*set adventure true
*set prologue true
*set met_coven false
*set met_cg false
*set opening false
*set rogueperiod 2
*temp nervous false
*temp hungry 0
*temp chilly 1
*temp excited false
*temp mcstay false
*temp nicksplit false
*temp pop false
*temp beth_annoy false
*temp shauna_comment 5
*temp popsicle false
*temp dreamteam false
*temp runningaround false
*temp pratfall false
*temp annoyance 4
*temp knife false
*temp searches 0
*temp walkiedetail false
*temp walkie false
*temp Poed false
*temp cipher false
*temp excitedstairs false
*temp lament false
*temp shaunaflirt false
*temp withshauna false
*temp bethwalkie false
*temp nvg false
*temp screech false
*temp bethtalklater false
*temp helpshauna 5
*temp shaunagrant false
*temp fightequip 3
*temp igetknockeddown false
*temp sneakyfail false
*temp disarmed true

"Hey guys, gals, and pals! Prii here from Urban AdVenture for another exciting night of exploring the city's abandoned corners. We've got a great site lined up for you; a mysterious empty compound! So, kick back, relax, and join the Adventure!"

The five of you—hence Ad numeral V enture—are standing outside a darkened building, a single street lamp casting its gleam upon the group.

Details are crystal clear, down to the thought running through your head.

*fake_choice
    #Man, I am so freaking cold.
        *set chilly 2
        You stomp your feet and rub your hands together, but it's to no avail. The autumn air has its hooks in you and until you get inside, there's little chance of heating up.
        
        One of your companions glances in your direction at the noise. Beth tugs meaningfully at her winter jacket, which in your opinion is just rude. The forecast said it'd be warm tonight!
    #If we get caught, we're in so much trouble.
        *set instinctive %- 10
        *set nervous true
        Your heart is pounding. Your intrepid quintet isn't too far removed from a brush with a security firm. You're all very, very lucky to have escaped that situation with nobody getting hurt or into legal trouble. Even knowing that this latest target shouldn't have guards isn't doing much to salve your nerves.
        
        Nearby, one of your companions subtly clears her throat. Beth, apparently sensing your agitation, catches your eye and makes a show of taking a deep breath, then slowly exhaling.
        
        Right. Calm…
    #I can't wait to see what's inside here!
        *set instinctive %+ 10
        *set excited true
        It doesn't matter how many buildings you explore, the thrill never quite dies down. This is exciting work and it's absolutely wild to you that the five of you are pretty close to going full time with this gig. Heck, that you're earning any money at all is cool enough, making urban exploration your actual job would be incredible.
        
        You're so caught up in the mood that one of your companions picks up on it. Beth catches your eye and lowers her palm a few times.
        
        Her signal is clear. Chill out.
    #...Darn it. I really should have eaten before coming out tonight.
        *set hungry 1
        Your stomach gurgles so loudly that one of your companions glances in your direction. Beth raises an eyebrow, a subtle 'told-you-so' smirk brushing her lips.
        
        You break eye contact, a little embarrassed and a little indignant. It's not your fault that you weren't hungry earlier!
        
        Hopefully someone brought snacks.

A voice suddenly diverts your attention.

"Cheese!"

You're assailed by the blinding flash of a phone camera at point blank range. You recoil, grimacing.

As the dancing spots fade from your eyes, you fix a distinctly unimpressed glare upon the culprit, a tall young woman with dark, textured curls, light brown skin, and wearing a pair of huge round glasses.

Shauna's smile falters a little at your expression and she tucks her head, like she's trying to hide in her scarf. "Pre-video pictures?" she ventures.

*fake_choice
    #I don't like candids.
        They're always so unflattering.
    #I don't like surprises.
        Some people don't like things getting sprung on them.
        
        (You. You're people).
    #I don't like pictures of myself.
        It's just a thing. That's all.
    #Shauna's photography is really bad.
        Shauna is an artistic soul. But not with a camera.
    *selectable_if (nervous) #I am far, far too jumpy for this.
        You're going to have a freaking heart attack at this rate.

Phone-based Shauna ambushes are nothing new, seemingly one of the few antidotes for her usual shy nervousness.

"It's a good one!" she asserts. "Here, come see!" Shauna flips the phone screen to show you.
*fake_choice
    #I take a look.
        The photo makes it obvious that you were caught off guard, your mouth open in an O and wide…
        *choice
            #Brown eyes.
                *set mc_eyes 2
                *set mc_oeyes 2
                *goto skincustom
            #Blue eyes.
                *set mc_eyes 3
                *set mc_oeyes 3
                *goto skincustom
            #Green eyes.
                *set mc_eyes 4
                *set mc_oeyes 4
                *goto skincustom
            #Hazel eyes.
                *set mc_eyes 5
                *set mc_oeyes 5
                *goto skincustom
            #Grey eyes.
                *set mc_oeyes 6
                *set mc_eyes 6
                *goto skincustom
    #I'm not interested. [Skip appearance customisation]
        *goto appearancepreset

*label skincustom
*set grammarmatters 2
*set appearancedelay false
Those @{mc_eyes |brown|blue|green|hazel|grey} eyes of yours are filled with surprise. Shauna must have been plotting this, because the light level is perfectly adjusted for your skintone.
*choice
    #Very dark.
        *set mc_skintone 2
        *goto skindetail
    #Dark.
        *set mc_skintone 3
        *goto skindetail
    #Light brown.
        *set mc_skintone 4
        *goto skindetail
    #Tan.
        *set mc_skintone 5
        *goto skindetail
    #Fair.
        *set mc_skintone 6
        *goto skindetail
    #Very pale.
        *set mc_skintone 7
        *goto skindetail

*label skindetail
*set grammarmatters 3
*set skindetail 2
Your skin is @{mc_skintone |very dark|dark|light brown|tan|light|pale} and…
*choice
    #Freckled.
        *set skindetail 3
        *goto haircustom
    #Weathered.
        *set skindetail 4
        *goto haircustom
    #Pockmarked.
        *set skindetail 5
        *goto haircustom
    #Smooth.
        *set skindetail 6
        *goto haircustom

*label haircustom
While you're at it, you spare a quick glance for your hair.
*choice
    #Dark brown.
        *set mc_hair 2
        *set mc_ohair 2
        *goto hairtype
    #Medium brown.
        *set mc_hair 3
        *set mc_ohair 3
        *goto hairtype
    #Light brown.
        *set mc_hair 4
        *set mc_ohair 4
        *goto hairtype
    #Blonde.
        *set mc_hair 5
        *set mc_ohair 5
        *goto hairtype
    #Dirty blonde.
        *set mc_hair 6
        *set mc_ohair 6
        *goto hairtype
    #Auburn.
        *set mc_hair 7
        *set mc_ohair 7
        *goto hairtype
    #Red.
        *set mc_hair 8
        *set mc_ohair 8
        *goto hairtype
    #Black.
        *set mc_hair 9
        *set mc_ohair 9
        *goto hairtype

*label hairtype
*set rogueand 2
*choice
    #Straight.
        *set mc_hairtype 2
        *goto hairlength
    #Wavy.
        *set mc_hairtype 3
        *goto hairlength
    #Curly.
        *set mc_hairtype 4
        *goto hairlength
    #Natural.
        *set mc_hairtype 5
        *set natural true
        *goto hairlength
    #Textured.
        *set mc_hairtype 6
        *set natural true
        *goto hairlength
*label hairlength
*set rogueand 3
*set mc_hairlength 2
and…
*choice
    #Very short.
        *set mc_hairlength 3
        *goto extradetails
    #Cropped.
        *set mc_hairlength 4
        *goto extradetails
    #Ear length.
        *set mc_hairlength 5
        *goto extradetails
    #Chin length.
        *set mc_hairlength 6
        *goto extradetails
    #Shoulder length.
        *set mc_hairlength 7
        *goto extradetails
    #Very long.
        *set mc_hairlength 8
        *goto extradetails

*label extradetails
Also…
*fake_choice
    #I'm looking skinny, as usual.
        *set subterfuge +2
        *set guts -2
        *set mc_build 2
        *set mc_exbuild 2
        
        @{mc_height DUMMY|Between your height and your weight, it's your lot in life to be very small.|Short of height, slim of body. That's you.|You're tall enough for your slender frame to be emphasised.|Your height and long limbs give you a lanky build. Luckily for you, you're no longer quite as stringy as when you hit your first growth spurt.|You're both very tall and very skinny, which draws you more than your fair share of comments. In some ways, your slenderness is even more eye catching than a heavier build would be.}
        
        *if mc_height = 2
            *set specialdesc 2
            
        *elseif mc_height = 6
            *set specialdesc 7
    #My toned build is obvious.
        *set mc_build 3
        *set mc_exbuild 3
        @{mc_height DUMMY|The small amount of athletic muscle does little to fill out your diminutive frame.|You have a little lean muscle, but it's not enough to add noticeable bulk to your short frame.|There's a reasonable amount of lean muscle on you.|You're willowy and have just enough definition in your arms and legs to skirt by the label of beanpole. And the danger of getting blown away by a hard gust of wind.|Your body is lean, wiry, and very tall indeed.}
        
        *if mc_height =5
            *set specialdesc 5
    #At least my physique looks average as ever.
        *set mc_build 4
        *set mc_exbuild 4
        @{mc_height DUMMY |Which, given your height—or lack thereof—still leaves you pretty darn small.|Of course, that's average for someone fairly short, so you're hardly heavy.|All your life, you've somehow always been the exact midpoint for both height and weight. At least it makes clothes shopping more convenient.|Your body type is roughly average for your height, so you're still bigger than most people even without particularly high levels of muscle or fat on your frame.|You're filled out enough to look proportionate for your height. Which is still pretty darn big.}
        
        
        *if mc_height = 4
            *set specialdesc 4
    #Unsurprisingly, I still look heavyset.
        *set mc_build 5
        *set mc_exbuild 5
        @{mc_height DUMMY | At least your low centre of gravity makes you difficult to push around.|Your lack of height makes that a bit more noticeable.|You carry a fair bit of weight, so considering your middling height, you're pretty solidly built.|You're both tall and generally large, which is good whenever you need to make your way through a crowd.|Your body is large in every sense of the word, and your particular combination of considerable height and substantial bulk tends to catch a lot of attention.}
        
        *if (mc_height = 5) or (mc_height =6)
            *set specialdesc 6
    #My muscular physique is on display.
        *set subterfuge -2
        *set guts +2
        *set mc_build 6
        *set mc_exbuild 6
        @{mc_height DUMMY |You're proud of the physique you've managed to develop; it's honestly pretty funny surprising people who assume your size equates to a lack of strength.|In spite of your lack of height, your well-developed musculature is obvious.|Your well-developed musculature is visible evidence to just how in shape you are.|Between your height and your well-developed physique, you're pretty damn big. You're what some might colloquially call an absolute unit. |It's very cool and a point of pride to have the kind of physique that demands to be noticed; you have to put a lot of time into managing your nutritional and fitness regimens to maintain this much muscle at your height.}
        
        *if mc_height =2
            *set specialdesc 3
            
        *elseif mc_height =5
            *set specialdesc 6
            
        *elseif mc_height =6
            *set specialdesc 8

*set rogueperiod 2
All in all, it's not a bad picture.
*goto  shutterbug

*label appearancepreset
*set mc_eyes 2
*set mc_oeyes 2
*set grammarmatters 3
*set skindetail 3
*set mc_skintone 4
*set mc_hair 2
*set mc_ohair 2
*set mc_hairtype 3
*set mc_hairlength 5
*set mc_build 4
*set mc_exbuild 4
*set rogueand 4
*set rogueperiod 2
*set appearancedelay false

*if mc_height =4
    *set specialdesc 4


*label shutterbug
"Shauna!" Another voice calls from nearby. "You being a shutterbug?"

Shauna startles, guiltily bundling her phone into her pocket. "Nooo?" she wheedles.

Blonde, fair-skinned, and grinning boyishly, Grant strolls over to you both, thumbs tucked into his jacket pockets.

"Suuuure you're not." He indicates you with his head. "I recognise that look. She's snapping you left, right, and centre, isn't she…
*label nameselection
*fake_choice
    #...Morgan?"
        *set forename "Morgan"
    #...Yolanda?"
        *set forename "Yolanda"
    #...Elizabeth?"
        *set forename "Elizabeth"
    #...Tristan?"
        *set forename "Tristan"
    *if (not(choice_randomtest)) #[Input my own name]
        Your full first name is…
        *input_text forename
        *goto mynameis

*label mynameis

"Isn't she, $!{forename}?"

Is that correct?
*choice
    #Yep!
        *set fullname forename
        *set mc_name forename
        *set namedisplay 1
        *if ((forename = "Elizabeth") or (forename = "Elisabeth"))
            *set bethfactor true
            Beth, still in the vicinity, shoots a sharp-eyed glare in Grant's direction, though she softens upon realising he was talking to you.
            
            The two of you happen to share@{(forename="Elisabeth") —in pronunciation at least—| }a first name, and she absolutely hates anyone calling her by it.
            *choice
                #Which is fine by me. I like my name.
                    *goto inanycasegrant
                #I think that's fair enough. I prefer my nickname too.
                    Mostly, everyone calls you…
                    *input_text mc_name
                    *goto mynicknameisbeth
                #I still can't believe I lost my own nickname in a bet.
                    *set nickname_salt 2
                    Unfortunately, them's the breaks. You're Beth no more.
                    *choice 
                        #I just use my first name now.
                            *label inanycasegrant
                            In any case, Grant's the one addressing you.
                            *goto theycallme
                        #I picked a new one in the end.
                             Mostly, everyone calls you…
                             *input_text mc_name
                             *goto mynicknameisbeth
                        #I've got a new, better nickname, and I'm not still mad. At all.
                             *set nickname_salt 1
                             It's crazy how not-mad you are. You feel sorry for Beth having to settle for such a boring nickname, now that you've picked out your awesome new nickname…
                             *input_text mc_name
                             *goto mynicknameisbeth
            
        *else
            *goto theycallme
    *if (not(choice_randomtest)) #No.
        *goto nameselection

*label theycallme

*choice
    #I act mock-offended that Grant didn't use my nickname.
        *set expressive %+ 10
        *set nicksplit true
        
        *if (bethfactor)
            *goto nickconfirm
            
        *else
            *goto mynicknameis
    #I quickly correct Grant with my nickname.
        *set expressive %- 10
        
        *if (bethfactor)
            *goto nickconfirm
        *else
            *goto mynicknameis
    #I play along.
        *set expressive %+ 10
        *set rel_grant +3
        "Yeah she kind of is," you sigh. "I think I'm going to have to report her to HR."
        
        "We don't even have HR!" Shauna bursts out.
        
        "Good point," says Grant, then turns back to you. "$!{mc_name} I'm promoting you to head of human resources."
        
        You nod soberly. "$!{mc_name}, I have investigated your report, and I find it to be baseless and ridiculous, and you should be nice to Shauna."
        
        Grant grins, and you match it with one of your own.
        
        Shauna raises her hands, and then flops them helplessly to her sides. "You guys…"
        *goto enoughsilliness
    #I stick up for Shauna a little.
        *set expressive %- 10
        *set rel_shauna +3
        "Come on, Grant. No need to give her a hard time."
        
        Grant pouts at you, but that soon gives way to another grin. "You've gotta protect your image better, $!{mc_name}. I offer consulting services if you're interested."
        
        You wave him off. Shauna shoots you an appreciative smile.
        *goto enoughsilliness
        

*label mynicknameis
The majority of the time, people call you…
*choice
    *if (forename = "Morgan") #Morg.
        *set mc_name "Morg"
        *goto mynicknameisbeth
    *if (forename = "Yolanda") #Yoyo.
        *set mc_name "Yoyo"
        *goto mynicknameisbeth
    *if (forename = "Tristan") #Tris.
        *set mc_name "Tris"
        *goto mynicknameisbeth
    #[Input my nickname]
        *input_text mc_name
        *goto mynicknameisbeth

*label mynicknameisbeth
Your nickname is $!{mc_name}, right?
*choice
    #Yes.
        *set namedisplay 2
        *set nickname true
        *if (bethfactor)
            *goto nickbethconfirm
        *else
            *goto nickconfirm
    *if (not(choice_randomtest)) #No.
        *goto mynicknameis
*label nickbethconfirm

Regardless of all that, Grant's the one addressing you now.
*goto theycallme

*label nickconfirm
*if (nicksplit)
    *set rel_grant +3
    "Grant!" you faux gasp. "$!{forename}? And I thought we were close."
    
    He exaggerates a stagger. "My sincerest apologies, most honourable $!{mc_name}! I don't know what came over me. I'll be sure to use the appropriate name in future."
    
    "See that you do," you say, looking snootily down your nose.
    
    *if mc_height < 4
        (Admittedly, that's a little harder to do when you're shorter than Grant, but you manage).
        
    Grant laughs. Shauna just seems overwhelmed, which isn't unusual in the midst of banter.
    *goto enoughsilliness
*else
    "$!{mc_name}," you remind Grant.
    
    He nods casually. "Right, right. $!{mc_name}. My b."
    
    You give him a thumbs up. No harm done.
    *goto enoughsilliness

*label enoughsilliness

"Are the three of you finished?" Beth strides over. "Prii has already completed the introduction." She halts next to Shauna, providing a perfect contrast, and not only in appearances. Short to Shauna's tall, goth to Shauna's pastel, acerbic to her reserved. Sure, they're both dark haired, but Beth's is cropped short and almost black, so that similarity falls right apart.

"Just having a little fun, Beth," answers Grant. "I know your sense of humour was surgically removed as a child, so I won't hold it against you."

Beth's deep blue eyes fix on Grant and in a signature move of hers, proceed to roll. She doesn't even bother to reply.

"Hey gang, we ready?" The fifth and final member of the group makes their presence known. You all turn to them.

Prii looks as fashionable as ever, wearing a white-trimmed blue parka, fluffy leggings, and a cream woollen hat, a few strands of brown hair poking out from beneath. They've switched out recording on their phone for a handheld video camera, the strap looped over one shoulder.

*if (chilly = 2)
    You eye their coat hungrily. It looks so warm…
    
    Shaking yourself, you concentrate on replying.
*else
    You give them a smile before replying.
    
*fake_choice
    #"Aye-aye, captain!"
        *set expressive %+ 10
        Prii grins, responding immediately with a jaunty salute.
    *selectable_if (not (nervous)) #"Let's gooooo!" I'm ready to charge in right now!
        *set instinctive %+ 10
        Prii laughs. "Easy there, cowpoke! No need to rush into things."
    #I give them a firm nod.
        *set expressive %- 10
        Prii answers with one of their own.
    #"I think so. We all know the plan."
        *set instinctive %- 10
        "Yeah, we're rappelling from the chopper, right?" Grant drawls. 
        
        "Sorry Grant," Prii replies with a sigh. "Due to budgetary constraints, we had to axe the helicopter."
        
        Grant shakes his head solemnly. "I tell you, this workplace is losing all its heart."
    
*set rel_prii +2    
Prii hefts the video camera. "You know the drill, folks. Take a second to make sure you've got everything handy, and then we'll get this show on the road."

You all oblige the instruction, sorting through jackets, pouches, and backpacks for a last minute gear check.
*fake_choice
    #My reward for strength and stamina? The heaviest bag of course. [Guts]
        *set guts +20
        *set funspeciality 2
        It's not especially glamorous to be the designated pack mule and stepping stool, hauling the bulk of the gear and boosting the others over walls.
        
        On the other hand, it's definitely gratifying that you're one of the two people in the group who can moderately exert themselves without getting winded. Plus, your physicality does bring a certain forcefulness to your presence, which comes in handy every so often. Being in shape has its perks.
    #My trusty tablet is here for any on the job research. [Knowledge]
        *set knowledge +20
        *set funspeciality 3
        To be fair, considering you were the one who looked into tonight's site in the first place, your job is kind of already done. You're responsible for hitting the books, newspapers, forums, and basically anywhere that might hint at an interesting locale ripe for exploration. Then it's just a case of digging up any scrap of information you can, looking into possible risks, scouring the internet to ensure that someone didn't beat you to the punch on making a video…
        
        Yeah, it's a lot of work, often exhausting and sometimes frustratingly fruitless. At least you're always armed with the facts when you need to reason with people.
    #My very cool, very expensive night vision goggles are well-protected. [Observation]
        *set observation +20
        *set funspeciality 4
        *set nvg true
        You make extra sure that they're nice and secure in their case; those goggles are probably the single priciest piece of equipment the team owns.
        
        Still, they're worth it, especially in combination with your skills; you've always had a knack for the fine details and are excellent at spotting things that others might miss—both in people and in your environment. More than once, you've prevented one of your friends from stepping on rotted wood and going through the floor, or tripping an alarm, or gashing themselves on various exposed edges. You're a real disaster-diverter. Urban exploration has definitely honed your instincts.
        
       Though @{nervous is it any wonder you're always feeling so tense and worried? |mostly, you're pretty much just the lookout.}
    #You don't even want to know how many lockpicks I have in here. [Subterfuge]
        *set subterfuge +20
        *set funspeciality 5
        With light feet and a knack for keeping a low profile, you're the group's infiltrator of choice. Which is probably an overly dramatic way of describing sneaking into abandoned buildings. Still, you've crept past more than a few security guards on previous excursions. Lied your way past them too, when the rest of the group has proven less adept at stealth.
        
        *if (nervous)
            Sure your heart was in your throat the entire time, but you did it!
            
        *else
            Your role is an odd combination of more-or-less unnecessary and completely essential, depending on the night.
            
        Plus, your plethora of lockpicking tools makes you a menace to any and all sealed doors.

"All done there, @{funspeciality DUMMY|musclehead?|poindexter?|voyeur supreme?|criminal scum?}" Grant asks, smirking.

"Graaant!" Shauna breaks in.
*label selectingpronouns
*choice
    #"Quit making fun of him!" [Use he/him pronouns]
        *set mc_he "he"
        *set mc_him "him"
        *set mc_his "his"
        *set mc_singular true
        *goto confirmpronouns
    #"Quit making fun of her!" [Use she/her pronouns]
        *set mc_he "she"
        *set mc_him "her"
        *set mc_his "her"
        *set mc_singular true
        *goto confirmpronouns
    #"Quit making fun of them!" [Use they/them pronouns]
        *set mc_he "they"
        *set mc_him "them"
        *set mc_his "their"
        *set mc_singular false
        *goto confirmpronouns
    #"Quit making fun of..." [Insert my own pronouns]
        Please enter your subjective pronoun (for example, he, she, they).
        *input_text mc_he
        Please enter your objective pronoun (for example, him, her, them).
        *input_text mc_him
        Please enter your possessive pronoun (for example his, her, their).
        *input_text mc_his
        Do your pronouns work best with singular or plural verbs?
        *choice
          #Singular (for example "he says", "she says").
              *set mc_singular true
              *goto confirmpronouns
          #Plural (for example "they say".)
              *set mc_singular false
              *goto confirmpronouns

*label confirmpronouns

Your pronouns are ${mc_he}/${mc_him}, as in: ${mc_he} walk@{mc_singular s|} down the street, watching out for ${mc_his} friends to catch up to ${mc_him}.

Is that right?
*choice
    #Yes.
        *goto genderselect
    #No.
        *goto selectingpronouns

*label genderselect

As for your gender…
*choice
    #I'm male.
        *set mc_gender "male"
        *set compatible_teddie true
        *set compatible_beth false
        *set cis true
        *goto gendercomplete
    #I'm male, though that's something I figured out for myself.
        *set mc_gender "male"
        *set compatible_teddie true
        *set compatible_beth false
        *goto gendercomplete
    #I'm female.
        *set mc_gender "female"
        *set cis true
        *goto gendercomplete
    #I'm female, though that's something I figured out for myself.
        *set mc_gender "female"
        *set compatible_beth true
    #I'm nonbinary.
        *set mc_gender "nonbinary"
        *goto gendercomplete
    #I'm nonbinary and consider myself transmasc.
        *set mc_gender "nonbinary"
        *set compatible_teddie true
        *set compatible_beth false
    #I'm nonbinary and consider myself transfemme.
        *set mc_gender "nonbinary"
        *set compatible_beth true
    #[Input my own gender]
        *input_text mc_gender
        *goto gendercomplete

*label gendercomplete
Also…
*choice
    #I use masculine-leaning terms. [man, boy, mister]
        *set mc_boy "boy"
        *set mc_guy "guy"
        *set mc_man "man"
        *set mc_king "king"
        *set mc_malsir "sir"
        *set mc_malprince "prince"
        *set mc_sibling "brother"
        *set mc_child "son"
        *set mc_boyfriend "boyfriend"
    #I use feminine-leaning terms. [woman, girl, miss]
        *set mc_boy "girl"
        *set mc_guy "gal"
        *set mc_man "woman"
        *set mc_king "queen"
        *set mc_malsir "ma'am"
        *set mc_malprince "princess"
        *set mc_sibling "sister"
        *set mc_child "daughter"
        *set mc_boyfriend "girlfriend"
    #I use neutral terms. [person, kid, mx]
        *set mc_boy "kid"
        *set mc_guy "person"
        *set mc_man "person"
        *set mc_king "monarch"
        *set mc_malsir "boss"
        *set mc_malprince "princex"
        *set mc_sibling "sibling"
        *set mc_child "child"
        *set mc_boyfriend "datefriend"
        
"Graant! Quit making fun of ${mc_him}!"

"Oh do give it a rest, Shauna." Beth frowns. "$!{forename} doesn't need you fussing over ${mc_him}."

Shauna flinches, which Beth certainly won't notice; she's not the greatest for grasping social niceties.

While you know Beth doesn't mean anything by it, Shauna is often sensitive. It's probably best if you nudge this along.
*fake_choice
    #"Don't worry Shauna, I'm fine."
        *set rel_shauna +3
        She gives you a bright smile. "I'm glad."
        
        "Yes, for you see, Shauna, $!{forename} is in fact an adult," Beth adds, heedless of the warning look you send at her.
        
        "Are we so sure about that?" Grant gleefully rejoins the fray. "I mean, we still haven't solved the mystery of the cute stuffed animal—"
    #"Maybe I like getting fussed over."
        *set rel_shauna +3
        *set shauna_comment 1
        "Ugh. Please don't encourage her. We'll be here all night."
        
        Shauna hesitates, eyes flicking between you and Beth, but then appears to conclude that you're sincere. "I'm always happy to make a fuss about you, $!{mc_name}!"
        
        There's a beat, then Grant guffaws.
        
        Shauna's eyes widen comically. "No! Not like—I didn't mean it like that!"
    #"Beth's right, it's no big deal."
        *set rel_beth +3
        Shauna's face falls slightly, but she rallies. "Okay, well, if you say so, ${mc_name}. I just wanted to—"
        
        "Shauna. $!{mc_he} said it's no big deal," Beth reprimands curtly.
        
        Grant chuckles. "You know that no deal is too small for our Shauna, Beth."
        
        "Graaant!"

"Heyy. Friends? Buddies? Pals?" Prii recaptures everyone's attention. "We're good to go, right?"

A murmur of assent goes around the rest of you. Everyone's ready.

You take a moment, then…
*choice
    #"Good luck, everyone. Let's make an awesome video."
        *set rel_grant +2
        *set rel_beth +2
        *set rel_shauna +2
        *set rel_prii +2
        
        "Yeah! It's gonna be great!" Shauna chirps.
        
        Beth nods resolutely. "We're prepared. Luck won't be needed."
        
        "You're so corny, $!{mc_name}," Grant grumbles, even as his lips curl upwards.
        
        *label cornsquad
        "Okay @{dreamteam dream team|cornsquad}, let's get in there," Prii declares, expression lit with optimism. "Grant, take the lead."
        
        "You got it."
        
        *goto breakin
    #"We've gathered our party, time to venture forth!"
        *set rel_shauna +3
        *set rel_prii +3
        *set rel_grant +1
        *set rel_beth +1
        
        Shauna giggles, and Prii also favours you with an affectionate look.
        
        Beth takes all of you in for a moment, eyes narrowed, but then visibly relaxes. "I don't see how this is a party, but yes, let's."
        
        "Oh, $!{mc_name} means a different kind—" Shauna stops, smiles, and shakes her head. "It doesn't matter."
        
        "Yeah, don't worry about it, Beth." says Prii. "Grant, take us away."
        
        *if observation >51
            Grant, probably not intending to be heard but no match for your keen ears, mumbles. "Nerds." Still, he's smiling lopsidedly as he speaks. More loudly, he adds. "Sure thing, Prii."
            
            *goto breakin
        *else
            Grant mumbles something under his breath that you don't quite catch but you're pretty sure was words to the effect of 'nerds', though there's still a lopsided smile on his face. Then, more loudly, he responds. "Sure thing, Prii."
            
            *goto breakin
    *selectable_if (nervous) #Okay deep breaths, deep breaths. It's going to be fine.
        *set rel_shauna +2
        
        Shauna bumps you gently, then adds, murmuring. "Hey, $!{mc_name}. It's alright if you're nervous. I get scared too."
        *choice
            #"Thanks, Shauna." I feel a little better.
                *set rel_shauna +1
                You're still not having a great time, but you focus on the positive: four of your closest friends are here and you're all working together on the same goal. That counts for something, right?
                
                You take one more deep breath, nod to Shauna, and then give her a smile, which is returned with dazzling aplomb.
                
                *label priiclick
                Nearby, Prii clicks their fingers. "Let's make a move, folks!" They make a sweeping gesture towards the corner of the building. "Grant, take us away."
                
                "You got it."
                
                *goto breakin
            #"Thanks, Shauna." I don't feel any better, but it's nice that she's trying.
                *set rel_shauna +1
                
                Yeah, these nerves are a little too deepset for Shauna to dispel so easily. Still, it's kind of her and you don't want to make her feel bad, so you smile back.
                
                *if expressive < 40
                    You're good at keeping your emotions buttoned up, and your poker face is solid enough that Shauna is clearly convinced you mean it. She returns the smile with dazzling aplomb.
                    
                *else
                    Although you do your best to put on a brave face, Shauna doesn't seem fully convinced that you're alright. Slowly and uncertainly, she returns your smile.
                    
                    *goto priiclick
            #Mumble an indistinct reply.
                Yeah, this is maybe getting to you. Previous outings continue to weigh on your mind, jumping in with fresh new hypothetical disasters. Once they've squirmed into your thoughts, it's difficult to prise them lose again.
                
                Shauna's brow furrows and she shuffles from foot to foot, seeming uncertain about what to do. After a couple of seconds she straightens up and gives you a wobbly smile. "It'll be okay."
                
                You nod weakly.
                
                *goto priiclick
    *selectable_if (hungry = 1) #My stomach gurgles again. [i]Loudly.[/i]
        *set rel_beth +2
        *set rel_prii +1
        Everyone looks at you at once. You feel a flush creeping into your face.
            
        "Okay, let's go before $!{mc_name} starves to death," says Prii, grinning from ear to ear.
            
        "I told ${mc_him} soo!" Beth singsongs as you all set off around the corner.
        
        *goto breakin
    *selectable_if (chilly = 2) #"Can we hurry up and get inside? I'm freezing."
        *if knowledge >50
            Grant turns to you, a sly grin already spreading across his face. Uh oh. "$!{mc_name}: I know everything. Also $!{mc_name}: what do you mean, it gets cold in autumn?" 
            *choice
                #"Oh, can it, Grant!"
                    "Hey, look, I have to take my wins over you where I can get them, $!{mc_name}."
                    
                    You glower at him.
                    
                    "If you two are quite done bickering, we are on something on a schedule," Beth interjects.
                    *choice
                        #"Whatever, Beth."
                            *set beth_annoy true
                            *set annoyance 1
                            Her eyes instantly narrow to slits. Hoo boy.
                            
                            Prii spares you a grisly fate by chiming in. "Beth's right, we have places to be. Grant, will you take the lead?"
                            
                            With one last smirk, Grant nods. "You got it."
                            
                            *goto breakin
                        #"Yeah, alright."
                            *set rel_beth +1
                            No sense making this into a bigger thing than it needs to be. Beth nods approval.
                            
                            *goto priiclick
                #"Hilarious. Truly."
                    *label grantcap
                    Grant tips you an imaginary cap. "Oh you know, I try."
                    
                    Alas, he's simply impervious to even your finest unimpressed look.
                    
                    *goto priiclick
                #There is no good comeback. I say nothing.
                    You bury your freezing hands deep in your pockets and plot revenge.
                    
                    You're probably going to think of the sickest counterburn ever in like, three days from now.
                    
                    *goto priiclick
        *elseif (nickname)
            Grant turns to you, a sly grin already spreading across his face. Uh oh. "Maybe we should start calling you popsicle instead of $!{mc_name}, $!{forename}."
            *choice
                #"Yeah, no."
                    "Aw c'mon, think about it! We can call you Pop for short, it'd be cute."
                    
                    You fold your arms and glare at him.
                    
                    *label mcpop
                    "Okay Grant, $!{mc_name}pop, that's enough. $!{mc_he} @{mc_singular has|have} a point, we should get moving."
                    
                    Prii's smiling right at you, filled with mischief.
                    *choice
                        #Oh no, that is [i]not[/i] sticking.
                            *set pop true
                            "Prii…" your voice drips with lethal intention.
                            
                            They giggle. "Alright, alright. $!{mc_name} is here to stay. Grant, can you lead off?"
                            
                            "Sure, Priipop."
                            
                            *goto breakin
                        #Well, this is my life now.
                            *set pop true
                            Endless torment awaits. You contemplate what great wrong you committed to deserve such a fate.
                            
                            The arbiter of your demise turns to Grant with a twinkle in their eye. "Take us away, Grant."
                            
                            "You got it."
                            
                            *goto breakin
                #"Hilarious. Truly."
                    *goto grantcap
                #"Well, I [i]am[/i] cold, full of flavour, and melt in your mouth."
                    *set rel_grant +4
                    *set rel_prii +3
                    *set rel_beth -1
                    *set beth_annoy true
                    *set popsicle true
                    *set pop true
                    *set annoyance 2
                    Grant stares at you, and then dissolves into a laughing fit. Prii barely lasts a second longer before breaking, and then they too are doubled over, gasping for breath between peels of laughter. Shauna blushes hard, covering her face with her hands.
                    
                    Beth makes a disgusted noise. "$!{forename}, that is outstandingly immature. And now look, you've set them both off."
                    
                    You grin unapologetically. You knew exactly what you were doing.
                    
                    It's a good minute or so before Grant and Prii get themselves back under control, and it's worth every extra second out in the cold.
                    
                    "Okay, okay, okay," Prii splutters, waving their hands. "I'm good. I'm good. Grant, can, snk—" they break off with a fresh bout of giggles. Biting their lip, Prii takes a moment to regain their composure, and then resumes. "Grant, can you take the lead?"
                    
                    Still fighting through chuckles of his own, Grant just nods.
                    
                    *goto breakin
                #I make a show of thinking about it, and then flip him off.
                    *set rel_grant +1
                    Grant laughs. "So is that a no?"
                    
                    "Yes."
                    
                    "Eh, you'll come around. We could call you Pop for short. It'd be cute."
                    
                    You re-present your extended finger.
                    
                    *goto mcpop
                #I'm not even dignifying that with a response.
                    You bury your freezing hands in your pockets and plot revenge.
                    
                    Grant shrugs off your silence with a wink.
                    
                    *goto priiclick
    
        *else
            "I can help warm you up, $!{mc_name}!" says Shauna.
            
            *if shauna_comment =1
                *set shauna_comment 3
                "Shauna!" Grant gasps, faux-appalled. "First you're happy to fuss over ${mc_him}, and now you're talking about warming ${mc_him} up? You're a minx!"
                
                *label poorshauna
                Shauna makes a strangled noise.
                *choice
                    #I tell Grant to knock it off.
                        *set rel_shauna +2
                        "Grant, quit it. You're embarrassing her."
                        
                        Shauna shoots you a quick look of gratitude.
                        
                        Grant rolls his eyes. "Fiiine."
                        
                        *goto priiclick
                    #I join in with the teasing.
                        *set rel_shauna -1
                        *set rel_grant +2
                        *set shauna_comment 4
                        *set beth_annoy true
                        *set annoyance 3
                        "Now, Grant, there's nothing wrong with sharing body heat. Shauna, I'm flattered. Maybe another time?"
                        
                        She looks ready to vanish into the ground, and pulls her scarf all the way up to her eyes.
                        
                        You and Grant exchange mischievous smiles, but you also catch sight of a furious glare from Beth. Uh oh.
                        
                        *goto priiclick

            *else
                *set shauna_comment 2
            "Shauna!" Grant gasps, faux-appalled. "In front of everyone? How crude!"
            
            *goto poorshauna
    *selectable_if (excited) #"Dream team!" I whoop.
        *set rel_grant +3
        *set rel_prii +1
        *set rel_shauna +1
        "$!{mc_name}!" hisses Beth. "We're trespassing! Shut up!"
            
        "Technically, we're not trespassing [i]yet[/i]…" muses Grant.
            
        "Technically, you are an idiot."
        *choice
            #Appropriately chastised, I apologise. "Sorry, Beth."
                *set rel_beth +1
                *set dreamteam true
                She gives you a nod, which is usually about as close as she gets to appreciation.
                
                *goto cornsquad
            #"Aw, come on, Beth..." I wasn't that loud. She's being a killjoy.
                *set beth_annoy true
                *set annoyance 1
                Her eyes instantly narrow to slits. Hoo boy.
                
                Prii spares you a grisly fate by chiming in. "Liking the enthusiasm, $!{mc_name}. Execution needs a little work." You pull a face at them, but they ignore it. "Grant, take us away."
                
                "Sure thing."
                
                *goto breakin
            #"Dream team!" I whoop. Quietly.
                *set rel_prii +1
                *set dreamteam true
                She rolls her eyes with a quiet noise of disgust. A Beth Classic(tm). You still net a subtly amused look from Prii.
                
                *goto cornsquad

*label breakin

*page_break

Since Grant tends to act as a scout, casing locations ahead of time for the rest of you, he's usually got a good idea of the best entry point. In this case that's around the corner of the building. This side is much more open and exposed, hence your collective decision to group around the corner. As you hurry along, the building's worn bricks soon give way to a foreboding barrier of dark metal, which stretches the full distance to an adjacent building. Having seen the plans of this small complex, you know that the fifteen foot wall extends around the entire perimeter, save a gate for vehicles on the opposite side.

