Assemblage of Angels

Sunlight streams in through the cracks in the curtains. There is a warm presence beside you, still asleep. You are filled with a sense of divinity. Just as well.(set: $wings to true) Today you are going to build an angel. <div class = "button">[[Get up, already->yourplans]].</div>

According to your plans, you need three things to build an angel. Bones for the wings. Muscle to move them. A heart to power them. You've found sources for each. All that remains is to collect them. Who will you visit first? <div class = "button">[[The smith.]]</div> <div class = "button">[[The tanner.]]</div> <div class = "button">[[The doctor.]]</div>

You attract a few glances in this part of town, some curious, some hostile. You become acutely aware of the ladders in your tights, the almost-worn-through elbows of your jacket. Grimacing, you [[hurry your steps.]]

You hear the sounds of the smithy long before it comes into your view. It sits like a squat dragon, smoke billowing out of every orifice. A soot-stained apprentice eyes you suspiciously as you approach. You suppose you don't quite fit in here the way you once did. "I'm here to pick up an order," you say, and her expression changes immediately. "Is Giles in?" [["Yes'm. I'll get him for you."]]

You hold your scarf over your nose as you step inside the tannery. A bright, cheerful bell jingles over the door to herald your arrival. "Coming!", a singsong voice calls out from somewhere in the back. <div class="button">[["Just me, Evie."]]</div>

But you knew that from the start. Human hands alone cannot create an angel. That's just common sense. You need [[divine intervention]].

Worship went out of fashion decades ago, crushed in the gears of industry. Most temples were converted to community halls, or workshops, or left to rot. This one is the last in the city of its kind. You finding it was sheer luck, or maybe [[a blessing.]]

The air is still and cold. You keep the weight on the balls of your feet, trying to muffle the sound of your uncertain steps. The altar is empty but for two plates, one covered in [wax]<wax|, the other with [ash]<ash|.(click: ?wax)[ For a wish granted, a white candle is best, so they say. You set it down on the wax-covered plate. (set: $candle to true) (if: $candle is true and $paper is true)[(show:?cloaked)]](click: ?ash)[A scrap of paper, tinted the faintest blue, your wish inked as neatly as you could manage. You place it atop the ashes, where so many others have done the same.(set: $paper to true) (if: $candle is true and $paper is true)[(show:?cloaked)]] |cloaked)[<div class="button">[[Light it up]]</div>]

(if: $wish is true)[<div class = "wish"></div>](if: $wings is true)[<div class = "wings"></div>](if: $feathers is true)[<div class = "feathers"></div>](if: $straps is true)[<div class="straps"></div>](if: $heart is true)[<div class="heart"></div>]

Every door on this street is painted the same inoffensive off-white, to match their pale-ivory houses. Your destination is the single exception: deep vermillion, with an ostentatious lion-head knocker. <div class = "button">[[Knock once.]]</div> <div class = "button">[[Knock twice.]]</div> <div class = "button">[[Knock out a pattern.]]</div>

A few moments pass. There is a rustling sound. The door cracks open, its chain rattling. You briefly see a single eye, before the door slams shut, then opens wide again. "Val!" He wraps his arms tight around you, squeezing the air from your lungs. "Come in, come in. You look well." <div class = "button">[["Thanks."]]</div> <div class = "button">[[(Lie) "You too."]]</div> <div class = "button">[["Because of you."]]</div>

A few moments pass. There is a rustling sound, then the rattle of a chain unlocking, and then the door flings wide open in front of you. "Val!" He wraps his arms tight around you, squeezing the air from your lungs. "Come in, come in. You look well." <div class = "button">[["Thanks."]]</div> <div class = "button">[[(Lie) "You too."]]</div> <div class = "button">[["Because of you."]]</div>

He smiles at you. "Well, then. It's just back through here." You nod, letting him lead you through cramped hallways. You have to step carefully over discarded sheafs of paper as you go. ["I remember your dorm being a lot cleaner."]<cityfolk| (click: ?cityfolk)["Yes, well ... Can't say I have much time for cleaning these days. Nor does Phoebe. Barely see her lately, anyway. ... Ah, here we are." With a flourish, he sweeps open a door. [["After you."]]]

