*temp fracture false
*temp plan 0
*temp smooth true
*temp trick false
*temp node false
*temp misplan 0
*temp signage false
*temp why 1
*temp flirtedmal false
*temp knock false
*temp carapace false
*temp mutant false
*temp explanation 1
*temp altruism false
*temp cg_questions 0
*temp kidding false
*temp publicattitude 1
*set mc_health 1
*set injurydesc 1
*temp ama true
*temp given false
*temp episode false

You're essentially retracing your steps from earlier as you head across town. The heroes you're after are operating out of the Parks, a bold and/or stupid move on their part. Since the trip is something you can do more or less on autopilot, you figure that it's worth reviewing Architect's information one more time. Maybe that'll even keep your thoughts from wandering to the wrong places.

But you doubt it.

Architect gave you miniature dossiers on each of the heroes, and you decide that the easiest point to focus is the enemies' capabilities. Mis/Hit are a complementary duo; Mis acts as an elusive frontline, tying opponents up with her parahuman dodging and allowing Hit to exploit his pinpoint accuracy to the fullest. A power like that could be extremely dangerous in the wrong hands, but Hit favours non-lethal weapons. Ranger, the leader, has a pretty terrible win-loss ratio, but he has to be a halfway decent fighter to still be alive and kicking. His power is less understood than the other two; apparently it's camouflage, though predictably there aren't exactly any clear images of it in action. Altogether, the trio are far from heavy hitters.

Better not screw this up then, huh?
*page_break The Parks are up ahead.
*set patrol 2

Walking through the familiar derelict surroundings, you pause briefly to confirm the rendezvous point, and then continue moving. No need to activate your powers just yet. You'd only attract unnecessary attention, pointlessly risking forewarning the heroes.

Your phone beeps, jolting you midstep. You still aren't used to the sound.

Checking the message, you see @{(telephone = 2) ${telname}.|an unknown number.} 

[i]we r waiting at an alley 2 blocks away[/i]

There's an attached photo of a brick wall. Thanks Kay. @{telephone Process of elimination that it's her, since you have Teddie's number.||It has to be her. You refuse to believe Teddie texts like that.}

Moments later another text arrives.

[i]next 2 bakery[/i]
*choice
    #She got there in the end.
        *if (fighting_style = 2)
            You might need to chat with her about her communication. Working as a team gets much harder with crossed wires.
            
        *else
            You're so proud.
            
    #I swear, if she sends me a picture of bread... 
        Thankfully, no baked goods are forthcoming.
        
        You've heard of villains getting busted because they decided to grab a bite to eat before a job. You're absolutely not going to join those ranks.
        
    #There's a [i]bakery[/i] in Wesson Parks?
        What do they use for their dough? Brick dust and crime?


Sure enough, advancing another block brings you onto a street with a bakery, which even looks as though it may have received a fresh lick of paint within the last decade. Right by the bakery is an alleyway, two shadowy figures just about visible in its depths. You hurry to enter, and within a few steps get your first look at your teammates in costume.

Kay—Rampage—has worked her horns through a hood pulled up over her head, which must have taken some doing. She's also tied a bandanna around her mouth, but for the most part is actually wearing less than before, just shorts and a sleeveless hoodie. Grey fluff very similar in texture to her hair coats her upper arms and legs.

Fracture looks as though he's stepped straight from the pages of a fantasy novel. Pronounced plates of bone stud his chest and back; that shoulder spike he had earlier has near enough doubled in size, the spurs on his opposite arm forming into wicked hooks. A ridged mask of bone sits like a faceplate on his brow. There's nothing elegant or ornate about the ensemble; everywhere you look, you see only brutal edges and jagged angles.

"$!{mask}!" calls Rampage at an excited whisper. "In here!" Her brow soon furrows in confusion. "Hey, where's your costume?"

Ah, right. Though you explained your powers, she doesn't know that they can stand in for a change of clothes. 
*temp bravado 1
*choice
    #Show off.
        *set bravado 1
        *set content +1
        "Watch and learn."
        
    #Time to get to work.
        *set bravado 2
        "I don't need one," you say.
        
    #Reluctantly, I reach inward.
        *set hate +1
        *set bravado 3
        You've stalled as long as you can. The powers will always lurk within.
        
Tapping into that restless pool deep within, you carefully open the sluice and let it flow.
 
For those first moments, it's like drowning. A weight pressed upon your chest, your lungs filling cold. Dark spots dance in front of your eyes as you struggle to breathe. 
 
Then, mercifully, it passes. Air circulates once more. @{bravado You try to play off the initial discomfort, straightening yourself up and favouring Kay with a grin. The worst is done. Now for the fun part. Well. Showoffable part.|You clench your jaw tight, keeping the discomfort from your face with sheer force of will. You're well-practiced at that. The worst is done. Now you can get on with it.|You're well-practiced at masking your discomfort at the process, but you're unable to properly suppress your shudder. Small blessings that the worst is done before you can plunge yet further into the depths.} The membrane wells up beneath your skin and then, inch by inch, spills over. Black ink stains its way across your hands, and you know the same thing is happening upon your cheeks, trickling down your neck, spreading over your shoulders. A chill spreads over your face, @{bravado but you ignore it, giving the others a quick waggle of your eyebrows before they're overtaken in the membrane.|but you gut through it as best you can.|and both of your eyes twitch your distress as they're covered.} As always, you can see and breathe through the membrane just fine, and the cold soon fades.
 
Your shoulders ripple, and then out burst your tendrils in a single violent motion. Rampage jumps back in alarm. @{bravado You use one of them to tip her an imaginary hat.|You swiftly bring the unruly appendages to heel.|You close your eyes, riding out the feeling of your senses being hijacked.}
 
@{bravado "Voila," you say, with a little flourish.|"You see?" you say.|"Done." You wonder if you sound as weary as you feel.}
 
"Fricking [i]cool[/i]," says Rampage, a light in those strange eyes of hers. @{bravado You smile beneath the membrane.|Your mouth twitches wryly beneath the membrane.|At least somebody thinks so.} "Check it out, Teddie, $!{mask} is team weird body too."
 
"[i]Fracture,[/i]" snaps Fracture. He completely ignores the rest of the comment. What little of his face remains visible is inscrutable as he watches your tendrils moving.
 
"Right. Sorry."
*choice
     #...I've been in worse clubs, I guess.
         *if defiance > 2
             You're [i]in[/i] a worse club.
             
             But… now's absolutely not the time to get caught up thinking about the Coven.
             
         *else
             A…anyway. Now's not the time for thoughts like that.
             
     #I wonder what he's thinking.
         Fracture's a tricky read at the best of times. Without the benefit of his full expression, difficult is rendered nigh impossible. @{(observation > 50) He doesn't look particularly happy, though you couldn't make a guess as to why.|It's like studying a brick wall.}
         
     #It keeps slipping my mind that my powers are new to them.
         @{bravado And that even in spite of you showing off on purpose.||}
         
         You're used to an environment where your powers aren't only known, but studied. @{coven_history Oh so intimately studied.|Part and parcel of everyday life.|Constantly poked and prodded and notated.} It feels strange to get a reaction.

The brief pause is more than enough for Rampage's enthusiasm to regenerate. "What's next? When do we go?" She's bouncing on her heels.

According to Architect's intel, the heroes have made a base out of an old closed down store. It's disconcerting that he managed to track them down in less than a full day. Raises some uncomfortable questions. Not to mention there's a decent chance you'll be jumping them in civvies, which is the type of thing that tends to get villains fast-tracked to the top of everyone's shitlists.

"Calm down," Fracture tells Rampage. Firm, but not harsh.

Rampage stops bouncing, inhaling a big gulp of air. "Right. Calm. You got it."

They both look to you, an acute reminder that you're running the show here.

"First thing's first, we need to move in closer," you improvise. "Quick and quiet."

Nods all around.
*page_break Get moving.

Emerging from the alleyway, you lead your trio purposefully down the block. A couple of passersby catch sight of you and scatter from the street. Parks residents don't really do civic duty. Somebody might dial up the Hounds' hotline eventually, but you wouldn't count on it being any time soon.

Adrenaline's starting to kick in, setting your heart pumping and your mind racing. The target's up ahead, right on the corner of the block. The ex-storefront has been boarded up, though there's still a big sign affixed over the space the glass used to be. With its paint thoroughly flaked and faded, it's impossible to tell what the store was once named.

More germane, three heroes are currently inside. You hope. Going to be real awkward if you bust into an empty base.

*if (fighting_style = 2)
    You think a moment on how best to approach this. You're confident that you'll be able to roll with any unexpected punches, but your starting approach will make a major difference to how the fight unfolds.
    
    The way you see it, you can either prime for a head-on battle, or go for a more complex plan. Boils down to how aggressive you're feeling, and perhaps a little of what Rampage and Fracture might prefer, if you even care.
    *choice
        #Let's crush them straight up.
            *set rel_kay %+ 5
            Why make it complicated? More moving parts, more chances for things to go awry.
            
            *goto noplan
        #We have the opportunity to get clever.
            *set rel_teddie %+ 5
            They have no idea you're coming. Why waste that?
            
            *goto plan
    
*elseif instinctive >= 60
    *set rel_kay %+ 5
    Your blood's up and you're raring to go. No point trying to switch course now, you're going loud.
    
    *label noplan
    "Alright. Let's get in there. We'll do this live."
    
    "Sure. That won't go wrong," Fracture deadpans.
    
    "Aw, come on T—Fracture," says Rampage. "We'll be in and out before they know what hit them!"
    
    "Hm."
    
    "I'm pretty sure I can tear down the boards with my tendrils," you say. "That leaves the front door."
    
    Which of course will require one of Fracture and Rampage to take point.
    *choice
        #Fracture can soak up any hits.
            *set fracture true
            *set rel_kay -3
            "Fracture, make us an entrance."
            
            He nods.
            
            "Be careful, alright?" says Rampage, fidgeting with the hem of her hoodie.
            
            "Always am," Fracture replies, setting out into the street. You and Rampage follow, assuming your positions on either side of him.
            
            Fracture rolls his neck, vertebrae cracking like gunshots.
            
            "Going."
        #Rampage can cause some real damage.
            *set rel_teddie -3
            "Care to get started on some renovations, Rampage?"
            
            "Just call me a sledgehammer," she answers cheerily.
            
            Fracture shifts. His brow is immobile given the bone protruding from his forehead, but you can get the impression of a frown regardless. "Don't get hurt."
            
            "It'll be fine, worrywart." She pokes him lightly in the shoulder. He grunts.
            
            Turning away, Rampage marches into the middle of the street. You and Fracture assume your positions on either flank. Rampage clenches and unclenches her fists, little sparks of energy beginning to flicker and crackle around her.
            
            "Home improvement in three, two, one…"
            
    *page_break @{fracture He|She} charges.
    *goto busting
    
    
*elseif instinctive <= 40
    *set rel_teddie %+ 5
    There are a hundred plans already buzzing around your head, and you elect to follow that on its natural course. Good to have a firm idea in mind.
    
    *label plan
    "Hold on," you signal the others. "Let's stop a second to think this through. There's no rush."
    
    "Aw…" Rampage whines, but does come to a stop. "You're the boss."
    
    "Safer like this, Rampage," says Fracture.
    
    "Yeah, you're right…"
    
    A little focus goes a long way, and one strategy soon pushes its way to the fore. An ambush is definitely appealing, since…
    *choice
        #Drawing them out means we can make a real spectacle of the fight.
            *set expressive %+ 10
            You're supposed to be grabbing attention and headlines. It's difficult to do that if nobody actually sees you in action.
            
        #It's depriving them of home field advantage and giving us more space to operate.
            *set expressive %- 10
            Close quarters combat in an unfamiliar environment sounds like a great way to nullify the advantage of surprise. 
    
    "We'll lure them into the street," you tell the others. "One of us in the front to act as a distraction, the other two as flankers."
    
    "Good." Fracture nods approval.
    
    "I can get up onto the roof," you add. "They'll probably anticipate a surprise attack, but not from above."
    
    That leaves the bait of your trap. Fracture or Rampage?
    *choice
        #Fracture. He's steadier.
            *set fracture true
            *set rel_kay -3
            *set rel_teddie %+ 5
            "Fracture, want to draw their attention?"
            
            He nods and leaves it at that.
            
            "Be careful, alright?" says Rampage, fidgeting with the hem of her hoodie.
            
            "Always am," Fracture replies.
            
        #Rampage. She's flashier.
            *set rel_teddie -3
            *set rel_kay %+ 5
            "Rampage, think you can raise a ruckus?"
            
            She grins so broadly you see it through her bandanna. "Aye aye."
            
            Fracture shifts. His brow is immobile given the bone protruding from his forehead, but you can get the impression of a frown regardless. "Don't get hurt."
            
            "It'll be fine, worrywart." She pokes him lightly in the shoulder. He grunts.
            
    Leaving @{fracture Fracture|Rampage} there, you and @{fracture Rampage|Fracture} move forward, and then split up. @{fracture Rampage|Fracture} tucks just around the corner of the building. You size up the climb.
    
    @{(expressive > 59) Just two storeys? Psh, how about a challenge?|Only two storeys. Shouldn't be too bad.} Pushing off from your back foot, you take a running jump straight at the storefront. Your tendrils thump satisfyingly into the top of the boards, gain purchase, and then propel you easily into the air. Smooth as silk, you pivot around a tendril and land yourself right above the sign. An excellent vantage point. Down below, @{fracture Fracture tilts his head at you, |Rampage excitedly mimes clapping her hands, }and then returns @{fracture his|her} attention to the target.
    
    You've got maybe thirty seconds for any last gasp preparations.
    *choice
        #No. Better just to be ready to act.
            *set plan 1
            Nine times out of ten, a perfectly timed entrance is better than a clever trick. Patience is the best policy. You roll your shoulders and flex your tentacles, priming yourself to go.
            
            You'll find the right moment when it comes.
            
            *goto subtle
        #Assuming I can stay out of sight, the side of the building is an even better perch.
            *set plan 2
            Thanks to your tendrils a vertical plane is no obstacle, and shortening the gap to the ground by a few feet should add punch to the ambush.
            
            Just have to balance properly and avoid doing anything to tip anyone off.
            
            Extending your tendrils, you carefully clamber back across the sign, gripping with both appendages to anchor yourself. Your stomach lurches uncomfortably for a moment as you tip parallel with the ground, and you latch your hands to the sign's underside. Just like that, the building has its very own $!{mask} gargoyle.
            
            You wouldn't want to sit here all evening, but you're feeling stable enough for now.
            
            *goto subtle
        #With enough muscle, I could loosen the sign for an explosive entrance.
            *set plan 3
            *set juice -5
            Get this right and you can bring down the house. Literally.
            
            *if guts > 23
                Working your tendrils underneath the sign's moorings, you lever enough of a gap to slot your hands into place. It's quite the strain, but you've still got enough strength in your body that putting your back into a push rewards you with an uneasy creak. Alright. Nice. You're pretty sure that if you exert your body and your tendrils at once, this thing's coming straight down.
                *goto subtle
            *else
                *set smooth false
                Working your tendrils underneath the sign's moorings is a strain, and it takes a moment to open enough of a gap to slot your hands into place. From there, you exert all your strength upon the sign, gritting your teeth and pushing your body to the limit.
                
                The sign barely budges.
                
                Oh dear.
                
                You break off your efforts, panting softly. Dammit. You hope @{fracture Fracture|Rampage} isn't watching.
                
                *goto subtle
        *selectable_if (fighting_style = 3) #I'll tailor my tendrils a little for a dive.
            *set plan 4
            *set juice -5
            Concentrating on the tendrils, you wield your focus like a scalpel. With the right application of effort and thought you feel the tip of each tendril splitting in four, unfurling like plants in bloom. You give the adjustments an experimental flex, finding you can clench and unclench the new 'petals' like a fist. Perfect.
            
            *goto subtle
        *selectable_if (speciality =1) #How about a node?
            *set plan 5
            *set juice - 15
            *set usednodecaper true
            *set node true
            What's better than an ambush at the hands of a featureless villain with creepy prehensile limbs? An ambush from said villain along with ${mc_his} partway-sentient little flesh monster, of course!
            
            Though in all seriousness, the idea is swiftly growing on you. A single node isn't too unruly, and it'd be a hell of a way to add some extra alarm to the surprise attack.
            
            Clock's ticking. You concentrate inward once again, moving those foreign inner muscles. A stirring within your breast, and then come the convulsions.
            
            Though your chest is heaving, your throat twitching and bulging as familiar red ichor leaks from your mouth, this experience pales in comparison to the last. When the nodes came out the other day you were already exerted and partway to panicking at Surpass showing up out of nowhere. This is a much more controlled expulsion.
            
            Which is mostly to say that you're able to spit the squirming node directly into your hand instead of puking it off the side of the building.
            
            The node wriggles in your palm. You nudge your mental connection and it stops, wrapping its dendrites around your forearm. It makes a noise that sounds a little too much like a purr.
            
            [i]prey. hunt. eat.[/i]
            
            *goto subtle
            
*else
    You find yourself indecisive about the best approach. There's the option of rushing straight in, but you could also be a little more methodical about this. Both routes have their pros and cons. 
    
    Still, you have to settle on something. Can't exactly do both.
    *choice
        #Take the time to plan.
            *set rel_teddie %+ 5
            *set instinctive - 5
            *goto plan
        #No plan survives contact with the enemy!
            *set rel_kay %+ 5
            *set instinctive +5
            *goto noplan


*label busting
*if (fracture)
    Fracture takes a few steps to build up a head of steam, but once he has that momentum going, he's an unstoppable wrecking ball.
    
*else
    Rampage launches off her back foot with a crack like a clap of thunder. It's so quick that you have to hurry up not to be left in the dust. She zips towards the target, arms pumping.
    
@{fracture He crashes into the building's door with an explosion of |She slams into the building's door with an explosion of electricity and} splintering wood. It's such a spectacle you almost forget your role in your own plan; hastily you remedy that, punching your tendrils through the top of the boards barring the storefront and ripping them free.

Inside, a short man in green fatigues and a ski mask yelps, falling backward from his chair and onto the floor.

"Holy crap—uh, I mean—Hark! Villains are upon us!"

In what may be the most admirable recovery you've ever seen, the man in green—Ranger, you presume—leaps to his feet, snatches a blocky weapon that's half sword and half bat, and then straight up launches himself through the empty windows.
*page_break Impact.

His flying kick lands full to your chest. You drop back a step, more out of surprise than anything else. Back inside the building, two more figures burst out of a backroom, hastily strapping masks and gear into place. Mis and Hit wear matching outfits in white, with sports style armour and knee and elbow pads. One has a red bullseye stencilled on their chest, the other a crosshair. Hit's the one with the slingshot, you'd expect.

A shout pulls your attention back to Ranger. "Evildoer! For what foul ends do you darken our doorstep?"

Oh.

Oh wow.

He talks like a saturday morning cartoon's idea of a superhero.

Alongside you, Fracture and Rampage—@{fracture the former still shaking off pieces of door|the latter still shaking off fragments of smoking wood}—are standing ready to tackle Mis/Hit, so you've got captain boy scout here all to yourself.

Speaking of, Ranger's body is shimmering subtly. Right, his abilities involve some kind of camouflage.

"Wesson Parks Patrol! To battle!"
*choice
    #Let's try sneaky: keep him talking, and then strike when his guard is down.
        With a mouth like that, you think you've got a good shot at drawing him into a verbal joust.
        
        *if subterfuge > 35
            "Hm. What foul ends indeed?" you ponder enigmatically, folding your arms and stroking your chin with a tendril.
            
            *label perk
            Ranger perks up, if such a thing is even possible. "You'll never get away with your malevolent schemes!" he declares, springing into action. His swing is much more enthusiasm than skill, and you easily duck aside.
            
            @{(subterfuge > 35) "Easy now," you call softly. "Are you sure you want to do that when you don't even know what we're up to?"|"Pathetic!" you shoot back. "With such meagre skills, our triumph is guaranteed!"}
            
            Uncertainty clouds Ranger's expression. "What are you plotting, fiend?" he demands. You extend a tendril, beckoning him closer. He takes a step towards you, then another.
            
            That, of course, is when you cold cock him with a left hook straight to the jaw, felling him like a tree.
            
            You nudge him with a foot. Yep, he's out.
            *fake_choice
                #I almost can't believe that worked.
                    That's what overcommitting to the bit gets you, you suppose.
                    
                #Sucker.
                    You can't lie. That was satisfying.
                    
            *goto ongoing
        *elseif expressive >= 75
            Though… well, honestly, you're not the best at subtle manipulations, and you find yourself drawing a blank on how to get started. But then, inspiration.
            
            Placing your hands on your hips, you scoff. "As if I'd tell you such a thing, [i]hero[/i]." You're channelling every hammy villainous monologue you can remember.
            
            *goto perk
        *else
            Just have to think of the right things to say.
            
            …
            
            You can't think of anything to say.
            
            "That's for me to know and you to find out," you eventually manage.
            
            Ranger doesn't nibble, springing forward with a swing of his swordbat. You sway back in an awkward dodge.
            
            "What, no banter?" you ask, a touch desperately. Ranger hesitates, lowering his weapon slightly, and you seize on the opportunity to sucker punch him—
            
            —which he avoids, before promptly hitting you with a palm strike to the chin that almost sits you down on the spot.
            
            "You can banter behind bars, villain!" he declares as you reel back. Once you regain your bearings, it's to the sight of him grinning broadly.
            
            *goto hesasking
    #Engage, watching carefully for any tricks.
        *set patrol 3
        You caught them by surprise. No reason to squander the advantage.
        
        Ranger springs to meet you as you step forward, swinging his weapon lustily. It's an easy dodge, and you promptly double up with your tendrils, slamming both them into his chest and knocking him to the ground.
        
        *if observation > 35
            Usually you'd follow straight up. Here, you take just a moment to scan Ranger on the floor.
            
            There's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it flicker, and Ranger scrambles back to a vertical base. Your eyes skid across the space he just was and you spot the same shimmer as before. As you look on, the shimmer moves too.
            
            @{(expressive > 45) Gotcha.|Well now.}
            
            What looks like Ranger charges at you. Keeping your stance set until the last moment, you feint for the double and then whip a tendril around to intercept the blurred figure. 'Ranger' takes a harmless swing that passes straight through you. Meanwhile, your tendril reverberates with the force of impact.
            
            *label fizzle
            The shimmer fizzles out and the real Ranger returns to view halfway through a backward somersault that terminates with him splatting facefirst on the asphalt.
            
            He groans something indistinct, and then lays still.
            
            *goto ongoing
        
        *elseif fighting_style = 2
            Your first instinct is to follow up, and though you heed that urge, your tactical brain is still whirring, assessing. Ranger can't be totally incompetent. He's got a team with a successful mission under their belt. As you close in on him, Ranger pops onto his feet and looks ready to meet you head on.
            
            But wait. There's that shimmer again. And it's offset from Ranger himself.
            
            Camouflage, huh?
            
            You take a calculated risk and feint at Ranger. In the same moment, you whip a tendril around to intercept the blurred figure and are rewarded with a thump of impact. Hah. Nice try.
            
            *goto fizzle
        *else
            *set trick true
            Your instincts are tugging at you to follow up, and after your quick glance to Ranger on the floor reveals nothing untoward, you give that urge its head. As you close in on him, Ranger pops onto his feet and brandishes his weapon. You quickstep inside the bat's reach and throw an elbow directly into his jaw.
            
            Soundlessly, your blow passes straight through Ranger's face. A hard impact crashes into your shoulder and you stagger.
            
            Nearby, the air shimmers and Ranger reappears, grinning broadly. The double that you swung at fizzles and vanishes.
            
            Oh sure. 'Camouflage'. 
            
            "Overconfidence will be your downfall, villain!"
            *label hesasking
            *set smooth false
            *choice
                #Oh he is begging for an ass kicking.
                    *if expressive < 41
                        You don't usually lose your temper, but something about that smug expression on his face gets your blood boiling.
                        
                    *else
                        You've been known to be @{(expressive < 55) a little|pretty} hot-blooded. Here is no exception. That smug expression on his face is infuriating.
                        
                    *set expressive %+ 10
                    *goto rangertwo
                #Shake it off. Can't let my emotions get the better of me.
                    *if expressive > 59
                        It's not easy to breathe through the spike of anger at the smug expression on his face, but you manage.
                        
                    *else
                        Keeping cool @{(expressive > 45) isn't unmanageable for you.|comes naturally to you.} It's not hard to push the surge of anger away.
                        
                    *set expressive %- 10
                    *goto rangertwo
    #My powers outclass his. Overwhelm him.
        He can hide himself. You've got the tendrils, your membrane, the @{speciality nodes|mutations|carapace|DUMMY} if you really want to reach into your bag. It's not even close.
        
        *if fighting_style = 3
            *set juice -5
            Ranger springs onto the offensive, charging you with his swordbat. You bring your tendrils overhead, coiling protectively.
            
            Well. That's the decoy anyway.
            
            As Ranger rushes in, you tense the tendrils. Your control is tight. @{(bravado = 3) As uncomfortable as it may be, you're synchronised with them.|They're like extensions of your own arms.} Closer and closer he runs, pulling his weapon back for a swing—
            
            Your tendrils crack like pistons, lancing into Ranger's ribs with enough force to put him instantly on the ground, groaning and wheezing. Might have busted a few ribs there. Nothing life-threatening. Either way, he's done.
            *goto ongoing
        *else
            *set juice -10
            Ranger springs forward and you respond in kind, rushing to meet him on the charge. He swings for you with his weapon and you bat it aside with a tendril, launching out its opposite number for a quick knockout blow. He twists aside with surprising verve, ramming an ineffective elbow into your membrane. Realising that you're unhurt, Ranger backs up a little and starts fencing at your tendrils, parrying your attacks and keeping you at swordbat's length.
            
            Hmph. Fine then.
            
            You gather your tendrils underneath yourself and feint a regular punch. Ranger buys it, going for a block with his forearm. Instantly, you slam the tendrils into the ground, launching yourself like a rocket. With a satisfying crack, your elbow smashes him in the face, putting him straight to the ground.
            
            @{(expressive < 45) While you're not always the flourishing type, the little twirl you pull off while setting yourself back down with your tendrils feels entirely earned.|Catching yourself with your tendrils, you put a little flourish into the movement as you set yourself back down. You earned that one.}
            *goto ongoing
            
    #This guy's a joke. Just kick his ass.
        What's that weapon even supposed to be? Not sharp enough to cut, too bulky for proper swings. Maybe Ranger managed to beat down a few thugs, but you're no footsoldier.
        
        *if ((fighting_style = 1) or (guts > 20))
            Ranger charges. You take up your stance, arms raised and ready by your head, one foot just off the ground. He winds up for a massive swing of his weapon and you simply sway backwards for an easy dodge. @{(fighting_style = 1) Wildly overbalanced, Ranger's completely exposed for you to smash a jumping knee straight into his face. The impact sends him into a half somersault that terminates with a headfirst landing on the unforgiving asphalt.|With Ranger wildly overbalanced, you exploit the opening to hammer an elbow into his face. The hit sends him on a complete 360 degree pirouette on one foot, and as he completes the circle, you uncork a combination of strikes. He manages to cover up from a few of them, even landing a stinging body shot in retaliation, but you've got the strength and the stamina to outlast him. Soon enough Ranger zigs when he should have zagged and slams his head directly into a knee strike. He promptly folds like an accordion.}
            
            You crack your knuckles. Yep. He's done.
            *goto ongoing
            
        *else
            Ranger charges. You take up your stance, but seeing him rush at you like that gives you a sudden jolt of doubt. Your conditioning is lacking right now, strength sapped from your frame. Is facing him head on really the best—Ranger snaps you from your thoughts in a hurry with a massive swing of his weapon. You hastily dodge, stumbling off balance, and remind yourself fiercely that now isn't the time to hesitate. You still know how to fight.
            
            Unfortunately as it turns out, so does Ranger.
            
            Whilst you get the better of the initial exchanges, landing a series of heavy shots to the body, he's able to ward you off from delivering a decisive pummelling. Soon you start to flag, reaching the depths of your limited stamina. An overly tired punch gets evaded, and Ranger retaliates with a low swipe of his swordbat, scything your legs out from beneath you.
            
            "Ha! Have at you, villain!" Ranger declares as you pick yourself up.
            *goto hesasking
            
            
*label subtle
*page_break Overlook the scene.
*if (fracture)
    "Heroes!" Fracture snarls. "Get out here!" He punctuates the challenge by absolutely demolishing a poor innocent mailbox with his hooked arm. Actually you're a little surprised that there was an intact mailbox in the Parks. Must have been involved in some shady dealings.
    
*else
    "Hey!" calls Rampage, not quite shouting. Her voice is flat and a bit nasal, and she looks very self-conscious. "Knock knock! Got an asskicking addressed here!" Despite the challenge in the words themselves, her delivery continues to wobble. You spot a glint of frustration in her eyes, and she promptly slams her fists together, causing a noise like a thunderclap accompanied by sparks of electricity. 

    Well. That'll get their attention all right. @{cis If you'd known Rampage was so reluctant to raise her voice, you might have reconsidered picking her over Fracture.|Still, Rampage's reluctance to raise her voice is tickling at the back of your head. She's not unconfident, she's uncomfortable. With… how she sounds, maybe?}

    @{cis |You've got thoughts on that, but not when you're seconds away from a fight.}

A pregnant pause, and then the door to the heroes' base bursts open below you, disgorging three figures. The first, a short man in green fatigues and a ski mask, strides to the front, brandishing a cumbersome-looking weapon that's half sword and half bat. Ranger, you presume. The other two wear matching costumes, sports style armour and knee and elbow pads in white. One has a red bullseye stencilled on their chest, the other a crosshair. You identify Hit easily enough: he's the one with the slingshot.

"Villain! To what foul ends do you darken our doorstep?"

Oh.

Oh wow.

Ranger talks like a Saturday morning cartoon's idea of a superhero.

@{fracture Fracture faces the trio down impassively. "Beating the shit out of you."|Rampage spreads her arms wide, a little confidence seeping back into her. "Told you, there's an asskicking package and I'm the delivery girl."}

Out of the corner of your eye you catch a glimpse of @{fracture Rampage|Fracture} lurking at the side of the building, poised to charge into the action.
*page_break Almost...

"If it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get!" says Ranger. "Team, sound off! Ranger!"

"Mis/Hit!" the pair calls in unison, exchanging glances.

"Together, we are the Wesson Parks Patrol!" declares Ranger, striking a heroic pose.

@{fracture Fracture stares at him for a second. "Fuck off."|Rampage can't keep a straight face, snorting a laugh. "Sorry, it's just—wow. That's your name? Seriously?"}

@{fracture "Never! It is you who shall fuck off!" Ranger seems delighted with his comeback.|Ranger sags a little. "I, well, yes?"}

*if plan = 1
    Yeah. That's distracted.
    
    You step from the roof, aiming straight for Ranger.
    
    "Ranger look out!" shouts Mis. Ranger partway turns, sees you, and moves just enough that your surprise attack turns into more of a surprise graze as you clatter clumsily into his shoulder. Your tendrils spare you the worst of the fall, but you're unbalanced and vulnerable.
    
    Fortunately you have a team, and @{fracture Fracture|Rampage} charges into action, beelining straight for @{fracture Mis|Hit}. Meanwhile, @{fracture Rampage|Fracture} emerges around the corner and starts tangling with @{fracture Hit|Mis}. That leaves you with Ranger as he gingerly starts to climb back to his feet.
    *choice
        #Oh no you don't. Finish him decisively.
            *set instinctive %+ 10
            You're not giving Ranger a chance to get a foothold. Literally [i]or[/i] metaphorically.
            
            Charging him down, you slam a full-pelt knee straight into his head, sending him sprawling back to the ground.
            
            You wait for a moment, watching Ranger carefully. Nope. Not moving. He's out.
            
            And that's how we do it.
            
            *goto ongoing
        #Decisively? How about painfully?
            *set brutal +1
            *set rangerhurt 1
            The harder you put someone down, the less likely they'll come back to bite you.
            
            Before Ranger can stand up fully, you slam into him with a knee and send him sprawling. Lining up your target methodically, you proceed to stomp directly on his face. His nose crunches beneath your heel in a fountain of blood. He looks pretty much unconscious already, but you go ahead and deliver a second stomp anyway. Call it insurance.
            
            @{killthink It's murder you're squeamish about, not getting violent.|By your reckoning that's the right balance of force.|You even held back a little.} A couple blows to the head won't kill him.
            
            *goto ongoing
        #Let's not get reckless now.
            *set patrol 3
            *set instinctive %- 10
            You won this advantage with care and planning. Why throw that away?
            
            Just as Ranger stands up fully, you spot a subtle shimmer around him. His camouflage?
            
            Or perhaps…
            
            Ranger charges at you with a warcry, brandishing his swordbat. The shimmer seems to intensify. In fact, it almost looks to be overflowing [i]next[/i] to him.
            
            You take a smart step to one side and deliver a thrust kick into thin air. Your foot connects with soft flesh, and the real Ranger blurs into view midway through folding up around the blow. The charging Ranger passes harmlessly by, then shimmers out of existence.
            
            Ranger's wheezing on the floor, and this time you feel perfectly comfortable to stride over to him and knock him cold with another kick to the jaw. Camouflage… you guess you could call it that, if you squint. Sneaky trick.
            
            *goto ongoing
*elseif plan = 2
    *if subterfuge > 35
        *label distracted
        Yeah. That's distracted.
        
        You launch yourself from your perch, arrowing straight for Ranger. With his back to you @{(plan = 2) and your improved position|} there's not a chance in hell. You slam into him with a bone-juddering crunch, flattening him facefirst to the ground@{(plan = 4) and then elegantly absorbing the remainder of the impact with your splayed tendrils.|.}
        *choice
            #I almost feel a little bad.
                Poor dude was so hyped to get into it.
                
                *goto ongoing
            #He had it coming after a speech like that.
                This isn't a game. He had an active threat facing him down and he was more concerned with projecting some kind of persona. He earned this reality check.
                
                *goto ongoing
            #Next.
                Eyes on the prize, $!{forename}.
                
                *goto ongoing
    *else
        *set smooth false
        *set mc_health 3
        *set injurydesc 7
        It's at that moment where you lean just a little too far out on your precarious perch, and your foot slips.
        
        Oh fu—
        
        You desperately lash out a tendril but it barely slows your momentum as you plunge to the ground. All you can do is brace yourself for—
        
        The impact of your body into unforgiving concrete drives all the air from your lungs.
        
        *page_break Yeah. That.
        
        "So uh… friend of yours?" Ranger's voice floats over to you, apparently too stunned to keep up the act.
        
        @{fracture "For fuck's sake," you hear Fracture snarl.|"Oh man…" Rampage's sigh hurts almost as much as the fall.}
        
        You peel yourself off the ground, raising your head just enough to see heroes and @{fracture Fracture|Rampage} both staring at you.
        
        @{fracture Mercifully, a well-timed thunderclap signals that Rampage is on the scene, bodychecking Hit and sending him flying.|With a tiny shrug, Rampage suddenly bursts forward, catching Hit napping and bowling him over.} Everyone else comes to life and battle is joined.
        
        You regain your feet, doing your best to shake off your fall. With Rampage all over Hit and Mis charging straight at Fracture, that leaves Ranger as your dance partner.
        
        He hefts the swordbat, pointing it at you in dramatic challenge. "Evildoer! Prepare yourself for swift justice!" He sure recovered from the surprise quickly.
        
        *label rangertwo
        Enough screwing around.
        *choice
            #Bring my powers to bear and take him out.
                *set juice -10
                No clever tricks, just your tendrils and your membrane against Ranger's bat and camouflage. @{trick And he's not pulling that decoy bullshit on you twice.|}
                
                Ranger springs at you, swiping the swordbat for your chest. You block it with a tendril, bulling recklessly through the pain to go straight into your own attack, ramming the opposite tendril into Ranger's face. He jerks back, giving you the opportunity to follow up, raining down a barrage of blows from tendrils, fists, and knees. 
                
                It's far too much for him to handle, and with a loop of your tendrils around his chest, you drive him decisively into the ground, out cold.
                
                *goto ongoing
            #Time to get vicious.
                *set brutal +1
                *set rangerhurt 1
                You're realising that sometimes, violence really is the answer.
                
                Ranger springs at you and you stand your ground, focusing on your membrane. Just as Ranger winds up for a swing of his swordbat you lunge, driving a now-bladed elbow into his shoulder. He cries out in pain, stumbling back, and you tear the blade free before swiping it across his face, opening a deep cut.
                
                With your opponent reeling, you snatch him around the neck with a tendril and slam him decisively to the ground, motionless.
                
                You spare a brief glance over Ranger, just long enough to confirm he's still breathing. @{killthink Reluctance to kill isn't reluctance to harm.|Honestly, he should be thankful you held back.|Best not to kill him. Too many complications.}
                
                *goto ongoing
            

*elseif plan = 3
    Yeah. That's distracted.
    
    *if (smooth)
        *set signage true
        *set rangerhurt 1
        You lean into the sign. It creaks obligingly. With a deep breath, you set yourself and start pushing, pumping energy into your tendrils. First, more noise, and then, movement.
        
        Bit.
        By.
        Bit.
        
        Just as you're beginning to worry this won't be enough, that you're taking far too long, the whole thing comes down at once with a metal shriek. You nearly overbalance, snatch at the rooftop with your tendrils to anchor yourself, and hear the beginnings of a cry of alarm before the sign crashes down upon Ranger, knocking him flat.
        
        "Shit!" yelps Hit, then is immediately cut off by Rampage charging at him. Fracture wades in to face Mis, and you're left perching awkwardly up on the signless storefront. Hurriedly, you begin scrambling down the side of the building.
        
        *goto ongoing
        
    *else
        This would be the perfect opportunity to haul down the sign. If, y'know, you were strong enough to move it. Instead, you're out of position and have to waste precious seconds clambering back around to the front of your perch. Just as you get back to where you need to be, the worst happens.
        
        Whether you made a little too much noise or something about the situation seemed fishy, Hit suddenly looks up, around…
        
        *page_break aaand straight at you.
        
        "Ambush!" he yells, immediately pulling back his slingshot and shooting you right in the hand. Stung, you involuntarily loose your grip, your whole body tipping forward. You snatch desperately at the sign, catching yourself from falling at the last second. By the time you regain your balance, it's to the sight of both Fracture and Rampage charging into the action, tangling with Mis and Hit respectively. Meanwhile, you're still stranded up here.
        