Grant leads the group to a door made from the same metal as the rest of the barrier.

*if subterfuge < 51
    He shoots a cocky grin over his shoulder. "I busted in here earlier. I'm the master of unlocking."

*else
    He shoots a cocky grin over his shoulder, then specifically winks at you. "Sorry, $!{mc_name}, but I got to this one first. I'm the master of unlocking today."
    
    *if expressive > 60
        You make a big show of rolling your eyes at him.
    *else
        You let the comment pass. He's been poking at everyone all night.

Grant pushes the door open with a flourish. The group holds its collective breath.

No alarms pierce the night. The door swings open with barely a sound.

*page_break Hustle through.

Shauna carefully closes the entrance behind you while the rest of you assess your new surroundings. As expected, the group now stands in something of a 'box' between two buildings, blocked on one side by the metal wall and on the other by a chain link fence. Said fence is both smaller and less daunting than its predecessor, but just like said predecessor, is topped by barbed wire. Not a good climb. Each building has two visible doors, and thanks to the dull-but-operational bulbs affixed alongside all four, there's not yet a need to break out the flashlights.

In theory, those doors enable you to directly enter either of the buildings from here. However…
*fake_choice
    #Those buildings aren't what we're here for.
        Getting inside them would be a nice bonus, but the group is collectively convinced that the smaller structures beyond the chain link fence are where the real points of interest are to be found.
    *selectable_if (subterfuge >51) #I determined that bypassing them would be stealthier.
        Indoors is an unknown quantity and likely to lack in places to hide. Avoiding confined spaces while you can is the best way to keep your options open and stay off the radar.
    *selectable_if (knowledge >51) #These are the most likely places for alarms.
        While the outside of the complex wasn't alarmed, that doesn't mean none of it is. Those doors are direct access points and much easier to reach than the inner section of the complex. A prime place to set alarms.
    #I was outvoted, which is annoying.
        You would rather slip in more directly, but the others dissented, and you can't exactly wander off by yourself.

Now that the operation is properly underway Grant has switched into work mode. He makes an immediate beeline across to the second fence, bolt cutters in hand. Crouching down, he takes a brief moment to inspect his target, and then delivers a series of carefully measured cuts.

Soon enough, Grant sets the tool to one side and gives the fence an experimental tug. With a little effort, it peels away from the incisions, although the metal clearly wants to spring back into place afterwards.

He grins back at the rest of you. "Open sesame." With that, he ducks through to the other side, twisting and contorting to avoid getting snagged on anything. Shifting around, he slips his fingers between the fence's gaps, securing a fresh grip on the peeled back section.

Beth goes next. Small and slight of frame, she daintily slips through to join Grant.

Then it's your turn. You pause to study the hole in the fence.
*choice
    #Slow and steady.
        *set instinctive %- 15
        Backing up a little, you line yourself up properly. As you painstakingly begin to pass through, you see Beth impatiently roll her eyes. Nevertheless, you inch your way across while tucking your body as close into itself as you can muster.
        
        Hey, better safe than sorry. The sites of Grant's cuts are now jagged metal edges, and you don't particularly want to gouge yourself.
        
        "Whoa there, $!{mc_name}, not too fast now," Grant calls as you finally reach him, completing the trip at last.
        
        *choice
            #I flip him off.
                *set expressive %+ 5
                Grant laughs. "Don't worry, a lot of people like tortoises."
                
                "Does anyone like you?"
                
                He snickers at your retort.
                
                *goto friendos
            #I ignore him.
                *set expressive %- 5
                He seems mildly disappointed that you don't react, but simply shrugs and turns his attention elsewhere. Sometimes that's the best way of dealing with Grant's nonsense.
                
                *goto friendos
            #"Yeah, yeah. Whatever."
                Your grumbling draws a smirk.
                
                *goto friendos
            *selectable_if (mc_height >4) #"Hey, if you weren't tiny, you'd get it."
                "Tiny? Seriously?"
                
                "Yeah, sorry, you're kind of a manlet, Grant."
                
                For once, Grant is lost for words.
                
                Victory.
                
                *goto friendos
            *selectable_if (mc_build > 4) #"Some of us actually have some meat on our bones, dude."
                "You're big, $!{mc_name}, but somebody turned you to slow motion."
                
                "In that case, maybe they can put [i]you[/i] on mute," you counter.
                
                Grant laughs. "Okay you win."
                
                *goto friendos
            *selectable_if ((specialdesc = 5) or (specialdesc = 7)) #I raise an eyebrow and gesture to my general physique.
                Grant hesitates. "Okay yeah fine. Guess I'll give you that."
                
                A slightly smug smile reaches your face as you step past him.
                
                *goto friendos
    #Careful.
        Easy does it. You stoop down to the hole, step across with one foot, lean into the gap, and then slowly but smoothly swing your body through the gap.
        
        Once you're level with Grant and sure you're clear, you step through with your trailing foot, shuffle a little further forwards, and then straighten. Voila.
        
        *goto friendos
    #Straight through!
        *set instinctive %+ 10
        You casually stoop down, and then step through in one smooth motion.
        
        *if mc_build > 4
            A line of pain slashes across your upper arm. The remainder of your movement is anything but smooth as you hop clear, gritting your teeth.
            
            Ugh, you must have caught yourself on one of the sharp edges. Your arm throbs in protest, and you shift your body to inspect the spot; luckily, it looks as if you didn't break the skin. Still hurts thought. You wince and rub at your triceps.
                    
            "Drama queen!" Grant hoots.
                    
            You glare at him, knowing full well it won't make a difference.
            
            *goto friendos
        
        Straightening up, you stroll clear. Easy as pie.
        
        *goto friendos

*label friendos
*page_break
"Well done, $!{mc_name}!" Shauna calls from behind you.

"Wonderful. $!{forename} overcame… a fence," Beth deadpans.

"Hey now, Beth, don't sell ${mc_him} short! That's the kind of thing ${mc_he} could put on business cards. Professional fence crosser: $!{forename}…
*label surnameinput
*choice
    #...MacReady,"
        *set surname "MacReady"
        *set fullname (forename&" ")&surname
        *goto surnameconfirm
    #...Fletcher."
        *set surname "Fletcher"
        *set fullname (forename&" ")&surname
        *goto surnameconfirm
    #...Hart."
        *set surname "Hart"
        *set fullname (forename&" ")&surname
        *goto surnameconfirm
    #...Lake."
        *set surname "Lake"
        *set fullname (forename&" ")&surname
        *goto surnameconfirm
    *if (not(choice_randomtest)) #[Input my own surname]
        *input_text surname
        *set fullname (forename&" ")&surname
        *goto surnameconfirm
    
*label surnameconfirm

Your surname is $!{surname}, which makes your full name ${fullname}.

Is that correct?
*choice
    #Yes.
        "Professional fence crosser, ${fullname}."
        
        *goto newfriendos
    *if (not(choice_randomtest)) #No
        *goto surnameinput

*label newfriendos
Beth stares at Grant, unblinking, and then responds with a slow and deliberate eye roll(tm).

Smiling and shaking your head, you turn to watch the others' progress.

*if guts <50
    Shauna, carrying the backpack containing spare gear, actually takes it off before following after you, which makes her passage much more straightforward.
*else
    Shauna gingerly follows along in your wake, crossing with a healthy dose of caution.
    
Last is Prii, who takes special pains to avoid catching any of their clothing on the fence edges. @{chilly |Like that warm, warm coat of theirs. |}Still, they manage easily enough, even with a video camera in one hand.

With everyone safely on the far side of the fence, the group sets off together. The inner section of the complex awaits, and within, the most promising building. To your right, you notice Prii opening the camera screen and pushing PLAY. Looks like you're officially on film, though most of the audio will wind up dubbed over during editing.

Although you're friendly with the entire group, and they with each other, you find yourself naturally gravitating towards your favourite person of the bunch as you walk.

[Picking a love interest here will not lock you out of other romances in the future.]

*choice
    #Snarky, sharp-witted Beth, my best friend.
        *set rel_beth +15 
        *label beth
        *set bestie 1
        Beth might not always be the easiest person to get along with, but she's smart, quick as a whip, and fiercely protective of her friends. You feel lucky you can count yourself as one of them.
        
        *if ((dated_beth) and (nickname_salt > 0))
            Well. More than friends. Though Beth might defend her nickname to the end, she has a softer side, and it's reserved almost exclusively for you.
            *choice
                #I only made that dumb bet in the first place because I was crushing so hard.
                    In retrospect, it's pretty painfully obvious that your mouth outran your brain because it was immobilised trying to compute why Beth was so attractive.
                    
                    You suppose you're glad to have contributed to the long and storied history of lovestruck people being stupid about it. Though given what an absolute disasterpiece making the bet in the first place happened to be, it's honestly miraculous that you two wound up together instead of you exiling yourself to the wastes in humiliation.
                    *goto sexuality
                *selectable_if (nickname_salt !=1) #The bet is a funny story nowadays.
                    Honestly. How can any couple's origin possibly outdo one of your first interactions with your future girlfriend being a nickname challenge?
                    
                    Beth doesn't like to make a big thing of the story, but you've seen the little smile that brushes her mouth whenever you tell the tale.
                    *goto sexuality
                *selectable_if (nickname_salt =1) #I care for her, even if she's a horrible nickname thief.
                    …Which is to say, you're not upset at all. Because you like Beth so much.
                    
                    Obviously.
                    *goto sexuality
        *elseif (dated_beth)
            Well. More than friends. As it turns out, Beth has a soft side, and it's reserved almost exclusively for you. @{bethfactor Even if your friends (Grant) call you a pair of narcissists for dating someone with the same name.|}
            *choice
                #It was love at first sight.
                    Most people would laugh if you told them that Beth has a romantic soul. Most people didn't experience the electric connection the two of you had when you first met, the spark of something deep inside your chest when Prii introduced you to her.
                    
                    Never before or since have you so instantly hit it off with someone. Hours of conversation flashed past in minutes, and by the end of the evening, Prii, a twinkle in their eyes, was having to all but drag you both apart.
                    
                    You and Beth were an official item before the month was out. You've never looked back.
                    *goto sexuality
                #We've dated for a little while now.
                    Should it be any surprise that you knew each other for a while before anything happened between you? Beth isn't exactly somebody who screams romantic availability.
                    
                    Still, there was a good long stretch of time where you were both dancing around the topic of your feelings. You had chemistry, but it was a standoff.
                    
                    *if instinctive > 60
                        At a certain point, you just threw up your hands and went for it, pouring out your heart to Beth in a spur of the moment confession.
                        
                        Thankfully, Beth reciprocated your emotions, or you think you would maybe have keeled over and died on the spot.
                        
                    *else
                        Even so, you were patient, taking things one step at a time; that was the pace that seemed right for Beth.
                        
                        And eventually she admitted that she had feelings for you, which is about the shyest and mushiest you've ever seen her.
                        
                   *goto sexuality
                #We only recently got together.
                    For you and Beth, there may have been feelings bubbling away under the surface, but those were a long time in coming to fruition.
                    
                    A couple of months ago, you finally broke the deadlock and confessed. Even now, you're not fully sure why it was that day as opposed to the day before, or the day before that.
                    
                    Maybe…
                    *choice
                        #I couldn't bear living in suspense any longer.
                            *set instinctive %- 10
                            It was agonising to keep wondering whether you were building up all of this for nothing. It was speak up or pop like an overstressed balloon.
                        #It was just spur of the moment.
                            *set instinctive %+ 10
                            A drive-thru isn't the most romantic setting to blurt out you like someone, but that's where the urge struck you to just hurry up and tell her.
                            
                    Regardless, you'll never forget the pleased smile that slowly dawned across Beth's face, the most excited you've ever seen her. Almost giddy, even.
                    
                    [i]"$!{mc_name}… I'm so happy to hear you say that."[/i]
                    *goto sexuality
        *elseif ((nickname_salt > 0) and (not (cis)))
            You started your transition before you met Beth, and given the whole nickname wager, she was absolutely mortified after you came out to her. She even offered to switch around to being Beth A and Beth B, or something to that effect.
            *fake_choice
                *selectable_if (nickname_salt = 2) #It was sweet of her, but I really didn't mind.
                    You wouldn't have made the bet in the first place if you were absolutely married to Beth as a nickname.
                *selectable_if (nickname_salt = 2) #Teasing her about it is too much fun to pass up though.
                    *set nickname_salt 3
                    Beth shaking down poor innocent trans kids for their chosen names like a school bully snatching lunch money is one of the group's most vaunted in-jokes at this stage. That easily outweighs any attachment you had to the nickname.
                *selectable_if (nickname_salt = 1) #A bet's a bet. And she better be grateful!
                    Darn right! You're incredibly generous and nice and Beth should never ever forget how gracious you were!
                *selectable_if (nickname_salt = 1) #I'm FINE I picked a BETTER ONE.
                    *set expressive %+ 10
                    You didn't even want to take the offer! The offer was stupid! So there!
            *goto sexuality 
        *else
            Cynical and biting as Beth is, you wouldn't have anyone else as a best friend.
            *goto sexuality
    *selectable_if (compatible_beth) #@{compatible_beth Beth, my girlfriend|Beth's not into guys}.
        *set rel_beth +15
        *set dated_beth true
        *set prev_li "Beth"
        *set dating true
        *goto beth
    #Enthusiastic, charming Prii, my best friend.
        *set rel_prii +15
        *label prii
        *set bestie 2
        Prii is a ray of sunshine, enthusiastic and genuine in everything that they say and do. They can turn a room's mood around in a matter of moments, just by being their cheerful, heartfelt self, and while they're known to tease others, they never take it too far. There's a reason they're the de facto leader of the group.
        
        *if (dated_prii)
            Honestly, Prii's personality is magnetic, and as it turns out you're the exact same for them.
            *choice
                #I fell for them early and fell for them hard.
                    You're definitely not the first person to develop a double-quick crush on Prii. On the other hand, you're reasonably sure that you're the first person where the reverse was also true.
                
                    You felt a connection with Prii from the first time you met, and it wasn't long before you were spending more days than not in each other's company. Your relationship progressed into dating with an almost-unspoken agreement.
                    *goto sexuality
                #I had no idea they liked me for the longest time.
                    Prii has always been friendly with everyone they meet, even in passing, so you didn't realise that they were reserving special attention for you. They would rearrange their plans to let you both spend time together, or swing by the coffee shop you worked (and work) on your breaks to see how you were doing, that type of thing.
                
                    In retrospect, the signals they were sending were pretty—and increasingly—obvious. Thankfully it's now something you can laugh about.
                    *goto sexuality
                #Must have been in low-key denial.
                        There was just no way that Prii could like you as anything other than a friend. You were reading too much into things, and it was best to keep those thoughts to yourself, lest you ruin your favourite friendship.
                        
                        The compliments that skirted the line of flirtation, the way their eyes lingered on you from time to time. You were imagining it. Wishful thinking.
                        *fake_choice
                            #I am high-key embarrassed about past!me.
                                You cringe a little bit whenever you recall your increasingly strained rationalisations.
                                
                                For pity's sake, Prii explicitly told you, in private, that they 'cared about you a whole lot', while making intense eye contact. How dense could you get?
                                
                            #It's kind of funny now.
                                Honestly, you think you were just working through the emotions and trying to properly place how you felt about Prii. It's natural to get anxious and second-guess when someone you like as a friend—and maybe more—seems to be giving signals.
                                
                        Thank goodness you both got there in the end.
                        *goto sexuality
                #We were mutually pining for a while.
                    You are slightly embarrassed to admit for how long.
                
                    Also, your other friends apparently had a whole thing going about how long it'd take you both to tell one another, and who would speak up first, which is honestly just rude.
                    *goto sexuality
        *elseif (not ((cis)))
            Also, you're both part of the cool and exclusive trans* club. The others can only dream of surpassing your barrage of in-jokes and gender-related puns.
            
        *else
            They're your best friend, and you wouldn't change that for the world.
            
            *goto sexuality
    #Prii, my datefriend.
        *set rel_prii +15
        *set dated_prii true
        *set prev_li "Prii"
        *set dating true
        *goto prii
    #Shy, creative Shauna, my best friend.
        *set rel_shauna +15
        *label shauna
        *set bestie 3
        Shauna definitely isn't the biggest personality of the group, and she habitually fades into the background. Not for you, though. You know and appreciate that when she opens up, she absolutely shines, and never moreso than when sharing one or the other of her creative projects. She's a writer, artist, and an incredibly kindhearted person.
        
        *if (dated_shauna)
            Shauna has time to care for—or worry about—a lot of people, but you're the top of one another's lists.
            *choice
                #I was interested for a while, but unsure how to approach the subject.
                    Shauna is skittish at the best of times, and that's far from a brand new development. Nursing your crush, it was all too easy imagine that you'd say the wrong thing and she'd run for the hills, never to be seen again.
                    
                    Preoccupied with your feelings, it was needless to say quite a surprise when Shauna turned around and asked you out first.
                    
                    Turns out she does in fact have a proactive side.
                    *goto sexuality
                #I never made a secret of my attraction to her.
                    Warm, considerate, and absolutely adorable when flustered, Shauna had you charmed within the first few meetings. You swiftly realised two important facts:
                    1. You were very much into her.
                    2. If a first move was to be made, you'd have to make it.
                
                    A few flirtatious overtures (with the benefit of even more cute flustered Shauna) later, and you were comfortable in concluding that your feelings were to some extent reciprocated. Shauna was happy enough to be in your company, had proactively asked to hang out a couple of times, and had even made one or two comments that you were at least seventy percent sure construed her version of flirting.
                    
                    And then she asked you out first.
                    
                    Yeah. You didn't see that coming.
                    *goto sexuality
                #Considering how bad we both are at romance it's kind of a miracle it happened.
                    You're a regular awkward for awkward pair.
                    
                    There was a long lead up into your relationship; a lot of dancing around the topic and second guessing and general ineptitude but you both got there in the end.
                    
                    Well, more accurately, Shauna broke the deadlock and asked you out, handily winning you the grand prize for incompetence in dating.
                    *goto sexuality
        *else
            She's your best friend, and you wouldn't change that for anything.
            *goto sexuality
    #Shauna, my girlfriend.
        *set rel_shauna +15
        *set dated_shauna true
        *set prev_li "Shauna"
        *set dating true
        *goto shauna
    #Daring, light-hearted Grant, my best friend.
        *set rel_grant +15
        *label grant
        *set bestie 4
        Grant's an easy person to like, and contrary to popular belief, he does know how to be serious. Occasionally. When he's not plunging headfirst into the next thrill or throwing out another glib one-liner.
        
        *if (dated_grant)
            Dating Grant requires an understanding that he's going to tease you relentlessly. Being in a relationship doesn't spare you any of the ribbing. If anything, he tries even harder to get you flustered. Apparently it's 'adorable'.
            *choice
                #He's worth it in spite of that.
                    Sometimes Grant gets to be a bit much. On the other hand, you get to experience a side of Grant that he doesn't show to anyone else, affectionate and warm.
                    
                    There's this certain look he gets in his eyes when he's proud of you. A certain way his mouth curls upward.
                    
                    'That's my ${mc_boyfriend}.' It says.
                    *goto sexuality
                #I am not adorable!
                    But no matter how much you protest, Grant never stops smirking and never stops teasing.
                    
                    [i]"Not adorable? I beg to differ, $!{mc_name} my cute precious cherub."[/i]
                    *choice
                        #Then I shoved him into a hedge.
                            He had it coming.
                            *goto sexuality
                        #Augh!
                            He's the actual worst.
                            
                            And you aren't adorable dammit!
                            *goto sexuality
                #The secret is that I can do the exact same thing to him.
                    See, under most circumstances, Grant gives as good as he gets. He pokes fun at others fully prepared for them to respond in kind; he welcomes it.
                    
                    With flirting? Whole different story.
                    *fake_choice
                        #If I call his bluff, he folds instantly.
                            Sure, Grant talks a good game, but all you have to do is invite him to put his money where his mouth is, and he'll turn bright red and start clamming up.
                            
                            Hey, he's deliberately trying to fluster you. You're not above playing dirty.
                            *goto sexuality
                        #Sometimes I play dumb to mess with him.
                            You will absolutely never forget the wide-eyed expression of sheer panic on Grant's face when he made a suggestive comment and you pretended not to understand. It's enshrined in your memories forever.
                            
                            Needless to say, when you finally cracked up midway through his stammering explanation, he was deeply unimpressed.
                            
                            Totally worth it.
                            *goto sexuality
                        #I know how to one-up him.
                            Fight fire with fire.
                            
                            *if expressive < 35
                                Though you're usually a more reserved kind of person, that only serves to multiply the potency of your comebacks threefold. What's more flustering than counter teasing? Counter teasing from somebody who rarely speaks out.
                                
                            *else
                                You've got more than a few flirtatious comments in your locker, and you deploy them with perfect precision.
                                
                    Grant, for the record? Adorable when he's flustered.
                    *goto sexuality
                    
        *else
            He's a handful, but he's your absolute best friend.
            *goto sexuality
    #Grant, my boyfriend.
        *set rel_grant +15
        *set dated_grant true
        *set prev_li "Grant"
        *set dating true
        *goto grant

*label sexuality

*page_break

*if (dating)
    Also, a particular perk of your relationship with $!{prev_li} is knowing that you're on the same page about each other's comfort levels.
    *choice
        #I don't want physical intimacy, and $!{prev_li} respects that.
            *goto physical
        #$!{prev_li} was understanding that I only feel physical attraction after I'm really close with someone.
            *goto demi
        #There's intimacy in our relationship, and it was good to discuss that together.
            Positive communication is crucial in any relationship, and you're glad that you both have that.
            
            *if (dated_beth)
                For instance, Beth isn't fond of physical intimacy except when she's formed deep connections with another person, so that's something you're taking very slowly together.
                
            *else
                You and $!{prev_li} understand each other. In your book, that's invaluable.
                
            *goto postsexuality
*else
    While @{bestie Beth|Prii|Shauna|Grant} is your best friend, you're currently not seeing anyone in a romantic sense.
    *choice
        #Relationships and intimacy aren't for me.
            *set aro 4
            *set ace true
            You suppose that makes you asexual and aromantic, if you're going to put labels on things.
            *goto postsexuality
        #I could see myself in a relationship, but not a physical one.
            *label physical
            *set ace true
            Romance is fine by you. Intimacy not so much.
            *fake_choice
                #Although I don't mind affectionate touching.
                    It depends on your exact mood and, well, any number of factors, but holding hands, hugging, and perhaps a little kissing aren't completely off the table.
                    
                #And I prefer not to be touched at all.
                    *set touchingokay false
                    Relationships, you feel, don't necessarily require touch. You can like somebody without wanting to put your hands all over them.
          
            *if (dating)
                $!{prev_li} understands all of that, which is a real relief. No wonder you like each other so much.
                *goto postsexuality
            *else
                Maybe someday you'll find someone to share a romantic connection with you.
                *goto crushmenu
        #I'm not against romance, but I'd have to be really close to somebody to take it any further.
            *set demi true
            *comment PLACEHOLDER DEMI
            *label demi
            You don't really feel any urges for physical intimacy except toward people you've formed deep connections with. That's just the way you are.
            
            *if (dated_beth)
                Beth's very similar as it happens, which made it easy to understand one another.
                *goto postsexuality
            *elseif (dating)
                $!{prev_li} has always accepted that part of you. No wonder you like each other so much.
                *goto postsexuality         
            *else
                Maybe someday you'll find someone you can connect with in that way.
                *goto crushmenu
            
        #I don't mind having some fun, it's just relationships I don't want.
            *set aro 2
            You're an adult. You don't need to have a serious thing with someone to fool around a little. Honestly, romance has never drawn you at all.
            *choice
                #If we were both into it, I'd sleep with someone.
                    There's no harm in enjoying yourself with somebody else.
                #I like kissing and physical affection, but I'm not interested in sex.
                    *set aro 3
                    You can have fun with making out and being physically close to another person, and you're happy to stop it there.
                #Flirting is fun and as far as I go.
                    *set aro 3
                    *set touchingokay false
                    Flirting with the right person is often a very entertaining experience. Nothing says you have to be serious about it or take it any further; you're just harmlessly enjoying yourself.
        #I'm interested in romance and intimacy, I just haven't found the right person.
            Maybe you will someday.
            *label crushmenu
            *choice
                #Right!
                    Anyway, there are other things to think about right now.
                    *goto postsexuality
                #Well... there's some things I'm not saying to one of my friends.
                    Nursing a crush is tough, especially in a close-knit group like this.
                    
                    You can't deny that you have feelings buried beneath the surface, not when butterflies dance in your stomach every time you look at…
                    *fake_choice
                        #Beth. @{compatible_beth |Despite knowing it won't ever happen.}
                            *set pastcrush 1
                            *set prev_li "Beth"
                            *if (compatible_beth)
                                You're not sure whether you have a thing for mean girls or you're just drawn by the allure of tracking down a creature of myth.
                                
                                As in, Beth's soft side. That's the creature.
                                
                                Regardless, you like her. Quite a lot.
                                
                            *else
                                You know that your interest in Beth is doomed to be unrequited. She's not into men.
                                
                                Which all in all is a pretty good reason for you to continue keeping it to yourself.
                                
                                It's just frustratingly difficult to get your feelings to sit down and shut up.
                                *goto postsexuality
                        #Prii.
                            *set pastcrush 2
                            *set prev_li "Prii"
                            Personally you don't think you can be blamed for that. Prii is magnetic, bright like the sun. They just caught you up in their field.
                            
                            Only, with someone as charming and lovable as Prii, it gets hard to convince yourself that you can be as special to them as they are to you.
                            
                        #Shauna.
                            *set pastcrush 3
                            *set prev_li "Shauna"
                            Shauna is just cute. More than cute. Adorable. Her smile, her laugh—
                            
                            You catch yourself before you start pining again. Slash even more.
                            
                        #Grant.
                            *set pastcrush 4
                            *set prev_li "Grant"
                            Sure, maybe Grant can be an ass. Maybe he's an incorrigible tease. Maybe he pushes buttons.
                            
                            He's hot, dammit. Annoyingly so.
            
                    *if expressive > 60
                        The crush is one of the few hearts you refuse to wear on your sleeve. Joking around and showing your enthusiasm comes naturally. Talking about these feelings does not.
                          
                    *elseif expressive < 40
                        It's a good thing that you don't make a habit of showing your emotions. Otherwise, it would be all too easy to slip up.

                    For now, the whole topic is tightly bottled, tucked away in a corner of your mind you can safely ignore.
                      
                    You'll get around to saying something sooner or later.
                      
                    *if (bestie = pastcrush)
                        …Crushing on your best friend. Apparently you're living out a romcom.
                          
                    *else
                        …Maybe.
                    *goto postsexuality

*label postsexuality
*page_break
*if (bestie = 1) or (dated_beth)
    *goto bethchat
*elseif (bestie =2) or (dated_prii)
    *goto priichat
*elseif (bestie =3) or (dated_shauna)
    *goto shaunachat
*else
    *goto grantchat

*label bethchat
You drift towards Beth as the group makes its way over to the main building.

*if (beth_annoy)
    She gives you a rather cool look.
    
    Oh. Right. You're a little out of her good books.
    *choice
        #Delicately apologise.
            *set rel_beth +1
            *set beth_annoy false
            "Hey… I know I got on your nerves earlier @{annoyance blowing you off|with that one joke|with Shauna|DUMMY}. Sorry."
            
            Beth tilts her chin up ever so slightly. "Accepted."
            
            You breathe a quiet sigh of relief. The scariness of Beth's cold irritation notwithstanding, you prefer not being at loggerheads with your @{dating girlfriend|best friend}@{pastcrush  slash secret crush.|.|.|.|.}
            
            *label contentenough
            Though Beth seems content enough to remain silent, the tension in the air has dispersed sufficiently to make it a comfortable walk to cover the remaining distance to your destination.
            *goto grantask
        #Make light of things.
            "Aw, Beth, don't tell me you're still annoyed?"
            
            The flat, unimpressed expression on her face makes it clear that she is indeed still annoyed.
            
            *goto bethpology
        #Play it casual and pretend not to notice.
            *set rel_beth -1
            "So how you doing?"
            
            "Fantastic." Her tone is icy.
            
            You hesitate, then give it another shot. "Well, it's so far so good, right?"
            
            "$!{mc_name}."
            *label bethpology
            Welp. You gave it your best shot.
            *choice
                #Apologise.
                    *set rel_beth +1
                    *set beth_annoy false
                    "Sorry…"
                    
                    Beth sighs. "@{annoyance I dislike being blown off, |I'm not particularly fond of crude comments, |It was entirely unnecessary to embarrass poor Shauna, |DUMMY}$!{forename}."
                    
                    You wince, rubbing the back of your head sheepishly. "I didn't mean to upset you."
                    
                    Her face softens ever so slightly. "I know. Thank you for apologising."
                    
                    Looks like you're off the hook. You mask a sigh of relief. It's not fun to be the target of Beth's ire.
                    
                    *goto contentenough
                #Suggest she's taking it too seriously.
                    *set rel_beth -1
                    "Sooner or later you're going to have to lighten up a little, Beth."
                    
                    If she was icy before, now she's sub zero. "Noted."
                    
                    This… isn't working. You cut your losses and look away from Beth's flinty glare.
                    
                    The remainder of the short walk passes in an uncomfortable silence as you sit with the knowledge that your @{dating girlfriend|best friend} is very, very irritated with you.
                    *goto grantask

Her eyes flick over to you, @{dated_beth and a small smile curls across her lips.|and she gives you a very slight nod.} An unbridled display of affection by her standards.
*choice
    #Beth knows the value of quiet companionship; it's nice just to walk with her.
        You fall in step with Beth, garnering a brief glance of acknowledgement.
        
        *if (pastcrush < 5) and (pastcrush != 1)
            After a few steps and to your great surprise, she uncharacteristically breaks the silence.
            
            "I've been meaning to speak to you about something, $!{mc_name}." Beth's voice is low enough not to carry to the others.
            
            "What do you mean?" you ask, dropping your own volume.
            
            "Recently, I've noticed you watching @{pastcrush DUMMY|Prii|Shauna|Grant|DUMMY}. With great interest I might add." Beth glances over to you, eyes sharp and calculating. "What has so captivated your attention, I wonder?"
            *choice
                #Deflect! Deflect at all costs!
                    You are not having this conversation. Absolutely, 300% not having it.
                    
                    "Is that weird?" you ask, trying to sound as innocent as humanly possible while internally screaming. "We're friends, why wouldn't I look at @{pastcrush DUMMY|them|her|him|DUMMY} now and then?"
                    
                    "Mmhm. It isn't 'now and then' $!{mc_name}."
                    
                    Shit. Shit.
                    
                    "Pretty sure you're reading too much into this. Everyone looks at everyone, Beth. We spend like all our free time together."
                    
                    Beth turns her head all the way in your direction. Then her expression shifts in the most terrifying way it possibly could.
                    
                    She smiles. 
                    
                    "Not in the way you look at @{pastcrush DUMMY|Prii|Shauna|Grant|}, $!{mc_name}," she singsongs.
                    
                    There's no deflecting a shot like that. It's a bullseye. Only one thing for it.
                    
                    "I-have-no-idea-what-you're-talking-about!" you blurt in a single breath, and then run away.
                    
                    "We're talking about this later!" she calls after you.
                    
                    Not if you can help it.
                    
                    You race to the goal without once looking back.
                    *goto grantask
                #Silence is the only option.
                    *set expressive %- 5
                    When you have no good responses, sometimes the only winning move is not to play.
                    
                    You studiously turn your head forward, avoiding her gaze.
                    
                    After a couple of seconds of silence, Beth speaks again. "You know $!{mc_name}, not answering the question is an answer in and of itself."
                    
                    You do not say a damn word, and spend the entire rest of the walk to your destination hoping that the ever-increasing heat in your cheeks isn't visible.
                    *goto grantask
                #Did she have to say it like a supervillain??
                    *comment relocate
                    *set expressive %+ 5
                    Seriously, all she needs is a white cat and one of those swivel chairs and she's in touching distance of becoming a criminal mastermind.
                    
                    "Beth, if you're going to start muhahahhaing, please at least give me some warning, okay?"
                    
                    She blinks. "…What?"
                    
                    "Only supervillains talk like that."
                    
                    Beth raises an eyebrow. "I have no idea what you're saying."
                    
                    "Have you seriously never listened to a villain speech?"
                    
                    "No, due to the fact that they are criminals and hence unlikely have anything of value to say."
                    
                    For a second you just stare at her. Bombastic villains proclaiming they'll crush their enemies (and then laughing evilly) are like a staple of your weekly online watching. It boggles the mind that your best friend neither watches what are probably the most interesting news stories, nor has ever picked up on your own habitual browsing. "So let me guess this straight. You've never heard Glamoura gloating that she'll restyle an entire city? Hallucinogem giving one of their 'diamond membership addresses'?"
                    
                    Beth throws up her hands. "$!{mc_name}, I do not know who either of those people are!"
                    
                    Your jaw drops.
                    
                    You get so caught up in quizzing an increasingly-baffled Beth about various villains (and then, in utter disbelief, heroes) that by the time you reach your destination, you've distracted the both of you away from the topic of crushes.
                    
                    Thank goodness.
                    *goto grantask
            
        *else
            The next few minutes of walking pass in silence, but the two of you both know that you aren't alone. As the group draws up to your destination, Beth @{dated_beth gives you a long look, loaded with affection.|nods to you once more.} You meet her with a smile.
            *goto grantask
    *selectable_if ((dated_beth) and (touchingokay)) #I reach out and take her hand.
        First, though, you allow your fingers to brush over her knuckles, asking wordless permission. Although she's usually comfortable with physical affection from you, Beth does have her moments where she prefers not to be touched.
        
        Here, she responds affirmatively, opening her hand to receive yours and gently squeezing. Beth doesn't even look in your direction, but the quiet, calm smile on her face tells you everything that you need to know.
        
        Hand in hand, the rest of the short walk to your destination passes like a shared dream.
        *goto grantask
    #"How do you think tonight will go?"
        "I'm reserving judgement," Beth replies. "We've accomplished the first step without incident, it remains to be seen how we proceed from here." She glances over to you. "Your thoughts?" An arch of the eyebrow. @{excited "You've been rather… exuberant."|}@{nervous "You've been rather agitated, I notice."|}
        
        *if (excited)
            You grin. "Well, it's nice of you to say so."
            
            Beth breathes a soft 'ha'. "Just don't get carried away, $!{mc_name}."
            
            You fire off a little salute, which actually nets you a smile. "Aye aye."
            
            She sighs fondly. @{dated_beth You blow her a kiss and she wrinkles her nose, but then begins smiling once again.|}
            
        *elseif (nervous)
            "Agitated is one way of putting it," you admit. Though you've tried to keep your worries from overtaking you, it's not an easy ask.
            
            "Hm." Beth puts a hand to her chin, considering. "I can't force you to set your worries aside, $!{mc_name}, but if you can, concentrate on the rest of us. Trust that we know what we are doing."
            
            Slowly you nod, though a lump remains lodged in your throat. "Thanks." Beth's assurances still help a little.
            
        *elseif instinctive < 35
            *set rel_beth +2
            "We're on the same page I think," you tell her. "You're right, we've only made it past the first step. There's still a long way to go."
            
            Beth nods. "I can always rely on you to have an eye on the bigger picture, $!{mc_name}." She gives a soft sigh. "I probably don't emphasise this enough, but it's gratifying to know that there's somebody else who cares about planning."
            *fake_choice
                #"You can count on me."
                    Her lips curl upward in a soft smile. "I know."
                    
                    You give her a small nod, and then look ahead to the rest of your walk.
                #"Don't mention it."
                    "Oh but I am," she answers in a tone that brooks no argument. "Accept the compliment if you please."
                    
                    You chuckle softly. Sternly insisting on delivering a compliment is perhaps the most quintessentially Beth thing she's ever done. You wouldn't change her for the world.
                    
            The remaining few minutes to your destination pass in a companionably comfortable silence.
            *goto grantask
        *else
            "So far so good," you say with a shrug.
            
            "Mm. I suppose that's one way of putting it."  She strokes her chin. "Though isn't that more or less what I already said?"
            
            *if expressive >= 50
                You give her a wink.  "I'm just more succinct than you."
                
            *else
                You raise an eyebrow. "More succinctly."
            
            Beth raises a hand as if to bat away your critique. "If you say so."  She's trying to keep her tone level, but she's smiling. You return it with one of your own.
            
        The remainder of the walk to your destination passes in companionable silence.
        *goto grantask

*label priichat
You drift towards Prii as the group makes its way over to the main building. Their eyes light up the moment you draw alongside them, and they flash you a warm smile.

@{dated_prii "Hey you," they murmur with quiet affection.|"Hey $!{mc_name}," they say.}

*if expressive > 60
    @{dated_prii "Hey you yourself," you reply with a grin.|"Fancy meeting you here, Prii," you reply, drawing a quiet chuckle.}
*else
    @{dated_prii You smile gently back at them.|You give them a nod and a quick smile.}

You fall in step with them. Although their attention periodically wanders away towards the video recording, you know that the current footage isn't anything that demands much of Prii's focus.
*choice
    #I'm happy just being near Prii.
        *if (dated_prii)
            Prii's your best person, and that's the case whether or not you're doing anything.
        *else
            They're your best friend, and sometimes you don't have to do anything except exist in their company.
            
        They glance in your direction@{dated_prii , and their expression is full of tenderness| then wiggle their eyebrows}, just acknowledging and appreciating your presence. @{nervous You feel yourself relax ever so slightly.|}
        
        You continue on together in companionable silence.
        
        *if (dated_prii)
            Just before reaching your destination, Prii @{touchingokay takes your wrist and squeezes.|mouths 'cutie' at you.}
        *goto grantask
    *selectable_if ((dated_prii) and (touchingokay)) #I reach out and take their hand.
        *set rel_prii +2
        Prii's eyebrows rise, then their smile broadens until they're absolutely beaming. They give your hand a quick squeeze, and then entwine their fingers with yours as closely as they can.
        