He snorts, an undignified sound at odds with his fine clothes and carefully-styled hair. It's a clever facade, but it doesn't hide his sunken eyes, nor the jut of his ribs when he hugs you. "Should I check your sight while you're here?" ["City life doesn't suit you, then? I'm surprised."]<cityfolk| (click: ?cityfolk)["Oh, it suits me just fine," he says breezily, shutting the door behind you both. "Suits Phoebe better, of course. Barely see her these days." You hum sympathetically as he leads you through cramped hallways. "Ah, here we are." With a flourish, he sweeps open a door. [["After you."]]]

His eyes soften. "It's my pleasure. I just wish I could spend more time refining it, but you know how it is." You don't, but you nod anyway as he leads you through the cramped hallways, occasionally stopping to shove a sheaf of paper aside with his foot. "Sorry for the mess. Don't have much time to clean these days. ... Here we are!" With a flourish, he sweeps open a door. [["After you."]]

In the center of the room, something lies shrouded in fabric. You step forward, reverent, and kneel. Its shroud is heavy in your hands; you lift it up and away, and press your fingers to its core. It begins to |breathe>[breathe.] (click-append: ?breathe)[ You sense Damien hovering behind you. "Is it the right one?" "Yes," you say quietly, watching the beautiful motion of its valves. "It's perfect." A moment of hesitant silence."Will it work?" <div class = "button">[[(Lie) "I'm sure of it."]]</div> <div class = "button">[["I don't know."]]</div> <div class = "button">[["I'll make it work."]]</div>]

He laughs, softly. "I look forward to it, then." (display: "damien_end")

A gentle touch on your shoulder. "If anyone can do it, it's you. I look forward to seeing your success." (display: "damien_end")

He laughs, softly. "I know you will. I look forward to it." (display: "damien_end")

(set: $heart to true)Between the two of you, you manage to carry the device back outside and hail a hansom-cab. Damien carelessly shoves |cash>[a wad of cash] into the driver's hands. (click: ?cash)[ He catches your gaze and looks away, sheepish. "If you ever need help ... They do treat me well," he admits. [["I should hope so. You're a great doctor."->greatdoctor]]]

He doesn't keep you waiting long. "You're mad." "Good to see you too, Giles." "Yeah, yeah." He claps you on the shoulder. "But you are." [["I know."]] [["It'll work."]]

He snorts and shakes his head. "Keep telling yourself that." "Wanna bet?" "Absolutely not." You share a wicked grin. "Your stuff's on a wagon out back. You gonna be okay to carry it?" [["I don't live *that* far away. And don't you have a job to be doing?"->giles2]]

He nods, satisfied. "Wouldn't be a law of nature left standing if you and Damien had your way, huh?" You pout. "Leave Damien alone. His research is perfectly law-of-nature-abiding." "And yours isn't?" He raises an eyebrow when you don't reply. "... Well, whatever. Your stuff's out back on a wagon. You gonna be okay to get it home?" [["I don't live *that* far away. And don't you have a job to be doing?"->giles2]]

(set: $feathers to true)He scowls at you. It's almost comforting in its familiarity. "You're gonna hurt yourself carrying all these burdens one day, and you're *not* to come complaining to me." "That was almost poetic, Giles." "Ah, fuck, don't tell Damien. I'll never hear the end of it." Giles takes your hand in both of his. "But I mean it. You know where I am. We've lost enough already." You close your eyes. [[For a moment, you contemplate it.->toorisky]]

Assemblage of Angels <div class="button">[[Begin]]?</div> <div class="button">[[Credits]]</div>

You slide out of bed, careful not to wake her, and creep out to your [workshop]<workshop|. (click: ?workshop)[Paper covers every visible inch of your workspace. Equations and diagrams tacked to the walls. Discarded prototypes scrunched up in the corner. And on the floor, a single sheet outlining your final plan. [This is how you'll do it.]<paper| (click: ?paper)[Paper won't get you far, though. You need to head into the city to pick up your [[home<-materials]].]]

