you tight, sharing goodbyes.// //''Her little boat unwilling rowed to land, “Adieu”, she cried, “Adieu”, she cried and waved her lily hand.''// //"I'll see you in a few weeks, promise. Just a quick run this time." His stubble tickled as he kissed your forehead. He left you at the door, making his way down the gravel path, whistling as he went. When he got to the gate, he turned and saluted you with a lazy grin.// //He didn't. Weeks stretched into months. You had to say goodbye to your house, to move in with your aunt and uncle when they sold it off. You didn't even know your father had been financing his brother's and his parents' lives for so long. They sold everything of his, and all that remained was the wedding ring he kept in his drawer, the one currently only able to fit onto your middle finger.// [[Onwards|AM.Poor.AChange]]

//You woke up early, hearing him moving downstairs, whistling softly along with the kettle as it boiled, the smell of baking bread rising through the house. You couldn't bring yourself to go down, knowing he'd be gone again, even though this is what always happened, from your earliest memories.// //You heard him pause. At the foot of the stairs, the whistling stopping for a moment.// //''Her little boat unwilling rowed to land, “Adieu”, she cried, “Adieu”, she cried and waved her lily hand.''// //"Goodbye! I'll see you again soon. Love you!" He called up the stairs. Then the door shut.// //You went to the window, watching him as he walked away. When he reached the gate, he paused and turned around, looking at the door, his usual smile gone. Your father's eyes drifted up to your window, and caught you watching. He immediately brightened and saluted you with a lazy grin.// //That was the last time you saw him. Weeks stretched into months. You had to say goodbye to your house, to move in with your aunt and uncle when they sold it off. You didn't even know your father had been financing his brother's and his parents' lives for so long. They sold everything of his, and all that remained was the wedding ring he kept in his drawer, the one currently only able to fit onto your middle finger.// [[Onwards|AM.Poor.AChange]]

//He instantly filled up the role your parents should have taken in your life. He looked after you, never pawning off the work to a boarding school or the nanny who you'd spend the full day with very rarely.// //Amos liked to do it all himself. And you loved him for it immediately. You couldn't remember your mother that much and even though Amos had told you that he was friends with your father, you never saw him. You got flowers, with a card signed with a simple "yours", on your birthday, but it went from a hopeful sign, into fading to the background of the dining room wall, no longer standing out as a sign to see him one day.// //No, you treasured your mother's locket more than your father's wilting flowers. Amos had given it to you just a few months into your stay, and somewhere deep inside of your heart, you knew your mother had passed on. You've worn it ever since. Inside, was a faded portrait of your mother, her $naturalhaircolour hair coiffed perfectly, smiling at a tear smudged portrait of... What you assumed was your father. His drawing had long since faded and you couldn't make anything out. It was too perfect of a description of your parent's roles in your life. Tucked away, one faded, the other one gone completely. And instead, there's Amos.// [[Onwards|AM.Rich.AChange]]

//The departure from your mother was still fresh in your mind however. And the elderly women returning home while you were stuck here, nice as the house was. And your vacant father, who your mother had whispered to you was going to come soon, as soon as she got better and it was safe for him to be here.// //You did eventually become closer. He never pushed his presence upon you or tried to buy you with presents. Amos simply let you come to him on your own terms, always ready with a willing ear and a kind word. He took the role of everything your parents should be in your life. You couldn't remember your mother that much and even though Amos had told you that he was friends with your father, you never saw him. You got flowers, with a card signed with a simple "yours", on your birthday, but it went from a hopeful sign, into fading to the background of the dining room wall, no longer standing out as a sign to see him one day.// //No, you treasured your mother's locket more than your father's wilting flowers. Amos had given it to you just a few months into your stay, and somewhere deep inside of your heart, you knew your mother had passed on. You've worn it ever since. Inside, was a faded portrait of your mother, her $naturalhaircolour hair coiffed perfectly, smiling at a tear smudged portrait of... What you assumed was your father. His drawing had long since faded and you couldn't make anything out. It was too perfect of a description of your parent's roles in your life. Tucked away, one faded, the other one gone completely. And instead, there's Amos.// [[Onwards|AM.Rich.AChange]]

//You slip from your mournful haze in time to see your uncle ushering your aunt out, promising that he's got it all handled. He rests his hand on the door, looking back at you with a sincere look.// //"It'll be alright. This might even be a new beginning for a lot of us. For the family." He clears his throat a bit awkwardly. "I'll be back in a moment to escort you."// //Then he slips through the door, shutting it firmly behind himself. You stare after it, and dread settles along your stomach, pricking at your insides like cold needles. Before your life even begins, you're losing it. Losing it to a marriage with someone you met barely twice. $MWtitle $MWname Worlsey hadn't seem very interested in talking to you, just giving you a once over, and then... The inspection of your... God. Awful.// //Being married to $MWthem? Would you even be happy? Would $MWthey care if you were?// //It was too much. The room felt too open, too sickly sweet with the pungent scent of the flowers. You wrenched open the door to the small water closet in the room, just to open the small window and breath in the misty air, the cold hitting your heated face.// //It gave you a moment to calm down, inhaling gratefully. Until you heard the door open in the other room. Shit.// //"I'll be right there, uncle!" You called out, nausea slowly slipping back over you.// //You turned away from the window, shutting it reluctantly. But, when you approached the door, cold washed back over you. Coming from the dressing room, seeping under the door. Curling along your ankles.// //Even the door handle was ice cold.// [[... Then you heard the humming.|AM.SeirIntro]]

//You slip from your memories, to Amos gently fussing with your unbuttoned cuff, gently doing it up.// //"You'll do fine." He murmurs, thick brows knitted together in concentration. "$AStitle Selkirk is often away on business, so you can run your own household. Or you can go with $ASthem, I hear $ASthey spends time in Italy, France, poaching opera singers for his Majesty's theatre. You can do anything."// //He finishes but keeps your wrist in his warm hand. His eyes twinkle as he looks at you.// //"You can come stay with me anytime. I don't think $ASthey'd mind." Amos gently touches your chin. "I won't let anything happen to you."// //There was a knock at the door, and he turned away from you, frowning. He let go of your wrist and walked to the door, opening it just a bit, having a rushed conversation with whoever was on the other side. Amos sighed softly and turned back to look at you.// //"I'll be right back, the $AStitle wants me for a moment."// //Then he slips through the door, shutting it firmly behind himself. You stare after it, and dread settles along your stomach, pricking at your insides like cold needles. Before your life even begins, you're losing it. Losing it to a marriage with someone you met barely twice. $AStitle $ASname Selkirk hadn't seemed very interested with talking to you, just giving you a once over, and then... The inspection of your... God. Awful.// //Being married to $ASthem? Would you even be happy? Would $ASthey care if you were?// //It was too much. The room felt too open, too sickly sweet with the pungent scent of the flowers. You wrenched open the door to the small water closet in the room, just to open the small window and breath in the misty air, the cold hitting your heated face.// //It gave you a moment to calm down, inhaling gratefully. Until you heard the door open in the other room. Shit.// //"I'll be right there, Amos!" You called out, nausea slowly slipping back over you.// //You turned away from the window, shutting it reluctantly. But, when you approached the door, cold washed back over you. Coming from the dressing room, seeping under the door. Curling along your ankles.// //Even the door handle was ice cold.// [[... Then you heard the humming.|AM.SeirIntro]]

<<audio "seirappear" play>><<audio "AMorigin" play loop>><<audio "bells" stop>>//The handle slowly turned, even without you putting any pressure on it. The door swung open without a sound. The curtains had all been pulled closed, the only light coming from the... The flowers. The bouquets of yellow roses, marigolds, purple hyacinths and hydrangeas were all gone, replaced with tasteful glass vases of blackened flora.// //And... A... A figure. With its back to you. It looked like smoke captured in a bottle, in the shape of a person, fumes swirling and pressing against something invisible. <<if $Seirgender is "male">>It was dressed lavishly. You were able to make out a deep black jacket and waistcoat, breeches and boots, but it seemed obscure, like a mirage.<<else>>It was dressed lavishly. You were able to make out a intricate dove grey wedding dress, intricately patterned with swirling patterns along the bodice and veil hanging over its face. It seemed... Obscure, like some sort of mirage.<</if>> It was reorganising one of the vases, tucking some begonias and baby breaths in, looking like a bottle of ink had spilled all over them. It... It was humming the wedding march.// //Your heart hammered loudly in your chest, beating against your ribcage with alarming speed.// //''"Shouldn't you be on your way to the altar?"'' It finally spoke, spindly, clawed fingers winding ivy around the flowers stems, tying it tight enough to split the flesh, red liquid beginning to dribble out.''"All trussed up like a prize pig, offered up for the slaughter."''// //It seemed satisfied with its bleeding flower arrangement and slowly turned to you, its smoky face still warping and billowing.// //''"I must ask... Are you looking forward to your prison?"''// [[What... What are you?|AM.Seir01]] [[You scramble backwards! Get away from this thing!|AM.Seir02]] [[You freeze in shock. Silent.|AM.Seir03]]

//It seems to smile at you, the smoke swirling for a moment, curling along to reveal a row of sharp teeth for just a second.// //''"I am your way out. I am the future, even as I watched you in the past. I'm the only one to smell the rot from your future as you sit, decaying, in your fiancé's house. I am the only one willing to call to object. I...''" It stepped forward, its shoes leaving burn marks in the wooden floor as it made its way towards you. ''"Am the one you shall run away with."''// //It takes in your face, the overwhelming feeling of something inside of you being chewed slowly making your stomach tighten.// //''"Oh, little thing..."'' It reaches out and drags its ice cold finger down your chin, pausing to pinch it, almost playful. ''"Don't you realise what I am?"''// [[You shake your head, fear making your tongue stiff.|AM.04]]

//You stumble back, back hitting the water closet door just as it swung back shut with a loud bang.// //It seems amused, happy to watch you scramble away in desperation. You lunge for the curtained windows, ripping the fabric open to maybe climb out of... Of...// //The picturesque scenery was gone. It was as if the very room you had been getting changed in had dropped from the world, into some sort of valley of rocky obsidian mountains, stretching high as you can see. The ground churns constantly, gravel and dirt twisting together. You would definitely sink into it if you ever got down there. Off in the distance, a burning red light barely breached the peaks and... It felt like something, deep within the bloody depths... Was staring right back at you.// //A jet black hand comes into view in front of you, gripping the curtain edge and pulling them back shut.// //''"I'd prefer privacy with the corpse to be..."'' It purrs against your ear. ''"Ah, apologies. I meant one half of the lovebirds. Becoming a corpse only happens a few months after the happy nuptials."''// //It takes in your face, the overwhelming feeling of something inside of you being chewed slowly making your stomach tighten.// //''"Oh, little thing..."'' It reaches out and drags its ice cold finger down your chin, pausing to pinch it, almost playful. ''"Don't you realise what I am?"''// [[You shake your head, fear making your tongue stiff.|AM.04]]

//It seems to preen under your horrified gaze. With no reaction from you, It comes closer,<<if $Seirgender is "male">> its boots leaving charred shoe prints in the wood in its wake, the acrid scent of burnt polish stinging your nostrils.//<<else>>// its bridal train dragging on the floor after it, smoke curling up from it, leaving streaks of charred wood.//<</if>> //''"Don't look so frightened, little one. Think of me as an angel come to save you from your future, locked away in your spouse's home, left to wilt like a flower."'' It stops in front of you, the swirling depths of its face seeming endless and eternal up close. It takes a sprig of ivy, the plant wiggling like a worm, and twists it around its finger. ''"Left out to dry up and crumble away."''// //It takes in your face, the overwhelming feeling of something inside of you being chewed slowly making your stomach tighten.// //''"Oh, little thing..."'' It reaches out and drags its ice cold finger down your chin, pausing to pinch it, almost playful. ''"Don't you realise what I am?"''// [[You shake your head, fear ebbing making your tongue stiff.|AM.04]]

//You shake your head.// //It seems to preen at this. Proud.// //''"Oh, my darling. I am something from the depths. A dangerous temptation. An exhilerating twist of reality. I am a demon, little thing. I smelt your suffering and slithered my way up... You're just about the most delicious little thing."''// //No...// //You remember teachings... The Teachings of The Basilica, that were taught to every young child. Of Creatures of the Deep, who would try and tempt you when at your lowest. During those teachings, when you were younger, there were a few brave children who would ask what they would be tempted with? They would be scolded. Then told about all the ways these creatures could and would entrap. Ensnaring humans with deals and gifts. Damn them to insanity the moment they get bored of their flesh puppet.// //Its silver eyes gleam, as if it knows exactly what you were thinking. In fact, it seems amused.// //''"The reports concering my kind are greatly exaggerated of their wickedness."'' It offered idly.''"But I wish to be of service. Your life is not going to..."''// //It seems to ponder how best to put it.// //<<if $wealth is "rich">>''"To be as blessed as it was."'' It finally settles on. ''"Father finally has use of you, to be sold off and sit pretty as a doll, gathering dust and forgotten. I can smell it. The decay of your body in the near future. Buried young. Poor Amos. Poor father."'' It grins.<<else>>''"Improve. From living with your relatives at least."'' It finally settles on. ''"Your father already has his watery coffin, deep under the waves. You'll join in just a few years after your wedding day. Except no storm rips the floor out from under you. You willingly let yourself drift under the river outside your new estate. What a life. What a death."'' It grins.<</if>>// <<nobr>> <<if $vanilla is false>>//It takes a moment to circle you, dragging its hand along your midriff as it scrutinises you. Just like- ''"Just like your examination a few days ago. Your spouse can't marry a run through whore, can they? Do you truly wish to be wed to the person who had you examined like cattle?"'' It hums. ''"No doubt they'll take great pleasure in your defilement."''//<</if>> <</nobr>> //''"Believe me when I say... You shall not survive long beyond the wedding altar."''// //It steps back in front of you and slowly raises its hand up, offering it. You can only stare at it. It felt too awful, but deep down, you knew it was right. You... You weren't going to survive, and the demon in front of you... Was your only option. It seems to realize that you had come to the conclusion they were excitedly offering up.// //However... There was one problem.// [[From outside of your room, all the way to the door, to the church, there were people. People watching... Even with your magic, it would be near impossible to get away undetected.|AM.MagicSelection]] [[From outside of your room, all the way to the door, to the church, there were people. People watching... It would be impossible to get away undetected.|AM.45]]

<<set $previousmagic to true>> //What type of magic did you start to train before your sudden forced engagement? Forced to put down the books and instead prepare for your wedding?// <ul><li>//You could wield fire, air, control water and dirt but other than setting the drapes on fire, you couldn't think of a way it could help you get away undetected... No, your [[Elemental Magic|AM.41]] wouldn't help here..//</li></ul> <ul><li>//Short of... Killing people, your [[Grey Magic|AM.42]] wouldn't be able to help you get away. You didn't have to heal yourself and if you used the darker side, all that would mean is that you would become a murderer....//</li></ul> <ul><li>//You could make an illusion of yourself or something with your [[Light Magic|AM.43]]... But what further? You'd have to get away undetected and if you kept up the illusion of your fake self, it didn't leave much room for much else.//</li></ul> <ul><li>//You... You could use your [[Nature Magic|AM.44]] to make the vines grow and help you down, but there's no way that wouldn't be seen from the people outside, enjoying the refreshments and drinks before the ceremony. You'd be seen.//</li></ul>

<<set $previous_magic to false>> //"It won't work," You say, wrapping your arms around yourself. "They would-"// //''"Yes, yes, all of those guests would see you instantly and drag you to the altar by your ankles as you screamed and threw a tantrum."'' It sounds bored, as if you're a child that has informed them that the sky is blue."''But I can give you new ways... Of getting away. My magic is built to use new techniques of getting your way."''// //They slip closer, sounding more excited.// //''"They won't know what to even keep an eye out for. They'd expect you shimmying down the gutter pipe, or darting out a back door. They couldn't even imagine the routes we'd take to get out."''// //''"But to help you with that, I want to take my place in your world. While you're fleeing from being tied down to someone who does not love you, I dearly wish to be chained to you, and this mortal plane. To your mortal flesh, so I can take my own shape. A wonderful deal, if I do say so myself."''// //''"Take my hand, little fox. Let me show you how to get away."''// [[You had no choice. You take their hand.|AM.46]]

<<set $p_gm to true>> <<set $previous_magic to true>> //"It won't work," You say, wrapping your arms around yourself. "They would-"// //''"Yes, yes, all of those guests would see you instantly and drag you to the altar by your ankles as you screamed and threw a tantrum."'' It sounds bored, as if you're a child that has informed them that the sky is blue."''But I can give you new ways... Of getting away. My magic is built to use new techniques of getting your way."''// //They slip closer, sounding more excited.// //''"They won't know what to even keep an eye out for. They'd expect you shimmying down the gutter pipe, or darting out a back door. They couldn't even imagine the routes we'd take to get out."''// //''"But to help you with that, I want to take my place in your world. While you're fleeing from being tied down to someone who does not love you, I dearly wish to be chained to you, and this mortal plane. To your mortal flesh, so I can take my own shape. A wonderful deal, if I do say so myself."''// //''"Take my hand, little fox. Let me show you how to get away."''// [[You had no choice. You take their hand.|AM.46]]

<<set $p_lm to true>> <<set $previous_magic to true>> //"It won't work," You say, wrapping your arms around yourself. "They would-"// //''"Yes, yes, all of those guests would see you instantly and drag you to the altar by your ankles as you screamed and threw a tantrum."'' It sounds bored, as if you're a child that has informed them that the sky is blue."''But I can give you new ways... Of getting away. My magic is built to use new techniques of getting your way."''// //They slip closer, sounding more excited.// //''"They won't know what to even keep an eye out for. They'd expect you shimmying down the gutter pipe, or darting out a back door. They couldn't even imagine the routes we'd take to get out."''// //''"But to help you with that, I want to take my place in your world. While you're fleeing from being tied down to someone who does not love you, I dearly wish to be chained to you, and this mortal plane. To your mortal flesh, so I can take my own shape. A wonderful deal, if I do say so myself."''// //''"Take my hand, little fox. Let me show you how to get away."''// [[You had no choice. You take their hand.|AM.46]]

<<set $p_em to true>> <<set $previous_magic to true>> //"It won't work," You say, wrapping your arms around yourself. "They would-"// //''"Yes, yes, all of those guests would see you instantly and drag you to the altar by your ankles as you screamed and threw a tantrum."'' It sounds bored, as if you're a child that has informed them that the sky is blue."''But I can give you new ways... Of getting away. My magic is built to use new techniques of getting your way."''// //They slip closer, sounding more excited.// //''"They won't know what to even keep an eye out for. They'd expect you shimmying down the gutter pipe, or darting out a back door. They couldn't even imagine the routes we'd take to get out."''// //''"But to help you with that, I want to take my place in your world. While you're fleeing from being tied down to someone who does not love you, I dearly wish to be chained to you, and this mortal plane. To your mortal flesh, so I can take my own shape. A wonderful deal, if I do say so myself."''// //''"Take my hand, little fox. Let me show you how to get away."''// [[You had no choice. You take their hand.|AM.46]]

//At first, there's nothing. Then you feel a pinprick against your finger. You pull your hand back slightly, just in time to see a small bit of blood.// //The pain is blinding, if only for a moment. Suddenly you can see it all. The chipped paint of the dressing room, the flowers shrinking from you...// //And you could see... What... What ''It'' was.// //It adjusts its form, from a strange, vaguely humanoid mass, with darkness curling off it like smoke. You can barely make out two eyes, staring at you, with deep silver scleras, pupils elongated black slits. <<if $Seirgender is "female">> Shifting, slow and deliberate, it seems to gain curves, over its hips and breasts. The smoke parts around its face, almost like hair sliding back like a curtain. A line slowly parts across what seems to be the bottom of its face, showing off a row of sharp teeth, digging into a plush bottom lip.<</if>><<if $Seirgender is "male">>Shifting, slow and deliberate, it seems to broaden in the shoulders, like it was forming a muscular chest, an athletic build and a- Oh. It seems to know how far down your eyes drifted and the bottom of its face rips open with a broad, sharp grin.<</if>>// //It drags its clawed fingers along its wedding clothes, slicing the fabric until it all falls off, making soft clicking noises as it does, before sharply dropping down to its knees. It preens under your gaze, dragging itself foward, towards you, swaying as it crawled, almost seductive.// //You could only stare at it, as the sudden brightness of the room quickly faded, going back to the original light from before... The curtains slide back open, watery sunshine filtering in... And at your feet...// //At your feet... A <<listbox "$seirform" autoselect>> <<option "dog">> <<option "cat">> <<option "snake">> <<option "fox">> <<option "crow">> <<option "hare">> <</listbox>> [[What the...|AM.47]]

<<set $seirentrance to true>> //A... A... $seirform... A black $seirform... With deep intelligent silver eyes... Suddenly their name was in your head, as clear as day...// //This is ''Seir''... Your new familiar...// //"I believe... It's time for us to leave." It spoke. Seir spoke. Looking up at you with its eyes, it spoke and you heard... You heard $Seirthem from deep within yourself, silent to everything else.// //And $Seirthey was right. Time to leave.// <<nobr>> <<if $previous_magic is true>> //You had never felt this before... You had magic but this was... This was... More. So much more. In your previous practises, there was always a restriction of... The natural order. Now... You felt limitless.//<</if>> <<if $previous_magic is false>> //This power... Was like nothing else you've ever had before. Was this what all magical users felt? This... This feeling...? Like your lungs were bigger... Your bones were stronger... That you were better... You felt like you could do anything. Anything at all!//<</if>><</nobr>> //And now.... It was time to get out of here.// //Seir watches you with patient eyes, looking... Incredibly smug for an animal. In fact, $Seirthey stretches out and goes to explore the room, looking with intrigue at the flowers and the paintings on the walls... While you had to figure this all out. So many things you could do... The windows weren't big enough for you to slip out. You slowly made your way to the door and gripped the handle. You could hear Seir following you. Slowly, you opened the door.// //There was a woman waiting directly outside, and turned to you with a smile. You vaguely remember her as a part of your fiancé's wedding party.// //"Oh, hello dear! Ready to go down?"// <ul><li>//You felt something tingle along your fingers. She was a moth... They were all moths. And you wielded the [[mesmerising|AM.Mesmerise]] light to bedazzle all of them.//</li></ul> <ul><li>//She was in your way... A whisper. A thought. She didn't have to be. She could help. You could simply [[slip|AM.Possession]] into her skin.//</li></ul> <ul><li>//No one had listened to you. You didn't get a choice in this. Finally, you were going to [[tell them|AM.DemonTongue]] what you wanted. Starting with her. //</li></ul>

//You ran. You ran until your lungs felt like they were going to burn up from within you. Eventually you collapsed at the side of the road, gravel hitting your cheek, dust coating your tongue,// //Seir made $Seirtheir way over to you,// //''"That doesn't seem too comfy."'' $cSeirthey blinked down at you.// //You wet your lips, about to say something... Then you passed out.// //"''Oh dear."'' You thought you heard Seir say.// [[Well...|PO.CellLast]]

//You froze up at the command. No... His voice. Your body was so tired, from how much you pushed yourself but also something draining from deep inside your chest. There was only so much more you could take...// //You slowly turned, feeling sweat drip down your temples.// //Aguilar. His eagle eyes staring directly at you, a strange grin on his face... And a knife in his hand.//<<if $ss_m is true and $possession_m is true>>//.. The blood trickling from his temple didn't help make him look any less... Terrifying.//<</if>> //"Hello, little bird. Tried to fly away, hm?" He bares his teeth like a dog, taking a step forward. The hilt of the knife was held loosely in his fingers. "Now, why don't you come nicely back with me? I'll even give you a treat for being so good... After your punishment for trying to get away in the first place."// //You felt something press against your foot, and without looking down, you knew it was Seir. Seir, waiting for you to come with, join $Seirthem in the night, in freedom. You weren't going back in there.// [[Fuck you, Aguilar, you spit at him.|PO.AguiSpit]] [[You just stare back at him, steeling yourself.|PO.AguiSteel]] [[You let an unsettling smile steal over your face, baring your teeth right back.|PO.AguiTeeth]]

<<if $vanilla is false>>//His face drops a bit in surprise, not used to this from you before snapping back into a grin. "Funny you should mention fucking. I'm going to fuckin' rip your hole to show you what you get for being mouthy."//<<else>>//His face drops a bit in surprise, not used to this from you before snapping back into a grin. "Going to wash that filthy fucking mouth out."//<</if>> //You felt a faint flicker inside of you. The last of what you can give before exhaustion takes over. And what you wanted right now... Was to make sure he regretted ever even thinking about putting his filthy hands on you.// <ul><li>//No more lights. Just comforting [[darkness|PO.DarknessManipulation]]. He wouldn't be able to look at you like a rat in a cage anymore. Especially not if he couldn't see.//</li></ul> <ul><li>//At last, he was going to listen to you. To you. And he was going to do whatever you told him to. Wether he liked it or not. He was going to do as you [[said|PO.Dominate]].//</li></ul> <ul><li>//You had nothing in that prison. The guards had their batons, smacking away at the bars. But you were finally going to have a [[weapon|PO.BloodWeapon]] of your own.//</li></ul>

//Aguilar's grin just broadens, taking your silence as you acquiesce to his demands. He slowly made his way over, gripping the hilt of his stiletto knife tighter.// //You felt a faint flicker inside of you. The last of what you can give before exhaustion takes over. And what you wanted right now... Was to make sure he ever regretted even thinking about putting his filthy hands on you.// <ul><li>//No more lights. Just comforting [[darkness|PO.DarknessManipulation]]. He wouldn't be able to look at you like a rat in a cage anymore. Especially not if he couldn't see.//</li></ul> <ul><li>//At last, he was going to listen to you. To you. And he was going to do whatever you told him to. Wether he liked it or not. He was going to do as you [[said|PO.Dominate]].//</li></ul> <ul><li>//You had nothing in that prison. The guards had their batons, smacking away at the bars. But you were finally going to have a [[weapon|PO.BloodWeapon]] of your own.//</li></ul>

//His own smile slips, put-off by your own one. Good.// //You felt a faint flicker inside of you. The last of what you can give before exhaustion takes over. And what you wanted right now... Was to make sure he ever regretted even thinking about putting his filthy hands on you.// <ul><li>//No more lights. Just comforting [[darkness|PO.DarknessManipulation]]. He wouldn't be able to look at you like a rat in a cage anymore. Especially not if he couldn't see.//</li></ul> <ul><li>//At last, he was going to listen to you. To you. And he was going to do whatever you told him to. Whether he liked it or not. He was going to do as you [[said|PO.Dominate]].//</li></ul> <ul><li>//You had nothing in that prison. The guards had their batons, smacking away at the bars. But you were finally going to have a [[weapon|PO.BloodWeapon]] of your own.//</li></ul>

<<set $darkness_m to true>> //The torches meant nothing. The lanterns meant nothing. The night was on your side. Something darker, deeper, more endless than the night could ever be was just out of reach. Until now.// //The lights from the walls started quickly snuffing out, the only hint that they'd have been alight being the smell of smoke. Aguilar took a step away from you in surprise, quickly glancing around but not backing down.// //Not enough. More.// //Darkness started to slowly billow out from your hands, curling around your fingers and filling the space within moments. Aguilar stared, open mouthed, nearly dropping his own knife.// //"...Witch..." He finally uttered. Then the steel returned to his eyes. So did his tight grip on the hilt.// //He leans back, hard gaze trained on you as he shifted his weight, and in seconds, you realised what he was going to do. Aguilar was going to try to hit you before the smoky tendrils of shadow reached him and would plunge him into abject darkness. He took aim.// //He threw.// //Blackness engulfed the both of you, but you could still see him, his outline stiffening up as the sound of Aguilar choking on something pressing down his throat permeated the air. And the knife. Suspended just in front of you. Held in place. You plucked it out of the air.// //''"Might as well make sure he takes a while coming after us."'' Seir murmured, suddenly sounding like $Seirthey were whispering right in your ear. You agreed. ''"...Do you wish for me to do it?"''// [[You approached Aguilar.|PO.DM01]] [[You slowly hand the knife to Seir.|PO.DM02]]

<<set $dominate_m to true>> //Your tongue... Your tongue started moving on its own accord- No. No.// //It was changing. Sharpening. You could feel it becoming seeped in something that burnt, as if you had just drank a whole glass of whiskey. It curled, soaked in something you had never tasted before.// //"<span class="drunk">Silence.</span>" The word slipped from between your teeth, sounding closer to a snake hiss than a word.// //Aguilar sneered and opened his mouth but no sound came out. He opened and shut it a few more times, looking unflatteringly like a fish, one hand darting up to clutch his throat, as if he was choking on his tongue.// //Your eyes fell to the knife. And something deep inside of you cried out to hurt him, just like he did you. The words left you with no control.// [[Take out your eye. And hand it over.|PO.DDirtyKnife]]

<<set $bw_m to true>> //You wanted to be the one to finally hurt the ones that had hurt you... Defend yourself...// //Just as your thoughts settled on it, you felt a shooting pain down your arm, making you cry out and double over. Aguilar made a surprised noise and lunged forward, grabbing your shoulder with one hand and a fistful of your hair in the other.// //"Shit! What's wrong with you?"// //If you had tried to answer, you'd have bitten your fucking tongue off. It felt like something was slicing through your bones from the inside, splitting them in half. Aguilar tried to yank you up, but stopped.// //"...What the fuck?"// //You felt the hot blood, steaming in the frigid night air, dribbling from your hand. It had reached your wrist, and you could feel your palm ripping apart, something dragging itself out by sheer force of will. Your eyes struggled to focus on the... The...// //The bloodied //<<listbox "$bloodweapon" autoselect>> <<option "glass shard">> <<option "barber knife">> <<option "carving knife">> <<option "scalpel">> <</listbox>> [[It would look better with his blood joining yours.|PO.BW01]]

<<if $bloodweapon is "glass shard">>//You stared as the shard, streaked with your own blood still dribbling down the side, squelching as it pushes itself out of your palm, ready to be gripped and used. It looked like... It was broken, from a window or a mirror maybe...//<<elseif $bloodweapon is "barber knife">>//You stared as the barber's knife, already flipped open, streaked with your blood, squelch as it pushes itself free from your palm, ready to be taken ahold of and used. The blood shone like rubies against the blade.//<<elseif $bloodweapon is "carving knife">>//You stared as the blade, streaked with your own blood, squelching as it pushes itself out of your palm, ready to be gripped and used. The curved blade knife glinted with promise of pain, and damage to be done at your hands.//<<elseif $bloodweapon is "scalpel">>//You stared as the glinting instrument, still dribbling with your own blood, squelching as it pushes itself out of your palm, ready to be gripped and used. It was wickedly sharp, promising that it would do all that it was designed to do and more. It was going to cure this son of a bitch.<</if>>// It was strange. As if it was made out of your own frozen blood, veins and arteries still pumping from deep within the depths of the weapon...// //Aguilar was still trying to pull you upright, the grip on your hair lessening as he tried to get a look at your arm, still dripping blood.// //"What the fuck did you do? Going to have to get you to medica-" You refused to let him finish his sentence. You blindly swung your hand upwards, weapon gripped tight in your palm. You didn't even look. But you did hear.// //Your tormentor screamed in pain, as the wet, loud sound of something sharp embedding itself in something soft... Softer than skin. You kept your gaze down, but you felt his blood spurt over your already bloodied hand, and... And the remains of his eye smear along your fingers.// //Aguilar wrenched himself away from you, clutching his eye socket, and screaming in agony and anger. He writhed against the ground, and you could only stare...// //''"Best we make a fashionable exit."'' You finally noticed Seir sniffing at some of your spilt blood.'' "Lest his friends come along too."''// //You jerk from your staring reverie and nod quietly. As if half asleep, you lean down and pick up his forgotten knife form his side. Then you take a step back. And another. And another.// //Then you turn and run, leaving Aguilar writhing on the ground.// [[You make your way away from the prison...|PO.A2]]

//You wanted to do this yourself. You knew that you should get him in the foot, or leg, or stomach. Something to really hinder him walking after you ever again. But as you approached, you could only stare at where you knew his eyes were. The darkness wrapped around you, comforting, as if trying to give you strength for what was to come. You could perfectly see him... All of him...// //And his fucking eyes. The ones that stared after you like a wolf with a lamb. You should... Cut his throat, slice his chest open, stab his heart out but-// //You raise the knife and plunge it into his eye.// //The feeling of the knife's edge scraping against the bone wrenched you from your swirling anger... Worst of all, is that he made no noise. No scream of agony, no cursing... You could only hear the wet sound of blood gushing past your fingers...// //He was left, static, in the cloud of black. He would stay there until you released your hold on it. But your strength was fading fast...// //''"best we make our way out."'' Seir murmurs, soft. As if $Seirthey read your mind.// //You take a step back. And another. And another.// //Then you turn and run, leaving Aguilar writhing on the ground.// [[You make your way away from the prison...|PO.A2]]

//Aguilar, still struggling to speak, looked panicked. His mouth continued to open and close, even as his hand raised slowly but surely, pointing the blade directly into his eye.// //Those eyes...// //They stared at you, unblinking, begging, as if he hadn't been your sole tormentor for so long.// //You said nothing. And he plunged the knife deep within his left eye socket, blood and something opaque spurting free immediately. His mouth opened grotesquely, screaming silently in pain.// //But it wasn't done.// //He wrenched it free from his bloodied eye socket, letting the gore drip from the blade as Aguilar shakily held it out to you, presenting it like a priceless artefact. You slowly took ahold of it, the hilt warm with his blood.// //His legs gave out. He collapsed to his knees, then onto his back, still frozen and screaming out without his vocal cords working in his favour. His empty socket bled thickly, wetting his face with his own blood and other fluids.// //''"Best we make a fashionable exit."'' You finally noticed Seir sniffing at some of Aguilar's spilt blood.'' "Let him stew in his own pain a while."''// //You jerk from your staring reverie and nod quietly. Then you take a step back. And another. And another.// //Then you turn and run, leaving Aguilar writhing on the ground.// [[You make your way away from the prison...|PO.A2]]

//Seir... Obviously not anymore in an animal form, those staring silver eyes at eye level with yours. Hidden away in the darkness again, except this time it didn't felt alienating. It felt comforting. As if you two were in here together, alone, nothing to harm you...// //$cSeirthey took the knife from your hand and for a moment... $cSeirthey seemed to have disappeared. You were left, blanketed by shadows, as if you were hiding away in ink-black blankets. You couldn't hear anything, until-// //The wet sound of blood being spilt. A soft giggle.// //Then $Seirthey was back again. Silver eyes, like two crescent moons, gazing at you.// //''"I did quite loathe the way he looked at you. Now, it's time for us to leave, my dear."'' You could only nod.// //Aguilar was left, static, in the cloud of black. He would stay there until you released your hold on it. But your strength was fading fast...// //You take a step back. And another. And another.// //Then you turn and run, leaving Aguilar writhing on the ground.// [[You make your way away from the prison...|PO.A2]]

<<set $mesmerise_m to true>> //You feel something urging you to raise your fingers, fluttering them just a little bit. Something slips into existence in front of you, in front of the guest, and hangs there, like shattered glass.// //She doesn't even say anything. Her mouth hangs open from her question, sometime reflecting in her glassy eyes from your illusion. It has completely drawn her in...// <<if $p_lm is true>> //It... It was similar to your light magic. It was like welcoming home a friend... One that was different, but you couldn't put your finger on it.//<</if>> <<if $p_lm is false>> //You had heard that light magic was similar to this. But... light magic created illusions that might distract. This was magic that forced your eyes and attention. Draw your gaze without hope of withstanding.//<</if>> //She continues to stare, eyes wide and glassy. You neatly step around her, making your way to the stairs, moving past a few doors before reaching the top of the staircase leading down.// [[Onwards|AM.The Landing]]

<<set $possession_m to true>> //It was like slipping into a pair of worn gloves that fit you perfectly. Shoes that you've had for years, comfortable and snug. You slowly push her consciousness to the side, feeling her fall into a sleep, totally unaware of the walk around you'll be taking with her body.// //Now you were... A guest. Dressed in a soft lilac dress. Hm.// //You start to move your legs, but nearly topple over immediately. Your feet feel heavy and your head swims as if you had been drinking. Dear lord. Putting one foot in front of the other, you start to make your way to the end of the hallyway, slowly getting used to the feeling, as if you were walking through a thick bog. Your knees shook like a new born foal's, your entire body feeling tired and heavy the more you went. You passed many doors, most open, with guests inside, and none seemed to take notice of the purple clad guest shaking her way along.// //Only when you reach the start of the staircase down do you finally feel truly faint. You slip from her body, you slumping against the wall as she does the same against the floor.// [[The landing...|AM.The Landing]]

<<set $dominate_m to true>> //You feel your tongue... Heavier, yet quicker. Seeping something hot and coppery, like it was bleeding. It was curling on its own accord, flicking along the inside of your mouth as if exploring, as if it belonged to someone else... It felt like it belonged to someone else, too large and sharp to be your own anymore. // //It dragged along your teeth before licking the roof of your mouth, all the while this lady seems unpeturbed by your silence, nattering away in the silence that blooms bigger and bigger as you struggle to get control of it.// //"''No.''" The hiss left you without your control, sinking like a stone in wet sand through the air, and stilling the world around you.// //The woman's mouth opened and closed, without making a sound, seemingly stunned into listening.// <ul><li>//[["''Stay.''"|AM.The DTLanding]]//</li></ul> <ul><li>//[["''Silence.''"|AM.The DTLanding]]//</li></ul> <ul><li>//[["''Sleep.''"|AM.The DTLanding]]//</li></ul>

<b>Close Companions</b> <b>Seir, your Familiar</b> Seir came to you<<if $prisonorigin is true>> to save you from a dark fate in prison.<<elseif $AMorign is true>> to whisk you away from an arranged marriage.<<elseif $runawayorigin is true>> to save you from life along on the streets.<<elseif $kidnappedorigin is true>> to retrieve you from your kidnapped life.<<elseif $accusedorigin is true>> to bail you out from deep trouble at university.<<elseif $FHorigin is true>> to whisk you away from the life you married into.<</if>> $cSeirthey currently hide $Seirtheir demonic nature behind a black $seirform with silver eyes. <b>Family</b> <b>Distant Figures...</b> <<button "confirm" `previous()`>><</button>>

//You want to select the gender for your romances yourself?// //Is Seir, your familiar, a <<cycle "$Seirgender">>?// <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>> //Is Luther/Loralei Rawlins, the pack leader, a <<cycle "$LRgender">>?// <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>> //Is Sienna/Simeone Della Rovere, the Vampire, a <<cycle "$SRgender">>?// <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>> //Is Victor/Victoria De Winters, the Count/Countess, a <<cycle "$VWgender">>?// <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>> //Is Zaniyah/Zachariah Chambers, the Reaper, a <<cycle "$ZCgender">>?// <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>> What about the others? Ones you meet in the future, near or far? //Is Saleos, the wayward familiar, a <<cycle "$Saleosgender">>?// <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>> //Is Ambrose/Amber Lancaster, the Witch Hunter, a <<cycle "$ALgender">>?// <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>> //Is Starling Knight, the Doctor, a <<cycle "$SKgender">>?// <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>> //Is Emil/Emilia Rawlins, the younger wolf, a <<cycle "$ERgender">>?// <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>> //Is Quincy Beaumont, the opera singer, a <<cycle "$QBgender">>?// <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>> //Is Dietrich/Dorothea Woolf, the researcher, a <<cycle "$DWgender">>?// <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>> [[Onwards|RO Gender]]

//The top of the stairs winded downwards into a spiral shape, and you could already hear voices creeping up, chatting among themselves. You could overhear snippets of conversation, about how lovely the wedding venue looked, how they were going to get started any moment now, how ''lucky'' you must be feeling.// <<nobr>> <<if $seirform is "cat" or $seirform is "dog" or $seirform is "fox">>//Seir padded over to you, claws making soft clicking noises against the wood, tail swaying. $cSeirthey poked $Seirtheir head through the bannister bars, looking downwards before pulling it back //<</if>> <<if $seirform is "crow" or $seirform is "hare">>//Seir hopped $Seirtheir way over to you,<<if $seirform is "crow">> ruffling $Seirtheir jet black feathers a bit with a soft clicking noise before glancing over the side.<<else>> taking a moment to sniff the air, soft paws barely leaving the wood of the floor before peering down, between the bars of the bannister. A doe-like blink, before looking back up at you,<</if>><</if>> <<if $seirform is "snake">>//Seir slithered over to you, looping once around your ankle before using it as an anchor, peering over the side of the bannister. $cSeirthey flicked out their tongue before turning $Seirtheir moon eyes up at you.//<</if>> <</nobr>> //"Are all the people at your wedding so boring?" $cSeirthey asked with mock sincerity.// [[Shut up, you mutter.|AM.LandingRude]] [[We're going to be forced to find out if we don't hurry up.|AM.LandingPragmatic]] [[I don't even know half of these people!|AM.LandingProtest]]

//Her eyes bulged as the word sliced through the heavy air, straining with her entire being against the command. You didn't want to stick around to see if it worked. You left her, shaking on the spot, the whites of her eyes already strained and bloodshot, fighting against the impossible.// //You made your way down the hallway, leaving the dressing room and your overseer behind. Only when you left her behind, and reached the top of the staircase did you finally push her from your mind, hopeful that the command will stick to her for just a little while longer.// [[You heard voices drifting up...|AM.The Landing]]

//Seir seemed to delight in your response, eyes curving into a smile even if $Seirtheir mouth couldn't. <<if $seirform is "cat" or $seirform is "dog" or $seirform is "fox">>//$cSeirthey even curled $Seirtheir tail around your ankle and gave a delighted squeeze.//<</if>><<if $seirform is "hare">>//$cSeirthey even gave a little stomp with $Seirtheir back paws, $Seirtheir ears jumping along with the movement. Normally it would look like a hare showing their displeasure, but with Seir? It seemed to be excitement.//<</if>><<if $seirform is "crow">>//$cSeirthey even clicked $Seirtheir beak at you, in an almost smug way. $cSeirthey hopped from one foot to the other, and gave a pleased shimmy.//<</if>><<if $seirform is "snake">>//$cSeirthey even curled $Seirtheir tail around your ankle and gave a delighted squeeze.//<</if>> //"Testy, testy." $cSeirthey mused. "Go on. How are you going to sneak past all those peoeple down there?"// //$cSeirtheir eyes flickered as $Seirthey gazed at you, like a cloud passing over a full moon. You ignored $Seirtheir question and took a deep breath. Options... Options... What could you do?// <ul><li>//Sounds faded out, then came back stronger. You could hear the shuffle of women's dresses, men fiddling with their cuffs, the priest pleasantly directing people... You could [[hear|AM.HyperSenses]] it all....//</li></ul> <ul><li>//Something called for you outside the window. Something wanting to reach, to grow, to strengthen, [[a flower|AM.Naturism]] just about budding, but needing your help...//</li></ul> <ul><li>//There was a jolt of pain, a second of pain spiking through your temple before you felt something calling out to you, like a lighthouse in the midst of a stormy sea. You could feel yourself reaching out, slipping past their skull and nestling inside their mind, able to [[take in all of their thoughts... Reading everything in their mind...|AM.SoulScry]]//</li></ul>

//Seir blinked at you slowly, as if savouring your response.// //"Quite right, little one." $cSeirthey murmured, seemingly ignoring that you tower over $Seirtheir animal form.// //$cSeirthey crept closer to the edge, poking their head through the bars of the bannister to look down. Seir listened for a moment or two, before turning $Seirtheir full-moon eyes to you.// //"So, little $title Hurry-Along. How are you going to get through there?"// <ul><li>//Sounds faded out, then came back stronger. You could hear the shuffle of women's dresses, men fiddling with their cuffs, the priest pleasantly directing people... You could [[hear|AM.HyperSenses]] it all....//</li></ul> <ul><li>//Something called for you outside the window. Something wanting to reach, to grow, to strengthen, [[a flower|AM.Naturism]] just about budding, but needing your help...//</li></ul> <ul><li>//There was a jolt of pain, a second of pain spiking through your temple before you felt something calling out to you, like a lighthouse in the midst of a stormy sea. You could feel yourself reaching out, slipping past their skull and nestling inside their mind, able to [[take in all of their thoughts... Reading everything in their mind...|AM.SoulScry]]//</li></ul>

//Seir doesn't reply, just flicked $Seirtheir tail at you knowingly, smugly.// //"I might ponder over if it's worse to have boring peers over none, but it's already been quite a day for you." $cSeirthey muses. "It might send you into hysterics."// //$cSeirthey seemed to do a self satisfied little wiggle at $Seirtheir comment before slipping $Seirtheir head through the bars of the bannister. Seir sniffed a bit, $Seirtheir full moon eyes darting to and fro.// //"So... How are we going to avoid conversation with any of your dreadful guests?"// <ul><li>//Sounds faded out, then came back stronger. You could hear the shuffle of women's dresses, men fiddling with their cuffs, the priest pleasantly directing people... You could [[hear|AM.HyperSenses]] it all....//</li></ul> <ul><li>//Something called for you outside the window. Something wanting to reach, to grow, to strengthen, [[a flower|AM.Naturism]] just about budding, but needing your help...//</li></ul> <ul><li>//There was a jolt of pain, a second of pain spiking through your temple before you felt something calling out to you, like a lighthouse in the midst of a stormy sea. You could feel yourself reaching out, slipping past their skull and nestling inside their mind, able to [[take in all of their thoughts... Reading everything in their mind...|AM.SoulScry]]//</li></ul>

<<set $hs_m to true>> //The floor trembled with the weight of footsteps. The murmured conversation rose up, louder, clearer. Discussions of the priest, people from the wedding party gushing over the decorations, you could hear <<if $wealth is "rich">> Amos tiredly murmuring that ''no, no, he is excited that you're still going to be living close by'', with a tone that suggested he'd been asked if he was looking forward to the opposite.<<else>> your aunt excitedly gushing about how much she was looking forward to becoming a family with your new in-laws. <</if>>// //The smell of flowers was overwhelming. Baked pastries and an overwhelmingly sugary scent rose up.. You could almost taste the incense that had sunk into the walls, staining them forever. Everything was sharp, you could almost pick out the notes in the air as with each key on the harpsicord being struck, every ingredient in all the food becoming obvious. You could even see the grain snaking in the wood of the landing. It was dizzying.// //And... Someone standing by the staircase, in between the main hall where all the guests were gathered before the ceremony, shifting their weight from one foot to the other.// [[Have to do something about them...|AM.HS1]]

<<set $naturism_m to true>> //The pull became stronger, from a whisper to a song. You unlatched the window, letting it swing open and you were hit by a wave of something... Indescribable. As if you had woken up in a meadow, the wind blowing the long grass onto your body and you could feel the soft throb of the earth's heartbeat. Your blood, once carried along in veins, now rushed through vines, green underneath your skin. Twisting and tightening, like buds about to burst into bloom. With every breath you could taste what waited outside, you could feel the cut off stems of each flower in every vase, bleeding into the dust, each blade of shorn grass dancing in the wind, the bushes breathing as the wind changed. You were aware of it all. It was as if your nerves had been pulled out of your body, sliced up and tossed out, to sink into the flora. It was dizzying.// <<nobr>><<if $p_nm is true>> //Something inside of you was rotting. The magic that would once start blooming from your fingertips felt... Strange. As if you were suddenly aware that what you had before was barely even a seed, and now you were watching it sprout into bloodied, mangled roses with thorns as sharp as knives. It felt powerful.//<</if>> <<if $p_nm is false>> //<<if $wealth is "rich">>You had a friend, growing up, who lived just outside of town. She had shown signs of being able to bend the flowers the decorated her garden to her will, making them bloom earlier, brighter. You found it amazing at the time, and still did even after she was carted off, never to be seen again, by you at least. What she could do immediately was made clear to you now... And seen as inconsequential by your abilities. <<else>>You had a cousin... On your mother's side, not your father's. He had started to... Change? The last time you saw him, your father was paying men from the Basilica to make sure he was set up nicely, to be made comfortable instead of going... Wherever he would have went. Your cousin, with his watery eyes, put in the back of a carriage and carried off. You had seen a bit of his power, while he had sat in your kitchen, as your father made sandwiches for all of you. The dying plants by the windowsill, that your father could never take proper care of... Your cousin had leaned over to touch a single leaf and the entire thing perked right up, green flowing back into its body. It was amazing to you then, but now? Deep down, you immediately knew that you could do more. Better. Grander/<</if>> Something deep inside you practically purred at knowing that... They were nothing compared to you now. It was the difference between a tamed garden and a savaged forest.//<</if>><</nobr>> //On instinct, you stretched your fingers out, trying to find the flower that called out for you. Such a small thing, just a bud, needing to grow. To become. Like you had to.// //''Found it.''// //Your fingers curled slowly, calling... Calling for it to grow... To stretch... Your eyes slowly shut.// //Your blood was calling it. You were standing by the window, but also you were down there, in the dirt. Vines shooting up and growing, as if you were stretching your own limbs after being cramped and stiff for too long. Joints popping, muscles extending... Flowers bursting into bloom, leaves sprouting.// //"Look at you." Seir murmured, $Seirtheir breath cold against your hand.// //You reopened your eyes. A thick, black vine with something red pulsing under the skin, had grown all the way up, now was curled into the window, digging into the glass and the wood, razor sharp thorns slicing past the paint easily.// [[Now... Downwards...|AM.N1]]

<<set $ss_m to true>> //Something inside you reached out... Finding the nearest person, standing at the stairs. Skin was paper thin, it was easy to slip behind the bone... You were pressed against their brain... Just a shadow who could see right in...// //All their little thoughts, flicking around like fish under the surface of water, murky but bright. ''They hope there's no fruit in the desserts. The priest was antsy, not a good sign. Their shoes were too small, it was really hurting the back of their heel.''// //You exhaled slowly- or did... Did they? You felt like a ghost, even though a part of you knew that you were standing, in your wedding garb, on the landing. Just a few steps up on the carpeted staircase, and they'd be looking straight at you.// //''<<if $wealth is "rich">> Lord Fox-Vincent looks quite unsettled.<<else>> Mrs Sharpe smiles with too much teeth.<</if>> Hopefully the cake isn't soaked in rum either. Disgusting.''// //<<if $height is "tall" or $height is "very tall">>You realised that you were suddenly quite a bit smaller too<<elseif $height is "average">>You realised that you were... Not as tall as you once was<<elseif $height is "short" or $height is "very short">>You slowly realised that there was something weird going on, Not that you had grown, or shrunk, but that... Your frame was suddenly different<</if>>... Or... Something else.// //You were no longer just laying, cheek against the thin ice that seperated you from their thoughts. You blinked again and... And... You were standing there. At the foot of the stairs, at the cross between two hallways, one going further downstairs, one leading to a few rooms and some sort of alcove, looking over the hall. Voices rose up, drifting slowly. People waiting for the signal to head to the church across the way. To settle just as you would reach the chapel doors.// [[That wasn't going to happen...|AM.SS1]]

//Honing into the lone guest standing by the staircase helped everything else ebb away. No other smells, no other sounds, just them. The floorboard creaking as they shifted their weight most importantly. Without your new senses, you would have no idea what was happening down there, but now you had to listen.// //Creak. Creak. A low whine. The floorboards were old.// <<if $seirform is "cat" or $seirform is "dog">>//"Look at you." Seir murmured."You're a a natural predator now. Just like I am." //<</if>><<if $seirform is "snake" or $seirform is "fox" or $seirform is "crow">>//"Look at you." Seir murmured. "You're in the tall grass now. A stalker amongst prey. Just like me."//<</if>> //You could hear the admiriation in $Seirtheir voice. It made the back of your neck prickle but you had to focus.// //Finally.. You could hear them move away. Shoes squeaking, floorboards groaning. Away from the bottom of the staircase. Everyone else was further in, so it was now or never.// //You hurriedly descend down the staircase, the chatter getting louder, and every step excessively loud to you now. You could even hear Seir as $Seirthey made $Seirtheir way down after you. Emerging from the staircase, the gently lit hallway was clear, with the doors just ahead leading to a balcony overlooking the hall. You didn't know how much time you had until whoever was guarding the stairs came back. You headed to the balcony, creeping along.// [[The party...|AM.Balcony]]

//Reaching out, you gingerly curled your hand around the body of the vine, managing to avoid the sharper thorns. You experimentally put your weight on it, only to find the small tendrils slowly wrapping around your feet, not too tightly and enough to let you maneuver down it.// //It was easier than expected, getting down. It felt like you were descending a strange tree, except each branch would come to meet your shoes.<<if $seirform is "cat" or $seirform is "dog" or $seirform is "fox" or $seirform is "hare">>You glanced up to Seir, seeing $Seirtheir snout poking out the window, $Seirtheir paws resting on the window sill. $cSeirthey sniffed curiously at a single vine slowly reaching out but didn't back away. Your attention was stolen by your uncomfortable footwear nearly slipping off on your way down. Finally, at the bottom, you glanced up, to see if Seir was also on the way down, when you felt a tugging at your clothes. Seir, somehow, had gotten down before you did, and was now standing with you on the soft grass, with a mouthful of your wedding garb and an impatient look. $cSeirthey tugged again, scrunching $Seirtheir snout again before letting go and trotting off the bed of flowers you found yourself in. You noticed a stray black leaf stuck to $Seirtheir tail and quickly plucked it off.<</if>><<if $seirform is "snake">>You glanced up at Seir, only to see $Seirthem winding $Seirtheir body around one of the extended vines and rapidly slithering $Seirtheir way down, taking a few moments at each leaf to glance $Seirtheir strange silver eyes at you, blinking slowly, and then continuing down. Apparently, Seir deemed that you were climbing too slow, and wound $Seirtheir way around your wrist, travelling down your arm and curling along your shoulders with ease. It was a short climb before you were finally down on the soft grass, your familiar resting against you. You stepped out of the bed of flowers you found yourself in.<</if>><<if $seirform is "crow">>You glanced up to Seir, seeing $Seirthem standing on the window sill, gently hopping from one foot to the other before flapping $Seirtheir wings a few times, as if getting used to the feeling. You could almost feel the wind in $Seirtheir wings against your own arms. Then $Seirthey took off, gently spiralling downwards, slipping past you easily. When you finally joined $Seirthem on the ground, $Seirthey were lookin at the grass with some interest before poking $Seirtheir beak into the dirt and pulling out a worm. The moment $Seirthey realized you were looking at $Seirthem, $Seirthey dropped the gently wiggling thing, almost aghast, and hopped off, out of the flower bed.<</if>>// //You found yourself in a small outcropping, a private courtyard on the second floor, absolutely teeming with plantlife and flowers. You glanced over the side, peeking through a rather large fern... Directly down into the garden, which was overwhelmed with guests. They'd have more than a few questions if you descended from a rather large vine. And then would march you off, either to the Basilica, or to the church. Instead, you focused on the door leading back into the building. At least you were a floor down. You slipped inside, now finding yourself on a strange alcove, overlooking the people in the hall.// [[The party...|AM.Balcony]]

//You were seated comfortably inside the unware bystander to your escape. It was similar to being safe inside your bedroom, while outside a storm rolled over, lashing against the windows. Everything was distant, yet echoey and sheltered. It was strange. You felt them sniff. You felt their thoughts swirling gently around, just out of reach, but you could hear snippets. ''Drank too much already.'' You felt them shift their feet, and if felt like you were being gently rocked side to side, like you were a child again. It took a moment to get used to.// //''Do not wish to accidentally relieve myself during the service.'' Well, this was becoming quite invasive.// //The body shifted a few more times. Then slowly turned, heading further down the staircase, to the ground floor. It was was probably the best time to head down, this guest's thoughts lingering on the faint irritation that the water closet was on the otherside of the hall. You felt yourself distangling from their thoughts, like slipping free from tangled bedsheets, pulling seaweed free from your feet after dipping into the ocean.// //You emerged, settling back into your own body, as comfortable as putting on a broken in pair of shoes, your old pair of socks. Gloves.// //You quickly headed down the stairs, Seir trailing behind you. However, instead of following after the person you had just invaded the privacy of, you crept along to the balcony on the end, just to look down into the main hall. You were still settling back into your own bones, your eyes. Everything was a bit hazy, even as you blinked to clear the vision, so it was looking through old, thick glass... But there everyone was. In their fineries, muted, soft colours, moving back and forth, murmuring polite conversation.// [[The party...|AM.Balcony]]

//It was bustling with people. You didn't even know if most of them came from your betrothed's side, or yours. You would not be able to recall the name of most of these people, you wagered.// //From what you remembered when you came in, at the crack of dawn, followed be a legion of helpers (<<if $wealth is "rich">>a mixture of servants from your home and people you'd never seen before, looking quite expensive <<else>>mostly cousins, some of which you knew quite well and others who seemed to have appeared from nowhere. to set up and dress you and make everything perfect for the one person you were marrying<</if>>) you were at the back of the building now, with the entrance just beyond the hall. There were greeters outside of the main door who would no doubt spot you in an instant and usher you back inside. There was no way for you to get away... Unless...// //The gardens outside were a thing of beauty. Walled beauty. You should be able to find a way over, with a lack of people keeping an eye out, on the west side of the building. You just had to get through the hall...// <ul><li>//There were ropes holding up the glittering chandeliers, suspended over the hall... That would be quite the distraction. If only you had some sort of [[blade|AM.BloodWeapon]] of your own to slice through the cords.//</li> <li>//Whispers, whispers, whispers. Low, soft, hoarse words floating up. Dogs, dogs, dogs, sitting by the windows. ''sweet sweet smells hungry hungry...'' You could feel a part of yourself reaching out to these [[hounds|AM.Animalism]], a connection building...//</li> <li>//It would... Be so ludicrously simple. You could simply slip through, [[unnoticed|AM.Invisibility]] without any issue.//</li></ul>