        @{(expressive > 40) Cursing, |Jaw clenched tight, }you start scrambling down the front of the building, catching your tendril on the edge of the roof to lower yourself to the ground. Ranger lies in wait for you, but only actually takes a swing with his swordbat after your feet touch the floor. Attacking while you were in midair is probably against his code of honour or something. You roll under the swipe, using the motion to gain some additional distance before you swing back to face Ranger.
        
        *goto rangertwo
    
*elseif plan = 4
    *goto distracted
    
*elseif plan = 5
    [i]hunt. bite.[/i]
    
    Cocking back an arm, you hurl the node straight at Ranger's head.
    
    [i]eat!?[/i]
    
    It's a good throw, and the node arcs unerringly towards the target.
    
    "Regardless! Villains! Prepare for—WAH!" Ranger flails wildly as the node wraps around his head. @{fracture Fracture|Rampage} takes the cue and charges, beginning the fight in earnest. Meanwhile, you clamber down from your perch, allowing your tendrils to cushion your leap. You're starting to get the hang of this.
    
    [i]blood. eat. prey.[/i]
    
    A metallic tang sits on your tongue. The node clenches tight to Ranger, unmovable even with both of Ranger's hands scrabbling desperately to pry it off. With him distracted and blind, it's the simplest thing in the world for you to line up a punch to the head and turn out the lights.
    
    [i]eat.[/i]
    
    You rally your willpower, force the node to relinquish its hold. A confused, almost petulant feeling rushes back along your connection, but the node complies, detaching itself. Any sense of satisfaction at the swift victory fades as you see the jagged bites of flesh torn from Ranger's face.
    
    Hunger gnaws at you, and you wrench yourself away from the sight, nausea churning in your gut.
    
    *goto ongoing

*label ongoing
*page_break One down.

@{signage As your feet touch the ground, you see your teammates are already right in the thick of things. Ranger's still pinned motionless beneath the sign, one arm contorted at a truly unnatural angle.|Your teammates haven't stood idle while you battled Ranger, and they're both in the thick of things.}

*if (signage)
    *choice
        #Take a second to move the sign.
            *set grey +1
            Ranger is already out of commission, there's no need to risk maiming him. Or worse.
            
            With a quick step over to Ranger's unconscious form, you stoop and shift the debris to alleviate some of the pressure from his chest and spine. He's still not going anywhere fast, but at least now you know you're not crippling the guy.
            
            *goto ongoingcont
        #He'll live. I have other concerns.
            You wouldn't have dropped the sign in the first place if you thought it'd kill him. He's out of commission. That's what matters.
            
            *goto ongoingcont

*label ongoingcont
*if (smooth)
    Fracture's struggling to keep up with Mis, whose footwork and smooth dodges are making it impossible for him to land a meaningful strike. There's not much she can do against his bone plating, so it looks as though she's trying to wear him out instead. Rampage, meanwhile, just can't close the gap on Hit. Every time she tries, he pulls back his slingshot and pings a pinpoint shot which forces her to stop and defend. A couple of nasty welts on Rampage's face speak the consequences of disregarding the threat.
    
*else
    Fracture's having a hard time with Mis, who's running speedy little rings around him. He's breathing hard, beginning to falter under the weight of all that bone. Mis might not be able to hurt him much through his armour, but she can certainly wear him down to exhaustion. Rampage on the other hand very much [i]is[/i] hurt, a cut on her brow running blood directly into her left eye. Hit refuses to get anywhere near her, and each time she starts to close the gap, he pings her with his slingshot to force her to halt and take defensive action.
    
Both of them could probably use an assist.
*choice
    #Fracture.
        *set rel_kay %+ 10
        If Fracture gasses out, that's not only bad for the fight, it's bad for your getaway. Best not let this get out of hand. Rampage will have to fend for herself for now.
        
        You swing away from Ranger and towards the pair. Mis is a whirling dervish; she moves quickly as is, but whenever Fracture actually attacks her reactions are so fast she almost blurs. Little wonder he's having trouble.
        
        *choice
            #Dodging has limits: I'm going all out offence.
                *set misplan 1
                She can't dodge forever, and you have two extra limbs to swing. You start off towards her.
                
                *goto misfight
            #Get in close, but be clever with my tendrils. 
                *set misplan 6
                A head-on scrap puts things too much on Mis's terms. It fully favours the strength of her power. So the question becomes: how to circumvent that strength?
                
                You've got a couple of ideas as you advance on her.
                
                *goto misfight
            #Fracture has her distracted, I can use him as a decoy.
                *set misplan 2
                *set sackteddie true
                *set rel_kay %- 5
                A little ruthless, maybe, but there are no sportsmanship awards in mask fights.
                
                Instead of approaching directly, you keep low and circle around to the flank. Mis is preoccupied with giving Fracture the runaround, increasingly mixing her dodging and weaving with surgically targeted strikes at his vulnerabilities. A stomp to the ankle here, a chop to the neck there. Piece by piece, the damage is mounting. Mis isn't looking to win via attrition, she's going for a death of a thousand cuts, and @{smooth Fracture just can't keep up.|Fracture is on his last legs.}
                
                Too bad for Mis, then, that you've manoeuvred your way into position.
                
                You hammer your tendrils into the back of her neck, dropping her without a sound. Fracture's left to blink at you in surprise, though his eyes soon narrow as he connects the dots on what you just did.
                
                *goto endrampage
            *if (speciality = 1)
                *selectable_if (node) #@{node The node can harry her and give me a chance to take her out.|A node might have helped here, but I can't spare the time to make one.}
                    *set misplan 3
                    It's the work of a thought to send your node scampering off ahead of you. It's tasted blood and it's eager for more. You follow along in its wake.
                    
                    Mis spots you first, and has started shifting around Fracture to keep you both in full view when she catches sight of the horrible little creature skittering towards her at top speed.
                    
                    "What the hell is that!?"
                    
                    Can always count on the nodes to @{(expressive > 65) be suitably fucked up|rattle the nerves}. You accelerate as it leaps at Mis. She doesn't just dodge, she fully dives out of the way, wanting no part of that.
                    
                    [i]hunt. eat.[/i]
                    
                    The node whips around in pursuit. Mis hurriedly backs up as you take the final step and hurl a massive haymaker. Somehow, she still reacts in the fraction of a second remaining, twisting away from your fist. Your knuckles graze her temple and she stumbles, giving the node a chance to latch onto her leg, biting deep.
                    
                    Mis shrieks. Your next punch connects flush with her jaw, laying her flat.
                    
                    Pulling back the node's instincts is harder this time. Its frustration roils around your mind.
                    
                    *goto endrampage
                
            
            *selectable_if (smooth) #Fracture's still got some stamina, he and I can pin down Mis together.
                *set misplan 4
                While Mis's evasive powers are clearly formidable, she doesn't have eyes in the back of her head. Dodging's easy when you can always keep the threat straight in front of you. Time to bail Fracture out: you start towards them.
                
                *goto misfight
            *selectable_if (fighting_style =1) #I've got a few grappling tricks in my bag. She can't dodge those.
                *set misplan 5
                Feels like the smart play against super evasion: just don't give her anything to evade.
                
                Still the matter of laying a hand on her.
                
                *label misfight
                Mis spots you halfway through your approach and shifts around Fracture in such a way that she can see you both at once.
                
                @{(expressive > 60) "Looks like you could use a hand,"|"Let's get this done,"} you tell Fracture as you draw up. @{smooth He just grunts. Can't fault him for consistency you suppose.|He's so exhausted that he can't even muster one of his usual grunts.}
                
                *if misplan = 5
                    Mis is watching you closely, bouncing gently on her heels. You see her tense as you step inward, and the snapjab you lead with is of course easily avoided with a quick sway of the head. Undeterred you swing again and Mis sidesteps, then dodges a third punch, brushing right by you to put you between her and Fracture.
                    
                    You smile, unseen beneath the membrane. Exactly. You turn to keep track of her, throwing in another punch for good measure. The swing is a broad arc, luring Mis to not only slide past again, but go for a sly hit of her own.
                    
                    @{(expressive >65) And that's what you might call her Mis/take.|And there's the slip you're looking for.}
                    
                    Immediately you twist your arm around and snag hold of her wrist. She attempts to wriggle clear, but it's already too late. You drag her towards you, transitioning your grip into more of an armlock and then bringing in your opposite hand for a clinch around the back of her head. Mis again tries to slip out, and you move with her, transferring the momentum into a hip throw that brings you both crashing to the ground. You wind up on top of Mis in the grapple, and with her pinned down you seize the opportunity to smash an elbow into her face. Dodge this.
                    
                    She does not.
                    
                    The force of your strike bounces her head off the floor and with that, she goes limp. Wham.
                    *goto endrampage
                    
                *elseif misplan = 1
                    Mis is watching you closely, bouncing gently on her heels. As you step inward for a snabjab, she quickly sways her head and evades. You press on, swinging again, then again. Mis slips past each punch as it's thrown. Bringing your tendrils into the mix sees Mis moving faster, dodging harder, but nonetheless still dodging.  You keep up the offensive. Punch, punch, tendril, punch, kick, elbow, tendril. 
                    
                    She avoids it all. Not only that, but suddenly your head's snapping to the side as she retaliates with a hit of her own. And it's not the last. Her evasive actions begin interweaving strikes, rattling your jaw, bruising your abdomen, stinging your chest and arms. Try as you may, you're unable to make her pay with a single clean shot. Perhaps she really [i]can[/i] dodge forever.
                    
                    Thankfully you're spared the need to find out when Fracture finally gets into Mis's blindspot, hammering her in the back of the head with a bone-studded forearm, dropping her like a stone.
                    *label fracturehelp
                    *choice
                        #Give him a nod.
                            *set expressive %- 5
                            *set rel_teddie +2
                            He nods back.
                            
                        #"Thanks. Teamwork."
                            "Hm."
                            
                            He does nod. Might be as good as you'll get.
                            
                        #"Took you long enough."
                            Your snappish remark gets little more than a snort from Fracture.
                            
                        *if (misplan = 1) #I'm both pissed off and embarrassed, and just turn away.
                            *set expressive %+ 5
                            @{(expressive > 60) Embarpissed.|Frustrating.} Mis just made you look like a fool.
                    
                    *if (misplan = 4) and (smooth)
                        *set wpp 1
                        
                    *elseif (smooth)
                        *set WPP 2
                        *goto endrampage
                        
                    *else
                        *set WPP 3
                        *goto endrampage
                    
                *elseif misplan = 4
                    You go on the attack first, buying Fracture a moment to catch his breath. Mis sways her head, easily evading your leading snapjab. That's fine. You're just testing the waters, getting her moving. Pressing forward, you swing twice more. Twice more Mis dodges, sidestepping rapidly, attempting to maintain that full sight of you both.
                    
                    Alright, that's how she's going to play this.
                    
                    Continuing to throw strikes, you maintain the pressure on Mis. More dodges. Soon enough she tries again to pivot around you and you move in tandem, blocking off her circling with some quick footwork of your own. Another dodged elbow, and then Mis attempts to get around once more. Nope. You stymie her with a lash of your tendril, forcing her even further in the wrong direction, putting her back almost entirely to Fracture.
                    
                    Fracture, who with some satisfaction takes the opportunity to hammer a bone-studded forearm into the back of Mis's head, dropping her like a stone.
                    *goto fracturehelp
                  
                *elseif misplan = 6
                    You go on the attack, stepping into a snapjab which she predictably evades with a sway of her head. Maintaining the pressure, you throw a quick combination. Dodge. Dodge. With the third dodge she slips around you, sidestepping to ensure she can keep both you and Fracture in the front view. That's fine. If she's splitting her attention, she's that much more vulnerable.
                    
                    Mis ducks an elbow, pivots past a right hook, and then nails you with a solid hit to the jaw, rocking you a little even with your membrane absorbing the worst of it. Looks like she's got hands. Feigning frustration, you take a wild swing at Mis that barely demands a dodge, and she takes the bait hook, line, and sinker. She steps in for a counterpunch, and your tendril—intentionally kept low and unthreatening—picks her ankle straight out from underneath her.
                    
                    Even dangling upside down in your tendril's grip, Mis manages to twist aside from your next attempt at punching her. Okay. Fine. Whatever. You wrap your other tendril around Mis's torso, lift her up, and then piledrive her headfirst into the ground. Dodge that.
                    
                    With some satisfaction, you retract your tendrils.
                    
                    *goto endrampage
                
                *else
                    *bug none of the misplans should route here
                    
                    
    #Rampage.
        *set rel_teddie %+ 10
        It's only a matter of time before Hit does some serious damage. @{smooth You'd rather avoid Rampage getting a ball bearing to the eye.|Rampage is already hurt; best not to let this get out of hand.} Fracture will have to fend for himself for now.
        
        You swing away from Ranger and towards the pair. The hit and run strategy is really doing a number on Rampage, with Hit seemingly able to slow her pursuit just enough to get well clear whenever she's about to corner him. The gulf in experience is obvious; she's taking obvious bait and allowing herself to get ran around. You suspect that with a couple more battles under her belt, Rampage's power alone will let her outclass the likes of Hit, but for now, she needs a helping hand.
        
        So, better get to that.
        
        @{node Useful as your node was against Ranger, it's not going to help much with Hit, a little too vulnerable and a little too slow. It'll get shot to pieces before closing the distance.|}
        
        @{node [i]eat,[/i] it doesn't-quite-complain.|}
        *choice
         #Dodge, dip, duck, dive.
             *if mc_health = 1
                 *set mc_health 2
                 *set injurydesc 8
              
             *if (smooth)
                 *set wpp 2
                 
             *else
                 *set wpp 3
                 
             …and dodge.
             
             You're much more mobile than Rampage. She's fast, you're agile. If you lean into your unpredictable movement you'll be an impossible target. Rising up on your tendrils immediately attracts Hit's attention, and you proceed to burst into motion.
             
             The flaw with this plan strikes you at roughly the same time as Hit's first shot.
             
             A pinpoint impact lands straight to your kneecap as you careen through the air. Gritting your teeth, you divert course, using your tendrils to reverse your direction. Another shot cracks against your knuckles, drawing blood. @{(expressive > 45) You swear under your breath.|Your brow furrows deep.} No matter how much you spring about, leap from one place to the next, Hit tracks you unerringly, head snapping to each new position, retraining his aim.
             
             Yet another shot lands, a painful thump into the meat of your thigh. You dart forward, trying to throw him off with a rush, but he calmly draws back another shot and nails you straight between the eyes. Luckily your membrane is proof against the projectile, not that it doesn't hurt like hell.
             
             You keep coming and now Hit looks alarmed. He breaks into a run in an attempt to escape your charge, and that's when Rampage comes in from the flank and bodychecks him into next week. He hits a nearby wall, rebounds, and promptly drops facefirst to the floor.
             *choice
                 #Nod acknowledgement to Rampage.
                     *set rel_kay +2
                     *set expressive %- 5
                     *goto headbob
                 #"Good teamwork."
                     *set rel_kay +2
                     *label headbob
                     She bobs her head, rapping her knuckles together. There's a smile in her eyes.
                     
                     *goto endfracture
                 #I'm kind of pissed he got one over me, and I turn away immediately.
                     *set expressive %+ 5
                     Look at you, judging Rampage's inexperience then falling into the exact same pitfall. A hard, frustrating pill to swallow.
                     
                     *goto endfracture
                     
         #My membrane should be able to withstand his dinky slingshot.
             Accuracy won't count for much if the weapon can't penetrate. You've got nothing to worry about.
             
             Steeling yourself, you begin a direct march towards Hit, immediately capturing his attention. Transferring his aim to you, he fires off a shot that catches you right in the throat. Painful, but you've had worse. Much, much worse.
             
             Another shot, right to the head this time. Again it stings, again you refuse to so much as slow down.
             
             Now Hit looks alarmed. He backs up a step, then starts to break into a run, and that's when you launch off from your tendrils and pounce. Tackling Hit from behind, you bear him to the floor and then slam a swift, vicious elbow into the back of his head, bouncing his face off the ground. With that, he goes limp.
             
             *goto endfracture
         #Let Rampage occupy Hit's attention—and slingshot—then take him out while his back's turned.
             *set sackkay true
             *set rel_teddie %- 5
             A little ruthless, maybe, but there are no sportsmanship awards in mask fights.
             
             Hit's fully focused on Rampage lest she run him over, and that grants opportunity. Staying low, you stick to the opposite side of the street and start making your way towards the pair of them. As you close in Hit pings another shot and Rampage's head jerks back, @{smooth a spray of blood gushing from above one eye.|a second cut to her face now gushing blood.} Having got the shot off, Hit takes the chance to pull back to a safe distance.
             
             Unfortunately for him, you've already manoeuvred yourself directly into his path.
             
             "Shi—"
             
             @{fighting_style Your knee smashes him in the chin,|You drive a knee into his gut, then slam an elbow into the back of his head,|Your tendrils strike him in tandem, ramming into his face with brutal impacts and|DUMMY} laying him out in the ground.
             
             Rampage skids to a halt. Her eyes dart from you to Hit and back, and then fill with a rather hurt look. As well as a little more blood.
             
             *goto endfracture
         *selectable_if (smooth) #We're both holding up fine, Hit doesn't have a chance in a 2v1.
             Those evasive strategies fall apart when faced with threats from multiple directions. Rampage is only a little hurt, plenty enough of a threat to make this work.
             
             "Rampage! @{(expressive > 59) Let's corner him!"|Pincer attack!"}
             
             She nods, veering off to the right. You take the left. Hit's already backing up, pulling his slingshot taut as he glances between the two of you. Doesn't matter. Not like he can go full auto with that thing.
             
             Hit does ping a shot at you, catching you right in the throat. Painful, but you've had worse. Much, much worse. He swaps target, aiming right at Rampage's face, but she throws up an arm and keeps on trucking. His space narrowing rapidly, Hit backpedals from you both, and then breaks into an out-an-out run. Too slow and too late.
             
             With a burst of fresh speed, Rampage charges ahead to cut him off. Hit jukes desperately to the side, and that's when you catch him, swiping his legs out with a whip of your tendrils. He hits the ground hard. Rampage hits him harder, uncorking a massive kick that connects with his jaw and unleashes a halo of sparks. Hit skids several feet along the floor, and then lies still.
             
             Yeah no that'll definitely do it.
             
             *goto endfracture
         *selectable_if (speciality = 3) #Projectiles? Meet carapace.
             *set juice -15
             *set carapace true
             
             Concentrating on that inner well of yours, you feel your membrane shiver, ripple, and grow. Swiftly, your armour begins to form, plates spreading across your shoulders, chest, and head. You clench your jaw tight as the touches-upon-touches feeling settles in. Soon enough, you're ready to go, and you begin advancing on Hit.
             
             Maybe using your carapace like this is overkill.

             But the sight of incredulous panic mounting on Hit's face as one shot after another plinks straight off your armour is entertainment enough for you to ignore the clinging, too-many-sensations discomfort. Hit tries to back away and run, but you don't allow him, breaking into a charge.
             
             He never stood a chance. Catching up with ease, you scoop him onto your shoulder and then slam him bodily to the ground, putting all your weight behind it. Hit's instantly a ragdoll, and as you straighten up from his limp form, you find a small smirk on your armoured face.
             
             Worth it.
             
             *goto endfracture

    *selectable_if (fighting_style = 2) #Can I figure out a way to help them both?
        *set rel_kay +5
        *set rel_teddie +5
        On the face of it, no. They're fighting their own battles.
        
        But perhaps that lends itself to a simple solution: merge two scraps into one.
        
        "Rampage! Fracture!" you shout. @{(expressive > 59) "Ranger's out! Switcheroo!|"Trade off!"}
        
        Grunting acknowledgement, Fracture turns his back on Mis and makes a beeline for you, leaving her scrabbling and throwing ineffectual punches in his wake. Turns out it's a little harder for her to slow him down than to dance around his attacks. Rampage, meanwhile, reacts gratifyingly quickly, pausing her pursuit of Hit with a planted foot and taking off in the opposite direction. A shot aimed at the back of her head deflects harmlessly with a sharp electric [i]crack[/i], and suddenly Hit's stranded at the very fringes of the engagement, just as you anticipated.
        
        You take off towards Fracture. As you get level you slip past him to launch yourself straight at Mis, caught up in her chase. She only sees you at the last instant, but still manages to twist aside, contorting her body at an impossible angle. Damn that power's tricky.
        
        Not tricky enough, however, to counteract Rampage steamrolling her from behind with such force that she manages to surf her a couple of feet along the ground.
        
        "Mis!" shouts Hit, which also happens to be the call of a man whose eye is no longer on the ball.
        
        Or, well, the bone-plated supervillain bearing down on him. Hit is late to react to Fracture's charge, diving out of the way at the last instant. He rolls up into a neat crouch, all set to fire off a shot at Fracture's exposed back, which is the moment you @{(expressive > 55) fly in with a dropkick straight to the face.|absolutely annihilate him with a running knee to the head.}
        
        Just like that, it's over.
        
        *page_break Regroup.
        
        *if rel_teddie > 40
            Before you can pick yourself up, a bony hand extends into your field of view. Fracture's. @{touchingokay You accept the proffered hand and he helps you up to your feet, giving you a small nod.|You shake your head ever-so-slightly and stand up under your own power. He doesn't seem to particularly care.}
            
        *else
            You climb to your feet, dusting yourself off with some satisfaction. Fracture watches from nearby, arms folded. He gives you a slight nod.
            
        Rampage, flush with exertion and excitement, bounds over to you and Fracture@{smooth . At some point in there a small cut opened over her left eye, trickling a steady flow of blood.|, smearing the blood on her face with the back of her hand.} "That was awesome," she declares.
        
        *goto winner
            
             

*label endrampage
*page_break That's two.

Before you get a chance to wonder after number three, you hear a triumphant whoop from nearby. Sure enough, Rampage is hustling over to you and Fracture, @{smooth now sporting a nasty cut on her brow that's streaming blood into her left eye.|smearing the blood on her face with the back of her hand.} 

"Rampage…" Fracture's voice is pained.

"It's nothing, you should see the other guy," she says cheerfully, brushing off his concern. You glance past Rampage and spot Hit's legs dangling out of the old storefront window. See the other guy indeed. Fracture makes a tersely unhappy noise, but drops the subject.

*goto winner

*label endfracture
*page_break That's two.
A shout comes from nearby, and you look around just in time to see Fracture put Mis bodily through the old storefront window. You're not sure how he managed to finally catch her, but it's a moot point, because she's sure not getting up again after a hit like that. You've won.

Fracture walks over to you and Rampage, @{smooth breathing heavily. "That felt good," he rumbles.|though it's more of a weary trudge. He's so exhausted he can barely muster a nod to you both.}

"Are you alright?" Rampage asks anxiously.

"Fine." he growls. She hesitates, then nods.

*label winner
*set patrolstatus 2
One final glance around the area confirms that none of the Patrol are getting up any time soon. Looks like you've won.

@{wpp That all went about as well as it could have. Maybe there's potential in this crew of yours.|Frankly, that could have gone better. Even if you came out on top in the end, there's plenty of  room for improvement.|That… didn't go according to plan. The only consolation is that you fell short of a total disaster. A lot of room for improvement, clearly.} @{(injurydesc = 7) Not falling off a freaking roof for starters.|}

"One, two, three! What's next?" Rampage throws a couple of shadow punches. 
*choice
    #I flinch.
        You can't help it. Your guard's lowered and yesterday's events are far too fresh in your memory. Even your membrane, so good at concealing your face, can't quite mask the fullness of your reaction.
        
        Fracture squints in your direction. You hastily look away.
        
    #Don't react.
        @{(expressive < 40) It's hard. Damn hard. You think you feel a slight twitch in your eye. Afterwards, though, you force stillness.|You do your damnedest. It's not enough. You feel your composure crack, both eyes twitching. Some relief then, that your membrane can pick up the slack and conceal the fullness of your reaction.}
        
    #one two three.
        That brutal rhythm. Catalyst's rhythm.
        
        Your eyes unfocus. Yesterday's far too fresh in your memory.
        
So easily they drag you back. @{coven_history Drag you down.|Don't forget your loyalties now.|No respite lasts.} Sooner or later, it's always back to that dark place. Back below.

*page_break "$!{mask}."
*if (diming)
    What command? What experiment? Punishment? 'Paradigm, a moment.' 'Dime, gonna grab you a sec.'
    
    "$!{mask}!" More insistent. With a jolt, you realise it's here and now. [i]Fracture[/i], not Catalyst or Hypothesis or any of the others.
    
*else
    Fracture growling your name brings you out of it. 
    
Dammit. [i]Dammit.[/i] You can't afford to keep doing this. That's twice in as many hours. @{node The node stirs restlessly as you offload your agitation into it as best you can. Doesn't help much.|}

"Yeah?" you say. Fracture jerks his head over to Rampage, who looks pretty damn uncertain. She's also pointing further up the street.

"Hey so, we have a little company…"

Following her hand, you notice your audience for the first time. A pair of teenagers are crouched behind the bumper of a burned out car, gawking at you all. The taller of the two is holding up a phone, obviously recording the scene. They both freeze as they notice your attention. You'd almost forgotten Architect's directive to make the Altruists' name public. You don't particularly feel like claiming credit with a self recording—those always struck you as amateurish and a little desperate—so here's a convenient opportunity. Provided you can shake off the memories clinging to you like a bad hangover.

With the camera rolling, how are you going to make your introduction?
*label introduction
*choice
    #Keep it short and to the point.
        *set introtype 1
        *set expressive %- 15
        You start up the street. The teens shift, looking on the verge of bolting.
        
        "Don't move," you snap, locking them in place.
        
        Halting a short distance away, you wait for Fracture and Rampage to catch up and then address the camera, which the teen is still extending in your direction.
        
        "What you just saw is only the beginning," you say. "My name is $!{mask}. With me are Fracture and Rampage."
        
        You stare the teens down. What do they see in your featureless gaze?
        
        *goto signoff
    #Let's go a little bombastic with this.
        *set expressive %+ 15
        *set introtype 2
        *set doubt_gh +5
        You start up the street. The teens shift, looking on the verge of bolting.
        
        "Whoa now, what's the hurry?" you call out. They stop, uncertain. "Stick around."
        
        Striding towards them, you halt a short distance away and fold your arms, placing your tendrils on your hips. The teen is still extending their phone in your direction, so you address the camera.
        
        "A new player just joined the game," you announce. "And between you and me, Alderbrook, we're about to sweep the competition. Allow me to introduce myself." You bring up a tendril, laying it upon your chest with a slight bow. "I am $!{mask}. My friends here are Fracture and Rampage."
        
        Both teens are transfixed, unable to look away. It's tempting to keep them on the hook, but you have places to be.
        
        *goto signoff
    *selectable_if ((speciality = 2) and (grey != 1)) #I'll show everyone just how terrifying my powers can be.
        *set juice - 15
        *set introtype 4
        *set content +1
        *set doubt_gh +10
        *set mutant true
        *set rel_kay +3
        "If they run, stop them," you murmur to your companions, then turn your focus inward.
        
        As ever, it's all too easy to loosen your grip on your powers. Let go.
        
        Instantly your head jerks, spine arching so far backwards that you see behind yourself in the moment before dark waves blot out your vision. Your vertebrae crackle and pop as you twist back and forth, writhing in the throes of change. With an earsplitting crunch you feel your back burst open, [i]feel[/i] the air on the fresh formed fins. Some part of you thumps against the ground, and you realise it's a newly grown tail, gnarled and spiked.
        
        Your eyes finally clear. Rampage now stands over by the teens, a pair of pale ghosts, stricken and shaking. The phoneless one is hiding her face in her hands and sobbing. Fracture studies you, face inscrutable. You shift your weight, adjusting to the new structures of your altered body. Your legs have thickened and your torso elongated, completely throwing off your balance and centre of gravity. Falling on your face wouldn't be intimidating now, would it?
        
        Comfortable—insomuch as anything about this can be comfortable—in your ability to move, you approach the teens. Your conscripted cameraman is trembling so much that you can't be sure he's even keeping you in the frame. Whatever. Shaky footage has its own appeal.
        
        "Hello," you growl at the camera. Your voice is deep and sonorous. "My name is $!{mask}. These two are Rampage and Fracture. We're the Altruists." As you speak you continue to walk closer and closer, halting in not quite touching range.
        
        Then you lean forward. Upon your featureless face, you peel apart your membrane into something like a mouth.
        
        "please don't eat me," the teen whispers.
        
        [i]the gnawing of a dozen mouths. the sounds of tearing flesh and cracking bones. a symphony of the project's hunger.[/i]
        *choice
            *selectable_if (expressive < 31) #With my every ounce of self-control, I avoid reacting to the memories.
                They are the past. You allow them to wash over you, and remain unmoved. 
                
                Physically. Mentally is another story. You've lost the stomach for scaring the kid any further. Time to wrap this up.
                
                You keep steady, looking dead into the camera.
                
                *label terror
                *fake_choice
                    #"Sleep tight, Alderbrook."
                    #"Stay out of our way."
                    #"Lock your doors."
                        
                *goto skedaddle
            #I pull back. I can't—
                No, you're not—you won't. You're not… not [i]that[/i].
                
                You reel, taking an involuntary step back. It's a herculean effort to plant your foot and prevent yourself from fleeing any further.
                
                It's okay. You're okay. You just need to wrap this up and go.
                
                Despite your lapse, the teen remains frozen in place, leaving you free to regroup and address the camera.
                *goto terror
    *selectable_if (grey !=1) #Really spice this introduction up: break a bone or two.
        *set brutal +3
        *set rangerhurt 3
        *set introtype 3
        Brutalising the opposition is certainly one way to attract attention. For the wrong reasons, some would argue.
        
        What are yours?
        *choice
            #Architect wants eyes. Spectacle gets eyes.
                *set why 3
                There's no denying that violent villains draw the headlines, but it's a dangerous line to tread.
                
                *label makesure
                Better make sure you know what you're doing.
                
            #I want to hold the power for once.
                *set defiance +1
                *set why 2
                You've been a plaything for too long.
                
                Maybe this isn't the smartest or most logical move. You don't care. The world's given you nothing but pain for half a decade. Paying some of that back is long overdue.
                
            #Gonna be honest, I just want to hurt someone.
                *set psycho +1
                *set why 1
                Forget the rationalising. Your blood's up and you ran out of heroes before you ran out of frustration.
                
                Two birds, one stone.
                
            *selectable_if (wpp != 1) #@{wpp We won decisively; there's nothing to compensate for.|This'll help wipe away the rough edges of the fight.|We need to regain some credibility after that shitshow.}
                *set why 4
                Compensating for competency with violence. A dangerous line to tread.
                
                *goto makesure
            
        Before doing anything else, you stride back over to Ranger, still @{signage pinned beneath the sign|sprawled on the ground}. Fracture watches you the whole way in silence.
        
        "$!{mask}?" Rampage calls. "What are you doing?"
        
        You ignore her. Explaining would be a waste of time. Stooping, you grab Ranger with your tendrils and @{signage drag him out from underneath the debris before starting to haul|start hauling} him along the street. The teens stir, looking as though they may bolt.
        
        "Hold it!" you bark, locking them in place. Ranger mumbles something incoherent.
        
        You draw to a halt a few metres back from the teens. The phone's still extended in your direction. Good.
        *page_break Make a scene.
        Gripping Ranger by the throat with one tendril, the other wrapped underneath his arm, you hold him aloft in front of you, and then address the camera.
        
        "My name is $!{mask}. With me are Fracture and Rampage. What you're seeing here is just a sample of what we're capable of."
        
        You coil your tendril around Ranger's arm and start to squeeze. Harder and harder you grip. Tighter. Tighter still. Ranger starts to struggle weakly, groaning.
        
        With a hideous crunch, the first bone snaps. Then another. And another. Ranger screams, contorts, and goes still once again. One of the teens cries out, hiding her face. @{why Fierce, sickly satisfaction courses through you.|Is there any satisfaction? Any relief? You can't say, can't put words to the strange feeling inside you.|You clench your jaw tight, tuning out the noise. This is necessary.|You clench your jaw tight, tuning out the noise. This is what they'll all remember.} You release the tortured, mangled limb. Jagged bone sticks through the twisted flesh, blood flowing freely. Ranger hangs limp, passed out from shock. You let him drop to the ground in a heap.
        
        @{node [i]blood. eat. eat. prey.[/i]|}
        
        The teen with the phone trembles as you stare at him.
        
        *label signoff
        "We are the Altruists," you say.
        *fake_choice
            #"Expect us."
            #"Until we meet again."
            *selectable_if (psycho != 1) #"Have a great evening."
            #"See you around, Alderbrook."

        *label skedaddle
        And with that you take off running, @{introtype measuring your pace so as not to look like you're straight up bolting.|tipping a jaunty little wave of your tendrils as you go.|flicking your bloodied tendril to paint a crimson streak along the street.|carving a deep gouge into the teens' car with your tail as you go.} @{node You scoop up the node too, much to its consternation.|} Fracture and Rampage follow swiftly after.
        
        A couple of twists and turns, a cut through an alleyway, a rush through a doorless wreck of a residential building, and the three of you can dip into yet another alleyway with confidence that you're neither watched nor pursued.
        
        You turn to the others. Rampage looks @{(introtype > 2) unsettled and uncertain|buoyant}, while Fracture's as impassive as ever, albeit breathing hard. It occurs to you that your companions are going to have a very hard time blending into the crowd. There's conspicuous, and then there's these two.
        *choice
            #"We should split up."
                *set instinctive %+ 5
                *set rel_kay +2
                Rampage nods, @{(introtype > 2) a little more decisively.|firm and decided.} "Good idea."
                
                Fracture shrugs.
                
            #"Let's find somewhere for you to lay low."
                *set instinctive %- 5
                *set rel_teddie +2
                Fracture shakes his head, though his tone is ever-so-slightly softer than usual when he speaks. "Better to separate. If someone spots this"—he hefts his armoured shoulder—"it could get everyone busted."
                
                Well, you're glad it wasn't only you thinking it. If parting ways is his preference, you can see no reason to argue.
                
            #Wait for any suggestions.
                *set expressive %- 5
                They exchange glances. "We should probably split," Rampage ventures.
                
                "Mm," Fracture agrees.
                
        @{(instinctive > 40) "Catch you back|"Rendezvous} at base then," you say. They both nod, taking off in opposite directions.
        
        *if (mutant)
            That leaves you to focus on undoing the latest twisted changes to your body.
            
            First are the fins, retracting inch by inch, one after the other. Your tail wriggles and flicks whilst it shortens, as if protesting against the tight control. Last and most challenging is the extension of your upper body. Your spine pops painfully with each compression, leaving you with a bone deep ache.
            
            You exhale a shuddering breath. Compared to all of that, the slimy, ice cold sensation of the membrane retreating is almost pleasant.
            
        *else 
            That leaves you to focus on shucking your membrane, absorbing it back inside inch by inch. @{carapace Your carapace shudders and crackles as it withdraws.|}
            
            This reversal is a little less like drowning. Perhaps you can pretend it makes the slimy, ice cold sensation of merging more bearable.
        
        *if (node)
            [i]whole. us.[/i]
            
            The node joins the membrane in sinking into your flesh, its muddled kaleidoscope of instincts and emotions scattering across your brain.
            
            
        *goto getouttahere
            
    *hide_reuse #Before anything else, I'll double check the heroes aren't too badly messed up.
        *set rel_kay -3
        *set patrolhelp true
        *if grey = 1
            You already made sure Ranger wasn't crushed, leaving Mis and Hit to check up on.
        
        *else
            *set grey +1
            *if rangerhurt = 1
                *set rangerhurt 2
                Perhaps you're feeling the slightest guilty pang over what you did to Ranger. Call it the heat of the moment. @{signage You left the sign pinning him before, you can spare a second now the fight's over with.|}
                
            *else
                The fight's over with. No better time to check the wounded.
                
        A quick pitstop by and once over of each of the downed heroes@{signage —plus dragging the destroyed sign off Ranger—| }is enough to confirm that you won't be leaving here with blood on your hands. The wounds will heal in time.
        
        *if ((sackkay))
            *set rel_teddie -5
            Fracture's wearing a deep scowl as you return from your rounds, pointedly turning away from you just as you enter speaking distance. Rampage hops impatiently from foot to foot.
            
        *else
            *set rel_teddie -3
            Fracture gives you a bone-locked frown as you return from your rounds. Rampage hops impatiently from foot to foot.
            
        "C'mon, c'mon," she urges you. "We gotta get going."
        
        True enough, but not before you announce yourself to the camera.
        *goto introduction
          
        
        
*label getouttahere
*page_break Make good the escape.
Once again looking your version of normal, you hustle out of the alley and hit the streets. It's getting towards the late evening now and the sidewalks are virtually deserted, which suits you just fine. @{(mc_health > 1) You're struggling to maintain the pace you'd like; something to do with falling off a roof a short time ago.|Although fatigue is beginning to drag you down, you manage to maintain a decent pace.} 

You wonder if the rest of the team has accomplished their own mission. Hopefully it went @{wpp as successfully as your own.|more successfully than your own.|more successfully than your own. Much more.}

Before you know it you're standing back in front of the hideout, the surroundings illuminated by streetlamps. You've not yet been furnished with a key, so you have to knock and then wait around awkwardly outside.

A short and curvy asian woman with long blonde hair opens the door.

"Can I help you?" asks the stranger, tilting her head to the side quizzically.

What.

*if observation > 50
    *set doubt_wyrd +15
    *set rel_wyrd -15
    *set wyrdinsight 1
    Or—hold up. That tip of the head. The little lilt to her voice. A prankster's gleam in her eyes.
    
    That's not a stranger.
    
    "Mallory?" you venture.
    
    She—or rather they—instantly deflate. "How could you tell?" they demand, a touch petulantly.
    *choice
        #"Just a hunch."
            "A hunch?" They're obviously trying not to scowl.
            
            You shrug. "I'm perceptive."
            
            "Clearly." Mal sighs, tucking their hands under their arms. "So much for that then. Come on in."
            *goto headin
        #"The mannerisms."
            *set rel_wyrd +5
            "The manner—" they break off mid-growl, expression shading from indignant to thoughtful. "The mannerisms. Huh. Guess I'm not as slick as I thought."
            