        As you walk on together, they begin swinging your linked hands.
        
        For the short stretch of time until you reach your destination, you're the only two people in each other's worlds.
        *goto grantask
    #"How do you think tonight will go?"
        "Mm, so far so good," they answer with a relaxed, one shoulder shrug. "How about you?"
        
        *if (excited)
            "I'm pretty stoked." You emphasise the point with a brief fist pump. "We're going to crush it."
            
            "Heck yeah. That's the spirit." They beam at you unabashedly. Enthusiasm always feeds enthusiasm with Prii. It's no wonder you gel so great.
            
        *elseif (nervous)
            You hand wobble. "I keep worrying," you admit.
            
            "Aw, $!{mc_name}. It'll be alright." They meet your eyes, hazel @{mc_eyes DUMMY|on brown|on blue|on green|matching hazel|on grey}, fully taking their attention off the camera. "We've done this dozens of times." Though they speak gently, it's with conviction.
            
            You give them a shallow nod. It's tough to push past your nerves. Being near Prii helps.
            
        *elseif instinctive < 35
            "We'll see. There's still a lot to do. We shouldn't get carried away."
            
            "Fair. You're practical as ever, $!{mc_name}."
            
            You give them a slight nod. "It's good to keep an eye on the details." The plan has so many moving parts and in turn, so many places where it can go wrong. Losing sight of that would be an invitation to disaster.
            
            "Won't argue with that." Prii smiles again. "I'm glad we can count on you."
        *else
            "What you said."
            
            "Copycat," Prii teases gently.
            
            You huff, turning up your nose in feigned disdain. Prii giggles softly.

        The two of you exchange a little more chatter, and in no time at all, you've reached your destination.
        *goto grantask
    #I keep us both busy with a little banter.
        Prii's easy conversation as ever, and you fall into a companionable back and forth about nothing much in particular.
        
        The distraction of some chatter makes light work of the trip, and before you know it you're standing in front of your destination.
        *goto grantask
    *selectable_if (chilly =2) #I can't help myself from eyeballing their coat some more.
        Look, it's freezing out here, and you're a poor helpless ${mc_boy} with no shelter for the coming snows. You deserve sympathy. All the sympathy. Coats also.
        
        After a little while, Prii catches you in the act. Their smile turns sly. "Something on your mind, $!{mc_name}@{pop pop|}?"
        
        *if expressive > 55
            "Noooo?" you say, wheedling.
            
        *elseif expressive < 45
            "Nothing whatsoever," you say, voice as flat as you're able.
            
        *else
            "Nope!" you say, too quickly.
            
        "Uh huuuuh." Prii's eyes are twinkling now. They're so totally onto you.
        *choice
            #I cave and ask about their coat.
                @{dated_prii "Prii, you know how you're the light of my life?"|"Prii, you know how you're my best friend in the whole wide world?"}
                
                "I do know that." They waggle a finger at you. "I also know you're about to abuse it maliciously."
                
                *if expressive > 60
                    "Maliciously?" you gasp. "You're so cruel."
                    
                    "It's not cruelty if I'm right." They raise their eyebrows. "I'm right, aren't I?"
                    
                    "…yes," you admit.
                *else
                    "I wouldn't say abuse, exactly…"
                    
                    "Semantics won't save you now, $!{mc_name}@{pop pop|}."
                    
                    "You're awful."
                    
                    "And correct!"
                    
                    You grumble under your breath.
                    
                "Let me guess, you're still cold, and you want to rob poor innocent Prii of their coat."
                
                "Maybe I want to appeal to noble, @{dated_prii beautiful|dashing} Prii's better nature."
                
                Prii laughs. "Of course."
                *choice
                    #I'll compliment them into submission.
                        Continuing on the noble/@{dated_prii beautiful|dashing} theme, you expound at length about just how amazing and wonderful they are, dwelling in particular on how they're always willing to help out a person in need. You, of course, gesture meaningfully to yourself when referencing that last part,
                        
                        Eventually Prii holds up their hands in surrender. "Enough, enough! I can't take it any more! You're ridiculous, $!{mc_name}."
                        
                        Ridiculous and [i]victorious[/i], you note with satisfaction.
                        
                    #I 'give up', making a big show of shivering.
                        You sigh heavily. "You're right, I shouldn't take advantage." You hug yourself, rubbing warmth into your arms. It's not actually much effort to induce a shiver. "I'll manage until we get there."
                        
                        Prii groans. "This is a low blow, $!{mc_name}."
                        
                        "I said I'll manage," you say innocently.
                        
                        "You know exactly what you're doing," they grumble.
                        
                        Well… yes.
                        
                    #They leave me no choice. Puppy dog eyes!
                        *set expressive %+ 5
                        You bat your eyelashes at Prii, giving them the most doleful look you can muster.
                        
                        They blink, and then horror dawns across their face. "No. Noo. Don't you dare."
                        
                        You stare straight into their eyes.
                        
                        "Auuugh. Terrible. Awful. Jail," they protest, but you can see their resolve weakening.
                        
                        You tilt your head slightly. Another bat of the eyelashes. Prii groans. "Enough, enough. You win."
                        
                        Works every time.
                        
                    *selectable_if (touchingokay) #I suggest cuddling for warmth.
                        "I guess we could always huddle together. Share body heat." @{pastcrush |You managed to sound casual saying that, right?|||} 
                        
                        Prii splutters into laughter. "Seriously?"
                        
                        *if (dated_prii)
                            "Can't a ${mc_man} cuddle up with ${mc_his} datefriend?"
                            
                            "See, I'd say yes, but now you're playing innocent."
                            
                            "No I'm not," you protest, playing innocent.
                  
                        *else
                            @{aro "What? It's just a suggestion."|"No romo," you add, smirking.|"No romo," you add, smirking.|"No romo," you add, smirking.} @{pastcrush |Okay, you're definitely pulling off casual. Nothing untoward here.|||}
                            
                            "Unbelievable," they say fondly. @{pastcrush |Are you imagining the slight flush in their cheeks? You must be.|||}
                            
                            You give them a @{pastcrush teasing|hopeful|teasing|teasing|teasing} smile.
                            
                        Prii shakes their head with another brief laugh. "Maybe later. For now, hold this." They hand you the video camera and then shed their coat, which they proceed to drop directly onto your head the moment you return the camera.
                        
                        *goto coatget
                            
                Prii shakes their head and hands you the video camera. Proceeding to unzip and shrug off their coat, they promptly drop it on your head the moment you return the camera.
                
                *label coatget
                *set rel_prii +5
                *achieve priicoat
                *set chilly 3
                
                "There, you scoundrel," they say decisively. "Never tell me I don't do anything for you."
                
                Emerging from your impromptu tent, you pull it around you with a triumphant smile. @{mc_height DUMMY |You're a lot shorter than them, so the coat's long on you.|You're shorter than them, so the coat's pretty long on you.|You're a similar height to Prii, so the fit isn't too awful.|You're a bit taller than them, so the coat's a little short on you.|You're so much taller than them that the coat's rather short on you.} "You're the best, Prii." You nestle into the @{dated_prii familiar |}warmth @{dated_prii and scent|}. @{pastcrush |The acute realisation strikes you that you're feeling Prii's secondhand body heat, and your face goes aflame.|||}
                
                Prii sighs, but then winks, grinning. "I know."
                
                The rest of the walk proceeds without incident, even if the others give you a couple of amused glances along the way.
                *goto grantask
            #I am not stooping to that!
                Stubbornly, you shake your head. "There's nothing on my mind."
                
                "No thoughts head empty." Prii nods sagely. "Checks out."
                
                You open your mouth, and then close it again. Well. You weren't expecting to get murdered today.
                
                "It's okay, $!{mc_name}@{dated_prii ." They lower their voice conspiratorially. "That's cute when it's you."|, I like you even with an empty head."}
                *fake_choice
                    #I passionately protest!
                        *set expressive %+ 15
                        Alas, no matter how spirited your objections, this is a war you simply cannot win. Your end is a valiant yet ultimately fruitless battle.
                        
                    #The only winning move is not to play.
                        *set expressive %- 15
                        Perhaps can at least go to your grave with some dignity. Maybe your obituary will read something other than 'Brutally struck down in ${mc_his} prime by the one ${mc_he} trusted most'.
                        
                        You keep your poker face as fixed as humanly possible.
                        
                    *selectable_if ((dated_prii) or (pastcrush = 2)) #My cheeks are on fire.
                        *if (dated_prii)
                            On the bright side, your face is so hot that the temperature suddenly isn't bothering you as much.
                            
                            Prii lowers their voice a step further, growing almost husky. They lean even closer. "You're extra cute flustered."
                            
                            Actually is it [i]too[/i] warm out here—?
                            
                        *else
                            You regret everything you've ever done. You already get tongue tied around Prii, and you—it wasn't your imagination that their comment was a little suggestive, right?
                            
                            Prii's eyebrows rise. "Hey… you're looking a little flustered. Are you alright?"
                            
                            Maybe if your face gets even hotter you'll burn to ash. At least then you'll escape from this situation.
                            
                            With a rapid nod, you look away, scrupulously avoiding eye contact for the entire rest of the walk.
                            *goto grantask
                Prii continues teasing you the entire rest of the way to your destination.
                
                At least it takes your mind off the cold.
                *goto grantask

*label shaunachat
You drift towards Shauna as the group makes it way over to the main building. She catches sight of you right as you draw alongside her.

*if shauna_comment = 4
    Immediately her eyes narrow. "Youuuu," she draws the syllable out. "I've got a bone to pick with you, buster."
    
    Uh oh. Assertive Shauna is always a dangerous proposition. Looks like you're paying the piper for your comment earlier.
    *label shaunaexcuse
    *choice
        *hide_reuse #Play innocent!
            *set rel_shauna -1
            "You do?" you say, letting your eyebrows rise. "What about?"
            
            Shauna scowls at you. "Sharing body heat, jerkhead."
            
            "Ohhh. Really?"
            
            She puffs out her cheeks in exasperation. "Quit playing dumb. We both know what you said."
            
            Dammit. Mission failed.
            
            *goto shaunaexcuse
        #Apologise profusely.
            *set rel_shauna +1
            "Okay let me just say that I know what I said was out of line, and I'm sorry."
            
            Shauna folds her arms and raises her eyebrows, inviting you to continue.
            
            Dang. You must have really got under her skin. @{dating "And I'll figure out how to make up all the lost ${mc_boy}friend points.|And I'll do my best friendliest to make it up to you."}
            
            She nods with satisfaction. "I forgive you."
            *choice
                #I can't resist teasing her one more time.
                    You open your arms to her, a mischievous smirk on your face. "Hug it out? I've heard it's also a good way to warm up."
                    
                    "$!{mc_name}!" She aims a swat at you and you duck away, giggling to yourself.
                    
                    With the distraction of evading Shauna's wrath, the rest of the trip passes quickly.
                    *goto grantask
                #Phew. Dodged a bullet.
                    You weren't looking to sincerely upset her, so it's good to have smoothed this small dispute over.
                    
                    The remainder of the walk to your destination passes without incident.
                    *goto grantask
        *selectable_if ((dated_shauna) or (pastcrush = 3)) #Deflect by flirting.
            *set rel_shauna +3
            *set shaunaflirt true
            "Shouldn't I want to share body heat with a cute girl I like?"
            
            *if (dating)
                Shauna stares at you and then shakes her head furiously. "That's not—just because we're dating—gah!"
            
            *else 
                Oh no why did you say that.
                
                An expression you can't read comes and goes on Shauna's face. "You… like me?"
                *choice
                    #Abort! Abort! Abort!
                        *set expressive %+ 10
                        "I didn't mean like that!" you blurt. "I don't think you're cute—well I do think you're cute but I didn't—" you lapse into silence before your hole can reach the earth's core.
                        
                        Shauna's eyes are round as saucers. "Um, can you slow down, $!{mc_name}?"
                        
                        Right, slow down. Calm down.
                        
                        …Now you can't think of an explanation. Why did you [i]say[/i] that?
                        
                        The remaining distance to the building is only a couple of minutes, but with your thoughts tormenting you every step of the way, it may as well be a marathon.
                        
                        After an excruciatingly awkward silent walk punctuated only by Shauna's thoughtful glances, you finally reach your destination.
                        *goto grantask
                    #Run away!
                        *set instinctive %+ 10
                        *set runningaround true
                        "Ha, so, funny story—" You bolt.
                        
                        "$!{mc_name}! Get back here!"
                        
                        *if guts > 40
                            Shauna's fast, but you're faster, and you pull ahead of her as you race over to the building.
                            
                        *else
                            You have the element of surprise, but Shauna is fleet of foot and soon hot on your trail. It's only her cumbersome gear bag keeping her from catching you and dishing out your just desserts.
                            
                        "Would you two calm down?" Beth hisses furiously in your wake.
                        
                        Too bad for her you're busy outrunning the consequences of your actions. Later!
                        
                        *goto grantask
                    #Play it off.
                        *set expressive %- 10
                        "Well, yeah. Aren't we best friends?" Your face is aflame. This is awful.
                        
                        Shauna hesitates. "Sure, I just… the way you said it… I thought maybe you…" She shakes her head. "N—nevermind."
                        
                        Wait what does nevermind mean? Did you just blow it? [i]What was she about to say?[/i]
                        
                        Tormented thoughts haunt you the whole rest of the way to your destination. At least you successfully diverted her wrath. 
                        
                        Call that out of the frying pan and into the fire.
                        *goto grantask
        #Downplay the comment.
            *set rel_shauna -2
            "Aww come on Shauna, I was just messing around."
            
            "Seriously, $!{mc_name}?"
            
            "I didn't mean anything by it." You shoot for lighthearted, but the expression on Shauna's face is one of legitimate hurt. Oops.
            
            "Sure. Okay."
            
            An awkward silence descends between the two of you for the remainder of the walk.
            
            You may need to upgrade to an apology later.
            *goto grantask
        
You get a signature smile. "Hi, $!{mc_name}."

*if expressive > 55
    "Shauuuna! Hey."
    
*else
    "Hey, Shauna."
    
It's the most natural thing in the world to fall in step with her.
*choice
    #Just being near Shauna is nice, and she'll fill the silence soon enough.
        Shauna's never met a quiet that she hasn't felt the urge to fill up. Although she's shy, her nervous energy makes her overcompensate.
        
        *if ((dated_shauna) or (pastcrush = 3))
            Fortunately that's one of the things you find endearing about her, so call this a win/win situation. @{pastcrush ||Just ignore the little flutter in your chest while you watch her chatter along.||}
            
        *else
            You don't tend to mind all that much. The two of you wouldn't be best friends otherwise.
            
        "I've been working on a new comic." There she goes.
        
        "Oh yeah?"
        
        "Uh huh!" Shauna needs no further invitation, launching into an involved explanation of her latest exciting idea. Her enthusiasm is intense as she talks with her hands, eyes shining with delight. @{pastcrush ||Oh boy. There's that flutter.||}@{dated_shauna You find your lips tugging into a fond and thoroughly affectionate smile. This spark. This is why you love her.|}
        
        Contentedly listening along to Shauna's creative flow, the remainder of the walk to your destination quickly passes.
        *goto grantask
    *selectable_if ((dated_shauna) and (touchingokay)) #I reach out and take her hand.
        *set rel_shauna +2
        Shauna looks surprised, and then delighted. She shoots you a furtive glance, warmth filling those deep brown eyes of hers.
        
        "You're the best," she murmurs, winding her wrist around yours to strengthen the hold.
        
        Hand in hand, the short stretch of time until you reach your destination passes in the blink of an eye.
        *goto grantask
    #"How do you think tonight will go?"
        Shauna takes a long moment to reply, gathering her thoughts. "I'm feeling okay about it. I don't like cutting someone's fence." She presses her glasses up to her eyes. "What about you, $!{mc_name}?@{nervous  You were looking kind of on edge earlier."|}@{excited  You've been bouncing around since we got here.|}"
        
        *if (excited)
            You grin a little sheepishly. "I guess I have, haven't I? Yeah, I'm amped up."
            
            Shauna beams at you. "I'm glad. Honestly it's always reassuring when I see you so excited. Makes me feel like I don't need to worry." @{pastcrush ||You attempt to hide the idiotic grin that grows on your face. Wow, one nice comment and you're acting like a school${mc_boy}.||}
            
        *elseif (nervous)
            You wince. You were really hoping you'd been doing a better job of hiding your anxiety. "I guess I am," you admit. "I keep thinking about that close call with the security guards."
            
            "Mm that got me kinda bad too." Shauna gives you a sympathetic, understanding look. "It shouldn't happen again though, right?"
            
            *if knowledge > 40
                "No security. That's what my homework says."
                
            *else
                "No security. That's what Beth says."
                
            Shauna bobs her head and then puts on a very determined expression by her standards. "Then neither of us have got anything to worry about, so let's quit worrying. Deal?"
            
            You manage a smile, actually feeling a little better. "Deal."
            
        *elseif instinctive < 35
            "We'll see. There's still a lot to do. We shouldn't get carried away."
            
            Shauna's smile softens into a fond glance. "It's nice that you always stay focused on the plan. $!{mc_name}. It helps me feel better."
            
            You give her a nod and a small smile. "Happy to help." To be honest, keeping an eye on the details benefits you too. It's grounding, preventing you from getting overwhelmed by all the could-go-wrongs of any given plan.
            
            She keeps her eyes on you for a few seconds, and then looks back ahead. @{pastcrush ||Your heart skips a beat or two. That's such an unfair expression to have pointed in your direction.||}
        *else
            "Yeah, I'm feeling decent too. Hopefully we avoid any extra property damage."
            
            Shauna nods, a little gloomily. "Would prefer not to go to jail, yeah."
            
            "I doubt it'd be jail?"
            
            "Still!"
            
            The conversation continues in that vein for a little while. Soon enough, you've reached your destination.
            *goto grantask

        The two of you exchange a little more chatter, and in no time at all, you've reached your destination.
        *goto grantask
    *selectable_if ((shauna_comment = 1) or (shauna_comment = 2)) #"Sorry that Grant made fun of you."
        Shauna lets out a big exhalation "It's just Grant. You know how he is."
        
        "Still." Shauna is so easily flustered that it makes her a prime target for Grant, tease extraordinaire. 
        
        She musters a smile. "It's okay, but thanks for checking in on me, $!{mc_name}."
        
        "Don't I always?"
        
        Her smile lights up as she beams at you. @{pastcrush ||Your heart skips a beat. She's so beautiful when she smiles.||} "Yeah, you do."
        *label wordwithgrant
        *fake_choice
            #I offer to have a word with Grant.
                *set rel_shauna +3
                It's really not fair of Grant to pick on Shauna the way that he does. Not meaning what he says doesn't nullify the effects of him saying it.
                
                *if expressive > 55
                    "I'll speak to Grant if you want. He's supposed to be your friend, he shouldn't act like a jerk."
                    
                *elseif expressive > 45
                    "Want me to talk to Grant for you?" You offer.
                    
                *else
                    "I'll speak to him," you say calmly.
                    
                "I…" Shauna hesitates. "Is that okay?"
                
                You nod. "Of course."
                
                "You're the best."
                
                "Hey, what are @{dating ${mc_boy}|best }friends for?"
                
                *if (dating)
                    @{touchingokay Smiling even harder, Shauna leans over and gives you a quick kiss on the cheek.|Shauna somehow smiles even harder. "Love you."}
                    
                    A slight flush comes to your cheeks. She's so sweet.
                    
                *else
                    "Aw…"
                    
                The remainder of the walk passes quickly, buoyed along by the boost in Shauna's mood.
            #She's cheering up, I'll keep distracting her.
                The mood seems to have passed over, no point in dredging it up repeatedly.
                
                For the next few minutes, you occupy Shauna with light conversation, never difficult where your @{dating girlfriend|best friend} is concerned. She's happily chatting about her latest painting when the two of you draw up to your destination.
        *goto grantask
    *selectable_if (shauna_comment = 3) #"Wow, Grant really put you through the wringer, huh?"
        Shauna winces. "Don't remind me. He's the worst sometimes."
        
        @{touchingokay You give her a sympathetic pat on the arm|You give her your best sympathetic look}. Her shoulders relax ever so slightly. "If it helps, nobody takes him seriously," you say.
        
        She musters a half smile. "It does a little."
        
        "I bet he's just jealous he doesn't have a Shauna to fuss over him," you continue. @{pastcrush |||You strategically neglect to say anything about how maybe you'd 'fuss over' Grant, given the opportunity.|}
        
        Shauna laughs, sounding more like herself. @{pastcrush ||It's music to your heart.||} "Maybe, $!{mc_name}, maybe."
        *goto wordwithgrant

*label grantchat

You draw up alongside Grant and are immediately flashed with a broad grin. "Well, well, well, if it isn't my favourite $!{mc_name}."

@{pastcrush |||His favourite. You feel your heartbeat quicken.|}

*if expressive > 70
    "Sup Grantster."
    
    "Granster… that's a new one." He shrugs. "I dig it."
    
*elseif expressive > 50
    "Hiya."
    
    "That's all I get?"
    
    You raise your eyebrows. "Don't push your luck."
    
    He laughs.
    
*else
    You acknowledge him with a quick wave, which seems to amuse him.
    
Grant sticks his hands in his pockets as you fall in step together.
*choice
    #I'm cool just quietly hanging out with Grant.
        Sometimes it's good to just exist in the neighbourhood of your @{dated_grant boyfriend|best friend}. Besides, there's rarely a dull moment with him around.
        
        *if ((pastcrush = 4) or (dating))
            It's one of the more exasperatingly attractive things about him. Not that you'd ever tell him as much. @{dating His ego would spiral out of control, can't have him getting too full of himself|Since, you know, that would require you to tell him your feelings in general first.}
            
        *else
            The possibility of entertaining nonsense is part of why you like him after all.
            
            Well. Sometimes. There's an optimal level of nonsense.
            
        "So $!{mc_name}, how long you think 'til Beth finds the fake hand I snuck into her backpack?"
        
        And there he goes.
        
        The remainder of the walk passes with comfortable chatter.
        *goto grantask
    *selectable_if ((dated_grant) and (touchingokay)) #I reach out and take his hand.
        As your fingers twine with his, Grant gives you a sidelong glance, a small smile playing across his face. "Well hey there…" he murmurs.
        
        You smile back at him and he steps in closely enough for your arms to brush.
        
        For a little while, at least until you finish the remainder of your walk, it's just the two of you in the world.
        *goto grantask
    #"How do you think tonight will go?"
        Grant replies instantly. "Oh we're gonna kick ass, no doubt about it. Building doesn't even have an ass and we'll still kick it." He favours you with a broad grin. "You know what I'm about, right?"
        
        *if (excited)
            You nod. "The building's non-existent ass is grass."
            
            The pair of you hold eye contact for a second, and then crack up into quiet laughter.
            
        *elseif (nervous)
            "I guess so." Despite your best efforts, you still haven't shaken off your nerves. Too much that could go wrong.

            Grant's not the type to let a half-answer slide, and he reaches @{mc_height DUMMY|down|down|over|up|up} to @{touchingokay clap you on the shoulder|give a chivvying fist pump in front of your face}. "C'mon $!{mc_name}, chin up. How many times have we done this?"
            
            "A lot," you admit.
            
            "A heck of a lot," Grant puts extra emphasis on his words. "Sure we had that thing the other month but it turned out fine in the end. There's nothing to worry about, worrier."
            
            That finally pulls a smile out of you, even if your nervousness isn't entirely salved. It's difficult to stay gloomy around Grant, although on occasion the substitute emotion is irritation thanks to his limitless supply of nonsense.
            
            @{pastcrush |||It's exasperatingly attractive. Damn him.|}
            
        *elseif instinctive < 35
            "I suppose?" you demur, shaking your head. "We're only partway there and there's a lot to do. We shouldn't get carried away."
            
            "Pahhh. You would say that," Grant grumbles. "Why you always gotta be so practical, $!{mc_name}@{pop pop|}?"
            
            "Somebody has to, or we'd get nothing done."
            
            "And we'd have fun doing it!" He pauses, and then amends. "Not doing it. Either way."

        *else
            You chuckle. "Yeah I guess I do."
            
            "That's my $!{mc_name}. Always having my back."
            
            *if (pastcrush = 4)
                'His' $!{mc_name}? What does that mean? What does—you're not reading too much into it, are you? You give him a sidelong glance and try to gauge Grant's expression. No dice. Argh, what the heck!?
                
            *elseif (dated_grant)
                You give him a sidelong glance. "Your $!{mc_name}, huh?"
                
                He hesitates. "Uhh… should I not say that?"
                *choice
                    #"You can, but only if I get to call you my Grant."
                        Grant's cheeks flush beet red. "O…kay… gonna need a minute with that one."
                        
                        You look on with some amusement as he takes a couple of steps away, rubbing at his face. You've outflustered the flusterer.
                        
                        He reconvenes with you after a moment. His face is still bright red. "Anyway moving on."
                        
                        You snort, but decide to let it slide; you're not forgetting his expression anytime soon.
                    #"I'll allow it."
                        Grant smirks, blowing straight by his momentary lapse in confidence. "Very gracious of you."
                    #"Would prefer you didn't?"
                        Grant holds up his hands. "You got it. It's gone."
                
            *else
                You snort. "Yeah, yeah, keep telling yourself that."
                
                Grant looks mock-appalled. "Wow, I see how it is. Guess you were watching it to aim your knife."
                *if expressive < 50
                    You mime a stabbing motion, and you both laugh.
                *else
                    You raise an eyebrow, leaning behind him as if to study his back. He catches your eye, grinning, and you both laugh.
                    
        The two of you chatter along amicably for the remainder of the walk to your destination. 
        *goto grantask
    *if (guts > 50) #"Musclehead? Really?"
        He smirks. "What else do you call someone who spends all ${mc_his} free time lifting weights?"
        
        "Fit."
        
        "Exactly, musclehead."
        
        "Keep this up and I'm using these muscles to break you in half."
        
        *if ((dated_grant) or (pastcrush = 4))
            Grant pauses for a moment. "Hot." 
        
            @{dated_grant You groan. "Of course you'd say that."|Your cheeks immediately heat up. Why did he have to say that?}
            
            @{dated_grant He shrugs, then smirks. "My ${mc_boyfriend} can literally bench press me. Sorry, $!{mc_name}, but that's objectively hot."|He hesitates, an unfamiliar look in his eyes. "$!{mc_name}? You alright? That was just a tease you know?"}
            
            @{dated_grant You roll your eyes, but can't help the smile on your face.|No. Nooo. This isn't happening. "I'm fine!" you blurt, hurrying up your pace.}
            
            @{dated_grant Fending off Grant's comments about your strength occupies the|You keep your eyes studiously focused on anywhere except Grant for the} remainder of the walk to your destination. @{dated_grant |You pretend not to hear any of his bemused questions.}
            
            *goto grantask
        *else
            Grants laughs. "This is how you treat your best friend?"
            
            "Only when he's being obnoxious. So yes, I guess it's how I treat my best friend."
            
            "Ouch! Take it easy on me!"
            
            Tapping your temple, you slowly allow yourself to grin. "Musclehead, remember? No room for nuance in here."
            
            Grant regards you for a moment. "…well played," he says finally.
            *goto heckle
    *if (knowledge > 50) #"Poindexter? Really?"
        He smirks. "I could call you a nerd if you prefer."
        
        "Grant, if you start calling everyone who knows more than you a poindexter, you'll never use anyone's name again."
        
        Grant's jaw drops. For a couple of seconds, he's speechless, rubbing his forehead with the back of his hand. "Okay uh. Think you just killed me where I stand. So… new topic?"
        
        "Not a chance."
        
        He groans. You grin in righteous vengeance.
        *goto heckle
    *if (observation > 50) #"Voyeur? Really?"
        He smirks. "I'm just saying, you're real good at watching out for things. Makes a guy wonder about your hobbies."
        
        "Sorry, aren't you the guy who got three other people to turn your apartment upside down looking for the wallet that was in your pocket?"
        
        Grant's smile slides, and he laughs awkwardly. "Was hoping you'd forgotten about that."
        
        "How could I forget when it's such perfect ammo?" You tap your temple. "Three steps ahead."
        
        He groans. "Okay, maybe you're not a voyeur."
        
        "Yeah, I'm just someone who doesn't lose everyday objects in ${mc_his} own jacket."
        
        "Ouch! Show mercy on a guy!"
        
        Oh you have no intention of doing anything of the sort.
        *goto heckle
    *if (subterfuge > 50) #"Criminal scum? Kind of rich coming from you."
        Grant's face is the picture of innocence. "No idea what you mean, $!{mc_name}."
        
        "You can't crow about being master of unlocking and then call me the criminal."
        
        He holds up a finger. "Technically, I called you a criminal first."
        
        "That's hypocritical, so it actually makes you look even worse."
        
        He lowers the finger. "Shoot."
        
        *label heckle
        
        You continue heckling him about his choice of insults for the remainder of the short walk to your destination.
        *goto grantask
*label grantask
*page_break The building looms ahead.

*if (runningaround)
    You and Shauna reach the goal first, of course, and you evade her for just long enough that an exasperated Prii tells you both to knock it off.
    
    Shauna catches your eye and mouths 'This isn't over.'

Your group regards the two storey building that stands in roughly the middle of the complex. No lights shine from within its many windows, though around half of those are boarded up in any case. From the outside, nothing seems particularly noteworthy. Hopefully that changes once you gain access. You can see only a single entry point from this vantage, a heavy-duty door with a keypad set into the wall alongside it. Walking over to the door, you try it experimentally, but the handle doesn't budge. Looks as though the electronics remain intact.

Hearing Grant's voice calling out to the group from a little ways behind you, you turn to face him. "So now that we're here, what are we looking for again?"

Beth, who had started towards you at the door, whips around immediately. "Grant, you cannot be serious."

"I know. It's a terrible condition. Please understand."

Looks like Grant work mode has officially expired. It rarely lasts long.

"You are utterly obnoxious," Beth snaps. Grant smiles winningly back at her and she groans in frustration. "The complex has been abandoned for several years. However, there have been numerous unconfirmed rumours of movements within the structures, largely at night—" She trails off, glowering. "You haven't forgotten. I can tell."

"Nah," Grant drawls. "But I wanted to see you launch into explain mode. You really think I'm dumb, huh?" There's a sudden hard edge to his voice.

Shauna looks rapidly between the two of them. "Um… guys?"

Both ignore her. Beth takes a step closer to Grant. If he has a hard edge, hers is diamond sharp. "If it walks like an idiot and talks like an idiot…"

Luckily, as the pair of them verge on an all-out argument, you manage to break the tension with an expertly timed display of incompetence.

If anyone asks, it was absolutely on purpose.

*choice
    *selectable_if ((guts < 50) and (mc_exbuild != 6)) #Tired, I sneakily try to rest on a windowsill, then fall through the window. [Poor Guts]
        *set guts -20
        You've never been great at handling your backpack's weight. Or any weight really. Or physical exertion in general.
        
        So sometimes you need to take a breather, what's so wrong with that?
        
        And maybe that means you decide to have a sly little sit on a nearby windowsill and [i]maybe[/i] you're so fixated on making it look casual that you don't spot that the window contains no glass and immediately go backwards through said window, tumbling head over heels into the room beyond with a crash.
        
        Winded and with various tools digging into your back, you take a dazed moment to reorient yourself.
        *fake_choice
            #"I'm okay!" I call out.
                Your voice emerges in a bit of a wheeze. You're sure you must sound very convincing.
                
                *goto headpop
            #I'm not getting up. The floor is my home now.
                It's been a good life, but you think you've found your place in the world. A true sense of belonging with your ringing ears and aching spine.
                
            #Please tell me Prii didn't get that on camera.
                *set pratfall true
                This is already humiliating. There's a good to great chance you die on the spot if Prii recorded you eating shit.
                
        "$!{mc_name}@{bestie ? Are you alright?" Beth's voice.|? Jeez, are you okay?" Prii's voice.|! Oh my gosh, are you alright!?" Shauna's voice.|? Damn, you practicing acrobatics?" Grant's voice.|}
            
        You mumble something indistinct @{bestie and roughly affirmative|and roughly affirmative|and roughly affirmative|that might roughly equate to 'fuck you Grant'}.
         
        *if ((bestie = 2) and (pratfall))
            Oh no they saw. 
         
            Well it's been a good life. Time to implode of embarrassment.
                
            "Yeah," you mumble reluctantly, already foreseeing your endlessly-replayed doom.
                
        *label headpop
        Above you, Shauna's head pops up in the window frame that so recently facilitated your involuntary ingress. Relief flickers across her face, and she vaults easily through the gap to land alongside you. Somebody in the group has to have an athletic bone in their body, you suppose.
            
        Offering you a hand, Shauna pulls you up to your feet with very little strain; she's a lot stronger than she looks.
            
        "Thanks."
            
        *if ((dated_shauna) and (touchingokay))
            She gives you a quick hug, @{mc_height DUMMY|tucking you against her chest|tucking you against her chest|tucking you against her shoulder|squeezing gently|tucking her head into your shoulder}. "Don't worry me like that."
            
            You smile sheepishly.
                
        *else
            "You're definitely alright?" she asks, and you nod in the affirmative.
                
        Prii appears in the window next. They poke their head in through the gap and glance around. "I guess that solves our entrance."
            
        In short order, the whole group has clambered through the window. See? The whole fall was entirely on purpose.
        *goto entrymain
    *selectable_if (knowledge < 50) #I lock out the keypad by pressing random buttons. [Poor Knowledge]
        *set knowledge -20
        While the two of them argue, you've been busy inspecting the keypad. You vaguely recall hearing somewhere that most people aren't good with passwords, so maybe you can just brute force this?
        
        You've made your way through 1111, 1234, and 3456 without success, then decide to attempt 9999. That combination warrants a high pitched electronic buzz from the keypad, and the display turns into a foreboding ERR. You jerk your hand back and try to look nonchalant as you step away.
        
        Turning around, you find everyone staring at you, including the arguing pair.
        
        "$!{mc_name}…" sighs Beth. "Why am I not surprised?"
        
        "Probably something to do with ${mc_his} track record of thinking ${mc_he} can muddle through things ${mc_he} @{mc_singular doesn't|don't} actually understand?" Grant suggests.
        *fake_choice
            #"I understand a lot of things."
                "True, I'm just not sure that any of them exist on the same planet as the rest of us," Grant ripostes.
                
                You frown at him.
                
                "I'm unsure that understanding is the issue so much as the execution," says Beth.
                
            #"I figured I had a decent chance of guessing the code."
                Beth is unimpressed by your explanation. "$!{mc_name}, do you have any idea how many possible combinations a four-digit code can have?"
                
                "It's not that I thought I'd just pick it out by fluke," you protest. "I was trying common passwords."
                
                She's opening her mouth for another reprimand, but then pauses. "I suppose I can see the logic," she says instead, albeit begrudgingly. "However, you could easily have tripped an alarm."
                
            #"If it works, it works."
                "And how often is that the case?" Beth asks pointedly.
                
                "…Sometimes," you mutter.
                
                "Which is enough of a failure rate to perhaps give you pause, yes?"
                
        You make a face. It's not that Beth doesn't have a point, but it feels like you're always getting criticised for this kind of thing. You came up with a solution that made sense; your solutions always make sense in the moment. Is it really your fault that they don't come off every time?
        
        Maybe!
        *goto windowfind
    *selectable_if (observation < 50) #I trip over a trashcan I didn't see. [Poor Observation]
        *set observation -20
        You're a little distracted by the argument and your attention wanders along with your feet, taking you a few yards down the side of the building. This isn't uncommon for you; sometimes concentrating on one thing is difficult.
        
        With half of your brain still preoccupied with what's going on behind you, it's entirely predictable that you stumble directly into a trashcan, knocking it over with a dramatic clang of metal and tumbling to the ground in a shower of leaves, bottles, and cans.
        
        You sprawl there on the floor for a few seconds.
        
        "Great contribution, $!{mc_name}. Always good to hear from you," Grant drawls.
        
        Grumbling, you clamber back to your feet. As you finish straightening, you blink. The window directly in front of you is empty; there's no glass. You've located a convenient entrypoint by complete accident.
        *fake_choice
            #Accident? Nonsense! Just as planned!
                Clearly you are a master strategist, and this is simply your latest and greatest scheme.
                
            #Well, I'm not complaining.
                Convenience for the small price of your dignity; a worthwhile trade.
                
            #I really hope Prii didn't get that on camera.
                If they recorded you eating shit, you're down to retire from public life here and now.
                
        In any case, you have a discovery to share with the class.
        *goto checkthewindow
    *selectable_if (subterfuge < 50) #My loud novelty ringtone goes off. [Poor Subterfuge]
        *set subterfuge -20
        Your phone blares to life with the cheery tunes of a three year old meme song. Panicking, you dig through your pockets, nearly fumbling your phone directly onto the floor in your haste to pull it out. Your thumb misses the button at the first attempt, finally rejects the spam call at the second.
        
        Everyone's staring at you as you look back up.
        
        Grant slow claps. "Wonderful, $!{mc_name}. Your taste is incredible."
        
        Prii shakes their head. "Phones silent is part of the prep, remember $!{mc_name}?" In spite of the reprimand, they're smiling.
        
        "Aw Prii come on, you know that $!{mc_name}…" Shauna trails off.
        
        You sigh.
        *fake_choice
            #"Is the least subtle person in the world?"
                Shauna nods. "Exactly!" Her eyes widen. "Wait um. Sorry, I didn't mean—"
                
                You wave her off. You know your weaknesses.
                
            #"Always forgets about ${mc_his} phone?"
                Shauna nods. "Exactly!"
                
            #"Can't fight the memes?"
                Shauna giggles. "That um, wasn't what I was going to say."
                
        Sadly, this is not an irregular occurrence. If it's not your phone, it's talking too loud, or walking straight in front of a security guard, or obliviously spoiling a surprise party that you didn't realise was a surprise. (Not your finest hour. You don't think Prii has ever fully forgiven you for ruining their plan).
        
        "My bad," you mumble under your breath, replacing your phone. Glancing around the group, you hesitate. Everyone is still looking at you. "Uh, something wrong?"
        