<<set $bw_m to true>>//The cords were thick, bound tightly. It would take too long to unbind them all, even longer to try and hack it with... Well, anything other than something actually sharp.// //Your fingers twitched, curling before relaxing, feeling a pressure swell up in your forearm, before-// //A sudden crack of blinding pain and you wedged your teeth into your tongue, stopping the cry that threatened to break free from your throat. You could only double over, clutching your arm as the bone split and something broke forth, up to your wrist and then your palm and then-// //Hot blood spilt forth. A gash in your skin slowly widening, letting crimson dribble forth as it was ripped apart, something pushing itself to the surface, your eyes cloudy with moisture, struggling to focus on... What... Was...// //Coming forth...// //A bloodied //<<listbox "$bloodweapon" autoselect>> <<option "glass shard">> <<option "barber knife">> <<option "carving knife">> <<option "scalpel">> <</listbox>> [[Finally...|AM.BW01]]

<<set $animalism_m to true>> //''hungry... where food... no feed when got up... food yet?''// //Hm... That could be useful.// //The dogs lay by the windows, two snuggled close together, the others keeping their space, and only a few intently by their owner's sides. But there was one, a mopey looking hound with long white-yellow fur, and too big eyes, that was looking up at you, its pink nose wrinkling a bit. You took a moment and clenched your fingers, willing the mutt to come to you, a plan slowly revealing itself to you. It took a moment before slowly getting to its feet and padding out, towards the stairwell just below you.// //You made your way down, making sure the coast was clear before resting at the bottom step, the pooch trotting over, taking a moment to sniff at your shoes before resting its chin against your knee.// //''hello hello you call me? i come to say hello yes''// //You took a breath, taking a moment to pat its sniffing nose.// //"There's food outside you know." You said.// //There was a spark in the dog's dark eyes, and its tail started to wag with interests.// //''food? food! food for us?''// //"Yes. You should get the others too. Just get out the garden doors and help yourself."// //It didn't need any further encouragment. The hound, which looked a bit more like a rather small horse, lopped away, practically cantering as it careened back into the hall. It skittered to a stop in front of the other dogs before crashing through the garden doors. You craned your neck a bit, catching sight of a garden marquee you hadn't seen before. The other dogs gave excited chase, some bowling over some guests on the way out, before a loud crash came from inside the pole tent. Ah. They've found the food.// //Taking a moment to breath in the chaos, you took the opportunity of surprised stares out into the garden to steal into the hall. The crowd looking at the pandemonium of dogs and servants trying to catch them (one falling into the dirt when he didn't manage to grab a rather large Dane with a whole roast chicken in its dribbling maw) was more than enough for you to slip away. You took a moment to glance outside, and felt the rush of cold air from the open doors. It looked freezing, and you weren't exactly dressed for winter. Just for decoration. You spotted an abandoned coat by the windowsill and quickly slipped it on over your ridiculous outfit, already feeling a bit less like a sore thumb. You came face to face with the window. Quite simple actually. The window was easiest, the view showing the area deeper into the garden, not so populated... And the wall. You swung it open and stepped through.// [[The outer garden...|AM.Garden]]

<<set $invisibility_m to true>> //You felt something shift... As if your very skin was gently cracking, like a miror, just to begin reflecting.. Like you had been shattered into a thousand pieces just to be seen right past, overlooked, as if you could be seen right through and never noticed at all.// //You slowly descended the staircase, unable to get used to the fact you couldn't see... Anything at all of yourself. Not your hand on the bannister, not your feet stepping down, not your own clothes... Finally... To not be looked at by all these people...// //Walking into the hall, you were surrounded by people, talking, chatting, laughing, oblivious that very person everyone had looked forward to see married off was making $their way through the throng, skirting close to the snoozing dogs by the windows before stepping out of the double doors, heading out to the gardens. A giant marquee stood in the centre, filled with guests. You took a moment to glance outside, and felt the rush of cold air from the open doors. It was freezing outside, and you weren't exactly dressed for winter. Just for decoration. You spotted an abandoned coat by the windowsill and quickly slipped it on over your ridiculous outfit, already feeling a bit less like a sore thumb. It immediately went invisible when you touched it so shrugging it on was no problem. It spared you the bitter cold when you stepped out of the doorway, onto the patio. <<if $wealth is "rich">>Amos brushed right past you, heading into it with a sigh and pushing his hair away from his face, looking as if he was heading into the lion's den. He seemed to recognise someone. A bearded face, dressed nicely, gentle eyes and fiddling with a pocketwatch before he too, spotted Amos. <<if $hs_m is true>>"Arturo?" Amos stopped before going closer. "I... Didn't think you would be here. The other man laughed a bit, scratching his white beard. "Of course I'd be here. Why wouldn't I be?" He replied, seemingly all ease, however the constantly swirling glass of wine hinted otherwise.<<else>>The two men drew closer, starting to talk in a most animated fashion.<</if>><<elseif $wealth is "poor">> Your aunt bustled past you with your uncle lurching after her. She immediately took up a glass of clear wine, taking a large drink before turning to your uncle, talking in a most animated fashion. <<if $hs_m is true>>"Why are they all asking about your brother? It's our big day, getting back into society." "Winnie, dearest-" "No, if I hear one more thing about-" "Winifred." Your uncle cut her off firmly, taking the glass from her hand. "They're asking about <<if $transgender is true>>$name- $deadname<<else>>$name<</if>> first and foremost. Only then do they bring up ''my'' brother. You're lucky it's just remarks about how quickly the wedding happened. He was only declared missing... P-Presumed dead last month. $cthey should still technically be still in full mourning for another-" "I don't care. I-" You didn't want to hear anymore. You could march up and shake her, for speaking thusly and causing the sudden pain in your chest, and the heat underneath your skin, the tears pricking at your eyes. <</if>><</if>> But you had no interest in the decorated tent and the people within, instead going towards the bottom of the garden... Away from everyone else.// [[The outer garden...|AM.Garden]]

<<nobr>> <<set $seirrep to 0>> <<set $townpoints to -5>> <<set $reputation to true>> <<set $Zsighting to 0>> <<set $powerdone to true>> <<audio "seirappear" play>> <</nobr>> <b>[[Reputation]] unlocked</b> The watery light began to slip into your cell, finally illuminating your surroundings fully. Water from last night's condensation dripped down the walls, into the cracks of the cobblestones. The bench you had switched between laying and sitting on had distinct splinters sticking out of it, most of which were probably stuck into your clothes, which felt rumpled and stuck unpleasantly to you. You stiffly used your elbow to lift yourself from your uncomfortable sleeping position, to rest your aching back against the cold stones of the wall. You, with throbbing eyes, watched as the soft yellow of the morning peeked in gradually grew and grew. Then a shadow shifted into sight. //Seir.// You didn't even turn to look at $Seirthem, the figure of your $seirform companion undoubtable. "They think it's you." $cSeirthey said in $Seirtheir flat, straight to the point way. "They think you happily skipped into town at dusk and butchered that piece of meat that used to be a boy." <ul><li>You felt a [[spark of irritation.|1.GetAlong]] You couldn't help it. You two usually got along, but Luke's empty eyes had watched you every time you had tried to close your lids to get some sleep.</li></ul> <ul><li>You sighed softly, deciding not to chide the demon. You two were [[close as can be|1.Friends]], but this morning had left you feeling anxious, stomach prickling, from the memories of Luke's blood staining the stones along with the undersides of your shoes.</li></ul> <ul><li>As per usual, you ignored Seir's words. Despite everything that had brought you two together, you [[struggled to get along with them|1.Enemies]] even on the best days.</li></ul> <ul><li>You bit your tongue to stop a retort. You two were [[prickly towards each other|1.BarelyGetAlong]] most of the time, only sometimes getting along, and an argument over this would probably have them thorny the rest of the day.</li></ul>

"... Dear?" She squints at you, waiting for a reply. The Sketcher continues to watch you. //Shit.// They both look suspicious of your silence over your surname. "Yeah, sorry." You finally say. "It's..." [[Wellers.|0.56][$surname = "Wellers"]] [[De Bellefort.|0.56][$surname = "De Bellefort"]] [[Stirling.|0.56][$surname = "Stirling"]] [[Rossellini.|0.56][$surname = "Rossellini"]] [[Atwood.|0.56][$surname = "Atwood"]] [[Input your own.|Insert Surname Fail]]

<<nobr>><<set $seirreputation to true>> <<set $seirromance to false>> <<set $seirrep += 5>><</nobr>> <b>Your [[relationship|Reputation]] with Seir is unlocked!</b> "Say it." Seir whispered to you. Something you noticed, is that $Seirthey seemed to notice everytime you wanted to say something, words at the tip of your tongue, which you sometimes held back. And $Seirthey always wanted you to speak those words out loud. "... It's okay. I just couldn't sleep last night. I kept seeing..." The image had been burnt into your mind. The boy, ripped apart, most of his face missing, so that his teeth gleamed dully in the low lamp light, unprotected by cheek or lip. His right eye missing, revealing a glistening, deep hole. His other eye carved right in half, the soft jelly shining over what remained of his face. Not to mention the body... The boy had been butchered. "... Then we should speak on things more urgent, shouldn't we?" $cSeirtheir <<if $seirform is "dog" or $seirform is "cat" or $seirform is "hare" or $seirform is "fox">>black nose poked inbetween the bars, as if trying to get a better look at you with $Seirtheir half-moon eyes.<<elseif $seirform is "crow">>black beak first poking through the bars, then $Seirtheir head, $Seirtheir half-moon eyes focused on you.<<else>>black, scaly head poking through the bars easily, half-moon eyes lazily blinking right at you.<</if>> "Namely what will happen to little old us if they decide you are guilty." "But I'm not-" "Well, I know that, and you know that, but no one else does. And we haven't endeared ourselves that much to the townfolk, so why would anyone want to believe us? We have no character witnesses to our merit, only to our deficiencies." "Our deficiencies..." You repeated slowly. "Yes. We're not a big believer in being neighbourly for one. That kills in a small town." You could hear the pride in $Seirtheir private joke. That was Seir for you. "They won't be very interested in believing you have nothing to hide. And if they did find out about your, ah, extra hobbies, then you'd be burned, instead of... Well... The punishment for murder is hanging." "It does seem like a bleak future, no matter what." You said after a moment, mulling over the two outcomes. "... And leaving town will just prove my guilt." "Smart thing you are." $cSeirthey replied, soft, fond. [[The sound of a key in a lock startled you.|1.01]]

<<nobr>><<set $seirreputation to true>> <<set $seirromance to false>> <<set $seirrep += 50>><</nobr>> <b>Your [[relationship|Reputation]] with Seir is unlocked!</b> There a moment of silence before- "Sorry. Too soon." Seir sighed, sounding just a bit remorseful. It hadn't taken you too long to realise that $Seirthey was incredibly adept at reading your emotions, either through your bond, or maybe just because of what $Seirthey was. $cSeirtheir little halting apology soothed you a bit, but didn't distract you from what was looming, darkening the future like a rumbling thundercloud. "They think I did it." You say after a moment. "They don't know you," Seir added. "They don't know you and so they feel free to think you did it." "And if I run, it confirms my guilt." You leaned forward a bit, folding your forearms against your knees. "... But if they investigate... Further... If they do not simply pin me as the murderer..." "They will most probably find out a few things about you. Dark, pretty things..." You could feel $Seirtheir half-moon eyes burning into you, unblinking, as per usual. "Like me. Like what you have learned to do." "No matter what, it's bleak out there." "We could try and find out what happened to the boy." Seir tried to reassure you, something urgent in $Seirtheir lilting voice. "Or... Anything. Anything at all. Right now we're in more danger than we've ever been." [[The sound of a key in a lock startled you.|1.01]]

<<nobr>><<set $seirreputation to true>> <<set $seirromance to false>> <<set $seirrep -= 50>><</nobr>> <b>Your [[relationship|Reputation]] with Seir is unlocked!</b> Seir gave a soft tut as you ignored $Seirthem, but didn't seem surprised. $cSeirtheir shadow shifted as $Seirthey <<if $seirform is "dog" or $seirform is "cat" or $seirform is "hare" or $seirform is "fox">>sat up from $Seirtheir lazy lying position by the thick bars that framed the cobbles of the street. <<elseif $seirform is "crow">>stretched out $Seirtheir wings and became pecking at loose feathers.<<else>>slithered closer to the bars, tucking $Seirtheir scaly head through.<</if>> "You can't ignore me on this." Seir continued after a moment. "They all think you're odd anyway. They won't think much about hanging you... Or burning you, if they find out you have little old me with you." "I know." You replied after a while, the only sound echoing through the cell other than your voice being the soft drips of water from the ceiling and walls. "... I could skip town-" "And be hunted down." Seir mused, rubbing $Seirtheir cheek against the grain of the bars. "Or stay and try to find who actually did it. Maybe pin it on someone else. We don't have a lot of options." "No, <b>I</b> do not." You couldn't help it, it was impossible not to be reminded that Seir was something... That wasn't of this world. If you were accused of these crimes, found out to be... A witch. Everything and anything you were and weren't already, you'd be hung, burnt, put into a cell and forgotten there... All by yourself. Seir was in no great risk at all. Except $Seirthey did seem to enjoy being... Here... At least compared to wherever $Seirthey was before. [[The sound of a key in a lock startled you.|1.01]]

<<nobr>><<set $seirreputation to true>> <<set $seirromance to false>> <<set $seirrep -= 5>><</nobr>> <b>Your [[relationship|Reputation]] with Seir is unlocked!</b> Seir gave a soft hum when you didn't answer $Seirthem, but didn't seem to hold it against you. $cSeirtheir shadow shifted as $Seirthey <<if $seirform is "dog" or $seirform is "cat" or $seirform is "hare" or $seirform is "fox">>sat up from $Seirtheir lazy lying position by the thick bars that framed the cobbles of the street. <<elseif $seirform is "crow">>stretched out $Seirtheir wings and became pecking at loose feathers.<<else>>slithered closer to the bars, tucking $Seirtheir scaly head through.<</if>> "... My apologies." Seir finally said, the words seeming to struggle to slip through $Seirtheir mouth. "Bad time to.... Well. Bad time." You sighed softly and nodded, sparing a glance upwards, where you could see $Seirtheir <<if $seirform is "dog" or $seirform is "cat" or $seirform is "hare" or $seirform is "fox">>black paw peeking through.<<elseif $seirform is "crow">>black beak peeking through.<<else>>black tail had slipped through.<</if>> Seir did tend to tiptoe back into your good graces from time to time. "But I am still right." $Seirthey continued, soft, silky voice not even echoing in the cell. "It doesn't help that the local townfolk think you're... Eccentric. Just a nudge of cold blooded murder as a title, and they'd be fine with seeing you hang... Or worse, if they found out the truth." //They'd burn you...// A tried and true method, one they refused to go out of practise for Witches... Or "practitioners" who got out of hand. "... We could slip away." You said after a moment. "But then-" "They'd think you were definitely guilty. Would make it all the sweeter when they caught you. If we stay it might buy us some time." "To find... Who did it?" "Like a pair of Bow Street Runners in one of those papers. Little detectives to make sure we don't meet a grizzly end." Seir nosed at the bars seperating you from $Seirthem and the street outside. You cracked a small smile at the image of you two, prowling in the alleys to catch a murderer red handed. [[The sound of a key in a lock startled you.|1.01]]

The door swung open, and there, keys in hand, was your jailor, Captain Marsvin. Gloved fingers curled tightly around the keyholder, as if he was trying to strangle the life out of it. "You," The word was forced through his gritted teeth. "Are free to go." You could sense Seir skitter away from the barred window, heading towards the front doors of the station. You yourself slowly stood, every joint in your body creaking uncomfortably, finally stretching after so long staying in the same two positions over the course of the entire night. You tried to slip past him quickly, but his hand crushed your elbow in a grip. "But don't you dare," His breath was hot, reeking of coffee and a breakfast that had promised burnt fish. "Believe for a moment I won't keep my eye on you. I know you did it." He released your arm just as quickly as he grabbed it, and you could feel his burning gaze follow you past the other cells, the singing drunk now upright and quite chipper, through the doors leading out. A guard trailed you slowly until you were back at the front desk, being handed your effects you were brought in with. Overcoat, and a bag of food, things you couldn't grow yourself out by your cottage. Then, finally. Stepped out into the fresh air of South Hollow. The day had just started, but already people were out. The town you lived half an hour from, making the slow trek through the trees and a dirt path, always managed to wake up slow, and then too fast. Only a few notes of bird song ever managed to ring out before it's overtaken by the hustle of the market, that within seconds will be set up on every available space in the centre of South Hollow. The lanes on the outside were luckier, occupied with only a few grand old houses and manors, spread out to the point they were barely even neighbours. Further out, past the cemetery, past the tiny shops and the tea houses, the paths diverged, one to the main road out, another down to the moors, and one, mostly hidden, back out to the woods. Maybe in another life, if you had been born in the hospital, the grandest building in town, delivered by trusted midwives, you'd have loved it here. Maybe. [[Seir appeared at your feet.|1.02]]

<h1>The Rot of Witchwood</h1> <p>As a wayward Witch, you have enough to worry about. Your powers, gifted to you by a curious demon, the past you run from, even trying to get by enough without raising the ire of the neighbouring town. But when you find yourself implicated in a nefarious deed, it's time to step out of your own isolation, and clear your name. With the entire town a chessboard, it's up to you to keep track of the pieces that can help you and the moves that will smite you. Also, to show the different types of flirting there will be two symbols. One for overt flirting, knowing what exactly you want, it is ✴︎ Then oblivious, knowing they make you feel warm but not knowing why, it is ☾ A flirt option that is neither overt or oblivious and is just a flirty action is ৎ୭</p> <<nobr>><<set $book1end to false>> <<set $book2end to false>> <<set $book3end to false>> <</nobr>> <b>Book 1: The Rot Begins</b> [[Play Here|Title Page]] [[Quick Start|QS.1Name]] <b>Book 2: Blackness Sets In</b> <<if $book1end == true>> [[Play!|Title Page 2]] <<else>> <span class = "inactive">[[Cannot Play Yet.|Title Page 2]]</span> <</if>> <b>Book 3: Decay Eats Away</b> <<if $book2end == true>> [[Play!|Title Page 3]] <<else>> <span class = "inactive">[[Cannot Play Yet.|Title Page 3]]</span> <</if>> <b>Book 4: Bones Come Up</b> <<if $book3end == true>> [[Play!|Title Page 4]] <<else>> <span class = "inactive">[[Cannot Play Yet.|Title Page 4]]</span> <</if>> [[Detailed Content Warning List]]

<<audio "seirappear" play>>$cSeirthey slunk from the shadows, looking up at you with $Seirtheir strange eyes, looking most out of place against $Seirtheir more natural animal body.<<if $seirform is "dog">> Seir's thick black fur only helped to contrast against $Seirtheir silvery eyes. To most people, $Seirthey didn't even look that friendly, despite being... A dog. $cSeirthey had such an intimidating presence, usually standing stock still and staring at most people, tail unmoving, nose scrunches as if $Seirthey were about to start growling at any moment.<<elseif $seirform is "cat">> Seir truly gave the other black cats, strays or not, a bad name. $cSeirtheir eyes stood out against $Seirtheir fur. $cSeirthey loved to creep around, usually following the path of a tiny bird fluttering too close, or letting $Seirtheir eyes linger on people long enough that they would start feeling unsettled. Nothing that your little cat companion loved more than to deposit remants of $Seirtheir hunts right on people's shoes and watch them shriek.<<elseif $seirform is "hare">> It was definitely odd to people, not that you had a rabbit, but more that the seemingly wild hare, with fur as black as night, would happily hop behind you, never darting off or finding interest in the plants around. No, simply following you, and staring out of the corner of $Seirtheir silver eyes at people. It made you sympathise a bit more with all those stories from the original witch hunts, the terror a simple staring jackrabbit could inflict on those people...<<elseif $seirform is "fox">> Seir preferred to keep to the alleys and gutters. Fair since at best $Seirthey would be met with kicks and at worst... Well. You didn't know who would come out alive, but you couldn't bet against Seir. Luckily, it was easier for $Seirthem. $cSeirtheir coat was mostly black, with burnt orange flecks around $Seirtheir nose and eyes and tail. Even now, $Seirthey seemed to melt into the shadows of the steps to the station.<<elseif $seirform is "crow">> It looked odd, you having a little pet crow, either hopping after you, feathers clicking, crouched on your shoulder, or flying just overhead. $cSeirthey preferred to stick to the rooftops, swooshing above you. Honestly, Seir didn't look out of place among the other birds, but you have caught people staring at up at $Seirthem. Maybe $Seirthey look just a bit more forboding, with $Seirtheir silver eyes standing out against their solid black feathers. Most of the time, $Seirthey prefer to spend time dropping twigs down the front of ladies' corsets, or worms onto hats.<<elseif $seirform is "snake">> Most of the time, other people didn't take notice of Seir. When $Seirthey weren't in the bushes, sliding along the gutters, $Seirthey preferred to be hidden in your coat sleeves, in a bag. Snakes with obsidian scales weren't common here, and you never wanted to invite in anymore scrutiny to your life.<</if>> "So," Seir squinted up at you. $cSeirtheir words washed over your mind like a wave sweeping up a stony beach. It took a bit of trial and error, but you figured out that to everyone else who cared to listen in to your mumbling, $Seirthey was just <<if $seirform is "dog">> giving muted ruffs and woofs.<<elseif $seirform is "cat">> making scratchy meows, maybe a chirp every now and then.<<elseif $seirform is "hare">> scrunching $Seirtheir nose up at you inbetween hiccup-like clucks.<<elseif $seirform is "fox">> making $Seirtheir usual yips and low whines, muted and scratchy.<<elseif $seirform is "crow">> giving hoarse coos and throaty clicks.<<elseif $seirform is "snake">> flickering $Seirtheir thin tongue out and hissing from time to time.<</if>> "The Captain is going to be a pain in our side." "Most probably." You murmured, soft, pretending to be focused on doing up your overcoat buttons. You stood for a moment, letting the world pass you by, busy people brushing past you impatiently, your clothes muted and dark against their brighter ones. Luckily you weren't close to the road, where horses trotted back and forth, sometimes pulling carriages, sometimes with just a single rider. The sun was watery, barely warming you. It was probably the sunniest day the sun had shone down in months, and frankly, it felt like quite the mockery of your situation. The gap inbetween the nonstop clouds and rain was just in time for the light to laugh down at you, at your predicament. This section of South Hollow wasn't even that bad... Even with the station looming like a tombstone overhead. Even with all your ruminating, you came to the same three conclusions, with each one seeming somehow less appealing than the last. You had to find out more about the dead boy. You had to go to the scene of the crime. You would have to look at his body again. Seir seemed to grimace at what you were thinking. You couldn't blame $Seirthem. Yesterday your main worry was if Mister Greene was willing to keep his word to keep a parcel of food for you to collect just as he closed. It was wondering if your boots would give out. If... If what you were running from was going to catch up to you soon. You swallowed thickly. Speaking of... "I'll drop them off." Seir uttered, blinking up at you slowly. "Rather would be putting groceries away than whatever you're going to do. <<if $seirrep gte 4>> Not that I won't miss your sparkling company while you galavant."<</if>> You sighed a bit but still carefully put down the bag of food by the bottom step, Seir taking a moment to tuck $Seirtheir nose into the brown paper, as if sniffing. Most days you could not tell the difference between Seir "playing" at animalism or if $Seirthey was being genuine. You blinked and $Seirthey was gone, parcel and all. Not even the usual sounds to accompany $Seirtheir departure. You looked at the spot Seir had just been sitting for just a moment before absent-mindedly brushing off your sleeves. [[Onwards|1.03]]

<<nobr>><<set $investigatescene to false>> <<set $investigatebody to false>><<set $investigateluke to false>><</nobr>> You hadn't been in South Hollow very long. No, maybe five months at most. Didn't mean you had no clue around town though. While you and Seir kept to the outskirts of the woods, in your cottage, you still had to venture out for supplies, for fabrics, for medicines you weren't able to make yourself. All in all, you could pin point most places across South Hollow. You could retrace your steps from last night to where you found Luke easily enough. The morgue... Must be in the hospital most probably, or the station. Or be in walking distance. You racked your brain for any information about Luke. Where did you see him most? A horse charged right past you, a messenger shouting something over the din of the crowd, mostly demands to get out the way as he rode on the paved walkway. It ripped you from your thoughts and you shook your head. The morning was already fully underway. You could hear people shouting in the market even a few streets away, tall buildings towering along the street, people already going to and fro. You steeled yourself, the cool wind chilling you. You had to decide. <ul><li>[[First, the morgue.|StarlingIntro]]</li></ul> <ul><li>[[First, the scene of the crime.|VDeWintersIntro]]</li></ul> <ul><li>[[First, you should investigate more about Luke.|SDellaRoverePrelude]]</li></ul>

<<set $investigatebody to true>><<set $SKrep to 0>><<set $Zsighting += 1>><<set $SKFlirt to 0>> You had to take a chance at guessing that the morgue was at the hospital over the station. At least, with you checking the former first, it gave you some sort of buffer before potentially running into the Captain again. Harehill Mount was a bit more out of the way to get to, but St. De Lyones was like a beacon, towering over all other structures easily, drawing you in. It almost seemed... Too grand for a hospital to be hidden away inside the building. It somehow looked both ancient and utterly timeless. It had an extraordinary Janus effect the closer you got to it. The foundations, the first few floors, were aged stone, reminiscent of a time long since past, of when the world was barely explored, when a cough meant that death might be imminent, when the threat of 'here be monsters' was a promise kept for the edges of maps, instead of a truth that had waited for you in the dark. Above the ancient stone, the architecture became slowly more modern, more ostentatious than its humble beginnings. The left wing hadn't been completed yet, and you could see workers slowly moving to and fro. It was an endearing patchwork upon the town. You finally arrived on Harehill Mount, your feet aching a bit from the uneven cobblestones. All that work on St. De Lyones' building and no time spent on fixing the perpetrator of most of the broken soles in South Hollow. You made your way to the front of the opened gates and drank in the sight. A pebbled courtyard stretching out in front of you, with an old fountain sitting in the middle, surrounded by three towering buildings, the main with the two wings flanking it. Nurses, in starched white uniforms, made their ways to and fro, marching like worker ants, sometimes trailed by a doctor in all black, some adorned with white wigs, all on their own paths. With slow steps, tiny stones scattering, you made your way past the fountain, a vague marble figure of a woman with cupped palms with water coming out of them standing tall within it. You pushed open the grand double doors and slipped inside, taking a moment to look around. It was a grand hall, arching way above your head, old engravings nicked into the surface, with a low fire sitting behind an overcrowded desk, the man behind it angrily arguing with a woman with two children hanging off of her. A group of men stood by one of the walls, making sure to keep out the way, all clutching their recommendations, looking up hopefully every time a nurse or a doctor drifted through. Most physicians headed straight out, ignoring any calls to attention. <<if $wealth is "poor">>You remembered a few times, when you were younger, watching as people desperately thrust out their recommendations, a slip of paper, stating that the holder was suggested to be looked over by a doctor. The wait could take hours.<<elseif $wealth is "rich">>You don't think you ever set foot in a hospital before, not like this. Every time someone was ill, a doctor came to your home. You even remember having a fever and an elderly man, wearing a powdered white wig, with his dentures hanging by a cord around his neck. He examined you, gave you a gummy smile, popped in his teeth to announce all you needed was broth and bed rest. This was a stark difference.<</if>> [[You approached the desk as the woman stomped away, children clinging to her skirts.|SK.01]] <<audio "sillytime" stop>>

<<audio "SHmorning" play loop>><<set $investigatescene to true>><<set $VWrep to 0>><<set $Zsighting += 1>><<set $VWFlirt to 0>> The thought of returning sent an unpleasant shiver down your spine. It was only a few hours ago a body lay there, still warm, cobblestones soaked in black blood, staining your shoes in the waning moonlight. You shook it off, but it lingered... You started walking, bird calls and chatter of the world around you falling quieter with every step you made. It was as if the world around where a boy's body once lay was still in shock, and had frozen the moment he died. You walked two streets down, from Vardent Row, to Oldstone Crossing. You lingered a moment before going down two more winding streets. You passed a large carriage, the driver reading the paper but stopping to give you a frown as you passed. Some people lurked along the pavement, talking in low voices to each other, among the hedges and low walls seperating the red brick houses. <<if $investigatescene is true and $investigatebody is false and $investigateluke is false>>None gave you a second glance as you got closer, except the usual wary looks when they recognised who exactly you were. Even if they did not know you were involved in the murder, you have never exactly been welcomed here.<<else>>You felt eyes on you. Whispers. While you've never been exactly welcome here, this... This was new.... Did people already know you were a suspect?<</if>> Then... Finally. You were there. Two officers stood in front of where Luke had been laying, now nothing but slippery cobblestones, streaked with dark blood. They were keeping a small crowd away, still lingering even after the body's removal. You couldn't get close. Too many people whispering to each other, about Luke, about who could have done this, to a boy, //a boy of 15, one so young, only a monster//- Your heart was beating too fast. //They're going to blame you. Ruin you. You will be found guilty, even though you are not. You will be found to be a Witch, a fraud, you will be found by those you are running from. They're going to take you away, you're going to be hanged, burned, handed over to the Basilica to be Tagged, tortured, and there was nothing you could do about it-// You took a step back, and your back collided with something warm. [[... Bergamot?|VW.Intro]] <<audio "sillytime" stop>>

<<audio "SHmorning" play loop>><<set $investigateluke to true>><<set $Zsighting += 1>>The first time you ever met Luke, he was at the counter of Boccaccio Books, the dusty air// settling around him, almost like a halo. His hazy green eyes fixed upon a book, his mousy brown hair in the way, apparent from the way he would exhale a puff of air to get them out the way. He had straighened up when you came in, quickly tucking his reading material under the counter, rubbing his bandaged hand against his neck and gave you an awkward smile. "Anything for you, $title?" His accent wasn't local. Further up, maybe, from the Capital. You glanced nervously around, the book covers themselves already promising austere prices. Seir had told you about the grimoire you must start to construct, of things you must remember, recipes you must learn and construct, and... So much to do. So much to fix. "Ah... I heard you sell notebooks. Or, at least paper and cover bindings to create one." "Hmh." Luke nodded, scratching his chin. He had yet to grow any stubble. "One moment." He slipped from behind the counter-// No, no. you should look at the bookstore, where you tried looking for a notebook. It's the only place you ever saw him working. You hadn't exactly been a socialite in town, but you can't remember seeing him anywhere else much, except sometimes among the market stalls. You slowly start making your way into the centre of town, where the stalls were already set up and in full swing. You could always hear them first, before seeing them, the chatter, the sounds of coins and commerce, of people. Even with a horrific slaying just a few streets down, things continued as usual. Skirting around people, squeezing past, trying to avoid suspicion after your time in the cells. You don't want to be accused of something else, pickpocketing, purse cutting, lifting items, and spend even more time in the jail, under the Captain's distrusting eyes. [[Finally, in front of Boccaccio Books...|BB.1]]

Strangely, the soft, sweet yet sharp smell of grapefruit and bergamot brought you right back. You turned, stumbling over your words a bit, to apologise for bumping into them in your panic when- When you came face to face with the only person more out of place than you. <<if $VWgender is "male">>A man, of slightly above average height and lean build, dressed all in black. He clashed with the soft colours of the people around him, but it couldn't be by accident. You recognised mourning clothes, and he was dressed ready for a funeral. Dark, rich russet hair that seemed to glint a vibrant red in the dappled sunlight. He seemed to radiate a soft warmth, except for his eyes. They were like ice, a cold, glinting green, even while outlined in what you recognised as kohl. <<if $height is "very short" or "short" or "average">> Those sad shards, like shattered pieces of stained glass, flicked down to meet yours. His downturned lips gave a small, strained smile, showing a hint of a sharp canine.<<elseif $height is "tall">> Those sad shards, like shattered pieces of stained glass, flickered to yours. His downturned lips gave a small, strained smile, showing a hint of a sharp canine.<<elseif $height is "very tall">> Those sad shards, like shattered pieces of stained glass, flickered up to meet yours. His downturned lips gave a small, strained smile, showing a hint of a sharp canine. The was an disgusting scar jaggedly sitting across his nose, marring his otherwise impeccably tanned soft skin. He was beautiful, in a way a man cruely could be.<</if>><</if>> <<if $VWgender is "female">>A woman, of slightly above average height and lean build, dressed all in black. She clashed with the soft colours of the people around her, but it couldn't be by accident. You recognised mourning clothes, and she was dressed ready for a funeral. Dark, rich russet hair that seemed to glint a vibrant red in the dappled sunlight. She seemed to radiate a soft warmth, except for her eyes. They were like ice, a cold, glinting green, even while outlined in what you recognised as kohl. <<if $height is "very short" or "short" or "average">> Those sad shards, like shattered pieces of stained glass, flicked down to meet yours. Her downturned lips gave a small, strained smile, showing a hint of a sharp canine.<<elseif $height is "tall">> Those sad shards, like shattered pieces of stained glass, flickered to yours. Her downturned lips gave a small, strained smile, showing a hint of a sharp canine.<<elseif $height is "very tall">> Those sad shards, like shattered pieces of stained glass, flickered up to meet yours. Her downturned lips gave a small, strained smile, showing a hint of a sharp canine. The was an disgusting scar jaggedly sitting across her nose, marring her otherwise impeccably tanned soft skin. She was striking, in a way a woman cruely could be<</if>><</if>> "Please. The apologies are mine to make. I was standing too close." $cVWthey stepped away, <<if $VWgender is "male">>black jacket flapping in the wind.<<elseif $VWgender is "female">>black skirt rustling with the movement.<</if>> You could not help but to keep looking. There was something so strange, so striking, about $VWthem in the presence of this crowd. It wasn't fashionable to wear all black, not unless while grieving a family member. But $VWthey also clearly wasn't <b>out</b> of fashion with $VWtheir garb. <<if $VWgender is "female">>Her dress was made out of satin, evident with the way the light caught the fabric. Lace gloves, with a golden wedding band glinting beneath. A silver necklace, disappearing into her bodice, with a dark red shawl wrapped around her shoulders. Her soft hair was pinned back, with a few curls escaping to curl along her neck. Simply... She looked too expensive to be here, in an unfashionable part of the town, a few steps from the scene of a crime.<<else>>His waistcoat was trimmed with silver, with embroidered patterns stitched into the velvet fabric. Black leather gloves hid his hands, a stopwatch tucked into a smaller pocket of his knee length overcoat. the wind had ruffled his neat hair, now looking somewhat unkempt. His boots probably cost more than anything you had ever owned in your new life. Simply... He looked too expensive to be here, in an unfashionable part of the town, a few steps from the scene of a crime.<</if>> [[Onwards|VW.01]]

$cVWthey did not seem to notice your staring, soley focused on the slowly dispersing crowd of people. Most wandered back to their houses, some others shot you an odd look and made a wide berth... And did the same for your temporary companion, staring at $VWtheir fineries, seeing $VWtheir face and scurrying away. Whoever this was, it was apparent $VWthey wasn't anymore beloved than you were. "How awful." $cVWthey said after a moment, before turning back to look at you. "Isn't it." It didn't feel like a question. [[You agreed, for more reasons than one. "It is."|VW.011]] [[Nodding, you tried for a question. "Did you know the boy?"|VW.012]] [[You decided against answering and just gave a nod.|VW.013]]

$cVWthey smiled blankly at your response, as if $VWthey heard it but hadn't fully registered it. "He was a lovely boy," $cVWthey continued. "Very lovely." You slowly parted your lips, if to say anything, you don't know but before you could, the <<if $VWgender is "female">> lady<<else>> gentleman<</if>> breathed in deep, seemingly coming back into the moment, as if waking from a trance. $cVWtheir sharp eyes lost all desolate sadness that had permeated them, instead shifting into a sort of cat-like arrogance. $cVWthey focused on you, fair lips settling into an aloof smirk. "Ah. Our very own hermit. Thought I recognised you. Though, you're missing your..." $cVWthey made a vague hand gesture. "<<if $seirform is "dog">>Mutt. Must be like walking around with... The Beast of Gévaudan, one of my friends would say.<<elseif $seirform is "cat">>Pussycat. Quite a pretty little thing.<<elseif $seirform is "hare">>Bunny. You know they're bad luck, right?<<elseif $seirform is "fox">>... Fox, I'm pretty sure.<<elseif $seirform is "crow">>...Bird. You know my neighbour keeps a parrot? Yours is better.<<elseif $seirform is "snake">>Viper...? Looks too mean to be a worm.<</if>> They're usually hot on your heels." Whoever this was, $VWthey had noticed Seir. A bolt of anxiety shot through you again. $cVWthey didn't seem to care about your reaction, instead $VWtheir eyes turn to drink in your face.<<if $hairstyle is "kept covered">> A wry smile graces $VWtheir lips. You realise your covering is askew from the night of tossing and turning and quickly fix it. $cVWthey drag their eyes back to the crime scene but you can still somehow feel $VWtheir condescension.<<elseif $hairstyle is "shaved" or $hairstyle is "shorn" or $hairstyle is "in cornrows">> A polite smile twitches $VWtheir lips but $VWtheir eyes dart to your clothes for just a second, you think you almost missed it. You glance down and with a start, realise your clothes are... Beyond a mess. Rumpled, creases everywhere. Your hands flutter over yourself a moment, tugging, trying to get get yourself neat again. $cVWthey drag $VWtheir eyes back to the crime scene.<<elseif $hairstyle is "done up">> A slow smirk crawls over $VWtheir lips, parting them to show a strangely endearing crooked canine. $cVWthey glance to your hair and back again, mouth settling into something more affable. As if moving by themselves, your fingers awkwardly skitter up to your done up hair. Within a second you realise it's been ruffled into a mess, no doubt from your tossing and turning in the cells. Locks of hair have escaped and you must have looked quite the sight. You begin fixing it, trying to tuck everything back into place as $VWthey drag $VWtheir eyes back to the crime scene.<<else>> $cVWtheir sharp eyes dart to your hair, a polite smile gracing $VWtheir features, with a small flash of a canine. It was almost teasing. As if on instinct, your fingers find their way to your hair. $cVWthey looks away just as they do, back to the crime scene as you find your hair in complete disarray, some parts knotted without a hope of becoming untangled without some maintenance.<</if>> <<nobr>><<if $injury_hand is true>>Though, $VWtheir eyes did flick down to your <<if $prosthetics is "hand" or $prosthetics is "arm">>hand<<else>>hands<</if>>, the ones Starling had wrapped tightly in gauze. Something in those cold, smug eyes lessened, thawing. It only lasted a moment.<</if>> <</nobr>> "Came all the way in to gawk at the dead boy's blood. How gauche." You could hear the squeak of $VWtheir black leather gloves as $VWtheir fingers tightened around a pocketwatch when $VWthey checked the time. "Luckily I have more fulfilling things to do. Good day, Anchorite." $cVWthey turned on $VWtheir heel and walked past you. [[You called after them."Did you also come to stare?"|VW.11]] [[Wait- "My apologies, but I didn't catch your name."|VW.12]] [[Worth a try. "Did you know Luke well?"|VW.14]] [[You said nothing, and just watched them leave.|VW.13]]

$cVWtheir eyes focused on you just for a moment, something deep and desolate and sad lurking beneath those green waters. Raw. "He was a lovely boy," $cVWthey murmured. "Very lovely." You slowly parted your lips, if to say anything, you don't know but before you could, the <<if $VWgender is "female">> lady<<else>> gentleman<</if>> breathed in deep, seemingly coming back into the moment, as if waking from a trance. $cVWtheir sharp eyes lost all desolate sadness that had permeated them, instead shifting into a sort of cat-like arrogance. $cVWthey focused on you, fair lips settling into an aloof smirk. "Ah. Our very own hermit. Thought I recognised you. Though, you're missing your..." $cVWthey made a vague hand gesture. "<<if $seirform is "dog">>Mutt. Must be like walking around with... The Beast of Gévaudan, one of my friends would say.<<elseif $seirform is "cat">>Pussycat. Quite a pretty little thing.<<elseif $seirform is "hare">>Bunny. You know they're bad luck, right?<<elseif $seirform is "fox">>... Fox, I'm pretty sure.<<elseif $seirform is "crow">>...Bird. You know my neighbour keeps a parrot? Yours is better.<<elseif $seirform is "snake">>Viper...? Looks too mean to be a worm.<</if>> They're usually hot on your heels." Whoever this was, $VWthey had noticed Seir. A bolt of anxiety shot through you again. $cVWthey didn't seem to care about your reaction, instead $VWtheir eyes turn to drink in your face.<<if $hairstyle is "kept covered">> A wry smile graces $VWtheir lips. You realise your covering is askew from the night of tossing and turning and quickly fix it. $cVWthey drag their eyes back to the crime scene but you can still somehow feel $VWtheir condescension.<<elseif $hairstyle is "shaved" or $hairstyle is "shorn" or $hairstyle is "in cornrows">> A polite smile twitches $VWtheir lips but $VWtheir eyes dart to your clothes for just a second, you think you almost missed it. You glance down and with a start, realise your clothes are... Beyond a mess. Rumpled, creases everywhere. Your hands flutter over yourself a moment, tugging, trying to get get yourself neat again. $cVWthey drag $VWtheir eyes back to the crime scene.<<elseif $hairstyle is "done up">> A slow smirk crawls over $VWtheir lips, parting them to show a strangely endearing crooked canine. $cVWthey glance to your hair and back again, mouth settling into something more affable. As if moving by themselves, your fingers awkwardly skitter up to your done up hair. Within a second you realise it's been ruffled into a mess, no doubt from your tossing and turning in the cells. Locks of hair have escaped and you must have looked quite the sight. You begin fixing it, trying to tuck everything back into place as $VWthey drag $VWtheir eyes back to the crime scene.<<else>> $cVWtheir sharp eyes dart to your hair, a polite smile gracing $VWtheir features, with a small flash of a canine. It was almost teasing. As if on instinct, your fingers find their way to your hair. $cVWthey looks away just as they do, back to the crime scene as you find your hair in complete disarray, some parts knotted without a hope of becoming untangled without some maintenance.<</if>> <<nobr>><<if $injury_hand is true>>Though, $VWtheir eyes did flick down to your <<if $prosthetics is "hand" or $prosthetics is "arm">>hand<<else>>hands<</if>>, the ones Starling had wrapped tightly in gauze. Something in those cold, smug eyes lessened, thawing. It only lasted a moment.<</if>> <</nobr>> "Came all the way in to gawk at the dead boy's blood. How gauche." You could hear the squeak of $VWtheir black leather gloves as $VWtheir fingers tightened around a pocketwatch when $VWthey checked the time. "Luckily I have more fulfilling things to do. Good day, Anchorite." $cVWthey turned on $VWtheir heel and walked past you. [[You called after them."Did you also come to stare?"|VW.11]] [[Wait- "My apologies, but I didn't catch your name."|VW.12]] [[Worth a try. "Did you know Luke well?"|VW.14]] [[You said nothing, and just watched them leave.|VW.13]]

$cVWthey didn't even seem to register you didn't answer them, just breathed soft, and low and deep. You could be a tree for all it was worth. "He was a lovely boy," $cVWthey murmured. "Very lovely." You slowly parted your lips, if to say anything, you don't know but before you could, the <<if $VWgender is "female">> lady<<else>> gentleman<</if>> breathed in deep, seemingly coming back into the moment, as if waking from a trance. $cVWtheir sharp eyes lost all desolate sadness that had permeated them, instead shifting into a sort of cat-like arrogance. $cVWthey focused on you, fair lips settling into an aloof smirk. "Ah. Our very own hermit. Thought I recognised you. Though, you're missing your..." $cVWthey made a vague hand gesture. "<<if $seirform is "dog">>Mutt. Must be like walking around with... The Beast of Gévaudan, one of my friends would say.<<elseif $seirform is "cat">>Pussycat. Quite a pretty little thing.<<elseif $seirform is "hare">>Bunny. You know they're bad luck, right?<<elseif $seirform is "fox">>... Fox, I'm pretty sure.<<elseif $seirform is "crow">>...Bird. You know my neighbour keeps a parrot? Yours is better.<<elseif $seirform is "snake">>Viper...? Looks too mean to be a worm.<</if>> They're usually hot on your heels." Whoever this was, $VWthey had noticed Seir. A bolt of anxiety shot through you again. $cVWthey didn't seem to care about your reaction, instead $VWtheir eyes turn to drink in your face.<<if $hairstyle is "kept covered">> A wry smile graces $VWtheir lips. You realise your covering is askew from the night of tossing and turning and quickly fix it. $cVWthey drag their eyes back to the crime scene but you can still somehow feel $VWtheir condescension.<<elseif $hairstyle is "shaved" or $hairstyle is "shorn" or $hairstyle is "in cornrows">> A polite smile twitches $VWtheir lips but $VWtheir eyes dart to your clothes for just a second, you think you almost missed it. You glance down and with a start, realise your clothes are... Beyond a mess. Rumpled, creases everywhere. Your hands flutter over yourself a moment, tugging, trying to get get yourself neat again. $cVWthey drag $VWtheir eyes back to the crime scene.<<elseif $hairstyle is "done up">> A slow smirk crawls over $VWtheir lips, parting them to show a strangely endearing crooked canine. $cVWthey glance to your hair and back again, mouth settling into something more affable. As if moving by themselves, your fingers awkwardly skitter up to your done up hair. Within a second you realise it's been ruffled into a mess, no doubt from your tossing and turning in the cells. Locks of hair have escaped and you must have looked quite the sight. You begin fixing it, trying to tuck everything back into place as $VWthey drag $VWtheir eyes back to the crime scene.<<else>> $cVWtheir sharp eyes dart to your hair, a polite smile gracing $VWtheir features, with a small flash of a canine. It was almost teasing. As if on instinct, your fingers find their way to your hair. $cVWthey looks away just as they do, back to the crime scene as you find your hair in complete disarray, some parts knotted without a hope of becoming untangled without some maintenance.<</if>> <<nobr>><<if $injury_hand is true>>Though, $VWtheir eyes did flick down to your <<if $prosthetics is "hand" or $prosthetics is "arm">>hand<<else>>hands<</if>>, the ones Starling had wrapped tightly in gauze. Something in those cold, smug eyes lessened, thawing. It only lasted a moment.<</if>> <</nobr>> "Came all the way in to gawk at the dead boy's blood. How gauche." You could hear the squeak of $VWtheir black leather gloves as $VWtheir fingers tightened around a pocketwatch when $VWthey checked the time. "Luckily I have more fulfilling things to do. Good day, Anchorite." $cVWthey turned on $VWtheir heel and walked past you. [[You called after them."Did you also come to stare?"|VW.11]] [[Wait- "My apologies, but I didn't catch your name."|VW.12]] [[Worth a try. "Did you know Luke well?"|VW.14]] [[You said nothing, and just watched them leave.|VW.13]]

<<audio "seirappear" play>>It was a bit of a maze, finding your way out of South Hollow. Easy to get in, hard to get out, but it seemed like that was how it was for most things in your life right now. One moment wandering the streets to go pick up groceries, the next you're chasing down clues and people in order to prove you didn't murder a boy you had met only once or twice. As you walked, the streets became less busy, the houses further apart, the sound quieter, as bird song took over. Finally, you found yourself on the country lane leading further out to the villages that dotted around South Hollow. It was fixing to be a hotter day than usual, despite how early it was in the year. Just you, the sun beating down, your worn shoes, and about half an hour of a dirt path to go talk to Luke Buckley's grandmother. You still had plans for the night too, back to the crime scene, meeting Starling a second time... Maybe seeing if you could meet the $SRtitle Della Rovere since it seemed $SRthey knew Luke, and was pretty fond of him... You sighed and started to walk. The grass was long, and tickled your hand as you walked. The sun beat down, so much so, you finally gave up and shook off your coat, checking the pocket briefly for if the notebook you had gotten from Patsy was still there. Minutes stretched on, birds calling out to each other, the buzzing of insects, all of it being the only sound outside of your own breathing. You swore once or twice that you saw a rabbit in the growth, the fences lining the lane doing nothing to keep them out of the farmlands you were slowly entering. You only paused when you heard rustling from deep within the grass. Staring, you wondered if your luck was so bad that you were about to be set upon by a bad tempered badger or some such. Then- "Ah, finally!" Seir <<if $seirform is "crow">>fluttered onto the fence post, preening underneath your gaze.<<elseif $seirform is "dog" or $seirform is "cat" or $seirform is "fox">>trotted out of the brush, taking a moment to loop between your legs before sitting down and yawning, showing off $Seirtheir pink tongue.<<elseif $seirform is "snake">>slithered from the bushes, sunlight glinting harshly off $Seirtheir black scales, stretching out before winding up your leg, to your middle, settling there like a belt.<<elseif $seirform is "hare">>hopped out from the brush, shaking $Seirtheir small head free of some grass sticking to $Seirtheir black fur. $cSeirthey made their way to your feet, resting $Seirtheir front paws against your shoe, looking up at you with $Seirtheir pale eyes. <</if>> "Do you know how long it took to put our food away? I don't have thumbs, you know." [[You blinked down at them. "...Seir, you can change to your original form to put things away." |MG.01]] [[You couldn't help but smile. "Poor thing. Horrible day?"|MG.02]] [[You huffed. "I'm going to be charged with murder, and you're whining about food?"|MG.03]] <<audio "sillytime" stop>>

<<nobr>><<set $VWrep -= 5>> <</nobr>>$cVWthey paused in $VWtheir stride. It could have been a trick of the light, but you swear you could see $VWtheir shoulders tense sharply before relaxing. $cVWthey glanced at you over $VWtheir shoulder. "Just on my morning walk." $cVWtheir smile had too many bared teeth to be friendly. After another scrutinising look at you, $VWthey turned on $VWtheir heel and continued down the street, where you had just come from. You watched as $VWthey stopped in front of the carriage you had passed before, the rider jumping down to open the door for $VWthem and shutting it after $VWthem. You swear you could see the curtain on the window twitching a bit and then falling still. Then, with a snap of the reigns, the two white horses pulled off. There was something about the interaction, every second spent in $VWtheir presence, that had felt off. You couldn't help the frown that spread over your face. "Got hassled by the $VWtitle?" Came a voice just behind you. You turned, coming face to face with an old lady, with more lines in her face than hair on her head. She smiled, revealing her two missing front teeth. It seemed she had been listening into most of your conversation, leaning her forearms on her low garden wall, standing in her flowerbeds. "Might want to go home and wash yourself off, dearie." She seemed downright giddy, rocking a bit on her feet. "Don't want to associate yourself with that <<if $VWgender is "female">>whore.<<elseif $VWgender is "male">>rake.<</if>>" [[Excuse me?|VW.20]]

<<nobr>><<set $VWrep += 6>><</nobr>>$cVWthey paused in $VWtheir stride. $cVWthey looked over $VWtheir shoulder at you, soft lips parted in a chuckle. You could see $VWtheir eyes were soft, light. Smiling. "Why? Are you investigating me?" $cVWthey laughed, genuinely delighted by the notion. "Well, I'll let you figure that out. Then the next time I go out on my walk, you can clap me in irons." After another amused look at you, $VWthey turned on $VWtheir heel and continued down the street, where you had just come from. You watched as $VWthey stopped in front of the carriage you had passed before, the rider jumping down to open the door for $VWthem and shutting it after $VWthem. You swear you could see the curtain on the window twitching a bit and then falling still. Then, with a snap of the reigns, the two white horses pulled off. There was something about the interaction, every second spent in $VWtheir presence, that had felt off. You couldn't help the frown that spread over your face. "Got hassled by the $VWtitle?" Came a voice just behind you. You turned, coming face to face with an old lady, with more lines in her face than hair on her head. She smiled, revealing her two missing front teeth. It seemed she had been listening into most of your conversation, leaning her forearms on her low garden wall, standing in her flowerbeds. "Might want to go home and wash yourself off, dearie." She seemed downright giddy, rocking a bit on her feet. "Don't want to associate yourself with that <<if $VWgender is "female">>whore.<<elseif $VWgender is "male">>rake.<</if>>" [[Excuse me?|VW.20]]

$cVWthey continued down the street, where you had just come from. You watched as $VWthey stopped in front of the carriage you had passed before, the rider jumping down to open the door for $VWthem and shutting it after $VWthem. You swear you could see the curtain on the window twitching a bit and then falling still. Then, with a snap of the reigns, the two white horses pulled off. There was something about the interaction, every second spent in $VWtheir presence, that had felt off. You couldn't help the frown that spread over your face. "Got hassled by the $VWtitle?" Came a voice just behind you. You turned, coming face to face with an old lady, with more lines in her face than hair on her head. She smiled, revealing her two missing front teeth. It seemed she had been listening into most of your conversation, leaning her forearms on her low garden wall, standing in her flowerbeds. "Might want to go home and wash yourself off, dearie." She seemed downright giddy, rocking a bit on her feet. "Don't want to associate yourself with that <<if $VWgender is "female">>whore.<<elseif $VWgender is "male">>rake.<</if>>" [[Excuse me?|VW.20]]

$cVWthey paused in $VWtheir stride. It could have been a trick of the light, but you swear you could see $VWtheir shoulders tense sharply before relaxing. $cVWthey glanced at you over $VWtheir shoulder. Despite the aloof, firm set of $VWtheir lips, curling a bit as if amused by the question, $VWtheir eyes were blank. Shielded. "No. Just saw the boy around some places." Another inscrutable quirk of $VWtheir lips. "Now, if you'll excuse me." After another empty look at you, $VWthey turned on $VWtheir heel and continued down the street, where you had just come from. You watched as $VWthey stopped in front of the carriage you had passed before, the rider jumping down to open the door for $VWthem and shutting it after $VWthem. You swear you could see the curtain on the window twitching a bit and then falling still. Then, with a snap of the reigns, the two white horses pulled off. There was something about the interaction, every second spent in $VWtheir presence, that had felt off. You couldn't help the frown that spread over your face. "Got hassled by the $VWtitle?" Came a voice just behind you. You turned, coming face to face with an old lady, with more lines in her face than hair on her head. She smiled, revealing her two missing front teeth. It seemed she had been listening into most of your conversation, leaning her forearms on her low garden wall, standing in her flowerbeds. "Might want to go home and wash yourself off, dearie." She seemed downright giddy, rocking a bit on her feet. "Don't want to associate yourself with that <<if $VWgender is "female">>whore.<<elseif $VWgender is "male">>rake.<</if>>" [[Excuse me?|VW.20]]

<<set $VWreputation to true>><<set $VWromance to false>><b>Your [[relationship|Reputation]] with $VWname De Winters is unlocked!</b> She seemed downright giddy at your confused look. The lady shuffled a bit, from foot to foot, outwardly unaware of how excitedly she was waving a crumpled handkerchief. It looked like she was trying to request peace with her little white flag, on a battlefield you were not even aware of. "The $VWtitle! Do you not know, child?" She shuffled closer, completely ignoring the crime scene just to her left, the murmurs of people, caught up in downright euphoric raptures over getting to break this news to you. "That whorish fortune hunter? You would be ruined for even talking to $VWname De Winters. You should take more care." The name sparked a small flame of recognition. Not that you were integrated enough to hear any of the local gossip, but you always heard snippets. Mostly that the $VWtitle was a part-time hermit and a full-time antisocial. The elderly lady couldn't help but grin at you, waiting for your admonishment, your disgust, anything. [[You responded: "I'll be sure to keep away." And you meant it. You were already facing too much trouble here to be involved with like them.|VW.21]] [[You glanced at the old lady. "I'll keep away, don't you worry." But... they seemed to know Luke, even just a little bit. Maybe they knew something?|VW.21]] [[This was irritating. "I don't take stock in baseless rumors." You dismissed her outright. If you were to run across them again, you'd make your own assumptions.|VW.22]] [[Heavens. "You're quite the busy body, aren't you?" You turned away. You had no time for this.|VW.23]]

<<set $townpoints += 1>> "Good<<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">>... Uh... Good choice!"<<elseif $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">> boy.<<elseif $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">> girl.<</if>>" She nodded to herself, pleased with her dire warning. She shuffled away from her place at the wall, leaving two deep footsteps in her bed of daisies. You took a moment, glancing back towards the spot where Luke had been lying. It was obvious that there was nothing you could really glean from the scene. Body removed, nothing obvious remained- Except. You stared at the blood patch, dried on the cobblestones, flaky, more of a brown than the deep crimson it was last night. A few spots of something darker too. Not red or brown. It sparked something. [[Last night...|VW.Final]]