            @{(expressive > 59) "Sorry to burst your bubble," you reply, unable to resist the tug at the corner of your mouth.|"You almost fooled me," you assure them.}
            
            @{(expressive > 59) "No you're not," Mallory laughs. Back to form already then.|"Almost doesn't count. It's one or the other." Mallory's grin is at odds with their dour comment.} 
            
            They step back from the door and beckon you to follow.
            *goto headin
        #Give them an enigmatic smile.
            *set rel_wyrd +5
            Your silence initially prompts them to frown. Then against your expectations, they let out a quiet chuckle. "Alright captain cagey, I see how it is."
            
            Of course, the only permissible response is to allow your smile to grow ever-so-slightly.
            
            Mal shakes their head, grinning. "Come on in."
            *goto headin
        *if (aro != 4) 
            *selectable_if ((brokenheart = 5) and (romance_wyrd != 1)) #@{(brokenheart = 5) Smile suggestively. "Oh, I'd recognise [i]you[/i] anywhere."|A one liner about them being too cute not to recognise shrivels on my tongue.} @{ftone [Flirt]|}
                *set flirtedmal true
            
                *set rel_wyrd +5
                Their indignant expression vanishes in an instant@{interest_wyrd .|, their eyebrows rising.}
            
                *if ((flirt_wyrd > 0) and (not (overt_wyrd)))
                    "I thought I was getting signals," they purr. "Fair enough."
                
                *elseif (not (interest_wyrd))
                    "Really now?" A familiar smirk replaces their surprise. "Good to know."
                
                *else
                    "Flatterer." A grin breaks onto their face. "Not that I'm complaining."
                
                The two of you stand there, sharing a moment and a smile. Their eyes are warm and mischievous.
            
                "Alright," they say, too soon. "Come on in."
                *set flirt_wyrd +1
                *set interest_wyrd true
                *set overt_wyrd true
                *goto headin
    
*else
    No seriously. [i]What?[/i]
    *choice
        #I'm instantly on alert, preparing for a fight.
            *set instinctive %+ 10
            *set knock true
            The base is compromised. You're walking straight into an ambush.
            
            As you tense up, ready to launch yourself straight at the woman, her eyes widen and she raises her hands in warding.
            
            "Whoa, hold your horses! It's me! Mal!"
 
            *if (expressive > 69)
                You stare at them. "What the fuck?"
                
            *elseif (expressive > 50)
                You blink. "You've got to be kidding me."
                
            *elseif (expressive > 35)
                You frown. "Well… alright."
                
            *else
                Frowning, you slowly unclench your fists.
                
            She—or rather, they—lower their hands, and then grin broadly. "Aw, you don't gotta be like that, $!{aka}."
            *goto tricked
        #"Uh... is Dion there?"
            "Don't know any Dions, sorry hon," the woman replies, expression politely puzzled.
            
            What the heck is going on?
            
            "If there's nothing else, I have a roast on the go," she says, putting a hand on the door.
            
            *label checkdetect
            *if (observation > 37)
                *goto detect
            
            *else
                *goto pranked
        #I have to be cautious while I figure out what's going on.
            *set instinctive %- 10
            Something's wrong, but rash action could lead to disaster.
            
            "Sorry," you tell the woman, playing for time. "I think I might have the wrong address. Is this number 415?"
            
            "Sure is," she replies. "Oh! Are you the delivery ${mc_man}?"
            
            *if (observation > 37)
                *label detect
                *set doubt_wyrd +5
                *set rel_wyrd -5
                
                …There's something about her. Those mannerisms. The lilt to her voice.
                
                "Wait a second," you say. "Mallory?"
                
                She grins. "Had you going for a minute there, didn't I?"
                *choice
                    #"I guess you did." Have to hand it to them.
                        *label malwinks
                        Mal winks. "Don't feel bad, you're not the first and won't be the last."
                        
                        You're not the least bit surprised to hear it.
                        
                        *label backstep
                        They step back from the doorway. "Anyway, come on in."
                        *goto headin
                    #"No," I'm not giving them the satisfaction of admitting it!
                        *set rel_wyrd -3
                        Mal scoffs. "Sure. Take the L like a grownup, $!{aka}."
                        
                        You fold your arms, obstinate.
                        
                        They roll their eyes, stepping back from the doorway. "Okay, whatever. Come in."
                        *goto headin
                    #"If you say so."
                        *set rel_wyrd -3
                        They seem put out by your lukewarm response. "No shame in it, you know."
                        
                        "Mmhm," you hum, noncommittal.
                        
                        *goto backstep
                    #It's been far too long a day for this. I just shrug.
                        *label toolong
                        *set expressive %- 5
                        Mal waits for you a moment longer, looking put out as they realise you're not going to play ball.
                        
                        *goto backstep
            *else
                "Well, no, but—"
                
                "No solicitors, sorry!" she puts a hand on the door.
                
                *label pranked
                @{(expressive > 60) "Hey, hold on!" you burst out.|You narrow your eyes.}
                
                The woman pauses and @{(expressive > 60) then breaks into peals of laughter. "You should see the look on your face, $!{aka}!"|studies you, seemingly hunting for a reaction. After a moment, she huffs. "Oh you're no fun, $!{aka}."}
                
                Wait, she's Mallory!?
                
                *label tricked
                *choice
                    #"I guess you got me." Have to hand it to them.
                        *goto malwinks
                    #"That wasn't funny." I'm kind of peeved.
                        *set rel_wyrd -3
                        "Says you," they grin, unfazed by your irritation.
                        
                        "Says me," you @{(expressive > 45) growl.|state, voice hard.}
                        
                        "Oh lighten up." Mal rolls their eyes, and then beckons you inside.
                        *goto headin
                    #I fold my arms and glare at them.
                        "What? What did I do?" they ask, dripping with faux-innocence.
                        
                        You silently maintain the glare.
                        
                        Mal grins. "Gonna get stuck like that, $!{aka}."
                        
                        When this fails to dissuade your glower, they laugh, shrug, and beckon you inside.
                        *goto headin
                    #It's been far too long a day for this. I just shrug.
                        *goto toolong
                    *selectable_if (knock) #"You're lucky I didn't knock you out."
                        Mal laughs. "Wouldn't bet on it," they say, eyes glittering.
                        
                        @{(instinctive > 60) "Wouldn't bet against it," you fire back.|You recall their showing against Surpass's superpowered fists. Hm. Maybe they're not just bluster.}
                        
                        @{(instinctive > 60) They shrug, grinning broadly.|They watch you a moment, tilting their head.} "Anyway, why don't you come on in?"
                        *goto headin
                    
        #I didn't somehow come to the wrong house, did I?
            @{(instinctive > 55) Messing up an address is, shall we say, not [i]wholly[/i] out of character for you. But... no. You recognise the colour of the door, the little row of bushes below the front window.|You dismiss the thought as readily as it arose. You're not one to rush around misplacing addresses.} This is the right place. Wrong person.
            *set instinctive %- 5
            
            *label okaythen
            "O…kay," says the woman. "I'm just gonna…" She puts a hand on the door.
            
            *goto checkdetect
        #I'm too bewildered to say anything.
            This makes no sense. You were here just a few short hours ago, how can some random woman have shown up in the meantime?
            
            *goto okaythen

*label headin
*page_break Follow Mallory inside.
*set malpower 2
Ahead of you, there's a characteristically jaunty spring in Mal's step. They tap the wall with their left hand, and then spin themselves into leaning position, backfirst. They give you a grin. All teeth. "Home sweet home," they drawl.

Beyond them, you can hear several voices in low conversation. Despite that, Mal seems content enough to remain here.


*choice
    #"So, shapeshifting, huh?"
        "Mmhm." They wiggle their fingers at you. The digits stretch and lengthen for a moment, and then return to their previous size. "Master of disguise over here."
        
        "Must come in handy," you say. @{cis |Imagine if you could look how ever you wanted. Shut down the discomfort.}
        
        @{cis |Ugh. You drag your thoughts away from that particular corner.}
        
        Mal nods. "On so many levels. You don't even know."
        
        You consider exploring the subject further, but before you can, Mal suddenly glances off into the base proper. Maybe next time.
        
        *goto whoops
    #"Was this appearance for your mission, or just the prank?"
        "The mission," Mal replies. They're still grinning, flicking their thumb against their lower lip. "Won't lie though, been looking for my chance to do that."
        
        *label checksout
        Yeah. Checks out.
        
        Mal suddenly glances off into the base proper. When they look back to you, their expression has turned sheepish.
        
        *goto whoops
    *selectable_if (lapping) #"Now I see what Dion meant about lapping up reactions to your powers."
        *set rel_wyrd +2
        Mal laughs in delight. "He really called me out with that." They shrug, completely unapologetic. "I mean he's not wrong. It never gets old."
        
        *goto checksout
    *if ((not (flirtedmal)) and (aro != 4))
        *selectable_if ((brokenheart = 5) and (romance_wyrd != 1)) #@{(brokenheart = 5) "Seems like you can look good whatever face you're wearing."|I think of telling them that their looks are as good as ever, but I can't get it past the lump in my throat.} @{ftone [Flirt]|}
            *set rel_wyrd +5
            @{interest_wyrd Mal smirks.|Mal's eyebrows rise.}
            
            *if ((flirt_wyrd > 0) and (not (overt_wyrd)))
                "I thought I was getting signals," they purr. "Appreciate the compliment."
                
            *elseif (not (interest_wyrd))
                "You think so?" A familiar smirk replaces their surprise. "Good to hear."
                
            *else
                "Flatterer." They wink broadly. "Not that I'm complaining."
                
            *set overt_wyrd true
            *set flirt_wyrd +1
            *set interest_wyrd true
            The two of you stand there, sharing a moment and a smile. Their eyes are warm and mischievous. They seem about to speak, and then suddenly slap their forehead. "Shoot, uh. Dion wanted a word. As soon as you got here. Sorry."
            
            "Oh, okay," you reply. Is it disappointment you're feeling? Perhaps.
            
            'Talk later', Mal mouths as you move past them.
            
            *goto fullness
    #I walk straight by them.
        *set expressive %- 7
        *set rel_wyrd -5
        "Dion wants a word, by the way," Mallory says to your back. They sound a little irritated, though in your book it's no less than they deserve.
        
        *goto fullness

*label whoops
"Whoops, sorry. Forgot to say that Dion wanted a word ASAP. Don't let me keep you."

"Alright." You nod and move past them. ASAP, huh?

*label fullness
Seeing the fullness of Mal's power helps you connect a few dots. The other day you put the slight changes in their appearance down to seeing them out of costume vs. masked up, but it must have been their shifting in action. @{(speciality = 3) Perhaps it holds some level of instability. Or perhaps they were|You're really not sure why they would do that. Probably} just fucking with you to see if you'd notice.

Entering into the base's divided main room, you see that you're actually the last one back. Kay and Dion are seated on two of the couches and Wil is in the kitchen, munching ${whis} way through leftover pizza. Teddie skulks in the corner, many of the bones protruding from him earlier now either absent or considerably truncated.
*choice
    #I'm glad everyone is okay.
        There are a million and one ways that today could have gone wrong. @{(wpp > 1) You encountered several.|} It's good to see the whole team back here in one piece.
        
    #Good to know they're vaguely competent.
        It would have been just your luck for everything to fall apart at the first hurdle.
        
        You wonder if Hypothesis would count that as a successful mission. Probably not.
        
    #Currently, reporting to Dion is my only concern.
        Cool, great, everyone made it home; that takes a backseat to whatever debriefing Dion has lined up for you.

    
Kay springs to her feet as you approach, drawing Dion's attention in turn. "I'll give you two some room," she announces, scurrying off before either of you can object.

Dion watches her go, and then looks back to you. "$!{aka}. Please, join me." He's still mostly in costume, his longcoat fanning out across the sofa seat and his helmet set next to him. Crossing over to him you take a seat opposite. A wave of fatigue sweeps across you the moment you touch down on the couch. What a day.

"Kay was kind enough to inform me of your success. Congratulations are in order." He's still thoroughly in Architect mode then. You incline your head in acknowledgement, waiting for him to continue. Sure enough, he goes on. "From what she told me, @{wpp the operation went smoothly.|there were a few bumps in the operation.|you had your share of difficulties.} @{(wpp = 1) |Still, a win is a win.}"

You remain silent. He's building up to something.

*if (rangerhurt = 3)
    "That said, @{motive I understood that you're here to fight against the system. I'm curious why you felt that maiming Ranger was a necessary blow to the regime."|when you told me you were sick of heroes, I didn't expect you to mean you'd be going out of your way to maim them. On camera no less."|"given you're with us to make money, I'm curious as to why you felt it necessary to act like a dangerously violent thug."|I'll be upfront. You've kept your motivations for joining us close to your chest, and I won't insist that you share. However, hearing what you did to Ranger, I can't help but speculate." His eyes bore into you, hard as flint. "Reassure me."}
    
    @{motive Here's the downside of feigning an ideological stance. Still, getting violent isn't necessarily incompatible with your anarchistic claims. You should be able to spin this.|He clearly disapproves, but at least you've got consistency going for you. You told him and Mallory that you had a grudge against heroes, now you've acted on it. That should give you an easier ride. |Uh oh. You didn't consider that your claims of monetary motivation might get compared to the brutality of your actions. This could be a tough sell.|And here's the downside of being so cagey in the first instance. Anything you do will open up limitless room for speculation.}
    *choice
        *if (motive = 1) #"Ranger's a cog in a huge machine. The only way to break it is one piece at a time."
            *set rel_architect -3
            *set justification 1
            You recall Dion's seeming approval when you first told the @{(dpr =4) half-truth|lie} of wanting to bring down the system. Maybe leaning on his ideals will get you off the hook.
            
            He sighs heavily. "True, the challenges we face are far bigger than one hero. However, that's all the more reason to avoid overstepping the mark. Reputation is fragile, $!{aka}. If we're to sully ours, it shouldn't be for the likes of Ranger."
            
            @{(observation > 20) You're reading disappointment, but not suspicion. You might just be in the clear.|You… haven't the faintest clue how to read either his tone or his face. You think you're in the clear? Maybe?} "I understand," you say @{(observation > 20) carefully|regardless}. "I'll keep that in mind in future."
            
            *goto dismissal
        *if (motive = 1) #"Making an example out of someone now will unsettle our opponents in future."
            *set justification 2
            *set rel_architect -5
            *set doubt_architect +5
            A callous explanation, but you're counting on the forward-thinking elements to placate him.
            
            His immediate sigh doesn't fill you with confidence. "$!{aka}, you recall that cycle of escalation I mentioned earlier? Well, making examples is an excellent way to be swallowed up by it. Heroes don't become heroes if they baulk at danger. In fact the likes of Surpass and Arcade will relish the chance to fight the good fight."
            
            "We won't get anywhere by playing nice." You're already committed to this line. Trying to shift from it will do more harm than good.
            
            "There's playing nice and there's stopping shy of brutalising an unconscious man on film," Dion replies, sharp and stern. "I trust you appreciate the difference?"
            
            *label dammit
            Dammit. So much for talking him around. There's no choice but to concede the point. "Alright, I understand." You can only hope you've deflected the worst of his suspicions.
            
            *goto dismissal
        *if (motive = 1) #"When you put it like that, I guess I went too far. Sorry."
            *set justification 3
                
            There have to be worse options than fessing up and apologising, right?
            
            Dion sighs heavily. "I just hope you understand the consequences of developing a reputation for that kind of violence. Heroes have long memories. Once they have you labelled as a serious danger, you're labelled for good."
            
            "I understand. Sorry." You hang your head and try to look remorseful.
            
            Another sigh. "If we're lucky, they'll be too focused on the team as a whole to consider the specifics. I suppose we'll have to wait and see."
            
            You just nod. You can only hope you've deflected the worst of his suspicions.
            
            *goto dismissal
        *if (motive = 2) #"Well, now you know."
            *set justification 1
            He already thinks you're a thug. May as well brazen this out and lean into it. Better than scrambling for a bad lie.
            
            "I do indeed." Dion's voice is icy.
            
            @{(expressive > 59) "Hey, I told you up front, didn't I?"|"Perhaps I wasn't clear enough."}
            
            *if (expressive > 59)
                *set rel_architect -10
                *set doubt_architect +10
                *goto minuteshake
            
            *else
                *set doubt_architect -5
                *set rel_architect -7
                "Perhaps," he replies quietly. He falls silent, lost in some private thought. You're left to squirm until his attention eventually returns to you, eyes refocusing. "That's all," he says. "You can head home or stay here. We're done for the day."
                
                *goto dismissal2
        *if (motive = 2) #"Look, things happen in the heat of the moment, okay?"
            *set justification 2
            *set rel_architect -10
            *set doubt_architect +10
            *set instinctive %+ 10
            "The heat of the moment." By contrast, Dion's voice plunges ice cold.
            
            "That's right, yeah," you say, because hell you're already gambling on a blasé response; going back on it will only look worse.
            
            "According to Kay, you specifically returned to Ranger after the fight was over." His flinty gaze bores into you. "An impressively hot moment."
            
            You shrug unconvincingly. "@{(expressive > 59) We'd finished ten seconds ago max.|Less time had passed than you'd think.}"
            
            *label minuteshake
            Dion gives a minute shake of his head. "I hoped for better, $!{aka}." After a long pause, he continues. "That's all. You can head home or stay here. We're done for the day."
            
            *goto dismissal2
        *if ((motive = 2) or (motive = 3)) #"Okay, I guess I went too far. I'm sorry."
            *set justification 3
            *set rel_architect -5
            *set doubt_architect +5
            
            Maybe you can salvage this if you're apologetic enough.
            
            Dion sighs heavily. "I know I said to use all necessary force, but as a rule of thumb, if your enemy is barely conscious, further force is unnecessary. @{(motive = 3) You're not going to profit from this arrangement|You'll find your efforts at payback cut rather short} if you launch yourself to the top of the heroes' lists."
            
            You nod, donning your most contrite expression.
            
            *goto dismissal
        *if (motive = 3) #"People are easier to rob when they're scared."
            *label rob
            *set justification 1
            *set rel_architect -15
            *set doubt_architect +5
            That's probably the most callous thing you've said to him so far, but if you're to divert his suspicions, you have to commit.
            
            Dion doesn't bother to mask his disgust as he stares you down, eyes hard as flint. "A word of advice, $!{mask}. Those who trade on brutality and fear don't tend to last long in this line of work."
            
            It's half an inch short of a threat. Best not to risk closing that gap. @{(expressive > 39) "Thanks for the tip."|You simply nod.}
            
            *goto minuteshake
        *if (motive = 3) #"A thug, huh? Why don't you say how you really feel?"
            *set justification 2
            *set rel_architect -20
            Your tone is combative. Too combative. @{(coven_history =3) Maybe there's only so much room to bottle up your resentment.|Usually your meekness is your defence mechanism Where has this come from?}
            
            Dion stares you down, flint-eyed. "Trust me, $!{mask}, this isn't the fight you want to pick."
            
            While a snappish response lines up to spring from your tongue, you elect to keep it to yourself. He looks angry rather than suspicious. Against the odds, you think you've actually deflected his doubts.
            
            Of course, pissing off the man you're shadowing will assuredly have its own share of future complications…
            
            After a few more seconds of icy silence, Dion flicks his fingers at you in dismissal. "That's all. You can head home or stay here. We're done for the day."
            
            *goto dismissal2
        *if (motive = 4) #"I've said what I want to say."
            *set justification 2
            *set doubt_architect +10
            Shooting him down is a gamble. It shields you from any contradictions, but refusing to explain yourself is inherently suspicious.
            
            "I see," Dion says quietly, breaking several seconds of silence. "I hope whatever cause you're hiding is for good reason, $!{aka}."
            
            "I don't know about good or bad reasons, just that they're mine," you lie.
            
            He sighs. "Then I suppose we're done here. You can head home or stay. There's no more team business for today." The doubt in his eyes is clear. Only time will tell if rolling the dice was the correct call.
            
            *goto dismissal2
        *if (motive = 4) #"This is how I operate. Is that a problem?"
            *goto rob
        *if (motive = 4) #"Okay, look. Cards on the table, I hate heroes and saw my chance."
            *set rel_architect - 5
            *set doubt_architect +5
            *set justification 1
            *set motive 2
            Keeping your motives a mystery might have been good for your cover at the beginning, but it's time for damage control. A key element of a good ruse is knowing when to abandon a lie.
            
            Dion doesn't speak for several long seconds. "I see. I suppose I understand why you chose to keep that to yourself."
            
            "I wanted to prove myself a little first. Make sure you didn't dismiss me as a random thug," you explain, shoring up this new part of your cover.
            
            "Noted. Be careful you don't overstep that line, $!{aka}."
            
            You nod. @{(observation > 20) He seems disappointed, maybe a little doubtful. You can only hope you've limited the extent of both.|He's hard to read. You have no idea if you've salvaged the situation or hurt it further.}
           
           *goto dismissal
        #"It had nothing to do with @{motive the system.|hurting heroes.|the money.|my own motives.} It was to grab attention."
            *if (why > 2)
                *set justification 4
                The truth. @{(why = 3) |Mostly. Distracting from the team's performance still counts as attention seeking, you think.} Hopefully an honest answer lends you credibility, turns Dion's scrutiny away.
                
                *label dangerous
                *set rel_architect -10
                He's quiet for several long seconds. "A dangerous path to walk, $!{aka}. Not all attention is created equal."
                
                @{(justification = 5) Is he buying it? He's unhappy, but doesn't seem to be doubting your honesty.|} "First impressions live a long while. Making a big show of it means we won't have to later."
                
                "Yes, they do," Dion replies. "That's exactly the problem. If perception of you is shaped early, the label of you as @{(motive = 3) a brutal thug|dangerously violent} will be very difficult to shift. Reputation is fragile, $!{aka}. In future, I suggest you consider carefully what your actions are sacrificing."
                
                *goto dammit
            *else
                *set justification 5
                *label alie
                A lie. @{why You don't know if you understand yourself the violent bloodlust that overcame you, and even if you did, it's hardly as if Dion would accept the explanation.| Somehow you doubt that confessing your brief intoxication with control will fly.|Sure, making a spectacle sort of serves that same purpose, but it wasn't what was going through your head at the time.|DUMMY}
                
                *if ((subterfuge > 37) and (justification = 5))
                    *goto dangerous
                
                *elseif ((subterfuge > 37) and (justification = 7))
                    *goto narrow
                
                *else
                    *set rel_architect -10
                    *set doubt_architect +15
                    For several long seconds, Dion just looks at you, eyes flinty-hard. Eventually he speaks. "I don't know that I believe you."
                    
                    Shit.
                    
                    *label notaword
                    You don't say a word. @{coven_history No, no, no. Dissent isn't allowed.|Disobedience is punished. You brace yourself.|Caught out, and no good excuses to make.} You'll be [i]corrected[/i] back into compliance.
                    
                    He sighs heavily. "Clearly you have a few things you'd rather keep to yourself. While that's understandable, dishonesty makes it difficult to trust you. If I can't trust you, I can't rely on you. If I can't rely on you, I can't have you on the team." He stares you dead in the eyes. "I suggest you think long and hard about what that means, $!{aka}. There won't be a second warning."
                    
                    Despite the harsh words, it's relief that sweeps across you first. Not a punishment. Not a correction. You nod several times, pathetically eager to demonstrate your understanding.
                    
                    *goto dismissal
        *selectable_if (wpp !=1) #"I was trying to get people talking about the aftermath instead of our performance."
            *if why = 4
                *set rel_architect -15
                *set justification 6
                The truth. Now it hinges on whether Dion can stomach your logic.
                
                *label narrow
                His eyes narrow. "I see. Masking your failings beneath a coat of blood." He shakes his head. "I understand the rationale. However, some may interpret it as a fit of petulance, an insecure villain lashing out. In either case, you don't seem to appreciate that a violent reputation carries its own costs and consequences."
                
                "Is that worse than being a laughing stock?" you counter. @{(justification = 7) Is he buying it? He's unhappy, but doesn't seem to be doubting your honesty.|}
                
                Dion sighs. "You [i]won[/i], $!{aka}. At worst, Ranger's group might have enjoyed a boost for putting up a good fight. The public won't care about the details, and anyone who's inclined to thoroughly review the battle won't be fooled by the closing theatrics."
                
                *goto dammit
            *else
                *set justification 7
                *set explanation 2
                *goto alie
                           
    
*elseif (patrolhelp)
    "Kay mentioned that you stopped to help Ranger and the rest. Quite a risk under the circumstances." Dion tilts his chin back, regarding you without expression. @{motive "Admittedly, it's not what I expected of somebody pitting themselves against the system."|"Forgive me, but I was under the impression you wished to take heroes down, not lend them a hand."|"You're surprisingly charitable for a mercenary."|"It leaves me wondering what drives you, $!{aka}."}
    
    @{motive Here's the downside to feigning an ideology. Still, helping the wounded isn't necessarily incompatible with your anarchistic claims. There's room to spin this.|Uh oh. You didn't consider that your claim of a heroic grudge might be compared to the selflessness of your actions. This will be a hard sell.|Dammit. Claiming a monetary motivation made plenty of sense, but it's completely incongruous with going out of your way to check on the heroes. Dion's right on the money, pun intended.|And here's the downside of being so cagey in the first instance. Anything you do will open up limitless room for speculation.}
    *label explaingrey        
    *choice
        *selectable_if (rangerhurt != 2) #"You and Mallory literally warned us against killing anyone."
            Claiming you were following Dion's instructions is probably the best fallback.
            
            *set justification 4
            Dion studies you. "True, but I didn't get the impression you'd inflicted severe injuries."
            
            *if knowledge > 44
                *set rel_architect + 5
                @{(expressive > 65) "Dude,|"Dion,} we knocked them unconscious. I spent a couple seconds checking on them because I didn't want to shrug off head trauma with an 'eh, probably fine', okay?"
                
                "I—hm." Dion pauses, and then sighs. "A fair point. Those risks are often overlooked in this line of work."
                
                @{(motive = 2) Against the odds, you|You} think you might actually have convinced him. You hide your relief and wait for him to go on.
                
                *goto dismissal
            *else
                *set doubt_architect +10
                "Better safe than sorry," you argue back.
                
                "Mm." He looks sceptical.
                
                You doubt that doubling down will get you any closer to convincing him, so you drop it there. @{(motive =2) Given he caught you in an outright contradiction, this tepid response might be as good as it gets.|Hopefully you've deflected at least a little of the heat.}
                
                *goto dismissal
        *selectable_if (rangerhurt = 2) #"Considering how badly I roughed up Ranger, I was worried I'd gone too far."
            The best explanation is surely the one with a grain of truth.
            
            *set justification 5
            "A fair point." He raises an eyebrow. @{signage "A store sign, was it?|"May I suggest you rein yourself in next time?"}
            
            @{signage "Seemed like the best option at the time," you say, shrugging.|"Yeah, alright," you reply. If he's critiquing, that implies he's accepted your explanation. Better to play it safe.}
            
            @{signage "Creative, if nothing else." Is that a hint of a smile on his face? Surely not. It vanishes before you can say for sure. |}Dion meets your eyes, his gaze steely. "Don't expect any credit for mitigating the damage, not when you inflicted it. And bear in mind that there are some injuries you can't reverse."
            
            You nod, the weight of the warning falling about your shoulders like a cloak. Hard not to feel guilty about earlier.
            
            *goto dismissal
        *hide_reuse #"Hey, you're the one who named us the Altruists."
            *achieve dionha
            *set altruism true
            Dion's stoic mask cracks, forcing him to smother a laugh in his palm. When he lowers his hand, his lips are visibly twitching as he wrestles to keep himself from smiling. "Very clever, $!{aka}, but you can't expect me to believe that's the reason you helped them."
            
            Honestly, a small part of you hoped he actually would. No such luck. You're still on the hook.
            *goto explaingrey
        *if ((altruism) and (knowledge > 33)) #...I think I might be able to sell that it really was about the name.
            *set rel_architect +10
            *set doubt_architect +5
            *set justification 6
            *set archmotives 1
            The Altruists. It's like you were thinking earlier, that's not a name that you pick by fluke. Dion chose it with purpose, and even if you don't know that purpose, you can use its existence to your advantage.
            
            "Call it a fifty fifty," you reply. "I figured that you wanted to muddy the waters, get the public thinking twice about us. So we went out and hurt Ranger's crew on one hand, then I made sure it wasn't anything too serious on the other. Same goal as the name. Right?"
            
            Dion is quiet for several long seconds. He almost looks impressed. But there's something else lurking in his expression. Something you can't read. "You're a sharp one, $!{aka}," he murmurs.
            
            You incline your head in mute appreciation of the compliment. …You think it's a compliment.
            
            "We'll discuss this at a later date," Dion says at length. His eyes have gone distant and distracted. "You're welcome to go home or remain here as you like. We're finished for the day."
            
            You're… genuinely not sure whether or not you're off the hook.
     
            *goto dismissal2
        *if (motive = 1) #"Can't wake up the system's stooges just by beating the crap out of them."
            *set justification 1
            You keep your tone flippant, downplaying the concern. Authentically casual. You hope.
            
            "Hm. You aren't wrong," says Dion, studying you carefully. "On the other hand, nor will you sway the likes of Ranger by going a little easy on him."
            
            You shrug, still trying your best impersonation of relaxation. "Don't have to. Next time, he'll have the slightest bit of doubt. Have to start somewhere."
            
            "An interesting idea." Dion looks thoughtful. "Still, I recommend you don't get caught up in mind games. Ideals are secondary to results. @{(wpp = 1) Today you managed both. That won't always be possible.|Given your struggles today, I hope you can appreciate my meaning.}"
            
            @{(expressive > 60) "I hear you,"|"I understand,"} you reply. @{(observation > 20) There's no suspicion in his face. You just might have wriggled out of this..|You… haven't the faintest clue how to read either his tone or his face. You think you're in the clear? Maybe?}
            
            *goto dismissal
        *if (motive = 1) #"The system's bigger than a couple of d-listers, Dion."
            *set justification 2
            *set doubt_architect +5
            He's a big picture kind of guy, right? Maybe you can deflect his attention onto the long game.
            
            Dion sits back in his seat and studies you. "True, but I'm not sure that justifies delaying your escape for their sake."
            
            "I figured it wouldn't do much for the cause to have deaths on our first official caper," you reply, keeping your voice steady.
            
            "Your cause, or ours?"
            
            "Isn't it both?"
            
            Dion says nothing for a few seconds. The corner of his mouth twitches ever so slightly. "Perhaps." He shakes his head. "That's all for now. You're welcome to go home or remain here. We're finished for the day."
            
            *goto dismissal2
        *if (motive = 2) #[i]Crap.[/i]
            *set justification 1
            *set doubt_architect +15
            *set rel_architect -5
            He's got you in a contradiction. How were you supposed to know Kay would spill exactly the wrong things?
            
            There's no right answer to Dion's comment, so you don't give him one. You just shrug.
            
            He studies you long and hard. "I see. That's how you're choosing to play this."
            
            *goto notaword
        *if (motive = 2) #Lie through my teeth. "Kay got it wrong. I was leaving a calling card."
            *set justification 2

            "A calling card." Dion looks sceptical, to put it mildly.
            
            "Yeah, I wanted to make sure they didn't forget who kicked their asses." You're committed. Backtracking would only make you look worse.
            
            "You immediately went on camera. I'm confident they were at no risk of forgetting today's events."
            
            *if (subterfuge > 50)
                *set rel_architect -5
                "Sure, but that doesn't have the personal touch," you say, allowing a sadistic smile to curl your lip as you inhabit the lie. "This way? It'll fester."
                
                "…I see." Dion's expression turns appraising. "Quite the grudge you have."
                
                "I told you how I feel about heroes," you reply, shrugging casually.
                
                "True enough."
                
                @{(observation > 20) He doesn't look suspicious. Maybe a little judgemental. You think you're in the clear.|You aren't sure what you're seeing in his face. Did he buy it?}
                
                *goto dismissal
            *else
                *set doubt_architect +10
                *set rel_architect -5
                "Well, yeah, but that's not the same is it?" you bluff. "It's not as good."
                
                "Hm. As you say."
                
                @{(observation > 20) Oh boy. You don't think he bought it. That's going to be a problem.|His face is a closed book. You don't know if you got away with it.}
                
                *goto dismissal
        *if (motive = 2) #"You can't seriously think I've got beef with the likes of Ranger."
            *set doubt_architect +5
            *set justification 3
            It's surely not the worst idea to downplay the 'Wesson Parks Patrol'. You doubt Ranger could step on a particularly large bug, much less the man on the street.
            
            "Oh?" Dion raises an eyebrow. "I was under the impression you bore a more general animosity towards our heroic counterparts."
            
            "Have to draw the line somewhere," you respond with a shrug. "Crews like that one aren't worth the energy. I have bigger fish to fry."
            
            Unexpectedly, Dion smiles. "If it's bigger fish you want, I think you'll be very happy here." He stops and shakes his head. "I'm getting ahead of myself. That's everything for now. You're welcome to go home or remain here as you like. Team business is done for today."
            
            Interesting.
            
            *goto dismissal2
        *if (motive = 3) #"No profit in killing them."
            *if killthink = 1
                *set rel_architect +5
                *set doubt_architect +10
                
            *else
                *set rel_architect -15
                *set doubt_architect +5
      
            *set justification 1
            It's inverting your altruism into pragmatism, but for the sake of your cover, that's a sacrifice you have to make.
            
            "No profit." Dion repeats your words like a sour taste.
            
            You nod. "Letting them die would have been a problem, so I made sure they wouldn't."
            
            Dion studies you, eyes hard as flint. "And if there was profit in their deaths?"
            
            @{(killthink =1) The question pins you straight through the heart. You swallow uncomfortably. "Well… that is—" you break off, looking away. Dammit. You can't bring yourself to say it. "I... look. I don't know."|An unpleasant question, but you can't hesitate. "Depends how much. Not worth making that jump otherwise."}
            
            @{(killthink = 1) Despite your faltering failure of an explanation, Dion doesn't sound displeased. "Reservations about killing are a good thing," he says softly.|"I see. Good to know." There's a faint note of disgust in his voice.}
            
            @{(killthink = 1) You can't help but feel you've slipped up.|Well, better to bear his disdain than his suspicion.}
            
            *goto dismissal
        *if (motive = 3) #"It wasn't charity, it was insurance for my reputation."
            *set rel_architect -10
            *set justification 2
            Going back on yourself won't help, so why not lean into the mercenary angle?
            
            "Explain," says Dion, maintaining a steady gaze.
            
            You don't shy from it. "Kill someone, even by accident, and that's it. I'm a killer. I'd rather play it safe and make @{(expressive > 45) damn sure|certain} that nobody's going to die than risk every future job becoming ten times harder for half the pay."
            
            The logic is cold as ice, but that's the role you've chosen for yourself.
            
            "I see." Dion's voice is quiet. "It comes back to the money after all."
            
            "I told you that right at the start." You shrug.
            
            *goto dismissal
        *if (motive = 4) #I shrug. "Keep wondering."
            *set justification 1
            *set doubt_architect +10
            The most brazen possible response: no response at all. 
            
            It's a hell of a gamble, only worthwhile in the face of no good alternatives.
            
            His gaze bores into you, long and hard. "Really."
            
            "Really," you reply, @{coven_history like your heart isn't pounding straight out of your chest.|like your instincts aren't screaming at you to spill before you're [i]made[/i] to.|filled with an almost giddy energy. Defying authority. It's been so long.}
            
            "…You understand, I hope, that this makes it rather more difficult to trust you, $!{aka}."
            
            "My reasons are my reasons." @{(expressive > 40) Through some incredible force of will, you|Even with all your natural calm it's a challenge to} keep your body still and voice level, meeting Dion's eyes directly.
            
            "Very well." He says quietly. "You may go. Feel free to rest here or head home."
            
            You rise—steady, steady, don't rush—nod, and step away.
            *goto dismissal3
        *if (motive = 4) #"What are you implying?"
            *set justification 2
            *set doubt_architect +5
            *set rel_architect -5
            It's bold to go on the offensive. Maybe too bold. 
            
            Too late now.
            
            "That you're an unanswered question, $!{aka}." Dion's eyes are flint-hard. "I don't like unanswered questions."
            
            "Neither do I," you fire back. "But we're both here, aren't we?
            
            "As I said, in due time—"
            
            "In due time isn't an answer," you interrupt.
            
            A crack in his stoicism. For a moment, he glares. "Fine," he grinds out. "We're finished here. Go home or stay."
            
            *goto dismissal2
        #"Call it a code of mine." I'll try to frame it as my personal standards.
             *set justification 7
             Villains with strict boundaries are nothing new. Before, you heard about them all the time. One or two of them were even known to join forces with heroes to avert natural disasters and the like.
            
            *if ((brutal > 3) or (enfilade_injury < 3))
                *set rel_architect -10
                *set doubt_architect +10
                Dion's expression shifts, and you instantly know you've said the wrong thing. "An interesting code, @{(enfilade_injury < 3)  if it can justify both helping those heroes today and the harm you did to Enfilade."|to justify both your mercy and brutality."}
                
                *if (enfilade_injury < 3)
                    Right… Dion was there when you @{(enfilade_injury =1) straight up stabbed Enfilade,|brutally choked Enfilade out,} obviously he's sceptical.
                    
                    "Those were extreme circumstances," you reply, all too aware of how weak an explanation that is.
                
                *else
                    Dammit. You've been too violent already for him to believe you're an honourable rogue.
                    
                    "Fighting how I do is exactly why I check up on them afterwards," you reply.
                    
                "How conveniently flexible." @{(observation < 25) The naked suspicion on his face is so clear that even you can't miss it.|His expression is nothing but naked suspicion. You've blundered hard.}
                
                "If you say so." You're capitulating, and both of you know it. You'll have to watch your step in future.
                
                *goto dismissal
            
            *else
                *set doubt_architect +5
                Dion's expression shades to thoughtful. "Go on."
                
                "@{motive Being within the system doesn't mean they deserve to be maimed.|It's more satisfying to beat them by fighting fair.|Just because I want to make money doesn't mean I'm out to cripple anyone.|I'm not out here to maim anyone, even if we're on opposite sides.} The villain game isn't about hurting as many people as badly as possible, right?"
                
                Dion inclines his head. A fraction of an inch. "I appreciate the explanation. I believe I understand you a little better now."
                
                That's more loaded than you'd like, but at this point you'll take it. 
                
                Of course the downside is that from here on out, you've chained yourself to this 'code' of yours. You'll have to tread pretty damn carefully to keep the illusion intact. @{(killthink =1) If it is one.|}
                
                *goto dismissal

*elseif (wpp > 1)
    "For now, try not to get preoccupied with the negatives. Give yourself a chance to recuperate, and then reflect on today with a fresh perspective."
    