        Prii is clearly fighting back their laughter. "$!{mc_name}, you still didn't mute it."
        
        "…Ah." Out again comes your phone. You set it to silent, double checking to make extra sure.
        
        *goto windowfind

*label windowfind
*page_break
There's a brief lull in conversation. Grant, as ever, is quick to breach it. "Okay so $!{mc_name}'s amazing contribution aside, we still need a way in."

*if expressive > 60
    You lazily flip him off. He smirks, unbothered.
    
*elseif expressive < 35
    You roll your eyes and ignore him.
    
*else
    You give him a dirty look. He grins unapologetically.
    
"This doesn't look like the main entrance, we could head around to the other side," suggests Prii.

*if subterfuge > 40
    "Can Grant or $!{mc_name} pick that door open, maybe?" Shauna points to the security door.
    
    *if knowledge < 30
        "$!{mc_name} is banned from touching that door again," says Grant, winking at you.
    
    *else
        "Not sure it'll play nice with lockpicks, Shauna," explains Grant. "Electrical doors work differently."
        
*elseif subterfuge < 50
    "Can you maybe pick that door open, Grant?" Shauna points to the security door.
    
    "Not sure it'll play nice with lockpicks, Shauna," explains Grant. "Electrical doors work differently."
        
Glancing back and forth around the discussion, something catches your eye. More accurately, a lack of something. Each time you turn your head, light glints off the glass of two nearby windows. Not so the third alongside them. You walk towards the window, squinting. It's sort of like…

Your hand passes straight through.

…there's no actual pane.
*label checkthewindow
*fake_choice
    #"We can get in from here!"
        You call over your shoulder to the others, waving them across to your discovery. Without waiting for further input, you hop across the windowsill and into the building.
    #"Hey guys, I found our window of opportunity!"
        *set rel_grant +1
        *set rel_prii +1
        *set rel_shauna +1
        *set expressive %+ 5
        You're already starting to grin as you look back over your shoulder.
        
        Beth groans. "$!{mc_name}, kindly keep your aspirations of stand-up comedy to yourself."
        
        Firing her a confident fingergun, you hop onto the windowsill and, with a little flair, swing your legs around to hop inside.
    #I just climb inside. The others will catch on.
        *set rel_beth +1
        *set rel_prii +1
        *set expressive %- 5
        "$!{mc_name}?" calls Prii. "What are you—there ${mc_he} @{mc_singular goes|go}."
        
        You hear them laugh as you vault across the windowsill and into the building.

Clearing the way, you take a couple of steps forward. Leaves blown from outside crunch underfoot as you move.

You turn, and one by one the others follow you through the empty window. Shauna with confident ease. Grant lazily. Beth cautious. Prii last of all, carefully cradling the video camera. Soon enough you're all assembled.

"Good find, $!{mc_name}," says Prii with a smile.
*label entrymain
*page_break
Little light carries into the building from here, and the five of you turn on flashlights in unison to cut through the gloom.

The room you've entered is revealed, and it's a total mess. Empty filing cabinets are upturned, a table is propped precariously against a wall, and broken chairs are scattered around at random. Once upon a time this could have been an office. Now it's not much of anything.

There's clearly little in the way of compelling footage or intrigue to be found here, so after affording Prii a moment to adjust the camera, you move on.

"Lead the way, $!{mc_name}@{pop pop|}," says Grant.

*page_break Proceed.

*label indoors

You head out of the room's singular exit with flashlight in hand, emerging into a disused corridor strewn with yet more debris and trash.

*if observation > 41
    For now you're conserving the night vision goggles; five flashlights provide ample illumination and the goggles have horrendous battery life.
    
Sweeping your light in both directions reveals nothing but motes of dust dancing in the darkness. With nothing to go off, you decide to turn left. You can always come back and go the other way.

Leading the group down the hallway, you pass several more rooms. Quick glances inside reveal each of them to be just as wrecked as the first. Noise feels muted in here; outside you could hear the occasional passing car, yowling cat, or raised voice. Within, there's nothing but your breathing and five sets of footfalls on creaking floorboards.

After a couple of minutes the beams of your flashlights begin to reveal a more open area. Soon enough, you walk into a larger room. As your flashlights flit around the area, you see two sets of stairs leading upward, another corridor opposite you, and a set of double doors which seem to lead back to an exit.

"Wow." Grant's voice sounds much too loud to your ears. "Feel like I'm back in high school."

"Let's hope we don't run into any teachers, huh?" Prii's using their 'performer' voice again. It works great for videos and never fails to hit weirdly for you.

"This area seems promising. We should take a look around." Everyone murmurs quiet agreement to Beth's suggestion, and the five of you begin fanning out around the room.

Scanning your surroundings with your flashlight, your beam lands on a couple of potential points of interest.

*label searching
*choice
    *disable_reuse #Something is glinting underneath one of the staircases.
        *set searches +1
        Walking over to the leftmost staircase, you slip around to its backside. @{mc_height DUMMY|Luckily, you're short enough that ducking underneath the stairs is fairly manageable in spite of the cramped space|Luckily, your height makes ducking underneath the stairs much easier in spite of the cramped space|The space underneath the stairs is cramped, forcing you to stoop|Your height forces you to stoop uncomfortably to get a look at the cramped space underneath the stairs|Your height forces you to bend near enough in half to actually get a decent look at the cramped space underneath the stairs}. Successfully situated in the crawlspace, you shine your flashlight on the object.
        
        "What the…"
        
        Your beam flashes off the blade of a knife. Not simple kitchenware either, that's a bonafide hunting knife.
        
        What on earth is that doing here?
        *choice
            #Pick it up.
                *set instinctive %+ 7
                *set knife true
                On impulse, you reach out and grab the knife. Its grip is cold in your hand and the blade heavily tarnished. Still, to your inexpert eye the weapon seems sturdy enough.
                
                You scoot backwards, extricating yourself from the crawlspace.
                
                "Um… $!{mc_name}, is that a knife?" Shauna's voice quavers from the gloom alongside you.
                
                "Yeah, it was just sitting under the stairs. Isn't that weird?"
                
                Shauna audibly gulps. "Right… weird…"
                
                A nearby 'tch' signifies the presence of Beth. "$!{mc_name}, I really do not think it is a good idea to go picking up knives from the floor. If nothing else, it's incredibly unsanitary."
                *choice
                    #"There's nothing wrong with a bit of floor knife, Beth."
                        @{beth_annoy Her breath hisses between her teeth. "You are impossible."|"I quite literally just told you what is wrong with 'floor knife', $!{mc_name}."}
                        
                        *label keepingknife
                        *if (beth_annoy)
                            Beth was already annoyed with you, so it's not like you could have done much to defuse her short of ditching your prize.
                            
                            Remaining silent, you almost [i]hear[/i] Beth roll her eyes. "If you get tetanus, don't come crying to me." She stalks off.
                            
                            "Oh dear," murmurs Shauna.
                            *goto midscene
                 
                        *else
                            "I think you're worrying too much, but I'll be careful." Hopefully it's enough of a concession to pacify her.
                            
                            Another terse noise. "Very well. You had better." She walks away.
                            
                            Shauna sighs. "She's scary when she's mad…"
                            
                            @{dated_beth Correct. But also very attractive.|} @{pastcrush Correct. But also very attractive.||||}
                            *goto midscene
                    #"I promise to practice excellent knife hygiene."
                        @{beth_annoy Her breath hisses between her teeth. "Don't be ridiculous."|"Knife hygiene. Of course," she says flatly.}
                        
                        *goto keepingknife
                    #"Okay, fine." I toss the knife.
                        *set knife false
                        *set rel_beth +1
                        No sense irritating her@{beth_annoy further|.} You throw the knife back from whence it came.
                        
                        "Rationality, wonderful. Thank you, $!{mc_name}."
                        
                        "No problem."
                        
                        You silently mourn Mystery Knife as Shauna and Beth walk off.
                        *goto midscene
            #Uhh no. I am leaving the creepy floor knife alone.
                *set instinctive %- 7
                Who knows where that thing has been? It could be a concealed murder weapon for all you know. You sure as heck aren't touching it.
                
                Instead you scoot backwards, extricating yourself from the crawlspace and leaving the knife to rust.
                *goto midscene
    *disable_reuse #A random desk is shoved up against the wall.
        *set searches +1
        This room doesn't seem like the type of place that demands furnishing, so in that regard a desk is an unusual fixture for the space.
        
        Stepping on over to the desk, your suspicions only grow. It looks much newer than the scattered furniture of your entrypoint. That said, the surface is bare, and rifling through the desk's drawers reveals them all to be empty. You frown, and then give the desk itself an experimental tug. It moves easily enough, and you slide it off to one side. However, your hopes of a find are swiftly dashed; the wall behind the desk is unremarkable and bare. No secret doors to be found.
        
        *if observation < 41
            You cast around for a short while longer, but the search is fruitless. Shooting the desk an aggrieved glare, you step away.
            *goto midscene
        
        *else
            Just as you're about to give up an idea hits you. Crouching low, you shine your flashlight upwards.
            
            A walkie-talkie is taped to the bottom of the desk.
            
            *if expressive > 65
                You are frankly amazing.
                
            *elseif expressive < 35
                A small smile curves onto your face.
                
            *else
                Bingo.
            
        *choice
            #Yoink.
                *label yoink
                *set walkie true
                An unexplained device carefully concealed from view? Too weird to pass up. You reach out and detach the walkie-talkie from its mooring without much effort.
                
                You weigh it in your hand as you climb back to your feet.
                *choice
                    #Obviously I'm trying it out.
                        *set walkiechat true
                        What's the point of a walkie-talkie if not to communicate? You push the talk button.
                        
                        *if expressive > 65
                            "Yo, yo, yo?"
                        
                        *elseif expressive < 35
                            "Testing."
                            
                        *else
                            "Hello?"
                            
                        Static crackles.
                        
                        Seconds tick by.
                        
                        More static.
                        
                        More seconds.
                        
                        You lower the walkie, unsure whether you're disappointed or relieved. Looks like nobody's home—
                        
                        A smooth voice breaks through the white noise. [i]"Say again."[/i]
                        
                        You freeze.
                        
                        [i]"Say again, catalyst."[/i]
                        *fake_choice
                            #"Hi?"
                                You raise the radio back to your mouth and speak.
                                
                                A pause.
                                
                                There's a soft hum from the other end, and then a click. Call terminated.
                                
                            #Hang up right now.
                                Your thumb slams the cancel button as fast as you possibly can.
                                
                                
                        Your heart races. @{nervous Why did you do that? [i]Why did you do that?[/i]|That may not have been the best idea you ever had.}
                        
                        "$!{mc_name}? Are you alright?" Shauna comes to your side.
                        
                        "Uh…" You show her the walkie-talkie. "Someone was on the other end."
                        
                        A sharp intake of breath. "Okay, okay. That's. Okay. Wow. Let's tell the others, alright?"
                        
                        You nod weakly.
                        *page_break
                        
                        The five of you convene and you explain the situation. Beth is predictably critical of your decision. Grant predictably makes a sly comment about it.
                        
                        After a little debate, you collectively conclude that while the mystery voice is weird and more than a little unsettling, this is genuine evidence that something unusual is going on. Besides, this isn't Urban AdVenture's first rodeo, and you've all stumbled into some strange sets of circumstances in the past. You'd lose half the videos on your channel—including most of your top ten—if you backed out the second you uncovered anything out of the ordinary.
                        
                        You stow the walkie-talkie in your pocket and take some steadying breaths, trying to ignore the voice repeatedly playing back in your mind.
                        *goto midscene
                    #Testing it is a bridge too far.
                        *set instinctive %- 7
                        *label dontpressthat
                        Absolutely anyone could be on the other end. Investigating mysterious hidden radios while standing in a creeping abandoned building is horror movie material, and you aren't about to let yourself become the victim of some kind of cursed walkie talkie ghost.
                        
                        Tempting fate can wait until you've safely vacated the premises. You stow your find away safely in a pocket.
                        *goto midscene
            #Inspect the walkie-talkie more closely.
                *set walkiedetail true
                Aside from its unusual placement, nothing seems especially out of the ordinary. It's pretty much like any other walkie-talkie that you've previously seen.
                
                Looking very closely indeed, you see faint adhesive residue on the desk; the walkie-talkie has been taped here more than once.
                *choice
                    #Let's get that sucker out of there.
                        *goto yoink
                    #I'll call someone over.
                        *goto callbeth
            #Call your nearest friend over.
                *label callbeth
                *set bethwalkie true
                "Beth? Come take a look at this."
                
                *if ((beth_annoy) and (knife))
                    "What is it now?" Beth doesn't quite snap, but it's dangerously close. She joins you nevertheless.
                    
                *else
                    "What is it?" Beth doesn't sound disinterested so much as distracted. She joins you nevertheless.
                    
                "Look here." You gesture with the flashlight.
                
                Beth kneels down next to you and does as you ask. "…How odd."
                *choice
                    #"Let's grab it?"
                        *label walkiegrab
                        *set walkie true
                        You reach out and begin untaping the walkie-talkie.
                        
                        *if (knife)
                            Beth sighs. "You really cannot help yourself, can you?"
                            
                            You shrug, grinning. "Never played an adventure game, Beth?"
                            
                            "No, but I surmise they must involve picking up an assortment of random objects."
                            
                            You laugh. "Yeah pretty much."
                            
                        *else
                            "I suppose it's an unusual find." In the faint glow of the flashlights, you see her frown.
                            
                            "You okay?"
                            
                            Beth shrugs delicately. "I'm thinking, that's all." No further information seems to be forthcoming.
                            
                            "Alright then."
                            
                        With a little more effort, your prize drops neatly into your hand.
                        *choice
                            #Walkies are for talkies. I push the button.
                                Just as your thumb depresses the switch, Beth's hand moves with surprising speed to knock you off course.
                                
                                "Are you insane?" she hisses. "You have no idea who this belongs to."
                                *choice
                                    #"You know, 'don't press that' would have worked fine."
                                        Beth's angry glare softens. "I… you are quite correct. My apologies."
                                        
                                        At least with Beth you can always count on the authenticity of any apologies, She doesn't believe in meaningless sorries.
                                        
                                        "Thank you."
                                        
                                        Beth nods awkwardly. @{dated_beth "That was thoughtless, love. Please forgive me," she murmurs.|"Anyway," she mutters.}
                                        
                                        @{dated_beth "It's alright," you assure her as you both stand up. Worse things have happened, and she's your girlfriend. You don't want to fight.|You return the nod equally awkwardly.}
                                        
                                        @{dated_beth She gives you a pained smile and then walks away. Allowing her the space you take a moment to stow the walkie-talkie in your pocket.|After a brief silence, you separate. You stow the walkie-talkie in a pocket as you leave.}
                                        *goto midscene
                                    #"Sure. Whatever. Have it your way. As usual."
                                        *set poed true
                                        *set rel_beth -5
                                        Glaring at Beth, you rise to your feet and stomp off, seething.
                                        
                                        @{dated_beth Urgh. You hate getting mad at her, but you're going to need a minute.|It'd be nice if she treated you like an adult now and then. She can be such a control freak.}
                                        
                                        You're not even in the mood to try the walkie-talkie now. You shove it moodily into a pocket.
                                        *goto midscene
                                
                            #I have no intention of using this.
                                Walkie-talkie in hand, you straighten up, giving Beth a nod. She answers with one of her own, and then steps away, still deep in thought. For your part, you keep well away from pushing any buttons.
                                
                                *goto dontpressthat
                            
                    #"Let's leave it alone."
                        *label walkieleave
                        Something about finding a real sign of habitation makes you uneasy.
                        
                        *if (knife)
                            "So random knives are no issue, but you draw the line at walkie talkies? $!{mc_name}, you are an enigma."
                            
                        *else
                            "Perhaps that would be for the best."
                            
                        Decision made, the two of you climb back up to your feet, leaving the walkie-talkie in its cocoon. Beth gives you a brief nod before stepping away and leaving you to your own devices.
                        *goto midscene
                    *if (walkiedetail) #"The tape's been replaced. See the old adhesive?"
                        "I do." Beth leans a little closer. "A recurring placement…"
                        
                        You nod, deep in thought. Has the radio been left here for someone? Is it taped up for safe keeping?
                        
                        This place is abandoned—or appears to be—why take such pains to conceal something when it's already so far away from prying eyes?
                        
                        Eyes like yours.
                        *choice
                            #"I'm taking it."
                                *goto walkiegrab
                            #"I'm leaving it alone."
                                *goto walkieleave
    #A rug in the centre of the room strikes you as out of place.
        Why is there a rug here? You haven't seen a single other adornment since entering the complex. Everything's been totally barren and industrial, and then suddenly there's decor? Something doesn't add up.
        
        You approach the rug. It's shabby and neglected, much like its surroundings, but the more attention you pay, the more convinced you get that it's been made that way deliberately. Camouflage. Crouching down, you inspect the covering further. There's some scuffing and what looks like a boot mark. Nothing especially out of the ordinary in that regard. 
        
        Sudden inspiration strikes you. What if…? 
        
        You switch off your light.
        
        In the darkness, you see a very faint glow emanating from below.
        *fake_choice
            #I knew it.
                Something felt suspicious and lo and behold you're right on the money.
                
            #My brain is huge.
                You congratulate yourself on your 4D chess move.
                
            #Guess somebody was trying to sweep this under the rug.
                You take a moment to bask in being the funniest ${mc_man} on the planet.
                
        With this fresh discovery, you need no further invitation, and promptly peel back the rug. Underneath you uncover a large square hatch, light shining from around its edges.
        
        That settles it. You stand up and call out to the others. "Everyone, come see this."
        
        The group begins gathering. You crouch back down to study the hatch. The existence of a basement and or sublevel doesn't strike you as unusual. A basement or sublevel that's powered and hidden in a building that's supposed to be abandoned? Very different story.
        
        Just what have you stumbled across?
        *goto downthehatch
    *disable_reuse #An old notice board still has papers pinned to it.
        *set searches +1
        *set cipher true
        You stroll over to the board hanging askew on a wall. Tacks dot the surface. Some pin only scraps, the paper torn away, but a few notices remain intact, and you begin scanning them.
        
        The first couple are uninteresting; a flier for a concert long since passed, a 'no smoking' advisory, a passive-aggressive reminder about parking courtesy. One message catches your eye, however. The paper looks newer than the others, and the handwriting is printed with uniform precision.
        
        Also, the message itself is completely incomprehensible, consisting of a random assortment of letters that form exactly zero actual words. You detach the paper, frowning. The reverse is blank, holding no clues to interpret the word jumble. You briefly attempt to reorder the letters in your head, but they don't seem to form any anagrams.
        
        *if knowledge > 41
            It must be a cipher. That's the most sensible explanation.
            
            Studying the message, you try ROT13—moving each letter back thirteen positions in the alphabet—to no avail, and then attempt another couple of common substitution ciphers. No joy. Without a code word, more examples of the writing, or a heck of a lot of time to analyse the message, you're stuck.
            
            A strange find though. You doubt whichever company owned this complex back in the day had a codebreaking club.
            
        *else
            So maybe it's a cipher? One letter equals another letter type of deal? 
            
            That has to be it. You smile to yourself, pleased with the deduction, and then hesitate.
            
            You have absolutely no idea how to work these out. So uh, shoot. Looks like this is a dead end.
            
        Tucking the paper away for safe keeping, you turn away from the board.
        *goto midscene

*label midscene
*page_break
*if (walkiechat)
    *achieve bedtimestory
    

*if searches = 1
    You move back into the middle of the room, considering what to check next.
    
    "Prii, you gonna help look or what?" grouses Grant.
    
    "I'm recording," Prii replies, turning slow and methodical circles with the video camera. "We sort of need footage, remember?"
    
    "Urgh. I'm forming a union."
    
    Tuning out Grant's grumbles, you continue to poke around.
    *goto searching
*elseif searches =2
    Once more you return to the room's centre to weigh up your options.
    
    "I found something! Oh wait. No, no, that's just trash."
    
    "Shauna, it's wonderful to hear of your progress. Would you please keep it down?" Beth's chastisement floats out of the darkness. @{poed Wow, she's really on a roll of going for everyone's throat. Whoo.|Honestly, you could buy her dishing out disembodied criticism.}
    
    "Sorry…"
    
    You concentrate on searching. There must be something here, right?
    *goto searching
    
*else
    "I found something! For real this time!"
    
    "Shauna…" exasperated Beth is at a peak. @{poed What else is new?|}
    
    "Sorry! But come look! There's a hatch!"
    
    You all move to join Shauna. She's pulled back the rug that you made note of but hadn't got around to checking out. Exposed below it is indeed a hatch. A hatch which, on closer inspection, has light shining around its sides.
    *fake_choice
        #Smile at her.
            *set rel_shauna +2
            Though it's dark, Shauna catches your expression after a moment, and responds with a full force beam of her own.
        #Nod acknowledgement.
            *set rel_shauna +1
            Shauna smiles at your taciturn approval.
        #"Good going, Shauna."
            *set rel_shauna +2
            "Thanks, $!{mc_name}!" Shauna chirps, looking very pleased with herself.
        #Give her a hug.
            *set rel_shauna +5
            *if ((dated_shauna) and (touchingokay))
                Shauna giggles softly and nestles into your arms.
                
                "Thanks, $!{mc_name}," she murmurs.
            *elseif (dated_shauna)
                "Oh!" Your uncharacteristic display of physical affection catches her by surprise. "You're so sweet, $!{mc_name}."
                
            *else
                Shauna happily returns the hug. "Aw, thanks $!{mc_name}."
                
    *goto downthehatchshauna

*label downthehatch
*page_break
As the group finishes assembling, you once again hop back up to your feet. You're getting a real workout routine going.

*if guts < 40
    …your legs hurt.
    
*if bestie = 1
    @{beth_annoy "Good work, $!{mc_name}," says Beth stiffly. Yeah. She's still mad.|"Excellent work, $!{mc_name}," says Beth with a hint of a smile.}
    
*else
    @{bestie DUMMY|"Nice work, detective," says Prii, smiling at you with affection.|"Well done, $!{mc_name}!" chirps Shauna. "I would have taken forever to think of that!"|"I guess we know who's the brains of the operation," says Grant, giving you a grin.}

*label downthehatchshauna
"So…" you address your friends. "Are we heading down?"

"This certainly seems like a promising lead," Beth replies.

"It's spooky, but yes. I want to see!" Shauna chips in.

"Nah I think we should turn around and go home," drawls Grant. You all look at him, varying shades of unimpressed, and he holds up his hands. "Okay, okay, jeez."

Prii returns their attention to you. "It'd be a real waste to stop here." They sweep out the arm not occupied by a video camera in an elaborate 'be my guest' gesture. "Take us away, $!{mc_name}@{pop pop|}."

*if (pop)
    Beth groans in exasperation. "What on earth is this '$!{mc_name}pop' business?"
    
    Prii and Grant exchange mischievous grins.
    
    "Don't ask," you mutter darkly, which only causes the pair of them to break into chuckles.
    
    Beth sighs and nods you forward,

*page_break Inspect the hatch.
*if observation > 40
    Faint markings in the approximate centre of the hatch suggest that there may have been a handle at some stage, but it's been removed. Somebody wanted this area to be inaccessible from above.
    
    Well, it's not. You just require the right tool for the job.
    
*else
    There's no apparent handle to raise the hatch by, and after only a brief examination you conclude that you'll need a tool for the job.

*if guts > 40
    Unshouldering your backpack, it's the work of moments to extricate a crowbar. Giving it a quick spin in your hand, you gesture for everyone to move to the side, and then wedge the crowbar around the hatch's edge. With only modest effort, you prise up the hatch and get your fingers underneath it to raise the entire thing open.
    
*else
    "Shauna, help me with this."
    
    She nods and unshoulders her backpack. After a moment, she extricates a crowbar. Everyone else moves to the side, though Grant pretends as if he's going to stay standing on the hatch.
    
    *if guts < 25
        Given your… lacking physical strength, you let Shauna wedge the crowbar around the hatch's edge and pry it up, though you do pitch in by grabbing hold once the hatch has enough clearance. Embarrassingly, you still can't quite handle the weight by yourself, and she has to help you raise it the rest of the way open.
        
    *else
        You take the crowbar and wedge around the hatch's edge. It's a bit of a strain, but you manage to prise up the hatch, getting your fingers underneath it to raise the entire thing open.
        
More light floods into the room from below. Shielding your eyes, you turn off your flashlight and squint at the newly-revealed staircase descending underground. Each step is harsh concrete, the unadorned passageway you can barely see at the bottom narrow and claustrophobic.
*choice
    *if (not (excited)) #Ominous.
        You suppress an involuntary shiver, filled with a @{nervous renewed|sudden} sense of foreboding.
    *if (not (nervous)) #Exciting.
        *set excitedstairs true
        You resist the urge to hop from foot to foot. Secret tunnels? This is awesome.
    #Stairs.
        That sure is a staircase.
        
*if guts < 25        
    Prii's given you point, so there's nothing else but to head on down.

*else
    Prii's given you point, so you hand the crowbar to Shauna for safekeeping and head on down.
    
*if instinctive > 55
    You let your feet carry you onward, beating a rapid rhythm as you trot down the stairs. @{nervous They're not as spooked as you at least.|}
    
*elseif (excited)
    You trot your way down the stairs, your eagerness overriding your caution.
    
*else
    You take a slow and measured pace as you move down.
    
The walls crowd around you once you reach the bottom. From this vantage you're able to see the naked and harshly bright halogen lights affixed to alternating sides of the passage, providing the illumination that gave away the hatch's presence.

There's only one route forward. You hear your friends follow as you head along the passage. For once even Grant has nothing to say, a hush descending over the entire group as you collectively sense you're on the cusp of something…
*fake_choice
    #Strange.
        A concealed basement in an abandoned building. Fully powered at that. @{walkiechat A stranger's voice on the radio.|}
        
        Tonight is well on its way to setting a brand new bar for Urban AdVenture's oddest outings.
    #Dangerous.
        *set instinctive %- 5
        This is a place you should not be. Secrets lie ahead of you, but someone has taken great care to conceal them.
        
        You can't help but wonder if you're strolling straight into a world of trouble.
    *selectable_if (excitedstairs) #Still exciting? Obviously?
        *set expressive %+ 5
        It'll take more than a mildly spooky corridor to shake your @{excited nightlong|fresh stoked} enthusiasm. You're Urban AdVenture, not Urban Quiet-eVening-inside.

The passage comes to a metal door. With brief hesitation, you reach out and try the handle, and are a little surprised to find that it's unlocked. For some reason you had pictured it to be more of a barrier.

Beyond, the corridor widens—not that the architecture gets any more welcoming—and then splits into a t-junction. After a moment to ensure that everyone's still together, you proceed, turning left. Hey, it worked upstairs.

This section of the passage is a lot shorter than the previous, and you swiftly arrive at another door. This one, however, has a keypad.

*if knowledge < 30
    "Hold up, $!{mc_name}! No more button mashing for you." Grant intercedes before you can so much as touch any keys.
    
    Shooting him an unimpressed look, you once again simply try the door. It opens without issue.
*else
    "Another one of these? What's the plan?" asks Grant, sidling up alongside you. 
    
    You shrug. "Always worth a shot…" You simply try the door. It opens without issue.
    
Grant looks from you to the door and then back. "Huh. Alright then. Kinda pointless."

*if ((dated_grant) or (bestie = 4))
    You give him a wink. @{dated_grant He blows you back a kiss.|He favours you with a grin.}

*if expressive < 40
    You just hold the door open and beckon everyone through.
    
*else
    "I'm not complaining," you tell him, holding open the door.
    
*page_break Onward.

Past this latest door the light is dim enough to squint. Out come the flashlights once again, and then it's on down the next corridor.

"Guys?" Shauna's voice breaches the silence. "I'm getting worried. I'm not sure we should be here."

"Well duh," says Grant flippantly.

"Grant…" Prii chides gently. "Shauna, we need more footage before we head back. Sorry."

Shauna makes a noise of unhappy assent.
*fake_choice
    #Reassure her gently.
        *set rel_shauna +2
        *set rel_prii +2
        Shauna can be brittle, and it's clear she needs a boost.
        
        "We're all looking out for each other, Shauna," you say, twisting around to give her an encouraging smile. "Nothing's going to happen."
        
        She beams at you. @{pastcrush |||Your stomach somersaults. It should be illegal to be that cute.|} "Thanks, $!{mc_name}."
        
    #Reassure her brusquely.
        *set rel_beth +2
        *set rel_grant +2
        Sometimes Shauna needs to hear a firm response.
        
        "It's just old security. No need to freak out."
        
        She nods slowly. "I… I guess you're right."
        
    #Reassure her with humour.
        Lightening up the mood is usually a good play.
        
        *if expressive < 30
            *set expressive %+ 5
            *set rel_grant +3
            *set rel_shauna +1
            *set rel_beth +1
            *set rel_prii +1
            "Hey Shauna, just think: if we all get killed, at least people love found footage."
            
            There's a pause.
            
            Grant starts cracking up. "Holy shit $!{mc_name}, maybe put the standup career on ice."
            
            Shauna wears a stricken smile. "Th… thanks $!{mc_name}. I think?"
            
            This is why you don't tell jokes.
            
        *else
            *set rel_prii +2
            *set rel_shauna +2
            *set rel_grant +1
            "Look on the bright side, if we run into a serial killer or something, it'll make for a next level clickbait title."
            
            Shauna giggles nervously. "I really hope we don't, $!{mc_name}."
            
            "Finding a MURDER DEN in an abandoned building??" you proclaim dramatically.
            
            "Aw man I can even picture the thumbnail," says Prii, chuckling.
            
            Grant puts on an officious, fussy voice. "Top comment: Uhhh how is it a serial killer if you aren't even murdered right now? Fake!"
            
*page_break
With Shauna somewhat calmer, you continue another few minutes along the passage. Rounding a sharp right-hand corner, you stop.

For the first time, the corridor breaks into something other than straight lines. There are two doors on both sides of the passageway, and between the righthand pair, a small noticeboard. @{cipher How familiar.|}

That seems like the most promising place to start, so you head over. Sure enough, a single paper is pinned to its surface. You easily detach the paper with a tug.

*if (cipher)
    There's only one thing on your mind; you dig your previous find out of your pocket to compare.
    
    *if observation > 25
        The handwriting of the strings of letters is different, but other than that the two papers are near enough the same.
        
    *else
        The two papers seem pretty much the same to you, down to the random strings of letters written across them. 
        
    *if knowledge > 45
        You hold up both papers side by side and inspect them closely. If it's just a substitution cipher, then two samples of the writing are probably enough to take a stab at decoding it. Some simple frequency analysis—knowledge of which letters occur most frequently—should enable you to make a decent guess.
        
        "Give me a minute here," you tell the others, pre-empting the inevitable interruption.
        
        E is the most commonly used letter in English, then T. There's not a bad chance at all that the three letters at the beginning of one message represent 'The'. If you take that 'FTO' and check for more Fs and more Os, do any other half words start to form?
        
        Your eyes flick between the messages as you hold theories in your head, keeping mental track of which letters you believe correspond to others. Over the next couple of minutes, concrete words begin to appear, even with a couple of bad guesses setting you back a step or two.
        
        A satisfied smile arrives on your face as you become convinced you've cracked the code. Just as swiftly it's replaced by a frown as you consider the actual content.
        
        *page_break You've worked it out, but...
        Upstairs: [i]check the perimeter. ensure power is online. patrol headquarters. operation requires no slip-ups.[/i]
        
        Downstairs: [i]the operation is due tonight from eight. catalyst watches headquarters, lullaby on duty. no interruptions to hypothesis. remember, project is required and will be restless.[/i]
        
        "This is weird," you say aloud.
        
        "Weird how?" asks Prii.
        
        Multiple ways. You tell them the first that comes to mind.
        *choice
            #"I think there are code names in here." Some of the words don't make sense in context.
                Although that could mean you're mistaken about the substitutions, it's very unlikely for incorrect substitutions to translate into coherent words.
                
                You point out a couple of them. "Catalyst. Lullaby. Maybe project and hypothesis too."
                
                Prii tilts their head, looking concerned. "Are those masks?"
                
                "I haven't heard of any by those names," you admit.
                
                "Me neither," Shauna adds, and she's the premier superpower buff of the group.
                
            #"I'm not sure what the messages are talking about." You lack the information to understand properly.
                You shake your head. Okay so check perimeter, check power, sure. But the operation? Lullaby on duty? A restless project? What does any of that mean?
                
                "It's likely intentional," says Beth. "If the terminology is cryptic, it adds another layer of security to the messages."
                
                "I suppose." She has a point, but it doesn't make your failure to comprehend any more palatable.
                
            #"Why wouldn't you just text somebody?" Honestly, who does this cloak and dagger stuff?
                The writers of these notes are clearly in contact with each other. One note is in a basement, the other upstairs in the same exact building. Forget texting, they could just get up and go talk to their counterparts. Whoever they are.
                
                "Maybe they're paranoid about the phonewaves getting hijacked," says Grant, wiggling his fingers mock-spookily.
                
                "So they leave messages that someone can just randomly find?"
                
                Grant shrugs. "Said they were paranoid, not smart."
                
        
        A thought occurs to you and you check your phone for the time. Currently, it's around nine thirty PM, well into 'the operation'. Whatever that is.
        
        *achieve codebreaker
        *fake_choice
            #How not at all concerning.
                Nothing to worry about here, no sirree.
            #How absolutely very concerning.
                Better hope that you're not wandering into some kind of black site.
            #Sounds like we need to proceed with operation hurry-this-the-heck-up.
                Yeah. Yeah that sounds like a plan.
            #Eh. It's probably not even the right day.
                You very nearly convince yourself to relax.
                
        *goto thenoise
                
    *else
        Well. Now that's two messages that you don't understand.
        
        You hold both papers up. "Anyone feel like taking a look at these?"
        
        "Certainly." Beth steps forward. @{poed Oh great. You reluctantly|You nod and} hand them over.
        
*else
    A handwritten message is printed on the paper, but it's completely incomprehensible, consisting of a random assortment of letters that form exactly zero actual words.
    
    Beth peers around you. "May I take a look?"
    
    @{poed "Sure, whatever." You begrudgingly|"Be my guest." You} hand the paper over.
    

Beth brings the @{cipher papers|paper} close to her face. "I believe I can decode this… However, I must admit, it isn't my area of expertise. It would take a while, and I believe we would all prefer to stay on the move, yes?"

"No arguments here," says Prii. Quick nods go around the group, and Beth puts the papers away.

*label thenoise
*page_break Time to move on.

Behind you Grant tries one of the doors, which rattles but doesn't open.

"Dang it."

"What now?" Shauna ventures.

"Let's check these out real quick," you suggest, pointing between the remaining cluster of doors.
*fake_choice
    #Just being thorough.
        *set instinctive %- 7
        It's always worth covering all the ground, and under the circumstances, you'd hate to inadvertently miss something important because you were in a rush.
    #Everyone knows that you explore all the side paths before going to the boss.
        That's how you find the hidden secrets. And hopefully not the mysterious superboss.
        
        Honestly, you're not sure you want to find a boss at all. Maybe if it's one of those joke fights that you win by throwing a banana at them or something.
    #Hopefully we find something worth recording and can leave.
        This is getting to be a little worrisome. @{excited Just a little! |}The video is important of course, but the vibes down here are getting more and more off.

*if (pop)
    "Okay, sounds good, $!{mc_name}pop!" Shauna's hands fly to her mouth, but you still hear a muffled "Shoot." 
    
    "For goodness' sake," mutters Beth, pinching her nose.
    *fake_choice
        #Lament my fate.
            *set lament true
            "Kill me now," you mumble under your breath.
            
            "Aw, $!{mc_name}…" Prii's voice sounds sympathetic, but as you glance to them, you see pure evil glittering in their eyes. "We need you, alright? You can't [i]pop[/i] your clogs!"
            
            You spare a moment to wonder what god you've offended to earn this torment.
            
        #To battle the abyss, one must embrace it.
            "Guess I'm updating my screen names when we get back," you muse. Beth groans.
            
            "That's the spirit, $!{mc_name}!" declares Prii. They pause. Wink. "Pop."
            
*else
    "Okay, sounds good, $!{mc_name}!" says Shauna.
    
    "Alright alright alright," drawls Grant.
    
The group starts to fan out around you, leading you to the belated realisation that there's one fewer door than person here. Everyone else is already set on a direction, so it looks like you're the tag along.
*page_break

*if pastcrush = 1
        *goto withbeth
*elseif pastcrush = 2
        *goto withprii
*elseif pastcrush = 3
        *goto withshauna
*elseif pastcrush = 4
        *goto withgrant
*elseif bestie = 1
        *goto withbeth
*elseif bestie = 2
        *goto withprii
*elseif bestie = 3
        *goto withshauna
*elseif bestie = 4
        *goto withgrant

*label withbeth
Beth catches your eye and inclines her head in an unspoken invitation. Without waiting for your response, she opens the nearest door and steps through.

*if ((beth_annoy) or (poed))
    
    …You've been winding each other up all night. Might as well get this over with.
    
    As you walk into the room Beth is waiting for you. She holds up a hand, forestalling any conversation. "Before we go any further, shall we agree to stop arguing? I dislike squabbling with you."
    
    You can't think of any more 'Beth' way to call a ceasefire.
    *fake_choice
        #"Deal." I genuinely want to put this to rest.
            *label dealbeth
            She answers with a small nod. "Thank you."
            
        #"What were we fighting about again?"
            Beth doesn't smile, but there's faint amusement in her voice. "I see you're getting into the spirit of things."
            
        #"Fine." I'm not especially happy, but at least we can move on.
            *goto dealbeth
        #"We're coming back to this." We really ought to talk things through.
            @{poed Honestly, you're still pretty steamed about her snatching the walkie like that, and you don't want to let it lie.|It's not a great idea to let disagreements fester. Even small points of irritation can add up over time.}
            
            "Very well," she replies.
            
    The discussion completed, the two of you turn your attention towards your surroundings.
    *set rel_beth +3
    *goto messroom
    
You follow along after her, a faint smile playing across your face.