She blinked at you a few times, slowly opening her mouth, as if your words very slowly reaching her mind, and finally breaches her pride. "I'll have you know that I have it on the best author- Everyone knows- I..! Oh, you rude youngsters." She wrapped her handkerchief around her index finger and started pulling at it, as if she was attempting to strangle her knuckle. The sound the fabric made, tightening, was disconcerting. "Back in my day we would put bad<<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">>... Ah- Children,<<elseif $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">> boys<<elseif $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">> girls<</if>> over a knee and treat you with the wide stick of a switch!" Still huffing, she shuffled away from her place at the wall, leaving two deep footsteps in her bed of daisies. You took a moment, glancing back towards the spot where Luke had been lying. It was obvious that there was nothing you could really glean from the scene. Body removed, nothing obvious remained- Except. You stared at the blood patch, dried on the cobblestones, flaky, more of a brown than the deep crimson it was last night. A few spots of something darker too. Not red or brown. It sparked something. [[Last night...|VW.Final]]

<<set $townpoints -= 1>> You heard a choked splutter, but already you had turned away, watching as two officers shoved an intoxicated, seemingly homeless, man away from the scene, puffing themselves up as they did so. The sound of fabric tearing brought your gaze back to the old lady, who seemed to have ripped her handkerchief clean in half, still staring right at you, her hands shaking. After a second- "Well, I never!" She shuffled away from her place at the wall, leaving two deep footsteps in her bed of daisies. You took a moment, glancing back towards the spot where Luke had been lying. It was obvious that there was nothing you could really glean from the scene. Body removed, nothing obvious remained- Except. You stared at the blood patch, dried on the cobblestones, flaky, more of a brown than the deep crimson it was last night. A few spots of something darker too. Not red or brown. It sparked something. [[Last night...|VW.Final]]

<<audio "SHmorning" stop>>That night, that night had a big, full //moon, casting the streets in a pale white. Not a silver, a ghostly white that felt like you were walking into a dark drawing in a book. Seir by your side, slipping in and out of your peripheral vision. But you can make out some things. A weak orange light flickering behind the glass of a lamp post. Some soft lights in windows. It makes you wonder why some people are still up at this time. There was silence//- No, no. Your own foot steps, Seir, and //boots, someone wearing boots, but they were echoing off into the distance, hurried, why were they hurrying but you didn't care because something metallic had reached your nose, harsh, but not the usual smells, but it was also hot, you could smell the slowly waning heat and Seir went ahead, and you turned the corner and there was a body, splayed, like a porcelain doll dropped out of a high window, shattered on the stones and in a pool of blood, black, black, black, because <b>blood looks black in the moonlight</b> but also that wasn't the end of it because why are your shoes// still black. Your eyes focused on speckles of black against the dried blood. The sun, however faint, however weakly it tried to break through the grey clouds, was still fighting strong, and blood, however old, wasn't going to be like the tar you saw last night, not without moonlight. Dragging your gaze down, over the cracked cobbles, stray pieces of ripped fabric, soaked in red, down, down, down to your own shoes. Black spatters. Black. Not dark brown, or crimson. So, it wasn't Luke's blood. Whatever it was. And you'll only get to figure more out at night. With less people around and with the cover of darkness. You inhaled slowly and turned away from the scene, walking away. <<if $Zsighting is 2>>But even as you made your way back down the road, another figure in all black caught your eye. Even stranger, $ZCthey held an umbrella aloft, hiding most of $ZCtheir face. But you had the overwhelming sense that you were being watched. A shrilling bird call, far too close, startled you, and your attention was captured by the perpetrator; A thin bird, small, almost completely grey, staring straight at you from within a hedge. It made its harsh trill again. After a moment it disappeared back into the foliage... What were you looking at again? No, it did not matter, you had things to do.<</if>> <<if $Zsighting is 3>>You walked along the street back, stomach churning slightly. Things looked bleak but even as you were lost in the murk of your dire situation, your eyes snagged onto a vaguely familiar figure. From $ZCtheir clothes, for a moment you wondered if $VWname De Winters had somehow got into $VWtheir carriage to change clothes and came back out. The sight of $ZCthem stirred something faint from your memories. Had you seen $ZCthem before? You weren't too sure. $cZCthey were dressed completely in black, matching umbrella hiding most of $ZCtheir face, except for $ZCtheir cool, deep umber skin and downturned lips. Suddenly the umbrella tilted backwards, revealing dark eyeglasses, almost beetle-like, looking straight at you. Your throat felt like it had closed up, cutting off all air until- "Make way!" A gentleman on a horse nearly crashed into you, your feet having pulled your forward to the figure, stepping into the road. You stumbled back, feeling sweat trickle down your back and temples as the man angrily turned his neighing horse, just to shout at you. "What are you, blind?" He berated, forcibly yanking at the reigns. He didn't even wait to find out if you were, urging his horse forward again, people around you already staring at the pair of you. You raised your eyes back to... Whomever was staring at you. There was no one. Just a shrike staring at you from a low wall. Then it took off.<</if>> <<nobr>><<if $investigatescene is true and $investigatebody is true and $investigateluke is true>> <ul><li>[[Having finished everything you could in town, you start heading to Northvale.|MeetGrandma]]</li></ul><</if>> <<if $investigatebody is false>> <ul><li>[[The body still needs a look.|StarlingIntro]]</li></ul><</if>> <<if $investigateluke is false>> <ul><li>[[You should look into Luke more.|SDellaRoverePrelude]]</li></ul><</if>><</nobr>>

<<set $SKLukeEnquire to false>><<set $SKDeceased to false>>The worker behind the desk ripped his eyes away from the paper he was scribbling on to give you a once over. His scrutinising gaze was amplified with his thin glasses, slipping halfway down his nose, his greying hair curling around his ears and neck. "Unless you have a recommendation letter, we won't take you. Either stand to the side and wait, or please leave the premises." "Oh. No, no, I'm looking for the mortuary." The worker squinted up at you, his ink stained fingers reaching up to run his chin, leaving black smudges on his skin. His other hand fiddled with the corner of his papers, spreading the mess. "... That's, uh. Around the back. You go back out, go between the main building and the east wing, and there's an alley. Keep ahead, and then down the stairs and you're at the door. Just give your name and who you're looking for at the desk and you should be able to see the body." He listed off, before dipping his pen in ink again. <ul> <li>[["Is Luke Buckley down there?" You threw caution to the wind.|SK.011][$SKLukeEnquire to true]]</li> <li>[["Are all recently deceased from South Hollow kept down there?"|SK.012][$SKDeceased to true]]</li> <li>[[You left.|SK.013]]</li></ul>

<<set $townpoints -= 1>> The worker seemed to almost flinch, jostling his ink bottle, a few drops splashing on his thin papers. His glasses slipped further down, to the end of his nose and he clumsily nudged them back up with his knuckle. "I... What? Yes. Wait. No!" He swallowed thickly and wiped his ink stained hands off on his shirt. "I'm not allowed to divulge that information. Now please move along, there are others waiting." He ducked his head, staring at his own writing, making it fervently clear he was going to ignore you until you went away. <ul> <<if $SKDeceased is true>> <li>[[You left.|SK.013]]</li> <<else>> <li>[["Are all recently deceased from South Hollow kept down there?"|SK.014]]</li> <li>[[You left.|SK.013]]</li> <</if>></ul>

His thick eyebrows raised gently, but he put down his pen, smoothing out his trouser creases. "No, no, we try to be hygienic here. People keep their dead loved ones at home for their funeral, but all... Ah, bodies that are involved in investigations or suspicious deaths are kept here." He seemed to preen under your questions. In fairness St. De Lyones was the only proper hospital for miles and was seen as far more advanced than the local apothecaries. "If you've been asked to come identify a body, or something similar, you should be allowed right in." <ul> <<if $SKLukeEnquire is true>> <li>[[You left.|SK.013]]</li> <<else>> <li>[["Is Luke Buckley down there?" You threw caution to the wind.|SK.011]]</li> <li>[[You left.|SK.013]]</li> <</if>> </ul>

You turned away from the desk, heading back out, brushing past two women just coming in. The wind had gotten stronger while you were inside, rushing back at at you with gusto. There was only one alley the worker could have meant and you slipped behind the narrow walk between the two buildings. It was a bit out the way, you wouldn't have guessed this was the way to the morgue. A list of excuses to look at the body rotated through your mind, that you were a relative, that you needed to look at another body, that... God, there really was no //good// excuses to be down there. So, you'd have to be smart with it. Maybe sneaking in or maybe using your extra... Talents. You turned the corner and immediately nearly ran into someone leaning against the wall. Your shoulders bumped and you nearly lost your footing, pebbles scattering under your feet. When you regained balance, you instictively glanced at what you ran into. <<if $SKgender is "male">>A tall, lean man leaned against the brick, a cigarette tucked against his bottom lip. He was pale as anything, which just made his dark shadows under his moody green eyes more stark. He was dressed like a doctor, in all black, but he looked too rumpled to look dignified. He looked mean, frigid. Even his hair, without the physicians' usual short, white wig, was short and jagged, cut irregularly. Despite looking somewhat young, there were a few white streaks in his pitch black hair. His undercut, despite being deeply out of fashion for professionals, was shorn close to the skin. The man examined you closely, with scrutinising eyes, before taking a drag of his cigarette.<<elseif $SKgender is "female">>A tall, lean woman leaned against the brick, a cigarette tucked against her bottom lip. It was immediately jarring to you, knowing that any lady caught smoking would have been criticised for it, been likened to a prostitute most probably, but she didn't quickly put it out upon seeing you, just continued look <<if $height is "very short" or "short" or "average">>down at you.<<elseif $height is "tall">>right at you.<<elseif $height is "very tall">>up at you, tilting her head back with furrowed eyebrows.<</if>> Stranger than that, she was dressed like a doctor, instead of a nurse. All black, except with a long skirt that reached just below her ankles, revealing her sturdy shoes. Apparently, it was one strange thing after another, since her hair was also incredibly short- Downright unfathomable with a few <b>health</b> exceptions. With an undercut too! There was even a few streaks of white in her hair, despite her still looking quite young. She was also incredibly pale, which made her dark shadows under her moody green eyes stand out starkly. She seemed to be examining you just as closely, and took a drag of her cigarette.<</if>> "Anything hurt?" $cSKthey finally said, something foreign dragging on $SKtheir otherwise impeccable words as $SKthey spoke. [["Nothing except my pride." You try for your most charming smile.|SK.10]] [["Nothing, no thanks to you." You couldn't help but snap at them.|SK.11]] [["Oh, I'm sorry. That was my fault." You started to apologise.|SK.12]] [[You simply reorientated yourself and kept going, onward to the mortuary.|SK.13]]

The worker squared his shoulders and hunched more. He was resolutely ignoring you, digging his pen into the paper as if it had personally offended him. "$title, please move on. There are others that need attention." His grip on his pen was so tight his knuckles were white. [[You left.|SK.013]]

$cSKtheir eyebrow rose in a perfect arch at your words, but your words didn't seem to affect $SKthem, not even a bit. Like water flowing off a duck's back. $cSKthey exhaled slowly, smoke curling along $SKtheir lips. "My most sincere apologies, $title." $cSKthey finally said, flicking some ash off the end of $SKtheir cigarette, some of it landing right at your shoe. "It might be best if you take it slow around the tricky corners in the future." $cSKthey then motioned for you to keep walking, as if permitting you to go on your way, $SKtheir eyes seemingly scornful. "You should be on your way, $title. Burnt tobacco does tend to linger on clothes and it is not a pleasant scent for most." You felt as if you'd been thoroughly dismissed by $SKthem. Maybe another time you'd feel more insulted, but you were already in a rush to check the body. Instead, you simply made your way past $SKthem. You felt like you could feel $SKtheir cool gaze at the back of your head as you continued along the path, before coming to a short set of stairs heading down, to a somewhat cramped alcove with a door. It was open, so you just slid in, entering into a long hallway, with a small section of windows looking out. You could just about make out someone sitting there, a nurse most probably, head bowed. <<nobr>> <<if $invisibility_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Invisibility|SK.20]] Oh, easy. You just slip by, undetected. You inhaled slowly and drew on something deep inside of you, that made you blend in with your surroundings.</li></ul><</if>> <<if $teleport_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Teleport|SK.21]] It would take no effort. Just use your ability to appear at the other end of the hall. You felt something building inside of you.</li></ul><</if>> <<if $possession_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Possession|SK.22]] All you had to do, was make her look away for a bit. Even forcibly. No problem.</li></ul><</if>> <<if $mesmerise_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Mesmerise|SK.23]] You should be able to simply distract her for a while and she wouldn't even see you slip past.</li></ul><</if>> <<if $darkness_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Darkness|SK.24]] a quick lights out and you could skitter to the end of the hallway without her ever seeing you.</li></ul><</if>> <<if $dominate_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Dominate|SK.25]] Oh, it's simple. You simply tell her she didn't see you and even if she did, she wouldn't tell anyone else about it.</li></ul><</if>> <ul><li>You racked your brains for something, anything you could do. [[You approached the window, planning to walk right past.|SK.27]]</li></ul> <</nobr>>

As you expressed your apologies, you swear you could spot a slow twitch on $SKtheir lips, as if a smile was trying to creep onto their features. $cSKthey exhaled smoke through $SKtheir nose, looking like something ethereal, mythical for just a moment before a husky chuckle broke through your words. "Please, it was just a moment of ill fate." $cSKthey brought the cigarette back to $SKtheir lips, resting the end against $SKtheir bottom lip, looking almost like a kiss. "Think nothing more. Just be careful in the future." $cSKthey then motioned for you to keep walking, as if permitting you to go on your way, $SKtheir eyes just a degree warmer as $SKthey looked at you. "You should be on your way, $title. Burnt tobacco does tend to linger on clothes and it is not a pleasant scent for most." You felt as if you'd been thoroughly dismissed by $SKthem. "And you were in a hurry when you bumped into me. It would be best if you continued your brisk walk." You made your way past $SKthem. You felt like you could feel $SKtheir cool gaze at the back of your head as you continued along the path, before coming to a short set of stairs heading down, to a somewhat cramped alcove with a door. It was open, so you just slid in, entering into a long hallway, with a small section of windows looking out. You could just about make out someone sitting there, a nurse most probably, head bowed. <<nobr>> <<if $invisibility_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Invisibility|SK.20]] Oh, easy. You just slip by, undetected. You inhaled slowly and drew on something deep inside of you, that made you blend in with your surroundings.</li></ul><</if>> <<if $teleport_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Teleport|SK.21]] It would take no effort. Just use your ability to appear at the other end of the hall. You felt something building inside of you.</li></ul><</if>> <<if $possession_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Possession|SK.22]] All you had to do, was make her look away for a bit. Even forcibly. No problem.</li></ul><</if>> <<if $mesmerise_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Mesmerise|SK.23]] You should be able to simply distract her for a while and she wouldn't even see you slip past.</li></ul><</if>> <<if $darkness_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Darkness|SK.24]] a quick lights out and you could skitter to the end of the hallway without her ever seeing you.</li></ul><</if>> <<if $dominate_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Dominate|SK.25]] Oh, it's simple. You simply tell her she didn't see you and even if she did, she wouldn't tell anyone else about it.</li></ul><</if>> <ul><li>You racked your brains for something, anything you could do. [[You approached the window, planning to walk right past.|SK.27]]</li></ul> <</nobr>>

<<set $invisibility_m to true>>For all your charm, it did not seem to make an impression on $SKthem. In fact, $SKthey squinted at you sharply before exhaling slowly, $SKtheir smoke vanishing quickly in the crisp air. "A pity then." $cSKthey finally says, raising $SKtheir cigarette up for another drag. "If you were going any faster, it might have taken a harder hit." $cSKthey then motioned for you to keep walking, as if permitting you to go on your way, $SKtheir eyes seemingly scornful. "You should be on your way, $title. Burnt tobacco does tend to linger on clothes and it is not a pleasant scent for most." You felt as if you'd been thoroughly dismissed by $SKthem. Maybe another time you'd feel more insulted, but you were already in a rush to check the body. Instead, you simply made your way past $SKthem. You felt like you could feel $SKtheir cool gaze at the back of your head as you continued along the path, before coming to a short set of stairs heading down, to a somewhat cramped alcove with a door. It was open, so you just slid in, entering into a long hallway, with a small section of windowssssss looking out. You could just about make out someone sitting there, a nurse most probably, head bowed. <<nobr>> <<if $invisibility_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Invisibility|SK.20][$SKusedpowers to true]] Oh, easy. You just slip by, undetected. You inhaled slowly and drew on something deep inside of you, that made you blend in with your surroundings.</li></ul><</if>> <<if $teleport_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Teleport|SK.21][$SKusedpowers to true]] It would take no effort. Just use your ability to appear at the other end of the hall. You felt something building inside of you.</li></ul><</if>> <<if $possession_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Possession|SK.22][$SKusedpowers to true]] All you had to do, was make her look away for a bit. Even forcibly. No problem.</li></ul><</if>> <<if $mesmerise_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Mesmerise|SK.23][$SKusedpowers to true]] You should be able to simply distract her for a while and she wouldn't even see you slip past.</li></ul><</if>> <<if $darkness_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Darkness|SK.24][$SKusedpowers to true]] a quick lights out and you could skitter to the end of the hallway without her ever seeing you.</li></ul><</if>> <<if $dominate_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Dominate|SK.25][$SKusedpowers to true]] Oh, it's simple. You simply tell her she didn't see you and even if she did, she wouldn't tell anyone else about it.</li></ul><</if>> <ul><li>You racked your brains for something, anything you could do. [[You approached the window, planning to walk right past.|SK.27]]</li></ul> <</nobr>>

A gentle throb in your head, right against the skull, started to make itself known, but went away the moment you felt your skin tingle, like tiny shards of glass forming to reflect everything around you. The nurse, quite old, with grey hair tucked neatly into her hat, with a pair of thick bifocals hanging off her nose, did not even stir when you passed. You simply made your way down, and rounded the hallway corner. No fuss, no worries. [[Deeper inside|SK.Morgue.1]]

You concentrated, curling your fingers into your palm. A gentle throb in your head, right against the skull, started to make itself known, but went away the moment you felt yourself, parts of yourself slip away, only to materialise on the other side of the hallway, out of sight. You could just make out the nurse, still hunched over her desk, thick grey hair tucked away neatly, squinting through her thick bifocals at her paper. You quickly slipped away, down the rest of the way, unalerted. [[Deeper inside|SK.Morgue.1]]

You brushed yourself off and simply made your way past $SKthem. You felt like you could feel $SKtheir cool gaze at the back of your head as you continued along the path, before coming to a short set of stairs heading down, to a somewhat cramped alcove with a door. It was open, so you just slid in, entering into a long hallway, with a small section of windows looking out. You could just about make out someone sitting there, a nurse most probably, head bowed. <<nobr>> <<if $invisibility_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Invisibility|SK.20]] Oh, easy. You just slip by, undetected. You inhaled slowly and drew on something deep inside of you, that made you blend in with your surroundings.</li></ul><</if>> <<if $teleport_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Teleport|SK.21]] It would take no effort. Just use your ability to appear at the other end of the hall. You felt something building inside of you.</li></ul><</if>> <<if $possession_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Possession|SK.22]] All you had to do, was make her look away for a bit. Even forcibly. No problem.</li></ul><</if>> <<if $mesmerise_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Mesmerise|SK.23]] You should be able to simply distract her for a while and she wouldn't even see you slip past.</li></ul><</if>> <<if $darkness_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Darkness|SK.24]] a quick lights out and you could skitter to the end of the hallway without her ever seeing you.</li></ul><</if>> <<if $dominate_m is true>> <ul><li>[[Dominate|SK.25]] Oh, it's simple. You simply tell her she didn't see you and even if she did, she wouldn't tell anyone else about it.</li></ul><</if>> <ul><li>You racked your brains for something, anything you could do. [[You approached the window, planning to walk right past.|SK.27]]</li></ul> <</nobr>>

<<set $gainedevidence to true>>You took a moment, taking a deep breath first before reaching out. A gentle throb in your head, right against the skull, started to make itself known, but went away the moment you took ahold of the nurse. You settled in, sitting up and immediately stretching, several joints popping and cracking. How long had she been sitting in the same position? Her back //ached//. You slowly stood, a bit wobbly, and slowly took her to stand in the corner, facing the wall. It was the best you could do, though if anyone did wander down here, they might get a shock. Fun story later though. You slipped free from her but your eyes snagged on her papers. She'd still be woozy for a while, unable to remember anything from the nausea pulsing through her (you once tried your power out on a drunkard and he gave you a description of what it felt like- may be somewhat unprecise but what could you do). You could see if there was something you could glean from it, but you did not want her to come to with you just standing there. Barely skimming, you caught a few things. Lives with Clare Buckley. 15 years of age. Suffered from... Haemophilia? <<if $truesurname is "Buchanan">>The term sparked a memory. Your grandmother, telling stories //with you sitting in front of the fire, at her feet. The soft smell of something sugary, in the air, along with tobacco smoke as your grandfather smoked quietly at the table, a book cupped in his gnarled hands. The intricate colours of the rug, the cushion beneath you, and your Nana telling you stories from her girlhood, all the while stitching away on a pattern with two rabbits, curled up. "-then the poor boy collapsed! I thought the King would have his head for embarrassing him. Imagine trying to impress the constituants of the neighbouring country, and your son falls down an entire flight of stairs!" You laughed softly, the taste of something sugary still on your tongue. You eyed the little bowl next to her chair, holding more sweets. "Turns out the boy also had the Royal Disease. Do you know what that is? My nanny was a nurse in the war once upon a time-" "You had a nanny once?" You interrupted, and Grandfather barked a laugh in the background. "Quite rude!" She pointed at you with her needle. "I was not always so old! But yes, and she was old as anything. She looked more like a tree! She had been a nurse and she would instead read to me and my sisters from her big book of medical journals. She had attended the King's brother, once. Grisly affair. Most members of the royal family have a blood disease, where they bleed and bleed and nothing can stop it. She had to hold his wound shut and wait for a Blood Witch to be brought straight from the Capital." "Hen, maybe a different story?" Your grandfather shut his book, and took his pipe out of his mouth. "Maybe try the one where your Da tried to drown me after finding out we eloped?" "Oh, yes, in the barrel of whiskey! Yes!"// You shook your head a bit. Haemophilia. The Royal Disease that was not only for the nobles. Was that why Luke bled out like that? He could have been cut, maybe someone wanting his money, or a dog, biting him and happening to nick a vein. Even the smallest thing could mean endless blood loss without any hope of stopping. Maybe the coroner would come to the same conclusion? You'd have to see the body to make sure. <<elseif $truesurname is "Monroth">>The word sparked memories and formed a knot in your stomach. Of course you knew this word, along with everything else, like the //scent of a sterilsed room, unable to fight off the smell of must. Bitter medicines, with a wheelchair at the foot of the bed. Your mother's thin hands, with her heavy knuckles resting on a pillow, dozing on and off as you read. Thick paper resting on your fingers, your voice slightly hoarse from how long you had been speaking out loud. You took a break, reaching over for one of the two cups of tea, both weak with the undertaste of something citrus-y. "Why did you stop reading?" Mother murmured softly, through cracked lips and slowly opened her eyes. "I thought you were sleeping!" You protested, before taking a much needed sip. "Me too." She took a moment before gesturing with her bandaged finger at the lone cup. She repeated herself. "Me too." You picked it up and brought it to her lips, carefully tilting it so she could drink. Her eyes seemed more bruised than yesterday, deep blue painting her eyebags and lids. The fabric hid most of her hands, but you could make out her split nails, more purple than her face. "A bit more." She whispered. "It's nearly the end of the chapter." "If you already know, why am I reading it?" You adjusted the weight of the heavy book in your lap. Mother just smiled but her lips cracked so she stopped. She patted around for her dull grey jar, unscrewing the top to dab something bitter smelling onto her lips, wettening them, smoothing out the dry skin. You could only watch her. "A bit more." Again. "Please?" With a sigh you looked back down at the pages. It was a children's book, one that your mother had always kept around. She was a great reader when she herself was young. That fell off when she was married. Then you were born. Now her room was nothing but books it seemed. Before you could start reading again, there was a knock on the door. No one answered, but it still swung open, revealing the usual ghoulish woman that frequented the house everyday. Her hair was a white-blond, pinned back tightly, and her robes, of deep black, made her look like the grim reaper from novels. She gave you both a tight smile before gliding over to the bedside, slipping her gloves free from her hands. "Madame Monroth? It's time." Time for you to be ushered out. Time for you to sit in one preserved room or another, waiting for the Blood Witch to leave, or Father to finally come, or for Mother to finally go, or for her to finally get better. You were tested for it too, by the same woman. To make sure you did not have what she did. You were the only one to survive infancy; of how many siblings, you did not know. You didn't have what had been passed to your mother by your grandfather and his father and the very few before them. No, you had taken after your father.// The thought alone broke you free of the anxious trance you had been sucked into. You shook your head a bit. Haemophilia. The Royal Disease that was not only for the nobles. Was that why Luke bled out like that? He could have been cut, maybe someone wanting his money, or a dog, biting him and happening to nick a vein. Even the smallest thing could mean endless blood loss without any hope of stopping. Maybe the coroner would come to the same conclusion? You'd have to see the body to make sure. <<elseif $truesurname is "Dantes">>It was a strange word for you. It was something that had lingered on the edge of your childhood for a long time, then at the window of your little brother's too, little //Edwin and his frail complexion, his cheeks too taught, his $eyecolour eyes too dull. You would sit with him, inbetween your periods of confinment, and Heavens, did he love you. Edwin would sit in his nightgown, his skinny elbows sometimes nudging your ribs, his $hairtexture hair sticking up strangely from his bedhead. Today of all days, he wanted you with him, as the private doctor was on the way, dispatched from the Royal Household itself, to act with precision and disgression. Edwin rubbed his nose with his stained sleeve and huffed against you. "Does it hurt?" He finally asked, frowning up at you. "Not really. Just a pinch, and if you did have it, there's a Witch-" "A witch, a witch!" He couldn't help but to burst out, kicking his bare feet against his covers, rumpling them further. His ectsasy was short lived and he returned to his dour state. "Why do I have to be checked. They already checked you." "Because," You snuck your hand around to his side and gave his sides a tickle, making him burst into peals of laughter, his skin sensitive to all sensations. "If I was so suddenly be eaten by mice or carried off, you'll be the heir. Which makes you also the 12th in line to the Crown. They stop caring after 13th in line, so we just snuck in there." Edwin blew a raspberry and huffed. "Why?" "Because we're both the only thing standing in the way of a bad turtle soup taking out the entire direct line and it being handed to some distant cousin in Russia who prefers the company of horses and spends all of their free time catching fish with their mouth." Edwin giggled again and put all of his weight on your side. You could hear footsteps creeping up the stairs. Multiple ones joining them. There wasn't even a knock upon the door when it opened, shedding light into your brother's messy room, the curtains drawn fast, also revealing the two of you. Both still in your sleeping garments, cuddled up in the same bed. The parade you had gotten used to arrived. Two doctors, looking powdered and prim, four nurses, two for each doctor, a ledger keeper looking finer than anyone else in the room did, and the Witch. You liked the Witch. Always smelt of metal and something burnt and of strong tea. $cSeirthey had a bored look on $Seirtheir face too. Despite draped in black, $Seirtheir garments were... Beautiful. There was no other word for it. $cSeirthey had the most cherubic face, soft cheeks, dark curls and doll-like eyes. You smiled at $Seirthem, feeling warmth deep within when $Seirthey returned it, even if it was small and secretive and showed a flash of teeth. Your father's eyes darkened at the sight of you with your brother and he slowly exhaled, closing his lids for just a moment before approaching the bed. "Come Edwin, let go of your <<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">>sibling.<<elseif $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">>brother.<<elseif $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">>sister.<</if>> It's time." His voice rumbled and the hairs on your arms raised at the sound. Your brother huffed and made a show of squirming to the edge of the bed. One of the doctors, the first of the two to enter walked over, and started laying out his tools upon the bedside table, scalpels and needles amidst the toy soldiers and books. You were acutely aware of the Witch, who sidled closer and sat on the bed, close to you. You thought you heard the Nurses whisper amongst themselves. "So, my <<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">>Liege<<elseif $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">>Lord<<elseif $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">>Lady<</if>>, how has your own health been?" $cSeirthey looked over your face. "Your mother, the Princess, has asked about the two of you most days, even if I haven't left her side." You couldn't help but brighten at the mention of your mother. "I've spent most of my time with Edwin since she went to the continent. How is she?" "Her Royal Highness is doing better, her convalescence shall be ending shortly." $cSeirtheir strange eyes, like opals glinting in the light, raised to look at your father. "I'm sure His Grace is looking forward to her return." Your father wasn't listening, frowning intently at Edwin as the doctor began to let some blood, bit by bit, from the crook of his elbow. The red flowed freely, and everyone in the room, even your Witch- The Witch, watched closely. Finally, the physician blotted the wound with a handkerchief, and held it there. A few minutes, of absolute silence, passed, just like it had done for you all those years ago. Then the handkerchief was lifted. "Oh, praises be! He does not have the Royal Disease!" The Doctor proclaimed as Edwin scrunched his nose at his wound, raw, but clotting. It was quickly seen to. You could see your Father sigh in relief, his eyes closing for just a minute before he turned on his heel and walked back towards the door. You swore you could hear one of the nurses whisper something about how the Mad Ones never had it, but Edwin whining and crashing back into your side took all of your attention. "Oh, Your Grace, I do wish to mention that there is something amiss with the boy but-" "Tell our family doctor your suspicions. I shall be at my club." Then he paused. "$name, should you not be at your lessons? Leave your brother be." Then he was gone. The Blood Witch gave you another small smile and rose from the bedsheets. "Time I was away too. Enjoy the rest of your day, Edwin... You as well, $name." $cSeirtheir smile was quick, fox-like, and then $Seirthey were gone, shortly followed by the rest of the entourage. You were left, sitting with your brother, his feverish hand finding yours among the blankets.// You were broken from the memory, thoughts still trained on the papers. You shook your head a bit. Haemophilia. The Royal Disease that was not only for the nobles. Was that why Luke bled out like that? He could have been cut, maybe someone wanting his money, or a dog, biting him and happening to nick a vein. Even the smallest thing could mean endless blood loss without any hope of stopping. Maybe the coroner would come to the same conclusion? You'd have to see the body to make sure. <<else>> The term was unfamiliar to you. It was heavy on the tongue when you whispered it to yourself. It would be best if you went to the library, or found a doctor to ask about it, rather than see if it was written down somewhere in this cluttered office. The nurse moaned softly behind you, a wet gurgle. You slipped out the door, leaving her to slowly regain her senses.<</if>> [[Deeper inside|SK.Morgue.1]]

<<set $gainedevidence to true>>You slowly curled your fingers, letting your power build up in the palm of your hand. It throbbed in your veins, but it also crept up to the side of your head, right against your skull. The feeling dissipated the moment you unfurled them, letting strange shards of light spring up, seemingly sucking in the light around it. Flicking out your fingers, they disappeared in another flicker, and they reappeared right in front of the window. You waited. A gasp sounded that turned into a sigh of awe. Then silence. You walked forward a bit, leaning on the sill of the glass seperating you from the nurse. She was staring at the sprinkling of light in front of her, mouth agape like it was about to start drooling. You were about to keep walking, when you noticed what she had been writing. She had been filling out a form, and at the top... Luke's name. There could be something there. Slipping inside of the office and gently moving her hand aside to skim the paper was easy, even if a part of you was worried if the mesmerism would wear off. Barely skimming, you caught a few things. Lives with Clare Buckley. 15 years of age. Suffered from... Haemophilia? <<if $truesurname is "Buchanan">>The term sparked a memory. Your grandmother, telling stories //with you sitting in front of the fire, at her feet. The soft smell of something sugary, in the air, along with tobacco smoke as your grandfather smoked quietly at the table, a book cupped in his gnarled hands. The intricate colours of the rug, the cushion beneath you, and your Nana telling you stories from her girlhood, all the while stitching away on a pattern with two rabbits, curled up. "-then the poor boy collapsed! I thought the King would have his head for embarrassing him. Imagine trying to impress the constituants of the neighbouring country, and your son falls down an entire flight of stairs!" You laughed softly, the taste of something sugary still on your tongue. You eyed the little bowl next to her chair, holding more sweets. "Turns out the boy also had the Royal Disease. Do you know what that is? My nanny was a nurse in the war once upon a time-" "You had a nanny once?" You interrupted, and Grandfather barked a laugh in the background. "Quite rude!" She pointed at you with her needle. "I was not always so old! But yes, and she was old as anything. She looked more like a tree! She had been a nurse and she would instead read to me and my sisters from her big book of medical journals. She had attended the King's brother, once. Grisly affair. Most members of the royal family have a blood disease, where they bleed and bleed and nothing can stop it. She had to hold his wound shut and wait for a Blood Witch to be brought straight from the Capital." "Hen, maybe a different story?" Your grandfather shut his book, and took his pipe out of his mouth. "Maybe try the one where your Da tried to drown me after finding out we eloped?" "Oh, yes, in the barrel of whiskey! Yes!"// You shook your head a bit. Haemophilia. The Royal Disease that was not only for the nobles. Was that why Luke bled out like that? He could have been cut, maybe someone wanting his money, or a dog, biting him and happening to nick a vein. Even the smallest thing could mean endless blood loss without any hope of stopping. Maybe the coroner would come to the same conclusion? You'd have to see the body to make sure. <<elseif $truesurname is "Monroth">>The word sparked memories and formed a knot in your stomach. Of course you knew this word, along with everything else, like the //scent of a sterilsed room, unable to fight off the smell of must. Bitter medicines, with a wheelchair at the foot of the bed. Your mother's thin hands, with her heavy knuckles resting on a pillow, dozing on and off as you read. Thick paper resting on your fingers, your voice slightly hoarse from how long you had been speaking out loud. You took a break, reaching over for one of the two cups of tea, both weak with the undertaste of something citrus-y. "Why did you stop reading?" Mother murmured softly, through cracked lips and slowly opened her eyes. "I thought you were sleeping!" You protested, before taking a much needed sip. "Me too." She took a moment before gesturing with her bandaged finger at the lone cup. She repeated herself. "Me too." You picked it up and brought it to her lips, carefully tilting it so she could drink. Her eyes seemed more bruised than yesterday, deep blue painting her eyebags and lids. The fabric hid most of her hands, but you could make out her split nails, more purple than her face. "A bit more." She whispered. "It's nearly the end of the chapter." "If you already know, why am I reading it?" You adjusted the weight of the heavy book in your lap. Mother just smiled but her lips cracked so she stopped. She patted around for her dull grey jar, unscrewing the top to dab something bitter smelling onto her lips, wettening them, smoothing out the dry skin. You could only watch her. "A bit more." Again. "Please?" With a sigh you looked back down at the pages. It was a children's book, one that your mother had always kept around. She was a great reader when she herself was young. That fell off when she was married. Then you were born. Now her room was nothing but books it seemed. Before you could start reading again, there was a knock on the door. No one answered, but it still swung open, revealing the usual ghoulish woman that frequented the house everyday. Her hair was a white-blond, pinned back tightly, and her robes, of deep black, made her look like the grim reaper from novels. She gave you both a tight smile before gliding over to the bedside, slipping her gloves free from her hands. "Madame Monroth? It's time." Time for you to be ushered out. Time for you to sit in one preserved room or another, waiting for the Blood Witch to leave, or Father to finally come, or for Mother to finally go, or for her to finally get better. You were tested for it too, by the same woman. To make sure you did not have what she did. You were the only one to survive infancy; of how many siblings, you did not know. You didn't have what had been passed to your mother by your grandfather and his father and the very few before them. No, you had taken after your father.// The thought alone broke you free of the anxious trance you had been sucked into. You shook your head a bit. Haemophilia. The Royal Disease that was not only for the nobles. Was that why Luke bled out like that? He could have been cut, maybe someone wanting his money, or a dog, biting him and happening to nick a vein. Even the smallest thing could mean endless blood loss without any hope of stopping. Maybe the coroner would come to the same conclusion? You'd have to see the body to make sure. <<elseif $truesurname is "Dantes">>It was a strange word for you. It was something that had lingered on the edge of your childhood for a long time, then at the window of your little brother's too, little //Edwin and his frail complexion, his cheeks too taught, his $eyecolour eyes too dull. You would sit with him, inbetween your periods of confinment, and Heavens, did he love you. Edwin would sit in his nightgown, his skinny elbows sometimes nudging your ribs, his $hairtexture hair sticking up strangely from his bedhead. Today of all days, he wanted you with him, as the private doctor was on the way, dispatched from the Royal Household itself, to act with precision and disgression. Edwin rubbed his nose with his stained sleeve and huffed against you, "Does it hurt?" He finally asked, frowning up at you. "Not really. Just a pinch, and if you did have it, there's a Witch-" "A witch, a witch!" He couldn't help but to burst out, kicking his bare feet against his covers, rumpling them further. His ectsasy was short lived and he returned to his dour state. "Why do I have to be checked. They already checked you." "Because," You snuck your hand around to his side and gave his sides a tickle, making him burst into peals of laughter, his skin sensitive to all sensations. "If I was so suddenly be eaten by mice or carried off, you'll be the heir. Which makes you also the 12th in line to the Crown. They stop caring after 13th in line, so we just snuck in there." Edwin blew a raspberry and huffed. "Why?" "Because we're both the only thing standing in the way of a bad turtle soup taking out the entire direct line and it being handed to some distant cousin in Russia who prefers the company of horses and spends all of their free time catching fish with their mouth." Edwin giggled again and put all of his weight on your side. You could hear footsteps creeping up the stairs. Multiple ones joining them. There wasn't even a knock upon the door when it opened, shedding light into your brother's messy room, the curtains drawn fast, also revealing the two of you. Both still in your sleeping garments, cuddled up in the same bed. The parade you had gotten used to arrived. Two doctors, looking powdered and prim, four nurses, two for each doctor, a ledger keeper looking finer than anyone else in the room did, and the Witch. You liked the Witch. Always smelt of metal and something burnt and of strong tea. $cSeirthey had a bored look on his face too. Despite draped in black, $Seirtheir garments were... Beautiful. There was no other word for it. $cSeirthey had the most cherubic face, soft cheeks, dark curls and doll-like eyes. You smiled at $Seirthem, feeling warmth deep within when $Seirthey returned it, even if it was small and secretive and showed a flash of teeth. Your father's eyes darkened at the sight of you with your brother and he slowly exhaled, closing his lids for just a moment before approaching the bed. "Come Edwin, let go of your <<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">>sibling.<<elseif $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">>brother.<<elseif $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">>sister.<</if>> It's time." His voice rumbled and the hairs on your arms raised at the sound. Your brother huffed and made a show of squirming to the edge of the bed. One of the doctors, the first of the two to enter walked over, and started laying out his tools upon the bedside table, scalpels and needles amidst the toy soldiers and books. You were acutely aware of the Witch, who sidled closer and sat on the bed, close to you. You thought you heard the Nurses whisper amongst themselves. "So, my <<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">>Liege<<elseif $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">>Lord<<elseif $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">>Lady<</if>>, how has your own health been?" $cSeirthey looked over your face. "Your mother, the Princess, has asked about the two of you most days, even if I haven't left her side." You couldn't help but brighten at the mention of your mother. "I've spent most of my time with Edwin since she went to the continent. How is she?" "Her Royal Highness is doing better, her convalescence shall be ending shortly." $cSeirtheir strange eyes, like opals glinting in the light, raised to look at your father. "I'm sure His Grace is looking forward to her return." Your father wasn't listening, frowning intently at Edwin as the doctor began to let some blood, bit by bit, from the crook of his elbow. The red flowed freely, and everyone in the room, even your Witch- The Witch, watched closely. Finally, the physician blotted the wound with a handkerchief, and held it there. A few minutes, of absolute silence, passed, just like it had done for you all those years ago. Then the handkerchief was lifted. "Oh, praises be! He does not have the Royal Disease!" The Doctor proclaimed as Edwin scrunched his nose at his wound, raw, but clotting. It was quickly seen to. You could see your Father sigh in relief, his eyes closing for just a minute before he turned on his heel and walked back towards the door. You swore you could hear one of the nurses whisper something about how the Mad Ones never had it, but Edwin whining and crashing back into your side took all of your attention. "Oh, Your Grace, I do wish to mention that there is something amiss with the boy but-" "Tell our family doctor your suspicions. I shall be at my club." Then he paused. "$name, should you not be at your lessons? Leave your brother be." Then he was gone. The Blood Witch gave you another small smile and rose from the bedsheets. "Time I was away too. Enjoy the rest of your day, Edwin... You as well, $name." $cSeirtheir smile was quick, fox-like, and then $Seirthey were gone, shortly followed by the rest of the entourage. You were left, sitting with your brother, his feverish hand finding yours among the blankets.// You were broken from the memory, thoughts still trained on the papers. You shook your head a bit. Haemophilia. The Royal Disease that was not only for the nobles. Was that why Luke bled out like that? He could have been cut, maybe someone wanting his money, or a dog, biting him and happening to nick a vein. Even the smallest thing could mean endless blood loss without any hope of stopping. Maybe the coroner would come to the same conclusion? You'd have to see the body to make sure. <<else>> The term was unfamiliar to you. It was heavy on the tongue when you whispered it to yourself. It would be best if you went to the library, or found a doctor to ask about it, rather than see if it was written down somewhere in this cluttered office. The nurse shifted a bit in her seat. You slipped out the door, leaving her to slowly regain her senses.<</if>> [[Deeper inside|SK.Morgue.1]]

You exhaled slowly, closing your eyes. Then you inhaled, bringing the chilled air into your lungs, letting it linger. A throb began to slowly pound at the side of your skull the longer you held it. You breathed out and opened your eyes, curling and swishing your hand as if your were a conductor for a great orchestra. A dozen little pops as the small flames from the gas lamps were forcibly choked out, while an unnatural darkness spread like quick moving tar through the hallway, faster than water slipping through a crack. You could hear the nurse gasp in shock, the sound of her chair falling to the floor as she stood. "H-Hello? John? Doctor Knight? Is anyone there?" <<if $truesurname is "Knight">>The sound of your previous last name made you freeze up for a moment, a ragged gasp slipping past before you could stop it. If... If one of the family was here... Then... Another desperate call from the nurse. Not the time! <</if>> You could see everything just fine with your powers, it just seemed that everything was wreathed in shadows, billowing like untamed smoke and filling the space. You hastened your steps, walking down until you were out of sight. [[Deeper inside|SK.Morgue.1]]

Absolutely no problem getting in. In fact, you'd downright be able to get her express permission to. You walked in front of the window, and the nurse immediately looked up, giving you a small smile. "Hello! How may I help you, dear?" She put down her pen and shuffled some papers around. "Are you here to identify a body? Directions?" Your tongue started to feel heavy, different, like a piece of lead had been dropped into your mouth but you still spoke. The taste of blood was rich in your mouth. "<span class="drunk">''You will let me pass. You will not tell anyone I was down here.''</span>" You whispered through your teeth, your voice... Still yours, but something reverberating in the air, something that chilled the room. The nurse gaped at you, opening and closing her mouth. "You... Not... Tell... Here..." She whispered. You straightened up and walked down the hallway, hearing her soft stunned noise fade behind you. [[Deeper inside|SK.Morgue.1]]

You walked in front of the window, and the nurse immediately looked up, giving you a small smile. "Hello! How may I help you, dear?" She put down her pen and shuffled some papers around. "Are you here to identify a body? Directions?" She looked at you expectantly, her long grey hair pinned back and thick bifocals glinting in the light. [["I'm here to identify a body." It wasn't exactly a lie.|SK.271]] [["I'm here to meet one of the Doctors... Doctor... Ah..." You feigned confusion, snapping your fingers.|SK.272]] [[... Well, honesty can be the best policy? "I'm here to examine the body of Luke Buckley."|SK.273]]

Create your Witch! Their hair is <<listbox "$naturalhaircolour" autoselect>> <<option "ebony black">> <<option "tawny brown">> <<option "chestnut brown">> <<option "honey blond">> <<option "ash blond">> <<option "strawberry blond">> <<option "dark blond">> <<option "deep red">> <<option "bright red">> <<option "ivory white">> <<option "ginger">> <</listbox>> and <<listbox "$hairtexture" autoselect>> <<option "straight">> <<option "wavy">> <<option "curly">> <<option "corkscrew curls">> <<option "coily">> <<option "braided">> <<option "dreadlocked">> <</listbox>> and it's <<cycle "$hairstyle">> <<option "shaved" "shaved">> <<option "shorn" "shorn">> <<option "in cornrows" "in cornrows">> <<option "short" "short">> <<option "shoulder-length" "shoulder-length">> <<option "reaches the middle of your back" "middle-back">> <<option "down to your hips" "hip-length">> <<option "usually tied up" "done up">> <<option "kept covered" "kept covered">> <</cycle>> For facial hair, the Witch... <<cycle "$facialhair">> <<option "has none." "none"<< set $fh to false>> <<option "is clean shaven." "shaven">> <<option "has stubble." "stubble">> <<option "has a beard." "beard">> <<option "has a moustache." "moustache">> <<option "has sideburns." "sideburns">> <</cycle>> For hair dye you <<cycle "$dyecolour">> <<option "decided against it." "none">> <<option "chose light pink" "light pink">> <<option "chose dark pink" "dark pink" >> <<option "chose light blue" "light blue">> <<option "chose dark blue" "dark blue" >> <<option "chose light purple" "light purple">> <<option "chose dark purple" "dark purple" >> <<option "chose light green" "light green" >> <<option "chose dark green" "dark green" >> <<option "chose light orange" "light orange" >> <<option "chose burnt orange" "burnt orange" >> <<option "chose dark orange" "dark orange">> <<option "chose silver" "silver">> <</cycle>> The Witch is <<cycle "$height">> <<option "very short" "very short">> <<option "short" "short">> <<option "average" "average">> <<option "tall" "tall">> <<option "very tall" "very tall">> <</cycle>> and <<cycle "$bodytype">> <<option "thin" "thin">> <<option "lean" "lean">> <<option "average" "average">> <<option "chubby" "chubby">> <<option "curvy" "curvy">> <<option "well built" "well-built">> <<option "plush" "plush">> <<option "fat" "fat">> <<option "muscular" "muscular">> <</cycle>> They have <<cycle "$eyecolour">> <<option "black" "black">> <<option "dark brown" "dark brown">> <<option "light brown" "light brown">> <<option "hazel" "hazel">> <<option "light green" "light green">> <<option "dark green" "dark green">> <<option "light blue" "light blue">> <<option "dark blue" "dark blue">> <<option "near red" "near red">> <<option "grey" "grey">> <<option "yellow" "yellow">> <<option "lavender" "lavender">> <</cycle>> eyes, striking against <<cycle "$skincolour">> <<option "pale" "pale">> <<option "rosy" "rosy">> <<option "tawny" "tawny">> <<option "tanned" "tanned">> <<option "bronze" "bronze">> <<option "golden" "golden">> <<option "russet brown" "russet brown">> <<option "dark brown" "dark brown">> <<option "warm black" "warm black">> <<option "cool black" "cool black">> <<option "deep black" "deep black">> <</cycle>> skin. Speaking of, they have <<cycle "$freckles">> <<option "a few freckles." "a few freckles" >> <<option "many freckles." "many freckles" >> <<option "no freckles." "none">> <</cycle>> They have <<cycle "$beautymark">> <<option "a beauty mark by their eye" "a beauty mark by their eye">> <<option "a beauty mark by their lip" "a beauty mark by their lip">> <<option "many beauty marks" "many beauty marks">> <<option "a beauty mark on their cheek" "a beauty mark on their cheek">> <<option "no beauty marks" "none">><</cycle>> Do they have...<<cycle "$glasses">> <<option "no glasses?" "none">> <<option "glasses?" "glasses">> <</cycle>> You haven't been able to get through life without an injury or two. Most notable... <<cycle "$scar">> <<option "a scar through your eyebrow." "eyebrow">> <<option "a scar across your throat." "throat">> <<option "a scar across your nose." "nose">> <<option "a scar crossing over your lips." "lip">> <<option "a scar snaking over your back" "back">> <<option "a scar slashed over your chest, by your heart." "chest">> <<option "a scar crossing over your wrists." "wrists">> <<option "you haven't gained any scars." "none">> <</cycle>> On your travels you <<cycle "$prosthetics">> <<option "have avoided any major injuries" "none">> <<option "have lost an eye, and now wear a patch." "eye">> <<option "have lost a leg, and now have a prosthetic." "leg">> <<option "have lost a hand, and now have a prosthetic." "hand">> <<option "have lost a foot, and now have a prosthetic." "foot">> <<option "have lost an arm, and now have a prosthetic." "arm">> <</cycle>> [[If your Witch Has Heterochromia click here|QS.1Heterochromia]] [[Continue|QS.1Functions]]

<<nobr>><<if $dyecolour is "light pink">><<set $haircolour to "light pink">><<elseif $dyecolour is "dark pink">><<set $haircolour to "dark pink">><<elseif $dyecolour is "light blue">><<set $haircolour to "light blue">><<elseif $dyecolour is "dark blue">><<set $haircolour to "dark blue">><<elseif $dyecolour is "light blue">><<set $haircolour to "light blue">><<elseif $dyecolour is "dark blue">><<set $haircolour to "dark blue">><<elseif $dyecolour is "light purple">><<set $haircolour to "light purple">><<elseif $dyecolour is "dark purple">><<set $haircolour to "dark purple">><<elseif $dyecolour is "light green">><<set $haircolour to "light green">><<elseif $dyecolour is "dark green">><<set $haircolour to "dark green">><<elseif $dyecolour is "light orange">><<set $haircolour to "light orange">><<elseif $dyecolour is "burnt orange">><<set $haircolour to "burnt orange">><<elseif $dyecolour is "dark orange">><<set $haircolour to "dark orange">><<elseif $dyecolour is "silver">><<set $haircolour to "silver">><<elseif $dyecolour is "none">><<set $dye to false>><<elseif $dyecolour is "none">> <<if $naturalhaircolour is "Ebony Black">><<set $haircolour to "ebony black">><<elseif $naturalhaircolour is "Tawny Brown">><<set $haircolour to "tawny brown">><<elseif $naturalhaircolour is "Chestnut Brown">><<set $haircolour to "chestnut brown">><<elseif $naturalhaircolour is "Honey Blond">><<set $haircolour to "honey blond">><<elseif $naturalhaircolour is "Ash Blond">><<set $haircolour to "ash blond">><<elseif $naturalhaircolour is "Strawberry Blond">><<set $haircolour to "strawberry blond">><<elseif $naturalhaircolour is "Dark Blond">><<set $haircolour to "dark blond">><<elseif $naturalhaircolour is "Deep Red">><<set $haircolour to "deep red">><<elseif $naturalhaircolour is "Bright Red">><<set $haircolour to "bright red">><<elseif $naturalhaircolour is "Ivory White">><<set $haircolour to "ivory white">><<elseif $naturalhaircolour is "Ginger">><<set $haircolour to "ginger">><</if>><</if>> <<if "$beautymark" is "beauty mark by their eye" or "$beautymark" is "beauty mark by their lip" or "$beautymark" is "many beauty marks" or "$beautymark" is "beauty mark on their cheek">><<set $bm to true>><</if>> <<if "$freckles" is "a few freckles" or "$freckles" is "many freckles">><<set $fr to true>><</if>> <<if $facialhair is 'shaven' or $facialhair is 'stubble' or $facialhair is 'beard' or $facialhair is 'goatee' or $facialhair is 'moustache' or $facialhair is 'sideburns'>><<set $fh to true>><</if>> <<if $scar is "eyebrow" or $scar is "throat" or $scar is "nose" or $scar is "lip" or $scar is "back" or $scar is "chest" or $scar is "wrists">><<set $sc to true>><</if>> Your $hairtexture $haircolour hair <<if $hairstyle is "shaved">> completely shaved.<</if>><<if $hairstyle is "shorn">> is clipped very closely to your scalp. <</if>><<if $hairstyle is "in cornrows">> is in cornrows.<</if>><<if $hairstyle is "short">> is clipped around your ears.<</if>><<if $hairstyle is "shoulder-length">>brushes your shoulders.<</if>><<if $hairstyle is "middle-back">>just about reaches the middle of your back.<</if>><<if $hairstyle is "down to your hips">>flows all the way down to your hips.<</if>><<if $hairstyle is "done up">>is usually tied up, out of your face.<</if>><<if $hairstyle is "covered">> is kept covered with nice fabric.<</if>> <<if $facialhair is 'shaven'>>You also keep your facial hair cleanly shaven.<</if>><<if $facialhair is 'stubble'>>You also sport a stubble on your face.<</if>><<if $facialhair is 'beard'>>You have a matching beard as well.<</if>><<if $facialhair is 'goatee'>>You have a matching goatee as well.<</if>><<if $facialhair is 'moustache'>>You have a matching moustache as well.<</if>><<if $facialhair is 'sideburns'>>You have matching sideburns as well.<</if>> <<if $heterochromia is true>> You have two different coloured eyes, your left eye is $Leyecolour and your right eye is $Reyecolour. Very rare, and makes you stand out.. For better or worse... <<else>> You also have striking $eyecolour eyes. <</if>> <<if $bm is true>>You have $beautymark.<</if>> <<if $fr is true>>You have freckles.<</if>> <<if $sc is true>> Your experiences have left you physically scarred.<</if>> <<if $prosthetics is "none">>You have avoided any major injuries thus far.<<else>> You have gotten badly injured enough to lose your<<if $prosthetics is "eye">> eye and now need a patch.<<elseif $prosthetics is "leg">> leg and now use a prosthetic to get by.<<elseif $prosthetics is "hand">> hand and now use a prosthetic to get by.<<elseif $prosthetics is "foot">> foot and now use a prosthetic to get by.<<elseif $prosthetics is "arm">> arm and now use a prosthetic to get by.<</if>><</if>> <</nobr>> Are you happy with this? [[Yes|NSFWSelector]] [[No|Quick Start Book 1]]

<<set $heterochromia to true>> //Left eye is...// <<cycle "$Leyecolour">> <<option "black" "black">> <<option "dark brown" "dark brown">> <<option "light brown" "light brown">> <<option "hazel" "hazel">> <<option "light green" "light green">> <<option "dark green" "dark green">> <<option "light blue" "light blue">> <<option "dark blue" "dark blue">> <<option "near red" "near red">> <<option "grey" "grey">> <<option "lavender" "lavender">> <<option "yellow" "yellow">> <</cycle>> //and their right eye is...//<<cycle "$Reyecolour">> <<option "black" "black">> <<option "dark brown" "dark brown">> <<option "light brown" "light brown">> <<option "hazel" "hazel">> <<option "light green" "light green">> <<option "dark green" "dark green">> <<option "light blue" "light blue">> <<option "dark blue" "dark blue">> <<option "near red" "near red">> <<option "grey" "grey">> <<option "lavender" "lavender">> <<option "yellow" "yellow">><</cycle>> [[Continue|QS.1Functions]]

Do you want a vanilla game or a NSFW game? [[Vanilla.|QS.1Vanilla]] [[NSFW|QS.1NSFW]]

<<set $vanilla to true>> <<goto "QS.1Gender">>

<<set $vanilla to false>>The Witch has <<cycle "$genitals">> <<option "a small cock" "small cock">> <<option "an average cock" "average cock">> <<option "a large cock" "large cock">> <<option "a cunt" "cunt">> <<option "both a cunt and a cock" "both cunt and cock">> <</cycle>> and <<cycle "$chest_type">> <<option "a flat chest." "flat chest">> <<option "a flat chest with surgery scars." "flat chest with scars">> <<option "small breasts." "small breasts">> <<option "medium breasts." "medium breasts">> <<option "large breasts." "large breasts">> <</cycle>> [[Continue|QS.1Gender]]

<<if $genitals is "both cunt and cock">> Your Witch has a cunt and <<cycle "$ccock">> <<option "a small cock" "small cock">> <<option "an average cock" "average cock">> <<option "a large cock" "large cock">> <</cycle>><<set $ccboth to true>><</if>> What is the Witch's gender? <ul class="a"> <li>[[Male|QS.1Pronoun][$gender to "Man"]]</li> <li>[[Trans Male|QS.1PronounTRANS][$gender to "Trans Man"]]</li> <li>[[Woman|QS.1Pronoun][$gender to "Woman"]]</li> <li>[[Trans Woman|QS.1PronounTRANS][$gender to "Trans Woman"]]</li> <li>[[Nonbinary|QS.1PronounTRANS][$gender to "Nonbinary"]]</li> <li>[[Intersex|QS.1PronounTRANS][$gender to "Intersex"]]</li> </ul>

//What Are Your Pronouns?// <ul class="a"> <li>[[He/him|QS.1PronounsSort][$pronouns to "hehim"]]</li> <li>[[She/her|QS.1PronounsSort][$pronouns to "sheher"]]</li> <li>[[They/them|QS.1PronounsSort][$pronouns to "theythem"]]</li> <li>[[It/its|QS.1PronounsSort][$pronouns to "itits"]]</li> </ul>