    *choice
        #"I thought you'd be angry, to be honest," I say, tentative.
            Dion raises an eyebrow. "Because the outcome wasn't flawless? The three of you have never fought together before and it was your first experience of leadership. You did fine."
            
            You don't know how to respond. You're used to a binary system. Success or failure, with nothing in between. After struggling for a few seconds to formulate an answer, you just shrug helplessly.
            
            "$!{aka2}, seriously, don't worry about it." His voice has softened. "I'm not mad. Why don't you go and get some rest? You'll feel better in the morning, I promise."
            
            Gentle reassurance is even further beyond your experience. Left adrift in unfamiliar waters, you eventually settle on a shallow nod. "Alright." You rise, giving Dion a hesitant look. He nods, and you scurry away.
            *goto dismissal3
        #"Rest sounds good." I'm exhausted.
            You've been across town four times today with a masked battle thrown in for good measure. You're bushed.
            
            Dion nods. "Feel free to head home or stay here. We're done for the day."
            
            *goto dismissal2
        #"I'll do better next time. Count on it." The mixed outcome is eating at me.
            *set expressive %+ 7
            That fight was @{(wpp = 3) right on the edge of a humiliation,|far too close for your liking,} and @{(expressive < 33) a surprising passion is lighting up|it's lit up a passion} within you. You're not letting any heroes get the better of you again.
            
            Dion sits back in his seat, studying you. "I'll look forward to that. Just don't get carried away."
            
            You nod decisively. You didn't expect to care so much about this; winning battles isn't particularly relevant to your mission.
            
            Maybe that's exactly the reason. Fighting and winning can be something for [i]you[/i], and only you.
            
            *goto dismissal
        #Allow his words to pass without comment.
            *label quiet
            *set expressive %- 7
            You nod, the bare minimum of response, and simply wait.
            
            Hey, stops you from putting your foot in your mouth.
            
            @{(expressive > 55) Dion hesitates before continuing, looking mildly surprised that you're staying silent for once.|Dion gives you a knowing look; he's familiar with your taciturn ways.} "Well, that's all. You can head home or stay here. We're done for the day."
            
            @{(expressive > 55) Huh, maybe this keeping quiet thing is better than you thought.|Another victory for the silent treatment.}
            
            *goto dismissal2

*else
    "I put you into a difficult position and you passed with flying colours. It's gratifying to know that I can rely on you."
    
    *choice
        #"How about a challenge next time?" I say, boisterous.
            *set expressive %+ 10
            *if expressive < 40
                *set rel_architect + 3
                For a moment Dion just looks at you, the corner of his mouth twitching. "So here's where those emotions of yours have been hiding." 
                
                "Well, I mean—" you falter, suddenly feeling rather self-conscious.
                
                The twitch expands into a full smile. "I'm not mocking you. It's nice to see you fired up." 
                
                You look away, still flustered.
                
                *goto dismissal
            *else
                 "Be careful what you wish for," Dion replies, though a twitch at the corner of his mouth robs his words of any rancour.
                 
                 "You have something lined up?" you ask, leaning forward.
                 
                 He shakes his head. "We've had enough business for one day. Nevertheless, if it's challenge you're after, rest assured that you won't be left wanting."
                 
                 "Works for me," you say. Greater challenges to come, huh? Interesting.
                 
                 *goto dismissal
        #"Kay and Teddie deserve some credit."
            *set rel_kay +3
            *set rel_teddie +3
            At the end of the day, your victory was a team effort.
            
            "I'm sure." Dion regards you for a thoughtful moment. "Still, don't sell yourself short. Leadership is a difficult responsibility."
            
            You nod, accepting the compliment as it's given.
            
            "I'll let them know what you said. Otherwise, that's all. You can feel free to head home or remain, your preference. We're done for the day."
            
            *goto dismissal2
        #"It was nothing. Whatever you need." I'll act dutiful.
            @{coven_history Deference is a habit of yours, harshly taught.|You've had plenty of practice with deference.|You've feigned deference so often that it's second nature.}
            
            "Hm." Dion breaks eyes contact for a few seconds, lost in thought. "I appreciate that, $!{aka2}," he says eventually. "Though I hope you aren't just jumping to commands." While he seems genuine, you're not about to fall into the trap of over-elaborating a personal agenda. You already told him @{motive you're against the system|you've got a grudge against heroes|you're in it for the money|you aren't sharing your reasons} and that's all he's getting.
            
            "You're in charge," you answer plainly, sidestepping the snare.
            
            After a beat, Dion nods. "In any case, that's all. You can head home or stay here. We're done for the day."
            
            *goto dismissal2
        #"Yeah, you did." Grilling him a little might put him off balance.
            He leans back in his seat, studying you. "I had no intention of setting you up to fail. If I didn't think you were capable, I wouldn't have put you in charge."
            
            You press a bit further. "It was still sink or swim."
            
            Dion meets your eyes dead on. "And you swam."
            
            "Just making sure we're on the same page," you reply.
            
            "Of course," he says, expressionless.
            
            Deadlock. You nod. You're not getting anything out of him.
            
            *goto dismissal
        #Allow his words to pass without comment.
            *goto quiet
    
    
*label dismissal
Dion says nothing for a while, lost in some private thought. Eventually his eyes refocus, like he's just remembering you're there. "That's all. You can head home or stay here. We're done for the day."

*label dismissal2
You rise from the couch, @{(expressive > 65) give him a little wave,|nod to him,} and then retreat.

*label dismissal3
*page_break Breathe.

*if (sackkay)
    An arm slams across your chest, barring your path.
    
    Never mind.
    
    Teddie's expression is furious. "We've got a problem," he growls.
    
    *choice
        #"[i]We're gonna.[/i]"
            @{(guts > 25) You counter with a glare so fierce that he backs up a step.|You try to match his glare with one of your own, but Teddie's glower only intensifies.}
            
        #"Get your damn hand off me."
            Teddie drops his arm. But not his glare.
            
        #I shy away, uncomfortable with the physical contact.
            Teddie steps straight into the vacated space. Not touching you any longer, but still far too close.
            
        #"Okay?"
            You genuinely don't know what to make of this.
            
            *goto deepens
            
        #Look at him silently.
            
            *label deepens
            His glower only deepens.
            
    
    What the hell is his damage?
    
    "You used Kay as a fucking meatshield," Teddie snarls.
    
    Oh.
    *choice
        #I try to explain my reasoning.
            "It was a calculated—"
            
            "[i]Calculated,[/i]" Teddie sneers.
            
            @{(expressive > 40) "Hey do me a favour and let me finish?" He's still glaring, but allows you to go on.|You give him a flat look. Somewhat surprisingly, he subsides and allows you to go on.} "We were in the middle of a fight. I was trying to end the fight as quickly as possible. @{(fighting_style = 2) I could either just start chasing Hit around, hoping I'd catch him and probably getting both of us hurt even more, or I could try something that would let us decisively take him out."|I needed a way to get up close and personal. That meant Kay was in the firing line a while longer."}
            
            *if fighting_style = 2
                *set rel_teddie -5
                "Still let her get hurt for your benefit," Teddie snaps, though a little of the heat has drained away.
                
                "To preserve the element of surprise," you riposte. "I was getting the jump on him."
                
                After a couple of seconds of silent glaring, Teddie shakes his head. "Don't do that to her again." He stomps off.        
                
            *else
                *if rel_teddie < 10
                    *set rel_teddie 1
                    
                *else
                    *set rel_teddie -10
                "Which got her face cut to shit," Teddie snaps.
                
                @{smooth "So stick a bandage on it, dude."|"Her face was already cut to shit."}
                
                His mouth closes with a click. "…Whatever," he says after a moment or two, and then stomps off.
                
                
            …Could have gone worse.
            
        #Take the diplomatic approach and apologise.
            *set rel_teddie -5
            Yeah you're not jazzed to be in the sights of an angry bonewielder.
            
            "Things were going a little crazy back there and I got too focused on winning the fight. I shouldn't have put Kay into harm's way."
            
            "Damn fucking right." Teddie looks about two seconds from throwing a punch. 
            
            "Look, it seemed like the right move in the moment. Won't happen again."
            
            His expression changes from a deep glare to a moderate one. "Good," he growls, and then stomps off. You let out a tiny sigh of relief.
            
        #Tell him to get over it.
            *if rel_teddie < 26
                *set rel_teddie 1
                
            *else
                *set rel_teddie -25
            *set po_teddie true
            *set romance_teddie 1
            "Yeah, I did, then we won." you snap back. "Deal with it."
            
            Teddie stiffens, and for a moment you think he's going to punch you. Instead, his eyes narrow to pinpricks. "Piece of shit," he hisses.
            
            Without another word, he stomps off.
            
            …Well, you're ninety-nine percent confident this puts any chances of befriending him permanently on ice.
            
   
    From the corner of your eye, you see that everyone else has been looking on with interest. Great. Forget the heroes, it's your own teammates you're going to have to watch out for.

    Speaking of which, now's a perfectly good opportunity for a quick chat. If you're not already sick of conversation slash getting the third degree.
    *goto talkfurther

*else
    You take a glance around the room. Wil has moved from counters to sink, and is busying ${whim}self with washing the dishes. Mal's talking with Dion and Kay has found a wall to lean against; she looks halfway to falling asleep. Teddie, meanwhile, hasn't budged from his corner. Now's a perfectly good opportunity for a quick chat. If, that is, you haven't already had your fill of conversation. 
    
*label talkfurther
*choice
    #Talk to Kay: it'll be my first chance to speak to her alone.
        She's always so joined at the hip with Teddie that this feels like sighting a rare bird in the wild.
        
        *goto kaytalk
    #Talk to Kay: I'd like to catch up about the fight.
        There wasn't exactly a chance to debrief earlier.
        
        *goto kaytalk
    #Talk to Wil: I haven't really had any time with ${whim} today.
        Different missions and different preparations.
        
        *goto wiltalk
    #Talk to Wil: I'm curious how the other mission went.
        You missed the chance to ask either of the other participants.
        
        *goto wiltalk
    *selectable_if (not (sackkay)) #@{sackkay Teddie is far too pissed off for me to risk another 'chat'.|Talk to Teddie: I'm wondering what's up with him.}
        You expected him to be right back to Kay's side, but he's retreated even from her.
        
        *goto tedtalk
    *if (not (sackkay)) #Talk to Teddie: I'd like to catch up about the fight.
        There wasn't exactly a chance to debrief earlier.
        
        *goto tedtalk
    #I'm exhausted. I need a break before fatigue starts clouding my judgement.
        Today's been one thing after another after another. Even if you'd like to chat some more, at a certain point, you just have to recognise your limits.
        
        The safer and more sensible option is to rest, and rest properly.
        *goto resting

*label kaytalk
*set rel_kay %+ 10
You approach Kay at her spot. While her eyes are half lidded and her chin tucked, she immediately looks up as you get close and smiles tiredly. A butterfly strip holds closed the cut on her brow.

"$!{aka}, hi." @{sackkay She glances away in the direction Teddie absconded, and winces. "Um. I don't know what that was about, but I'd leave him be for now."|}

@{sackkay "Noted."|}
*choice
    #Check how she's doing.
        *set rel_kay +3
        "How are you holding up?" you ask.
        
        Kay touches two fingers to the gash, and then shrugs. "Stings a bit. It's not too bad. I've had worse."
        
        That piques your curiosity. "Yeah?"
        
        She laughs, but without her usual cheer. "Yeah."
        
        "Glad you're dealing okay then," you reply, internally weighing up that new piece of information.
        
    #Enquire how she feels about the fight.
        "So, how was your first taste of masked combat?"
        
        Kay puffs out a huge exhalation. "I mean, we won@{wpp  and we pretty much kicked their asses.|, even if it wasn't perfect or whatever.|, even if they kinda kicked our asses a bit.} Any fight you can walk away from, y'know?"
        
        "Preach," you nod.
        
        *if (patrolhelp)
            "Dunno if I agree with stopping to help them after, though," she adds. "Feel like, I dunno. Feel like the heat was on and delaying could have broke bad."
            
            "That's fair," you reply carefully. Fortunately, it seems she's fine with dropping it there. You weren't eager for another interrogation.
            
        *elseif (introtype = 4)
            "By the way, that thing you did with your powers at the end? Like going full monster mode?" Kay grins. "Fucking badass."
            
            "Oh, uh, thanks." Feels strange to get a positive reaction.
        
    #Make a joke of her being away from Teddie.
        *set rel_kay +3
        *if expressive > 35
            "Wow, I better put this one in the museum," you say, smiling. "The rare solo Kay."
            
            She giggles. "We're not [i]always[/i] together," she protests, though her conviction is limited.
            
            "Can only call what I see," you reply with a shrug. Kay pulls a mock offended face.
        *else
            *set kidding true
            "Hey, you're missing your shadow," you say.
            
            Kay tilts her head quizzically, glancing briefly at her feet. "My shadow—oh! You mean Teddie."
            
            "Yeah." You nod awkwardly. Man. Do you just not say it right?
            
            Kay giggles. "I like your jokes, $!{aka}, even if they're a little weird."
            
            "Thanks. I think."
            
        *set expressive %+ 7
        
*if (rangerhurt = 3)
    Kay hesitates, struggling a moment to make eye contact, and then draws a deep breath. "I wanted to talk about what you did to Ranger."
    
    @{sackkay Wow. Everyone's demanding explanations left right and centre.|More of this, huh?} You give her a guarded nod.
    
    "Look, stuff happens in a fight, I get it. I easily could have put someone in the hospital today." Kay winds her fingers together. "But he was defenceless. We already beat him. I just—did you really have to do that?"
    *choice
        #"Maybe not, but what's done is done."
            Kay sighs heavily. "I spose."
            
            "We can't second guess ourselves," you add, keeping your tone gentle. "We'll have enough people gunning for us already, no need to make their job easier by undermining our decisions."
            
            She nods, though the cloud hanging over her goes nowhere. "Gotta keep on keeping on. Maybe Teddie was right." Another sigh. "Thanks I guess. Catch you later."
            
            With Kay done talking, you give a brief goodbye and move on.
            
            *goto resting
        #"Did you think this was going to be all sportsmanlike?"
            Kay screws up her face. "No," she says unhappily. "Only—oh forget it. Maybe Teddie was right. Sorry."
            
            *label abundant
            It's abundantly clear she wants to be left alone, so after a brief goodbye, you hastily exit the conversation.
            
            *goto resting
        #"I didn't mean to hurt him that badly."
            *set rel_kay -5
            Kay gives you a flat look. "That's bullshit, $!{aka}."
            
            "My tendrils are stronger than—"
            
            She cuts you off. "Sure, maybe, but you weren't surprised for a second. You wanted to hurt him from the start." Her expression has turned accusatory.
            
            "Well, think that if you want." It's not much of a counterargument, but Kay already seems set on this. Plus, well, she's correct. You knew exactly what you were doing.
            
            "I will," she almost snaps. A moment later, she sighs. "Sorry. Maybe let's talk about this later. I'm bushed."
            
            Seems like you're done here. With a brief nod of assent, you leave her.
            
            *goto resting
*elseif ((sackkay) or (sackteddie))
    Kay hesitates, struggling a moment to make eye contact, and then draws a deep breath. "I wanted to bring up, um, well. You kinda @{sackkay left me to get shot up back there."|let Teddie take a beating so you could get at Mis."}
    
    @{sackkay Two in a row. Bloody hell.|Seems like you aren't done with explanations just yet.}
    *choice
        #@{sackkay I'll give a tactical explanation|I try to explain my tactics.}
            "It wasn't ideal," you begin. "@{sackkay Hit was keeping you at a distance. If I'd just run in there, he could have done the same thing with both of us. I was counting on you to take the heat until I could get in position and win the fight in one stroke."|Teddie was having a real hard time with Mis. If I'd tried to brawl with her, she could have dodged me just the same as him. I had to count on Teddie to hold out until I could get into position to end things quickly."}
            
            Kay nods along. "Okay that's—yeah. That makes sense. @{sackkay I appreciate you explaining."|Just… I don't like seeing Teddie hurt. I hope it won't shake out like that again."}
            
            @{sackkay "No worries. For what it's worth, I'm sorry I had to do it."|"Me too," you assure her.}
            
            @{sackkay She gives you a small smile. "Apology accepted." She's suddenly|She nods again, then is}  gripped by a massive yawn. "Oh man…" she laughs. "Think that's a sign. Talk later?"
            
            *label withanod
            With a nod, you slip away and leave her to it.
            
            *goto resting
        #Play it safe and apologise.
            "I didn't want things to shake out like that," you say. "It seemed like the right thing at the time, but in retrospect, I regret risking @{sackkay you|Teddie}. I should have come up with another way."
            
            @{sackkay Kay touches a hand to her cut again.|Kay glances across the room at Teddie.} "Glad you see it that way. I mean, I know I'm new to the whole bad guy thing, but I feel like we still need to watch out for each other."
            
            "Yeah, good point." Ulterior motives aside, it's undeniable that you need to place at least a portion of your trust in your teammates.
            
            Maybe a lesser portion than the others though.
            
            Kay sighs. "Well, glad we discussed it." She's suddenly gripped by a massive yawn. "Oh man…" she laughs. "Think that's a sign. Talk later?"
            
            *goto withanod
        #I'm not apologising for anything: I was in charge.
            "It's what I felt was necessary for us to win," you say, level and blunt.
            
            Kay winces. "So that's cool with you? Doesn't matter if someone else eats the pain so long as we come out on top?"
            
            *if (mc_health > 1)
                "I mean, I fell off a roof. Goes both ways."
                
                She stifles a laugh, rather neutralising the serious atmosphere. "Guess you walked the walk. Or… felled the fall?"
                
                You manage a rueful grin. Fair enough. You earned that one.
                
                Her smile fades with a sigh. "Well. Thanks for talking about it."
                
                "Sure." That seems like the right place to leave off, so with a quick goodbye, you move on.
                
                *goto resting
            *else
                *if (sackkay)
                    *set rel_kay -3
                    
                *else
                    *set rel_kay -5
                    
                You shrug. "It matters, but sometimes it's unavoidable."
                
                "Alright then," she replies quietly. "Thanks."
                
                *goto abundant

*else
    There's a quiet moment. In its midst Kay meets your eyes and smiles, a little wider than before. "What's cooking, good looking?"
    
    You pause before replying. The question seems innocent enough, @{(aro =4) which is just as well. No need to awkwardly extricate yourself from unwelcome affections.|but there's definitely something in the way she's looking at you.} @{interest_kay Maybe something that mirrors your own flight of fanciful feeling from yesterday.|}
    
    It's completely possible for you to discuss something else entirely. @{overt_wyrd Might complicate whatever thing is going on between you and Mal otherwise. Or maybe not. Hard to say.|}
    *choice
        #"Been wondering: what's the story with you and Teddie?"
            Her reply is instant. "We're best friends."
            
            "I figured," you say, smiling.
            
            Kay shrugs. "It's kinda just that simple. I've always had his back. He's always had mine."
            
            You knew what that was like once. Your smile withers as fast as it arrived. "Must be nice."
            
            If Kay takes note of your sudden melancholy, she doesn't show it. "He was there for me when I—well, I had a tough time of things when I was younger. He looked out for me. I'll never forget that." She isn't looking at you, carried away by some past memory.
            
            *if (not (cis))
                Oh. You tilt your head at Kay. Her self-consciousness about her voice. Struggles in her youth. The kindred spirit kind of vibe you get around her. You suspect you might know what she's been through. "I think I understand."
                
                She returns her eyes to you with a sunny smile. "I thought maybe you might." Before you can get any further into the subject, you're hit with a jaw-creakingly massive yawn. Kay giggles. "Talk more later?" she offers, and you manage a sleepy nod. Time to get some rest.
                
                *goto resting
            *else
                You muster a nod, but your appetite for conversation has deserted you.
                
                Luckily, Kay is about as exhausted as you are, and it's not too difficult to nudge things over to the goodbyes, allowing you to make your exit.
                
                *goto resting
        #"Have you had your powers long?"
            "A while," Kay replies. "It's… not really something I like to talk about."
            
            "Oh, sorry." Oops. Maybe should have thought this would be a sensitive topic.
            
            She shakes her head, though you get the impression she's putting on a brave face. "Normal to ask." She hesitates, looks away, and then back. "@{(rel_kay > 44) Um. I'm a flare, if that, y'know. Fills in some gaps.|Um. Maybe we can talk about it another time.}"
            
            @{(rel_kay > 44) "Ah. Got it." Yeah. Yeah it does. She didn't just wake up one morning looking like that.|You nod. Can't really argue with that.}
            
            Deciding it's best to quit while you're ahead, you thank Kay for the chat and make a hasty exit.
            
            *goto resting
        *selectable_if (feature = 1) #I touch a hand to my pale hair. "Just thinking about how we match."
            *set rel_kay +5
            "We do!" Kay agrees like it's the best news she's heard all day. "I noticed before, but I didn't really know how to bring it up. It's neat!"
            
            "Oh, uh, thanks." You're a little taken aback, both by her enthusiasm and the compliment. Before now, you've only ever heard your hair described in purely clinical terms, framed as a 'deviation of the formula'.
            
            Kay bounces a fluffy curl in one hand. "Mine's been this way since—it came with the powers." She hesitates. "Was it… the same with you?"
            
            You can't see any real advantage to lying, so you nod.
            
            She nods sombrely, but then brightens right back up. "Now we're power bleach buddies. Um. Name under construction."
            
            @{(expressive > 45) "Yeah we're definitely taking that one to the workshop."|"Agreed," you reply with a smile.}
            
            This little spark of solidarity feels like the right place to leave things off, so you exchange goodbyes and leave Kay to it. For the first time, the stark whiteness of your hair feels like something you can smile about.
            
            *goto resting
        *if (aro != 4) #Says you. I'm embarrassingly stuck on the implications of her compliment. @{ftone [Flirt, passive]|}
            *set interest_kay true
            *set flirt_kay +1
            That's just a thing that people say. It doesn't necessarily mean anything.
            
            Doesn't [i]necessarily[/i], but if Kay's giving you signals, do you have a hope in hell of picking up on them? You can barely stumble through a conversation. @{(brokenheart < 5) Not to mention, the moment you begin thinking along these lines, the pain at your core surges back to life.|}
            
            *if (brokenheart < 5)
                *label broken
                @{brokenheart The wry arch of Beth's eyebrow.|The beaming sunray of Prii's smile.|Shauna's bright and earnest smile.|Grant's teasing little smirk.|DUMMY} The fragile snapshot of loss pierces your head and your heart, scouring any semblance of other feelings.
                
                How do you repair something like this? Something like you? As ever, you have no answers.
                
                You soon excuse yourself from the conversation, lost in your emotions.
                *goto resting
            *else
                "Uh. Nothing much," you manage, demonstrating incredible aplomb.
                
                Those alien eyes of her flicker, a strange smile playing across her face. "Alrighty then."
                
                "Yeah." You take a halfstep back, awkwardly wave, and then drop into a full scale retreat. She watches you go, that smile never leaving for an instant.
                
                Absolutely outstanding, $!{forename}. 10/10 no notes.
                
                *goto resting
        *if (aro != 4) #I hesitate, @{(brokenheart < 5) a razor's edge of loss and longing twisting around my heart.|wanting to explore that look of hers further, but not knowing how.} @{ftone [Flirt, passive]|}
            *set interest_kay true
            *set flirt_kay +1
            *if (brokenheart < 5)
                You ache for the connection. There's something here, almost real enough to touch. But to grasp it would be to drag that snarl of razor wire inch by inch through your very being.
                
                *goto broken
                
            *else
                You long to bridge this gap, make the connection, but the next step is lost in an unknowable murk.
                
                This wasn't so hard. Once.
                
                "…$!{aka}?"
                
                You realise you've been silent for several seconds as you desperately seek a bearing. "Oh. Uh. Thanks."
                
                Alien as Kay's eyes are, you see the confusion in them loud and clear. In turn, though, a strange smile crosses her face. "You are. Good looking, I mean. G'night!"
                
                She's gone before you can even begin to reply, leaving your thoughts all awhirl.
                
                You're, uh, gonna need to be better prepared for this next time.
                
                Next time? Fucking hell.
                *goto resting
                
        *if (aro != 4) #"Sorry to say, but if we're talking looks, you've got me beaten hands down." @{ftone [Flirt]|}
            *set overt_kay true
            *set interest_kay true
            *set flirt_kay +1
            Kay's eyes widen. "What? No, that's not—! Shut up!" she splutters.
            
            You make a big show of shrugging. "It's tragic but it's true."
            
            Her face is growing redder by the second. "$!{aka}, this isn't funny."
            
            "@{kidding I suck at jokes remember?"|Who says I'm joking?"}
            
            "I—" she falters, hiding her face in her hands. "…thanks I guess."
            
            "Hey," you say gently. You wait until she lowers her palms from her face and looks at you. "I'm not messing with you. I mean that."
            
            Slowly, a shy smile dawns. "Thanks," she murmurs. "I meant it too." With that, her resolve seems to crumble, and she scuttles off before you can object.
            
            *goto watchher
        *if ((aro != 4) and (brokenheart < 5)) #Arch a provocative eyebrow. "Oh? Good looking am I?" @{ftone [Flirt]|}
            *set overt_kay true
            *set interest_kay true
            *set flirt_kay +1
            Kay's eyes widen, redness rushing to her cheeks. "I, well—I mean. Yeah?"
            
            You tip her a wink. @{(expressive > 40) "Back at you."|"I'm flattered."}
            
            Her blush is rapidly reaching saturation. @{(expressive > 40) "Thanks," |"N-no problem,"} she squeaks.
            
            Fun—and cute—as it is to get a reaction out of her, you decide to let up on her before she takes flame. "Sorry, I shouldn't tease you for innocent phrasing—"
            
            "No." To your surprise, Kay gets right in to interrupt. Her face remains a deep crimson, but her voice isn't so strangled any more. "No. I meant it." She meets your eyes defiantly, as if daring you to downplay her.
            
            Feeling yourself treading into unknown territory, you decide it's best to regroup. "Good to know," you reply.
            
            "Yeah. Good to know." Her resolve seems to run its course and she drops her eyes, looking away. "Um. L-let's talk later." She scuttles off before you can object.
            
            *label watchher
            Watching her go, you find yourself smiling.
            *goto resting
   
*label tedtalk
*set rel_teddie +10
Teddie's scowling as you head over to him, but it doesn't seem to be directed at you. It may just be his default expression. In close, you have a much better view of the differences in his abnormal bones, and it's not pretty. Where earlier the protrusions and plates had grown further from his body, they're now viciously, cruelly curtailed. The pauldron of bone across his shoulder has been reduced to a jagged knot jutting from his upper arm. The faceplate covering his brow is now little more than a patch of broken, uneven flesh. It's all too easy to imagine him forcibly breaking the most conspicuous of the bones, shattering the growths and then grinding them down over and over until finally he can hide them away.

He turns his head to you. "…Yeah?" he says at length.
*choice
    #Check up on him.
        *set rel_teddie %+ 7
        "Thought I'd see how you're doing."
        
        Teddie begins to shrug, then grimaces, holding his bone-shorn arm. "We won, so."
        
        "I meant you specifically," you clarify.
        
        That earns you a scowl. "Why do you care?"
        
        "We're on the same team, aren't we?"
        
        He snorts derisively. "Whatever. I'm fine."
        
    #Ask how he's feeling about the fight.
        "So, how was your first taste of masked combat?"
        
        Teddie begins to shrug, then grimaces, holding his bone-shorn arm. "Fine," he says. When he sees that you aren't going to take that answer and go, he begrudgingly adds: "@{wpp Beat them no problem."|They got some shots. Not enough."|Need to do better."}
        
        "Got that right."
        
        *if (patrolhelp)
            He eyes you. "Think it was a waste of time checking on them. Could have got us caught. Your call I guess."
            
            "Noted," you reply carefully.
            
            "It's whatever. Just figured I'd tell you."
            
        *if (rangerhurt = 3)
            He continues. "About Ranger. What you did. Kay's bothered, but I'm not. Your call. Don't know about the others. Don't care."
            
            "Thanks for the support," you reply. It's definitely preferable to Dion's interrogation.
            
            "Not what I said." His eyes flicker away, and then back. "But you're welcome. I guess."
            
        You nod. Hey, at least he's making an effort.
        
    #Joke that he isn't around Kay for once.
        *set rel_teddie +3
        *if expressive > 35
          "Oh, just noting this down for the record books. Solo Teddie."
          
          He squints at you. Trying, you think, to decide whether you're making fun of him. "Not [i]always[/i] with Kay," he mutters. "But sure. Funny."
          
          It's like trying to read a brick wall. He doesn't [i]look[/i] mad about being teased, but nor has he so much as cracked a smile.
          
          Tough crowd.
          
        *else
          "You're missing a Kay."
          
          "Not missing anything," Teddie bluntly retorts, stopping you cold. Man. You thought you'd hit the right tone for a joke. Do you just not say it right? Whilst you're caught in that mild crisis of comedy, Teddie grimaces, looks away, and then back. "We separate. Sometimes."
          
          "I know, I was kidding."
          
          He snorts. "Don't go into stand-up."
          
          Ouch.
          
        *set expressive %+ 7
        
        
*if ((interest_teddie) and (compatible_teddie = false))
    *set romance_teddie 1
    *temp react 1
    "Hey." Teddie narrows his eyes at you. Not angry, not suspicious… you honestly aren't quite sure what you see in his expression. "Wanted to ask. Couple of times you've given me… a vibe. Like you're, you know. Interested. In me."
    
    No way. How the heck did he—[i]how?[/i]
    
    Well this is you right on the fricking spot, isn't it? Looks like you're making a decision about him a lot sooner than you expected.
    *choice
        #"I am."
            *set sexualitytalk_teddie true
            Teddie regards you for several excruciating seconds.
            
            "I'm gay," he says eventually.
            
            …
            
            Ohhhhh.
            *choice
                #This is incredibly embarrassing.
                    *set react 1
                    Well, this was a nice conversation but you're going to go find a hole to clamber into now.
                    
                    You close your eyes, count to three, and then reopen them. "That's—wow. I'm. Uh. Yeah." Your cheeks are burning.
                    
                    Teddie shrugs, looking self-conscious. "It's not a big deal."
                    
                #This is absolutely hilarious.
                    *set react 2
                    You find yourself grinning. Even amongst supervillains there's apparently room to trip facefirst into mundane comedy.
                    
                    @{(expressive > 60) "Guess I'm taking my gaydar to the repair shop," you quip.|"Good thing you're better at reading signs than I am, huh?"}
                    
                    @{(expressive > 60) Teddie snorts.|Teddie shrugs. "Just a good guess."}
                    
                #I'm just glad I'm learning this now instead of later.
                    *set react 3
                    You shudder to imagine the sitcom-worthy slew of misunderstandings that could have sprouted from this scenario.
                    
                    "This could've got awkward beyond belief. Good catch."
                    
                    Teddie shrugs. "Just a guess."
                    
            "Thanks for telling me," you add, soft and sincere. @{react Humiliating though this may be,|While this is pretty damn funny,|Relief notwithstanding,} coming out to you is a touching show of trust in a near-stranger.
            
            "Don't make a whole thing of it," Teddie mutters. "Just wanted to clear it up."
            
            You nod. Cleared up it most certainly is.
            
            *label deadend
            At that stage the conversation more or less hits a dead end, and Teddie soon excuses himself, claiming fatigue. You reckon he's got the right idea.
            *goto resting
        #"I'm not." I think I'm over him.
            Maybe you've had a feeling or two about Teddie, but having it all dragged into the light of day so suddenly serves as a sharp clarification.
            
            Teddie slowly nods with something like approval. "Good. Thanks."
            
            *goto deadend

*elseif (sackteddie)
    "By the way." Teddie narrows his eyes. "You used me to take out Mis. Dick move."
    
    Seems like you aren't done with explanations just yet.
    *choice
        #I'll try to explain my tactics.
            "Mis was dodging everything you threw at her," you begin. "I could have jumped in to help, sure, but she'd have done the same thing to me. Letting you occupy her attention was just the best approach for the situation."
            
            Teddie snorts. "Happy to help," he replies, dripping with sarcasm.
            
            "Look, it was the quick and decisive way or the slow and unsure way," you counter. "I wanted Mis down fast so that we could help Kay out if she needed it."
            
            He makes a terse sound, a sigh-growl hybrid. "Sure. Fine. I get it." After a moment, he shakes his head. "I'm tired," he mutters. "See you later or whatever."
            
            *goto tedexit
        #Play it safe and apologise.
            @{antagonise You may have poked the bear before, but maybe it's not the best idea when you directly put him in harm's way?|Inviting Teddie's ire seems like not the best idea.}
            
            "I didn't want things to shake out like that," you say. "It seemed like the right thing at the time, but in retrospect, I regret risking you. I should have come up with another way."
            
            He folds his arms, although as pain flickers across his face, he winds up more cradling one of them. "Didn't though. Just own it and move on."
            
            You hesitate. "…Alright. Sorry."
            
            Teddie nods. His expression hasn't changed, still locked into a frown, but he seems satisfied. "Sure. Gonna take off now. See you later or whatever."
            
            *goto tedexit
        #I'm not apologising for anything: I was in charge.
            *set rel_teddie +5
            "It's what I felt was necessary for us to win," you say, level and blunt.
            
            Teddie stares you down, and then almost imperceptibly relaxes. "Yeah. Alright."
            
            Wait, that's it?
            
            Huh.
            
            "We're good?" you ask cautiously. You didn't expect him to take you at face value.
            
            "We're good," Teddie confirms, and then makes a face, rubbing his eyes with forefinger and thumb. "Need to switch off now. See you later or whatever."
            
            *label tedexit
            With that he walks off, done with the conversation. He's got the right idea you reckon, a rest is long overdue.
            
            *goto resting
  
*else
    Quiet falls between you both. Teddie seems content enough with your presence; he wouldn't keep it to himself if he wasn't. That said, if anyone's going to broach the silence, you're confident it'll have to be you. @{(expressive < 30) It's rare you run across anyone even less talkative than yourself.|Teddie's not much of a conversationalist.}
    
    *choice
        #"You and Kay seem very close."
            "We are." He's silent for long enough that you think he might be done answering already, but eventually he goes on. "Been friends since we were kids."
            
            "Oh, neat." Childhood friends, huh? If they're both flares, that's a little uncomfortable to think about. "I figured," you add, smiling to dispel that gloomy thought.
            
            "Mm. I look out for her. She helps me too."
            
            You knew what that was like once. Your smile withers as quickly as it arrived. "Must be nice."
            
            If Teddie notices your sudden melancholy turn, he doesn't react. "Yeah. Good having each other."
            
            *if ((interest_kay) or (interest_teddie))
                *set sexualitytalk_teddie true
                Your stomach lurches unexpectedly. "You're a couple?" you ask, bracing for disappointment.
                
                Of all the responses you expected from him, a laugh was the very bottom of the list. "Fuck no." His expression swiftly sobers. "She's like a sister to me. And I'm gay."
                
                @{interest_teddie …Good to know.|Ohhhh.}
                
                "Thanks for telling me," you say, soft and sincere. You're not far from a stranger. @{interest_teddie Regardless of any interest in him you might have, it's|It's} touching to be trusted with something so personal.
                
                Teddie breaks eye contact. "Don't make a big deal of it," he mutters, looking uncomfortable.
                
                "I won't," you assure him. He nods.
                
                From there the conversation fades. Teddie soon excuses himself, claiming fatigue, and honestly you reckon he's got the right idea.
                
                *goto resting
            *else
                You muster a nod, but your appetite for conversation has deserted you. Thankfully, Teddie's also at his limit, enabling you to extricate yourself without much difficulty.
                
                *goto resting
        #"Your powers look painful."
            "Yeah no shit," he snaps back instantly.
            
            "I didn't mean—"
            
            Teddie cuts straight across you. "I don't want sympathy. My powers are my powers. Got it?"
            *choice
                #Drop it.
                    "Got it," you say reluctantly. You've obviously touched a nerve, and @{antagonise abrasive though he may be, it feels like a low blow to disregard his wishes.|you're reluctant to worsen the situation.}
                    
                    @{(rel_teddie > 39) He growls out a sigh. "…You're not a total asshole. Maybe later."|"Good." It's one degree below a snap.}
                    
                    You'll take it. Still, that's pretty much killed the conversation stone dead.
                    
                    *goto tedgrunt
                #Try to relate to him.
                    *set teddietalkpowers 1
                    "I brought it up because it's something we have in common," you say, keeping your voice level.
                    
                    Teddie glowers. "I can't tuck it all away when I'm done. @{(speciality = 3) You're not the same just because you've got armour.|It's not the same.}"
                    
                    "Where do you think my membrane goes?" you persist, even in the face of his glare. "It's still inside of me. It's still—" you stop yourself from saying 'hungry'. "—part of my body."
                    
                    *if rel_teddie > 40
                        His scowl slowly ebbs. "…Didn't think of it like that."
                        
                        "I know it's not completely the same," you continue. "You're right, I can put it away. I just… wanted you to know that I understand, at least a little."
                        
                        "Yeah. Got it." A long pause. "Thanks."
                        
                        You nod.
                        
                        *label tedgrunt
                        At length, Teddie grunts. "I'm tired. See you later or whatever."
                        
                        *goto tedexit
                        
                    *else
                        His scowl does not abate. "Can still pull it out of sight. You get to look [i]normal.[/i]" He spits the word with venom, and then shakes his head. "I'm done." He stomps off without another word.
                        
                        Well. That's that.
                        
                        *goto resting

        *if ((aro != 4) and (compatible_teddie)) #There's something about him that draws me in. I carefully put out a hint. @{ftone [Flirt]|}
            *set interest_teddie true
            *set overt_teddie true
            *set flirt_teddie +1
            *set rel_teddie %+ 5
            "Going on that mission with you was fun," you begin, heartbeat quickening. "You want to maybe hang out more normally though? Get to know each other?"
            
            Teddie double takes. "Why?" His expression is midway between suspicion and panic. It's kind of adorable.
            
            You shrug. "Because you're interesting and @{t_teddie for some reason|} I want to know you better."
            
            "Huh." Teddie looks at you like you've unveiled some great revelation. "…Alright."
            
            A warm@{t_teddie , idiotic| } smile comes to your face. "Great. Looking forward to it."
            