*label messroom
Immediately, you're struck by the absolute disaster that is this new room; a greater wreck than anything you saw upstairs. There's barely an inch of floor to be seen under a layer of pulverised ex-furniture, from scraps of wood and twisted, broken metal to ramshackle piles of pipes. Whatever purpose this place once served, it certainly isn't any longer.

"What an utter mess," says Beth, obviously disgusted.

You survey your environment. You're not sure you could even pick out somewhere to put your feet, let alone try to search the place. "Yeah, I doubt there's anything worth seeing in here."

"Agreed."

*if ((pastcrush = 1) or (dated_beth))
    Silence falls between you. Although there's nothing else to do but head back out, neither of you are in a particular hurry to move. Glancing sidelong at Beth, you spend a moment just taking her in. The intensity in those deep blue eyes. The tempered steel of her determination. In many ways, she's the most passionate of all of you.
    
    Another motionless, soundless moment passes.
    *temp nervybeth false
    *fake_choice
        *if ((pastcrush = 1) and (compatible_beth)) #I think I'm ready to tell her how I feel.
            *if ((beth_annoy) or (poed))
                Yeah, sure, you literally just set an argument to rest, but doesn't that make here and now that much more imperfectly perfect? If Beth wasn't who she was, then you wouldn't like her so much, even though she @{poed can be infuriating.|gives you a hard time.}
                
            *else
                How long can you keep this to yourself?
                
                Maybe this is a weird setting to confess your crush, but will there ever be a perfect time? A perfect place? Maybe you need to stop hunting for excuses and just speak from the heart.
                
            Alright, $!{forename}, time to be brave. Deep breaths.
            
            "Beth?"
            
            "Mm?" she glances at you.
            
            Butterflies race around your stomach. "I have something to tell you—"
            *goto bethgrant
        *if ((pastcrush = 1) and (compatible_beth)) #I want to confess, but I'm too nervous.
            *set nervybeth true
            It's a sudden wild impulse, akin to the urge to touch a hot stove.
            
            You could tell Beth how you feel about her.
            
            You could, if not for your leaden tongue, your somersaulting stomach.
            
            Then, as the weight of your own emotions pins you in place, the worst happens.
            
            Beth turns in your direction.

            Her mouth shuts as whatever she was about to say fades from her lips. She's looking straight at your face, reading you like a book that's underlined, annotated, and has an audio narrator.
            
            An eyebrow arches impeccably, her eyes boring into you. "Is something the matter, $!{mc_name}?" Are you imagining the predatory gleam in her face? The smoky undertone to her voice?
            
            It's everything you can do not to squirm. "I… uh…"
            *goto bethgrant
        *if ((pastcrush = 1) and (not (compatible_beth))) #It'd be a great time to tell her how I feel. If I wasn't, y'know, a guy.
            *if ((beth_annoy) or (poed))
                Well, maybe also if you hadn't literally just set an argument to rest.
                
                But other than the almost fight and completely incorrect gender? The opportune moment.
                
            *else
                Yeah, sure, this is a trashed room in a random basement when you have a half dozen other priorities, but when you're already in the realm of impossibility, what difference does the set dressing make? It's all so much wishful thinking.
                
            Turning away from Beth, you spare yourself a rueful smile.
            
            Hopeless crushes. A story for the ages.
            *goto bethgrantalt
        *if ((dated_beth) and (touchingokay)) #I'll see if she's okay with a kiss.
            "Hey, Beth?"
            
            "Mm?" she glances over.
            
            "May I kiss you?"
            
            She smiles so subtly that most would miss it. Not you. "Of course."
            
            Warmth fills you. @{mc_height DUMMY|Short as Beth is, you still have to stretch up a little to kiss her.|She's the perfect height for you to lean forward and kiss.|You lean down just a little and kiss her.|Smoothly, you bend down and kiss her.|Smoothly, you bend down and kiss her.} The connection is all too brief, but the sight of a rare full smile dawning upon Beth's face is more than worth the parting.
            
            Beth clears her throat and looks away, suddenly shy. "Perhaps we should—"
            *goto bethgrantalt
        *if (dated_beth) #I'd like to hug her, if she wants that.
            You take half a step closer to Beth and open your arms as invitation.
            
            She hesitates, and then shakes her head slightly. "Not at the moment, $!{mc_name}, sorry."
            
            Shrugging, you drop your arms and retreat that same half step. "It's okay," you tell her sincerely. @{ace Varying levels of comfort with physical affection is something you can easily relate to.|Beth's varying comfort with physical affection is the reason you didn't just wrap your arms around her.}
            
            "Still, I appreciate your consideration," Beth murmurs.
            *goto bethgrantalt
        *if (dated_beth) #"Hey Beth? I love you."
            Beth huffs, rolling her eyes and failing to keep the slight blush from her face. "That's apropos of nothing," she mutters.
            
            "Apropos of me remembering how nice it is to spend time with my girlfriend," you riposte.
            
            She tilts her face away, hiding her expression. You have her on the run. "Ah yes, the unmitigated delights of a misbegotten storeroom."
            
            Aha. She's right where you want her. You unleash the finishing blow. "Everywhere's a delight with you around, Beth."
            
            Beth chokes out a noise that isn't quite a scoff. "You're impossible." A full blush has blossomed across her cheeks.
            
            "You know it."
            *goto bethgrantalt
        #I need to get my head in the game and focus.
            What are you thinking? This is neither the time nor the place to daydream about your @{dated_beth lovelife|lack of lovelife}. Beth certainly won't appreciate it if you start mooning after her halfway through a shoot.
            
            *if ((beth_annoy) or (poed))
                Also, you literally just settled a near argument. She's absolutely not going to be in the mood for anything romantic.
                
            You clear your throat. "Do you think we should—"
            *goto bethgrantalt

*else
    *if ((beth_annoy) or (poed))
        It's good to have a decent interaction with her. If nothing else, your talk has dispelled the tension between the two of you.
        
    *else
        Silence falls. There's about as much to say as there is to see. Hopefully the others have had better luck than this absolute bust.

The two of you catch each other's eyes.

"So—""
"We should—"

You both stop, exchanging amused half-smiles. You gesture for Beth to go ahead.

She opens her mouth and—
*goto bethgrantalt
   
*label bethgrantalt
*page_break "What the heck was that!?"
You both jolt as Grant's voice cuts through the air.

Beth glances to you and musters an eye roll, though it's nowhere close to her best. Amusement plays across her face. "Grant," she says simply.

"Grant," you agree, and then head out of the room to check on him.
*goto backtocorridor
*label bethgrant
*page_break "What the heck was that!?"
*set bethtalklater true
You both jolt as Grant's voice shatters the moment, @{nervybeth mercifully sparing you her intense gaze|routing your sudden surge of courage.}

"Uh…" You take a step back, pointing a thumb over your shoulder. "We should see if he's okay."

"Indeed." Backing up further, you turn for the exit, but her voice halts you midstride. You force yourself to look back to her. @{nervybeth Oh, you're assuredly not imagining the glint in her eyes.|There's something a little hopeful in her expression.} "I'd like to talk once we're finished here."

You manage a nod, and then you leave. Well. Flee.
*goto backtocorridor

*label withprii

"Keep me company, $!{mc_name}?" asks Prii in a tone so hopeful it's impossible to turn them down. @{lament Even if they are a demon in human guise.|}

Nodding, you join them at the door they've selected. Naturally, they record the door slowly swinging open before stepping inside.

Beyond is what appears to be an ex break room, complete with fridge, microwave, and a trestle table, all coated with a layer of dust. You cautiously inspect the fridge, allowing Prii to film you in the act, but it turns out to be completely empty.

Prii lets out a small sigh of relief. "I was worried it'd be body parts in there."
*fake_choice
    #"Would make a heck of a video though."
        *set rel_prii -3
        Your comment causes them to frown in consternation. "$!{mc_name}, that's kind of ghoulish. It's not all about the video."
        
        "Sorry."
        
        They nod slightly.
        
    #"Me too."
        The longer you're down here, the more convinced you are that you'll discover something truly awful.
        
    #"Why did you make me think about that?"
        You shudder. Great. Add dismembered corpses to the growing list of things you're worried you'll discover.
        
        Prii smiles awkwardly. "Whoops, sorry."

*if ((pastcrush = 2) or (dated_prii))
    The two of you explore the room a little further. However, it swiftly grows clear that there isn't much of anything to find. Not unless you're planning on getting really into dust bunnies. You're glancing Prii's way, thinking you'll suggest heading out, when you're struck by the sudden @{dated_prii |acute} realisation that the two of you are alone in here. Momentary privacy. A snatch of shared intimacy.
    *fake_choice
        *if (pastcrush = 2) #Maybe I can... tell them how I feel?
            You keep putting it off, finding reasons not to say anything. The moment's wrong or they're clearly too preoccupied or you haven't got the right words.
            
            Maybe no moment will ever be perfect enough, or Prii's plate totally clear, or any words completely correct. Maybe that's the excuse.
            
            Steeling your nerve, you turn to them. "Prii?"
            
            "Mmhm?" They look over, start to say something, then stop. Pause. "Hey, what's up?"
            *goto howifeel
        *if (pastcrush = 2) #I want to confess, but I'm too nervous.
            The problem with crushing on someone like Prii is that it's all too easy to imagine an apologetic expression on their face as they let you down gently.
            
            And you just—the thought of Prii smiling sadly, picking out their words with delicate care, doing everything they can to be kind and avoid hurting you; that's more than enough to close your throat and turn your tongue to lead.
            
            You're so wracked by indecision that you're still staring straight at Prii when they turn their head and meet your eyes.
            
            Their eyebrows rise, mouth quirking into a grin. "What's with that look, $!{mc_name}?"
            
            "Uh…" you flounder for an excuse and turn up blank.
            
            Prii tilts their head, smile lapsing into pensive scrutiny. You try not to squirm under their gaze. After an interminable pause, they speak. "I keep second guessing myself, but…" They look away, biting their lip. "I don't think I'm wrong about this. $!{mc_name}, do you—"
            *goto priigrant
        *if ((dated_prii) and (touchingokay)) #I'd like to kiss them, if they want.
            Taking half a step towards Prii, you lean in close, catching their attention immediately.
            
            They smile mischievously. "Hi there." They match your lean with one of their own. "What's in that cute little head of yours, $!{mc_name}?"
            
            By way of reply you move even closer, inches from their face. "What do you think?" you murmur, and kiss them.
            
            Prii hooks an arm around your waist and presses into you, deepening the kiss.
            
            After a couple of flushed seconds, you separate. Prii sighs happily, gazing into your eyes. "You sure know how to take my breath away—"
            *goto otherprii
        *if (dated_prii) #I'd like to give them a hug.
            *if expressive > 65
                "Priii," you hum.
                
            *elseif expressive > 50
                "Prii?"
                
            *else
                You take a half step closer to Prii.
        
            They look to you, raising an eyebrow, and then smile sunnily as you open your arms. "Aw, do you even need to ask?" They close the rest of the distance by themselves and embrace you tightly, the camera digging into you a little. @{mc_height DUMMY|You tuck easily and snugly underneath their chin,|You tuck nicely into their shoulder,|Your cheek brushes close to theirs,|You pull them in against your shoulder,|They tuck perfectly under your chin,} and you give them a squeeze. They're very warm.
            
            Prii pulls back just enough to look into your eyes and smile. @{chilly "Hi there."|"Hi there."|"Hey, $!{mc_name}, nice coat."}
            
            @{chilly "Hi yourself—"|"Hi yourself—"|You laugh. "It is pretty nice, huh—"}
            *goto otherprii
        *if (dated_prii) #"Hey Prii? I love you."
            "Aw!" Prii's attention snaps to you instantly, a sunny smile dawning across their face. "I love you too. $!{mc_name}. It makes me so happy that we can do all this together, you know?"
            
            You can't help but match their smile with your own. "Hang out in basements?" you tease.
            
            They laugh. "Basements. Industrial yards. Abandoned factories. All of the above."
            
            "You know I'd go anywhere if you were there, Prii."
            
            "That's—wow." They look away, swiping at their eyes with a sleeve. "You're too sweet. I hope you know how much that means to me. I—"
            *goto otherprii
        #Is this really the right time? I shake the feeling off.
            Forget candlelit dinners and evening walks by the lakefront, condemned break rooms are the new hip and happening choice for everyone's romantic needs.
            
            Yeah, no. You're taking a rain check on @{dated_prii affectionate gestures|impassioned confessions}.
            *goto priigrant2

*else
    The two of you explore the room a little further. However, it swiftly grows clear that there isn't much of anything to find. Not unless you're planning on getting really into dust bunnies.
    
    You sigh, puffing out your cheeks in exasperation. "I think this one's a bust, Prii."
    
    Prii nods, pulling a face. "Yeah. Nothing for it I guess—"
    
    *goto priigrant2
    
*label priigrant2
*page_break "What the heck was that!?"

You both startle as Grant's voice rises through the air.

*goto otherprii2

*label howifeel
Deep breath, $!{mc_name}. "There's something I've been meaning to say—"

*page_break "What the heck was that!?"
You and Prii startle apart as Grant's voice shatters the moment.

"Um…" You try to pick up where you left off, but your nerve is failing you. Shaking your head, you move towards the door.

"$!{mc_name}." Prii's voice stops you midstride, and you look back at them. Their lips curve in a smile, hopeful and a little nervous. "To be continued."

*goto backtocorridor

*label otherprii
*page_break "What the heck was that!?"

You and Prii both startle as Grant's voice shatters the moment.

*label otherprii2
"Whoa, okay." Prii glances to the door. "We should check on him."

Nodding, you lead the way out of the room.
*goto backtocorridor

*label priigrant
*page_break "What the heck was that!?"

You and Prii both startle as Grant's voice shatters the moment.

@{dated_prii aa|They stumble in the middle of their sentence, and laugh nervously. "Y—you know what, let's talk about this later, $!{mc_name}," they stammer.}
*goto backtocorridor
*label withshauna
*set withshauna true
*temp bulletdodge false
*set screech true
"We can go together, right $!{mc_name}?" asks Shauna with an awkward half-wave.

How can you say no to that face?

You follow her lead through the closest door and find yourself in a cramped room occupied mostly by the least trustworthy sink unit you've ever seen, a corroded basin with its drain surrounded by black sludge.
*fake_choice
    #"You couldn't pay me to touch that."
        *set expressive %- 5
        Not today, shifty basement sink.
        
        Shauna wrinkles her nose. "Yeah me either."
    #I try the faucet on an impulse.
        *set instinctive %+ 8
        It's a considerable effort to even twist the tap, and it moves with a reluctant scrape, flakes of rust coming away in your hand. Something in the plumbing groans, and a tiny stream of brown water dribbles out.
        
        "Ew," says Shauna.
    #"Oh cool! I was getting thirsty."
        *set expressive %+ 5
        Shauna blocks you before you can venture any closer to the sink. "$!{mc_name}! No way!"
        
        You laugh at her appalled expression. "Kidding, kidding."
    #Ignore it and look elsewhere.
        It's a sink. Who cares?
        
Unfortunately, even a cursory look at the rest of the room makes it clear that there's little else to see. Perhaps once upon a time this was a maintenance room, but you're not going to find anything of interest here.

*if ((pastcrush = 3) or (dated_shauna))
    As you draw that conclusion, you steal a sidelong glance at Shauna. Her brow is furrowed and there's a faraway look in those deep brown eyes. 
    
    @{dated_shauna Damn but she's gorgeous.|She's completely captivating. What chance did you even have not to fall for her?}
    
    You're struck by the realisation that the two of you are alone here, if just for a moment. A weird place to think about intimacy, but…
    *fake_choice
        *if ((pastcrush = 3) and not (shaunaflirt)) #Can I pluck up the courage to tell her how I feel?
            You've danced around your emotions for a good long while at this point. There have been more than enough opportunities to say something: it's not like you don't hang out enough together. Instead, there's always one reason or another not to speak up.
            
            Brushing away the convenient excuses, the truth is that you're simply afraid. What if it ruins things between you? Shauna's skittish, easily flustered; what if you scare her off? What if you lose her?
            
            But… are you seriously going to let hypothetical outcomes keep your feelings locked away forever? You've built up the worst case scenario so much in your head that it's almost laughable. Shauna's a great person, you wouldn't like her if she wasn't. It might get awkward between you for a while if she doesn't feel the same way, but that's not world shattering. You can still be friends.
            
            Alright. Alright. You're committed. You're telling her. You steel your nerves.
            
            *goto shaunafess
        *if ((pastcrush = 3) and not (shaunaflirt)) #I want to let her know my feelings, but I'm tongue tied.
            Shauna's usually the least scary person alive. When it comes to your emotions towards her, she's absolutely terrifying.
            
            With every daydream about confessing to her comes the fear of frightening her away; losing her friendship by wanting too much. Time and again, that worry routs your resolve. As indecisive as ever, you feel the moment passing you by. 
            
            *label shaunafess
            And then Shauna turns to face you, the beginnings of a question on her lips. Whatever she was about to say dies as she catches your eyes.
            
            She hesitates, looks away. "Um, so…" A weird little smile that you can't place comes and goes.
            
            @{shaunaflirt This isn't the script! You just psyched yourself up and everything!|Your heart skips a beat. So?}
            *goto shaunafess2
        *if (shaunaflirt) #I botched flirting with her earlier, but maybe I can stick the landing this time.
            Okay so it wasn't your finest hour before, @{runningaround especially the part where you literally ran away, |} but that doesn't put you completely out for the count! You can still pull this one back.
            
            You take a second to psyche yourself up.
            *fake_choice
                #Let's go $!{mc_name} let's go.
                    You repeat the chant in your head a few times like you're at a sports game.
                #I got this, I got this!
                    *set expressive %+ 7
                    You begin bouncing on your heels. You [i]do[/i] got this.
                #Stay calm and focus.
                    *set expressive %- 7
                    No bungling words, no blurting things out. You're doing this right.
                *selectable_if (runningaround) #Okay, so long as I don't run for the hills, I'm golden.
                    A seemingly simple rule, and yet you know better.
                    
                    …than to flout it again, that is.
                    
            Okay. You're ready. You're telling her.
            
            *goto shaunafess
        *if (shaunaflirt) #Are you kidding, me? We are not repeating that absolute fiasco.
            *set bulletdodge true
            What are you [i]thinking?[/i] Spilling your feelings? A half hour after 'Shouldn't I want to share body heat with a girl I like?'?
            
            Not just no but hell no. You steadfastly focus on the nearest wall, promising to button up until your dignity has had a chance to recover.
            
            So maybe you'll be ready to try again by this time next year.
            
            Satisfied with your foolproof rationale, you return your attention to Shauna only to find she's looking straight at you with a downright determined expression on her face.
            
            Uh oh.
            
            "$!{mc_name}, I wanted to talk about what you said earlier."
            
            [i]Uh oh.[/i]
            
            "Yeah?" you try to sound casual.
            
            "Mmhm." She hesitates. "The thing is, I—"
            *goto shaunagrant
        *if ((dated_shauna) and (touchingokay)) #I'd really like to kiss her, if she wants.
            "Shauna," you call softly, drifting half a step closer.
            
            "Yeah?" Her attention duly caught, you tilt your head towards hers. She giggles bashfully, but doesn't move away. "Here, $!{mc_name}?"
            
            "Why not?"
            
            Another quiet giggle. "If you put it that way…" Shauna leans @{mc_height DUMMY|all the way down|down|the short distance down|over|the short distance up|} to you and meets your lips with hers. She closes her eyes, sighing against your mouth.
            
            A couple of seconds later, you separate, giving her a pleased grin.
            
            "Wow," she says, eyes shining. "You sure know how to give a girl a pick me up—"
            *goto shaunagrant
        *if (dated_shauna) #I'd like to hug her.
            Taking half a step closer to Shauna, you open up your arms. Noticing your movement, she beams in delight, needing no second invitation to wrap you up in a warm hug.
            
            A few seconds into the embrace, Shauna speaks up, murmuring against you. "Hey. Thanks for being here. You make it a lot less scary."
            
            "Anytime," you reply, giving her a squeeze.
            
            Not long afterwards you separate, smiling at one another. Shauna sighs. "I needed that—"
            *goto shaunagrant
        *if (dated_shauna) #"Hey Shauna? I love you."
            Shauna's head snaps around, and then she hides her face in her scarf with a noise that's midway between a giggle and a whine. "$!{mc_name}! Gosh, you can't just say that!"
            
            You give her a grin. "Why not?"
            
            "I just—it's a lot, is all! I get flustered!" Her eyes make darting contact with yours, then break away.
            
            You make a show of considering her words, and then unleash your combo. "What if that's the goal?"
            
            Shauna sputters into silence. You'd feel bad, but she's clearly smiling, and soon enough she folds. "Thanks," she mumbles. "I love you too."
            
            "Sorry for teasing."
            
            "It's ok—"
            *goto shaunagrant
        #This isn't the time to get into my feelings.
            There's way too much going on and way too much being-in-a-random-basement for you to afford those kinds of distractions. Besides, Shauna's been @{nervous about as twitchy as you are|a bundle of nerves} all night and steadily rolled downhill. The last thing she needs is you @{dated_shauna draping yourself all over |springing a dramatic confession on} her.
            
            @{dated_shauna You can support her in other ways, such as staying focused and getting the job done.|That's absolutely the reason, and it's nothing to do with any doubts or insecurities you might have about telling Shauna how you feel about her!}
            *goto shaunagrant      

*else
    So… great. 
    
    You sigh. "I think we're out of luck."
    
    Shauna nods morosely. "Maybe the others—"
    *goto shaunagrant
    
*label shaunafess2           
Shauna takes a deep breath, gazes into your eyes again. "$!{mc_name}, I wanted to tell you—"

*page_break Metal screeches.

You and Shauna startle, eye contact breaking with an almost audible snap.

"What the heck was that!?" Grant's muffled voice tears through the shattered remnants of the moment.

"I—I, um…" Shauna stammers, trails off. "W—we gotta check on him!" she blurts, studiously inspecting the ceiling.

The butterflies in your stomach flutter wildly. What was she about to say? Dammit random noise! Dammit Grant! 

"Yeah, right, okay," you manage through your emotional haze, turning for the door.

"$!{mc_name}?" Shauna's voice halts you, and you glance back. There's a tremulous but dare you call it hopeful smile on her face. "L-let's talk later."

The butterflies escalate into a riot. You nod, not trusting your voice, and then exit, a million possibilities rushing through your head.
*goto backtocorridor
*label shaunagrant
*page_break Metal screeches.

You both jump out of your skins@{bulletdodge , the moment shattered.|.}

"What the heck was that!?" Grant's muffled voice resounds from outside the room.

"Whuh—w-we gotta check on him!" Shauna stammers. @{bulletdodge Ohhh thank goodness. Bullet dodged. You think.|You nod decisively and hurry through the door.}

@{bulletdodge You're hurrying through the door when it hits you like a lightning bolt. Wait was she just about tell you—|}
*goto backtocorridor

*label withgrant
*set screech true
Grant waves you over, and you join him at the door.

*if subterfuge > 45
    He gestures at it. "Want to give this sucker a shot?"
    
    O-ho. Shoe's on the other foot, Grant.
    
    *fake_choice
        #"Sorry? Thought you were the expert here."
            Grant's smirk turns sheepish. "Pretty please be my consultant?"
        #"Only if you admit I'm the real master of unlocking."
            Grant laughs. "Didn't realise you took that to heart, $!{mc_name}. Fine. If you get this open, I guess you're the master of unlocking."
        #"Well, well, well. How the tables have turned."
            "Hey, I'm a big boy, I can admit when I'm outmatched." He bats his eyelashes at you.
        #I just smile and nod. We both know the truth of this.
            You can tell by his sheepish expression that he's well aware of what your silence is saying.
    
    With a quiet chuckle, you take Grant's place in front of the keyhole, extricating your lockpicks from a pocket. Selecting a pick, you give the lock a shot.
    
    After a couple seconds, Grant speaks up again. "Hey, thanks for keeping me company. You are my boon companion."
    *goto granthelp
    
*else
    He's fussing with a set of lockpicks which you've never got around to asking how he obtained. After selecting a pick, Grant inserts it into the keyhole, inclining an ear towards the lock.
    
    "Thanks for keeping me company," he says after a couple of seconds of fiddling around. "You are my boon companion."
    *label granthelp
    *fake_choice
        #"Someone has to keep you out of trouble."
            *if instinctive > 70
                "Pff, okay. You're just as bad as me."
            *elseif instinctive > 55
                "Pff, sure."
            *else
                "And you're very good at it!"
        #"More like partner in crime."
            *if instinctive < 30
                "You? Crime? I'd call you more of a parole officer."
            *elseif instinctive < 45
                "Ehhh not so sure about that. You're kind of law-abiding, $!{mc_name}. Gotta step up your game."
            *else
                "Hah! Got that right."
                
*if subterfuge > 45
    With a little jimmying, the lock clicks. You try the door and it swings open.
    
*else
    Grant jimmies the pick a little more and the lock clicks. He tries the door and it swings open.
    
Revealed is a storage cupboard. An empty storage cupboard. Your eyes meet Grant's, and the two of you burst out laughing.

"Outstanding," Grant manages eventually. "We're incredible."

*if ((pastcrush = 4) or (dated_grant))
    There's a quiet moment as you recover. Grant's looking at you, a slight curve to his lips much fonder than his standard smirk.
    
    It's just the two of you here. A moment of intimate privacy@{dated_grant  between you and the guy you care about so much.|. You swallow thickly. You're standing so close together. You'd barely need to stretch your arm to touch him.}
    *fake_choice
        *if (pastcrush = 4) #I could tell him how I feel right here and now.
            How long have you kept this bottled up?
            
            Maybe this isn't the right setting to confess your feelings for somebody, but maybe that's the problem. Maybe there's never a right moment, and maybe hesitating for the sake of the right moment is just an excuse.
            
            "Grant…" You trail off.
            
            He tilts his head to the side. "Yeah?"
            
            You take a deep breath. "I wanted to tell you—"
        *if (pastcrush = 4) #I want to say something, but I'm too darn nervous.
            Your throat's caught in a vice grip, your feelings raging beneath the surface, mouth sealed with a lock far sturdier than the one you just overcame. You could say something. You could. It's just. It's just so hard to work up the courage.
            
            Grant tilts his head to the side. His grin grows. "Like what you see, $!{mc_name}?" he murmurs huskily.
            
            *if expressive < 35
                You have never, [i]ever[/i] been more glad of your own stoicism.
                
            *else
                You cannot begin to imagine the things your expression must be doing right now.
                
            "I. Uh. Um," you say intelligently.
            
            Grant leans a little closer. "Cat got your tongue? You're adorable—"
        *if ((dated_grant) and (touchingokay)) #I really want to kiss him, if he's up for that.
            @{mc_height |You have to go on tip toes to put|You stretch up a little, putting|You lean forward, putting|You lean forward at an angle, putting|You have to bend a little to put} your face near Grant's. He grins, leans into you in turn, and you quickly steal the rest of the distance, meeting his lips with yours. It's a soft, gentle kiss, held for a few seconds before you part.
            
            There's a very satisfied smile on his face. "Sup, cutie," he drawls, cheeks a little flushed.
        *if (dated_grant) #I'd like to hug him.
            You take half a step closer to Grant, putting yourself well within his personal space.
            
            Anticipating what's coming, he opens his arms to you, and you enfold him in a hug.
            
            @{mc_height |"You're so tiny," Grant says, chuckling affectionately.|"Sup, shortie," Grant says, winking.|"Sup, cutie," Grant says, squeezing you tight.|"Sup, cutie," Grant says, squeezing you tight.|"I'm never gonna get over how damn tall you are," Grant says with a slightly incredulous chuckle.}
            
            @{mc_height |"And it puts me real close to your weak spots." You narrow your eyes threateningly.|"I'm not short, you're tall," you counter.|"Nothing much," you imitate Grant's drawl.|"Nothing much," you imitate Grant's drawl.|"Not my fault your mind is so easily blown," you tease.}
            
            Grant laughs. "Well—"
        *if (dated_grant) #"Hey Grant? I love you."
            Grant's eyebrows rise and his smile broadens. "Back at you, cutie," he warmly replies. "There's no one I'd rather break into random cupboards with than you."
            
            You laugh and shake your head. "Maybe let's make our next date a little more romantic—"
        #I'm not sure a random underground corridor is the right romantic setting.
            You take a steadying breath and push the fond feeling away. @{dated_grant You promise yourself that you'll show Grant some love once you're wrapped up down here.|There will be other moments to confess your feelings. Better moments. And you'll certainly take one of those opportunities. Definitely. At some point.}
    *goto squeak      
*else
    *fake_choice
        #Clap Grant on the shoulder. "Whenever you need support with random cupboards, I'm there."
            Grant feigns a sniffle, dabbing at his eyes. "$!{mc_name} I'm… I'm so touched. When I was a kid, I always dreamed of meeting someone who'd share my lifelong grudge against cupboardkind."
            
            You squeeze his shoulder. "Together, we can defeat this menace—"
        #"Maybe we can pitch a side channel. We'll call it Cupboard Raiders."
            Grant strokes his chin speculatively. "Perhaps, perhaps, but that does sort of sound like we go around stealing all people's snacks or whatever."
            
            "See those will be the best episodes."
            
            He snorts. "Right—"
        #Just enjoy the moment.
            *if mc_gender = "male"
                What's better than this? Guys being dudes.
            *else
                You smile at Grant and rest your shoulder against the wall, quietly soaking in the experience with the company of your best friend.
                
            Idly, you speculate about what the cupboard originally held. There isn't so much as an abandoned screw on those bare shelves—
    *goto squeak

*label backtocorridor
*page_break
Emerging back into the corridor, you're greeted by a very agitated Grant.

"$!{mc_name}!" He's looking around frantically. "Did you hear that?"

@{withshauna "Yeah we did," you confirm and Shauna echoes.|"Hear what?" you ask as the others join you.}

@{withshauna Seconds later Beth and Prii join you. Grant gestures expansively to you and Shauna. "We all just heard this crazy loud noise!|"There was this crazy loud noise.} Sounded like… I dunno. A rusty gate? Metal and creaky. Screechy."

"Is everything alright?" asks Prii, shifting their feet anxiously.

Grant shrugs, grimacing. "I guess." He shakes himself. "No yeah, I'm good. I just got spooked."

"We're not just blowing this off, right?" says Shauna, fidgeting with her hands. "I'm starting to freak here."
*goto returnmaybe

*label squeak
*page_break Metal screeches.
You both startle, snapped straight out of the moment.

"What the heck was that!?" Grant yelps, looking around frantically.

"I think it came from over there." You point further down the corridor. @{nervous Your heart's practically leaping out of your chest. Good grief you didn't need that.|}

"What, not where." Grant shakes himself. "Sorry. That spooked me."

Seconds later, the rest of the group emerges from their respective doors.

"Is everything alright?" asks Prii, shifting their feet anxiously.

"Yeah, yeah, we're good," Grant replies, grimacing. "There was some kind of noise. Sounded like… I dunno. A rusty gate? Metal and creaky and loud as balls."

"I heard it too," mumbles Shauna. "Please tell me we're not just blowing this off. I'm starting to freak here."
*label returnmaybe
*choice
    #This is getting to me. We should turn back.
        *set turnback true
        @{excited You've been pumped up and raring to go all night, but even you have your limits.|}
        
        There are too many little things about this place that aren't sitting right, and you're not eager to see the full picture.
        
        "I don't know, folks…" you address the group. "I'm starting to see Shauna's point here. Something's off. We should get out while the going is good."
        
        "Yes! Thank you!" Shauna bursts out, stepping close to you. "Guys, I really think we might run into something bad down here."
        
        Prii shakes their head firmly. "You're both worrying too much. If we give up, we're wasting literal months of effort and prep." They sigh. "But fine. Let's take a vote. Grant? Beth?"
        
        Grant shrugs. "I mean, I was just surprised is all." His bravado seems a little brittle. "I'm still good to go."
        
        Beth is quiet for several long seconds. "I would like to continue." Your heart drops. "However, shall we agree to return as soon as we find something worth recording?"
        
        Blowing out a breath, Prii nods slowly. "Alright, if that's what you want." They turn to you. "$!{mc_name}? Shauna? You okay with that?"
        
        Three against two. Shauna sags. You reluctantly nod.
    #We did our homework. There are five of us. We're fine.
        @{nervous You push through your own disquiet. You've been on edge all night, and maybe that positions you better than anyone to realise when worries are getting out of hand|}
        
        After so many excursions, this should be old hat to you all. Heck you haven't even been chased around by security guards yet. 
        
        "Come on folks," you address the group. "This isn't the first time we've seen weird stuff. Remember the evil air conditioner?"—clanks and roars throughout a building which was in fact an ailing air conditioning unit—"The garbage skeletons?"—a pile of 'bones' in a trash heap which turned out to be plastic decorations—"We're in a basement, it's probably just crummy old pipes or vents or something."
        
        "Or it's something really bad," Shauna protests, hugging herself with fistfuls of her own sweater.
        
        "$!{mc_name}'s right," says Prii, voice firming. "It'd be crazy to waste all of our prep by giving up now."
        
        Grant shrugs. "I mean, I was just surprised is all." His bravado seems a little brittle. "I'm still good to go."
        
        "Hm. That would be a majority," Beth observes, turning to Shauna. "Shauna, if you wish to leave, I can accompany you to the exit."
        
        Shauna screws her eyes up tight, huffs through her nose, and then shakes her head. "No… I'll stay."
        
        "Atta girl," says Grant.
        
        Another unhappy noise. Shauna's having a great evening.
        
*page_break The course is set.
*if (pop)
    "Very well, let us move on," announces Beth. "$!{mc_name}pop, would you le—oh good grief."
        
    Everyone exchanges glances, and unanimously, you start laughing, though there's a nervous edge to some of the chuckles. After a moment of observation, even Beth smiles.
        
    It's a welcome release of tension as you lead the group down the corridor.
   
*else
    "Very well, let us move on," announces Beth. "$!{mc_name}, would you lead the way?"
        
    "Alright." You move back to the front of the group@{turnback , quashing your reservations. It's been discussed, you're outvoted, may as well get on with the show.|.}
   
It's not long before you're faced with the latest in the long line of doors. This too has a keypad, and this too opens without so much as a peep. Beyond, an array of pipe-festooned machinery meets your eyes; looks as though you've stumbled across a boiler room. Beats endless corridors, that's for sure. You lead everyone through.

"You're on a roll, $!{mc_name}," says Grant, bringing up the rear. The door swings shut behind him.

*page_break Slam.
You jump out of your collective skins as the sound reverberates around your new surroundings.

Grant chuckles nervously. "My bad—"

A loud beep from behind you cuts him off. A deep crimson light blooms to life above the door, bathing you all in its glow. Reflexively, you grab the handle again.

It doesn't budge.
*fake_choice
    #Try to force the door. Put some muscle into it. [Minor Guts increase]
        *if guts > 50
            Setting yourself, you ram a shoulder into the door. The whole thing rattles, but so does the impact back through your body. You brace, and then try again with a thump.
            
            "$!{mc_name}, stop," says Beth quietly.
            
            You back up, wincing. This isn't going to happen; you'll break before the door does.
        
        *elseif guts < 30
            Sometimes you have to try something new. Setting yourself, you ram a shoulder into the door.
            
            Not only does it not move, but you rebound with such force that you nearly fall over.
            
            Okay, maybe that's the wrong kind of something new.
        
        *else
            Setting yourself, you ram a shoulder into the door. It rattles a little, but the impact shockwaves back through your body.
            
            Grimacing, you retreat, arm complaining strenuously. This isn't going to happen.
            
        *set guts +3
    #There has to be an electronic component to all this. Maybe I can figure it out? [Minor Knowledge increase]
        You take a step back to inspect the door as a whole. The light is on, but the beeping has stopped.
        
        *if knowledge < 30
            And… that's as much as you got.
            
            Maybe someday technical knowledge will flood spontaneously into the gaps in your repertoire, but that day is not today. 
        
        *elseif knowledge > 50
            Unfortunately, try as you may, you can't see any vulnerability to exploit. Perhaps if you had an hour and a full toolkit, but you're not about to suggest hanging out in the creepy basement for any longer than necessary.
            
        *set knowledge +3
    #I'll scope out the immediate vicinity. Perhaps there's a key? [Minor Observation increase]
        *set observation +3
        You cast about the area around the door, but alas, there's no convenient doormat to conceal the spare key.
        
        Soon you give up the search; you don't want to stray too far just yet.
        
    #Inspect the lock. Could it be picked open? [Minor Subterfuge increase]
        Leaning in, you take a look at the lock.
        
        *if subterfuge < 30
            After a few seconds of blank staring, you remember that you know absolutely nothing about locks, and straighten back up.
            
        *elseif subterfuge > 50
            You only need a brief glance to confirm the worst; it's a complicated lock and you won't be able to pick it without specialised tools that you don't have on hand.
            
        *else
            It's not a familiar type of lock, and without much personal experience of larceny, you're forced to concede that you can't tell either way. Maybe Grant can take a look.
            
        *set subterfuge +3
        

@{turnback You throw up your hands with an incredulous laugh. "Great! Sure am glad we kept going!"|}

@{turnback "$!{mc_name}, can you not?" Prii mutters, cutting through your momentary mania.|}

A sudden strangled cry from the middle of the room has the entire group whirling around. Shauna stands trembling from head to toe, her hands clamped to her mouth in a vain attempt to muffle herself. Slowly she lowers her hands, struggling to form words.  "[i]Listen[/i]," she squeaks.

Heart in your mouth, you incline your head. For a moment, nothing.

Then a heavy scraping from… somewhere, grinding like stone on stone, setting your teeth on edge.

Silence.

Scrape.

The noise doesn't seem distant. You strain your ears, attempting to pinpoint the direction.

More silence. Five seconds. Ten seconds.

The sound remains absent.

All five of you exchange glances. The faces around you range from drawn to harrowed.
*fake_choice
    #"It's... probably just some kind of animal." I'm trying to reassure myself as much as them.
        Your voice doesn't sound convincing even to yourself.
        
        "Y-yeah. Has to be," Shauna whispers.
        