<<nobr>> <<if $raisedgender is "male" or $agab is "Man">> <<set $RGthey to "he">> <<set $cRGthey to "He">> <<set $RGtheir to "his">> <<set $cRGtheir to "His">> <<set $RGtheirs to "his">> <<set $cRGtheirs to "His">> <<set $RGthem to "him">> <<set $cRGthem to "Him">> <<set $RGthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cRGthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $RGtitle to "Sir">> <<set $RGsibling to "brother">> <<set $cRGsibling to "Brother">> <</if>> <<if $raisedgender is "female" or $agab is "Woman">> <<set $RGthey to "she">> <<set $cRGthey to "She">> <<set $RGtheir to "her">> <<set $cRGtheir to "Her">> <<set $RGtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cRGtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $RGthem to "her">> <<set $cRGthem to "Her">> <<set $RGthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cRGthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $RGtitle to "Miss">> <<set $RGsibling to "sister">> <<set $cRGsibling to "Sister">> <</if>> <<if $raisedgender is "neither" or $agab is "Intersex">> <<set $RGthey to "it">> <<set $cRGthey to "It">> <<set $RGtheir to "its">> <<set $cRGtheir to "Its">> <<set $RGtheirs to "its">> <<set $cRGtheirs to "Its">> <<set $RGthem to "It">> <<set $cRGthem to "It">> <<set $RGthemselves to "itself">> <<set $cRGthemselves to "Itself">> <<set $RGtitle to "Ser">> <<set $RGsibling to "sibling">> <<set $cRGsibling to "Sibling">> <</if>> <<if $pronouns is "sheher">> <<set $they to "she">> <<set $cthey to "She">> <<set $their to "her">> <<set $ctheir to "Her">> <<set $theirs to "hers">> <<set $ctheirs to "Hers">> <<set $them to "her">> <<set $cthem to "Her">> <<set $themselves to "herself">> <<set $cthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $title to "Miss">> <<set $sibling to "sister">> <<set $csibling to "Sister">> <</if>> <<if $pronouns is "hehim">> <<set $they to "he">> <<set $cthey to "He">> <<set $their to "his">> <<set $ctheir to "His">> <<set $theirs to "his">> <<set $ctheirs to "His">> <<set $them to "him">> <<set $cthem to "Him">> <<set $themselves to "himself">> <<set $cthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $title to "Sir">> <<set $sibling to "brother">> <<set $csibling to "Brother">> <</if>> <<if $pronouns is "theythem">> <<set $they to "they">> <<set $cthey to "They">> <<set $their to "their">> <<set $ctheir to "Their">> <<set $theirs to "theirs">> <<set $ctheirs to "Theirs">> <<set $them to "them">> <<set $cthem to "Them">> <<set $themselves to "themselves">> <<set $cthemselves to "Themselves">> <<set $title to "Ser">> <<set $sibling to "sibling">> <<set $csibling to "Sibling">> <</if>> <<if $pronouns is "itits">> <<set $they to "it">> <<set $cthey to "It">> <<set $their to "its">> <<set $ctheir to "Its">> <<set $theirs to "its">> <<set $ctheirs to "Its">> <<set $them to "It">> <<set $cthem to "It">> <<set $themselves to "itself">> <<set $cthemselves to "Itself">> <<set $title to "Ser">> <<set $sibling to "sibling">> <<set $csibling to "Sibling">> <</if>> <<if $gender is "Man">> <<set $JWname to "Joan">> <<set $JWthey to "she">> <<set $cJWthey to "She">> <<set $JWtheir to "her">> <<set $cJWtheir to "Her">> <<set $JWtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cJWtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $JWthem to "her">> <<set $cJWthem to "Her">> <<set $JWthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cJWthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $JWtitle to "Countess">> <<set $JWspouse to "Wife">> <</if>> <<if $gender is "Trans Man">> <<set $JWname to "Joan">> <<set $JWthey to "she">> <<set $cJWthey to "She">> <<set $JWtheir to "her">> <<set $cJWtheir to "Her">> <<set $JWtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cJWtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $JWthem to "her">> <<set $cJWthem to "Her">> <<set $JWthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cJWthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $JWtitle to "Countess">> <<set $JWspouse to "Wife">> <</if>> <<if $gender is "Nonbinary">> <<set $JWname to "Joan">> <<set $JWthey to "she">> <<set $cJWthey to "She">> <<set $JWtheir to "her">> <<set $cJWtheir to "Her">> <<set $JWtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cJWtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $JWthem to "her">> <<set $cJWthem to "Her">> <<set $JWthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cJWthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $JWtitle to "Countess">> <<set $JWspouse to "Wife">> <</if>> <<if $gender is "Woman">> <<set $JWname to "John">> <<set $JWthey to "he">> <<set $cJWthey to "He">> <<set $JWtheir to "his">> <<set $cJWtheir to "His">> <<set $JWtheirs to "his">> <<set $cJWtheirs to "His">> <<set $JWthem to "him">> <<set $cJWthem to "Him">> <<set $JWthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cJWthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $JWtitle to "Count">> <<set $JWspouse to "Husband">> <</if>> <<if $gender is "Trans Woman">> <<set $JWname to "John">> <<set $JWthey to "he">> <<set $cJWthey to "He">> <<set $JWtheir to "his">> <<set $cJWtheir to "His">> <<set $JWtheirs to "his">> <<set $cJWtheirs to "His">> <<set $JWthem to "him">> <<set $cJWthem to "Him">> <<set $JWthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cJWthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $JWtitle to "Count">> <<set $JWspouse to "Husband">> <</if>> <<if $gender is "Intersex">> <<set $JWname to "John">> <<set $JWthey to "he">> <<set $cJWthey to "He">> <<set $JWtheir to "his">> <<set $cJWtheir to "His">> <<set $JWtheirs to "his">> <<set $cJWtheirs to "His">> <<set $JWthem to "him">> <<set $cJWthem to "Him">> <<set $JWthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cJWthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $JWtitle to "Count">> <<set $JWspouse to "Husband">> <</if>> <</nobr>> Your Witch is <<if $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Woman"or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $gender is "Trans Man">> a $gender with $they/$them pronouns.<<else>> $gender with $they/$them pronouns.<</if>> Correct? <li>[[Yes|QS.1Sexuality]]</li> <li>[[No|QS.1Gender]]</li>

What's Your Sexuality? <ul class="a"> <li>[[You prefer only women.|QS.1SeirForm][$preference to "female"]]</li> <li>[[You don't discriminate, everyone is game.|QS.1SeirForm][$preference to "bi"]]</li> <li>[[Everyone is game but you want to select the RO genders yourself.|QS.1 RO Selector][$preference to "custom"]]</li> <li>[[You only prefer men.|QS.1SeirForm][$preference to "male"]]</li> </ul>

<<nobr>><<if $preference is "male">> <<set $LRgender to "male">> <<set $Seirgender to "male">> <<set $SRgender to "male">> <<set $VWgender to "male">> <<set $ZCgender to "male">> <<set $Saleosgender to "male">> <<set $SKgender to "male">> <<set $ERgender to "male">> <<set $DWgender to "male">> <<set $QBgender to "male">> <<set $ALgender to "male">> <</if>> <<if $preference is "female">> <<set $LRgender to "female">> <<set $Seirgender to "female">> <<set $SRgender to "female">> <<set $VWgender to "female">> <<set $ZCgender to "female">> <<set $Saleosgender to "female">> <<set $SKgender to "female">> <<set $ERgender to "female">> <<set $DWgender to "female">> <<set $QBgender to "female">> <<set $ALgender to "female">> <</if>> <<if $preference is "bi">> <<set $LRgender to either ("male", "female")>> <<set $Seirgender to either ("male", "female")>> <<set $SRgender to either ("male", "female")>> <<set $VWgender to either ("male", "female")>> <<set $ZCgender to either ("male", "female")>> <<set $Saleosgender to either ("male", "female")>> <<set $SKgender to either ("male", "female")>> <<set $ERgender to either ("male", "female")>> <<set $DWgender to either ("male", "female")>> <<set $QBgender to either ("male", "female")>> <<set $ALgender to either ("male", "female")>> <</if>> <<if $LRgender is "female">> <<set $LRthey to "she">> <<set $cLRthey to "She">> <<set $LRtheir to "her">> <<set $cLRtheir to "Her">> <<set $LRtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cLRtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $LRthem to "her">> <<set $cLRthem to "Her">> <<set $LRthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cLRthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $LRtitle to "Lady">> <<set $LRname to "Loralei">> <<set $LRsibling to "sister">> <<set $cLRsibling to "Sister">> <</if>> <<if $LRgender is "male">> <<set $LRthey to "he">> <<set $cLRthey to "He">> <<set $LRtheir to "his">> <<set $cLRtheir to "His">> <<set $LRtheirs to "his">> <<set $cLRtheirs to "His">> <<set $LRthem to "him">> <<set $cLRthem to "Him">> <<set $LRthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cLRthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $LRtitle to "Lord">> <<set $LRname to "Luther">> <<set $LRsibling to "brother">> <<set $cLRsibling to "Brother">> <</if>> <<if $Seirgender is "female">> <<set $Seirthey to "she">> <<set $cSeirthey to "She">> <<set $Seirtheir to "her">> <<set $cSeirtheir to "Her">> <<set $Seirtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cSeirtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $Seirthem to "her">> <<set $cSeirthem to "Her">> <<set $Seirthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cSeirthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $Seirtitle to "Baroness">> <</if>> <<if $Seirgender is "male">> <<set $Seirthey to "he">> <<set $cSeirthey to "He">> <<set $Seirtheir to "his">> <<set $cSeirtheir to "His">> <<set $Seirtheirs to "his">> <<set $cSeirtheirs to "His">> <<set $Seirthem to "him">> <<set $cSeirthem to "Him">> <<set $Seirthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cSeirthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $Seirtitle to "Baron">> <</if>> <<if $SRgender is "female">> <<set $SRthey to "she">> <<set $cSRthey to "She">> <<set $SRtheir to "her">> <<set $cSRtheir to "Her">> <<set $SRtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cSRtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $SRthem to "her">> <<set $cSRthem to "Her">> <<set $SRthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cSRthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $SRtitle to "Baroness">> <<set $SRname to "Sienna">> <</if>> <<if $SRgender is "male">> <<set $SRthey to "he">> <<set $cSRthey to "He">> <<set $SRtheir to "his">> <<set $cSRtheir to "His">> <<set $SRtheirs to "his">> <<set $cSRtheirs to "His">> <<set $SRthem to "him">> <<set $cSRthem to "Him">> <<set $SRthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cSRthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $SRtitle to "Baron">> <<set $SRname to "Simeone">> <</if>> <<if $VWgender is "female">> <<set $VWthey to "she">> <<set $cVWthey to "She">> <<set $VWtheir to "her">> <<set $cVWtheir to "Her">> <<set $VWtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cVWtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $VWthem to "her">> <<set $cVWthem to "Her">> <<set $VWthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cVWthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $VWtitle to "Countess">> <<set $VWname to "Victoria">> <</if>> <<if $VWgender is "male">> <<set $VWthey to "he">> <<set $cVWthey to "He">> <<set $VWtheir to "his">> <<set $cVWtheir to "His">> <<set $VWtheirs to "his">> <<set $cVWtheirs to "His">> <<set $VWthem to "him">> <<set $cVWthem to "Him">> <<set $VWthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cVWthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $VWtitle to "Count">> <<set $VWname to "Victor">> <</if>> <<if $ZCgender is "female">> <<set $ZCthey to "she">> <<set $cZCthey to "She">> <<set $ZCtheir to "her">> <<set $cZCtheir to "Her">> <<set $ZCtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cZCtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $ZCthem to "her">> <<set $cZCthem to "Her">> <<set $ZCthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cZCthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $ZCtitle to "Miss">> <<set $ZCname to "Zaniyah">> <</if>> <<if $ZCgender is "male">> <<set $ZCthey to "he">> <<set $cZCthey to "He">> <<set $ZCtheir to "his">> <<set $cZCtheir to "His">> <<set $ZCtheirs to "his">> <<set $cZCtheirs to "His">> <<set $ZCthem to "him">> <<set $cZCthem to "Him">> <<set $ZCthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cZCthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $ZCtitle to "Mister">> <<set $ZCname to "Zachariah">> <</if>> <<if $Saleosgender is "female">> <<set $Saleosthey to "she">> <<set $cSaleosthey to "She">> <<set $Saleostheir to "her">> <<set $cSaleostheir to "Her">> <<set $Saleostheirs to "hers">> <<set $cSaleostheirs to "Hers">> <<set $Saleosthem to "her">> <<set $cSaleosthem to "Her">> <<set $Saleosthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cSaleosthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $Saleostitle to "Duchess">> <</if>> <<if $Saleosgender is "male">> <<set $Saleosthey to "he">> <<set $cSaleosthey to "He">> <<set $Saleostheir to "his">> <<set $cSaleostheir to "His">> <<set $Saleostheirs to "his">> <<set $cSaleostheirs to "His">> <<set $Saleosthem to "him">> <<set $cSaleosthem to "Him">> <<set $Saleosthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cSaleosthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $Saleostitle to "Duke">> <</if>> <<if $SKgender is "female">> <<set $SKthey to "she">> <<set $cSKthey to "She">> <<set $SKtheir to "her">> <<set $cSKtheir to "Her">> <<set $SKtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cSKtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $SKthem to "her">> <<set $cSKthem to "Her">> <<set $SKthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cSKthemselves to "Herself">> <</if>> <<if $SKgender is "male">> <<set $SKthey to "he">> <<set $cSKthey to "He">> <<set $SKtheir to "his">> <<set $cSKtheir to "His">> <<set $SKtheirs to "his">> <<set $cSKtheirs to "His">> <<set $SKthem to "him">> <<set $cSKthem to "Him">> <<set $SKthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cSKthemselves to "Himself">> <</if>> <<if $ERgender is "female">> <<set $ERthey to "she">> <<set $cERthey to "She">> <<set $ERtheir to "her">> <<set $cERtheir to "Her">> <<set $ERtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cERtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $ERthem to "her">> <<set $cERthem to "Her">> <<set $ERthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cERthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $ERtitle to "Miss">> <<set $ERname to "Emilia">> <<set $ERsibling to "sister">> <<set $cERsibling to "Sister">> <</if>> <<if $ERgender is "male">> <<set $ERthey to "he">> <<set $cERthey to "He">> <<set $ERtheir to "his">> <<set $cERtheir to "His">> <<set $ERtheirs to "his">> <<set $cERtheirs to "His">> <<set $ERthem to "him">> <<set $cERthem to "Him">> <<set $ERthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cERthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $ERtitle to "Master">> <<set $ERname to "Emil">> <<set $ERsibling to "brother">> <<set $cERsibling to "Brother">> <</if>> <<if $DWgender is "female">> <<set $DWthey to "she">> <<set $cDWthey to "She">> <<set $DWtheir to "her">> <<set $cDWtheir to "Her">> <<set $DWtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cDWtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $DWthem to "her">> <<set $cDWthem to "Her">> <<set $DWthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cDWthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $DWtitle to "Miss">> <<set $DWname to "Dorothea">> <</if>> <<if $DWgender is "male">> <<set $DWthey to "he">> <<set $cDWthey to "He">> <<set $DWtheir to "his">> <<set $cDWtheir to "His">> <<set $DWtheirs to "his">> <<set $cDWtheirs to "His">> <<set $DWthem to "him">> <<set $cDWthem to "Him">> <<set $DWthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cDWthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $DWtitle to "Mister">> <<set $DWname to "Dietrich">> <</if>> <<if $QBgender is "female">> <<set $QBthey to "she">> <<set $cQBthey to "She">> <<set $QBtheir to "her">> <<set $cQBtheir to "Her">> <<set $QBtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cQBtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $QBthem to "her">> <<set $cQBthem to "Her">> <<set $QBthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cQBthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $QBtitle to "Madame">> <<set $QBs_style to "Soprano">> <</if>> <<if $QBgender is "male">> <<set $QBthey to "he">> <<set $cQBthey to "He">> <<set $QBtheir to "his">> <<set $cQBtheir to "His">> <<set $QBtheirs to "his">> <<set $cQBtheirs to "His">> <<set $QBthem to "him">> <<set $cQBthem to "Him">> <<set $QBthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cQBthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $QBtitle to "Monsieur">> <<set $QBs_style to "Baritone">> <</if>> <<if $ALgender is "female">> <<set $ALthey to "she">> <<set $cALthey to "She">> <<set $ALtheir to "her">> <<set $cALtheir to "Her">> <<set $ALtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cALtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $ALthem to "her">> <<set $cALthem to "Her">> <<set $ALthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cALthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $ALtitle to "Apothecary">> <<set $ALname to "Amber">> <</if>> <<if $ALgender is "male">> <<set $ALthey to "he">> <<set $cALthey to "He">> <<set $ALtheir to "his">> <<set $cALtheir to "His">> <<set $ALtheirs to "his">> <<set $cALtheirs to "His">> <<set $ALthem to "him">> <<set $cALthem to "Him">> <<set $ALthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cALthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $ALtitle to "Apothecary">> <<set $ALname to "Ambrose">> <</if>> <</nobr>> What is the form that Seir takes for you? <<listbox "$seirform" autoselect>> <<option "dog">> <<option "cat">> <<option "snake">> <<option "fox">> <<option "crow">> <<option "hare">> <</listbox>> [[Continue|QS.1Powers]]

<<nobr>> <<if $power1 is "Possession">><<set $possession_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power1 is "Teleportation">><<set $teleport_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power1 is "Invisibility">><<set $invisibility_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power1 is "Mesmerism">><<set $mesmerise_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power1 is "Agility">><<set $agility_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power1 is "Naturism">><<set $naturism_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power1 is "Hyper Senses">><<set $hs_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power1 is "Soul Scry">><<set $ss_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power1 is "Animalism">><<set $animalism_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power1 is "Blood Weapon">><<set $bw_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power1 is "Darkness Manipulation">><<set $darkness_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power1 is "Dominate">><<set $dominate_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power2 is "Possession">><<set $possession_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power2 is "Teleportation">><<set $teleport_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power2 is "Invisibility">><<set $invisibility_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power2 is "Mesmerism">><<set $mesmerise_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power2 is "Agility">><<set $agility_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power2 is "Naturism">><<set $naturism_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power2 is "Hyper Senses">><<set $hs_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power2 is "Soul Scry">><<set $ss_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power2 is "Animalism">><<set $animalism_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power2 is "Blood Weapon">><<set $bw_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power2 is "Darkness Manipulation">><<set $darkness_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power2 is "Dominate">><<set $dominate_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power3 is "Possession">><<set $possession_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power3 is "Teleportation">><<set $teleport_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power3 is "Invisibility">><<set $invisibility_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power3 is "Mesmerism">><<set $mesmerise_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power3 is "Agility">><<set $agility_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power3 is "Naturism">><<set $naturism_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power3 is "Hyper Senses">><<set $hs_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power3 is "Soul Scry">><<set $ss_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power3 is "Animalism">><<set $animalism_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power3 is "Blood Weapon">><<set $bw_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power3 is "Darkness Manipulation">><<set $darkness_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power3 is "Dominate">><<set $dominate_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power4 is "Possession">><<set $possession_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power4 is "Teleportation">><<set $teleport_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power4 is "Invisibility">><<set $invisibility_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power4 is "Mesmerism">><<set $mesmerise_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power4 is "Agility">><<set $agility_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power4 is "Naturism">><<set $naturism_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power4 is "Hyper Senses">><<set $hs_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power4 is "Soul Scry">><<set $ss_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power4 is "Animalism">><<set $animalism_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power4 is "Blood Weapon">><<set $bw_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power4 is "Darkness Manipulation">><<set $darkness_m to true>><</if>> <<if $power4 is "Dominate">><<set $dominate_m to true>><</if>> <<if $whatpreviousmagic is "Light">><<set $p_lm to true>><</if>> <<if $whatpreviousmagic is "Elemental">><<set $p_em to true>><</if>> <<if $whatpreviousmagic is "Grey">><<set $p_gm to true>><</if>> <<if $whatpreviousmagic is "Naturism">><<set $p_nm to true>><</if>> <<if $surname is "Twylyth">><<set $mamaroom to false>><<set $grandmaroom to false>><<set $oldwashroom to false>><<set $oldmainroom to false>><<set $oldgarden to false>><<set $oldmail to false>><<set $oldbunny to false>><<set $oldoffice to false>><</if>> <<if $surname is "Twylyth">>You come from a long line of Blood Witches. If this is your first time playing the Blood Witch Origin, we recommend you play the Origin. If not, please continue. <ul><li>[[Play the Blood Witch origin.|Blood Witch Origin]]</li> <li>[[No, I want to continue with Quick Start|QS.1Start]]</li></ul> <<else>> What was your family's circumstances growing up? <ul><li>[[Poor|QS.1PBackstory]]</li> <li>[[Wealthy|QS.1WBackstory]]</li></ul> <</if>><</nobr>>

<<set $wealth to "poor">> What are they hiding from? [[An Arranged Marriage|QS.1Start][$truesurname to "Sharpe"]] [[An Incident At School|QS.1Start][$truesurname to "Adler"]] [[They're A Prison Convict|QS.1PrisonCheck][$truesurname to "Mortmain"]] [[A Kidnapping|QS.1Start][$truesurname to "Beckett"]] [[An Asylum Retrieval|QS.1Start][$truesurname to "Quatermain"]] [[A Fortune Hunting Scandal|QS.1Start][$truesurname to "Gwyn"]]

What are they hiding from?<<set $wealth to "rich">> [[An Arranged Marriage|QS.1Start][$truesurname to "Fox-Vincent"]] [[An Incident At School|QS.1Start][$truesurname to "Knight"]] [[They're A Prison Convict|QS.1PrisonCheck][$truesurname to "Buchanan"]] [[A Kidnapping|QS.1Start][$truesurname to "Monroth"]] [[An Asylum Retrieval|QS.1Start][$truesurname to "Dantes"]] [[A Fortune Hunting Scandal|QS.1Start][$truesurname to "De Maintenon"]]

<<nobr>> <<if $truesurname is "Sharpe">> <<set $AMorigin to true>> <<set $backstory to "escaped from an arranged marriage">> <<set $orphan to true>><</if>> <<if $truesurname is "Fox-Vincent">> <<set $AMorigin to true>> <<set $backstory to "escaped from an arranged marriage">> <<set $bastard to true>><</if>> <<if $truesurname is "Mortmain">> <<set $prisonorigin to true>> <<set $backstory to "escaped Prison Convict.">> <<set $bastard to true>> <</if>> <<if $truesurname is "Buchanan">> <<set $prisonorigin to true>> <<set $backstory to "escaped Prison Convict.">> <<set $adopted to true>> <</if>> <<if $truesurname is "Quatermain">> <<set $asylumorigin to true>> <<set $backstory to "fled the Asylum.">> <<set $onlychild to true>> <</if>> <<if $truesurname is "Dantes">> <<set $asylumorigin to true>> <<set $backstory to "fled the Asylum.">> <<set $siblings to true>> <</if>> <<if $truesurname is "Beckett">> <<set $kidnappedorigin to true>> <<set $backstory to "had been Kidnapped">> <<set $siblings to true>> <</if>> <<if $truesurname is "Monroth">> <<set $kidnappedorigin to true>> <<set $backstory to "had been Kidnapped">> <<set $onlychild to true>> <</if>> <<if $truesurname is "Adler">> <<set $accusedorigin to true>> <<set $backstory to "fled from Inciminiating School Incident">> <<set $orphan to true>> <</if>> <<if $truesurname is "Knight">> <<set $accusedorigin to true>> <<set $backstory to "fled from Inciminiating School Incident">> <<set $adopted to true>> <</if>> <<if $truesurname is "De Maintenon">> <<set $FHorigin to true>> <<set $backstory to "fled a Fortune Hunting Scandal">> <<set $siblings to true>> <</if>> <<if $preference is "male">> <<set $fhgender to "male">> <</if>> <<if $preference is "female">> <<set $FHgender to "female">> <</if>> <<if $preference is "bi" or $preference is "custom">> <<set $FHgender to either ("male", "female")>> <</if>> <<if $preference is "female">> <<set $FHspouse to "wife">> <<set $FHthey to "she">> <<set $cFHthey to "She">> <<set $FHtheir to "her">> <<set $cFHtheir to "Her">> <<set $FHtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cFHtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $FHthem to "her">> <<set $cFHthem to "Her">> <<set $FHthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cFHthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $FHtitle to "Marchioness">> <<if $name is "Aria">><<set $FHname to "Bianca">><<elseif $name is "Bianca">><<set $FHname to "Aria">> <</if>><</if>> <<if $preference is "male">> <<set $FHspouse to "husband">> <<set $FHthey to "he">> <<set $cFHthey to "He">> <<set $FHtheir to "his">> <<set $cFHtheir to "His">> <<set $FHtheirs to "his">> <<set $cFHtheirs to "His">> <<set $FHthem to "him">> <<set $cFHthem to "Him">> <<set $FHthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cFHthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $FHtitle to "Marquess">> <<if $name is "Adriano">><<set $FHname to "Benicio">><<elseif $name is "Benicio">><<set $FHname to "Adriano">> <</if>><</if>> <<if $truesurname is "Gwyn">> <<set $FHorigin to true>> <<set $poor to true>> <<set $backstory to "fled a Fortune Hunting Scandal">> <<set $orphan to true>> <</if>> <<if $surname is "Twylyth">><<set $truesurname to "Twylyth">><</if>> <<set $surnameselect to true>> <<set $appearance to true>> <<set $chartraits to true>> <<set $history to true>> <</nobr>> Are you satisfied with your Witch? [[Yes|Chapter1]] [[No|Quick Start Book 1]] Access for Beta Testers! <<textbox "$Password" "" "Beta Password">>

<<if $gender is "Intersex">> As you're a intersex character, here you can modify some options on how your character is presented. What gender were you raised from birth?<<listbox "$raisedgender" autoselect>> <<option "male">> <<option "female">> <<option "neither">> <</listbox>> What gender do you pass as most of the time? <<listbox "$passinggender" autoselect>> <<option "male">> <<option "female">> <<option "neither">>a <</listbox>> [[Continue|QS.1Pronoun]] <</if>> <<if $gender is "Trans Man" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $gender is "Nonbinary">> As you're a trans character, here you can modify some options. However, if you don't want to initiate any of these, you can go back and select a different gender and just change your genitals and chest to your preferred look so that the narrative doesn't include noted reference to your character's transgender identity and all it entails for the plot. <<set $transgender to true>> What is your deadname? <<textbox "$deadname" $deadname>> <<button "Confirm">> <</button>> What is your assigned gender at birth?<<listbox "$agab" autoselect>> <<option "Man">> <<option "Woman">> <<option "Intersex">> <</listbox>> [[Continue|QS.1Pronoun]] <</if>>

What is your name? <ul class="a"> Suggestions for feminine names<div id="section15" class="hidden">&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Ivy|QS.1Surname][$name to "Ivy"]] &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Emmaline|QS.1Surname][$name to "Emmaline"]] &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Linnet|QS.1Surname][$name to "Linnet"]] &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Georgina|QS.1Surname][$name to "Georgina"]]</div> Suggestions for masculine names<div id="section14" class="hidden">&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Eodwulf|QS.1Surname][$name to "Eodwulf"]] &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Chance|QS.1Surname][$name to "Chance"]] &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Cicero|QS.1Surname][$name to "Cicero"]] &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Achille|QS.1Surname][$name to "Achille"]] </div> Suggestions for gender-neutral names<div id="section13" class="hidden">&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Cynder|QS.1Surname][$name to "Cynder"]] &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Morgan|QS.1Surname][$name to "Morgan"]] &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Shep|QS.1Surname][$name to "Shep"]] &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Anatole|QS.1Surname][$name to "Anatole"]]</div> <li><<click "Insert a custom name">><<toggleclass "#section16" "hidden">><</click>> </li> </ul> <div id="section16" class="hidden"> <<textbox "$name" $name>> <<button "Confirm">> <<set $name to $name.trim()>> <<set _invalidNames to ["Loralei", "Luther", "Seir", "Sienna", "Simeone", "Starling", "Victor", "Victoria", "Zaniyah", "Zachariah", "Saleos", "Emil", "Emilia", "Quincy", "Luke", "Amber", "Ambrose", "Dorothea", "Dietrich", "Edwin"]>> <<if $name is " ">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>Please enter a name.<</replace>> <<elseif _invalidNames.includes($name)>> <<replace "#textbox-error">>This name is already in use during the story.<</replace>> <<else>> <<replace "#textbox-error">><</replace>> <<goto "QS.1Surname">> <</if>> <</button>> </div> <span id="textbox-error"></span>

<<audio "morguealone" play>>You disappeared down the hallway, getting further and further away from the doors to the outside. It seemed to get colder and colder too, frigid air slowly settling on your skin. There weren't many ways to get lost down here, the few rooms you passed, either an office or a supply room. It seemed what you were looking for was on the other end of the hallway, dominated by dark brick and gas lamps turned down low. Your footsteps echoed too loudly, as if the floors themselves were trying to draw attention to you, an intruder in this place. Finally, at the double doors. You put your weight on the handle, the heavy weight almost too much to even push it open. You struggled for a while, making slow effort before it suddenly gave way, swinging open dramatically and nearly sending you directly to the floor. The only reason you remained upright was from hanging onto the handle. The room suffocated you in freezing air within seconds. You had never been so cold, not out in the snow, nor in the grey waters of the sea shore, not out in the night air.<<if $darkness_m is true>> If you were anyone else, it would have taken far too long to get used to the darkness around you, but it just looked like clear shades of grey to you. With the painted white brick walls against the different shades of silver, strangely billowing like smoke before your eyes. Like you were trapped in a room with a frigid fire. <<else>> Your eyes took a moment to adjust to the darkness, but it was nearly impossible. You awkwardly dragged your palm against the walls in the pitch black until your fingers met the brass turner of a gas lamp. Turning it slightly, a small but sure flame bloomed, filling the room with the faint salty smell of the ocean waters. Even the way the light dragged and swayed against the painted white brick walls reminded you of the drag and pull of the waves.<</if>> The small reverie was short lived. The sight of four wooden tables, dark and looming, felt far too ominous. You swore you could see some stains soaked into the surface. You had to tear your gaze from it. A desk tucked in the back, papers weighted down by painted, smooth stones. Books piled high. After a moment, you noticed where the arctic temperatures were coming from. On the far end of the room, a cluster of metal doors, not too big, were almost throbbing with coldness, were set deep into the brick wall. You walked over, starting to shiver uncontrollably. This was... Not natural. It reminded you of the hour you met Seir, an abnormal sensation dancing up and down the skin of your arms, raising the hairs and breaking out into goose bumps. You dragged a finger over one of the cast iron handles and had to yank the digit away almost immediately. It was like you were burned. You glanced down at the mark it left, blacker than frostbite before slowly clearing back to your normal $skincolour flesh. ... There was something not right here. [[Go for it anyway. Brave the pain.|SK.Morgue.11]] [[Better not. At least check around some more.|SK.Morgue.12]]

Did you have powers before getting Seir as a familiar? <<cycle "$previousmagic" autoselect>> <<option "Yes." true>> <<option "No." false>><</cycle>> What are your powers? <<set _power1 = ["Nothing", "Possession", "Teleportation", "Invisibility", "Mesmerism", "Agility", "Naturism", "Hyper Senses", "Soul Scry", "Animalism", "Blood Weapon", "Darkness Manipulation", "Dominate"]>><<listbox "$power1">> <<optionsfrom _power1>> <</listbox>> <span id="power1-info">(Nothing)</span> <<script>> $(document).one(":passagerender", function (event) { var description = { "Nothing": "Please Select A Power", "Possession": "Take control of another, move them like a puppet, and then leave them dizzy.", "Teleportation": "From one point to another, without moving or being seen.", "Invisibility": "You reflect the world around you, totally unseen.", "Mesmerism": "Distract those you want, leave them open mouthed at unexplainable flicks of light.", "Agility": "Move like a hunter, leap, land, run. Your body is precision itself.", "Naturism": "Flora itself bends to your will, and you can feel the connection between every plant, and yourself.", "Hyper Senses": "From sound, to sight, to touch, everything you sense is amplified.", "Soul Scry": "You settle into another's body without their knowledge. You hear their thoughts, see what they do, everything.", "Animalism": "You understand creatures like never before. They understand you. There is an animal bond between the two of you.", "Blood Weapon": "Let your blood run down into your hand, let it form a weapon to defend yourself with.", "Darkness Manipulation": "You are on the side of the shadows, blackness engulfs whatever you want, but it never blinds you.", "Dominate": "Your word is everyone's command. You feel your tongue change and so people must obey." }; $(event.content).find("#power1info").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.power1]); $(event.content).find("#listbox-power1").on("change", function (event) { $("#power1-info").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.power1]); }); }); <</script>> <<set _power2 = ["Nothing", "Possession", "Teleportation", "Invisibility", "Mesmerism", "Agility", "Naturism", "Hyper Senses", "Soul Scry", "Animalism", "Blood Weapon", "Darkness Manipulation", "Dominate"]>><<listbox "$power2">> <<optionsfrom _power2>> <</listbox>> <span id="power2-info">(Nothing)</span> <<script>> $(document).one(":passagerender", function (event) { var description = { "Nothing": "Please Select A Power", "Possession": "Take control of another, move them like a puppet, and then leave them dizzy.", "Teleportation": "From one point to another, without moving or being seen.", "Invisibility": "You reflect the world around you, totally unseen.", "Mesmerism": "Distract those you want, leave them open mouthed at unexplainable flicks of light.", "Agility": "Move like a hunter, leap, land, run. Your body is precision itself.", "Naturism": "Flora itself bends to your will, and you can feel the connection between every plant, and yourself.", "Hyper Senses": "From sound, to sight, to touch, everything you feel is amplified.", "Soul Scry": "You settle into another's body without their knowledge. You hear their thoughts, see what they do, everything.", "Animalism": "You understand creatures like never before. They understand you. There is an animal bond between the two of you.", "Blood Weapon": "Let your blood run down into your hand, let it form a weapon to defend yourself with.", "Darkness Manipulation": "You are on the side of the shadows, blackness engulfs wherever you want, but it never blinds you.", "Dominate": "Your word is everyone's command. You feel your tongue change and so people must obey." }; $(event.content).find("#power2info").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.power2]); $(event.content).find("#listbox-power2").on("change", function (event) { $("#power2-info").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.power2]); }); }); <</script>> <<set _power3 = ["Nothing", "Possession", "Teleportation", "Invisibility", "Mesmerism", "Agility", "Naturism", "Hyper Senses", "Soul Scry", "Animalism", "Blood Weapon", "Darkness Manipulation", "Dominate"]>><<listbox "$power3">> <<optionsfrom _power3>> <</listbox>> <span id="power3-info">(Nothing)</span> <<script>> $(document).one(":passagerender", function (event) { var description = { "Nothing": "Please Select A Power", "Possession": "Take control of another, move them like a puppet, and then leave them dizzy.", "Teleportation": "From one point to another, without moving or being seen.", "Invisibility": "You reflect the world around you, totally unseen.", "Mesmerism": "Distract those you want, leave them open mouthed at unexplainable flicks of light.", "Agility": "Move like a hunter, leap, land, run. Your body is precision itself.", "Naturism": "Flora itself bends to your will, and you can feel the connection between every plant, and yourself.", "Hyper Senses": "From sound, to sight, to touch, everything you feel is amplified.", "Soul Scry": "You settle into another's body without their knowledge. You hear their thoughts, see what they do, everything.", "Animalism": "You understand creatures like never before. They understand you. There is an animal bond between the two of you.", "Blood Weapon": "Let your blood run down into your hand, let it form a weapon to defend yourself with.", "Darkness Manipulation": "You are on the side of the shadows, blackness engulfs wherever you want, but it never blinds you.", "Dominate": "Your word is everyone's command. You feel your tongue change and so people must obey." }; $(event.content).find("#power3info").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.power3]); $(event.content).find("#listbox-power3").on("change", function (event) { $("#power3-info").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.power3]); }); }); <</script>> <<set _power4 = ["Nothing", "Possession", "Teleportation", "Invisibility", "Mesmerism", "Agility", "Naturism", "Hyper Senses", "Soul Scry", "Animalism", "Blood Weapon", "Darkness Manipulation", "Dominate"]>><<listbox "$power4">> <<optionsfrom _power4>> <</listbox>> <span id="power4-info">(Nothing)</span> <<script>> $(document).one(":passagerender", function (event) { var description = { "Nothing": "Please Select A Power", "Possession": "Take control of another, move them like a puppet, and then leave them dizzy.", "Teleportation": "From one point to another, without moving or being seen.", "Invisibility": "You reflect the world around you, totally unseen.", "Mesmerism": "Distract those you want, leave them open mouthed at unexplainable flicks of light.", "Agility": "Move like a hunter, leap, land, run. Your body is precision itself.", "Naturism": "Flora itself bends to your will, and you can feel the connection between every plant, and yourself.", "Hyper Senses": "From sound, to sight, to touch, everything you feel is amplified.", "Soul Scry": "You settle into another's body without their knowledge. You hear their thoughts, see what they do, everything.", "Animalism": "You understand creatures like never before. They understand you. There is an animal bond between the two of you.", "Blood Weapon": "Let your blood run down into your hand, let it form a weapon to defend yourself with.", "Darkness Manipulation": "You are on the side of the shadows, blackness engulfs wherever you want, but it never blinds you.", "Dominate": "Your word is everyone's command. You feel your tongue change and so people must obey." }; $(event.content).find("#power4info").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.power4]); $(event.content).find("#listbox-power4").on("change", function (event) { $("#power4-info").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.power4]); }); }); <</script>> [[Onwards|QS.1PowerCheckRecap]]

<<if $power1 == $power2>><b>You can't have multiples of the same power.</b><<timed 4s>><<goto "QS.1Powers">><</timed>> <<elseif $power1 == $power3>><b>You can't have multiples of the same power.</b><<timed 4s>><<goto "QS.1Powers">><</timed>> <<elseif $power1 == $power4>><b>You can't have multiples of the same power.</b><<timed 4s>><<goto "QS.1Powers">><</timed>> <<elseif $power2 == $power3>><b>You can't have multiples of the same power.</b><<timed 4s>><<goto "QS.1Powers">><</timed>> <<elseif $power2 == $power4>><b>You can't have multiples of the same power.</b><<timed 4s>><<goto "QS.1Powers">><</timed>> <<elseif $power3 == $power4>><b>You can't have multiples of the same power.</b><<timed 4s>><<goto "QS.1Powers">><</timed>><<else>><<goto "QS1.CheckCheck">><</if>>

Are you sure you are willing to face the blood? Are you willing to take on the increased difficulties that come from your line, no matter their help or hinderance? Think wisely, for the blood remembers, even if you do not. [[I am a descendant of the Twylyth blood. I claim this birth right.|0.56]] [[No. I was wrong. Take me back.|0.4]]

<<nobr>><<set $mamaroom to false>><<set $grandmaroom to false>><<set $oldwashroom to false>><<set $oldmainroom to false>><<set $oldgarden to false>><<set $oldmail to false>><<set $oldbunny to false>><<set $oldoffice to false>><</nobr>> <img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/851bfeeed36b8b37295b7594667885a0/6fff071ba4b2f240-8b/s1280x1920/236aa9ea9ea7d1ce74d4aa3623ebad13e4d11c00.pnj" class="centre" width="50%" height="50%"> //Your memories were stronger than most. Every day they seeped into your skin, as if you were relieving every hour, every breath, every thought.// //And now, laying asleep on an uncomfortable cot, in a damp cell, with a drunk hollering his tune, they now enshroud you... The bed is now soft, pulled up to your chin, your pillow stuffed with downy feathers. There is a soft fire flickering in the hearth, the light dancing across your face, and your grandmother singing one of her songs, words so archaic that it resembles nothing but the whisper of trees and the swish of the river to you.// [[Time to wake up, fy mach i.|Blood Witch Origin]]

<<set $BWorigin to true>><<set $truesurname to "Twylyth">>//Your grandmother's song gently fades off, letting the leaves and the creak continue their own song as she slowly stands, You can hear your mother gently pull back the blankets from your body, leaving them around your belly.// //"A new day, and you are too busy sleeping to enjoy the blessings." She says, in the language of the Old, more modern than what your grandmother speaks in, but something she hides when talking to people in town.// //You can hear your grandmother softly cackle from her place at the fire. You slip free from the bed and immediately make your way over to her, leaning up to kiss her smooth cheek. It was tradition to greet the head of the family first and give blessings before the day began. You also got to enjoy the smell of her hair as you did so, cloves and herbs and the salty tinge of blood.// //"Grace for this day, Nain." You whisper against her cheek and she kisses your temple in turn.// //"Her love forever more," She murmurs back, before returning to her cross stitching, her red thread dominating most of the cloth.// //"Go wash up," Your mother orders as she tends to the big pot in the fireplace, stirring every now and then.// <<nobr>> <<if $mamaroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Mama's Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $grandmaroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Grandmother's Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldwashroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Washroom]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldmainroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Look around the room|Main Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldgarden is false>> <ul><li>[[Go outside|The Garden]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldmail is false>> <ul><li>[[Check for mail|Entrance Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldbunny is false>> <ul><li>[[Pet the hare|BunéSpot]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldoffice is false>> <ul><li>[[Office|Conservatory]]</li></ul> <</if>> <</nobr>>

<<set $mamaroom to true>> //You slip off to your mother's room as she busies herself. You can hear your grandmother laugh distantly, already knowing where you're headed. As your mother chides her for her cackles, you reach the door to your mother's room. You slip inside.// //Your mother was very private about her room. It was where your father was the most present in your life.// //Long necklaces of gemstones and flowers twisted together were draped over the mirrors and furniture, filling the room with a heavenly scent of flora. Cut up oranges, dried out in the sun, suspended from twine against the windows, the glass painted with different colours, bathing the room in autumnal oranges and reds, as well as spring pinks and greens. It always made you feel like you were walking through a dream.// //Her clothes hung against the wall, brighter than what your grandmother prefers to wear, skirts and blouses, all embroidered with stitched birds and flowers, with the trademark red droplets at the cuffs.// //Your mother loves to draw on her walls, pasting knicknacks she picks up straight to the surface. Dried flowers and feathers and sea shells and antlers, all framing her sketches. Of you, when you were just a baby, the charcoal making your form fuzzy like a dream. Your grandmother, sitting in a field with Buné on her lap took up an entire wall, a mosaic of shattered glass and clay and different stones. Then him.// //Your father, on the wall she usually faced when she slept. Carved into the wall, then gone over in different inks, looking more like a spirit of water than a human. Your grandmother would sometimes sit you in front of it and whisper stories of your father, that she was a Selkie who swam from northern waters just to court your mother. That she was one of the Gwragedd Annwn, so taken with your mother's beauty that she left just to be with her and then dissolved into sea mist when you were born. Sometimes he was a Grindylow who dragged himself ashore with a fistful of seaweed, sea holly, lotus, kelp and sea glass to beg the love of your mother and she lay with him before he dried up in the sun and was swept back out. Whenever you asked your mother about these stories, she chided you and grandmother for being in her room without her permission and ignored everything else.// //You didn't want to linger long. Just to say good morning to your father.// <<nobr>> <<if $grandmaroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Grandmother's Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldwashroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Washroom]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldmainroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Back to the main room|Main Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldgarden is false>> <ul><li>[[Go outside|The Garden]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldmail is false>> <ul><li>[[Check for mail|Entrance Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldbunny is false>> <ul><li>[[Go pet the hare|BunéSpot]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldoffice is false>> <ul><li>[[Office|Conservatory]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldoffice is true and $mamaroom is true and $grandmaroom is true and $oldwashroom is true and $oldmainroom is true and $oldmail is true and $oldgarden is true and $oldbunny is true>> <ul><li>[[Your heard your name being called. You went towards it.|BR.2]]</li></ul> <</if>> <</nobr>>

<<set $grandmaroom to true>> //Your grandmother's room was dark and cozy. The scent of burning herbs and incense reached your nostrils before anything else. Her curtains were always shut, with just a few old lanterns around to keep the room from sinking into a comfortable darkness.// //An altar next to her bed, decorated with water lillies, a female figurine of polished wood, with her somber face and raised palms. One of your ancestors. Out of respect you quickly clasped your hands together, whispering for your days to be long, for the nights to be kind, for the water to still in your presence and for her grace forevermore. Then you lean forward, looking into an offering bowl. The centre rose up, into a sharp point, and you gently pressed the tip of your finger against it, piercing your skin immediately and letting the blood flow down to join your grandmother's, still fresh from her morning prayers. After a few droplets dribbled down, you popped your still bleeding digit into your mouth and sucked gently at the wound, happy that She wouldn't think badly of you now that you gave an offering. The rest of the altar was decorated with moss, different ceremonial knives, cloves.// //Your grandmother always smelt far more earthy, of something dark, while your mother smelt more of spring, of flowers and a light breeze and the laundry drying in the sun that she sprinkled with lavender.// //You might as well say hello to your grandfather while you're here.// //You missed him sometimes. He was a strong man, taking care of the garden work even in the winter, and encouraged you to sit with him as he did. He lasted until your sixth winter, when he quietly stood outside for a few minutes. Your family joined him, your grandmother standing by quietly while your mother just hugged him and ran back inside, sniffling. He knelt down and put his large hand on your head and whispered for you to continue on with the garden without him. Then, with you sitting in your mother's lap as she sobbed, looking out a window, he bade your grandmother a longer farewell. They kissed on the mouth and then he took off his clothes, folding them and handing the bundle to your grandmother. Then he walked off, towards the lake you knew was deeper into the forest. You never saw him again. You knew your grandmother sometimes went out to the lake on blood moons to see him again.// //His clothes still hung against the wall. Just a dark brown tunic with beautiful waves of stitching along the shoulders and wrists. You leaned forward, and gently breathed in his scent, partially of cloves, but then the usual scent of dark earth, of grass after the rain, of pines filled your senses.// //After a moment you continued to look around. Herbs your grandmother grew that would only thrive in the dark. Old books, with thick paper and musty covers, written in an old hand, in a language you were slowly learning with your grandmother's teachings. The little bed for Buné for the rare times he ventured from his spot by the hearth. Mourning lockets of rusted metal, from ancestors of old, strung along the curtains and the mirror. Even that portrait... Before your grandfather passed away, she bundled you up in your coat and scarf and made her way into the town. Just a tiny place. A man had come from a city to draw you apparently. Grandmother didn't like him and neither did you. So it lived in her room, an uncomfortable picture of you that was going to be for him, but wasn't painted in time.// //You didn't want to spend too long in here. It always felt like something would stir from a slumber and usher you out anyway.// <<nobr>> <<if $mamaroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Mama's Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldwashroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Washroom]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldmainroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Back to the main room|Main Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldgarden is false>> <ul><li>[[Go outside|The Garden]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldmail is false>> <ul><li>[[Check for mail|Entrance Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldbunny is false>> <ul><li>[[Go pet the hare|BunéSpot]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldoffice is false>> <ul><li>[[Office|Conservatory]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldoffice is true and $mamaroom is true and $grandmaroom is true and $oldwashroom is true and $oldmainroom is true and $oldmail is true and $oldgarden is true and $oldbunny is true>> <ul><li>[[Your heard your name being called. You went towards it.|BR.2]]</li></ul> <</if>> <</nobr>>

<<set $oldwashroom to true>> //Obeying your mother, you make your way to the washroom. In the few times you've been in someone else's home, the thing they called a watercloset was... Dark. Hidden away. Bare.// //This room could be someone's favourite, and you wouldn't fault them. The windows look out to the garden, but from the waterfall outside, there's a constant stream of water gliding past, bathing the room in a soft, watercolour rainbow when the light shone in. A big bronze tub right in the centre, obviously old but beautiful, with clawed feet and a dedicated sheen. Your grandmother sometimes told you a story about how the Emperor of Rome had gotten into it and sailed to the Isles, and the Celts welcomed him, just to stab him in the side and send him back, keeping his tub.// //You strip down, folding your sleep clothes just as your mother comes in, holding a steaming bucket of water, sloshing gently but never going over. She slowly pours it out, the steam rising delicately, before throwing in the usual array of flowers, salts, herbs. You always smelt good when you were clean and your mother forbade a smelly person in the cottage. As you settle on, tucking your knees to your chin, she pulls out a stool from the side and begins to wash you. You're slowly approaching the age to do all of this yourself, but you couldn't feel any annoyance for her still doing it all. Her soft humming and the scent of her hair gently falling in front of you kept you tranquil.// //She did your hair, then focused on scrubbing your fingernails clean of any dirt. Letting you wash your own face as she focused on your back. Finally, all clean, your mother jiggles a plug at one end of the tub, and the water dutifully rushes out, along an open groove leading out, to just under the windows, to the creek outside.// //Your mother went back out and you dried yourself off, still needing some help getting out of the huge thing. She came back with your day clothes, a simple tunic, a talisman and soft socks. She held your hand as you got out and warned you not to get dirty again for at least an hour.// //"Or I will bathe you in the creek instead." She pointed down at you but didn't leave without giving a kiss to your forehead and bustling out.// //You picked a piece of mint from the growing plant that had invaded a corner of the bathroom, reaching up along the ceiling and chewed it a bit before leaving the room.// <<nobr>> <<if $mamaroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Mama's Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $grandmaroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Grandmother's Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldmainroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Back to the main room|Main Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldgarden is false>> <ul><li>[[Go outside|The Garden]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldmail is false>> <ul><li>[[Check for mail|Entrance Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldbunny is false>> <ul><li>[[Go pet the hare|BunéSpot]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldoffice is false>> <ul><li>[[Office|Conservatory]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldoffice is true and $mamaroom is true and $grandmaroom is true and $oldwashroom is true and $oldmainroom is true and $oldmail is true and $oldgarden is true and $oldbunny is true>> <ul><li>[[Your heard your name being called. You went towards it.|BR.2]]</li></ul> <</if>> <</nobr>>

<<set $oldmainroom to true>> //The main room is where everything is done. It's where Grandmother gently makes her talismans, and pouches of lucky herbs, were Buné sits, at the other side of the hearth, dozing. Where your mother cooks, where Grandfather used to read out loud to everyone. A big hearth on one side, the big pot always boiling with something or another, chests of mementos, the storage where the food was kept, mostly homegrown and then the small things your mother would get in the tiny town an hour out.// //Your own tiny bed, by the hearth. Grandmother had her own room, Mother had her own room. Grandmother always teased you that when you were old enough, you would have her room and she'd be off in the lake. It used to upset you to the point of tears and Mother scolded her. Now she just gives you sly smiles when you ask about getting your own room soon.// //"Babies need a fire to sprout." She would say sweetly, braiding her luscious $naturalhaircolour hair before pining it back.// //The walls were decorated in good luck charms, beautiful hangings, your mother's drawings and a tapestry, ancient but kept pristine. It showed an ancestor of yours, slicing a king open with his sword, already bleeding himself. Your mother was working on her own copy of it, taking glee in her project.// //The sides of the room were a clutter of different surfaces, of chopped herbs, of flowers strewn around, of knitted scarves and stitched hand made clothes. Of different vials of blood, of newts and toads kept in jars, or runes whittled out of bones. Your grandmother loved to show you her craft, letting you sit on her knees as she worked, Buné taking a rare walk and making his way over to oversee it all.// <<nobr>> <<if $mamaroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Mama's Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $grandmaroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Grandmother's Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldwashroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Washroom]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldgarden is false>> <ul><li>[[Go outside|The Garden]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldmail is false>> <ul><li>[[Check for mail|Entrance Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldbunny is false>> <ul><li>[[Go pet the hare|BunéSpot]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldoffice is false>> <ul><li>[[Office|Conservatory]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldoffice is true and $mamaroom is true and $grandmaroom is true and $oldwashroom is true and $oldmainroom is true and $oldmail is true and $oldgarden is true and $oldbunny is true>> <ul><li>[[Your mother called you over from where she was boiling some tea. You go over.|BR.2]]</li></ul> <</if>> <</nobr>>

<<set $oldgarden to true>> //You made your way to the backdoor, slipping out as you heard your mother bustling around, your grandmother resuming her song.// //The garden was deeply beautiful. You knew that the back of the little cottage, where the washroom and the observatory room was, there was a waterfall that well over the windows. You always imagined that the previous occupants fighting around the water, wanting, no matter what, to have a pretty view. The water that slips over the side of the cottage, falling over the windows, the sea glass worked into a flat plane. It all gently trickles down, and curves along, a creek splitting your garden in two, with sizeable stone steps letting you cross over.// //The herbs and flowers your grandmother planted, the vegetables your grandfather had taken care of so long ago, now fallen to you, the fruit trees, all thriving. Animals never dared to pick at your produce, the birds often preferring to come sit on the fence and sing songs, others just poking their snouts through the trees and bushes that lined the clearing that had become your little garden. Only once did a wolf poke through your garden, hungry from the heavy winter. Grandmother walked out, holding one of the chickens your mother had purchased in town and whispered to it as she handed it over. Then she stood tall and pointed the way out, and it slunk away, dinner in maw, and tail low, as if ashamed to be trespassing.// //In the summer it's a thriving, colourful hub of activity. Flowers are somehow always in bloom at your cottage, even though flowers and leaves a few paces away die in the winter, but in the summer they're somehow even more colourful and bees flock to have a taste.// //Autumn is ending. You can tell by the way leaves aren't just a glossy golden, but instead are slowly withering. You can smell it on the air, the sleepiness of the forest around you. It makes you sleepy too.// //Better get back inside.// <<nobr>> <<if $mamaroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Mama's Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $grandmaroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Grandmother's Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldwashroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Washroom]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldmainroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Back to the main room|Main Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldmail is false>> <ul><li>[[Check for mail|Entrance Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldbunny is false>> <ul><li>[[Go pet the hare|BunéSpot]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldoffice is false>> <ul><li>[[Office|Conservatory]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldoffice is true and $mamaroom is true and $grandmaroom is true and $oldwashroom is true and $oldmainroom is true and $oldmail is true and $oldgarden is true and $oldbunny is true>> <ul><li>[[Your heard your name being called. You went towards it.|BR.2]]</li></ul> <</if>> <</nobr>>

<<set $oldmail to true>> //With quick steps you quickly made your way to the entryway, with the big, dark front door leading outside. You had no desire to make your way out to the front, but you did want to see if you had any letters.// //Not that any people could come out this way. You knew that no one could find your cottage, not unless Grandmother allowed it. No, apparently anything that was meant for your family would simply end up in the basket by the door. You had no idea how it worked, but hey, it added something nice to your morning.// //You peek into the basket, finding a small parcel and two letters, one quite ordinary looking and the other written in a dark red. Oh! That usually meant a letter from someone else in the family.// //You slipped them out of the basket and made your way back, putting them on the table in the main room. You knew your grandmother and mother would get to them eventually.// <<nobr>> <<if $mamaroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Mama's Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $grandmaroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Grandmother's Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldwashroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Washroom]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldmainroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Back to the main room|Main Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldgarden is false>> <ul><li>[[Go outside|The Garden]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldbunny is false>> <ul><li>[[Go pet the hare|BunéSpot]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldoffice is false>> <ul><li>[[Office|Conservatory]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldoffice is true and $mamaroom is true and $grandmaroom is true and $oldwashroom is true and $oldmainroom is true and $oldmail is true and $oldgarden is true and $oldbunny is true>> <ul><li>[[Your heard your name being called. You went towards it.|BR.2]]</li></ul> <</if>> <</nobr>>

<<set $oldbunny to true>> //You quietly made your way past where your mother had busied herself with pouring something into the big pot on the hearth, her and your grandmother chatting about a hollow tree or something. You wanted to pay attention to someone very special.// //Buné was old. It sometimes made you sad to look at him. His glossy auburn fur was mostly grey now. His soft ears always down, in his face. His black, glossy eyes had become dull, tired. The hare, at one point, had been hard to keep still. You vividly remember being oh so young, and gently, clumsily stroking along his velvet fur, your grandmother laughing and clapping her hands, her bracelets jingling.// //"Enfys! Enfys! Bedwyr! Come quick! Buné has fallen for our little $name!" Your mother and Grandfather had come when she called, both in awe. Apparently the hare hated being touched or coddled, barely standing your Grandmother carrying him under her arm every now and then.// //You always felt like you and Buné were rather close from then on. If only you had gotten a few more years with him before moving became exhaustive for his tiny body, most of his days spent snoozing as your grandmother sang.// //"Grace for this day, Buné." You whisper as you kneel down to his favourite spot by the fire, his little body lying on a pillow.// //He slowly opened one of his eyes, the dull sheen to them struggling to focus on you for a moment.// //"''I shall try, but I fear all my graces have left.''" Buné didn't speak, per say. You knew that the hare could share words with anyone he chose, silent around strangers, and words for you and your family. Except for your Grandfather. The creature stayed silent with him, which was a point of laughter for everyone, especially the way the old man would shake his fist at the dozing rabbit. On your grandfather's last day, Buné made the longest trip so far, from his seat to the window to watch him go.// //You let him shut his eye again, his soft nose twitching every now and then, breathing soft and slow. You didn't want to bother him, knowing it had become harder to be awake. So you gently stroke his ears until your mother clears her throat, letting you know it was time to leave Buné to his own devices.// //He and your grandmother had been together for decades. He let her smirks and snide remarks fly, even as he was grumpy as she decided for him to be a rabbit, just because she thought his name was close to "Bunny". You couldn't imagine one without the other.// //You dust off your knees and stand.// <<nobr>> <<if $mamaroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Mama's Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $grandmaroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Grandmother's Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldwashroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Washroom]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldmainroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Back to the main room|Main Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldgarden is false>> <ul><li>[[Go outside|The Garden]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldmail is false>> <ul><li>[[Check for mail|Entrance Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldoffice is false>> <ul><li>[[Office|Conservatory]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldoffice is true and $mamaroom is true and $grandmaroom is true and $oldwashroom is true and $oldmainroom is true and $oldmail is true and $oldgarden is true and $oldbunny is true>> <ul><li>[[[Your mother called you over from where she was boiling some tea. You go over.|BR.2]]</li></ul> <</if>> <</nobr>>