            *if (brokenheart < 5)
                Inevitably arrives the cold, leeching away your cheer. The ache at your core begins anew. 
                
                *goto broken
            
            *else
                Teddie starts to say something, then breaks eye contact. "Anyway," he mutters. "I'm tired. Gonna take off."
                
                *goto tedexit
        *if ((aro != 4) and (compatible_teddie)) #I can't seem to find any words. @{(brokenheart < 5) They're snarled up in loss and longing.|He's got me tongue tied and I don't know why.} @{ftone [Flirt, passive]|}
            *set interest_teddie true
            *set flirt_teddie +1
            *set rel_Teddie %+ 5
            
            *if (brokenheart < 5)
                Despite yourself, Teddie attracts you. There's no pleasure in that feeling. All it does is twist the knife. Shame and guilt mingle together, turn the attraction into something poisonous.
                
                *goto broken
                
            *else
                Is it his looks? His personality? This shouldn't be so hard. You'd been speaking with him just fine until now.
                
                Maybe because you're past business and the other easy topics. Your brain has too much room to think about him, and is locking up.
                
                "What?" Teddie comes crashing through, just to make matters worse. "You're staring."
                
                "Uh," you say eloquently. "Sorry, just thinking I guess."
                
                Teddie shoots you a suspicious, almost angry look. "Alright," he eventually mutters.
                
                Dignity in tatters, you make your excuses and get out of the conversation at top speed. @{t_teddie Fricking Teddie. How the hell did he climb into your head like this?|Is it really so fricking hard for you to not act like a weirdo?} What an absolute shambles. 
                
                *goto resting
        *if (t_teddie) #I am absolutely not thinking about how handsome he looks, because he's an asshole and that would be stupid. @{ftone [Flirt, passive]|}
            *set flirt_teddie +1
            *set rel_teddie %+ 5
            And clearly you're not stupid, which is why your eyes aren't lingering on his jawline for any reason but that you've been in conversation.
            
            …This is the fucking worst.
            
            "Quit staring," Teddie mutters. Is it you or is that more… shy than frustrated?
            
            "I wasn't," you shoot back.
            
            Teddie scoffs. "Fucking liar."
            
            "You [i]wish[/i] I was staring," you snap, staring.
            
            "Whatever."
            
            "Whatever yourself. I'm going to bed." You stalk off, trying to ignore the heat rising into your cheeks, shoving the image of Teddie's intensely defiant eyes out of your head.
            
            *goto resting

*label wiltalk
*temp tell true
*set rel_wil %+ 10
As you head into the kitchen $!{wname} sees you coming and immediately lights up. "$!{aka}! Come on over. I was hoping we'd get a second to talk."

Ugh. What now? @{(coven_history = 3) You've had enough of the third degree.|Your nerves are shot.} This had better not turn into@{sackkay  yet|} another interrogation.

Wil hums as you join ${whim}. $!{whe}'s clearing through dishes with casual flair; the flashiest scrubber in the west. @{coven_history Swallowing down your apprehension,|Searching for the agenda,|Clamping down on your naked suspicion,} you glance over to ${whim} questioningly.

Wil sets down a plate and turns to you. "How'd the mission go? Been thinking about you guys for hours."
    
Hours? The others must have been in and out in no time at all.
*label storytime
*choice
    #I give ${whim} the basic rundown on the mission.
        *set expressive %- 5
        *set rel_wil +3
        *label storytelling
        Wil proves to be an attentive listener, nodding and 'mmhm'ing at the appropriate intervals. $!{whe} @{wpp grins enthusiastically as you narrate your successful takedown of the heroes to end the fight.|turns pensive as you narrate the struggles, nodding approvingly once you explain how you managed to seal the deal.|winces with sympathy as you narrate the difficulties you had in taking the heroes down, murmuring a quiet "That's rough," when you describe the closing moments.}
        
        *if (introtype = 4)
            Once you get to your mutated display for the camera, $!{whis} eyes widen. "That sounds like something else, $!{aka}. Wish I could have seen it."
            *choice
                #"You don't think it's freaky or anything?" I'm self-conscious.
                    *set rel_wil +3
                    Wil laughs. "$!{aka}, you seriously think that I" — ${whe} gestures expansively to ${whis} all-black getup, complete with a howling, skeletal wolf design on ${whis} shirt — "wouldn't be all about that kind of horror show?"
                    
                    You frown, not particularly comforted.
                    
                    "Seriously," Wil says, tone both sobering and softening. "You've got absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Your powers are cool as fuck."
                    
                    Well… at least someone thinks so. You nod.
                    
                #"I'm sure it'll be on the internet in no time." It's no big deal.
                    "I suppose." Wil shrugs. "Experience won't be the same though. Like watching a horror movie on a tiny screen instead of in the theatre. You miss out on the atmosphere."
                    
                    You tilt your head in unspoken question.
                    
                    Wil laughs. "Yeah I guess I'm kind of a movie buff. Go figure, right?"
                    
                    It's not a stretch to imagine ${whim} rushing to opening night for every macabre new release. You nod.
                    
                #"It wasn't all that great." The kid's fear is preying on my mind.
                    *set rel_wil +3
                    Too close to home. Too much a mirror of your deepest and darkest memories.
                    
                    Wil tilts ${whis} chin back and watches you. $!{whe}'s messing with ${whis} hands, alternating squeezes of each set of fingers. "I get it if you have hang-ups," ${whe} says quietly. "Sorry. We can talk about something else."
                                        
                    You give ${whim} a nod, part appreciation, part relief.
            
            *goto wil2
        
        *elseif (introtype = 3)
            $!{whis} expression turns into a grimace once you get to the example you made out of Ranger. "Fuck. That's—" $!{whe} takes a deep breath, looking away. "Don't you think that was a little extreme?"
            *choice
                #"Maybe, but it's already done."
                    Wil sighs. "Guess that's the thing with all this isn't it? Can't take it back now."
                    
                    You nod, watching ${whim} as ${whe} briefly stares at nothing. After a couple of seconds ${whe} seems to come back to ${whim}self, fixing ${whis} attention and eyes entirely on the dishes.
                    
                    *goto wil2
                #"Not particularly."
                    *set rel_wil -5
                    Wil laughs, then realises you weren't joking and falters.
                    
                    "Oh," ${whe} murmurs. "Alright then."
                    
                    *label themood
                    You're not really in the mood for another round of justifications, so you offer no further elaboration.
                    
                    *goto wil2
                #I shrug.
                    *set rel_wil -5
                    "…Guess that answers that," ${whe} murmurs.
                    
                    *goto themood
            
        *else
            After you wrap up the story with your introduction of the team, Wil whistles appreciatively. "Can't wait to see the video doing the rounds."
            
            *choice
                #"Should be a good watch."
                    "No doubt," Wil replies.
                    
                    *goto wil2
                #"You think there's footage of you folks too?"
                    "Yeah probably," Wil replies. $!{whe} grins. "Viewing party."
                    
                    *goto wil2
                #Nod silently.
                    You think ${whe}'ll enjoy it.
                    
                    *goto wil2
    #I embellish, make a story out of it.
        *set expressive %+ 5
        *set rel_wil +3
        You do your best impression of a masktuber and start describing what went down, sprinkling a little extra drama on top. @{(expressive < 35) Admittedly you could be better at it, but Wil seems to appreciate the effort.|You're not half bad, if you do say so yourself, and Wil seems to be into it.} There's something fun about making it larger than life, bringing back a fragment of the mask magic from before you were dragged into this world.
        
        *goto storytelling
    *hide_reuse #Question why ${whe}'s asking you and not Teddie or Kay.
        "Didn't your roomies beat me back here?"
        
        Wil shrugs, a little smirk playing across ${whis} face. "Maybe I wanted to hear it from someone new. You think Teddie weaves a spellbinding yarn?"
        
        You try to picture Teddie telling tales around the campfire. Nope. Doesn't fit.
        
        "Sooo?" Wil waggles ${whis} immaculate eyebrows at you.
        *goto storytime
    *selectable_if (mc_health > 1) #"Well, I fell off a roof."
        *set rel_wil +5
        Wil laughs incredulously. "No way." $!{whe} gives you a once over. Realising it's not a joke, ${whis} giggles become uncontrollable. "You're kidding. [i]How?[/i]"
        
        In bits and pieces, you explain the series of events leading to your second-storey faceplant. Wil finds the entire thing hysterical, and to your surprise, ${whis} mirth does go some way towards salving the sting of humiliation.
        
        Still, you'd like this to be a one time performance, unless you want to exchange your villainous career for that of a clown.
        
        *goto wil2
        
    #I shoot ${whim} down.
        *set tell false
        *set rel_wil -3
        You shake your head. "Not really feeling it."
        
        @{(rel_wil > 40) Wil pouts and bats ${whis} eyelashes. "Even for me?" ${whe} wheedles.|"Spoilsport." Wil looks back to the sink and you catch ${whim} rolling ${whis} eyes. You don't think ${whe} was particularly trying to hide it.}
        
        @{(rel_wil > 40) "Sorry. Been a long day."|Whatever. You just shrug.}
        
        *goto wil2
       
*label wil2

The conversation briefly ebbs. Mild discomfort crosses Wil's face and ${whe} sets down ${whis} current plate midwash. Hands free, Wil starts to stretch, pushing both arms above ${whis} head, but then catches ${whim}self with a hiss of pain. ${whe} rubs ${whis} shoulder ruefully. "Ugh. Security guard got a good hit." The motion tugs at ${whis} neckline, exposing ${whis} collarbone and the very fringes of a chest tattoo, too little to make out the design.

@{interest_wil It's, shall we say, an extremely distracting display.|You don't think it's intentional. You're not sure what you'd do if it was.}
*choice
    #Good opportunity to ask about the other mission, no?
        "On that note," you begin. "How was your side of things?"
        
        @{tell "Oh yeah I guess I never told you about it, huh?"|"Asking without telling, $!{aka}? For shame."}
        
        @{tell "I'm bereft," you sigh theatrically.|You tip back your chin, unapologetic.}
        
        Wil laughs and @{tell |despite ${whis} ribbing,} starts filling you in. "Honestly between Dion and Mallory I almost started feeling like I was just there to hold the loot bag." Wil catches your eye and grins. "No dollar signs on those by the way. Incredibly disappointing. Anyhow, Mal disguised themself and made a big scene while Dion and I snuck in through the back. Had to beat down some security guards, but by the time the alarms started ringing we'd already grabbed a bunch of stuff. If Dion hadn't stepped out on the bank floor for his dramatic villain speech, we'd have been out in under ten minutes."
        *choice
            #"Impressive."
                *set rel_wil %+ 3
                Wil gives you a quick salute. "Like I said, I pretty much just did what I was told, but thanks."
                
            #"No heroes or anything?"
                "Nope. Perks of sneaking in there I guess."
                
                You nod. Makes sense.
                
            #"I can't believe you didn't get the proper swag sacks."
                *set expressive %+ 5
                *set rel_wil %+ 5
                "Right?" Wil shakes ${whis} head sadly. "What kind of outfit are we running here?"
                
                You exchange grins.
                
            *selectable_if (wpp > 1) #"Man, you guys got the easy job."
                Wil smirks. @{tell "Skill issue."|"Sounds to me you're saying things didn't go according to plan."}
                
                @{(expressive > 40) You flip ${whim} off,|You give ${whim} a cool look} and ${whe} laughs.
                
        *label wilend
        You remain to chat a short while longer, but you're beginning to flag after all the day's exertions. After a couple of minutes you excuse yourself in the interests of finally getting some damn rest.
        *goto resting
    #I change the subject entirely and ask about Wil's relationship with Kay and Teddie.
        Those two are best friend levels of close. While Wil obviously gets along with them, ${whe}'s also the odd one out.
        
        "Hey, I've been wondering about you and the others. How'd three parahumans wind up living together?"
        
        "Mm, fair question." Wil frowns. Searching for the right words? "Well, it didn't start that way. I helped them out of a jam and we got to be friends after that. I'd already known them both a while when—" Wil breaks off, hesitates. "—when I got powers. Moved in with each other after that." Wil takes a deep breath and then smiles a little too brightly. "So yeah, that's us!"
        
        You attempt to read Wil's expression, but ${whe} avoids your eyes. There's definitely more to this, though in the face of Wil's obvious discomfort, you decide to drop the subject rather than risk upsetting ${whim}. The conversation turns towards mild small talk, and after a couple of minutes you excuse yourself in the interests of finally getting some damn rest.
        *goto resting
    #Question how a guard managed to get the drop on ${whim}.
        Not that parahumans can't possibly be beaten by unpowered opposition, but you're talking a run-of-the-mill security guard here. Hardly special forces.
        
        *if ((brutal < 3) and (psycho < 1))
                "What happened there? They catch you by surprise?" you ask. Not knowing the details, it's better to be tactful.
                
                Wil grimaces, sighs, and shakes ${whis} head. "I wish."
                
                You raise an eyebrow, inviting ${whim} to continue.
                
                It takes a while for ${whim} to work up to the words, fingers drumming a nervous staccato on opposite ${whis} knuckles. "I saw him coming but… I hesitated. I knew I could—I didn't want to hurt him."
                *choice
                    #I comfort ${whim}.
                        *set rel_wil +5
                        "I'm sorry," you say gently. "That sounds difficult."
                        
                        Wil forces a smile. "I dunno. I told myself I was up for this, and it's not like I care about the stealing. But in the heat of the moment…" $!{whe} shrugs. "I dunno," ${whe} says again.
                        
                        "It's alright," you tell ${whim}. "Better this than instantly jumping to a killing spree."
                        
                        $!{whe} laughs, sounding a little more like ${whim}self. "I suppose." $!{whis} pale eyes meet yours. "Thanks $!{aka}. This helps."
                        
                        "Anytime."
                        
                        *goto wilend
                    #I urge ${whim} to toughen up.
                        *set rel_wil -5
                        "You can't afford to doubt yourself," you say. "Half measures aren't going to cut it."
                        
                        "Thanks, $!{aka}, you're all heart," Wil replies sarcastically, looking wounded.
                        
                        "I'm just saying how it is." You fold your arms. @{(grey =1) This… might be a little hypocritical, given how you helped the Patrol.|Wil's a villain. You all are. $!{whe} needs to get that into ${whis} head.}
                        
                        "Sure you are." Wil scowls. "Forget it. I don't have to justify myself."
                        
                        *goto sour
                    #I don't know what to say, remaining silent.
                        Wil's emotions dance across ${whis} face, and it's a solid minute before ${whe} regains enough composure to look back your way, forcing a weak smile. "Sorry. Kind of vanished into my own head there." 
                        
                        You respond with an awkward nod, and Wil equally-awkwardly changes the subject. The result is a stop-start conversation which neither of you navigate well, and soon, you excuse yourself and slip away. Regardless of anything else, you could really use some rest.
                        *goto resting
            
        *else
                *set rel_wil - 5
                "Guess you need more practice if you're losing to a normal," you say pointedly. In your books that's a pretty weak display.
                
                "Gee, thanks, $!{aka}," Wil replies peevishly. "And I didn't lose."
                
                You shrug. "Got hurt though."
                
                "Yeah, because I didn't want to—" $!{whe} stops, barking a hard laugh. "You know what? Forget it. I don't have to justify myself."
                
                *label sour
                On that sour note the conversation comes to a close. Wil fixes ${whis} eyes on the dishes, scrubbing moodily. With ${whim} clearly done talking you take your leave.
                *goto resting
        
    *if (aro != 4) #...Don't look don't look don't look. @{ftone [Flirt, passive]|}
        *set interest_wil true
        *set flirt_wil +1
        *set rel_wil %+ 7
        You put up a struggle most valiant, but your eyes are inexorably drawn to that enticing span of exposed skin.
        
        Naturally, then, that's exactly when Wil's own eyes flick back to you, catching you in the act.
        
        A sly smile curves onto ${whis} face. "Interested in my tattoos, $!{aka}?" $!{whe} asks, tone signalling ${whe} knows full well where you were looking.
        
        You mumble something that might have been an affirmative but frankly even you don't know for sure.
        
        "I'll show you them sometime if you want." Wil's grinning like the cat who caught the canary.
        
        Well, this canary is extremely done with this conversation. You blurt out an excuse and take off, tail between your legs and feeling Wil's gaze on your back.
        
        That was awful. You're going the heck to bed.
        *goto resting
    *if (aro != 4) #"Nice view." @{ftone [Flirt]|}
        *set interest_wil true
        *set overt_wil true
        *set flirt_wil +1
        *set rel_wil %+ 5
        
        Wil blinks, head snapping across to you. Colour rushes to ${whis} cheeks. "Uh. Sorry. I mean, thanks. But sorry. Didn't mean to, you know." $!{whe} awkwardly tugs ${whis} top back into place.
        
        You favour ${whim} with a positively angelic look. "Oh I don't mind at all."
        
        "[i]I bet.[/i]" $!{whe}'s trying to sound serious, but there's already a smile creeping onto ${whis} face.
        
        The two of you spend the next couple of minutes verbally sparring up until you're cut off by a jaw-creaking yawn.
        
        Wil laughs. "Wow, I think you nearly swallowed me there. Maybe you should hit the hay."
        
        The fatigue is indeed crashing in, so reluctantly you bid Wil goodnight and leave ${whim} to the remaining dishes.
        *goto resting
    *if (touchingokay) #"Want some help with that?" I offer innocently.
        *set rel_wil %+ 7
        Wil blinks, scanning your face for signs of jest.
        
        When ${whe} finds none, a strangely conflicted look passes over ${whim}, and ${whe} seems to force a smile. "Uh. No thanks. That's—yeah I'm alright. Nice of you to offer."
        
        You shrug. "No worries."
        
        An odd, disjointed pall descends upon the conversation from there. Wil keeps avoiding eye contact and neither of you can settle on a topic that works. Eventually, you elect to put the interaction out of its misery and bid Wil farewell to go to bed. Maybe it's just fatigue getting the better of you both.
        *goto resting
    *if ((aro != 4) and (touchingokay)) #"Want some help with that?" I offer flirtatiously. @{ftone [Flirt]|}
        *set interest_wil true
        *set overt_wil true
        *set flirt_wil +1
        *set rel_wil %+ 7
        *set tats_wil 2
        Wil blinks, head snapping across to you. $!{whe} opens ${whis} mouth and then shuts it again, a smile twitching at its corner. "You serious?" Aha. $!{whe}'s trying to call your bluff.
        
        "Why woudn't I be?" you bat back. Two can play at that game.
        
        Wil's forced to simply shrug. Advantage $!{aka2}. "Maybe some other time," ${whe} eventually says. "Little busy here."
        
        @{(expressive > 45) "I could wait," you say, grinning.|You raise an eyebrow, fold your arms, and lean against the counter. The message: you can wait.}
        
        $!{whe} laughs. "If you're so interested in my tattoos you could just ask, $!{aka}." $!{whe} winks. You and ${whe} both know ${whe}'s dancing around your implication.
        
        "Deal," you reply.
        
        "@{(mc_height > 4) Let's be real, you probably couldn't reach anyway." Wil gives you a teasing smirk.|Wil's eyes drift down to that span of exposed skin and then back. Then, making direct eye contact all the while, ${whe} adjusts ${whis} shirt back into place.}
        
        Holding your @{(mc_height > 4) indignant |}laughter at bay, you head off, feeling Wil's gaze on you all the while. 
        
        Fun as that was, you need some rest.
        *goto resting
    *if (t_wil) #...Stupid sexy $!{wname}. @{ftone [Flirt, passive]|}
        *set flirt_wil +1
        *set rel_wil %+ 5
        This is unfair and you're considering filing a complaint. You haven't quite decided to whom. Your own brain, perhaps.
        
        How is it that someone so infuriating can be so effortlessly attractive?
        
        You force yourself to avert your eyes. You don't need to physically push your face to the side, but it's a close run thing.
        
        Ugh. Where's a hole to crawl into when you need it?
        
        When you finally look back to Wil, ${whe}'s finished putting ${whim}self on display, though now ${whe}'s giving you a perplexed look.
        
        @{(expressive > 65) "I wasn't staring!" you blurt.|"What?" you snap.}
        
        @{(expressive > 65) Wil's eyebrows shoot up. "...Good to know?" A smile slowly starts edging onto ${whis} face.|"Nothing! Jeez." Wil's expression turns to pure bafflement.}
        
        @{(expressive > 65) "Quit smirking! I'm going to bed." you declare|"Good!" For a moment you stand there, staring awkwardly at each other. "I'm going to bed!" you announce} turning on your heel and marching off.
        
        "Uh… sleep well!" Wil calls after you. You do not look back.
        *goto resting
    #I'm more intrigued by the tattoos than Wil's body.
        *set rel_wil %+ 7
        *set tats_wil 1 
        You crane your neck, trying to get a better view. @{mc_height |It's uh. Not particularly easy, what with the massive height difference.|It's uh. Not particularly easy, what with the height difference.|It's a little tricky with the height difference.|You're about the same height, so it's more the angle.|You've got a bit of an advantage, being taller than ${whim}.} @{(mc_height < 4) You have to get right on your tiptoes.|} The lines of the tattoo are bold and black with a sliver of red colour just visible at the fringes. Ugh, just an inch or two more and you really think you'd be able to make a guess at what it is.
        
        Inevitably, ${whe} catches you in the act. "Interested in my tattoos, $!{aka}?"
        
        @{(instinctive > 45) You nod boldly.|You nod, a bit ruffled. Oops.} "What am I looking at?" you ask.
        
        "Mm…" Wil taps ${whis} jaw with a finger, faux thoughtful, and then winks. "It's a secret."
        
        You frown.
        
        *if (interest_wil)
            *set tats_wil 2
            A sly smile curves ${whis} lips. "But you know, if you want to see me with my shirt off…" Wil leans a little closer, lowering ${whis} voice. "It could happen."
            
            *choice
                #Well I'm flustered. @{ftone [Flirt, passive]|}
                    *set flirt_wil +1
                    "Um," you say intelligently, then await the arrival of further words.
                    
                    …None appear to be forthcoming.
                    
                    Your cheeks are getting rather warm though, so there's that.
                    
                    Wil's sly grin does nothing to help either situation.
                    
                    Eventually, ${whe} shows mercy, leaning away once again. It's far from a full reprieve, however, because it's signed off with a wink. "You know, if you're interested."
                    
                    Signal the retreat, men, this battle is lost. You say… [i]something[/i] which you frankly couldn't translate into real words if you tried, and promptly quit the field, feeling that damn smirk at your back the entire time. You're absolutely done with today. It's time to rest.
                    *goto resting
                #Flirt back. @{ftone [Flirt]|}
                    *set flirt_wil +1
                    *set overt_wil true
                    "I'll have to keep that in mind," you murmur. This took a turn.
                    
                    Wil plucks at the hem of ${whis} shirt, as if ready to make good on the promise immediately, smirking slyly. You're very conscious of the proximity you're sharing. @{touchingokay |You shuffle back ever-so-slightly, and Wil thankfully seems to catch on, reverting ${whis} lean.}
                    
                    "Sadly, I'm a little busy." Wil indicates the incomplete dishes with ${whis} head, then ${whis} smile turns hopeful. "To be continued?"
                    
                    "We'll see," you reply with a smile of your own, before withdrawing. As fun a diversion as this was, you need some rest. And more time to think this over properly.
                    *goto resting
                #The switch into flirting catches me off guard, so I brush the comment off.
                    "Alright then," you say abruptly.
                    
                    With such a lukewarm response, Wil immediately reverts to default, reversing ${whis} lean. "Sorry, just playing."
                    
                    *label qaa
                    You nod in quiet acceptance of the apology.
                    
                    The conversation is a bit stilted and awkward from that point, and you elect to bid Wil goodnight and leave ${whim} to ${whis} dishes.
                    *goto resting
                #Tell Wil that's a bit much.
                    "That's too familiar," you tell ${whim}. Best to be direct about this kind of thing.
                    
                    Wil immediately looks contrite, reversing ${whis} lean. "You're right. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable."
                    
                    *goto qaa
                *selectable_if (brokenheart < 5) #The overt flirting is like a dagger to an open wound.
                    *set episode true
                    Memories cut through you, tearing your composure to ribbons. @{brokenheart The wry arch of Beth's eyebrow. Her biting wit.|The beaming sunray of Prii's smile. Their determined optimism.|Shauna's bright and earnest smile. Her boundless cheer.|Grant's teasing little smirk. His relaxed charm.|DUMMY}
                    
                    Your eyes well up. Words fail you.
                    
                    Alarm fills Wil's expression. "Shit, sorry. Are you—no, clearly not. Hey, why don't you sit down?" Wil drags a stool over, and you sag into it, burying your face in your hands in a desperate attempt to regain control of yourself.
                    
                    Slowly, the flow is staunched. Wil stands nearby all the while. Helpful in some ways, hindering in others.
                    
                    "I'm sorry," Wil says again as you raise your blurry eyes from your palms. "Won't happen again."
                    
                    You shake your head mutely. You can't even begin to offer an explanation.
                    
                    Wil's reluctant to let you out of ${whis} sight, but after you insist a couple of times, ${whe} accepts that you're going to excuse yourself. Fatigue both physical and emotional is overwhelming you. Still feeling that ache deep within, you take your leave.
                    
                    *goto resting
            
        *else
            $!{whe} laughs. "Nah, I'll let you see sometime, just a little busy here." Wil gestures to the unfinished dishes.
            
            "Fine," you deliberately drag the word out, getting you another laugh. You decide you may as well leave ${whim} to it, withdrawing with a quick goodbye. Fun as it is to banter, you need rest more.
            
            *goto resting
*label resting
*page_break You're bone tired.
You slip into the room where you made your preparations earlier. At some point in the last couple of hours a sleeping bag and cushion have been laid out on the floor. @{livingconditions Sadly that's more than enough to outclass your normal lodgings.|Wow, you're really moving up in the world.|Of course, it's not a patch on your own lodgings. Where's the dumpster scavenged furniture and ice water shower? You're accustomed to better.}

In seriousness, while you aren't particularly thrilled about spending the night here, the prospect of yet another crosstown trip leaves your legs trembling. You're tapped out. Besides, sticking around will be another building block for gaining the team's trust. If you're happy to stay at base overnight, that surely means you have nothing to hide.

*if ((grey = 1) or (rangerhurt = 3))
    And frankly, after that little chat with Dion, you need all the credibility you can get.

Carefully enfolding all of your possessions against your body, you curl up and go to sleep.
*page_break

*if (wpp = 1)
    *achieve wppgood
    
*elseif (wpp = 3)
    *achieve wppbad
    
You wake up early the next morning, writhing free from the grasp of a dream you don't remember. After regaining your bearings you head out of the room, finding only a sleepy Mallory in a fuzzy pink dressing gown.

"Dion's gonna contact the Businessmen. We'll let you know when we hear back," they tell you between yawns. "Til then keep your head down, kay?" Nodding, you move past them towards the exit, only to be stopped by their voice. "Hey, wait up." They raise an envelope between their hands and grin. "Your share. Don't spend it all in one place," they pause. "No really, don't."

You take the envelope from them. It feels heavy. A quick glance inside has you put the contents at around two thousand dollars cash.
*choice
    #"Thanks."
        Mallory winks. "What's the good of the villain life if there's no ill gotten gains to split, right?"
        
        They might have a point.
        
    #"Didn't you just rob a bank?"
        Mallory laughs. "Sorry, most of what we got wasn't cash. Gonna be a while before we can flip the non-liquid stuff. If ever."
        
        You suppose that makes sense. And it's still more money than you've seen in years.
        
    #I nod and move on.
        It's a transaction and you're treating it as such, no comment needed.
        
    #I don't want this, but what can I do?
        *set moneydiscomfort true
        Anything other than acceptance will bring the spotlight squarely upon you. Swallowing down your misgivings, you give Mallory a shallow nod.
        
        Taking the money feels wrong, but you have no choice. @{(motive = 3) Why the hell did you decide to claim you're doing this for the cash?|}
        
Tucking the envelope into your satchel, you say your goodbyes to Mallory and head out into the city.
*page_break Time to lay low.

Over the next couple of days, word of the Altruists' dual debut hits the news in media both traditional and digital. The former you can snag walking by any news stand, the latter you have to get secondhand from one of your teammates. Your phone is, after all, still a relic.

[i]A new parahuman menace hit the streets of Alderbrook yesterday as a group calling themselves the Altruists claimed responsibility for two separate incidents. Superpowered assailants infiltrated the Riverside Bank on Bridge Street, subduing several security guards and ransacking the bank's secure deposit boxes. The villain known as Architect, seen earlier this week battling the Glory Hounds, formally announced the Altruists to the staff and customers of the bank. Known Architect accomplice Wyrd was also spotted at the scene, while a third previously unknown villain was named by Architect as Ghoul. No serious injuries were inflicted during the robbery, but Riverside Bank estimates that goods valued in excess of $100,000 were stolen. It is currently unclear how the Altruists were able to gain access to the premises, and police are investigating.[/i]

[i]Not content with mere financial gains, the Altruists simultaneously struck across town, targeting recently formed hero team the Wesson Parks Patrol. Cell phone footage captured on the scene shows the Patrol @{wpp being utterly outmatched by three opponents, falling to a swift defeat.|putting up a struggle against three opponents, but ultimately falling to defeat.|battling valiantly against three opponents, falling to defeat by the narrowest of margins.} One of the villains, identified as the same unknown parahuman who also fought the Hounds earlier in the week, subsequently took centre stage to announce their group. @{introtype With a demeanour described by witnesses as 'ice cold' and 'intimidating', they named|This message, delivered with an unsettlingly theatrical disregard for their villainous acts, named|The worst, unfortunately, was yet to come. Seizing the Patrol's leader, Ranger, the villain demonstrated sickening brutality, using their powers to inflict grievous injuries upon the helpless hero. Subsequently, they named|In a terrifying display, the villain transformed into a hideous beast. Despite their monstrous form, the villain retained their speech, naming} themself as $!{mask}, introducing their accomplices as Fracture and Rampage, and much the same as Architect, declared the team to be the Altruists. @{(introtype = 3) Ranger is presently hospitalised and described as in stable condition.|} @{(introtype > 2) While the footage of the incident is available on our website, viewer discretion is advised.|The footage of the incident is available on our website.}[/i] 

[i]The question remains: who are the Altruists? Our parahuman affairs correspondent Connie Maeda has her say on page 16…[/i]

*page_break Then there's the headlines.

[b]An Altruistic Streak Of The Villainous Kind![/b]

[b]Double duty: the facts of the Altruists' two-pronged assault[/b]

[b]Are the Hounds up to the task of protecting our city?[/b]

[b]Wesson Parks Patrol @{wpp gets DESTROYED by|FIGHTING against|almost FIGHTS OFF} new villains! (Real video!)

[b]reacting to all six of the Altruists and ranking their powers[/b]

[b]Thread: so is it just me or is $!{mask} kind of hot [LOCKED][/b]

Needless to say, you walked off before Mal could finish clicking through that last one.

All this attention…
*choice
    #It's overwhelming.
        Everywhere you turn, there's another opinion, another report, another video—and don't those videos run the full spectrum of subgenres?
        
        *label public
        @{(publicattitude = 5) Even so, you're|You're} suddenly a public figure in a way you never were for AdVenture. In the old days you'd occasionally see a comment or two directed your way on the videos: 
        
        [i]'I want to see more of the ${mc_guy} with the @{mc_hairlength |.|really short.|cropped|shortish|kind of mid length|long|really long} @{mc_ohair |dark|brown|brown|blonde|blonde|auburn|red|dark} hair!' [/i]
        
        *if (mc_gender = "male")
            *if ((mc_ohair = 6) or (mc_ohair = 7)) 
                *if (mc_hairlength > 5)
                    [i]'lol that's both grant and ${forename} genius'[/i]
                    
                *else
                    *goto continue
            *else
                *goto continue
        
        *elseif (mc_gender = "female")
            *if ((mc_ohair = 2) or (mc_ohair = 9))
                *if (mc_hairlength < 6)
                    [i]'uh that could be either Beth or $!{forename} OP…'[/i]
                
                *elseif (mc_hairlength > 5)
                    [i]'you realise that describes both Shauna and $!{forename}…?[/i]
            
                *else
                    *goto continue
            *else
                *goto continue
            
        *elseif (mc_gender = "nonbinary")
            *if ((mc_ohair = 3) or (mc_ohair = 4))
                *if (mc_hairlength > 5)
                    [i]'that literally describes prii and they introduce every video so unless you want them to film and appear on camera at the same time, gonna assume you mean $!{forename} since what you just said also fits ${mc_him}…'[/i]
                    
                    [i]'No need to be so particular! Wow!'[/i]
                    
                *else
                    *goto continue
            *else
                *goto continue
                
        *label continue
        *if (mc_height = 6)
            [i]'omg I can never get over how freaking tall $!{forename} is'[/i]
            
        *elseif (mc_height = 2) 
            [i]'omg I can never get over how freaking smol $!{forename} is'[/i]
            
        *elseif (mc_exbuild = 6)
            [i]'wow I'd let $!{forename} crush me any day have you seen those biceps'[/i]
            
        *elseif (mc_exbuild = 2)
            [i]$!{forename} is so skinny you could probably just have sent ${mc_him} through that gap @ 12:33 lmao'[/i]
            
        *elseif (subterfuge > 50)
            [i]'lol love how ${mc_he} just deletes every lock they all come across'[/i]
            
        *elseif (expressive > 60)
            [i]'always love episodes where $!{forename} talks. ${mc_he} @{mc_singular has|have} such a nice voice'[/i]
            
        *else
            [i]'rare $!{forename} sighting at 7:45! everyone note that down!'[/i]
            
        But as a villain it's a whole different level. Seems like everyone and their dog wants to share their thoughts on the Altruists and $!{mask}.
        
        @{publicattitude Your only recourse is to step away from the media until it blows over. And keep dodging Mal with their phone.|You can't wait to see what comes next.|You don't know if your feelings will fade in time. Maybe the novelty will wear off. Maybe the reality of your situation will grind you down. But for now, you can enjoy this.|Maybe it'll get easier in time. Maybe the second mission or the third will see the strangeness fade. But then again, maybe not.|Whatever. They can write any articles they want. Your job stays the same.}
        
        *goto onwards
    
    #It's exciting.
        *set publicattitude 2
        You're the centre of attention, @{introtype and despite choosing to keep your introduction subdued, it's hard not to bask in the notoriety.|exactly what you were aiming for by taking a show@${mc_man}'s approach to your introduction.|perhaps the inevitable outcome when you introduced yourself by way of destroying someone's arm.|which is only natural with such a memorably terrifying introduction.}
        
        *goto public
    #It's oddly gratifying.
        *set publicattitude 3
        Everyone knows your name now. No longer a faceless test subject, interchangeable with so many others. You've left your mark on Alderbrook.
        
        *goto public
    #It's hard to wrap my head around.
        *set publicattitude 4
        You knew that there would be talk about you and the Altruists. @{(introtype > 2) Frankly, with the way you announced yourself, you'd be foolish to expect anything less.|Villains always leap to the fore of public consciousness.} Seeing that truth in action is significantly harder to grasp than you expected.
        
        *goto public
    #It's irrelevant.
        *set publicattitude 5
        You're not doing this for the sake of the media circus. You've got an assignment. @{(defiance > 3) As if you could let yourself forget your fucking assignment.|That takes precedent.}
        
        *goto public

*label onwards
*page_break
*set mc_health 1
*set injurydesc 1
Even stranger than your name in the headlines is being on standby. Until Dion closes the deal with the Businessmen, you've got completely free rein from even your obligations to the Coven. Add the fact that  you've got enough cash in hand to look further ahead than your next meal, and Alderbrook's your oyster. @{moneydiscomfort If you're ever able to get over your discomfort about the origin of said cash, anyway.|}

Perhaps… perhaps it's your first opportunity to regain a little of what you've lost. To recover.

Is that even possible?
*temp options 0
*label options
*choice
    *hide_reuse #Hit the gym. I need my body back to standard. [Restore Guts]
        *set gutsrestore true
        *set options +1
        To be blunt, you're a shell of your former self. @{(guts < 25) And your former self wasn't anything to write home about, physically.|Any muscle you once held is a distant memory.}
        
        Getting @{(guts < 25) |back} into shape won't be easy; the damage to your body won't be undone by a few pushups. But even the longest journeys have to start somewhere. If you don't take the first step now, then when?
        *set guts +9
        
        It takes a good bit of legwork to find the kind of place you're looking for, a mid-sized gym a decent distance from both your hideout and the nicer parts of town. Big enough you don't stick out like a sore thumb, small enough there aren't any staff members breathing down your neck.
        
        Then… you begin the hardest grind of your life.
        
        Your body hates it. You hate your body. Yourself. The world at large. Each set is agonising. At times you don't know if you'll even make it through the next rep.
        
        But you do. You persevere. And piece by piece, you start putting yourself back together.
        
        Burning muscles, gasping lungs, eyes stinging with sweat. They're the foundations of your rebuilding.
        
    *hide_reuse #I've been offline for too long. Time to get reconnected. [Restore Knowledge]
        *set knowledgerestore true
        *set knowledge +10
        *set options +1
        Plain and simple, it's a digital age. Until you get regular access to the internet, you're at a permanent disadvantage. Combined with the gaping five year hole in your common—and specialist, and parahuman—knowledge, it's clear to you that this should be a priority.
        
        Of course, getting your hands on more modern tech isn't as simple as strolling into an electronics store. Far, [i]far[/i] too many gadgets come with strings attached. Strings shaped like ID and bank accounts and permanent addresses, none of which you're in a position to provide. Eventually you manage to track down a second hand place that isn't too expensive and can offer you the kind of data plan that works for your purposes. It's not the best by any means—a phone just a few generations better off than your antique and way too much reliance on public wifi—but it's an improvement.
        
        Equipped with your new device you camp out in a series of coffee shops and cafés, anywhere with free wifi and cheap refills, and get to browsing. You let your surfing cover anything and everything—who'd have thought that one singer would end up in jail?—and try not to get too fixated on any one topic. It'd be too easy to get overwhelmed if you went down every rabbit hole. Chipping away a little at a time is the way to go.
        
        Even aside from filling in a few of the gaps, you find yourself shaking off some of your rust, your recall improving. Just a little of the fog has receded.
        