    #"Let's get out of here as soon as possible."
        Your best bet is to be practical. If you can find an alternative exit, then the source of the noise won't matter.
        
        "Hear that," Grant mumbles.
        
    #I take deep breaths, trying to calm myself.
        Long and slow. 
        
        Breathe in. One, two, three, four. 
        
        Out. One, two, three four.
        
        Panic recedes, if only a little.
        
    *selectable_if ((turnback) or (nervous)) #To be honest I'm barely holding it together.
        Oh screw this screw this screw this.
        
        That could be anything out there. Absolutely anything, and none of it good.
        
        Your chest is suffocatingly tight. It's every ounce of your self-control to fight off the panic sinking its claws into you.
        
*if (walkie)
    *goto walkieparttwo

*else
    "Let's… let's try and stay focused on what's at hand," Prii eventually breaks a long silence. "That door won't open, $!{mc_name}?" You give it another fruitless tug and nod confirmation. Prii continues. "We can't go back, so our only option is forward."
    
    Agreement of greatly varying reluctance passes around you all.
    
    *goto boilerroom
    
*label walkieparttwo
And as if the latest mystery noise wasn't enough, @{walkiechat the same smooth voice from earlier|a smooth voices suddenly} emerges from your pocket.
    
@{walkiechat [i]"Hello. Consider this a polite warning. If you're downstairs, don't be."[/i]| [i]"Come in, catalyst. There's a situation."[/i]}
*if (walkiechat)
    *set walkietwo 2
    
*choice
        #I scramble to get the walkie out. "Who is this!?"
            *label whomst
            @{walkiechat |There's an almost imperceptible intake of breath on the other end.} [i]"That's no concern of yours. Leave. Only warning."[/i] The line goes dead.
            
        #I press the walkie to my ear. "What's going on here?"
            *goto whomst
        #My hand trembles as I grab the walkie. "What do you mean?"
            @{walkiechat [i]"If you're downstairs, don't be."[/i] The voice repeats.|There's an almost imperceptible intake of breath on the other end. [i]"I don't know who this is, but if you're downstairs, don't be."[/i]} The line goes dead.
            
        #I am absolutely not answering that.
            A pause. Two seconds. Three. @{walkiechat [i]"Suit yourself. I warned you."[/i] The line goes dead.|[i]"Come in,"[/i] the voice repeats, a little louder and a little testier.}
            
            @{walkiechat | Remaining deathly silent, you hear a quiet sigh. [i]"Fantastic. I do so enjoy our conversations. If you're there, get down here [b]now[/b]."[/i] The line goes dead.}
            

*if not (walkiechat)
    *set walkiechat true
    Everyone's staring at you and the walkie in your hand.
    
    "So uh, $!{mc_name}, you were gonna let us know about that when?" asks Grant, grin a little too fixed.
    
    @{bethwalkie Beth clears her throat delicately. "I was aware of ${mc_his} find."|"Yes, do tell," says Beth frostily.}
    
    @{bethwalkie "Oh cool, terrific. Glad you got to know," Grant says waspishly. Beth rolls her eyes at weapons grade.|The full weight of everyone's scrutiny bears down on you.}
    *choice
        #I get defensive.
            *set rel_grant -2
            *set rel_beth -2
            "Can you maybe cut me a break?" you snap. "I didn't know that this would happen; maybe I didn't think it was worth calling a team meeting over a freaking walkie-talkie."
            
            @{dated_grant Grant looks like he's spoiling to say something back, but instead he sharply shakes his head and stalks off.|"Whatever dude," Grant growls, swinging away from you and stalking off.}
            
            Beth folds her arms, unimpressed. Probably with both of you.
            
        #I tell them I didn't think it was important.
            *set rel_grant -2
            "Look, it was a pretty random find." you say. "I didn't want to make a big fuss over something that could have easily been junk."
            
            Grant grabs at his own hair and emits a long groan of frustration. "Right. Sure. Makes sense," he grinds out, then promptly walks off.
            
        #I apologise.
            *set rel_grant -2
            *set rel_beth +1
            "Sorry," you say. "I just didn't think to bring it up."
            
            "You didn't—" Grant takes a short sharp inhalation, pinches his nose, and walks off.
            
            @{bethwalkie Beth glances after him, then back to you, and gives the slightest of shrugs.|Beth sighs. "I suppose it is what it is."}
            
    
    "Let's try and stay focused on what's at hand," Prii breaks the awkward silence. "Regardless of that voice, our way out isn't opening. So that means our only option is forward."
    
    Reluctant agreement passes around the group, Grant grumpiest of all.
    *goto boilerroom
*else
    "Would have been nice to hear from them a couple minutes ago," says Grant, grin a little too fixed.
    
    "Perhaps, or perhaps we should have avoided alerting them in the first place," Beth answers pointedly.
    *choice
        #I apologise.
            *if instinctive > 65
                *set rel_beth +1
                "Sorry… sometimes I just… do things." You shrug helplessly.
                
                "Yes. Yes you certainly do." Beth looks a little mollified at least.
                
            *elseif instinctive < 35
                "Sorry. It's really not like me to do that kind of thing."
                
                "And nevertheless…" Beth's expression speaks for itself.
                
            *else
                *set rel_beth +1
                "Sorry, it was just spur of the moment." You smile ruefully.
                
                "Indeed." A little of the ice seeps from Beth's tone. A little.
                
        #Haha, uh... anyway. I'm ducking this conversation.
            *set rel_beth -2
            *set rel_grant -2
            In lieu of answering you step away from the door, steadfastly avoiding making eye contact with either Beth or Grant. Technically neither of them directly addressed you, which absolves you of any responsibility to reply.
            
            That's definitely how it works!
            
            Given Beth's snort of derision and Grant's incredulous laugh, you're not sure they agree.
            
        #I'm a little affronted. "What, was I supposed to just ignore the secret hidden walkie talkie?"
            *set rel_beth -1
            You feel as if you're getting an unfair portion of blame. You stumbled across something unusual and out of place and you investigated. Isn't that the exact reason you're all here?
            
            "There is a distinction between ignoring it and stopping short of recklessly contacting who-knows-who without consulting anyone." She folds her arms.
            
            "Don't get on my case just because things are going wrong, Beth," you don't quite snap.
            
            "$!{mc_name}, Beth, that's enough," Prii interjects.
    
    
    *label tension
    The tension in the air remains palpably thick as the group stews on the situation. Locked from retreat with a mysterious noise and an even more mysterious voice. Things have got serious in a real hurry.
*label boilerroom

You decide it's best to get acquainted with your surroundings. The room seems less disused than the rest of what you've seen; none of the machinery down here is encrusted with rust, for one. Plus, you're no engineer, but so far as you can tell this is all in working condition. There's a low whirring sound coming from the tanks at least. That probably means it's functioning? Although the machines take up a lot of space, the area is big enough to comfortably hold all five of you without any risk of treading on each other's toes.

With the route back sealed you're left with two apparent exits. Firstly, there's a set of sturdy double doors directly opposite from your entrypoint. A yellow stripe across them reads DO NOT ENTER in bold font. The alternative, which is somehow even dicier, comes in the form of an opening directly into another passageway. This one, however, lacks any and all illumination of its own, and what little you can see appears to be in a state of active disrepair, walls crumbling and a trailing wire hanging from the ceiling. To see more you'd have to venture inside and shine a light.

*temp mop false
*temp boilersearch false
*temp boilercontinue 0
*label boilersearch

Time to try figuring a way out of this.

*choice
    *hide_reuse #Search for anything I can use.
        *set boilersearch true
        You make a quick circuit of the room. There's not much to see, and you swiftly confirm that you've already spotted all the available exits.
        
        Still, the search isn't a complete waste. You discover a mop propped against one of the boilers that seems sturdy enough. Could probably give someone a good whack upside the head if you tried.
        
        *if (knife)
            Weighing the pros and cons of taking the mop, you remember the knife you've been toting around.
            *choice
                #I'd rather not stab anyone. Let's grab the mop instead.
                    *set mop true
                    *set knife false
                    Setting the knife down, you take up the mop. You're willing to defend yourself if it comes to that, but you feel a lot more comfortable knowing you won't have to resort to a lethal weapon.
                #A knife is an actual weapon, I'm sticking with that.
                    A dangerous tool for a dangerous situation. If you run into trouble, you'll feel a lot better with a weapon in your hands rather than a glorified stick.
                    
        *else
            *set mop true
            You pick up the mop and weigh it in your hands. The heft's decent. Better than nothing.
            
        @{mop Duly equipped,|Tightening your grip on your scavenged weapon} you turn your attention back to the search.
                
        *goto boilersearch
    *hide_reuse #I'll check the machinery for any clues about what's going on.
        Well, you're still not an engineer. Or a boiler technician.
        
        *if knowledge > 40
            From a brief inspection, the boilers are definitely on and operational. So… the building has hot water? 
            
            Not that you need much confirmation at this point, but this compound most definitely isn't as abandoned as advertised.
            
            *if instinctive < 50
                Shoot. Your research was thorough. How did all of this slip by you? Buildings in use, legally or no, are top of the 'must avoid' list.
            
            *else
                You're not generally a one step at a time type of person. Did you skip over something in your research?
                
            On the other hand, everything you've found has been totally clandestine. Maybe it's not a matter of you missing things and more about what's been concealed. though the end result is still the same apart from salvaging your ego and/or guilt.
        *else
            You think the boilers are operational, though you can't make heads nor tails of a lot of what you're seeing. That would mean the building has hot water and is most definitely not as abandoned as advertised.
            
            Not exactly an earth-shattering deduction at this point.
            
        You sigh, shake your head, and step away from the boilers. They're not helping you any.
        *goto boilersearch
    *hide_reuse #What's down that dark corridor?
        *set boilercontinue +1
        *if observation > 40
            Now seems like a great time for your goggles. Pulling them out, you make your way over to the foreboding passageway. Only then do you pull the goggles on and push the button. Immediately, everything's bathed in a washed green, and you're able to peer into the darkness.
            
        *else
            Trusty flashlight in hand, you make your way over to the foreboding passageway. Once there, you shine your light into the dark, scanning carefully.
            
        The sight ahead doesn't fill you with confidence. That hanging wire is just the tip of the iceberg. Beyond, the concrete walls and floors are pitted and scarred, including a section of ground which seems almost shattered to pieces. Deeper, part of the wall has actually caved in, chunks of it strewn all about. Yet more wires coil haphazardly across the floor and dangle loose from the ceiling.
        
        Also, it looks like someone's upended a bookshelf directly across the corridor. You're not sure what books somebody would be reading down here. Or why anyone would hate them enough to flip their bookshelf over.
        
        Regardless, the safety rating of that passageway has dipped from about a four out of ten to a solid negative three. Grimacing, you @{nvg power down your goggles|flick off your flashlight} and turn your attention back to the rest of the room.
        *goto boilersearch
    *hide_reuse #If I listen at the double doors, I might be able to pinpoint that noise from before.
        *set boilercontinue +1
        You stride across to the doors, the scraping noise still looming uncomfortably large in your mind. What could make a sound like that? You're turning up blanks. Moreover, there's also the metal screech @{screech you heard earlier|that Grant mentioned}. Still no sign of that resurfacing.
        
        Wow. With all these bumps in the night, this is getting to be some kind of haunted house scenario.
        
        The DO NOT ENTER doors appear to be fire doors, each of them featuring a push bar and a narrow horizontal window. Helpfully, these have been painted over and are completely opaque. You place your ear against the surface of one of them and listen. And listen. And listen.
        
        Nothing. Nothing whatsoever.
        
        You step back from the doors and realise you don't know if the silence is reassuring.
        *goto boilersearch
    *if (boilercontinue = 2) #I've checked out our options. What now?
        The others have congregated beside one of the boilers, and you go ahead and join them.
        
        "Anything?" Shauna asks, hunched in on herself.
        
        "I couldn't see or hear anything past the doors," you reply. "The other passage looks like someone went to town with a sledgehammer. It doesn't look safe."
        
        "Oh…" Shauna lowers her eyes with a miserable expression.
        
        Grant breaks in, scowling. "Great, so what the fuck do we do?" 
        
        "Well…" Prii tugs at the wrist of their @{chilly coat|coat|sweater}. "We could stay here and hope the way back open sesames. Or we pick between death trap corridor and the forbidden doors."
        *page_break That sinks in for a moment.

Grant swears, kicks the nearest boiler with a resounding clang, and then swears again, rounding on Prii. "Thanks, oh fearless leader! I'm honoured to have such a visionary ordering me around!"

Colour rushes to Prii's cheeks. "I'm doing my best, Grant."

"Yeah, well your best sucks, dude!" Grant's fists are clenched, his face gripped in a fury the likes of which you've never seen from him.

"Grant, grow up," Beth snaps. "Throwing a tantrum won't help anything."

He whirls, stomping towards her. "Shove it, Beth," he snarls. "I am so sick of you treating me like a moron. You're so fucking full of yourself."
*choice
    #I need to defuse this now. I'll take charge.
        "Hey, let's not fight, okay?" You interpose yourself between the two of them. "We can have this conversation once we're out."
        
        From their stormy expressions, you don't think your words have exactly hit home. Still, they've stopped momentarily, which gives you a tiny bit of breathing room to act.
        
        The choice seems clear. The dark corridor would take too much prep, give the argument a chance to explode again. So in a trice you set off towards the double doors, pressing down on both bars to throw them wide open.
        
    #This is ridiculous. I'll distract them by forging ahead.
        *set expressive %- 5
        Putting yourself into that mess seems like a poor idea. Finding a route onward might be the only way of pacifying them.
        
        Quickly and decisively, you set off towards the double doors. Heading into the dark corridor would just cause them to lose sight of you, so this is the clear choice. You press down on both door bars, throwing them wide open.

And are faced with a nightmare made material.

*page_break
Mouths upon mouths, packed with glistening fangs. Claw after claw, each sharper than the next. Three tails wending sinuously, tasting the air. A ragged pelt, patchwork and matted. A misshapen leonine head split by a terrible, slavering maw.

And the eyes. Dozens of eyes in oh so many shapes and colours.

Every last one of them locked onto you.
*choice
    #Stare into the abyss.
        *goto cantmove
        
*label cantmove        
Your limbs won't move. Your mouth won't form sounds. You can't blink, can't breathe, can't scream.

You're plunging helplessly into the multitudinous pits beyond that myriad gaze.

hungry. hating.

Hot, fetid air blasts into your face. Black ichor drizzles to the ground. Mouths yawn ever more open, descending inexorably upon your paralysed form.

"$!{mc_name}!" Someone slams into you at full force, bearing you down to the ground. @{nvg Your goggles crack against the concrete. |}Teeth snap into the space you just vacated.

Grant releases you from his arms and springs up into a crouch. The anger is wiped clean, his eyes wide and staring. "Quick—"
*page_break
You've never heard the sound of someone getting sliced down to the bone before.

Grant's whole body jerks. His lips move soundlessly. Glassy eyes remain fixed on yours.

His mouth forms the shape of your name, and then he slumps across you.

*page_break "GRANT!"
    
You finally wrench free from your daze, staring in disbelief at the horrific gouges in Grant's back. Blood is everywhere, staining his clothes, flowing freely onto you, coating the floor

Dripping from the monster's claws.

Its full bulk is crammed in the doorway, forcing the doors to remain open. It seems fascinated by its own—hand? paw?—and winds out a wriggling black tongue, lapping at its blood-daubed claw.

More than enough eyes continue boring into you.
*choice
    #Scramble back. I can't do anything for Grant.
        You squirm out from underneath Grant, @{dated_grant your heart tearing itself in two, |}and scuttle back on your elbows. Grant doesn't stir even as his face thumps into the floor.
        
        You barely make it more than a foot before the monster decides that's quite enough. Almost casually, it raises a paw.
    #Try to drag Grant backwards with me.
            Securing as tight a grip as you dare with Grant's back a ragged mess and blood-slick palms, you strain to move him. 
            
            *if guts < 25
                Try as you may though, you barely manage to draw him back a couple of inches. He's directly on top of you and you just aren't strong enough.
            *else
                Directly underneath someone isn't a great position for this, but you put your back into it and slowly but surely begin drawing him away.
                
            The creature leisurely finishes slurping Grant's blood, and then raises a claw to put a stop to your efforts.
    #Yell for help.
        An incoherent burst of noise vaguely reminiscent of a cry for help emerges from your mouth.
        
        The creature's head instantly snaps in your direction. It raises its claws.
    *if ((bestie = 4) or (pastcrush = 4)) #Grant isn't dead. He can't be dead. He can't be.
        The record of your mind stutters and skips. That's Grant on top of you. Covered in blood. Flesh torn to ribbons. 
        
        He's breathing, right? You have to—have to check that he's…
        
        Your hand moves, swimming dreamlike in front of you. The knowledge of what you need to do keeps slipping through your fingers. His… pulse. How do you…
        
*page_break "Get away from them!" 
A Shauna-shaped blur flies into view, driving a crowbar two-handed into the monster's skull with brutal force.

It [i]howls[/i], the voices of its mouths overlapping and building to a hideous crescendo that reverberates through your very bones. Shauna staggers. You and Grant slide across the floor, blown back by the rotten, stinking gust of its screech.

The echoes haven't yet faded before the monster lunges, its jaws snapping around Shauna's leg with a sickening crunch. She screams,@{bestie || the sound piercing you to your very core,||}@{pastcrush || the sound piercing you to your very core,||} and then the creature lashes its head from side to side, shaking her like a dog with a bone.

Her shrieks reach a fever pitch of agony.
*choice
    #What do I do? What do I do!?
        Everything's falling to pieces around you. There's barely been a chance to react. How are you supposed to deal with this!?
    #We're going to die.
        This monster is beyond anything you can handle. You're urban explorers, not masks!
    #What the fuck is that thing!?
        You've never seen anything like it in your life, not even amidst the grimmest, most messed up corners of parahuman media coverage. It's a nightmare.
    *if ((bestie = 3) or (pastcrush = 3)) #S...shauna.
        You're utterly horrorstruck by the sight of your @{dated_shauna girlfriend| friend} getting shaken around like a rag doll. Powerless, you can do nothing but watch.
        
        
Somehow, you manage to pull yourself to your feet, clinging desperately to the closest piece of machinery for a semblance of stability. Behind you, your friends' voices blur and meld together until words finally emerge through the fog.

"Shauna, hold on—" Prii cuts off with a cry of pain.

"Prii!? What is—" Beth lets out a groan.

You swing around. Both of them are staring far beyond you, expressions contorted. Then—

*page_break Light. Impossibly bright.

Two stars blaze into the gloom. Twin beacons, shining so intently it almost burns.

Your eyes slam shut, you shield your face with an arm. Even then the light pierces through your paltry defences, leaving black spots pulsing in the centre of your vision.

The light is so overwhelming that even with your eyes closed, you can tell when it begins tapering off. Barely you bring yourself to prise your eyes open, and then they spring wide and clear as you fully recognise the sight before you.

Prii and Beth are glowing, the slowly fading light emanating deep from within them. Prii shivers, touching their arms and chest uncertainly. Beth curls and uncurls the fingers of one hand.

Holy shit. They both just ignited.

They're superpowered.
*choice
    #My turn now, right? Right!?
        Okay, cosmic arbiter of superpowers, that's a double flare, and good things come in threes, so…
        
        You hold your hands in front of your face, seized by a desperate and frenzied kind of hope. They remain stubbornly dull and not at all suffused with blazing light.
        
        Dammit! Dammit! It was a slender hope, but it's very much looking like you're not about to join the ignition party.
        
    #Those powers better be good!
        This would be a terrible, terrible, terrible time for cosmic irony to land the parahuman reels on like… crab control or something.
        
        Unless that monster has some crab DNA in which case that would be an amazing stroke of luck.
        
    #I'd be thrilled if I wasn't busy being terrified.
        *if (dated_prii) or (dated_beth)
            Your romantic partner and one of your best friends just gained superpowers! Amazing!
            
        *else
            Two of your best friends just gained superpowers! Amazing!
            
        What better time than when you're in mortal danger!?
    
    #Cool! Great! Fantastic! Makes as much sense as anything else!
        You're doing amazing right now! Everything about this situation is A-okay!
        
        The urge to laugh bubbles up inside of you and you suppress it, if only because you don't know whether you trust yourself not to puke instead.
        
    *selectable_if (expressive < 31) #As crazy as this is, I remain absolutely calm.
        …
        
        But are you actually?
        *fake_choice
            #Oh absolutely not.
                Sometimes, even the most collected person has to throw up their hands and concede defeat.
                
                Staying calm here might entail turning off your self-preservation instincts entirely.
                
            #I'm trying and that's what counts.
                Ignore that your face is a rigid, frozen mask. Ignore your trembling body.
                
                You're keeping your cool.
                
    *selectable_if ((bestie=3) or (pastcrush = 3)) #Helpshaunahelpshaunahelpshauna!
        She has a chance if they move now. It's not too late.
        
        It can't be too late.
    
Your friends seem to be struggling to comprehend what's happening, dazed and transfixed.    
*page_break "H...help."
Shauna's choked sobs from where she sprawls on the ground cut through the pair's combined reverie. You see them visibly refocus. The creature is still half in and half out of the doors, shaking its head in disorientation. Even as you watch, its eyes begin reopening one by one. The reprieve comes to a close.

Prii and Beth exchange uncertain glances, and you realise that other than the rapidly-fading glow, you haven't seen a sign of their powers. You know how flares work—who doesn't?—and that blazing brightness was unmistakeable, but the details don't run deeper than lights, superpowers, action. Aren't they supposed to kick in straight away?

Right on cue, Beth suddenly stumbles to the side, her right arm dragging almost to the floor. With what looks like great effort, she begins raising the same limb again. As she does so, a large disc formed of dark metal skitters and clanks across the ground. 

By her side, Prii sways, the colour draining out of their face. Their mouth forms soundless words. @{speciality Suddenly they double over, clutching at their stomach. They shudder, writhe, and then, in harmony with tearing flesh, scream.|Then they let out a piercing scream, clutching their head.|Then they begin to shake, tremors rampaging through their entire body.|}

*if ((dated_prii) or (pastcrush = 2))
        "Prii!" their name rips unbidden from your throat.
        
        You rush towards them, only for them to round on you with such venom that you skid to a halt.
        
        "St-stay back!" It's half begging, half commanding, eyes wild, with pinpoint pupils in a sea of yellow.
        
*else
        You look on, aghast. Their eyes are wild, rapidly blinking, pinpoint pupils in a sea of yellow.
        
        
And that's just the beginning.

*page_break Watch helplessly.
*if speciality =1
    Another wet tearing noise. Prii arches their back as [i]something[/i] squirms beneath their @{chilly coat|coat|sweater}, then a second something. Then a third. Cloth rips, and a bizarre creature emerges from the hole, a gnarled green lump of meat with four rootlike appendages, all streaked with Prii's blood. Pulling itself by the roots, it scurries onto Prii's arm. Two more swiftly join their fellow in wrapping around Prii's arms, making strange chittering noises and looking around without visible eyes.
    
    "Prii!" you can't help but call out.
    
    "It's… it's alright!" Their voice is strained, their face grey. "I… I can control them!" You realise with a jolt that small vines have crept up Prii's neck. A tiny white flower blooms just beneath their jaw.
    
*elseif speciality =2
    Prii flails their arms violently, almost hurling themself straight into a wall. Again they cry out, a hideous crack splitting the air. Horns, brown and jagged like twisted branches emerge from Prii's skull as blood streams down their face. Simultaneously their legs are spasming. Before your eyes, splayed, raptorlike claws explode through their shoes, the whole structure of their legs shifting, adding another three, four, five inches to their height. Their jaw cracks like a gunshot, distending and unhinging as two huge sabres of teeth emerge from their mouth.
    
    Somehow, Prii keeps their balance. They touch fingers to their head and stare as they come away bloody. "What…" they murmur, and you jolt as your hear the deep rasp in their voice. "I don't…"
    
*else
    As Prii continues rocking and shuddering, they let out a groan. For the briefest instant their body seems to ripple, and then their @{chilly coat|coat|sweater} simply explodes as thick, barklike plates emerge from their shoulders, arms, and torso, instantly ripping the material to shreds. The growth accelerates, segments fusing and overlapping, forming a thorny layer of armour over Prii's body.
    
    They touch their face with a trembling hand, their fingers brushing the bark that now plates their cheeks.
    
    "Okay," they whisper.
    
   
*set priip true
*set bethp true
What is happening, what is [i]happening?[/i]
    
The creature growls and moves towards Shauna, who remains on the floor, her leg twisted at an unnatural angle. Beth, face a mask of panic, battles to control her disc. Lurching from one direction to the other, she finally manages to plant her feet. Then she puts her full body behind a two-armed swing, throwing such force into the movement that she nearly falls over. The disc is wrenched around and sent careening into what passes for the creature's face with a resounding clang. Stung, the monster recoils, hissing and snarling with a dozen mouths.
*choice
    #Now's my chance to help Shauna!
        *set rel_shauna +2
        Beth can hit the creature hard enough to make it think twice. That gives you an opening.
        
        You start towards Shauna, whose breath is coming in tortured gasps.
        
        Before you get halfway there the monster sees you and growls, swiping its claws through the air in warning. You're forced to stop.
        
    #Where's Grant? Is he okay?
        You cast about frantically. Everything's happening so quickly that you can't keep track.
        
        It takes a moment to spot Grant. He still hasn't roused, blood continuing to ooze from his shredded back.
        
        You're no doctor. You can't tell the severity of his wounds, just that they're bad. He needs medical attention.
        
    #I'm rooted in place. This is too much.
        Monsters. Horrible injuries to your closest friends. Ignited powers.
        
        Your head spins. You'd need a second to process any one of these, let alone all of them at once.
        
The disc swings through the air again, but this time the creature is ready, absorbing the blow with a raised limb and then batting the disc away. "Prii! I need assistance!" Beth shouts as she's sent staggering, almost knocked from her feet.
*page_break
*if speciality = 2
    "I'm here!" @{dated_prii Their voice is no better on a second hearing and you flinch. They sound so… different. So pained.|}
    
*else
    "I'm here!"

*if speciality =1
    Prii stumbles forward disjointedly. You see them clench both fists, and then they thrust one hand forward.
    
    The little creatures leap from Prii's body and go skittering across the floor, fearlessly charging at the monster. It lashes out, attempting to crush them beneath its paws, but they're far too quick, darting past its swipes and stomps and scrambling their way up onto the monster's body. Chewing, tearing noises follow in their wake and the monster snarls and hisses with what could be pain.
    
    A contorted grimace crosses Prii's face and they clutch at their head, but their creatures are doing their job, holding the monster at bay as it attempts to dislodge them.
    
*elseif speciality =2
    Prii kicks off from their altered legs, launching forward like they've been shot from a cannon.
    
    Your heart rushes to your throat as the monster's claw scythes through the air, but Prii's faster, slamming headlong into the creature with such force that it loses a step. Prii rebounds, attempting to regain proper balance on feet that are no longer the correct shape.

*else
    Prii runs forward, fists clenched. The monster's claw scythes through the air.
    
    *if (bestie = 2) or (pastcrush = 2)
        An involuntary cry bursts from you as the claw meets their armour with a hideous crack.
        
    *else
        You flinch as the claw meets their armour, the clash echoing through the room.
        
    Though you fear the worst, its the claw that rebounds. It's Prii's armour that holds. The creature hisses its displeasure, retreating just a little.
    

Prii shakes their head and swallows, standing firm in front of the monster. They call without looking back, not daring to take their eyes off the beast for an instant.

"Beth! $!{mc_name}! Grab Grant and get to safety!"

"Prii, you cannot—"

"There's no time to argue! Go!"

Beth's jaw clenches and she falls silent. She rushes to Grant and stoops, looping his arm over her shoulder. She's clearly struggling as she tries to pull him up, the disc still weighing her down on top of those attempts. Grant's head lolls to the side, unresponsive.

Prii @{speciality watches their creatures harrying away, a sickly expression on their face.|twitches and shudders, struggling to adapt to their altered body.|breathes heavily, the armour expanding and compressing in time with each gulp of air.|}

One sound rises above it all. Shauna's pained sobs are so quiet and yet seem to scream into your ears. Her mangled leg quivers, more and more of her blood pooling on the ground beneath her.

*choice
    #I have to do something! I have to help!
        But how?
        *choice
         #Shauna needs me. I run to rescue her.
            *set helpshauna 1
            *if (dated_shauna)
                Forget everything else. The person you care about most is at the mercy of a monster.
                
                You can't—won't—refuse to leave her.
                
            *else
                Shauna's hurt and helpless. You have to do something.
                
            *if ((bestie = 1) or (pastcrush = 1))
                *set btalk 2
                "$!{forename}!" Beth.
                
                You slow, looking over your shoulder. She's managed to pull Grant onto the disc. There's a @{dated_beth pleading, shockingly vulnerable|vulnerable} look in her eyes.
                *fake_choice
                    #"Go! We'll catch up to you!"
                        *set bmessageb 1
                        Beth hesitates, and then nods. She runs for the darkened corridor, disc and its passenger in tow.
                        
                    #"I'll be fine, I promise!"
                        *set bmessageb 2
                        Beth hesitates. "I'm holding you to that," she calls back, and then runs for the darkened corridor, disc and its passenger in tow.
                        
                    #"We'll see each other again soon!"
                        *set bmessageb 3
                        Beth hesitates, and then nods. She runs for the darkened corridor, disc and its passenger in tow.
                        
                    *selectable_if (bethtalklater) #"Hey, don't worry! I still owe you that talk, remember?"
                        *set bmessageb 4
                        Beth musters the very ghost of a smile, and then nods. "Very well, it's a promise." She runs for the darkened corridor, disc and its passenger in tow.
                        
            *goto rushingover
                        
            *label rushingover            
            Rushing over to Shauna, you skid to a halt by her side. An unintentional breath hisses past your teeth as the extent of her wounds fully lands. You can see bone, and not in one piece.
            
            "H-hey." Despite everything, Shauna still manages a tremulous smile. @{dated_shauna Your heart breaks a little.|}@{pastcrush ||Your heart breaks a little.||}
            
            You flinch as you hear a yell from Prii, more snarling from the monster. You attempt to keep your tone level for Shauna's sake. "I'm getting you out of here," you tell her.
            
            Just… just have to figure out how.
            *choice
                #If I'm strong enough, I can physically carry her. I'll need to talk to her and keep her calm.
                    *comment add detail RE height diff
                    "Alright, I'm going to pick you up, Shauna. Ready?"
                    
                    She gives you a shallow nod. You slide your hands around her back and under her thighs, trying to secure the best grip possible. With a deep breath, you put your back into it and lift her up. She lets out a cry of pain as you rise, and you grit your teeth as you take your first steps with her in your arms.
                    
                    *if guts < 25
                            Things go wrong almost immediately. The warning signs are there right away; your arms and legs straining as you took on Shauna's weight. But you're committed now and you try to tough it out.
                            
                            Unfortunately, no amount of grit and determination can force muscle into your limbs. You're bobbing and weaving before you're halfway across the room, panting as your limited stamina depletes. Your limbs tremble. You try to readjust Shauna's weight, and that's it. She slips from your arms. You overcorrect trying to catch her, and the two of you both crash to the ground.
                            
                            You land on top of Shauna and she screams in agony.
                            *goto fissionmailed
                    *elseif (knowledge < 25) and (not (dated_shauna))
                        The first part of the plan works as it should. You're able to manage Shauna's weight well enough, keeping her secure in your arms as you hurry across the room.
                        
                        Unfortunately, the speed you're moving inevitably causes jostling. Shauna manages to muffle her first couple of cries, but as more and more pain etches itself into her face, her composure begins to break down and the sobbing starts.
                        
                        You're turning up blanks on reassurances. After a moment you mumble. "Ssh, ssh. It'll be okay." Even to your own ear you sound flat and uninspired.
                        
                        Shauna tries, she really does, but as you manoeuvre around a boiler, you bump her legs into it and she screams in agony.
                        
                        "Look out—"
                        
                        Prii's warning is fruitless. A heavy impact slams into your back and sends you sprawling.
                        *goto fissionmailed
             
                    *else
                        You hurry across the room as fast as you dare, managing Shauna's weight and keeping her secure in your arms. The speed that you're moving inevitably causes jostling, and though Shauna's trying to muffle her cries, you can see her composure breaking down piece by piece.
                        
                        "@{dated_shauna Baby,|Shauna,} keep your eyes on me, okay?" you murmur quietly. "Eyes on my face and nothing else."
                        
                        She inhales a trembling breath and then nods. Though she flinches with each step you take, only quiet whimpers slip out.
                        *goto helpshauna
                #Can I find anything in our gear or around the room to improvise a stretcher? I'd still have to haul it though.
                    *set helpshauna 2
                    
                    "Sit tight for just a second," you tell Shauna, who nods shallowly as you consider your next move.
                    
                    @{boilersearch You already searched the place once already, which narrows your options, but also saves you from pointlessly looking around. Instead you turn your attention directly to|There's no way you can just stroll around the room searching for useful items; if it's not in your immediate vicinity then it's not going to happen. You decide to rifle through} your and Shauna's backpacks.
                    
                    *if observation < 25
                        Unshouldering and unzipping your pack, you start hunting around inside. Unfortunately, your focus quickly gives way to agitation as your rummaging just seems to shuffle everything around, making it harder and harder to find anything useful. A growl that's half anger and half desperation rolls in your throat as you grasp the same roll of socks for the third time. Why did you even pack spare socks?
                        
                        Panic and frustration quickly begin to mount. This is taking too long. At last you resort to upending the entire bag, spilling its contents onto the floor in a disorganised heap. That at least lets you see everything all at once. Unfortunately, it lets you see everything all at once. You're already overwhelmed and now you've got inputs stacked on inputs. You start picking through the pile, opting to spread it out in front of you. Oh! Maybe you can use—
                        
                        "Look out!"
                        
                        Prii's warning is fruitless. A heavy impact knocks you sprawling across Shauna. She screams in pain.
                        *goto fissionmailed
                    
                    *else
                        Unshouldering your pack, you unzip it as far as it goes, pulling the pocket wide open to guarantee you have a good view of the contents. You scan everything as quickly as you can, your eyes alighting on a bundled up t-shirt that you definitely would have missed if you weren't paying attention. That's a start.
                        
                        *if (boilersearch)
                            @{mop And then there's the mop you picked up before. You dropped it when Grant tackled you to the ground, but you swiftly spot where it rolled off to|And then there's the mop you found earlier. Remembering where it is, you quickly hurry over} and pick it up.
                            
                        *else
                            You take a quick glance around your surroundings and strike gold; there's an abandoned mop leaning against one of the boilers. That's exactly what you need. You hurry over there, grab it, and return to Shauna.
                            
                        Mop in hand, you feed its handle through the armholes of the shirt. Lo and behold, you've got something to grip and Shauna's got something to sit on. It's ugly and it won't be comfortable, but hopefully it'll hold up enough for you to get Shauna out of here.
                        
                        You have the tools. Now you need to muster the strength. Positioning Shauna on your 'stretcher' as best you can, you look to her, seeing the fear shining in her eyes. "You ready?" you ask gentle. She swallows hard, and then nods.
                        
                        With that you turn, bend, and grasp the mop handle in both hands. @{mc_height ||||You have to stoop in order to position yourself correctly. Your back won't thank you tomorrow.|You have to stoop almost double in order to position yourself correctly. This will be hell on your back.} Taking a deep breath, you step forward and begin pulling.
                        
                        *if guts < 25
                            Oh. Oh dear.
                            
                            You really weren't prepared for how much physical effort this was going to take.
                            
                            All your strength is barely enough to budge Shauna. You tug and tug again, redoubling your efforts, but that just causes you to drag her in fits and starts. Painfully slow, emphasis on the pain. Sporadic and uneven movement is exactly the last thing Shauna needs.
                            
                            She cries out in pain. And again.@{dated_shauna  You try to blink the tears from your eyes.|} You're not getting anywhere. Not at this pace.
                            
                            And as if on cue with that thought. "Look out!"
                            
                            Prii's warning is fruitless. You barely see movement from the corner of your eye before a heavy impact knocks you sprawling.
                            *goto fissionmailed
                        *else
                            There's a little resistance at first, but you grit your teeth and redouble your efforts. Steadily you begin making progress across the room. Behind you there's the occasional whimper or gasp from Shauna as she's jostled around. Nothing that can be done about that; all you can do is keep pulling with all you've got.
                            
                            One foot in front of the other, you drag Shauna towards the hope of safety.
                            *goto helpshauna
                #If I can stem the bleeding a little I can get her moving, but if we're too loud, we're in big trouble.
                    *set helpshauna 3
                    "I'm going to have a look at your leg, okay?" Shauna flinches at the prospect, but still nods.
                    
                    You're not a doctor. Anything you do here will be temporary at best.
                    
                    *if knowledge < 25
                        Still, you've seen enough medical dramas and heard enough people talk about first aid to figure something out, right?
                        
                        R…right.
                        
                        Treating someone's maimed leg, you soon discover, isn't the type of process you can just muddle through. First you think of splinting the break, but you don't quite know how that works other than 'attach straight object to limb', and the only thing you can find is the crowbar Shauna dropped when the monster hit her. You grab Shauna's scarf as a makeshift binding, but as soon as you start tightening it, Shauna lets out a scream, flailing and pushing your hands away.
                        
                        Beginning to panic@{dated_shauna  and perhaps even cry,|,} you abandon that method and try the scarf again, this time as a tourniquet. You just have to tie those high up on the leg to stop the bleeding, you're pretty sure. You wind the scarf around her thigh, trying to form a secure knot. Shauna writhes, sobs, and then manages to speak. Beg, really.
                        
                        "$!{mc_name}, st-stop! Please, it hurts!"
                        
                        @{dated_shauna Your heart snaps neatly in two.|}@{pastcrush ||Your heart snaps neatly in two.||} How can you continue when she's pleading with you like that?
                        
                        As you desperately rack your brains for a fresh plan, Prii calls from behind you. "Look out—"
                        
                        The warning is fruitless. A heavy impact slams into your back and sends you sprawling.
                        *goto fissionmailed
                    *else
                        You dredge up every half-remembered internet search, random late night wikipedia article, and scrap of osmosed first aiding knowledge that you can recall. Then you try to cobble it together into something roughly resembling a medical assessment.
                        