<<set $oldoffice to true>> //You made your way to what was more or less known as your mother's office, having once been your grandfather's.// //You slipped inside and shut the door gently. Everything was gentle and silent the moment you did.// //From floor to ceiling, there were books. Either tucked into bookshelves or balanced in unsteady piles. Your mother kept a big book of numbers, of things sold to the townfolk an hour away, to what remained of the small amount of money we have left to get certain things from the town. It was hard to see the walls, through the thick thicket of covers and pages.// //You didn't spend much time in here. You always thought of it more like a library but most of these books bored you, or were written in a language you had barely started learning. You sometimes thought you could still see your grandfather sitting at the desk, trying to not chew on the quill he used to write and looking grumpy.// //Sometimes, he used to spot you at the door and would seat you on his lap, letting you look at his numbers and notes, before asking to be read a story from one of the books, of which he usually chose something child friendly.// //You didn't want to stay in here anymore.// <<nobr>> <<if $mamaroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Mama's Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $grandmaroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Grandmother's Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldwashroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Washroom]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldmainroom is false>> <ul><li>[[Back to the main room|Main Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldmail is false>> <ul><li>[[Check for mail|Entrance Room]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldgarden is false>> <ul><li>[[Go outside|The Garden]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldbunny is false>> <ul><li>[[Go pet the hare|BunéSpot]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $oldoffice is true and $mamaroom is true and $grandmaroom is true and $oldwashroom is true and $oldmainroom is true and $oldmail is true and $oldgarden is true and $oldbunny is true>> <ul><li>[[Your heard your name being called. You went towards it.|BR.2]]</li></ul> <</if>> <</nobr>>

//Your mother slowly poured out three mugs of tea, the colour coming out clear first, but after a few seconds in the mug, a small plume of lilac clouded out, showing the drink was fine to drink.// //Your grandmother gently scooped Buné up from his place, and let him rest on her lap, dabbing her finger into her own tea and bringing it to his nose. He sniffed before slowly licking the droplet. Your own mother sips from her mug and pushes your own mug towards you. It tastes bitter, as always. You liked it. Any day now, you were going to be taught the recipe.// //The four of you had breakfast together, you eating more than the others. Your mother had bread, baked herself, and fruits from the trees outside. Grandmother only ate a few things, some nuts, what looked like bark but then also a single plum that was kept out of reach from your hands, in a jar of fruits kept in syrups. Buné only managed to lick a few droplets of the tea from your grandmother's fingers before slowly shutting his eyes again.// //It had been this way for a while. Except for some reason she was frowning down at him, setting down her clay mug, abandoning her food to have a look at him. Your mother watches with her <<if $heterochromia is true>> mismatched <<else>> $eyecolour <</if>>eyes, eyebrows furrowed gently.// //"Oh, little friend." Your grandmother had leaned down to whisper to him, running her ringed thumb along his head. She presses a little kiss against his ear.// //You were ushered away from the table and your mother began to clean up, your grandmother reaching for the post you put on the table. You sit on the window seat, pulling back the curtains to look outside. The sun shone down, dappled through the slowly dying leaves. You rest your chin on your arm, enjoying the moment of quiet. You could hear your Grandmother murmuring to Buné behind you and something coiled in your stomach.// //Death was not a word unfamiliar to you. Not at all. But Death was not someone who knocked on the door of your home, not even when your Grandfather had left. Because that was all it was. He had to leave. But Grandmother would never leave you or your mother, so there was something knocking at your front door every night. Waiting for her. You could see it in Buné.// //You glanced over your shoulder at them both.// [[Your Grandmother...|BR.3]]

//A part of you knew that you Grandmother shouldn't... Look like this.// //Your grandmother looked around the same age as your mother. Soft skin, smooth hands, clear, intelligent eyes with hair that was still glossy and thick. You looked almost identical to them,<<if $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">> two women and a girl looking almost exactly like those Russian Dolls that your grandfather had displayed in his office.<<elseif $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">> except that you were the first boy in your Grandmother's bloodline in... Five generations, if you remember correctly.<<elseif $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">> looking strikingly similar except for some features that made you stood out more, which made you look more androgynous.<</if>>// //Your mother always told you that you had inherited your Father's spirit out of everything. For everything else...?// //Your grandmother wore her $hairtexture $naturalhaircolour hair long and loose, with trinkets intertwined into the strands, beads and pins, especially after your Grandfather's departure. Your mother preferred to keep hers covered with colourful fabrics. All of you had healthy $skincolour skin, unnaturally smooth and with few to no wrinkles for them. Your grandmother had lovely deep crow's feet though.// //Apparently it's why all three of you did not make the trek into town anymore, which saddened you. It was always so nice,

What's the surname you chose for yourself? <ul class="a"> Suggestions for surnames<div id="section13" class="hidden">&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[De Bellefort|Quick Start Book 1][$surname to "De Bellefort"]] &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Wellers|Quick Start Book 1][$surname to "Wellers"]] &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Stirling|Quick Start Book 1][$surname to "Stirling"]] &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Rossellini|Quick Start Book 1][$surname to "Rossellini"]] &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;[[Atwood|Quick Start Book 1][$surname to "Atwood"]]</div> <li><<click "Please insert a surname.">><<toggleclass "#section16" "hidden">><</click>></li> <div id="section16" class="hidden"><<textbox "$surname" $surname>> \ <<button "Confirm">> <<if $name is "">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>Please enter a name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Rawlins">> <<replace "#textbox-error">> I know marriage is very exciting, but you have to wait to take their last name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Lancaster">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>I know marriage is very exciting, but you have to wait to take their last name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Della Rovere">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>I know marriage is very exciting, but you have to wait to take their last name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "De Winters">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>I know marriage is very exciting, but you have to wait to take their last name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Chambers">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>I know marriage is very exciting, but you have to wait to take their last name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Beaumont">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>I know marriage is very exciting, but you have to wait to take their last name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Woolf">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>I know marriage is very exciting, but you have to wait to take their last name.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Adler">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! What if someone mixes up that accused student for you? Pick another! <</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Knight">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! What if someone mixes up that accused student for you? Pick another!<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Beckett">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! What if someone mixes up that kidnapping victim for you? Pick another!<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Monroth">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! What if someone mixes up that kidnapping victim for you? Pick another!<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Quatermain">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! No one wants that bad of a childhood! Pick another!<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Dantes">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! No one wants that bad of a childhood! Pick another!<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Sharpe">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! Do you want to be mixed up with an altar runaway? Pick another!<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Fox-Vincent">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! Do you want to be mixed up with an altar runaway? Pick another!.<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Buchanan">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! Do you want to be mixed up with an escape convict? Pick another!<</replace>> <<elseif $surname is "Mortmain">> <<replace "#textbox-error">>No! Do you want to be mixed up with an escape convict? Pick another!<</replace>> <<else>> <<replace "#textbox-error">><</replace>> <<goto "Quick Start Book 1">> <</if>><</button>></div></ul><span id="textbox-error"></span>

"Oh! Alright, yes. Please sign your name and the body you're identifying in here, and then please wait here. Our mortician is... Out right now." She set a thick book in front of you, the cover bound with a dark blue cloth. You quickly dragged your eyes over the list of people who already came through... <ul><li>//''Date'' || 19th August ||''Body''|| Ootake Edith ||''Identified By''|| Ootake Jun ||''Attendant''|| Capt. Marsvin & PrD Knight //</li></ul> <ul><li>//''Date'' || 28th August ||''Body''|| Ootake Jun ||''Identified By''|| Ootake Kakumyo ||''Attendant''|| Capt. Marsvin & PrD Knight //</li></ul> <ul><li>//''Date'' || 31st October ||''Body''|| Felix Clarke ||''Identified By''|| $DWname Woolf ||''Attendant''|| Capt. Marsvin & Dr Beale //</li></ul> <ul><li>//''Date'' || 4th January ||''Body''|| Susanne Hammersmith ||''Identified By''|| Grant Crendell ||''Attendant''|| Capt. Marsvin & PrD Knight //</li></ul> <ul><li>//''Date'' || 14th February ||''Body''|| Matthias De Elordi ||''Identified By''|| Francois De Elordi ||''Attendant''|| Capt. Marsvin & PrD Knight //</li></ul> The rest of the names would be on the previous page. It would look strange if you started flipping through it. <<if $truesurname is "Knight">>The amount of times the name Knight came up... But it was not too uncommon of a surname was it..?<</if>> You glanced down at the book and picked up the pen, dipping it in the half full inkwell before tapping the tip off against the glass rim.<<if $investigateluke is true>>You should probably sign it with Clare Buckley's name, get the scent off you just a bit.<</if>> [[You sign it with a fake name.|SK.28][$signfakename to true]] [[You sign it with your real name. Minus your former last name of course.|SK.28][$signrealname to true]] <<if $investigateluke is true>>[[You sign it with Clare's name.|SK.28][$signCBname to true]]<</if>>

<<set $SKrefer to true>>The nurse looked at you with earnestness. "Would it be Doctor Starling Knight?" She asked, smiling a bit to herself. "$cSKthey would be the only one down here most of the time." <<nobr>><<if $truesurname is "Knight">>The last name of the doctor immediately caused your heart to beat uncomfortably. Knight was a... Well, not an uncommon name. There was no way...<</if>> <</nobr>> "That must be it." You mirrored her smile. "Yes, I was told to meet $SKthem down here." "Oh, that's nice! Starling doesn't get many visitors down here, even if it's just a referral. Means that people up there are finding $SKthem less... Ah. Frightening. Please take a seat against the wall, and $SKthey should be right down with us! I'm Nurse Lupton if you want anything." You took a seat, hiding from view, getting comfortable. After a moment a thought struck you. The nurse wouldn't be able to see you from this angle... You could just slip away, try to get your little mission done before the doctor came down. [[Stay here.|SK.Morgue.2]] [[It's your moment. Go.|SK.Morgue.1]]

<<set $townpoints -=1>>Your words hung in the air, somehow stilling the air further, until it was a frigid tundra. She opened and closed her mouth in rapid succession before quickly folding her hands over the papers she had been working on, as if shielding them from you. "I'm not sure that is allowed. Our own doctor is currently examining the body a-and we're under strict orders regarding it." She stuttered, sitting up straighter in her chair. "You could ask the doctor, if you wish, b-but $SKthey will just say the same thing I did." She squirmed a bit before opening the door to her tiny office. "Please step inside. Wait in the spare chair until the Doctor has come back." She motioned towards the stool behind her, which didn't look as comfortable as her's. <<nobr>> <<if $mesmerise_m is true>> <ul><li> [[Mesmerise.|SK.29][$SKmemorisenurse to true]] You had to distract her. Quick.</li></ul><</if>> <<if $dominate_m is true>> <ul><li> [[Dominate.|SK.29]] This went sideways quick. Time to tell her what'll happen.</li></ul><</if>> <ul><li>[[You did not want use any of your powers|SK.Morgue.2][$SKNurseCaught to true]] right in front of her without a major alarm going up. You had to shuffle inside and perch awkwardly on the stool. You shuffled inside and sat down.</li></ul> <</nobr>>

<<nobr>><<if $signfakename is true>>Hopefully no one would blink twice at whatever gibberish you had put down.<</if>> <<if $signrealname is true>>Hopefully this wouldn't bite you in the ass later on...<</if>> <<if $signCBname is true>>Clare would have been the one to sign off on it anyway. You just saved her a painful journey down here. You write in C. Buckley, keeping to initials even so.<</if>> <</nobr>> The nurse takes the book back, quickly fills in the date herself before glancing at your name and the deceased.<<if $signCBname is true>> Her mouth drops open at the sight of it and looks back up at you, her eyes earnest. "I am so sorry for your loss. Please, take a seat against the wall. If you need anything, just call! I'm Caroline. Caroline Lupton..." <<if $name is "Caroline">>Hearing your own name was a surprise. Hey, it even fit the C initial you had put down.<</if>><</if>> <<if $signrealname is true>>She squinted a bit, pushing her bifocals up her nose a bit, as if trying her best to remember something. She pursed her lips. "Well, please take a seat over there, against the wall. The doctor should be back down in a moment. I'm Nurse Lupton if you need anything."<<elseif $signfakename is true>>She glanced over the name, frowning a bit, before shutting the book. "Please take a seat against the wall. The attendant will be down in a moment. Call for Nurse Lupton if you need anything.<</if>> You take a seat, leaving her direct line of sight. You started to feel itchy. She... She wouldn't be able to see you... You could slip away, down the hallway... [[Stay here.|SK.Morgue.2]] [[It's your moment. Go.|SK.Morgue.1]]

<<if $SKNurseCaught is true>>You sat on the stool, awkward and still, as the Nurse kept an eye on you, tucking away most of the books and pieces of paper on her desk, as if she was afraid you'd peek at them.<<else>>You waited, sitting in your chair against the wall, feeling the seconds tick by as Nurse Lupton wrote audibly on her papers. Half of you wondered if you should have gone down when you had the chance.<</if>> Before too long, you heard faint footsteps echo down some stairs before the doors ahead of you. The $SKgender you had seen before, outside and smoking, appeared, looking windswept, the lights from the gas lamps somehow making $SKthem seem more pallid than before. $cSKthey approached the window, without even a glance at you, the smell of burnt tobacco clinging to $SKtheir black clothes. <<nobr>><<if $truesurname is "Knight">>A sigh of relief left you without meaning to. You had never seen this $SKgender before in your life. There was a passing resemblence to your guardians, though it was only the black hair. Thankfully, not that uncommon.<</if>> <</nobr>> "I'm going back into Tartarus, Caroline. If Beale comes down, show him the door swiftly." $cSKthey said lazily, slipping $SKtheir coat off and letting it sit in front of the glass. "Doctor Knight?" Caroline stood from her post. "Hm?" <<if $SKNurseCaught is true>>She stood up, giving you a look before leaning close to the glass, whispering quickly.<<if $hs_m is false>> From where you were sitting, it was impossible to overhear what they were saying.<<elseif $hs_m is true>> Due to your better hearing, you could make out what they were saying. "-Captain mentioned that the body should not be seen by anyone except someone coming to properly identify it." "Hmh." "And $they come in, saying $they want to look at the body. I did not know what I shouldd do, so I decided to wait and ask you what to do with $them, Dr. Knight." She whispered, glancing back at you and then back at the doctor.<</if>> <<elseif $signrealname is true or $signfakename is true or $signCBname is true>> Nurse Lupton stood up and pushed the book under the open slot underneath the glass, before pulling Doctor Knight's jacket through and hanging it up. "Someone is here to identify the body of Luke Buckley, Doctor." She said, suddenly quite solemn, as if trying to give the occasion an air of sadness.<<if $signCBname is true>> She then leaned in, as if for privacy, but her whisper was not low enough to hide her words. "It's Luke's only relative. Another Buckley. Try to be compassionate, Starling, your bedside manner is terrible." <</if>> Doctor Knight glanced at you, moody eyes drinking you in before $SKtheir pale, lithe fingers flipped open the book you had just signed. $cSKthey drummed $SKtheir fingers agaist the paper. "Hmh..." $cSKthey finally hummed. <<elseif $SKrefer is true>>The nurse quickly stood, sliding $SKtheir coat through the slot underneath the glass and hung up the garment. "Oh, Doctor! There's someone here whose been referred to you! This young $title." She gestured to you eagerly, like a mother trying to encourage her child to make a new friend. The doctor scruntinised you, a small crease appearing on $SKtheir nose for just a moment before it disappeared. "Referred." $cSKthey repeated. "... If I'm not mistaken, you are not dead, yes?" "No..." Both you and Nurse Lupton echoed. "Are you on death's doorstep at this very moment?" Before you could answer, Lupton interjected. "Starling, please." It was quick, whispered and $SKthey glanced at her with something close to warmth. <</if>> There was a beat of silence, with $SKtheir eyes on you, scrutinising you as if you were nothing but a beetle, stuck on your back and unable to flip yourself over before $SKthey seemed to take mercy upon you. Instead of words, $SKthey simply slowly gestured for you to follow $SKthem with a curl of $SKtheir gloved finger before starting off down the hallway. You hurried after $SKthem. [[You followed them into the dark insides of the Morgue.|SK.Morgue.14]]

<<set $SKusedpowers to true>><<set $SKNurseBewitched to true>>You had to be quick.<<if $SKmemorisenurse is true>> You fluttered your fingers quickly, the strange shards of light. It was like you shattered a mirror of reality and now those fragments danced in your palm. The nurse's gaze dropped to it instantly, entranced, lips parted. She'll be like that for a while.<<elseif $SKdominatenurse is true>> You quickly captured her gaze with your own. "<span class="drunk">''You did not see me. I will leave now.''</span>" Your tongue, soaked with blood and heavier than it shoulder be, worked its magic. She stood, with a shocked face, mouth open, her eyes completely glazed over with a strange cloudy haze. "Did... Not see... Now..." That should do the trick.<</if>> You backed away and made your way down the hallway, lungs feeling tight. Too tight. That was far, far too close. [[Deeper inside|SK.Morgue.1]]

<<set $SKMorgueName to false>><<set $SKMorgueHow to false>><<set $SKMorgueHug to false>><<set $SKaccompany to true>>Starling's pace was brisk, almost unfair. <<if $height is "very short" or "short" or "average">>Especially since $SKthey had longer legs.<<elseif $height is "tall">>Luckily you could match $SKtheir stride but $SKthey seemed to be hurrying.<<elseif $height is "very tall">>You could easily keep up, even at $SKtheir ruthless pace.<</if>> Gas lamps slowly flickered to life every time Starling passed them, slowly illuminating the hallway with each step. The air felt... Full. Like lightning had just struck. It was a similar feeling, to when you and Seir first met and you were faced with $Seirtheir form, $Seirtheir true form for the first time... Was Starling- "Do not worry." The Doctor said as $SKthey got to the double doors of the hallway, looking far too heavy. A touch from $SKtheir hand had them swinging open, the lights of the morgue all flickering alight. "I am <b>Tagged</b>. You are not in any danger." <b>[[Grimoire]] Unlocked!</b><<set $grimoire to true>> Starling gestured for you to head inside and stepped in after you. The room was stark, yet lived in. Four wooden tables felt too dark and looming, especially with the stains soaked into the surface. A desk was tucked in the back, papers weighted down by painted, smooth stones, with books piled high. There was a chill, despite the multiple gas lamps that flickered to life. You glanced to the far side of the room... Where you saw a cluster of metal doors, not too big, that were almost throbbing with coldness. They were set deep into the brick wall. You walked over, starting to shiver uncontrollably. This was... Not natural. It reminded you of the hour you met Seir, an abnormal sensation dancing up and down the skin of your arms, raising the hairs and breaking out into goose bumps. "However... The same can not be said for me." The lock on the doors slid into place. [[You whirled around.|SK.Morgue.141]]

<<audio "morgueinjury" play>><<set $SKMorgueName to false>><<set $SKMorgueHow to false>><<set $SKMorgueHug to false>><<set $injury_hand to true>><<set $injured to true>>You steeled yourself. It was easy enough to find a slot in the door with a piece of paper marked L. Buckley. It was disconcerting, the frosty smoke curling around the nearly ineligible scrawl of the boy's name. You awkwardly pulled your coat sleeves up over your palms before hovering your fingers over the handle, ready to grab it and yank it open. Even though you had not touched the handle yet, your stomach coiled into knots. It was the same feeling you would get if you were looking down at a pot of boiling water, about to plunge your hand in, or knowing a rabid dog will bite you while you were leaning in to pet it. Taking a deep breath, you pushed forward, wrapping both of your hands around the cast iron hand grip and putting all your weight into yanking it open. The searing iciness felt like it was burning into your skin instantly. It felt like your <<if $prosthetics is "hand">>hand<<else>>hands<</if>> had been forced into a vat of roiling dye, or oil, but somehow, instead of heat, it was an unbearable cold. You could only force the door open bit by bit, the creaking turning into a loud groaning that echoed around the room. Even if you wanted to stop, there was a force pulling the drawer back shut, so if you did let go, all of your hard work would be undone. Your <<if $prosthetics is "hand" or $prosthetics is "arm">>palm<<else>>palms<</if>> had gone completely numb, but you could still feel the cracking of your skin, hardening and twisting under the pressure, your fingers starting to stiffen, joints popping with each renewed tug. You could not help but let out small cries of pain and effort, tears pricking at your eyes as the frigid pressure started moving slowly up your forearms. Only when you heard the click of a lock sliding into place did you finally let go, unable to stop the pained exhale from escaping. Looking down at your <<if $prosthetics is "hand" or $prosthetics is "arm">>hand<<else>>hands<</if>>, the sight was an ugly one.<<if $prosthetics is "hand" or $prosthetics is "arm">> Your prosthetic had sustained some damage, deep cracks within the material, what looked like trapped frost solidified within the grooves. It looked like water trapped under the ice, glinting sharply in the cool mornings of Winter. Your other hand however... It looked completely frost bitten. Black-red, cracked skin, with blisters already rising, most looking popped and deflated. That was only your palm, the rest of your hand having gone completely bloodless, drained, some parts still utterly white from the frost.<<else>> Your hands... Looked completely frost bitten. Black-red, cracked skin, with blisters already rising, most looking popped and deflated. That was only your palm, the rest of your hand having gone completely bloodless, drained, some parts still utterly white from the frost.<</if>> You shakily tore your gaze from your ruined <<if $prosthetics is "hand" or $prosthetics is "arm">>hand<<else>>hands<</if>> to look down at the open drawer, smoke curling out in thick waves. It was slowly clearing, dissipating in the chill air. You could just about make out Luke's vacant eye, staring up, clouded grey instead of green... The whites of his eye were pitch black... You leaned down, to look at the deep gashes, similarly festering- Every single gas lamp flickered to life, bathing the room in a warm, soft light. [[Then- "What the hell are you doing?"|SK.Arrival.1]]

<<set $SKMorgueName to false>><<set $SKMorgueHow to false>><<set $SKMorgueHug to false>><<set $SKsafeandsound to true>>You were not going to touch that handle. Just the idea alone made sweat bead against your back. No, no, nothing good would come from that. Instead, you turned away. Dragging your gaze over the other doors, you focused on the names... It took you a couple of moments to decipher each name, the scribble was near illegible... Felix Clarke... Matthias De Elordi... Arabella Bannerman... Robin Bannerman... Hm. Backing up, you instead went to the desk, tucked away right at the back. You started rifling through the papers- again, almost illegible. Did any member of the medical profession have writing that could be read? A few books on new findings in the "Art of Innards", a few pamphlets promoting new businesses around South Hollow. An unfinished letter that seemed mostly crossed out. Your eyes fell on something else too. A small book, not bound in cloth or leather, hidden underneath medical books. //New Rights for Witches! Cease The Practise of <b>Tagging</b>!// <b>[[Grimoire]] Unlocked!</b><<set $grimoire to true>> The words were splashed across the page. You leafed through some of the papers, mostly about the importance of empathy for those given the powers. It seemed... Oddly worded. Maybe translated? A few phrases did not make sense, such as "Natural children of All-Gods". At least, it was a term not used around these parts. There was a sheath of loose paper tucked inbetween the pages too... Scribbled with words you had just read except slightly different phrasing, with a scrawl of lettering that definitely was not English... Were these translations? The rest of the gas lamps suddenly burst alight, bathing the mortuary in a warm light. [[Then- "I am pretty sure you are not allowed in here."|SK.Arrival.2]]

<<audio "morguealone" stop>>Your wrists were captured in a gloved hand, ripping you away from the still open drawer and dragging you away. You stumbled at the force of the pull before your hands were pressed against one of the tables. You looked up at your assailant- The <<if $SKgender is "female">>woman<<elseif $SKgender is "male">>man<</if>> you had bumped into outside. $cSKthey was staring at you, pale lips parted slightly. "Do not touch anything, do not move your fingers." $cSKthey gave your wrists a squeeze, as if warning you to stay still, before tossing the papers $SKthey had under $SKtheir arm to the side. $cSKthey threw off $SKtheir jacket before rolling up $SKtheir sleeves. Then slipping $SKtheir black gloves off, revealing graceful, lithe wrists and scarred fingers. $cSKthey did not seem to be... Angry at you. There was more concern in $SKtheir face than anything else. $cSKthey wrenched open a cabinet and brought over a small box, opening it to reveal several small vials and jars. With a careful touch, $SKthey gently straightened your fingers, squeezing the sides of your middle finger before dragging two pale fingers from the bottom of your wrist, up to the top of your palm... It was strange, something chased away the numbness, even if it was replaced with twinges and spasms of pain. "Do not tense." $cSKthey murmured, low. "This will be uncomfortable. You should not have touched the handle." $cSKthey gently pushed $SKtheir fingertips into your <<if $prosthetics is "hand" or $prosthetics is "arm">>palm<<else>>palms<</if>> and you could feel something... You weren't quite sure. It was as if your skin was slowly regaining feeling, painful as it was. You slowly looked up at $SKthem. $cSKthey seemed to feel your gaze on $SKtheir pale face. "Do not worry either. It makes you tense." $cSKthey sighed softly through $SKtheir teeth. "I am <b>Tagged</b>. Nothing to fear from me. I cannot make your cells wither and die without express permission from my betters." <b>[[Grimoire]] Unlocked!</b><<set $grimoire to true>> After dragging $SKtheir own fingers over your ruined <<if $prosthetics is "hand" or $prosthetics is "arm">>hand<<else>>hands<</if>>, $SKthey looked around in $SKtheir box, pulling out a deep purple tincture bottle, unscrewing it with $SKtheir mouth and putting a few drops on $SKtheir palms. $cSKthey rubbed them together before beginning to massage $SKtheir covered digits over yours. The scent of... Charcoal, perhaps? And something more chemical from the tincture drifted up as $SKthey worked. Standing this close to $SKthem, you swore you could smell something... Rich. Like whiskey. Or the medicine. After a few minutes of silence, nothing but the sound of your <<if $prosthetics is "hand" or $prosthetics is "arm">>hand<<else>>hands<</if>> being looked after, $SKthey finally let go, straightening up. "I shall need to bandage this. Wait a moment." $cSKthey shut the box and returned it to the cupboards before bringing down a bundle of bandages. $cSKthey was quick, diligent with $SKtheir wrapping, yet tender too, as not to cause you discomfort. It did mean that your <<if $prosthetics is "hand" or $prosthetics is "arm">>hand<<else>>hands<</if>> were tightly encased in gauze, but it was not too chunky to be a hinderance. After a final check, $SKthey finally let go and gave a sigh. $cSKthey rubbed under $SKtheir eyes harshly. Then $SKthey gave a long suffering groan. "First, I would usually say that you should go to the hospital but... Well, nevermind that for now. Congratulations, your new doctor is Starling Knight. That is me if you need catching up. At least while you still suffer from a level of frostbite that would guarantee most people would get their hands removed...<<if $prosthetics is "hand" or $prosthetics is "arm">> Again. In your case.<</if>>" <<nobr>><<if $truesurname is "Knight">>A sigh of relief left you without meaning to. You had never seen this $SKgender before in your life. There was a passing resemblence to your guardians, though it was only the black hair. Thankfully, not that uncommon.<</if>> <</nobr>> "Now, that's out the way... I would love to ask why you have broken into my morgue." $cSKtheir green eyes lacked any annoyance, but did scrutinise you closely, before flicking to the still-open drawer of Luke Buckley. "Which, I will say, is an odd thing to do. Unless..." $cSKthey appraised you. "You do not happen to be involved in the murder of Luke Buckley, are you?" $cSKthey murmured, voice low, as if worried you two would be overheard. [["No!" You had to bluff your way out, even though you were caught red handed at this point.|SK.Morgue.112][$SKMorgueLie to true]] [["... Yes. But I'm innocent!" It was useless to lie now.|SK.Morgue.112][$SKMorgueLie to false]]

<<if $SKMorgueLie is true>>$cSKtheir nose twitched in annoyance. Starling turned away from you, grabbing $SKtheir gloves and slipping them back on. $cSKtheir shoulders were stiff. "Really? So you aren't the person who spent the night in the cells? Nor the one that the Captain interrupted my autopsy to include in his very small list of main suspects?" $cSKthey turned back to you, dragging $SKtheir gloved fingers through $SKtheir jagged black hair. "There is no need to lie. I know you did not do it." <</if>> <<if $SKMorgueLie is false>>A smile twitched at the corner of $SKtheir lips, a motion that seemed totally unfamiliar to $SKthem. Starling's fingers dragged along the table top, moping up stray drops of the tincture and rubbing $SKtheir fingertips together. "I know you did not do it." <</if>> A beat of a second passed. "... You... You do?" "Of course I do. I am not an idiot." A disgustingly delirious shot of relief flooded your entire body, weakening your knees and nearly sending you to the floor. <<if $injury_hand is true>>It even made the painful throbbing underneath your ruined skin dull for just a moment.<</if>> <<nobr>> <<if $SKMorgueName is false>> <ul><li>[[You took a moment. "So... You can clear my name?"|SK.Morgue.131]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $SKMorgueHow is false>> <ul><li>[[You were stunned. "... Wait, how do you know?" |SK.Morgue.132]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $SKMorgueHug is false>> <ul><li>[[You could not help it. You threw your arms around Starling's shoulders and hugged them.|SK.Morgue.133]]</li></ul> <</if>> <ul><li>[[You sat there, in stupified silence, no more questions.|SK.Morgue.134]]</li></ul> <</nobr>>

<<set $SKMorgueName to true>>"So... You can clear my name?" "Ah. That might be a bit more tricky." Starling shifted $SKtheir weight. "I know you did not do it, but I do not think I could convince others of your innocence, such as the Captain. But I do want to help you." "Why?" "... I can not abide injustice." $cSKtheir answer was quick, curt, and final. <<nobr>> <<if $SKMorgueHow is false>> <ul><li>[["... Wait, how do you know?" |SK.Morgue.132]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $SKMorgueHug is false>> <ul><li>[[You could not help it. You threw your arms around Starling's shoulders and hugged them.|SK.Morgue.133]]</li></ul> <</if>> <ul><li>[[You sat there, in stupified silence, no more questions.|SK.Morgue.134]]</li></ul> <</nobr>>

<<set $SKMorgueHow to true>>"... Wait, how do you know?" "Ah. Well..." Starling glanced over to the drawers of bodies at the other end of the room.<<if $injury_hand is true>> Frosty smoke still curled out of the opened door of Luke's. $cSKthey walked over to firmly shut it, the ice slowly thawing as $SKthey approached. <<if $SKMorgueLie is false>> $cSKthey even shut it with $SKtheir bare hands, simply wiping the condensation off on $SKtheir coat.<<else>> $cSKthey shut the door with $SKtheir gloved hands, waving them a little bit to get the droplets of condensation off.<</if>> As $cSKthey walked back, the drawers seemed to freeze over once more, with each step away.<<else>> Cold smoke still steaming off of the closed doors.<</if>> "Let us say... That I am very good at what I do." Starling glanced at the door with a small frown. "I am able to see more than an average mortician would in these cases. And there is something strange to how the boy died." <<nobr>> <<if $SKMorgueName is false>> <ul><li>[[You took a moment. "So... You can clear my name?"|SK.Morgue.131]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $SKMorgueHug is false>> <ul><li>[[You could not help it. You threw your arms around Starling's shoulders and hugged them.|SK.Morgue.133]]</li></ul> <</if>> <ul><li>[[You sat there, in stupified silence, no more questions.|SK.Morgue.134]]</li></ul> <</nobr>>

<<set $SKMorgueHug to true>>"Oh. Oh, please do not-" But it was too late. You were hugging this <<if $SKgender is "female">>woman<<elseif $SKgender is "male">>man<</if>> as if $SKthey had just saved your life. "... Right." There came two pats to your back. "There, there. Yes." You eventually let go, giving a deep, relieved sigh. Starling gave you a strained smile before firmly pushing you backwards, just a step. <<nobr>> <<if $SKMorgueHow is false>> <ul><li>[["... Wait, how do you know?" |SK.Morgue.132]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $SKMorgueName is false>> <ul><li>[[You took a moment. "So... You can clear my name?"|SK.Morgue.131]]</li></ul><</if>> <ul><li>[[You sat there, in stupified silence, no more questions.|SK.Morgue.134]]</li></ul> <</nobr>>

You sat there, in stupified silence, no more questions. Starling watched you, a somewhat worried look slowly appearing on $SKtheir face. "... Are you feeling alright? Would you like to sit down, perhaps?" $cSKthey retrieved the chair from behind the desk and pulled it over, so you could finally sit. After a moment, a glass of clear water was pushed into your periphery. "If you need it." Just holding the glass in your hands seemed to ground you. But still questions bounced around your head. Why did Starling believe you? What was in that body that $SKthey had seen that no one else had? And could you even trust this person? "Doctor-" "I do not think we should discuss anything more right here. Come again, at night. I promise, it is for a good reason." $cSKthey glanced towards the door again. "I am watched closely. I doubt that you are given any more good grace than I am. Follow me." Starling went back towards the door, and waited for you to join $SKthem, before slipping out. You stayed close to the <<if $SKgender is "female">>woman<<elseif $SKgender is "male">>man<</if>> as $SKthey went into one of the rooms you passed, a gas lamp flickering alight... There was something strange about the Doctor alright. $cSKthey pulled back a curtain behind a semi-empty desk, revealing a door. Starling made a face when you looked at $SKthem. "... I like to smoke more than I should. Nurse Caroline has to note down every time I come and go. If I did that, her arthiritis would grow worse." $cSKthey shrugged before opening it and walking through. It was cramped, uncomfortable, and silent, Starling being more than okay with the quiet stretch apparently. You could feel the rough brick of the walls brushing against your shoulders as you walked. "What is this passageway?" You finally asked. "... Ah. Couple of decades back there was a... " Starling swore something underneath $SKtheir breath before saying a phrase you didn't recognise a few times, snapping $SKtheir fingers. "... Plague. That is the word. It was easier to get all the bodies down here for a quick cut up before back out to be burnt." Well. Now you wished you hadn't asked. After a minute, Starling put all of $SKtheir weight against what... More or less looked like a wall until, with a heavy push, it was shoved open, revealing a cast iron door, rust coating the hinges and door edge. It yawned open, revealing... What was surely the back of the hospital grounds, tidied grass, a red brick wall, a singular willow tree, with vines growing over most things. $cSKthey continued to walk, wincing under the sudden emergence from dark into bright. You followed, raising your hand against the sun after so long in the innards of the Mortuary, and stopped short of the outer wall. Starling pulled some vines aside, a large gash in the solid formation revealing itself. "... I shall see you tonight, hopefully. I will explain it all, I promise." $cSKthey gave you a stiff nod and then held out $SKtheir <<if $SKMorgueLie is false>>ungloved<<elseif $SKMorgueLie is true>>gloved<</if>> hand for you to hold as you got your foothold. [[You ignore their hand and firmly pull yourself over the crumbling wall.|SK.Final][$SKIgnore to true]] [[You take it, steadied by their strong grasp.|SK.Final][$SKHelp to true]] [[ৎ୭ You curl your fingers into theirs and give them a squeeze. You even look into their eyes when you did so.|SK.Final][$SKFlirt +=1]]

<<audio "morguealone" stop>>The door was open, the <<if $SKgender is "female">>woman<<elseif $SKgender is "male">>man<</if>> you had bumped into outside holding the handle, arms full of papers and a few books. An eyebrow raised, $SKtheir mouth frowning, yet eyes not cold, more questioning. You slowly straightened from your hunched over positon over the desk. A million excuses ran through your head, not one sounding... Good. <<if $SKNurseBewitched is true>>"... And no doubt why my Nurse is... A bit out of it." $cSKthey continued, stepping inside and shutting the door behind $SKthem.<<elseif $SKusedpowers is true>>"... And no doubt why..." $cSKthey mulled over $SKtheir words, stepping in and shutting the door behind $SKthem. "Why... My walk down was strange. Like something was left behind in the air."<</if>> You came around the side of the desk, fingers twitching. A part of you was screaming to run, another told you to stay, and a third... Well, you had no idea. But everything you had seen meant something. "Do not look so skittish." $cSKthey said, putting down $SKtheir items. "I think I know who you are. I am Doctor Knight. Starling Knight." <<nobr>><<if $truesurname is "Knight">>A sigh of relief left you without meaning to. You had never seen this $SKgender before in your life. There was a passing resemblence to your guardians, though it was only the black hair. Thankfully, not that uncommon.<</if>> <</nobr>> "And you... I think you are the one I was warned about, yes? The one involved in the death of Luke Buckley." [["No!" You had to bluff your way out, even though you were caught red handed at this point.|SK.Morgue.121][$SKMorgueLie to true]] [["... Yes. But I'm innocent!" It was useless to lie now.|SK.Morgue.121][$SKMorgueLie to false]]

<<if $SKMorgueLie is true>>$cSKtheir nose twitched in annoyance. Starling dragged their fingers over the faces of the books, as if just the touch would make it all better. "Really? So you aren't the person who spent the night in the cells? Nor the one that the Captain interrupted my autopsy to include in his very small list of main suspects." $cSKthey turned back to you, dragging $SKtheir gloved fingers through $SKtheir jagged black hair. "There is no need to lie. I know you did not do it." <</if>> <<if $SKMorgueLie is false>>A smile twitched at the corner of $SKtheir lips, a motion that seemed totally unfamiliar to $SKthem. Starling neatly sorted the books back into a pile and walked over to you, bringing the soft scent of tobacco smoke and... Whiskey? With $SKthem. $cSKthey put the books among the others on the desk. "I know you did not do it."<</if>> A beat of a second passed. "... You... You do?" "Of course I do. I am not an idiot." A disgustingly delirious shot of relief flooded your entire body, weakening your knees and nearly sending you to the floor. <<if $injury_hand is true>>It even made the painful throbbing underneath your ruined skin dull for just a moment.<</if>> <<nobr>> <<if $SKMorgueName is false>> <ul><li>[[You took a moment. "So... You can clear my name?"|SK.Morgue.131]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $SKMorgueHow is false>> <ul><li>[[You were stunned. "... Wait, how do you know?" |SK.Morgue.132]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $SKMorgueHug is false>> <ul><li>[[You could not help it. You threw your arms around Starling's shoulders and hugged them.|SK.Morgue.133]]</li></ul> <</if>> <ul><li>[[You sat there, in stupified silence, no more questions.|SK.Morgue.134]]</li></ul> <</nobr>>

<<if $SKHelp is true>><<set $SKreputation to true>><<set $SKromance to false>>Starling gave you a fleeting smile as you pulled yourself over, $SKtheir steady hand helping you keep your balance. When you let go, it was an easy drop down, into the overgrown alleyway.<<elseif $SKFlirt == 1>>As your touch lingered, Starling's black eyebrows furrowed and $SKthey gave you a questioning look. However, $SKthey still guided you up, $SKtheir steady hand helping you keep your balance. When you let go, it was an easy drop down, into the overgrown alleyway.<<elseif $SKIgnore is true>>You ignored $SKtheir hand and pulled yourself up, getting a good foothold. You could hear Starling's footsteps going back to the hospital. You hauled yourself up the rest of the way, before dropping down into the overgrown alleyway, knees a bit shaky.<</if>> <<set$SKreputation to true>><<set $SKromance to false>>[[Starling Reputation Unlocked!|Reputation]] <<if $Zsighting is 2>>But the aged cobble underneath your heel crumbled, tilted you alarmingly, and you thought you would go crashing to the floor when- A hand, colder than ice curved around your elbow and steadied you with ease. You caught the scent of incense, palo santo... Something like old books. You were still coming down from your surprise, turning to look for your surprise saviour. But there was nothing. No person in or leaving the alley. Just a single bird, a Shrike maybe, staring down at you before taking flight.<<if $injury_hand is true>> The cold you had felt... It made your <<if $prosthetics is "hand" or $prosthetics is "arm">>hand<<else>>hands<</if>> twinge underneath the bandages.<</if>> <</if>> <<if $Zsighting is 3>>But the aged cobble underneath your heel crumbled, tilted you alarmingly, and sent you sprawling on the ground, skinning your chin.<<if $injury_hand is true>> Even your <<if $prosthetics is "hand" or $prosthetics is "arm">>hand<<else>>hands<</if>> twinged painfully beneath your bandages.<</if>> You groaned, using your forearms to slowly raise yourself, your sides thrumming from the impact. When a pair of heeled boots stepped into your vision. But you didn't look up, you couldn't, because... It wasn't someone coming to help. Every beat of your heart was shrouded in fear, knowing that... This was something else. The <<if $SKgender is "female">>skirt<<elseif $SKgender is "male">>trousers<</if>> in front of you were impeccable, even the boots were spotless. There was no sound. No bird song, no chatter floating from the market... Just your own breathing, too loud, and your heart beat thrumming in your ears. Something was deeply wrong. A folded umbrella slowly came down, the tip hitting the stone a few inches from your face. The shoes turned towards you, the tips aimed straight towards you. A few seconds passed and you started to slowly raise your face. The umbrella raised quickly, too quick, opened with a startling visceral //crack// and the shoes turned back to their original position, walking away. You finally looked up, breathless to see- Nothing. You swore you could still hear the heeled boots against the cobbles, but it was soon overwhelmed by the sounds of people, talking, dogs barking, bird song, as if everything normal came rushing back in the moment... Whoever it was walked off. You slowly got up, patting yourself down. ... Something weird was happening. The feeling of Deja Vu was too strong to ignore. But you had to be on your way. <</if>> <<if $investigatescene is true and $investigatebody is true and $investigateluke is true>> <ul><li>[[Having finished everything you could in town, you start heading to Northvale.|MeetGrandma]]</li></ul><</if>> <<if $investigatescene is false>> <ul><li>[[Best to be off to the scene of the crime.|VDeWintersIntro]]</li></ul><</if>> <<if $investigateluke is false>> <ul><li>[[You should look into Luke more.|SDellaRoverePrelude]]</li></ul><</if>>

//Codex: // <b>Tagged</b>: A practise against Witches. The Basilica forcibly brands a "reformed" Witch, as to know their location at all times, and to know when they use their powers. //Witch Types:// <ul><li> Elemental Witch: One with complete control over the natural elements. With practise they are able to harness forces of nature, such as electricity. </li> <li>Grey Witch: One with control over life and death itself. These ones are already hunted down and brought into the Basilica. Able to revive a heart, if it is not too damaged, or kill cells. There are limits, of course, but they are proven healers and killers.</li> <li>Light Witch: Control over illusions and light itself. Not seen as anything more than tricksters at worst, these are usually left alone.</li> <li>Nature Witch: Those with control over flora. Revive them, listen to them, whisper for them to grow strong and tall, or shrink down.</li> <li>Blood Witch: Those who are able to control the very life force that drives each and everyone. These ones are seen as one of the most dangerous, and will either be imprisoned or executed immediately. Different from Blood Letting Witches, who are able to amplify their power through the practise, Blood Witches power exceed even the most powerful quite easily.</li> <li>Dark Witch: The Hated Ones. Those who find their powers through demonic interference instead of finding their power "naturally". These are the only ones that gain a familiar, and their magic warps to their needs, so there is no clear cut range of powers that these Witches can gain. Always captured for experimentation or execution.</li> </ul> <<button "confirm" `previous()`>><</button>>

<<if $signCBname is true or $signfakename is true or $signrealname is true>>Starling dropped the sign in book onto one of the tables, before flipping it open. $cSKthey squinted at your writing.<<if $signCBname is true>> The doctor looked back up at you. "... C. Buckley. The only living relative of Luke, correct? Well. You look good for your age. I thought you were bed bound, but then again, I am just your doctor, what would I know?" Starling gave you a scrutinising look. "<<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">>You are not old enough, female enough or sick enough to be her. <<elseif $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">>I do not know if you like pretending to be old, sick women in your spare time, but right now you are not any of those three.<<elseif $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">>You are too young and.. Ah... Spritely to be Clare.<</if>> "Now, Not-Clare, why do you match the description of the person the Captain told me is involved in your not-grandson's murder?" <<elseif $signfakename is true>> $cSKthey rubbed $SKtheir chin with a frown. "<<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">><<if $name is "Rowan">>River?<<else>>Rowan?<</if>><<elseif $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">><<if $name is "Jonathan">>Alexander?<<else>>Jonathan?<</if>><<elseif $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">><<if $name is "Annabel">>Rosemary?<<else>>Annabel?<</if>>" You blinked at $SKthem for just a moment, before realising- Shit, that's what you put your first name down as! "Ah, yes. Yes. That's me." "... What did you say your last name was?" "... I didn't, Doctor." "Well, I am asking for it now." $cSKthey shut the book, crossing $SKtheir arms. Fuck... You couldn't recall whatever nonsense you had scribbled down. Your gaze slowly raised to meet $SKtheirs, and a triumphant look settled into those cold, moody eyes. "And now, that I have confirmed my suspicions, I would like to know why the person who the Captain has warned most people against, is now here." <<elseif $signrealname is true>><<set $townpoints -=1>>Starling frowned down at the book, tapping a gloved finger against the page. Then $SKtheir eyes flicked up to meet yours, before going back down again. "... You do not have a sense of self preservation, do you?" Finally $cSKthey said, almost exasperated. "The Captain has been warning everyone against your name that if I was anyone else, I would have alerted him myself. However, I believe Nurse Caroline has already done so." "But I do wish to know why you have come here."<</if>> <</if>><</if>> <<if $SKrefer is true>>Starling looked over to you, frowning. "... Is a referal the best you could come up with? I deal with the dead, dying, and matters of probably death. Unless there is something quite seriously wrong with you, no one would believe that." $cSKthey crossed $SKtheir arms, leaning $SKtheir hip against one of the autopsy tables. "Lord of Life, you must be thankful she got too happy that I had a visitor to care." You opened your mouth to reply but Starling held up $SKtheir hand, a bid to let them speak $SKtheir mind. "But more than that excuse, I wish to know why the very person the Captain has been warning me against, has shown up, with a claim about a referral..."<</if>> <<if $SKNurseCaught is true>>Starling squeezes the bridge of $SKtheir nose and rested $SKtheir hip against one of the autopsy tables. "I wish to congratulate you. The first person I have seen to make Nurse Caroline form a negative opinion about in under... Ten minutes, I believe. That is the first time it has happened to the entire Lupton bloodline in... Quite a few decades." $cSKthey dragged $SKtheir fingertips along one of the books. "Which is even more impressive, as she is quite fond of me, and I do not make that impression on most people. She must think you quite the ghoul." There seemed to be almost a smile on $SKtheir face. That illusion faded just as quickly as it came. "So, the person that the Captain has been telling everyone had something to do with Luke Buckley's death is here, in my mortuary, very freely. No doubt told everyone on the way in what your name was, where you were going, and probably why as well... Which is something I would also like to know." <</if>> [[...Shit.|SK.Morgue.142]]

$cSKthey had found you out. Yet it didn't look as if they were going to alert the guard, shout that an imposter was down here, or anything as such. Instead, Starling was looking at you with interest, even if it was with the same appraisal as a headsman regarding his quarry. "... Doctor, regardless of what you've heard, I am innocent. I came here to investigate-" "I know you are innocent." A silence fell over the two of you, somehow deafening as your heart thumped loudly in your chest. Someone belived you. Someone who had examined the body, who had found you out and had not sent for you to be investigated for coming to the morgue, someone who looked like a small smile was twitching at the sides of $SKtheir lips as the quiet went on, further and further. A delicious shot of relief flooded your body. Your heart felt like it could give out at any second from it. After another moment, you finally took a breath, steadying yourself. <<nobr>> <<if $SKMorgueName is false>> <ul><li>[[You took a moment. "So... You can clear my name?"|SK.Morgue.131]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $SKMorgueHow is false>> <ul><li>[[You were stunned. "... Wait, how do you know?" |SK.Morgue.132]]</li></ul> <</if>> <<if $SKMorgueHug is false>> <ul><li>[[You could not help it. You threw your arms around Starling's shoulders and hugged them.|SK.Morgue.133]]</li></ul> <</if>> <ul><li>[[You sat there, in stupified silence, no more questions.|SK.Morgue.134]]</li></ul> <</nobr>>

<<audio "shopbell" play>>It was a pretty shop. Somehow. Dark wood, a curling sign at the front, a window showing marbled book covers, beautiful patterns, leather and cloth. There didn't seem to be much focus on... What the books actually were. If they were novels, or about culture, art, history, anything. The bell tinkled softly when you finally entered the establishment. It smelt good. Books smelt good here, the dust smelt good, the mustiness of sitting pages smelt good. It was a wonder that the shop wasn't always full to the brim. It was cluttered inside, bookcases and rows overwhelmed the space. There was a woman... You think her name was Patsy... Something. Older, with a heavy dull golden band on her ring finger, with a beauty mark on her cheek. When she had noticed you come in, she quickly stuffed a handkerchief into the sleeves of her dress, turning around with a sniffle. "Good Morning, $title." She twisted her ring and tried for a smile. "If you require assistance, please don't hesitate to ask." [[You saw her red rimmed eyes. "Are you alright?"|BB.2]] [[Get right to the point. You were not blessed with time. "Did Luke Buckley work here?"|BB.3]]

<<set $townpoints -= 1>>Her sniffles stopped, for just a second, replaced by a befuddled, open mouthed stare at you. "I... Ah..." She blinked a few times. "Are you looking into his death?" "Something like that." You said, resting a hand on the counter. "... Well... Then, yes, yes he did. He worked the counter and did the stock." "Did he have any relations?" You probed further. Time was running out. "Did he say he was meeting anyone late last night?" Patsy gave a wet sniff, mind less on you and now back onto Luke. She pulled a different handkerchief out of her other sleeve and began dabbing at her face before wetly blowing into it. "Yes, yes. His grandmother in Northvale, just outside of town. He'd always walk." She patted around and grabbed, alarmingly, a rather nice notebook and flipped to the first page, unmarred by writing except for a Seller's Seal, one that showed a beautiful tree with branches intertwining. Patsy scribbled down the address for Luke's grandmother and pushed it over to you. "Then... Yes, yes, Luke was the one to drop off the ledgers last night, before he was going to head home. To $SRtitle $SRname Della Rovere. $cSRthey own the bookshop. He was quite a favourite of $SRtheirs." Hm. You quietly made a note of that. A suspect for the list perhaps? "... Do you wish for $SRtheir card? I have one around here somewhere." She patted around before pulling out an embossed calling card, with the name $SRtitle $SRname Della Rovere printed in curling letters. As well as an address. [[You tucked the card into the notebook- now yours apparently- and then left.|BB.4]]

She gave a hard, wet sniff and tugged the handkerchief back out of her sleeve, immediately blowing into it. Your question seemed to be the last straw for her. "Oh, little Luke! He was found dead this morning and... And... Oh, poor baby!" She gave a shaky gasp and shook her head. "He worked the counter with me. Oh, heavens, I am so sorry $title, I am making such a display of myself." "... Do you wish to talk about it?" You ventured. It seemed all the encouragment she needed, a fresh wave of tears coming as well as a fresher handkerchief, retrieved from deep within her other sleeve. "He happily took on my shift yesterday... If only I hadn't had to stay home with the baby... Oh... Poor boy. He might still be alive if I hadn't..." Patsy dabbed at her eyes after another throaty gasp. "Poor, poor boy." You waited patiently, nodding every now and then. It seemed she was willing to spill all and everything with very little prodding. "Oh, and his poor grandmother! Does she even know yet? She lives in the village just outside of town. Luke would walk in every day, couldn't even afford a horse to take him the way!" You saw an opportunity. "... If you wish, I could check on her?" You offered, the picture of concern and amiability. "Oh, you're so kind, so so kind. Just like Luke was." She blew wetly into her now soiled second handkerchief. "She lives in Northvale. I'll give you her address." She patted around and grabbed, alarmingly, a rather nice notebook and flipped to the first page, unmarred by writing except for a Seller's Seal, one that showed a beautiful tree with branches intertwining. Patsy scribbled down the address and pushed it over to you. "I should also tell $SRtitle Della Rovere." She mumbled, more of an afterthought, rubbing her ink stained fingers against her cheek. "$cSRthey never rises in the mornings, it is unlikely that $SRthey would even know what has happened. Oh, Luke was such a favourite of $SRtheirs... In fact, I'm sure the two of them met that night, it was his turn to deliver the ledgers to $SRthem..." Hm. You quietly made a note of that. A suspect for the list perhaps? "... Do you wish for $SRtheir card? I have one around here somewhere." She patted around before pulling out an embossed calling card, with the name $SRtitle $SRname Della Rovere printed in curling letters. As well as an address. [[You gave Patsy a smile, tucking the notebook and the card- now yours apparently- under your arm, then left.|BB.4]]

//You want to select the gender for your romances yourself? Is Seir, your familiar, a <<cycle "$Seirgender">>? <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>> Is Luther/Loralei Rawlins, the pack leader, a <<cycle "$LRgender">>? <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>> Is Sienna/Simeone Della Rovere, the Vampire, a <<cycle "$SRgender">>? <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>> Is Victor/Victoria De Winters, the Count/Countess, a <<cycle "$VWgender">>? <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>> Is Zaniyah/Zachariah Chambers, the Reaper, a <<cycle "$ZCgender">>? <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>> What about the others? Ones you meet in the future, near or far? Is Saleos, the wayward familiar, a <<cycle "$Saleosgender">>? <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>> Is Ambrose/Amber Lancaster, the Witch Hunter, a <<cycle "$ALgender">>? <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>> Is Starling Knight, the Doctor, a <<cycle "$SKgender">>? <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>> Is Emil/Emilia Rawlins, the younger wolf, a <<cycle "$ERgender">>? <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>> Is Quincy Beaumont, the opera singer, a <<cycle "$QBgender">>? <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>> Is Dietrich/Dorothea Woolf, the researcher, a <<cycle "$DWgender">>? <<option "male" "male">> <<option "female" "female">> <</cycle>>// [[Onwards|QS.1SeirForm]]

You stepped out, back into the market, the hustle and bustle, the sun shining down so harshly you had to raise your hand to shield your face from it. It seemed harsh, cruel. Like it was shining a spotlight upon you, saying //here, here! Here's the person you wish to see hung for murder!// It was a sobering thought. <<if $investigatescene is false and $investigatebody is false and $investigateluke is true>>None gave you a second glance where you stood, except the usual wary looks when they recognised who exactly you were. Even if they did not know you were involved in the murder, you have never exactly been welcomed here.<<else>>You felt eyes on you. Whispers. While you've never been exactly welcome here, this... This was new.... Did people already know you were a suspect?<</if>> You stepped down from the doorway, and slipped the card from the notebook, glancing down at the address. Dacre House? You were quite sure that was one of the manors in town. You had once gotten lost trying to find the grocer, and ended up walking along the pavement, looking at all the grand houses. You could fit six of your cottages into one and still have space for a large garden. You looked around. You would go to Northvale after everything else was done and checked out in town. First, Dacre House, to gain an audience hopefully. <<if $Zsighting is 2>>You lowered your hand, letting the sun beat down upon you, to tuck the card between the pages of the notebook before tucking it into your coat pockets. Just as you raised your head to look about, something caught your eye. A figure in all black... $ZCthey held an umbrella aloft, hiding most of $ZCtheir face. But you had the overwhelming sense that you were being watched. It was... There was something strange about the way the crowd made a wide berth around $ZCthem without even seeming to take much notice of the figure. Your body started to feel cold. "$title? $title! A blanket for your bed? Maybe a rug?" A hand, gripping a long stretch of fabric waved in front of you, cutting your line of sight for just a moment. A man at his stall, apparently believing you to be looking at his wares. You managed to evade getting entangled into a conversation, and when you looked up, the figure was gone... Strange. You shook off the feeling. Time to get going.<</if>> <<if $Zsighting is 3>>You lowered your hand, letting the sun beat down upon you, to tuck the card between the pages of the notebook when- A breeze ripped the card from between your fingers, dancing on the wind, down the road. You could barely keep from swearing, darting down the street, dodging sellers and buyers to chase after it. It seemed it would fly away, probably into the gutter, when a gloved hand caught it, trapping the paper between two fingers. You skidded to a stop in front of the figure that caught it, clad in black and an umbrella obscuring the back of $ZCtheir head and most of $ZCtheir upper back. Even when $ZCthey slowly turned, the umbrella twisted with $ZCthem, shielding most of $ZCtheir face, except for $ZCtheir cool, deep umber skin and downturned lips. $cZCthey reached out $ZCtheir hand, offering you the calling card, a cold breeze blowing through you as $ZCthey did. "Thank you." You managed, feeling your skin prickle. The soft curve of $ZCtheir mouth twitched upwards before falling back into its usual position. Then $ZCthey turned, <<if $SKgender is "female">>skirt<<elseif $SKgender is "male">>trousers<</if>> making a soft swish sound as $ZCthey walked off, too easily swallowed by the crowds of the market. <</if>> [[Onwards, to Dacre House|BB.5]]