    *hide_reuse #Go peoplewatching. Train myself out of flinching at strangers. [Restore Observation]
        *set observationrestore true
        *set observation +6
        *set options +1
        In the Coven, perceptiveness was often a liability. Noticing the wrong thing at the wrong time, or rather being [i]noticed[/i] to notice the wrong thing, inevitably led to punishment. With the likes of Catalyst around, even taking an interest in your surroundings was running the risk of invoking his ire. More than once, inadvertent eye contact was the precursor of another trebled beating.
        
        You adapted to keep your head down, let your eyes gloss over the details. A defence mechanism. Now comes the difficult task of unlearning the habit.
        
        It doesn't come easily. You set yourself up on a park bench, a seat by the riverside, a quiet booth in a café, and you strain against your instincts. Your words catch in your throat partway through your order. You instantly drop your gaze when someone glances at you. You find yourself spacing out, eyes losing focus and watching nothing.
        
        Bit by bit you nudge yourself back on course. You force out the words, force yourself to meet the eyes, force focus. Each is a little less difficult than the last.
        
        You try not to think about what this could cause when next you return.
        
    *hide_reuse #Practice quiet movement and quick lies. I'll need both to keep my cover. [Restore Subterfuge]
        *set subterfuge +7
        *set subterfugerestore true
        *set options +1
        Despite the string of deception you've left in your wake these past days, your ability to lie is still @{(subterfuge > 50) a little|pretty} rusty. Much of your cover story was coached, after all. Bending the truth on the fly is a different art entirely. Besides which, you've got muscle memory to rebuild. The Coven afforded few opportunities to sneak around. You alternate between the buildings of the Parks, moving across rotting floorboards while trying to avoid the creaks, and the streets a couple neighbourhoods over, bullshitting passersby with various invented stories. Over the course of your 'training sessions', you impersonate an engineer, a sanitation tech, a security guard. On the whole you're believed more often than doubted.
        
        The advantage to honing these skills is that it costs you nothing but time. Well, apart from something in the way of second hand embarrassment whenever someone calls you out on your nonsense. You don't think you'll ever truly advance beyond that hand-in-the-cookie-jar feeling.
        
        Either way, there are worse ways to occupy yourself on a budget, and when it's all said and done you're feeling much better about your grasp of the underhanded. Maybe even approaching your old peak.
        
    *hide_reuse #If I don't look after myself, I'm going to fall to pieces. Spend some time and money on self-care. [Improve general wellbeing]
        *set tidy true
        *set options +1
        You roughly resemble a corpse decked out in the threads of the world's worst thrift store. A day or two of recovery might be a mere drop in the ocean compared to the ravages of a half-decade of abuse and experimentation, but these wounds won't heal by themselves.
        
        If nothing else, you can get yourself some new pants.
        
        You start small. A couple of square meals from places other than the bargain shelves or dumpster diving. A thrift store t-shirt that you can't see through when held up to the light. A pair of scissors, to sacrifice what parts of your hair are truly a lost cause@{natural , though to restore hair like yours to a healthy state will be a titantic task.|.} Gradually, you assemble the bits and pieces to make yourself feel like something approaching a human being.
        
        Three days after beginning your efforts, you catch a glimpse of your reflection going by a shop window and stop dead in your tracks.
        
        A ghost looks back at you.
        
        The face in the glass carries the scars of the years gone by. But it's you. 
        
        It's you.
        
        *page_break
    *hide_reuse #Now's my best shot at learning what happened after that night. Maybe even finding my friends. [Look into past events]
        *set options +1
        *set searched true
        When will you have another chance like this to dig into those unanswered questions, begin to [i]try[/i] to get some closure?
        
        That's what you're telling yourself as you start the hunt for any scrap of information you can find about the compound, filled with a feverish kind of hope. @{origin What happened after you fled? You know all too well that Prii and Shauna didn't make it out alive, but you never saw the others. They must have escaped. Surely they must have.|Beth and Grant. They got away. And then what?|What happened after you found yourself lost in the dark? You know all too well that Prii and Shauna didn't make it out alive, but you never saw the others. They must have escaped. Surely they must have.|What happened after you fought the Project? Shauna and Prii are dead, but what about the others?|What happened after you fought and lost? Shauna and Prii are dead, but what about the others?|Beth and Shauna. They got away. And then what?} There's so much you don't know. That you've never had a chance to know.
        
        The ensuing search is an exercise in frustration. You slam into dead end after dead end. You dig up a missing persons' report on the entire group from five years ago, but that trail goes ice cold after a single update. It's as if everyone just instantly gave up on you. You stumble across a blog post that references a sudden burst of DPR activity in the general neighbourhood of the compound, and there's even a link included to another article about 'the unusual incident'… which leads to an unavailable page. Somehow, the best sources of information are a combination of a mystery podcast and a channel focused on cold cases and unexplained disappearances.
        
        [i]"…the story of five young adults, Prii Hawthorne, Shauna Caldwell, Elizabeth Volkova, Grant Glenn, and ${fullname}, a group of friends and urban explorers who ventured into an abandoned compound, never to be seen again…"[/i]
        
        Hearing yourself discussed in the third person, an artist's rendition of you and all the others on the screen is…
        *choice
            #Nauseating.
                You think you're going to hurl.
                
                Sickening waves rock your system, doubling you over. You can't deal with this.
                
            #Numbing.
                It's like your emotions are bricked up in concrete. You feel utterly detached and alienated. A window into another lifetime.
                
            #Unsettling.
                The five of you are a cold case. A curiosity to examine now and then before dropping.
                
                It sets a shiver down your spine.
                
            #Upsetting.
                That's all you are? A story? Something to lay creepy music and a sombre voice over?
                
                You close out of the tab with a grimace, a cocktail of anger and dismay bubbling within.
                
            #Surreal.
                It's as if you don't even exist. A lifechanging, life[i]ending[/i] event turned into a subject of mild intrigue. An episode in the library perhaps worthy of an occasional rewatch.
                
            #Impossible to put into words.
                Different emotions mingle together, rising and falling in prominence. You can barely process what you're seeing.
                
        The worst part is that neither podcast nor video tells you much of anything that you didn't already know, swiftly descending into random speculation about what could have happened to you all. One of the theories, that the group stumbled upon something it shouldn't have, is ironically right on the money, but so what? The only genuine insight is a second mention of the DPR being spotted in the area through the following weeks. Another search around on that topic leads to another dead end.       
                
        On a whim, you go back to the video and expand the description. Perhaps it'll cite some sources you can look into. Instead, after various credits, you see a note from the uploader.
        
        [i]'Edit: A few people mentioned an odd discrepancy with the missing persons' cases, so I looked into it, and those comments were absolutely right. The Elizabeth Volkova and @{alive Grant Glenn|Shauna Caldwell} cases were closed slightly before the others. That may lend a little more credence to the theory that one or more of the explorers were shuffled off under the radar by parties unknown. On the other hand, their families may have simply pulled the investigation early. What do you guys think?'[/i]
        
        Beth and @{alive Grant|Shauna}. Does that mean anything?
        
        Despite your very best efforts, you find nothing more.
        *page_break
        
    *hide_reuse #I can't pull myself away from the job. I keep hunting for answers about Architect and Wyrd. [Continue investigations]
        *set options +1
        You have a ready-made excuse to ease off on the investigation; you're waiting for your next mission while avoiding suspicion.
        
        Why, then, are you choosing to plough ahead regardless?
        *choice
            #I'm afraid the excuse wouldn't be enough.
                *set defiance -1
                When has Catalyst ever listened to reason? If he deems you to be dawdling, retribution will be swift. Hypothesis's judgement doesn't even bear thinking about.
                
            #More information, more cards in my hand. More leverage with the Coven.
                *set defiance +1
                Knowledge is power, and right now everyone else at the table has far, far more of it than you do. If you ever hope to tip the scales in your favour you'll need all the advantages you can get. You can't afford the squander the opportunity to investigate unimpeded.
                
            #I hate an unsolved mystery.
                You've countless questions and precious few answers. You can't bear to waste this chance to get closer to the truth. Of Architect and Wyrd, and perhaps more.
                
        So in lieu of using this time on yourself, it's back to sleuthing.
        
        At the outset, you have no clue where to begin. Snooping around the other Altruists is a no-go: it'd be far too blatant under the circumstances. Inspiration strikes from an unlikely avenue while you skim through a random article speculating on the origins of this new group of parahumans. @{knowledgerestore The new phone is coming in handy.|Public library computers for the win.} Your scrolling stops on the comments, where one particularly vocal user is deriding—at length and with judicious use of all caps—the article's assertion that it's impossible to trace anything for sure. The commenter asserts that if the writer bothered reaching out to [i]real[/i] experts, they'd know better than to say something so idiotic.
        
        Well. Idiotic isn't the word they use.
        
        But it clicks. Mask fans count some true obsessives amongst their ranks. If anyone's got some wild speculations painted with a flimsy veneer of fact, it'll be inhabitants of those corners of the web.
        *page_break To the depths.
        *set archinfo +1
        *set archpath 1
        
        Most of what you run across is utter garbage, the realm of pure conspiracy theory. No, Architect certainly isn't the secret brother of Glamoura out for revenge, just as $!{mask} isn't the latest version of the Agent program. Even that which sounds vaguely plausible only carries so far before another poster skewers the logic with airtight evidence. More than once, you find yourself following along, caught up in the narrative, only for a comment to point out something blindingly obvious that the theory conveniently omitted.
        
        After the third such case, you're about ready to throw in the towel. Then you spot something interesting. Very, very interesting.
        
        It's innocuous enough at first glance. A topic referencing a few different crime reports spaced across a couple of states. Petty thefts mostly. Put together in chronological order, they form an uneven line from the west coast heading east. The post then notes that shortly before this modest crime spree, there was a disturbance reported at DPR HQ in Los Angeles. No crime filed, but the DPR doesn't operate on the same rules. From there, the topic descends into yet more aimless speculation.
        
        But you only have eyes for that line. That line, slowly inching its way towards Alderbrook. A little digging into the first reported appearances of Architect and Wyrd confirms what you already knew.
        
        The dates fit. And if added onto the line, they end at Alderbrook. This close a match can't possibly be a coincidence.
        
        A tired grin splits through your fatigue.
        
        You know where they came from.
        *page_break
                
*if (options = 1)        
    You're wrapping up one evening when a message from Dion comes through, indicating he's got the information but needs to verify it. Stand by, he'll update you soon.
    
    If you're efficient about it, you can probably squeeze something else into your remaining time.
    *goto options

*else
    *set juice -15
    Early one morning, you get another message.
    
    [i]Everything's ready. Meet up at 11. See you soon.[/i]
    
    You breathe out a quiet sigh.
    *page_break Back to reality.
    
An air of tension hangs over the Altruists' base as you assemble there with the others. Nobody's much in the mood for talk, none of you exchanging more than brief greetings as you trickle in one by one. Even Mallory is unusually quiet, hunched over a laptop in the kitchen. Teddie is the last to arrive, slouching inside with his hands stuffed deep in his pockets. Since the previous week more bones have sprouted; a daggerlike protrusion from his jaw, a growth so bulky from his left arm he's had to go sleeveless.

Teddie has barely sat down before Dion springs up. "Everyone's here. We can begin." Mal swivels in their stool to face you all, but continues to periodically tap keys. Dion goes on. "Firstly, I'm pleased to say that I have corroborated our intel from the Businessmen. They were… difficult about fulfilling their end of the bargain, and I thought it prudent to check."
*choice
    #Ask if it's smart to trust the Businessmen.
        *set toldyou true
        @{(expressive > 45) "If they gave you the run around, should we even be trusting them this far?"|"In that case, is it sensible to trust them?"}
        
        "They're way too up their own asses to renege on a deal," Mal chimes in from across the way. "They're just posturing 'cause we caught them off guard by doubling up."
        
        "Indeed. The delays were their means of showing their displeasure with our antics." Dion inclines his head to you. "On your point, $!{aka}, I trust the Businessmen only transactionally. Their position in Alderbrook depends on their reputation. They may gouge and fuss, but once a bargain is struck, it is struck."  
        
        Hm. Trust them as brokers, but not as allies. You nod, mulling the point over.
        
    #Ask how he verified the information.
        *if (knowledge > 40)
            "If you could verify the intel from another source, why was it necessary to cut a deal?" you ask, keeping your tone bland.
            
            "A fair question." Dion nods. "One, the credibility of a successful job was needed in order to make those enquiries. Two, we had too few of the details to ask outright." 
            
        *else
            *set doubt_architect +5
            "I thought this information was exclusive to them," you say. It's blunter than you'd like, but you can't think of how else to frame this.
            
            "Not entirely," Dion replies, a moment later than feels entirely comfortable. "However, theirs was the most complete. Attempting to source it the other way around wouldn't have worked." 
            
        "I'm following," you say. You're doing a little more than just that.
  
        *if (archconnections = 1)
            The answer reminds you of that first time you raised how connected Dion seems to be. This reaffirms that he knows more about Alderbrook—its movers and shakers anyway—than a newcomer should. 
            
        *else
            *set archconnections 1
            *set archinfo +1
            The answer raises an interesting point. Dion knows more about Alderbrook—its movers and shakers anyway—than the Coven thought. More than a newcomer should. He's [i]too[/i] connected.
                   
        Then there's how easily he tracked down the Patrol. The more you think about that, the worse it sits with you. It's not as if their base was a big public facing building like the Hounds' HQ. Altogether, you're beginning to form a very questionable picture.
            
    #If he's satisfied, there's no need to question him.
        *set instinctive %- 5
        You stay still, listening attentively. So much of what you've done has been leading up to this.

*page_break

"$!{wname}, you asked about our goals." Dion folds his hands, giving the group a sweeping gaze already growing familiar. "You've all proven yourselves trustworthy, so let me lay the cards on the table.

"Eighteen months ago, the Glory Hounds botched an operation. Trying to take down S.C.U.M, they allowed the mission to spiral out of control. As a result, a massive area of Alderbrook was devastated. Several members of S.C.U.M were killed, along with two Hounds. However, the remainder of the gang managed to retreat intact and many civilians were hospitalised. It was an abject disaster, and the DPR soon took advantage to establish a presence, monitoring both the Hounds and the epicentre of the destruction: the Zone."

Dion pauses, studying each of you in turn. "That's the [i]official[/i] story. The truth is more complex."

"Some of those dead S.C.U.M? Weren't actually S.C.U.M," Mallory announces with the flair of an actor waiting for applause.

Dion offers none. "Footage of the battle is hard to come by—doubtless by design—but some of the powers in use are an exact match for four heroes registered to the DPR. Three of whom are now listed as no longer on active duty and the fourth as former personnel."

Wait… how does he know that?
*choice
    #Pry.
        *set rel_wil +3
        *set rel_teddie +3
        *set rel_architect -3
        "You have access to their duty roster?" you ask. Wil murmurs faint support for the question.
        
        "It's publicly accessible if you jump through enough hoops," Mallory supplies. "Not the most fun afternoon I ever had, can tell you that."
        
        Teddie catches your eye as Dion continues, giving you the faintest nod of approval. @{(rel_teddie < 20) Begrudging approval.|}
        
    #Leave it.
        *set rel_architect +1
        *set rel_wyrd +3
        There's probably a mundane explanation. Not worth stirring the pot.
        
        A wry smile briefly passes across Mallory's face as Dion continues, and you can't fathom why.
        
"You may be familiar with the fourth," says Dion. "Phalanx is her name." A Hound. You ponder the implications.

"Wait, wait, wait." Wil straightens up, frowning. "If there was some kind of undercover DPR mission and Phalanx flipped, why aren't the Hounds howling it from the rooftops? That should be a slam dunk."

Mallory smirks. "Think you're underestimating the DPR's pull with the media. The Hounds' rep is in shambles, and that didn't happen by accident. If they tried to call out the DPR, it'd get turned back on them faster than you can say smear campaign. They're already having to work triple time just to salvage their image, they can't afford to take on the DPR." Wil's brow remains furrowed, but ${whe} falls quiet.

Dion resumes. "As for us, we believe the DPR was in Alderbrook for a reason. Mallory?"

"Check this out," says Mallory, beckoning you over. Everyone crowds awkwardly around the laptop. The image onscreen seems to have been captured from the bottom of a cliff, if a cliff could be formed of concrete. Wait. Not a cliff. A chasm.

*page_break

You're looking at the depths of the Zone. Rubble is strewn all about the picture, shattered streets and chunks of buildings. There's a single exception to the wreckage. A metal door framed by a thick stone arch stands exposed in the 'wall' of the chasm, apparently revealed by the widespread destruction.

"Mystery door," Mal narrates. "This picture shows up two days after the grand fuckening of downtown Alderbrook. The very same afternoon, this happens." Mallory flicks to another image. Taken from the same perspective as the first, the door is no longer visible, buried under a fresh pile of rubble. "Oh, and bonus points, that timeline fits exactly with the DPR rolling into town and cordoning off the Zone. Real convenient, huh?"

*choice
    #I ask the obvious question. "So... what's past the door? @{(expressive > 60) Some kind of treasure vault?|A hidden facility?}"
        Mallory shrugs. "Something the DPR wants to keep under wraps."
        
        "Whatever it is, it certainly belongs to them," Dion says, eyes burning intensely. "They wouldn't leap to cover it up otherwise."
        
        "That's Dion's [i]belief[/i] anyway." Mal really stresses the word, frowning.
        
        Dion sighs. "Yes, fine. I [i]believe[/i] it's a DPR site. I can't see why else they would risk sending an entire team into the city, nor how they would respond so rapidly."
        
        Short answer: they don't have a damn clue about the door.
        
    #I'm wondering what part of this comes from the Businessmen, and ask as much.
        "This is a whole lot of information," you say. "Which parts did you know already?"
        
        "The missing personnel; Phalanx's presence gave us a trail to follow," Dion replies. "And we'd heard rumours of the DPR doing something in the Zone shortly after their arrival. We needed the Businessmen to provide the images and the location."
        
        Doesn't explain why they followed Phalanx's trail in the first place, nor the interest in the DPR. You keep that thought to yourself.
        
    #I feel like there's a missing link. "How does S.C.U.M factor into all this?"
        Dion hesitates. "We don't know for sure. There's a possibility that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time and were caught in the crossfire."
        
        "Thing is, they did actually lose some guys," adds Mal. "And their leader—the new one—has shot her mouth off for less. Way, way less. It's weird that she wouldn't call BS on the fake S.C.U.M. She wouldn't give a fuck whether anyone believed her."
        
        From what you know of Rocket, S.C.U.M.'s head honcho, Mal's characterisation of her sounds completely accurate.
        
        "S.C.U.M are next on the agenda for just that reason," Dion concludes. "They're certainly a lead."
        
        Good to know they have it in mind, though the answer doesn't really satisfy your original question. This isn't so simple as DPR vs. Hounds.

"If the Hounds and DPR both know about this, then why've they spent a year and a half sitting on their asses?" Kay asks, looking frustrated.

"My theory is that the sides are stalemated," Dion replies. "The Hounds aren't able to enter the Zone without proper cause; they'd annihilate what's left of their credibility. The DPR can't undertake any excavations without [i]giving[/i] the Hounds cause. It's safe to assume that the Hounds know everything Phalanx knew about the operation. If the DPR hands them a smoking gun, then even media disinformation won't be enough."

"Urghhh!" Kay folds her arms with a huff. "This is so complicated," she complains.

"Apologies. I know it's a lot to take in." Dion looks around at the rest of you. "Anyone else?"

Wil raises a hand. "Still not clear on the goals part here, chief."

Everyone's eyes go to Dion.
*page_break
*if (archmotives = 0)
    *set archmotives +1
The leader of the Altruists takes a deep breath.

"I formed this team because the law favours those already in power. The DPR has a stranglehold on parahumans, and will stop at nothing to tighten their noose. Alderbrook isn't unique; over the years they've moved in on more and more of the independent cities and strongarmed their heroes into falling in line. The law shields them while they complete cover up after cover up, sacrificing their people like pawns on a board." Tension thrums in Dion's voice, straining to stay level, a taut bowstring on the verge of snapping. "I formed this team because I realised that I can't stand up against them with clean hands." He clenches both fists. "Pay villainy unto villainy."

And there's the motive. Out in the light at last. @{(dpr = 2) You elect to keep your general 'they're doing their best' sentiments on the DPR to yourself.|} @{(dpr = 4) Looks like he hates the government about as much as you. Heck, you aren't complaining.|}

Dion's incredibly keyed up. If you want more information, you'd better be careful.
*choice
    #"I understand the intrigue. I'm not following how it's worth going full villain."
        *set rel_wyrd %+ 7
        "Because I hate the DPR with everything I've got." Emotion suddenly bursts across Dion's face, more raw than your every previous conversation combined. "And if there's a chance of exposing their dirty secrets to the world, then I'm willing to do whatever it takes."
        
        *label passion
        He's fervent. Furious. So different than you've grown accustomed to.
        
        *if (observation > 40)    
            *set archmotives +1     
            Visceral passion like that is incredibly difficult to fake. Dion says he hates the DPR, and you believe him.
    
            And yet something doesn't sit quite right. There's something… performative in the anger. Sincere emotion invoked with intent. A show for centre stage while the real work happens in the backdrop.
    
            It's not a lie, but it is a deception.
            
            You nod carefully.
            
        *else
            How can it be anything but the truth? It's a bridge too far to believe that someone so calm could feign such visceral passion.
            
            There's little reply to give but a nod.
            
    #"So at the end of the day we're just an anti-DPR group, is what I'm getting."
        *set rel_architect - 5
        *set rel_wyrd +5
        "There's no [i]just[/i] about it." Dion's eyes blaze. "I hate everything they stand for, and their rot goes the whole way down. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to burn them out."
        
        *goto passion
    #"Kind of mixed messages, considering we've already robbed a bank and beaten heroes up."
        *set rel_architect +5
        "I'm not a preacher, nor a saint," Dion answers. He's quiet, yet his eyes are blazing. "This is far bigger than me or you. The only way to put a dent in the DPR is to expose their dirty secrets. I'm willing to do whatever it takes in pursuit of that goal."
        
        *goto passion
    #I'm more interested in the others' reactions.
        *set wyrdinsight +1
        You scan them each in turn. Wil looks completely overwhelmed by the reply to ${whis} own question. Teddie is as implacable as ever, though his usual scowl has shaded into something more thoughtful. Kay is jittering like crazy, feeding off Dion's energy, aglow with admiration.
        
        Then there's Mal. Mal with their mouth pressed into a thin line and a crease in their brow.
        
        Their eyes flick to yours and their frown clears as they pull a wry smile. Right back to normal. Or are they?
        
        Something tells you that you just saw a rare slip of Mal's mask.
        
    #Yeah, no, I'm not touching fanaticism like that.
        This is unknown territory for Dion, and that unpredictability is dangerous. The safe call is to leave him well alone.
        
        You keep your mouth well and truly shut.
        
"Satisfied?" Dion fixes Wil with a stare.

$!{whe} swallows, dropping ${whis} eyes. "Uh. Yeah. Sure. Good to know."

"Works for me!" chirps Kay. "Fuck those guys."

Teddie barely shrugs. "Makes no difference to me."

Mal claps their hands. "Alrighty. That's the why. Lemme tell you the how. Our mystery door is deep in the Zone, so first things first, we've gotta do this at night…"

*page_break One briefing later...
You and Wil wind up leaving the hideout at the same time. $!{whe} kept quiet the entire rest of the meeting; Dion really had ${whim} rattled.

$!{whe} turns to you as you reach the sidewalk, heaving a sigh. "That was something."
*choice
    #"The plan?"
        Wil shakes ${whis} head. "Dion. Dion's explanation."
        
    #"Dion?"
        "Yeah. Who knew he had it in him?"
        
    #"Our goals?"
        Wil nods. "I figured it wasn't just about making a buck. Didn't expect to be full anti-government."
        
    #Wait for ${whim} to continue.
        Wil makes a face. "Dion's scary intense. About the government, even. It's a lot."
        
$!{whe} looks shaken. Uncertain. Of ${whis} trio, ${whe}'s expressed the most doubts. Pushed for answers.       
*choice
    #Is ${whis} commitment wavering? 
        "Having second thoughts?" you ask, studying Wil closely.
        
        Wil hesitates before shaking ${whis} head. "It's not that. It's more…" Wil grimaces. "I feel like Dion let us get in just deep enough we couldn't back out, and then dropped a bombshell."
        
    #Try to get a sense of why ${whe}'s so concerned.
        "Worried about the DPR?" you ask.
        
        "Worried I signed up for a crusade. An undisclosed crusade."
        
    #Offer reassurances.
        *set rel_wil +5
        "It's alright to be concerned. He deliberately kept the facts from us."
        
        Wil sighs, more quietly this time. "Yeah. He did, and it worries me."
        
    #I don't reply.
        *set rel_wil -3
        You say nothing. Wil's shoulders slump.

As you look on, ${whe} clutches one hand in another, grasp so tight you hear something creak.

"If I knew up front what the team was about, that'd be one thing. I'd probably have jumped aboard anyway. I'm no friend of the DPR. But the way this shook out…" Wil's jaw clenches. "Makes me wonder what we are to him." 

$!{whis} knuckles are turning white. Another creak. @{interest_wil Your stomach lurches unpleasantly.|That can't be good for ${whim}.}

*choice
    #Carefully ask if ${whe}'s okay.
        *set rel_wil +5
        "Wil? Are you alright?" @{t_wil Of course ${whe}'s making you check on ${whim}.|}
        
        *goto letgo
    #Tell Wil ${whe}'s going to hurt ${whim}self.
        *set rel_wil +3
        *set instinctive %- 7
        "Carry on like that and you'll break something."
        
        *label letgo
        Wil blinks, and then seems to notice ${whis} own hands. $!{whe} slowly lowers them, though it's another heartbeat more before ${whe} looses ${whis} vice grip.
        
        "Nervous habit," ${whe} replies. A smile is attempted then fails to materialise.
        
        *if expressive > 60
            "Just be nice to your poor hands, okay? You need those."
            
        *elseif expressive > 40
            "Just take it easy."
            
        *else
            "Consider finding another."
            
        "Yeah…" Wil looks away. "Thanks."
        
    #Focusing on ${whis} words might help ${whim} calm down.
        "I understand. We trusted him a lot more than he trusted us." As you speak your eyes dart between Wil's face and hands.
        
        "Exactly." With one more unsettlingly long squeeze, Wil looses ${whis} vice grip. "Guess there's nothing to be done about it now."
        
    #Grab ${whim} by the shoulder to snap ${whim} out of it.
        *set instinctive %+ 7
        Wil tears free of your grip, crying out in alarm. @{touchingokay |It was bad enough making the contact, but ${whis} reaction has you recoiling.}
        
        "Fuck me, $!{aka}!" ${whe} gasps, wild-eyed. "Don't—don't fucking [i]do[/i] that!"
        *choice
            #Apologise.
                "Sorry," you say @{touchingokay immediately.|, trying to quell your own jangling nerves.} "That was wrong of me."
                
                Wil's still gulping for air. "It's—it's okay. It's alright."
                
                You shake your head, guilt chewing at you.
                
                $!{whe} manages a wan smile. "I get what you were doing. Your heart's in the right place."
                
                *label deserve
                You're not certain you deserve so much credit.
                
            #Stumble through an explanation.
                "I—your hands," you stammer. "It looked—I thought you—I didn't want you to hurt yourself."
                
                "My—" Wil looks at ${whis} hands like ${whe}'d forgotten ${whe} has them. "Oh. I was doing it again." Wi'ls chest continues to heave, but ${whe} seems a little more grounded. @{touchingokay |If only you could say the same.}
                
                "I thought if I shook you…"
                
                "I get it." Wil starts fiddling with ${whis} fingers, realises, and sticks both hands in ${whis} pockets. "Your heart was in the right place."
                
                *goto deserve
            #Panic.
                *set rel_wil +3
                You upset ${whim}. You stepped out of line. You [i]touched[/i] ${whim} what were you thinking—
                
                "Ah man… $!{aka}, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell."
                
                Didn't [i]mean[/i] to yell but means to raise ${whis} fist, means to punish you—
                
                Wil's tone sinks in a few seconds after the words. Uneven, but not angry.
                
                Bit by bit, your fear recedes.
                
                "Sorry," you mumble at your shoes.
                
                "Water under the bridge," Wil replies. @{(rel_wil > 40) You're surprised to realise that|You nod without looking up, unsure if} you believe ${whim}.
                
                
*page_break
The two of you hover on the sidewalk, neither of you quite ready to depart.

Wil speaks first, eyes fixed back on the hideout. "All this cloak and dagger… I don't get it."
        
You think of your own mantle, your own blade, and your reassurances sour.
        
$!{whe} looks to you once again. @{(rel_wil > 40) "Glad I've got you around $!{aka}. You're good people." $!{whe} smiles genuinely.|"Much as I hate to admit it, you aren't so bad to have around, $!{aka}." An ironic smile twitches onto ${whis} face.}

@{(rel_wil > 40) Your conscience twists. If only ${whe} knew.|You roll your eyes, struggling not to smile yourself.}

*if (episode)
    "By the way, the other day…" Wil hesitates, then presses on. "I was forward, and I upset you. I feel bad about it, and I guess I just want to apologise again and let you know that I'm here if you need an ear."
    
    Oh. The reminder brings a little of the pain rushing back. Nor do you know if ${whe}'s in much of a position to listen, right on the heels of a nervous episode of ${whis} own. Maybe you both have damage.
    *choice
        #"It's difficult to talk about."
            Wil nods. "I hear you. Your pace, $!{aka}. Including never. Offer's open and non-perishable."
            
        #"It's too personal."
            Wil nods. "You don't have to accept. Offer's open and non-perishable."
            
        #"Worry about yourself, not me."
             "This way's easier." Wil's mouth twitches into a wry smile. "Still, offer's open and non-perishable."
            
        #"I didn't mind you being forward." @{ftone [Flirt]|}
            *set flirt_wil +1
            *set overt_wil true
            *set rel_wil %+ 5
            Everything else is the problem.
            
            "That's… huh. Okay." Wil's expression seems unsure whether or not it's allowed to be pleased. "I'll—yeah. I'll remember that. Cool." $!{whe} flexes ${whis} fingers, but at least ${whe} doesn't grab them. "Either way, offer's open and non-perishable."
            
    The phrasing gets a weak smile out of you, ensuring that you at least part ways with a splash of positivity amidst the reopened wounds.
    
    *goto twosteps
*elseif (tidy)
    "By the way. You seem..." Wil hesitates, then gestures at you, top to bottom. "Better?" $!{whe} laughs suddenly and self consciously. "Fuck, I just realised how bad this sounds. Uh… oh what the hell." Wil straightens up, determined. "I've always had the impression you've been through some shit. Today, @{interest_wil it feels like I'm seeing, I dunno. A little of your real self." Another laugh. "Presumptuous, right?"|you've looked a lot. Well. Like I said, better."}
    
    *if (interest_wil)
        *goto somethingtellsyou
    
    *else
        *goto respondingwil
*else
    "I guess I'll see you tomorrow," Wil says after a moment. "Take care of yourself, alright? You always look…" $!{whe} hesitates. "@{interest_wil I guess I worry."|Well, like you've been through some shit, I guess."}
    
    *if (interest_wil)
        *goto somethingtellsyou
    
    *else
        *goto respondingwil

*label respondingwil
*choice
    *if (tidy) #"Thanks. It's hard, but it's been worth the effort."
        *set rel_wil +3
        Wil smiles. "Really glad to hear it, $!{aka}. I'll see you soon."
        
    *if (tidy) #"You're right, it does sound bad."
        Wil winces. "Me and my big mouth. I'll leave you be."
        
    *if (not (tidy)) #"Some shit is a good summary."
        *set rel_wil +3
        Wil nods. "Ever feel like unburdening some of it, I'm available."
        
        You nod tightly.
        
    *if (not (tidy)) #Shrug. I don't want to talk about it.
        A melancholy smile comes and goes. "Well, I shouldn't keep you."
        
    #"That's none of your business."
        *set rel_wil -3
        "It could be," Wil says softly. "But okay, message received."
        
        You give ${whim} a hard stare. With a wry twitch of ${whis} lips, ${whe} turns away.
        
With that, Wil heads off in the opposite direction, leaving you to start making your way home.

*goto twosteps

*label somethingtellsyou
Something in ${whis} face, ${whis} demeanour, is giving off signals. Signals that ${whis} words may not be entirely platonic. @{tidy Apparently you clean up pretty well. Though as for your 'real self'… yeah you're not so sure about that.|}
*choice
    #Ask if ${whe}'s interested in me.
        *set overt_wil true
        *if expressive > 65
            @{tidy "And this real self of mine. Do you like what you see?|"Are we talking friendly, teammate kind of worry here?"} You arch an eyebrow.
            
            Wil blushes. @{tidy "What if I do?"|"What if it's not?"}
            
        *elseif expressive > 45
            @{tidy "I don't know if it's presumptuous. Depends what you mean by real self."| "And is it just worry you're feeling?"} You arch an eyebrow.
            
            Wil blushes. @{tidy "Someone I like a lot."|"What if it's not?"}
        *else
            "…Go on," you say, making steady eye contact.
            
            Wil fidgets. "Suppose I care about you."
            
        @{(brokenheart < 5) Something twists deep within your chest. Hearing ${whim} say that aloud. It's too much.|}
        *if (aro = 3)
            *goto flirtisfun
         
        *choice
             *selectable_if (brokenheart = 5) #...I want to see where this goes. [Start @{(aro = 1) Romance|Aromantic Relationship}]
                *set rel_wil %+ 15
                *set romance_wil 4
                *achieve wilmance
                *if aro = 1
                    "Well, I like you too@{t_wil  when you're not being a dick|,}" you say. "So… want to make a thing of this? Us?" Your heart skips a beat. You're taking the plunge.
                    
                    @{t_wil Wil snorts. "I [i]thought[/i] you were running a little too hot. You weren't just mad, you were mad into me." $!{whe} flashes you a smug smile. "Read you like a book."| Wil grins from ear to ear. "I was hoping. I thought—you know, sometimes you pick up on signs and you're not totally sure if—" $!{whe} breaks off. "Doesn't matter. I guess I read you right."}
                    
                    @{t_wil "Instantly I forget why you were attractive," you try to snap, but are thwarted by the smile that keeps somehow appearing on your face. Damn ${whim}.|You find a smile on your own face. Maybe this is reckless, but you can't bring yourself to care. Seldom do you get a passing chance at joy, and you're not going to let it go by. "Yeah, you did."}
                    
                    @{t_wil "Yeah?" Wil makes a big show of shrugging, displaying ${whis} lean, taut arms. "No ideas at all?"|"Back to your question. Yes. Yeah, I want that." Wil pauses. "Uh, real quick though, I might take a while to warm up to touch. I'm, uh…" $!{whe} winces. "Let's just say I haven't been with anyone since igniting."}
                    
                    @{t_wil You firmly present ${whim} with your middle finger and ${whe} laughs, sobering a moment later. "Real quick though, I might take a while to warm up to touch. I'm, uh…" $!{whe} winces. "Let's just say I haven't been with anyone since igniting."|}
                    
                    *if (touchingokay)
                        You and ${whim} both. You nod. Wil beams.
                        
                        *goto tous
                    
                    *else
                        "Oh, I'm similar," you reply. "Not with igniting, just you know, in general."
                        
                        "Ah! Guess that simplifies things, huh?" Wil beams.

                        *goto tous
                    
                *else
                    "Well, I like you too@{t_wil  when you're not being a dick|,}" you say. Wil starts to grin and you hold up a hand. "Just to be upfront though, I'm aromantic. I'd like to spend time with you and maybe other things, but I want us to be on the same page about what this is."
                    
                    @{t_wil Wil snorts. "I [i]thought[/i] you were running a little too hot. You weren't just mad, you were mad into me." $!{whe} flashes you a smug smile.|Wil's still smiling. "Sure, I get it.} "See no reason why we can't have some fun together." $!{whe} matches your raised hand with a single raised finger. "Might take me a while to warm up to touch. I'm, uh…" $!{whe} winces. "Let's just say I haven't been with anyone since igniting."
                    
                    You and ${whim} both. You nod. Wil beams.
                    
                    *label tous
                    $!{whe}'s all aglow. When's the last time you got to enjoy someone's company like this? You withhold a grimace. That's dangerously close to some painful waters, filled with old wounds and loss. Fortunately, Wil's there with a distraction.
                    
                    "Alright, here's to us." Wil pushes ${whis} palm out forward and flat. After a second you realise what ${whe}'s going for and extend your own hand, lining up your fingers with ${whis} without quite touching.
                    
                    @{t_wil "Here's to us. Ass," you agree. Wil rotates ${whis} hand, tapping fingers to thumb in a talking gesture. You exchange a little more invective, and then part ways.|You share in the warmth of the moment, gazing into one another's eyes, and then reluctantly part ways.}
                    
                    @{t_wil Well. This sure is something you're getting yourself into. Somehow you're smiling.|This… this is good.}
                    *page_break
                    *goto twosteps
             *if (brokenheart < 5) #I'm untethered, swept away. I can't stop thinking of @{brokenheart Beth|Prii|Shauna|Grant|} [Work towards romance]
                    *set rel_wil %+15
                    *set brokenepisodes +1
                    *set romance_wil 3
                    You want this. And you don't. And you do.
                    
                    There's a spark here. You like Wil. You just…
                    
                    "I—" your words catch in your throat. It's difficult to breathe.
                    
                    Concern lights Wil's face and that only chokes you up worse, drowns you further in your emotions.
                    
                    Countless memories @{brokenheart Beth|Prii|Shauna|Grant|DUMMY} drag you beneath the surface. Yeah, it's been years, but that's just longer for the wounds to fester.
                    
                    *if (ranaway)
                        Trying to move on, isn't that just another form of running away? You're good at that.
                        
                    *elseif (brokenheart =1)
                        @{battitude You've no closure with Beth. She's still out there somewhere. And you're trying to move on?|You've no closure with Beth. Your heart poisoned by resentment. How are you supposed to move on from that?|Longer for the wounds to freeze. A Beth-shaped spectre breathing ice on your heart.|You trusted Beth, cared for Beth. She stabbed you in the back. What if the same thing happens again?|You aren't over Beth. Her betrayal. Your anger, so intense it makes you sick, poisoning your heart.} 
                    
                    *else
                        Would @{brokenheart DUMMY|Prii|Shauna|Grant|DUMMY} want this? Be okay with this? @{brokenheart DUMMY|They were always so understanding about everything.|She was so sweet and kind.|He cared in his own way. Fuck, he saved your life.|DUMMY} You struggle to imagine; even thinking about it wrenches the thorns around your heart.
                        