(if: (history:) contains "The smith." and (history:) contains "The tanner." and (history:)contains "The doctor.")[It's all here, now. You just have to [[assemble it]].](else:)[Where next? (if: (history:) contains "The smith.")[<div class = "crossedout">The smith.</div>](else:)[<div class = "button">[[The smith.]]</div>] (if: (history:) contains "The tanner.")[<div class = "crossedout">The tanner.</div>](else:)[<div class = "button">[[The tanner.]]</div>] (if: (history:) contains "The doctor.")[<div class = "crossedout">The doctor.</div>](else:)[<div class = "button">[[The doctor.]]</div>]]

He snorts and shakes his head. "They're afraid of me. This-" he gestures vaguely to the house "-is to keep me sweet." "Which is why you can't be seen helping me." You shoo him away with a faint smile. "Go on. I'll be in touch." He squeezes your hand one last time. "You'd better." [[The vermillion door closes behind him, and he's gone.->home2]]

"It's too risky. But I'll write, I promise." "You'd better." The wagon is, as promised, extremely heavy. It'll be a long journey [[home->home2]]. But it's for the best.

"Eh? Who's that then?" There's a loud rustling as Evie pushes her way through the racks of animal skins. She looks you up and down, brows creased in confusion. It takes a good minute of studying your face before her eyes light up in recognition. "<i>Avery</i>?" "Valerie," you correct, with a wry smile. "Right, yes, of course--your letters--do forgive me, dearest. Come here!" She envelops you in a warm, pillow-soft hug. "It's so good to see you, and looking so well! I do worry about you two, you know." <div class="button">[["You don't need to worry."]]</div> <div class="button">[["I appreciate it."]]</div> <div class="button">[["How are things here?"]]</div>

"You can say that all you like, but it won't stop me." She presses a kiss to your forehead before pulling away. "And can you really blame me, after everything that's happened?" "No, I can't," you admit. "Exactly." She sighs. "But you [[didn't come here to listen to me ramble]], hm?"

(set: $straps to true)"Good lass." She presses a kiss to your forehead before pulling away. "I know you can take care of yourselves, but after everything that's happened ..." "I know," you say gently. She sighs. "Yes, well. You [[didn't come here to listen to me ramble]], did you?"

"Oh, same as ever, same as ever. Never see the twins anymore, mind you. Too busy with the fine life. Damien does send the odd care package, though, so I can't be too angry with him." She presses a kiss to your forehead before pulling away. "But you [[didn't come here to listen to me ramble]], hm?"

She lifts the paper-wrapped package into your arms like a mother with a child. "Just like you asked. You don't half know how to ask the impossible of someone, mind." "Thank you, Evie." You cradle it to your chest. "It'll hold?" "Tested it meself." She grins and pats her belly. "You've nothing to worry about. Now [get gone]<leave|, I've got work to do before opening time." (click: ?leave)[You politely pretend not to notice her voice cracking, just as she ignores the tears welling in your eyes as you [[leave->home2]].]

Images used: (link: "Engine")[(open-url:"https://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/4886815765")] (link: "Feathers")[(open-url:"https://www.pxfuel.com/es/free-photo-imbcx")] (link: "Diagram of a Flying Machine")[(open-url:"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leonardo_da_Vinci_Diagram_of_a_proposed_flying_machine.jpg")] (link: "Straps")[(open-url:"https://www.pxfuel.com/en/free-photo-emcis")] (link: "Vitruvian Man")[(open-url:"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Da_Vinci_Vitruve_Luc_Viatour.jpg")] [Return]<Return| (click:"Return")[(reload:)]

You work (as you always do) with a single-minded focus. The leather is supple under your fingers, the metal feather-light and thin as silk. Muscles connect to joints, stretching with each [whirring heartbeat]<heartbeat|. (click: ?heartbeat)[Finally, you sit back on your haunches. Sunset glows through the window. Everything is as you calculated. You carry it outside, and [turn it on]<on|. (click: ?on)[ It flaps pitifully, struggling against gravity. You grit your teeth and switch it off. Your knees hit the soft grass, then your palms. It is [[not enough->Not enough]].]]

[A bell rings.]<bell| (click: ?bell)[[You drop the paper.]<drop| (click: ?drop)[You [[look up]].]]