                        After a terrifying moment of blankness, the realisation hits that actually, your untrained ass attempting to treat the wound is probably the worst possible thing to do. You're just going to cause more damage if you try anything elaborate.
                        
                        Basics then. You grip the hem of your top and with a grunt of effort, tear off a long strip of cloth. Taking the makeshift bandage, you wrap it around the most severe bites, instantly soaking it through with blood. Grimacing, you tear your top again and repeat the process. Shauna whimpers every time you so much as brush against her leg, and since you're really not sure how much you're helping her, you decide to call it quits there. Hopefully you've done enough. Hopefully you haven't done too much.
                        
                        Stooping low, you loop Shauna's arm around your shoulder and painstakingly help her upright. There's zero way she's putting any weight on her bad leg, so it's up to you to support her. @{mc_height |Given the huge height difference that's far from ideal, but it's your only option.|Given the height difference that's not ideal, but it's your only option.|||} Now to make your way out of here as quickly and quietly as you dare.
                        
                        *label sneakingwithshauna
                        *if subterfuge < 25
                            You recollect that you're not exactly a modern day ninja roughly half a second after you accidentally ram your backpack into one of the boilers while attempting to slip past, causing a heavy hollow thunk to echo around the room.
                            
                            As if in answer, the monster snarls.
                            
                            Before you can react, a heavy impact slams into your back, sending you and Shauna sprawling.
                            *goto fissionmailed
                        *else
                            You're light enough on your feet to help Shauna along while staying alert to potential disaster. That's just as well, because you very nearly ram your backpack into one of the boilers while attempting to slip past. Only a last second shift of your weight diverts the bag from a cacophonous collision.
                            
                            Barely daring to breathe, you guide Shauna towards what you hope is safety.
                            *goto helpshauna
                #My timing would need to be perfect, but with the right window of opportunity, I might be able to sneak her out.
                    *set helpshauna 4
                    "@{dated_shauna Baby,|Shauna,} do you think you can move?" you ask. Otherwise you need a different plan.
                    
                    "I… I… maybe." Shauna swallows thickly, blinking back tears. "If you help me."
                    
                    You nod. That'll have to do. "Listen, I'm going to get you up, then we're going to stay out of sight, and as soon as there's an opening, we move as quickly and quietly as we can."
                    
                    She exhales, a ragged sound that's more sob than anything else. "Okay," she murmurs. "I trust you."
                    
                    That trust in your hands, you stoop down to Shauna, looping her arm around your shoulders and painstakingly helping her upright. She bites back a cry of pain, leaning heavily on you for support, @{mc_height |which is far from ideal given the huge height difference, but you're all she's got.|which isn't ideal given the height difference, but you're all she's got.|which works well given you're just a little shorter than she is.|which works decently given your similar heights.|which is manageable, though she has to reach up a little given your stature.} Carefully you manoeuvre her around one of the boilers, putting it between you and the monster at the door.
                    
                    Then, you watch and wait.
                    
                    *if ((dated_prii) or (pastcrush = 2))
                        What you hadn't considered was that waiting for an opportunity entails sitting and twiddling your thumbs with a frontrow seat to Prii fighting for their life.
                        
                        Each claw barely dodged, each snap of jaws, each clubbing blow, they grip your heart in a vice, winding it tighter, tighter, tighter, an ever-coiling spring.
                        
                        *if (instinctive <= 35) and (expressive <= 25)
                            But you force distance. You force a barrier between you and your emotions and hold it firm with every ounce of calm you can muster.
                            
                            And you try to focus through the tears.
                            *goto obvscheck
                            
                        *elseif instinctive > 35
                            You try to force distance, try to force a barrier between you and your emotions. And while you hold onto every ounce of calm, the spring snaps, and your body moves on its own.
                            *goto helppriijank
                            
                        *else
                            You can't distance yourself. Who could possibly stay calm while watching the person they love battling a monster?
                            
                            Inevitably, the spring snaps.
                            *goto helppriijank
                        
                    *else
                        *goto obvscheck
                    *label obvscheck
                    It's a blur as Prii clashes with the monster. @{speciality Those plantlike creatures of theirs scurry and bite while Prii acts as some kind of commander—or perhaps handler—to direct the attack. All the while they dodge and duck away from the monster's attempts to snare them in its claws.|The alterations to their body enable them to strike hard and fast with fang and talon, even stand up to some of the monster's own counterattacks head on.|The thick armour plating deflects many of the monster's attacks, and Prii tries to strike back when they can. though their own punches seem to more annoy than hurt.|DUMMY} As the monster continues to thrash, Prii continues to evade, you catch a glimpse of a furiously scrabbling hind leg, and ice pools in your veins. It's almost through the doors. You're nearly out of time.
                  
                    *if observation < 25
                        Rattled by your realisation, you swiftly lose track of what you're seeing. The monster turns its head away from the exit passageway to snap at Prii and you snatch at the half opportunity, tugging Shauna by the arm. You're more dragging than helping her along, acutely aware of just how exposed you are as you make a frantic break for safety.
                        
                        You hear a snarl, and know that you've made a mistake.
                        
                        A heavy blow slams into your back, sending you and Shauna sprawling to the ground.
                        *goto fissionmailed
                    *else
                        
                    *goto sneakingwithshauna
                 
         #Grant needs me. I run to his side.
            *set keepsake 4
            If it wasn't for Grant then you'd be the one bleeding out on the ground. Or worse.
            
            *goto helpingbeth
         #Prii needs me. I run into the fight.
            Powers or no, you can't abandon Prii to battle that monster alone. Especially not when those powers are clearly messing them up big time.
            
            *if ((bestie = 1) or (pastcrush = 1))
                *set btalk 2
                "$!{mc_name}! Don't you dare! Don't you DARE!" Beth's voice is as fraught as you've ever heard.
                
                You slow, hesitate.
                *choice
                    #"I'm not leaving them, Beth!"
                        *set bmessageb 5
                        "You're going to get yourself killed!" Beth is almost pleading.
                        
                        "They need help! Go! There's no time to argue!"
                        
                        Beth looks furious and terrified all at once. "If you get hurt, I'll never forgive you," she growls, and then runs for the darkened corridor, disc and its passenger in tow.
                        
                    #"We'll catch up to you!"
                        *set bmessageb 6
                        "You won't catch up to anyone if you are dead!" Beth is almost pleading.
                        
                        "As soon as there's an opening, we'll follow. I promise."
                        
                        Beth's jaw clenches. "I will hold you to that." She runs for the darkened corridor, disc and its passenger in tow.
                        
                    *selectable_if (bethtalklater) #"Hey, don't worry! I still owe you that talk, remember?"
                        *set bmessageb 4
                        Beth musters the very ghost of a smile, and then nods. "Very well, it's a promise." She runs for the darkened corridor, disc and its passenger in tow.
                        
                You feel yourself tremble a little as you start back towards Prii. This is tearing you in half. Grant's hurt, but so is Shauna. Prii's in trouble, Beth's your @{dated_beth girlfriend|friend}@{pastcrush  and crush||||}.
                
                Beth, though, has her own powers. She can help Grant. Prii can't fend off a monster all by themself.
                
            *elseif ((bestie = 2) or (pastcrush = 2))
                "$!{mc_name}! No! Keep back!" Prii is borderline hysterical, taking their eyes off the monster to remonstrate with you.
                *choice
                    #"I won't let you do this alone."
                        "I have to, I'm the only one—"
                        
                        "There's no time to argue!" you cut them off. They're wasting their attention on you when they can't afford to be distracted.
                    #"Concentrate on the fight!"
                        "I—fine!" Prii's scowling with consternation, but for once you don't care what they think. Splitting their focus is going to get them hurt.
                    #"I'm helping and that's final!
                        *set rel_prii -1
                        "You can't be—"
                        
                        "I said final!" You cut them off. This isn't a discussion, and if Prii doesn't focus, they're going to get hurt.
              
                Your concerns prove well-founded as Prii wheels back to the monster and narrowly evades getting eviscerated by a swipe of its claws. Your heart is in your mouth. Any more talking and…
            *else
                "$!{mc_name} what are you doing!?" Prii's head snaps to you.
                
                *if expressive > 65
                    "Helping you, what does it look like?" You muster up a big smile that you can't begin to truly feel.
                    
                *elseif expressive < 35
                    "Helping," you tell them bluntly.
                    
                *else
                    "I'm helping you." Somehow you doubt that your face is as resolute as you'd like.
                    
                "I—okay fine!" They wheel back to the monster, narrowly evading an eviscerating swipe of its claws.
                
            *goto priihelp
         #Beth needs me. I run to assist her.
            She just ignited, the disc seems hard to control, and she's trying to haul the deadweight@{dated_grant  [i](not dead not dead not dead)[/i]|} of someone much bigger than her.
            
            *label helpingbeth
            *set origin 2
            *set lasthelp 3
            You skid to a halt alongside Beth and get Grant's other arm wrapped around you. 
                
            *if ((dated_grant) or (pastcrush = 4))
                Sickly dread pools in your stomach. He still isn't moving. 
                
            *else
                He still isn't moving.
                
            "On three," says Beth, face inches from yours. Sweat plasters her hair to her forehead. @{keepsake |||You cling to his wrist with a clammy hand, and as your grip tightens, something comes away in your grasp. Your spare a brief glance for the woven bracelet between your fingers, and then stow it in a pocket in order to reapply your grasp. Beth locks eyes with you.|} "One, two, lift!"
            
            Combining your efforts, you're able to haul Grant onto Beth's disc, which dips slightly in midair but remains relatively stable.
            
            *goto fleewithbeth
    #I—I can't. I—this isn't—
        *choice
            #Freeze.
                *set origin 2
                Your head turns to white noise.
                
                Too much. It-it's too much.
                
                "$!{mc_name}! $!{mc_name}, move!"
                
                Beth's calling out to you. She's managed to get Grant onto her disc. You snap out of your daze, and run over to join her.
                *goto fleewithbeth
            #Flee.
                *set origin 1
                *set ranaway true
                You can't. You can't do this.
                
                One foot edges backward. Then the other. You're hyperventilating, heaving great gulps of air, your heart pounding fit to burst.
                
                This—it's—you—
                
                No thoughts break through the incoherent jumble in your head. No thoughts, just a single imperative, crashing down upon you like a tidal wave.
                
                You turn and flee for the passageway, running with everything you have.
                
                "$!{mc_name}!"
                
                You don't slow. You don't speak. You don't look back.
                
                You have to get away. You have to. You have to you have to you have to
                
                *page_break getawaygetawaygetaway
                
                Your friends' shouts recede into the distance behind you. They thunder in your head.
                
                Breaths come in desperate little gasps as you plunge into the darkness. You stumble across the uneven ground, barely vault the obstacles in your path. Wires whip and scratch at your face. Your shoes hammer against the concrete, betraying your flight.
                
                Get out get out get out
                
                *if expressive > 60
                    You're not sure when the thoughts turn to whimpers, mumbled between snatches of breath.
                    
                *else
                    If you had the breath to spare, you might have whimpered aloud.
                    
                Where's the exit? Which way did you run? What if there are mor—
                
                A world-shattering scream tears through your thoughts. Tears through your everything.
                
                One foot catches on the other and you trip. Pain explodes across your jaw, your chest, your knees as they slam into unforgiving stone.
                
                You tumble to a halt, your body yelling in agony.
                
                Who was that—gotta get up—no no no no—

You scramble to your feet, staggering bodily into the closest wall as your legs betray you. Barely, you hold yourself upright.

That scream. That pain.
*choice
    #No no no no
        You cover your ears as if it makes a difference, as if that horrible scream isn't echoing around your skull.
        
        And you stumble back into motion.
        
        *goto fuckitybye
    #Forgive me but I can't. I just can't.
        *if guts > 50
            You've always thought of yourself as a fairly courageous person but this?
            
            This is beyond the limits of your bravery.
            
        *else
            You know it's cowardice.
            
            But when even the thought of turning back turns your blood to ice, what choice do you have?
            
            None.
            
            That's what you tell yourself.
            
        *goto fuckitybye
    #Is this who I am? They need me, and I'm running away.
        The thought freezes you to the ground.
        
        Your heartbeat roars in your ears.
        
        *label fleeorreturn
        *choice
            #Hating myself, I resume running.
                A stranglehold constricts your throat.
                
                They need you. They need you. They need you.
                
                And it doesn't matter. Your feet continue to carry you ever further away, and no amount of self-loathing will change the facts.
                
                *goto fuckitybye
            *disable_reuse #I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do.
                The primal need to flee is ingrained bone deep.
                
                But your friends are back there. Nobody's coming to help. Nobody but you.
                *goto fleeorreturn
            #I have to go back.
                *set origin 3
                Your determination crystallises into resolve. You clench your fists, steel yourself, and begin rushing back the way you came.
                
                *goto aloneinthedarkreturn

*label fuckitybye
*page_break Keep running.
Snatching desperate breaths of air.
*page_break Keep running.
Surrounded by darkness.
*page_break Keep running.
*set prologuehealth 3
Until you slam headlong into a wall, rebound, and bounce the back of your head off the floor.

Your nose takes the brunt of the impact, a gentle way to describe 'explodes in a shower of blood'. You don't need to be able to see the injury. You can [i]taste[/i] it.

Consciousness flutters tenuously, on the verge of deserting you entirely. Impulses misfire as groggy thoughts swim through your mind. Have to get up. Have to get away.

Muzzily, you pull yourself up into a seated position. A wave of vertigo and nausea washes over you to join the exhaustion. You attempt a steadying breath, then choke on the thick streams of blood running from your nose.

You're trying not to hurl when a sound pricks at the edge of your perception, slipping past your yammering heart and unquiet thoughts. It's so utterly out of place that you take a couple of moments to properly comprehend what you're hearing.

Someone's singing. The words are fuzzy, indistinct, the tune impossible to pick out. @{walkie Something about the voice is strangely familiar.|}

And as you bend your ear towards the song, an overwhelming weight of fatigue crashes upon your shoulders.

Your eyes close, and you tumble backwards into oblivion.
*goto wakeup

*label helpshauna
*page_break
*comment helpshauna 1 - carrying/calming, 2 - dragging on stretcher, 3 - treatment/sneak 4 - timing/sneak

@{helpshauna With Shauna in your arms,|Hauling Shauna's stretcher for all you're worth,|Steering Shauna with as light a tread as you can,|Steering Shauna with as light a tread as you can,|DUMMY} you hustle towards the dark passageway. Frantic calculations rush through your head; this corridor looks narrower than the double doorway, so the monster won't be able to get through, right? With you helping Shauna and Beth helping Grant, you should all be able to get clear, and then Prii can make good their own escape.

Okay. Okay. This is working. This will work. 

Ten feet from the passage now. Five. Three, two…

You cross the threshold right in time with a bloodcurdling scream@{bestie .| that shatters your world into a million pieces.|.|.|DUMMY}
*page_break Turn around.
Across the room, Prii is on the ground, their arm in the monster's main mouth.

There's a couple of yards between the two.

*if ((bestie = 2) or (pastcrush = 2))
    It's a bad dream. It has to be.
    
    It doesn't even look real. Like someone took a mannequin and snapped off a limb.
    
    Any second now Prii will stop screaming, wink, and pop their real arm back out from behind their back. The monster will droop and power down, revealing itself as some kind of animatronic. Everyone will have a big laugh about the prank, and everything will be right and good and Prii won't be pumping blood from the shoulder while something out of a nightmare crunches on the other three quarters of their arm.
    
    You take a floaty, weightless step towards them, Shauna all but forgotten. Another step. Then another—
    
    Prii's head jerks around, eyes locking dead on yours. The strange colour remains, but everything about their soft expression is Prii, Prii, Prii.
    
    "Y-you have to go." Their voice carries to you, hoarse with pain. "Help Shauna." A @{speciality |distorted ||DUMMY}smile forces its way onto their blood-streaked lips. "D-don't cry. You'll b-be okay."
    *choice
        #How can I deny them? Shauna needs me. I say goodbye, and I run.
            Eyes filling with tears, you nod.
            *fake_choice
                *if (prev_li = "Prii") #"I love you, Prii." @{dating |Now or never, right?}
                    *set confession true
                    @{dating Their lips twitch. "Y-you too. Always. Now [i]run![/i]"|Their lips twitch, and they sigh. You can see the pain in their eyes, a level beyond the physical. "W-wish I'd said…" They stop, shake their head. "Get out of here!"}
                        
                #"We'll meet again someday."
                    Their lips twitch. They nod.
                    
                #"Thank you, Prii."
                    Their lips twitch. They nod.
                    
                #The words won't come. I keep looking into Prii's eyes and hope it's enough.
                    What words would possibly be enough to convey the depths of what you feel for Prii?
                    
                    You keep eye contact for as long as you can. Prii's own gaze tells you everything and too little. You wonder if it's the same for them.
                    
                    But one thing their eyes are saying is that your time is up.
                    
            You turn away from Prii, a jagged tear in your heart, and @{helpshauna clutch Shauna tight in your arms.|return to Shauna, taking up a fresh grip on the mop handle.|steer Shauna back around.|steer Shauna back around.} Time to go. You @{helpshauna break into the fastest run you can manage.|begin dragging the stretcher as fast as your strength allows you.|urge Shauna forward as quickly as she can manage.|urge Shauna forward as quickly as she can manage.}
            *goto helpshauna2
        #No! I'm not letting them die! I can still save them!
            *set instinctive %+ 10
            *set prologuehealth 2
            @{helpshauna You don't so much lay Shauna down as dump her on the ground,|You let go of Shauna's stretcher,|You take the briefest moment to steady Shauna against the passageway|You take the briefest moment to steady Shauna against the passageway,} and then charge.
            
            *label icansavethem
            Rationality is long gone. All you know is that Prii needs your help, and they're going to get it. Adrenaline pounds through your system as throw everything you have into pumping your arms and legs.
            
            You can save them. You can. You [i]can—[/i]
            
            Impossibly fast, the monster jumps over them in a single bound. Its claws scythe through the air. And your arm. And your chest.
            
            It happens so quickly that you're on the floor before you can scream.
            *page_break The screaming comes next.
            *goto mcdowned

*else
    It doesn't even look real. Like someone took a mannequin and snapped off a limb.
    
    Any second now Prii will stop screaming, wink, and pop their real arm back out from behind their back. The monster will droop and power down, revealing itself as some kind of animatronic. Everyone will have a big laugh about the prank, and everything will be right and good and Prii won't be pumping blood from the shoulder while something out of a nightmare crunches on the other three quarters of their arm.
    
    Prii twists, eyes locking dead on yours. The strange colour remains, but everything about their soft expression is Prii.
    
    "$!{mc_name}, run!" they shout desperately.
    
    Shauna still needs you. If you leave her to help Prii, everything you've all done will be pointless.
    *choice
        #"Prii... thank you."
            You try to infuse the words with all the weight of your friendship, everything they mean to you. Prii smiles, closing their eyes.
        #"I'm coming back for you!"
            It's a desperate promise that you can't possibly keep. Prii manages a tight smile. "Shauna first."
        #"Don't you dare die, you hear me!?"
            *set instinctive %+ 7
            
            It's a desperate plea for an impossible miracle. They're missing an [i]arm.[/i] Prii manages a tight smile. "Do my best."
        #There's no time for words. I nod, and I get the hell out.
            *set instinctive %- 7
            Getting Shauna to safety is the sole priority. You can't spare energy for anything else. Prii returns your nod.
            
    
    @{helpshauna You swing away from Prii, clutching Shauna tight in your arms.|You turn away from Prii, re-securing your grip on the mop handle.|You steer Shauna back around, turning away from Prii.|You steer Shauna back around, turning away from Prii.|dummy} Time to go. You @{helpshauna break into the fastest run you can manage.|begin dragging the stretcher as fast as your strength allows you.|urge Shauna forward as quickly as she can manage.|urge Shauna forward as quickly as she can manage.|dummy}
    
    *label helpshauna2
    *set origin 6
    *set shaunagrant true
    *set lasthelp 2
    The darkness of the passageway swallows you whole.
    *page_break
    The disrepair and dim lighting of the corridor makes progress slow going in spite of your best efforts. @{helpshauna Carrying Shauna|Dragging Shauna along|Helping Shauna along|Helping Shauna along|DUMMY} is a significant wrinkle, forcing you to carefully duck wires and negotiate the other obstacles. Shauna managing to pull out her flashlight does help a little, but the beam she casts is wavering and unsteady. You don't know how much blood she's lost. You're not sure if you want to know.
    
    You're manoeuvring around a destroyed section of floor when a light from further along the corridor hits you full in the face, almost blinding you. A fresh jolt of panic shoots down your spine. Another threat? You shift as best you can into a defensive posture, but if you're attacked, you don't think you can—
    
    "$!{mc_name}!" A surge of relief. It's Beth.
    
    Her beam drops towards the floor and you swiftly hurry to reunite with her. However, as you and Beth meet in the middle, you catch a glimpse of her disc bobbing along in her wake. It's unoccupied.
    *choice
        #"Beth, where's Grant?"
            Beth hesitates.
            
            *label whereisgrant
            "Beth. Where is he?"
            
            *if (dated_grant)
                "I… I couldn't do anything, $!{mc_name}." She avoids your eyes. "He lost too much blood." A moment later she adds. "I am sorry."
                
                *goto whereisgrantl
            *else
                "I… I couldn't do anything, $!{mc_name}." She avoids your eyes. "He lost too much blood."
                
                "Right. Okay," you say, sounding as hollow as you feel. What else is there to say?
                
                *goto loaderup
        #"Where the hell is Grant!?"
            *set expressive %+ 5
            Beth flinches.
            
            *goto whereisgrant
        #I don't say a word.
            *set expressive %- 7
            Beth lowers her eyes.
            
            What is there to say? You know what that must mean. @{dated_grant You harden your heart and blink back the tears.|}@{pastcrush |||You harden your heart and blink back the tears.|}
            *goto loaderup
        *selectable_if ((dated_grant) or (pastcrush = 4)) #"Beth. Please. Please don't tell me..."
            Beth swallows and fails to meet your eyes.
            
            "Beth…" your voice is plaintive, even to your own ears.
            
            "I am sorry," she murmurs.
            
            *label whereisgrantl
            You barely hear her. Grant's dead. How can he be dead? You were just talking to—he was just—
            *choice
                #Pull myself together.
                    You can't let yourself fall to pieces, not when you're all still in danger. There will be time to grieve for him later.
                    
                    Taking a long moment to work through your breathing, you manage to compose yourself.
                    
                    "Let's keep going," you say hoarsely.
                    
                    "$!{mc_name}…" Shauna whispers, but you shake your head before she can say anything else.
                #I... I can't handle this.
                    Grant… you and he—there was a whole future ahead and—
                    
                    "$!{mc_name}." You didn't register Beth approaching, and you flinch. "You can't fall apart. We need you."
                    
                    "I'm sorry, $!{mc_name}," Shauna mumbles.
                    
                    You fight back tears as best as you're able. Beth's right. That doesn't make it easier.
                #Rail at Beth.
                    Grief boils over into anger. You trusted her to look after him, and this is what happens?
                    
                    "So you just left him to die!?" you snarl. 
                    
                    *if expressive < 30
                        *set expressive %+ 5
                        Beth jumps, your uncharacteristic outburst making her step back. "I, n-no, that isn't…"
                        
                        "Sure sounds that way to me!"
                        
                    *else
                        Beth grits her teeth. "$!{mc_name}, please understand—"
                        
                        "Understand what?" you cut her off. "That you couldn't take five seconds to make sure he wasn't fucking dying?"
                        
                    "$!{mc_name}, please leave her alone," Shauna's voice is weak, but it's enough to give you pause. She's hurt, just like Grant… was. You can't waste time arguing.
                    
                    You take a deep breath, giving Beth a truly vicious glare. "This isn't over."
                    
                    She nods shakily, avoiding eye contact again.
                    
                    "Guys…" Shauna murmurs, refocusing you both.
                    
            *label loaderup
            "Let's get Shauna onto my disc," says Beth. "It's better than you having to @{helpshauna carry her.|drag her along.|hobble along with her.|hobble along with her.}"
            
            You nod and help Shauna into a laying position. You try not to look at the splotches of blood already dotting the metal's surface. She manages a tight smile, but her complexion is ashen; she's ailing.
            
            "Follow me." Beth turns and heads back down the corridor.
            *page_break Follow.
            It isn't long before you reach an opening on the left side of the passage. Beth shines her light on it, and then on a sign alongside that reads STAIRS. "Here. It must be a way out."
            
            You nod assent.
            
            *goto aroundthecorner
*label mcdowned
Agony wracks you as you stare up at the ceiling. Barely, you muster the energy to flick your eyes down, revealing the sight of flesh hanging off your arm and torso in bloody strips.

All the ferocity and desperation from your mad rush has drained away. Must have bled out with the gore coating your body.

Somewhere not too far away you hear a whimper, and then the beginnings of a strangled cry, cut off with a hideously wet crunch.

*label mcfinal

There's a strange detachment to the realisation that you're about to die.

Thumping footfalls send vibrations through the floor, closer and closer. The monster appears over you, its leonine maw dripping bright crimson. It leans in closer and closer still, its hot breath blasting straight into your face.
*choice
    #I close my eyes.
        Your eyes slide shut. At least you don't have to watch the end.
        
        Too bad you can't close your ears too.
        
    #I spit defiance.
        You taste blood as you spit into the monster's face. It doesn't even react.
        
    #I scream for help.
        Your voice is thin and weak as you call out in desperation.
        
        But nobody comes.
        
    *selectable_if (guts > 50) #I summon every drop of strength and flip it the bird.
        It's a herculean effort to raise your left hand. Your fingers curl, leaving just the middle extended.
        
        The monster doesn't seem particularly offended.
        
    *if (lasthelp = 1) #I hold Shauna's body close, and I wait for the end.
        *if ((dated_shauna) or (pastcrush = 3)) 
            There's no fight left in you. Not when the girl you love just died in your arms.
            
        *else
            There's no fight left in you. Not when your @{bestie friend|friend|best friend|friend|DUMMY} just died in your arms.
            
        You hold her limp body tight against your chest.
        
    *if (lasthelp = 2) #I hold Prii's body close, and I wait for the end.
        *if ((dated_prii) or (pastcrush = 2)) 
            There's no fight left in you. Not when the person you love just died in your arms.
            
        *else
            There's no fight left in you. Not when your @{bestie friend|best friend|friend|friend|DUMMY} just died in your arms.
            
        You hold their limp body tight against your chest.
        
*label imgonnamunch
A purr rattles in the back of the monster's throat as its jaws begin to close around you.
    
And that's when, at the edges of your perception, you hear the song.

The words are fuzzy, indistinct, the tune impossible to place. @{walkie Something about the voice is strangely familiar.|} And the monster's teeth do not clamp down on your head.

With an overwhelming flood of fatigue, consciousness deserts you.
*set origin 5
*goto wakeup
        

*label fissionmailed
*page_break

Blurred vision. The room spirals around you for a second before you come crashing back to yourself.

There's no breath in your body. Your ears ring with a muted roar as if plunged deep underwater. You fight for air, ribs groaning in protest against your own lungs. It's like your chest has been dented from behind, and you let out an involuntary cry of pain as the slightest shift of your weight sends a shockwave through your back.

Suddenly sounds rush back, as if your voice pierced through the noiseless shell.

You almost wish they hadn't, because now you can hear Shauna's sobs. You think you landed on top of her, must have rebounded during that moment of disoriented weightlessness. Shauna's right alongside you and no longer holding back the noise. Seeing the hollow, staring expression on her face and the tears pouring down her cheeks, you're not sure that she even can.
*choice
    #Desperately try to shush her.
        You drag yourself that little bit closer to Shauna until your face is mere inches away from hers. 
        
        "Shauna, Shauna! Look at me." @{helpshauna Maybe you can keep her calm this time.|||} Your heart sinks as Shauna's eyes dart around, completely unseeing. "Shauna!" you hiss. Another couple of seconds pass, and then she finally focuses. You maintain eye contact as you speak, fruitlessly attempting to keep your voice from trembling. "You need to be quiet. Can you do that for me?"
        
        She shakily nods, screwing her eyes tightly closed and biting down on her lip so hard you fear she'll draw blood. Her entire body trembles. For a moment, it looks as though she'll stem the tide, but then with a particularly harsh shudder, her mouth opens up in a piercing wail.
        
    #Check on her leg.
        Getting your hands underneath you and pushing up off the floor, you brace yourself and then take a look.
        
        You instantly recoil, slamming your eyes shut as you twist your head away. It's too late to prevent the image of Shauna's mangled leg from burning itself into your mind, pouring blood, jagged spurs of bone sticking through the skin@{helpshauna .|.| and piercing your paltry attempts to dress the wound.|.}
        
        Oh god. Oh fuck. No wonder she's sobbing. Her leg's in about seven pieces.
        
    #Look around for the monster.
        After knocking you half senseless, it might just try to finish the job.
        
        You barely manage to get your hands underneath you to push yourself off the ground enough to check what's going on. Your eyes immediately gravitate towards the doorway.
        
        It isn't there.
        
        Oh fuck it's in the room.
        
        Shauna continues whimpering.

*if ((dated_shauna) or (pastcrush = 3))
        Your panic ricochets off every wall of your heart and your head. She's in so much pain and you can't begin to help.

A low growl rumbles through the air. As if drawn by a string, you slowly turn your head.
*set igetknockeddown true
*page_break Countless eyes stare back.


It's far, far too close, and you're directly in its sights. 
   
*label blinkblinkblink   
*if expressive < 25
     Every set of jaws slavering, the monster charges. You clench your teeth and wait to die.

*else
     Every set of jaws slavering, the monster charges. You can't hold back a scream.
    

Then Prii launches themself into the fray. @{speciality One of their creatures claws its way onto the beast's face, and Prii takes the opening to drive a punch square into one of its many eyes. There's a wet pop, and it howls in discordant pain as black blood pours from the wound.|Head lowered, they drive their horns unerringly into the monster's face. The prongs sink deep, and it howls in discordant pain as black blood pours from the wounds.|With the full weight of their armoured body behind them, they ram into the monster's head, staggering it heavily.|DUMMY}

@{igetknockeddown The distraction is enough of an opening for you to clamber onto your feet against the protests of your battered and bruised body.|}

@{igetknockeddown And no more than that.|And it's not nearly enough.} The monster rounds on Prii and rears up, letting out an earth-shaking roar. Prii stumbles, raising their arms in defence. That offers no protection against the terrible force of the creature bringing two claws down upon them, crushing them to the ground.

You begin to move—you couldn't say whether to help or flee—and the monster swats you with a contemptuous kick of a hind leg. You're sent rolling over and over across the floor, every inch of your body screaming in abject agony, only stopping when you slam backfirst into a wall, curling reflexively into a defensive ball.

Blink. Blink.

Vaguely, you see two shapes slumped nearby.

Blink. Blink.

Focusing isn't the right word for what your eyes do. But the shapes sharpen. You already knew what you would see; each of your friends lying there on the ground.

Pain forces a filter across your eyes. You can't make out if they're moving.
*choice
    #Shauna, I have to get to Shauna.
        *set lasthelp 1
        *if (bestie = 3)
            She has to be okay. She just has to be.
    #Prii. Are they okay?
        *set lasthelp 2
        *if (bestie = 2)
            They have to be. They just have to be.
            
Darkness crowding around the edges of your vision, you will yourself into a crawl. Your hands reach out and grasp with every remaining ounce of strength, dragging yourself along the floor inch by painstaking inch. You don't know the monster's movement and you can't spare the energy to care. It's too late to care. There's only @{lasthelp Shauna, and reaching her.|Prii, and reaching them.||}

And then you're there. You're with @{lasthelp her.|them.||}
*if lasthelp = 1
    *goto lastwordsshauna

*elseif lasthelp = 2
    *goto lastwordsprii

*label lastwordsprii

Prii's head tips towards you. "I'm—I'm sorry," they choke out, face a rictus of pain. @{speciality Their chest is distorted, dented.|Their chest is distorted, even by the standards of their altered body.|Their armour is cracked and crumbling, stoved in at the chest.|DUMMY} How many shattered ribs?

"Don't apologise." After choosing to face down that monster, Prii's the last of everyone who needs to say sorry.

Their jaw clenches tight, eyelids fluttering, breathing jaggedly laboured.
*if (dated_prii)
   *choice
    #"Prii, don't you die on me. Don't you dare die on me."
        You both know that you're begging for something they simply can't give.
        
    #"Please, please, please, please, please—"
        "Hey," they murmur, interrupting your helpless pleading. "It's alright, $!{mc_name}."
        
        It's not, and there's nothing you can do about it.
        
    #"I love you I love you I love you."
        They let out a tiny sigh, floating in your fervent declarations that will never be enough to convey how deeply you feel for them. "Love you too."
   *goto priidontcry     

*else
   *choice
    #"Prii, stay with me!"
        You're frantic, begging. You don't even know if they hear you.
    #"You're going to be okay. We can get help!"
        Their lips twitch wryly. You both know you're lying.
    #"You'll always be my friend, Prii. Always."
        What other comfort is left to offer? It's too late for anything else.
    *selectable_if (pastcrush =2) #"Prii, I never told you that..." 
            *set confession true
            Even now, you choke up on the words.
            
            Prii's lips twitch wryly, a knowing look in their eyes. "M-makes two of us."
            
            "D-dammit, Prii…" Your composure is disintegrating, tears trickling down your cheeks.
            
   *goto priidontcry
*label priidontcry
@{touchingokay Prii reaches out, brushing your jaw with their fingertips.|Prii gazes up at you, eyes filled with wistful sorrow.} A @{speciality |distorted ||DUMMY}smile forces its way onto their blood-streaked lips. "D-don't cry. You'll b-be okay."

@{touchingokay Their hand drops.|} Their eyes slide closed.
*fake_choice
        #"Prii? Prii!?"
            Your words fall on deaf ears. They're gone.
        #"No! Please!"
            Your plea falls on deaf ears. They're gone.
        #I can't speak.
            They're gone.
    
*label cradleprii
You cradle their lifeless body in your arms. Somewhere not too far away, you hear a whimper, and then a strangled cry, cut off by a hideously wet crunch.
*goto mcfinal
   
*label lastwordsshauna

She's trembling, eyes staring sightlessly as her lips mumble her pain. @{touchingokay You reach out a hand—shaking just as much as her—and touch her cheek.|}

"I'm here, Shauna. I'm here." You try your best smile, knowing that it's withering and dying on the vine.

"$!{mc_name} it hurts. It hurts so much." She shivers, her eyelids fluttering, breathing shallow.

*if (dated_shauna)
    *fake_choice
        #"I know. I'm sorry. I know. I'm here. Please. Don't go. Please."
            All you can do is beg. She can't d—she can't leave you. She can't. She has to be okay.
        #"Ssh. Ssh. It'll be over soon."
            Even saying the words is like a dagger to your chest, but what other comfort is there?
        #"I love you I love you I love you."
            All you can do is tell her over and over, make sure she knows with every fibre.
    
    Shauna's eyes finally focus on your tear-streaked face. A gossamer-faint smile appears.
    
    "I'll miss you, $!{mc_name}," she murmurs. Her head drops. Her eyes drift closed.
    *label loveshaunad
    *fake_choice
        #"Shauna? Shauna!?"
            Your words fall on deaf ears. She's gone.
        #"No! Please!"
            Your plea falls on deaf ears. She's gone.
        #I can't speak.
            She's gone.
    
    *label cradleshauna
    You cradle her lifeless body in your arms. Somewhere not too far away, you hear the beginnings of a strangled cry, cut off by a hideously wet crunch.
    *goto mcfinal
            
*else
    *fake_choice
        #"Stay with me, Shauna!"
            You're frantic, begging. You don't even know if she hears you.
        #"You're going to be okay, just stay awake!"
            Your promise is frantic, your demand desperate. You know it's not enough.
        #"No matter what, you'll always be my friend."
            What other comfort is left to offer? It's too late for anything else.
        *selectable_if (pastcrush = 3) #"Shauna, I love—"
            *set confession true
            "Ssh," Shauna's voice is glass thin, but she still stops you cold. A gossamer-faint smile appears on her face as her eyes finally focus. "I love you." She gives the faintest of giggles as you stare at her. "Always wanted… to say it… first…"
            
            Her head drops. Her eyes drift closed.
            *goto loveshaunad

    A smile twitches at Shauna's lips. "Thanks for everything, $!{mc_name}," she murmurs. Her head drops. Her eyes drift closed.
    
    She's gone.
    
    *goto cradleshauna
            
    
*label laststand
*page_break

You tremble from head to toe. Both Shauna and Prii gone in an instant.

For the moment the creature's back is to you, head lowered. Crunching. Chewing.

You can't see. You don't want to see.
*choice
    #There's nothing I can do. I run.
        *set origin 3
        Part of you hates yourself for admitting it, but you can't help them now. They're already gone. Any other course will just get you killed too.
        
        That isn't what they'd want.
        
        With the monster's attention fixated on its grisly prize, you sprint for the dark passageway. You hear a snarl behind you. Movement. But as footsteps begin to thunder in pursuit, you're into the scant sanctuary of the corridor.
        
        It should be too narrow for the creature to give chase. You keep running with all you've got.
        *goto aloneinthedark
    #I hurl myself headlong at the monster.
        *set origin 4
        *if expressive > 65
            You bellow your fiercest warcry.
            
        *elseif expressive < 30
            You charge in stoic, stormy silence.
            
        *else
            A noise that's half warcry and half scream bursts from your lips.
            
        The creature reacts quickly, but not quickly enough as you fall upon it with all the depths of your rage and despair, @{disarmed raining blow after blow upon its hide. Your knuckles are skinned raw in an instant; it's like slamming your hands into a brick wall.|stabbing wildly with your weapon with no regard for technique or even aiming your strikes.} And yet the monster recoils, flinching from your ferocity.
        
        For just an instant.
        