                    "I…" you try again. Stop, laugh wretchedly. "Sorry."
                    
                    "Nothing to apologise for," Wil says. $!{whis} voice oh so gentle.
                    
                    After a round of deep breathing, you finally force words out. "I like you, Wil, I just" — the noise that comes out of you can't rightfully be classified as a laugh this time — "I've clearly got stuff to work through."
                    
                    "That's okay. That's absolutely okay," says Wil. "$!{aka}, listen. This is hurting you, and that's the last thing I want." Wil's speaking deliberately, picking each word with care. "So this goes at your pace, alright? And that includes no pace at all." $!{whe} holds your eyes with ${whis} own. "We move when you're ready and not a second before."
                    *choice
                        #I don't trust myself with anything other than a nod.
                            It's all too much.
                            
                        #Thank ${whim}.
                            You mumble something resembling an expression of gratitude.
                            
                            "Of course," Wil replies, so gentle it hurts.
                            
                        #@{touchingokay Throw myself into a hug.|Under the circumstances, a little touch is okay. I hug ${whim}.}
                            Wil's not expecting it and yelps, ${whis} lanky frame immediately going stiff as a board. $!{whe} makes no motion to remove your arms from around ${whis} waist, but neither does ${whe} return the hug.
                            
                            You soon break away, feeling uncomfortably like you crossed a boundary. @{touchingokay |Awkwardly ironic.} $!{whe} does still have a smile for you as you move back.
                            
                    You stay there for a few more minutes, long enough for Wil to be satisfied that you're okay to walk about town by yourself, and then part ways.
                    
                    The pain hasn't gone anywhere. It hasn't even lessened. Somehow, though, it's different. Perhaps that's a sign of healing. Perhaps it's about to get ripped open anew.
                    *page_break
                    *goto twosteps
             #I thought I was prepared for that answer but turns out I'm absolutely not.
                 *set romance_wil 5
                 You freeze up, an awkward smile pasted onto your face. @{(expressive > 65) So much for captain smooth.|You may not have thought this all the way through.}
                 
                 Oh fuck ${whe}'s staring at you.
                 
                 *if instinctive > 50
                     "Cool!" you blurt. "Uh. Catch you later!"
                     
                     There's no other word for it. You [i]flee.[/i]
                     
                     An outstanding moment. This one is going down in the annals of ${forename} for sure.
                     
                     *page_break
                     Some ways into your flight down the street, your phone beeps.
                     
                     *goto textreceived
                     
                 *else
                     "Sorry," you manage. "Trying to process things."
                     
                     Wil's smile is pained. "Right."
                     
                     "I need some time with this. Is that okay?" you add, struggling to meet ${whis} eyes.
                     
                     Wil's expression softens. "Absolutely and always, $!{aka}. Take all the time you need."
                     
                     With a grateful nod, you bid ${whim} farewell, thoughts racing at a hundred miles an hour.
                     *page_break
                     *goto twosteps
    #I'm not ready to address this.
        "Um. Thanks. Nice of you," you say quietly, self-consciously averting your gaze.
        
        @{tidy "Sorry, that was probably overkill,"|"Sorry, I'm sure you don't need worrying about,"} Wil apologises.
        
        You shrug. It's difficult to place how you feel right now. Thankfully Wil seems to get the hint and bids you a cheerful goodbye, leaving you to your own space and thoughts.
        
        You'll figure this out eventually. Maybe.
        
        *goto twosteps
    #Politely make clear I don't want anything other than friendship. [Block romance/flirting]
        *set romance_wil 1
        *set interest_wil false
        "Nice of you to say. You're a good teammate." You place a slight emphasis on the last word.
        
        Wil grins, nodding a little. "Teammates," ${whe} agrees amiably.
        
        Relieved to have an understanding, you head off with a wave. Wil sets out in the opposite direction.
        
        *goto twosteps

*label flirtisfun
*choice 
    #Explain that I'd like to keep flirting, but that's all.
                *set romance_wil 2
                *set overt_wil true
                "Okay, let's discuss this a second@{overt_wil . I know I've given you some signs,|,}" you say. Wil inclines ${whis} head, listening. "I like you. You're fun and you're hot." @{(expressive > 60) You wink. "Great combo."|You smile. "The fun's more important."}
                
                "Sensing a 'but'," says Wil, raising a wry eyebrow.
                
                You nod. "I don't really experience attraction. I just find it fun to flirt."
                
                "Riiight. Okay." Wil looks surprised, but not displeased. "New one for me. I mean, flirting [i]is[/i] fun so I get where you're coming from there, but I get all kinds of attraction too." $!{whe} shrugs. "Hey, if you want to flirt then I'm down." A smile. "Thanks, $!{aka}, really helps to know where we stand on this kind of thing."
                
                *label noproblemo
                "No problem."
                
                The two of you part ways shortly after. There's a spring in your step, buoyed by the successful conversation. Nice to meet someone who understands and can be mature about your sexuality.
                *page_break
                *goto twosteps
            
    #Let ${whim} down gently. [Block flirting]
        *set romance_wil 1
        *set interest_wil false
        You smile apologetically. "I'm actually ace and aro. I find flirting fun, but I don't experience attraction. I'd rather not lead you on, you know?""
        
        Wil looks surprised, but not displeased. "New one for me. I mean flirting [i]is[/i] fun so I get where you're coming from there, but I get all kinds of attraction too." $!{whe} shrugs. "Thanks for clearing that up, $!{aka}. No hard feelings."
        
        *goto noproblemo
*label twosteps
Two steps along the street your phone beeps.

*label textreceived
[i]Alderbrook public library, tomorrow at noon. don't be late. C[/i]

Your heartbeat quickens. Another rendezvous at last, and right as you're about to head into the Zone.

Excellent timing. Or awful. Depending on your perspective. Tomorrow's shaping up to be a very busy day.
*page_break Go home. Try to rest.

With a mission and a report coming due, it's a rough night spent tossing and turning. Even when sleep arrives at last, it comes and goes in fitful bursts.

You're far from rested when you finally throw in the towel and drag yourself up off the mattress. It's too soon to be awake, excepting perhaps for the very earliest of birds. An unproductive couple of hours tick by with an agonising lack of haste while you pace around the container. Still your home, and still undisturbed as best as you can tell. Alistair hasn't come back around since you met him face to face and if he harbours secret intent to harm you or turn you in, he's sure dragging his heels.
*choice
    #For some stupid reason, I find myself disappointed.
        *label randomguy
        He's a random guy, and you know next to nothing about him. @{aliscram Heck, that's by your own design.|A short conversation and he was gone.}
        
        Maybe that's exactly it. He's just a guy. Not Coven, or Altruist, or Hound. The only person you know who stands anywhere close to ordinary.
        
        It's hard not to want that.
        
    #It's for the best he hasn't come back.
        The risks are too great. @{aliscram You made the right call by getting rid of him when you had the chance.|You got lucky, escaped consequences for letting him get so close. You might not be so fortunate a second time.}
        
        Quietly never seeing him again is preferable to the alternative. You don't want to consider where that road leads.
        
    *if (aro != 4) #For some REALLY stupid reason, I find myself disappointed.
        Just how stupid are we talking here?
        *choice
            #'I think I'm feeling something for him' stupid. @{ftone [Flirt, passive]|}
                *set interest_alistair true
                *set flirt_alistair +1
                Yeah, that's pretty stupid alright. You know it's not 'some reason'.
                
            #I just can't get him out of my head. I don't want to think about why. @{ftone [Flirt, passive]|}
                *set interest_alistair true
                *set flirt_alistair +1
                Whether you want to think about it or not, you know it's not 'some reason'.
                
            #As in I should know better than to want a friendly face.
                *goto randomguy
            
        You know the [i]exact[/i] reason. That's why it's stupid. Insane, even. @{(romance_wil > 2) And that's not even getting into how complicated it'd make things with Wil!|}
        
        Catching feelings for a random guy you know nothing about, what is wrong with you? Is it because he's the closest person to ordinary? A kind of foolhardy, desperate nostalgia? 
        
        @{(brokenheart < 5) You can take turns beating yourself with twin hammers named 'idiocy' and 'guilt'.|You don't know. But it's pathetic.} 
        
    *selectable_if (alinumber = 2) #Once or twice, I've almost dared to contact him.
        You've had your thumb hovering over the call button of your phone. Then common sense has prevailed and you've hit cancel.
        
        Hasn't stopped you coming back to that same place again.
        
        The temptation is difficult to shake, despite knowing full well it's a terrible idea. You should delete the number before you do something stupid.
        
        You really should.
        
    *selectable_if (alinumber = 3) #Foolishly, I'm regretting erasing his contact information.
        Shedding Alistair's number was the only splash of common sense you had in the entire conversation, and somehow you're second guessing it. As always, you're a paragon of rationality.
        
        It's difficult to tune out that little voice that says 'what if?'. That wonders at the possibilities you rejected. Surely you're fixating on the worst case scenario. Surely it couldn't be so bad.
        
        Yes, it could.
        
        The voice carries on regardless.

A shake of your head dispels thoughts of your pasta purveyor from your mind. Priorities, $!{forename}.

You've killed enough time to justify getting ready. If you take the scenic route to the library, you shouldn't have to wait too long for $!{cg}. She's been all but radio silent since your conversation at HQ, sending a curt text every two or three days. [i]'All good?'[/i], [i]'Everything fine?'[/i]. Odd to respond with monosyllabic status reports. Whatever $!{cg}'s up to, it's leaving her with little time for communication.
*choice
    #It's freeing.
        @{coven_history Freeing when it doesn't have you looking over your shoulder, searching for the catch. Too often, a boon has been little more than a yank of your chain, just something to make what comes next all the crueller.|There's guilty pleasure in feeling so liberated. Toeing the line helped you survive all this time. Should you be enjoying this?|Not as freeing as you'd like, mind you, but it's a decent start.}
        
        When you have so many ties, when your cage is this strong, you have to take what you can get. Freedom from daily reports to $!{cg}, that's a single loosened shackle.
        
    #I'm worried about her.
        *if ((cg_dislike) or (cgannoy))
            Which is ridiculous. You shouldn't be. Yet here you are. So who's the ridiculous one?
            
        *else
            It's supposed to be the other way around. She expressed as much back at HQ. Doesn't change your current concern.
            
        $!{cg}'s sudden assignment just doesn't sit right. It's not how the Coven operates. It's not how Hypothesis operates, and he's nothing if not… rigorous in his methodology. $!{cg} was yanked from a job and hurled straight onto another. If the task warrants that urgent a response, an agent as trusted as $!{cg}, it must be serious business. In the Coven, serious business is rarely safe.
        
        *if ((cg_dislike) or (cgannoy))
            You can only hope $!{cg}'s up to the challenge. For some reason, that matters to you.
            
        *else
            You can only hope $!{cg}'s up to the challenge. That she doesn't wind up in trouble, hurt, or worse.
        
    #This assignment must be crucial.
        You may be on the bottom rung, but you know protocol, and this isn't protocol. Hypothesis had plenty of options if he needed to send someone out, and selecting $!{cg} says a lot. Her assignment, whatever it is, demands one of the best, regardless of whether she's already occupied or if it fits the rules.
        
        All you can do is speculate. What does he have her doing? What could be so important, and why?
    
As usual, a walk affords you plenty of time to think. Today, however, you're stuck going in circles, too little sleep causing the gears to grind and snarl, this evening's activities looming too large in your mind to ignore. Thankfully, the route is familiar enough to be navigable even without your head in the game. You've been by Alderbrook's public library before, @{knowledgerestore visited it a couple of times to take advantage of its wifi and books, though the number of people passing through frayed your nerves. You can only endure all those eyes for so long. |though you've had little cause to step through its doors.}

You enter the building over an hour ahead of schedule and swiftly slip from the atrium entryway and into the stacks. The place is just about upscale enough you can see it attracting the type of patron who might make a fuss at an overly-shabby individual loitering around, and although you doubt anyone would actually kick you out, you don't need the hassle. You only have to experience that kind of humiliation once for it to stick with you@{tidy , even now that you're looking something close to presentable.|.}

@{knowledgerestore Recalling a quiet seating area from your last visit,|Signage overhead references a quiet seating area, so} you weave through the shelves in that direction, soon finding the space opening out ahead of you. Several armchairs are laid out in strategic intervals, while the central area is home to a few mid-sized tables, all lit by the gentle warmth of the afternoon sun.

"$!{aka}. Over here."

*page_break Turn towards the voice.

$!{cg}, it seems, somehow got here even earlier than you. She's seated at the rightmost table, and you suppose that between your expectation of arriving first and her low slouch, you simply overlooked her.

You walk over. $!{cg} taps a thumb on the cover of an unopened book laying in front of her.

"Both early," she says as you pull up a chair opposite. "Might as well get started."

Facing her head on, you can see there's a haggard cast to her features, complexion sallow and dark circles smearing her eyes.
*choice
    #"You look like shit."
        *if ((coven_history = 1) and (not (cgannoy)))
            *set rel_cg +5
            Surprise pierces her fatigue. "Look who found ${mc_his} guts all of a sudden."
            
            Speaking of which, your stomach clenches. You forgot yourself. Forgot that she's Coven.
            
            You brace for a reprisal that never comes. Instead $!{cg} seems almost amused, the slightest of smiles playing across her lips.
            
        *elseif ((cgannoy) or (cg_dislike))
            "Fuck off, $!{aka2}, I'm not in the mood." Her tone is more grouchy than infuriated, lacking the energy to carry any heat.
            
        *else
            She slowly extends her middle finger.
            
    #"Is everything alright?" @{cg_dislike I'm not sure why I'm asking.|}
        *set rel_cg +5
        *if ((cg_dislike) or (cgannoy))
            $!{cg} groans, slumping even further into her chair. "It must be worse than I thought if you of all people are checking up on me, Dime. $!{aka2}."
            
            You shrug, unsure how to respond. Somehow it doesn't feel right, seeing her in such a state.
            
        *else
            $!{cg} winces. "Great. Now you're checking up on me, Dime. $!{aka2}."
            
            You shrug because, well, of course you are. She looks terrible.
    #"Reporting."
         *set expressive %- 5
         *set instinctive %- 5
         "Ugh. Don't. I can't deal with all business right now."
         
         You don't know how to respond to that, immediately falling silent.
         
    *if (interest_cg) #Seeing her again, my heart gives a little wobble. @{ftone [Flirt, passive]|}
         *set flirt_cg +1
         Surely you didn't miss her. Surely there's no pang, seeing her in such a state.
         
         Nothing of the sort.
         
         Luckily—though it feels wrong, somehow, to call it good fortune—it seems she's not on top form mentally either, and she doesn't pick up on your reaction.
         
    #I say nothing, calmly waiting for her to get started.
         *set expressive %- 7
         *set instinctive %- 7
         *if (expressive < 35)
             "There's that classic $!{aka2} charm."
             
         *else
             "Very social today, $!{aka2}. Fine. Me neither."
             
         Well. This isn't a social call.
         
    #I say nothing, fidgeting. I want to get started right away.
        *set instinctive %+ 7
        If she notices your restlessness, $!{cg} doesn't mention it, and nor does she hurry up.
        
        Ugh. Gotta love being left in suspense.
        

$!{cg} takes a visible moment to gather herself. "Alright. Still don't know when we'll be able to make this a regular thing. It's complicated, all I can say." That last is muttered with a glower, thankfully not at you. "I caught you and your Altruists hitting the stage. @{wpp Not bad.|You can do better.|I taught you better than that. Learn from it.} @{introtype Introduction on camera was solid. Did what you needed to do.|The theatre stuff isn't how I'd do it, but it's your call.|If you're going to cripple heroes, you better be able to handle the heat.|Was interesting to see you put your powers on display at the end there. Should be effective.}"

She stops, pausing for long enough to sweep you with a discerning eye.
    
"Looks like it's been a minute since you had the Juice, $!{aka2}. Holding up okay?"

You don't know how she can tell just at a glance, but she's right, it [i]has[/i] been several days.

That's… huh. @{(juice < 61) Admittedly the cravings are there, you've just been better able to tune them out lately. Not usually an option for the|If you focus on them then sure, the cravings are there, but it's a far cry from the usual} omnipresent hunger. No sign of your powers turning their appetites back onto you either. It's as if you've built up their stamina.

*choice
    #Assure $!{cg} that I'm doing fine.
        "Still going strong," you tell her.
        
        She nods. "Use your best judgement. You don't want to be left with an empty tank when it matters most."
        
        And when has your judgement ever steered you wrong?
        
    #Cagily bring up this theory.
        $!{cg} knows more than you. @{(defiance > 3) Coven is Coven, but currently she's your best resource on your powers.|Plus she's your handler. It's what she's here for.}
        
        "Could practice make the Juice go further?" you ask.
        
        @{(rel_cg < 46) "Hard to know," $!{cg} responds, clipped. If she knows anything, then you're not on good enough terms for her to share.|$!{cg} looks thoughtful. "Good question. Using your powers a bunch will always burn through your reserves, but the better practiced you become, the more efficient you can be." A half smile twitches at her mouth. "Finally seeing the value of training?"}
        
        @{(rel_cg < 46) You'll have to figure this one out alone. Frustrating.|You murmur something noncommittal, gears turning in your head.}
        
    #...Now that she's mentioned Juice, my mind is glued there.
        *set dependence +5
        Juice. You have a vial back home. You could take it right after the meeting if you wanted. Get that electric feeling. Sate the aching at your core. Ward off the endless tiny mouths within—
        
        Fingers snap in front of your eyes, and you startle.
        
        "Dime," $!{cg} says sternly, lowering her hand. "Back in the room. If you're this bad, maybe you should consider dosing."
        
        You swallow, your tongue heavy, your dry mouth crackling. Nod.

*temp harden false
An odd expression passes across $!{cg}'s face and she lapses into silence, gazing down at her hands. She looks back to you, hesitates, and then redirects her eyes to some distant nothingness.

She remains staring into that space for a solid thirty seconds. "Hey, $!{aka2}." Her voice is quiet. "Want to forget the reports and just… talk for a bit? Like—" she sighs. "I don't know. Like we aren't who we are. Like we're friends hanging out."

@{(expressive > 40) Your eyebrows leap upwards. No way is she seriously suggesting that.|Even you have a hard time maintaining your poker face after a comment like that.}

Yet there's not a hint of duplicity in her face. Only fatigue and deepworn loneliness. It occurs to you that outside of Coven business and training—which is of course also Coven business—you've essentially never shared a dialogue with her.
*choice
    #"I don't understand what you're asking."
        She hums under her breath. "A conversation. Not about missions or parahumans or any of the rest of it." Her voice goes soft. "Do you never want that? A conversation with none of the bullshit?"
        
        *goto aliconvo
    #"Why?"
        Another ten seconds tick by before receiving your answer. "Do you never want that?" she asks softly. "A conversation with none of the bullshit?"
        
        *label aliconvo
        You think of your encounter with Alistair, @{aliscram the man you couldn't risk being around,|how much you risked by speaking to him, just for the slightest salve to your loneliness,} how he was on your mind earlier. Your throat tightens.
        
        *choice
            #"...Yeah. I do."
                She clasps her hands. "So let's help each other out."
                
                *goto talkingcg
            #"No." I'm taking this feeling and shoving it to the deepest darkest corner of my head.
                *goto flits
            #"No." I refuse to admit it to her.
                *label flits
                *set talk_cg false
                A sad smile fleetingly flits across her face. "Okay," she says quietly.
                
                @{harden You harden your heart against her. You're doing the smart thing here. You know it.|You do what you can to suppress the little twinge that rises in your chest.}
                
                *goto tobusinessnope

    #"That sounds... kind of nice."
        Admitting it feels so strange.
        
        *goto talkingcg
    *selectable_if ((cgannoy) or (cg_dislike)) #Look at her in confusion. "But you don't even like me."
        She tilts her head to one side. "Is that what you think?"
        
        *if (cg_dislike)
            "We've never got along.@{cgannoy  And we fought last time we met,|}" you point out.
            
        *else
            "Last time we met, we fought," you point out.
            
        $!{cg} shrugs. "Dime, you're a million miles from my worst enemy. You can be a pain in the ass, but so what? I'm a pain in the ass."
        *goto talkchoice
    *selectable_if ((cgannoy) or (cg_dislike)) #Look at her in confusion. "But I don't even like you."
        She snorts a laugh. "Say it to my face, why don't you?" She shrugs, instantly sobering. "Nothing more normal than a couple of coworkers tolerating each other's company through clenched teeth, right?"
        
        "Uh…" Well, you can't deny that there's [i]some[/i] logic to that.
        *label talkchoice
        *choice
            #...I guess we can talk.
                "Okay then," you murmur.
                
                *goto talkingcg
            #I still don't want to.
                You shake your head.
                
                *goto flits
    #"No." This feels like a trap.
        *set harden true
        It's a test. A snare baited with tantalising hope. She's hunting for signs of disloyalty. Independence.
        
        You won't fall for it.
        
        *goto flits
    #"No." I have zero interest in that kind of conversation.
        *set harden true
        $!{cg} is your handler. Why bother pretending that she's anything else? That barrier stands between you, now and perhaps forever.
        
        *goto flits

*label talkingcg
*set trust_cg +1
*set rel_cg +10
"Great! That's—thank you." Though it vanishes as swiftly as it appeared, for just a moment, $!{cg}'s face lights up in a manner you've never seen.

The two of you look across at each other. Long enough that the silence grows awkward. 

"So… what do you want to talk about?" you venture.

She laughs, a brittle and self-conscious sound. "I don't know. Normal things I guess. Whatever those are."

"Oh."

You and her both, you think, realise simultaneously that casual conversation left your spheres of experience some time ago.

$!{cg} twists a ringlet of hair around her finger, over and over. "Let's—why don't we trade questions? Just ask each other whatever." She hesitates, then adds quickly. "You can go first."

Of course she's putting it on you. Time to delve deep into the forgotten recesses of your repartee.

*label questionsmenu
*choice
    *hide_reuse #"What do you do for fun?"
        A simple option, which makes it a good option. You don't know if you're up to anything complicated.
        
        "Muay Thai." 
        
        She seriously has fun with the very art she's drilled into you so relentlessly? Go figure.
        
        $!{cg} clearly catches your sceptical look, immediately getting defensive. "What? It's therapeutic."
        
        That's fair, but only one hobby? A hobby that wraps back into her training, at that.
        *choice
            #Accept the answer.
                You're taking baby steps. You'd rather stay the course than risk messing up… whatever this is.
                
                You nod.
                
                *goto cgquestions
            #Surely that can't be it.
                All Muay Thai, all the time? Even for someone as relentless as $!{cg}, you're not buying it.
                
                "You can't tell me there's nothing else." You cock an eyebrow, deploying your secret weapon. "I thought we were being normal."
        
                She sighs. "Fine. Fine. I like watching sports. Non-power leagues. No limits sports are dumb as shit."
                
                *goto cgquestions
    *hide_reuse #"Where are you from?"
        That's a fairly safe question, right? Straightforward small talk.
        
        She answers almost instantly. "Saint Paul." A nostalgic smile plays across her face. "[i]Man[/i] it's been a long time since I thought about that."
        
        Inevitably, your mind goes straight to your own hometown. Will you ever see it again?
        
        *goto cgquestions
    *hide_reuse #"When's the last time you slept?"
        *set rel_cg %+ 7
        *set sleepask true
        You can't just ignore how rough she looks. And yes, you're aware you probably don't look much better.
        
        $!{cg}'s eyes narrow, and then close entirely as she leans all the way back in her chair. The dark circles beneath them are made all the more prominent. "Yeah. Alright. That's fair." She rubs her knuckles into her eyes, sitting back up with visible effort. "Last night."
        
        "Really." You don't think you could hide your scepticism if you tried.
        
        She favours you with a grim slash of a smile. "Couple hours of sleep is still sleep."
        *choice
            #"And properly?"
                "Ugh. This isn't your job, Dime," she complains.
                
                "Good thing we're normal people then," you counter.
                
                "Oh fuck off." $!{cg} knows you've caught her out. She scowls, then shakes her head. "I don't remember." She promptly turns her face away from your look of sympathy.
                
            #"If you say so."
                "Oh don't. Now I feel guilty." $!{cg} rubs her face again, an excuse to break eye contact, you think.
                
                You shrug.
                
                Guilty or no, she doesn't volunteer any further information.
                
            #Give her a doleful look.
                $!{cg} stares at you. "No way are you giving me doe eyes."
                
                You shrug, not stopping.
                
                "What the fuck," she mutters, appearing to go through a minor crisis right in front of you. "Okay. Didn't know you had that up your sleeve. Fuck."
                
                No further information on the subject of sleep is forthcoming.
                
            
        You wonder what haunts her, causes her to lie awake. It surely can't be the same as you.
        
        *goto cgquestions
    *hide_reuse #"What's your favourite food?"
        *set cgfood true
        You feel like this strikes a nice balance, fun while still being ordinary.
        
        "That might just be the most normal question I can imagine. Not bad, $!{aka2}."
        
        You incline your head, a tiny bow of acknowledgement.
        
        "Favourite food… Hm." $!{cg}'s brow furrows. She's putting some serious thought into this. "It's a tie," she eventually announces. "Can't beat a carbonara done right, but good luck finding that. I try pretty much every field assign—every time I'm away from… work, and it's always disappointing. So, it's a tie with a good old rack of ribs. Hard to screw those up."
        
        She's a carbonara aficionado. Learn something new every day.
        
        *goto cgquestions
    *hide_reuse *if (cg_questions = 2) #I take a chance. "Will you tell me your name?"
        *set cg_firstnamebasis 2
        Real names are right on the intersection. Right where normal becomes impossible to fake. You're blurring the lines all too thin.
        
        $!{cg} flinches. Hard. "Sorry, Dime. I don't—" She stops with a shake of the head. "Ask something else. Anything else."
        
        The non-answer you always expected on some level. @{pseudonym |The irony of her having no idea that she knows your own name is not lost on you.} @{interest_cg Your disappointment is a surprisingly bitter pill.|}
        
        *goto questionsmenu
    *hide_reuse *if (cg_questions = 0) #"I... I don't really know how to start. What to ask."
        It's equal parts embarrassing and frustrating, but your mind is a total blank. You're so far removed from any semblance of normal that instead of small talk, your thoughts keep drifting towards the instruction $!{cg} gave you. How best to position your questions, how to coax that little bit more information from your targets.
        
        "That's alright. I'll" — she laughs awkwardly — "I'll think of something."
        
        You stare down at the table. Even escapism eludes you.
        
        "Okay," $!{cg} says after a few seconds. "How about… are you a cat person, or a dog person?"
        *choice
            #That startles a laugh out of me.
                Even if it's an ordinary type of question, it's so [i]random[/i] at the same time.
                
                $!{cg} smiles, ever so slightly.
                
            #I'll go along with it.
                The question isn't groundbreaking, but it works.
                
                $!{cg} notices your muted reaction and shrugs apologetically. "Best I could do on short notice."
                
            #I look at her. "Really?"
                "Hey, you don't get to complain after passing the buck, $!{aka2}." $!{cg} gives an exaggerated tut.
                
                Hard to argue with that.

        *choice
            #"Cats."
                "Correct," $!{cg} says, winking. "Good to know you're a ${mc_man} of culture, $!{aka2}."
                
                You share a moment of feline-enjoying supremacy.
                
                "Anyway, it's your turn," she says.
               
                *goto yourturn
            #"Dogs."
                *if instinctive < 35
                    "For real? Huh." $!{cg} studies you thoughtfully. "Wasn't my guess."
                    
                    She had a guess? You wonder what she based it on.
                    
                *elseif instinctive > 60
                    "I had a hunch you were," $!{cg} replies. "Sort of fits your personality."
                    
                    Uh… is that a good thing?
                    
                *else
                    "Ah, you're one of the sworn enemy." $!{cg} smiles. "Nah just kidding. I don't take it that seriously. Neat."
                    
                    You shake your head at the accursed cat lover.
                    
                "Over to you," $!{cg} adds.
                
                *goto yourturn
            #"I like both."
                "Boo, cop out," $!{cg} heckles.
                
                You turn up your nose, obstinate. You're not budging from this hill. Cats and dogs are equally great.
                
                $!{cg} grins good-naturedly. "Your turn, fence-sitter."
                
                *goto yourturn
            #"That's a false dichotomy, you know."
                *set knowledge +1
                *if knowledge < 30
                    $!{cg} stares at you. "Wow." She laughs, incredulous. "Sorry, it's just, I think that's probably the last thing I expected out of you."
                    
                    You look at her quizzically.
                    
                    "I mean…" She waves her hand in small circles as she gropes for words. "You're not really the logic and rhetoric type? Not saying you're stupid, I've just never seen you go all debate mode."
                    *choice
                        #"I'm full of surprises."
                            There's satisfaction in flipping her expectations on their head.
                            
                            "Sure are." She smiles. "Anyway, your turn."
                            
                            *goto yourturn
                        #"I do have a brain, you know."
                            Hard not to feel reproachful after a comment like that.
                            
                            $!{cg} winces. "Sorry. Didn't mean it like that." She gestures across the table to you. "Anyway, uh, it's your turn?"
                            
                            *goto yourturn
                        
                *else
                    *set trust_cg +1
                    "Quiet, nerd."
                    
                    You shrug. "I'm just saying, it's not an objective fact that people are one or the other. You're asking me to pick A or B when there could be a C or a D."
                    
                    Though $!{cg}'s initial response was flippant, her smile swiftly vanishes. She studies you, eyes suddenly lit with rare intensity. You shift uneasily.
                    
                    "Mm," she murmurs. "Important to remember that our choices aren't always the ones laid out in front of us, isn't it?"
                    
                    You have a feeling she's not talking about cats and dogs any more. You hesitate to reply.
                    
                    The delay suffices for $!{cg} to snap out of her strange mood. "Uh. Anyway. Your turn."
                    
                    It's going to be difficult to come up with anything after that display. You'll just have to try your best.
                    *goto questionsmenu
            *selectable_if (speciality =1) #"Nodes."
                *set rel_cg +5
                She snorts a laugh. "Technically you shouldn't bring those up, but if you like your gross little guys so much then sure, fine."
                
                A smile tugs at your mouth.
                
                "Your turn then, fleshling-liker," she says.
                
                *goto yourturn

*label yourturn
You feel a little more up to this now that $!{cg} has got you started.
*goto questionsmenu

*label cgquestions
*set cg_questions +1

*if cg_questions = 1
    *goto growup

*elseif cg_questions = 2
    *goto arrest1

*elseif cg_questions = 3
    *goto arrest2

*else
    *goto cgconclude

*label arrest1
$!{cg} pauses, considering a question.

"Ever get arrested?" she asks.

You eye her dubiously.

She flashes back an impish smile. "What? @{(instinctive > 40) I've got my bets on you being a troublemaker, that's all."|You're always so cautious. Just wondering if there's a little sauce under the surface."}
*choice
    #"Never, but it's been close."
        *set arrested 1
        "Ohh, interesting." $!{cg} drags the word out. "What's the story there?"
        
    #"Once, yes."
        *set arrested 2
        "Hmm. That's partway to troublemaker. I guess it depends on the crime." She leans forward, propping her elbows on the table. "What'd you do?"
        
    #"Like five or six times."
        *set arrested 3
        "Five or six? @{(instinctive > 40) Looks like I was on the money.|There [i]is[/i] some sauce.}" She leans forward, propping her elbows on the table. "Come on, spill the beans."
        
You shake your head. "That's a separate question. It's my turn." Your tone drifts smug, but hey, you rarely get a chance to pull one over her.

$!{cg} pouts, but then nods. "Yeah, yeah. Fine. Hit me."
*goto questionsmenu

*label arrest2

$!{cg} straightens up, eyes focused. "Okay, so back to the arrest@{(arrested = 3) s."|."} She really looks invested in this. "Tell me what happened."
*choice
    #My heart aches. @{(arrested < 3) It happened with|It was one in a half dozen, but my thoughts are locked on the arrest involving} AdVenture.
        "I, uh…" you falter. You try to steady yourself with a deep breath, but it catches halfway. "I… I used to do… I was in…"
        
        Where can you even begin with something like this? A story you've never told. A story which leads inevitably to where you are now.
        
        How can you pretend that you're normal, that you're hanging out with a friend, when your answer is built over the graves of your [i]real[/i] friends?
        
        $!{cg}'s eyes crease with worry. "$!{aka2}, sorry. If that's a rough subject, don't answer."
        *choice
            #Struggle through it. They deserve that.
                "No, I'll—" your breath catches, but you fight past. "I want to."
                
                She nods.
                
                Voice thick with emotion, you relay the story. You were doing urban exploration with your friends. Someone saw you all creeping around at night, called the cops. Things escalated. You @{(arrested =1) nearly |}wound up handcuffed. Fortunately, there weren't actually any charges to stick, and you avoided landing in hot water.
                
                You keep the details on AdVenture light, catching yourself whenever you begin to stray too far. The spectre of that night looms overhead, waiting to consume you given half a chance.
                
                For once, you're able to keep it at bay. Tell the story normally, despite everything.
                
                "Thanks for sharing," $!{cg} murmurs after you finally fall silent.
                
                You can't respond, choked with overwhelming feelings. 
                
                Is there any catharsis in this? Any relief? Any reprieve?
                
                *page_break You don't know.
                *goto cgconclude
            #I gratefully accept the offer.
                You're more than ready to call time on this subject.
                
                The history's too much. An overwhelming tide.
                
                $!{cg} says nothing, allowing you the space to regain your composure. Such gentle handling from her feels strange. It's so different from her role as drillmaster.
                
                *page_break Still, it helps.
                *goto cgconclude
            #I can't hold back tears.
                They fill your eyes and spill over, tracking down your cheeks.
                
                You're a quiet crier. You learned that early.
                
                "Ah, Dime. Fuck." $!{cg} looks lost. She's never been much for emotional support.
                
                The tears continue unabated, the memories punching a hole straight through this thin facsimile you've assembled. @{bestie Beth,|Prii,|Shauna,|Grant,|} all of them.
                
                It's fucked. It always will be.
                
                Tentatively, $!{cg} reaches her hand across the table towards your own. @{touchingokay |You pull back a little, shying from the contact.}
                *choice
                    #@{touchingokay I let her take my hand.|...but just this once, it's okay.}
                        She lays her fingers across the back of your hand, thumb pressed gently to your palm. Her grip is warm.
                        
                        @{touchingokay There's comfort in the gesture and the touch both.|You draw a little comfort. More, you think, from the gesture than the actual touch.}
                        
                        *label continueflow
                        Your tears continue to flow for some time, but the burden is ever so slightly lessened.
                        
                        *goto cgtears
                    #I don't let her take my hand, but the gesture's appreciated.
                        Knowing that she's willing to reach out is a greater comfort than you expected. Strengthened, you think, by the fact it's something she isn't very good with. She was never one for coddling you after she sent you crashing to the mats.
                        
                        You can't muster a smile, not when you're barely keeping your head above water. You try to convey your appreciation with your eyes alone. $!{cg} does smile back, tight and worried.
                        
                        *goto continueflow
                    #If I could, I'd leave right now. It's her fault I'm this way.
                        *set rel_cg -10
                        *set sour true
                        Somehow you let yourself get lulled by her offer of normal. How could you forget that if it wasn't for her and the others, you wouldn't have to pantomime?
                        
                        To hell with this.
                        
                        You withdraw your hand and refuse to look at her until your tears finally dry.
                        
                        *goto tobusinessresent
        
    #Shoplifting. @{(arrested = 3) And shoplifting. Also, shoplifting.|}
        "It's not that interesting. I just got caught stealing." @{(arrested = 3) You pause. "Several times."|}
        
        "I guess not everybody can be a master thief," $!{cg} replies, grinning.
        
        @{(subterfuge > 45) "Even the best can't get away with it one hundred percent of the time," you fire back. Your petty theft to arrest ratio was pretty damn good in your book.|You grumble wordlessly. You'd forgotten how embarrassing it is to get teased on the subject.}
        
        @{interest_cg "Don't worry, $!{aka2}, you're the top thief of my heart" — she cuts herself off, eyes popping wide as saucers. — "Uh. That. Came out wrong. Disregard."|"Guess I know who to look out for if my stuff goes missing," she adds with a wink.}
        
        *if (interest_cg)
            *choice
                #My cheeks are burning.
                    She misspoke, you're sure.
                    
                    Tell that to your treacherous face, because it sure isn't listening.
                    
                #Disregard? I[i]Gladly.[/i]
                    Nope. Nope. Nope.
                    
                    Best for everyone involved if that's swiftly swept under the rug.
                    
                #I smirk at her.
                    $!{cg} evades eye contact, turning her head and then pressing the back of one hand to her cheek, hiding herself from view.
                    
                #Surely just a slip of the tongue.
                    Yeah.
                    
                    Has to be.
                    
                    She'd never say something like that for real. @{t_cg And you wouldn't care even if she did.|}
                
            Mutually you lapse into silence. Kind of an impossible rebound.
            
        *else
            "That's pickpocketing. It's different."
            
            $!{cg} laughs.
            
        *goto cgconclude
    #"I punched a cop."
        Good thing for your younger self that few officers carry guns these days. Between the DPR's unpowered officers and the superhumans lobbing fireballs at each other, firearms have generally been deemed more of a risk than a deterrent.  
        
        $!{cg} laughs in startled delight, drawing an ugly look from a nearby library-goer.
        
        "Fuck yeah. Love that for you." @{arrested She frowns suddenly. "Wait, that only [i]nearly[/i] got you arrested?"|She grins. "Probably had it coming?"|She tilts her head. "...That wasn't all the arrests though, right? Pretty sure the boys in blue wouldn't let that slide so many times."}
        
        @{arrested "I had some very, [i]very[/i] quick talking friends," you reply, that familiar ache already setting in. In times past this was a fun anecdote, $!{mc_name} standing up to the asshole officer harassing ${mc_his} friend, Prii and Grant pulling a houdini and magicianing you out of trouble. Now the story's tainted, just like everything else.|You nod. "Extremely." You were lucky to get off lightly, lucky there were so many witnesses to the asshole officer's behaviour.|"I didn't punch six cops," you confirm. Maybe would have liked to, mind. "But it was all that kind of thing." Cops in your hometown kind of sucked. They deserved it. Luckily you were smart enough to never give them anything they could stick. Even the punch had a bunch of witnesses to the asshole officer's behaviour. Just enough doubt you got off lightly.}
        
        "Kickass."
        