<<audio "sillytime" play>>The walk wasn't too long, the market was just a few streets down from the popular gardens of South Hollow, a beautiful line of manors circling a kept park, nannies walking with their charges, couples, so many strolling through and around. Dacre House was just as fine, even with a few extra pecularities. All the flowering bushes were roses, blood reds and crisp whites. There wasn't a gravel path, like for so many others, but stepping stones through barely tamed grass, up to the front door. The knocker was some sort of flying animal, spreading its wings. The grand house was tall, but also deeply picturesque. Vines climbing, brick, painted window sills, stained glass... You shook yourself from the reverie and took ahold of the knocker, banging it twice against the door. A few minutes passed, before it opened. A tall man with discerning grey eyes and a frown, answered the door. "Yes, $title?" He didn't open the door very much, keeping himself in the way of you looking further inside. "Hello," You slid the calling card free from the notebook. "I am here to see $SRtitle $SRname Della Rovere." He glanced at the calling card, but didn't ask you anything further. In fact, he seemed to sigh deeply and refrain from pinching his nose. "My deepest apologies, $title, but the $SRtitle is not yet arisen. Shall I take your card so-" "Igor?" A soft, accented voice sliced through the man's words, despite it not being a shout, or a curse. These words carried a subtle power. The man stepped back, obviously startled. He looked back into the house, revealing the innards to you. Almost complete darkness, except a few candles. The foyeur was nice enough, but what drew your attention was a grand staircase against the wall, leading upwards. And the <<if $SRgender is "male">>man<<elseif $SRgender is "female">>woman<</if>> standing there. Half dressed. That was the first thing you noticed. <<if $vanilla is false>><<if $SRgender is "female">>Her pert breasts out, with a long necklace lying perfectly inbetween them. A thin, almost see through sheet slung low on her hips, her entire upper half bared.<<elseif $SRgender is "male">>His chest bare, a long necklace laying against his midriff. A thin, almost see through sheet slung low on his hips, his entire upper half bared... With trimmed hair leading below, a faint outline of... His cock pressing against the fabric.<</if>><</if>> The second thing you noticed was the sheer beauty of $SRthem.<<if $SRgender is "male">> You wouldn't use beautiful to describe men most times, but he was... Something else. Black hair, wavy, tied in a loose ponytail that curled over his shoulder, with strands falling into his face in a purposefully windswept look. Deeply tanned skin, almost golden, with a lithe body. His eyes... So dark... Entrancing... They were so dark they looked black. Long eyelashes, a soft mouth that seemed to curl up into a mischievious smile without him even realising.<<elseif $SRgender is "female">> She was... Well, she was the type of beautiful woman that would have others around her check themselves in windows and glass without meaning to, too aware of the breathing Aphrodite in their midsts. Her long black hair fluttered around her hips, swaying with her movement, effortlessly wavy. Her eyes... Framed with long eyelashes, her eyes seemed almost black with how deliciously dark they were. She was lithe, yet not waifish. Her soft mouth seemed to curl up into a mischievious smile without her even realising.<</if>> "Igor?" $cSRthey repeated, rubbing $SRtheir eyes with a yawn. $cSRtheir accent was warm, lilting. "Y-Yes, $SRtitle?" The man, Igor apparently, moved to block $SRtheir mostly nude form from your eyes. "What did we say about visitors before 5 in the afternoon?" "To turn them away. I was just going to-" "What about people at the door?" "Shoot anyone who knocks too loud but-" "Thank you, Igor." $cSRthey pulled at the length of each syllable, in an almost... Bratty way. You were also sure $SRthey was pouting. Then, hitching up the bedsheets to show far too much thigh, $SRthey drifted back up the stairs. For some reason you felt like you had just watched a whirlwind pass by, inches from being mussed from it. Igor, however, looked like he had been in the middle of it. He slowly turned to you, looking pained, his servant's attire somehow ruffled, which he attempted to smooth down. "... My apologies. Please come back later, but I must warn you, most nights the $SRtitle hosts... Gatherings. Balls, soirées, so $SRthey might not have time to come see you." With an apologetic smile, he began to slowly close the door, only to be hastened by another call of "Igor!". You stood there, just a bit stunned... Well... You should... Come later? <<if $investigatescene is true and $investigatebody is true and $investigateluke is true>> <ul><li>[[Having finished everything you could in town, you start heading to Northvale.|MeetGrandma]]</li></ul><</if>> <<if $investigatebody is false>> <ul><li>[[The body still needs a look.|StarlingIntro]]</li></ul><</if>> <<if $investigatescene is false>> <ul><li>[[Best to be off to the scene of the crime.|VDeWintersIntro]]</li></ul><</if>> <<audio "SHmorning" stop>>

<<set $seirrep += 1>>"... Well, where's the fun in that?" Seir huffed. "Where are we off to now anyway?" "Clare Buckley's house. She is Luke's grandmother. Maybe she'll tell us if he had any run-ins with people, or maybe if she noticed anything strange for the past few days." "Hm. Quite a solid plan. Well, I think-" "Woah, careful!" The sound of multiple horse hooves seemed to emerge from nowhere, accompanied by shouts, and you practically jumped out the way as a large stallion nearly collided into the fence, the rider struggling to control the beast. "Kirkland, you rabid idiot!" A second rider came along seconds later and swung down from his horse, ignoring you completely and managing to grab the reins of the stallion. <<if $animalism_m is true>>//''snake! snake! creeping thing! was going to bite!''// The horse was panicking, still kicking up its front legs but the man still managed to wrangle it under his control.<<if $seirform is "snake">> You wondered for a moment if it might have spotted Seir.<</if>><<else>>The horse was still kicking up its front legs but the man still managed to wrangle it under his control.<</if>> A third rider came along, and also swung down with a sigh. "It's not his fault, Riley. The horse got spooked and- Oh. H... Hello." The rider finally took notice of you, $ERtheir lips parting in surprise, as if $ERthey hadn't noticed you standing there. "Oh. I'm so sorry. We didn't see you." $cERthey ran a hand through $ERtheir hair, looking away for a moment before looking back. This <<if $ERgender is "male">>man<<elseif $ERgender is "female">>woman<</if>> seemed mortified, but also... Something else? $cERtheir cheeks blushed a soft pink. <<if $ERgender is "male">>His ruffled black hair was charming in its own way, with lightly suntanned skin, and startling blue-grey eyes that stood out starkly. However, what drew the most attention, was the three deep slash marks across his cheek, ugly, deep and red. It was even blotchy with bruises.<<elseif $ERgender is "female">>Her ruffled black hair was charming in its own way, with lightly suntanned skin, and startling blue-grey eyes that stood out starkly. However, what drew the most attention, was the three deep slash marks across her cheek, ugly, deep and red. It was even blotchy with bruises.<</if>> $cERthey seemed to notice where your gaze had been drawn and touched the marks with $ERtheir hand, flushing a bit. $cERthey turned away from you, back to the other two riders, the one upon the stallion, Kirkland, having regained control of it. "You two alright?" The tallest, and the one who shouted profanities, turned with a scowl. It seemed injuries ran in the group, as half of his face was marred with an old burn, curling along one eye and along his throat, cheek and temple. His windswept blond hair didn't do a good job of shielding it. "Kirkland won't be after I beat him into a coma." He grumbled, turning on his heel back to his own horse and pulling himself up, onto it. His eyes focused on you for a moment. "Or maybe the horse smelt trouble and decided it was easier to eat dirt. Come, $ERname. We have to get going." "W-Wait!" $cERthey turned back towards you. "My deepest apologies for your... Almost flattening. Do you want a ride into the village to make up for it?" "Well... Are you going into Northvale?" You asked. "Ah, yes! We're going through there, to our estate. We could drop you off, if you... Don't mind sharing a horse with me?" There came a snort from... Riley? He was rolling his eyes. [[... Why not? It could save you from blisters. You'll ride with the nice young rider who offered it to you.|MG.Ride]] [[No, seemed like a bad idea to ride with strangers.|MG.NotRide]] [[Your eyes remain on Riley. He was... Rather striking. Maybe you could ride with him?|MG.RileyRide]]

<<set $seirrep += 5>>"Absolutely terrible. Nearly dropped some jam. Imagine that. You being forced to eat it off the floor because of me," Seir mused before blinking fondly at you. "Where are we off to now anyway?" "Clare Buckley's house. She is Luke's grandmother. Maybe she'll tell us if he had any run-ins with people, or maybe if she noticed anything strange for the past few days." "Hm. Quite a solid plan. Well, I think-" "Woah, careful!" The sound of multiple horse hooves seemed to emerge from nowhere, accompanied by shouts, and you practically jumped out the way as a large stallion nearly collided into the fence, the rider struggling to control the beast. "Kirkland, you rabid idiot!" A second rider came along seconds later and swung down from his horse, ignoring you completely and managing to grab the reins of the stallion. <<if $animalism_m is true>>//''snake! snake! creeping thing! was going to bite!''// The horse was panicking, still kicking up its front legs but the man still managed to wrangle it under his control.<<if $seirform is "snake">> You wondered for a moment if it might have spotted Seir.<</if>><<else>>The horse was still kicking up its front legs but the man still managed to wrangle it under his control.<</if>> A third rider came along, and also swung down with a sigh. "It's not his fault, Riley. The horse got spooked and- Oh. H... Hello." The rider finally took notice of you, $ERtheir lips parting in surprise, as if $ERthey hadn't noticed you standing there. "Oh. I'm so sorry. We didn't see you." $cERthey ran a hand through $ERtheir hair, looking away for a moment before looking back. This <<if $ERgender is "male">>man<<elseif $ERgender is "female">>woman<</if>> seemed mortified, but also... Something else? $cERtheir cheeks blushed a soft pink. <<if $ERgender is "male">>His ruffled black hair was charming in its own way, with lightly suntanned skin, and startling blue-grey eyes that stood out starkly. However, what drew the most attention, was the three deep slash marks across his cheek, ugly, deep and red. It was even blotchy with bruises.<<elseif $ERgender is "female">>Her ruffled black hair was charming in its own way, with lightly suntanned skin, and startling blue-grey eyes that stood out starkly. However, what drew the most attention, was the three deep slash marks across her cheek, ugly, deep and red. It was even blotchy with bruises.<</if>> $cERthey seemed to notice where your gaze had been drawn and touched the marks with $ERtheir hand, flushing a bit. $cERthey turned away from you, back to the other two riders, the one upon the stallion, Kirkland, having regained control of it. "You two alright?" The tallest, and the one who shouted profanities, turned with a scowl. It seemed injuries ran in the group, as half of his face was marred with an old burn, curling along one eye and along his throat, cheek and temple. His windswept blond hair didn't do a good job of shielding it. "Kirkland won't be after I beat him into a coma." He grumbled, turning on his heel back to his own horse and pulling himself up, onto it. "Come, $ERname. We have to get going." "W-Wait!" $cERthey turned back towards you. "My deepest apologies for your... Almost flattening. Do you want a ride into the village to make up for it?" "Well... Are you going into Northvale?" You asked. "Ah, yes! We're going through there, to our estate. We could drop you off, if you... Don't mind sharing a horse with me?" There came a snort from... Riley? He was rolling his eyes. [[... Why not? It could save you from blisters. You'll ride with the nice young rider who offered it to you.|MG.Ride]] [[No, seemed like a bad idea to ride with strangers.|MG.NotRide]] [[Your eyes remain on Riley. He was... Rather striking. Maybe you could ride with him?|MG.RileyRide]]

<<set $seirrep -= 5>>"Well, I'm not charged with murder. I'm allowed to whine." Seir grumbled. "Where are we off to now anyway?" "Clare Buckley's house. She is Luke's grandmother. Maybe she'll tell us if he had any run-ins with people, or maybe if she noticed anything strange for the past few days." "Hm. Quite a solid plan. Well, I think-" "Woah, careful!" The sound of multiple horse hooves seemed to emerge from nowhere, accompanied by shouts, and you practically jumped out the way as a large stallion nearly collided into the fence, the rider struggling to control the beast. "Kirkland, you rabid idiot!" A second rider came along seconds later and swung down from his horse, ignoring you completely and managing to grab the reins of the stallion. <<if $animalism_m is true>>//''snake! snake! creeping thing! was going to bite!''// The horse was panicking, still kicking up its front legs but the man still managed to wrangle it under his control.<<if $seirform is "snake">> You wondered for a moment if it might have spotted Seir.<</if>><<else>>The horse was still kicking up its front legs but the man still managed to wrangle it under his control.<</if>> A third rider came along, and also swung down with a sigh. "It's not his fault, Riley. The horse got spooked and- Oh. H... Hello." The rider finally took notice of you, $ERtheir lips parting in surprise, as if $ERthey hadn't noticed you standing there. "Oh. I'm so sorry. We didn't see you." $cERthey ran a hand through $ERtheir hair, looking away for a moment before looking back. This <<if $ERgender is "male">>man<<elseif $ERgender is "female">>woman<</if>> seemed mortified, but also... Something else? $cERtheir cheeks blushed a soft pink. <<if $ERgender is "male">>His ruffled black hair was charming in its own way, with lightly suntanned skin, and startling blue-grey eyes that stood out starkly. However, what drew the most attention, was the three deep slash marks across his cheek, ugly, deep and red. It was even blotchy with bruises.<<elseif $ERgender is "female">>Her ruffled black hair was charming in its own way, with lightly suntanned skin, and startling blue-grey eyes that stood out starkly. However, what drew the most attention, was the three deep slash marks across her cheek, ugly, deep and red. It was even blotchy with bruises.<</if>> $cERthey seemed to notice where your gaze had been drawn and touched the marks with $ERtheir hand, flushing a bit. $cERthey turned away from you, back to the other two riders, the one upon the stallion, Kirkland, having regained control of it. "You two alright?" The tallest, and the one who shouted profanities, turned with a scowl. It seemed injuries ran in the group, as half of his face was marred with an old burn, curling along one eye and along his throat, cheek and temple. His windswept blond hair didn't do a good job of shielding it. "Kirkland won't be after I beat him into a coma." He grumbled, turning on his heel back to his own horse and pulling himself up, onto it. "Come, $ERname. We have to get going." "W-Wait!" $cERthey turned back towards you. "My deepest apologies for your... Almost flattening. Do you want a ride into the village to make up for it?" "Well... Are you going into Northvale?" You asked. "Ah, yes! We're going through there, to our estate. We could drop you off, if you... Don't mind sharing a horse with me?" There came a snort from... Riley? He was rolling his eyes. [[... Why not? It could save you from blisters. You'll ride with the nice young rider who offered it to you.|MG.Ride]] [[No, seemed like a bad idea to ride with strangers.|MG.NotRide]] [[Your eyes remain on Riley. He was... Rather striking. Maybe you could ride with him?|MG.RileyRide]]

<<set $RideIn to true>><<set $ERide to true>>You looked $ERthem up and down before giving a small smile and a nod. "Alright then. Don't mind if I do. I am $name." "$name?" $cERthey seemed to sound the name in $ERtheir mouth. "I like that. I'm $ERname. $ERname Rawlins." $cERthey grasped the reins of $ERtheir horse, put $ERtheir foot into the stirrups and pulled $ERthemselves up before offering you a hand up. You took it and settled in behind $ERthem, resting your fingers against $ERtheir hips. <<if $ERgender is "female">>You noticed she didn't ride side saddle, instead riding like a man. Which was... Most peculiar. Very out of fashion and downright scandalous depending on who saw her. <<if $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">>Ah well. You were about to join her in riding thusly, so you wouldn't slip right off the saddle.<</if>><</if>> You glanced around for Seir, only to find $Seirthem vanished once more. With a click of $ERtheir tongue, $ERthey dug $ERtheir heels into the sides of $ERtheir grey horse, spurring it onwards. Towards Northvale. [[Onwards.|MG.RideIn]]

<<set $RideIn to false>>You frown, glancing over your shoulder, towards your path into Northvale. Then back at the stranger, giving you a well meaning smile. Then to the other two riders, the one barely older than a boy, and the man, scowling into the distance... Better safe than sorry. "No, thank you. It's not much farther now." "Ah. Yes. True. Well... Good Day." $ERthey smiled gently at you before grasping the reins of $ERtheir horse, pulling $ERthemselves up. <<if $ERgender is "female">>You noticed she didn't ride side saddle, instead riding like a man. Which was... Most peculiar. Very out of fashion and downright scandalous depending on who saw her.<</if>> The three riders took off again, leaving you and Seir in the dust. With a sigh, and a soft hum from Seir, you started walking again, the sun beating down upon you, along the path. To Northvale. [[Onwards.|MG.WalkIn]]

<<audio "northvaleride" play>>It was nice. Not being on your feet for the rest of the way. It was also nice that your reputation was apparently not known by the three riders. Riley Lynch. The man with half of his face burnt red and raw even with how old it was, no doubt. He didn't speak much, just sighed, grunted and wielded snide and sarcasm like a weapon, which neither of his companions seemed to mind much. In fact, they seemed to enjoy it. It was never aimed at you, though. In fact, he was the one who roughly shoved a flask of water at you half way into the ride, which you took a few grateful sips from. You probably should have been more wary of strangers, but you were horrifically thirsty. Mervyn Kirkland. You only wrangled his first name from him after some teasing. The boy, quite a bit younger than you, seemed embarrassed about it, and so everyone just called him Kirkland. He seemed unsteady on the horse, wide eyed and skittish and nearly jumping out of the saddle every time the horse reared its head. Every now and then he'd look at Riley with an almost pleading expression, which was flatly ignored. He also wouldn't stop apologising to you for the first 5 minutes of the ride, for nearly running you over. And $ERname Rawlins. "Em" to the other two apparently. $cERthey seemed roughly the same age as you, if less world-weary. $cERthey sits in front of you, $ERtheir cheek ruptured with a barely week old scar, more worried about shifting every now and then before asking if you were comfortable, if you wanted to change positons or something, than anything else. You wouldn't call $ERthem chatty, but $ERthey was very open when you did ask questions. None of them lived in town. The group didn't even live in Northvale. $ERname $ERthemselves lived in what was described hurriedly as "a nice house", which Riley snorted at. The others mentioned in passing that they lived around each other. A tiny village of some sorts, more towards the East of Northvale. $ERname was the younger sibling to the $LRtitle of the land. Once you got to the top of the hill on the way to the village, Kirkland took the moment to point out how vast the Rawlins land was. "So, from the sea, all the way over there. Aaaaaall the way back over to there." He made exaggerated movements with his hand before turning back to you. "That's all land that belongs to $LRname- uh, $LRtitle Rawlins." You blinked. That was... A lot of land. The cliffs that dropped off into the grey ocean were a good twenty-nine miles of land to the main road, which definitely encompassed the entire town of South Hollow and most of the surrounding villages. "So, why don't you-" "We like our peace." Riley cut you off, pulling on the reins of his horse and patting the creature between the ears<<if $animalism_m is true>> (//''oh yes very good yes yes//'')<</if>>. "It takes a while to get from town to our place. Hell, it's easier to walk. And no Lord will be caught dead in his walking boots trying to get an audience with the one person who holds almost all the land in the area." You could see what he meant. Riley urged his horse forward, Kirkland following after him with an uneasy mumble. "So, should I have been addressing you as <<if $ERgender is "male">>Lord<<elseif $ERgender is "female">> Lady<</if>> too?" You finally asked $ERname. "Ah... No. No, $LRname already has a son, so there's no hope that I ever inherit the land. No, just $ERname." $cERthey seemed to blush, but that could just be the climbing sun. [[Onwards|MG.NorthvaleEntry1]]

<<audio "northvalewalk" play loop>>The heat just seemed to be getting worse with each second, dust rising with each step. Sweat slid down your back, offhandedly making you wonder if it was soaking through your coat. At least, it felt like it was. You felt more irritation building the further along you went. For months, it had just been snow, rain and heavy clouds blocking out the sun. And the one day you had to walk to the next village, without a hat or something to stop your skin from overheating, it was beating down like the devil. Your toes felt too small in your shoes, and you knew that blisters were going to be haunting the back of your feet for the next week, from how your shoes were beginning to grate against the back of them. Seir preferred to explore as you trudged along. <<if $seirform is "crow">>In fact, $Seirthey seemed to be in a quiet competition with the swooping mockingbirds. Trying to out-fly, out-barrel, out-bully them. You're pretty sure you see the black bird barrel into the smaller birds to make them drop the food they were carrying. Just for fun of course. Seir had decided long ago that there was never going to be a safe fowl in the sky as long as $Seirthey had wings to fly and a beak to peck. You could almost feel the wind rushing against your face, not the humid drafts that would seep over the hills, but like how Seir must have felt them, cool air rushing with every dive downwards.<<elseif $seirform is "dog">>You could see $Seirtheir tail, wagging happily as $Seirtheir form rushed through the tall grass, every now and then making a plume of birds take off in a flurry of feathers and aggravated beak clicking. Just an animated bark here and there and sometimes a lunge upwards, $Seirtheir teeth snapping at their tails. $cSeirthey didn't seem to grow bored at all, only sometimes stopping and seemingly fading to nothing, nothing but silence settling over the rustling bushes, before bursting out to startle you with a yip.<<elseif $seirform is "cat">>$cSeirthey slunk away into the grass, $Seirtheir tail curling along the weeds before $Seirthey had totally disappeared. It was too easy to imagine them as a proper predator, a panther staring down its prey in the wild, padding along silently and nothing more than a wisp in the dark undergrowth. It was all too easy to forget that Seir was with you. Not until a thrush of dark birds would squawk in alarm and flutter out from the bushes, $Seirtheir form lunging upwards with a graceful leap, claws extended and already digging into the plump body of one of the slower ones, and immediately dragging it back down to the ground. You didn't even know if Seir was even bothering to eat them, or if $Seirthey were getting all of their joy from the hunt. When $Seirthey popped back out from the grass, little feathers stuck to $Seirtheir fur and blood smeared along $Seirtheir maw, $Seirthey just seemed pleased with $Seirthemselves.<<elseif $seirform is "fox">>Seir all too happily disappeared into the brush, the little amounts of orange doing nothing to help you keep track of $Seirtheir movements as $Seirthey went further in. If not for the sounds of padded paws against hard dirt and the rustling of $Seirtheir fluffy tail getting caught in the bushes, you might have completely forgotten altogether about your little companion. At least, until a squack would ring out and there would be a burst of feathers, Seir appearing for just a moment, head peeking out as $Seirthey shook a bird that was trapped between $seirtheir teeth. You didn't even know if Seir was actually eating it or just playing with it, but as you went, there was usually a few surprised trills as $Seirthey made their way through.<<elseif $seirform is "snake">>Seir happily disappeared easily into the tall grass, looking as if $Seirthey had slipped into nonexistence entirely as $Seirthey went. You continued along, squinting up at the sun every now and then, cursing it for the nice day. Out of the corner of your eye, you sometimes saw birds taking off into flight, screeching their little hearts out. You stopped for a moment, just to watch a nest come tumbling out of the branches, two birds shrieking and fluttering around the tree, skittish yet furious. When $Seirthey slip back, blood blending in with $Seirtheir black scales, you don't even notice them at first. The birds nudging what remains of a destroyed nest, emptier now than how it was before you two started walking.<<elseif $seirform is "hare">>$cSeirthey padded back into the grass, looking as if $Seirthey belonged right there in the planes, except... Well, $Seirthey didn't. No other rabbits would so leisurely stroll through the bushes, sniffing at the greens but eating none, uninterested. Watching the skys with $Seirtheir silver eyes, not out of wide eyed fear, but with narrowed precision. You were vaguely aware of a larger bird, bullying some of the mockingbirds out of the way, scanning the ground, but you became preoccupied with a rather jagged stone in your shoe. You had to take a moment to slip it free, leaning against one of the fence posts. You only heard a swoosh of wings when you finally got to straigten up and keep walking. The bird of prey went down, talons extended for an easy prey. Then never came back up. Seir joined you after a while, taking a moment to sit back on $Seirtheir hind legs, bringing $Seirtheir dirtied, reddened paws to $Seirtheir mouth and cleaning them, pink tongue lapping away.<</if>> The sun continued to beat down, getting worse as you climbed a hill, pebbles slipping from underneath your shoes, your neck feeling sunburnt and tender. Your lungs felt tight, your breaths feeling constricted and short, but before too long, you reached the top. You took the moment to look at the view that was offered, South Hollow suddenly looking a lot smaller than it ever did, even from the stretch between the treeline where you emerged most days, away from your cottage. You could even see the sheer cliff that dropped off into the grey sea, made blue by today's rare daylight. There was only a few wisps of cloud today so there was nothing to cast a shadow over the town, nor the smaller villages dotted around. You took the moment in, grateful for the breather it had afforded you. But you didn't want to lose anymore light, not while away from town. [[So you carried on.|MG.NorthvaleEntry2]]

<<if $bloodweapon is "glass shard">>//You stared as the shard, streaked with your own blood still dribbling down the side, squelching as it pushes itself out of your palm, ready to be gripped and used. It looked like... It was broken, from a window or a mirror maybe...//<<elseif $bloodweapon is "barber knife">>//You stared as the barber's knife, already flipped open, streaked with your blood, squelch as it pushes itself free from your palm, ready to be taken ahold of and used. The blood shone like rubies against the blade, the handle looking like a jagged piece of bone.//<<elseif $bloodweapon is "carving knife">>//You stared as the blade, streaked with your own blood, squelching as it pushes itself out of your palm, ready to be gripped and used. The curved blade knife glinted with promise of pain, and damage to be done at your hands. The handle itself was splintered bone, fitting to your palm easily.//<<elseif $bloodweapon is "scalpel">>//You stared as the glinting instrument, still dribbling with your own blood, squelching as it pushes itself out of your palm, ready to be gripped and used. It was wickedly sharp, promising that it would do all that it was designed to do and more. Hopefully it would help cure what ails you. Marriage.//<</if>> //You wasted no time, going to work on the ropes that held the chandelier, the bloodied blade slicing through the cords with such ease that wouldn't have been seen with a normal blade. No, within seconds the frayed edges began to snap, unable to hold the weight of the chandelier. Maybe, a bit too late, you wondered if it was going to crash onto a guest when-// //''Crash!''// //The last of the rope snapped and flung upwards, nearly hitting you in the face and you could hear the squeaking of the instruments that held up the grand decoration for just a few seconds before the most earth shaking boom made even the floor beneath your feet tremble. There was gasps and one scream before many footsteps scurried over. You glance over the side, keeping out of view, and saw the shattered remains of a twisted amalgamation of silver, glass, and twisted candles, with only a few having gone out.// //Some footmen rushed forward and began direction people out, into the garden, ,while others tended to the destruction, trying to clear up as much as possible. This was your chance. You hurried down, and slipped into the hall, ignoring the quick glances of the footmen before they avoided looking at you in turn. You took a moment to glance outside, and felt the rush of cold air from the open doors. It looked freezing and you weren't exactly dressed for winter. Just for decoration. You spotted an abandoned coat by the windowsill and quickly slipped it on over your ridiculous outfit, already feeling a bit less like a sore thumb. You came face to face with the window. Quite simple actually. The window was easiest, the view showing the area deeper into the garden, not so populated... And the wall. You swung it open and stepped through.// [[The outer garden...|AM.Garden]]

//Even though it was just a few minutes of walking deeper, the sound from the rest of the party was already faint. And, best of all, there was the wall, looming. Albeit tall, it was still a sign that you were nearly there. Nearly able to abscond, maybe with a horse from the stables, away, with a new life ahead of you. With a strange creature by your side.// //Seir made $Seirtheir way over to the bottom of it, <<if $seirform is "dog" or $seirform is "fox" or $seirform is "cat" or $seirform is "hare">>even pushing $Seirthemselves to $Seirtheir back paws, $Seirtheir nose sniffing as $Seirthey looked up at the top of the wall.<<elseif $seirform is "crow">> even hopping around a few times, before raising $Seirtheir wing, as if shielding $Seirtheir eyes from the sun when looking up at the top of the wall.<<elseif $seirform is "snake">>even raising $Seirtheir strong little body, black tongue flickering out as $Seirthey examined the top of the wall.<</if>> $cSeirthey glanced back over to you after a moment, with something expectant in $Seirtheir eyes. Your own slowly focused on the top of the wall too. The stones looked rough, barely enough for a foothold, but it would do. It wasn't even brick, just an amalgmation of what looked to be random rocks held together with limestone. Your fingers twinged just from the expectation of climbing, hanging onto those jagged edges.// <<if $wealth is "rich">>//You didn't hear it at first. The increase in chatter coming from behind you, going from low, polite murmurs, to intrigued gossip. The increased foot steps, the hum of interest, not until you heard your name being called by Amos, parroted by a few others. You had run out of time.// //The<<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">> nearly-wed<<elseif $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">> groom<<elseif $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">> bride<</if>> was missing.// //"$name! $name!" You could hear Amos' voice slowly getting closer, rising in panic with each call that went unanswered. "Please!"// //Something twisted in your belly. Amos hadn't been the one to recommend this wedding, he had even dragged his feet the best he could, arguing on your behalf on a winter wedding when the nuptials had been announced during spring.<<if $transgender is true>> Even when your <<if $ASgender is "female">>bride<<elseif $ASgender is "male">>groom<</if>> raised doubts about... How you presented yourself, Amos had made your case, that this match was for $AStheir benefit, not yours, but it didn't mean that your comfort wasn't paramount.<</if>> He was going to make sure to always be near.// //But, there was only so much he could do for you. And this wasn't something you had ever wanted. So it was your turn to take a stand. Your resolve strengthened and you turned back towards the wall, feeling something building in your blood.//<</if>> <<if $wealth is "poor">>//You didn't hear it at first. The increase in chatter coming from behind you, going from low, polite murmurs, to intrigued gossip. The increased foot steps, the hum of interest, not until you heard your name being called by your uncle, parroted by a few others. You had run out of time.// //The<<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">> nearly-wed<<elseif $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">> groom<<elseif $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">> bride<</if>> was missing.// //"Dear lord, <<if $pronouns is "theythem" or $pronouns is "itits">> where are <<elseif $pronouns is "sheher" or $pronouns is "hehim">> where is <</if>><<if $transgender is true>>$RGthey?<<else>>$they<</if>>?" You could hear your aunt's voice carry down to you.// //"<<if $transgender is true>>$cRGthey?<<else>>$cthey<</if>> must have just wandered off, don't worry yourself." Your uncle's reply was closer than hers, and your stomach lurched. He might see you if you didn't pull yourself over soon.// //You wondered if you should feel bad. These two were one of the few remaining members of your family, your father's family. Your uncle had never treated you badly, spineless as he was. But it wasn't enough. Your family didn't let you have the rest of your mourning time before you were engaged to be married, just to claw back the money, your money, that they had already spent. You no longer had what was yours, not the house you grew up in, the funds owed to you for your inheritance, your freedom... Your father. <<if $transgender is true>>They had refused to even extend you the simpliest of courtesies, making you dress in a way you hadn't for a very long time, that had felt wrong. Even $MWtitle $MWname had given you a strange look when you were presented before $MWthem. $cMWthey could tell.<</if>>// //You couldn't afford to feel bad for people who had not one ounce of guilt for what they had done to you, your home, your father's work. But you could do something that your father had always dreamed about, when he was ashore. You could find your freedom. Away from here. Your resolve strengthened and you turned back towards the wall, feeling something building in your blood.//<</if>> <ul> <li>No more excuses. If you wanted to get away, you could simply [[get up there. In a blink.|AM.Teleport]]</li> <li>There would be no problem if no one was able to [[see you anyway. Like if you were in the dark.|AM.DM]]</li> <li>The wall towered above you, but [[a good jump should get you up most of the way.|AM.Agility]]</li></ul>

<<set $invisibility_m to true>> //You felt yourself... Reflecting. As if your skin was suddenly made of a million tiny mirrors. You were gone. There was nothing, except everything around you. The best camouflage anyone could ask for. Or where you even there? Were you mirroring what was there... Or were you gone? // //You barely had time to start wondering when suddenly a shout rang out.// //"P-Prisoner! Prisoner <<if $wealth is "rich">>001450<<else>>087331<</if>> is missing! $cthey... $cthey... The prisoner is missing!"// //You rushed to the corner by the cell door, hoping to slip out if they came in to investigate.// //Which they did. Two guards ran over and unlocked the door, stepping inside. One immediately headed towards the bed to look under it, while the other stood by the door, biting their lip. You held you breath as you slowly squeezed past them, out the cell door... And slowly shut it behind you. You took the cell door key out of the lock.// //You gained a few seconds before they should start to scream and shout for help. Darting along the walkway, you moved, unseen, down the stairs, to reach the landing before daring to give yourself a moment to breath and take stock. Since the area was draped in shadow, you risked to drop your invisibility. But as you did... You felt something.// <<nobr>> <<if $previous_magic is true>> //You could feel a faint tingle in your palms, as the magic dampners of your cell stopped constricting your magic... But as you tried to flex your arcane abilities, they seem to sputter out.//<</if>> <<if $prison_era_em is true>> //You tried for anything. A spark of flame. A gasp of wind. Hell, condensation running down the concrete wall would be a sign. But nothing. It was as if your new magic was smothering your old abilities, a new layer of granite setts to replace the stone cobblestones. There was nothing... Nothing left of your old abilities.// //Maybe that was for the best.//<</if>> <<if $prison_era_gm is true>> //You tried for anything. Healing one of your scratches, or bruises. But nothing. You felt something try to reach out, to soothe your injured cells, but it was sluggish and tired. It was as if your new magic was smothering your old abilities, a new layer of granite setts to replace the stone cobblestones. There was nothing... Nothing left of your old abilities.// //Maybe that was for the best.//<</if>> <<if $prison_era_lm is true>> // You tried for anything. A little orb. Trick of the light. An illusion of... A jailbird. Nothing. There was some sort of weak twitch, a kind of fractured light seperating from the light beaming in from the cell windows. Then nothing. It was as if your new magic was smothering your old abilities, a new layer of granite setts to replace the stone cobblestones. There was nothing... Nothing left of your old abilities.// //Maybe that was for the best.//<</if>> <<if $prison_era_nm is true>> //You tried for anything. You focused on the mould growing along one of the walls, doing anything you could. Make it grow. Turn it black. Even kill it. Nothing. It throbbed... Then nothing. It was as if your new magic was smothering your old abilities, a new layer of granite setts to replace the stone cobblestones. There was nothing... Nothing left of your old abilities.// //Maybe that was for the best.//<</if>> <<if $previous_magic is false>> //You could feel something... You never felt before. A tingle in your palms. Was this what magic users usually felt? While in your cell, the dampners felt like an inconsequential net trying to keep you captured. But while you were a minnow before... You were a shark now.//<</if>> <</nobr>> //It took you a moment to tear yourself away from your thoughts. You were still in danger, no time to get distracted! You dropped down into a crouch, making sure to slowly move along the walkway, spying a couple of guards ahead, patrolling. Only a few stopped to chat with each other. But you also felt something else... As if the shadows were reaching out to help cloud you in them. It must be due to the magic you were freshly bequeathed with. This is what Demons must be used to. Feeling at home in the shadows and the dark... And right now... You were highly grateful for it.// [[Continue|PO.Invisibility01]]

It felt like hours later when you finally arrived, your back aching, your neck throbbing from the sun staring at it, your feet having gone totally numb except the back of your heels, rubbing the skin wrong this entire time. Northvale was a welcome sight. It was a rather sleepy looking place, farmers slowly pulling their soft eyed cows through the dusty street, houses that needed a repaint with gardens that were absolutely bursting with flowers.<<if $truesurname is "Gwyn">> It reminded you of the Parish of your childhood really. Money that couldn't cover repairs went into the garden.<</if>> It was... Cozy. "Ugh." Seir poked $Seirtheir head through your ankles. "I already feel drowsy." $cSeirtheir silver eyes squinted around before sighing. "So, where shall we find Grandmother?" "I'm not sure." You uttered, rotating your foot a bit to get some feeling back into it. So far, no dice. "Should... Ask around I guess." You looked around. There was an open tea shop, a butcher with a closed sign and all the other shops were shut. You often forgot that South Hollow was a place that was always full force ahead, while other places allowed for the fact it was Sunday and most people wanted to take a day to actually rest. Tea shop it was. You headed towards it, only to catch a glimpse of yourself in the freshly cleaned windows. You were a sight. Dusty from the road, already a mess from your uncomfortable night in the cells. The clothes themselves? The ones you wore to never stick out, which worked some of the time, some days you saw beggars with nicer attire. You didn't dare to be noticeable however. <<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">>It was basically rags. It was hard to tell if you were wearing trousers or a skirt some days, with the former too baggy and the latter too oddly stitched to tell. A rumpled shirt, a simple coat. There was an unfortunate tear in the leg garment, where if you leaned in the wrong direction, it revealed an unfortunate amount of your leg. It's gotten you more than a few leers. Not to mention that your shirt was too short. Even a small stretch would reveal your stomach.<<elseif $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">>Your trousers were scuffed and ill-fitting. The shirt was stained at the cuffs with two buttons missing from the top, which once made an elderly woman spit at you and call you a giggolo. The waistcoat you managed to nab was far too big for you and the coat was too small, the sleeves ending just above your wrists.<<elseif $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">>Your dress was mostly patches with how many times you had to mend it. The hem dragged in the back, staining it a dirt brown, your shoes didn't have laces, and your neckline was so faded and low that... Well, you've made sure never to linger on street corners, too many drunken men have tried to paw at you.<</if>> You hadn't been in clothes you... Would actually like to wear for quite some time. You shook your head. Not now. You'll be hanged in the clothes you're wearing if the Captain decided you were well and truly guilty. [[You pushed open the door to the teashop.|MG.Teashop]] <<audio "northvalewalk" stop>>

It wasn't too long after that when your group finally arrived in the little village. It was a rather sleepy looking place, farmers slowly pulling their soft eyed cows through the dusty street, houses that needed a repaint with gardens that were absolutely bursting with flowers.<<if $truesurname is "Gwyn">> It reminded you of the Parish of your childhood really. Money that couldn't cover repairs went into the garden.<</if>> It was... Cozy. $ERname offered $ERtheir hand to help you down, but didn't come down after you. Riley and Kirkland offered you their goodbyes (a nod from one, a smile from the other) before urging their horses forward. "I... Ah.. Will you get home alright?" $ERname gave you a lopsided grin, as if $ERthey were trying to hide $ERtheir crooked canines from you. "I could wait around. Give you a ride back." You thought about it for a moment. It would be handy to get back on time. But also... After this, it would be easier to get back home to your cottage and then into town. You just... Needed a second. Just one would be good. "No, thank you." You finally said. "I'll make my own way back." $ERname blushed a bit, rubbing $ERtheir fingers over $ERtheir scarred cheek, as if to dull the colour by force alone. "Well.. Uh.. I'll see you around. O-Or drop by the manor. Murtaugh House, we pointed it out on our ride. Come by anytime. We don't bite." For a moment $ERtheir lips pulled back into a proper grin, showing off $ERtheir wolfish canines. As if $ERthey had just made a joke. Then $ERname looked around, before <<if $ERgender is "male">>he leaned down and quickly took your hand for a kiss. Just as quickly he dropped it and urged his horse forward, ears having turned a rosy red.<<elseif $ERgender is "female">>she leaned down and quickly dropped a kiss by your cheek, the continental way of saying goodbye. But when she pulled back, her cheeks and ears were a rosy pink and she hurriedly urged her horse forward.<</if>> And then $ERthey was gone. The three riders gone quicker than they were here. You looked around. There was an open tea shop, a butcher with a closed sign and all the other shops were shut. You often forgot that South Hollow was a place that was always full force ahead, while other places allowed for the fact that it was Sunday and most people wanted to take a day to actually rest. Tea shop it was. You headed towards it, only to catch a glimpse of yourself in the freshly cleaned windows. You were a sight. Dusty from the road, already a mess from your uncomfortable night in the cells. The clothes themselves? The ones you wore to never stick out, which worked some of the time. Some days you saw beggars with nicer attire. You didn't dare to be noticeable however. <<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">>It was basically rags. It was hard to tell if you were wearing trousers or a skirt some days, with the former too baggy and the latter too oddly stitched to tell. A rumpled shirt, a simple coat. There was an unfortunate tear in the leg garment, where if you leaned in the wrong direction, it revealed an unfortunate amount of your leg. It's gotten you more than a few leers. Not to mention that your shirt was too short. Even a small stretch would reveal your stomach.<<elseif $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">>Your trousers were scuffed and ill-fitting. The shirt was stained at the cuffs with two buttons missing from the top, which once made an elderly woman spit at you and call you a giggolo. The waistcoat you managed to nab was far too big for you and the coat was too small, the sleeves ending just above your wrists.<<elseif $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">>Your dress was mostly patches with how many times you had to mend it. The hem dragged in the back, staining it a dirt brown, your shoes didn't have laces, and your neckline was so faded and low that... Well, you've made sure never to linger on street corners, too many drunken men have tried to paw at you.<</if>> You hadn't been in clothes you... Would actually like to wear for quite some time. You shook your head. Not now. You'll be hanged in the clothes you're wearing if the Captain decided you were well and truly guilty. [[You pushed open the door to the teashop.|MG.Teashop]] <<audio "northvalewalk" stop>>

<<set $teleport_m to true>>//The moment you thought it, something shifted inside of you. As if parts of you were peeling off, drifting off on the wind. It was slow at first, then all too quick. Ripped apart by a slight breeze, only to find yourself knitted back together, now finding yourself sitting on the top of the wall, the sharp edges of the rocks digging into your outfit. You gingerly shifted yourself a bit, only to hear a tear, a rip appearing in your <<if $wealth is "rich">><<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">>garments<<elseif $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">>trousers<<elseif $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">>dress<</if>><<elseif $wealth is "poor">><<if $agab is "Intersex">>garments<<elseif $gender is "Man" or $raisedgender is "Man" or $agab is "Man">>trousers<<elseif $gender is "Woman" or $raisedgender is "Woman" or $agab is "Woman">>dress<</if>><</if>>. You took a moment to rip the fabric free from the snag, looking up to see Seir<<if $seirform is "dog" or $seirform is "fox" or $seirform is "cat" or $seirform is "hare">> loafed up, dark paws tucked underneath $Seirtheir body, looking perfectly at ease on top of the wall.<<elseif $seirform is "crow">> sitting beside you, wings tucked against $Seirtheir sides, taking $Seirtheir time to preen some of their smaller feathers into place, looking totally at ease.<<elseif $seirform is "snake">> coiled up, $Seirtheir eyes closed, looking content to soak up the sun. $cSeirthey seemed to feel your gaze and flickered $Seirtheir tongue out in response to it. Happy as can be on top of the wall.<</if>>// //You adjusted yourself a bit, swinging one leg over the side, and about to pull the other one over to drop down on the other side when-// //<<if $wealth is "poor">><<if $transgender is true>>"$deadname?"<<else>>"$name?"<</if>><<elseif $wealth is "rich">>"$name?"<</if>>// [[Oh no. You looked back. You couldn't help it.|AM.Confrontation]]

<<set $darkness_m to true>>//Yes... So much easier if there was no chance of someone even seeing you...// //The watery sunshine didn't seem as bright as before... No, it seemed to get rather grey around you. As if a fog had rolled in oh so slowly, washing over the garden like a thick blanket. There was a collective of gasps and mutters up ahead, but the cloud soon muffled the sounds, and not just their sights. You could still see quite clearly, as if the fog would part under your gaze. Now... <<if $wealth is "poor">>Time to see if you inherited your father's fingers. Every finger a fish hook he used to say.<<elseif $wealth is "rich">>Time to see if your summers of climbing trees and other such mischief could possible come back in handy in your time of need.<</if>> You pulled the coat cuffs securely over your palms before reaching up for the first hand hold. It was easy enough, even if the foothold wasn't. Your shoes didn't have good grip against the wet stones. You pulled yourself upwards. The next hand hold. The next stone. It was slow, made worse by your outfit. You pulled yourself upwards too fast, dragging your <<if $wealth is "rich">><<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">>garments<<elseif $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">>trousers<<elseif $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">>dress<</if>><<elseif $wealth is "poor">><<if $agab is "Intersex">>garments<<elseif $gender is "Man" or $raisedgender is "Man" or $agab is "Man">>trousers<<elseif $gender is "Woman" or $raisedgender is "Woman" or $agab is "Woman">>dress<</if>><</if>> against the rock too hard, only to hear a ripping sound. But you couldn't stop now.// //Your fingers were raw and sore by the time you gripped the top most stone and dragged your body upwards, twisting so you could end up sitting atop the thing at long last. You gave a strained, pained sigh and took a moment to properly breath. The fog slowly peeled away, going from the sluggish dark grey to a whispy white, until none remained. You felt a presence at your side, looking to the side to see Seir<<if $seirform is "dog" or $seirform is "fox" or $seirform is "cat" or $seirform is "hare">> loafed up, dark paws tucked underneath $Seirtheir body, looking perfectly at ease on top of the wall.<<elseif $seirform is "crow">> sitting beside you, wings tucked against $Seirtheir sides, taking $Seirtheir time to preen some of their smaller feathers into place, looking totally at ease.<<elseif $seirform is "snake">> coiled up, $Seirtheir eyes closed, looking content to soak up the sun. $cSeirthey seemed to feel your gaze and flickered $Seirtheir tongue out in response to it. Happy as can be on top of the wall.<</if>> // //You adjusted yourself a bit, swinging one leg over the side, and about to pull the other one over to drop down on the other side when-// //<<if $wealth is "poor">><<if $transgender is true>>"$deadname?"<<else>>"$name?"<</if>><<elseif $wealth is "rich">>"$name?"<</if>>// [[Oh no. You looked back. You couldn't help it.|AM.Confrontation]]

<<set $agility_m to true>>//You took a step forward and doubled over in surprise. Not pain<<if $bw_m is true>>, not like earlier<</if>>. Something else. It was as if with just a singular foot forward, your muscles had tightened until taut. As if up until now you had been going through life, relaxed and limber and now, finally, you were going to put your unused muscles to use.// //Seir watched with interest as you slowly straightened up, your spine flexing in a strange way as you did so.<<if $wealth is "rich">> Amos once took you to one of the new museums in the capital, holding your small hand in his. You always rememberd the skeletons of the animals on display. One of those was some sort of wild cat, immortalised with its haunches tense, back curved, teeth bared. A predator. Amos had quietly read off from a little leaflet of facts, detailing their habitat, what they ate, how they hunted... You were brought back to that moment. The chilled air, the hum of soft voices, the sound of feet slowly moving along the tiled floor... He had knelt down to murmur softly. "They stalk their prey, dropping down and elongating their spine to keep low. They rely on ambushing their food, which is can range from the harmless to predators twice their size." You felt some sort of kinship with that beast now. Your muscles, your bones, hidden behind a soft exterior.<<elseif $wealth is "poor">> Your father once brought home fur. It was while you two were staying in your old house. You had awoken, swaddedled in furs. Not the ones that had come into fashion, mink and fox. These had shorter hairs, of animals your father regaled you about that he hunted himself. One story was about a strange creature, about the size of a dog, but catlike. Golden fur and that chirped like a bird at him. Apparently, a storm had blown through, seperating your father from his hunting party as well as scattering almost all the prey. A dust storm that lasted half the day and when it cleared there was nothing to be seen, not of human or animal. You remember, sitting on his knee, as Missus Barrow cooked for the three of you, pretending not to also be listening as she gripped her beaded necklace every time his story got more thrilling. He got to what he called his "now dearest friend". The strange animal and him had crossed paths, looking for the same thing. Food. But, as your father whispered, that he knew not to strike the animal, with its intelligent soft brown eyes. He even drew pictures for you, charcoal smudging his fingertips, a lopsided thing. Apparently he had stalked the creature all the way to a lone... Wild Beast. He shot it with one of the remaining bullets he had in his gun and they shared the meat. You had asked if he could have brought it home and he had just laughed. No, the little thing wouldn't have been happy with the the overcast isles. But you still admired the little thing in his drawings. You could imagine yourself like it now. Beaten down, tired, but assured in your legs, your bones,, your muscles. No one else could ever be like you.<</if>>// //You took a step backwards, feeling like you were discovering new bones, muscles in places you would have never thought about. With another step backwards, you felt, maybe for the first time, truly at ease with the movements of your body. Measured movements, each one made with an intent that was completely knew. It was as if you knew each bump in the ground and could adjust to it. One last step. Your body already had it all figured out before it even let your brain know what was going on.// //A running start wasn't even needed. But it felt good. You burst into a run, full speed, and used the momentum to leap upwards. You were weightless for just a few seconds, but the wind rushing against your face had never felt so welcoming before. It tasted like freedom.// //You overshot it a bit, your knee snagging on the top of the wall, the jagged rocks ripping a section of your <<if $wealth is "rich">><<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">>garments<<elseif $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">>suit<<elseif $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">>dress<</if>><<elseif $wealth is "poor">><<if $agab is "Intersex">>garments<<elseif $gender is "Man" or $raisedgender is "Man" or $agab is "Man">>suit<<elseif $gender is "Woman" or $raisedgender is "Woman" or $agab is "Woman">>dress<</if>><</if>>. But still, you cleared an impressive amount. You glanced back down at the ground, but there was no Seir in sight. You swung your other leg over, readying yourself to drop down on the other side when-// //<<if $wealth is "poor">><<if $transgender is true>>"$deadname?"<<else>>"$name?"<</if>><<elseif $wealth is "rich">>"$name?"<</if>>// [[Oh no. You looked back. You couldn't help it.|AM.Confrontation]]

<<if $wealth is "rich">>//Amos stood there, his hat clutched in his hand, his chest rapidly rising and falling. His mouth slightly agape. He dragged his dark hand through his locs, looking briefly behind him before starting to run over to you.// //"Come. Now!" Seir's voice came from the other side of the ground, making you look down at the ground. $cSeirthey stared up at you, silver eyes hard with determination. $cSeirtheir form seem to flicker, small curls of smoke coming off $Seirthem. As if $Seirthey were coming apart for just a moment.// //"$name!" Amos was getting closer, dropping his hat as he did. "$name, please, wait!"// //"Drop down!" Seir's form fully flickered and the temperature dropped harshly. Instead of the <<if $seirform is "dog">>dog<<elseif $seirform is "fox">>fox<<elseif $seirform is "cat">>cat<<elseif $seirform is "hare">>hare<<elseif $seirform is "crow">>crow<<elseif $seirform is "snake">>snake<</if>> you had become familiar with, there was the creature you saw before. Swathes of black smoke curled off of them, freezing the air around $Seirthem. $cSeirtheir... What should be their mouth slowly parted, snapping open like gummy meat being ripped apart slowly, only to reveal crooked, sharp teeth. $cSeirthey kept opening $Seirtheir maw, revealing a second row of identical fangs, except crusted with dried blood. "Now!"// //$cSeirtheir voice was warped, no longer the honeysuckle sweet tone $Seirthey had used on you before. Your knees weakened and you pushed yourself over the-// //A hand gripped your wrist. You snapped your head back, only to meet Amos' grey eyes, wet in the weak light.// //"Amos, I-"// //"Take the carriage we came in. Just keep going." He talked fast, breathless. "Please, be safe. But please don't hate me. Please."// //You parted your lips, feeling stunned, his fingers warm and steady against your wrist but something cold gripped your ankles. And pulled. But Amos' grip was harder, digging into you.// //"Once you're safe, please let me know. I'll send money, or... Or something!" His eyes were too wide. For a horrible moment you thought he was trying to stall you, keep you here so the others could see and drag you back. You tugged your wrist away, but he held fast. Two ice cold hands gripped your ankles harder and yanked, nails digging into the skin. You couldn't help a gasp of pain. Amos' lips parted, eyebrows furrowed. He thought he was hurting you.// //"Promise me. Just..." He glanced over his shoulder, back at the party. Then back at you. "When the season begins again, look for the Blossom Opera House. I wanted to-"// //"Amos! <<if $pronouns is "theythem" or $pronouns is "itits">>Where are <<elseif $pronouns is "sheher" or $pronouns is "hehim">>Where is <</if>>$they?"// //Amos flinched and finally let go. The moment he did, you were harshly dragged down, as if he was the only thing stopping you from being sunk by an anchor. One you had tied around your own feet. The last of Amos you saw was him trying to reach back for your hand, with a figure approaching...// //You felt like you fell forever. You landed on the hard gravel of the walkway outside of the building. There were endless carriages, tucked away, with only a few still along the drive, horses still attached to their reins, nudging the stones with their hooves uneasily. Seir, back in $Seirtheir form, was already at the family carriage, the one that had taken you to Amos' home that first night. You got up and ran towards it, your hip twinging uncomfortably.// //"There's no groomsman, we're better off getting one of the horses!" You paused in front of the door, only too aware of the shouts ringing out from the garden.// //"No need. In!" Seir <<if $seirform is "dog">>bounded<<elseif $seirform is "fox">>darted<<elseif $seirform is "cat">>leapt<<elseif $seirform is "hare">>hopped<<elseif $seirform is "crow">>fluttered<<elseif $seirform is "snake">>slipped<</if>> into the carriage, and, despite your doubts, you followed.// //The moment you slammed the door shut, you heard a series of terrified whinnies from the horses, and the carriage lurched harshly. Too fast. They were galloping, shaking the interior harshly.// <<elseif $wealth is "poor">>//Your uncle stood there, mouth agape in surprise, eyebrows shot up into his hairline. He glanced around quickly, before bursting into a run. Straight at you.// //"Come. Now!" Seir's voice came from the other side of the ground, making you look down at the ground. $cSeirthey stared up at you, silver eyes hard with determination. $cSeirtheir form seem to flicker, small curls of smoke coming off them. As if they were coming apart for just a moment.// //"<<if $transgender is true>>$deadname- Damn it, $name!"<<else>>$name!"<</if>> He sped up, sweating now. "Stop! You'll regret this, stop!"// //"Drop down!" Seir's form fully flickered and the temperature dropped harshly. Instead of the <<if $seirform is "dog">>dog<<elseif $seirform is "fox">>fox<<elseif $seirform is "cat">>cat<<elseif $seirform is "hare">>hare<<elseif $seirform is "crow">>crow<<elseif $seirform is "snake">>snake<</if>> you had become familiar with, there was the creature you saw before. Swathes of black smoke curled off of $Seirthem, freezing the air around $Seirthem. $cSeirtheir... What should be $Seirtheir mouth slowly parted, snapping open like gummy meat being ripped apart slowly, only to reveal crooked, sharp teeth. $cSeirthey kept opening $Seirtheir maw, revealing a second row of identical fangs, except crusted with dried blood. "Now!"// //$cSeirtheir voice was warped, no longer the honeysuckle sweet tone $Seirthey had used on you before. Your knees weakened and you pushed yourself over the-// //A hand gripped your wrist. You snapped your head back, only to meet your uncle's <<if $heterochromia is true>>$Reyecolour<<else>>$eyecolour<</if>> eyes, hard in the weak light.// //"Don't be a fool, $name!" Your uncle had never sounded so urgent. "You'll ruin the family. We need this!"// //His grip was hard and it only increased when he brought his other hand up to join the desperate grasp he had you in. You yanked at your hand, trying to slip free.// //"Let go!" You hissed, feeling Seir yank again at your legs, growing more insistent. "Let go of me!"// //"No! Your aunt is right, you will ruin everything your father worked for! Do you want his death to be in vain?" His voice broke with the last sentence... But so did your heart. You couldn't help it. You leaned down and bit his fingers, digging your teeth in, as if you could finally put him in all the pain you had been feeling the moment you had heard your father's ship had gone down.// //He yowled in pain and finally let go, falling onto his back into the dirt, clutching his fingers. A few shouts went up from the upper garden, but before you saw anyone, you were finally dragged down, the stones scraping against your stomach painfully.// //You felt like you fell forever. You landed on the hard gravel of the walkway outside of the building. There were a few carriages, tucked away, with only a few lone horses still along the drive, grazing the grass and nudging the stones with their hooves uneasily. Seir, back in $Seirtheir form, was already at one of them. You got up and ran towards it, your hip twinging uncomfortably.// //"Up you go!" Seir stood by the animal, staring straight at you with urgency.// //You gripped the reins and pulled yourself upwards, onto the saddle. <<if $seirform is "fox" or $seirform is "cat" or $seirform is "hare" or $seirform is "crow" or $seirform is "snake">>You felt Seir settling in right behind you, keeping close. <</if>>With a hard yank, you spurred the beast into an immediate gallop, back up the walkway<<if $seirform is "dog">>, Seir running alongside it, keeping up easily, like a hunting dog<</if>>.<</if>> [[Silence descended.|AM.Conf01]]

<<audio "AMorigin" stop>>//You and Seir refused to stop until midnight had long since fallen, having gotten so lost that there was no chance in Hell you could ever make your way back. Even if you wanted to.// //You abandoned the <<if $wealth is "rich">>carriage<<elseif $wealth is "poor">>horse<</if>> at an inn. Then you walked. You didn't know where, you just wandered endlessly. You got rid of your clothes and paid for new ones. Less conspicuous. You kept the coat you had pinched though. It was large on you. But warm.// //Seir seemed in high spirits, sleeping in the same bed, which was some sort of comfort, given your sudden increase in nightmares. You sold the nice things you had been wearing with your outfit. It got you quite far...// [[But it still got you here.|AM.End]]

<<set $charcodex to true>>[ <b>[[Character Codex]] unlocked</b> ] You had met Seir on what would have been your wedding day. You'd give anything to see them now, in this terrible cell... Just waiting... Waiting for the morning... [[Sweet Dreams.|PrologueEpi]]

<<audio "shopbell" play>>The inside of the tea shop was soothing. It smelt of lavender first and foremost, and then overwhelmingly of tea. A woman stood at the back, pulling tins off the shelves, tucking them under her arm, but she turned at the sound of the gentle tinkle of the bell above the door. "Good day. I don't think we've met." She smiled. Her hair was piled into a bun, with strands gently waving in her face. Her face was wrinkled, her eyes were clear and a hint of lilac in them. The sight of her seemed to calm you.<<if $previousmagic is true>> You got the feeling... She was... Not a Witch exactly. But you remember when you were learning magic, they had people in the room. Just their presence seemed to keep everyone nice and calm. You never found out what those people were.<</if>> "I'm Prue. Do you wish to order some tea?" <ul><li>[[God. You didn't have time. You never did. "No, thank you, not today."|MG.TS1]]</li> <li>[[... You know what. You had some coins to spare. Why not?|MG.TS2]]</li></ul>