        Then it lashes out, a tail whipping through the air and clamping onto your shoulder. You scream as fangs sink deep into your flesh. With brutal, overwhelming force you're dragged to the ground.
        *page_break
        *achieve mmyummy
        *set prologuehealth 4
        The tail pins you in place as you twitch and convulse on your back. The monster looms over you, its leering maw dripping bright crimson. Hot, fetid air blasts you in the face as its jaws yawn wide to swallow you.
        
        And that's when, at the edges of your perception, you hear it. 
        
        Singing.
        
        The words are fuzzy, indistinct, the tune impossible to place. @{walkie Something about the voice is strangely familiar.|} The monster's teeth do not bite.

        With an overwhelming flood of fatigue, consciousness deserts you.
        *goto wakeup
    #It's over. What's the point?
        Your best shot wasn't enough. Your friends are dead.
        
        Enough's enough. You're done.
        
        *label uwuwhatsdis
        Between a moment and an eternity later, the monster's ears suddenly prick up and it whirls around to face you. Its misshapen maw drips bright crimson.
        
        As if sensing your broken spirit, it pads towards you unhurriedly. Its many mouths yawn open as it approaches, then halts right in front of you. It leans in closer and closer still, its hot breath blasting straight into your face.
        *page_break Wait for the end.
        *goto imgonnamunch
    *if ((dated_prii) or (pastcrush = 2)) #I'm paralysed. Prii, I—how could I let this happen?
        In spite of trying your hardest, it wasn't good enough. Your help barely amounted to anything. Now Prii is… Prii…
        
        Your grief freezes you over as you stare into nothingness.
        
        *goto uwuwhatsdis
    *if ((dated_shauna) or (pastcrush = 2)) #I'm paralysed. I let Shauna down.
        Why hadn't you tried to help her? She was in danger. You knew she was in danger. You knew she was hurt. And you just—you'd thought—you…
        
        Your grief freezes you over as you stare into nothingness.
        
        *goto uwuwhatsdis

*label helppriijank
*page_break

*set prologuehealth 2
You take the briefest moment to steady Shauna against the boiler, and then charge.
            
*goto icansavethem

*label priihelp
*page_break
   
With less distance between you and the monster, its reach grows terrifyingly apparent. Even stuck partway through the doors, it's clawing and biting at several metres. Not to mention, the way that those doors are rattling on their hinges, if Prii wasn't keeping it occupied by dancing in and out of range it surely would have ripped itself loose by now.

*if (knife)
    *set fightequip 1
    Meanwhile, you have a rusty knife. A fearsome weapon.
    
*elseif (mop)
    *set fightequip 2
    Meanwhile, you have a freaking mop. A formidable weapon. As quick as you can, you brace the mop against the floor and stomp on it, breaking off the head and leaving a jagged spike of wood. Marginally better equipped, you keep moving.
    
*else
    *set fightequip 3
    Meanwhile, you're unarmed and out of your depth.
    
You reach Prii's side. @{speciality They're pouring with sweat, face spasming and flinching. Their fingers twitch constantly, and their jaw works on nothing. Their eyes are darting every which way, and you realise that they're following the movements of the strange creatures that ripped out of their body. The monster continues to snap and swipe at the chittering creepy crawlies, but for now, they're keeping clear of its clutches.|They're breathing heavily, posture awkward and ungainly. They don't seem to know what to do with their body in its altered form, and you can hardly blame them. How is a person supposed to adapt to half a foot of growth, legs configured wrong, and an extra, well, whatever those massive horns and teeth weigh?|They're breathing heavily, clearly straining under the weight of all that armour. You're not even sure armour is the right word. The bark looked as though it grew straight out of their body. Shell? Carapace?|}
            
"I really hope you have a plan," Prii murmurs.
*label creatureplan
*choice
    *hide_reuse #"Does 'charge' count as a plan?"
        "No."
        
        You shrug.
        *choice
            #I wasn't kidding. I really think we should charge.
                "It's the best I've got," you tell Prii.
                
                "$!{mc_name}…" They shake their head. "I wish I had something better. Alright. Guess we're doing this."
                
                You @{fightequip tighten your grip on the knife.|tighten your grip on the mop.|clench your fists tight.} Yes. You are.
                *goto headon
            #"You're no fun." But also correct. I consider alternatives.
                Fighting the monster head on would be tantamount to suicide. You need a different strategy.
                *goto creatureplan
    #"If I get a good enough look at it, maybe I can find a weak point?"
        Prii grimaces. "That's a big maybe, $!{mc_name}."
        
        "It's the best I've got," you reply.
        
        They nod slowly. "I'll buy you time." With a quick thump of the fist against their chest to psyche themself up, Prii steps forward.
        *page_break Hang back.
        You force calm as you watch, though keeping cool while fixating on a monster is no easy task. The more you look at it, the more wrongness you uncover. Limbs articulate in alien configurations, muscles flow and bulge strangely beneath the skin, and you've already had more than your fill of its innumerable eyes.
        
        Prii keeps its attention as best they can, a mouse baiting the world's most dangerous cat. @{speciality The little plant creatures are an effective distraction, consistently attracting the beast's ire. Better them than Prii.|Their own physiology is far from normal right now, enabling them to spring and stride out of its clutches.|You jolt each time their carapace takes a blow, impacts echoing through the room like a gunshot. Still, for now the armour holds.|}
        
        *if observation >= 40
            As you stare, a realisation slowly dawns in tandem with a chill seeping down your spine.
            
            There isn't a weak point. This isn't a conventional animal bound by the rules of biology and anatomy. Eyes might be a vulnerability for the average predator, but what about when there are countless redundant organs?
            
            You need to rethink.
            
            "Prii!" you call. "Back up!"
            
            They nod and retreat—the monster swipes at them, and Prii's measured backpedal turns into an unbalanced evasive stumble.
            *goto successheadon2
        *else
            Staring and staring again, you're drawn in almost hypnotically. So many chattering teeth, movement sinuous in spite of the misshapen bulk…
            
            Like a plunge into icy waters, you're suddenly snapped from your reverie.
            
            The monster is meeting your gaze.
            
            Almost casually, it squares its shoulders and tears its way loose of the restricting doorway. All without breaking eye contact.
            
            *page_break Oh fuck it's in the room.
            *goto blinkblinkblink
    #"I'll be bait, then you hit it when you get a chance."
        "$!{mc_name}, you can't—"
        
        "I am," you cut them off. Prii grimaces, but nods.
        
        With Prii's objections belayed, that just leaves putting the plan into action.
        
        Deep breaths.
        
        *page_break Step forward.
        
        It's not as if you have to work hard to grab the monster's attention. The moment you walk out ahead of Prii, you're once again fixed by its endless clusters of eyes. It takes all your nerve not to simply freeze up again.
        
        *if guts < 40
            *set sneakyfail true
            *set prologuehealth 2
            Unfortunately, the particular plan you've hatched requires a surfeit of nerve, and your legs are all a jitter as you commence your deadly game of cat and mouse. You weave in and out of the monster's reach, a hair's breadth from disaster as it snaps and claws in your wake. From the corner of your eye, you see Prii circling around to its flank. You don't need to hold up for long—
            
            But that's still a little too much. You move too slowly once too often, and the monster is ready.
            
            *goto slashyslash
            
        *else
            *if fightequip != 3
                *set disarmed false
                
            You harden your resolve and tense your muscles. You aren't going to let it catch you by surprise again. You won't let yourself be paralysed by fear.
            
            And you commence your deadly game of cat and mouse. You weave in and out of the monster's reach, a hair's breadth from disaster as it snaps and claws in your wake. From the corner of your eye, you see Prii circling around to its flank, and you continue darting about, adrenaline pumping and heart pounding. You hear the hiss of a swipe, feel the displaced air on your skin, know it's anticipating you better with each attack. You can't keep this up much longer—
            
            Just long enough.
            
            Prii seizes their opportunity and leaps into action. @{speciality Their creatures screech in unison, and then bury their teeth deep into the monster's flesh. Simultaneously, Prii charges, ragged strips of their clothes trailing behind them, and plunges a hand into one of the monster's eyes.|Quite literally. Their raptorlike legs send them soaring, and they bring both sets of talons to slice into the monster's side.|They move like a human wrecking ball, wielding their carapace as a weapon all its own and ramming as much of its thorny surface into the monster as they can.|DUMMY} Wounded, the monster howls in discordant, furious agony, intense enough to stagger. Prii springs clear, and you start to believe you have a chance.
            
            *goto successheadon2
    #"Distract it. I'll attack from behind."
        Prii nods slowly. "That makes sense."
        
        Now you just have to sneak up on something with a few dozen ways of spotting you.
        
        "I'll buy you time." With a quick thump of the fist against their chest to psyche themself up, Prii steps forward.
        *page_break Dart into the shadows.
        You sidle into the corner of the room, treading lightly and keeping low as you position yourself in the gloomiest alcove of pipes you can find.
        
        That was the easy part.
        
        You remain perfectly still, poised in the shadows, and you wait. 
    
        Prii keeps its attention as best they can, a mouse baiting the world's most dangerous cat. @{speciality The little plant creatures are an effective distraction, consistently attracting the beast's ire. Better them than Prii.|Their own physiology is far from normal right now, enabling them to spring and stride out of its clutches.|You jolt each time their carapace takes a blow, impacts echoing through the room like a gunshot. Still, for now the armour holds.|}
    
        And you wait.
    
        The monster is twisted in the other direction, still partially trapped in the doorway. No eyes fix you with their gaze. You clench @{fightequip your weapon in both hands|your weapon in both hands|your fists} and move.
            
        *if subterfuge > 45
                You slip from the shadows, duck beneath a flailing claw, and drive @{fightequip the knife|the makeshift spear|your hand} into@{fightequip  | |one of }the nightmare's @{fightequip flank|flank|eyes} with all the force you can muster.
            
                An agonised, furious, discordant howl erupts from the creature's maws and it thrashes wildly, hurling you clear@{fightequip  and ripping the knife from your grasp.| and ripping the mop from your grasp.|.}
                
                *if fightequip !=3
                    *goto successheadon
                
                *page_break Get up get up get up
                *achieve unlikelyhit
                You land hard, rolling over twice.
                
                *if instinctive > 65
                    Despite the severity of the situation, you can't quite keep a stupid grin off your face. Did you seriously just pull that off with your bare hands?
                    
                    You are a grade A certified badass. With horrible fluids all over ${mc_his} fist.
                    
                *else
                    Going after the monster with your bare hands was insanely reckless. Part of you still can't believe you actually pulled it off.
                    
                    Also now your fist is covered in horrible fluids that you're going to try not to inspect too closely.
                
                Scrambling to your feet, you shake your head, trying to dispel the ringing in your ears from the howl's aftershocks. Your eyes refocus on the sight of Prii still fighting, ducking and weaving around the monster as best they can.
                
                *goto successheadon2
        *elseif subterfuge > 40
                You slip from the shadows and move in as quickly as you dare. Closer and closer you draw. Ten feet, five feet, four, three…
                
                Just as you shape to strike, the monster stiffens, and then rounds on you, hissing and snarling. Your swing goes wild, @{fightequip slicing a shallow cut along its flank.|scoring a shallow gouge along its flank.|your fist deflecting harmlessly off its hide.}
                
                Well. Shit.
                
                @{fightequip An|An|You have a moment to reflect upon the wisdom of engaging a living nightmare with your bare hands before an} almost contemptuous backhanded swipe knocks you sprawling.
                *goto unsuccessheadon
        *else
                You slip from the shadows and close in as quickly as you dare.
                
                Perhaps that's not quick enough. Perhaps your tread is too heavy. Perhaps you never escaped its notice in the first place.
                
                The monster turns while you're still in no man's land, stranded between attack and concealment and all too within its reach.
                *page_break So very in its reach.
                *set prologuehealth 2
                *set sneakyfail true
                
                *goto slashyslash
*label headon
*page_break Steel yourself and charge.
Together, you and Prii rush towards the monster. It tenses, snarling.

*if guts > 50
    And somehow, you're quick enough.
    
    Its claws scythe through the air and you have the reflexes to react, diving forward and rolling underneath the lethal blow. You spring straight to your feet and keep moving, rushing into the belly of the beast.
    
    *if (knife)
        The monster's jaws begin to snap, another claw to swipe, but you're already on top of it. Shouting a wordless cry, you drive the knife home, plunging it deep into the nightmare's neck. Hot liquid floods across your hand and an agonised, furious, discordant howl erupts from the creature's maws. It thrashes wildly and you're hurled clear, the knife ripping from your hand. You crash hard to the floor some metres away.
        *goto successheadon        
        
    *elseif ((mop) and (guts > 61))
        Jaws begin to snap, another claw to swipe, but you're already on top of it. Wielding the broken mop like the spear of a questing knight, you shout a wordless cry, thrusting it deep into the monster's mouth. The creature chokes, a burst of hot liquid erupting from its mouth and across your hands. An agonised, furious, discordant howl erupts from the creature's maws and it thrashes wildly, hurling you clear. You crash hard to the floor some metres away, catching a brief glimpse of it biting the remains of the mop in half.
        *goto successheadon
        
    *else
        Jaws begin to snap, another claw to swipe, but you're already on top of it. @{fightequip |You shout a wordless cry, thrusting the mop forth. The point strikes the monster straight in the head, and then your stomach plunges as your weapon simply shatters in your hands. Your sole reward for your efforts is a shallow cut to its face, a gnat biting an elephant.|You shout a wordless cry and throw the best punch of your life, connecting with the monster's face with a resounding crack. It barely moves.}
        
        @{fightequip |You may not have inflicted much damage, but you've certainly captured the monster's attention;|You have a brief moment to reflect upon the wisdom of engaging a living nightmare with your bare hands before} it knocks you flying with an almost lazy backhanded swipe.
        *goto unsuccessheadon
*else
    *set prologuehealth 2
    And you're not fast enough.
    
    *label slashyslash
    Its claws move impossibly quickly, scything through the air. Then your arm. Then your torso. You're on the ground before you can so much as cry out.
    
    "$!{mc_name}@{dated_prii , no!" screams Prii.|!" shouts Prii.} And then you hear a horrible thudding [i]crack[/i], a choked half gasp.
    
    Prii crashes to the floor alongside you, @{sneakyfail the plan in ruins.|the charge a failure before it even began.} Barely, you muster the energy to flick your eyes down, revealing the sight of flesh hanging off your arm and torso in bloody strips.
    *page_break
    *goto lastwordsprii

*label successheadon
*page_break Get up get up get up
*achieve unlikelyhit
You scramble to your feet, suffused with a giddy cocktail of excitement and terror. Hah, who needs powers when you've got a @{fightequip knife|broken mop|DUMMY} and a prayer?

How the hell did you pull that off?

Your ears are ringing from the aftershocks of the howl, your equilibrium unsteady. Your eyes refocus on the sight of Prii still fighting, ducking and weaving around the monster as best they can.

*label successheadon2
One step. You make it one step towards them.
*page_break
The monster whips around and Prii is half a heartbeat slow. There's a sickening crunch as it clamps its jaws on Prii's arm, teeth grinding bone. Prii screams, and any optimism dissolves in an instant. The creature shakes them like a dog catching a rat, and you hear the visceral pop of tendons snapping, bones breaking. 

It lets go and Prii soars through the air, trailing an arc of blood. The monster throws itself forwards, and with a screech of tortured metal, the doors can finally hold it no longer and rip from their hinges. Freed of its restraints the creature bolts straight after Prii.

Shauna lies in its path, still hobbled by her maimed leg.

Your eyes meet for an instant across the room.

"$!{mc_name}—!"

The monster tramples straight across her, leaving her face down and unmoving, her neck twisted at an impossible angle.

*if ((bestie = 3) or (pastcrush = 3))
    Oh no. No no no.

Seconds later, it catches up to Prii, desperately trying to raise themself up on their one good arm. They manage half a scream, and then the monster rips into them.
*goto laststand
*label unsuccessheadon
*page_break Get up get up get up
You scramble to your feet, body groaning in protest but not significantly worse for wear. It spared you its claws: lucky you.

Prii's still fighting the monster, and you're unsure if you managed to contribute much more than a momentary distraction. They're ducking and weaving as best they can, trying to keep clear of tooth and claw. Maybe between the two of you, there's a chance to wear it down.

*goto successheadon2

*label aloneinthedark
*page_break

The nightmare recedes behind you while the darkness swallows you up.

You see their faces over and over. The blood. The screams.

With a choked shudder, you dig out your flashlight. Broken. You almost trip over something on the ground, don't dare to stop to check what it is. 

There's no sign of Beth or Grant.

You couldn't say how long you stumble blindly through the passage.
*choice
    #I call out for help.
        Your voice echoes off the walls.
        
        Nothing.
        
        Or, wait.
        
    #I stop and try to catch a breather.
        You place your hand to the wall. Your attempts at breathing deep and slow are jagged and uneven. The possibility of the monster closing in on you gnaws at the edges of your mind.
        
        A none-too-distant sound freezes your blood, and then you realise that you're not hearing the monster's hiss or snarl.
    #I keep moving.
        Stopping here isn't going to get you anywhere. Worse yet, the monster could catch up. You don't believe for a second that it couldn't find a way to give chase.
        
        Not ten steps further down the passage, you hear something.
    *if (knowledge > 50) #Wait, what about my tablet?
        With all the chaos, you'd completely forgotten about your gear. Gripped by sudden excitement, you scramble to unshoulder your backpack and dig through the contents. Sure enough, your tablet is there and intact, and you power it up with fumbling fingers.
        
        The illumination is painfully bright. As you unscrew your eyes, your heart sinks to see that there's no signal. Still, at least you have light.
        
        And that's when you hear something.

*label lalalala
Is that… singing?

The words are fuzzy, indistinct, the tune impossible to pick out. @{walkie Something about the voice is strangely familiar.|}

As you bend your ear towards the song, an overwhelming weight of fatigue crashes upon your shoulders.

Your eyes close, and you tumble backwards into oblivion.
*goto wakeup

*label aloneinthedarkreturn
*page_break

You try to stay calm and focused as you move.

Not too hard, so long as you avoid thinking about that scream.

You shiver as it rattles around your head, and attempt a distraction by digging out your flashlight. At least with that you won't be stumbling around in the dark. The thin beam of light stretches out in front of you, failing to illuminate the end of the passageway. The realisation of just how far you ran begins to sink in, and you pick up the pace.

Then you hear something at the very edge of your perception.

Your flashlight blinks twice, and then dies.

*goto lalalala
*label fleewithbeth

With that, you run for the corridor together, run for the hope of safety.

Run, and leave Prii and Shauna behind.
*page_break

You rush through the passageway with Beth. She's just ahead of you and has dug out her flashlight, illuminating the way forward with one hand and towing her disc along with the other. You haven't quite figured out how her power works; there seems to be more to it than simply directing the disc where she wants. There's heft. Drag.

It's better, easier to concentrate on a hypothetical problem, or really any distraction than to let yourself think about the others. 
*choice
    #I keep looking back over my shoulder.
        Night blindness makes a mess of your attempts to discern what's happening behind you.
        
        At least there doesn't seem to be pursuit. Yet.
        
    #I'm trying my best to steady Beth's disc, for Grant's sake.
        The metal lurches uneasily, bobbing to and fro. With the light source ahead of you, it's difficult to make Grant out in any real detail. He's still unconscious, that's enough of a worry.
        
    #And yet I think about them anyway.
        Can Prii really fight a monster alone? Can they fight and protect Shauna simultaneously?
        
        *if ((dated_prii) or (pastcrush = 2))
            You shouldn't have left them. You haven't run that far, there's still time to—
            
        *if ((dated_shauna) or (pastcrush =3))
            Shauna is helpless back there. You shouldn't have left her. You haven't run that far, there's still time to—
            
"$!{mc_name}, look at this," Beth calls softly. She's shining her light on a new passageway, diverging left from your current course. Your attention gained, she turns the beam towards a sign alongside the opening: STAIRS.
 
It's not the dim light alone that lends her eyes a desperate gleam. "A way out."
*fake_choice
    #Agree to take the turn off.
        "I think it's our best bet," you tell Beth.
        
        She nods fervently.
        
    #Argue against it.
        "That doesn't mean it leads back up," you point out.
        
        "I doubt this building has multiple basement levels, $!{mc_name}," Beth counters.
        
        It doesn't look like you're going to be able to dissuade her, and despite your misgivings, you're acutely aware that splitting up would be a horrible idea.
        
*label aroundthecorner
Together, you manoeuvre the disc around the corner to prevent any @{shaunagrant Shauna|Grant}-jostling collisions, and then start off down the new corridor. It's in no better repair than the previous passage, with the right hand wall completely gutted and exposing a nest of pipes and wiring that you can't begin to make further sense of than 'very unsafe'. Urgency lends your legs a desperate energy. @{shaunagrant Shauna's looking worse and worse, eyes fluttering closed.|Grant's breathing seems to get shallower every time you look at him.} If you don't get out of here soon…

Beth stops so suddenly you almost run into her.

"What the hell is this?" she hisses, shining her flashlight on the floor ahead.
*page_break
Illuminated by the beam of light you see an incomprehensible mess of snaking, overlapping wires. Periodically they crackle and spit, spurting showers of sparks.

You don't need to be an engineer to know that stepping on that would be a very, very bad idea.

Beth stares at the wires, glances at you, and then back to the wires. She swallows. "There is enough space to work our way through, if we are careful."

Your eyebrows rise. That's far more daring than you'd expect of Beth. On the other hand… you glance at @{shaunagrant Shauna; she|Grant; he} can't afford the delay of backtracking. "Okay, let's do it," you reply.

Beth nods. Her face cast with determination, she pulls back a hand and then slowly pushes it forward, taking tight breaths. Exertion beads on her forehead as her disc slowly but smoothly floats its way over the perilous floor, reaching the far side without incident. Beth briefly doubles over, panting, but then forces herself upright. "I will go next. Ensure it is doable."

She doesn't give you the opportunity to object, immediately stepping forward into the danger zone. You find yourself holding your breath as she painstakingly places her feet with exacting precision, picking out the tiny spaces between the wires.

*page_break Something rumbles.
Beth startles, and for a second you think it'll be disaster, but she adjusts, taking two quick steps to traverse the last of the wires. The moment she reaches safe ground, she casts about wildly. Even in the gloom, you see her blanch.

"$!{mc_name}, get over here!" she shouts frantically. "The doors are closing!"

Doors? What does—Beth has already whirled away from you and gone charging up the corridor, @{shaunagrant Shauna|Grant} in tow.

*if instinctive > 60
    That leaves the urgency in no doubt. You step into the wires, allowing your feet to carry you without overthinking the placement.
    
*elseif instinctive < 40
    Though that leaves the urgency in doubt, your first step into the wires is still as measured as ever. Trying to cross too fast will get you electrocuted; better to slow a little now than get killed by rushing.

*else
    That leaves the urgency in doubt. You step into the wires, trying to move as quickly as you can while still paying attention to your footing.
    
By the time you make it across Beth's far ahead of you, and your heart skips a beat. There are indeed doors. Heavy, metal doors. And they're slowly converging into the centre of the passage, sliding closed like an elevator. Somehow, you doubt that there's a hold button. You dash after Beth.
*page_break You're not going to make it.
There's too much ground to cover. In the near distance Beth manages to pass the doors, but the disc almost gets wedged between them, scraping against the metal before making it through.

And you're too far back. Even running as fast as you can, you're too far back.

Beth turns around, and you see the truth of it in her horrorstruck expression. Closer, and closer still—

The doors are a foot apart and narrowing as you reach them. Too little, too late. You can't possibly make it through. You'd be crushed.

It feels like a sick joke. After everything, this is how it ends?

You lock eyes with Beth across the shrinking gap.
*set btalk 3
*choice
    #"Don't look back! Never look back!"
        *set bmessage 1
        "$!{mc_name}!"
    #"Run! Leave me!"
        *set bmessage 2
        "No! I—"
    #"Please don't leave me!"
        *set bmessage 3
        "$!{mc_name}, I—"
    #"Don't forget us."
        *set bmessage 4
        Her face crumples.
    #"This isn't your fault."
        *set bmessage 5
        Her face crumples.
    #"BETH! HELP ME!"
        *set bmessage 6
        "$!{mc_name}, I can't!"
    #"Don't you fucking dare!"
        *set bmessage 7
        "$!{mc_name}! I'm—"
    *if ((dated_grant) or (pastcrush = 4)) #"Promise me you'll protect him! Promise me!"
        *set bmessage 8
        "I… I promise."
    *if ((dated_shauna) or (pastcrush = 3)) #"Get her out, Beth! Promise me!"
        *set bmessage 9
        "I… I promise."
    *selectable_if (dated_beth) #"Beth, I love you."
        *set bmessage 10
        Her breath catches. "I love you too."
    *selectable_if ((pastcrush = 1) and (compatible_beth)) #"Beth... I've always loved you."
        *set bmessage 11
        *set confession true
        Her eyes shine wetly. "Me too."
    *if (pastcrush = 1) #I don't tell her I love her. I can't do that to her.
        *set bmessage 12
        You try a faltering smile. Beth can't match it.
    #I force myself to smile. That's what I want her to remember.
        *set bmessage 13
        "$!{mc_name}—"
    #I'm frozen in terror.
        *set bmessage 14
        "$!{mc_name}—"
    #I simply scream.
        *set bmessage 15
        "$!{mc_name}—"

The doors slam shut with the finality of a closing casket, plunging you into darkness. You pry at them desperately, but they're sealed tight.

You're trapped.

For several long seconds, you can't even bring yourself to move. The only sound in the passageway is your own ragged breathing.

When you turn around, it's joined by another, right at the edges of your perception.

*goto lalalala

*label wakeup
*set namedisplay 3
*set prologue false
*set met_coven true
*set met_cg true
*if guts < 18
    *set guts 0
*else
    *set guts -18

*set knowledge -10
*set observation - 6
*set subterfuge - 7

*page_break
You jolt awake, a curse, a cry, a plea on your lips. You twist wildly, hunting for danger in every direction.

The meagre sights of your shipping container are all that meet your eyes.

Right. Right. 

You aren't there. You're here in the container. Those are only memories. They can't harm you.

Much.

You stare blankly into space, eyes unadjusted to the gloom. Your pulse hammers and skips, remaining erratic even as you try to steady your breathing and regain some semblance of composure.

As always, it's a losing effort.

How many times have you relived that night?

*if ((origin = 1) or (ranaway))
    You've lost count. The sounds and sensations, the crushing darkness of the passageway. They're as familiar as the back of your hand.
    
    As always, the memories carry with them the taste of bitter emotions.
    *choice
        #Guilt. I ran away when it mattered most.
            *set guilt 1
            Grant motionless and bloodied on the floor. Beth desperately trying to pull him onto the disc. Shauna wailing in pain and fear. Prii standing alone against a waking nightmare.
                
            A frozen moment of time, forever branded in your memories.
        
            [i]"$!{mc_name}!"[/i]
        
            You don't know who called out as you fled. In your dreams you've heard all of their voices, both alone and together.
        
            Alone is worse.
        #Resolve. I ran because it was death to stay.
            *set guilt 2
            That's what you tell yourself each night the dreams return. That's what you insist over and over again. You couldn't do anything. Prii and Beth ignited, not you. They were the ones with superpowers. You'd have just got in the way, been another person to protect, a distraction they couldn't afford. Fleeing to safety was the smart choice, the [i]only[/i] choice.
            
            On better days, you get halfway to believing yourself.
            
            Maybe that's the best you deserve.
        *selectable_if (origin = 3) #Insecurity. I tried to go back! I did!
            *set guilt 3
            You know you made a mistake by running, but it wasn't your fault. You were afraid and you reacted in the moment; Prii and Beth ignited, not you. And besides, the second you regained your nerve, you turned around and came straight back.
            
            Time and again you justify and you rationalise, you tell yourself that anyone else would have done the same, and that it counts for something that you tried to return.
            
            None of it spares you the nightmares.
    
    *if origin = 1
        *achieve originsurvival
        
    *elseif origin = 3
        *achieve originalonedark
     
    *set priistatus 3
    *set shaunastatus 4
    *set bethstatus 2
    *set grantstatus 3
    *goto afterwake  

*elseif ((origin = 4) or (origin = 5))
    Often, the nightmares twist your memories. Some nights, the soothing song does not quell the monster's—the Project's—hunger. You awaken screaming, still feeling its teeth crunching upon your skull. On others Prii and Shauna beg for your help, and no matter how you strain and shout to reach them, the Project rips them limb from limb before you can get there.
    
    Inevitably, your find your thoughts drifting towards your other friends. Beth, rushing off into the darkness, bearing Grant on that disc of hers like a stretcher… or a gurney. Grant's easy; you hope@{dated_grant —damn but you desperately hope—| }that he's still alive. But it's impossible to know. By contrast, your feelings on Beth are conflicted. She didn't have to listen to Prii and leave the rest of you. Maybe she shouldn't have listened. You've cursed her out, you've wept for her, you've even tried to blank her from your head entirely.
    
    Still, thoughts of Beth usually pull in a specific direction, enough so that it's the closest to your 'real' feelings you think you'll ever get.
    *choice
        #Understanding. Grant was hurt, and she had to prioritise him.
            *label bethunderstanding
            *set battitude 1
            Beth had an impossible call to make. You can't blame her for choosing the person who was bleeding to death. @{dated_beth Even over her ${mc_boy}friend.|}
            
            @{shaunagrant After everything you did to keep Shauna safe, you of anyone should understand why Beth made that decision.|Grant saved your life. Maybe you owed him your escape.}
            
            That doesn't lessen the hurt. That doesn't stop you from wondering 'what if?'
            
            Mostly, you just hope it wasn't for nothing.
            *goto origincleanup
        #Resentment. She abandoned me. Abandoned Shauna and Prii.
            *set battitude 2
            Yes, Grant was injured@{dated_grant , and you of all people wanted Grant to be safe, |, }but Shauna was hurt too, and Beth had just ignited.
            
            And she left Prii to fight a monster alone.
            
            *if ((dated_prii) or (dated_shauna))
                With both of them, maybe they could have fought it off. M-maybe @{dated_prii Prii—|Shauna—}
                
            *else
                With both of them, maybe they could have fought it off. Maybe all of you would have made it. Maybe you wouldn't have—
                
            *label bethresentment    
            You crush down the thought and bury it deep. Nothing good can come of following that trail.
            
            *goto origincleanup
        #Fury. She's a coward.
            Her and Prii both ignited, Prii far more traumatically than her. You'd know.
        
            She ran away. Prii stayed. Prii died. Shauna died.
            
            You could, maybe should have died.
            
            *label bethfury
            *set battitude 5
            Even now, you feel the embers of rage stoking in your chest. It's a force of will to wrench your thoughts elsewhere. Nothing good can come from stewing in your anger, not now.
            *goto origincleanup
        *if ((dated_beth) or (pastcrush = 1)) #Grief. I loved her, and I don't know if she's even alive.
            *label bethgrief
            *set battitude 4
            *if btalk = 2
                @{bmessageb [i]"Go! We'll catch up to you!"[/i]|[i]"I'll be fine, I promise!"[/i]|[i]"We'll see each other again soon!"[/i]|[i]"Hey, don't worry! I still owe you that talk, remember?"[/i]|[i]"They need help! Go! There's no time to argue!"[/i]| [i]"As soon as there's an opening, we'll follow. I promise."[/i]}
                
                @{bmessageb A lie. It wasn't meant to be.|A broken promise. Maybe one you never could have kept.|A lie. It wasn't meant to be.|A talk you never got to have. So much left unsaid…|You really believed you could help. Who were you kidding?|A broken promise. Maybe one you never could have kept.}
                
            *elseif btalk = 3
                @{bmessage [i]"Don't look back! Never look back!"[/i]|[i]"Run! Leave me!"[/i]|[i]"Please don't leave me!"[/i]|[i]"Don't forget us."[/i]|[i]"This isn't your fault."[/i]|[i]"BETH! HELP ME!"[/i]|[i]"Don't you fucking dare!"[/i]|DUMMY|DUMMY|[i]"Beth, I love you."[/i]|[i]"Beth… I've always loved you."[/i]|You just smiled.|You just smiled.|You froze.|You screamed.}
                
                @{bmessage You wanted her to keep going, but…|You wanted her to keep going, but…|And yet she did.|Desperate, if only not to be forgotten.|You didn't want her to blame herself.|A desperate plea. Maybe one impossible for her to answer.|Anger born from desperation.|DUMMY|DUMMY|At least you got to tell her.|The last possible moment to say anything. Was it even worthwhile?|A smile to hide your feelings.|Did it even give her the good memory you hoped for? Was it worthwhile?|It was all too much.|It was all too much.}
                
            You feel tears welling and angrily dash them away with the back of your arm. It doesn't matter anymore. None of it matters.
            *goto origincleanup
        *if ((dated_beth) or (bestie = 1)) #Numbness. I thought she cared about me.
            *label bethnumb
            *set battitude 3
            Your @{dated_beth girlfriend|best friend} abandoned you. Left you to die.
            
            *if btalk = 2
                At the time, you @{bmessageb told her you'd catch up|told her you'd be fine|told her you'd see her soon|reminded her about the talk you owed her|refused to leave Prii|promised her you'd catch up}. But… she was the one who ignited. She was the one with powers. Why didn't she stay? Why didn't she drag you along? She never hesitated to speak her mind before, so why then?
                
            *elseif btalk = 3
                Couldn't she have done anything? Warned you sooner? Moved past the wires faster? Or heck, that disc of hers seemed sturdy enough, couldn't she have wedged it between the doors and jammed them open?
                
                Instead she just stared. Stared, and left you.
            
            The familiar aching nothingness is already creeping into your chest. You screw your eyes tightly closed and force yourself to breathe. Now isn't the time. Tomorrow's too important to deaden yourself to the world.
            *goto origincleanup
                        
*elseif ((origin = 6) or (origin = 2))
    *if origin = 6
        *achieve beth
        *achieve shauna
        *set alive 2
        
    *elseif origin = 2
        *achieve beth
        *achieve grant
        
    In countless nightmares. Sometimes, you attempt to cross through the doors and they clamp upon you, bisecting you inch by inch. Others, Beth shoves you back through them as you reach her, trapping you personally. The barest whisper of consolation is that @{shaunagrant Shauna|Grant} was on the far side. @{shaunagrant She|He} still had a chance.
    
    As for Beth… you @{bmessage told her to never look back.|told her to run. Leave you.|pleaded with her not to leave you. Then she did.|told her not to forget you. Or the others.|told her it wasn't her fault.|screamed for her help.|were furious, 'don't you dare' was all you could think of.|got her to promise she'd keep Grant safe.|demanded she promise to get Shauna out.|told her you loved her, one last time.|confessed your love at the very last second.|couldn't bring yourself to confess your feelings.|gave her a smile in the hopes of leaving behind a good memory.|were too afraid to even say anything.|were too preoccupied with screaming to say anything to her.}
    
    You've had a long time to think about that night. Your feelings about Beth are conflicted, sometimes matching how you felt and acted in those final moments, sometimes shifting wildly. You've hated her, you've wept for her, you've begged for forgiveness. However, the thoughts usually pull in a specific direction, enough so that it's the closest thing to your 'real' feelings you think you'll ever get.

    *choice
        *if (not (shaunagrant)) #Understanding. Grant was hurt, and she had to prioritise him.
            *if bmessage =8
                After all, you asked, demanded, pleaded that she look after him.
            
            
            *goto bethunderstanding
        *if (shaunagrant) #Understanding. Shauna was hurt, and she had to prioritise her.
            *if bmessage = 9
                After all, you asked, demanded, pleaded that she get Shauna out.

            
            *goto bethunderstanding
        #Resentment. She left me to die.
            You're sure that she had a hundred excuses for doing what she did, but what it ultimately boils down to is that she left you there. She didn't even try to help you. Couldn't she have given a better warning, or moved faster, or heck, positioned her disc between the doors and tried to wedge them open?
            
            Just a couple seconds more, and you could have made it. Then you wouldn't have—
            
            *goto bethresentment
        #Fury. She's a coward.
            The moment Beth had a chance to bail, she took it without sparing you a second thought. Self preservation was the only damn thing on her mind.
            
            *goto bethfury
        *if ((dated_beth) or (pastcrush = 1)) #Grief. I loved her, and I don't know if she's even alive.
            *goto bethgrief
        *if ((dated_beth) or (bestie = 1)) #Numbness. I thought she cared about me.
            *goto bethnumb
        

*label origincleanup
*if origin = 4
    *achieve originlion
    *label status1
    *set priistatus 2
    *set shaunastatus 2
    *set bethstatus 2
    *set grantstatus 3

*elseif origin = 5
    *achieve originjaws
    *goto status1

*elseif origin = 2
    *achieve originnoescape
    *set priistatus 3
    *set bethstatus 2
    *set grantstatus 3
    *set shaunastatus 4
    
*elseif origin = 6
    *achieve originnoescape
    *set priistatus 2
    *set bethstatus 2
    *set grantstatus 2
    *set shaunastatus 3
    
*page_break
*goto afterwake

*label afterwake

You shake your head, a pointless effort to pull free of the snarled web of recollection. 

In no mood to resume your slumber, you throw off your @{livingconditions crummy blanket|blanket|faded duvet}, entangled by you thrashing about in your sleep, and haul yourself out of bed. Well. Mattress. You grope about in the dark until your hand alights on the brick masquerading as a phone laying on your bedside @{livingconditions box|crate|table}, and then check the time.
*page_break 04:24 AM

Yeah. Sounds about right.

Sighing, you sit back down with a thump. Not like you own a chair, so it's the mattress or the unforgivingly frigid floor. Still the memories of that night circle around your thoughts in an endless loop.

Over five years ago.

You only learned how long it's been when you spotted a discarded newspaper on the second day of your assignment. Five years since everything changed. Five years of… this.

Your phone's clock ticks over to 04:25. You're not due anywhere for hours, and you absolutely refuse to put yourself back at the mercy of your dreams.

Nothing else to do but kill time.

*finish Settle in.
*comment max guts 65 - 18 (both boosts, tall), min guts: 18 - 18 (bad stat and small), max knowledge 63-10, min 20 - 10, observation 63 - 6, 20 - 6, subterfuge 65 -7, 18 - 7
*comment assuming neutral, good guts is 42 mid guts is 22, bear in mind.