There is [a girl]<thegirl| in the doorway. (click: ?thegirl)[She tilts her head at you, curiousity bright in her dark eyes. "I haven't seen you here before." "I haven't been here before," you say. She laughs. [The sound echoes.]<echo| (click: ?echo)["People only get faithful when they want something. It's always the same." You are frozen in place as she walks towards you, the bells on her shoes tinkling with every step. She reaches past you, towards the still-warm ash, and shakes her fondly as she traces her fingers through it. "And it is always, always for [[love]].]]

She takes her ash-smeared fingers and presses one to the end of your nose. "There will be a price, [you understand.]<aprice|" (click: ?aprice)[You manage a nod. There is always a price. She smiles. "Good. I won't charge it now. One day, maybe many years from now, I'll come calling. For now, you should [go home]<gohome|." (click: ?gohome)[Only when she is gone do you find yourself able to move. Your skin tingles where she touched it.(set: $wish to true) You should [[go home]].]]

The full moon lights your way home through the woods. As you draw close, the sweet smell of onions cooking fills the air. She smiles brilliantly up at you as you stand in the doorway. "There you are. I was beginning to think I'd have to eat all this myself." <div class="button">[["Well, I'm not that hungry..."]]</div> <div class="button">[["Sorry I'm so late."]]</div> <div class="button">[[Kiss her.]]</div>

She mock-gasps. "You? Not hungry? Who are you, and what have you done with my Valerie?" The two of you share a laugh as you set the table. (display: "dinner")

"Well, I do wish you'd tell me what you're up to, but I'm sure it'll be worth the wait." "I hope so," you say, and the two of you share a laugh as you set the table. (display: "dinner")

She sighs against your lips. "I do wish you'd tell me what you're up to. It had better be worth it." "I certainly hope so." The two of you share a laugh as you set the table. (display: "dinner")

You shovel the stew down as fast as your stomach will allow. She raises an eyebrow at you. "Somewhere to be?" "You could say that." "Do I get to come, too?" "If you're good." "I'm always good." She flutters her lashes at you. [["Come on, then."]]

"Really?" Her eyes light up, and she gulps down the last of her food. "Yep. I finished today." You stand and take the handles of her chair. "If you're ready?" "Yes!" She claps her hands, then folds them neatly in her lap. [[Take her outside.]]

The way her hair catches the moonlight takes your breath away. You wheel her to just outside the workshop door, and promise you'll only be a moment. The device looks the same as when you left it. It occurs to you, briefly, that this still may not work. [You think of the girl, and the ash.]<ashes| (click: ?ashes)[You breathe in deeply, and carry your work to its [[intended recipient.]]]

"What ... is that?" she asks, bemused. "I'll show you. Here, give me your arms." You lift her down onto the soft grass. For a moment you sit there together, arm in arm. [You can't read the expression on her face.]<expression| (click: ?expression)[Gently, gently, you fit the leather straps over her shoulders, around her chest. You shuffle backwards. [["Try pressing the button."]]]

There is a [click.]<clik| (click: ?clik)[A [whirr]<whirr| of machinery. (click: ?whirr)[The unmistakable sound of wings, (cycling-link: "unfurling", "beating", "[[flying]]")]].

With one great push she propels upwards, her form sailing between you and the moon. A [realisation]<realise| dawns upon you, watching her dart, sparrow-like, through the air. (click: ?realise)[These are not the clumsy, mechanical creations you had stitched together. Whatever that girl did--whoever that girl was--these are angel wings. And Bryana--gods, but you love her--is [[your angel]].]

She glides, wings extended, down towards you. Slow, pulsating beats keep her at eye level. Tears stream down her cheeks. "Val," she whispers. "Thank you." Her forehead touches yours, a gentle, firm pressure, as though it's all that's keeping her grounded. You take her hands in yours. You don't know [[what to say]].

Perhaps [[no more words]] are needed.

Tomorrow morning your work will begin anew. But tonight, tonight, her arms wrap around your waist. Her lips press against your neck. <div class="button">[[And your feet leave the ground.]]</div>

<i>end.</i> [Play again?]<again| (click: ?again)[(reload:)] <div class="button">[[Credits]]</div>