Thank you for playing so far! End of the demo, sadly, but not the end of Rotwood! Read more about where to find updates AND my thanks to the supporters on the next page! [[Onwards|Credits]]

<<nobr>> <<set $wealth to "poor">> <<set $truesurname to "Quatermain">> <<set $history to true>> <<set $backstory to "escape from an asylum">> <</nobr>> //You ate the contents of the bowl quickly, knowing it was better to try and avoid lingering on the taste. It was watery, mush, with some hard oats that hadn't been softened yet still at the bottom. It reminded you of when times were particularly hard at home. Your father not being able to work for weeks at a time and your mother's washing jobs only going so far. It made your eyes begin to water... It made you feel stupid. Feeling homesick for bad food, warmed on a rickety stove as your mother tried to repair the holes in your father's socks...// //You had just put the bowl down when the door unlocked and swung open.// //"Outside time. Come on."// Not so fast! This origin is yet to be completed, so enjoy the quick snapshot! [[Back!|Origin Start]]

<<nobr>> <<set $wealth to "rich">> <<set $truesurname to "Dantes">> <<set $history to true>> <<set $backstory to "escape from an asylum">> <</nobr>> //You struggled to keep the contents down. Your stomach lurched with each slow spoonful. It was... Truly disgusting. You ended up spitting the last mouthful out and shoving the bowl to the side. Gross.// //You longed for the days long past. Waking up and getting to have hot chocolate and toast in your room before finding time to read, write letters back to your cousins. Piano practising, studying, then being called down to breakfast. Cakes and meats and bread rolls and drinks, usually grabbing Edwin before he scarpered from the table to wipe his face free of sticky honey. Your father never joined you, so it was a comfortable affair. Unlike now. You wondered if Edwin ate alone now...// //You sighed and rested with your back against the floor. Better than the bed, there was no lumps at least.// //There was a knock on the door.// //"Excuse me, $title. The doctor is here for your examination."// Not so fast! This origin is yet to be completed, so enjoy the quick snapshot! [[Back!|Origin Start]]

<<nobr>> <<set $wealth to "poor">> <<set $truesurname to "Beckett">> <<set $history to true>> <<set $backstory to "gotten free from a kidnapping">> <</nobr>> //You had been plucked off the streets. Heading home. Your sister's youngest, Wilhelmina had been ill so you had offered to sit with her while Martha, headed out to get medicine. You had offered to do it for her, and all you got in return was a lecture about how you shouldn't follow in your parents' footsteps and their light fingered tricks. But you still sat with your niece, while the older one had been playing next door.// //Everything was fine. Everything was good... Until you walked home.// Not so fast! This origin is yet to be completed, so enjoy the quick snapshot! [[Back!|Origin Start]]

<<nobr>> <<set $wealth to "rich">> <<set $truesurname to "Monroth">> <<set $history to true>> <<set $backstory to "gotten free from a kidnapping">> <</nobr>> //You could still feel your governess' hand as she patted yourself, finally making good on her promise for day out. You had been excited. You and your mother lived a confined life. The only hint of the outside had been the gardens. Your father coming home with a stray leaf on his hat. The backdoor letting in a fresh breeze with the delivery for the kitchens. And she kept her promise to you, dangling over your head. It started bigger, saying she'd talk your father into letting you go to a proper school. Then the promises shrink. Going out for dinner. Going to get new clothes in person. Then it was just going out.// //You knew your father shot each and every suggestion down. Until today. Until-// Not so fast! This origin is yet to be completed, so enjoy the quick snapshot! [[Back!|Origin Start]]

<<nobr>> <<set $wealth to "poor">> <<set $truesurname to "Adler">> <<set $history to true>> <<set $backstory to "run away from an accusation at university">> <</nobr>> //Of course this was going to happen. Of course it would happen to ''you''. And not just because you had just about been able to escape the future of being put to work in the belly of the Basilica, consigned to blood work and dirt jobs and never seeing the sun again.// Not so fast! This origin is yet to be completed, so enjoy the quick snapshot! [[Back!|Origin Start]]

<<nobr>> <<set $wealth to "rich">> <<set $truesurname to "Knight">> <<set $history to true>> <<set $backstory to "run away from an accusation at university">> <</nobr>> Not so fast! This origin is yet to be completed, so enjoy the quick snapshot! [[Back!|Origin Start]]

<<nobr>> <<set $wealth to "poor">> <<set $truesurname to "Gwyn">> <<set $history to true>> <<set $backstory to "escape your fortune hunting past">> <</nobr>> Not so fast! This origin is yet to be completed, so enjoy the quick snapshot! [[Back!|Origin Start]]

<<nobr>> <<set $wealth to "rich">> <<set $truesurname to "De Maintenon">> <<set $history to true>> <<set $backstory to "escape your fortune hunting past">> <<if $preference is "male">> <<set $fhgender to "male">> <</if>> <<if $preference is "female">> <<set $FHgender to "female">> <</if>> <<if $preference is "bi" or $preference is "custom">> <<set $FHgender to either ("male", "female")>> <</if>> <<if $preference is "female">> <<set $FHspouse to "wife">> <<set $FHthey to "she">> <<set $cFHthey to "She">> <<set $FHtheir to "her">> <<set $cFHtheir to "Her">> <<set $FHtheirs to "hers">> <<set $cFHtheirs to "Hers">> <<set $FHthem to "her">> <<set $cFHthem to "Her">> <<set $FHthemselves to "herself">> <<set $cFHthemselves to "Herself">> <<set $FHtitle to "Marchioness">> <<if $name is "Aria">><<set $FHname to "Bianca">><<elseif $name is "Bianca">><<set $FHname to "Aria">> <</if>><</if>> <<if $preference is "male">> <<set $FHspouse to "husband">> <<set $FHthey to "he">> <<set $cFHthey to "He">> <<set $FHtheir to "his">> <<set $cFHtheir to "His">> <<set $FHtheirs to "his">> <<set $cFHtheirs to "His">> <<set $FHthem to "him">> <<set $cFHthem to "Him">> <<set $FHthemselves to "himself">> <<set $cFHthemselves to "Himself">> <<set $FHtitle to "Marquess">> <<if $name is "Adriano">><<set $FHname to "Benicio">><<elseif $name is "Benicio">><<set $FHname to "Adriano">> <</if>><</if>> <</nobr>> Not so fast! This origin is yet to be completed, so enjoy the quick snapshot! [[Back!|Origin Start]]

Access for Patrons! <<textbox "$Password" "" "Password">>

<<if $Password is '4231'>>[[Unlocking further scenes!|MG.Teashop]]\<<elseif $Password is not '4231'>>Incorrect- Try again.<<textbox "$Password" "" "Password">><</if>>

<<set $favouritehotdrink to false>>"No, no thank you. I'm looking for this address." You flipped open the notebook and showed her the address the lady at the bookshop gave you. "Could you give me some directions?" The elderly lady took a few steps forward and leaned down, squinting to read it. "Ah. Yes. That's quite near. Yes." Prue places the two boxes of tea she was carrying onto the counter. "So, you go up the street, just out the door. You will carry on for about three minutes before you reach the stables. The you continue down the street on the left. There will be a yellow painted door. That's where you go." She gave you a smile. "Say hello to Clare for me, hm?" "Thank you." You tucked the notebook away and turned on your heel. You left the smell of tea behind you.<<if $truesurname is "Buchanan">> It was a shame though... It reminded you of your Grandma's kitchen. She always liked to keep a pot of tea on.<<elseif $truesurname is "Mortmain">> The scent reminded you of... Something in your early childhood. Sitting on your father's knee, the scent of... Peppermint tea? Your mother's laughter. You quickly shook it off.<</if>> [[Back at it.|MG.OffToGrandma]]

<<set $favouritehotdrink to true>><<set $TeaHouseLocation to true>><<set $locationstart to true>>You deserved something nice. "... Yes, thank you." You looked around and took a seat, your feet practically singing in relief after the weight was taken off them. Your trek around South Hollow that morning had taken much more out of you than you thought. You decided for <<cycle "$fhdrink">> <<option "tea" "tea">> <<option "coffee" "coffee">> <<option "hot chocolate" "hot chocolate">> <<option "chai" "chai">> <<option "hot apple cider" "hot apple cider">> <</cycle>>. It's <<cycle "$drinkpreference">> <<option "not your favourite. You didn't like hot drinks that much." "cold">> <<option "your favourite. You preferred hot drinks over cold ones." "hot">> <<option "one of your favourites. You liked both cold and hot drinks the same amount." "both">><</cycle>> You gave Prue your order and she smiled, walking behind the counter. It gave you a proper chance to look around. Dark furniture that complimented the artwork that was hung up, a purple and gold tapestry of flowers, surrounded by watercolour paintings. The seats were comfy, cushioned. The smell of tea covered the scent of coffee but not the chai brewing in the back. It was nice.<<if $truesurname is "Fox-Vincent">> It reminded you a bit of Amos' study. He liked cardamom and cinnamon in his coffee, and he always had more than one cup. Your chest twinged.<<elseif $truesurname is "Adler">> It... Smelt like your home. Jane baking in the early mornings, bringing up a pastry to your room, while Malcolm set to the coffee, grinding and brewing. Your eyes felt just a bit misty. A bit.<<elseif $truesurname is "Mortmain">> It smelt like the house you had worked in. In the mornings, the coffee was seen to for the lord. Tea for the lady. And usually something for their child. It always smelt good as you set the table for the servants' breakfast. You and your peers also got something warm, heated in the mugs. But you always somewhat wanted to steal a sip from the fine china cups.<<elseif $truesurname is "De Maintenon">> Your... Your $FHspouse usually had coffee in the morning. $cFHthey usually held it far far too long, staring at the newspaper, reading it all the way through before bringing it to $FHtheir mouth. One sip had $FHthem making a face and quickly putting it back down... Raising $FHtheir soft brown eyes to look at you. Smiled, somewhat embarrassed. Something lurched inside of you. You should stop thinking about $FHname...<</if>> You looked around a bit more. It felt like this could be a nice place to hang out. With someone. Maybe. <b>[[Location|Locations]] Unlocked!</b> Prue came bustling back with your order, setting the pretty china cup down, along with <<cycle "$treat">> <<option "two cinnamon biscuits" "cinnamon biscuit">> <<option "a pastry" "pastry">> <<option "two little chocolates" "chocolate">> <<option "two mints" "mint">> <<option "two little sweets" "sweet">> <<option "plain biscuits" "plain biscuit">> <<option "a little bowl of mismatched fruit" "fruits">><</cycle>>. "Complimentary." She smiled at you. You handed her some of your tarnished coins and she took them without a word. "Thank you, sweetheart." You took a sip of your drink and couldn't help the sigh that escaped. It felt like your body was relaxing just from the taste alone. Everything about this place was... So pleasant. For just a moment, it let you forget what you were here to do, what you had to do in order to... Stay alive. [[A hand gently patted your shoulder. "You alright, dear?"|MG.TS3]]

<<set $MGStole to false>><<set $MGSchedule to false>><<set $MGActivities to false>><<set $MGBother to false>><<set $MGGrudge to false>><<set $MGBehaviour to false>><<set $MGFriends to false>><<set $MGParents to false>><<set $MGS to false>>Stepping out into the sun, you sighed. No rest for the wicked. Or the cursed. Or the accused-of-murder, though that last one didn't roll off the tongue. You shifted your weight in your shoes again before setting off. Down the street. Flowers were waving in the breeze, the scent of baking bread wafting from somewhere. Turned at the stables. Two children were being led around on ponies in a paddock, as a man took off a horse's shoe in the shade of the building. A large chestnut tree provided shade for just a moment. Down the street. Down, down. Brown door. Brown door. White door. Yellow door. You stopped. Yellow door. White walls. Thatched roof with a chimney, non-smoking. Brown window shutters. A letterbox that was tilted. Lavender bushes. For the first time that day all you could hear was bird song. It was too idyllic. You took a step, shoe meeting gravel when- "Ooooh, dearie, I really fuckin' wouldn't." A voice, scratchy and low broke the air. You turned around, startled by the sight of a woman. Elderly, with fading coppery hair, grey eyes and a dress that showed too much cleavage. She looked tired, the lines in her face deep, but there was something spritely about her. You had no doubt she could outrun a horse. She stood, relaxed, in the alleyway between two shops, shoulder against the brick wall, the shoulder of her dress drooping down her arm. "The old bat has been crying all day. The only thing that's keeping me entertained." She raised her thin fingers up, cigarette clasped between them and took a drag. Her sharp eyes seemed to sink into you. "Say, you're not bad to look at. Slip us some coins and I <<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">> can see to us slipping something else into something nice and warm.<<elseif $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">> can get you something really nice to slip into.<<elseif $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">> can see about slipping something into you.<</if>>" She grinned at you, showing off her teeth, which looked like she had been drinking coffee grounds that day. <ul><li>[[You grimaced. "You couldn't pay me for that."|MG.Prostitute1]]</li> <li>[[You blinked. "Ah... No thank you ma'am."|MG.Prostitute2]]</li> <li>[[What the? "... Excuse me?" You had no idea what she was even talking about.|MG.Prostitute3]]</li></ul>

//<b>Locations</b>// <<if $CottageLocation is true>>The Cottage<</if>> <<if $TeaHouseLocation is true>><b>The Tea House</b> In Northvale. Run by Prue Beale, it's a charming little place, serving up hot drinks and comfortable seating.<</if>> <b>St. De Lyones, the Hospital</b> In South Hollow. Regularly where Starling Knight is, doubling as a mortician and a doctor. Located on Harehill Mount, the building is a mixture of old and new. It's almost like a beacon, being the tallest building in South Hollow. It is beautiful in its own way. <b>Dacre House</b> In South Hollow. Home of $SRname Della Rovere<<if $FelipeMet is true>> and Felipe Tagliente<</if>>. It's a beautiful home, covered in vines and roses, seeming more... Continental than the other houses. Pretty.

<<set $betatester to true>>Hello my little lab rats <3 OKAY! Here we go <3 Go to: <li>[[Chapter 1|Chapter1]]</li> <li>[[Chapter 1 Midpoint|CH.1MP]]</li>

How does the town feel about you? <<cycle "$townrep">> <<option "They hate you" "hate">> <<option "They're neutral" "neutral">> <<option "They're fine with you" "okay">><</cycle>> How does Seir feel about you? <<cycle "$srep">> <<option "They hate you" "hate">> <<option "They dislike you" "dislike">> <<option "They're neutral" "neutral">> <<option "They're fine with you" "okay">> <<option "They like you" "like">><</cycle>> How does Starling feel about you? <<cycle "$starlingrep">> <<option "They hate you" "hate">> <<option "They dislike you" "dislike">> <<option "They're neutral" "neutral">> <<option "They're fine with you" "okay">> <<option "They like you" "like">><</cycle>> How does V feel about you? <<cycle "$vrep">> <<option "They hate you" "hate">> <<option "They dislike you" "dislike">> <<option "They're neutral" "neutral">> <<option "They're fine with you" "okay">> <<option "They like you" "like">><</cycle>> Did you gain evidence about Luke?<<cycle "$gLe">> <<option "Yes" "yes">> <<option "No" "no">><</cycle>> [[Check|Check]]

<<nobr>><<if $townrep is "hate">><<set $townpoints to -5>><</if>> <<if $townrep is "neutral">><<set $townpoints to 0>><</if>> <<if $townrep is "okay">><<set $townpoints to 5>><</if>> <<set $SKromance to false>> <<set $SKreputation to true>> <<if $starlingrep is "hate">><<set $SKrep to -50>><</if>> <<if $starlingrep is "dislike">><<set $SKrep to -5>><</if>> <<if $starlingrep is "neutral">><<set $SKrep to -4>><</if>> <<if $starlingrep is "okay">><<set $SKrep to 5>><</if>> <<if $starlingrep is "like">><<set $SKrep to 50>><</if>> <<set $VWromance to false>> <<set $VWreputation to false>> <<if $vrep is "hate">><<set $VWrep to -50>><</if>> <<if $vrep is "dislike">><<set $VWrep to -5>><</if>> <<if $vrep is "neutral">><<set $VWrep to -4>><</if>> <<if $vrep is "okay">><<set $VWrep to 5>><</if>> <<if $vrep is "like">><<set $VWrep to 50>><</if>> <<set $seirreputation to true>> <<set $seirromance to false>> <<if $srep is "hate">><<set $seirrep to -50>><</if>> <<if $srep is "dislike">><<set $seirrep to -5>><</if>> <<if $srep is "neutral">><<set $seirrep to -4>><</if>> <<if $srep is "okay">><<set $seirrep to 5>><</if>> <<if $srep is "like">><<set $seirrep to 50>><</if>> <<if $gLe is "yes">><<set $gainedevidence to true>><<elseif $gLe is "no">><<set $gainedevidence to false>><</if>> <<set $grimoire to true>> <<set $chartraits to true>> <<set $charcodex to true>> <<set $reputation to true>> <</nobr>> Town Reputation: <<nobr>> <<if $townpoints gte -4 and $townpoints lte 4>>Not good. Not bad..<</if>> <<if $townpoints gte 5>>Keeping you on your toes, but it's going well so far..<</if>> <<if $townpoints lte -5>>They don't trust you, they don't even like you!..<</if>><</nobr>> Seir <<nobr>> <<if $seirrep gte 50>> You two could be life long friends at this point! You could downright feel a small tingle of pleasure from Seir every time you two clap eyes on each other.<</if>> <<if $seirrep gte 5 and $seirrep lte 49>> You two get along amiably, making living together comfortable.<</if>> <<if $seirrep gte -4 and $seirrep lte 4>> You two co-habitate quite neutrally.<</if>> <<if $seirrep gte -49 and $seirrep lte -5>> Seir sometimes gets on your nerves, but it's not all bad.<</if>> <<if $seirrep lte -50>> You and Seir struggle to get along at all. It's a wonder they even stick around at this point.<</if>><</nobr>> Starling Knight <<nobr>> <<if $SKrep gte 50>>You are probably one of Starling's most favourite people in the entire world. Which isn't saying much, but $SKthey looks forward to seeing you.<</if>> <<if $SKrep gte 5 and $SKrep lte 49>>You are... Quite tolerable. As Starling would say with a small smile.<</if>> <<if $SKrep gte -4 and $SKrep lte 4>>Starling's own integrity is what makes $SKthem want to help you, even if $SKthey still keeps you at arm's length.<</if>> <<if $SKrep gte -49 and $SKrep lte -5>>You are lucky that Starling has a distinct sense of justice, otherwise $SKthey would be hanging you out to dry.<</if>> <<if $SKrep lte -50>> You have just proved to Starling that $SKtheir life long belief, that most people are deeply intolerable true. Let's hope $SKthey isn't the only physician on call when you become ill.<</if>><</nobr>> $VWname De Winters <<nobr>> <<if $VWrep gte 50>> $VWname has never felt this close to anyone before. $cVWthey trusts you wholly and completely, even enough to trust you with parts of themselves that they feel ashamed of.<</if>> <<if $VWrep gte 16 and $VWrep lte 49>> $VWname enjoys your presence more than $VWthey ever expected to. $cVWthey refuse to believe what anyone says about you.<</if>> <<if $VWrep gte 5 and $VWrep lte 15>> $VWname is amused by you, even if $VWthey doesn't show it that much. What can $VWthey say, $VWthey loves seeing an amateur sleuth on the go.<</if>> <<if $VWrep gte -4 and $VWrep lte 4>> $VWname doesn't know what to think about you most days. $cVWthey will have to sit back and figure you out a bit more.<</if>> <<if $VWrep gte -49 and $VWrep lte -5>> $VWname has yet to figure you out, but from what $VWthey has seen so far, $VWthey isn't thinking many flowery things.<</if>> <<if $VWrep lte -50>>$VWname enjoys very few people. You are somehow on the lower end of that list.<</if>> <</nobr>> [[Onwards|MeetGrandma]]

<<if $Password is 'seirlovesyou'>>[[Hello wee guy!|Beta Testers]]\<<elseif $Password is not 'seirlovesyou'>>Incorrect- Try again.<<textbox "$Password" "" "Password">><</if>>

Prue entered your vision, hand still on your shoulder. She smelt strongly of lavender, peppermint tea, and something else. Something soft. "You look a bit... Well.. I was wondering if there was anything else I could do for you?" Her eyes were soft, understanding. She was... Probably the first person who was treating you with sincere kindness ever since you arrived to South Hollow. It meant she probably didn't know who you were. Word spread quickly in towns, and somehow even quicker in smaller villages. Or did she know that you were a rumoured freak? If she did find out, would that earnest look in her eyes disappear and she'd yank her cup back? Throw the complimentary treats outside? Despite only having met her for just a short while you don't think you could bear it. Not even because you <b>liked </b> her. Such kindness offered and then ripped away... Well. You needed to get out of here. You were here for a reason. Drinking down the rest of it, you pocketed the treats given to you and stood. "Yes. Thank you for the drink." You dug out the notebook, showing the address to her. "Do you know how to get to here?" She picked up your empty cup and leaned in to read. "Ah. Yes, I know who lives there. Clare. So, you go up the street, just out the door. You will carry on for about three minutes before you reach the stables. Then you continue down the street on the left. There will be a yellow painted door. That's where you go." She gave you a smile. "Say hello to her for me, hm?" You tucked the notebook back away and gave her a nod. "Thank you." [[Outside...|MG.OffToGrandma]]

Her face dropped for just a moment. Then she started cackling. "Oh, I like you. I always told my kid that vinegar attracts more than honey ever could." She giggled again and took a long drag of her cigarette. "Well, let me know if you change your mind. Better than listening to the old bitch wail." You turned back away, feeling... Disconcerted. There was something about her that made your skin crawl, and it wasn't that she was one of the dozens of prostitutes that you'd seen around. Walking up to the yellow door, you finally heard something over the bird song. Crying. You paused in raising your hand but... You already came all this way. And you were doing this for Luke, technically. You need find out what happened to him. You took a deep breath and knocked. The crying quietened. There was shuffling inside. The door opened. A soft brown, bloodshot eye peeked out. Stiff grey hair curling over an eyebrow. "Wh... Who is it?" <ul><li>[[Let's ease her into this. "Can I come in, Mrs Buckley? It's better to do this in private."|MG.Avoid]]</li> <li>[[Nothing but the truth, right off the bat. "I... I want to find out what happened to Luke."|MG.Direct]]</li> <li>[[God. She would never let you in if she knew you were being accused of his murder. "I'm helping with the investigation with the Captain. I have a few more questions."|MG.Lie]]</li> </ul>

She stared. Then she snorted loudly. "//No, thank you ma'am.//" She mimicked, her voice getting more scratchy. "Oh, what a proper posh little cunt you are." The woman threw her cigarette down onto the ground and pulled a drooping sleeve back up, over her shoulder. "Fuck off, would you? You make me dryer than a desert." You turned back away, feeling... Disconcerted. There was something about her that made your skin crawl, and it wasn't that she was one of the dozens of prostitutes that you'd seen around. Walking up to the yellow door, you finally heard something over the bird song. Crying. You paused in raising your hand but... You already came all this way. And you were doing this for Luke, technically. You need find out what happened to him. You took a deep breath and knocked. The crying quietened. There was shuffling inside. The door opened. A soft brown, bloodshot eye peeked out. Stiff grey hair curling over an eyebrow. "Wh... Who is it?" <ul><li>[[Let's ease her into this. "Can I come in, Mrs Buckley? It's better to do this in private."|MG.Avoid]]</li> <li>[[Nothing but the truth, right off the bat. "I... I want to find out what happened to Luke."|MG.Direct]]</li> <li>[[God. She would never let you in if she knew you were being accused of his murder. "I'm helping with the investigation with the Captain. I have a few more questions."|MG.Lie]]</li> </ul>

She blinked a few times. "You're kidding me, dearie. I'm offering to<<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">> make you cum your stupid little brains out<<elseif $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">> play with your little dick until you cum<<elseif $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">> see if I can finger a couple of orgasms outta ya<</if>>. Were you born yesterday? It would be kinda cute if it wasn't so embarrassing for you." She gave a giggle and stubbed out her cigarette on the brick wall. "You should probably get back to the nursery, duckie." You turned back away, feeling... Disconcerted. There was something about her that made your skin crawl, and it wasn't that she was one of the dozens of prostitutes that you'd seen around. Walking up to the yellow door, you finally heard something over the bird song. Crying. You paused in raising your hand but... You already came all this way. And you were doing this for Luke, technically. You need find out what happened to him. You took a deep breath and knocked. The crying quietened. There was shuffling inside. The door opened. A soft brown, bloodshot eye peeked out. Stiff grey hair curling over an eyebrow. "Wh... Who is it?" <ul><li>[[Let's ease her into this. "Can I come in, Mrs Buckley? It's better to do this in private."|MG.Avoid]]</li> <li>[[Nothing but the truth, right off the bat. "I... I want to find out what happened to Luke."|MG.Direct]]</li> <li>[[God. She would never let you in if she knew you were being accused of his murder. "I'm helping with the investigation with the Captain. I have a few more questions."|MG.Lie]]</li> </ul>

Her eyebrows furrowed a bit but she gave a sniffle. She pulled back a bit and pulled out a wrinkled handkerchief and rubbed at her nose. "I... Well... It's not a good time. I can't take in any washing right now. A-And if you're from the landlord then-" "No, I'm not here for any of that." You leaned in a bit. "It's about Luke." Her eyes widened. And the door slammed shut. You were about to despair when you heard the sound of something being dragged out the way before the door swung open. There stood Clare Buckley. Grey-white hair, spilling over her face. Slightly tanned skin, wide brown eyes, wearing a rumpled night gown. A large pair of spectacles hung from a chain. "Come in, come in!" She opened the door wider, ushering you inside. [[You step inside|MG.AHouse]]

Her eyes widened, looking like they were about to pop right out of her head. Grandma Buckley swayed worringly, gripping the front part of her dress, crumpling it with shaking fingers. "I... Oh... You... You..." She shook her head weakly. Then slammed the door shut. You felt despair curl in your stomach and you were about to raise your hand to knock again, when you heard the sound of something being dragged out the way before the door swung open. There stood Clare Buckley. Grey-white hair, spilling over her face. Slightly tanned skin, wide brown eyes, wearing a rumpled night gown. A large pair of spectacles hung from a chain. "I think... It would be best if you came inside." She opened the door wider, ushering you inside. [[You step inside|MG.DHouse]]

<<set $GBlie to true>><<set $townpoints -= 1>>Her watery eyes widened. "Did you find out something new? Do you need me to come in? Did the murderer- W-Wait!" The door slammed shut. You could hear the sound of something being dragged out the way before the door swung open. There stood Clare Buckley. Grey-white hair, spilling over her face. Slightly tanned skin, wide brown eyes, wearing a rumpled night gown. A large pair of spectacles hung from a chain. "Come in, come in!" She opened the door wider, ushering you inside. "Anything to help the law." [[You step inside|MG.LHouse]]

<<set $RideIn to true>><<set $RileyRide to true>>Riley seemed to feel your gaze and raised one eyebrow, the side that still had an eyebrow. "I'd love to catch a ride... But..." You struggled to come up with anything. Did you even know why? <<cycle "$rileyflirt" autoselect>> <<option "✴︎ He was attractive. You wouldn't mind... Cuddling up. In a way." 5>> <<option "☾ You didn't know why. Something about him made you feel warm." -5>><</cycle>> "Come up." Riley grunted, holding his hand out to you. "There's not enough room on your horse, $ERname." $cERthey glanced at the taller man and looked back towards you. Some pink flushed across $ERtheir cheeks but $ERthey shrugged $ERtheir shoulders. You headed over to Riley and placed your hand in his- You were pulled straight up, completely off your feet! A second hand came and gripped your side, expertly tucking you into the saddle, right behind him. You caught the scent of sandalwood. Lavender. And... Overwhelmingly... Of blood. Before you could even say anything, Riley dug his heels into the horse's sides and spurred them on. the other two trailing behind. You glanced around for Seir, only to find $Seirthem vanished once more. Getting comfortable, you looked forward. Towards Northvale. [[Onwards|MG.RileyRideIn]]

<<audio "northvaleride" play>>It was nice. Not being on your feet for the rest of the way. It was also nice that your reputation was apparently not known by the three riders. Mervyn Kirkland. You only wrangled his first name from him after some teasing. The boy, quite a bit younger than you, seemed embarrassed about it, and so everyone just called him Kirkland. He seemed unsteady on the horse, wide eyed and skittish and nearly jumping out of the saddle every time the horse reared its head. Every now and then he'd look at Riley with an almost pleading expression, which was flatly ignored. He also wouldn't stop apologising to you for the first 5 minutes of the ride, for nearly running you over. $ERname Rawlins. "Em" to the other two apparently. $cERthey seemed roughly the same age as you, if less world-weary. Every time you look over to $ERthem, $ERtheir cheeks blush slightly but $ERthey meets your eyes you a slightly crooked smile. $cERtheir black hair ruffled further in the breeze and fell into $ERtheir eyes everytime $ERthey looked away from you. And Riley Lynch. The man with half of his face burnt red and raw even with how old it was, no doubt. He didn't speak much, just sighed, grunted and wielded snide and sarcasm like a weapon, which neither of his companions seemed to mind much. In fact, they seemed to enjoy it. It was never aimed at you, though. In fact, he was the one who roughly shoved a flask of water at you half way into the ride, which you took a few grateful sips from. You probably should have been more wary of strangers, but you were horrifically thirsty. Too bad he smelt good too.<<if $rileyflirt is 5>> You liked that his shoulders were too broad to peer over, just around. Or that he'd glance at you out of the corner of his eye after turning his head just a bit. Or when he gave a grunt when you rested your hands on his sides to keep yourself steady.<<elseif $rileyflirt is -5>> You felt more at ease, sitting behind him.<<if $height is "very short" or $height is "short" or $height is "average">> He was tall enough to give you some shade from the sun beating down upon you.<<elseif $height is "tall">> He was tall enough to give you a modicum of shade from the sun beating down upon you.<<elseif $height is "very tall">> You two were the same height, so the ride was a bit squished, but you didn't seem to mind.<</if>> It was nice.<</if>> None of them lived in town. The group didn't even live in Northvale. $ERname $ERthemselves lived in what was described hurriedly as "a nice house", which Riley snorted at. The others mentioned in passing that they lived around each other. A tiny village of some sorts, more towards the east of Northvale. $ERname was the younger sibling to the $LRtitle of the land. Once you got to the top of the hill on the way to the village, Kirkland took the moment to point out how vast the Rawlins land was. "So, from the sea, all the way over there. Aaaaaall the way back over to there." He made exaggerated movements with his hand before turning back to you. "That's all land that belongs to $LRname- uh, $LRtitle Rawlins." You blinked. That was... A lot of land. The cliffs that dropped off into the grey ocean were a good twenty-nine miles of land to the main road, which definitely encompassed the entire town of South Hollow and most of the surrounding villages. "So, why don't you-" "We like our peace." Riley cut you off, pulling on the reins of his horse and patting the creature between the ears<<if $animalism_m is true>> (//''oh yes very good yes yes//'')<</if>>. "It takes a while to get from town to our place. Hell, it's easier to walk. And no Lord will be caught dead in his walking boots trying to get an audience with the one person who holds almost all the land in the area." You could see what he meant. Riley urged his horse forward, and the other two followed, Kirkland with an uneasy mumble. "So, should I have been addressing you as <<if $ERgender is "male">>Lord<<elseif $ERgender is "female">> Lady<</if>> too?" You finally asked $ERname, looking over. You felt Riley shift in his seat. "Ah... No. No, $LRname already has a son, so there's no hope that I ever inherit the land. No, just $ERname." $cERthey seemed to blush, but that could just be the climbing sun. [[Onwards|MG.NorthvaleEntry3]]

It wasn't too long after that when your group finally arrived in the little village. It was a rather sleepy looking place, farmers slowly pulling their soft eyed cows through the dusty street, houses that needed a repaint with gardens that were absolutely bursting with flowers.<<if $truesurname is "Gwyn">> It reminded you of the Parish of your childhood really. Money that couldn't cover repairs went into the garden.<</if>> It was... Cozy. Riley got down from his saddle with a grunt before reaching up and firmly grabbing your waist and lifting you. It was more comfortable than the way he picked you up and he brought you down to your feet. Kirkland offered you a goodbye before urging his horse forward, only to look back in confusion when he wasn't followed. "I... Ah.. Will you get home alright?" $ERname gave you a lopsided grin, as if $ERthey were trying to hide $ERtheir crooked canines from you. "I could wait around. Give you a ride back." Riley snorted softly.<<if $seirform is "dog">> It reminded you of how Seir snorts through $Seirtheir canine snout, often with derision when encountering something stupid.<</if>> You thought about it for a moment. It would be handy to get back on time. But also... After this, it would be easier to get back home to your cottage and then into town. You just... Needed a second. Just one would be good. "No, thank you." You finally said. $ERname blushed a bit, rubbing $ERtheir fingers over $ERtheir scarred cheek, as if to dull the colour by force alone. "Well.. Uh.. I'll see you around. O-Or drop by the manor. Murtaugh House, we pointed it out on our ride. Come by anytime. We don't bite." For a moment $ERtheir lips pulled back into a proper grin, showing off $ERtheir wolfish canines. As if $ERthey had just made a joke. "Alright, get going." Riley rolled his eyes and $ERname ducked $ERtheir head, urging $ERtheir horse towards Kirkland, whose own was tossing its head with agitation<<if $animalism_m is true>> (//''gotta poop!! gotta poop!!//'')<</if>>. Riley took the reins of his own horse firmly. "Alright. Hope you don't want a ride back. No matter what the kid says, we ain't sticking around." He stuck a foot into one of the stirrups and heaved himself up. He was a big man, broad shoulders yet limber and lean. It was unfair that he seemed so at ease. "See you around, Trouble." Then, digging his heels into the sides of his horse, he urged the beast onwards, towards the other two. The three riders gone quicker than they were here. You looked around. There was an open tea shop, a butcher with a closed sign and all the other shops were shut. You often forgot that South Hollow was a place that was always full force ahead, while other places allowed for the fact that it was Sunday and most people wanted to take a day to actually rest. Tea shop it was. You headed towards it, only to catch a glimpse of yourself in the freshly cleaned windows. You were a sight. Dusty from the road, already a mess from your uncomfortable night in the cells. The clothes themselves? The ones you wore to never stick out, which worked some of the time. Some days you saw beggars with nicer attire. You didn't dare to be noticeable however. <<if $gender is "Nonbinary" or $passinggender is "Neither">>It was basically rags. It was hard to tell if you were wearing trousers or a skirt some days, with the former too baggy and the latter too oddly stitched to tell. A rumpled shirt, a simple coat. There was an unfortunate tear in the leg garment, where if you leaned in the wrong direction, it revealed an unfortunate amount of your leg. It's gotten you more than a few leers. Not to mention that your shirt was too short. Even a small stretch would reveal your stomach.<<elseif $gender is "Man" or $gender is "Trans Man" or $passinggender is "Man">>Your trousers were scuffed and ill-fitting. The shirt was stained at the cuffs with two buttons missing from the top, which once made an elderly woman spit at you and call you a giggolo. The waistcoat you managed to nab was far too big for you and the coat was too small, the sleeves ending just above your wrists.<<elseif $gender is "Woman" or $gender is "Trans Woman" or $passinggender is "Woman">>Your dress was mostly patches with how many times you had to mend it. The hem dragged in the back, staining it a dirt brown, your shoes didn't have laces, and your neckline was so faded and low that... Well, you've made sure never to linger on street corners, too many drunken men have tried to paw at you.<</if>> You hadn't been in clothes you... Would actually like to wear for quite some time. You shook your head. Not now. You'll be hanged in the clothes you're wearing if the Captain decided you were well and truly guilty. [[You pushed open the door to the teashop.|MG.Teashop]] <<audio "northvalewalk" stop>>

<b>Please pick your crime</b><<timed 4s>><<goto "PO.21">><</timed>>

<<audio "heartbeat" stop>><h1>Next time...</h1> You stared across the table at $SRname, glass in hand, and an easy, sharp smile aimed right at you. The chair, you were on, cushioned, soft, luxurious, felt like wood. Your heart was beating too fast. Making you sweat. Where was Seir? The $SRtitle slowly stood, and came around the table, gently cupping the back of your head and tilting some of the drink down your throat. "For the nerves, sweetness." Came $SRtheir soft, lilting murmur. "Now... I need you to see a few people for me." [[The Meeting]]

<h1>Before the end of Episode 1...</h1> //The bench was cramped. Not to either side of you, goodness knows that no one would have ever sat next to you. They were all just squished together uncomfortably <<if $height is "short" or $height is "very short">>and the only saving grace was that your legs weren't long enough to scrape the wood.<<elseif $height is "average" or $height is "tall">>and your poor knees were getting the worst of it. You scraped them every time you adjust in your seat.<<elseif $height is "very tall">> and your legs were taking the brunt of that decision. It was cramped, your feet had pins and needles and you were sure this was some sort of medieval torture method of forcibly shrinking you.<</if>> The hard seats of the benches was what occupied your mind mostly, unable or unwilling to focus on your "betters" arguing back and forth, wasting their night on this town meeting. Even though Starling and $SRname had both agreed, it was a long shot, this seemed too long of a fucking shot- The doors slammed open, making you jump for the second time that night. Three figures strode in, and just their presence had the other attendees fall into a short stupor of silence. You recognised two of them.<<if $RideIn is false>> They were the ones who passed you on the road. The dark haired one and the talled scarred one.<<elseif $RideIn is true>> It was $ERname and Riley!<</if>> They both flanked a <<if $LRgender is "male">>man<<elseif $LRgender is "female">>woman<</if>> you had never seen before. Tall and imposing, $LRthey seemed to instill a certain tension in the room you hadn't felt before. $cLRtheir coat collar was pulled up, hiding a section of $LRtheir face<<if $LRgender is "male">> yet the rest of his clothes seemed too...Open. No waistcoat, his shirt mostly unbuttoned to reveal a scarred chest, hair loose and greying. He seemed totally at ease to be in a state of semi undress, either not caring about the opinions of those around him, or...Not seeing them as opinions to care about.<<elseif $LRgender is "female">> yet the rest of her clothes seemed too... Open. No sensible jacket, her shirt somewhat unbuttoned to reveal a small section of the top of her corset, hair loose and greying. She seemed totally at ease to be in a state of semi undress, either not caring about the opinions of those around her, or... Not seeing them as opinions to care about.<</if>> "A-Ah! $LRtitle $LRname Rawlins! Yes, well, we can put our other discussions on hold as we quickly-" The head speaker quickly shuffled some papers, knocking half down, and struggling to meet $LRtheir hard gaze. You caught a glimpse of grey-blue eyes, narrowed and unamused. ------------------------- You didn't want to intrude on their conversation, so you just hovered a bit by the edge, ready to approach at any moment, without risking...Something. You understand what Grandma Buckley had said about...Well. The people that were giving Luke trouble. $LRname had $LRtheir arms folded, looking, somehow, in a worse temper than $LRthey did when $LRthey came in. "That was a complete waste of my time. Hauling me away from home to discuss if I'll allow them to build on the edge of my land?" <<nobr>> <<if $RideIn is true>>$ERname hummed along, not seeming to be listening all that close either, while Riley sighed through his nose.<<elseif $RideIn is false>>The smallest one, the one with dark hair hummed a bit as $LRthey talked. The scarred blond shifted his weight from foot to foot, looking impatient.<</if>><</nobr>> $LRname continued to rattle off reasons that the meeting was pointless, until $LRtheir cold eyes settled onto you. <<if $RideIn is true>>"Riley. Whose the hanger on pretending $they <<if $pronouns is "theythem">>aren't<<else>>isn't<</if>> one. Friend of yours?" <<if $RileyRide is true>>Riley glanced over his shoulder at you and his mouth quirked.<<if $rileyflirt gte 5>> "Oh. $cthem. I'm pretty sure $they <<if $pronouns is "theythem">>are<<else>>is<</if>> just dying for another ride."<<elseif $rileyflirt lte -5>> "Oh. That little thing. I can guess what $they <<if $pronouns is "itits">>want<<else>>wants<</if>> but hearing it would put $them into shock."<<else>> "Hm? Oh. Them. Just a little hitchiker." He couldn't help but give a snicker. "$cthey preferred me as a ride though. Poor $ERname.<</if>><<elseif $ERide is true>>Riley gave you a glance but it was $ERname that lit up, starting to wave at you. "Hello again." $ERthey called over, standing back as if to invite you into the huddle. Which Riley and $LRname both frowned at.<</if>><<elseif $RideIn is false>>The blond glanced over his shoulder at you, raising a scarred eyebrow. "... Don't think I know em. $ERname, whose the eavesdropper?" He nudged the smaller one, and $ERthey glanced around too. $cERtheir eyes lit up in recognition. "I'm sure we met $them while out riding..."<</if>>// [[That night......]]

//Rain pelted against the windows. Seir was snoozing (or pretending to) by your side. The weight was finally off your feet, and you had scrubbed yourself, changed into your sleep clothes and collapsed into bed. It had been... An awful day. Your muscles twinged every time you shifted... But the night was finally setting in. You could sleep now... You drifted off, to Seir's soft, rehearsed breaths and your own lulled heart beat... Unaware of the dead eyes looking in at you from your window, a dead hand pushing it open slowly...// [[End of Previews|END]]

<<if $dyecolour is "light pink">><<set $haircolour to "light pink">><<elseif $dyecolour is "dark pink">><<set $haircolour to "dark pink">><<elseif $dyecolour is "light blue">><<set $haircolour to "light blue">><<elseif $dyecolour is "dark blue">><<set $haircolour to "dark blue">><<elseif $dyecolour is "light blue">><<set $haircolour to "light blue">><<elseif $dyecolour is "dark blue">><<set $haircolour to "dark blue">><<elseif $dyecolour is "light purple">><<set $haircolour to "light purple">><<elseif $dyecolour is "dark purple">><<set $haircolour to "dark purple">><<elseif $dyecolour is "light green">><<set $haircolour to "light green">><<elseif $dyecolour is "dark green">><<set $haircolour to "dark green">><<elseif $dyecolour is "light orange">><<set $haircolour to "light orange">><<elseif $dyecolour is "burnt orange">><<set $haircolour to "burnt orange">><<elseif $dyecolour is "dark orange">><<set $haircolour to "dark orange">><<elseif $dyecolour is "silver">><<set $haircolour to "silver">><</if>><<if $dyecolour is "none">> <<if $naturalhaircolour is "ebony black">><<set $haircolour to "ebony black">><<elseif $naturalhaircolour is "tawny brown">><<set $haircolour to "tawny brown">><<elseif $naturalhaircolour is "chestnut brown">><<set $haircolour to "chestnut brown">><<elseif $naturalhaircolour is "honey blond">><<set $haircolour to "honey blond">><<elseif $naturalhaircolour is "ash blond">><<set $haircolour to "ash blond">><<elseif $naturalhaircolour is "strawberry blond">><<set $haircolour to "strawberry blond">><<elseif $naturalhaircolour is "dark blond">><<set $haircolour to "dark blond">><<elseif $naturalhaircolour is "deep red">><<set $haircolour to "deep red">><<elseif $naturalhaircolour is "bright red">><<set $haircolour to "bright red">><<elseif $naturalhaircolour is "ivory white">><<set $haircolour to "ivory white">><<elseif $naturalhaircolour is "ginger">><<set $haircolour to "ginger">><</if>><</if>> <</if>> <<if "$beautymark" is "beauty mark by their eye" or "$beautymark" is "beauty mark by their lip" or "$beautymark" is "many beauty marks" or "$beautymark" is "beauty mark on their cheek">><<set $bm to true>><</if>> <<if "$freckles" is "a few freckles" or "$freckles" is "many freckles">><<set $fr to true>><</if>> <<if $facialhair is 'shaven' or $facialhair is 'stubble' or $facialhair is 'beard' or $facialhair is 'goatee' or $facialhair is 'moustache' or $facialhair is 'sideburns'>><<set $fh to true>><</if>> <<if $scar is "eyebrow" or $scar is "throat" or $scar is "nose" or $scar is "lip" or $scar is "back" or $scar is "chest" or $scar is "wrists">><<set $sc to true>><</if>><<goto "QS.1 Recap">>

<<if $power1 is "Nothing" and $power2 is "Nothing" and $power3 is "Nothing" and $power4 is "Nothing">><b>Please fill out your powers</b><<timed 3s>><<goto "QS.1Powers">><</timed>><<else>><<goto "QS.1PowersCheck">><</if>>

<<nobr>><<if $previousmagic is true>>What magic did you have previously? <<cycle "$whatpreviousmagic" autoselect>> <<option "Light">> <<option "Elemental">> <<option "Grey">> <<option "Naturism">> <</cycle>><</if>><</nobr>> You have <<print "$power1">>, <<print "$power2">>, <<print "$power3">>, <<print "$power4">>. Correct? [[Yes|QS.1Wealth]] [[No|QS.1Powers]]

''What are you in prison for?'' <<if $truesurname is "Mortmain">><<set _prisoncrime = ["Nothing", "Arson", "Prostitution", "Con artistry", "Theft", "Innocent"]>><<listbox "$prisoncrime">> <<optionsfrom _prisoncrime>> <</listbox>> <span id="prisoncrime-info">(Nothing)</span> <<script>> $(document).one(":passagerender", function (event) { var description = { "Nothing": "Please Select", "Arson": "You couldn't help it. You couldn't stop it. You were just so angry... Then before long the fire was out of control...", "Prostitution": "You needed the money! You had been let go from the house. There was no other way to make the rent quickly, especially when you were left without your wages...", "Con artistry": "You were good at it. You needed the money and if people were dumb enough to fall for it all... Well.", "Theft": "They had so much... Too much! Silver and jewels and paintings that they hardly even noticed. So what if you had taken from the house? You and your mother had been starving...", "Innocent": "You had no idea what had happened... You had gone to the house after visiting your mother, and the police had been waiting for you. You were charged with a theft you didn't commit.", }; $(event.content).find("#prisoncrimeinfo").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.prisoncrime]); $(event.content).find("#listbox-prisoncrime").on("change", function (event) { $("#prisoncrime-info").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.prisoncrime]); }); }); <</script>><<elseif $truesurname is "Buchanan">><<set _prisoncrime = ["Nothing", "Counterfeiting", "Assault", "Manslaughter", "Grave Robbing", "Innocent"]>><<listbox "$prisoncrime">> <<optionsfrom _prisoncrime>> <</listbox>> <span id="prisoncrime-info">(Nothing)</span> <<script>> $(document).one(":passagerender", function (event) { var description = { "Nothing": "Please Select", "Counterfeiting": "Your uncle said he wanted your help in his business. Even when you found out was it was... Well, you were good.", "Assault": "You... Well. It wasn't pretty. But you had to. You were so angry that someone was trying to take advantage of your grandparents...", "Manslaughter": "It was the worst way for a duel to end. You didn't point to the sky, your shot was true. And they died a few hours later...", "Grave Robbing": "You were NOT letting him get buried with the things your family still needed! It was unjust! ", "Innocent": "You had no idea what had happened... You had awoken one day to pounding at the door... And found out your uncle had implicated you in his fraud.", }; $(event.content).find("#prisoncrimeinfo").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.prisoncrime]); $(event.content).find("#listbox-prisoncrime").on("change", function (event) { $("#prisoncrime-info").empty().wiki(description[State.variables.prisoncrime]); }); }); <</script>><</if>> [[Onwards|QS.1CrimeCheck]]

<<if $prisoncrime is "Nothing">><<goto "QS.1CheckCrimes">><<else>><<goto "QS.1Start">><</if>>

<b>Please pick your crime</b><<timed 4s>><<goto "QS.1PrisonCheck">><</timed>>

The house was... Well. It was lovely. Small, but it was endearingly cosy. There was a room with a kitchen, dining and living area squished together immediately upon entering, but it didn't feel cramped. Watercolours of kittens hung from the wall, the rugs were faded and the threads worn in some places. It was... Homely. The smell of fresh laundry wafted in from the back door, where you could catch a glimpse of the small garden. There were... Just a few things... That hinted that not all was well. The couch in the living room was messy, a man's shirts laying crumpled, alongside used handkerchiefs. Two plates on the table lay bare, with the breakfast laid out long since forgotten. Bacon that had congealed in it's own grease, toasted bread either burnt or gone hard, cold meats that were looking like they had been lying out in the warm air for a bit too long. Grandma Buckley led you further in, sitting down on one side of the couch and immediately dragging one of the shirts over to rest against her stomach. She sniffed once more and rubbed her puffy eyebags. Her fingers curled into the fabric, unaware of the strained, stretching sound it made, one of the buttons pulled taut. "... So you... Wanted to talk about Luke?" No time like the present. Time to ask. But not... Too much too fast. <ul> <li>[[You casted your mind back to the morgue. Would Starling have Luke's things? "Did he carry anything valuable on him?"|MG.Stole]]</li> <li>[[The road he was on wasn't a shortcut out to North Vale. It wasn't even a good way to get on the road out. "What was Luke's usual schedule? Is there a reason he was out, near Oldstone Crossing?"|MG.Schedule]]</li> <li>[[His life couldn't have been all work and no play. "Did Luke have any activities in the Hollow? Out of work, I mean."|MG.Activities]]</li></ul>

The house was... Well. It was lovely. Small, but it was endearingly cosy. There was a room with a kitchen, dining and living area squished together immediately upon entering, but it didn't feel cramped. Watercolours of kittens hung from the wall, the rugs were faded and the threads worn in some places. It was... Homely. The smell of fresh laundry wafted in from the back door, where you could catch a glimpse of the small garden. There were... Just a few things... That hinted that not all was well. The couch in the living room was messy, a man's shirts laying crumpled, alongside used handkerchiefs. Two plates on the table lay bare, with the breakfast laid out long since forgotten. Bacon that had congealed in it's own grease, toasted bread either burnt or gone hard, cold meats that were looking like they had been lying out in the warm air for a bit too long. Grandma Buckley led you further in, sitting down on one side of the couch and immediately dragging one of the shirts over to rest against her stomach. She sniffed once more and rubbed her puffy eyebags. Her fingers curled into the fabric, unaware of the strained, stretching sound it made, one of the buttons pulled taut. "You wanted to... Help?" No time like the present. Time to ask. But not... Too much too fast. <ul> <li>[[You casted your mind back to the morgue. Would Starling have Luke's things? "Did he carry anything valuable on him?"|MG.Stole]]</li> <li>[[The road he was on wasn't a shortcut out to North Vale. It wasn't even a good way to get on the road out. "What was Luke's usual schedule? Is there a reason he was out, near Oldstone Crossing?"|MG.Schedule]]</li> <li>[[His life couldn't have been all work and no play. "Did Luke have any activities in the Hollow? Out of work, I mean."|MG.Activities]]</li></ul>

The house was... Well. It was lovely. Small, but it was endearingly cosy. There was a room with a kitchen, dining and living area squished together immediately upon entering, but it didn't feel cramped. Watercolours of kittens hung from the wall, the rugs were faded and the threads worn in some places. It was... Homely. The smell of fresh laundry wafted in from the back door, where you could catch a glimpse of the small garden. There were... Just a few things... That hinted that not all was well. The couch in the living room was messy, a man's shirts laying crumpled, alongside used handkerchiefs. Two plates on the table lay bare, with the breakfast laid out long since forgotten. Bacon that had congealed in it's own grease, toasted bread either burnt or gone hard, cold meats that were looking like they had been lying out in the warm air for a bit too long. Grandma Buckley led you further in, sitting down on one side of the couch and immediately dragging one of the shirts over to rest against her stomach. She sniffed once more and rubbed her puffy eyebags. Her fingers curled into the fabric, unaware of the strained, stretching sound it made, one of the buttons pulled taut. "So... Did... Did you need anything new? Did you find out anything?" No time like the present. Time to ask. But not... Too much too fast. <ul> <li>[[You casted your mind back to the morgue. Would Starling have Luke's things? "Did he carry anything valuable on him?"|MG.Stole]]</li> <li>[[The road he was on wasn't a shortcut out to North Vale. It wasn't even a good way to get on the road out. "What was Luke's usual schedule? Is there a reason he was out, near Oldstone Crossing?"|MG.Schedule]]</li> <li>[[His life couldn't have been all work and no play. "Did Luke have any activities in the Hollow? Out of work, I mean."|MG.Activities]]</li></ul>

@@#blinky;Spith@@ <<script>> $(document).one(':passagerender', function (ev) { $(ev.content).find("#blinky").fadeTo(1000, 0).fadeTo(1000, 1).delay(200).fadeTo(1000, 0).fadeTo(1000, 1).delay(200).fadeTo(1000, 0).fadeTo(1000, 1); $(ev.content).find("#blinky"); setTimeout( function () { $(ev.content).find("#blinky"); }, 1000); setTimeout( function () { $(ev.content).find("#blinky"); }, 3200); setTimeout( function () { $(ev.content).find("#blinky"); }, 5400); }); <</script>>

<<set $MGStole to true>>Grandma Buckley took a short breath and tucked the shirt against her stomach, folding her arms to keep it pressed there. She chewed on her bottom lip a bit before sighing. "I don't think so. He isn't a flashy boy. Wasn't. I think he only carried around his earnings when he got them on the day, then right back home to put it in the tin. At most he had a few coins for... Food. A drink. Maybe... Maybe a book. He liked his books. Maybe that? But it would only be a few silvers." She spoke haltingly. Hm. Probably not killed in a robbery or a pickpocketing gone wrong then. <ul><<if $MGSchedule is false>> <li>[[The road he was on wasn't a shortcut out to North Vale. It wasn't even a good way to get on the road out. "What was Luke's usual schedule? Is there a reason he was out, near Oldstone Crossing?"|MG.Schedule]]</li><</if>> <<if $MGActivities is false>> <li>[[His life couldn't have been all work and no play. "Did Luke have any activities in the Hollow? Out of work, I mean."|MG.Activities]]</li><</if>> <<if $MGActivities is true and $MGSchedule is true and $MGStole is true>> [[Grandma Buckley suddenly sat up. "A drink. Yes. A drink?"|MG.2]]<</if>></ul>

<<set $MGSchedule to true>>She frowned a bit, fingers rising up to pick at her shirt, digging her nail into the fabric. "I think he might have been heading back to the road out? He likes to drop off things at Dacre House, before taking the long way around to pick up some food for the night. Usually Pigeon, or... Well." She suddenly looked nervous. "Uh... Iberico ham. Yes, that's what he called it." <<if $wealth is "rich">>Iberico ham? Wasn't that a bit too... Well... <b>Expensive</b>? For them. You've had it, of course. You couldn't even imagine that boy and his grandmother eating one of the highest-priced cuts of meats in the world off of a salary that consisted of a book clerk and the occassional laundry take-in.<<elseif $wealth is "poor">>Well... That seemed... Not correct? You had seen those cuts of ham before, but the price was astronomical. You'd have needed to sell your possessions and the clothes off your back to afford it. Luke? Grandma? They'd have to be working every day, over hours for over a year to afford it most probably.<</if>> But probably not the best time to bring it up now. Later. <ul><<if $MGStole is false>> <li>[[You casted your mind back to the morgue. Would Starling have Luke's things? "Did he carry anything valuable on him?"|MG.Stole]]</li><</if>> <<if $MGActivities is false>> <li>[[His life couldn't have been all work and no play. "Did Luke have any activities in the Hollow? Out of work, I mean."|MG.Activities]]</li><</if>> <<if $MGActivities is true and $MGSchedule is true and $MGStole is true>> [[Grandma Buckley suddenly sat up. "A drink. Yes. A drink?"|MG.2]]<</if>></ul>

<<set $MGActivities to true>>She took a moment to think about it properly. She sat up a bit more in her seat, sending her dangling glasses into a gentle spin, reflecting flashes of light against the walls. "Well... He liked to read with that one girl. Patsy? I think there was a few of them actually, not just her. They'd share a book, pass it around between them, and then talk about it. You'd have to ask Patsy about that group though." Grandma Buckley tilted her head, some of her hair falling over her shoulder. "He liked to walk. Long ones. Up and down the fields- even places he weren't supposed to be." She laughed a bit, the sound tight. "Like...?" "... Well, the land closer to that old big house. By the coast. You can't miss it. It's like a stain on the scenery. You just have to walk up one of the hills, Sunder Hill. You can only see it from up there, but then you know how to get to it. No one is really allowed over there, and Luke had been warned." She started to tear up, quickly rubbing her eyes with her cuff. "Beasts. The lot of them." <ul><<if $MGStole is false>> <li>[[You casted your mind back to the morgue. Would Starling have Luke's things? "Did he carry anything valuable on him?"|MG.Stole]]</li><</if>> <<if $MGSchedule is false>> <li>[[The road he was on wasn't a shortcut out to North Vale. It wasn't even a good way to get on the road out. "What was Luke's usual schedule? Is there a reason he was out, near Oldstone Crossing?"|MG.Schedule]]</li><</if>> <<if $MGActivities is true and $MGSchedule is true and $MGStole is true>> [[Grandma Buckley suddenly sat up. "A drink. Yes. A drink?"|MG.2]]<</if>></ul>