        *goto cgconclude
    #Explain that I was often in trouble for various minor things.
        You shrug. "It was a bunch of different stuff. Nothing crazy, it just added up over time."
        
        "Aw come on, you made me use another question, you have to be more specific than that." $!{cg} pouts.
        
        Once again you shrug. It didn't necessarily mean all that much to you at the time. "Graffiti. Loitering. Littering," you pause, then clarify. "Got [i]accused[/i] of littering. I didn't actually. The cops just started singling me out after a while."
        
        "Ugh. Course they did."
        
        $!{cg} seems satisfied, so you decide to leave it there.
        
        *goto cgconclude

*label growup
"What did you want to do when you grew up?"

Whoa. Childhood aspirations? Now that's a deep cut, distant history even before… back then.

Maybe that's why $!{cg}'s asking.
*choice
    #"Law."
        @{(expressive < 35) "You know if it was anyone else, I'd call BS, but I can totally picture you as a serious little kid with your nose buried in law textbooks."|$!{cg} snorts. "You're messing with me. No kid goes 'when I'm older, I want to be a prosecutor!'"}
        
        @{(expressive < 35) "Thanks… I think." You're not entirely sure if that was a compliment.|"I didn't; I wanted to be a defence attorney."}
        
        @{(expressive < 35) "You're welcome," she says glibly.|She narrows her eyes, but you're giving nothing away. After a moment she smiles, shaking her head. "Alright then."}
        
        *goto questionsmenu
    #"I wanted to be a doctor."
        *set oldambition 2
        "No shit?"
        
        You nod. "Unfortunately, you know, school's expensive." A twang of almost forgotten melancholy strums in your chest, a distant echo of a long lost dream.
        
        "That's too bad," $!{cg} says sympathetically. "Bet you'd have been good at it."
        
        *goto questionsmenu
    #"Something creative."
        "Oh yeah? Like what?"
        
        It's an extra question, but you go along with it.
        *choice
            #"Music."
                "Nice." She smiles lopsidedly. "I liked to play the guitar. Not sure if anyone else did though." She laughs, hollow and humourless. "Haven't played in years."
                
                *goto norme
            #"Art."
                "Nice." She smiles lopsidedly. "I like art, but I was never that good." She laughs, hollow and humourless. "Can't remember the last time I tried to draw something."
                
                *label norme
                "Me either," you murmur softly.
                
                *goto questionsmenu
            #"Writing."
                "Oh cool." She laughs. "I uh, barely ever touched a book. Still don't, being real."
                
                @{(expressive < 40) You incline your head at the novel right in front of her.|"What's that in front of you then?" you arch an eyebrow.}
                
                $!{cg} grins. "Literally the first thing I could grab off a shelf. Protects me from the sideeye." She briefly looks bashful, hastening to add: "Not trying to dump on your childhood dream or anything. Reading just isn't really for me, you know?"
                
                "I liked to read," you say, the past tense tasting of ashes.
                
                *goto questionsmenu
            #"Dance."
                *set dance true
                Her eyes widen. "No way."
                
                "Seriously," you reply, feeling a twinge of almost forgotten nostalgia. That used to be a common reaction.
                
                There's a broad grin on her face. It's so unlike $!{cg} as to be unnerving. "Amazing."
                
                *goto questionsmenu
    #"Pro sports."
        $!{cg} looks you up and down. @{(guts > 30) "Not the craziest thing I've ever heard."|"For real?" A smile tugs at the corner of her mouth. To be fair, you're not the most athletic kid on the block.}
        
        @{(guts > 30) "It was always going to be a pipe dream."|"I was a very optimistic kid."}
        
        "Nothing wrong with that."
        
        *goto questionsmenu
    #"I could never settle on one choice."
        "That's fair. I used to know someone like that." Something flickers across her face. Pain? Regret?
        
        "I had something new every week," you say with a wry smile, wondering what you saw in her expression.
        
        "That's kids for you," she replies. Whatever was there, it's gone without a trace now.
        
        *goto questionsmenu
    #"Become a test subject."
        @{coven_history For you, this is beyond bold, a risk so acute you're seized by vertigo.|That's—you're dancing dangerously close to insubordination with such a remark, and yet you said it nonetheless.|You hear the bitterness on your tone as the words leave your mouth. You overplayed your hand, but you can't take it back now..}
        
        $!{cg} snorts a laugh. "I bet." Is that… scorn in her voice? She certainly doesn't seem to be bothered by your comment.
        
        You opt to quit while you're ahead, and say nothing more on the topic.
        
        *goto questionsmenu
        
*label cgtears
*page_break
Needless to say, the conversation has well and truly fallen by the wayside at this point. After that tide of emotions, it's probably for the best.

*goto lookacross

*label cgconclude
*page_break
The conversation fades, its warmth proving all too temporary.

*label lookacross
You're left looking across at $!{cg}. Those tired, tired eyes. The ennui draped around her shoulders. You remember how concerned she was about you the other day. @{cgannoy Feel a twinge of guilt for your hostility.|} For the first time, you're struck by the realisation that you're both about the same age. She might even be younger.

You and her. You're the same.

$!{cg} meets your eyes, and there's a moment of connection.
*choice
    *if (aro != 4) #"Hey, $!{cg}, do you..." I falter. I'm feeling more than just camaraderie, but... @{ftone [Flirt, Passive]|}
        *set interest_cg true
        *set flirt_cg +1
        *set connectcg true
        
        $!{cg} regards you as you lapse into silence. @{t_cg You stubbornly look away. Lost for words around $!{cg}? Having [i]feelings[/i] about $!{cg}? Humiliating.|You can't meet her curious gaze, staring down at the table}.
        
        When eventually you return your eyes in her direction, it's to see a strange little smile quirking her lips, an entirely unfamiliar expression. 
        
        "Nevermind," you mutter.
        
        "Sure." She's still smiling. Damn her.
        
        *goto tobusiness
    *if (aro != 4) #I... I don't know how to process what I'm feeling. @{ftone [Flirt, Passive]|}
        *set interest_cg true
        *set flirt_cg +1
        *set connectcg true
        There's a swirling mix of contradictory emotions rushing through your body.
        
        *if (brokenheart < 5)
            You shouldn't feel this way. Not with what you've lost. $!{prev_li}'s blood mingles with this affection, poisoning everything.
            
            $!{cg}'s responsible. But she's not. But she is—fuck.
            
            Just… fuck.
            
            You swallow back tears.
            
        *else
            Nothing's normal about the two of you. Any feelings shouldn't even share an axis with affection, but there the feelings stand.
            
            Is this some kind of screwed up falling for your captor situation?
            
            You… you don't know. You don't fucking know.
            
            
        $!{cg} watches you in sympathetic silence, giving you space to work through it.
        
        A minute or more and you manage to force the mess into some kind of containment. That's as good as it's going to get for now. Just have to ignore that compartment of your head still pitching and roiling with broken scraps of emotion.
        
        You give her a shallow nod.
        
        *goto tobusiness
    *if (aro != 4) #Holding her gaze, I ask if she'd like to do this again. @{ftone [Flirt]|}
        *set flirt_cg +1
        *set connectcg true
        *set interest_cg true
        *set overt_cg true
        "This was nice," you say quietly. "Do you think we can make it happen again?"
        
        A surprised smile flutters across $!{cg}'s face. She starts to reply, hesitates, breaks eye contact. "I don't know. I'm sorry. There's so many—I'm wrapped up in a lot." She looks genuinely crestfallen, matching your own sinking feeling. However, as she draws a deep breath and faces you again, you see determination etched into her expression. "But if I can, I will." Her mouth quirks into a strange little smile, entirely unfamiliar. "I enjoy talking to you, Dime."
        
        You find a smile on your own face, heartbeat quickening. "Me too—uh, you too."
        
        She laughs.
        
        *goto tobusiness
    *selectable_if (cg_dislike) #I'm ready to let our rivalry go.
        *set connectcg true
        *set cg_dislike false
        *set rel_cg +7
        You've always seen her as little more than another part of your pain, a tormentor via an alternate methodology.
        
        But talking to her like this, you're realising that she's far closer to you than the likes of Hypothesis. You're both stuck following orders. What's the point in hating her?
        
        *if expressive > 60
            "Hey. Truce?" you offer, @{touchingokay reaching your hand across the table.|wobbling a thumb from side to side.}
            
            Breathing a soft laugh, $!{cg} @{touchingokay shakes your hand.|shoots you a thumbs up.} "Truce."
            
        *elseif expressive < 40
            "I'd like a fresh start," you say.
            
            *goto cgquirk
        *else
            "Want to let bygones be bygones?" you offer.
            
            *label cgquirk
            $!{cg}'s mouth quirks into a smile. "Yeah, alright."
            
        A weight lifts from your chest. Reconciliation. Wild.
        
        *goto block
    #This only muddies the waters further. Who is she, really?
        The veneer of the loyal Coven soldier is peeling back. You thought you had $!{cg}'s measure, your drillmaster and trainer, a trusted lieutenant to Hypothesis.
        
        She's never been anything but businesslike, any praise or care swiftly subsumed by the harsh demands of her responsibilities. Orders first, all else second.
        
        Yet here she is going out of her way to talk. Out of her way to set the Coven aside, if only briefly. You're seeing a new $!{cg}. Perhaps even… 
        
        One who's been there all along?
        
        *goto block
    *selectable_if (not (cg_dislike)) #Could we be friends? Is that even possible?
        *set connectcg true
        *set rel_cg %+ 5
        Your instincts immediately scream 'no' and yet, are they really accurate?
        
        She's going out of her way to talk. Out of her way to set the Coven aside, if only briefly. You spoke like normal people. Kind of. That feels as if it should count for something.
        
        You allow yourself to smile at her, tentative. She smiles back. It's a mirror of your own. Just as hopeful, just as painfully fragile.
        
        "This was nice," you murmur.
        
        "Yeah. Yeah it was." Her smile brightens, and with it, a tiny flicker of optimism blooms in your chest.
        
        *goto block
    #One nice conversation doesn't change that she's Coven.
        Her loyalties lie with Hypothesis. You can't let yourself lose sight of that. @{(defiance < 3) The two of you are dancing to the same tune, of course there would be a superficial feeling of common ground.|She's a soldier of the group you so desperately want to escape, the same only because you share a master. How can she possibly be anything other than a threat?}
        
        *label breakcontact
        You break eye contact resolutely, trying to regroup. The moment fades.
        
        *goto block
    #I... I can't trust her. I can't.
        No matter how you may wish otherwise, putting your faith in$!{cg} isn't a smart idea. When has she ever shielded you from Catalyst or Hypothesis? When has she demonstrated that she'll look out for you rather than herself?
        
        @{(defiance < 3) You have your self-preservation instincts, and they're hard-earned. You can't let yourself fall to foolish flights of fancy.|You're already playing with fire by so much as considering rebellion. Trust $!{cg} with this and you may as well thrust your hand straight into the flames.}
        
        It's… nice to imagine that things could be different. Nice to picture life in a world where you two could charge ahead together, but reality is rarely kind.
        
        *goto breakcontact
*label block
*if (aro != 4)
    Letting your emotions settle for a second, there was [i]something[/i] between you just now.
    *choice
        #I know I won't ever want anything deeper with $!{cg}. [Block romance/flirting]
            
            *if (interest_cg)
                It couldn't possibly work out.
                
            *else
                You're not interested in her in that way.
                
            *set interest_cg false
            *set romance_cg 1
            *set flirt_cg 0
            *set t_cg false
            *goto tobusiness
        #Things are too much of a mess to know one way or the other.
            *if ((connectcg) and (interest_cg))
                @{t_cg Despite your best judgement, you|You} have some unresolved and unspoken feelings. Now's neither the time nor the place that'll get sorted out.
        
            *elseif ((connectcg))
                It's not the time nor the place to cross-examine… whatever that was.
                
            *else
                Right now, the best summation you can give is 'It's Complicated'. @{interest_cg Anything you may or may not feel is stopped in its tracks when you can't be sure she's trustworthy.|}
      
      
            You're setting this aside for your own good.
            *goto tobusiness

*else
    *goto tobusiness

*label tobusiness
*page_break
A cloud slowly descends on $!{cg}. She heaves a massive sigh. "Hate to say this, $!{aka2}, but we do actually need to talk about business."

Right. You're here to update her on your progress. How could you forget?

*goto tellcg
*label tobusinessnope
*page_break
$!{cg} gathers herself, disappointment falling away. The $!{cg} you know @{cg_dislike and hate |}has returned.

"Alright. To business."

*goto tellcg
*label tobusinessresent
*page_break
"You okay?" $!{cg} asks once you finally look back at her.

"Let's just do what we're here to do," you mutter, voice jagged.

$!{cg} frowns, but nods. "Sure. Fill me in."
*goto tellcg

*label tellcg
You of course have a critical piece of information to share. Frankly, 'share' is too mild of a term: Hypothesis instructed you to report anything relating to the Zone. Tonight's plans allow zero room for interpretation.

If you keep this to yourself, you're violating a direct order. @{coven_history You know what that means,|It should be unthinkable,|Dare you step across this line? Turn resentment into defiance?} @{(coven_history =3) |and yet you hesitate to speak.}
*choice
     #I'll tell her: that's my mission.
         *set inform1 1
         You have your orders. You have your assignment. It's why you're here.
         
         @{(defiance > 2) Any dreams of resistance are guttering, desperate for fuel.|Following what the Coven wants, proving yourself loyal… isn't that the smartest, safest way forward? Hypothesis has trusted you with this. You're on the verge of gaining actual standing with him. Surely that's the best you can make of the situation.}
         
         @{(defiance > 2) But dreams are so different from action. Dreams don't have to contend with the consequences of disobedience. It's not your dreams that will pay the price of your deception.|Tell yourself that enough times and you may even begin to believe it.}
         
         @{(defiance > 2) It's comforting to lose yourself in a dream now and then, but those dreams can swiftly become nightmares.|}
         
         *set defiance - 1
         
         *label tellzone
         "The Altruists are going into the Zone. Tonight," you tell $!{cg}. "Architect wants to investigate some kind of DPR cover-up."
         
         "Well, well, well," $!{cg} murmurs, leaning close, listening intently. "Keep going."
         
         *page_break Detail the plan.
         *set trust_cg +1
         *set covenstr +1
         *set doubt_hypothesis -10
         You swiftly fill $!{cg} in with everything you know about tonight's plan, including the backdrop of the Hounds' battle with S.C.U.M and DPR-heroes-masquerading-as-S.C.U.M. She's deadly quiet throughout, silently absorbing the information.
         
         She's nodding as you finish. "Good work."
         
         You nod absently, mind elsewhere. Your first true act as a double agent is in the books.
         *choice
             #Guilt presses upon me. I'm betraying my teammates' confidence.
                 *if (inform1 = 3)
                     You're prioritising personal gains and goals, sacrificing what you've built with the others.
                     
                     It's an unpleasant pill.
                     
                 *elseif (inform1 =4)
                     You're torn in two directions. Say nothing and you're hurting $!{cg}. Speak up, and you're spitting on your teammates' trust.
                     
                     All you can do is hope this choice won't come back to haunt you.
                     
                 *else
                     You're putting self preservation ahead of the relationships you've barely started to build.
                     
                     Harder to justify yourself, when you put it like that.
                     
             #I'm doing what I have to do.
                 *if (inform1 = 3)
                     You have a chance to build real standing, give yourself a concrete foundation for future rebellion.
                     
                     That goal justifies any 'betrayal'.
                     
                 *elseif (inform1 = 4)
                     You're keeping yourself safe. You're keeping $!{cg} safe.
                     
                     Either of you failing the Coven would be far worse than any consequences the Altruists may suffer.
                     
                 *else
                     Whatever your feelings on the others, you first and foremost have to keep yourself safe.
                     
                     If there was another way, you'd take it, but you've got three different guns to your head. This is the only option.
                     
             #It's not like any of the Altruists are trustworthy.
                 Is it really a betrayal when nobody's being honest?
                 
                 …Well, that's sophistry. Whether the dishonesty of Architect, Wyrd, or anyone else justifies your own deceit is between you and your conscience.
            
         *goto anythingelse
     #I'll tell her: any lie will surely be revealed before long.
         *set inform1 2
         Gremlink managed to find out that Architect and Wyrd were snooping around the Zone in spite of efforts to cover their tracks. You can safely surmise that tonight will be no different, and tonight's venture will reach Hypothesis's desk whether you report it or not. Your imagination is more than eager to supply the consequences should Hypothesis find out through Gremlink rather than yourself.
         
         …You don't need your imagination. Your memory does the trick just fine.
         
         *if defiance > 2
             If you want to undermine the Coven, you need to wait for better, smarter ways to pull it off.
             
             Undermining the Coven. Is it even possible? Can you muster your courage so tall? You don't know.
             
         *else
            The promise of discovery simplifies an already straightforward decision.
            
            
         *goto tellzone     
     #I'll tell her: the more the Coven trusts me, the more opportunity I'll have to break free.
         *set inform1 3
        *if defiance < 3
            A sudden mutinous surge suffuses your thoughts.
             
            …Breaking free? @{coven_history You haven't dared to dream of it in so long.|It's the anathema of your survival strategy, your careful obedience.|It's always been a dream, something nursed below the surface. Any plan that's leapt to mind has always felt too risky to act upon.}
             
            But that's the beauty, isn't it? By telling $!{cg} you're doing exactly what you're supposed to. @{coven_history You're not courting a punishment.|You're 'obeying'.|There's no risk.}
             
        *else
            Openly defying orders won't get you any closer to freedom. The early days of your captivity taught you that resistance provokes punishment. @{coven_history Learning those lessons broke something inside of you, something that may not be fixable. Something you may lose for good, if you incur the Coven's wrath.|You learned those lessons well. Perhaps too well.|You marked those lessons well. They form the cornerstone of your strategy.}
        
        Let them think you're on their side. Let them relax and grow complacent, lengthen your chain.
        
        That's when you'll find a way out.
        *set defiance +1
         
        *goto tellzone
     #I'll tell her, but only because I don't want to screw her over.
         *set inform1 4
        $!{cg}'s responsible for you. If you keep this information back, you're not the only person who could suffer consequences. Hypothesis will want to know why $!{cg} failed to keep her charge in line.
        
        He won't ask politely.
         
        *if ((cgannoy)) or ((cg_dislike))
            Despite your differences, despite your @{(trust_cg > 0) arguments,|refusal to be drawn in by her offer,} you're uncomfortable with the idea of throwing her under the bus.
             
        *elseif (sour)
            The talk may have ended on a sour note, but that doesn't mean you want to throw her under the bus.
            
        *else
            @{(trust_cg > 0) How can you throw her under the bus like that after your conversation?|She doesn't deserve to be thrown under the bus, even if you don't want to feign normality with her.}
            
        You're losing an opportunity to spin what you know to your benefit. You're spurning one of the few advantages you've ever gained over the Coven. Who can say when the next will come around?
        
        It doesn't matter. You're not willing to hurt $!{cg} to get ahead. Emotion over cold logic.
        
        *goto tellzone
     *selectable_if (defiance > 2) #Hide it: this is how I fight back.
         *set inform1 5
         *set defiance +2
         Time to put your money where your mouth is.
         
         You've so carefully nursed that ember, that barely-smouldering coal of resistance. If you ever want to stoke the flame back into life, then you can't ignore opportunity at your door.
         
         It's a huge risk. @{coven_history A risk you can barely bring yourself to consider, lest your nerve fail you.|Perhaps the greatest you've dared to take.|A culmination of your carefully crafted veneer of deference.} Yet the safe choice is no choice at all.
         
         Nobody ever claimed this would be easy.
         
         *goto dontsay
     #Hide it: I don't want to sell out my new team.
         *set inform1 6
         *set defiance +1
         Common sense be damned, you've gained more attachment to that motley crew in two weeks than the Coven in half a decade. What's the competition? Airy isn't a friend @{(ariattitude = 3) Not really.| even if you squint}. The rest are captors all the way down. @{talk_cg |Another reason to reject $!{cg}'s olive branch just now.} @{sour You got a timely reminder of that just now.|}
         
         *if ((talk_cg) and (not (sour)))
             It's only $!{cg} that can give you pause. The vulnerability she showed, the tentative offer of [i]normal[/i]. The fleeting instant when you were real and human and more than tools of the Coven.
             
             That [i]matters.[/i] That…
             
             …isn't quite enough. Not for five years. Not to sacrifice what little you have. Not again.
             
         *else
             You have so little. You refuse to sacrifice it. Not again.
             
         *goto dontsay

*label anythingelse
*page_break
"How about the rest?" $!{cg} asks. "I know Hypothesis had you looking into a few things. Make any headway?"

Shoot, you'd barely thought about that. Given the information you already supplied, you're probably off the hook for the additional objectives for the time being. [i]Probably.[/i] This is Hypothesis. @{(archinfo > 1) Still, you've sleuthed out a couple of juicy details here and there. The option's there.|You haven't really found out a whole lot in any case.}

You have to keep your goals in mind. And Hypothesis's. Anything you divulge will further his agenda in one way or another.
*choice
    #I'll reveal some of what I've learned.
        *goto alittle
    #I've already said enough.
        @{inform1 It'll have more impact if you share the rest later. A mission to the Zone is a big deal, any other information might get lost in the shuffle.|You can't get away with lying about the Zone, sure, but the rest? That's a different story. Feed Hypothesis one truth to hide everything else.|It's more to your benefit if you don't frontload everything you've learned. Besides, your credibility will tank in a hurry if you wind up short later because you spilled all the beans straight away|Hypothesis has been fixated on the Zone. A big reveal about it should be more than enough to satisfy him and keep $!{cg} out of harm's way|*bug shouldn't be accessible with this inform1 |*bug shouldn't accessible with this inform1}
        
        You shake your head. "Sorry."
        
        "Damn," $!{cg} sighs. "Let me know as soon as you find anything out."
        
        "Sure."
        
        *goto getupandgo
        
*label dontsay
*page_break Address $!{cg}.
"Architect's had us laying low since our debut. Waiting for a good opportunity, I think," you lie.

"Damn," $!{cg} sighs. "Manage to pick anything up?"
         
Interesting thought. Tonight's trip to the Zone isn't the only dirt you could spill. @{(archinfo > 1) You've sleuthed out a couple of juicy details here and there.|Admittedly there isn't much else.}

@{(inform1 = 5) Stringing the Coven along might give you some plausible deniability for your bigger lie.|Sharing a small detail or two probably won't harm anyone.} If you're careful.

Though ultimately, anything you divulge will further Hypothesis's agenda in one way or another.
*choice
    #I'll reveal some of what I've learned.
        *label alittle
        "Yeah, a little," you reply. "I don't know how useful it'll be."
        
        $!{cg} shrugs. "Information is information. Let's hear it."
        *label informmenu
        *choice
            *if (ama) 
                *disable_reuse #Architect's motives. @{(archmotives = 2) Keep to myself that I don't think he's saying everything.|}
                    *set ama false
                    *set given true
                    *if (archmotives = 2)
                        *set archmotives 5
                        @{(inform1 < 5) This way you have something left in reserve if needed.|Nice way to keep something up your sleeve while still looking useful.}
                    
                    *else
                        *set archmotives 3
                    
                    You paraphrase your way through Architect's speech yesterday, lingering on the anti-DPR sentiments and the ideological bent of it all.
                
                    "Pay villainy unto villainy…" $!{cg} murmurs once you're done. "I don't know whether to admire the commitment or call out the hypocrisy." She meets your eyes. "This is helpful insight, nice going."
                    *goto informmenu
            *if ((archmotives = 2) and (ama)) 
                *disable_reuse #Architect's claimed motives, and my belief he's putting on an act.
                    *set ama false
                    *set given true
                    *set archmotives 4
                
                    You summarise Architect's speech yesterday, and then keep going.
                
                    "I don't think he was lying, but I don't think it was the whole truth either," you say. @{(inform1 > 4) The irony is palpable.|}
                
                    "Using real emotion as a smokescreen for something deeper. Smart."
                
                    @{(inform1 > 4) Holy shit you hope your poker face is holding up.|} You nod.
                
                    $!{cg} taps her chin with a finger. "This is very useful, $!{aka2}. Nice going."
                
                    *goto informmenu
            *disable_reuse #My observations on Architect and Wyrd's @{fighting_style combat expertise.|strategic abilities.|powers.|}
                *set given true
                You outline what you've seen of the two of them @{fighting_style in a fight.|in tactical terms.|with their powers.|} Even as you speak, you realise your insights are precious thin.
                
                $!{cg} is frowning. "Them being experienced doesn't narrow this shit down much, $!{aka2}. I could have told you that this isn't their first rodeo." She shakes her head and sighs. "I guess the confirmation is worth something, just don't expect a pat on the head."
                
                Still, even without substance, this account should boost the impression that you're committed to the cause.
                *goto informmenu
            *if (inform1 < 5)
                *disable_reuse #The hideout, and its ownership.
                    *set given true
                    *set hideout 2
                    You describe the hideout, mentioning that according to Architect, he bought it outright.

                    "A man of means," $!{cg} muses. "Doesn't tell us much. Following the money is a good call though, keep that up."

                    She doesn't comment on you sharing the location. You can both read between the lines.
                    *goto informmenu
            *else
                *selectable_if (inform1 < 5) #It's too dangerous to tell her about the hideout.
                    *goto informmenu
            *if (archease > 0) 
                *disable_reuse #The odd leadership dynamic between Architect and Wyrd.
                    *set given true
                    *set archease 2
                    You explain that Wyrd doesn't always act like an underling, and how Architect almost seems to defer to them at times, as if unused to being in charge.
                
                    "I think they were teammates before Architect became the leader," you conclude.
                
                    $!{cg} looks thoughtful. "Now there's an angle," she says, drumming her fingers on the table. "Gives us something new to search." She nods. "Keep your eyes peeled too. If Wyrd isn't just following Architect, they might have different reasons to be here."
                
                    *goto informmenu
            *if (archconnections > 0) 
                *disable_reuse #Architect's suspiciously developed web of contacts.
                    *set given true
                    *set archconnections 2
                    You give examples of how connected Architect seems to be, the information he's so readily had at his fingertips, despite ostensibly being a newcomer to both villainy and Alderbrook.
                
                    "Nice catch, $!{aka2}," $!{cg} says approvingly once you wrap up. "Networks like that don't spring up overnight. Can't say what it means; we know for sure he's never been based here, so it's not the simple explanation. Still, it gives us a lot more to work with." A grim smile twitches her mouth. "Someone will have to pay our own contacts a visit, see if they can be… convinced to discuss their clientele."
                
                    Your stomach churns. You may have just sicced Catalyst on innocent people.
                
                    *goto informmenu
            *if (archpath > 0) 
                *disable_reuse #My discovery of Architect and Wyrd's point of origin.
                    *set given true
                    *set covenstr +1
                    *set archpath 2
                    You relate your online searches, describing the incident reports you pieced together and the path they charted across the country.
                
                    At first $!{cg} looks sceptical, but as you supply more and more evidence, her expression shades first to surprise, and then admiration. "Damn, $!{aka2}. I'm impressed." Her brow furrows with deep thought. "If we know where they were and when, that's a gamechanger. And if they started in LA… I don't think that was even on the radar." She tips you a nod. "Hypothesis will want to check this about a dozen times, but it's a hell of a lead."
                
                    Looks like putting mask business ahead of your own recovery pays off.
                
                    *goto informmenu
            *if (given) #I've said as much as I want to say.
                "That's all I've got," you conclude. $!{cg} nods in response.
                
                *label getupandgo
                After a brief silence she drags herself to her feet. "I have to bounce," she says. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
                
                @{(expressive > 45) "Mmhm."|You shrug.}
                
                *if (interest_cg)
                    $!{cg} hesitates by the table, fingers clenching hard against its edge. For an instant, you swear you see her bite her lip. "Till next time. I know I'll be looking forward to it."
                    
                    With a smile she's gone, shoulders bunched, but a lightness in her gait.
                    
                    *goto aloneagain
                *else
                    With a final nod she heads off, shoulders bunched and gait heavy.
                    
                    *goto aloneagain
                    
    #@{(inform1 = 5) No half measures. I'm not telling her a thing.|I'd still feel like a traitor. I'm keeping quiet.}
        *set trust_cg +1
        You shake your head. "Sorry, they're really cagey." @{connectcg It's hard to keep yourself steady. Lying to her after the moment you just shared doesn't feel great.|}
        
        *if (subterfuge > 55)
            *set liedetect 1
            $!{cg} knuckles her forehead in frustration. "Fuck," she mutters, slumping back in her chair, face tilted to the skylight. "Alright," she murmurs, eyes closed. She tips her head level again, reopens her eyes. "Alright," she repeats. "Thanks. Keep trying. Let me know as soon as you can if you find anything out."
            
            You nod, and $!{cg} drags herself to her feet. "I have to bounce," she says. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
            
            Off she goes, shoulders bunched and gait heavy.
            
            …Holy shit you just pulled off lying to $!{cg}'s face. That's never worked.
            
            *goto aloneagain
            
        *else
            *set liedetect 2
            *set rel_cg -5
            $!{cg} fixes you with a hard-eyed stare.
            
            Not for the first time, you recall just how good she is at sniffing out lies.
            
            "Alright," she says, emanating quiet disappointment. "We're done talking, then."
            
            She drags herself to her feet, gives you one final disapproving look, and then heads off, shoulders bunched and gait heavy.
            
            …She didn't call you out. There's zero doubt in your mind that she knows you lied to her, and she just… let it go?
            
            No. There's no way. It's some kind of trap or trick. 
            
            Consequences will follow, and you have no idea what or when.
            
            Fuck.
            
            *goto aloneagain

*label aloneagain
*page_break Alone once more.
*achieve reportcg
*set juice -10
There's nothing much to keep you here. @{(instinctive > 55) You stand impatiently and leave barely a minute behind $!{cg}. You're not hanging around.|You give $!{cg} a couple of minutes to gain a lead and then get up and leave.}

You've still got several hours to kill, and soon find yourself returning to Casa del Container to reset and make your preparations for tonight. The plan is to meet a block out from the Zone and then head in immediately. No messing around gathering at the hideout.

As you park yourself on your mattress back home, $!{cg}'s observation about the Juice runs back through your mind. Six days, it's been? Seven? Surely it can't be more than a week.

You shiver, skin acrawl. Prickling sensations run up and down your body, @{feature scalp awash with needles|a burning ache settling behind your eyes|sinking deep into your shoulders|stomach gnawing and gnawing}. Your throat is dry as bone, crackling with the effort of swallowing.

It's phantom pain, you tell yourself. If it were otherwise you couldn't have overlooked the sensations. They're not something you can merely tune out and ignore.

"Not real," you mumble. "Not real."

Minutes of your mantra tick by. At last @{feature the needles withdraw.|the ache recedes.|the prickling fades.|the gnawing hunger recedes.}
*page_break Try to breathe.
In. Out. In. Out.

The fog lifts. You blink, realising you're holding something. When did you take the Juice from its spot?

Your jaw locks in a grimace. Never mind that. Think logically.

You have a single vial. Use it up too early and you might wind up in an even worse position further down the line. On the other hand, tonight's mission is critical. If you're not Juiced up, not at the heights of your powers, then you could be inviting disaster.

You weigh up the vial in your hand. @{(dependence = 25) Your grip trembles.|}
*choice
    #Drink: I need to be at top form.
        *set vials 0
        *set juice 100
        You don't know what's waiting for you in the Zone, but anything that warrants a full DPR cover-up has to be protected. You can't afford to be second-guessing your powers and worrying if you've got enough in the tank. To properly prepare, you need to be Juiced, it's that simple.
        
        It's nothing, you tell yourself, to do with the growing [i]need[/i] building within you the longer you hold the vial.
        
        You tell yourself.
        
        *label drinky
        Tipping the vial back, you drain the contents. @{(dependence > 20) Your gulps grow desperate as the last dregs slide down your throat. There's no opportunity to consider what that means before a|A} familiar thrum of energy surges up from within. Your eyes roll in your head, body quivering. You feel the membrane below your skin, feel it ripple and shudder with fresh life, feel your flesh part as the tendrils burst from your shoulders. Black stars erupt across your vision, pulsing, pulsing, pulsing.
        
        As the darkness clears you find yourself sprawled face down on the floor. Your head crackles, awash in a muzzy, tingling sensation, not entirely unpleasant.
        
        Slowly pushing up into a seated position, you breathe in and out, marvelling at the taste of the air. Tasted by mouth and tendrils both.
        
        You get to your feet, reluctantly withdrawing the tendrils back inside. They resist briefly, and then bend to your will.
        
        [i]Now[/i] you're ready.
        *goto postjuice
    #Drink: I can't risk my powers turning on me.
        *set vials 0
        *set juice 100
        
        *if dependence < 25
            *set dependence +1
            
        Maybe that episode just now was imaginary, but so far as you're concerned, it's a warning sign. A week since your last dose is within range for withdrawals, and if you suffer a power breakdown in the middle of infiltrating the Zone—or worse, a fight—you are well and truly fucked.
        
        It'd be reckless and stupid not to dose now.
        
        And being [i]fed upon[/i] by something inside your own body is an experience you never want to repeat.
        
        *goto drinky
    #Drink: I need to rid myself of these cravings.
        *set vials 0
        *set instinctive %+ 10
        *set juice 100
        
        *if dependence < 25
            *set dependence + 2
            
        You're juggling cover identities within a web of lies and are about to plunge headlong into a government cover-up. You need to be sharp, you need to be mentally focused. That's not going to happen if your mind is fixed on Juice.
        
        And if the cravings are a warning sign, they're warning you of something far worse. An experience you never want to repeat.
        
        *goto drinky
    #Leave it: I'm pacing myself. I may need the boost later.
        *set instinctive %- 10
        That episode just now doesn't mean anything. It's just past traumas baring their fangs. @{(juice > 70) You've been careful about using your powers,|You've used your powers some, but not to excess,} and the well doesn't feel dry. You should be celebrating that you're lasting longer without withdrawals, not panicking and rushing to overcorrect.
        
        *if dependence = 25
            *set dependence -2
            Then there's the way you reacted before from a mere mention of Juice.
            
            It worries you. A lot.
            
            You're deeply aware of your shaking breathing as you lower the vial, and hasten to stow it away.
            
        *else
            @{(instinctive > 49) Clamp down on the instinctive urge to act, and you'll be golden.|Look before you leap, just like always.}
            
            You hold tight to the vial for a moment, and then replace it in its hiding spot.
        
    #Leave it: I don't want to give in to my dependency.
        *set defiance + 1
        *if dependence = 25
            *set dependence - 5
            The way you reacted before, just from $!{cg} mentioning Juice.
            
            It worries you. A lot.
            
            *goto logictells
        *else
            *set dependence -2
            
            *label logictells
            @{(dependence = 20) You've always told yourself that the|Logic tells you that this is a fool's errand. The} Juice isn't a drug you've grown addicted to. You're not taking it just to get a fix. It's sustaining your powers, keeping them from using you as nourishment.
            
            All perfectly sensible.
            
            All excuses.
            
            The truth is that you don't know. Being [i]fed upon[/i] by something inside your own body is an experience you never want to repeat, but experience is the wrong word. Far more accurate would be 'experiment'. Hypothesis's experiment. Hypothesis's observations. It's not as if you were in a composed state of mind now, was it?
            
            So maybe without the Juice you're done for. Maybe taking it is survival. But maybe it's easier to convince yourself of that than face up to the reality. 
            
            @{(dependence = 20) And doesn't the tremor in your hand speak volumes.|}
            
            You lower the vial, breathing shakily, and hurry to stow it away. Out of sight, if not out of mind.
            
            Only one way to find out.
            
            *goto postjuice
            
    *selectable_if ((defiance > 4) and (dependence < 25)) #Smash the vial. 
        *achieve smash
        *set vials 0
        *set smashed true
        *set defiance +3
        *set dependence -5
        You're not a junkie. You've spent too long beholden to your next dose. Your next [i]fix.[/i]
        
        Your fingers tighten around the vial.
        
        Maybe you need the Juice to sustain yourself. Or maybe you're too afraid of what will happen if you dare to test otherwise.
        
        What's a little more pain after all these years?
        
        You hurl the vial to the floor and stomp it into shards, grinding the pieces beneath your heel. Vibrant purple fluid splashes across the metal. For an instant, it almost seems to shiver.
        
        Breath comes in short snatches, nearly hyperventilating. Your hands are clenched into tight fists. Your whole body trembles. Momentarily, you don't even believe your own actions. They're false. A fantasy.
        
        But the crunch of broken glass, the poisonously bright stains. Those are very real.
        *goto postjuice
 
*label postjuice
*page_break
*if juice = 100
    Reinvigorated, you pace around the container, filled to the brim with nervous energy. Up and down, up and down, up and down. There's hours still to wait, but your body doesn't care about that.
    
    Up and down and up and down
    
    *page_break and up and down
    
    and up and down and up and down
    
    *page_break and up and down
    
    and up and down and up and-
    
    Some half-remembered responsibility breaks you from your trance and you check the time. Shit. You need to leave ten minutes ago.
    
    You hurry from the container, steps infused with the Juice.
    *finish Raring to go.
    
*elseif vials = 0
    The dreamlike state sticks to you, cloying and hazy. You find your eyes dipping back to the shattered vial on the container floor over and over again.
    
    Eventually you sweep the glass into the corner with your foot, throwing down a t-shirt to mop up the spilled Juice. For a perverse instant, you want to bring the shirt to your mouth, suck out what's left. Then you recoil from the instinct in disgust, kicking the shirt off to join the glass.
    
    You aren't making a mistake, are you?
    
    The question haunts you for hours, stops you focusing on anything as time ticks by towards the mission.
    
    When you finally leave, long after nightfall, you're no closer to an answer.
    
    You broke a chain. You defied the Coven.
    *finish Why do you feel so afraid?
    
*else
    With several hours still to wait, you decide you may as well settle in for a nap. Long night ahead, after all. 
    
    You lay down on your mattress and though at first you simply stare blankly at the corrugated ceiling, sleep finds you with surprising ease.
    
    what is that voice saying?
    
    the lights are so bright
    
    the teeth. sharp teeth. so many
    
    You rip yourself from slumber with enough force to roll facefirst onto the floor. You're panting as you check yourself over, hands running frantically across your body.
    
    Nothing.
    
    You're fine. Not fine. [i]Intact.[/i]
    
    It isn't quite time to leave yet, but you can't stay here any longer. You'll just go slow.
    *finish Leave.