She stared at you, her body tense as if she couldn't wait to spring up and make herself busy. "A drink?" <<if $favouritehotdrink is true>>You immediately shook your head. "I already had something just before I got here. No, thank you." Grandma Buckley gave a hum but still got up, going to grab a tea pot and filling it up from a jug of water, before hanging it over the low fire.<<else>>You blinked. You throat did feel dry... "Maybe... A cup of <<cycle "$fhdrink">> <<option "tea" "tea">> <<option "coffee" "coffee">> <<option "hot chocolate" "hot chocolate">> <<option "chai" "chai">> <<option "hot apple cider" "hot apple cider">>?" <</cycle>>. It's <<cycle "$drinkpreference">> <<option "not your favourite. You didn't like hot drinks that much." "cold">> <<option "your favourite. You preferred hot drinks over cold ones." "hot">> <<option "one of your favourites. You liked both cold and hot drinks the same amount." "both">><</cycle>> She smiled gently, soft eyes. Then hustled into the kitchen, disappearing from view for a few moments. "... I'll have one myself, I think." She said, mostly to herself. It didn't seem she needed input. Before too long she was back in sight, hanging a pot over the low fire. "Would you like... Something to eat? All I have are all these sweets people have dropped off." She popped back into view, holding up a <<cycle "$treat">> <<option "cinnamon biscuit" "cinnamon biscuit">> <<option "pastry" "pastry">> <<option "little bowl of chocolates" "chocolate">> <<option "little bowl of mints" "mint">> <<option "little bowl of sweets" "sweet">> <<option "plain biscuit" "plain biscuit">> <<option "little bowl of mismatched fruits" "fruits">><</cycle>>. You gently declined even when your stomach seemed to purr at the sight of them. How long was it since you've eaten?<</if>> She came back after a moment, rubbing her toughened hands against her clothes before picking up the shirt again, tucking it in her hand and raising it to her lips. She didn't breath it in, just rested the fabric against her mouth. A gentle kiss, a Grandmother's goodbye against the forehead of her favourite grandchild. "He was a good boy. A beautiful boy.... Do you have- No... No... You're too young. You shouldn't have any kiddies yet. Luke's own.... Well. A child bearing a child is a wrong thing. But... You got anyone? A young one?" <<if $truesurname is "Buchanan">>"... No." You took a breath. The words escaped you before you could stop it, you couldn't, it slipped free- "But I do have my grandparents. I lived with them before... I came here."<<elseif $truesurname is "Mortmain">>"No." You took a slow breath before the words slipped free, without permission. "But I have my ma. She's the only one I got."<<elseif $truesurname is "Sharpe">>"No." But there was something in those puffy, watery eyes that made your tongue move, words slipping free. "I don't have anyone really. Not anymore. My father died not too long ago."<<elseif $truesurname is "Fox-Vincent">>"...No." Your words spilled forth, like water bursting from a dam, without permission. "I have my... I was looked after by... He's all I've had really. My mother died when I was young."<<elseif $truesurname is "Quatermain">>"No," But the words refused to stay bottled up, cracking before shattering, letting everything loose. "Don't really have anyone. But I did have a friend..."<<elseif $truesurname is "Dantes">>"...Yes." Just one word slipped by and it was as if something burst forth, rearing its ugly head. "Yes, I have a little brother. He's... Well, sick. He's lovely."<<elseif $truesurname is "Beckett">>"Well..." You struggled to find the right wording, but something else did it for you. "I'm... I have a niece and nephew. And an older sister. I guess I was the baby before they came along. They're lovely."<<elseif $truesurname is "Monroth">>"... I... Well.." Your words leaked through before it all seemed to gush forth. "I'm the youngest. But my mother.. Well, she's sick. Was always worried about her."<<elseif $truesurname is "Adler">>"... Sort of." What could you say? That you left behind everything to prove that you weren't your parents only to- "A friend. I had a friend." You suddenly blurted out, feeling the phantom hand in yours, squeezing tight with fear.<<elseif $truesurname is "Knight">>"... Sort of." What could you say? That you doubted the people that took you in would ever want to see you again? "A friend. I had a friend." You suddenly blurted out, feeling the phantom hand in yours, squeezing tight with fear.<<elseif $truesurname is "De Maintenon">>"...N... No." The words caught in your throat. What could you say? That in the future you would have maybe had a child? That your- "I was married. Widowed now. But I did... Have... Someone."<<elseif $truesurname is "Gwyn">>"...No." The words caught in your throat. "I did have... Someone. But I... Well.. I was left behind."<</if>> Grandma Buckley's eyes seem to tear up more and she leaned over to squeeze your hand gently. Softly. "It never stops hurting, does it? When someone is... Gone.. Or just away... Or we can't..." She took a shaky breath and buried her face into the shirt with a soft sob. She shook for a while, unable to do anything but cry. You were frozen. Not sure what to do. It's as if your time living alone, with nothing but Seir to keep you company had robbed you of something. Compassion? Empathy? The ability to... Do anything in the face of such distress? Your fingers curled into the fabric of your clothes, as she continued to cry, slowly trailing off into just a few sniffles. A whining you thought was coming from her rose into a whistle and you realised it was the kettle hanging over the fire. You quickly stood, going into the kitchen, you noticed all the flowers. Lavender, Primroses, Cornflowers. You picked up a towel and heaved the kettle off the hook and set it down, by the prepared mugs. One, with the remants of a coffee, no doubt having stood out for hours. Luke's? You busied yourself before coming back, tea tray in hand and sat down. She immediately leaned forward and took her mug, hurriedly sipping it as if it could force the tears back down. [[She took a breath... "Thank you."|MG.3]]

<<set $MGBother to false>><<set $MGGrudge to false>><<set $MGBehaviours to false>><<set $notebook to false>>She took little sips from her cup. After a moment she finally set it back down with a sigh. She quickly picked up a $treat off the tray and popped it in her mouth, chewing almost desperately. "Please... Go on." She finally said. "I... Please." You adjusted yourself in your seat. Alright. Next. <ul> <li>[[You shouldn't say enemies... That would set off alarm bells. "Was there anyone bothering Luke? Either at work or socially?"|MG.Bother]]</li> <li>[[Alright. People Luke didn't like? Maybe something happened? "Did Luke have a grudge against someone?"|MG.Grudge]]</li> <li>[[Maybe the boy thought something was off? "Was Luke acting strangely? Or was it business as usual?"|MG.Behaviours]]</li></ul>

<<set $LRGB to true>><<set $MGBother to true>>"Bothering Luke?" She repeated softly. She seemed almost lost in the question before she sat up straight and took a harsh gulp from her cup. You wondered if her tongue had gone numb from the heat of her drink. "Yes." She finally slammed the cup down, a steely look in her eyes. Hardened. "That <<if $LRgender is "female">>bitch<<else>>bastard<</if>> from the house, the one I was telling you about. The so called $LRtitle of the lands. Luke was scared to death of $LRthem." <<if $RideIn is true>>... Oh. That... Might be $ERname's <<if $LRgender is "female">>sister<<else>>brother<</if>>-<</if>> She continued after taking a moment to inhale shakily. "Those brutes. All of them. Running up and down the isles. More like thugs than anything else." "But, why," you leaned forward in your chair. "was Luke afraid of $LRthem?" "... Apparently Luke had a friendship. $cLRthey thought it inappropriate, or didn't approve or... Well.. $cLRthey went to see him in person. At his job. Then again here. It's hard not to be a little bit intimidated. $cLRthey towers over people... You don't feel safe around $LRthem. Yes. No doubt the $LRtitle had something to do with this. I just know it." You nodded to yourself mostly and sat back. <ul><<if $MGGrudge is false>> <li>[[Alright. People Luke didn't like? Maybe something happened? "Did Luke have a grudge against someone?"|MG.Grudge]]</li><</if>> <<if $MGBehaviours is false>> <li>[[Maybe the boy thought something was off? "Was Luke acting strangely? Or was it business as usual?"|MG.Behaviours]]</li><</if>> <<if $MGBother is true and $MGGrudge is true and $MGBehaviours is true>> [[She looked at you, a faint haze falling over here eyes... "His room... Maybe you should see his room."|MG.4]]<</if>></ul>

<<set $VWGB to true>><<set $MGGrudge to true>>"... A grudge?" She frowned. "...I don't think he could bear having a grudge in his body." She hesitated, for just a moment before glancing at your eyes. Looking away and then back again. "I don't... Want to hide anything." She finally whispered, leaning forward. "But I don't want anyone in trouble, you understand? So, when I say this, I mean it." Grandma Buckley took a deep breath. "Luke was a bit miffed. Miffed. At.. At..." She seemed to struggle on the name, teeth moving when the tongue wasn't. "... $VWname De Winters. But $VWthey'd never do this. It was just a tiff!" .... $VWname? The same that you found at... Strange. Very strange. "The... Uh, tiff? Do you know what it was about?" Grandma Buckley took a long, deep drink from her cup, quietly shaking her head. You don't think you'd get anything more on that subject out of her anyway. <ul><<if $MGBother is false>> <li>[[You shouldn't say enemies... That would set off alarm bells. "Was there anyone bothering Luke? Either at work or socially?"|MG.Bother]]</li><</if>> <<if $MGBehaviours is false>> <li>[[Maybe the boy thought something was off? "Was Luke acting strangely? Or was it business as usual?"|MG.Behaviours]]</li><</if>> <<if $MGBother is true and $MGGrudge is true and $MGBehaviours is true>> <li>[[She looked at you, a faint haze falling over here eyes... "His room... Maybe you should see his room."|MG.4]]</li><</if>></ul>

<<set $SRGB to true>><<set $MGBehaviours to true>>She thought, taking another $treat off the tray and popping it in her mouth to chew slowly. Grandma Buckly swallowed thickly before sighing softly. "I... Don't think so? He was more tired, but that might be it?" "Tired? From his job?" "Maybe... He just seemed drained. But happy. Those days was when he'd bring the ham home too. It cheered him up." Grandma Buckley smiled to herself. "Did he do anything extra on those days?" You gently probed. "... Went to, uh... Oh, that nice... Hm. The <<if $SRgender is "female">>lady<<else>>gentleman<</if>> that lives at Dacre House. Not the owner, Felipe hasn't come around in a while, but his...Uh...Well, I'm not quite sure. Oh, $SRname Della Rovere! The $SRtitle! Yes, $SRthey owns the bookstore. He'd go by after work on those days to go over the books with $SRthem. It would take a while, of course. My Luke was so good with his numbers..." You thought about it for a while. It was odd, taking a while to look over accounting books. But it was a lead nontheless. <ul><<if $MGGrudge is false>> <li>[[Alright. People Luke didn't like? Maybe something happened? "Did Luke have a grudge against someone?"|MG.Grudge]]</li><</if>> <<if $MGBother is false>> <li>[[You shouldn't say enemies... That would set off alarm bells. "Was there anyone bothering Luke? Either at work or socially?"|MG.Bother]]</li><</if>> <<if $MGBother is true and $MGGrudge is true and $MGBehaviours is true>> [[She looked at you, a faint haze falling over here eyes... "His room... Maybe you should see his room."|MG.4]]<</if>></ul>

<h1>Notebook</h1> __Suspects__ <ul> <<if $LRGB is true>><li>$LRname Rawlins had intimidated Luke over a friendship he had. $cLRthey apparently didn't approve. <<if $MGFriends is true and $RideIn is true>>Apparently the friendship was between him and $ERname Rawlins. Why did $LRname Rawlins protest so much?<</if>></li><</if>> <<if $VWGB is true>><li>$VWname De Winters and Luke Buckley had a...Tiff? In which Luke was... Miffed?</li><</if>> <<if $SRGB is true>><li>$SRname had a somewhat odd relationship with Luke. The two would stay late to "go over the book" and afterwards, Luke would come home with extra money and... More expensive food. <<if $MGS is true>>An almost nefarious amount of money. Suspicious.<</if>></li><</if>> <<if $MGFriends is true and $RideIn is false>><li>Apparently, someone called $ERname had befriended Luke. Maybe something could be gleaned there?</li><</if>></ul> __Notes__ <ul> <<if $peridotfound is true>><li>Doctor Starling Knight identified a piece of peridot in Luke's bowels. Unlikely he swallowed it. Either put in there, or left in there.</li><</if>> </ul> <<button "confirm" `previous()`>><</button>>

<<set $MGFriends to false>><<set $MGParents to false>><<set $MGS to false>><<audio "scrib" play>><<set $notebook to true>>You nodded, but quickly patted around. You needed to keep all these things down. Too much going on. Your hand pressed against the notebook you had kept $SRname's card in. You plucked it out and leaned forward to pick up a stray, stubby little pencil from the table. Scribbling down the words, whatever came quickest, you slowly filled in the first quarter of the blank page. [[Notebook unlocked!|Notebook]] After finishing up, you stuffed the notebook back into your pocket and stood. Shuffling after her, you passed another room as she took you to the door, slightly ajar, at the back of the house. She pressed her fingers to the wood, the hinges creaking gently as it inched open before pulling them away again, as if burned. "I... You go on in. I..." She took a step back but didn't leave, wrapping her arms around herself as if it was the only thing that would keep her from falling to pieces. You pushed open the door as she turned away with a soft sob. The room was... Organised. In a messy way. Everything had its corner. A bed, made nicely, with an open satchel strewn across it. A tiny bookshelf, with shells lining the top, all uniform and precise. Clothes folded in an open basket, with the only thing hung up being a smart, thick jacket. The wooden floor clear, except for socks stuffed in the corner of the room. Window left on the latch, letting a faint breeze in. Pictures, captured on parchment, hazy and distant with charcoal. Landscapes? A view of the sea, three birds in a nest, an oversized black dog, a pair of sharp eyes, almond shaped and unfocused. You began to poke around. Time for the most personal you could get. <ul> <li>[[You looked at the drawings. The eyes and the dog. Rendered lovingly. "... Did Luke have any friends?"|MG.Friends]]</li> <li>[[Your eye caught something on the bedside table. A locket, dulled gold. You went over and popped it open, revealing a detailed sketch of an infant, chubby cheeked and dozing. "What about... Luke's parents?"|MG.Parents]]</li> <li>[[The satchel. You gently poked through it, finding a pouch of money, a book, and a few perfectly rounded stones. "... Was Luke and his employer on good terms?"|MG.S]]</li></ul>

<<set $MGFriends to true>><<audio "scrib" play>>"Friends? Oh yes." Grandma Buckley wrung her hands. "Patsy... Yes. Umh... Prue and him got along. Not a lot of people his own age. H-He'd have liked you... Uh... Oh, that nice $ERname! Those two got along. Even had $ERthem around for tea once or twice." <<if $RideIn is true>>... $ERname Rawlins? Did $ERname's $LRsibling... Not like their friendship? Is that what this was about? It doesn't seem like Luke's grandma knew that the two were related.<<else>>$ERname? You take note of the name, but you didn't have a surname to narrow it down.<</if>> Still, you took out the notebook and scribbled it down. <ul> <<if $MGParents is false>> <li>[[Your eye caught something on the bedside table. A locket, dulled gold. You went over and popped it open, revealing a detailed sketch of an infant, chubby cheeked and dozing. "What about... Luke's parents?"|MG.Parents]]</li><</if>> <<if $MGS is false>><li>[[The satchel. You gently poked through it, finding a pouch of money, a book, and a few perfectly rounded stones. "... Was Luke and his employer on good terms?"|MG.S]]</li><</if>> <<if $MGFriends is true and $MGParents is true and $MGS is true>> [[Right... That's it. You weren't quite sure what else you could ask...|MG.Goodbye]]<</if>> </ul>

<<set $MGParents to true>>You glanced over to Grandma Buckley, who suddenly looked very stricken. "Oh...Uh...Well... <<if $VWgender is "female">>His mother...Was quite young. D-Died I think. And father? I'm not sure. Never in the picture. Just... That monster wasn't even there at the birth. A <b>child</b> h-having... A baby. Not even two decades between them...."<<else>>His father? Was younger. Too young. The mother was a piece of work. Getting into... That sort of thing. She had Luke, handed him over to the... The <b>child</b> and just left. H-He died not too long afterwards..."<</if>> She sniffed and rubbed at her eyes. <<if $gainedevidence is true>>"Did... Well, Luke had haemophilia? Right? Did his..." She blinked at you, looking like a deer that's just realised a hunter was looking down the sight of the gun, right at it. "W-Well, yes. His... Uh... <<if $VWgender is "female">>Mother<<else>>Father<</if>> had it. Luke was so careful though. He never nicked himself, he wore two socks on each foot with new shoes- He wasn't going to... He wasn't going to die like..." She shivered. A gentle candle flickered on. Aha? "His <<if $VWgender is "female">>mother<<else>>father<</if>> had it?" "Hmh. Runs in the family, every generation." "... Do you have it?" "... No. It must have skipped me." She gave a shaky smile.<<else>>Silence hung over the two of you. Sinking into the walls of the room.<</if>> You turned away. Enough about that. <ul> <<if $MGFriends is false>> <li>[[You looked at the drawings. The eyes and the dog. Rendered lovingly. "... Did Luke have any friends?"|MG.Friends]]</li><</if>> <<if $MGS is false>><li>[[The satchel. You gently poked through it, finding a pouch of money, a book, and a few perfectly rounded stones. "... Was Luke and his employer on good terms?"|MG.S]]</li><</if>> <<if $MGFriends is true and $MGParents is true and $MGS is true>> [[Right... That's it. You weren't quite sure what else you could ask...|MG.Goodbye]]<</if>> </ul>

<<audio "scrib" play>><<set $MGS to true>>"Hm? With <<if $SRgender is "female">>Miss<<else>>Mister<</if>> Della Rovere? I think so. Quite a slave driver though. Luke would have to stay late a few times a week for the books." You gave a half nod, mostly to yourself. That was strange though. "Not Patsy?" "No, never. I don't think $SRthey likes Patsy as much as $SRthey liked Luke." You slipped the pouch of coins free from the satchel and weighed it in your hand. A lot. Peeking inside, it was all gold coins. Hm. Even more than what you even first guessed. That... Is much more than what someone in his position should be making. With overtime. What else was Luke doing to get this much money out of the $SRtitle? Something to find out later. <ul><<if $MGFriends is false>> <li>[[You looked at the drawings. The eyes and the dog. Rendered lovingly. "... Did Luke have any friends?"|MG.Friends]]</li><</if>> <<if $MGParents is false>> <li>[[Your eye caught something on the bedside table. A locket, dulled gold. You went over and popped it open, revealing a detailed sketch of an infant, chubby cheeked and dozing. "What about... Luke's parents?"|MG.Parents]]</li><</if>> <<if $MGFriends is true and $MGParents is true and $MGS is true>> [[Right... That's it. You weren't quite sure what else you could ask...|MG.Goodbye]]<</if>> </ul>

"... I think that's all for now, Mrs Buckley." "Miss. I was never married." Hm? A bit strange.<<if $truesurname is "Gwyn">> Hell. Probably what happened with your own mother.<</if>> You gave a smile and headed for the door, resting your hand against the pocket in your coat, against the notebook. At least you had some leads. <<if $GBlie is true>>"Thank you for coming around," Grandma Buckley sniffed. "The other officers didn't ask that many questions. I'm glad they sent someone else along for a better follow up." Oh right. Yes. Officer.<<else>>"I... Thank you for taking an interest. I don't think the guards are really... Well, they don't seem to be doing too much right now. Thank you, again."<</if>> You stepped outside, the sun gently warming your face. The lady in the alley had disappeared, and there was bird song being carried on the wind. "Thank you," You turned a bit, to look at her. "For your time." She smiled, still gripping the shirt tight in her hand. And closed the door. You stood there, letting the soft music of the world wash over you. You had new leads. Maybe you could hand these names over and the Captain would investigate all of these people instead of focusing on you? Maybe. But in the meantime... "Can we get back to town yet?" Seir appeared at your feet, opening $Seirtheir maw, perfectly mimicking a yawn that you knew $Seirthey didn't need. "Better yet, home. I don't mind skipping an autopsy." "Really?" You doubted that with every inch of you and Seir just looked up at you approvingly. The walk back was better than coming in. The sun was slowly making its way down, and the temperature cooled nicely, no longer burdening you with an abudance of sweat and the feeling your skin was simmering in the heat. Seir didn't seem interested in doing anything but sluggishly following after you. By the time your feet got you all the way back to the Hollow, evening had pulled itself over the sky, dappling it with hazy pinks and deepest blues. Your feet were twinging with every step. Maybe you should have made Seir into a horse or something all that time ago. "I would never have forgiven you." Seir said immediately, terse and thwaping $Seirtheir tail against the ground. Onto the hospital. All the way. Going around. The street hidden behind. Slipping in. To the backdoor. Making your way through the overgrown garden, the sounds of crickets gently chirping up at you, as you got closer to the building. Raising your hand to knock twice and the door swinging open and- "Luke Buckley will not stop spraying me." Starling stood before you, illuminated by the candlelight behind $SKthem, having changed into a now sodden leather apron. $cSKtheir face and clothes were covered in... Something black, splashed across $SKtheir pale face, clothes, even $SKtheir shoes. And Starling... Starling looked miserable. Whatever it was that was covering them looked almost congealed. <ul> <li>[["How are you having so much trouble with a dead boy?" You said, flatly. Just one blasted thing after another, isn't it?|AU.-1][$SKrep -=5]]</li> <li>[["What... Is that?" You stared at the black substance, giving off the stench of rotting meat and... Something syrupy.|AU.0]]</li> <li>[["Are you okay, Doctor Knight?" You took in the dark circles under their eyes, their usually downturned mouth somehow even more so.|AU.1][$SKrep +=2]]</li> <li>[["... We should... Get inside." Thank goodness it was night. Less people to see... Whatever this was.|AU.2]]</li> </ul>

$cSKtheir dark eyebrows drew together, and $SKtheir nose scrunched up. "Are you deaf? I said he keeps spraying at me- Oh, just come and look." Starling turned sharply on $SKtheir heel, shoulders tense. You followed after $SKthem, the muck covering them somehow blacker than $SKtheir hair. It almost felt comforting being back in the morgue after spending almost the entire day just going to and fro and questioning people. At least it was nice and cool in here. The echoing stone floor, the cobbled walls, the heavy doors leading inside the- What in the name of all things Good was THAT? Luke was on the autopsy table in the middle of the room. If that was even Luke. First thing you saw was his head, having been twisted grotesquely towards you, two bones sticking out of an open gash. His mouth disgustingly ajar and lopsided, but the inside of it showed no teeth, no tongue. His vacant eye, a sluggish grey, stared into nothing, but the whites of his eye was a mottled, revolting black. It reminded you of the gaping eyes of an eel, with the deformed mouth. Whatever had splattered over Starling had seemed to have doused the poor boy. When the doctor moved aside, it revealed the rest of his naked body. Stiff from death and the cold. His chest cut open, with his ribs having been cracked apart to get inside. And inside... It was as if the innards of a fish had been doused in ink. And- "Why... Are they moving?" You managed to get out, staring at the boy's intestines, squirming sluggishly. "... I hate to say this but I do not know. He isn't alive, do not worry." Starling picked up a stained scalpel with gloved fingers and clumsily dug it into one of the entrails. Pus oozed forth, speckled red and black. "It is moving through him, but it is not being pushed around by-" A spray of black erupted from the cut intestine and Starling quickly raised $SKtheir forearm, letting it splash over the fabric instead. As if $SKthey had gotten used to it by now. "As I was saying. It is not being pushed around by the usual suspects that would move through the body, blood, or fluids or bile. It is moving of its own will." "... And his tongue? And teeth?" "I did not take those out." Starling immediately frowned at you. "I am not one of those Morticians who sell teeth on the side for dentures. Disgusting. No, those..." $cSKthey gestured to a small bowl by the body and you took a step forward. Blackened teeth, whiter at the bottom than the top. Something else, looking like a piece of leathery dried piece of fruit, but also some sort of husk that would crumble the moment you touched it, lay beside it. "Hm. His tongue." Starling seemed to be able to read your thoughts. "I clamped open his mouth and they all seemed to fall out immediately- Ack!" You looked back at $SKthem at the sound of surprise, only to find Seir sitting on the autopsy table, right on Luke's rotten feet, staring up at Starling. "How did-" "Oh, $Seirthey's mine!" You quickly swooped in and picked up Seir, ignoring $Seirtheir noise of displeasure. Starling gave you a sidelong glance as Seir wriggled in your grip. "... Make sure to... Keep it out of sight of the Captain whenever he's around." Starling readjusted $SKtheir hold on the scalpel and centered $SKthemselves by Luke's chest. "I am not quite sure what this substance is in any case. It is almost as if someone had used Caro's acid, or even lye, to digest his tissue to some extent. But Luke was not poisoned with anything, he was stabbed thrice with some sort of curved blade and then his body has been shut away since then. His innards had not started dissolving until I was cutting him open." You stared down at Luke. His skin now mottled grey and black, his disfigured face, his opened body that looked like it had been dyed with ink. He didn't match how he looked when you had first found him. He had bled out, stabbed, barely warm, but he... This... Your $eyecolour eyes met with Starling's glass green ones. There was sympathy there, but also something else. Something... <ul> <li>[[Accusing... Did they think you had something to do with this? That it was your fault?|AU.31][$SKrep -=2]]</li> <li>[[Sad. There was a hollowness there that came with grief. Over a lost, dead boy.|AU32]]</li> <li>[[Gentle. It was... Strange. Not being looked like... Like you were a stranger, a monster, a killer.|AU33][$SKrep +=5]]</li> </ul>

You couldn't tear your eyes away from whatever mess covered $SKthem. "Now that," Starling took a moment to glance down at $SKtheir ruined clothes. "I would also love to know." Then, the doctor turned sharply on $SKtheir heel and marched back inside. You followed after $SKthem, the muck covering them somehow blacker than $SKtheir hair. It almost felt comforting being back in the morgue after spending almost the entire day just going to and fro and questioning people. At least it was nice and cool in here. The echoing stone floor, the cobbled walls, the heavy doors leading inside the- What in the name of all things Good was THAT? Luke was on the autopsy table in the middle of the room. If that was even Luke. First thing you saw was his head, having been twisted grotesquely towards you, two bones sticking out of an open gash. His mouth disgustingly ajar and lopsided, but the inside of it showed no teeth, no tongue. His vacant eye, a sluggish grey, stared into nothing, but the whites of his eye was a mottled, revolting black. It reminded you of the gaping eyes of an eel, with the deformed mouth. Whatever had splattered over Starling had seemed to have doused the poor boy. When the doctor moved aside, it revealed the rest of his naked body. Stiff from death and the cold. His chest cut open, with his ribs having been cracked apart to get inside. And inside... It was as if the innards of a fish had been doused in ink. And- "Why... Are they moving?" You managed to get out, staring at the boy's intestines, squirming sluggishly. "... I hate to say this but I do not know. He isn't alive, do not worry." Starling picked up a stained scalpel with gloved fingers and clumsily dug it into one of the entrails. Pus oozed forth, speckled red and black. "It is moving through him, but it is not being pushed around by-" A spray of black erupted from the cut intestine and Starling quickly raised $SKtheir forearm, letting it splash over the fabric instead. As if $SKthey had gotten used to it by now. "As I was saying. It is not being pushed around by the usual suspects that would move through the body, blood, or fluids or bile. It is moving of its own will." "... And his tongue? And teeth?" "I did not take those out." Starling immediately frowned at you. "I am not one of those Morticians who sell teeth on the side for dentures. Disgusting. No, those..." $cSKthey gestured to a small bowl by the body and you took a step forward. Blackened teeth, whiter at the bottom than the top. Something else, looking like a piece of leathery dried piece of fruit, but also some sort of husk that would crumble the moment you touched it, lay beside it. "Hm. His tongue." Starling seemed to be able to read your thoughts. "I clamped open his mouth and they all seemed to fall out immediately- Ack!" You looked back at $SKthem at the sound of surprise, only to find Seir sitting on the autopsy table, right on Luke's rotten feet, staring up at Starling. "How did-" "Oh, $Seirthey's mine!" You quickly swooped in and picked up Seir, ignoring $Seirtheir noise of displeasure. Starling gave you a sidelong glance as Seir wriggled in your grip. "... Make sure to... Keep it out of sight of the Captain whenever he's around." Starling readjusted $SKtheir hold on the scalpel and centered $SKthemselves by Luke's chest. "I am not quite sure what this substance is in any case. It is almost as if someone had used Caro's acid, or even lye, to digest his tissue to some extent. But Luke was not poisoned with anything, he was stabbed thrice with some sort of curved blade and then his body has been shut away since then. His innards had not started dissolving until I was cutting him open." You stared down at Luke. His skin now mottled grey and black, his disfigured face, his opened body that looked like it had been dyed with ink. He didn't match how he looked when you had first found him. He had bled out, stabbed, barely warm, but he... This... Your $eyecolour eyes met with Starling's glass green ones. There was sympathy there, but also something else. Something- <ul> <li>[[Accusing... Did they think you had something to do with this? That it was your fault?|AU.31][$SKrep -=2]]</li> <li>[[Sad. There was a hollowness there that came with grief. Over a lost, dead boy.|AU32]]</li> <li>[[Gentle. It was... Strange. Not being looked like... Like you were a stranger, a monster, a killer.|AU33][$SKrep +=5]]</li> </ul>

Starling stared at you a moment, lips slowly parting slightly. As if $SKthey were stunned at the question. "Yes... I am alright. Just... It has been a long day. And I am covered in something disgusting. But we better not waste any time." $cSKthey gestured for you to follow after $SKthem, striding back down the hallway. You followed after $SKthem, the muck covering them somehow blacker than $SKtheir hair. It almost felt comforting being back in the morgue after spending almost the entire day just going to and fro and questioning people. At least it was nice and cool in here. The echoing stone floor, the cobbled walls, the heavy doors leading inside the- What in the name of all things Good was THAT? Luke was on the autopsy table in the middle of the room. If that was even Luke. First thing you saw was his head, having been twisted grotesquely towards you, two bones sticking out of an open gash. His mouth disgustingly ajar and lopsided, but the inside of it showed no teeth, no tongue. His vacant eye, a sluggish grey, stared into nothing, but the whites of his eye was a mottled, revolting black. It reminded you of the gaping eyes of an eel, with the deformed mouth. Whatever had splattered over Starling had seemed to have doused the poor boy. When the doctor moved aside, it revealed the rest of his naked body. Stiff from death and the cold. His chest cut open, with his ribs having been cracked apart to get inside. And inside... It was as if the innards of a fish had been doused in ink. And- "Why... Are they moving?" You managed to get out, staring at the boy's intestines, squirming sluggishly. "... I hate to say this but I do not know. He isn't alive, do not worry." Starling picked up a stained scalpel with gloved fingers and clumsily dug it into one of the entrails. Pus oozed forth, speckled red and black. "It is moving through him, but it is not being pushed around by-" A spray of black erupted from the cut intestine and Starling quickly raised $SKtheir forearm, letting it splash over the fabric instead. As if $SKthey had gotten used to it by now. "As I was saying. It is not being pushed around by the usual suspects that would move through the body, blood, or fluids or bile. It is moving of its own will." "... And his tongue? And teeth?" "I did not take those out." Starling immediately frowned at you. "I am not one of those Morticians who sell teeth on the side for dentures. Disgusting. No, those..." $cSKthey gestured to a small bowl by the body and you took a step forward. Blackened teeth, whiter at the bottom than the top. Something else, looking like a piece of leathery dried piece of fruit, but also some sort of husk that would crumble the moment you touched it, lay beside it. "Hm. His tongue." Starling seemed to be able to read your thoughts. "I clamped open his mouth and they all seemed to fall out immediately- Ack!" You looked back at $SKthem at the sound of surprise, only to find Seir sitting on the autopsy table, right on Luke's rotten feet, staring up at Starling. "How did-" "Oh, $Seirthey's mine!" You quickly swooped in and picked up Seir, ignoring $Seirtheir noise of displeasure. Starling gave you a sidelong glance as Seir wriggled in your grip. "... Make sure to... Keep it out of sight of the Captain whenever he's around." Starling readjusted $SKtheir hold on the scalpel and centered $SKthemselves by Luke's chest. "I am not quite sure what this substance is in any case. It is almost as if someone had used Caro's acid, or even lye, to digest his tissue to some extent. But Luke was not poisoned with anything, he was stabbed thrice with some sort of curved blade and then his body has been shut away since then. His innards had not started dissolving until I was cutting him open." You stared down at Luke. His skin now mottled grey and black, his disfigured face, his opened body that looked like it had been dyed with ink. He didn't match how he looked when you had first found him. He had bled out, stabbed, barely warm, but he... This... Your $eyecolour eyes met with Starling's glass green ones. There was sympathy there, but also something else. Something- <ul> <li>[[Accusing... Did they think you had something to do with this? That it was your fault?|AU.31][$SKrep -=2]]</li> <li>[[Sad. There was a hollowness there that came with grief. Over a lost, dead boy.|AU32]]</li> <li>[[Gentle. It was... Strange. Not being looked like... Like you were a stranger, a monster, a killer.|AU33][$SKrep +=5]]</li> </ul>

"You do not say." Starling huffed. "Come on, hurry." $cSKthey turned sharply on $SKtheir heel, striding back down the hallway. You followed after $SKthem, the muck covering them somehow blacker than $SKtheir hair. It almost felt comforting being back in the morgue after spending almost the entire day just going to and fro and questioning people. At least it was nice and cool in here. The echoing stone floor, the cobbled walls, the heavy doors leading inside the- What in the name of all things Good was THAT? Luke was on the autopsy table in the middle of the room. If that was even Luke. First thing you saw was his head, having been twisted grotesquely towards you, two bones sticking out of an open gash. His mouth disgustingly ajar and lopsided, but the inside of it showed no teeth, no tongue. His vacant eye, a sluggish grey, stared into nothing, but the whites of his eye was a mottled, revolting black. It reminded you of the gaping eyes of an eel, with the deformed mouth. Whatever had splattered over Starling had seemed to have doused the poor boy. When the doctor moved aside, it revealed the rest of his naked body. Stiff from death and the cold. His chest cut open, with his ribs having been cracked apart to get inside. And inside... It was as if the innards of a fish had been doused in ink. And- "Why... Are they moving?" You managed to get out, staring at the boy's intestines, squirming sluggishly. "... I hate to say this but I do not know. He isn't alive, do not worry." Starling picked up a stained scalpel with gloved fingers and clumsily dug it into one of the entrails. Pus oozed forth, speckled red and black. "It is moving through him, but it is not being pushed around by-" A spray of black erupted from the cut intestine and Starling quickly raised $SKtheir forearm, letting it splash over the fabric instead. As if $SKthey had gotten used to it by now. "As I was saying. It is not being pushed around by the usual suspects that would move through the body, blood, or fluids or bile. It is moving of its own will." "... And his tongue? And teeth?" "I did not take those out." Starling immediately frowned at you. "I am not one of those Morticians who sell teeth on the side for dentures. Disgusting. No, those..." $cSKthey gestured to a small bowl by the body and you took a step forward. Blackened teeth, whiter at the bottom than the top. Something else, looking like a piece of leathery dried piece of fruit, but also some sort of husk that would crumble the moment you touched it, lay beside it. "Hm. His tongue." Starling seemed to be able to read your thoughts. "I clamped open his mouth and they all seemed to fall out immediately- Ack!" You looked back at $SKthem at the sound of surprise, only to find Seir sitting on the autopsy table, right on Luke's rotten feet, staring up at Starling. "How did-" "Oh, $Seirthey's mine!" You quickly swooped in and picked up Seir, ignoring $Seirtheir noise of displeasure. Starling gave you a sidelong glance as Seir wriggled in your grip. "... Make sure to... Keep it out of sight of the Captain whenever he's around." Starling readjusted $SKtheir hold on the scalpel and centered $SKthemselves by Luke's chest. "I am not quite sure what this substance is in any case. It is almost as if someone had used Caro's acid, or even lye, to digest his tissue to some extent. But Luke was not poisoned with anything, he was stabbed thrice with some sort of curved blade and then his body has been shut away since then. His innards had not started dissolving until I was cutting him open." You stared down at Luke. His skin now mottled grey and black, his disfigured face, his opened body that looked like it had been dyed with ink. He didn't match how he looked when you had first found him. He had bled out, stabbed, barely warm, but he... This... Your $eyecolour eyes met with Starling's glass green ones. There was sympathy there, but also something else. Something- <ul> <li>[[Accusing... Did they think you had something to do with this? That it was your fault?|AU.31][$SKrep -=2]]</li> <li>[[Sad. There was a hollowness there that came with grief. Over a lost, dead boy.|AU32]]</li> <li>[[Gentle. It was... Strange. Not being looked like... Like you were a stranger, a monster, a killer.|AU33][$SKrep +=5]]</li> </ul>

<<timed 13s>><<audio "guts" play>><</timed>>Did $SKthey even... Believe you? Or was this all a trap? To point the finger. $cSKthey said before- $cSKthey was tagged, $SKthey was watched... So- "What are you, Doctor?" You didn't break eye contact. "You've mentioned that you're watched. Tagged. That you aren't trusted." Starling grimaced and straightened up, looking away for a moment. $cSKtheir eyes drifted back down to the corpse and $SKthey picked up forceps and slowly, meticulously started to inspect the organs, blackened and disgusting. "... I am a Witch. [[Grey|Grimoire]]." Starling's eyes darted to Seir, who twitched in your arms. "Not... Ah.. What is the word. Free range? I am... Loaned out to the town." $cSKthey continued to pick at the body, black eyebrows furrowing as the tool snagged on something. "You said you aren't trusted." You prompted again. Frosted seaglass eyes met yours for just a moment. Chilled. "It would be foolish to believe that any Witch would be trusted in these parts. Historically speaking." Starling looked back down to $SKtheir work, unphased by the stench eminating upwards. "Many burnings. The last one was not even twenty years back." The silence breathed in tandem with you and the doctor. <<if $hs_m is true>>You were unsure if you should say anything more, but before you could even formulate something, a glint caught your eye. "Doctor." "Hm?" "There's... Something there." You leaned in, bearing the stench making your nose throb and your stomach churn unpleasantly. Your hand crept over, careful not to touch any of the innards, along the ruptured tissue, to the shredded lining of one of the organs. The bowel perhaps. Starling's hand entered your view, using two gloved fingers to steady the pulsing mass before slipping the forceps in, and clenching tight around something.<<else>>It lingered for a few minutes as $SKthey continued to poke around with a frown. Seir eventually got $Seirtheir way free and started poking around the morgue, along Starling's desk, and the iceboxes. <<if $seirform is "crow">>$cSeirthey caught the Mortician's attention when $Seirthey fluttered onto the table, pecking at a few things. Starling frowned a bit but chose to ignore the hoarse chirping from the oversized bird.<<elseif $seirform is "dog">>$cSeirthey bumped quite a few things off the table, when $Seirthey scrambled onto it, causing the Mortician to look up and frown.<<elseif $seirform is "cat">>$cSeirthey effortlessly and without sound pounced onto the table, tail flicking proudly. Still, the Mortician somehow knew, and glanced over with a disapproving look.<<elseif $seirform is "fox">>$cSeirtheir claws scrabbled at the wood, leaving a few scratches but eventually getting onto the desk, $Seirtheir bushy table flicking with delight. It earned $Seirthem a look from the Mortician, a downturned and annoyed one.<<elseif $seirform is "snake">>You didn't even notice whem $Seirthey slithered onto the table, tail curling around the inkpot. The Mortician noticed sooner, looking up with a raised eyebrow and a frown.<<elseif $seirform is "hare">>With a loud thump, $Seirthey hopped onto the desk, scattering a few things along the wood. The Mortician glanced up with a frown but it softened as Seir looked back with $Seirtheir button eyes.<</if>> Seir took a lot of interest in the pamphlets, awkwardly circling and craning $Seirtheir head to read it properly. You noticed Starling staring for another moment and you pulled gentle on the connection you two shared, like a knotted red string between you. //$cSKthey is looking. Stop it.// Seir looked up from the pamphlets and instead <<if $seirform is "snake">>lazily slipped from the table, rolling off and landing with a thump. Like a dumb animal.<<else>>sitting down on the table with all $Seirtheir weight, looking around with unfocused eyes. Like a dumb animal.<</if>> "Wait a moment..." "What is it, Doctor?" Starling frowned, digging in deeper with $SKtheir forceps, gripping down on something.<</if>> After a moment, $SKthey pulled something free, grimy and bloody and stained, but catching the light at times, giving off a gentle shine. Starling immediately dipped it into a bowl of water, already muddied and bloodied and it emerged, clean. A jewel? "Is that... An emerald?" You stepped closer, leaning over for a better look. "...No. You can not see too well, but it is a peridot. The grime made it look darker. Not a natural one either." Starling tapped the jewel a few times to get the water off before offering it to you. Dropping it into your hand, you got a proper look. Shaped perfectly, smooth, like a tear drop. <<if $hs_m is true>>Running your thumb over the edges, you could feel a raised edge. As if it was inlaid in something and was broken free. <</if>>Strange. //Oh dear.// Seir wound $Seirthemselves around your legs.// Did the dead idiot swallow it?// "This was in the-" "Bowels, yes." Starling dropped $SKtheir forceps into a dish with a frown. "But it was not covered in digestive fluids, like the.. Ah, other items were." //"He could have still swallowed it."// Seir looked up at you sulkily. "It was right where one of the stab wounds was inflicted." You glanced at the parted skin, and the similar fissure of the organ the gem was plucked out of. "... Was it left in there by something?" Starling shrugged, seemingly without answers for a rare minute. After a moment- "Keep it. It is distinctive. Either it was put in him or it was left behind. The Captain would write it off as something silly... Like Luke had swallowed it or some such." //"Oh, I don't like you."// [[You closed your hand around the gem.|AU.4]]

<<timed 13s>><<audio "guts" play>><</timed>>$cSKthey had kept up a screen of professionalism this entire time, but... There was something deeply sad in those green sea glass. Did the loss of this boy hit Starling harder than $SKthey wanted to let on? Wasn't $SKthey allowed to be? "Doctor... Did you know Luke?" "Ah." Starling straightened up, rubbing at $SKtheir knuckles before picking up the forceps. "No, not really. He was around and polite. Very few people are... Polite to me. So." $cSKthey took a moment to clear $SKtheir throat. "I am a Witch, you know. [[Grey|Grimoire]]." The mortician picked up the forceps and adjusts it in $SKtheir grip. Starling's eyes darted to Seir, who twitched in your arms. "Not... Ah.. What is the word. Free range? I am... Loaned out to the town." $cSKthey started to pick at the body, black eyebrows furrowing as the tool snagged on something. "You said you aren't trusted." You recalled. Fractured seaglass eyes met yours for just a moment. Raw. "It would be foolish to believe that any Witch would be trusted in these parts. Historically speaking." Starling looked back down to $SKtheir work, unphased by the stench eminating upwards. "Many burnings. The last one was not even twenty years back." The silence breathed in tandem with you and the doctor. <<if $hs_m is true>>You were unsure if you should say anything more, but before you could even formulate something, a glint caught your eye. "Doctor." "Hm?" "There's... Something there." You leaned in, bearing the stench making your nose throb and your stomach churn unpleasantly. Your hand crept over, careful not to touch any of the innards, along the ruptured tissue, to the shredded lining of one of the organs. The bowel perhaps. Starling's hand entered your view, using two gloved fingers to steady the pulsing mass before slipping the forceps in, and clenching tight around something.<<else>>It lingered for a few minutes as $SKthey continued to poke around with a frown. Seir eventually got $Seirtheir way free and started poking around the morgue, along Starling's desk, and the iceboxes. <<if $seirform is "crow">>$cSeirthey caught the Mortician's attention when $Seirthey fluttered onto the table, pecking at a few things. Starling frowned a bit but chose to ignore the hoarse chirping from the oversized bird.<<elseif $seirform is "dog">>$cSeirthey bumped quite a few things off the table, when $Seirthey scrambled onto it, causing the Mortician to look up and frown.<<elseif $seirform is "cat">>$cSeirthey effortlessly and without sound pounced onto the table, tail flicking proudly. Still, the Mortician somehow knew, and glanced over with a disapproving look.<<elseif $seirform is "fox">>$cSeirtheir claws scrabbled at the wood, leaving a few scratches but eventually getting onto the desk, $Seirtheir bushy table flicking with delight. It earned $Seirthem a look from the Mortician, a downturned and annoyed one.<<elseif $seirform is "snake">>You didn't even notice whem $Seirthey slithered onto the table, tail curling around the inkpot. The Mortician noticed sooner, looking up with a raised eyebrow and a frown.<<elseif $seirform is "hare">>With a loud thump, $Seirthey hopped onto the desk, scattering a few things along the wood. The Mortician glanced up with a frown but it softened as Seir looked back with $Seirtheir button eyes.<</if>> Seir took a lot of interest in the pamphlets, awkwardly circling and craning $Seirtheir head to read it properly. You noticed Starling staring for another moment and you pulled gentle on the connection you two shared, like a knotted red string between you. //$cSKthey is looking. Stop it.// Seir looked up from the pamphlets and instead <<if $seirform is "snake">>lazily slipped from the table, rolling off and landing with a thump. Like a dumb animal.<<else>>sitting down on the table with all $Seirtheir weight, looking around with unfocused eyes. Like a dumb animal.<</if>> "Wait a moment..." "What is it, Doctor?" Starling frowned, digging in deeper with $SKtheir forceps, gripping down on something.<</if>> After a moment, $SKthey pulled something free, grimy and bloody and stained, but catching the light at times, giving off a gentle shine. Starling immediately dipped it into a bowl of water, already muddied and bloodied and it emerged, clean. A jewel? "Is that... An emerald?" You stepped closer, leaning over for a better look. "...No. You can not see too well, but it is a peridot. The grime made it look darker. Not a natural one either." Starling tapped the jewel a few times to get the water off before offering it to you. Dropping it into your hand, you got a proper look. Shaped perfectly, smooth, like a tear drop. <<if $hs_m is true>>Running your thumb over the edges, you could feel a raised edge. As if it was inlaid in something and was broken free. <</if>>Strange. //Oh dear.// Seir wound $Seirthemselves around your legs.// Did the dead idiot swallow it?// "This was in the-" "Bowels, yes." Starling dropped $SKtheir forceps into a dish with a frown. "But it was not covered in digestive fluids, like the.. Ah, other items were." //"He could have still swallowed it."// Seir looked up at you sulkily. "It was right where one of the stab wounds was inflicted." You glanced at the parted skin, and the similar fissure of the organ the gem was plucked out of. "... Was it left in there by something?" Starling shrugged, seemingly without answers for a rare minute. After a moment- "Keep it. It is distinctive. Either it was put in him or it was left behind. The Captain would write it off as something silly... Like Luke had swallowed it or some such." //"Oh, I don't like you."// [[You closed your hand around the gem.|AU.4]]

<<timed 13s>><<audio "guts" play>><</timed>>You hadn't been looked at like that for a long time. With understanding and gentleness. With a familiar loneliness that you had felt the day you met Seir, even with $Seirtheir constant companionship. //Hey now.// Seir blinked up at you. "Doctor... Are you..." You fought back the urge to ask about $SKtheir loneliness. Impolite. "... Has South Hollow been welcoming to you?" Starling blinked at you, the seaglass frost of $SKtheir eyes losing their chill for a moment. "No. But I do not think they'd be welcoming to most... Ah. Things such as I." Starling squeezed $SKtheir knuckles over $SKtheir gloves. "You must already have figured it out that I am a Witch. A [[grey|Grimoire]] one." The mortician turned away to look among $SKtheir tools before picking up a pair of forceps and turning back around. Starling's eyes darted to Seir, who twitched in your arms. "I am not... Ah.. What is the word. Free range? I am... Loaned out to the town. Maybe it would be different if I came here voluntarily. Perhaps not." $cSKthey started to pick at the body, black eyebrows furrowing as the tool snagged on something. "You said you aren't trusted." You recalled. Soft, clear seaglass eyes met yours for just a moment. Bright in the candlelight. "It would be foolish to believe that any Witch would be trusted in these parts. Historically speaking." Starling looked back down to $SKtheir work, unphased by the stench eminating upwards. "Many burnings. The last one was not even twenty years back." The silence breathed in tandem with you and the doctor. <<if $hs_m is true>>You were unsure if you should say anything more, but before you could even formulate something, a glint caught your eye. "Doctor." "Hm?" "There's... Something there." You leaned in, bearing the stench making your nose throb and your stomach churn unpleasantly. Your hand crept over, careful not to touch any of the innards, along the ruptured tissue, to the shredded lining of one of the organs. The bowel perhaps. Starling's hand entered your view, using two gloved fingers to steady the pulsing mass before slipping the forceps in, and clenching tight around something.<<else>>It lingered for a few minutes as $SKthey continued to poke around with a frown. Seir eventually got $Seirtheir way free and started poking around the morgue, along Starling's desk, and the iceboxes. <<if $seirform is "crow">>$cSeirthey caught the Mortician's attention when $Seirthey fluttered onto the table, pecking at a few things. Starling frowned a bit but chose to ignore the hoarse chirping from the oversized bird.<<elseif $seirform is "dog">>$cSeirthey bumped quite a few things off the table, when $Seirthey scrambled onto it, causing the Mortician to look up and frown.<<elseif $seirform is "cat">>$cSeirthey effortlessly and without sound pounced onto the table, tail flicking proudly. Still, the Mortician somehow knew, and glanced over with a disapproving look.<<elseif $seirform is "fox">>$cSeirtheir claws scrabbled at the wood, leaving a few scratches but eventually getting onto the desk, $Seirtheir bushy table flicking with delight. It earned $Seirthem a look from the Mortician, a downturned and annoyed one.<<elseif $seirform is "snake">>You didn't even notice whem $Seirthey slithered onto the table, tail curling around the inkpot. The Mortician noticed sooner, looking up with a raised eyebrow and a frown.<<elseif $seirform is "hare">>With a loud thump, $Seirthey hopped onto the desk, scattering a few things along the wood. The Mortician glanced up with a frown but it softened as Seir looked back with $Seirtheir button eyes.<</if>> Seir took a lot of interest in the pamphlets, awkwardly circling and craning $Seirtheir head to read it properly. You noticed Starling staring for another moment and you pulled gentle on the connection you two shared, like a knotted red string between you. //$cSKthey is looking. Stop it.// Seir looked up from the pamphlets and instead <<if $seirform is "snake">>lazily slipped from the table, rolling off and landing with a thump. Like a dumb animal.<<else>>sitting down on the table with all $Seirtheir weight, looking around with unfocused eyes. Like a dumb animal.<</if>> "Wait a moment..." "What is it, Doctor?" Starling frowned, digging in deeper with $SKtheir forceps, gripping down on something.<</if>> After a moment, $SKthey pulled something free, grimy and bloody and stained, but catching the light at times, giving off a gentle shine. Starling immediately dipped it into a bowl of water, already muddied and bloodied and it emerged, clean. A jewel? "Is that... An emerald?" You stepped closer, leaning over for a better look. "...No. You can not see too well, but it is a peridot. The grime made it look darker. Not a natural one either." Starling tapped the jewel a few times to get the water off before offering it to you. Dropping it into your hand, you got a proper look. Shaped perfectly, smooth, like a tear drop. <<if $hs_m is true>>Running your thumb over the edges, you could feel a raised edge. As if it was inlaid in something and was broken free. <</if>>Strange. //Oh dear.// Seir wound $Seirthemselves around your legs.// Did the dead idiot swallow it?// "This was in the-" "Bowels, yes." Starling dropped $SKtheir forceps into a dish with a frown. "But it was not covered in digestive fluids, like the.. Ah, other items were." //"He could have still swallowed it."// Seir looked up at you sulkily. "It was right where one of the stab wounds was inflicted." You glanced at the parted skin, and the similar fissure of the organ the gem was plucked out of. "... Was it left in there by something?" Starling shrugged, seemingly without answers for a rare minute. After a moment- "Keep it. It is distinctive. Either it was put in him or it was left behind. The Captain would write it off as something silly... Like Luke had swallowed it or some such." //"Oh, I don't like you."// [[You closed your hand around the gem.|AU.4]]

<<audio "scrib" play>>You opened up your notebook, and slipped the piece of peridot into the front pouch on the inside cover before writing a quick reminder to yourself. <<set $peridotfound to true>> You slipped the book away again. As you did, you noticed the ache in your shoulders and feet. Hells, you had been in a state of stress ever since midnight, around when you first found Luke's body. "You look tired." Starling picked up a spool of thread and beginning to unravel it. "You should head back. The sun should be nearly completely down by now and no one should bother you. Or your... Your <<print "$seirform">>." You nodded and motioned for Seir to follow you. //The Doctor has some interesting reading on $SKtheir desk. Downright heretical. Good reading in case things turn nasty and we have to throw $SKthem under the stampede of horses being driven by the Captain.// You two didn't need an escort again, but Starling accompanied you still, leaning against the open door leading to the unruly grass patch. $cSKthey takes a few deep breaths, closing $SKtheir eyes before opening them again and waving you off as you went up, over and down the wall again. Emerging out from the alley, you took a moment to inhale deeply, the soft, humid air of the slowly darkening town washing out the stench of that poor dead boy. Birds were singing, the heat wasn't as dry, Seir had put $Seirtheir weight on your foot... It was alright. All alright. You were going to be al... right... The hair on the back of your neck and arms stood up sharply. Your blood ran cold. You were too aware of your shirt against your chest. The sweat beading on your back, slipping down like the ice was cutting through the skin. You were being watched. You opened your eyes again, breath coming too short. Scanning around, people were slowly ambling off the street, heading for homes, pubs, their evening haunts. No one was looking at you. Not even the birds. Not the stray dog, gummily chewing on a piece of hambone. Nothing. You were fine. Then you saw it. Them. It. [[Smiling at you.|AU.5]]

<<audio "heartbeat" play loop>>A large umbrella hid most of whatever it was that was staring at you from an alley. Facing the sun, tilting slowly as it lowered to below the horizon. Large black glasses hid their face, the upturned collar did the rest of the work- Except for the smile. Sharp. Hungry. And aimed right at you. The skyline went dark as the sun finally fell. As did the umbrella.. It clattered to the ground and the glasses came off. As did the coat. Left in a pile and it started to move towards you. A figure, <<if $SRgender is "female">>clad in a deep purple dress, lined with gold, it was... A bit too obvious the shift underneath was a dark blue, peeking out along her chest and where the dress had slits along the legs. It skirted close to being... Indecent, but not fully.<<else>>clad in a dark blue jacket, with a deep purple waistcoast lined with gold, it skirted close to a rogueish look, with a missing cravat and a shirt buttoned open a bit too much, showing just below his collarbones.<</if>> You were frozen, endlessly dark eyes boring into yours, and something about them stopped you from moving, even when Seir started twitching against you. $cSRtheir dark luscious hair didn't have a single strand out of place despite $SRtheir long strides towards you. "Hello, sweet thing," $cSRthey purred when $SRthey finally came close enough. "I do believe you've been chasing me for a while now." Oh... $SRtitle $SRname Della Rovere. The one you had... Met<<if $vanilla is false>>... At least not properly. You got an eyeful of something else though<</if>>. Questions churned but they couldn't get to your tongue. "How-" "Did I know where you were? Oh, darling, I'm a bloodhound. Followed the scent and found you." "I-" "Am such a delight, aren't you? Giving me a headstart on these murder accusations that you want to... Level at me? Or ask about?" $SRname Della Rovere leaned in, dark hair slipped free and curling along $SRtheir eyebrow. Dark eyes feeling like they were somehow invading yours. "Hm. You aren't even sure yourself are you?" "... You-" "Oh? My things?" The $SRtitle finally looked away, breaking whatever spell had bound you two together, looking back at $SRtheir discarded items. "Ah. My act of charity for the month. Someone will make use of them." $cSRthey looked back and smiled at you, easy and warm as if $SRthey had known you forever. "So. Little $title calling card, <<if $vanilla is false>>- Wait a tick. I think you've seen my <<if $SRgender is "female">>tits<<else>>cock<</if>>, haven't you? I cannot place you at all, but I'm getting that feeling." $cSRtheir smile slipped into a smirk and quickly back again. "Anyway, <</if>>I do believe we should have a sit down and chat." $cSRthey raised $SRtheir hand, running a few lithe fingers through $SRtheir dark hair, and that's when you noticed a bracelet dangling from $SRtheir wrist. Lined with peridots. <ul> <li>[[You had to- "I didn't-"|SDR.1]]</li> <li>[[This person- "That wasn't-"|SDR.1]]</li> <li>[[What did- "You fuckin-"|SDR.1]]</li> </ul>

$SRname met your eyes again and your tongue failed again. Instead, $SRthey stepped next to you, slipping an arm through yours and beginning to walk, your heavy feet feeling like bricks weighed down in water. //$name! $name!// Everything seemed so fuzzy. Your pulse was racing. Not even twenty seconds ago you felt home free, with a notebook of ideas, a more or less ally in Doctor Starling. And now... Now? Now the only thing you could focus on... Was the scent on $SRname Della Rovere's throat. Expensive <<if $SRgender is "female">>perfume<<else>>cologne<</if>>, notes of rosewood and amber. Patchouli? Then the blood. The $SRtitle smelled overwhelmingly of blood. [[End of Chapter 1|Previews]]